Study of effect of aging on martensitic transformation and tribological properties of TiNi alloy using DSC,neutron diffraction,and micromechanical probing techniques

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that TiNi shape memory alloy exhibits excellent wear resistance, benefiting from their pseudoelasticity (PE) due to a thermoelastic martensitic transformation. The maximum wear resistance of the alloys corresponds to an optimum balance between the PE and hardness, which is strongly influenced by heat treatment. In this work, the effect of aging treatment on martenstic transformation behaviour, mechanical properties, including the pseudoelasticity and hardness, and wear behaviour of a Ti–51 at.-%Ni alloy was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, neutron diffraction, and micromechanical probing techniques. The main objective of the study was to understand the aging effect on wear behaviour of the TiNi alloy and explore the mechanisms involved for further improvement of this novel tribo-alloy.     

Multipass rolling of aluminium alloys: finite element simulations and microstructural evolution

Abstract

Use of numerical predictive methods such as finite element analysis is becoming progressively more common for modelling industrial hot metal working and forming processes. These tools are used not only to predict the thermomechanical behaviour of metals but increasingly to predict microstructural changes by linking them to physical models of recrystallisation and textural evolution. This paper describes the development and application of a fully integrated model for the prediction of thermomechanical and microstructural behaviour during multipass hot rolling of aluminium alloy AA 3104. Finite element code ABAQUS/standard has been used in the work and the process is modelled assuming plane strain conditions. It is shown that for this alloy the static recrystallisation which occurs during interpass cooling does not significantly influence the thermomechanical response during subsequent rolling passes.     

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.     

Effect of Structural Parameters on the Thermal Stress of a NiFe2O4-Based Cermet Inert Anode in Aluminum Electrolysis

Inert anode has been a hot issue in the aluminum industry for many decades. With the help of FEA(finite element analysis) software ANSYS,a model was developed to simulate the thermal stress distribution working condition of an inert anode. To reduce its thermal stress,the effect of some parameters on the thermal stress distribution was investigated,including the anode height,the anode radius,the hole depth,the hole radius,and the radius of inner chamfer and outer chamfer. The results showed that in the actual working condition of an inert anode,there existed a large axial tensile stress near the tangent interface between the anode and bath,which was the major cause of anode breaking. Increasing the anode height and reducing the hole depth properly seemed to be beneficial for the stress distribution. With the increase of anode radius,the stress distribution became better first and then deteriorated,the reasonable value was between 0.045 to 0.06m. The hole radius had a significant effect on the stress and a smaller radius would reduce the thermal stress. The effect of the radius of the inner chamfer and the outer chamfer was less than other parameters.     

Effect of ZnO coating of whiskers on thermal expansion properties of aluminium borate whisker reinforced aluminium composites

Abstract

The pure aluminium composites reinforced by ZnO coated aluminium borate whiskers were fabricated by squeeze casting. The microstructure of the composite was observed using an optical microscope and the thermal expansion behaviours of the composites were investigated in the range from 50 to 400°C. In addition, the effects of heat treatment and thermal cycling on the thermal expansion behaviours of the composite were also investigated. The results show that the coefficient of thermal expansion of as cast composites decreases with the ZnO coating content increasing. However, heat treatment time and thermal cycling lead to an increase in the CTE of the composite.     

CMC material for train brake systems

Abstract

A continuous carbon fibre/silicon nitride matrix composite material has been produced by an inexpensive method. According to this method, the space between 2D carbon fibre preforms is filled with a S₃ N₄ powder by a pressure infiltration method. High particle packing densities are achieved within the fibre preforms in this way. The compact body is heat treated to form a porous framework without shrinkage, and is then strengthened with an inorganic matrix synthesised from a liquid pre-ceramic polymer. The densification degree, microstructure, and thermal and mechanical properties of the composite material are characterised. The C/Si₃ N₄ composite material pyrolysed at 1300°C is considered to be a very promising material for low temperature applications such as brake discs for rapid train systems.     

Measurement of autoclave thermal profiles during high pressure steam de-waxing of investment shells Part 1 - Vessel profiles

Abstract

Investment casting research is being carried out by the University of Birmingham, sponsored by EPSRC and a consortium of industrial companies. The programme is aimed at developing a fundamental understanding of the process, with a view to routinely producing sound, net shape castings. A key stage within the investment process is that involving the removal of wax from the unfired ceramic shell. This important process is carried out within the confines of a sealed pressure vessel, more commonly referred to as a Boilerclave*, with external pressure gauges as the only indication of what is actually happening inside the cavity. To metaphorically 'see' inside the vessel would allow the factors controlling de-wax to be characterised and controlled. This paper contains results obtained at The University of Birmingham using a specially instrumented steam autoclave that allows visual data capture, thermal and steam pressure profiles within the chamber, and thermal instrumentation of waxes and shells to be obtained. Results of thermal and pressure profiles inside the vessel body are presented and implications of these results upon the mechanism of wax removal and the effect upon ceramic shells are discussed.     

Friction stir welding of aluminium 7136-T76511 extrusions

Abstract

This research programme evaluates the as welded properties of Al 7136-T76511 extrusions joined through friction stir welding (FSW). Microstructural characterisation and mechanical testing were performed on the baseline material and on panels friction stir welded at 250 and 350 rev min^–1 (all other weld parameters held constant). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the microstructural features in each of the unique weld regions and demonstrated that the precipitate density and morphology in these regions correlates with the temperature profile produced by the FSW process. A thermal model of FSW is developed that utilises an energy based scaling factor to account for tool slip. The slip factor is derived from an empirical relationship between the ratio of the maximum welding temperature to the solidus temperature and energy per unit length of weld. The thermal model successfully predicts the maximum welding temperatures and profiles over a range of energy levels. The mechanical behaviour after welding is correlated to the temperature distribution predicted by the model and to the observed microstructural characteristics. As welded mechanical properties of the alloy trended positively with the energy per unit length of weld, i.e. the highest joint efficiency was achieved at the highest welding temperature.     

Thermal characteristics of tubular single lap adhesive joints under axial loads

When an adhesive joint is exposed to high environmental temperature, the tensile load capability of the adhesive joint decreases because both the elastic modulus and failure strength of the adhesive decrease. The thermo-mechanical properties of a structural adhesive can be improved by addition of fillers to the adhesive. In this paper, the elastic modulus and failure strength of adhesives as well as the tensile load capability of tubular single lap adhesive joints were experimentally and theoretically investigated with respect to the volume fraction of filler (alumina) and the environmental temperature. Also the tensile modulus of the filler containing epoxy adhesive was predicted using a new equation which considers filler shape, filler content, and environmental temperature. The tensile load capability of the adhesive joint was predicted by using the effective strain obtained from the finite element analysis and a new failure model, from which the relation between the bond length and the crack length was developed with respect to the volume fraction of filler.