Search Results for thermal forming

This article begins with a discussion on the energy sources used for thermal forming. These include electric induction coil, gas flame, plasma torch, and laser beam. The article discusses the mechanisms of forming and different modes of deformation. It describes the effect of process and material parameters on forming and the effect of metallurgical changes on mechanical property and microstructure of stainless steel. The article concludes with information on the applications of thermal forming.

Sheet forming comprises deformation processes in which a metal blank is shaped by tools or dies, primarily under the action of tensile stresses. This article discusses the classification of sheet-forming processes for obtaining desired dimensional features. It describes different process-related developments, namely, superplastic forming of aluminum, forming of tailor-welded blanks, rubber-pad forming, and high-velocity metal forming. The article explains cost-effective approaches of evaluating tooling designs prior to the manufacture of expensive steel dies and dieless forming techniques such as thermal forming and peen forming. It provides information on the application of advanced high-strength steels, magnesium alloys, and various ultrafine-grain materials for superplastic sheet forming. The article concludes with information on the development and application of simulation, design, and control of sheet-forming processes.

Thermal nondestructive evaluation (TNDE) is an indirect process, so that regardless of the form of energy used to excite the sample, interaction with the internal structure of a part occurs through the process of heat conduction. This article discusses the steady-state configuration and selective excitation configuration of the signal-generation mechanisms in thermal nondestructive evaluation methods. The three widely used approaches to TNDE are surface-excited thermography, vibrothermography, and thermoelastic stress analysis. The article provides information on the common features, characteristics, and limitations of these approaches.

This article reviews the use of thermal spray polymer coatings as a replacement for paints. It discusses the applications of the thermal spray forming process. The article also provides information on the applications of thermal spray in metal processing, textile and plastics, and ceramic and glass manufacturing industries.

Thermal analysis is a classical method of determining phase diagrams and can be used to analyze the deviation from solidification under equilibrium conditions. This article discusses the use of thermal analysis in industrial processes and in research. It describes the theoretical basis of simplified and differential thermal analysis. Techniques for determining liquidus and solidus temperatures using cooling curves are also discussed.

This article discusses the principles of operation, capabilities, and limitations of the thermal energy method of deburring, with illustrations.

Thermal spray is a generic term for a group of coating processes used to apply metallic, ceramic, cermet, and some polymeric coatings for a broad range of applications. This article provides a brief description of commercially important thermal spray processes, namely, powder-fed flame spray, wire- or rod-fed flame spray, electric arc spray, plasma arc spray, vacuum plasma spray, high-velocity oxyfuel spray, detonation gun deposition, and cold spray, and their advantages. It provides details on the microstructural characteristics of thermal spray coatings. The article also presents information on a wide variety of materials that can be thermal sprayed, such as metals, ceramics, intermetallics, composites, cermets, polymers, and functionally gradient materials. Tables are included, which list the thermal spray processes and coating properties of importance for various industrial applications.

The use of thermal spray coatings to restore worn surfaces has provided a significant improvement in surface performance due to improved wear resistance. This article discusses the general use of thermal spray coatings in reducing predominant types of wear, namely, abrasive wear, erosive wear, adhesive wear, and surface fatigue.

Nuclear power plants benefit from thermal spray coatings for corrosion and erosion minimization and dimensional restoration of worn parts. This article provides a detailed discussion on the advantages of thermal spray coatings, fission reactor component coatings, and coatings for nuclear fuel processing before and after irradiation for power plant applications. Nuclear fusion research is divided into two primary fields of study categorized by the method for confining the fusion fuel: magnetic confinement fusion and inertial confinement fusion.