Metallurgical analysis of a failed maraging steel shear screw used in the band separation system of a satellite launch vehicle

Maraging steels have excellent combination of strength and toughness and are extensively used for a variety of aerospace applications. In one such critical application, this steel was used to fabricate shear screws of a stage separation system in a satellite launch vehicle. During assembly preparations, one of the shear screws which connected the separation band and band end block has failed at the first thread. Microstructural analysis revealed that the crack originated from the root of the thread and propagated in an intergranular mode. The failure is attributed to combined effect of stress and corrosion leading to stress corrosion cracking.

Microstructure and texture evolution in AZ31 magnesium alloy during caliber rolling at different temperatures

Magnesium alloy AZ31 was caliber rolled at different temperatures viz.523K,573K,623K,673K and 723K imposing a total cumulative reduction of 92%and a cumulative strain of 2.6.The associated microstructure and texture evolution were studied using Electron Back Scattered Diffraction(EBSD)and X-ray macro-texture observations respectively.Grain refinement was observed in all the caliber rolled bars indicating the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization.Asymmetry parameter and texture index were used to study the evolution of texture.Near doubling of the yield strength at room temperature was observed by caliber rolling at a temperature of 573K.The improvement in mechanical properties was explained on the basis of the fine grain microstructures and suitable development of crystallographic texture.Based on the present study,warm caliber rolling can be used as a good production method for obtaining long bars of high strength magnesium alloy AZ31.

Influence of magnetically constricted arc traverse speed (MCATS) on tensile properties and microstructural characteristics of welded Inconel 718 alloy sheets

The magnetically constricted arc technique was implemented to mitigate the heat input related metallurgical problems in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding(GTAW)of Inconel 718 alloy particularly Nb segregation and subsequent laves phase evolution in fusion zone.This paper reports the direct effect of magnetically constricted arc traverse speed(MCATS)on bead profile,tensile properties and microstructural evolution of Inconel 718 alloy sheets joined by Gas Tungsten Constricted Arc Welding(GTCAW)process.The mechanism amenable for the microstructural modification and corresponding influence on the tensile properties of joints is investigated both in qualitative and quantitative manner related to the mechanics of arc constriction and pulsing.It is correlated to the solidification conditions during welding.The relationship between MCATS and Arc Constriction Current(ACC)was derived.Its interaction effect on the magnetic arc constriction and joint performance was analysed.Results showed that the joints fabricated using CATS of 70 mm/min exhibited superior tensile properties(98.39% of base metal strength with 31.50% elongation).It is attributed to the grain refinement in fusion zone microstructure leading to the evolution of finer,discrete laves phase in interdendritic areas.

Effect of micro arc oxidation treatment on localized corrosion behaviour of AA7075 aluminum alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution

Alumina coating was formed on AA7075 aluminum alloy by micro arc oxidation（MAO） method and its corrosion and stress corrosion cracking（SCC） behaviors were examined in 3.5%（mass fraction） NaCl solution.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） was used to evaluate the degradation of the coating as a function of immersion time and was modeled with appropriate equivalent circuits.Constant load stress corrosion cracking（SCC） results followed by post-test metallographic observations demonstrated the usefulness of MAO coating to avoid the premature failure of the alloy due to severe localized corrosion initiated by Cu-and Fe-rich intermetallic phases.

Environmentally assisted cracking resistance of Al-Cu-Li alloy AA2195 using slow strain rate test in 3.5% NaCl solution

The general corrosion and environmental cracking resistances of Al-Cu-Li alloy AA2195 were investigated in 3.5% NaCl environment and compared with those of another high strength alloy AA2219. The general corrosion resistance of these alloys was examined using immersion corrosion and potentiodynamic polarization tests, while the stress corrosion cracking （SCC） resistance was evaluated by slow strain rate test （SSRT） method. The tested samples were further characterized by SEM-EDS and optical profilometry to study the change in corrosion morphology, elemental content and depth of corrosion attack. The reduction in ductility was used as a parameter to evaluate the SCC susceptibility of the alloys. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of AA2195 alloy was better than that of AA2219 alloy as it exhibited lower corrosion rate, along with lower pit depth and density. However, the SCC index （εNaCl/εair） measured was greater than 0.90, indicating good environmental cracking resistance of both the alloys. Detailed fractography of the failed samples under SEM？EDS, in general, revealed a typical ductile cracking morphology for both the alloys.

自由取向炭/炭复合材料的新型制备及工艺优化（英文）

采用在炭纤维束的内部浸润熔融沥青的传统方法制备得到的炭/炭(C/C)复合材料难以实现细旦化水平,这是因为单束丝中含有数千根丝,经浸渍后沥青附着,从而引起沥青局部渗出,以及因不均匀沥青稳定性而导致微观结构不均匀。本文通过稳定的中间相沥青和分散的短切炭纤维混合、热压和炭化过程制备出细旦化水平的C/C复合材料。探讨了工艺参数对中间相沥青残炭率的影响。通过残炭率/工艺时间、残炭率!(表观密度/实密度)来优化工艺参数。结果表明,通过此法得到了细旦化水平的中间相沥青与炭纤维复合材料。中间相沥青的残炭率随加热升温速率、沥青/炭纤维质量比的增加而降低;随热压压力而增加。在高压力和高质量比下,发生沥青局部渗出。通过调控得到最佳的C/C复合材料制备工艺参数为:热压压力15 MPa,升温速率0. 2℃/min及沥青/炭纤维质量比1∶1。