Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica(Opção de Materiais e Processos Tecnológicos), na Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto

This thesis deals with the heat evolution duringsolidification and its relation to the formation of porosity.It intends to improve the current understanding of theformation of porosity in cast materials with special interestin nodular cast iron and the spray forming process. Twodifferent systems, a Fe-based alloy, Cast iron, and a Ni-basedalloy, Inconel 625, are examined. The effect on the heatevolution of the morphology and the processing parameters inspray forming are treated. An evaluation of the microstructural features, segregationbehavior and physical properties such as latent heat of fusionis performed byusing thermal analysis under cooling ratesranging from 0.1 to 104 K/s. In order to achieve this amodified differential thermal analysis (DTA) equipment, amirror furnace and levitation casting are used. Results arepresented in terms of the fraction of solidified, the coolingrate and the microstructure observed. The measured latent heatof fusion is not constant throughout the solidificationprocess. Variations in morphology and cooling rate affect therelease of the latent heat. A thermodynamic model is used to describe the experimentalobservations and to explain the formation of pores in nodularcast iron by taking into consideration the formation of latticedefects during the liquid/solid transformation. In this casethe formation of porosity is regarded as a consequence ofchanges in the volume fraction ratio graphite/ during thesolidification process. A numerical model of the spray forming process is developedby means of CFD modelling and compared with experimentalmeasurements performed in an industrial facility. Stagnationpressure measurements provided information about the gas flowvelocity and an analysis of the overspray powder providedinformation about the particle thermal history. Evaluation ofthe deposit was also performed. It is observed that the processconditions in spray forming promote non-equilibriumsolidification even though solidification at the deposit occursat a lower rate. In this case the porosity formed near theinterface substrate/deposit depends largely on the substratetemperature. The presence of certain reactive elements, such astitanium, affects the porosity levels in the rest of thedeposit. <b>Keywords:</b>Thermal Analysis, Nodular Cast Iron, Inconel625, CFD, Flow Assesment, Multiphase Flow, Spray Deposition,Microporosity, Superalloys

This thesis is on the fatigue assessment of cast components with special attention to defects. The primary material in view is nodular cast iron, but also cast steel is considered. However, the fatigue behaviour is in principle valid for general use on other cast metals.The first two papers is about general cast material behaviour in fatigue loading. The materials considered are a high strength alloyed cast steel and a medium strength nodular cast iron. It is concluded that cast defects is the main fatigue initiation cause and it is only in exception that the fatigue life is not ruled by fracture mechanics. The third paper is a fracture mechanics evaluation of a nodular iron cast sleeve. The analysis of the component is based on crack initiation from cast defects and low-cycle fatigue. Fracture mechanics material parameters for Paris law, c and m, are extracted for the materials considered. In paper D design quality rules for nodular cast iron based on the Swedish standard SS 11 40 60 is presented. The quality rules regard cast defects in fatigue assessments and facilitate defect-based component design. In paper E, a finite element tool that is capable to predict and calculate 3D crack propagation for embedded cracks and defects is presented. The tool is an add-on for ANSYS finite element program. In paper F, closure equations for nodular cast iron are proposed in parallel to refined fracture mechanics material data. The paper includes crack propagation at different load ratios and in different microstructures.Summarized, the thesis composes a further development of the fatigue assessment of cast components. The central role of defects in fatigue is clarified and tools are provided for fracture mechanics evaluations of defects as well as for defect based design. The quality rules are also fit for application in manufacturing and for acceptance tests, hence covering the span from design to complete product. / QC 20100712 / Gjutdesign

This study focuses on joining pearlitic ductile cast iron with low carbon steel by welding and investigation of this joint in microstructural and mechanical viewpoints. For this purpose E355 steel and GJS600-3 cast iron were joined using metal active gas (MAG) welding process by G3Si1 filler wire. The joining process is shaped mainly by the problems related to the low weldability of cast. Preheating was applied to prevent formation of cooling cracks and effects of post weld heat treatments (PWHT) were surveyed. Micro examination and micro hardness tests were applied to characterize the general microstructure. Grain size measurements were done for E355. Hardness profiles, tension and impact toughness properties were designated via mechanical tests. Fatigue behavior was surveyed and general fracture characteristics were determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations. According to study it was concluded that successful weld joint could be formed between the materials by suitable preheating. Formation of ledeburitic white cast iron and martensite in heat affected zone of cast piece was witnessed. It was possible to lower high hardness values of these phases gradually by increasing post weld heat treatment temperatures. The weld joint behaved superior to the base metals under tension and fatigue tests. In tension tests failure occurred at E355 base metal whereas fatigue loading resulted failure at GJS600-3. A great impact toughness variation was determined between two pieces. It is seen that heat treatments had minor effect on mechanical test results except hardness. The study was concluded that a useful fusion weld joint between these materials can be built.

