Effect of Process Parameters on Porosity in Aluminum Lost Foam Process

Porosity is a main defect in aluminum alloy castings, which is also thought to be severe in aluminum alloy castings produced by lost foam process due to the pyrolysis of the polystyrene foam pattern during pouring. Fundamental experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of process parameters such as the melt treatment, the cooling rate and the density of expanded polystyrene （EPS） foam on porosity in A356.2 bar casting. The effect of melt treatment including degassing and refining was investigated. The effect of cooling rate was also evaluated by changing the mold packing material such as the silica sand, the zircon sand and the steel shots. Gas entrapment due to the turbulent metal flow during mold filling in conventional molding process results in porosity. Mold filling sequence in lost foam process is different from that in conventional molding process. The effect of molten metal flow was estimated by comparing the density of the casting by conventional sodium silicate molding with that by lost foam process. Density measurement was conducted to analyze the extent of porosity in the casting. Source of the porosity in lost foam process can be divided into two factors, i.e. turbulence in molten metal flow and entraining residue or gas from the pattern during pouring.

Oxide film on bubble surface of aluminum foams produced by gas injection foaming process

Based on A356 aluminum alloy,aluminum foams were prepared by gas injection foaming process with pure nitrogen,air and some gas mixtures.The oxygen volume fraction of these gas mixtures varied from 0.2%to 8.0%.Optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and Auger electron spectroscopy（AES） were used to analyze the influence of oxygen content on cell structure,relative density,macro and micro morphology of cell walls,coverage area fraction of oxide film,thickness of oxide film and other aspects.Results indicate that the coverage area fraction of oxide film on bubble surface increases with the increase of oxygen content when the oxygen volume is less than 1.2%.While when the oxygen volume fraction is larger than 1.6%,an oxide film covers the entire bubble surface and aluminum foams with good cell structure can be produced.The thicknesses of oxide films of aluminum foams produced by gas mixtures containing 1.6%-21%oxygen are almost the same.The reasons why the thickness of oxide film nearly does not change with the variation of oxygen content and the amount of oxygen needed to achieve 100%coverage of oxide film are both discussed.In addition,the role of oxide film on bubble surface in foam stability is also analyzed.

Oxidation kinetics of oxide film on bubble surface of aluminum foams produced by gas injection foaming process

In the range of 620？710 °C, air was blown into A356 aluminum alloy melt to produce aluminum foams. In order to study the influence of temperature on the thickness of oxide film on bubble surface, Auger electron spectroscopy （AES） was used. Based on the knowledge of corrosion science and hydrodynamics, two oxidation kinetics models of oxide film on bubble surface were established. The thicknesses of oxide films produced at different temperatures were predicted through those two models. Furthermore, the theoretical values were compared with the experimental values. The results indicate that in the range of 620？710 °C, the theoretical values of the thickness of oxide film predicted by the model including the rising process are higher than the experimental values. While, the theoretical values predicted by the model without the rising process are in good agreement with the experimental values, which shows this model objectively describes the oxidation process of oxide film on bubble surface. This work suggests that the oxidation kinetics of oxide film on bubble surface of aluminum foams produced by gas injection foaming process follows the Arrhenius equation.

THE STRUCTURE CONTROL OF ALUMINUM FOAMS PRODUCED BY POWDER COMPACTED FOAMING PROCESS

A new technique, powder compact foaming process for the production of aluminumfoams has been studied in this article. According to this method, the aluminum pow-der is mixed with a powder foaming agent (TiH_2). Subsequent to mixing, the powderblend is hot compacted to obtain a dense semi--finished product. Upon heating to tem-peratures within the range of the melting point, the foaming agent decomposes to evolvegas and the semi--finished product expands into a porous cellular aluminum. Foamingprocess is the key in this method. Based on experiments, the foaming characteris-tics were mainly analyzed and discussed. Experiments show that the aluminum--foamwith closed pores and a uniform cell structure of high porosity can be obtained usingthis method by adjusting the foaming parameters: the content of foaming agent andfoaming temperature.

3-D SIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW IN LOST FOAM PROCESS

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Properties and corrosion behavior of Al based nanocomposite foams produced by the sintering-dissolution process

The properties orAl based nanocomposite metal foams and their corrosion behaviors were investigated in this study. For this, the composite metal foams with different relative densities （porosity） reinforced with alumina nanoparticles were prepared using a powder me- tallurgy-based sintering-dissolution process （SDP） and NaC1 particles were used as space holders. Then, the effect of nanoparticle rein- forcement and different amounts of NaC1 space holders （corresponding porosity） on the microstructure, morphology, density, hardness, and electrochemical specifications of the samples were investigated. It was found that as the relative density increased from 60% to 70%, the wall thickness increased from about 200 to 300 pro, which led to a decrease in pore size. Also, the addition of nanoparticle reinforcement and the increased relative density result in increasing metal foam hardness. Moreover, electrochemical test results indicated that increasing the A1203 content reduced the corrosion rate, but increasing the porosity enhanced it.

