P. Ramkumar

Equal Channel Angular Pressing of Aluminum-Alumina In Situ Metal Matrix Composite

The present investigation is on synthesis of in situ Al-alumina composite and to evaluate the effect of equal channel angular pressing on the refinement of the grain structure and enhancement in the hardness and the strength. The billets pressed in as cast condition has shown cracks during first pass. The billets pressed immediately after solution treatment for one pass and followed by ageing treatment immediately after pressing exhibited very high hardness of 125BHN against 95 BHN to that of the T6 condition of 6061 aluminium alloy. The microstructural refinement from 35 µm to 11 µm is obtained in annealed and ECAP 2 pass condition.

Development of Titanium Alloy Hemispherical Forging for Pressure Vessel of Launch Vehicle

Titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is used for manufacturing pressure vessels of launch vehicle in view of its excellent corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics. This material also offers advantage of good strength to weight ratio necessary for space application. This paper describes the experience gained in the technology development of hemispherical forgings of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. To achieve α-β microstructure and mechanical properties in the final product, hot working of the alloy from the stage of forging of cast ingots to finish working was carried out in the (α-β) region. The manufacturing parameters are established through state-of-the-art technology and capabilities. Process technology for processing of the hemispherical dome has been established and the same has been presented here.

Processing and Characterization of Superinvar for Space Application

Material with ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is required for mounting camera and other optical elements in satellite systems. Invar (64 Fe 36Ni) has been the work-horse material for this purpose. In recent years, modified version of conventional invar i.e. Superinvar with 5% cobalt (replacing 5% nickel) is being used to further bring down the errors in camera mountings due to thermal expansion. Processing of this alloy poses many challenges due to its requirement of ultra-low CTE. In the present work, melting and thermomechanical processing parameters were selected to meet the specified requirement of the alloy. The alloy was melted through vacuum induction melting process to obtain uniform and homogeneous chemistry and properties. Virgin raw material was used to achieve lowest carbon and manganese contents. Chemical composition thus obtained is found to be within the specification. Material was hot worked to refine the microstructure. Three different sizes of forged blocks were produced. Hot worked material was heat treated to obtain desirable and stable microstructure. Heat treatment cycle for stabilization was selected and used to retain carbon in the solution and minimize temporal growth. Mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus of elasticity) and physical properties (CTE, thermal conductivity) were evaluated. Properties were found to be meeting the specification. It is observed that the material shows uniform single phase austenitic microstructure. The paper presents details of the process selection and challenges in processing of this alloy to obtain the targeted CTE < 0.6x10-6 per °C in the temperature range of 25°C to 150°C along with other desired mechanical properties.

Effect of Tempering Temperature on Strength and Fracture Toughness of 0.3C-CrMoV(ESR) Steel

0.3C-CrMoV(ESR) steel is an ultra-high strength low alloy steel indigenously developed by ISRO for space applications. The steel is used in the form of rings of 2.8 m diameter also. In this paper, the effect of tempering temperature on ring rolled steel for the best combination of fracture toughness and strength properties is studied. The tensile properties and fracture toughness of the steel were evaluated in the as quenched and tempered conditions through the specimens drawn in radial direction of the ring segment. Five tempering temperatures were used in the study: 200, 450, 475, 500 and 510°C. Tensile strength of the steel showed continuous decrease with increasing tempering temperature, but yield strength increased reaching maximum when tempered at 450°C and further decreased with increasing tempering temperature. The elongation was higher for higher tempering temperature. The strain hardening exponent decreased with increasing tempering temperature. The fracture toughness test results showed that tempering between 475 and 510°C exhibited better combination of fracture toughness and strength.

