Electrochemical corrosion behavior of LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel in a fluoride‐containing environment

The effect of fluoride on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of an LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel (DSS) was studied. Open‐circuit potential (EOC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out in artificial saliva and with the addition of fluoride (1 wt% NaF). The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel (SS) was also evaluated for comparison. Both open‐circuit potential and EIS results indicate that DSS and austenitic SS undergo spontaneous passivation due to spontaneously formed oxide film passivating the metallic surface, in the simulated aggressive environments. However, LDX 2101® exhibits superior corrosion resistance as compared with AISI 316L, and this improvement is ascribed to the formation of a passive film which shows a higher protective effect than the one formed on AISI 316L

Surface Activation and Characterization of Aluminum Alloys for Brazing Optimization

Brazing of Al-alloys is of interest in many application fields (e.g., mechanical and automotive). The surface preparation of substrates and the in depth investigation of the interface reaction between aluminum substrates and brazing materials is fundamental for a proper understanding of the process and for its optimization. The interaction between two aluminum based substrates (Al5182 and Al6016) and two studied brazing materials (pure Zn and for the first time ZAMA alloy) has been studied in simulated brazing condition in order to define the best surface preparation conditions and combination substrate-brazing material to be used in real joining experiments. Three different surface preparations were considered: polishing and cleaning, application of flux and vacuum plasma etching (Ar) followed by sputtering coating with Zn. Macroscopic observation of the samples surface after “brazing”, optical microscopy, and microhardness measurements on the cross-section and XRD measurements on the top surface gave a comprehensive description of the phenomena occurring at the interface between the substrate and the brazing alloy which are of interest to understand the brazing process and for the detection of the best conditions to be used in brazing. Plasma etching (Ar) followed by sputtering coating with Zn resulted a promising solution in case of Al5182 brazed with Zn, while the addition of flux was more effective in case of Al6016 substrate. ZAMA alloy demonstrated good interface reactivity with both Al6016 and Al5182 alloys, particularly on only cleaned surfaces

The way the mistery of the Mattei's case was solved

Enrico Mattei, the President of the Italian oil conglomerate, ENI, was about to land in Milan Linate Airport on October 27, 1962 when his airplane crashed on the ground due to a then unexplained accident. The investigation, reopened more than 30 years later, implied complete re-examining of the theories on macroscopic and lattice deformations under high velocity waves emanating from a small charge explosion.Various macro- and micro-structural changes are induced by an explosion and by the resulting shear stresses in metals exposed to it. At the microstructural level multiple slip bands or mechanical twins, induced from the pressure wave caused by an explosion, can be observed. The occurrence of either ones depend on the type of metal, the pressure and the strain rate. The temperature wave may also cause surface alterations. Different situations regarding stainless steels, aluminium, copper and gold alloys are analysed.Calculations to evaluate which deformation mechanism is eligible for different FCC metals and alloys are reported. Results of field explosion experiments are incorporated into the evaluation of microstructural signs possibly induced on metal targets by an unknown explosive event.Revisited theories were applied to the Mattei forensic case, reaching the conclusion that the aircraft had fallen following an on board small charge explosion

Relationships between tensile and fracture mechanics properties and fatigue properties of large plastic mold steel

presentazione oral

High Strain Rate Behavior of Aluminum Alloy for Sheet Metal Forming Processes

Aluminum alloy sheets are gaining increasing interest in the construction of some or all components of the car body in view of their lightweight properties which can allow significant fuel consumption reduction. In order to be suitable for car body application, aluminum alloy sheets should have sufficient mechanical properties both in static (e.g., structural stability and durability) and dynamic conditions (e.g., crash test). Static and dynamic mechanical tests (strain rates: ε ˙ ≈ 1 × 10−3 s−1 and ε ˙ ≈ 5 × 102 s−1 respectively) were conducted on AA6016 alloy sheet (1 mm thick), in T4 and T6 temper and for the longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal rolling directions by means of standard static tensile test and modified Hopkinson bar dynamic tests. Microstructural and fracture morphology observations are also reported. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength increases by 13−14%, and the elongation at fracture increases by 75−105%, depending on the temper, by increasing the strain rate