Xe Ion Irradiation-Induced Microstructural Evolution and Hardening Effect of Nickel-Base Superalloy

The nickel-base superalloy Hastelloy N was irradiated using 1 MeV Xe20+ and 7 MeV Xe26+ ions with displacement damage ranging from 0.5 dPa to 10 dPa at room temperature (RT). The irradiated Ni-based superalloy was characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XRD, and nanoindenter to determine the changes in microstructural evolution and nanoindentation hardness. The TEM results showed that ion irradiation induced a large number of defects such as black spots and corrugated structures and the second phase was rapidly amorphized after being irradiated to a fluence of 0.5 dPa. The XRD results showed that the Hastelloy N alloy sample did not undergo lattice distortion after ion irradiation. An obvious irradiation hardening phenomenon was observed in this study, and the hardness increased with Xe ion fluence. The pinning effect in which the defects can become obstacles to the free movement of dislocation may be responsible for the irradiation-induced hardening.

Experimental investigation of electrodeposited Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite on HSLA ASTM A860 alloy

Nano composite coatings on HSLA ASTM A860 alloy, adds to the barrier efficacy by increase in the microhardness, wear and corrosion resistance of the substrate material. Additionally, reduction of delamination of the nano composite coating sample is ascertained. Ball milling is availed to curtail the coating samples (Al2O3/ZrO2) to nano size, for forming a electrodeposited product on the substrate layer. The curtailment in grain size was ascertained to be 17.62% in Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite coating. During the deposition process, due to the presence of Al2O3/ZrO2 nano particles an increase in cathode efficiency is ascertained. An XRD analysis of the nano composite coating indicates a curtailment in grain size along with increase in the nucleation sites causing a surge in the growth of nano coating layer. In correlation to uncoated HSLA ASTM A36 alloy sample, a surge in compressive residual stress by 47.14%, reduction of waviness by 32.14% (AFM analysis), upsurge in microhardness by 67.77% is ascertained in Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 nano composite coating. Furthermore, in nano coated Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 composite a reduction is observed pertaining to weight loss and friction coefficients by 27.44% and 13% in correlation to plain uncoated alloy respectively. A morphology analysis after nano coating indicates, Ni-Al2O3/ZrO2 particles occupy the areas of micro holes, reducing the wide gaps and crevice points inside the matrix of the substrate, enacting as a physical barrier to upsurge the corrosion resistance by 67.72% in correlation to HSLA ASTM A860 base alloy.

Determination of Braking Speed of Developed Hybrid Particle Reinforced Aluminium Alloy

Abstract- This paper is aimed at comparing the braking speed of the developed Composite Brake Disc (CBD) with that of a nodular cast iron Honda Accord (2000) Model Brake Disc (HABD). The test samples were produced from Aluminium alloy (Al6061), Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) by Stir casting and machined into standard specimens for microstructure analysis, density test, mechanical tests (hardness, tensile and impact), wear test and thermal test. The characterization of coconut shell ash particle was carried out using X-ray Flourescent equipment. Six samples were produced, four composite samples; C1 (70% Al, 5% SiC, 20% CSA), C2 (70% Al, 10% SiC, 15% CSA), C3 (70% Al, 15% SiC, 10% CSA) and C4 (70% Al, 20% SiC, 5% CSA), aluminium alloy sample (A1) and as-cast nodular cast iron sample (N1) obtained from HABD. Sample ‘C4’ had the best physical, mechanical, wear and thermal properties (Densty: 3.15 g/cm3, Hardness: 68 kg/mm2, Tensile Strength: 196.12 N/mm2, Impact Energy: 8.05 J, Wear rate: 0.0002328 g/m, Thermal Conductivity: 72.57 W/m-K) and was used to produce the CBD. From the values of coefficient of frictions obtained for CBD and HABD, the braking speeds were calculated and HABD was seen to have a lower braking speed (56.65 m/s) than the CBD (94.42 m/s) because of its higher coefficient of friction. The higher braking speed of the composite brake disc (CBD) as compared to the Honda Accord Brake Disc (HABD) could be as a result of inadequate reinforcements in the aluminium alloy matrix. Hence, the produced CBD cannot be used as an alternative for the nodular cast iron Honda accord brake disc (HABD) even as problems of heavy weight and breakage that may occur due to heavy impact associated with cast iron brake disc have been addressed using the developed composite.Keywords,- Aluminium Alloy, Braking Speed, Coconut Shell, Composite, Silicon Carbide

Influence of the ultrasonic vibration on system dynamic responses in the multi-ball surface burnishing process

With the urgent demand of high-end equipment for high quality surfaces, the technique of ultrasonic vibration-assisted burnishing is introduced to strengthen the surface properties. To explore the influence of the ultrasonic vibration on the dynamic response of a burnishing system, the burnishing friction force generated from a multi-ball surface burnishing system was characterized by chaos theory. The system had four assisted forms: no ultrasonic vibration, one-dimensional (1D) ultrasonic in x-axis, 1D ultrasonic in z-axis, and 2D ultrasonic in xz-axis. The results showed that any burnishing system had chaotic nature. Under the 2D ultrasonic vibration-assisted burnishing, the burnishing friction force was reconstructed to be a chaotic attractor with high convergence degree. Moreover, the burnishing system has notable complexity and stability. The burnished Al7075 alloy sample has an excellent surface with a higher smoothness and hardness. The burnishing with 2D ultrasonic vibration in xz-axis is a technique to enhance surface properties.

