Performance of ANFIS Coupled with PSO in Manufacturing Superior Wear Resistant Aluminum Matrix Nano Composites

In this study, ANFIS was combined with PSO in order to optimize the parameters in pressure assisted semi solid processing of A360 aluminum matrix nano composites. ANFIS was utilized to calculate the objective function, which was later minimized using PSO. Combination of EMS semi solid processing and pressure assistance during solidification resulted in improvement of microstructural features and tribological properties. Globular grain structure was formed in the pressure assisted EMS parts. Tribological properties were investigated using pin on disk. It was noted that wear properties of EMS parts were benefited from the refinement of the primary α-Al phase and uniform distribution of the particles. EMS composites showed higher hardness than conventional cast parts, consequently there was a lower real area of contact and therefore lower wear rate. Moreover, hard dispersoid made the virgin alloy plastically constrained and improved their wear resistance.     

Engulfment Behavior of Inclusions in High-Carbon Steel: Theoretical and Experimental Investigation

Previous studies on inclusions behavior at the front of the solidifying steel shell have mainly focused on low-carbon steels. However, with the increasing applications of high-carbon steel in recent years because of its superior properties, it is crucial to understand this behavior in high-carbon steel. Most of the high-carbon steels are deoxidized by silicon, calcium treated, and contain higher sulfur percentage. Also, higher carbon content has a determining influence on the viscosity and surface tension, which will affect the inclusion behavior. In this study, we have investigated the engulfment behaviors of inclusions in front of the solidifying interface in high-carbon steels using concentric solidification method. The critical velocity of the growing shell, at which the particle is engulfed in the solidifying shell, instead of being pushed by this shell, was determined. The inclusion identified in this study is a bi-component form of CaO-SiO₂-based oxide and CaS. It was revealed that engulfment behavior is strongly affected by convection of liquid steel that originates from carbon push out in high-carbon steels. This study provides new crucial information to produce high-carbon steel with fewer inclusions, which opens new application pathways for this emerging grade of steel.     

Effect of Microstructural Features on Magnetic Properties of High-Carbon Steel

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Industrially produced high-carbon steel has been heat treated in order to obtain various microstructures of the single phase of martensite, bainite,...     

Effects of slope plate variable and reheating on semi-solid structure of ductile cast iron

Semi-solid metal casting and forming are known as a promising process for a wide range of metal alloys production. In spite of growing application of semi-solid processed light alloys, a few works have been reported about semi-solid processing of iron and steel. In this research inclined plate was used to change dendritic structure of iron to globular one. The effects of length and slope of plate on the casting structure were examined. The results show that the process can effectively change the dendritic structure to globular. In the slope plate angle of 7.5° and length of 560 mm with cooling rate of 67K·s^-1 the optimum nodular graphite and solid globular particle were achieved. The results also show that by using slope plate inoculant fading can be prevented more easily since the total time of process is rather short.
In addition, the semi-solid ductile cast iron prepared by inclined plate method, was reheated to examine the effect of reheating conditions on the microstructure and coarsening kinetics of the alloy. Solid fraction at different reheating temperatures and holding time was obtained and based on these results the optimum reheating temperature range was determined.     

A sensitivity study of the Navier–Stokes-α model

We present a sensitivity study of the Navier Stokes-$\alpha$ model with respect to perturbations of the differential filter length $\alpha$. The parameter-sensitivity is evaluated using the sensitivity equations method. Once formulated, the sensitivity equations are discretized and computed alongside the NS$\alpha$ model using the same finite elements in space, and Crank–Nicolson in time. We provide a complete stability analysis of the scheme, along with the results of several benchmark problems in both 2D and 3D. We further demonstrate a practical technique to utilize sensitivity calculations to determine the reliability of the NS$\alpha$ model in problem-specific settings. Lastly, we investigate the sensitivity and reliability of important functionals of the velocity and pressure solutions.     

Simulation of Steel Refining Process in Converter

Steel refining is a complex phenomenon which depends on numerous variables, so, a kinetic approach is necessary for precise understanding of the refining process. In this study, based on a previously proposed model for hot metal dephosphorization, a new simulation model for the steel refining process in BOF is presented. In most cases, steelmaking slag is saturated with dicalcium‐silicate (C₂S) and it is well known that C₂S forms solid solution with tricalcium‐phosphate (C₃P) in a wide composition range and the partition ratio of phosphorus between C₂S and liquid slag is large. On the other hand, C₂S formed around the lime surface is known as a barrier to lime dissolution into liquid slag. In this simulation model not only the effect of solid phase in slag is considered but also the effects of temperature dependence of variables as well as top and bottom blowing and scrap melting are taken into account. The calculation results are compared with industrial data and the good agreement between experimental and simulation results evidence the validity of this kinetic approach to steel refining process in BOF. Moreover, by using this model the influence of various parameters on the reaction efficiency is discussed.     

Utilization of Waste Materials for the Manufacturing of Better-Quality Wear and Corrosion-Resistant Steels

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Decarburization of steels during heat treatment is a major problem for wear applications and for thin structural components as it often results in...     

Reduction Behavior of Hematite-Biowaste Composite Pellets at Melting Temperature

The iron and steel industry is one of the prominent industrial sectors in the world since steel is a vital material with a wide range of applications in daily life. The ferrous industries are associated with various issues like extensive greenhouse gas emissions, energy-intensive processes, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels and natural resources. At the same time, concern regarding waste generation and its management is taking up the momentum and calls are being made for recycling and green recovery. The reuse of waste materials in the manufacturing process can make the industries’ circular economy resilient. Thus, the current work is based on the usage of a biowaste, namely, spent coffee grounds for hematite reduction. Composite pellets of hematite and transformed-spent coffee grounds (T-SCGs) are heat-treated at a melting temperature of 1550 °C. The effect of both binary and quaternary basicity on the reduction behavior is also studied. T-SCGs have hydrogen in their molecular structure which enhances the reduction mechanism. Overall, the employment of biowaste for iron recovery will aid in making the industry sector more sustainable.     

Highly Efficient Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes by Inserting Multiple Poly(methyl methacrylate) as Electron‐Blocking Layers

This work presents a new device architecture integrating multiple poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) electron‐blocking layers (EBL) in quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QD‐LEDs). The device utilizes red‐emitting CdSe/ZnS QD with a novel structure where multiple PMMA EBLs are sandwiched between a pair of QD layers. A systematic optimization of QD‐LED structures has shown that a device including two PMMA and three QD layers performs the best, achieving a current efficiency of 17.8 cd A^?1 and a luminance of 194 038 cd m^?2. Numerical simulation of a simplified model of the proposed QD‐LED structure verifies that the structure consisting of two PMMA and three QD layers provides significant improvement in electroluminescent intensity. The simulation provides further insight into the origin of the effect of the PMMA EBL by showing that the addition of PMMA EBL reduces the electron leakage from the active QD region and enhances electron confinement, leading to an increased electron concentration in the QD active layers and a higher radiative recombination rate. The experimental and theoretical studies presented in this work demonstrate that multiple layers of PMMA can act as efficient EBLs in the fabrication of QD‐LEDs of improved performance.