Thermal fatigue and wear of compacted graphite iron brake discs with various thermomechanical properties

The increase in payload capacity of trucks has heightened the demand for cost-effective yet high performance brake discs.In this work,the thermal fatigue and wear of compacted graphite iron brake discs were investigated,aiming to provide an experimental foundation for achieving a balance between their thermal and mechanical properties.Compacted graphite iron brake discs with different tensile strengths,macrohardnesses,specific heat capacities and thermal diffusion coefficients were produced by changing the proportion and strength of ferrite.The peak temperature,pressure load and friction coefficient of compacted graphite iron brake discs were analyzed through inertia friction tests.The morphology of thermal cracks and 3D profiles of the worn surfaces were also discussed.It is found that the thermal fatigue of compacted graphite iron discs is determined by their thermal properties.A compacted graphite iron with the highest specific heat capacity and thermal diffusion coefficient exhibits optimal thermal fatigue resistance.Oxidization of the matrix at low temperatures significantly weakens the function of alloy strengthening in hindering the propagation of thermal cracks.Despite the reduced hardness,increasing the ferrite proportion can mitigate wear loss resulting from low disc temperatures and the absence of abrasive wear.

Effects of alloy elements on ductility and thermal conductivity of compacted graphite iron

The infl uence of Si, Sn, Mo and Ni on the ductility and thermal conductivity of compacted graphite iron(CGI) was investigated. Metallographic observation and Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC) experiments were carried out to analyze the roles of various additions in the eutectoid reaction. The experimental results showed that the ductility of CGI is proportional to the ferrite fraction, so moderate Si content could dramatically improve the ductility by increasing the ferrite fraction. DSC measurements showed that Mo has moderate inhibition on eutectoid transformation during both the heating and cooling processes, while the sample without Sn obviously broadens the three-phase region. Vermicularity and ferrite are known to improve thermal conductivity, and the former plays a more important role. Besides, among the alloy elements investigated, Sn has the greatest negative effect on conductivity, followed by Ni and Mo having the smallest effects.

Fuzzy neural network analysis on gray cast iron with high tensile strength and thermal conductivity

To develop a high performance gray cast iron with high tensile strength and thermal conductivity, multivariable analysis of microstructural effects on properties of gray cast iron was performed. The concerned parameters consisted of graphite content, maximum graphite length, primary dendrite percentage and microhardness of the matrix. Under the superposed influence of various parameters, the relationships between thermal conductivity and structural characteristics become irregular, as well as the effects of graphite length on the strength. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system was built to link the parameters and properties. A sensitivity test was then performed to rank the relative impact of parameters. It was found that the dominant parameter for tensile strength is graphite content, while the most relative parameter for thermal conductivity is maximum graphite length. The most effective method to simultaneously improve the tensile and thermal conductivity of gray cast iron is to reduce the carbon equivalent and increase the length of graphite flakes.

Different thermal fatigue behaviors between gray cast iron and vermicular graphite cast iron

The initiation and propagation of thermal fatigue cracks in gray cast iron and vemicular graphite cast iron were investigated by Uddeholm method to reveal the complex thermal fatigue behaviors of cast iron.Differences of thermal fatigue behaviors of gray cast iron and vemicular graphite cast iron were observed and analyzed.It is found that the observed differences are related to the combination of graphite morphology and the oxidization of matrix.More oxidized matrix is observed in gray cast iron due to its large specific surface area.The brittle oxidized matrix facilitates the propagation of microcracks along the oxidization layer.By contrast,the radial microcracks are formed in vermicular graphite at the edge of graphite due to fewer oxidization layers.It indicates that the thermal fatigue resistance of gray cast iron is dominated by graphite content and morphology while that of vermicular graphite cast iron strongly relates to the strength of the matrix.

Casting process design and practice for coolant pump impeller in AP1000 nuclear power station

The coolant pump impeller casting is the only rotating component in the nuclear island of an AP1000 nuclear power station, and is required to have a 60-year service time, which requires advanced materials and processing technologies to guarantee. In this paper, the casting process was studied, designed and modified by means of numerical simulation. The gating system was distributed symmetrically and the runner diameter was a little bigger for avoiding sand wash and turbulence;the feeding system focused on the solution of blades feeding, as some parts of which should reach Severity Level 1 radioactive testing standard. Therefore, upper and lower plates cooperating with chillers acted as feeding method besides additional 2-3 times thickness;in addition, lowering sand core strength, decreasing pouring temperature and increasing dimension allowance would be adopted to avoid crack defects. Finally, the pilot impeller was cast. The results show that the casting process design is reasonable, as the liquid rises very smoothly when pouring, and no volume defects are found by means of 100% radioactive testing. Based on this casting process, 16 coolant pump impellers have been successfully produced and delivered to customers.

Association between luteinizing hormone level decrease on the triggering day and pregnancy outcome for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients following gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol: a retrospective cohor

Objective:Optimal luteinizing hormone(LH)levels forin vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)patients following the gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)antagonist protocol remain controversial.This study aimed to estimate the association between serum LH levels on the triggering day(LHLOT)and clinical pregnancy outcomes in IVF/ICSI patients following the GnRH antagonist protocol.Methods:We enrolled 4743 IVF/ICSI cycles using flexible or fixed GnRH antagonist protocols between January 2017 and June 2021.The patients were stratified into four groups according to the LHLOT quartiles(Q1–Q4).Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to the median basal LH/LHLOT.The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy,birth,and miscarriage rates.Secondary outcomes were oocyte yield,number of MII,fertilized oocytes(2PN),and high-quality embryos.Results:Serum LHLOT levels were negatively correlated with oocyte yield and the numbers of MII,2PN,and high-quality embryos.Reproductive outcomes were compared among the different quartiles and subgroups.The absolute difference in the clinical pregnancy rates between the Q4 and Q1 groups was 6.4%(47.2%vs.40.8%,P<0.05).Clinical pregnancy rates between the subgroups with basal LH/LHLOT>3.04 and≤3.04 were 32.7%and 48.6%(P<0.01),respectively,in Q1.Within Q3,the clinical pregnancy rates between the subgroups with basal LH/LHLOT>2.14 and≤2.14 were 50.2%and 41.9%,respectively(P<0.05).The greater the decrease in LH levels,the lower the oocyte maturation rate across all quartiles.Conclusions:According to the LHLOT quartiles,the Q1 of serum LHLOT<1.43 IU/L may result in a higher number of oocytes but reduced oocyte maturation and lower clinical pregnancy rates.A decrease in LH levels by approximately 2.14 to 3.04 times compared to basal LH levels may lead to higher clinical pregnancy rates in IVF/ICSI patients following the GnRH antagonist protocol.

Effects of alloying elements on thermal conductivity of pearlitic gray cast iron

A quantitative model is proposed to describe the thermal conductivity of alloyed pearlitic gray cast iron. The model is built by combining the computational thermodynamics and effective medium theory. The volume fractions and concentrations of precipitated phases in as-cast structure are estimated in consideration of partial and para-equilibrium. The conductivity of alloyed ferrite is calculated, taking into account the electronic and vibrational contributions of alloying elements. The model provides a good agreement with microstructure analysis and measured thermal conductivity. The influence of common alloying elements was discussed from the viewpoint of precipitation of phases and scattering of alloying atoms. This model can also be used as a numerical tool for designing the pearlitic gray cast irons with high thermal conductivity and high tensile strength.