Thermophysical properties of liquid Co–Cu–Ni alloys

Abstract

Within the Coolcop project, funded by ESA, the thermophysical properties of selected liquid Cu–Co–Ni alloys were investigated. Using the new high-temperature oscillating cup viscometer at DLR, the viscosity of this alloy along two perpendicular cuts in the ternary phase diagram was measured as a function of temperature. Along the same cuts also surface tension and density were determined by using electromagnetic levitation and image processing.     

Synthesis of Composite Materials Based on Borides of Metals and Aluminum Oxide under the Combustion Conditions

The article presents experimental results on obtaining composites based on the systems TiB2-Al2O3,CrB2-Al2O3 and ZrB2-Al2O3 by a method combining SHS(self-propa...     

Artificial neural networks and acoustic emission applied to stability analysis in gas metal arc welding

Abstract

The present paper describes the application of neural networks to obtain a model for estimating the stability of gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. A neural network has been developed to obtain and model the relationships between the acoustic emission (AE) signal parameters and the stability of GMAW process. Statistical and temporal parameters of AE signals have been used as input of the neural networks; a multilayer feedforward neural network has been used, trained with back propagation method, and using Levenberg Marquardt's algorithm for different network architectures. Different welding conditions have been studied to analyse the incidence of the parameters of the process in acoustic signals. The AE signals have been processed by using the wavelet transform, and have been characterised statistically. Experimental results are provided to illustrate the proposed approach. Finally a statistical analysis for the validation of the experimental results obtained is presented. As a main result of the study, the effectiveness of the application of the artificial neural networks for modelling stability analysis in welding processes has been demonstrated. The regression analysis demonstrates the validity of neural networks to predict the stability of welding process using the statistical characterisation of the signal parameters of AE that have been calculated.     

Prediction of weld quality in pulsed current GMAW process using artificial neural network

Abstract

Weld joint dimensions and weld metal mechanical properties are important quality characteristics of any welded joint. The success of building these characteristics in any welding situation depends on proper selection-cum-optimisation of welding process parameters. Such optimisation is critical in the pulsed current gas metal arc welding process (GMAW-P), as the heat input here is closely dictated by a host of additional pulse parameters in comparison to the conventional gas metal arc welding process. Neural network based models are excellent alternatives in such situations where a large number of input conditions govern certain outputs in a manner that is often difficult to adjudge a priori. Six individual prediction models developed using neural network methodology are presented here to estimate ultimate tensile strength, elongation, impact toughness, weld bead width, weld reinforcement height and penetration of the final weld joint as a function of four pulse parameters, e.g. peak current, base current, pulse on time and pulse frequency. The experimental data employed here are for GMAW-P welding of extruded sections of high strength Al–Zn–Mg alloy (7005). In each case, a committee of different possible network architectures is used, including the final optimum network, to assess the uncertainty in estimation. The neural network models developed here could estimate all the outputs except penetration fairly accurately.     

Influences of post-weld heat treatment on fatigue crack growth behaviour of strength mismatched HSLA steel welds

Abstract

Welding of high strength low alloy steels (HSLA) involves usage of low, even and high strength filler materials (electrodes) compared with the parent material depending on the application of the welded structures and the availability of the filler material. In the present investigation, the influences of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on fatigue crack growth behaviour of under matched (UM), equal matched (EM) and over matched (OM) weld metals has been studied. The base material used in this investigation is HSLA-80 steel of weldable grade. The Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process has been used to fabricate the single 'V' butt joints. Centre Cracked Tension (CCT) specimens have been used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth behaviour of the welded joints. Fatigue crack growth experiments have been conducted using servo hydraulic controlled fatigue testing machine at constant amplitude loading (R = 0). From this investigation, it has been found that the fatigue performance of over matched joints is superior compared to under matched and equal matched joints. Moreover, PWHT reduced the magnitude of the tensile residual stress field in the weld region and subsequently enhanced the fatigue performance of the joints irrespective of weld metal strength mismatch.     

Pendant droplet oscillation during GMAW

Abstract

This paper deals with pendant droplet oscillation in pulsed current gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Using a constant current power source, bead on plate welds were made on mild steel plates. The frequency of the pendant droplet oscillation was monitored visually (using a high speed video camera) and electronically (by analysis of the voltage signals). The results obtained are compared with the results predicted by a model based on a mass spring system. It was found that the oscillation frequency of small droplets revealed by both monitoring techniques matches that predicted by the model. For larger droplets, the oscillation frequency measured by voltage signal analysis tends to be higher than that revealed by video analysis and that predicted by the model. This implies that during droplet oscillation in (GMAW) the arc behaviour may change and as a result the arc voltage is not any more proportionally related to the arc length.     

