The influence of Mn on the tensile properties of SSM-HPDC A1-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy A201

Synopsis: A201 aluminium alloy is a high strength casting alloy with a nominal composition of Al-4.6Cu-0.3Mg-0.6Ag. It is strengthened by the Ω(Al2Cu) phase and the θ’(Al2Cu) phase during heat treatment. Further strengthening of this alloy system can be obtained through the addition of transition elements, but care must be taken as other elements might have adverse effects on the mechanical properties. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of Mn on the tensile properties of rheo-processed Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy A201. ThermoCalc software was used to predict the different phases that can be expected in the alloys, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to investigate the actual phases that formed. The influence of these phases on tensile properties is quantified. SEM and ThermoCalc revealed that there is an increased amount of the Al20Cu2Mn3 with increasing Mn. The tensile properties showed that high amounts of Mn do have adverse effects on the tensile properties of alloy A201, especially the ductility

Industrial Semi-Solid Rheocasting of Aluminum A356 Brake Calipers

Industrial semi-solid casting trials of aluminum A356 brake calipers were performed over five days with the CSIR-RCS and high-pressure die casting process cell. Consecutive visual passed castings were used as the measure of process stability, and common defects between trials were categorized. Short fill results are erratic and caused by unintended underdosing by the furnace or incomplete billet discharge at the delivery point in the shot sleeve. Cold shuts can be significantly reduced by adjusting the shot control profile. Surface finish defects include surface roughness and staining caused by lubricant burn off. Visual passed castings display none of the above-mentioned external defects. X-ray examination and pressure testing of heat-treated castings from the consecutive visual passed castings show improvement over the five days. These initial-stage industrialization efforts pave the way for process commercialization

Formation of Ti2Cu in Ti-Cu Alloys

One of the major issues with dental implants is failure due to bacterial infection, and additions of copper are known to improve the antimicrobial properties of Ti alloys. There are inconsistencies in the Ti rich area of the Cu-Ti binary phase diagram, hence the need to find out if Ti2Cu or Ti3Cu is formed, and to identify the type of formation of Ti2Cu. Four alloys: 20, 33, 40 and 50 Cu (mass%) were produced by arc melting and studied using SEM, XRD and DSC. The reactions were derived, and the temperatures of the reactions were determined by DSC. The formation of Ti2Cu is congruent, and no Ti3Cu was found

Thick Recognition: Advancing thoery on identity change in intractable conlficts

This study relates the concept of recognition to processes of conflict transformation. The recognition concept has been underdeveloped in recent IR literature, where the main emphasis has been on interstate relations and on recognition as cause of conflict. This article challenges that understanding through the introduction of the concept of thick recognition. Thus an understanding of recognition which is applicable also in intrastate conflicts is developed. Through a strong emphasis on intrastate relations and identity politics, I develop thoughts on how narratives of war can be reversed through the introduction of narratives of recognition. The study thus provides theoretical concepts and distinctions that can be used as a framework for the study of thick recognition and its relationship to broader processes of conflict transformation. The theoretical framework is employed in a case study on the Israeli debates about ‘New History’. Insights from the case contribute to understandings of inhibiting and facilitating circumstances for the introduction of narratives of thick recognition in conflicted societies. The study ends with a discussion on the usefulness of the theoretical concepts for further work on recognition within the field of IR