Electrodeposition and heat treatment of nickel/silicon carbide composites

Electrodeposited Ni/SiC composite coatings were obtained in a Watts-type bath. The effect of fine SiC particles on polarization curves of the cathodic reduction of nickel ions was discussed. The incorporation of the particles into the deposit with respect to current density and SiC concentration in the bath was tested. Cathodic current efficiencies were also calculated. Structure of as-plated and heat-treated Ni/SiC composites were examined by means of metallography observations as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. Two phase transformations in the temperatures range of 20-700 °C were found. For annealed samples, Ni₂Si and Ni₃Si₂ phases were identified. Hardening of the Ni/SiC composites as a function of the particle content in the deposit and annealing temperature was determined by means of the microhardness testing method.     

冷轧间热处理对Al-Mg-Si-Cu基合金板材轧制织构的影响

采用晶体取向分布函数(ODF)法研究了轧间热处理对Al-Mg-Si-Cu基合金板材轧制织构的影响.结果表明,轧间不热处理和350℃×1 h热处理,两种板材的织构类型基本一致,主要为R-Cube{001}<110(旋转立方织构)及强度较弱的B、S、C织构;而经510 ℃×1 h热处理的板材的R-Cube及B、S、C织构的强度都比前两种板材相应织构要低得多.没有热处理试样的{001}<110的含量为21.2%,取向密度值f(g)为18.1;经过350℃×1 h处理的试样的{001}<110的含量为19.8%,f(g)为16.8;经过510 ℃×1 h处理的试样的{001}<110的含量为13.7%,f(g)为3.2.     

An experimental study on grinding of silicon carbide reinforced aluminium alloys

This paper presents the results of an experimental research on the grinding of metal matrix composites. The aim of the investigation is to enhance the knowledge about the machinability of some aluminium alloys reinforced with SiC of different shape (powder or whiskers) and content. Investigations on chip morphology, ground surfaces and trend of forces acquired during the grinding process were carried out. The results show that the presence of the reinforcement enhances the machinability in terms of both surface roughness and lower tendency to clog the grinding wheel, when compared to a non-reinforced Al alloy. Particle-reinforced composites exhibit a linear relationship between the roughness of the ground surface and the average hardness of the material. Whisker-reinforced composites show higher roughness values than particulate composites. Data of grinding forces obtained under different machining conditions are reported which permit the evaluation of the specific cutting energy.     

Processing and response of aluminum-lithium alloy composites reinforced with copper-coated silicon carbide particulates

Lithium-containing aluminum alloys have shown promise for demanding aerospace applications because of their light weight, high strength, and good damage tolerance characteristics. Additions of ceramic reinforcements to an aluminum-lithium alloy can significantly enhance specific strength, and specific modulus while concurrently offering acceptable performance at elevated temperatures. The processing and fabrication of aluminum-lithium alloy-based composites are hampered by particulate agglomeration or clustering and the existence of poor interfacial relationships between the reinforcing phase and the matrix. The problem of distribution of the reinforcing phase in the metal matrix can be alleviated by mechanical alloying. This article presents the results of a study aimed at addressing and improving the interfacial relationship between the host matrix and the reinforcing phase. Copper-coated silicon carbide particulates are introduced as the particulate reinforcing phase, and the resultant composite mixture is processed by conventional milling followed by hot pressing and hot extrusion. The influence of extrusion ratio and extrusion temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties was established. Post extrusion processing by hot isostatic pressing was also examined. Results reveal the increase in elastic modulus of the aluminum-lithium alloy matrix reinforced with copper-coated SiC to be significantly more than the mechanically alloyed Al-Li/SiC counterpart. This suggests the possible contributions of interfacial strengthening on mechanical response in direct comparison with a uniform distribution of the reinforcing ceramic particulates.     

Effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties of particulate reinforced Al6061 composites

Mechanical tests were carried out to study the behavior of albite reinforced Al 6061 matrix composite produced through the liquid vortex method and heat treated to T6 treatment. The matrix material Al 6061 was also tested as a control material for comparison. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), compression strength, and Young’s modulus were found to be higher than those of the control alloy. The reinforcement noticeably enhances the dislocation density in the matrix upon cooling from the solutionizing temperature. The dislocations that serve as heterogeneous nucleation sites for strengthening precipitates during subsequent aging treatments, after the precipitation kinetics of the matrix of the composite, were compared to the control alloy. A higher density of dislocations and a higher density of intermediate precipitates were observed. There was a marginal improvement of tensile strength, compression, and hardness with aging.     

