Characterisation of mechanical properties of electrochemically deposited thin silver layers

Abstract

In the present work, mechanical properties of electrochemically deposited thin silver layers with known thickness over brass substrates were investigated. For determination of mechanical properties of the layers, a method was used which is novel compared to those traditionally used in practice (in which, for example, a tensile test is carried out on a deposit after removal of the deposited layer from the substrate). The method developed and reported here is a combination of microindentation experimentation and numerical simulations and gives the opportunity to obtain mechanical properties of thin layers without their removal from the substrate. Vickers' microindentation experiment of the silver layer was realized and as a result, led to experimental a load–displacement curve. After that the process of microindentation was modelled numerically by means of finite element method. The numerically obtained load–displacement curve was compared with the experimental one and the result shows good correlation between numerical and experimental curves. For some kinds of layers, which are difficult or impossible to strip away from the substrate, this method reported in this paper is the only one feasible.     

Macrostructural changes of polymer replicated open cell cordierite based foams upon sintering

Abstract

The goal of this work was to clarify the macrostructural changes that take place upon sintering of open cell cordierite based foams. A methodology, based on optical image analysis, was developed to assess the structure of open-cell foams, which allowed evaluating the macrostructure of both cordierite based foams obtained by the replication process and their polymeric templates. The parameters used to describe the structures were the size of the cell and the window, the window shape factor, the strut thickness and the volume fraction of the material. The experimental evidence gathered opened the way to understand the physical/chemical transformations involved in the polymer burnout and the ceramic sintering processes, as well as their influence on the ceramic final structure. The observed trends provide guidance for tailoring 'replicated' cordierite based foams, in view of the required application.     

Influence of Heat Treatment on Damping Behaviour of the Magnesium Wrought Alloy AZ61

The effect of isochronal heat treatments for 1h on variation of damping, hardness and microstructural change of the magnesium wrought alloy AZ61 was investigated. Damping and hardness behaviour could be attributed to the evolution of precipitation process. The influence of precipitation on damping behaviour was explained in the framework of the dislocation string model of Granato and Lücke.     

Influence of Cold Rolling Reduction on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TWIP Steel

The influence of cold rolling reduction on microstructure and mechanical properties of the TWIP (ttwinning induced plasticity) steel was investigated. The results indicated that the steel had better comprehensive mechanical properties when cold rolling reduction was about 65.0% and the annealing temperature was 1000℃. The tensile strength of the steel is about 640MPa and the yield strength is higher than 255MPa, while the elongation is above 82%. The microstructure is composed of austenitic matrix and annealing twins at room temperature, at the same time, a significant amount of annealing twins and stacking faults are observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Mechanical twins play a dominant role during deformation, and result in excellent mechanical properties.     

Comparing similar and dissimilar friction stir welds of 2017–6005A aluminium alloys

Abstract

Similar and dissimilar friction stir welds made of aluminium alloys 2017-T6 and 6005A-T6 are compared in terms of heat inputs, temperatures, material flow distributions and resulting local and overall tensile properties. Similar welds are systematically hotter and weaker than the dissimilar welds. Predictions of a three-dimensional finite element model of the tensile test transverse to the weldline are assessed towards local deformation fields measured by digital image correlation. Deformation systematically localises on the weakest heat affected zone, which is on the 6005A side in the dissimilar welds.     

Effect of hydrogen content,melt cleanliness and solidification conditions on tensile properties of A356 alloy

Abstract

In this study, the influence of hydrogen content, melt cleanliness and solidification conditions on the porosity distribution and mechanical properties have been investigated in a laboratory scale step mould casting with an A356 alloy. Three hydrogen levels, namely 0·10, 0·20 and 0·40 mL/100 g, were reached by treatment of the melt by Ar degassing, Ar–10H₂ and Ar water vapour mixture respectively. The hydrogen content of the melt was continuously measured. For each hydrogen level, two castings were produced, namely with and without filter. Porosity was increased with increasing hydrogen content but there was no significant effect of filtration. Moreover, similar tensile properties were achieved with different hydrogen levels and different porosity levels.     

Synthesis and some properties of Ti3SiC2 by hot pressing of Ti,Si and C powders Part 2 – Mechanical and other properties of Ti3SiC2

Abstract

Some properties of the remarkable Ti₃SiC₂ based ceramic synthesised by hot pressing of elemental Ti, Si, and C powders have been investigated. Its flexural strength by using three point bending tests and fracture toughness by using single edge notched beam tests were measured at room temperature to be in the range 310–427 MPa and about 7·MPa m^1/2, respectively. This material is a relative 'soft' ceramic with a low hardness of 4 GPa. Ti₃SiC₂ is similar to the soft metals and is a damage tolerant material that is able to contain the extent of microdamage. An oxidation test has been performed in the temperature range 1000–1400°C in air for 20 h. The oxidation resistance below 1100°C was good. Two oxidized layers were formed, the outer layer consisting of pure rutile-type TiO₂, and the inner layer a mixture of SiO₂ and TiO₂. The average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Ti₃SiC₂ was measured to be 9·29 × 10^?6 K^?1 in the temperature range 25–1400°C. The thermal shock resistance of Ti₃SiC₂ was evaluated by quenching the samples from 800°C, 1200°C, and 1400°C, respectively. The retained flexural strength drops dramatically at quenching temperature, but shows a slight increase after quenching from 1400°C compared with quenching from 800°C and 1200°C.     

Evaluation of hot strip mill backup roll cladding

Abstract

A new cladding material based on the Fe–Cr–Mo–V–C alloy system, suitable for submerged arc welding, has been designed for the refurbishment of forged and cast backup rolls used in the finishing stands of hot strip rolling mills. The work undertaken includes mechanical analysis, mechanical testing, and microstructural characterisation. The mechanical analysis indicated the nature and level of stresses operating near the surface of rolls; mechanical testing allowed material performance to be anticipated. An optimal post-weld heat treatment procedure, which maximises strength while minimising material strain hardening, was subsequently chosen. The microstructure of the candidate cladding material is a mixture of lower bainite and martensite, containing a very fine distribution of molybdenum carbides. In situresults have shown that welded rolls outperform traditional rolls, as the amount of steel rolled per millimetre of cladding material is 40% higher than with forged rolls and double that obtained with cast rolls.     

Wear behaviour of Fe/M7C3 metal matrix composites with various microstructures during dry sliding

Abstract

The wear mechanisms of iron based metal matrix composites and the wear behaviours of various microstructures were systematically studied by dry sliding wear testing and SEM examination. The experimental results show that three dominant wear mechanisms appeared in succession with increasing normal load during dry sliding. The transition of the wear mechanisms depended mainly upon the conditions of testing, and additionally it was seen that changes in microstructure of the steel had no marked effect on the transition. In the case of mild wear, no obvious differences in wear volume were found for the various microstructures. However, considerable differences in the wear volumes were observed under conditions of severe wear characterised by adhesion and delamination. The experimental results also indicate that the differences in wear resistance of the various microstructures were caused by differences in microstructural thermal stability, resistance to plastic deformation, resistance to nucleation and propagation of microcracks and especially by differences in energy consumption in these layers during wear.     

Acrylic emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAS) reinforced with layered silicate

Composite acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were synthesized by emulsion polymerization in the presence of montmorillonite (MMT). An examination with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that both intercalated and exfoliated structures of MMT coexisted in the composites. It was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) that enrichment of the surface by the surfactant during drying of emulsion PSAs was depressed by the layered silicate. Significant improvements in storage modulus and cohesive strength were achieved by incorporation of MMT. The addition of only a small amount of MMT was enough to improve the adhesion properties of acrylic emulsion PSAs.