A Special Extrusion-shear Manufacturing Method for Magnesium Alloy Rods Based on Finite Element Numerical Simulation and Experimental Verification

To research the influences of process parameters on a special extrusion-shearmanufacture method for magnesium alloy rods, deform-3d software with finite elementsimulations has been used to analyze the material flows of deformed magnesium alloysAZ31B during the extrusion-shear (ES) process, as well as the grain sizes anddistribution of extrusion loads, stresses and strains, and blank temperatures. Temperaturefields, stress fields, strain fields and temperature fields varying with different blankpreheating temperatures, extrusion speed and extrusion ratios were simulated. Influences ofdifferent extrusion conditions and different die structures on microstructures of rods prepared by ES process has been researched. Extrusion forces decrease with the increasing extrusion temperatures, decreasing extrusion ratios, increasing die channel angles and decreasing friction coefficients. The flow velocities of metal in the ES die increase with development of ES process. Increasing the channel angles and reducing the friction factors would increase the outflow velocities of metal, but it has little effect on the uniformity of metal flow. The increase in friction and extrusion speed would increase the temperatures of the ES die. The ES process can prepare finer and more uniform microstructures than those prepared by direct extrusion under the same conditions.

Revealing the Microstructural Aspects of the Corrosion Dynamics in Rapidly Solidified Mg-Zn-Y Alloys Using the Acoustic Emission Technique

This work was focused on revealing the relation between the microstructure and corrosion dynamics in dilute Mg97.94Zn0.56Y1.5 (at.%) alloys prepared by the consolidation of rapidly solidified (RS) ribbons. The dynamics of the corrosion were followed by common electrochemical methods and the acoustic emission (AE) technique. AE monitoring offers instantaneous feedback on changes in the dynamics and mode of the corrosion. In contrast, the electrochemical measurements were performed on the specimens, which had already been immersed in the solution for a pre-defined time. Thus, some short-term corrosion processes could remain undiscovered. Obtained results were completed by scanning electron microscopy, including analysis of a cross-section of the corrosion layer. It was shown that the internal strain distribution, the grain morphology, and the distribution of the secondary phases play a significant role in the corrosion. The alloys are characterized by a complex microstructure with elongated worked and dynamically recrystallized α-Mg grains with an average grain size of 900 nm. Moreover, the Zn- and Y-rich stacking faults (SFs) were dispersed in the grain interior. In the alloy consolidated at a lower extrusion speed, the homogeneous internal strain distribution led to uniform corrosion with a rate of 2 mm/year and a low hydrogen release. The consolidation at a higher extrusion speed resulted in the formation of uneven distribution of internal strains with remaining high strain levels in non-recrystallized grains, leading to inhomogeneous growth and breakdown of the corrosion layers. Therefore, homogeneity of the internal strain distribution is of key importance for the uniform formation of a protective layer.

On the Direct Extrusion of Solder Wire from 52In-48Sn Alloy

In this article, a technology for producing wire and rod solder from 52In-48Sn alloy has been developed and investigated in the conditions of small-scale production. The use of direct extrusion of wire and rods instead of the traditional technology for producing solder, which includes pressing, rolling and drawing, can significantly reduce the fleet of required equipment. Using only a melting furnace and a hydraulic press, solder wires and rods can be produced in various sizes. Shortening the production cycle allows you to quickly fulfill small orders and be competitive in sales. The article developed a mathematical model of direct extrusion, which allows you to calculate: extrusion ratio, extrusion speed and pressing force. The results of modeling the process of extrusion of wire ∅2.00 mm and rods ∅8.0 mm made of 52In-48Sn alloy are presented. The temperature of the solder and the tool is simulation in software QForm based on the finite element method. Experimental results of manufacturing ∅2.0 mm solder wire and ∅8.0 mm rods are presented. The microstructure of the direct extruded solder is a eutectic of phases γ and β. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping of the 52In-48Sn alloy showed that the solder obtained by direct extrusion has a uniform distribution of structural phases. The developed technology can be used in the manufacture of wires and rods from other low-melting alloys.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Fabricating Polylactic Acid Filaments Using Design of Experiments Approach

The amount of wasted polylactic acid (PLA) is increasing because 3D printing services are an increasingly popular offering in many fields. The PLA is widely employed in the fused deposition modeling (FDM) since it is an environmentally friendly polymer. However, failed prototypes or physical models can generate substantial waste. In this study, the feasibility of recycling PLA waste plastic and re-extruded it into new PLA filaments was investigated. An automatic PLA filament extruder was first developed for fabricating new PLA filaments. This paper also discusses the process, challenges, and benefits of recycling PLA waste plastic in an effort to fabricate new PLA filaments more sustainable. It was found that it was possible to fabricate PLA filament using recycled PLA waste plastic. The production cost is only 60% of the commercially available PLA filament. The tensile strength of the developed PLA filament is approximately 1.1 times that of the commercially available PLA filament. The design of experiments approach was employed to investigate the optimal process parameters for fabricating PLA filaments. The most important control factor affecting the diameter of PLA filament is the barrel temperature, followed by recycled material addition ratio, extrusion speed, and cooling distance. The optimal process parameters for fabricating PLA filament with a diameter of 1.7 mm include the barrel temperature of 184 °C, extrusion speed of 490 mm/min, cooling distance of 57.5 mm, and recycled material addition ratio of 40%.

Gas extrusion treatment of thermally hardened steel and alloys in the mode of deformation-thermal hardening

Thermally hardened alloys based on iron (50 Cr – V – N type steel), titanium (VT-14), and aluminum (D16) were subjected to deformation by gas extrusion with local heating in the mode of deformation-thermal hardening with high degrees of deformation 90 % or more to obtain a thin wire at the output. Gas extrusion was performed at various combinations of processing parameters — gas pressure, deformation temperature, extrusion speed. The wire deformed under various combinations of processing parameters was cooled in air, subjected to tempering or aging and a tear test. The mechanical properties obtained as a result of the tests were compared with the data on the mechanical properties of the initial, undeformed alloys, heat-treated and non-heat-treated. On all gas-extruded alloys, the mechanical properties exceeded the initial ones both in strength and plasticity. The combination of gas extrusion parameters (gas pressure, deformation temperature, extrusion speed) has a decisive influence on the combination of strength and ductility of alloys treated by gas extrusion.