Effect of pulsed current welding on mechanical properties of high strength aluminum alloy

High strength aluminum alloys (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys) have gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of lightweight structures requiring high strength-to-weight ratio, such as transportable bridge girders, military vehicles, road tankers and railway transport systems. The preferred welding processes of high strength aluminum alloy are frequently the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process and the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process due to their comparatively easy applicability and better economy. Weld fusion zones typically exhibit coarse columnar grains because of the prevailing thermal conditions during weld metal solidification. This often results in inferior weld mechanical properties and poor resistance to hot cracking. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to refine the fusion zone grains by applying a pulsed current welding technique. Rolled plates of 6 mm thickness were used as the base material for preparing single pass welded joints. A single ‘V’ butt joint configuration was prepared for joining the plates. The filler metal used for joining the plates was AA 5356 (Al-5Mg (wt%)) grade aluminum alloy. Four different welding techniques were used to fabricate the joints: (1) continuous current GTAW (CCGTAW), (2) pulsed current GTAW (PCGTAW), (3) continuous current GMAW (CCGMAW) and (4) pulsed current GMAW (PCGMAW). Argon (99.99% pure) was used as the shielding gas. Tensile properties of the welded joints were evaluated by conducting tensile tests using a 100 kN electro-mechanical controlled universal testing machine. Current pulsing leads to relatively finer and more equi-axed grain structure in GTA and GMA welds. In contrast, conventional continuous current welding resulted in predominantly columnar grain structures. Grain refinement is accompanied by an increase in tensile strength and tensile ductility.     

Effects on mechanical properties in electron beam welding of TC4 alloy by laser shock processing

The surface of TC4 titanium alloy welding line by electron beam welding (EBW) was processed by high power Q-switched and repetition-rate Nd: glass laser. Effects of laser power and spot diameter on residual stress and microhardness of the TC4 alloy welding line by laser shock processing (LSP) have been analyzed. Results show that residual stresses almost do not change as laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter is ϕ9 mm; While laser power is 45.9 J, spot diameter less than ϕ3 mm, the distribution of residual stress in welding line occurs obvious variation, which residual stress increase obviously with spot diameter decrease. When power density is bigger than 1.8 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², residual stresses of electron beam welding line occur change by LSP, which improve obviously residual stress distribution; while laser power is bigger than 1.2 × 10¹⁰ W/cm², the surface micro-hardness of electron beam welding line occurs change by LSP, which improve obviously micro-hardness distribution. Mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloy welding line will be improved by LSP, which provides experimental foundation for further controlling the distributions of residual stress and micro-hardness during laser shock processing. __________ Translated from Journal of Jiangsu University (Natural Science), 2006, 27(3): 207–210 [译自: 江苏大学学报 (自然科学版)]     

Dry sliding wear properties of unhybrid and hybrid Al alloy based nanocomposites

Abstract

Nanosize B₄C and/or MoS₂ particles reinforced AA2219 alloy composites were prepared using the stir casting process. The wear properties were evaluated for several speed (3.14–5.65 m s^?1), load (10–50 N) and distance (0–2500 m) conditions. The nanoparticles dispersion, density, wear resistance, morphology of the worn surface and loose wear debris were discussed in detail. The wear resistance improvement results by nanoparticle addition correspond well with the hardness. Between the nanocomposites, hybrid composites show significantly higher wear resistance for all load, speed and sliding distance conditions. The better wear resistance is attributed to the matrix strengthening by nanoparticles and the lubricant-rich tribolayer controlled wear in the hybrid composites. The intensity of abrasive, oxidation and delamination wear mechanisms decide the wear rate at any particular wear testing condition.     

Mechanical and tribological properties of short-fiber-reinforced SiC composites

The short-carbon-fiber-reinforced SiC (C_sf/SiC) composites were prepared by hot-pressing sintering with Si, Al and B as sintering additives. The effects of fiber volume fraction on the mechanical and tribological properties of the C_sf/SiC composites were investigated. The results show that the bending strength values of the composites containing a certain content of the short carbon fibers are higher than that of the monolithic SiC. The friction coefficients of the composites decrease with increasing short carbon fibers content. Except of the composite containing 53 vol% short carbon fibers, the wear rates of the composites decrease with increasing short carbon fibers content, and are lower than that of the monolithic SiC drastically.     

