Development of Hot Equal Channel Angular Processing (ECAP) Consolidation Technique in the Production of Boron Carbide(B4C)-Reinforced Aluminium Chip (AA6061)-Based Composite

The production of metal matrix composites (MMCs) through recycled materials is a cost-saving process. However, the improvement of the mechanical and physical properties is another challenge to be concerned. In this study, recycled aluminium 6061 (AA6061) chips reinforced with different volumetric fractions of boron carbide (B4C) were produced through hot equal channel angular processing (ECAP). Response surface methodology (RSM) was carried out to investigate the dependent response (compressive strength) with independent parameters such as different volumetric fractions (5-15%) of added contents of B4C and preheating temperature (450 – 550°C). Also, the number of passes were examined to check the effect on the mechanical and physical properties of the developed recycled AA6061/B4C composite. The results show that maximum compressive strength and hardness of recycled AA6061/B4C were 59.2 MPa and 69 HV respectively at 5% of B4C contents. Likewise, the density and number of pores increased, which were confirmed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopes (AFM) analysis. However, the number of passes enhanced the mechanical and physical properties of the recycled AA6061/B4C composite. Therefore, the maximum compressive strength and hardness achieved were 158 MPa and 74.95 HV for the 4th pass. Moreover, the physical properties of recycled AA6061/B4C composite become denser of 2.62 g/cm3 at the 1st pass and 2.67 g/cm3 for the 4th pass. Thus, it can be concluded that the B4C volumetric fraction and number of passes have a significant effect on recycled AA6061 chips.

FE Simulation Investigation of Magnesium Alloy by Equal Channel Angular Processing

Magnesium alloy is one of the structure metals of great potential. The hcp structure makes its plasticity is poor at room temperature, which severely limits the development of magnesium alloy. Magnesium alloy plastic problem can be resolved through grain refinement method, and equal channel angular processing is one of the more effective methods of grain refinement. In this paper, two-dimensional dynamic simulation of equal channel angular processing for magnesium alloy were done with the finite element software. The deformation of magnesium alloy was analyzed when die angle and die corner angle were different. The results show that: in the main deformation zone, when die angles were different, the sample deformation in the horizontal direction is very uniform. But in the sample longitudinally direction, the greater the die angle, the more uniform the sample deformation. Die corner angle has no significant effect on the uniformity of the longitudinally deformation of the sample, but its affects the size of the dead zone and sample warpage.

FABRICATION AND TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF GRADIENT FINE-GRAINED OXYGEN-BOOSTING LAYER ON ECAP-TREATED PURE TITANIUM SURFACE

The gradient fine-grained oxygen-boosting layer was prepared on equal channel angular processing (ECAP)-treated titanium with thermal oxidation and oxygen boost diffusion process, and tribological properties were systematically characterized. Results show that the as-prepared boosting layer consists of surface coarse-grained region, and inner fine-grained region. The corresponding thickness and mechanical properties further increase compared to those of virgin titanium. The oxygen-boosting layer reveals excellent anti-wear properties, the dominant wear mechanism of which is abrasive.

Mechanical and Electrical Characterization of Two Carbon/Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Composites Created Via Equal Channel Angular Processing

Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) has the greatest impact strength of any thermoplastic and has a variety of both industrial and biomedical applications. Equal channel angular processing (ECAP) is a fabrication method for UHMWPE that introduces shear into the polymer matrix by deforming the polymer through an angular channel, with the goal of enhancing mechanical properties. Both nanographite (NG) and carbon black (CB) attract interest as potential carbon additives for use in creating UHMWPE conductive polymer composites (CPC), but they have not yet been extensively tested in conjunction with ECAP. This study presents a systematic evaluation of the mechanical and electrical properties of 1.0 wt % CB/UHMWPE and NG/UHMWPE composites created using ECAP. These samples are compared against pure UHMWPE ECAP controls as well as compression molded (CM) composite samples. Results indicate that both NG and CB carbon additives successfully create CPCs with a corresponding decrease in mechanical properties. ECAP results in comparatively high mechanical and conductive properties when compared with compression molding. Electrical conductivity is shown to be inversely correlated with tensile strain in a repeatable manner, and microstructural theory is discussed. This work suggests a method to produce flexible, conductive UHMWPE composites that vary consistently and predictably with applied strain, which could have a variety of biomedical and industrial applications.