A. Tomaszewska

Influence of casting conditions and alloy additives on the Zn40Al2Cu alloy structure

Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by several advantageous properties that can include good castability, good tribological properties, and low energy value needed to form the product. In comparison to bronzes, Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by a lower density. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of casting conditions and the addition of silicon and rare earth elements on the structure of a Zn-40%Al alloy. The subjects of this examination were an unmodified alloy, an alloy with the addition of 1,5% Si, and an alloy with additions of 1,5%Si and rare earth elements. Samples were cast in sand and graphite molds. In order to determine the microstructure of the tested samples, metallographic examinations using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) through an X-ray spectrometer were used.

Research of selected properties of two types of high manganese steel wires

The article presents results of tests that aimed at establishing the impact of deformation on properties of wires made of two types of high manganese steels. The deformation process was carried out with the use of a draw bench machine at a speed of 0.5 m min−1. Mechanical properties and structure of strengthened and annealed wires for both steels at different levels of relative reduction in cross-section were determined. Strength of the tested materials was determined in the tensile test, while its hardness was measured with the Vickers hardness test method. Fractographic tests were performed using a scanning electron microscope. It was shown that at the beginning of tensile test, the investigated high manganese steels were characterized by very high plasticity and become stronger as the degree of deformation grows. Surfaces of fractures that were created in the areas where the sample was torn were analyzed. These fractures indicate the presence of transcrystalline ductile fractures.

Effect of Cooling Rate on the Porosity of the ZnAl22Cu3 Alloy

Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by advantageous set of functional quality futures: tribological, strength, corrosion. They are used as an alternative material for bronze, cast iron and aluminum alloys in bearings and as a structural material. Properties of Zn-Al-Cu can be improved by partial or total replacement of copper with silicon and addition of rare - earth elements. Previous studies of the current authors have shown a significant effect of cooling rate on the structure of the ZnAl22Cu3 alloy. The presence of pores and significant differences in porosity between samples slowly and fast cooled has been found. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cooling conditions on the pore formation in ZnAl22Cu3 alloy. The article presents the structure of the slowly and fast cooled alloy. Structural examinations were carried out on samples taken from the top, center and bottom of the ingot. In order to determine the microstructure metallographic tests were carried out using optical microscope and electron scanning microscope. Through EDS X-ray spectrometry quantitative analysis of characteristic microareas was performed as well. In order to assess the morphological characteristics of the pore a computer program Met-Ilo developed in the Department of Materials Science, Silesian University of Technology has been used. Changes of the volume fraction and the average area on a flat cross section in particular areas of the ingot were analyzed quantitatively.

Microstructure Characterization of Superfine WC-Co Powders

In this paper results of tests concerning the WC/Co fine-crystalline composite powders type 88/12 and 83/17 provided for thermal spraying of layers resistant to abrasion are presented. Tests which characterize basic technological properties were performed since these properties are essential from thermal spraying point of view. Microstructural properties are essential as well because they allow evaluation of morphology of powders by SEM method with an analysis of chemical composition in micro-areas. Moreover, the phase composition was characterized by XRD in macro scale and by EBSD in microareas including distribution maps of individual phase components in all particles of the powders.

Influence of Casting Conditions and Alloy Additions on the Zn22Al2Cu Structure

Zn-Al-Cu alloys are characterized by a number of beneficial properties that include good castability, good tribological properties and low energy input for forming the product. When compared to bronze, Zn-Al-Cu alloys have a lower density. Properties of Zn-Al-Cu can be improved by the partial or total replacement of copper with silicon and rare earth element additions. In the literature there are few studies on the effect of casting conditions and modifying the chemical composition through the introduction of alloy micro-additives on the alloy structure. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of casting conditions and silicon and rare earth element additions on the structure of Zn-22% Al-2%Cu alloy. The subjects examined were the unmodified alloy, the alloy with 1.5% Si and the alloy with 1.5% Si and rare earth elements (mich metal). Samples were cast in sand and graphite molds. The liquidus temperature for each of these examined samples was determined. Structure examinations were carried out in samples taken from the top, center and bottom of the ingot. In order to determine the microstructure of the examined structures metallographic examinations using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) capabilities, an X-ray microscope, was performed. Quantitive analysis on specific, characteristic microzones was performed based on the EDS X-ray spectroanalysis results.

