Analysis of a High-Strength Steel SMAW Database

Recently, Dr. Glyn M. Evans posted a large shielded metal arc (SMA) weld metal (WM) database on the ResearchGate website (researchgate.net). This database contains more than 950 WM compositions, along with their respective WM tensile and Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact properties. In particular, the CVN impact properties list the test temperatures that achieved 28 and 100 J impact energy for each WM composition. While the availability of this SMA WM database is a valuable and rare gift to the welding community, how could the welding community analyze this database to gain valuable insights? This paper utilizes a constraints-based model (CBM) as a simple and effective framework to organize and analyze this very large Fe-C-Mn SMA WM database. A CBM is built on the metallurgical principle that one needs to lower relevant solid-state phase transformation (i.e., austenite decomposition) temperatures to improve WM strength and fracture toughness while simultaneously reducing carbon content and Yurioka’s carbon equivalent number (CEN) to improve the weldability of high-strength steels. To this end, a CBM identifies and simultaneously solves several statistical (regression) equations that relate the chemical composition of high-strength steel WM with Yurioka’s CEN and selected solid-state phase transformation temperatures related to austenite decomposition. The results of the current effort demonstrate that the analysis of Evans’s shielded metal arc welding database using a CBM as a framework reaffirms that controlling carbon content, the value of the CEN, and calculated solid-state phase transformation temperatures, particularly the difference between the calculated Bs (bainite-start) and Ms (martensite-start) temperatures, is critical to developing and identifying high-performance, high-strength steel welding electrodes. A dual approach that manipulates the contents of principal alloy elements such as C, Mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, and Cu, and adds controlled amounts of Ti, B, Al, O, and N, appears to offer the best means to lower relevant solid-state phase transformation temperatures to produce high-strength and high-toughness WMs.

Physical, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Hybrid Cyrtostachys renda/Kenaf Fiber Reinforced with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT)-Phenolic Composites

Adequate awareness of sustainable materials and eco-legislation have inspired researchers to identify alternative sustainable and green composites for synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites in the automotive and aircraft industries. This research focused on investigating the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of different hybrid Cyrtostachys renda (CR)/kenaf fiber (K) (10C:0K, 7C:3K, 5C:5K, 3C:7K, 0C:10K) reinforced with 0.5 wt% MWCNT–phenolic composites. We incorporated 0.5 wt% of MWCNT into phenolic resin (powder) using a ball milling process for 25 h to achieve homogeneous distribution. The results revealed that CR fiber composites showed higher voids content (12.23%) than pure kenaf fiber composites (6.57%). CR fiber phenolic composite was more stable to the swelling tendency, resulting in the lowest percentage of swelling rate (4.11%) compared to kenaf composite (5.29%). The addition of kenaf fiber into CR composites had improved the tensile, flexural, and impact properties. The highest tensile and flexural properties were found for weight fraction of CR and kenaf fiber at 5C:5K (47.96 MPa) and 3C:7K (90.89 MPa) composites, respectively. In contrast, the highest impact properties were obtained for 0C:10K composites (9.56 kJ/m2). Based on the FE-SEM image, the CR fiber lumen was larger in comparison to kenaf fiber. The lumen of CR fiber was attributed to higher void and water absorption, lower mechanical properties compared to kenaf fiber. 5C:5K composite was selected as an optimal hybrid composite, based on the TOPSIS method. This hybrid composite can be used as an interior component (non-load-bearing structures) in the aviation and automotive sectors.

Enhanced Low-Velocity Impact Properties for Resin Film Infusion-Manufactured Composites by Flow-Control Approach

The optimization of the mechanical properties of composite materials has been a challenge since these materials were first used, especially in aeronautics. Reduced energy consumption, safety and reliability are mandatory to achieve a sustainable use of composite materials. The mechanical properties of composites are closely related to the amount of defects in the materials. Voids are known as one of the most important defect sources in resin film infusion (RFI)-manufactured composites. Minimizing the defect content leads to maximized mechanical properties and lightweight design. In this paper, a novel methodology based on computer vision is applied to control the impregnation velocity, reduce the void content and enhance the impact properties. Optimized drop-impact properties were found once the impregnation velocity was analyzed and optimized. Its application in both conventional and stitching-reinforced composites concludes with an improvement in the damage threshold load, peak force and damaged area. Although stitching tends to generate additional voids and reduces in-plane properties, the reduction in the damaged area means a positive balance in the mechanical properties. At the same time, the novel methodology provides the RFI process with a noticeable level of automation and control. Consequently, the industrial interest and the range of applications of this process are enhanced.