Effect of Heat Treatment on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Centrifugally Cast Functionally Graded Cu/Al2O3 Composite

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manu Sam ◽  
N. Radhika

A functionally graded Cu–10Sn–5Ni metal matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with 10 wt % of Al2O3 particles was fabricated using the centrifugal casting process with dimension Φout100 × Φin85 × 100 mm. The mechanical and wear resistance of the composite has been enhanced through heat treatment. Samples from of the inner zone (9–15 mm) were considered for heat treatment, as this zone has higher concentration of less dense hard reinforcement particles. The samples were solutionized (620 °C/60 min) and water quenched followed by aging at different temperatures (400, 450, and 550 °C) and time (1–3 h). Optimum parametric combination (450 °C, 3 h) with maximum hardness (269 HV) was considered for further analysis. Dry sliding wear experiments were conducted based on Taguchi's L27 array using parameters such as applied loads (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding distances (500, 1000, and 1500 m), and sliding velocities (1, 2, and 3 m/s). Results revealed that the wear rate increased with load and distance whereas it decreased initially and then increased with velocity. Optimum condition for maximum wear resistance was determined using signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) predicted the major influential parameter as load, followed by velocity and distance. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of worn surfaces predicted the wear mechanism, observing more delamination due to increase in contact patch when applied load increased. Results infer 8% increase in hardness after heat treatment, making it suitable for load bearing applications.

Author(s):  
Williams S. Ebhota ◽  
Akhil S. Karun ◽  
Freddie L. Inambao

The study investigates the application of centrifugal casting process in the production of a complex shape component, Pelton turbine bucket. The bucket materials examined were functionally graded aluminium A356 alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite. A permanent mould for the casting of the bucket was designed with a Solidworks software and fabricated by the combination of CNC machining and welding. Oil hardening non-shrinking die steel (OHNS) was chosen for the mould material. The OHNS was heat treated and a hardness of 432 BHN was obtained. The mould was put into use, the buckets of A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite were cast, cut and machined into specimens. Some of the specimens were given T6 heat treatment and the specimens were prepared according to the designed investigations. The micrographs of A356-10%SiCp composite shows more concentration of SiCp particles at the inner periphery of the bucket. The maximum hardness of As-Cast A356 and A356-10%SiCp composite were 60 BRN and 95BRN respectively, recorded at the inner periphery of the bucket. And these values appreciated to 98BRN and 122BRN for A356 alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite respectively after heat treatment. The prediction curves of the ultimate tensile stress and yield tensile stress show the same trend as the hardness curves.


Author(s):  
K. Kartik Sriram ◽  
N. Radhika ◽  
Manu Sam ◽  
Shrihari S

Functionally graded material containing LM13 aluminium alloy as matrix and alumina as reinforcement (10 wt. %) was fabricated (Φout150 × Φin90 × 100 mm) by centrifugal casting. Samples were machined from the cylindrical cast along its longitudinal axis. Variation in hardness along the radial cross-sectional wall revealed 33.7% improvement at the outer periphery due to higher presence of alumina. This zone was preferred for dry sliding wear experiments, designed based on Taguchi L27 orthogonal array by varying the process parameters like sliding velocity, sliding distance and load using pin-on-disc tribometer. Analysis of variance revealed velocity as most influential wear factor, next to load. An optimal condition to minimise adhesive wear was determined at a load of 15 N, sliding velocity of 3.5 m/s and sliding distance of 1250 m. Scanning electron microscope analysis on abraded surfaces showed formation of tribolayer at high velocities and delamination at high loads.


Author(s):  
N Radhika ◽  
Rakesh Reghunath ◽  
Manu Sam

The functionally graded Cu-11Ni-4Si/10wt%WC composite and its alloy have been synthesized using horizontal centrifugal casting technique to compare the mechanical and tribological improvement and its utility for bearings and bushes. Microstructure analysis and mechanical tests showed 43% improvement in hardness and 160% improvement in tensile strength at inner radial distances compared to the outer composite periphery. Fractural analysis showed ductility for alloy, whereas for composites, brittleness at outer and a combination of both ductility and brittleness were observed at inner. Proportional rise in the wear rate and coefficient of friction was observed with increasing load and sliding distances for both composite and alloy. Composite showed a slight decline in the wear rate and coefficient of friction with an increase in the sliding velocity, while alloy showed a linear rise. Worn surfaces analysis of composite showed the formation of oxide layers, which reduced the coefficient of friction at higher sliding velocity, resulting in lower wear rate.


