Surface integrity and material removal mechanisms associated with the EDM of Al2O3 ceramic composite

Electric discharge machining (EDM) has been proven as an alternate process for machining complex and intricate shapes from the conductive ceramic composites. The performance and reliability of electrical discharge machined ceramic composite components are influenced by strength degradation due to EDM-induced damage. The success of electric discharge machined components in real applications relies on the understanding of material removal mechanisms and the relationship between the EDM parameters and formation of surface and subsurface damages. This paper presents a detailed investigation of machining characteristics, surface integrity and material removal mechanisms of advanced ceramic composite Al₂O₃–SiC_w–TiC with EDM. The surface and subsurface damages have also been assessed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results provide valuable insight into the dependence of damage and the mechanisms of material removal on EDM conditions.     

Thermal shock behavior of Si3N4-TiN nano-composites

Si₃N₄-TiN nano-composites were fabricated by hot press sintering nano-sized Si₃N₄ and TiN powders. The microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal shock behavior of Si₃N₄-TiN nano-composites were investigated. The addition of proper amount TiN particles can significantly increase the flexural strength and the fracture toughness. Si₃N₄-TiN nano-composites showed both higher critical temperature difference and higher residual strength compared with those of monolithic silicon nitride nano-ceramic when the amount of TiN is less than 15 wt.%. But a further increase in the amount of TiN leaded to a decrease in the thermal shock resistance.     

Development of Technology and Strategies for the Machining of Ceramic Components by Sinking and Milling EDM

This paper investigates the manufacturability of B₄C, SiC, Si₃N₄-TiN by milling EDM and the performance of it has been compared to conventional sinking EDM. It is shown that due to the good flushing conditions, milling EDM performs well, even for the machining of ceramic materials with a rather low electrical conductivity (B₄C, SiC). Because the used milling EDM technique removes material in a layer by layer fashion (2D-machining), a new strategy for the machining of complex 3D-shapes in ceramic material has been developed. It consists of a milling EDM pre-machining step, followed by one or more finishing sinking EDM steps. The developed strategy has been validated on an industrial example and compared to a pure sinking EDM strategy. Time reductions of more than 50% were obtained.     

纳米Si3N4 对TC4钛合金微弧氧化层微观结构和性能的影响

在基电解液中加入氮化硅纳米颗粒,对TC4钛合金进行微弧氧化（MAO）处理,研究了Si₃N₄浓度对微弧氧化层表面形貌、耐蚀性和耐磨性的影响。添加Si₃N₄的MAO层呈现多孔结构,当Si₃N₄浓度为1 g/L时,涂层厚度最大,且经过7 d的酸腐蚀试验,该涂层的耐蚀性良好,腐蚀速率最低,约为0.057 mg·cm^-2·d^-1。随着Si₃N₄的加入,MAO涂层的抗菌性能先升高后降低。当Si₃N₄的添加量为1 g/L时,该MAO层的抗菌性能最好。Si₃N₄的加入能明显提高涂层在模拟海水中的耐磨性。当Si₃N₄的添加量为3和4 g/L时,所得涂层的摩擦系数低且稳定,且添加3 g/L Si₃N₄制备来的MAO涂层表现出优异的耐磨性。     

Deposition and characterization of CrN/Si3N4 and CrAlN/Si3N4 nanocomposite coatings prepared using reactive DC unbalanced magnetron sputtering

Nanocomposite coatings of CrN/Si₃N₄ and CrAlN/Si₃N₄ with varying silicon contents were synthesized using a reactive direct current (DC) unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. The Cr and CrAl targets were sputtered using a DC power supply and the Si target was sputtered using an asymmetric bipolar-pulsed DC power supply, in Ar + N₂ plasma. The coatings were approximately 1.5 μm thick and were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Both the CrN/Si₃N₄ and CrAlN/Si₃N₄ nanocomposite coatings exhibited cubic B1 NaCl structure in the XRD data, at low silicon contents (< 9 at.%). A maximum hardness and elastic modulus of 29 and 305 GPa, respectively were obtained from the nanoindentation data for CrN/Si₃N₄ nanocomposite coatings, at a silicon content of 7.5 at.%. (cf., 24 and 285 GPa, respectively for CrN). The hardness and elastic modulus decreased significantly with further increase in silicon content. CrAlN/Si₃N₄ nanocomposite coatings exhibited a hardness and elastic modulus of 32 and 305 GPa, respectively at a silicon content of 7.5 at.% (cf., 31 and 298 GPa, respectively for CrAlN). The thermal stability of the coatings was studied by heating the coatings in air for 30 min in the temperature range of 400-900 °C. The microstructural changes as a result of heating were studied using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The Raman data of the heat-treated coatings in air indicated that CrN/Si₃N₄ and CrAlN/Si₃N₄ nanocomposite coatings, with a silicon content of approximately 7.5 at.% were thermally stable up to 700 and 900 °C, respectively.     

