HEAT TRANSFER BEHAVIOR OF SUPERALLOY DROPLETS DURING SPRAY FORMING

Based on the Newtonian heat transfer formulation and classical heterogeneous nucleation theory, a mathematical model has been established to predict the profile of flight velocity, heat transfer coefficient, temperature, solid fraction and cooling rate of atomizing droplets for a superalloy. The results indicated that above parameters change with different droplet size and flight distance. The changing trend as well as the mechanism for the change are described and discussed.

Fatigue strength and microstructure evaluation of Al 7050 alloy wires recycled by spray forming,extrusion and rotary swaging

Recycled high-strength aluminum alloys have limited use as structural materials due to poor mechanical properties. Spray forming remelting followed by hot extrusion is a promising route for reprocessing 7 xxx alloys. The 7050 alloy machining chips were spray formed, hot extruded, rotary swaged and heat-treated in order to improve mechanical properties. Microstructures, tensile properties and fatigue strength results for a 2.7 mm-diameter recycled wire are presented. Secondary phases and precipitates were investigated by XRD, SEM, EBSD, TEM and DSC. As-swaged and heat-treated(solution and aging) conditions were evaluated. Mechanical properties of both conditions outperformed AA7050 aerospace specification. Substantial grain refinement resulted from the extensive plastic deformation imposed by rotary swaging. Refined micrometric and sub-micrometric Al grains, as well as coarse and fine intermetallic precipitates were observed. Subsequent solution treatment resulted in a homogeneous, recrystallized and equiaxed microstructure with grain size of 9 μm. Nanoscale GP(I) zones and η′ phase precipitates formed after aging at 120 ℃, imparting higher tensile(586 MPa) and fatigue(198 MPa) strengths.

Plasma Spray Forming of Nanostructured Composite Coatings

The nanostructure composite coating is obtained via plasma spraying of Al2O3-13 wt pct TiO2 powder. Brittle and hard lamella results from melted nanostructured powder. Ductile nanostructured matrix forms from unmelted nanostructured particles. Through the adjustment of constituent and nanostructure, hardness/strength and toughness/ductility are balanced and overall properties of the structure composite are achieved.

Production of high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys by spray forming process

High strength Al Zn Mg Cu alloys were produced by spray forming process, and compacted by hot extrusion. The results show that the as deposited billets have fine grained microstructure and low porosity. After heat treatment, mechanical properties increase greatly: tensile strength up to 754 MPa, yield strength up to 722 MPa, fracture elongation up to 8%, and elastic modulus up to 72 GPa, respectively. [

Microstructural Features and Mechanical Properties Induced by the Spray Forming and Cold Rolling of the Cu-13.5 wt pct Sn Alloy

Copper alloys with high strength and high conductivity are an important functional material with full of potential applications. In the present investigation, a bronze with higher tin content （Cu-13.5 wt pct Sn） was prepared successfully by spray forming, the feasibility of cold roiling this alloy was investigated, and the cold roiling characteristics of this alloy have also been discussed. The results indicate that the spray-formed Cu-13.5 wt pct Sn alloy, compared with the as-cast ingot, shows a quite fine and homogeneous single-phase structure, and, therefore shows an excellent workability. It can be cold-roiled with nearly 15% reduction in the thickness per pass and the total reduction can reach 80%. The classical border between the wrought and cast alloys is shifted to considerably higher tin contents by spray forming. After proper thermo-mechanical treatment, spray-formed Cu-13.5 wt pct Sn alloy exhibits excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. Particularly, it shows a low elastic modulus （-88 GPa） and a high flow stress （over 800 MPa） after cold forming. This combination of properties is unique in the domain of metallic materials and could open new possibilities in spring technology field.

