Marek Vojtko

Homogenization of AlSi7MgCu0.5 Alloy as-Cast Structure by ECAP Processing

The homogenization of AlSi7MgCu0.5 alloy as-cast structure by using an equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated. The heat treatment of as-cast alloy applied before ECAP processing was required to increase alloy plasticity. Therefore, the samples of analyzed alloy were solution annealed at temperature of 550 °C for 4 hours and subsequently water quenched. Quenched samples were artificially aged at temperature of 300 °C for 5 hours to obtain an over-aged alloy state. The solution annealing of as-cast alloy state caused a partial spheroidization and coarsening of eutectic Si-particles. During artificial aging of analyzed alloy, the incoherent particles precipitated uniformly from α-solid solution. The ECAP technique at room temperature homogenized its heterogeneous dendritic microstructure and formed the ultra-fine grains of solid solution. A redistribution and fragmentation of the eutectic Si-particles and precipitated particles was occurred.

IF Steel Effect of Rate Deformation on the Fracture Surface Change

Strain rate is a significant external factor and its influence on material behaviour in forming process is a function of its internal structure. In this contribution the influence of loading on the deformation IF steel is investigated using rotate hammer. To study the influence of rate deformation from 8.33 x 10-3 s-1 to 4000 s -1 to changes in the fracture of steel sheet used for bodywork components in cars. Experiments were performed on samples taken from interstitial free (IF) grade strips produced by cold rolling and hot dip galvanizing. Material strength properties were compared based on measured values, and changes to fracture surface character were observed.

Influence of Casting Rate on TiNb Microalloyed Steel Slab Surface Area Microstructure

Two slabs of Ti-Nb microalloyed steel were analysed in this work. The first slab was transitional with the initial pulling rate 0.43 m.min-1 and the final pulling rate 0.9 m.min-1. The second slab was cast at the real production pulling rate 1.03 m.min-1. The presence of larger amounts of oscillation marks was observed on the first slab at both pulling rates. The second slab showed no oscillation marks. At the lowest pulling rate, cracks were discovered below the slab surface, often below oscillation marks. Cracks were seldom observed at pulling rate 0.9 m.min-1. In the first slab, especially at the low pulling rate, the presence of cracks and pores was found. Pores were observed often with clusters of aluminum oxides. The microstructure of the slab surface zone was characterised by heterogeneity of ferrite grain sizes at all three pulling rates. This heterogeneity was manifested mainly in the marginal cut-outs at all pulling rates. In the marginal cut-outs the microstructure was granulometrically finer at all three pulling rates than in the central cut-outs. Non-equilibrium microstructure in the marginal cut-outs was also observed.

Corrosion Degradation of Steel Pipes in Indirect Cooling Circuit of Gas Cleaning

The paper deals with corrosion damage to steel pipes which were a part of the indirect cooling circuit of gas cleaning. The pipes were made from steel ASTM A106 Gr.B. The outer surface of pipes of the inside part of the circuit was affected by flue gases with mean temperature of approximately 1200 °C. The pipes of the outside part of the circuit were exposed to outer environment with mean temperature of about 25 °C. The cooling water flowing in these pipes had mean temperature of about 20 °C and contained a corrosion inhibitor based on zinc chloride (with addition of hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and PBTC). Flow rate of cooling water was 3700 m3/h, its total volume 1500 m3, and the pressure of cooling water was 600 kPa. The achieved thickening of cooling water was N=4. Side filtering was accomplished by a filter DPF 4000. The pipes of the cooling circuit were welded to each other, which initiated stress stimulating development of cracks on the outer surface of pipes in the heat-affected zone, Fig.1. The existing technological conditions resulted in formation of deposits on the outer pipe surfaces. Their presence changed thermal conditions in steel pipes.

Changes in Mechanical Properties and Microstructure after Quasi-Static and Dynamic Tensile Loading

Dual phase (DP), interstitial free (IF) and advanced high strength low alloy steel (HSLA)sheets have been successfully used for different components of car body. DP and HSLA are used ascrash resistant and IF as cover or “skin” of car body. The development of new vehicles nowadays isbeing driven by the need to simultaneously reduce mass and increase of passenger and pedestriansafety as well as costs saving through cold forming instead of hot forming. Limited publishedinformation is available on the changes in microstructure of these steel grades at different highstrain rates [1-3].This paper deals with changes of mechanical properties, microstructure and fractography of threesteel grades, which were tested at quasi static (10-3 s-1) and high strain rate (3000 s-1). Themicrostructures were characterized in terms of ferrite grain size, aspect ratio of ferrite andelongation of constituent phases. Deformed and undeformed specimens were compared to assess thechanges in the microstructure. The fracture appearance analysis indicates that the fracture patternunder high strain rates is mainly ductile, regardless of steel grades. The microstructure changessignificantly during the deformation process under both quasi-static and dynamic tension in allinvestigated steels. The plastic deformation in ferrite dominates in this process.