采用Ag-Cu-Ti+Mo复合钎料钎焊Si3N4陶瓷

采用Ag-Cu-Ti+Mo复合钎料连接Si3N4陶瓷,利用SEM,TEM,Nanoindentation研究了钎料内钼颗粒含量对接头组织和力学性能的影响.结果表明,在Si3N4/钎料界面处形成了一层致密的反应层,该反应层由TiN和Ti5Si3组成.接头的中间部分由银基固溶体、铜基固溶体、钼颗粒和Ti-Cu金属间化合物组成.借助于纳米压痕技术测定了接头内Ti-Cu化合物以及钎料金属的弹性模量和硬度值.随着钎料内钼颗粒含量的提高,母材/钎料界面反应层厚度逐渐降低;钎料金属中Ti-Cu化合物数量增多;此外,银和铜基固溶体组织逐渐变得细小.当添加5%Mo时,得到最高的接头强度429.4 MPa,该强度相比合金钎料提高了114.7%.     

Effects of pelletization of reactants and diluents on the combustion synthesis of Si3N4 powder

Reactants were pelletized, and then combustion synthesis of Si₃N₄ powder was achieved under the N₂ pressure of 3.0 MPa. Effects of the pelletization of reactants and Si₃N₄ diluents on the combustion process parameters and the characteristics of products were studied. The combustion mode of single reactant pellet was preliminarily discussed. The results indicated that the combustion reaction of single pellet was layer-by-layer from the surface to the core, which led to two peaks on the combustion temperature variation waves. With increasing the diluents content, the morphologies of Si₃N₄ particles changed from short rods into equiaxed grains, and residual Si in the final products obviously decreased. Single phase β-Si₃N₄ powder mainly contained equiaxed grains was prepared when 58 wt.% diluents was added.     

A new apparatus for finishing large size/large batch silicon nitride (Si3N4) balls for hybrid bearing applications by magnetic float polishing (MFP)

A new apparatus was designed and built for the finishing of large size/large batch silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) balls by magnetic float polishing (MFP) technology for hybrid bearing applications. The polishing chamber is so designed that during polishing it can self-align with the upper part of the polishing chamber connected to the spindle. In situ machining of the upper part of the chamber is performed on the machine tool in which the apparatus is located, in order to achieve high accuracy and geometric alignment of the system. The finishing methodology consists of mechanical polishing followed by chemo-mechanical polishing. Boron carbide (B₄C), silicon carbide (SiC), and cerium oxide (CeO₂) are the three abrasives used in this investigation. Three stages are involved in polishing, namely, 1. a roughing stage to remove maximum material without imparting any damage to the surface, 2. an intermediate stage of semi-finishing to control the size and improve sphericity, and 3. a final finishing stage to obtain best surface finish and sphericity while maintaining the final diameter. Taguchi method was applied for the roughing stage to optimize the polishing conditions for the best material removal rate. Level average response analysis has indicated that a load of 1.5 N/ball, an abrasive concentration of 20%, and a speed of 400 rpm would give a high material removal rate using B₄C (500 grit) abrasive. A groove is formed on the bevel of the upper part of the chamber which plays different roles, some beneficial and other not so beneficial, in each stage. In the roughing stage, it is preferable, though not essential, to machine the groove after each run to maintain high material removal rates. It is, however, necessary to remove the groove formed at the end of the roughing stage. In the intermediate or semifinishing stage, sphericity can be significantly improved by not machining the groove. Thus groove, in this case, facilitates in the improvement of sphericity. Before the beginning of the final finishing stage, machining the groove is necessary for rapid improvement in the surface finish. A batch of 46, 3/4 in. Si₃N₄ balls was finished to a final diameter of 0.7500 in. with an average sphericity of 0.25 μm (best value of 0.15 μm) and an average surface finish, Ra of 8 nm (best value of 6.7 nm) with an actual polishing time of <30 h. This technology is easy to implement in industry and does not entile high capital investment.     