Computational Analysis of Fluid Flow During Filling a Plate Casting Pattern in Lost Foam Process

The velocity profile determined by the gas pressure in the gas gap during molten metal filling in Lost Foam Process was numerically simulated. The results show that the molten metal flows forward in a circular-arc shape from the ingate, which is different from that in traditional green sand casting.

Porosity of aluminum alloy in lost foam casting process

The effects of modification, grain refinement, polystyrene pattern, pouring temperature and reduced pressure degree on aluminum alloy porosity in lost foam casting (LFC) process were studied. The results show that the solidification rate of LFC process is slower than that of resin sand process or clay sand process. The effect of modification and grain refinement on the aluminum alloy casting density in LFC is greater than that on resin sand process. Through α Al phase refinement process with 0.2%Ti for aluminum melt, the subversive effect of Sr modification in LFC process is decreased greatly, and the aluminum casting density in LFC process is nearly equal to that in resin sand process. To decrease the porosity of aluminum castings in LFC process, lower density of polystyrene pattern, higher pouring temperature (760～780 ℃) and lower reduced pressure degree (≤20 kPa) should be applied.[

Numerical Simulation of Foaming Processes

The literature model studied in this article describes bubble formation and growth in a highly viscous polymer liquid with support of a gaseous matter dispersed under pressure before foaming. The foam growth is induced by the application of vacuum and mass transport of volatile components dissolved in the polymer liquid. Based on this literature model, aeration processes are calculated for intermediate viscosity and low viscosity biological systems, as they are of interest for biomatter foams, in particular for food foams in industrial processes. At the end of this article, the numerical results are presented and discussed.

Burning characteristics of high density foamed GAP/CL-20 propellants

The monolithic foamed propellants with high densities were prepared by casting and two-step foaming processes.Glycidyl azide polymer(GAP)and isocyanate were used as the binder system and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane(HNIW,CL-20)was employed as the energetic component.The newly designed formulation containing 60%CL-20 produced a force constant of 1077 J/g and low flame temperature of 2817 K.Two foamed propellants with densities of 1.32 g/cm^(3)and 1.53 g/cm^(3)were fabricated by a confined foaming process and examined by closed bomb tests.The results revealed that porosity significantly affects burning performance.A size effect on combustion behaviors was observed for the foamed propellant with 5.56%porosity,and a double-hump progressive dynamic vivacity curve was obtained.At last,the 30 mm gun test was carried out to demonstrate the interior ballistic performance,and the muzzle velocity increased by 120 m/s at the same maximum chamber pressure when monolithic propellant was added in the charge.

Effects of cell size on compressive properties of aluminum foam

The effects of cell size on the quasi-static and dynamic compressive properties of open cell aluminum foams produced by infiltrating process were studied experimentally. The quasi-static and dynamic compressive tests were carried out on MTS 810 system and SHPB(split Hopkinson pressure bar) respectively. It is found that the elastic moduli and compressive strengths of the studied aluminum foam are not only dependent on the relative density but also dependent on the cell size of the foam under both quasi-static loading and dynamic loading. The foams studied show a significant strain rate sensitivity, the flow strength can be improved as much as 112%, and the cell size also has a sound influence on the strain rate sensitivity of the foams. The foams of middle cell size exhibit the highest elastic modulus, the highest flow strength and the most significant strain rate sensitivity.

Influences of synthesis methods and modifier addition on the properties of Ni-based catalysts supported on reticulated ceramic foams

A method of synthesizing Ni-based catalysts supported on α-Al2O3-based foams was developed. The foams were impregnated with aqueous solutions of metal chlorides under an air atmosphere using an aerosol route. Separate procedures involved calcination to form oxides and drying to obtain chlorides on the foam surface. The synthesized samples were subsequently reduced with hydrogen. With respect to the Ni/Al2O3 catalysts, the chloride reduction route enabled the formation ofa Ni coating without agglomerates or cracks. Further research included catalyst modification by the addition of Pd, Cu, and Fe. The influences of the additives on the degree of reduction and on the low-temperature reduction effectiveness （533 and 633 K） were examined and compared for the catalysts obtained from oxides and chlorides. Greater degrees of reduction were achieved with chlorides, whereas Pd was the most effective modifier among those investigated. The reduction process was nearly complete at 533 K in the sample that contained 0.1wt% Pd. A lower reduction temperature was utilized, and the calcination step was avoided, which may enhance the economical and technological aspects of the developed catalyst production method.

Process intensification in vapor–liquid mass transfer: The state-of-the-art

The concept of process intensification(PI) has absorbed diverse definitions and stays true to the mission—'do more with less', which is an approach purposed by chemical engineers to solve the global energy & environment problems. To date, the focus of PI has been on processes mainly involving vapor/liquid systems. Based on the fundamental principles of vapor–liquid mass transfer process like distillation and absorption, there are three strategies to intensify interphase mass transfer: enhancing the overall driving force, improving the mass transfer coefficient and enlarging the vapor–liquid interfacial area. More specifically, this article herein provides an overview of various technologies to strengthen the vapor–liquid mass transfer, including application of external fields, addition of third substances, micro-chemical technology and usage of solid foam, with the objective to contribute to the future developments and potential applications of PI in scientific research and industrial sectors.