Fatigue Crack Propagation Monitoring Using Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors

The paper presents the analysis of the possibility of fatigue crack detection and monitoring its propagation process using fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. The investigations were carried out on an aluminium alloy sample (a part of the Mi-2 helicopter rotor blade). During the fatigue test, the sample was equipped with FBG sensors applied for strain measurement and the vibration-based strain monitoring. It was observed that the strain curves determined by the FBG sensors agreed well with the fatigue force profile. However, the strain curves were almost insensitive to the crack propagation process, except in the last stage of the test, when the crack length was equal to 25 mm. The strain values and the natural frequencies of the sample that were determined experimentally were compared with the values achieved from the finite element method model, with both methods showing good agreement. Additionally, spectrogram-based analyses were performed, focused on the acoustic waves phenomena related to a crack propagation process. It was confirmed that the proposed signal processing method, based on spectrogram analyses, can be applied for the detection of fatigue crack development in metal structures.

Advanced Self-Passivating Alloys for an Application under Extreme Conditions

Self-passivating Metal Alloys with Reduced Thermo-oxidation (SMART) are under development for the primary application as plasma-facing materials for the first wall in a fusion DEMOnstration power plant (DEMO). SMART materials must combine suppressed oxidation in case of an accident and an acceptable plasma performance during the regular operation of the future power plant. Modern SMART materials contain chromium as a passivating element, yttrium as an active element and a tungsten base matrix. An overview of the research and development program on SMART materials is presented and all major areas of the structured R&D are explained. Attaining desired performance under accident and regular plasma conditions are vital elements of an R&D program addressing the viability of the entire concept. An impressive more than 104-fold suppression of oxidation, accompanied with more than 40-fold suppression of sublimation of tungsten oxide, was attained during an experimentally reproduced accident event with a duration of 10 days. The sputtering resistance under DEMO-relevant plasma conditions of SMART materials and pure tungsten was identical for conditions corresponding to nearly 20 days of continuous DEMO operation. Fundamental understanding of physics processes undergone in the SMART material is gained via fundamental studies comprising dedicated modeling and experiments. The important role of yttrium, stabilizing the SMART alloy microstructure and improving self-passivating behavior, is under investigation. Activities toward industrial up-scale have begun, comprising the first mechanical alloying with an industrial partner and the sintering of a bulk SMART alloy sample with dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm × 7 mm using an industrial facility. These achievements open the way to further expansion of the SMART technology toward its application in fusion and potentially in other renewable energy sources such as concentrated solar power stations.

Investigation on Biocompatibility and Mechanical Properties of Ti15Mg Alloy

In this research work, bioactive Ti15Mg alloy was prepared by powder metallurgy route to investigate its biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Many tests were performed including X-ray diffraction; optical microscope analysis, scanning electron microscope analysis, ultrasonic wave test, corrosion behavior test, Static immersion test, and the wet sliding wear test. The XRD result shows that the prepared alloy sample consist of (α-Ti phase) and Mg. The microstructure of the prepared alloy sample consisted of a biodegradable Mg or pore and alpha titanium. The effect of the Mg content on degradability was tested based on simulated body fluid of Ringer solutions using electrochemical corrosion. The findings indicate that an elastic modulus of 47GPa exhibits the alloy. There were low corrosion rates of the alloy. The Ti matrix remained integrity after 14 days of immersion in the Ringer solutions, and the magnesium phase dissolved in the solution, causing a layer to form on the alloy. The wear behavior of the prepared ally at wet sliding conditions was evaluated using pin on disc method. The in vitro analysis showed good biocompatibility with Ti15Mg alloy. The prepared alloy demonstrates good biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Role of calcium phosphate and bioactive glass coating on in vivo bone healing of new Mg–Zn–Ca implant

Present investigation focuses on development and detailed characterization of a new Mg alloy sample (BM) with and without coating of hydroxyapatite (BMH) and bioactive glass (BMG) by air plasma spray method. After detailed mechano-physico-chemical characterization of powders and coated samples, electrochemical corrosion and SBF immersion tests were carried out. Detailed in vitro characterizations for cell viability were undertaken using MG-63 cell line followed by in vivo tests in rabbit model for studying bone healing up to 60 days. Starting current density increases from BM to BMH to BMG indicating highest resistance towards corrosion in case of BMG samples, however BMH also showed highest icorr value suggesting slowest rate of corrosion than BM and BMG samples. Dissolution of calcium ion in case of BMH and BMG control formation of apatite phases on surface. Ca2+ ions of coatings and from SBF solution underwent reduction reaction simultaneously with conversion of Mg to MgCl2 releasing OH− in the solution, which increases pH. Viability and propagation of human osteoblast-like cells was verified using confocal microscopy observations and from expression of bone specific genes. Alkaline phosphatase assay and ARS staining indicate cell proliferation and production of neo-osseous tissue matrix. In vivo, based on histology of heart, kidney and liver, and immune response of IL-2, IL-6 and TNFα, all the materials show no adverse effects in body system. The bone creation was observed to be more for BMH. Although both BMH and BMG show rays of possibilities in early new bone formation and tough bone–implant bonding at interface as compared to bare Mg alloy, however, BMG showed better well-sprayed coating covering on substrate and resistance against corrosion prior implanting in vivo. Also, better apatite formation on this sample makes it more favourable implant.