Characterizing mechanical properties of graphite using molecular dynamics simulation

The mechanical properties of graphite in the forms of single graphene layer and graphite flakes (containing several graphene layers) were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The in-plane properties, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and shear modulus, were measured, respectively, by applying axial tensile stress and in-plane shear stress on the simulation box through the modified NPT ensemble. In order to validate the results, the conventional NVT ensemble with the applied uniform strain filed in the simulation box was adopted in the MD simulation. Results indicated that the modified NPT ensemble is capable of characterizing the material properties of atomistic structures with accuracy. In addition, it was found the graphene layers exhibit higher moduli than the graphite flakes; thus, it was suggested that the graphite flakes have to be expanded and exfoliated into numbers of single graphene layers in order to provide better reinforcement effect in nanocomposites.     

Reciprocal sliding wear behaviour of B4C particulate reinforced aluminum alloy composites

Aluminum based composites reinforced with B₄C particles were prepared by cryomilling and subsequent hot pressing steps. The cryomilled powders dispersed with 5 wt.% or 10 wt.% B₄C particles were hot pressed under a pressure of 600 MPa at 350 °C. Microstructural studies conducted on the composites indicated that homogeneous distribution of the B₄C particles in the Al matrix and a good interface between them had been achieved. According to the results of reciprocating wear tests carried out by utilizing alumina and steel balls, wear resistance increased with increasing B₄C particle content.     

Cold rolling and lubricated wear of 5083 aluminium alloy

The effect of cold deformation on the lubricated wear of 5083 aluminium alloy was investigated. SAE 10W was selected as liquid lubricant. The aluminium alloy was submitted to a cold rolling process, until the average thickness of the specimens was reduced by 7% and 15% respectively. From the experimental results obtained, the Stribeck curves for the as received and cold rolled aluminium alloy specimens were exacted. In all cases the three lubrication regimes were identified. In addition, the cold deformation process has led to a decrease of the friction coefficient of the tribosystem: 5083 aluminium alloy–410 stainless steel, for the same wear conditions (applied load, sliding speed and lubricant). The dominant wear mechanisms in each lubrication regime were studied via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).     

Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure, mechanical and wear behaviors of AISI H13 hot work tool steel

This paper focuses on the effects of low temperature (subzero) treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of H13 hot work tool steel. Cryogenic treatment at −72 °C and deep cryogenic treatment at −196 °C were applied and it was found that by applying the subzero treatments, the retained austenite was transformed to martensite. As the temperature was decreased more retained austenite was transformed to martensite and it also led to smaller and more uniform martensite laths distributed in the microstructure. The deep cryogenic treatment also resulted in precipitation of more uniform and very fine carbide particles. The microstructural modification resulted in a significant improvement on the mechanical properties of the H13 tool steel.     

Effects of particulate reinforcement and heat treatment on the hardness and wear properties of AA 2024-MoSi2 nanocomposites

In this study, nanocomposites of AA 2024 aluminum alloy matrix reinforced with different volume fractions of nanometric MoSi₂ intermetallic particles ranging from 0 to 5%, were produced using mechanical alloying technique. For comparison, samples without reinforcing particles and mechanical alloying and a sample with micrometric MoSi₂ particles were also synthesized. The prepared composite powders were consolidated by cold and hot pressing and then heat treated to solution and aged condition (T6). The effects of MoSi₂ particle size, volume fraction and also heat treatment on the hardness and wear properties of the composites were investigated using Brinell hardness and pin-on-disc wear tests. The results indicated that although T6 heat treatment increases the hardness of all samples compared to as hot-pressed (HP) condition, the age-hardenability (aging induced hardness improvement) decreases after mechanical alloying and with increasing MoSi₂ volume fraction due to the high dislocation density produced during mechanical alloying. With increasing the volume fraction of nano-sized MoSi₂ particles up to 3–4%, the hardness of the composites continuously increases and then declines most probably due to the particle agglomeration. The wear sliding test disclosed that the wear resistance of all specimens in T6 condition is higher than that of HP condition and increases with increasing MoSi₂ content. Scanning electron microscopic observation of the worn surfaces was conducted and the dominant wear mechanism was recognized as abrasive wear accompanied by some adhesive wear mechanism.     

Effect of equal-channel angular extrusion on mechanical and wear properties of eutectic Al–12Si alloy

Mechanical and wear properties of severely deformed Al–12Si alloy by equal-channel angular extrusion/pressing (ECAE/P) were investigated. Multi-pass ECAE processing of the as-cast alloy substantially increased both its strength and ductility. The increase in the tensile and yield strength values after six ECAE passes were about 48% and 87%, respectively. The sample after six ECAE passes exhibited 10% elongation before rupture, which was about five times higher than that of the as-cast one. The improvement in both strength and ductility was mainly attributed to the changes of the shape, size and distribution of the eutectic silicon particles along with the breakage and refined of the large α-Al grains during multi-pass ECAE processing. However, the wear test results surprisingly showed that the ECAE process decreased the wear resistance of the alloy, although there was improvement in strength and ductility values. This was mainly attributed to the tribochemical reaction leading to oxidative wear with the abrasive effect in Al–Si alloys during sliding. The oxide layer played a dominant role in determining the wear resistance of the sample in both as-cast and ECAE-processed states, and it masked the effect of strengthening of alloy structure on the wear resistance.     