Shape-predicted model of spray forming rod under scanning atomization

A model for simulating the spray forming process with scanning atomizer was developed.Models for the scanning atomization and the deposition processes were coupled together in order to obtain a new description of the spray forming process.The model,which is able to predict the shape of a spray-formed billet prepared with scanning atomizer,was established after analyzing the changes in droplet size and density distribution along the r-axis in the spray cone in scanning atomization.The effects of the two kinds of atomization were compared,showing that the scanning atomization is good for deposition.

Modeling and Simulation of the Microstructure Evolution of the Gas-atomized Alloy Droplets during Spray Forming

In order to understand the solidification process of an atomized droplet and predict the fraction solidification of droplets with flight distance during spray forming, a numerical model based on the population dynamics approach is developed to describe the microstructure evolution under the common action of the nucleation and growth of grains. The model is coupled with droplets heat transfer controlling equations and solved for AI-4.5 wt pct Cu alloy. It is demonstrated that the numerical results describe the solidification process well.

Experimental and mathematical modeling of metal spray forming process

The metal spray forming process was examined using mathematical simulation and verified through the prototyping evaluation at Baosteel＇ s test and development facilities. The mathematical model comprised of four sections, including jet gas flow in the deposition chamber;single droplet behavior along its trajectory path;probability and statistical analysis of droplet mass behavior, and forecast of the shape and temperature distribution of the billet during the spray forming process.

Spray forming and mechanical properties of a new type powder metallurgy superalloy

The deposited billet of a new type powder metallurgy （PM） superalloy FGH4095M for use in turbine disk manufac- turing has been fabricated using spray forming technology. The metallurgical quality of the deposited billet was analyzed in terms of density, texture, and grain size. Comparative research was done on the microstructure and mechanical properties between the flat disk preform prepared with hot isostatic pressing （HIP） and the same alloy forgings prepared with HIP followed by isothermal forging （IF）. The results show that the density of the spray-formed and nitrogen-atomized deposit billet is above 99% of the theoretical density, indicating a compact structure. The grains are uniform and fine. The billet has weak texture with a random distribution in the spray deposition direction and perpendicular to the direction of deposition. A part of atomizing nitrogen exists in the preform in the form of carbonitride. Nitrogen-induced microporosity causes the density reduction of the preform. Compared with the process of HIP＋IF, the superalloy FGH4095M after HIP has better mechanical properties at both room temperature and high temperature. The sizes of the 7~ phase are finer in microstructure of the preform after HIP in comparison with the forgings after HIP＋IE This work shows that SF＋HIP is a viable processing route for FGH4095M as a turbine-disk material.

High Speed Steel and WC Particle-Reinforced Composites Produce by Spray Forming

The process of spray forming utilized to fabricate WC particle-reinforced high speed steel composites has been studied. In addition, microstructures and mechanical properties of M2 high speed steel and its composites made by spray forming have been analyzed. The results show that the primary carbides of high speed steel are of two types: MC and MbC. With the increase in flight distance, the morphology of the primary carbides varies from fine fish-bone-like to islandlike and both bending strength and hardness increase. With the increase in volume fraction of WC reinforcement particles,hardness of the composites increases considerably, but bending strength, however, appears to be a decreasing tendency.

