Search Results for Al-Si alloys

Aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) alloys have good castability in combination with high corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and specific strength, making them a strong candidate for many automotive applications. This article describes the processes used in the production of die-cast AlSi9Mg engine brackets for Volvo trucks, the effects of solution treatment temperature on Si particle size, and the benefits of Mg additions on yield strength and heat treatability.

Aluminum components with refined microstructures produced by high pressure die casting enable manufacturers to gain energy savings via shorter production cycles—if casting and tempering parameters are optimized. This article reports on research results indicating it is possible to increase hardness of hypereutectic Al-Si alloys by optimizing the water quenching rate and duration of room temperature hold, and producing castings with finer microstructures.

This article describes research aimed at developing cast aluminum alloys with the necessary high-temperature tensile and fatigue strengths to withstand the modern automotive engine environment. Micro-additions of Ti, V, and Zr were added to an Al-7Si-1Cu-0.5Mg cast alloy, leading to the formation of phases that increase stability at high temperatures, positively affecting alloy strength.

Novel bcc CoCr-base alloys exhibit a Young’s modulus similar to human bone combined with superelastic strain twice that of NiTi alloys.

Structural intermetallics offer a number of attractive choices to address an urgent need for materials that can endure harsh environments for extended periods. This article describes current commercial applications for intermetallic materials and work to develop new alloys and applications.

This article describes Shear-Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE), an emerging extrusion technology being developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. One application of the ShAPE process is recycling post-consumer scrap without adding primary aluminum, which reduces embodied energy and carbon output. Scientists at PNNL won an R&D 100 Award in 2020 for their work in developing the ShAPE process.

Beyond weight savings, aluminum products offer corrosion resistance, weldability, and ease of maintenance for a wide range of marine vessels. Aluminum was recognized as a promising material for marine construction from the early days of the industry. The development of 5xxx alloys and large production capacity made aluminum use more technically and economically possible beginning in the 1950s. The variety of aluminum vessels ranges from small fishing boats and fast ferry catamarans to cruise ships and military vessels. All benefit from aluminum's relatively light weight, low maintenance costs, and easy repairability. Other benefits of using aluminum in marine applications include formability, corrosion resistance, and availability in various product forms.

The manufacture of electric motors using additive methods offers potential advantages of increased efficiency, weight reduction, and customizability over traditional processes. This article describes some key developments and challenges related to additively manufactured electric motors in terms of manufacturing, materials development, and design.

Using advanced characterization techniques on surface hardened steels builds a richer understanding of the underlying metallurgical phenomena.

A metallurgical study of a 10th century iron-base nail from the central-East coast of Tunisia reveals how early metallurgists without modern scientific knowledge created parts with engineered properties.

Affordable bulk production of a newly developed nanostructured bainitic steel is possible without using severe deformation or complex heat treatments. This article discusses the characteristics and significance of nanostructured bainite in terms of the transformation mechanism.

Outdoor enclosures for telecom equipment are often constructed from powder-coated aluminum, but with appropriate surface treatments, hot and cold rolled steel can serve in the same capacity at a lower cost. This article, the first of a two-part series, discusses the intrinsic corrosion behavior of hot and cold rolled steel and how it can be modified through galvanizing and aluminizing treatments. Part 2, scheduled for the October 2012 issue of AM&P , covers nonmetallic surface treatments and presents corrosion test results.

Nano-scratch testing can be tailored to quantify the adhesion strength of small-scale surface formations, deposits, and structures on a wide range of materials. This article describes the basic measurement technique and presents examples showing how it has been used to evaluate the bonding characteristics of plasma-sprayed Al 2 O 3 splats on steel, osteoblast cells on hydroxyapatite-based coatings, and carbon nanotubes on copper and silicon substrates.

Metallographic examination and optical emission spectroscopy shed light on the origin of a lampshade found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The steels used for the ring and wire in the frame are typical of those made prior to WWII and the fabrication processes appear to be of a similar timeframe. Tassels on the lampshade were determined to be a more recent alteration and the fabric was found to be cow skin parchment based on DNA testing.

As the American car companies moved toward the use of aluminum auto body sheet in the early 1970s, they brought with them a mindset very different from that of the aerospace industry.

This article describes a procedure for optimizing the annealed microstructure of a high Al KAB steel. The main focus is directed toward characterization of microstructural development during annealing of different phases in a nanostructured bainitic steel using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This entry won the prestigious 2019 Jacquet-Lucas Award for Excellence in Metallography at the International Metallographic Contest held in Portland, Oregon, October 2019.

Additive manufacturing techniques give the mining industry a chance to revolutionize the conceptualization, prototyping, and production of mining tools, including using WC-Fe, Ni-based matrix coatings that display exceptional properties. The article includes a case study involving the successful utilization of WC-NiCrBSi mixed powder as a protective coating on AISI 9310 steel components to enhance wear resistance and durability for mining tool applications.

This article describes research leading to the development of a new grade of low temperature bainitic steels, named Kinetically Activated Bainite (KAB) steels. with exceptionally rapid transformation kinetics at temperatures below 200°C. This entry won the Jacquet-Lucas Award for Best in Show at the 2015 International Metallographic Contest.

This article reports on the development of additive friction stir deposition techniques that use secondary feedstocks such as machine chips and damaged components to make in-field repairs at the point of need. The focus of the initial research was aluminum alloys. Preliminary studies show significant promise for the adaptation of these techniques to hard alloys including steel castings, wrought high strength steels, and titanium alloys.

During the past 30 years, enormous research has been devoted to developing titanium-base intermetallics for use in gas turbine engines as lightweight alternative to nickel-base superalloys. This article presents a brief history of Ti 2 AlNb and efforts to mature this material for commercial component production. The article includes processing experience insights gained from a current R&D program in China.