Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

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ABSTRACT Macrosegregation has been received high attention in the solidification modeling studies. In the present work, a numerical model was developed to predict the macrosegregation during the DC Casting of an Al-4.5wt%Cu billet. The mathematical model developed in this study consists of mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations for a two-phase mixture of liquid and solid in an axisymmetric coordinates. The solution methodology is based on a standard Finite Volume Method. A new scheme called Semi-Implicit Method for Thermodynamically-Linked Equations (SIMTLE) was employed to link energy and species equations with phase diagram of the alloying system. The model was tested by experimental data extracted from an industrial scale DC caster and a relatively good agreement was obtained. It was concluded that a proper macrosegregation model needs two key features: a precise flow description in the two-phase regions and a capable efficient numerical scheme

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Abstract: The aim of the present investigation is to study the physical and mechanical characteristics of dental-filling spherical high-copper and silver amalgams and to compare them with a common high-copper domestic unicompositional amalgam. In this study, cylindrical specimens were mechanically condensed according to the ISO 1559:1986 Standard in order to measure the compressive strength, Vickers hardness, static creep and dimensional change on setting. Adding more silver to the amalgam increased its compressive strength, creep resistance and reduced mercury vapor. After 1, 24 and 168h of amalgamation and Modulus of elasticity of specimen S1, the mean hardness and compressive fracture strength were significantly lower than those of . No significant differences were identified for the two alloys in the creep and dimensional changes on setting. It can be concluded that as far as the mechanical properties or corrosion resistance is concerned, the amalgam should be comprised of at least one spherical alloy.

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Abstract: The supersolidus liquid phase sintering characteristics of commercial 2024 pre-alloyed powder was studied at different sintering conditions. Pre-alloyed 2024 aluminum alloy powder was produced via air atomizing process with particle size of less than 100 µm. The solidus and liquidus temperatures of the produced alloy were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The sintering process was performed at various temperatures ranging from the solidus to liquidus temperatures in dry N2 gas atmosphere for 30 min in a tube furnace. The maximum density of the 2024 aluminum alloy was obtained at 610ºC which yields parts with a relative density of 98.8% of the theoretical density. The density of the sintered samples increased to the maximum 99.3% of the theoretical density with the addition of 0.1 wt. %Sn powder to the 2024 pre-alloyed powder. The maximum density was obtained at 15% liquid volume fraction for both powder mixtures.

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Microstructure and properties of the Al-6Si-0.3Mg alloys containing scandium (0.2 to 0.6wt %) were investigated. The microstructure was observed by optical microscopy, the hardness was determined by Vickers tester and phase transformation was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The results showed that scandium can refine dendrites, enhance hardness in the aged alloys and suppress softening effect during prolonged ageing treatment.

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Abstract: This study presents the research results of effect that refining process has on porosity and mechanical properties of high pressure die castings made of AlSi12S alloy. The operation of refining was carried out in a melting furnace with the use of an FDU Mini Degasser. Mechanical properties (UTS, YS, Elongation, Brinell Hardness) were assessed on samples taken from high pressure die castings. The effect of molten metal transfer operation and the time elapsing from completion of the refining process on the alloy mechanical properties was determined.

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ASTM F-75 Cobalt-base alloy castings are widely used for manufacturing orthopedic implants. This alloy needs both homogenization and solutionizing heat treatment after casting, as well as bioactivation of the surface to increase the ability of tissue bonding. In this study, ASTM F-75 Cobalt-base substrate was heat treated at 1220°C for 1 hour in contact with Hydroxyapatite-Bioglass powder in order to solutionize and homogenize the microstructure and promote surface bioactivation. For bioactivity evaluation, heat treated specimens were immersed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). Surface of specimens before and after the immersion was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Results showed an appropriate microstructure with bioactive layer on the surface of specimens after heat treatment. In vitro result and formation of bone-like apatite layer on specimens indicated that heat treated samples were potentially suitable for bone replacement and tissue regeneration under highly loaded conditions.

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This paper presents an experimental and theoretical investigation of the causes of corrosion of stack in a cement plant. In this paper, information related to metallic stack failures are given in the form of a case study in Neka Cement Plant, Mazandaran, Iran. Heavy corrosion attacks were observed on the samples of stack. The failure can be caused by one or more modes such as overheating, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), hydrogen embrittlement, creep, flame impingement, sulfide attack, weld attack, dew point corrosion, etc. Theoretical calculations and experimental observations revealed that, the corrosion had taken place due to the condensation of acidic flue gases in the interior of stack. Also, the chemical analysis of the corrosion deposits and condensates confirmed the presence of highly acidic environment consisting of mostly sulfate ions.

