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The work deals with the determination of the chemical composition and morphology of inclusions in experimental casting foundry in operating conditions as ŽĎAS in compliance with the optimum content appropriate deoxidation depending on the conditions of solidification. The introductory part is devoted to theoretical analysis of possible defects in castings. We also describe the experimental casting, sampling sites and their markings. Subsequently evaluated morphology microanalysis inclusions and the effect of inclusions on the mechanical properties and the formation of defects in the casting. The conclusion summarizes the results and proposal for further direction in the production of heavy steel castings.

Due to growing demands for steel powder properties and continuous evolution of the powder metallurgy (PM) production it is necessary to apply new investigation technics and research applications for quality investigation of the PM products. In addition, it is important to be able to predict the probable maximum size of inclusions. The industrial scale sampling of steel was made in Höganäs AB. The three dimensional (3D) analysis of non-metallic inclusions obtained by electrolytic extraction (EE) method was applied for metal samples taken from liquid steel before water-atomization and after powder forging process. It was demonstrated that the application of the 3D analysis has a perspective and possibility to be used independently or like a reference during 2D analysis of inclusions in powder metallurgy products. The tundish samples have the maximum total number of inclusions but have smaller size of complex inclusion. The size range of inclusions in the ladle and tundish samples is between 1 and 46 μm. The main type of inclusions is spherical (Si-Ca-Al-Mg-O in composition). The powder forged samples have two main types of non-metallic particles: “gray” carbon saturated (10-250 μm) and “bright” clustered oxide particles (1-37 μm with Cr-Si-Mn-Mg-Al-O in composition). The probable maximum size of inclusions was estimated based on a new particle size distribution (PSD) and the standard extreme value distribution (EVD) methods. Both methods predicted that in 1 kg of metal the maximum size of spherical inclusions is < 15 μm in liquid steel samples and the maximum length of “bright” clustered oxide particles is < 63 μm in powder forged samples. However, the prediction of the maximum size by PSD method showed necessity of the further optimization.

Nickel-base superalloys are ideal materials for application in high temperature and high stress environments. Their resistance to both heat and corrosion makes these metals well-suited for use as components in engines and turbines. There has been much interest in characterizing the mechanical properties of Ni-base superalloys under severe conditions. Either large monotonic loads or cyclic loads are the most investigated. Also, research efforts tend to focus on the influence of microstructural features of fatigue life, and they accomplish this through qualitative observation. Presented here is both quantitative and qualitative analysis done on Ni-base superalloy specimens that have been subjected to multiple types and degrees of tensile and fatigue loading. The quantitative fracture features referred to as the fracture length deviation and surface roughness are the focus of the analysis. The method of quantifying these features is a focal point of this work and is described in detail with the intention that others will be able to apply it in future research. The research presented here also catalogues an extensive collection of microscopic-level images obtained with a specific optical microscope that allows a topographical view to be taken of the fracture surface. This type of analysis allows comparisons to be drawn across multiple samples of both the directionally solidified and the single crystal variety of the superalloy, in addition to distinguishing the different effects of the material orientation.

At temperatures above 0.5 Tm and in aggressive atmospheres predicting alloy performance is particularly challenging. Nickel alloys used in regimes where microstructure and properties are altered dynamically present unique requirements. Exposure may alter properties with unexpected early failure. The Gleeble is a valuable tool for investigation and simulation of thermo-mechanical properties of an alloy in various regimes up to the threshold of melting. In this study, four regimes of temperature and strain rate were simulated in an argon atmosphere to both investigate and document normal and abnormal failure modes. Commercial Inconel 601 was tested in selected regimes and in two treatments (as received and strain aged). Next two exposed conditions (TEOS and Hydride) were tested. Slow strain-rate and high temperature produced brittle intergranular fracture. Exposure at elevated temperature to process gases reduced both strength and ductility in both TEOS and Hydride. TEOS exposure reduced reduction in area in the alloy significantly more than the Hydride exposure.

