Characteristics of abrasive waterjet cut-edges and the affect on formability and fatigue performance of high strength steels

The characteristic surface properties and internal workpiece transformations formed during the Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) cutting process influences the formability and fatigue performance of steel cut-edges. This relatively established cutting technology is used in industry to generate specialist low production components, which may undergo continual loading cycles under operational service conditions. The fatigue performance of AWJ cut-edges can be critical since individual notch defects produced by the cutting process can act as initiation sites from where fatigue cracks can propagate. Due to the increased sensitivity of high strength structural steels to cut-edge fatigue, AWJ cut-edge defects have an ever more significant influence on fatigue performance. The relationship between the traverse cutting speed and the influence on the resulting properties of the cut-edge has been the critical area of investigation. The affects of traverse cutting speed on the surface roughness properties and cut-edge hardening through a process of plastic deformation of grains in the near edge region were observed to be influenced by the traverse cutting speed. It is these characteristic factors that were determined to influence the cut-edge ductility and fatigue performance of steel components. It is a combination of the AWJ properties that produces cut-edges, which are positive for the Hole Expansion Capacity (HEC) but negative for stress life and cyclic stress strain life fatigue performance of AWJ cut high strength steels.     

Application of chemical transformation induced fracture for cutting of superhard materials

A hybrid CO₂ laser/waterjet machining system is used to cut superhard materials – polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (pCBN) through a “score and snap” mechanism – laser heating leads to localized damage and chemical transformation of surface layers, and subsequently, stress fields developed due to constrained expansion of transformed material and waterjet quenching act on the laser-made “score” to propagate crack through the thickness. During the localized laser heating and subsequent waterjet quenching, PCD and pCBN materials near the top surface underwent chemical transitions. Build up of tensile stresses in the surrounding material resulted due to (i) volumetric expansion of transformed material creating an asperity/wedge effect and (ii) thermal gradients associated with rapid quenching. These tensile stresses in the surface layers lead to crack formation and caused separation of PCD and pCBN wafers along the laser path.     

The influence of the laser and plasma traverse cutting speed process parameter on the cut-edge characteristics and durability of Yellow Goods vehicle applications

The durability of steel components produced for service as Yellow Goods vehicle applications, are primarily influenced by the condition of their thermal cut-edges. The chassis structures of such demanding applications are manufactured with laser and plasma cut-edges left exposed after final fabrication. Over prolonged periods of service, defects formed during the cutting processes can act as initiation sites for fatigue cracks, resulting in eventual structural failure of the application. The traverse cutting speed parameter was altered for cuts performed using laser and plasma cutting processes to ascertain the changes in critical surface characteristics and microstructural properties in close proximity to the cut-edge. It was the damage formed during each cutting process which directly influenced the fatigue life of the resulting cut-edges. Manipulating the critical traverse cutting speed process parameter resulted in the generation of cut-edges that are near to optimum with the minimum number of cut-edge defects.     

Experimental investigation on flexural behavior of friction stir welded high density polyethylene sheets

Flexural strength is one of the main criteria in evaluation of the mechanical properties of polymeric joints. The flexural strength of thermoplastics, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets, is influenced by friction stir welding parameters. The determination of the welding parameters plays an important role in the weld strength. In the present study, the response surface method (RSM) was used as a statistical design of experiment technique to set the optimal welding parameters. The designed tool was consisted of a rotating pin, a stationary shoulder (shoe) and a heating system inside shoe. Rotational speed of the pin, tool traverse speed and shoe temperature were considered as varying parameters. Obtained results show a significant relationship between considered properties and processing parameters through an analysis of variance (ANOVA) study and the response surface method. It was found that welding at a high level of rotational speed and a lower level of tool travel speed increases weld flexural strength by reducing size of defects.     