Improving sliding and abrasive wear behaviour of cast A356 and wrought AA7075 aluminium alloys by plasma electrolytic oxidation

An important limitation of aluminium alloys for mechanical applications is their poor tribological behaviour. In this study, surface treatment by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has been applied to two widely used aluminium alloys: A359 (hypoeutectic Al–Si–Mg) cast alloy and AA7075 (Al–Zn–Mg–Cu) wrought alloy, in order to improve their wear resistance, under sliding and abrasive wear conditions. The main aim of this work was the comparison of the properties and wear resistance of the oxide layers grown under the same PEO treatment conditions on two different aluminium alloys which might be coupled in engineered components. Significant differences in the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties measured by microindentation were observed in the oxide layers grown on the two substrates, and were ascribed to the effects of the different compositions and microstructures of the substrate alloys. Abrasion tests were carried out in a micro-scale abrasion (ball-cratering) test, with both alumina and silicon carbide abrasive particles. The results demonstrated the influence of the abrasive material on wear behaviour: whereas relatively aggressive SiC particles gave comparable results for both PEO treated and untreated samples, with the less aggressive Al₂O₃ abrasive the wear rates of the PEO treated samples, for both substrates, were significantly lower than those of the untreated substrates. In unlubricated sliding the PEO treatment significantly increase the wear resistance of both the aluminium alloys, at low applied load. In this condition the wear behaviour of the PEO treated alloys is strongly influenced by the stability of a protective Fe–O transfer layer, generated by wear damage of the steel counterpart. Under high applied loads however, the transfer layer is not stable and the hardness of the PEO layer, as well as the load bearing capacity of the substrate, become the main factors in influencing wear resistance.     

Investigation of mechanical and tribological behaviors of multilayer graphene reinforced Ni3Al matrix composites

Multilayer graphene (MLG) shows an attractive prospect for the demanding engineering applications. This paper reports the mechanical and tribological properties of MLG reinforced Ni₃Al matrix composites (NMCs) under dry sliding at varying sliding speed. The hardness and elastic modulus of the NMCs are significantly influenced with MLG content. It is found that the hardness and elastic modulus of the NMCs are found to be increased by increasing MLG content up to 1.0 wt.%, while decreased when MLG content is above 1.0 wt.%. Tribological experiments suggest that MLG can dramatically improve the wear resistance and decrease the friction coefficient of the NMCs. Such marked improvement of wear resistance is attributed to the reinforcing mechanisms of MLG, such as crack deflection and pull-out, and reduction of friction coefficient is related to the formation of a tribofilm on the sliding contact surface.     

Optimizations of wear resistance and toughness of hydroxyapatite nickel free stainless steel new bio-composites for using in total joint replacement

The aim of this work was to produce novel bio-composites made of hydroxyapatite and nickel free stainless steel (prepared by heat treating bone ash) and studying their mechanical properties including their tribology under various loads, toughness, and compressive and bending strengths. Different amounts of nickel free stainless steel powder (30, 40, 50 and 60 wt.%) was added to this hydroxyapatite powder to get bio-composites. Their hardness, wear resistance and friction coefficient, as a function of the metal (nickel free stainless steel) content were investigated. Hardness and wear resistance were decreased by increasing of the weight percentage of stainless steel, while friction coefficient was increased. Strength and toughness of composites increases considerably by increasing of NFSS content. The toughness enhancement is contributed mainly by crack bridging and plastic deformation of the nickel free stainless steel. The strengthening effect is contributed by both the matrix grain refinement and the toughness enhancement. According to results of all mechanical tests done on composites, composite with 50 wt.% nickel free stainless steel has the most appropriate mechanical properties among other composites for using in orthopaedic applications.     

Effect of deep cryogenic treatment on microstructure, creep and wear behaviors of AZ91 magnesium alloy

This paper focuses on the effect of deep cryogenic treatment (−196 °C) on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy. The execution of deep cryogenic treatment on samples changed the distribution of β precipitates. The tiny laminar β particles almost dissolved in the microstructure and the coarse divorced eutectic β phase penetrated into the matrix. This microstructural modification resulted in a significant improvement on mechanical properties of the alloy. The steady state creep rates were measured and it was found that the creep behavior of the alloy, which is dependent on the stability of the near grain boundary microstructure, was improved by the deep cryogenic treatment. For the AZ91 alloy, the results indicate a mixed mode of creep behavior, with some grain boundary effects contributing to the overall behavior. However for the deep cryogenic samples dislocation climb controlled creep is the dominant deformation mechanism. After the deep cryogenic treatment the sliding of grain boundaries was greatly suppressed due to morphological changes. As a result, the grain boundaries are less susceptible for grain boundary sliding at high temperatures. Dry sliding wear tests were also applied and the wear resistance of the alloy improved remarkably after deep cryogenic treatment.     