1978 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Saltzman

In extrusion and injection molding, centrifugally cast metallurgical coatings are often utilized to provide wear resistance in the barrel of the molding machine. The need for wear resistance is a result of two potential sources of wear, a screw or plunger that operates within the barrel, and the plastic being processed. Adhesive wear occurs under abnormal operating conditions when the screw bears against the barrel bore. Abrasive wear may result from certain additives used to modify the properties of the plastics. An in situ centrifugal casting process used for production of wear resistant coatings metallurgically bonded to the bores of heavy wall metal tubes is described. Characteristics of industry standard metallurgical coating alloys, a martensitic white iron, a Co-Ni-Cr-B alloy and a composite with tungsten carbide dispersed in a Ni-base alloy matrix are given. Metal-to-metal wear-compatibility tests are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 930 ◽  
pp. 484-488
Author(s):  
Chester Contatori ◽  
Antônio Augusto Couto ◽  
Jan Vatavuk ◽  
Arnaldo A. Ciquielo Borges ◽  
Nelson Batista de Lima ◽  
...  

Hypereutectic Al-Si alloys can be used in applications that require high wear resistance. Such wear resistance is achieved by the presence of hard primary silicon particles, allied to the formation of Mg2Si intermetallic phase when magnesium is added in this alloy. Centrifugal casting generates a gradient in the microstructure of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys that can favor such applications. Cylindrical components of Al-19%Si alloy containing added copper and magnesium contents were processed by centrifugal casting. The purpose of this study is to investigate the formation and segregation of particles of primary silicon (β) and Mg2Si in Al-19%Si alloy containing additions of copper and magnesium. Because the density of silicon (2.33 g/cm3) and Mg2Si (1.88 g/cm3) is lower than that of aluminum (2.67 g/cm3), centrifugal casting causes primary silicon (β) and Mg2Si particles to concentrate more at the outer wall of the centrifuged pipe. In this study, primary silicon (β) and Mg2Si particles were found to be retained at the outer wall of the pipe. It is believed that the rapid cooling of the molten metal in the region of contact with the mold, whose temperature is lower than that of the molten metal, allied to the centrifugal force, prevented the particles from migrating to the inner wall of the pipe. The microstructure shows a gradient in the distribution of these phases, enabling the production of a functionally graded material. The addition of copper and magnesium leads to the formation of Mg2Si and Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 phases, reducing the amount of primary β phase (Si) particles. In all the evaluated conditions, a tendency is also observed for a gradual increase in the segregation of silicon towards the inner wall along the entire length of the centrifuged pipe.


2015 ◽  
Vol 830-831 ◽  
pp. 485-488
Author(s):  
A.G. Arsha ◽  
E. Jayakumar ◽  
T.P.D. Rajan ◽  
Ballembettu Chandrasekhar Pai

A390 functionally graded material (FGM) pistons were fabricated by centrifugal casting, where the silicon particles were segregated in the head portion of the pistons by appropriate design and their density differences. Centrifugal casting offers casting of cylindrical structures with gradation in its properties. In centrifugally cast A390, a suitable die design can lead to the formation of hard primary Si particles gradually distributed towards the head region producing a particle rich zone, transition zone and matrix rich zone. Microstructure and chemical composition analysis confirms the composition gradation. Hardness and wear test results revealed that the gradation positively helps to improve the desired properties with the presence of in-situ primary silicon reinforcements.


2016 ◽  
Vol 879 ◽  
pp. 1691-1697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Sato ◽  
Junya Maeda ◽  
Motoko Yamada ◽  
Yoshimi Watanabe

