A.A. Gokhale

Characterisation of dynamic recovery during hot deformation of spray formed Al–Li alloy (UL40) using processing map approach

Abstract Processing maps, also known as power dissipation maps, for spray formed Al–Li alloy (UL40), encompassing a wide range of hot working temperature (375–575°C) and strain rate (3 × 10−4–101 s−1) have been developed. The constant true strain rate compression tests were carried out under isothermal conditions to generate the stress–strain data required for computing the efficiency of power dissipation η. The maps exhibit three distinct regimes. The two high efficiency (>55%) regimes occur at the low strain rates (<10−3 s&minus1) and at the high strain rates (>1 s−1), and the other with moderate efficiency values (20–23%) occurs at the intermediate strain rate (10−1 s−1). The latter one has been interpreted to be associated with dynamic recovery (DRV) process while the other two regimes have been found to be associated with cracking processes. The DRV regime in the map has been characterised in terms of stress–strain response, microstructure and tensile ductility. The kinetic rate analysis carried out in the DRV regime suggested that the thermally activated cross-slip is the rate controlling mechanism for the DRV process. The effect of Li addition on the optimum deformation condition of DRV in Al has also been discussed qualitatively.

Purification of Niobium by Electron Beam Melting

Abstract Pure niobium metal, produced by alumino-thermic reduction of niobium oxide, contains various impurities which need to be reduced to acceptable levels to obtain aerospace grade purity. In the present work, an attempt has been made to refine niobium metals by electron beam drip melting technique to achieve purity confirming to the ASTM standard. Input power to the electron gun and melt rate were varied to observe their combined effect on extend of refining and loss of niobium. Electron beam (EB) melting is shown to reduce alkali metals, trace elements and interstitial impurities well below the specified limits. The reduction in the impurities during EB melting is attributed to evaporation and degassing due to the combined effect of high vacuum and high melt surface temperature. The % removal of interstitial impurities is essentially a function of melt rate and input power. As the melt rate decreases or input power increases, the impurity levels in the solidified niobium ingot decrease. The EB refining process is also accompanied by considerable amount of niobium loss, which is attributed to evaporation of pure niobium and niobium sub-oxide. Like other impurities, Nb loss increases with decreasing melt rate or increase in input power.

Prediction of Bubble Size Distribution in Aluminium Foam as a Function of %Titanium Hydride Addition

Foaming of liquid aluminium by addition of foaming agent (TiH2 particles) is numerically simulated using population balance equations. Phenomena such as hydrogen release by the TiH2 particles, heterogeneous nucleation of bubbles in oxide surface cavities, and diffusion based bubble growth are modelled. A simple mass transfer coefficient, which varies inversely with the bubble size is used to estimate the bubble growth rate. Simulation is performed to study the effect of TiH2 content on the final bubble size distribution, total number of bubbles and average bubble size. In general, the average properties of the predicted distributions are close to the experimental values, whereas the spread in the bubble size is observed to be considerably narrower for the predicted values. The deviation in the spread of the distributions is attributed to the inverse bubble size dependent growth rate and non-inclusion of bubble coalescence in the model.

Niobium and Other High Temperature Refractory Metals for Aerospace Applications

Refractory metal alloys based on Nb, Mo, Ta, W, and Re find applications in the aerospace industries because of their high melting points and high temperature strengths. They are generally produced by powder metallurgy technique due to their very high melting points. However, when refining is desired, melting under high vacuum becomes necessary, for which nuggets or powder based electrodes are employed. Niobium is the lightest refractory metal with density close to that of nickel, and exhibits good thermal conductivity. Niobium can be alloyed to improve high temperature strength and oxidation resistance. Applications in nuclear, aerospace, and defence sectors have been reported. The goal of current research in Nb alloys is to simultaneously achieve high strength and workability, and provide protection from oxidation for long-term operation. There is strong research interest in intermetallics also. This chapter will discuss the salient features of refractory metals and alloys in general, and Nb-based alloys in particular.

Effect of Foaming Temperature on Bubble Size Distribution of Liquid Aluminium Foam: Modeling and Experimental Studies

The present study examines the effect of foaming temperature on the final foam expansion and the bubble size distribution of liquid aluminium foam through mathematical modeling and validation experiments. The model calculates the rate of hydrogen release from the foaming agent (TiH2) particles, super saturation of the melt, nucleation and growth of bubbles and finally, evaluates the evolving bubble size distribution using a population balance approach. The model does not consider bubble coalescence and breakage and uses only solute diffusion for bubble growth. The simulation is performed for two conditions; firstly, for pure temperature effects and secondly, for temperature and TiH2 quantity combined effects. Upon comparison of simulation results with the experiments, following important observations are made; firstly, the predicted total number of bubbles is found to be one order of magnitude higher than the experiments while the predicted average size is one order of magnitude lower. Secondly, the spread of the predicted distributions is observed to be much narrower. These discrepancies are considered to be due to bubble coalescence and coarsening which are not modeled and shown to be strongly influenced by the foaming temperature.

Effect of tungsten and zirconium on structure and properties of niobium

Abstract The individual and combined effects of W and Zr additions on macrostructure, microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb have been investigated. Nb, Nb-10 wt% W, Nb-2.5 wt% Zr and Nb-10 wt% W-2.5 wt% Zr alloy ingots were prepared by electron beam drip melting using high purity Nb, W and Zr rods. Additions of W and Zr resulted in significant improvement in hardness and room temperature tensile strength. It is seen that the effect of 10 wt% W addition is more than that of 2.5 wt% Zr addition in improving room temperature strength of Nb, although on ‘per wt% addition’ basis, Zr is a more effective strengthener than W. It is also observed that the cumulative effects of 10 wt% W and 2.5 wt% Zr on grain refinement and strengthening are more than their respective individual effects.