Plasma Spray Forming

In the course of plasma spray, the plasma jet is comprehensively functioned by such effects as thermal pinch, magnetic pinch and mechanical compression and the flow is jetting at a high speed, the energy is concentrated and its center temperature is so high as to reach upwards of 15 000 ℃ which is capable of melting various kinds of materials inclusive of ceramic, it has a broad applied prospects in the fields of automobile, electronics, telecommunications, medical treatment, air navigation & space navigation and light industries etc because of being able to rapid fabricate thin-walled metals, ceramics and alloy parts thereof, metal moulds, functionally gradient material moulds and so on, and it has become a research spotlight for the scholars. The technology of plasma spray forming (PSF) is introduced, and the two different kinds of technique presented in this paper are studied. Some typical links in the course of technical process is also analyzed, including original prototype fabrication and surface treatment, post-treatment of formed workpiece and demoulding methods. When spraying, it should select the appropriate making methods of prototype according to the dimensions, shapes and forming accuracy as required by the formed parts. At the same time, it should be paid to the characteristic of the material for the prototype. The main purpose of surface treatment of the prototype is to raise the quality of formed parts and ensure the integrity demoulding of the coating. The method of the prototype’s surface treatment is closely related to the demoulding method, which is mainly comprised of destructive demoulding, non-destructive demoulding and composite demoulding, and is key technology in PSF. In order to eliminate these intrinsic defects and improve its performance, the fabricated parts can be given the necessary post-treatment so as to further raise the mechanical strength and surface quality. There are many methods for the post-treatment such as chemical reinforcment, metal melt-infiltration, laser-melting and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, etc., all these methods can decrease the porosity and raise the quality of coating and service performance; whereas the finishing machining can improve the surface roughness of spray formed parts. In the course of spray forming, affected by such complex and complicated factors as electric field, the entangled ambient gas and introduced powder, as a result, it shall induce the instability of the spray condition and affect the forming quality. This paper has, on the basis of large quantity of experiments, analyzed every links in the course of PSF, summarized and evaluated the main factors affecting on the quality of formed parts, such as prototype characteristic, characteristic of plasma jet, powder characteristic, spray gun and spray parameters. The experiments prove that the process of PSF is simple and the cost is lower in rapid tooling with complex and complicated fine patterns, and PSF is apt to form special-shape and thin-walled parts made of some protective materials so as to protect those fragile workpieces. Therefore PSF is a new technology with broad and brilliant prospects of development.

Numerical simulation of tube profile growth during spray forming process

Spray forming is a new type of metal material forming process,which can produce metal blanks such as billet, tube,plate etc. A mathematical model has been developed to forecast the shape evolution of tube billets during the spray forming process. The atomizer mass flux as ,radial distribution coefficient bs, draw velocity and diameter of mandrel were considered in this model and the influence of different parameters such as metal flowrate, draw velocity of mandrel, diameter of mandrel on the tube＇ s shape change were simulated and analyzed in this paper. The simulation results obtained from this model can be provided to engineers as reference.

A study on mathematical simulation of spray forming process

An integrated approach for modeling the entire spray forming process is presented in this paper, and the program for the simulation is developed. The whole spray forming process can be divided into four calculation processes and the basis for the analysis is the classical k -ε turbulence model which was used to simulate the flow field of gas formed in the chamber. In the atomization model the flow field of gas is coupled with formation, velocity and location of droplet. By means of the above mathematical model, the process of spray forming was simulated.

The numerical simulation of the movements and thermal states of atomized metal droplets in the spray forming process

Numerical simulation was performed in an atomizing chamber to investigate the movements and thermal states of the atomized metal droplets in the spray forming process. The velocity, temperature and solid fractions of metal droplets with different diameters and under different atomizing pressures were investigated. The results indicate that a higher atomizing pressure results in the increased flying velocity of the metal droplets and a decrease in the cone-shaped angle formed by their flight paths. Synchronously, the cooling of the metal droplets is accelerated and the time of the complete solidification process is shortened. Under the same atomization pressure, large metal droplets have a lower flying speed and a lower rate of temperature decrease in the atomizing chamber than small metal droplets. In addition, metal droplets flying along the edge of the atomizing region cool faster than those flying in the core region.

Effect of cold rolling deformation on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of spray formed Al−Zn−Mg−Cu−Cr alloys

The impact of cold rolling deformation,which was introduced after solid solution and before aging treatment,on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the as-extruded spray formed Al−9.8Zn−2.3Mg−1.73Cu−0.13Cr(wt.%)alloy,was investigated.SEM,TEM,and EBSD were used to analyze the microstructures,and tensile tests were conducted to assess mechanical properties.The results indicate that the D1-T6 sample,subjected to 25%cold rolling deformation,exhibits finer grains(3.35μm)compared to the D0-T6 sample(grain size of 4.23μm)without cold rolling.Cold rolling refines the grains that grow in solution treatment.Due to the combined effects of finer and more dispersed precipitates,higher dislocation density and smaller grains,the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the D1-T6 sample can reach 663 and 737 MPa,respectively.In comparison to the as-extruded and D0-T6 samples,the yield strength of the D1-T6 sample increases by 415 and 92 MPa,respectively.