Use of Decomposition of Non-Thermoelastic Martensite for Structural Changes of CuZnAl Shape Memory Alloys

Cu22Zn4.6Al shape memory alloy shows memory phenomenon after quenching from dual phase region. Amount of shape memory effect continuously decreases with raised quenching temperature. Decrease is caused by increasing of amount of non-thermoelastic martensite in structure [. Approximately above 700°C there is no effect and martensite is non-thermoleastic. Non-thermoelastic martesite decomposes to alpha and gamma/beta phases at heating at elevated temperatures.[ This effect can be used for modification of structure and thus mechanical and shape memory properties. Some various types of structures were obtained and mechanical and shape memory properties were evaluated. Using of decomposition of non-thermoelastic martensite allows to obtain fine structure with the same amount of alpha phase and martensite as in basic state. This type of structure has better shape memory properties and higher mechanical properties.

Microstructure Changes and Improvement in the Mechanical Properties of As-Cast AlSi7MgCu0.5 Alloy Induced by the Heat Treatment and ECAP Technique at Room Temperature

The changes in the microstructure and improvement in the mechanical properties of as-cast AlSi7MgCu0.5 alloy induced by the heat treatment and technique of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated. The heat treatment of as-cast alloy performed before the ECAP technique was required to increase the plasticity of the alloy. Therefore, the samples of analysed alloys were solution annealed at optimized temperature of 823 K for 4 hours to dissolve the particles of intermetallic π(Al8FeMg3Si6) phase and to spheroidize the Si particles. Subsequently, water quenching and artificial ageing at optimized temperature of 573 K for 5 hours was used to obtain an overaged alloy state. The microstructure of alloy was consisted of α(Al) solid solution, eutectic Si particles, and intermetallic β(Mg2Si), Q-Al4Mg5Si4Cu, α-Al12(Fe,Mn)3Si, and/or α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2 phase particles. The crystal structure of present phases was confirmed by hard X-ray diffraction at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg and by the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) performed inside the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The heat-treated alloy was processed by ECAP at room temperature following route A. Repetitive ECAP of alloy homogenized the heterogeneous as-cast microstructure and formed the ultrafine subgrain microstructure with elongated subgrains of 0.2 µm in width and 0.65 µm in length and the high dislocation density. Microstructural changes in alloy induced by both heat treatment and ECAP led to the high strain hardening of the alloy that appeared in an improvement in strength, ductility, and microhardness of alloy in comparison with as-cast alloy state.

Effect of Al Content and Heat Treatment on Microstructure of ZnAlCu Alloys

The work analyses microstructures of ZnAl4Cu1, ZnAl27Cu2 and ZnAl40Cu2Si2 alloys in cast condition and after heat treatment in relation to microhardness HV0.2 and purity of the alloys. As shown the microstructure of ZnAl4Cu1 alloy contained η phase and eutectoid, which consisted phases α + η. ZnAl27Cu2 alloy contained α phase, eutectoid and ε phase, and ZnAl40Cu2Si2 alloy had a similar composition, but moreover contained Si particles. Microhardness in the molten state in ZnAl4Cu1 alloy was HV0.2 = 94, in ZnAl27Cu2 alloy it was HV0.2 = 117, and in ZnAl40Cu2Si2 alloy it was HV0.2 = 142.

Structure and Properties of Selected Natural Materials

This paper deals with description of properties of selected natural materials mainly theirs shelter function. The investigated materials are horsetail and walnut shell. Both natural materials have porous shell/tubular structure. Walnut shell provides natural shield cover for fruit with gradient distribution of porosity and membrane function. In case of horse tail, except the gradient distribution of porosity there is also the gradient change of chemical composition along the cross-section.

The Wear Evaluation of Blasting Machine’s Blades

The contribution deals with the evaluation of wear blades continuous blasting machine. The current state of wear of blades and a description of the blasting process is analyzed. In the experimental part of this work the quality of the blades is evaluated by measuring the hardness of materials, chemical analysis of the samples and their structural analysis. Abrasive wear was evaluated in loose fill abrasive and in the environment with firmly bonded abrasives. The results of the measurements showed that the material of the blades is hypoeutectic white cast iron with different carbon and alloying, especially Chromium.