New environmental barrier coating system on carbon-fiber reinforced silicon carbide composites

Carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composites (C/SiC) are promising materials for high-temperature, light weight structural components. However, a protective coating and environmental barrier coating (EBC) are necessary to prevent the oxidation of the carbon and the reaction of the formed silica scale with water vapor. Current EBC systems use multiple layers, each serving unique requirements. However, any mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) creates internal stresses and might lead to crack formation. In this case, oxygen and water vapor penetrate through the EBC, reducing the lifetime of the component. Mullite (Al₆Si₂O₁₃) is used in many known EBC systems on silicon-based ceramics either as an EBC itself or as a bondcoat. Due to its low CTE and its sufficient thermal cycling behavior, mullite was chosen in this investigation as a first layer. As mullite suffers loss of SiO₂ when exposed to water vapor at high temperatures, an additional protective top coat is needed to complete the EBC system. Different oxides were evaluated to serve as top coat, especially high-temperature oxides with low coefficients of thermal expansion (LCTE). An EBC containing mullite as bondcoat and the LCTE oxide La₂Hf₂O₇ as a top coat is proposed. Both layers were applied via atmospheric plasma spraying. In this paper, results of the influence of processing conditions on the microstructure of single mullite and LCTE oxide layers as well as mullite/LCTE oxide systems are presented. Special emphasis was directed toward the crystallinity of the mullite layer and, in the top layer, toward low porosity and reduced crack density.     

冷轧及热处理对AA 5052铝合金组织及力学性能的影响

通过光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射分析、硬度实验和拉伸实验等方法,研究不同轧制变形量及后续退火处理对均匀化态5052铝合金组织与性能的影响。研究结果表明,随着轧制变形量的增加,等轴晶沿着轧制方向明显地被拉长。由于轧制变形量的增加,加工硬化效应导致合金强度升高,硬度下降。当轧制变形量为87%时,抗拉强度可达325 MPa,但是伸长率只有2.5%。经退后处理后,大量的第二相析出。随着退火温度的升高,第二相析出增多,并且明显弱化加工硬化效应。当经过300°C处理4 h后,伸长率可达~23%,抗拉强度降至212 MPa,此时综合力学性能恢复到均匀化状态。     

冷轧及热处理对N10276合金板材性能及再结晶行为的影响

首先对N10276合金热板进行不同变形量的冷轧,随后对冷轧板在不同制度下进行热处理,研究了 N10276合金板材在冷变形过程中力学性能的变化规律,以及热处理对合金冷轧板的性能及再结晶行为的影响,建立了其再结晶晶粒长大动力学方程.结果表明:随着冷轧变形量的增加,合金中出现形变孪晶与滑移线,屈服强度、抗拉强度和硬度不断增加...     

Al含量及热处理对冷轧TRIP钢板组织与性能的影响

以Al含量分别为0.86%和1.5%的两种不采用Si合金化的冷轧TRIP钢为对象,研究Al含量和热处理工艺对其显微组织与力学性能的影响规律.结果表明,在两相区保温使铁素体与奥氏体体积分数相当后,在370～450 ℃的贝氏体区等温均得到包括铁素体、贝氏体、残留奥氏体和马氏体的多相组织.由于Al起到了有效的稳定奥氏体作用,含Al较高的1.5Al钢的残留奥氏体体积分数及其碳含量均高于0.86Al钢.力学性能试验结果表明,1.5Al钢的最佳性能是屈服与抗拉强度分别为452 MPa和756 MPa,伸长率达到34%,对应的热处理工艺是850 ℃×300 s快冷到400 ℃等温180 s.而0.86Al钢在最佳工艺(800 ℃×300 s后370 ℃等温180 s)下的强度与伸长率均明显低于1.5Al钢,屈服与抗拉强度分别为413 MPa和708 MPa,伸长率仅为27%.     

