Enhanced Strength in Cu-Ag-Zr Alloy by Combination of Cold Working and Aging

In this investigation, the effect of different degree of cold rolling and post-aging treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Cu-3wt.%Ag-0.5wt.%Zr alloy was studied by means of hardness measurement, tensile tests, optical and electron microscopy. The alloy was subjected to cold rolling up to 80% followed by aging in the temperature range of 400-500 °C. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness were found to increase as degree of cold rolling increased, but at the expense of ductility. Aging of cold rolled samples in the studied temperature range has resulted in different combinations of strength and ductility. However, aging of cold rolled samples at 400 °C for 1 h has resulted in a combination of high strength and moderate ductility. A yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 511 and 560 MPa, respectively with a ductility of 12% were achieved for 80% cold rolled and aged (400 °C for 1 h) sample. The high strength achieved after 80% cold rolling and aging is mainly attributed to precipitation of fine silver precipitates.     

Effect of Ceramic Particles on Properties of Cold-Sprayed Ni-20Cr+Al2O3 Coatings

Cold spraying is a thermal spray process enabling the production of metallic and metal-ceramic coatings with low porosity and low oxygen content, capable of, e.g., resisting corrosion. The aim of this study was to characterize the microstructural and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed Ni-20Cr+Al₂O₃ coatings and to clarify the effect of the hard particles on different coating properties. Accordingly, the research focused on the microstructure, denseness (impermeability), adhesion strength, and hardness of the coatings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and corrosion tests were run to gain information on the through-porosity. Ceramic addition in cold-sprayed Ni-20Cr+Al₂O₃ coatings improved their quality by lowering their porosity. Moreover, hardness was slightly higher than those of cold-sprayed Ni-20Cr coating, indicating a hardening effect by the ceramic particles. The addition of Al₂O₃ also made it possible to use high gas temperatures without nozzle clogging, which affects coating properties, such as coating thickness, denseness, and hardness.     

Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Cold-Sprayed Ti-6Al-4V After Heat Treatment

The cold spray of Ti-6Al-4V coatings deposited on Ti-6Al-4V substrates has been investigated. Coatings were produced using nitrogen and helium as propellant gases and subsequently heat treated with various temperature-time conditions. The microstructure was characterized by SEM and optical microscopy while mechanical properties were measured by microhardness and tensile testing. It is shown that coatings sprayed with nitrogen gas were relatively porous in comparison to the nearly completely dense coatings obtained with helium gas. In the as-sprayed condition, coatings displayed high hardness but low tensile strength. Heat treatments at temperatures of 600 °C and higher resulted in a decrease in hardness due to microstructural changes within the particles including recovery, recrystallization, and/or phase transformation. However, an increase in tensile strength was attributed to improved inter-particle bonding due to an observed change from brittle to ductile features on the fracture surface. The highest strength coating produced was a helium-sprayed coating annealed at 600 °C, which featured a tensile strength ~85% of the minimum required bulk value and coating/substrate microstructures similar to the as-received powder/substrate microstructures.     

On the Bonding Mechanism in Cold Spray of Deformable hex-BN-Ni Clusters

Bond strength and the lubrication potential of coatings made of 7 µm Hexagonal Boron Nitride particles encapsulated with nickel (hBN-Ni), and deposited onto aluminum 6061 substrates via cold spray were examined; for all tests, N₂ was used as the carrier gas at a temperature of 480 °C and pressure of 2.4 MPa. Results showed significant improvement in both wear resistance and reduced surface friction. Coated samples also demonstrated unexpected high bond strength, which was much greater than pure nickel cold sprayed onto aluminum. However, while the results were truly promising, the primary reason for the observed high bond strength could not be explained using existing cold spray theories which were primarily developed for pure metal particles. Based on the present findings compared to cold-sprayed layers of composite nickel-nickel (nickel particles encapsulated with nickel), a mechanism for bonding of hBN-Ni particles to aluminum based on the level of plastic deformation and hardenability is proposed. Indeed, the high bond strength between the coating and substrate is related to the relatively high initial ductility of the nickel encapsulation, compliance of the hBN, as well as the ensuing significant plastic deformation of the composite particles during cold spray deposition.     