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Abstract: Mg2Ni alloy and Mg2Ni–x wt% TiO2 (x = 3, 5 and 10 wt %) composites are prepared by mechanical alloying. The produced alloy and composites are characterized as the particles with nanocrystalline/amorphous structure. The effects of TiO2 on hydrogen storage properties are investigated using anodic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the initial discharge capacity and exchange current density of hydrogen are increased by adding 5wt% TiO2, while the cycle stability and bulk hydrogen diffusivity don’t change. It is found that the charge transfer resistance of Mg2Ni–5wt% TiO2 composite is lower than that of Mg2Ni alloy. On the other hand, the hydrogen oxidation during the discharge process proceeds more easily on the electrode surface containing TiO2 additive.

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Abstract: Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technique was used to prepare ceramic coatings on the casted aluminum alloys containing ~5 and ~9.5 wt.% Mg. The applied voltage was controlled at 450V and 550V for evaluating the effect of this main parameter, as well as, magnesium content of the substrate on the microstructure and electrochemical corrosion behavior after PEO treating. The results of X-ray diffraction confirmed formation of galumina and MgSiO3. It was found that higher applied voltage caused fewer and minor discharge channels which led to higher corrosion resistance. Also, increasing of magnesium content of the substrate caused decreasing of polarization resistance, which could be associated to the formation of MgSiO3.

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Ni and Cu elemental powder mixtures containing 25, 50, and 75% at Cu were subjected to mechanical alloying in a planetary ball mill under various milling times. Structural evolution was analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results indicated that nanostructured solid solution alloy powders having homogeneous distribution of Ni and Cu were formed by milling-induced interdiffusion of the elements. Average crystallite size of the as-milled powders was decreased with increasing Ni content and milling duration, and found to be in the order of 15-40 nm after 30 h of milling for all powder compositions. Moreover, lattice parameter and lattice strain of solid solutions were increased with the time of MA, which was more intense for nickel-rich alloys

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The microstructure and mechanical properties of 7075 wrought aluminum alloy produced by strain induced melt activation (SIMA) route were investigated.Also liquid volume fraction measurement was studied by three procedures. Remelting process was carried out in the range of 560 to 610 °C for 20 min holding. The microstructure in the semi-solid state consists of fine spherical solid grains surrounded byliquid.The mechanical properties of the alloy vary with the grain size and weak mechanical properties of globular samples would appear if an alloy reheated at a high temperature. Thermodynamic simulation is a fast and efficient tool for the selection of alloys suitable for semi-solid processing

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Crystallization kinetics of Fe52Cr18Mo7B16C4Nb3 alloy was evaluated using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) tests and TEM observations in this research work. In effect, crystallization and growth mechanisms were investigated using DSC tests in four different heating rates (10, 20, 30, 40 K/min) and kinetic models (i.e. Kissinger- Starink, Ozawa, and Matusita methods). Results showed that a two -step crystallization process occurred in the alloy in which α - Fe and Fe3B phases were crystallized respectively in the structure after heat treatment. Activation energy for the first step of crystallization i.e., α - Fe was measured to be 421 (kj/mol) and 442 (kj/mol) according to both Kissinger- Starink and Ozawa models respectively. Further, Avrami exponent calculated from DSC curves was 1.6 and a two -dimensional diffusion controlled mechanism with decreasing nucleation rate was observed in the alloy. TEM observations reveal that crystalline α – Fe phase nucleated in the structure of the alloy in an average size of 10 nm and completely mottled morphology

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This paper was aimed to address the modeling and optimization of factors affecting the corrosive wear of low alloy and high carbon chromium steel balls. Response surface methodology, central composite design (CCD) was employed to assess the main and interactive effects of the parameters and also to model and minimize the corrosive wear of the steels. The second-order polynomial regression model was proposed for relationship between the corrosion rates and relevant investigated parameters. Model fitted to results indicated that the linear effects of all of factors, interactive effect of pH and grinding time and the quadratic effects of pH and balls charge weight, were statistically significant in corrosive wear of low alloy steel balls. The significant parameters in the corrosive wear of high carbon chromium steel balls were the linear effects of all factors, the interactions effect of solid concentration, mill speed, mill throughout, grinding time, and the quadratic effects of pH and solid content. Also, the results showed that within the range of parameters studied, the corrosion rate of 78.38 and 40.76 could be obtained for low alloy and high carbon chromium steel balls, respectively.