Performance of single Si3N4 and mixed Si3N4+PCBN wiper cutting tools applied to high speed face milling of cast iron

In this work two face milling cutter systems were used in high speed cutting of gray cast iron under cutting condition encountered in the shop floor. The first system, called ‘A’, has 24 Si₃N₄ ceramic inserts all with square wiper edges. The second system, called ‘B’, is a mixed tool material system, having 24 wiper inserts, 20 of them are Si₃N₄ intercalated by four PCBN inserts. Cutting speed (v_c), depth of cut (doc) and feed rate per tooth (f_z) were kept constant. Surface roughness (R_a and R_t) and waviness (W_t), tool life (based on flank wear, VB_Bmax) and burr formation (length of the burr, h) were the parameters considered to compare the two systems. System ‘B’ presented better performance according to all parameters, although only end of life criterion based on R_t parameter has been reached.     

Structure and mechanical properties of TiAlSiN/Si3N4 multilayer coatings

TiAlSiN/Si₃N₄ multilayer coatings which have different separate layer thicknesses of TiAlSiN or Si₃N₄ were deposited onto glass sheets, single-crystal silicon wafers and polished WC-Co substrates by reactive magnetron co-sputtering. The morphology, crystalline structure and thickness of the as-prepared multilayer coatings were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD and film thickness measuring instrument. The mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated by a nanoindenter. The effects of monolayer thickness on the microstructure and properties of TiAlSiN/Si₃N₄ multilayer coatings were explored. The coatings showed the highest hardness when the thickness of Si₃N₄ and TiAlSiN monolayers was 0.33 nm and 5.8 nm, respectively. The oxidation characteristics of the coatings were studied at temperatures ranging from 700 °C to 900 °C for oxidation time up to 20 h in air. It was found that the coatings displayed good oxidation resistance.     

Morphology and ablation mechanism of Cf/Si3N4 composites ablated by oxyacetylene torch at 2200°C

Abstract

Si₃N₄ ceramic matrix composites reinforced by carbon fibres (C_f/Si₃N₄) were prepared by low pressure chemical vapour infiltration at 1250°C using SiCl₄ and NH₃ as precursor. The as prepared C_f/Si₃N₄ composites were ablated to determine the mechanism of the ablation resistance and oxidisation resistance by oxyacetylene torch at 2200°C. The morphology and microstructure of the composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The phase compositions of the composites were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the matrix of the C_f/Si₃N₄ composites was composed of the amorphous Si₃N₄ and nanometre α-Si₃N₄. A central ablation region and a ring oxidisation region appeared on the surface of the as ablated C_f/Si₃N₄ composites. Sublimation of the Si₃N₄ matrix and oxidation of the carbon fibres are the main ablation behaviours in the central region. Oxidation of the Si₃N₄ matrix and deposition of SiO₂ particles are the main ablation behaviour in the ring region. A large number of SiO₂ liquid droplets produced during ablation were retained and formed spherical solid particles on the surface of the ring region after ablation. For the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carbon fibres and the Si₃N₄ matrix, Si₃N₄ matrix was cracked under the thermal impact of the oxyacetylene flame. With the passive oxidation of the as cracked surface, the continuous SiO₂ liquid was formed in the ring region. Subsequently, some residual Si₃N₄ particles were covered by transparent SiO₂ layer to form an amber-like microstructure.     

Examination of wire electrical discharge machining of Al2O3p/6061Al composites

Alumina particle reinforced 6061 aluminum matrix composites (Al₂O₃p/6061Al) have excellent physical and chemical properties than those of a traditional metal; however, their poor machinability lead to worse surface quality and serious cutting tool wear. In this study, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is adopted in machining Al₂O₃p/6061Al composite. In the experiments, machining parameters of pulse-on time were changed to explore their effects on machining performance, including the cutting speed, the width of slit and surface roughness. Moreover, the wire electrode is easily broken during the machining Al₂O₃p/6061Al composite, so this work comprehensively investigates into the locations of the broken wire and the reason of wire breaking.The experimental results indicate that the cutting speed (material removal rate), the surface roughness and the width of the slit of cutting test material significantly depend on volume fraction of reinforcement (Al₂O₃ particles). Furthermore, bands on the machined surface for cutting 20 vol.% Al₂O₃p/6061Al composite are easily formed, basically due to some embedded reinforcing Al₂O₃ particles on the surface of 6061 aluminum matrix, interrupt the machining process. Test results reveal that in machining Al₂O₃p/6061Al composites a very low wire tension, a high flushing rate and a high wire speed are required to prevent wire breakage; an appropriate servo voltage, a short pulse-on time, and a short pulse-off time, which are normally associated with a high cutting speed, have little effect on the surface roughness.     