Effect of process parameters on the strength of resistance spot welds in 6082-T6 aluminium alloy

In this study the microstructural and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welds (RSW) done on aluminium alloy 6082-T6 sheets, welded at different welding parameters, is examined. Microstructural examinations and hardness evaluations were carried out in order to determine the influence of welding parameters on the quality of the welds. The welded joints were subjected to static tensile-shear tests in order to determine their strength and failure mode. The increase in weld current and duration increased the nugget size and the weld strength. Beyond a critical nugget diameter the failure mode changed from interfacial to pullout. Taking into consideration the sheet thickness and the mechanical properties of the weld, a simple model is proposed to predict the critical nugget diameter required to produce pull-out failure mode in undermatched welds in heat-treatable aluminium alloys.     

The effects of thermal treatment on the mechanical properties of wild Pear (Pyrus elaeagnifolia Pall.) wood and changes in physical properties

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of thermal treatment on the mechanical and physical properties of wild pear wood. The results obtained for thermal treatment at 160 °C for 2 h showed that the modulus of elasticity was increased about 5%, while bending strength and compression strength decreased by 7.42% and 7.55%, respectively. The physical properties of wild pear wood were improved as 2.6%, 5.3%, 8.5% and 0.8% swelling in tangential, radial and longitudinal sections and 1.7%, 1.1% and 0.9% at 50, 65 and 85 Rh% and changes in ΔEab^* was 8.50%, respectively. It was determined that the changes ratio of these properties increased as the temperature and durations were increasing. Therefore, wild pear wood can be used as an alternative for tropical woods in decoration and veneer industry.     

Tensile properties and fracture behavior of partial squeeze added slow shot die-cast A356 aluminum alloy

In this contribution, effect of the microstructural characteristics on tensile properties and fracture behavior of partial squeeze added slow shot die-cast A356 alloy die casting in the as-cast and T6 heat-treated conditions was studied. The results show that, inferior tensile properties of the casting partial squeeze part were caused by the heterogeneity of α-Al cells with fragment, rosette, angular and globular shapes, while finer dendrites with smaller secondary dendrite arm spacing and more rounded silicon particles corresponded to higher tensile properties. After T6 treatment, tensile properties increased significantly, due to the spheroidization of silicon particle and consequently the reduction of stress concentration at silicon/eutectic matrix interface. Differences observed in the tensile fracture path were attributed to microstructural changes as well as morphological aspects of silicon phase.     

Fabrication and evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties of boron carbide reinforced aluminum matrix nanocomposites

In this study, fabrication and characterization of bulk Al–B₄C nanocomposites were investigated. B₄C nanoparticles were mixed with pure Al powder by ball milling to produce Al–B₄C powder. Al–B₄C powders containing different amounts of B₄C (5, 10 and 15 wt.%) were subsequently hot pressed to produce bulk nanocomposite samples. Consolidated samples were characterized by hardness, compression and wear tests. Results showed that the sample with 15 wt.% B₄C had the optimum properties. This sample had a value of 164 HV which is significantly higher than 33 HV for pure Al. Also, ultimate compressive strength of the sample was measured to be 485 MPa which is much higher than that for pure Al (130 MPa). The wear resistance of the nanocomposites increased significantly by increasing the B₄C content. Dominant wear mechanisms for Al–B₄C nanocomposites were determined to be formation of mechanical mixed layer on the surface of samples.     

Compressive behavior of MWCNT/epoxy composite mats

Mats of vertically-aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes were grown in an thermal CVD reactor with simultaneous feed of the catalyst and carbon precursors. Mats were soaked into epoxy resin solutions without any prior chemical modification and then cured to produce composite plates of z-axis nano-reinforcement. Direct observations of the epoxy–CNT interactions at the nanoscale revealed that epoxy interacted naturally with the MWCNTs without affecting their physical characteristics, alignment, or the mat’s morphology. The compressive behavior of the pristine and composite mats was consistent with mechanical predictions accounting for an elastic regime followed by elastic instability and compaction. Strong evidence of reinforcement in the MWCNT/epoxy composites was indicated by increased strength, stiffness and toughness values with respect to the as-grown mats and pure polymer. The elastic instability strain of the composites was of the order of 0.4.     

