S.N. Aqida

Thermal Simulation of Laser Surface Modification of H13 Die Steel

In this study, the effects of laser parameters on the properties of glazed die steel were investigated. A Rofin DC-015 diffusion-cooled CO2 slab laser with 10.6 µm wavelength was used. Die steel sample surfaces were prepared with a 3 µm roughness and chemically treated to improve CO2 laser wavelength absorbance. One set of processing parameters were processed through the thermal simulation program and correlated with physical results determined from actual test samples. Set processing parameters were 1138 W peak power, 2900 Hz PRF, 24% duty cycle and 261 mm/s traverse speed. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs and micro-hardness properties of the affected surface were measured. An analytical mathematical model of the heat field generated in the laser glazing process was used to predict the nominal temperature distribution in the surface and dimensions of melt pool. A thermal model using point source surface energy inputs was used to predict the thermal profiles in the die steel. This allowed estimation of the depths of microstructurally altered regions. For higher energy absorbance, the depth of the glazed surface increased from 20 μm to 40 μm. At high nominal heating to cooling rate ratios, high micro-hardness values were recorded.

Laser surface modification of H13 die steel using different laser spot sizes

This paper presents a laser surface modification process of AISI H13 tool steel using three sizes of laser spot with an aim to achieve reduced grain size and surface roughness. A Rofin DC‐015 diffusion‐cooled CO2 slab laser was used to process AISI H13 tool steel samples. Samples of 10 mm diameter were sectioned to 100 mm length in order to process a predefined circumferential area. The parameters selected for examination were laser peak power, overlap percentage and pulse repetition frequency (PRF). Metallographic study and image analysis were done to measure the grain size and the modified surface roughness was measured using two‐dimensional surface profilometer. From metallographic study, the smallest grain sizes measured by laser modified surface were between 0.51 μm and 2.54 μm. The minimum surface roughness, Ra, recorded was 3.0 μm. This surface roughness of the modified die steel is similar to the surface quality of cast products. The grain size correlation with hardness followed the findings corre...

Optimization of quenching process in hot press forming of 22MnB5 steel for high strength properties for publication in

This paper presents hot press forming of 22MnB5 steel blanks for high strength automotive components. The hot press forming was performed using Schenck press PEZ0673 machine with maximum press force of 1000 kN. Samples were square 22MnB5 blanks, of 50 × 60 mm dimension. A high temperature furnace was used to heat up the blanks to austenite temperature of 950°C. Samples were held at the austenite temperature prior to forming and quenching process. Three independent controlled parameters were cooling water temperature, press holding time and flow rate of water. Pressed samples were characterized for metallographic study, hardness properties and tensile properties. Metallographic study was conducted using Meiji optical microscope. Hardness was measured using Vickers indenter with load 1000gf. From metallographic study, the hot pressed 22MnB5 boron steel samples produced lath martensitic microstructure. Hardness of hot pressed samples increased with decreasing cooling time. The yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of samples after hot forming were between 1546 and 1923 N/mm2. These findings were important to design tailored ultra-high strength in automotive components at different process parameter settings.

Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s

Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) have emerged as a family of aliphatic polyesters produced by a number of bacteria. PHAs have attracted much attention as biodegradable thermoplastics to solve the waste disposal challenge. Currently, from the viewpoint of effective utilization of natural resources, the PHAs are recognized as bio-based polymeric materials produced from renewable biomass resources. In this article, we have attempted to give an overview of research and development on biosynthesis, structure and properties, and biodegradability of PHAs, and to relate prospects of the field. In addition, the present situation regarding industrial production of PHA materials is presented.

Weld bead profile of laser welding dissimilar joints stainless steel

During the process of laser welding, the material consecutively melts and solidifies by a laser beam with a peak high power. Several parameters such as the laser energy, pulse frequency, pulse duration, welding power and welding speed govern the mode of the welding process. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of peak power, incident angle, and welding speed on the weld bead geometry. The first investigation in this context was conducted using 2205-316L stainless steel plates through the varying of the welding speed from 1.3 mm/s to 2.1 mm/s. The second investigation was conducted by varying the peak power from 1100 W to 1500 W. From the results of the experiments, the welding speed and laser power had a significant effect on the geometry of the weld bead, and the variation in the diameter of the bead pulse-size. Due to the decrease in the heat input, welding speed affected penetration depth more than bead width, and a narrow width of heat affected zone was achieved ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm. Conclusively, weld bead geometry dimensions increase as a function of peak power; at over 1350 W peak power, the dimensions lie within 30 um.