电子束蒸发沉积碲锗铅薄膜的微结构和化学组分研究

为了探寻碲锗铅(Pb_(1-x)Ge_xTe)薄膜的最佳沉积方式,在硅基片上采用电子束蒸发沉积碲锗铅(Pb_(0.78)Ge_(0.22)Te)薄膜。使用X射线衍射(XRD)、电子扫描显微镜(SEM)、能量散射X射线分析(EDAX)等手段对薄膜的微结构和化学配比特性进行了分析。发现碲锗铅薄膜为多晶结构,具有明显的择优取向,晶粒多为矩形,薄膜中未出现其它相关氧化物。与热蒸发膜层相比,电子束蒸发沉积的膜层有更为完善的晶体结构。     

Physical and tribological properties of PTFE micropowder-filled EPDM rubber

The physical and tribological properties of ethylene-propylene-diene-rubber (EPDM) filled with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) micropowders, i.e. MP1100 and MP1200 having chemically similar but distinctive microstructural morphology have been investigated. EPDM-PTFE micropowder blends filled with MP1200 having a solid granular structure, showed poor tensile strength and elongation at break but significantly improved tribological properties. It attained both the lowest steady-state friction coefficient and specific wear rate. However, EPDM-PTFE blends containing a fine agglomerated PTFE micropowder of MP1100 showed enhanced physical properties. Its increasing tensile strength and elongation at break with PTFE micropowder loading compared to MP1200-filled EPDM blend was essentially due to its characteristic morphology, which enhanced its dispersion and compatibility with EPDM. It showed specific wear rate similar to MP1200-filled EPDM but resulted in high friction coefficient. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the PTFE micropowders and the corresponding PTFE micropowder-filled EPDM blends suggest that agglomerates morphology, dispersion and interfacial compatibility with EPDM are the key factors influencing physical and tribological properties of these compounds.     

Ejection of molten material produced by pulsed electron and laser beams

Crater formation in electron and laser beam drilling is mainly due to molten material removal. In this process, there are two different modes of removal: ejection outside the target and transport of material which remains around the crater on the target surface. Measurement of these removal modes was carried out. The diameters of molten particles ejected from the targets were obtained. Characteristic particle diameters were determined for each material and each drilling condition. The volume of solidified material remaining around the crater was also obtained. From these results, the proportion of molten material ejected from the target was determined. Most of the molten material remained around the crater for iron and tungsten, but was ejected outside the target for aluminium and alumina ceramics.     

LF6铝镁合金电子束焊接接头的性能与组织初探

分析电子束焊接LF6铝镁合金的焊缝微观组织,研究焊缝中Mg合金元素的烧损现象、焊接接头的力学性能和焊接热裂纹等问题,结果表明,电子束焊接LF6铝镁合金,其焊缝组织为微细等轴晶,熔合线附近为胞状树枝晶;Mg合金元素在焊缝上部和中心区有较大的蒸发损失;焊接接头存在一定的软化,其抗拉强度为母材的91.2％,除延伸率比母材高外,断面收缩率和冲击韧性值与母材相比均有所降低;在合适的参数匹配下,焊缝不会出现热裂纹以及氧化膜所导致的熔合不良与夹渣等问题。     

In situ electron beam induced current measurements of the local thickness in semiconductor devices

A quantitative electron beam induced current method is shown, applicable in situ for electron beam current measurement on a semiconductor sample without the need for a Faraday cup. As a validation technique, the measurement of top overlayer thickness in the semiconductor structure was chosen for two reasons. First, the measured thickness is easily verified using the same electron microscope in the secondary electron mode by measuring the layer thickness at the layer edges. Second, the measurement of a layer thickness and its local variations constitute an important issue in semiconductor processing and characterization. The proposed method is used in the planar view of the sample, and also for locations far from the layer edges. Quasi‐three‐dimensional maps of the thickness spatial distribution are presented.     