Preparation and properties of W–Cu–Zn alloy with low W–W contiguity

The W–Cu–Zn alloy with a-brass matrix and low W–W contiguity was prepared by method of electroless copper plating combined with spark plasma sintering(SPS) method.The effects of process and parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated.The W–Cu–Zn alloy with a relative density of 96 % and a W–W contiguity of about 10 % was prepared by original fine tungsten particles combined with wet mixing method and SPS solid-state sintering method at 800 °C for 10 min.The microstructure analysis shows that Cu–Zn matrix consists of nano-sized a-brass grains,and the main composition is Cu_3Zn electride.The nano-sized Cu was coated on the surface of tungsten particles by electroless copper plating method,and the fairly low consolidation temperature and short solid-state sintering time result in the nano-sized matrix phase.The dynamic compressive strength of the W–Cu–Zn alloy achieves to1000 MPa,but the alloy shows poor ductility due to the formation of the hard and brittle Cu_3Zn electrides.The fine-grain strengthening and the solution strengthening of the Cu–Zn matrix phase are responsible for the high Vickers microhardness of about 300 MPa for W–Cu–Zn alloy.     

Cold Spray Forming of Inconel 718

Inconel 718 was cold spray formed to a 6-mm thickness on an 8-cm diameter aluminum alloy tube using Sulzer Amdry 1718 powder and the Plasma Giken PCS-1000 cold spray system. The effects of spray particle velocity and post-spray heat treatment were studied. Post-spray annealing was performed from 950 to 1250 °C for 1-2 h. The resulting microstructures as well as the corresponding mechanical properties were characterized. As-sprayed coatings exhibited very low ductility. The tensile strength and ductility of the heat-treated coatings were improved to varying levels depending on the heat-treatment and spray conditions. For coatings sprayed at higher particle velocity and heat treated at 1250 °C for 1 h, an elongation of 24% was obtained. SEM micrographs showed a higher fraction of interparticle metallurgical bonds due to some sintering effect. Corresponding fracture surfaces also revealed a higher fraction of dimple features, typically associated with ductile fracture, in the annealed coatings. The results demonstrate that cold spray forming of Inconel 718 is feasible, and with appropriate heat treatment, metallurgical bonding can be increased. The ductility of the spray-formed samples was comparable to that of the bulk material.     

Effects of Traverse Scanning Speed of Spray Nozzle on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Sprayed Ti6Al4V Coatings

Cold spray has the potential to restore damaged aerospace components made from titanium alloy, Ti6Al4V at low temperature (200-400 °C). Traverse scanning speed during deposition is one of the key factors that affect the quality of the Ti6Al4V coatings as it influences the thermal build-up and coating thickness per pass. As there are fewer reported studies on this, this work investigated the effects of different traverse scanning speeds (100, 300 and 500 mm/s) of cold spray nozzle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed Ti6Al4V coatings. The cross-sectional analysis showed coating porosities reduces with slower traverse speed, from 3.2 to 0.5%. In addition, the microhardness of the coatings increased from about 361-385 HV due to strain hardening. However, the adhesion strength of the coatings to the substrates significantly decreased with reduced traverse speed from about 60 MPa (glue failure) at 500 mm/s to 2.5 MPa (interface failure) at 100 mm/s. Therefore, this study revealed that the control of heat build-up and thickness per pass during the cold spray deposition of the Ti6Al4V coatings is crucial to attain the desirable properties of the coatings.     

Heat Treatment of Cold-Sprayed C355 Al for Repair: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

Cold gas dynamic spraying of commercially pure aluminum is widely used for dimensional repair in the aerospace sector as it is capable of producing oxide-free deposits of hundreds of micrometer thickness with strong bonding to the substrate, based on adhesive pull-off tests, and often with enhanced hardness compared to the powder prior to spraying. There is significant interest in extending this application to structural, load-bearing repairs. Particularly, in the case of high-strength aluminum alloys, cold spray deposits can exhibit high levels of porosity and microcracks, leading to mechanical properties that are inadequate for most load-bearing applications. Here, heat treatment was investigated as a potential means of improving the properties of cold-sprayed coatings from Al alloy C355. Coatings produced with process conditions of 500 °C and 60 bar were heat-treated at 175, 200, 225, 250 °C for 4 h in air, and the evolution of the microstructure and microhardness was analyzed. Heat treatment at 225 and 250 °C revealed a decreased porosity (~ 0.14% and 0.02%, respectively) with the former yielding slightly reduced hardness (105 versus 130 HV_0.05 as-sprayed). Compressive residual stress levels were approximately halved at all depths into the coating after heat treatment, and tensile testing showed an improvement in ductility.     