Investigation of chipping and wear of silicon wafer dicing

Wafer dicing chipping and blade wear processes in transient and steady stages were investigated. Dicing blades with two different diamond grit sizes were used to cut wafers. In the cutting experiments, the dicing blades with two different diamond grit sizes were used to cut wafers and for a given type of wafer, the cooling water temperature, cutting feed speed, and rotational speed were fixed. The chipping size, blade surface wear area and surface roughness of the wafer were measured at cutting distances of 50, 150, 300, 975, 1350, and 1900 m, respectively. Cutting debris of cutting distances of 300 m and 1900 m was collected and analyzed. The correlation between blade surface properties and chipping size was investigated. Based on this experimental system, attention is to pay to examine the correlation between blade surface properties and chipping size for transient stage and steady stage. In transient stage, the roughness of dicing blade increases rapidly. This will rapidly increase the chipping size. In steady stage, the chipping size decreases slowly with the decreasing roughness of blade surface. This concludes that blade surface condition is an important factor that affects the chipping size. Moreover, in transient stage, diamond grits that are salient or less bonded to the blade detach leave caves on the blade surface which increases surface roughness of the blade and the chipping size. In steady stage, the heights of grits become even and the chipping size decreases accordingly.     

Machining assessment of nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite bio-ceramic

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a widely used bio-ceramic in the fields of orthopedics and dentistry. This study investigates the machinability of nano-crystalline HAP (nHAP) bio-ceramic in end milling operations, using uncoated carbide tool under dry cutting conditions. Efforts are focused on the effects of various machining conditions on surface integrity. A first order surface roughness model for the end milling of nHAP was developed using response surface methodology (RSM), relating surface roughness to the cutting parameters: cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut. Model analysis showed that all three cutting parameters have significant effect on surface roughness. However, the current model has limited statistical predictive power and a higher order model is desired. Furthermore, tool wear and chip morphology was studied. Machined surface analysis showed that the surface integrity was good, and material removal was caused by brittle fracture without plastic flow.     

Simultaneous measurement of tool torque,traverse force and axial force in friction stir welding

Simultaneous measurement of the tool torque, traverse force and axial force during friction stir welding process is of great significance to the understanding of the underlying process mechanism and the optimizing of the process parameters. Different from the traditional measurement methods using load cell or rotating component dynamometer, an indirect but economical methodology is used in this study for the simultaneous measurement of the traverse force, axial force and tool torque by monitoring the output torques of the servo motors and main spindle three-phase AC induction motor inside the FSW machine. The values of the traverse force, axial force and tool torque are determined under different welding conditions, and the influencing factors are examined. The measured results in friction stir welding of AA2024-T4 aluminum alloys at different combinations of tool rotation speed and welding speed lay foundation for process optimization.     

含表面应力集中超高温陶瓷材料热冲击可靠性的研究

目的研究含表面应力集中的超高温陶瓷材料在热冲击环境下的可靠性。方法针对超高温陶瓷材料,研究了其威布尔分布规律和含不同切口半径的材料可靠性,并建立了其在热冲击载荷作用下的可靠性评价方法。结果对于切口不完全敏感的材料,切口件的可靠性并不是随着切口半径的减小而单调增大,对于研究的三种切口半径试样(r=0.1、0.25、0.5 mm),r=0.1 mm的试样存活率最小,r=0.25 mm的试样存活率最大。淬火初期阶段,表面含切口的材料存活率在0.04 s内急剧降低至0,0.04～0.1 s时存活率维持在0,0.1 s后存活率迅速上升,约0.28s后存活率增大为1。结论建立的评价方法可以作为超高温陶瓷材料在热冲击环境下应用可靠性的有效评估手段,对其进一步被广泛应用具有重要意义。     

Waterjet technology for machining fine features pertaining to micromachining

Abrasive waterjets (AWJs) using several orifice/mixing tube ID ratios and waterjets (WJs) were applied to machine fine features pertaining to micromachining. A number of geometric features and font sets were machined on thin metal and nonmetal sheets to evaluate the performance of the jets for micromachining. Test results show that the minimum kerf widths of slots machined with the AWJs and WJs were about 300 and 150 μm, respectively. When machining ribs, the width could be thinner than that of slots. The minimum width of ribs is primarily limited by the stiffness of the parent material. In contrast, the minimum kerf width of AWJ-machined slots is limited by the smallest orifice/mixing tube ID ratio that can be used without clogging the nozzle, as the Venturi-generated vacuum weakens with the decrease in the waterjet diameter under the same operating pressure. An ejector connected to the mixing chamber of the nozzle helps to reduce clogging and therefore facilitate further downsizing the ID ratio. For softer materials or thin metals such as aluminum, the kerf width of WJ-machined slots is smaller than that of the AWJ-machined ones. The edge quality of slots machined with WJs is however inferior to that of those machined with AWJs, as WJs leave a large amount of frays along the cut edges. To further reduce the kerf width of AWJ-machined slots, a novel process, the stencil-aided waterjet stage (SAWS), was developed to work in tandem with AWJs. Preliminary test results are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the AWJ/SAWS to conventional AWJs for micromachining.     

