Formulation to obtain the most reliable aggregate mix with quantity and other constraints

The aggregate batch mixing problem determines the proportion (or relative masses) in which aggregate batches with different gradations are to be blended so as to achieve a target mix with a given gradation. As shown in previous studies, the gradation of a batch is not homogeneous and should be considered stochastic. Also, when batches are blended in the field there are random variations in the masses or proportions of individual batches in the mix. Assuming batch gradation and blend masses as stochastic implies that the notion of a mix (blend) satisfying the gradation of a target mix becomes stochastic. In such a framework, every mix has a reliability with which it satisfies the definition of the target mix. In addition, a mix is also required to satisfy various restrictions. This article presents an optimization formulation to determine the most reliable mix while satisfying restrictions on available quantity, budget, etc.     

Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing

Depositing large components (>10?kg) in titanium, aluminium, steel and other metals is possible using Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing. This technology adopts arc welding tools and wire as feedstock for additive manufacturing purposes. High deposition rates, low material and equipment costs, and good structural integrity make Wire+Arc Additive Manufacturing a suitable candidate for replacing the current method of manufacturing from solid billets or large forgings, especially with regards to low and medium complexity parts. A variety of components have been successfully manufactured with this process, including Ti–6Al–4V spars and landing gear assemblies, aluminium wing ribs, steel wind tunnel models and cones. Strategies on how to manage residual stress, improve mechanical properties and eliminate defects such as porosity are suggested. Finally, the benefits of non-destructive testing, online monitoring and in situ machining are discussed.     

丁苯橡胶/炭黑湿法预混胶的塑炼特性

基于胶乳/炭黑湿法混合的丁苯橡胶/炭黑湿法预混胶(P(SBR/CB))是一种在低剪切力环境下制备得到的炭黑在丁苯橡胶基体中分散优良的橡胶/炭黑预混胶,与采用传统机械混炼得到的充炭黑母胶相比,未经塑炼加工的P(SBR/CB)中的橡胶-炭黑相互作用较弱,故其加工行为表现出诸多新的特点。本文在分析P(SBR/CB)结构的基础上,采用实验室开炼机和Brabender转矩流变仪研究了其塑炼特性,探讨了开炼机薄通次数和密炼机塑炼工艺参数(循环油温、转速、塑炼时间等)对其塑炼特性(表观黏度、门尼黏度、排胶温度和结合胶含量)的影响规律,发现P(SBR/CB)的塑炼过程主要包括2个同时进行的进程,即炭黑网络的破坏和橡胶-炭黑相互作用的增强,且可通过调节密炼机塑炼参数,调控P(SBR/CB)混炼胶的门尼黏度和结合胶含量。     

关于推广现场混装炸药车技术的一些思考

我国是工业炸药的生产和使用大国,连续多年的产量都超过了400万t,同时工业炸药作为典型的危险物品,与公共安全息息相关,是社会治安管理的重点监管对象。工业炸药现场混装车技术彻底改变了传统商品炸药的生产、供营和使用模式,本质安全性高是其最突出的特点。大力推广应用现场混装车技术无论是对于提高工业炸药的安全生产管理水平,还是对于提升社会治安管理水平,都具有重要意义,因此受到国家法规政策的鼓励。分析了工业炸药现场混装技术的优势,尤其是对于公共安全的有利作用,研究了现行管理模式存在的弊端,提出为促进工业炸药现场混装技术在我国顺利推广,贯彻创新驱动发展战略,通过体制机制创新,建立由公安机关对工业炸药现场混装技术进行统一管理的更有利的监管模式。鼓励有条件的爆破公司购买和使用现场混装车,大幅度减少工业炸药固定生产点、库房和成品炸药运输等危险源。     

Mechanical Properties and Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Glass‐Fiber‐Reinforced Epoxy Composites Embedded with Shape Memory Alloy Wires

The effects of the content and position of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires on the mechanical properties and interlaminar fracture toughness of glass‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy (GF/epoxy) composite laminates are investigated. For this purpose, varying numbers of SMA wires are embedded in GF/epoxy composite laminates in different stacking sequences. The specimens are prepared by vacuum‐assisted resin infusion (VARI) processing and are subjected to static tensile and three‐point‐bending tests. The results show that specimens with two SMA wires in the stacking sequence of [GF₂/SMA/GF₁/SMA/GF₂] and four SMA wires in the stacking sequence of [GF₄/SMA/GF₂/SMA/GF₄] exhibit optimal performance. The flexural strength of the optimal four‐SMA‐wire composite is lower than that of the pure GF/epoxy composite by 5.76% on average, and the flexural modulus is improved by 5.19%. Mode‐I and II interlaminar fracture toughness tests using the SMA/GF/epoxy composite laminates in the stacking sequence of [GF₄/SMA/GF₂/SMA/GF₄] are conducted to evaluate the mechanism responsible for decreasing the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations reveal that the main damage modes are matrix delamination, interfacial debonding, and fiber pullout.