<p>This thesis deals with the heat evolution duringsolidification and its relation to the formation of porosity.It intends to improve the current understanding of theformation of porosity in cast materials with special interestin nodular cast iron and the spray forming process. Twodifferent systems, a Fe-based alloy, Cast iron, and a Ni-basedalloy, Inconel 625, are examined. The effect on the heatevolution of the morphology and the processing parameters inspray forming are treated.</p><p>An evaluation of the microstructural features, segregationbehavior and physical properties such as latent heat of fusionis performed byusing thermal analysis under cooling ratesranging from 0.1 to 104 K/s. In order to achieve this amodified differential thermal analysis (DTA) equipment, amirror furnace and levitation casting are used. Results arepresented in terms of the fraction of solidified, the coolingrate and the microstructure observed. The measured latent heatof fusion is not constant throughout the solidificationprocess. Variations in morphology and cooling rate affect therelease of the latent heat.</p><p>A thermodynamic model is used to describe the experimentalobservations and to explain the formation of pores in nodularcast iron by taking into consideration the formation of latticedefects during the liquid/solid transformation. In this casethe formation of porosity is regarded as a consequence ofchanges in the volume fraction ratio graphite/ during thesolidification process.</p><p>A numerical model of the spray forming process is developedby means of CFD modelling and compared with experimentalmeasurements performed in an industrial facility. Stagnationpressure measurements provided information about the gas flowvelocity and an analysis of the overspray powder providedinformation about the particle thermal history. Evaluation ofthe deposit was also performed. It is observed that the processconditions in spray forming promote non-equilibriumsolidification even though solidification at the deposit occursat a lower rate. In this case the porosity formed near theinterface substrate/deposit depends largely on the substratetemperature. The presence of certain reactive elements, such astitanium, affects the porosity levels in the rest of thedeposit.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Thermal Analysis, Nodular Cast Iron, Inconel625, CFD, Flow Assesment, Multiphase Flow, Spray Deposition,Microporosity, Superalloys</p>

O bócio multinodular (BMN) é definido como aumento da glândula tireóide devido a proliferação de tireócitos e caracteriza-se pela heterogeneidade no crescimento e função das células foliculares. É uma patologia comum, com aumento da prevalência em áreas com deficiência de iodo, sendo este o principal fator etiológico do BMN. O BMN é considerado uma neoplasia benigna da tireóide. A patogênese desta disfunção ainda não foi inteiramente elucidada. Nesta revisão serão abordados os mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese e os principais aspectos etiológicos e clínicos do BMN. / Multinodular goiter (MNG) is an enlargement of the thyroid gland and is characterized by heterogeneity in growth and function of thyroid follicular cells. It is a common pathology, with higher prevalence in iodine deficiency areas. Iodine deficiency is the main etiologic factor for MNG. MNG have been considered a true thyroid neoplasm. The pathogenesis of multinodular goiter is not yet clarified. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of MNG with respect to the pathology, etiologic and clinical characteristics.

O bócio multinodular (BMN) é definido como aumento da glândula tireóide devido a proliferação de tireócitos e caracteriza-se pela heterogeneidade no crescimento e função das células foliculares. É uma patologia comum, com aumento da prevalência em áreas com deficiência de iodo, sendo este o principal fator etiológico do BMN. O BMN é considerado uma neoplasia benigna da tireóide. A patogênese desta disfunção ainda não foi inteiramente elucidada. Nesta revisão serão abordados os mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese e os principais aspectos etiológicos e clínicos do BMN. / Multinodular goiter (MNG) is an enlargement of the thyroid gland and is characterized by heterogeneity in growth and function of thyroid follicular cells. It is a common pathology, with higher prevalence in iodine deficiency areas. Iodine deficiency is the main etiologic factor for MNG. MNG have been considered a true thyroid neoplasm. The pathogenesis of multinodular goiter is not yet clarified. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of MNG with respect to the pathology, etiologic and clinical characteristics.

