Influence of sintering conditions on tensile and high cycle fatigue behaviour of powder injection moulded Ti–6Al–4V at ambient and elevated temperatures

Abstract

Tensile and high cycle fatigue properties of Ti–6Al–4V samples fabricated by powder injection moulding (PIM) are examined at room temperature and elevated temperatures. Standard wrought Ti–6Al–4V material is used for comparison. The tensile and the fatigue strength of samples fabricated by powder injection moulding are found to be significantly lower than conventional wrought material. On the other hand, strength and ductility of metal injection moulded (MIM) samples are high enough to be of large practical interest, in particular if the low processing costs for intricate shapes are taken into account. The inferior properties of the MIM material are caused by considerable remaining porosity, enlarged grain size and increased interstitial content. Prolonged sintering times lead to improved density and strength. At the same time, the room temperature ductility is observed to drop to very low levels, presumably because of additional grain growth.     

Production of bronze powders by water jet cooled rotating disc atomisation

Abstract

New type of water jet cooled rotating disc atomisation unit was designed and constructed. The raw material was melted in graphite crucible with high frequency induction heating, and atomisation was performed in high purity argon gas atmosphere. Cu–10Sn alloy was atomised to investigate the effect of production parameters, such as disc speed, disc surface condition, liquid metal flowrate, disc fin number and superheat of liquid metal with respect to mean particle size and powder yield rate. The produced powders appeared spherical, rounded, ligamentous, irregular and flaky, depending on particle size. The mean particle size of produced powders was in the range of 100–250 μm with 65–85% powder yield rate depending of atomisation parameters. The ZrO₂ material coated disc with four fins gave the finer mean particle size and higher powder yield rate in comparison with uncoated disc with two fins.     

Effect of additives on sintering response of titanium by powder injection moulding

Abstract

Powder injection moulding is a maturing technology that has proven most useful for the production of complex metallic and ceramic components of modest sizes. Considering the inevitable demand for cost effectiveness in automotive applications, components manufactured from low cost sponge titanium (Ti) powder currently reflect the most advantageous economics among the available Ti powders. This paper describes the net shape fabrication of Ti components and considers the role of iron and zirconium powder additions. Sintering cycle optimisation relied on differential scanning calorimetry to identify a cycle in the 1275–1300°C range for 1–2 h. The sintered material was characterised using tensile and hardness testing and microscopic examinations. The influence of test conditions on densification, microstructure and mechanical properties was analysed.     

Sintering parameters and mechanical properties of injection moulded aluminium powder

Abstract

This paper describes the microstructural and mechanical properties of injection moulded aluminium powder. Gas atomised aluminium powder was injection moulded with wax based binder. The critical powder loading for injection moulding was 62·5 vol.-% for feedstock. Binder debinding was performed in solvent and thermal method. After debinding, the samples were sintered at different temperatures and times in high purity N₂. Metallographic studies were conducted to determine the extent of densification and the corresponding microstructural changes. The results show that gas atomised aluminium powder could be sintered to a maximum 96·2% of theoretical density. Maximum density, tensile strength and hardness were obtained when sintered at 650°C for 60 min.     

Hot forging of Ti–6Al–4V alloy preforms produced by spark plasma sintering of powders

Abstract

Powder preform forging is a technology that comprises the preparation of near net shape preforms through powder metallurgy and a subsequent hot forging in order to obtain the desired final shape. In this work, two Ti–6Al–4V powder preforms were sintered through spark plasma sintering (SPS) and then hot compressed in a horizontal dilatometer. Varying the temperature of the process, two full density preforms having different microstructures were produced: sintering at 950°C, a plate-like α was obtained, whereas sintering at 1050°C, an acicular α was obtained. The behaviour of the preforms under hot forging has been studied through hot compression tests carried out in a quenching and deformation dilatometer in a range of temperature and strain rates typically used in hot forging this alloy (850–1050°C, 0·01–1 s^?1). Hot workability has been evaluated by measuring the stresses required for deformation and by analysing both the stress–strain curves recorded during testing and the microstructures after deformation. The main microstructural phenomena occurring during hot compression were individuated. The best conditions for the hot forging operation of SPS preform are temperatures above β transus, where the materials are deformed in a regime of dynamic recrystallisation, at every strain rate.     