<p>  </p> <p>Due to the difficulty in physically observing the phenomena inside the actual ladle furnace in the industry, to ascertain optimized methodology for high-grade steel production, an investigation was carried out using numerical modeling to simulate the behavior of alloying elements within the liquid steel bulk using ANSYS Fluent 2020 R1 (ANSYS Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA). The model solves the governing equations utilized in computing the trajectories of each particle in the discrete phase. Furthermore, a user defined (UDF) code maps the mass of each parcel based on the total amount of alloy injected. The code also defines the total time it takes for the shell formed around the added materials to melt or dissolve. The study consists of a two-step procedure: ladle stirring by argon inert gas injection and mixing study by injecting micro-alloying elements to capture the flow field, turbulence, and species transport occurring during the refining process. A generic dual plug ladle metallurgy furnace, dimensions, and data obtained from Nucor Steel is used to validate the CFD simulation results. Concise parametric studies consist of ladle geometry design adjustments, variations of argon gas flow rates, and different alloying elements. Though the efficiency of the LMF process is quantified using the mixing time, which decreases as initial gas flow rates increase, results from this study show that extremely high charging of ladles is optional in obtaining shorter mixing. Also, particles behave substantially differently when their densities are below or above that of steel, and their melting points and specific heat capacities influence the time it takes for them to melt or dissolve. The overall potential outcome for this study is to improve the mixing practices due to different optimal procedures required by some materials than others.</p>

Magnesium aluminate spinel inclusions are a concern in the steelmaking industry since these particles affect the processing and the properties of steel. During the refining of low carbon aluminum killed steel in the ladle furnace; the initial alumina inclusions shift their composition towards higher contents of MgO and eventually they become magnesium aluminate spinel inclusions. This research developed a kinetic model for the transformation of alumina inclusions to spinel in liquid steel. The aspects of simultaneous deoxidation and of solid state cation counterdiffusion were addressed in the model. Coupling the model for spinel inclusions to a kinetic model for the slag-steel reactions in the ladle furnace allowed verifying the modeled concentrations in the inclusions with the plant data measurements of ArcelorMittal Dofasco operations. Good agreement between the experimental and calculated Mg contents in the inclusions was obtained for most of the industrial heats analyzed. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the coupled kinetic model was performed to compare the effect of the different processing conditions and mass transfer rates on the amount of Mg and spinel in the inclusions. Several results from this work indicate that the rate limiting step on the formation of magnesium aluminate spinel inclusions is the supply rate of dissolved [Mg] from the slag-steel reaction; the supply of [Mg] is in turn controlled by the changes at the slag-steel interface. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The dimensional control is a crucial aspect for any manufacturing process. In Powder Metallurgy, and in particular in net shape press and sinter process, dimensional control assumes a particular relevance, since sintering of green parts involves dimensional variations that can be from 0 to 2-3% in volume. The dimensional variation in sintering is either shrinkage or swelling. Both depend on the material and on several process parameters relevant to the compaction and the sintering operations. Experimental evidences proved dimensional variations to be affected by an anisotropic behavior. This important phenomenon affects the effectiveness of the dimensional control if not opportunely taken into consideration in the design process. Professor Ilaria Cristofolini and Professor Alberto Molinari have started a deep investigation on this phenomenon, about five years ago, involving an important experimental campaign. The main idea is to collect a large quantity of data, both on ad-hoc designed samples and on parts produced by qualified PM companies cooperating with the University of Trento. The purpose is to develop a realistic model, able to explain and describe the mechanisms involved in the anisotropy of dimensional changes, and the dependence on the geometry of the parts, building a robust knowledge to improve the design methodologies in the industrial production. The present work investigates the effect of the geometrical characteristics of the part on the dimensional variations in sintering, giving a particular importance on its anisotropic behavior. The influence of geometry has been investigated using rings and disks with varying heights, external diameters and internal diameters. The influence of the sintering temperature has been also evaluated. The dimensional variation has been measured by a tri-dimensional Coordinate Measuring Machine. The anisotropy has been defined through a specifically determined parameter, which has been used to develop a predictive model estimating the anisotropy of the dimensional variations. This model has been then validated on complex parts produced by a Powder Metallurgy company.

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