In order to predict the process window of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) for printing metallic components, the calculation of volumetric energy density (VED) has been widely calculated for controlling process parameters. However, because it is assumed that the process parameters contribute equally to heat input, the VED still has limitation for predicting the process window of LPBF-processed materials. In this study, an explainable machine learning (xML) approach was adopted to predict and understand the contribution of each process parameter to defect evolution in Ti alloys in the LPBF process. Various ML models were trained, and the Shapley additive explanation method was adopted to quantify the importance of each process parameter. This study can offer effective guidelines for fine-tuning process parameters to fabricate high-quality products using LPBF.
This study investigates the melting point and brazing properties of the aluminum (Al)-copper (Cu)-silicon (Si)-tin (Sn) alloy fabricated for low-temperature brazing based on the alloy design. Specifically, the Al-20Cu-10Si-Sn alloy is examined and confirmed to possess a melting point of approximately 520oC. Analysis of the melting point of the alloy based on composition reveals that the melting temperature tends to decrease with increasing Cu and Si content, along with a corresponding decrease as the Sn content rises. This study verifies that the Al-20Cu-10Si-5Sn alloy exhibits high liquidity and favorable mechanical properties for brazing through the joint gap filling test and Vickers hardness measurements. Additionally, a powder fabricated using the Al-20Cu-10Si-5Sn alloy demonstrates a melting point of around 515oC following melting point analysis. Consequently, it is deemed highly suitable for use as a low-temperature Al brazing material.
Although the Ti–6Al–4V alloy has been used in the aircraft industry owing to its excellent mechanical properties and low density, the low formability of the alloy hinders broadening its applications. Recently, laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) has become a novel process for overcoming the limitations of the alloy (i.e., low formability), owing to the high degree of design freedom for the geometry of products having outstanding performance used in hightech applications. In this study, to investigate the effect of bulk shape on the microstructure and mechanical properties of L-PBFed Ti-6Al-4V alloys, two types of samples are fabricated using L-PBF: thick and thin samples. The thick sample exhibits lower strength and higher ductility than the thin sample owing to the larger grain size and lower residual dislocation density of the thick sample because of the heat input during the L-PBF process.
The process optimization of directed energy deposition (DED) has become imperative in the manufacture of reliable products. However, an energy-density-based approach without a sufficient powder feed rate hinders the attainment of an appropriate processing window for DED-processed materials. Optimizing the processing of DEDprocessed Ti-6Al- 4V alloys using energy per unit area (Eeff) and powder deposition density (PDDeff) as parameters helps overcome this problem in the present work. The experimental results show a lack of fusion, complete melting, and overmelting regions, which can be differentiated using energy per unit mass as a measure. Moreover, the optimized processing window (Eeff = 44~47 J/mm2 and PDDeff = 0.002~0.0025 g/mm2) is located within the complete melting region. This result shows that the Eeff and PDDeff-based processing optimization methodology is effective for estimating the properties of DED-processed materials.
The powder manufacturing process using the gas atomizer process is easy for mass production, has a fine powder particle size, and has excellent mechanical properties compared to the existing casting process, so it can be applied to various industries such as automobiles, electronic devices, aviation, and 3D printers. In this study, a modified A4032-xSn (x = 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt.%) alloy with low melting point properties is investigated. After maintaining an argon (Ar) gas atmosphere, the main crucible is tilted; containing molten metal at 1,000℃ by melting the master alloy at a high frequency, and Ar gas is sprayed at 10 bar gas pressure after the molten metal inflow to the tundish crucible, which is maintained at 800℃. The manufactured powder is measured using a particle size analyzer, and FESEM is used to observe the shape and surface of the alloy powder. DSC is performed to investigate the change in shape, according to the melting point and temperature change. The microstructure of added tin (Sn) was observed by heat treatment at 575℃ for 10 min. As the content of Sn increased, the volume fraction increased to 1.1, 3.1, 6.4, and 10.9%.
