Development of alumina primary coat for single crystal investment casting ceramic mould

Abstract

The use of an alumina primary coat to eliminate the interaction between aluminium in NiAl single crystal alloy and silica in the ceramic investment casting mould has been examined in this study. The properties of the alumina slurry were characterised and the main factors controlling stability identified. It was found that the pH of the slurry must be carefully controlled to avoid polycondensation reactions. The most stable slurry was produced using filler with lower mean particle size and alkalinity. Alumina primary coat produced with low filler loading does not survive completely during wax removal. The surface condition can be improved by increasing the plate weight, which corresponds to a higher filler loading in the slurry. Moulds with a consistent alumina primary coat exhibit slightly higher green and sintered strength than moulds with the standard zircon-silica primary coat.     

Optimisation of silane grafting in single screw extruder

Abstract

Reactive extrusion is an attractive means of polymer processing since the shaping and reaction takes place in a single operation. Silane grafting of low density polyethylene has been achieved in a single screw extruder. The optimum conditions for silane grafting, i.e. temperature, shear rate, and silane and dicumyl peroxide concentrations, were determined on a torque rheometer and extrusion was then performed under optimum conditions. The study shows that an optimum low level of grafting/crosslinking can be introduced into polyethylene during extrusion for better mechanical behaviour and/or thermal stability without aecting the processability.     

Preparation and water resistance of crosslinked waterborne polyurethaneurea

Abstract

Two series of cross-linked polyurethaneurea (PUU) aqueous dispersions with polyoxypropylene glycerol and pentaerythritol as internal cross-linking agents were prepared and characterised. The results revealed that in comparison with the uncross-linked one, the cross-linked PUU films exhibited excellent waterproof performance and mechanical properties. The amount of water absorption was as low as 2?5 wt-%, the contact angle of water on the surface of this kind of film was as high as 96°, and the tensile strength was as high as 42?8 MPa. The cross-linked PUU films with polyoxypropylene glycerol and pentaerythritol as cross-linked agents showed different properties at the same cross-linking agent content. The prepared triol-cross-linked or tetra-cross-linked PUUs had great potential application in meeting the highly diversified demands in modern technologies such as coatings, leather finishing, adhesives, sealants, plastic coatings and wood finishes, where high water resistance and durability were required.     

Thermal and frictional properties of modified sisal fibre/phenolic resin composites

Abstract

In order to enhance the bonding force of sisal fibres (SF) and polymer matrix, different surface modifiers (alkali, coupling agent and borax) were used to treat the fibres. The SF/phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin composites were prepared through compression moulding. Thermal properties of the treated SFs and fibre composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and thermal expansion analysis. The effect of SF modification on the friction and wear properties of composites was investigated using wear tester under dry condition. The treated fibre surface and the worn surfaces of SF/PF composites were observed by SEM. The results showed that the surface of SF became rough after borax treatment, and the initial decomposition temperature increased by 13·6°C, compared to untreated SF. Thermal stability and wear properties of the PF composites with treated fibre were obviously increased due to the fibre modification. For example, wear volume of the composites with sisal treated by borax decreased by 73·3%. Scanning electron microscopy photos showed that the wear mechanism changed from fatigue wear to slight plough wear.     

The Kinetics of Electrode Reactions: Part II—Mass Transfer and Mixed Control

The modes of mass transport to and from electrode surfaces are considered and it is seen that the rate of reactant supply is often a rate determining step in electrochemical reactions which occur in metal finishing. Complete mass transport control is characterised by the limiting current for a reaction and expressions are developed which relate this parameter to reactant concentration and electrode/electrolyte velocity. In many cases, reaction rates are governed partially by mass transfer and partially by electron transfer. This, “mixed control” case is also considered by means of current versus potential curves and the types of overpotential involved.     

Progress of electroless amorphous and nanoalloy deposition: a review – Part 1

Abstract

The progress and longitudinal history of electroless plating from its discovery to its present development, from published research reports and, particularly, patents are discussed and reviewed in this paper. The progress of electroless plating can be divided into five stages: the discovery of electroless plating; the early stage of development; the period of slow growth; the period of rapid development; and the period of deeper, more fundamental development and nanoelectroless plating. The contents of each stage are described and discussed in detail. Investigating and understanding the history of electroless plating can not only make clearer the process of development and characteristics of electroless plating, but also clarify to some degree the scientific and technical direction of the process and its applications. In the current Part 1, the authors review the first three stages noted above and some details from the period of fast development including the wealth of information gathered from numerous studies on the properties of electroless deposits. Part 2, to be published in a forthcoming issue of Transactions, will deal with further studies from the period of rapid development, including large scale applications, ternary and multicomponent alloys and composites, the impressive developments in China, now the world’s biggest market in electroless nickel plating, and development of electroless Fe–B alloy plating, again much of which took place in Chinese laboratories. In addition, in Part 2, the authors will discuss what they consider to be a period of sustained deep and fundamental research into the theory and mechanism of electroless plating, and development of nanoelectroless plating.     

Influence of microstructure and weld size on the mechanical behaviour of dissimilar AHSS resistance spot welds

Abstract

Resistance spot welds were produced in dissimilar combinations of advanced high strength steels. A 600 MPa dual phase (DP) steel was welded to a high strength low alloy, a 780 MPa DP, and a 780 MPa transformation induced plasticity steel. The microstructure and mechanical properties were characterised using metallurgical techniques and lap shear and cross-tension testing. The results show that a pullout failure mode with improved mechanical properties is obtained when DP600 is paired with other advanced high strength steels, compared to the DP600 welded to itself, which is prone to interfacial failure and poor mechanical properties, given the same weld size. An in depth comparison of the interfacial to pullout failure transition in similar DP600 and DP780 and dissimilar DP600–DP780 welds was performed. The results show that the interfacial to pullout transition for the DP600–DP780 welds is significantly lower than with DP600 welded to itself. Increased fusion zone strength through dilution with the DP780 promotes button pullout at smaller weld sizes. Furthermore, it was observed that softening in the heat affected zone of DP780 promoted a pullout failure mode in that material.     

Application of electrode force change in single sided resistance spot welding using servo gun

Abstract

Single sided resistance spot welding (SSRSW) is considered as a feasible method to join hydroformed or closed section parts to others in vehicle productions. Unfortunately, it is difficult to guarantee the weld quality utilising conventional air gun. Because of a lack of support inside the closed section parts, the impact of electrode driven by pneumatic gun will cause large deformation of the workpieces at the welding stage and will lead to a crack around weld region after welding completion. In addition, poor weldability is another pressing problem for welding operations. Servo gun with new gun driven method has some merits such as realising the soft touch between electrode and workpieces and changing electrode force during the welding process which are greatly suitable to the sheet to tube joining. Based on the characteristics of servo gun, the present paper investigates a new method to increase the weld quality of sheet to tube joining with SSRSW method. By adjusting the electrode force during the welding process, weld strength would be increased, weld deformation be decreased and weldability lobe curve be widened. The results verify that servo guns can provide high assurance for welding quality of sheet to tube joining and have broad prospect in SSRSW.     

Mechanical properties and microstructures of magnesium alloy AZ31B joint fabricated by resistance spot welding with cover plates

Abstract

The authors welded magnesium alloy AZ31B sheets using the technique of resistance spot welding with cover plates, and investigated the effects of welding parameters on the tensile shear strength of joints and shape characteristic of nugget. The joints with high tensile shear strength were obtained under relatively low welding current. The equiaxed grains with the many intragranularly precipitated particles Mg₁₇Al₁₂ in the nugget were observed.