Effect of vacuum on solidification process and microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy

Lost foam casting (LFC) is regarded as a cost-effective, environment-friendly vital option to the conventional casting process for production of near-net shape castings with high quality. Effect of vacuum on the solidification process and microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy were explored. The results indicate that vacuum plays a very important role in the heat transfer during mould filling and solidification periods, it increases the cooling rate of the filling melt, but greatly decreases the cooling rate of the casting during solidification period, and the solidification time of the casting is greater than that without vacuum. The microstructure of LFC magnesium alloy is rather coarse. Compared with that without vacuum, the microstructure of the LFC magnesium alloy under vacuum is more refined and has less precipitatedβ-phase, which is formed at the grain boundry and around the Al-Mn compound particle.

Experimental observations of the characteristics of hot electron and nonlinear processesproduced in special material

Making use of disk targets composed of several peculiar materials (foamAn, foam C8H8) and hohlraum with a special structure, experiments have been doneat "Xing Guang - II" laser facility, which study the characteristics of hot electronsand the related nonlinear processes such as Stimulated airman Scattering (SRS), TwoPlasma Decay (TPD), Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), etc.

3M^(TM) Acrylic Foam Tape 5363在轨道车辆按钮开关上的脱胶分析及工艺优化

随着中国轨道交通的发展,越来越多的轨交产品走出国门、走向世界,其中以地铁门系统最具特点。按钮开关作为门系统上的关键电子产品之一,有控制开、关门的作用,在国外被广泛采用到门系统上。其中设有盲文的按钮开关,因充分考虑特殊人群出行,深受国外客户的青睐。按钮开关盲文盖板粘接的可靠性就显得至关重要,要考虑列车不同的运行环境及各种外界因素,否则就会因为粘接不好,导致盲文盖板翘边或者脱落,引起客户的投诉和不满。企业不得不进行国外整改返修,耗费巨大的人力物力成本,也为公司带来巨大的质量损失。针对盲文盖板出现的粘接问题,对工艺路线进行总结优化,从源头上解决问题。

纤维再生微粉泡沫混凝土的配合比设计及制备研究

为解决再生微粉应用受限问题,提高资源化利用率,分析研究水灰比、发泡剂、掺合料、外加剂及纤维等因素对现有普通泡沫混凝土的影响规律,提出基于再生微粉的微活性和填充性,采用再生微粉部分取代水泥,通过物理发泡法制备纤维再生微粉泡沫混凝土,阐述新型纤维再生微粉泡沫混凝土配合比设计及制备工艺流程。

聚酯纤维泡沫混凝土力学性能及孔结构研究

纤维的掺加可有效地改善泡沫混凝土抗压强度低、脆性特征显著的缺陷,增强其工程适用性。本工作针对聚酯纤维对泡沫混凝土力学性能的改善开展试验研究,选定密度等级为700 kg/m3的泡沫混凝土,考虑不同纤维体积掺量(0.1%、0.2%、0.3%和0.4%)对其抗压强度、抗折强度、劈裂抗拉强度以及延性的影响。结果表明:纤维掺量为0.1%时,材料表现出较优的抗压和劈裂抗拉性能,28 d强度分别增加了86.4%和91.3%;纤维掺量为0.2%时,材料表现出较优的抗折性能,28 d抗折强度提升了39.1%。试样破坏形态和应力-应变曲线表明,聚酯纤维可有效地提升泡沫混凝土的延性。最后,运用图像分析处理法分别获得了五组试件的孔结构参数,从细观孔结构的角度讨论了聚酯纤维对泡沫混凝土抗压强度的影响机理。

超高铬合金叶轮消失模铸造工艺开发

介绍了超高铬合金叶轮的消失模铸造工艺,采用合金成分优化、大口出流底注式浇注系统和合理设置冒口、内冷铁以及细晶强化等措施,铸件实现了顺序凝固,消除了缩孔及裂纹等缺陷,提高了抗磨蚀性能。最终产品质量满足渣浆泵设备酸蚀工况的使用要求。

泡沫分馏技术的过程强化策略及其在食品工业中的应用研究进展

泡沫分馏是一项绿色、经济的初级分离技术,在食品工业领域具有良好的应用前景。然而,由于操作参数对界面吸附和泡沫排液具有截然相反的影响,泡沫分馏间歇操作很难同时获得较高的富集比和回收率。为了解决这一难题,研究者们开发了多种泡沫分馏过程强化策略。本文首先对近年来界面吸附和泡沫排液过程强化的相关研究进行概括总结,并分析了各种方法的优缺点。随后,综述了泡沫分馏在蛋白质、酶类、皂苷、多酚类物质和生物防腐剂的分离中的研究进展。基于文献梳理和问题分析,未来可开展以下三方面研究以促进泡沫分馏的工业应用:开发能够同时强化界面吸附和泡沫排液的新方法;开发能够特异结合非表面活性物质且可重复使用的新型捕收剂;抑制解吸过程中的蛋白质变性。