Metal Spray Forming Process Examined Using Mathematical Model

The metal spray forming process was examined using the mathematical model simulation by Baosteel＇s test and developed facilities.The mathematical model comprised of the probability and statistical analysis of the droplet mass behavior and predicted the shape and temperature distribution of the billet during the spray forming process.

Microstructure and Properties of 7075Al Alloy Fabricated by Directly Combined of Spray Forming and Continuous Extrusion Forming under Different Atomization Gas Pressures

A new process consisting of the spray forming and the continuous extrusion forming for manufacturing 7075A1 alloy was proposed. The microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and the resistance to stress corrosion cracking of the alloy were studied. The results indicate that the spray forming process induces obviously grain refinement and greatly lower segregation microstructure. Besides, the Conform process produces finer grains and conduces to more uniform distribution of the precipitates of A1Cu and MgZn2 phases. The fabricated alloy shows good comprehensive mechanical properties and superb performance of stress corrosion resistance. Moreover, a better combination of the mechanical properties and the resistance to stress corrosion cracking could then be obtained under a certain condition of atomization gas pressure of 0.19 MPa. The enhanced properties are attributed to the following factors, which include the grain refinement, the fine and homogeneous distribution of A1Cu and MgZn2 phases, the high density of the extruded products, as well as the discontinuous distribution of the grain boundaries after retrogression and reaging （RRA） heat treatment.

Microstructure and forming characteristics of spray-formed M42 high speed steel

M42 high speed steel （HSS）, a high grade alloy, was produced using the spray forming technology. Optical metallography （OM）,X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） were used to investigate the microstructures of the as-sprayed M42 HSS and the as-atomized powders. It is found that as-sprayed M42 HSS is composed of martensite, retained austenite and carbides. The grain size, as well as the morphology, size and distribution of the carbides have been greatly improved compared with those of the as-cast M42 steel （ a traditional process）. The size of the powder obtained at a high cold speed was ranged from 50 μm to 100μm in diameter. Its representative microstructures include dendrite, dendritic fragments, a mixture of dendrites, equiaxed grains and dendritic fragments,and equiaxed grains. The rapid solidification in the spray forming is a key factor to cause the refinement of the M42 HSS.

High speed steel produced by spray forming

In this paper, ASP2030 （A30） high speed steel （HSS） was produced by spray forming and the microstructure was studied by optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission elec- tron microscopy （TEM）, electron probe microanalysis （EPMA） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The spray formed A30 （SF A30） steel exhibited a very uniform and fine microstructure consisting of martensite, retained austenite and uniformly distributed network carbides. Microstructure refining can be explained in terms of the rapid solidification of spray forming. M2C, MC and M6C type carbides were found in the as-sprayed A30 HSS by XRD and TEM. A uniform distribution of carbides was obtained after forging and annealing. The microstructure properties of SF A30 steel indicate that spray forming can be considered as a cost-effective route for the production of A30 steels and other highly alloyed steels.

Effect of TiB_2 addition on microstructure of spray-formed Si-30Al composite

An in situ reaction and spray forming technique were employed in the synthesis of 2% TiB2/Si-30Al composite.The formation mechanism of TiB2 particulates was explained based on thermodynamic theory.The modification of the primary Si in the Si-30Al alloy was interpreted in the light of the knowledge of atomic diffusion.The experimental results show that adding 2% TiB2 to the Si-30Al alloy can effectively refine the primary Si.Moreover,the coarsening and growth of primary Si phase in its semi-solid state was retarded effectively due to the existence of the TiB2 particulates.