Influence of laser beam welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Inconel X750 superalloy

In welding, the process parameters influence the mechanical properties of the joint. However, such investigations on laser welding of Inconel X750 are lacking despite its industrial significance. We performed such an investigation in which three parameter combinations, out of seven, exhibited full laser penetration (S1 (75 mm/min, 800 W), S2 (75 mm/min, 1200 W), and S3 (150 mm/min and 1200 W)). Microstructural analysis exhibited changes in the grain and dendrite morphology with columnar to equiaxed transition from the fusion boundary to the interior. S3 exhibited superior mechanical properties than others due to the smaller grain size and fusion zone.</p

Correlation of Microstructure and Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Squeeze-Cast Ca and Sb Added AZ91 Mg Alloys

The effect of individual and mixed additions of calcium (Ca) and antimony (Sb) on the corrosion behavior of the squeeze-cast AZ91 alloy have been investigated. The corrosion resistance of all modified alloys is better as a result of the refined and reduced volume fraction of the beta-Mg17Al12 phase as well as grain refinement. Individual additions are better than mixed additions. The AZ91-1.0Ca (AZX911) alloy comprising individual Ca addition with a continuous network of the Al2Ca phase reveals the lowest corrosion rate. Among the alloys comprising combined additions, the AZ91-2.0Ca-0.3Sb (AZXY9120) alloy exhibits the best corrosion resistance because of the higher and lower volume fractions of the Al2Ca and Ca2Sb phases, respectively

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Process Derived Al-TiO2 Nanocomposite

Aluminum-based composites have many advantages over their conventional counterparts. A major problem in such composites is the clustering of particles in the matrix. Friction stir processing (FSP) can homogenize particle distribution in aluminum-based composites. In this study, unannealed TiO2 particles were used to prepare Al-TiO2 nanocomposite using FSP. The TiO2 particles, about 1 A mu m, were dispersed into an aluminum matrix by 6 passes of FSP. The TiO2 particles were fractured by multiple FSP passes, leading to a nano-size particle distribution in the matrix. Nanoscale dispersion was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fractured TiO2 particles reacted with the aluminum matrix to form Al3Ti intermetallic and Al2O3 ceramic. The progression of the Al-TiO2 reaction from the fourth to the sixth pass of FSP was revealed by x-ray diffraction. Due to the nanoscale dispersion, the yield and ultimate tensile strength of the composite increased to 97 and 145 MPa, respectively. Ductility of the composite decreased marginally compared to the as-received aluminum. As the dispersed particles pin dislocations, the strain-hardening rate of the composite was considerably increased and the same was seen in the Kocks-Mecking plot. The TiO2 particles are mechanically activated due to their fracture during FSP, hence leading to reaction with the matrix. The particle refinement and dispersion lead to a homogeneous matrix with higher strength

Friction stir processing of squeeze cast A356 with surface compacted graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for the synthesis of metal matrix composites

Friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) physically compacted on the surface of squeeze cast A356 alloy to incorporate GNPs within the matrix and to improve its mechanical properties. Squeeze casting resulted in finer size silicon and intermetallic compounds in cast microstructure, and subsequently FSP further refined the microstructure of squeeze cast A356 alloy, and GNP reinforced A356 alloy. The finer Si particles, intermetallics and graphene dispersed in the matrix increased the yield and ultimate tensile strength of FSP squeeze cast A356 alloy compared to the results reported in prior literature for FSP A356 alloy. Eutectic Si needles have been converted to fine spherical particles during FSP and were uniformly distributed within the nugget zone. The crystallite size of GNPs which were physically adhered to the surface of squeeze cast alloy prior to FSP decreased after FSP as a result of deformation. Thus, a combination of squeeze casting, and friction stir processing and incorporation of GNPs reinforcement in the A356 matrix is a promising route to further improve its mechanical properties

Shape memory effect, temperature distribution and mechanical properties of friction stir welded nitinol

Welding of shape memory alloys without deterioration of shape memory effect could vastly extend their applications. To retain shape memory behavior, a solid-state welding technique called friction stir welding was employed in this study. Austenitic NiTi alloy sheets of thickness 1.2 mm were joined at tool rotational speeds of 800,1000, and 1200 rpm. Due to dynamic recrystallization, the grain refinement has occurred in the weld region. The tensile testing has shown superelastic plateau for the welds at 800 and 1000 rpm. The phase transformation behavior of different weld regions was studied in detail using differential scanning calorimeter. A marginal drift in transformation temperatures was observed in the weld. To understand the drift in phase transformation temperatures, finite element analysis was carried out with focus on temperature distribution during welding. Finally, time-dependent shape recovery of a FSW welded joint was studied and it was found that the original position was completely recovered after 27 s at a temperature of 65 degrees C. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Microstructure, mechanical properties and shape memory behaviour of friction stir welded nitinol

For the first time, NiTi shape memory alloy was successfully joined by Friction Stir Welding (FSW). The weld showed significant grain refinement without formation of detrimental phases. The yield strength of the weld joint increased by 17% as compared to the base metal without substantial change in shape memory behaviour

Exploring the functional and corrosion behavior of friction stir welded NiTi shape memory alloy

The friction stir welding was proved to be a promising process to weld NiTi shape memory alloy with adequate mechanical strength and retention of shape memory effect. In this work, the tool wear during welding and the compositional change in the weld cross section has been evaluated. The tensile cyclic behavior for different strain percentages has been investigated. Interestingly, the thermomechanical behavior of the weld was studied using electrical actuation. The actuation was carried out at different current and the actuation temperatures were corroborated with phase transformation temperature range measured using differential scanning calorimetry. A maximum displacement of 17.8 mm was recorded at the actuation current of 5 A. The electrochemical corrosion testing has been performed to understand the corrosion behavior of the friction stir welded NiTi. The weld has exhibited a lower corrosion resistance than the base metal as seen from the lower breakdown potential of 250 mV and a higher current density of 1.5 x 10(-4) mA/cm(2)