Essential Factors Influencing the Bonding Strength of Cold-Sprayed Aluminum Coatings on Ceramic Substrates

The present work summarizes the most important results of a research project dealing with the comprehensive investigation of the bonding mechanisms between cold-sprayed Al coatings and various poly- and monocrystalline ceramic substrates (Al₂O₃, AlN, Si₃N₄, SiC, MgF₂). Due to their exceptional combination of properties, metallized ceramics are gaining more and more importance for a wide variety of applications, especially in electronic engineering. Cold spray provides a quick, flexible, and cost-effective one-step process to apply metallic coatings on ceramic surfaces. However, since most of the existing cold-spray-related publications focus on metallic substrates, only very little is known about the bonding mechanisms acting between cold-sprayed metals and ceramic substrates. In this paper, the essential factors influencing the bonding strength in such composites are identified. Besides mechanical tensile strength testing, a thorough analysis of the coatings and especially the metal/ceramic interfaces was conducted by means of HRTEM, FFT, STEM, EDX, EELS, GAXRD, and EBSD. The influence of substrate material, substrate temperature, and particle size is evaluated. The results suggest that, apart from mechanical interlocking, the adhesion of cold-sprayed metallic coatings on ceramics is based on a complex interplay of different mechanisms such as quasiadiabatic shearing, static recrystallization, and heteroepitaxial growth.     

Properties of Detonation Nanostructured Titanium-Based Coatings

Titanium-based coatings were deposited on aluminum samples using cumulative-detonation equipment. The gas mixture consumption (propane-oxygen-air) was up to 5 m³ per 1 kg of powder. The titanium-based coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with diffraction, x-ray phase analysis, hardness measurements, and plasticity adhesion/cohesion resistance scratch tests. It was shown that the detonation titanium-based coatings are characterized by the presence of nanodispersed ceramic compounds and exhibit high values of plasticity, hardness, and adhesion strength. The titanium-based coatings had an amorphous structure, high hardness of up to 16 GPa, and a tensile bonding strength ranging from 52.5 to 53.0 MPa. A failure mode occurring in the tested samples was cohesive within the inter and intralamellar structure of coating.     

低W-W连接度65W-25Cu-10Ni合金的制备及准静态力学性能研究

利用W颗粒表面化学镀Ni结合SPS的方法,制备了低W-W连接度65W-25Cu-10Ni合金,并开展了准静态力学性能研究。结果表明,制得的Ni包W复合粉中Ni包覆层分布均匀且与W结合良好;以Ni包W复合粉和Cu粉为原料制备的65W-25Cu-10Ni合金组织均匀且致密。在准静态压缩加载条件下,与65W-35Cu合金相比,65W-25Cu-10Ni合金的强度及塑性均大幅度提高;在准静态拉伸加载条件下,与65W-35Cu合金相比,65W-25Cu-10Ni合金的强度较高,塑性没有明显提高。机理分析表明,与65W-35Cu合金相比,65W-25Cu-10Ni合金中W-W连接度较低、粘结相由Cu相转变为Cu0.81Ni0.19固溶体,且W与粘结相之间形成了冶金结合,以上三个因素共同导致65W-25Cu-10Ni合金强度的提高;此外,W-W连接度的降低以及W-粘结相界面结合强度的提高是65W-25Cu-10Ni合金在准静态压缩加载条件下塑性提高的原因。     

Effect of Spark-Plasma-Sintering Conditions on Tensile Properties of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)

In this study, aluminum (Al) matrix composites containing 2 wt.% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated by powder metallurgy using high-energy ball milling (HEBM), spark plasma sintering (SPS), and subsequent hot extrusion. The effect of SPS conditions on the tensile properties of CNT/Al composites was investigated. The results showed that composites with well-dispersed CNTs and nearly full-density CNT/Al can be obtained. During HEBM, CNTs were shortened, inserted into welded Al powder particles, bonded to Al, and still stable without CNT-Al reaction. After consolidation, Al₄C₃ phases formed in composites under different sintering conditions. With the increase of sintering temperature and holding time, the strength decreased. Conversely, the ductility and toughness noticeably increased. As a result, a good balance between strength (367 MPa in ultimate tensile strength) and ductility (13% in elongation) was achieved in the as-extruded CNT/Al composite sintered at 630°C with a holding time of 300 min.     