Effect of electrode material on electrical discharge machining of alumina

Technologies for machining advanced insulating ceramics are demanded in many industrial fields. Recently, several insulating ceramics, such as Si₃N₄, SiC and ZrO₂, have been successfully machined by electrical discharge machining (EDM). As unstable discharges occur during the machining of Al₂O₃ ceramics, inferior machining properties have been obtained. The formation mechanism of the electrical conductive layer on the EDMed surface is much different as compared to other ceramics. In addition to this, the electrically conductive layers are not formed sufficiently to adhere to the EDMed workpiece surface and keep a stable and continuous discharge generation on the ceramics. Graphite is widely used as electrode material in EDM. It is expected that carbon from graphite electrode implant and generate a conductive layer. Copper, graphite (Poco EDM-3) and copper-infiltrated-graphite (Poco EDM-C3) electrodes were used to compare the effects of generation of a conductive layer on alumina corresponding to EDM properties. The electrical discharge machining of 95% pure alumina shows that the EDM-C3 performs very well, giving significantly higher material removal rate (MRR) and lower electrode wear ratio than the EDM-3 and copper electrodes. The value of MRR was found to increase by 60% for EDM-3 with positive electrode polarity. As for EDM-C3, MRR was increased by 80% under the same condition. When the results were investigated with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), no element of copper was observed on the conductive layer with both EDM-3 and EDM-C3. However, surface resistivity of a conductive layer created with EDM-C3 is less than with EDM-3. Surface roughness was improved to 25 μm with positive polarity of EDM-C3.     

Scratching of Al2O3 under pre-stressing

Pre-stressing scratching tests have been preformed on polished surfaces of Al₂O₃ ceramic under a Rockwell diamond indenter which moved with uniform speed and constant normal load to investigate how the pre-stress contributes to the material removal mechanism. With the measurement of acoustic emission signals as well as indenter tangential forces, surface damages and cross-section of grooves of Al₂O₃ ceramic were evaluated under the action of different values of pre-stress. It was found that the scratched groove width was increased with the increasing of pre-stress when same normal loads were applied. The existence of pre-stress tends to restrain the crack propagation along the direction of pre-stress, and obvious plastic deformation at the bottom of scratched groove has been observed. Moreover, the fluctuation of tangential force was obviously enhanced, and the magnitude of tangential force in the test of pre-stress was higher than that of without pre-stress. The acoustic emission signals showed that fewer damages were produced in the process of scratching with an appropriate pre-stress. However, the continuing increase of pre-stress would aggravate the machining process.     

采用Ti/Ag-Cu/Cu中间层钎焊连接Si3N4陶瓷和TiAl合金的界面结构及性能

采用Ti/Ag-Cu/Cu中间层实现了Si₃N₄陶瓷与TiAl合金的钎焊连接,获得了良好的接头.利用SEM,EDS等微观手段,分析了接头界面结构和元素分布情况.结果表明,Si₃N₄陶瓷/Ti/Ag-Cu/Cu/TiAl典型界面微观结构可能为:Si₃N₄/TiN/Ti-Si/Cu-Ti+Ag（s,s）+Cu（s,s）/AlCuTi/TiAl.在连接温度1 133 K、保温时间30 min、接头压力0.040 MPa时,接头四点弯曲强度达到最大值170 MPa.     

Micro-EDM process investigation and comparison performance of Al3O2 and ZrO2 based ceramic composites

This paper investigates the micro-EDM behaviour of an Al₃O₂ and ZrO₂ based electrically conductive ceramic composites. The influence of the generator parameters on material removal rate, relative tool wear, surface quality and material removal mechanism is investigated towards the definition of suitable micro-EDM technologies. The study is based on a design of experiments, supported by a fundamental investigation of the generator parameters. Similar variations trends to the machining of steel are observed within the investigated process window, for exception of the tool wear performance. The developed EDM technologies are finally validated through the fabrication of industrial demonstrators.     