Laser pressure welding of Al alloy and low C steel

Abstract

This study was performed to obtain fundamental knowledge concerning the development of laser pressure welding technology for the joining of dissimilar metals. Laser pressure welding of Al alloy A6061 and low C steel SPCC sheets was carried out to investigate the effects of the roller pressure, laser beam scanning speed and irradiation position on the tensile shear and peel strength of welded joints. The interfaces of the joints were observed and analysed by SEM and EDX, and the formation phases on the peeled surfaces were identified with XRD. It was revealed that prevention and suppression of oxidation during welding was extremely important to the production of a sound joint with good mechanical properties. The highest tensile strength and the highest peel strength of joints were obtained at a laser power of 1·8 kW, laser scanning speed of 30 Hz, laser irradiation position at the centreline, roller pressure of more than 245 MPa and welding speed of 0·5 m min^?1 in an Ar atmosphere. The fracture occurred not in the welded zone but in the A6061 base alloy specimen.     

Effects of strain aging on the structure and mechanical properties of PM 92·5W–5Ni–2·5Fe heavy alloys

Abstract

This paper describes the effects of strain aging on the mechanical properties and the microstructure of forged 92·5W–5Ni–2·5Fe and its heavy alloys microalloyed with cobalt. The investigation was performed on cold rotary forged rods deformed 15, 20 and 30% and strain aged at temperatures from 673 to 1273 K for 1·8–32·4 ks. The results show that for these alloys, there is a temperature range from 773 to 873 K in which maximum ultimate strength and hardness can be attained. Furthermore, the strain aged alloys have shown strength and hardness increase at a temperature of 973 K in a time period of 10·8 ks. The fracture analysis has shown the presence of predominant transgranular fracture of the tungsten phase and γ-phase in the strain-aged alloys in comparison with the forged alloys. The results indicate that interface and tungsten phase strengthening are predominant mechanisms of strain aging.     

Distribution of metal droplets in top slags during ladle treatment

Abstract

The investigation focused on the mixing of the metal and slag phases during ladle refining from the point of tapping the EAF to casting. Steel droplet distributions were determined for slag samples taken at different stages in the ladle refining process at two different steel plants in Sweden. The droplet distributions were determined using light optical microscopy and classification according to the standard SS111116. Sample analysis results showed the slag samples taken before vacuum degassing to contain the greatest concentration of steel droplets. The total interfacial area between the steel droplets and slag was determined to be 3–14 times larger than the projected flat interfacial area between the steel and slag. The effects of slag viscosity and reactions between steel and slag on metal droplet formation in slag were also considered.     

Use of Alcan's Al-B4C metal matrix composites as neutron absorber material in TN International's transportation and storage casks

Abstract

Major issues in the area of transportation and/or storage of radioactive materials are reliability and safety of engineering components. Among the functions to be undertaken, transportation and storage systems shall allow the criticality control of the transported matter, the control of its temperature, as well as the capacity to withstand the mechanical stresses due to normal, incidental and accidental conditions of use. In most cases, criticality control requires the use of an internal arrangement made of a neutron absorber material, which must also have high thermal conductivity properties to ensure the temperature control. When, as in many AREVA-TN International applications, the design takes credit of the neutron absorber material as a structural component, it must show high mechanical performance. Alcan's Al-B₄C metal matrix composites (Al-B₄C MMCs) meet all the above mentioned requirements, due to their special capability of capturing neutrons, their light weight, and their superior thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The significant advantage of Alcan's technology is its flexibility with regards to a wide range of boron carbide contents and matrix alloys (from AA1XXX to AA6XXX). This enables the adjustment of the properties to the exact needs of the design. TN International presently uses extruded and/or rolled Al-B₄C MMC parts in several of its internal arrangements. The present paper gives an overview of the manufacture processes of Alcan's Al-B₄C MMCs, from the mixing of B₄C into liquid aluminium to the extrusion and rolling operations. It describes the methods and results for the qualification tests in terms of the neutron absorption, thermal, physical and mechanical properties of the material. Finally, details are given on the use of Alcan's MMCs as a neutron absorber with enough credit for structural material in TN International's TN24 designs.