O objetivo do presente trabalho, consistiu na obtenção de ferro fundidos nodulares, a serem utilizados na fabricação de eixos, com as seguintes características mecânicas após os tratamentos térmicos adequados: limites de resistência à tração e escoamento mínimos de 700 N/mm2 e 450 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento mínimo de 5% e dureza entre 235 à 285 HB. A microestrutura mais adequada à obtenção das características mecânicas desejadas deveria consistir de cementita esferoidizada numa matriz ferrítica, a ser obtida com o tratamento de recozimento ou revenimento de microestruturas previamente perlíticas ou martensíticas, respectivamente. No caso do tratamento de recozimento, as estruturas iniciais consistiram de perlita grossa mais ferrita, presentes no material no estado bruto de fusão, ou, de perlita fina mais ferrita, do material normalizado. Todos os tratamentos térmicos utilizados, dependendo do tempo de tratamento, permitiram a obtenção de cementita esferoidizada. O material normalizado e recozido durante 2 horas a 700ºC, possibilitou a obtenção das propriedades mecânicas desejadas: limites de resistência à tração e de escoamento de 827 N/mm2 e 547 N/mm2 respectivamente, alongamento de 7% e dureza de 277 HB, valores estes, dentro dos limites desejados no presente trabalho. No caso do material temperado e revenido a 700ºC durante 0,5 hora, obteve-se limites de escoamento de 542 N/mm2, alongamento de 6% e dureza de 246 HB. O tratamento de recozimento realizado durante 48 horas, produziu microestrutura quase totalmente ferrítica, com pequenas áreas de agregados de carbonetos. O restante do carbono migrou para os nódulos de grafita secundária ao redor dos mesmos. / The purpose of the present work, consisted in obtaining ductile casting iron, that will be used in the shaft production, with de following mechanical properties after the appropriated heat treatments: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength values of 700 N/mm2 and 450 N/mm2 minimum respectively, elongation of 5% minimum and hardness value from 235 to 285 HB. The microstructure more adequated to obtaining the desired mechanical characteristics should consist of spheroidized cementite in a ferritic matrix, to be obtained with the annealing or tempering treatments of microstructures previously pearlitic or martensitic respectively. In the case of the annealing treatment, the initial structures consisted of thick pearlite plus ferrite, wich were in the material in the ascast state, or fine pearlite plus ferrite, of the normalized material. All the used heat treatment, depending on the time of treatment, allowed the obtainment of spheroidized cementite. The material normalized and annealed for 2 hours at 700°C made possible the obtaining of the desired mechanical properties: ultimate tensile strength and yield strength value of 827 N/mm2 and 547 N/mm2 respectively, elongation of 7% and hardness values of 277 HB, values these, in acordance with the aims initially proposed in the present work. In the case of the material quenched and tempered at 700°C for 0,5 hour, it was obtained yield strength values of 542 N/mm2, elongation of 6% and hardness value of 246 HB. The annealing treatment made during 48 hours, produced a microstructure almost totally ferritic, with small areas of aggregated carbides. The remaining of the carbon migrated to the graphite nodules producing secondary graphite around them.

Amostras de ferros fundidos nodulares ligados com Cu, Cu-Ni ou Cu-Ni-Mo foram austemperadas, boretadas e boroaustemperadas e caracterizadas quanto à dureza e o comportamento ao desgaste microadesivo, tendo sido também estudada a cinética de formação da camada. O método de boretação utilizado foi via líquida em banho de bórax fundido, com tempos de permanência de 2 e 4 horas nas temperaturas de 850, 900 e 950ºC. Procedeu-se o tratamento direto de austêmpera, a partir dessa temperatura, em banhos de sal fundidos nas temperaturas de 240, 300 e 360ºC com tempos de permanência de 4 horas (boroaustêmpera). Realizou-se também, para fins de comparação, tratamento convencional de austêmpera. Microscopias óptica e eletrônica de varredura, EDS por raios-X, testes de dureza Brinell (substrato) e Vickers (revestimento) foram realizados, bem como ensaios de desgaste microadesivo do tipo esfera presa. A boretação resultou na formação de camadas de elevadas durezas, na faixa de 1300 a 1700 HV, e elevadas resistências ao desgaste. As resistências ao desgaste das amostras boretadas ou boroaustemperadas foram aumentadas em até 40x em relação às amostras brutas de fundição ou apenas austemperadas, indicando a grande eficácia do tratamento neste tipo de propriedade. / Samples of ductile cast iron alloyed with Cu, Cu-Ni or Cu-Ni-Mo were austempered, borided and boroaustempered and afterwards characterized for hardness and micro-adhesive wear behavior. The kinetics of layer formation were also studied. The boriding method used was liquid molten borax bath, in periods of 2 and 4 hours at temperatures of 850, 900 and 950°C. The direct austempering treatment was performed from the borax bath temperature using molten salt baths at temperatures of 240, 300 and 360°C for 4 hours (boroaustempered). For comparative purposes, the conventional austempering treatment was also conducted. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, EDX, Brinell hardness measurements (substrate) and Vickers (coating) were performed, as were the tests for micro-adhesive wear. The boriding treatment resulted in the formation of layers with high hardness, in the range of 1300 to 1700 HV and high wear resistance. The wear resistance of borided or boroaustempered samples were increased by 40 times when compared to cast irons or austempered samples, indicating the high efficiency of this type of treatment in increasing the wear resistance of this material.

O bócio multinodular (BMN) é definido como aumento da glândula tireóide devido a proliferação de tireócitos e caracteriza-se pela heterogeneidade no crescimento e função das células foliculares. É uma patologia comum, com aumento da prevalência em áreas com deficiência de iodo, sendo este o principal fator etiológico do BMN. O BMN é considerado uma neoplasia benigna da tireóide. A patogênese desta disfunção ainda não foi inteiramente elucidada. Nesta revisão serão abordados os mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese e os principais aspectos etiológicos e clínicos do BMN. / Multinodular goiter (MNG) is an enlargement of the thyroid gland and is characterized by heterogeneity in growth and function of thyroid follicular cells. It is a common pathology, with higher prevalence in iodine deficiency areas. Iodine deficiency is the main etiologic factor for MNG. MNG have been considered a true thyroid neoplasm. The pathogenesis of multinodular goiter is not yet clarified. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of MNG with respect to the pathology, etiologic and clinical characteristics.