Effect of Thermomechanical Fatigue on Precipitation Microstructure in Two Precipitation-Hardened Cast Aluminum Alloys

Thermal loading induces modifications of the precipitation microstructure of Al–Si–Cu–Mg alloys. This study focuses on the effect of deformation on precipitation microstructure during thermomechanical loadings. Several specimens were thermomechanically cycled while others were exposed to the same thermal cycles without any mechanical loading. The nature and morphological characteristics of the precipitation microstructure of the thermomechanically cycled specimens are compared to those of the thermally aged ones, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in order to assess the effect of deformation on the precipitation microstructure and especially on the kinetics of precipitate growth. The absence of any significant effect of superimposed straining during thermal cycling is discussed. Implications for the prevision of yield strength degradation during service operation are briefly presented.

     

Buckling-Induced Delamination of TiN Film on Stainless Steel in the Presence of Stress Concentration

TiN coating is provided by reactive magnetron coating on a 304 stainless steel sample with a notch introduced at the edge of the sample. The sample is subjected to a tensile stress close to that of yield strength of the stainless steel. Optical and scanning electron microscopy characterization showed the distribution of buckled and delaminated regions around the notch. The distribution of the size of the partially delaminated regions of the film on the substrate is determined by transient thermo-reflectance. The stress field due to the notch is represented by that of a circular hole present at the tip and the variation of compressive and shear strain as a function of radial and angular coordinates is determined. The distribution of buckled and delaminated regions is found to follow the compressive strain variation around the notch. The size of the partially delaminated film is found to be larger near the notch and decreased with distance from the notch. The results illustrate that structures with regions of stress concentration should not be provided with brittle protective coatings that will delaminate.

     

Plastic Deformation Resistance of Steel Grades EP450-Sh and EP823-Sh in Hot and Cold State

Metallurgist - The article presents the results of plastometric studies on hot deformation and studies on the hardening curves in cold deformation of EP450-Sh (12H12M1BFR-Sh) and EP823-Sh...     

Cerium Effect on the Phase Composition and Crystallization Behavior of Aluminum Casting Alloys Based on the Al–Mg–Si System

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - Using a Thermo-Calc software package (TCAl4.0 database), unexplored data concerning the phase composition and crystallization behavior of...     

Ensuring Strength in Laser Welds Made Using the Dispersion-Hardened EP693 Nickel Alloy

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - The process of making a weld using the heat-resistant EP693 alloy (Ni–Cr–W–Co–Co–Mo system) to make assemblies and components...     

Production of Powdered α-Fe2O3 with Multilevel Gradient Porosity

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - This article discusses methods for producing a material with gradient multilevel porosity by sintering layer-by-layer distributed α-Fe2O3 nanopowders...     

Laboratory study of impacts of concrete fragment sizes on wetland water chemistry

This study investigated the effects of urban concrete materials, of different particle sizes, immersed in water through a laboratory-based experiment. Water was sourced from a high conservation-value wetland (Blue Mountains upland swamp). Prior to the experiment, wetland water was dilute (32.5 μS/cm), acidic (pH 5.3) and had detectable major ion concentrations of only sodium and chloride. Water was exposed to three treatments of different concrete fragment sizes (whole, crushed and fine). All treatments increased conductivity and pH and also resulted in modified ionic composition where calcium, potassium, hydroxide, carbonate and sulphate were recorded at much high levels. The extent and speed of water chemistry changes was linked to the particle size of the concrete. The results of this study support the hypothesis that concrete can be an environmentally hazardous material influencing water quality in urban catchments.     

OPTIMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULING FOR WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

The scheduling of maintenance for water distribution systems is a complex task encompassing a wide range of alternatives. The methodology presented in this paper can consider the major piping alternatives of replacing and cleaning, and relining. It also considers the potential of pumping improvements while accounting for the costs of maintenance, failure and operations for a multiple-period planning horizon. To solve the problem a nonlinear optimization model is linked with a network simulation model. The application showed that the procedure can determine solutions in reasonable times.