Influence of Ti,B and Sr on tribological properties of A356 alloy

Abstract

The wear behaviour of an A356 alloy has been investigated in this paper. To understand the wear behaviour of the materials, the experiments were carried out using a pin on disc testing machine at various combinations of normal pressure, sliding speed and sliding distances. Tribological results reveal that weight loss of A356 alloy increases with increasing normal pressure and decreases with increasing sliding speed. Also, the results at microlevel revealed a structural change from coarse columnar dendrites to fine equiaxed ones on the addition of grain refiner (Al and B) and furthermore, plate-like eutectic silicon to fine particles on addition of modifier (Sr). It is further noted in the present study that addition of modifier does not disturb the influence of grain refiner and vice versa. Abrasive wear mechanism was interrupted by the formation of microwelds and later by oxidation of the Al matrix.     

Observation of human dentine by focused ion beam and energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy

Molar dentine was sliced into 100 nm ultrathin sections, by means of a focused ion beam, for observation by energy-filtering transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). Within the matrix, crystals approximately 10 nm wide and 50–100 nm long were clearly observed. When carbon and calcium were mapped in electron spectroscopic images by EFTEM, carbon failed to localize in crystals. However, it was found in other regions, especially those adjacent to crystals. Because carbon localizations were thought to reflect the presence of organic components, carbon concentration in regions near crystals suggested the interaction of crystals and organics, leading to organic control of apatite formation and growth. Ca was present in almost all regions. The majority of Ca localizing in regions other than crystals may be bound to organic substances present in dentine matrix. These substances are thought to both accumulate Ca and act as reservoirs for crystallization of apatite in dentine.     

On dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of PEEK and PEEK/SiC-composite coatings

In this work, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and PEEK/SiC-composite coatings were deposited on Al substrates using a printing technique to improve their surfaces performance. The objective of this work was to investigate coatings friction and wear behaviour. Especially, the effect of sliding velocity and applied load on coatings friction coefficient and wear rate was evaluated in range of 0.2-1.4 m/s and 1-9 N, respectively. Compared to Al substrate, the coated samples exhibit excellent friction coefficient and wear rate. For PEEK coating, under an applied load of 1 N, the increase in sliding velocity can result in decreasing of friction coefficient at a cost of wear resistance. Under a load of 9 N, however, PEEK coating exhibits the highest friction coefficient and wear rate at an intermediate velocity. These influences appear to be mainly ascribed to the influence of contact temperature of the two relative sliding parts. In most test conditions, the composite coating exhibits better wear resistance and a little higher friction coefficient. SiC reinforcement in composite coating plays a combined role. First of all, it might lead to energy dissipation for activation of fracture occurred on the interface of PEEK and the powders. Moreover, it can reduce coating ploughs and the adhesion between the two relative sliding parts.     

Friction and dry sliding wear behavior of carbon and glass fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites

Friction and dry sliding wear behavior of glass and carbon fabric reinforced vinyl ester composites have been presented. The results show that the coefficient of friction and wear rate increased with increase in load/sliding velocity and depends on type of fabric reinforcement and temperature at the interphase. The excellent tribological characteristics were obtained with carbon fiber in vinyl ester. It is believed that a thin film formed on counterface was seems to be effective in improving the tribological characteristics. The worn surfaces examined through SEM, showed higher levels of broken glass fiber in vinyl ester compared to carbon-vinyl ester composites.     

Triboengineering properties of polytetrafluoroethylene modified by thermally expanded graphite

The paper studies the effect of thermally expanded graphite upon the triboengineering, strain, and strength characteristics, as well as the thermodynamic and structural parameters of polytetrafluoroethylene as dependent on its concentration. Introduction of graphite filler was found to lead to improvement of compressive strength, elasticity modulus, and wear resistance of the polymer. In addition, thermally expanded graphite promotes adaptation of the composite surface layer to frictional conditions.     

Effect of post weld aging treatment on tensile properties of electron beam welded AA2219 aluminum alloy

Aluminum alloy 2219 (Al-6.5%Cu) is a favourite age hardenable alloy for aerospace applications because of its excellent welding characteristics. Though AA2219 has got an edge over its 6000 and 7000 series counterparts in terms of weldability, it also suffers from poor joint strength when welded. In this investigation an attempt has been made to improve the welded joint strength through post weld aging treatment. This paper presents the effect of post-weld aging treatment on tensile properties of electron beam welded AA2219 aluminum alloy. Square butt joints were fabricated using an electron beam welding (EBW) machine of 100 kV capacity. The joints were given post-weld artificial aging treatment. Tensile tests were carried out using 100 kN, electro-mechanical controlled universal testing machine. It is found that the post-weld aging treatment is beneficial for improving weld metal hardness and tensile properties. This is mainly due to the uniform distribution of CuAl₂ precipitates in the weld metal region in post-weld aged joints compared to as welded joints as evident from weld metal microstructure.     