As one of processing methods of functionally graded materials (FGMs), centrifugal mixed-powder method has been proposed. The centrifugal mixed-powder method is the casting process combined of centrifugal casting and powder metallurgy. This processing method has advantage that fine ceramics-particles, whose wettability with matrix melt is low, can be compounded into metallic material. However, effects of particle size on microstructure and mechanical properties of the FGMs fabricated by the centrifugal mixed-powder method are unclear. In this study, two kinds of Al-TiO2 FGMs rings are fabricated by the centrifugal mixed-powder method. One contains TiO2 particles having similar diameter with Al matrix particles (hereafter, small different-size (SD) TiO2 particles), and the other one compounds TiO2 particles with much smaller diameter than Al matrix particles (hereafter, large different-size (LD) TiO2 particles). In case of the Al-TiO2 FGMs ring containing SD-TiO2 particles, the TiO2 particles are homogeneously dispersed in Al matrix on outer surface of the ring. On the other hand, the TiO2 particles in the Al-TiO2 FGMs ring with LD-TiO2 particles are distributed along grain boundary of Al matrix. Moreover, Vickers-hardness and wear resistance around outer surface of the Al-TiO2 FGMs ring containing the SD-TiO2 particles is higher than that of the Al-TiO2 FGMs ring with LD-TiO2 particles. Since Al particles in the mixed-powder with LD-TiO2 particles are surrounded by the TiO2 particles, the Al particles can be hardly melted by heat of molten Al at casting process. As a result, the Al-TiO2 FGMs ring with LD-TiO2 particles has low hardness and wear resistance. Therefore, it is found that TiO2 particles having similar diameter with Al matrix particles are more suitable for fabrication of the Al-TiO2 FGMs rings.


Author(s):  
J. Arun Prakash ◽  
P. Shanmughasundaram ◽  
M. Vemburaj ◽  
P. Gowtham

This work deals with the examination of the mechanical properties of Aluminium (LM6) reinforced with iron oxide (Fe2O3). Stir casting process is used to formulate the composite sampling by varying iron oxide in 5% and 10% by weight. Three different heat treatment process of hardening, annealing and normalizing is carried out on samples of aluminium (LM6), aluminium (LM6) + 5% Fe2O3 and aluminium (LM6) + 10% Fe2O3. Composite specimens are tested to analyze the mechanical properties such as hardness, yield stress, tensile strength and elongation. Present reinforcement specks enabled the alloy to preserve higher hardness during the heat treatment. Results have shown substantial improvements in properties of the specimens with various compositions of reinforcement.


Author(s):  
S. I. Bogodukhov ◽  
E. S. Kozik ◽  
E. V. Svidenko

Hard alloys are popular materials widely used in the toolmaking industry. Refractory carbides included in their composition make carbide tools very hard (80 to 92 HRA) and heat-resistant (800 to 1000 °С) so as they can be used at cutting speeds several times higher than those used for high-speed steels. However, hard alloys differ from the latter by lower strength (1000 to 1500 MPa) and the absence of impact strength, and this constitutes an urgent problem. We studied the influence of thermal cycling modes on the mechanical and tribological properties of VK8 (WC–8Co) hard alloy used in the manufacture of cutters and cutting inserts for metal working on metal-cutting machines. As the object of study, we selected 5×5×35 mm billets made of VK8 (WC–8Co) alloy manufactured by powder metallurgy methods at Dimitrovgrad Tool Plant. The following criteria were selected for heat treatment mode evaluation: Vickers hardness, flexural strength, and mass wear resistance (as compared to the wear of asreceived samples that were not heat treated). Plates in the initial state and after heat treatment were subjected to abrasion tests. Wear results were evaluated by the change in the mass of plates. Regularities of the influence of various time and temperature conditions of heat treatment on the tribological properties of products made of VK group tungsten hard alloys were determined. An increase in the number of thermal cycling cycles improved such mechanical properties of the VK8 hard alloy as strength and hardness. When repeating the cycles five times, an increase in abrasive wear resistance was obtained compared to the initial nonheat-treated sample. The elemental composition of the VK8 hard alloy changed insignificantly after thermal cycling, only a slight increase in oxygen was observed on the surface of plates. The grain size after thermal cycling increased in comparison with the initial VK8 hard alloy. It was found that VK8 hard alloy thermocyclic treatment leads to a change in the phase composition. X-ray phase analysis showed the presence of a large amount of α-Co with an hcp-type lattice on the surface of a hard alloy and a solid solution of WC in α-Co. A change in the cobalt modification ratio causes a decrease in microstresses. An analysis of the carbide phase structure state showed that the size of crystallites and microstresses changed after thermal cycling. The lattice constant of the cobalt cubic solid solution decreased, which may indicate a decrease in the amount of tungsten carbide and carbon dissolved in it. Statistical processing of experimental results included the calculation of the average value of the mechanical property, its dispersion and standard deviation in the selected confidence interval.


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