Analytical modelling of residual stresses in orthogonal machining of AISI4340 steel

Residual stress profile in a component is often considered as the critical characteristic as it directly affects the fatigue life of a machined component. This work presents an analytical model for the prediction of residual stresses in orthogonal machining of AISI4340 steel. The novelty of the model lies in the physics-based approach focusing on the nature of contact stresses in various machining zones and the effect of machining temperature. The model incorporates: (i) stresses in three contact regions viz. shear, tool-nose-work piece and tool flank and machined surface, (ii) machining temperature, (iii) strain, strain rate and temperature dependent work material properties, (iv) plastic stresses evaluation by two algorithms, S-J and hybrid, (v) relaxation procedure and (iv) cutting conditions. The model benchmarking shows (86–88%) agreement between the experimental and predicted residual stresses in the X- and Y-directions. On the machined surface, the tensile residual stresses decrease with an increase the edge radius and increase with an increase the cutting speed. However, below the surface, the compressive residual stresses increase with an increase the depth of cut. Further, it is observed that the proposed model with hybrid algorithm gives better results at a lower feed rate, whereas with the S-J algorithm, at a higher feed rate.     

Abrasive jet machining by means of velocity shear instability in plasma

The material removal within different machining process can be performed in distinct modalities. One of the modality is based on the erosion phenomena. In this paper, theoretical model of abrasive jet machining based on erosion phenomenon is discussed. The material is removed from the surface due to erosion. In abrasive jet machining process, the output parameter is achieved by controlling various input parameters. This paper discusses the effects of various input parameters in abrasive jet machining (AJM) on the material removal rate (as the output parameter). The results presented in the paper are obtained from a theoretical study carried out with the help of mathematical model and computational technique. Theoretical investigation indicates that magnetic field, electric field and inhomogeneity in DC electric field have significant effect on metal removal by abrasive jet machining process.     

Design and fabrication of a laminated thermoforming tool with enhanced features

Thermoforming is a popular manufacturing process for creating useful shapes out of heated thermoplastic sheets using a porous tool under differential pressure. For large, heavy-gauge parts, thermoforming tools are typically made by CNC machining a billet of material or sand casting from an inexpensive master pattern. Although these tooling methods are well established, it is difficult to incorporate enhanced tool functionality such as conformal cooling channels, embedded sensors, unimpeded vacuum channel placement, and customized thermal mass. Profiled Edge Laminas (PEL), a rapid tooling method based on profiling, assembling, and clamping an array of thick layers, is ideally suited for tools used for thermoforming large, heavy-gauge parts and requiring enhanced features. This paper describes how the PEL tooling method can be applied to the design and fabrication of a thermoforming tool and demonstrates the entire process through a case study. Tooling design guidelines and analytical models for predicting conformal channel and vacuum line performance are included. The ease with which multiple-zone conformal cooling/heating channels, vacuum lines, and temperature sensors are incorporated into the tool is also highlighted. Specifically, a 46-layer aluminum PEL tool clamped together with bolts is successfully designed, fabricated, and demonstrated for thermoforming a 0.3×0.4×0.4 m part made from a PVC/Acrylic blend based on the outlined method. The tool incorporates three independent cooling zones sealed by a polymer sealant, three embedded temperature sensors, and an elaborate matrix of vacuum channels. All tool features and the basic geometry were machined into each individual lamina in the same set-up by 2D abrasive waterjet machining, and the final tool surface was CNC-machined. The PEL tooling method is successfully applied to the manufacture of a large, heavy-gauge thermoformed part intended for production.     

Copper slag: optimization of productivity and consumption for cleaner production in dry abrasive blasting

Copper slag, a by-product from copper smelting industry, is widely used as an abrasive material to remove rust, old coating and other contamination in dry abrasive blasting which is an expensive process and results in significant amounts of particulate emissions and spent abrasive. This paper presents models developed to improve productivity and consumption of copper slag as functions of blast pressure, abrasive feed rate, and surface contamination. These models will help industries in selecting optimum process conditions for maximum efficiency and to achieve cleaner production by consuming less materials and energy resources. In addition, the models will greatly assist in evaluation of the life cycle costs for use of copper slag in dry abrasive blasting.     