     

Effect of High‐Energy Ball Milling on Mechanical Properties of the Mg–Nb Composites Fabricated through Powder Metallurgy Process

New biocompatible and biodegradable Mg–Nb composites used as bone implant materials are fabricated through powder metallurgy process. Mg–Nb mixture powders are prepared through mechanical milling and manual mixing. Then, the Mg–Nb composites are fabricated through cold press and sintering processes. The effect of mechanical milling and Nb particles as reinforcements on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg–Nb composites are investigated. The mechanical milling process is found to be effective in reducing the size of Mg and Nb particles, distributing the Nb particles uniformly in the Mg matrix and obtaining Mg–Nb composite particles. The Mg–Nb composite particles can be bound together firmly during the sintering process, result in Mg–Nb composite structures with no intermetallic formation, lower porosity, and higher mechanical properties compared to composites prepared through manual mixing. Interestingly, the mechanical properties of manually mixed Mg–Nb composites appear to be even lower than that of pure Mg.

     

High strength and ductility of 34CrNiMo6 steel produced by laser solid forming

Because of the excellent mechanical properties of 34CrNiMo6 steel, it is widely used in high-value components. Many conventional approaches to strengthening-steels typically involve the loss of useful ductility. In this study, 34CrNiMo6 Steel having high strength and ductility is produced by laser solid forming (LSF) with a quenching-tempering (QT) treatment. Tempering of bainite is mainly by solid phase transformation in the previous LSF layers during the LSF process. The stable microstructure of LSF consists of ferrite and fine carbides. The microstructure transfers to tempered sorbite after heat-treatment. The tensile properties of the LSF steel meet those of the wrought standard. The UTS and elongation of LSF sample at 858 MPa, 19.2%, respectively, are greater than those of the wrought. The QT treatment enhanced the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the LSF sample. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, reduction in area, and elongation of the LSF+QT sample at 980 MPa, 916 MPa, 58.9%, and 13.9%, respectively, are greater than those of the wrought standard. The yield strength of the LSF+QT sample is approximately 1.27 times that of the wrought. The LSF samples failed in a ductile fracture mode, while the LSF+QT samples showed mixed-mode failure. The defects have only a small effect on the tensile properties owing to the excellent ductility of the LSF sample.     

Joint formation mechanism of high depth-to-width ratio friction stir welding

High depth-to-width ratio friction stir welding is an attractive method for the joining demands of aluminum profiles, which is sparked with its extremely low heat input and high mechanical performance. In this study, the joint formation mechanism was studied by a numerical model of plastic flow combined with experimental approaches. A fluid-solid-interaction algorithm was proposed to establish the coupling model, and the material to be welded was treated as non-Newtonian fluid. The thread structure and the milling facets on tool pin promoted drastic turbulence of material. The thread structure converged the plasticized material by its inclined plane, and then drove the attached material to refill the welds. The milling facets brought about the periodic dynamic material flow. The thread structure and the milling facets increased the strain rate greatly under the extremely low heat input, which avoided the welding defects. The condition of the peak temperature of 648 K and the strain rate of 151 s⁻¹ attributed to the lowest coarsening degree of precipitate. The tensile strength of the joint reached 265 MPa, equivalent to 86% of base material. The amelioration via the material flow model inhibits the welding defects and optimizes the parameter intervals, providing references to extracting process-structure-property linkages for friction stir welding.     

Tailoring the secondary phases and mechanical properties of ODS steel by heat treatment

The oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel with the nominal composition of Fe–14Cr–2W–0.3Ti–0.2V–0.07Ta–0.3Y₂O₃ (wt%) was fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). In order to optimize the relative volume fraction of secondary phases, the as-HIPed ODS steel was annealed at 800 °C, 1000 °C, 1200 °C for 5 h, respectively. The microstructures and different secondary phases of the as-HIPed and annealed ODS samples were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The tensile properties of all the ODS steels at room temperature were also investigated. The results indicate that annealing is an effective way to control the microstructure and the integral secondary phases. The annealing process promotes the dissolution of M₂₃C₆ particles, thus promoting the precipitation of TiC. No obvious coarsening of Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanoparticles can be observed during annealing. The tensile results indicate that the annealed ODS sample with the optimized secondary phases and high density possesses the best mechanical properties.     

Design of near-α Ti alloys via a cluster formula approach and their high-temperature oxidation resistance

The multi-component composition characteristics of high-temperature near-α Ti alloys were investigated in the present work by means of a cluster formula approach. The uniform cluster formula [CN12 cluster](glue atom)₃ for the hexagonal close-packed α solid solution was first obtained based on the Friedel oscillation theory, with a total atom number in the formula of Z = 16. Then it was analyzed that the Z values in the cluster composition formulas of typical near-α Ti alloys are within the range of Z = 16.00 ˜ 16.30, being perfectly consistent with the ideal Z = 16. Based on it, a series of new alloys with Z = 16 and with Nb/Ta substitution for Mo in Ti1100 alloy were designed, suction-cast into φ 6 mm rods, and then heat-treated with solid solution and aging. It was found that the alloy with co-addition of Mo, Ta and Nb has a high strength and good ductility at both room and high temperatures. More importantly, the additions of Nb and Ta can contribute to the formation of continuous and compact Al₂O₃ scales, resulting in an obvious improvement of oxidation resistances at both 923 K and 1073 K. The effects of Mo, Ta and Nb on the oxidation behaviors of the designed alloys at 1073 K were further discussed.