Titanium alloys have high specific strength, excellent corrosion and wear resistance, as well as high heatresistant strength compared to conventional steel materials. As intermetallic compounds based on Ti, TiAl alloys are becoming increasingly popular in the aerospace field because these alloys have low density and high creep properties. In spite of those advantages, the low ductility at room temperature and difficult machining performance of TiAl and Ti3Al materials has limited their potential applications. Titanium powder can be used in such cases for weight and cost reduction. Herein, pre-forms of Ti-Al-xMn powder alloys are fabricated by compression forming. In this process, Ti powder is added to Al and Mn powders and compressed, and the resulting mixture is subjected to various sintering temperature and holding times. The density of the powder-sintered specimens is measured and evaluated by correlation with phase formation, Mn addition, Kirkendall void, etc. Strong Al-Mn reactions can restrain Kirkendall void formation in Ti-Al-xMn powder alloys and result in increased density of the powder alloys. The effect of Al-Mn reactions and microstructural changes as well as Mn addition on the high-temperature compression properties are also analyzed for the Ti-Al-xMn powder alloys.
The effect of Al content on the processing of reaction-bonded Al2O3 (RBAO) ceramics using 40v/o ~ 80v/o Al- Zn-Mg alloy powder was studied in order to improve traditional RBAO ceramic processes that use ~ 40v/o pure Al powder. The influence of high Al content in starting Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixtures on its particulate characteristics, reaction-bonding, microstructure, physical and mechanical properties was revealed. Starting Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixtures with 40v/o ~ 80v/o Al alloy powder were milled, reaction-bonded, post-sintered, and characterized. With an increasing Al alloy content, the milling efficiency of Al alloy powder was lowered, resulting in a larger particle size after milling. However, in spite of the larger particle size of Al alloy powder, the oxidation, i.e., reaction-bonding, of the Al alloy was successfully completed via solid and liquid state oxidation, in which the activation energy of the oxidation was nearly the same regardless of Al alloy content. After reaction-bonding and post-sintering at 1600 oC, RBAO ceramics from 80v/o Al alloy content showed a relative density of ~97% and a flexural strength of 251 MPa compared to ~ 96% and 353 MPa for RBAO ceramics from 40v/o Al alloy content, respectively. The lower flexural strength at 80v/o Al alloy content was due to the weak spinel phase that formed from Zn, Mg alloying elements in Al.
The effects of processing parameters on the flow behavior and microstructures were investigated in hotcompression of powder metallurgy (P/M) Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The alloy was fabricated by a blended elemental (B/E)approach and it exhibited lamellar α+β microstructure. The hot compression tests were performed in the range of tem-perature 800-1000℃ with 50℃ intervals, strain rate 10−4-10 s−1, and strain up to 0.5. At 800-950℃, continuous flowsoftening after a peak stress was observed with strain rates lower than 0.1 s−1. At strain rates higher than 1 s−1, rapiddrop in flow stress with strain hardening or broad oscillations was recorded. The processing map of P/M Ti-6Al-4V wasdesigned based on the compression test and revealed the peak efficiency at 850℃ and 0.001 s−1. As the processing tem-perature increased, the volume fraction of β phase was increased. In addition, below 950℃, the globularization of phaseat the slower strain rate and kinking microstructures were found. Based on these data, the preferred working conditionof the alloy may be in the range of 850-950℃ and strain rate of 0.001-0.01 s−1.
