A review on conventional and nonconventional machining of SiC particle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites

AbstractAmong the various types of metal matrix composites, SiC particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (SiCp/Al) are finding increasing applications in many industrial fields such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. However, SiCp/Al composites are considered as difficult-to-cut materials due to the hard ceramic reinforcement, which causes severe machinability degradation by increasing cutting tool wear, cutting force, etc. To improve the machinability of SiCp/Al composites, many techniques including conventional and nonconventional machining processes have been employed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the machining performance of SiCp/Al composites using conventional machining, i.e., turning, milling, drilling, and grinding, and using nonconventional machining, namely electrical discharge machining (EDM), powder mixed EDM, wire EDM, electrochemical machining, and newly developed high-efficiency machining technologies, e.g., blasting erosion arc machining. This research not only presents an overview of the machining aspects of SiCp/Al composites using various processing technologies but also establishes optimization parameters as reference of industry applications

Development of Sustainable Methodologies in Product Design, Manufacturing and Education

The influence of sustainability in product design and manufacturing processes can be considered from two different points of view: the design of sustainable products and the sustainable manufacturing of those products. Of course, a basic assumption for the aforementioned elements to be realized is the appropriate training and education for sustainability of the young designers and engineers. In this research, sustainability has been applied to many fields, including design, manufacturing and education acting as an umbrella which covers all the three elements and has as the main target to promote sustainability. In today’s world, in which a considerable number of contrasting signs reveal that our society is currently contributing to the planet’s collapse, a new kind of engineer is needed, an engineer who is fully aware of what is going on in society and who has the skills to deal with aspects of sustainability. According to the literature review on the state-of-the-art associated to the subject, in the current research were developed tools and methodologies for the promotion of sustainability aspects that are related to product design, manufacturing and education. Product DesignThe research work was based on a framework, which was built according to the direct communication between users and designers. There is a need for a cultural transformation, which can be focused on consumers and promote the needed behavioural change. Moreover there is a need for a cultural transformation on the role of designers and engineers to the product design process, with an aim to address sustainability as well as emerging priorities from societal to environmental challenges. New tools and methodologies were generated, in order to promote sustainability to the users/citizens bringing them inside to the product design process, giving them the opportunity to be a vital part of it. ManufacturingSustainable manufacturing faces new challenges for developing predictive models and optimization techniques in order to produce more products. The first part of the current is related to the drilling process and cutting tool technology. The creation of mathematical models focused on maximization of productivity and cost reduction by identifying crucial parameters and processes influencing manufacturing effectiveness. The second part of the current research is associated to the development of models used by CAD/ CAM that allow a rapid improvement and an efficient design and manufacture.EducationThe third aspect of the research is associated with the education related to sustainability. The engineering students should develop sustainability competences such as critical thinking, systemic thinking, obtaining values consistent with the sustainability paradigm, except of just taking a course on sustainability, focus on the technological role of sustainability. Focus on that the current research was based on sustainable characteristics such as a) remote control freeware applications, b) share of valuable resources, c) distance learning methodology and d) active participation of the students.<br /

Advanced Powder Metallurgy Technologies

Powder metallurgy is a group of advanced processes used for the synthesis, processing, and shaping of various kinds of materials. Initially inspired by ceramics processing, the methodology comprising the production of a powder and its transformation to a compact solid product has attracted attention since the end of World War II. At present, many technologies are availabe for powder production (e.g., gas atomization of the melt, chemical reduction, milling, and mechanical alloying) and its consolidation (e.g., pressing and sintering, hot isostatic pressing, and spark plasma sintering). The most promising methods can achieve an ultra-fine or nano-grained powder structure, and preserve it during consolidation. Among these methods, mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering play a key role. This book places special focus on advances in mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering, and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis methods, as well as on the role of these processes in the development of new materials

Proceedings of the 2018 Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) International Congress

Published proceedings of the 2018 Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME) International Congress, hosted by York University, 27-30 May 2018

Light Weight Alloys: Processing, Properties and Their Applications

There is growing interest in light metallic alloys for a wide number of applications owing to their processing efficiency, processability, long service life, and environmental sustainability. Aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys are addressed in this Special Issue, however, the predominant role played by aluminum. The collection of papers published here covers a wide range of topics that generally characterize the performance of the alloys after manufacturing by conventional and innovative processing routes

Numerical analysis of fatigue crack growth in welded joints with multiple defects