Tribological behaviour of carbon and low alloy steels: effect of mechanical properties and test conditions

Abstract

In this paper, the effects of mechanical properties and test conditions on the tribological behaviour of ISO C45 carbon steel and ISO 42CrMo4 low alloy steel were studied. The tribological tests were carried out, without lubrication, on a reciprocating friction tester. Cylinder on flat contact configuration was adopted. The results showed that there is no obvious relationship between the mechanical properties and the friction ones. However, the variation in the coefficient of friction depends on the test conditions. In contrary to normal load, the effect of sliding speed on the coefficient of friction is not the same for the two steel nuances. The tribological properties are dependent, however, on the nature of wear debris.     

Post‐thinning using Ar ion‐milling system for transmission electron microscopy specimens prepared by focused ion beam system

We investigate Ar ion‐milling rates and Ga‐ion induced damage on sample surfaces of Si and GaAs single crystals prepared by focused ion beam (FIB) method for transmission electron microscopy observation. The convergent beam electron diffraction technique with Bloch simulation is used to measure the thickness of the Ar‐ion milled samples to calculate the milling rates of Si and GaAs single crystals. The measurement shows that an amorphous layer is formed on the sample surface and can be removed by further Ar‐ion milling. In addition, the local symmetry breaking induced by FIB is investigated using quantitative symmetry measurement. The FIBed‐GaAs sample shows local symmetry breaking after FIB milling, although the FIBed‐Si sample has no considerable symmetry breaking.     

Investigation of wear resistance of a hard alloy modified by nanoaddititives

The effect of additions of nanostructured tungsten carbide powder into a sinter mixture with compaction of sintered hard alloy VK8 on its tribological properties has been studied. Physicomechanical properties of the material obtained have been estimated. The produced hard alloy shows elevated wear resistance to abrasive wearing.     

Study on tribological properties of UHMWPE irradiated by electron beam with TMPTMA and TPGDA as crosslinking agents

Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) used as crosslinking agents were blended with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE or UPE) in alcohol, respectively. Then UPE plates were made by compression molding and electron beam (EB) irradiation crosslinking methods. FTIR, Soxhlet extractor, DSC, Wear tester and SEM were used for the characterization of all specimens. FTIR analyses show that trans-vinylene (965 cm^?1) absorption increases in all specimens and the >C=C< stretching absorption decreases after irradiation. Soxhlet experiments reveal that gel fraction increases with the increasing dose. DSC results indicate that X_c of all the irradiated UPEs are higher than that of unirradiated UPEs because of the free radical and small molecular which can promote the crystallization. Wear rate of 100 kGy 1%TMPTMA/UPE and 1%TPGDA/UPE are 1.89×10^?7 mm³/(N m) and 4.28×10^?7 mm³/(N m), about 44.2% and 100% of that of 100 kGy UPE, respectively, illustrating that TMPTMA is beneficial to reduce the wear rate of UPE and TPGDA almost has no effect to reduce the wear rate of UPE before 100 kGy. SEMs of irradiated specimens are more smooth than that of unirradiated specimens. These can give some advice to improve tribological properties of UPE used in the friction field.     

Dry sliding friction and wear properties of Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy

Friction and wear properties of Al-25Zn-3Cu-3Si alloy were investigated over a range of pressure and sliding speed using a pin-on-disc test machine. The friction coefficient of the alloy increased with sliding speed, but decreased with increasing pressure up to 1.5 MPa, above which the trend reversed. However, the temperature and wear volume of the alloy increased continuously with increasing pressure and sliding speed. A fine-grained layer and a region with flow lines were observed underneath the surface of the wear samples. The formation of these regions was related to smearing of wear particles and heavy deformation of surface material, respectively.