Effect of composition of starting materials of Mo–Si on self-propagating high temperature SHS reaction

Abstract

An experimental study of the self-propagating high temperature synthesis of Mo–Si alloys was conducted from elemental powder compacts. Test specimens with seven compositions, including Mo/Si?=?1∶1·25, 1∶1·50, 1∶1·75, 1∶2·00, 1∶2·25, 1∶2·50 and 1∶2·75 respectively, were employed. Experimental evidence showed that a combustion wave featuring a spinning reaction zone can be observed. When the powder compacts are from Mo∶1·25Si to Mo∶1·75Si, the combustion temperature and the propagation velocity of combustion wave increase with increasing silicon in the sample, and the combustion products are composed of MoSi₂, Mo₅Si₃ and Mo. However, when the powder compacts are from Mo∶2·25Si to Mo∶2·75Si, the combustion temperature and the propagation velocity decrease rapidly as the silicon in the compact increases, and the combustion products are composed of MoSi₂ and Si. The sample with Mo/Si?=?1∶2·00 possesses the highest combustion temperature (1628·9 K) and propagation velocity (3·13 mm s^?1). A single-phase MoSi₂ is synthesised by the Mo/Si?=?1∶2·00 sample.     

Role of Ion Beam Irradiation and Annealing Effect on the Deposition of AlON Nanolayers by Using Plasma Focus Device

AlON nanolayers are synthesized on Al substrate by the irradiation of energetic nitrogen ions using plasma focusing. Samples are exposed to multiple （5, 10, 15, 20 and 25） focus shots. Ion energy and ion number density range from 80 keV to 1.4 MeV and 5.6×10^19 m^- 3 to 1.3×10^19 m ^-3, respectively. Moreover, the effect of continuous annealing （473 K and 523 K） on an AlN surface layer synthesized with 25 focus shots is also examined. The main features of the X-ray diffraction （XRD） patterns with increasing focus shots are： （i） variation in the crystallinity of AlN along （111）, （200） and （311） planes, （ii） increasing average crystallite size of AlN （111） plane, and （iii） stress relaxation observed in AlN （111） and （200） planes. The crystallinity of AlN surface layer is comparatively better at 473 K annealing temperature. A broadened diffraction peak related to an aluminium oxide phase showing weak crystallinity is observed for 15 focus shots while non-bounded oxides are present in all other deposited layers. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） analysis confirm the presence of AlN and Al203 for the surface layer annealed at 473 K temperature. Raman analysis shows that the overlapping of AlN and Al2Oa results in the development of residual stresses. Scanning electron microscope （SEM） results demonstrate that the formation of rounded grains （range from 20 nm to 200 nm） and variations in their microstructures features depend on the increasing number of focus shots. Decomposition of larger clusters into smaller ones is observed.     

Nanoferrites: Catalyst for Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Per Chlorate

Nanoferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation method. The ferrite nanoparticles such as Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, and Cu were prepared. All nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The average particle of Zn, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu ferrite are 6.8, 2.7, 5.2, 1.1 and 3.9 nm respectively. The effect of ferrite nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of ammonium per chlorate was studied using thermogravimetic analysis, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies. Activation energy of high temperature decomposition of different alloy nanoparticles was calculated using DSC by Kissinger equation. The catalytic activity of nanoferrites is much sensitive to oxygen and may be effective to improve the thermal decomposition AP-based propellants.     

Microstructural modification and ageing behaviour of the Al–17Si–5Cu alloy using a novel approach

A novel short duration heat treatment schedule is proposed in the present investigation for the Al-17?wt-% Si-5?wt-% Cu alloy (AR alloy). The existing heat treatment uses long duration (4–24?h) holding at solutionising temperature prior to ageing treatment. In the present investigation, the AR alloy is subjected to isothermal holding at 590°C for 15?min followed by warm water quenching prior to the normal ageing schedule. Detailed microstructural investigations involving size and shape of primary as well as eutectic Si particles, porosity measurements along with hardness and tensile property characterisation are carried out to find the effect of isothermal heat treatment. The study reveals considerable improvement in microstructure and mechanical properties after this isothermal heat treatment.     

空气和氮气气氛中热处理温度对ITO薄膜性能影响

以InCl_3·4H_2O和SnCl_4·5H_2O为主要原料,采用溶胶-凝胶法和旋转涂膜工艺。在玻璃基片上制备掺锡氧化铟透明导电薄膜(ITO),采用x-射线粉末衍射、紫外-可见透射光谱和四探针技术,研究了在空气和氮气气氛中,不同热处理温度对ITO薄膜的微结构、光学和电学性能的影响。