This thesis work concerns about the importance of the cast surfaces, surface phenomenon such as the formation of the oscillation marks and exudation and related defects including cracks and segregation that happened during the continuous casting. All of the investigated materials were collected during the plant trials while an in-depth analysis on these materials was performed at the laboratory scale with certain explanations supported by the schematic and theoretical models. The work consists on different material classes such as steels and phosphor bronzes with a focus on the surface defects and their improvements. In order to facilitate the theoretical analysis which could be capable of explaining the suggested phenomenon in the thesis, a reduced model is developed which required lesser computational resources with lesser convergence problems. / <p>QC 20160527</p> / Oscilation mark formation during continous casting of steel

The aim of this study is to synthesize and characterize new bulk amorphous alloys in the Ni- based systems. Theoretical studies on the basis of semi-empirical rules and the electronic theory of alloys in pseudopotential approximation has been provided in order to predict the impurity elements that will lead to an increase in the glass forming ability of Ni-based alloy systems. Glass forming ability of ten different compositions of alloys of Ni-Nb, Ni-Fe, Ni-B, Ni-Hf and Ni-Cr was simulated by using FORTRAN programs based on pseudopotential theory. In addition to the binary alloys, ternary alloys, which were formed by addition of 1 at% of third element to these systems, were also simulated. Since ordering energy is an indicator of glass forming ability, theoretical studies allowed to predict the effect of various third elements on the formation of amorphous phase. Furthermore, ordering energies were also used to calculate other parameters important for glass forming ability. In the second part of the study, on the basis of theoretical results, a series of casting experiments were done. Different compositions of Ni-Nb, Ni-Nb-Sn and Ni-Nb-Al alloys were cast in the centrifugal casting machine. Alloys were melted in alumina crucibles and cast into the copper moulds. Characterizations of cast alloys were done by the use of Metallography, SEM, XRD and DSC. Fully amorphous Ni52Nb41Al7 alloy was synthesized in bulk form with 0.8 mm thickness.

Le procédé de fusion sélective par laser est un des nombreux procédés de fabrication additive qui permet la production rapide de pièces à partir d'un fichier CAO (conception assistée par ordinateur) et de lits de poudre. Après une description du fonctionnement du procédé par l'intermédiaire de ses paramètres opératoires, le manuscrit décrit les travaux entrepris pour l'élaboration de pièces en Inconel 625. Ce superalliage à base nickel a fait l'objet d'une étude paramétrique pour déterminer un jeu de paramètre optimal permettant de produire des pièces saines. Cette étude est basée sur des considérations énergétiques qui visent à maximiser le rendement de conversion de l'énergie électromagnétique en énergie thermique tout en assurant la cohésion entre couches. Des essais de traction valident la stratégie employée au niveau de l'étude paramétrique. Un second alliage est étudié, l'Inconel 738 qui est un superalliage renforcé par la précipitation d'une phase γ'-Ni3(Al,Ti). Les travaux entrepris ne concernent pas l'élaboration mais la caractérisation de l'alliage. Il est mis en évidence que celui-ci est dans un état hors de l'équilibre thermodynamique lorsque produit par fusion laser sélective. La précipitation de la phase durcissante n'est pas complète. Ce constat peut permettre d'éviter la fissuration de l'alliage pendant la fabrication en adaptant les paramètres opératoires, notamment au niveau du préchauffage. Une étude sur les traitements thermiques montre que la gamme appliquée traditionnellement à l'alliage coulé ne convient pas pour l'alliage élaboré par fusion sélective ; cette étude ouvre sur des alternatives. Enfin, ces travaux apportent quelques éléments de réponse quant à la pertinence énergétique du procédé. / The selective laser melting (SLM) process is one of the many additive manufacturing processes that allow to rapidly build a part from a computer-aided design (CAD) file and from a powder bed. The work described here deals with the different parameters related to the process, namely the building platform stepping and the laser radiation and its interaction with the metallic matter. The first Ni-based superalloy studied here is Inconel 625 which has been subjected to a parametric study with an energetic approach. It was all about finding the maximum in the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy. Tensile tests validate the use of the energetic strategy for this alloy. The second studied alloy is Inconel 738 which is hardened by fine γ'-Ni3(Al,Ti) precipitates. Microstructure observations and differential thermal analysis reveal that the γ' precipitation is not complete when the alloy is processed by SLM. This leads to give clues for crack-free processing by adjusting the parameters and especially the preheating feature. Different heat treatments on SLMed materials have been investigated. It appears that the standard procedure applied on cast alloy to reach proper microstructure for good mechanical properties is not adapted to the SLMed alloy. New standards must be defined to comply with the initial out of equilibrium state. Last but not least, the manuscript gives information regarding the energetic use of the process which should be compared with the will of environmental impact reduction policy called by the process.