Determining work-brush interface temperature in magnetic abrasive finishing process

Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is a process in which the work surface is finished by removing the material in the form of micro chips by magnetic abrasive particles (MAPs) in the presence of magnetic field in the finishing zone. During the MAF process, the frictional heat is generated at the workpiece surface due to the rubbing action of magnetic abrasive particles with the work surface. The order of temperature rise is important to study, as finishing mechanism and surface integrity of work materials depend upon it. The measurement of temperature distribution during MAF operation at the interface of work piece and flexible magnetic abrasive brush (FMAB) interface is difficult. In the present analysis, finite element based ANSYS software has been used to model and simulate magnetic field distribution, magnetic pressure and temperature distribution at work-brush interface during the process. In this work the maximum magnetic flux density has been simulated of the order of 0.223 T at 0.91 A of current in electromagnet coil. Magnetic pressure on MAPs due to magnetic field of electromagnetic coil has been calculated to evaluate the frictional heat flux generated at the work-brush interface. Transient thermal analysis of workpiece domain has been performed to predict the temperature rise due to frictional heat flux. The predicted temperature on work-brush interface was found in the range of 34–51 °C. The developed simulation results based on FEA have been validated with experimental findings.     

Evaluation of vegetable based cutting fluids with extreme pressure and cutting parameters in turning of AISI 304L by Taguchi method

Many problems such as health and environment issues are identified with the use of cutting fluids (CFs). There has been a high demand for developing new environmentally friendly CFs such as vegetable based cutting fluids (VBCFs) to reduce these harmful effects. In this study, performances of six CFs, four different VBCFs from sunflower and canola oils with different ratios of extreme pressure (EP) additives, and two commercial types of CFs (semi-synthetic and mineral) are evaluated for reducing of surface roughness, and cutting and feed forces during turning of AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel with carbide insert tool. Taguchi’s mixed level parameter design (L₁₈) is used for the experimental design. Cutting fluid, spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut are considered as machining parameters. Regression analyses are applied to predict surface roughness, and cutting and feed forces. ANOVA is used to determine effects of the machining parameters and CFs on surface roughness, cutting and feed forces. In turning of AISI 304L, effects of feed rate and depth of cut are found to be more effective than CFs and spindle speed on reducing forces and improving the surface finish. Performances of VBCFs and commercial CFs are also compared and results generally show that sunflower and canola based CFs perform better than the others.     

Energy Partition and Cooling During Grinding

High temperatures in grinding can cause thermal damage to the workpiece. This paper presents an overview of quantitative methods to calculate grinding temperatures and the energy partition to the workpiece. It is shown that the energy partition, and consequently the grinding zone temperature, depends on the type of abrasives, fluid application conditions, and grinding process parameters. For regular grinding with conventional aluminum-oxide abrasive wheels, the energy partition typically ranges from 60% to 85%. However, for creep-feed grinding with slow work speeds and large depths of cut, cooling by the fluid at the grinding zone reduces the energy partition to less than 5%. For grinding with cubic boron nitride (CBN) superabrasive wheels, the energy partition is about 20% due to the high thermal conductivity of the CBN abrasive. However, this may be reduced from 8% to 5% for grinding with porous vitrified CBN wheels at high removal rates due to the combined effect of the high thermal conductivity of CBN abrasive and cooling by the fluid at the grinding zone.     

粉煤灰表面改性的研究

本文利用H-NA,H-R等六种不同的表面活化剂,采用干法和湿法的活化工艺,对粉煤灰的表面进行改性研究。试验表明,活化粉煤灰表面的羟基数目减少,增加了活化剂的相应基团,它在有机介质中的分散性明显好转。用活化粉煤灰作聚氯乙烯和橡胶的填料,制成试样,测试结果表明,与未活化的粉煤灰相比,各种性能均明显改善,除橡胶磨耗减量质量有待进一步提高外,其余各项指标均达到和超过有关标准。因此,这是利用再生资源,降低复合材料成本,保护环境的一种新途径。     