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Variation in microstructural features of 2024 aluminum alloy plastically deformed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature, was investigated by X-Ray diffraction in this work. These include dislocation density dislocation characteristic and the cell size of crystalline domains. Dislocations contrast factor was calculated using elastic constants of the alloy such as C 11, C 22 and C 44 . The effect of dislocations contrast factor on the anisotropic strain broadening of diffraction profiles was considered for measuring the microstructural features on the base of the modified Williamson-Hall and Warren-Averbach methods. Results showed that the dislocations density of the solution annealed sample increased from 4.28×10 12m-2 to 2.41×10 14m-2 after one pass of cold ECAP and the fraction of edge dislocations in the solution annealed sample increased from 43% to 74% after deformation. This means that deformation changed the overall dislocations characteristic more to edge dislocations. Also the crystalline cell size of the solution annealed sample decreased from 0.83μm to about 210nm after one pass of ECAP process at room temperature

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The presence of alloying elements, sometimes in a very small amount, affects mechanical properties one of these elements is Boron. In Aluminum industries, Boron master alloy is widely used as a grain refiner In this research, the production process of Aluminum –Boron master alloy was studied at first then, it was concurrently added to 2024 Aluminum alloy. After rolling and homogenizing the resulting alloy, the optimal temperature and time of aging were determined during the precipitation hardening heat treatment by controlled quenching (T6C). Then, in order to find the effect of controlled quenching, different cycles of heat treatment including precipitation heat treatment by controlled quenching (T6C) and conventional quenching (T6) were applied on the alloy at the aging temperature of 110°C. Mechanical properties of the resulting alloy were evaluated after aging at optimum temperature of 110°C by performing mechanical tests including hardness and tensile tests. The results of hardness test showed that applying the controlled quenching instead of conventional quenching in precipitation heat treatment caused reduction in the time of reaching the maximum hardness and also increase in hardness rate due to the generated thermo-elastic stresses rather than hydrostatic stresses and increased atomic diffusion coefficient as well. Tensile test results demonstrated that, due to the presence of boride particles in the microstructure of the present alloy, the ultimate tensile strength in the specimens containing Boron additive increased by 3.40% in comparison with the specimens without such an additive and elongation (percentage of relative length increase) which approximately increased by 38.80% due to the role of Boron in the increase of alloy ductility

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This article examines the Weibull statistical analysis that was used for investigating the effect of melt filtration on tensile properties and defects formed inside the casting. Forming and entrapping of double oxide films have been explained by using the context of critical velocity of melt in the runner. SutCast software results were used to examine the amounts of the velocity of melt as such. SEM/EDX analysis is used to observe the presence of double oxide films in the fracture surfaces of the tensile specimens. The article goes on to propose that castings made with foam filters with smaller pores show higher mechanical properties and reliability due to higher Weibull modulus and fewer defects

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Geometrical design of the spiral crystal selector can affect crystal orientation in the final single crystal structure. To achieve a better understanding of conditions associated with the onset of crystal orientation in a spiral crystal selector, temperature field was investigated using three-dimensional finite element method during the process. Different geometries of spiral crystal selector were used to produce Al- 3 wt. % Cu alloy single crystal using a Bridgman type furnace. The Crystal orientation of the samples was determined using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and optical microscopy. Analysing the temperature field in the crystal selector revealed that, the orientation of growing dendrites against liquidus isotherm in the spiral selector was the reason for crystal misorientation which differs in various selector geometries. Increasing the take-off angle from 35° up to 45° increases the misorientation with respect to <001> direction. Further increase of take-off angle greater than 45° will decrease the crystal misorientation again and the efficiency of the selector to produce a single grain is decreased.

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The effect of aging time and temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al and Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al-0.2C was studied. The carbon addition increases the rate of age hardening as well as the peak hardness of aged samples. The presence of titanium carbides in Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al-0.2C limits grain growth during the process. The observations in this work are discussed in terms of the effect of the microstructural changes in quenched and aged samples associated with the presence of carbide precipitates

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The rapidly solidified prealloyed alpha brass powder with a size range of 40 to 100 μm produced by water atomization process was consolidated using liquid phase sintering process. The relationships between sintering temperature, physic-mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics were investigated. Maximum densification was obtained at 930 °C, under 600 MPa compacting pressure, with 60 min holding time. The microstructure of the sintered brass was influenced by dezincification and structural coarsening during supersolidus liquid phase sintering. As a consequence of Kirkendall effect atomic motion between Cu and Zn atoms caused to dezincification at the grain boundaries and formation of ZnO particles on the pore surfaces. It was concluded that microstructural analysis is in a well agreement with obtained physical and mechanical properties. Also, the amount of liquid phase, which depends on sintering temperature, results in different load bearing cross section areas, and it affects the type of fracture morphologies.

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Hot deformation behavior of a medium Cr/Mn Al6061 aluminum alloy was studied by isothermal compression test at temperatures range of 320 to 480 °C and strain rates range of 0.001 to 0.1 s −1. The true stresstrue strain curves were analyzed to characterize the flow stress of Al6061. Plastic behavior, as a function of both temperature and strain rate for Al6061, was also modeled using a hyperbolic sinusoidal type equation. For different values of material constant α in the range of 0.001 to 0.4, values of A, n and Q were calculated based on mathematical relationships. The best data fit with minimum error was applied to define constitutive equation for the alloy. The predicted results of the proposed model were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental results, which could be used to predict the required deformation forces in hot deformation processes