Pulsed Nd:YAG laser turning of micro-groove on aluminum oxide ceramic (Al2O3)

The present study investigates the relationship of processes parameters of pulsed Nd:YAG laser-turning operation for production of micro-groove on cylindrical workpiece of ceramic material. A microprocessor-based work holding device has been developed to provide the rotational motion of cylindrical work pieces for micro-turning operation. Laser turning of micro-grooves on ceramics is highly demanded in the present industry because of its wide and potential uses in various fields such as automobile, aerospace and bio-medical engineering applications, etc. Experiments have been conducted on laser micro-grooving of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). The central composite second-order rotatable design (CCD) had been utilized to plan the experiments and response surface methodology was employed for developing empirical models. Analysis on machining characteristics of pulsed Nd:YAG laser micro-grooving operation was made based on the developed models. In this study, lamp current, pulse frequency, pulse width, assist air pressure and cutting speed of work piece are considered as laser machining process parameters. The process performances such as upper deviation (Y_uw), lower deviation (Y_lw) and depth (Y_d) characteristics of laser-turned micro-grooves produced on cylindrical work piece made of Al₂O₃ were evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test had also been carried out to check the adequacy of the developed regression empirical models. The observed optimal process parameter settings are lamp current of 22.517 A, pulse frequency of 1.477 kHz, pulse width of 2.394% of duty cycle, cutting speed of 10.4283 rpm and assist air pressure of 1.3 kgf/cm² for achieving minimum upper deviation, lower deviation and depth of laser-turned micro-grooves, and finally the results were experimentally verified. From the analysis, it was found that proper control of the process parameters lead to achieve minimum upper deviation, lower deviation and depth of laser-turned micro-grooves produced on cylindrical workpiece of Al₂O₃.     

Influence of normal load and sliding speed on the tribological property of amorphous carbon nitride coatings sliding against Si3N4 balls in water

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN_x) coatings were deposited on Si₃N₄ disks by an ion beam assisted deposition system. The composition, structure and hardness of the a-CN_x coatings were characterized by Auger electronic spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and nano-indentation tester, respectively. The influences of normal load and sliding speed on the friction coefficients and the specific wear rates for the a-CN_x/Si₃N₄ tribo-pairs were investigated and analyzed synthetically by ball-on-disk tribometer. The worn surfaces were observed by optical microscope. The results showed that the a-CN_x coatings contained 12 at.% nitrogen, and their structure was a mixture of sp²and sp³ bonds. The a-CN_x coatings’ nanohardness was 29 GPa. The influence of sliding speed on the friction coefficients and the specific wear rate of the CN_x coatings was more obvious than that of normal load. The friction coefficients and the specific wear rate of the CN_x coatings decreased as the sliding speed increased. At a sliding speed higher than 0.1 m/s, the friction coefficients were less than 0.04. The specific wear rates of the a-CN_x coatings were higher than those of Si₃N₄ balls at a sliding speed below 0.1 m/s, while the specific wear rates of the a-CN_x coatings and the Si₃N₄ balls all fluctuated around a lower level of 10^− 8 mm³/Nm as the sliding speed increased beyond 0.2 m/s. To describe the wear behavior of a-CN_x coatings sliding against Si₃N₄ balls in water with normal loads of 3-15 N and sliding speeds of 0.05-0.5 m/s, the wear-mechanism map for the a-CN_x/Si₃N₄ tribo-pairs in water was developed.     

PZT激励同步压缩放电通道微细电火花加工工艺参数对加工结果的影响

提出了压电陶瓷(piezoelectric ceramic transducer,PZT)激励同步压缩放电通道微细电火花加工,目的在于改善微细电火花加工的放电环境。介绍了PZT激励同步压缩放电通道微细电火花加工原理,研究了开路电压、脉冲宽度、脉冲频率和峰值电流对其电极损耗和材料去除率的影响,并与不采用压缩通道方法的微细电火花加工进行了对比。结果表明:同等条件下,采用PZT激励同步压缩放电通道技术,提高了加工过程的稳定性和材料去除率,降低了电极损耗率,有效改善了放电环境。     

NiMoO4/g-C3N4的制备及电化学性能研究

超级电容器具有比电容高、循环寿命长和绿色无污染的特点,其优异的电化学性能备受关注。本文水热合成了NiMoO₄/g-C₃N₄复合粉体,并将粉体涂覆在泡沫镍上制备了NiMoO₄/g-C₃N₄电极材料。结果表明,NiMoO₄/g-C₃N₄粉体形貌主要为NiMoO₄纳米棒和团状g-C₃N₄,且NiMoO₄纳米棒生长在g-C₃N₄纳米片上。在NiMoO₄中加入30at%的g-C₃N₄能降低电容体系的等效串联电阻和扩散阻抗,有利于氧化还原反应的进行。相比于其他g-C₃N₄含量的电极材料,g-C₃N₄含量为30at%的NiMoO₄/g-C₃N₄电极材料具有更高的比电容(584.3F/g)和更好的倍率特性。