In the case of welded steel structures (such as pressure equipment), welded joints are often critical location for stress concentrations, due to different mechanical properties and chemical composition compared to the parent material, and due to changes in geometry. In addition, the presence of imperfections (defects) in welded joints can contribute to the increase in local stress, resulting in crack initiation. Recently, standards that are related to acceptable dimensions of various types of defects in welded joints started taking fatigue loading into account as well. For the purpose of this research, a 3D numerical model was made, of a welded joint with different types of defects (linear misalignment and a crack in the weld metal), based on the previous work, which involved static loading of the same specimen. In this case, fatigue was taken into account, and the simulation was performed using ABAQUS software, as well as Morfeo, an add-on used for determining the fatigue behaviour of structures via XFEM (extended finite element method). The welded joint was made using steel P460NL1 as the parent material, and EPP2NiMo2 wire was used for the weld metal. An additional model was made, whose defects included a crack and an overhang. Fatigue crack growth analysis was performed for this model as well, and the results for stress intensity factors and stress/strain distribution were compared in order to obtain information about how different defects can affect the integrity of a welded joint

Using the fracture mechanics parameters in assessment of integrity of rotary equipment

In this paper is presented the principle of application of fracture mechanics parameters in determining the integrity of rotary equipment. The behavior of rotary equipment depends on presence of cracks and basically determines the integrity and life of such equipment. The locations of stress concentration (i.e. radius changes) represent a particular problem in rotary equipment, and they are the most suitable places for the occurrence of microcracks i.e. cracks due to fatigue load. This problem is most common in the shaft of relatively large dimensions, for example, turbine shafts in hydropower plants made of high-strength carbon steel with relatively low fracture toughness, and relatively low resistance to crack formation and growth. Having in mind that rotary equipment represents the great risk in the exploitation, whose occasional failures often had severe consequences, it is necessary detail study of their integrity. For this purpose, it is necessary application of parameters of linear-elastic fracture mechanics, such as stress intensity factor, which range defines the rate of crack growth (Parisian law), and its critical value (fracture toughness) determines the critical crack length. The procedures for determining the critical crack length will be described using the fracture mechanics parameters

The influence of oxide deposits on the remaining life and integrity of pressure vessels equipment

In this paper is presented the principle of application of fracture mechanics parameters in determining the integrity of rotary equipment. The behavior of rotary equipment depends on presence of cracks and basically determines the integrity and life of such equipment. The locations of stress concentration (i.e. radius changes) represent a particular problem in rotary equipment, and they are the most suitable places for the occurrence of microcracks i.e. cracks due to fatigue load. This problem is most common in the shaft of relatively large dimensions, for example, turbine shafts in hydropower plants made of high-strength carbon steel with relatively low fracture toughness, and relatively low resistance to crack formation and growth. Having in mind that rotary equipment represents the great risk in the exploitation, whose occasional failures often had severe consequences, it is necessary detail study of their integrity. For this purpose, it is necessary application of parameters of linear-elastic fracture mechanics, such as stress intensity factor, which range defines the rate of crack growth (Parisian law), and its critical value (fracture toughness) determines the critical crack length. The procedures for determining the critical crack length will be described using the fracture mechanics parameters

Scientific Advances in STEM: From Professor to Students

This book collects the publications of the special Topic Scientific advances in STEM: from Professor to students. The aim is to contribute to the advancement of the Science and Engineering fields and their impact on the industrial sector, which requires a multidisciplinary approach. University generates and transmits knowledge to serve society. Social demands continuously evolve, mainly because of cultural, scientific, and technological development. Researchers must contextualize the subjects they investigate to their application to the local industry and community organizations, frequently using a multidisciplinary point of view, to enhance the progress in a wide variety of fields (aeronautics, automotive, biomedical, electrical and renewable energy, communications, environmental, electronic components, etc.). Most investigations in the fields of science and engineering require the work of multidisciplinary teams, representing a stockpile of research projects in different stages (final year projects, master’s or doctoral studies). In this context, this Topic offers a framework for integrating interdisciplinary research, drawing together experimental and theoretical contributions in a wide variety of fields

Novel Research about Biomechanics and Biomaterials Used in Hip, Knee and Related Joints

Joint replacement is a very successful medical treatment. However, the survivorship of hip, knee, shoulder, and other implants is limited. The degradation of materials and the immune response against degradation products or an altered tissue loading condition as well as infections remain key factors of their failure. Current research in biomechanics and biomaterials is trying to overcome these existing limitations. This includes new implant designs and materials, bearings concepts and tribology, kinematical concepts, surgical techniques, and anti-inflammatory and infection prevention strategies. A careful evaluation of new materials and concepts is required in order to fully assess the strengths and weaknesses and to improve the quality and outcomes of joint replacements. Therefore, extensive research and clinical trials are essential. The main aspects that are addressed in this Special Issue are related to new material, design and manufacturing considerations of implants, implant wear and its potential clinical consequence, implant fixation, infection-related material aspects, and taper-related research topics. This Special Issue gives an overview of the ongoing research in those fields. The contributions were solicited from researchers working in the fields of biomechanics, biomaterials, and bio- and tissue-engineering