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A380 Aluminum Alloy Deposited by Cold Spray

The microstructure and mechanical properties of cold-sprayed bulk A380 alloy were investigated after heat treatment at various conditions, using optical and electron microscopy and tensile and hardness tests, respectively. The results revealed that heat treatment increased the strength and ductility of the cold-sprayed A380 alloy deposits compared with as-sprayed state. Heat treatment showed two different effects on the mechanical properties of the deposits. On the one hand, it resulted in effective diffusion at interparticle boundaries that altered the particle bonding mechanism from pure mechanical interlocking to metallurgical bonding. Thus, the strength and ductility of the material were greatly enhanced. On the other hand, interparticle diffusion during high-temperature heat treatment resulted in growth of the Si phase and pores, which ultimately reduced the strength and elongation of the alloy. This observation was consistent with the hardness results, which showed a decreasing trend with increase of the heat treatment temperature.     

Microstructural Studies of Cold Sprayed Copper,Nickel, and Nickel-30% Copper Coatings

Cold spraying enables to produce metallic coatings with low porosity level and low oxygen content. Several material properties such as electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance rely on these properties. Aim of this study was to characterize microstructural properties of cold sprayed copper, nickel, and nickel-30%copper coatings. Microstructures, denseness, and deformation of particles were investigated. SEM analysis and corrosion tests were done to get information of through-porosity. Open porosity has an important role on protectiveness of anodically protective coatings, such coating materials like copper and nickel. In this study, cold-sprayed Cu coating was fully dense. However, cold-sprayed Ni and Ni-30%Cu coatings seemed to be microstructurally dense but some porosity in some areas of the coatings especially in some parts of particle boundaries was noticed after corrosion tests. Furthermore, effect of annealing to microstructure and corrosion test behavior was studied. Cold sprayed Ni coating became denser during heat treatment.     

The effect of a simple annealing heat treatment on the mechanical properties of cold-sprayed aluminum

Cold spray, a new member of the thermal spray process family, can be used to prepare dense, thick metal coatings. It has tremendous potential as a spray-forming process. However, it is well known that significant cold work occurs during the cold spray deposition process. This cold work results in hard coatings but relatively brittle bulk deposits. This work investigates the mechanical properties of cold-sprayed aluminum and the effect of annealing on those properties. Cold spray coatings approximately 1 cm thick were prepared using three different feedstock powders: Valimet H-10: Valimet H-20: and Brodmann Flomaster. ASTM E8 tensile specimens were machined from these coatings and tested using standard tensile testing procedures. Each material was tested in two conditions: as-sprayed; and after a 300°C, 22h air anneal. The as-sprayed material showed high ultimate strength and low ductility, with <1% elongation. The annealed samples showed a reduction in ultimate strength but a dramatic increase in ductility, with up to 10% elongation. The annealed samples exhibited mechanical properties that were similar to those of wrought 1100 H14 aluminum. Microstructural examination and fractography clearly showed a change in fracture mechanism between the as-sprayed and annealed materials. These results indicate good potential for cold spray as a bulkforming process. The original version of this paper was published in the CD ROM Thermal Spray Connects: Explore Its Surfacing Potential, International Thermal Spray Conference, sponsored by DVS, ASM International, and HW International Institute of Welding, Basel, Switzerland, May 2–4, 2005, DVS-Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany.     

Impacting Behavior of Large Oxidized Copper Particles in Cold Spraying

In a previous study, it has been experimentally demonstrated that surface oxide films of metallic particles have significant influence on the properties of cold-sprayed coatings. To clearly reveal the underlying mechanism, this study focused further on the effect of particle oxidation on the deposition behavior of oxidized Cu powder. Results show that the presence of the oxide films on the particles’ surface can inhibit the plastic deformation of the particles. In addition, results concerning the morphologies and oxygen content of the rebounded particles show that the particles have experienced large plastic deformation that results in the break-up of the oxide films during the impacting process. Correspondingly, the hardness of the coating deposited with the oxidized powder is a little lower than that with the annealed powder because of the inferior plastic deformation and strain-hardening effect.     