In this investigation, the fabrication of functionally graded structures of SS316L to Ni-based alloys were studied, using the novel technique 3D plasma metal deposition. Two Ni-based alloys were used, a heat resistance alloy Ni80-20 and the solid-solution strengthened Ni625. Different configurations were analyzed, for the Ni80-20 a hard transition and a smooth transition with a region of 50% SS316L/50% Ni80-20. Regarding the structures with Ni625, a smooth transition configuration and variations in the heat input were applied. The effect of the process parameters on the geometry of the structures and the microstructures was studied. Microstructure examinations were carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, microhardness analysis were made on the interfaces. In general, the smooth transition of both systems showed a gradual change in the properties. The microstructural results for the SS316L (both systems) showed an austenite matrix with δ-phase. For the mixed zone and the Ni80-20 an austenite (γ) matrix with some M7C3 precipitates and laves phase were recognized. The as-built Ni625 microstructure was composed of an austenite (γ) matrix with secondary phases laves and δ-Ni3Nb, and precipitates M7C3. The mixed zone exhibited the same phases but with changes in the morphology.

Alloy 617 displays a ductility dip during straining at exactly 1000˚C, leading to brittle fracture. A sudden decrease in ductility appearing during Gleeble hot ductility tests of Ni-based superalloys is a well-known phenomenon, while its cause is unknown. Many mechanisms have been established as possible contributors to the issue, and in later years not one, but the simultaneous presence of several of these mechanisms were confirmed as the cause. The ductility dip leads to solid state cracking and a specific solid state cracking phenomenon known as ductility dip cracking is specifically common in Ni-based superalloys. Ductility dip cracking is identified by intergranular cracks and the occurrence of specific precipitates, among other things. This work investigates the possibility that the decreased ductility is due to ductility dip cracking. Furthermore, other possible explanations are investigated. Visual examination was conducted through LOM, SEM and chemical analysis using EDS technique. Combined with thermodynamic calculations, the existence of Cr-rich M23C6 carbides, Ti(N,C) and Mo-rich particles, most likely M3B2, were confirmed. Further, it is established that the ductility dip is related to the lack of dynamic recrystallization at 1000˚C. It is not confirmed that the ductility dip in alloy 617 is due to ductility dip cracking. / Nickelbaslegeringen 617 uppvisar en minskning i duktilitet under Gleeble-dragprovning vid exakt 1000˚C vilket leder till sprött brott. En plötslig sänkning av duktiliteten vid varmdragning av Ni-baserade superlegeringar är ett välkänt fenomen, dock är orsaken inte fastställd. Många mekanismer har bekräftats som bidrag till problemet och under de senaste åren har den simultana närvaron av fler av dessa mekanismer bekräftats som orsaken. Sänkningen i duktilitet leder till sprickbildning i fast fas och en specifik typ av sprickbildning känd som ”ductility dip cracking” är speciellt förekommande i Ni-bas legeringar. Denna identifieras bland annat genom intergranulära sprickor och närvaron av specifika utskiljningar. Detta arbete undersöker möjligheten att duktilitetssänkningen beror på  ”ductility dip cracking”. Dessutom undersöks fler tänkbara förklaringar. Visuell granskning genomfördes via LOM och SEM och analys av sammansättningar via EDS-analys. I kombination med termodynamiska simuleringar blev förekomsten av Cr-rika M23C6 karbider, Ti(N,C) och Mo-rika partiklar, troligtvis M3B2, bekräftad. Fortsatt är det bekräftat att duktilitetssänkningen är relaterat till avsaknaden av rekristallisation vid 1000˚C. Det är inte bekräftat i detta arbete att duktilitetssänkningen i legering 617 beror av ”ductility dip cracking”.