Optimization of heat treatment in cold-drawn 6063 aluminium tubes

The effect of heat treatment condition on mechanical properties and bendability of 6063 aluminium cold-drawn tubes was investigated. The standardized heat treatment presently used in manufacturing of cold-drawn tubes increases the cost and time of the process which ultimately reduces plant productivity. The effects of time, temperature, and furnace heating rate were studied in order to identify an optimized heat treatment for tubes with different cold work levels. Drawn from the as-extruded state, tubes were heat treated to under-aged, peak-aged, and over-aged conditions with time and temperature ranging from 1 min to 24 h and 130–200 °C, respectively. Mechanical properties were determined with full section tensile tests whereas tube bendability was evaluated on an industrial draw bending machine. These characteristics were evaluated in each condition in order to identify the heat treatment which allows conforming to 6063-T832 temper requirements and gives sufficient bendability. Moreover, bendability was successfully correlated to fracture strain measured during a uniaxial tensile test and a threshold value over which problem-free bending operation was determined.     

工艺参数对冷轧无取向硅钢再结晶织构的影响

分析了硅含量为2.0 wt%的高牌号冷轧无取向硅钢冷轧变形量和不同退火温度对再结晶织构及晶粒尺寸的影响。结果表明,热轧板表面与心部组织和织构的差异对后续冷轧和再结晶退火的织构和晶粒尺寸有明显影响。热轧板表面的退火态晶粒组织使其织构转变滞后于心部,并可造成最终退火后较强的{001}〈110〉织构和均匀的{111}织构,有利于磁性的改善。提高冷变形量会增加再结晶形核率而减小晶粒尺寸,提高再结晶温度不明显改变再结晶织构但增大晶粒尺寸,但应防止过高温度下析出相粒子的回溶。分析表明,热轧板常化工艺,以及二次冷轧加中间退火工艺均有利于改善钢板成品织构,进而改善钢板磁性能。     

轧制裂纹及热处理工艺对高硅电工钢复合板磁性能的影响

对3层高硅电工钢复合板铸坯进行热轧及温轧变形加工后,采用正火、退火两种热处理方式处理,并观察轧制过程中产生的裂纹,研究不同状态下复合板的磁性能。对不同状态下的试样进行扩散退火处理,研究复合板中裂纹变化及其对磁性能的影响。结果表明：不同热处理工艺下合金内部的裂纹尺寸差异明显,裂纹尺寸对复合板的磁性能影响显著,相对于深裂纹,其他因素的影响较小;温轧变形加工后,复合板内层出现有序组织,但该有序组织在合金存在深裂纹的前提下并不能从本质上提高合金的磁性能;扩散退火工艺可以消除复合板内部的浅裂纹及微裂纹,但不能消除尺寸较大的裂纹,故而不能显著提高存在深裂纹的复合板的磁性能。     

Constrained deformation of an Al based amorphous alloy by cold rolling

In this work, we report on the mechanisms of deformation and fracture of an Al₈₇Ni₇La₆ amorphous alloys by cold rolling. Ribbons were cold rolled at room temperature embedded in pure Al-foils (volume fraction 20%). Scanning Electron Microscopy observations of the cross section of the deformed samples revealed that, after a few rolling passes, ribbons broke into fragments and formed shear bands because of the load exerted by the ductile Al matrix starting from the roughness on the surfaces. The shear band offset was higher near the fracture surface, suggesting that a stress concentration occurs when the slip of shear band is hindered by the presence of constraint. In ribbons rolled alone elongation above 3% was achieved as well as flattening of the surface roughness.Fracture surfaces of ribbon fragments presented mainly features due to brittle shear and a limited number of veins and filaments suggesting mixed mode of fracture.No formation of crystals in the shear bands was evidenced by Transmission Electron Microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry.     

6063铝合金时效工艺的研究

分析了６０６３铝合金人工时效时的组织结构变化,研究了不同的时效温度和时效时间对６０６３铝合金性能。时效后硬度可达７５ＨＶ以上。     

Hot rolling behaviour of stir-cast Al 6061 and Al 6082 alloys - SiC fine particulates reinforced composites

Rolling of wrought aluminium matrix composites with hard phase-reinforcements such as SiC, is interesting to produce sheets for engineering constructions due to their light weight combined with good strength and wear resistance. In this work, the hot rolling behaviour is studied for stir-cast composites with matrix of Al 6061 and Al 6082 alloys and fine SiCp particulates with size of 15 μm and 8 μm and volume fraction up to 30%. For composite casting, optimum casting procedures and materials pre-treatment has been applied for successful insertion of particles into the melt, better particles/matrix wetting and particles distribution, minimized SiC/Al reaction. From thermomechanical simulation, step rolling is defined to be suitable at a strain rate of 1 s⁻¹ rate for each step, using intermediate heat treatment at 450 °C for a period of 10 s to 1 h. Generally, the quality of rolled product was improved with improving casting quality. Successive hot rolling resulted in decreasing void and the agglomeration clusters and hence enhanced mechanical properties are achieved. The flow behaviour under rolling of Al-particulate metal matrix composites, PMMCs, is analysed and the product is characterised for its mechanical properties.     

