Machining of Titanium Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V)—Theory to Application

This article correlates laboratory-based understanding in machining of titanium alloys with the industry based outputs and finds possible solutions to improve machining efficiency of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. The machining outputs are explained based on different aspects of chip formation mechanism and practical issues faced by industries during titanium machining. This study also analyzed and linked the methods that effectively improve the machinability of titanium alloys. It is found that the deformation mechanism during machining of titanium alloys is complex and causes basic challenges, such as sawtooth chips, high temperature, high stress on cutting tool, high tool wear and undercut parts. These challenges are correlated and affected by each other. Sawtooth chips cause variation in cutting forces which results in high cyclic stress on cutting tools. On the other hand, low thermal conductivity of titanium alloy causes high temperature. These cause a favorable environment for high tool wear. Thus, improvements in machining titanium alloy depend mainly on overcoming the complexities associated with the inherent properties of this alloy. Vibration analysis kit, high pressure coolant, cryogenic cooling, thermally enhanced machining, hybrid machining and, use of high conductive cutting tool and tool holders improve the machinability of titanium alloy.     

Application of dfb diode laser sensor to reacting flow (II) —liquid-gas 2-phase reacting flow—

Diode laser sensor is conducted to measure the gas temperature in the liquid-gas 2-phase counter flow flame. C₁₀H₂₂ and city gas were used as liquid fuel and gas fuel, respectively. Two vibrational overtones of H₂O were selected and measurements were carried out in the spray flame region stabilized the above gaseous premixed flame. The path-averaged temperature measurement using diode laser absorption method succeeded in the liquid fuel combustion environment regardless of droplets of wide range diameter. The path-averaged temperature measured in the post flame of liquid-gas 2-phase counter flow flame showed qualitative reliable results. The successful demonstration of time series temperature measurement in the liquid-gas 2-phase counter flow flame gave us motivation of trying to establish the effective control system in practical combustion system. These results demonstrated the ability of real-time feedback from combustor inside using the non-intrusive measurement as well as the possibility of application to practical combustion system. Failure case due to influence of spray flame was also discussed.     

A micro-model for elasto-plastic adhesive–contact in micro-switches: Application to cyclic loading

Stiction is a major failure mode in micro-electromechanical systems. In previous works, a statistical rough surfaces interaction model, for which only elastic adhesive–contact has been considered, was developed for multiscale analyzes.However, during the impact between rough surfaces, plastic deformations of asperities cannot always be neglected. In the present work, the adhesion between rough surfaces is studied considering the elasto-plastic deformations of the asperities, and a model predicting the resulting micro-adhesive–contact forces is derived.For illustration purpose, an electrostatic-structural analysis is performed on a micro-switch. To determine the degree of plasticity involved, the impact energy of the movable electrode at pull-in is estimated. Thus the maximal adhesive force evolution during cyclic loading is predicted using the developed model.     

Nanotribology Application in the Coining Industry (III)—Thermodynamic Model

In coin blank burnishing processes, the mechanical sliding movement enhances the reaction rate between the applied chemicals and blank surfaces. The mechanism of this phenomenon has not been discussed. Although many tribologists have different explanations for chemical reaction rates on a rubbed surface, at least one aspect, entropy, has not been dealt with. In this work, the concept of entropy on a sliding surface is introduced. The relationship between entropy and chemical kinetics rate is discussed. On solid surfaces, entropy functions as a bridge to link the mechanical frictional energy to the chemical reaction. This entropy model is used in blank burnishing processes.