Fabrication of reaction-bonded Al2O3 (RBAO) ceramics using Al-Zn-Mg alloy powder was studied in order to improve traditional RBAO ceramic processing using Al powder. The influence on reaction-bonding and microstructure, as well as on physical and mechanical properties, of the particulate characteristics of the Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixtures after milling, was revealed. Variation of the particulate characteristics of this Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixture with milling time was reported previously. To start, the Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixture was milled, reaction-bonded, post-sintered, and characterized. During reaction-bonding of the Al2O3-Al alloy powder mixture compacts, oxidation of the Al alloy took place in two stages, that is, there was solid- and liquid-state oxidation of the Al alloy. The solid-state oxidation exhibited strong dependence on the density of surface defects on the Al-alloy particles formed during milling. Higher milling efficiency resulted in less participation of the Al alloy in reaction-bonding. This was because of its consumption by chemical reactions during milling, and subsequent powder handling, and could be rather harmful in the case of over-milling. In contrast to very little dependence of oxidation of the Al alloy on its particle size after milling, the relative density, microstructure, and flexural strength were strongly dependent on particle size after milling (i.e., on milling efficiency). The relative density and 4-point flexural strength of the RBAO ceramics in this study were ~98% and ~365 MPa, respectively, after post-sintering at 1,600˚C.
The milling and particulate characteristics of Al alloy-Al2O3 powder mixtures for a reaction-bonded Al2O3 (RBAO) process were studied. A commercially available prealloyed Al powder with Zn, Mg, Cu and Cr alloying elements (7475 series) was mixed with a calcined sinter-active Al2O3 powder and then milled in centrifugal milling equipment for ~48 hrs. The Al alloy-Al2O3 powder mixtures after milling were characterized and evaluated in various ways to reveal their particulate characteristics during milling. The milling efficiency of the Al alloy increased with a longer milling time. Comminution of the Al alloy particles started with its elongation, showing a high aspect ratio. With a longer milling time, the elongated Al alloy particle changed in terms of its shape and size, becoming equiaxially fine particles. Regardless of the milling efficiency of the Al alloy particles, all of the Al alloy particles repeatedly experienced strong plastic deformation during milling, giving rise to higher density of surface defects, such as microcracks, and leading to higher residual microstress within the Al alloy particles. The chemical reactions, oxidation behavior and hydration behavior of the Al alloy particles and the hydrolysis characteristics of their reaction with the environment were also observed during the milling process and during the subsequent powder handling steps.
Optimal conditions for HA plasma spray-coating on Ti6Al4V alloy were investigated in order to obtain enhanced bone-bonding ability with Ti6Al4V alloy. The properties of plasma spray coated film were analyzed by SEM, XRD, surface roughness measurement, and adhesion strength test because the film's transformed phase and crystallinity were known to be influential to bone-bonding ability withTi6Al4V alloy. The films were formed by a plasma spray coating technique with various combinations of plasma power, spray distance, and auxiliary He gas pressure. The film properties were analyzed in order to determine the optimal spray coating parameters with which we will able to achieve enhanced bone-bonding ability with Ti6Al4V alloy. The most influential coating parameter was found to be the plasma spray distance to the specimen from the spray gun nozzle. Additionally, it was observed that a relatively higher film crystallinity can be obtained with lower auxiliary gas pressure. Moderate adhesion strength can be achievable at minimal plasma power. That is, adhesion strength is minimally dependent on the plasma power. The combination of shorter spray distance, lower auxiliary gas pressure, and moderate spray power can be recommended as the optimal spray conditions. In this study, optimal plasma spray coated films were formed with spray distance of 70 mm, plasma current of 800 A, and auxiliary gas pressure of 60 psi.
In this work, effect of various process-control agents (PCAs) on the mechanical alloying of amorphous alloy of has been investigated. The dependence of the particle shape, size and crystallization behavior of the amorphous alloy powders on the type of PCAs and their concentrations was investigated by using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the additive of toluene could affect positively the amorphization and thermally induced crystallization processes, as well as the size refinement, morphology and particle-size distribution of as-milled powders in comparison with alloy obtained without PCA.
