Optimized Packing Titanium Alloy Powder Particles

To obtain high-quality and durable parts by 3D printing, specific characteristics (porosity and proportion of various sizes of particles) in the mixture used for printing or sintering must be assured. To predict these characteristics, a mathematical model of optimized packing polyhedral objects (particles of titanium alloys) in a cuboidal container is presented, and a solution algorithm is developed. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the results obtained by the algorithm are very close to experimental findings. This justifies using numerical simulation instead of expensive experimentation

Investigation of structural-geometric parameters and elemental composition of spherical VT20 alloy powders

Purpose: Identification of structural-geometrical parameters, technological properties and elemental composition of spherical powders in a wide fraction range with respect to the VT20 alloy has been carried out. This is important for evaluating the optimum filling of a given volume by mixture of powders of different fractions during 3D printing. Design/methodology/approach: During the investigation of spherical Ti-alloy powders, a comprehensive approach was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The surface morphology of the powders was studied on a Tuescan Vega 3 Scanning Electron Microscope. Using the Quantax energy dispersive spectrometer, element distribution maps were obtained and histograms of element distribution in the investigated powders were constructed. ICP-MS analysis was performed to clarify the elemental composition. DLS analysis using Malvern's Zetasizer Nano-ZS equipment allowed us to determine the functional parameters (hydrodynamic radius – Rh, zeta potential – z and specific conductivity) of particles of titanium alloy powder that indirectly indicate a tendency to form conglomerates. Findings: According to the microscopic examinations, the VT20 alloy powder consists of globular-shaped particles with the lamellar traces on their surfaces. The uniformity of the chemical element distribution within each fraction of the investigated powders was confirmed by EDS, and the full conformity of the powder fractions with the elemental composition of the VT20 alloy was confirmed by ICP-MS. The DLS method allowed to establish that the formation of conglomerates would not occur within the studied fractions of the VT20 alloy powder. Research limitations/implications: The use of high sensitive investigation methods gives understanding of the mechanisms of fine structure formation and possibility to control the processes of powder coagulation in the stage of electrostatic interactions. Practical implications: The obtained results can be used for the formation of fine spherical particles of the powder, but at the same time, these technologies can be extended for the particles of non-spherical shape. Originality/value: The DLS method allowed to establish that the formation of conglomerates would not occur within the studied fractions of the VT20 alloy powder. This, in turn, will improve powder melting during 3D printing. The measured zeta potential values allowed us to reveal mechanisms of fine structure formation and to control the processes of powder coagulation in the stage of electrostatic interactions

Development of Machine Learning Method of Titanium Alloy Properties Identification in Additive Technologies

Based on the experimentally established data on the parameters of microstructure, elemental and fractional composition of titanium alloy powders, four classes of their conformity (a material with excellent properties, optimal properties, possible defects in the material and defective material) as source raw materials for the additive technologies are identified. The basic characteristics of the material, which determine its belonging to a certain class, are established. Training and test samples based on 20 features that characterize each of the four classes of titanium alloy powders for the implementation of machine learning procedures were built. The developed method for identification of the class of material, based on the use of the second-order Kolmogorov-Gabor polynomial and the Random Forest algorithm, is described. An experimental comparison of the developed method work results with existing methods: Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Support Vectors Machines based on the accuracy of their work in the training and application modes was made. The visualization of the results of all the investigated methods was given.The developed supervised learning method allows constructing models for processing a large number of each input vector characteristics. In this case, the Random Forest algorithm provides satisfactory generalization properties while retaining the advantages of an additional increase of the accuracy based on the Kolmogorov-Gabor polynomial.The main advantages of the developed method, in particular, regarding the additional increase of the accuracy of the classification task solution, are experimentally determined. The developed method allows increasing the modeling accuracy by 34.38, 33.34 and 3.13 % compared with the methods: Support Vectors Machine, Logistic Regression, and Random Forest respectively.The obtained results allow one to considerably reduce financial and time expenses during the manufacture of products by additive technologies methods. The use of artificial intelligence tools can reduce the complexity and energy efficiency of experiments to determine the optimum characteristics of powder materials

Microstructure and electrochemical properties of the vanadium alloys after low-temperature nitrogen plasma treatment

Purpose: The proposed research aims to determine the expediency of surface treatment of vanadium alloys of V-Cr and V-Ti systems due to irradiation of their surfaces with low- temperature nitrogen plasma using plasma torch NO-01. Design/methodology/approach: The investigation of microstructure and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) of the samples were performed using an electron microscope TESCAN Vega3. The microhardness (Vickers hardness) of the samples was measured before and after surface treatment. The study of corrosive properties of the surface layers was performed by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) method. Corrosion damages were identified using impedance dependences. Findings: The microstructure of the surface layers of the V-8Ti, V-15Cr, and V-35Cr alloys in the initial state and after plasma treatment have been investigated. The chemical composition of the surface layers is determined and comparative measurements of the microhardness of these alloys are carried out. Corrosion-electrochemical properties (corrosion potentials, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and constructed potential-dynamic polarization curves) of investigated alloys after treatment with nitrogen plasma are evaluated. Research limitations/implications: The results obtained using laboratory samples should be checked at the conditions of power equipment operation. Practical implications: This treatment has advantages over other methods of surface engineering since it provides strong surface plastic deformation and the possibility of formation of secondary phases resulting in increases in surface hardness and corrosion resistance. Originality/value: Vanadium alloys have significant advantages over other structural materials due to their high thermal conductivity and swelling resistance, high strength and plasticity up to temperatures of 700-800°C, and good weldability

The character of the structure formation of model alloys of the Fe-Cr-(Zr, Zr-B) system synthesized by powder metallurgy

Purpose: The purpose of the work is to synthesize and investigate the character of structure formation, phase composition and properties of model alloys Fe75Cr25, Fe70Cr25Zr5, and Fe69Cr25Zr5B1. Design/methodology/approach: Model alloys are created using traditional powder metallurgy approaches. The sintering process was carried out in an electric arc furnace with a tungsten cathode in a purified argon atmosphere under a pressure of 6·104 Pa on a water cooled copper anode. Annealing of sintered alloys was carried out at a temperature of 800°C for 3 h in an electrocorundum tube. The XRD analysis was performed on diffractometers DRON-3.0M and DRON-4.0M. Microstructure study and phase identification were performed on a REMMA-102-02 scanning electron microscope. The microhardness was measured on a PMT-3M microhardness meter. Findings: When alloying a model alloy of the Fe-Cr system with zirconium in an amount of up to 5%, it is possible to obtain a microstructure of a composite type consisting of a mechanical mixture of a basic Fe2(Cr) solid solution, solid solutions based on Laves phases and dispersive precipitates of these phases of Fe2Zr and FeCrZr compositions. In alloys of such systems or in coatings formed based on such systems, an increase in hardness and wear resistance and creep resistance at a temperature about 800°C will be reached. Research limitations/implications: The obtained results were verified during laser doping with powder mixtures of appropriate composition on stainless steels of ferrite and ferrite-martensitic classes. Practical implications: The character of the structure formation of model alloys and the determined phase transformations in the Fe-Cr, Fe-Cr-Zr, and Fe-Cr-B-Zr systems can be used to improve the chemical composition of alloying plasters during the formation of ferrite and ferrite-martensitic stainless steel coatings. Originality/value: The model alloys were synthesized and their phase composition and microstructure were studied; also, their microhardness was measured. The influence of the chemical composition of the studied materials on the character of structure formation and their properties was analysed