Fluid-Particle Separation of Magnetorheological (MR) Fluid in MR Machining Application

The presented work is an investigation of fluid-particle separation phenomena and compression stress resistance performance of magnetorheological (MR) fluids under squeeze mode. The squeeze mode is very significant to MR machining application. Material used in this study was silicone oil based MR fluid with 20% volume fraction of carbonyl iron particle. Compression test was performed by integrating the developed squeeze mode testing rig with a 50 kN Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The tests were conducted at constant speed and current. Each test was conducted at an initial gap of 2 mm and was stopped at a final gap of 0.5 mm. Force-displacement data was recorded and was analysed using TestExpert® II software. Full factorials with 27 experiments were designed using Design Expert 7 software. Three factors investigated in the design of experiments were carrier fluid viscosity, supplied current, and compression speed. Responses measured were strain energy and compression stress at maximum strain. Macro images of the phenomenon were recorded and evaluated qualitatively. From the compression stress-strain results, carrier fluid viscosity was significant to vary the MR fluid properties. The observed phenomenon shows that fluid-particle separation occurred in the low viscosity carrier fluid, low compression speed and high applied current. The parameters effect on strain energy and compression stress suggests that the fluid-particle separation is significant to the squeeze mode MR fluid performance. The relationship between stress resistance performance and fluid-particle separation phenomena were significant in designing innovative MR fluid devices.

Microstructural analysis of hot press formed 22MnB5 steel

This paper presents a microstructural study on hot press formed 22MnB5 steel for enhanced mechanical properties. Hot press forming process consists of simultaneous forming and quenching of heated blank. The 22MnB5 steel was processed at three different parameter settings: quenching time, water temperature and water flow rate. 22MnB5 was processed using 33 full factorial design of experiment (DOE). The full factorial DOE was designed using three factors of quenching time, water temperature and water flow rate at three levels. The factors level were quenching time range of 5 - 11 s, water temperature; 5 - 27°C and water flow rate; 20 - 40 L/min. The as-received and hot press forming processed steel was characterised for metallographic study and martensitic structure area percentage using JEOL Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic (FESEM). From the experimental finding, the hot press formed 22MnB5 steel consisted of 50 to 84% martensitic structure area. The minimum quenching time of 8 seconds was required to obtain formed sample with high percentage of martensite. These findings contribute to initial design of processing parameters in hot press forming of 22MnB5 steel blanks for automotive component.

Laser Melting of High Thermal Conductivity Steel (HTCS) Surface

This paper presents a laser melting of high thermal conductivity steel (HTCS) dies for surface properties modification due to die failures during operations. Sample were cut from as-received die without any defect or crack. Melting process was conducted using Nd:YAG laser system with pulse mode at 50 W average power. The laser beam was defocused to a spot size of 1 mm on the sample surface. Parameters controlled in this study were peak power of 800 and 1200 W, and pulse repetition frequency of 80 and 90 Hz. Metallographic study and chemical composition analysis were conducted using Hitachi TM3030Plus scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDXS). Surface roughness was measured using Mitutoyo SURFTEST SJ-410 stylus profilometer. Hardness properties of the modified layer were characterized by Wilson Hardness tester at 100 N force. The metallographic study showed high porosity at partially melted zone (PMZ) area. From overall findings, laser processing parameter affected hardness properties and surface roughness of modified layer. Where the surface roughness value obtained is between 1.49 and 3.15 μm, while the hardness value is between 550.9 and 610.9 HV0.1. These findings are significant to parameters selection for hot stamping die surface repair and prolong its service.

Effects of Nano Copper Additive on Thermal Conductivity of Magnetorheological Fluid at Different Environment Temperature

Low thermal conductivity of magnetorheological (MR) fluid limits its potential to be applied in high temperature environment. Recently, enhancing thermal conductivity of similar fluids through addition of nanocopper has attracted to address the problem. This paper presents the effects of nanocopper addition on thermal conductivity properties of MR fluid at different environment temperatures. The nanocopper added MR fluid samples were synthesized with carbonyl iron powder in hydraulic oil. The samples were then stabilized with addition of fumed silica and were homogenized using ultrasonic bath. Thermal conductivity of the samples and references material was measured using thermal property analyser. The environment temperature of the samples was controlled by waterbath incubation method. The results showed that enhancement of thermal conductivity with the presence of copper nanoparticles was higher at 40 vol% of CIP compared to 20 vol% of CIP and a slight variation in thermal conductivity of MR fluid was observed in environment temperatures of 30–70°C. This finding leads to development of new class of magnetorheological fluid with enhanced thermal properties.

Optical Properties of Surface Layers Enhanced Raman Scattering

This article elaborates on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique, increase of Raman scattering due to various factors namely; chemical effect, charge transfer, resonance, and electromagnetic field amplification. The electromagnetic enhancement mechanism is caused by electric field from the surface, surface plasmons excitation and surface electromagnetic waves, and metal particles. SERS technique increased the Raman intensity by factors up to 10 15 using graphene-based with noble metallic nanostructure substrate such as silver and gold nanoparticles.