High-energy mechanical milling (HEMM) and sintering into Al-Mg alloy melt were employed tofabricate an Al alloy matrix composite reinforced with submicron and micron sized Al2O3 particles. Al-basedmetal matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with submicron and micron sized Al2O3 particles was successfullyfabricated by sintering at 1000oC for 2h into Al-Mg alloy melt, which used high energy mechanical milled Al-SiO2-CuO-ZnO composite powders. Submicron/micron-sized Al2O3 particles and eutectic Si were formed by in situdisplacement reaction between Al, SiO2, CuO, and ZnO during sintering for 2h into Al-Mg alloy melt and werehomogeneously distributed in the Al-Si-(Zn, Cu) matrix. The refined grains and homogeneously distributedsubmicron/micron-sized Al2O3 particles had good interfacial adhesive, which gives good wear resistance withhigher hardness.
Two atomized alloy powders were pre-compacted by cold and subsequently hot forged at temperatures ranging from 653K to 845K. The addition of Cu and Mg causes a decrease in the eutectic reaction temperature of Al-10Si-5Fe-1Zr alloy from 841K to 786K and results in a decrease of flow stress at the given forging temperature. TEM observation revealed that in addition to Al-Fe based intermetallics, Al2Cu and Al2CuMg intermetallics appeared. The volume fraction of intermetallic dispersoids increased by the addition of Cu and Mg. Compressive strength of the present alloys was closely related to the volume fraction of intermetallic dispersoids.
In this paper processing and mechanical properties of Al-20 wt% Si alloy was studied. A bulk form of Al-20Si alloy was prepared by gas atomizing powders having the powder size of 106-145 and powder extrusion. The powder extrudate was subsequently equal channel angular pressed up to 8 passes in order to refine grain and Si particle. The microstructure of the gas atomized powders, powder extrudates and equal channel angular pressed samples were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties of the bulk sample were measured by compressive tests and a micro Victors hardness test. Equal channel angular pressing was found to be effective in matrix grain and Si particle refinement, which enhanced the strength and hardness of the Al-2OSi alloy without deteriorating ductility in the range of experimental strain of 30%.
Al-l4wt.%Ni-l4wt.% Mm(Mm=misch metal) alloy powders rapidly solidified by the gas atomization method were subjected to mechanical milling(MM). The morphology, microstructure and hardness of the powders were investigated as a function of milling time using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and Vickers microhardness tester. Microstructural evolution in gas-atomized Al-l4wt.%Ni-l4wt.% Mm(Mm=misch metal) alloy powders was studied during mechanical milling. It was noted that the as-solidified particle size of decreases during the first 48 hours and then increases up to 72 hours of milling due to cold bonding and subsequently there was continuous refinement to on milling to 200 hours. Two microstructurally different zones, Zone A, which is fine microstructure area and Zone B, which has the structure of the as-solidified powder, were observed. The average thickness of the Zone A layer increased from about 10 to in the powder milled for 24 hours. Increasing the milling time to 72 hours resulted in the formation of a thicker and more uniform Zone A layer, whose thickness increased to about . The TEM micrograph of ball milled powder for 200 hours shows formation of nano-particles, less than 20 nm in size, embedded in an Al matrix.
We report the structure, thermal and magnetic properties of a non-equilibrium alloy powder produced by rod milling and chemical leaching. An X-ray diffractometry(XRD), a transmission electron microscope(TEM), a differential scanning calorimeter(DSC), a vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM), and superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID) were utilized to characterize the as-milled and leaching specimens. The crystallite size reached a value of about 8.82 nm. In the DSC experiment, the peak temperatures and crystallization temperatures decreased with increasing milling time. The activation energy of crystallization is 200.5 kJ/mole for as-milled alloy powder. The intensities of the XRD peaks of as-milled powders associated with the bcc type structure formative at sharply increase with increasing annealing temperature. Above , peaks alloted to and are observed. After annealing at for 1h, the leached Ll specimen transformed into bcc -Fe and fcc Cu phases, accompanied by a change in the structural and magnetic properties. The saturation magnetization decreased with increasing milling time, and a value of about 8.42 emu/g was reached at 500 h of milling. The coercivity reached a maximum value of about 142.7 Oe after 500 h of milling. The magnetization of leached specimens as function of fields were higher at 5 K, and increased more sharply at 5 K than at 100 K.