Effect of grain refinement on mechanical properties and sliding wear resistance of extruded Sc-free 7042 aluminum alloy

The present study deals with an investigation on dry sliding wear behavior of grain refined Sc-free 7042 aluminum alloy by using a pin-on-disc wear test machine. Al–5Ti–1B and Al–15Zr master alloys were used as grain refining agents. The optimum amounts of added Ti and Zr in the alloy were found to be 0.03 wt.% and 0.3 wt.%, respectively. Extrusion was carried out and T6 heat treatment ware applied for all rod specimens before testing. Significant improvement in mechanical properties was obtained with the addition of grain refiners. The worn surfaces were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry microanalysis. Results showed that the wear resistance of unrefined alloy increased with the addition of both grain refiners. Furthermore, the worn surface studies showed a mixed type of wear mechanisms; delaminating, adhesive and abrasive which took place at higher applied load.     

Studies on wear rate and micro-hardness of the Al/Al2O3/Gr hybrid composites produced via powder metallurgy

Micro-structural characterization of the composites has revealed fairly uniform distribution and some amount of grain refinement in the specimens. Further, it was observed that the micro-hardness improve when increasing the milling time and the reinforcement content due to presence of hard Al₂O₃ particles. Was also observed a low wear rate exhibited by the Al/Al₂O₃/Gr hybrid composites due to presence of Al₂O₃ and Gr which they acted as load bearing elements and solid lubricant respectively. The observed wear rate and micro-hardness have been correlated with microstructural analyses.     

Strengthening the mechanical properties and wear resistance of CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy fabricated by powder metallurgy

In this study, an equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy (HEA) was fabricated by a rapid solidified gas atomization process. Subsequently, the high-energy mechanical milling was carried out to further refine the microstructure of pre-alloyed powder to improve the sintering ability and strengthening of HEAs. The microscopic results show that the powder morphology significantly changed from spherical to flatten, flake, irregular, and partially spherical shape with increasing milling time. The XRD results exhibited HEA bulks consisting of major FCC and minor Cr₇C₃ phases. The hardness of HEA bulks increased from 270±10 Hv to 450±10 Hv with increasing milling time, while the compressive yield strength increased from 370 MPa to 1050 MPa due to grain boundary strengthening and dislocation strengthening. Meanwhile, the lowest coefficient of friction ～0.283 and specific wear rate ～1.03×10^-5 mm³/Nm were obtained for the 60 min milled HEA due to increased surface hardness and oxidation behavior. The developed powder metallurgy approach could be considered as a promising way to improve the strength and wear resistance when compared to the conventional processed CoCrFeMnNi HEAs.     

The wear of aluminium-based journal bearing materials under lubrication

The aluminium-based alloys, nowadays, are developed to be used in high performance engine bearings. In this study, new Al-based bearing alloys, which are produced by metal mould casting, were developed; and tribologic properties of these alloys under lubrication were analyzed experimentally. Four different aluminium alloys were carried out on pin on disc wear tester for that purpose. SAE 1040 steel was used as the disc material in the wear tester. Friction tests were carried out at 0.231–1.036 N/mm² pressures and at 0.6–2.4 m/s sliding speeds. Wear tests were carried out at 1.8 m/s sliding speed and at 70 N normal load. Friction coefficients and weight losses of the samples were determined under various working conditions as a result of the experiments. The morphographies of the worn surfaces were analyzed. Hardness, surface roughness, and surface temperature of the samples were measured. The results showed that the friction and wear behaviors of the alloys have changed according to the sliding conditions. The effects of the elements except aluminium composing alloys on the tribologic properties were analyzed. Al8.5Si3.5Cu alloy has a lower friction coefficient value than other alloys. Al8.5Si3.5Cu and Al15Sn5Cu3Si alloys, on the other hand, have the highest wear resistance. Al15Pb3.7Cu1.5Si1.1Fe alloy is the most worn material; and Al15Pb3.7Cu1.5Si1.1Fe alloy has the highest wear rate. As a result of the evaluations conducted, Al–Sn and Al–Si alloys, which include Si and Sn, can be preferred, among the aluminium alloys that will work under lubrication, as the bearing material.     

Effect of precipitation on post-heat-treated Inconel 625 alloy after friction stir welding

This study evaluated the mechanical properties of friction stir welded and post-heat-treated Inconel 625 alloy. Friction stir welding (FSW) was performed at rotation and traveling speeds of 200 rpm and 100 mm/min, respectively; heat treatment was carried out after welding at 700 °C for 100 h in vacuum. As a result, the application of FSW on Inconel 625 alloy led to the grain refinement in the stir zone, which resulted in increase in mechanical properties than those of the base material. Especially, applying heat treatment after FSW led to the improvement of mechanical properties of the welds; microhardness and tensile strength increased by more than 30% and 50%, respectively, as compared to FSW alone.