Processing and Characterization of Inconel 625 Nickel Base Superalloy

Nickel-based superalloy Inconel 625 is widely used in aeronautical, aerospace, chemical, petrochemical and marine applications due to its good mechanical properties, weldability and resistance to high temperature corrosion on prolonged exposure to aggressive environments. It is a solid solution strengthened medium strength superalloy, which contains chromium, molybdenum and niobium as alloying additions. Considering the chemistry and specification requirements of the alloy, it was processed through vacuum induction melting (VIM) process followed by electro slag remelting (ESR) route to obtain alloy with controlled gas and inclusion contents. Homogenisation cycle was selected and was carried out at 1170°C temperature to obtain uniformity in chemistry and microstructure. Chemical homogeneity was confirmed through analysis of samples from top, middle and bottom of the secondary ESR ingot. Hot working range was decided considering the flowability of superalloy and the same was carried out under close monitoring of temperature and with specified amount of reduction per stroke. Intermediate reheating and reduction during forging was noted to be an important aspect so to avoid cracking during forging. Processing parameters were established to obtain forgings of different thicknesses with sound ultrasonic quality. Microstructure analysis revealed single phase austenitic grain structure with ASTM grain size no. 4-7, confirming that material has undergone sufficient amount of mechanical working. Mechanical testing was carried out and the mechanical properties were found to be meeting the requirement. Present paper provides details of melting process selection, thermomechanical processing and characterization of the superalloy to achieve the targeted mechanical properties.

Development of High Nitrogen Stainless Steel for Cryogenic Applications

Austenitic stainless steels are extensively used as structural materials for various aerospace systems. Nitrogen containing stainless steels have special role due to their austenite stabilization tendency down to subzero temperatures, improved strength and resistance to sensitization. Primary processing of nitrogen containing cryogenic grade stainless steel 202 has been carried out through two different melting routes viz. (1). conventional melt route of electric arc furnace (EAF) melting followed by vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) & vacuum degassing (VD) and other one through (2). vacuum induction melting (VIM) followed by ESR. Chemical analysis and macrostructure analysis was carried out on the samples drawn from these billets. Homogenization and thermomechanical processing parameters were selected and the same were followed for the ingots made through both the melt routes. Mechanical properties evaluation (including tensile properties at subzero temperature of 77K) and micro structure characterization of the products realised from all the two melt routes were carried out. It is observed that, both the melt routes could result in achieving the required aerospace quality of alloy with respect to the chemical composition, metallurgical and mechanical properties. This paper confirms that any of the melt routes studied herein can be adopted according to availability of the facilities. The process development and characterization of the steels processed by conventional EAF+ VD & VOD and VIM+ESR melt routes is presented in this paper.

Heat Treatment Studies on 50CrV4 Spring Steel

50CrV4 spring steel is a tough, shock resisting, shallow hardening chromium vanadium steel having high fatigue and impact resistance in the heat treated condition. It is used extensively in gears, pinions, springs, shafts, axles, pins, bolts, etc., which require high modulus of resilience. The alloy was realised through conventional melt route of electric arc furnace (EAF) followed by ESR. The application of the alloy is limited to a section thickness of 15mm [1]. Hence obtaining optimum mechanical properties becomes a challenging task. In this study, the hardening as well as tempering operations were limited to 15mm thickness. The samples from the alloy were subjected to hardening at 860°C for 1.25 h. and oil quenching to room temperature followed by tempering at four different temperatures of 250, 300, 370 & 450°C for 3 h. each with oil quenching to room temperature. It was found that the alloy exhibited good combination of strength and ductility when tempered at 450°C. Microstructural study revealed the presence of fine tempered lath martensite along with the presence of a very small amount of delta ferrite along prior austenitic grain boundaries.

Development of Hardening and Tempering Cycle for High Strength Low Alloy Fastener Grade Steel

Medium carbon low alloy Ni-Cr-Mo steel is used in the fabrication of aerospace fasteners. It finds application in different heat treated conditions to meet the desired strength level. The alloy was realized through double melting route. Heat Treatment studies have been carried out by following different tempering temperatures to obtain varying strength levels ranging from 1200MPa to 1400MPa. Microstructural analysis has been carried out to find out reasons for variation in mechanical properties. Tempering cycle has been suggested to obtain fully tempered martensitic structure. This paper presents the different hardening and tempering cycles studied to obtain the desired strength level for the intended application.