The effects of cold rolling and sensitisation on hydrogen embrittlement of AISI 304L welds

The notched tensile strength (NTS) of 304L stainless steel welds subjected to cold rolling (20% thickness reduction) and sensitisation treatment (600 °C/10 h) was measured in a MgCl₂ (40 wt.%) solution at 80 °C. The NTS loss, which is used for comparing the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE), was consistent with the extent of embrittled area on the fracture surface of various welds. The HE susceptibility of the weld decreased after cold working but increased with the additional sensitisation treatment of the cold-rolled welds. Besides, cracks tended to propagate along the skeletal boundaries for all welds tested in the MgCl₂ solution.     

Effect of carbide properties of roll materials on lubricity in cold sheet rolling of low-carbon steel

The prevention of friction pick-up, which often occurs under the condition of high reduction and/or high speed, is required to improve the productivity in cold sheet rolling of low-carbon steel. Therefore, rolls made of high-chromium steels and high-speed steels with different carbide contents are tested in order to evaluate the effect of various properties of the carbide component of the materials on the lubrication characteristics. Coefficients of friction for the reduction in thickness and the limit of the reduction of friction pick-up are measured using the sliding–rolling simulation testing machine developed by one of the authors. The experimental results show that carbides on the surface of the roll can stop the increase in friction pick-up, and that keeping the carbide spacing small is effective in preventing friction pick-up. Because of the effectiveness of carbides, a high-chromium steel roll with controlled carbide morphology is manufactured and applied in a cold tandem mill. The results of the application show that the carbide-controlled roll has an excellent antiseizure property and is effective in improving productivity.     

Influence of heat treatment conditions on bending characteristics of 6063 aluminum alloy sheets

Bending deformation behaviors of solution treated (ST), natural aged (NA) and T6 tempered 6063 aluminum alloy sheets were studied by three-point bending tests. The changes of bending force, interior angle, bending radius and sheet thickness in the fillet region were analyzed by experimental measurements and numerical simulations. The results showed that the bending characteristics were strongly dependent on the heat treatment conditions. The T6 alloy sheets were bent more sharply and local plastic deformation occurred severely in the fillet region. However, the ST and NA alloy sheets exhibited relatively uniform bending deformation and large bending radius. The bending force of T6 alloy was the highest, followed by the NA alloy and that of the ST alloy was minimum. After unloading, as compared with the ST and NA alloys, the springback of T6 alloys was markedly larger. The aging time showed a positive sensitivity on the springback and non-uniform bending deformability. The bending characteristics are attributed to the combined effects of yield strength, yield ratio and coefficient of neutral layer.     

Investigating the microstructure and composition of cold gas-dynamic spray (CGDS) Ti powder deposited on Al 6063 substrate

The compositional variation, morphology and microstructure of cold gas-dynamic spray are of great importance for its proper application. This study investigates titanium powder deposition on an Al 6063 substrate using light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The composition was examined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF SIMS). Optical and electron microscopy revealed heavily deformed Ti powder particles penetrating 10 to 30 μm into the Al substrate. Examination using TEM did not reveal any evidence of second phases at the interface suggesting a sharp transition between the two metals. The presence of nanocrystals and grain refinement of both the coating and the substrate suggest the formation of a partial hetero-epitaxy condition near the interface. EDX results from a dedicated high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope showed a sharp compositional change with a maximum inter-diffusion region of about 5 nm. Bonding of the coating to the substrate is therefore thought to be achieved by the particle/substrate interlocking and direct metal to metal bonding. However, it is most likely that the refine crystalline structure near the interface will be beneficial to the adhesion of the coating. XPS and ToF SIMS provided evidence of nitrogen pick-up during the spray process in the form of N and TiN even when utilizing Helium as the gas carrier. The presence of TiN suggests reaction of the Ti with the entrained air during spraying which explains the occurrence of flashing jet outside the nozzle. Investigation of the material properties using nanoindentation showed reasonably consistent hardness and elastic modulus values throughout the titanium coating and at the transition region. The hardness was slightly higher than typical commercially available bulk Ti.