Effect of Modification of Rare Earth Elements on the Morphology of Silicon Precipitates in the ZnAl22Cu3Si Alloy

Properties of the Zn-Al-Cu alloys can be improved by partial or total replacement of the copper with silicon. The previous studies of the current authors have shown that in alloys with silicon addition its precipitates are not evenly distributed, which can lead to uneven wear of parts made of the Zn-Al-Cu alloy. The study of phenomena occurring during the crystallization of the ZnAl22Cu3Si alloy with ATD methods have shown that silicon does not form compounds and solid solutions with Zn and Al. In the examined alloy silicon is released as the primary even before the actual solidification of dendrites. It is not possible to reduce the irregular distribution of precipitates through heat treatment. Therefore it is important to assure the uniform distribution of precipitates of silicon already on the crystallization stage, e.g. by addition of rare earth elements. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rare earth elements on the morphology of silicon precipitates in the ZnAl22Cu3Si alloy. The investigated material were alloys containing 22 wt% Al, 3 wt % Cu and 1.5 wt% Si (Zn-remaining). The samples have been taken from the top, middle and bottom of the ingot. In order to determine the morphological characteristics of silicon precipitates a computer program: Met-Ilo developed in the Department of Materials Science, Silesian University of Technology was used. Changes of the area fraction and shape of precipitates in particular areas of the ingot were the subject of analysis in this work.

Thermal parameters determination of Co–Al–W as-cast alloy homogenization by DTA analysis

The γ–γ′ Co-based superalloys are newly developed class of refractory alloys which may replace commercial Ni-based superalloys owing to their favorable properties at high temperature. In case of new Co-based superalloys, the heat treatment aims to obtain microstructure composed of appropriate volume fraction of small cuboidal γ′-Co3(Al,W) precipitates within the γ-Co matrix. However, due to a high tendency to interdendritic segregations of alloying elements, the alloys based on Co–Al–W system should be normally homogenized before further steps of heat treatment (solutionizing and aging). In this study, thermal analysis was applied for determination of temperature range for primary heat treatment of the Co–9Al–9W (at.%). The differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were carried out on the thermal analyzer NETZSCH STA 449 F3 Jupiter. On the base of obtained results, respectively, solvus of γ′ phase and solidus temperatures were determined, as well as the thermal range of Co3W (DO19) phase precipitation. As a consequence, the heat treatment without homogenizing (only solution and aging) was proposed as a most suitable way to obtain beneficial microstructure.

Oxidation performance of Co–Al–W and Co–Ni–Al–W new type of γ-γʹ cobalt-based superalloys

Cobalt-based superalloys are class of new heat-resistant materials for components of turbine engines. The γ-γʹ phase microstructure similar to nickel-based analogue, provide excellent creep resistance as well as resistance to corrosion and oxidation. Superior high temperature resistance drives intensive development of Co-based superalloys. The aim of paper is assessment of high temperature oxidation behaviour of Co–9Al–9W and Co–20Ni–7Al–7W alloys in as-cast state. The non-isothermal oxidation performance of Co–9Al–9W and Co–20Ni–7Al–7W alloys was studied using thermogravimetric method up to 1200°C. The thermogravimetric analysis was carried out under argon atmosphere with heating rate 5°C/min. The scale morphology after high temperature oxidation test was investigated. The evaluation of scale concerned macrostructure, microstructure, chemical and phase composition of surface after high temperature oxidation tests. Surface of tested alloys after oxidation was characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and light microscopy (LM). Co–20Ni–7Al–7W was characterized by slightly better high temperature oxidation resistance than basic Co–9Al–9W alloy. The surface stability in elevated temperature is important factor in case of components undergoing elevated temperature. This paper shows possibilities of these alloys for high temperature service.

Influence of Copper Addition on Structure and Hardness of the ZnAl40Cu3 Alloy after Heat Treatment

The effect of heat treatment on the structure and hardness of the ZnAl240Cu3 alloy is presented in the paper. ZnAl40 and ZnAl40Cu3 alloys were tested. The scope of the examination included: dilatometry, structural and hardness tests. There are two transformations taking place during the heating and the reverse transformation during cooling. Most important for the alloy is the first transormation which occurs at lower temperatures (from 104°C to 131°C). There are found, that long-term soaking at 185°C results in a significant decrease in the hardness of the ZnAl40Cu3.alloy. The reason for the observed decrease in the hardness of the ZnAl40Cu3 alloy by soaking at a temperature of 185°C is primarily disappearance of dendrites.

Influence of Heat Treatment on the Hardness of ZnAl22Cu3 Alloy

The effect of heat treatment on the structure and hardness of the ZnAl22Cu3 alloy is presented in the paper. ZnAl22 and ZnAl22Cu3 alloys were tested. The scope of the examination included dilatometry, structural and hardness tests. Very interesting is the effect of the transformation, occurring at lower temperatures on the structure and hardness of the alloy. There are found, that soaking at 185°C causes a decrease in the hardness of the ZnAl22Cu3 alloy. Observed ZnAl22Cu3 alloy hardness decrease is related to the disappearance of zinc-rich dendrites and the transition of zinc to a eutectoid mixture.