Mechanical,electrical, and thermal properties of the directionally solidified Bi-Zn-Al ternary eutectic alloy

A Bi-2.0Zn-0.2Al (wt%) ternary eutectic alloy was prepared using a vacuum melting furnace and a casting furnace. The samples were directionally solidified upwards at a constant growth rate (V = 18.4 μm/s) under different temperature gradients (G = 1.15–3.44 K/mm) and at a constant temperature gradient (G = 2.66 K/mm) under different growth rates (V = 8.3–500 μm/s) in a Bridgman-type directional solidification furnace. The dependence of microstructure parameter (λ) on the solidification parameters (G and V) and that of the microhardness (Hv) on the microstructure and solidification parameters were investigated. The resistivity (ρ) measurements of the studied alloy were performed using the standard four-point-probe method, and the temperature coefficient of resistivity (α) was calculated from the ρ-T curve. The enthalpy (ΔH) and the specific heat (C_p) values were determined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. In addition, the thermal conductivities of samples, obtained using the Wiedemann-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations, were compared with the experimental results. The results revealed that, the thermal conductivity values obtained using the Wiedemann-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations for the Bi-2.0Zn-0.2Al (wt%) alloy are in the range of 5.2–6.5 W/Km and 15.2–16.4 W/Km, respectively.     

Mechanical properties of directionally solidified lead-antimony alloys

The Pb-17wt% Sb alloy was directionally solidified under two solidification conditions: with different temperature gradients (G=0.93–3.67 K/mm) at a constant growth rate (V=17.50 μm/s) and with different growth rates (V=8.3–497 μm/s) at a constant temperature gradient (G=3.67 K/mm) in a Bridgman furnace. Microstructure parameters, such as primary dendrite arm spacing (λ₁), secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ₂), and dendrite tip radius (R), were measured. The microhardness (Hv) and ultimate tensile strength (σ) of the directional solidification samples were also measured. The influences of solidification and microstructure parameters on Hv and σ were investigated. The results obtained in this work were compared with similar experimental researches in literatures. It is shown that the Hv and σ values increase with the increase of G and V, but decrease with the increase of λ₁, λ₂, and R.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of composites produced by recycling metal chips

In this study, the processing and mechanical properties of porous metal matrix composites (MMCs) composed of spheroidal cast iron chips (GGG40) and bronze chips (CuSn10) and formed by hot isostatic pressing were investigated. Bronze chips (CuSn10) were used as a matrix component, and spheroidal cast iron (GGG40) chips were used as a reinforcement component. The MMCs were produced with different CuSn10 contents (90wt%, 80wt%, 70wt%, and 60wt%). The hot isostatic pressing process was performed under three different pressures and temperatures. The produced MMCs were characterized using density tests, Brinell hardness tests, and compression tests. In addition, the consolidation mechanism was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The test results were compared with those for bulk CuSn10 and bulk GGG40. Mechanical tests results revealed that the metallic chips can be recycled by using hot pressing and that the mechanical properties of the produced MMCs were similar to those of bulk CuSn10. XRD and microscopy studies showed that no intermetallic compounds formed between the metallic chips. The results showed that the CuSn10 and GGG40 chips were consolidated by mechanical interlocking.