Mechanical behavior of entangled materials with or without cross-linked fibers

Entangled materials can be manufactured using fibers made from various materials, such as carbon, glass or steel. The mechanical properties of these low-density materials are linked to their architecture (fiber orientation, number of contacts, etc.). Specimens can be produced with and without cross-links between fibers by sintering for steel wool or by using epoxy spraying for carbon or glass fibers. Experimental mechanical compression tests were performed on these materials. The results were analyzed taking into account the architecture thanks to the relationships existing between morphological data and macroscopic mechanical behavior

Friction behavior of laser cladding magnesium alloy against AISI 52100 steel

The use of magnesium alloys in engineering applications is becoming increasingly important as a relatively low density allows savings in energy consumption and therefore reduction in air pollution. An associated reduction in inertia makes these alloys potential candidates for friction components, but they suffer from poor wear resistance. Laser surface alloying with appropriate powder mixture is an innovative technique to improve surface properties of metallic alloys. In this study, the effect of laser surface alloying using Al12%Si powder on wear resistance of a magnesium alloy ZE41 is investigated. Hardness and wear resistance of the alloy are significantly enhanced after treatment

Numerical Key Performance Indicators for the Validation of PHM Health Indicators with Application to a Hydraulic Actuation System

In order to perform Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) of a given system, it is necessary to define some relevant variables sensitive to the different degradation modes of the system. Those variables are named Health Indicators (HI) and they are the keystone of PHM. However, they are subject to a lot of uncertainties when computed in real time and the stochastic nature of PHM makes it hard to evaluate the efficiency of a HI set before the extraction algorithm is implemented. This document introduces Numerical Key Performance Indicators (NKPI) for the validation of HI computed only from data provided by numerical models in the upstream stages of a PHM system development process. In order to match as good as possible the reality, the multiple sources of uncertainties are quantified and propagated into the model. After having introduced the issue of uncertain systems modeling, the different NKPI are defined and eventually an application is performed on a hydraulic actuation system of an aircraft engine

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy rolled sheets: Influence of processing parameters

The temperature evolution during friction stir welding (FSW) and the resulting residual stresses of AZ31 Mg alloy were studied to get a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in this process. The relationship between the processing parameters, the heat and plastic deformation produced and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. Increasing the shoulder diameter or the tool rotation speed or decreasing the welding speed produced an increase in the heat generated during the process and then promoted grain growth. The temperature distribution on the advancing side and on the retreating side differed, and stress levels were higher on the retreating side. The grain size heterogeneity produced by FSW was not the prevailing cause of failure.AEROMAG Project N°AST4-CT-2005-516152 European Unio

Excimer laser treatment of ZE41 magnesium alloy for corrosion resistance and microhardness improvement

We would like to acknowledge the financial support of the ‘‘Conseil regional de PACA’’ and Protection des Metaux d’Arenc). The authors are grateful to PMA’s engineers Ms. E. Castellan, Ms. A. Gonthier and Mr. F. Miretti for their help and assistance with the salt-spray testsA laser surface melting treatment (LSMT) was performed on a ZE41 Mg-alloy using an excimer KrF laser. The laser-melted layer depth depends on the laser scan speed. The morphology and the microstructure of the laser-melted surface were characterized, thanks to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The melted Mg-alloy presented a homogenous distribution of the alloying elements in the magnesium matrix. The laser surface melting treatment increased the microhardness of the ZE41 Mg-alloy and improved its corrosion resistance

Microstructure and properties of welds between 5754 Al alloys and AZ31 Mg alloys using a Yb:YAG laser

The authors wish to thank Mr. Henri ANDRZEJEWSKI for his technical assistance in laser experiments. The authors wish to place their sincere thanks to Professor Philippe BOURNOT and Dr. Eric VALERIO for helpful discussions.Dissimilar laser beam welding between A5754 Al alloy and AZ31 Mg alloy with the plate thickness of 2 mm was investigated. Complex flow pattern characterized by a large volume of intermetallic compounds Al12Mg17 and Al3Mg2 is formed in the fusion zone. Microhardness measurement of the dissimilar welds presents an uneven distribution due to the complicated microstructure of the weld, and the maximum value of microhardness in the fusion zone is much higher than of the base materials

Finite element simulation of magnesium alloys laser beam welding

The authors are grateful to FONDERIE MESSIER (HONSEL group) that provided the as-cast magnesium alloy workpieces. The authors would like also to acknowledge the technical support of Dr. Morraru of the IMS Laboratory, ARTS ET MÉTIERS PARISTECH, Aix En Provence, France.In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element model is developed to simulate thermal history magnesium-based alloys during laser beam welding. Space–time temperature distributions in weldments are predicted from the beginning of welding to the final cooling. The finite element calculations were performed using Cast3M code with which the heat equation is solved considering a non-linear transient behaviour. The applied loading is a moving heat source that depends on process parameters such as power density, laser beam dimensions and welding speed, and it is associated to moving boundary conditions. Experiments were carried out to determine temperature evolution during welding and to measure the laser weld width. By comparing the thermal model answers with the measurements, it is found that numerical simulations results are in a good agreement with the experimental data

Friction behavior of laser cladding magnesium alloy against AISI 52100 steel

The use of magnesium alloys in engineering applications is becoming increasingly important as a relatively low density allows savings in energy consumption and therefore reduction in air pollution. An associated reduction in inertia makes these alloys potential candidates for friction components, but they suffer from poor wear resistance. Laser surface alloying with appropriate powder mixture is an innovative technique to improve surface properties of metallic alloys. In this study, the effect of laser surface alloying using Al12%Si powder on wear resistance of a magnesium alloy ZE41 is investigated. Hardness and wear resistance of the alloy are significantly enhanced after treatment