Microstructure and Properties of Nanocrystalline Copper Strengthened by a Low Amount of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoparticles

Dispersion-strengthened Cu-Al₂O₃ materials have been studied over recent years to find an optimum processing route to obtain a high strength, thermal-stable copper alloy designed for modern applications in electrical engineering. The study analyses the influence of 1 vol.% of alumina content on strengthening the copper matrix. Microstructure of the Cu-Al₂O₃ composite was studied by x-ray diffraction as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The composite shows a homogeneous, thermal-stable nanostructure up to 900 °C due to dispersed alumina nanoparticles. The particles effectively strengthen crystallite/grain boundaries in processes of powder consolidation and annealing of the compact. In contrast to monolithic Cu, the Cu-1 vol.% Al₂O₃ exhibits more than double strength and hardness. The nanocrystalline matrix and the low amount of alumina particles result in a yield strength of 288 MPa and a ductility of 15% which is a good combination for practical utilization of the material.     

Mechanical properties of cold-sprayed and thermally sprayed copper coatings

The present investigation compares the mechanical properties of cold-sprayed and thermally sprayed copper coatings. The mechanical properties of the Cu-coatings are determined by in plane tensile test using micro-flat tensile specimen technique. A deeper view into the type of obtained defects, their stability and their influence on coating performance, is supplied by subsequent failure analyses and the comparison to annealed copper coatings. The results demonstrate that cold-sprayed coatings, processed with helium as propellant gas, show similar performance as highly deformed bulk copper sheets and respective changes in properties after annealing. In the as-sprayed condition, cold-sprayed coatings processed with nitrogen and thermally sprayed coatings show rather brittle behavior. Whereas subsequent annealing can improve the properties of the cold-sprayed coating, processed with nitrogen, such heat treatments have only minor influence on the tensile properties of thermally sprayed copper coatings. The investigation of failure modes for the as-sprayed states and after different heat treatments provided further information concerning particle–particle bonding and the effect of oxides on mechanical properties.     

Wear Performance of Cu-Alloyed Austempered Ductile Iron

An investigation was carried out to examine the influence of structural and mechanical properties on wear behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI). Ductile iron (DI) samples were austenitized at 900 °C for 60 min and subsequently austempered for 60 min at three temperatures: 270, 330, and 380 °C. Microstructures of the as-cast DI and ADIs were characterized using optical and scanning microscopy, respectively. The structural parameters, volume fraction of austenite, carbon content of austenite, and ferrite particle size were determined using x-ray diffraction technique. Mechanical properties including Vicker’s hardness, 0.2% proof strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility, and strain hardening coefficient were determined. Wear tests were carried out under dry sliding conditions using pin-on-disk machine with a linear speed of 2.4 m/s. Normal load and sliding distance were 45 N and 1.7 × 10⁴ m, respectively. ADI developed at higher austempering temperature has large amounts of austenite, which contribute toward improvement in the wear resistance through stress-induced martensitic transformation, and strain hardening of austenite. Wear rate was found to depend on 0.2% proof strength, ductility, austenite content, and its carbon content. Study of worn surfaces and nature of wear debris revealed that the fine ausferrite structure in ADIs undergoes oxidational wear, but the coarse ausferrite structure undergoes adhesion, delamination, and mild abrasion too.     

Effect of Welding Parameters on the Microstructure and Strength of Friction Stir Weld Joints in Twin Roll Cast EN AW Al-Mn1Cu Plates

Twin roll cast EN AW Al-Mn1Cu plates were butt welded with the friction stir welding process which employed a non-consumable tool, tilted by 1.5° and 3° with respect to the plate normal, rotated in a clockwise direction at 400 and 800 rpm, while traversing at a fixed rate of 80 mm/min along the weld line. Microstructural observations and microhardness tests were performed on sections perpendicular to the tool traverse direction. Tensile tests were carried out at room temperature on samples cut perpendicular to the weld line. The ultimate tensile strength of the welded EN AW Al-Mn1Cu plates improved with increasing tool rotation speed and decreasing tool tilt angle. This marked improvement in ultimate tensile strength is attributed to the increase in the heat input owing to an increased frictional heat generation. There appears to be a perfect correlation between the ultimate tensile strength and the size of the weld zone. The fracture surfaces of the base plate and the welded plates are distinctly different. The former is dominated by dimples typical of ductile fractures. A vast majority of the intermetallic particles inside the weld zones are too small to generate dimples during a tensile test. The fracture surface of the welded plates is thus characterized by occasional dimples that are elongated in the same direction suggesting a tensile tearing mechanism.