3D打印铝合金液冷板在冷却液中的静态腐蚀

目的 对比3D打印铝合金液冷板材料经不同表面处理后在冷却液中的静态腐蚀情况,并预测静态腐蚀速率。方法 通过pH值测试、腐蚀表面形貌分析来监测冷却液和铝合金的变化,通过电化学方法测试样件的腐蚀动力学参数,通过质量损失试验测量材料的腐蚀速率和年腐蚀深度,通过EDS分析腐蚀产物。结果 所有试验组冷却液pH均整体呈下降趋势。在试样表面可以观测到明显的腐蚀现象,集中发生于试样表面的缺陷位置。不同表面处理的样件,其腐蚀速率不同,差异最大可达16倍。冷却液中的有效缓蚀成分参与了试样表面腐蚀产物膜的形成,在表面沉积了P、Ca等元素。结论 3D打印成形铝合金材料在冷却液中的年腐蚀深度整体较小,其耐蚀性良好,进行液态磨粒抛光或酸洗处理能降低研究材料在冷却液中的静态腐蚀速率。     

钛金属材料干摩擦磨损特性研究

目的研究钛金属材料干摩擦磨损失效机制。方法选用TA2工业纯钛和TC4钛合金材料,采用CETR UMT-3多功能摩擦磨损测试仪进行往复摩擦磨损试验,采集摩擦系数曲线,计算摩擦系数均值,从动态和静态分析钛金属材料的摩擦特性。采用Micromet-6030型自动显微硬度计测量样品材料表面硬度值,通过表面硬度分析耐磨损性能。采用Nova Nano SEM 650场发射扫描电镜并配置能谱仪对磨损表面和磨屑进行微观形貌观察和元素成分计量分析,从微观角度分析钛金属材料的磨损机理。采用Olympus Lext OLS3000-R型激光共聚焦显微镜测量磨损体积和轮廓,并观察磨损表面的三维形貌。结果频率对钛金属材料的摩擦系数和耐磨损性能影响较大,随着频率的加快,摩擦系数增大,数据跃变幅度增大,磨损体积随之增大。载荷对摩擦系数影响相对较小,随着载荷增大,在摩擦初期,摩擦系数有下降交汇趋势;摩擦后期,摩擦系数才明显上升,载荷与磨损体积之间基本呈线性增长关系。钛金属材料的磨痕呈现为"擦后型,随着载荷的增大和频率的加快,磨损体积轮廓呈现出加深变宽的趋势。TC4的表面硬度约为359.2 HV,TA2的表面硬度约为247.8 HV,前者比后者高出约111.4 HV。在相同试验条件下进行干摩擦磨损试验,TA2的磨损体积约为TC4的2.5倍,TA2的耐磨损性能相对较差。TA2的磨屑为细小的颗粒状磨屑,磨损表面存在严重的剥层脱落特征;TC4的磨屑粒径大小不一,在低频低载状态下,磨损表面有犁沟痕迹,不存在明显的剥落坑。随着载荷和频率的增大,摩擦表面层出现裂纹和碎化剥落现象。结论 TA2的磨损机制主要是剥层磨损和磨粒磨损。在低频低载状态下,TC4的磨损机制主要为磨粒磨损和氧化磨损,随着载荷和频率的升高,在瞬时闪现温度和载荷的作用下,其磨损机制主要为粘着磨损和剥层磨损。     

Comparison of mechanical properties of pure copper welded using friction stir welding and tungsten inert gas welding

The objective of this research is to investigate the mechanical properties including bonding, tensile strength, and impact resistance of pure copper welded using friction stir welding (FSW) method and compare them with that of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Micro-hardness tests are performed on pure copper, TIG welded copper and FSW welded copper to determine the effect of heat on the hardness of welded coppers. Tensile strength tests and notch tensile strength tests are performed to determine the mechanical properties of different weld process.In this experiment, it is found that the notch tensile strength and the notch strength ratio for FSW (212 MPa, 1.10) are significantly higher than those (190 MPa, 1.02) of TIG welding. For the impact tests, the weld zone and heat-affected zone energy absorption values for FSW (2.87 J, 2.25 J) are higher than those (1.32 J, 0 J) of TIG welding. XRD tests are performed to determine components of copper before and after welding process for TIG and FSW.