Submitted by Maria Suzana Diniz (msuzanad@hotmail.com) on 2015-11-10T14:25:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4860574 bytes, checksum: 7d8f4382d837797d850361eeced8c0c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-10T14:25:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4860574 bytes, checksum: 7d8f4382d837797d850361eeced8c0c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The process Squeeze casting is a casting process in which the cast metal is solidified in the liquid state under pressure into a metallic permanent mold closed by a puncture. It is an economical and relatively simple technique, possessing great potential for automation and high production rates. The product is of high quality and usually has the final form. Currently, components of aluminum alloys, copper, magnesium, cast iron, stainless steels and nickel-based superalloys are easily manufactured by squeeze casting, for our work alloy studied for this process was the Aluminum Alloy Zinc. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of operating parameters such as pressure and pressing time on the correlation between solidification macrostructure and mechanical properties of dilute Al-Zn through the process Squeeze Casting, alloy alloys used in this work of Al-1% Zn ; Al-3% Zn and 5% Al-Zn, and pressures of 50, 100 and 150 MPa and solidification without pressure and with pressing time of 5 seconds. The results show the macrostructure, tensile test and hardness. The study of macro-structure and properties of these alloys shows the effectiveness of this process in the grain refining and improves the mechanical properties of the alloys studied. / O processo Squeeze Casting é um processo de fundição, no qual o metal vazado no estado liquido é solidificado sob pressão dentro de uma coquilha metálica fechada por um punção. É uma técnica econômica e relativamente simples, possuindo grande potencial para automatização e altas taxas de produção. O produto é de alta qualidade e geralmente, tem a forma final. Atualmente, componentes de ligas de alumínio, cobre, magnésio, ferro fundido, aços inoxidáveis e de superligas à base de níquel são facilmente fabricados por squeeze casting, para o nosso trabalho a liga estudada para esse processo foi a liga de Alumínio Zinco. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a influência dos parâmetros operacionais como pressão e tempo de prensagem na correlação entre macroestrutura de solidificação e propriedades mecânicas de ligas diluídas de Al-Zn, através do processo Squeeze Casting, utilizou neste trabalho ligas de Al-1%Zn; Al-3%Zn e Al-5%Zn, além de pressões de 50, 100 e 150 MPa, bem como a solidificação sem pressão, com tempo de prensagem de 5 s. Os resultados obtidos mostram a macroestrutura, ensaio de tração e dureza. O estudo da macroestrutura e propriedades dessas ligas mostra a eficácia desse processo no refino de grão e melhora as propriedades mecânicas das ligas estudadas.

Submitted by Maria Suzana Diniz (msuzanad@hotmail.com) on 2015-11-12T13:09:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 4725274 bytes, checksum: 00ba23047c493bdc8d085328b0239721 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-12T13:10:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 4725274 bytes, checksum: 00ba23047c493bdc8d085328b0239721 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-01-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The squeeze casting process is a casting process in which the cast metal in the liquid state is solidified under pressure in a metal mold closed off by a punch. In general components manufactured by squeeze casting have fine grained, high surface finish and almost free of porosity, may be the same of different sizes and shapes, the mechanical properties are enhanced significantly in comparison with the traditional method of casting and, in addition, parts manufactured by squeeze casting possess superior weldability and are able to heat treatment, and finally compared to the common casting parts manufactured by squeeze casting are formed in one operation with a lower energy consumption. The objective of this study is to analyze the influence of pressure as well as the zinc content of the alloys in the secondary dendrite spacing, the hardness and tensile strength limit, and correlate the microstructures with the mechanical properties and process parameters. For this purpose we used the mass compositions Al-Zn 1% Al-Zn 3% and Al-Zn 5% solidified with the squeeze casting process using the pressure 50 MPa, 100 MPa and 150 MPa, and the pressing time of 5 seconds. It is observed that the increase in pressure causes a reduction in dendrite spacing until 100 MPa, pressure variations from this point up to 150 MPa causes a increase in the secondary dendrite spacing, was also observed that the Vickers hardness and the tensile strength limit have a relationship with the secondary dendrite spacing. / O processo squeeze casting é um processo de fundição, no qual o metal vazado no estado liquido, é solidificado sob pressão dentro de um molde metálico fechado por um punção. Em geral componentes fabricadas por squeeze casting possuem granulação fina, excelente acabamento de superfície e quase livre de porosidade, os mesmo podem ser de diferentes tamanhos e formatos, as propriedades mecânicas são aumentadas significantemente, em comparação ao método tradicional de fundição e, além disso, peças fabricadas por squeeze casting possuem soldabilidade superior e são aptas a tratamentos térmicos, e finalmente em comparação com a fundição comum peças fabricadas por squeeze casting são formadas em uma só operação com um menor consumo de energia. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a influencia da pressão assim como do teor de zinco das ligas no espaçamento dendrítico secundário, na microdureza e no limite de resistência à tração, e correlacionar as microestruturas com as propriedades mecânicas e com os parâmetros de processo. Para tal foram utilizadas as composições Al-1%Zn , Al-3%Zn e Al-5%Zn em massa, solidificadas com o processo squeeze casting usando as pressões 0 MPa, 50 MPa, 100 MPa e 150 MPa, com o tempo de prensagem de 5 segundos. Observa-se que o aumento da pressão causa uma diminuição no espaçamento dendrítico até a pressão 100MPa, a partir deste ponto variações até 150 MPa causam aumento no espaçamento dendrítico secundário, observou-se também que a microdureza vickers assim como o limite de resistência à tração apresentam uma relação com o espaçamento dendrítico secundário.

Composites have been developed with great success by the use of fiber reinforcements in metallic materials. Fiber reinforced metal matrices possess great potential to be the next generation of advanced composites offering many advantages compared to fiber reinforced polymers. Specific advantages include high temperature capability, superior environmental stability, better transverse modulus, shear and fatigue properties. Although many Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are attractive for use in different industrial applications, Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) are the most used in advanced applications because they combine acceptable strength, low density, durability, machinability, availability, effectiveness and cost. The present study focuses on the fabrication of aluminium matrix composite plates by squeeze casting using plain weave carbon fiber preform (AS4 Hexcel) as reinforcement and a matrix of wrought aluminium alloy 1235-H19. The objective is to investigate the process feasibility and resulting materials properties such as hardness at macro- and micro-scale, impact and bend strength. The properties obtained are compared with those of 6061/1235-H19 aluminium plates that were manufactured under the same fabrication conditions. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the properties is also investigated. Furthermore, the characterization of the microstructure is done using Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to establish relationships between the quality of the fiber/aluminium interface bond and mechanical properties of the composites. In conclusion, aluminium matrix composite laminate plates were successfully produced. The composites show a good chemical bond between the fiber and the aluminium matrix. This bond resulted from heterogeneous precipitation of aluminium carbides (Al4C3) at the interface between aluminium matrix and carbon fiber. The hardness at macro- and micro-scale of the composites increases by over 50% and the flexural modulus increases by about 55%. The toughness of the composite decreases due to the presence of brittle phases which can be improved by better oxidation prevention. Also, an optimal carbon volume fraction was observed that provides optimal properties including peak hardness, peak stiffness and peak toughness.

Composites have been developed with great success by the use of fiber reinforcements in metallic materials. Fiber reinforced metal matrices possess great potential to be the next generation of advanced composites offering many advantages compared to fiber reinforced polymers. Specific advantages include high temperature capability, superior environmental stability, better transverse modulus, shear and fatigue properties. Although many Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are attractive for use in different industrial applications, Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) are the most used in advanced applications because they combine acceptable strength, low density, durability, machinability, availability, effectiveness and cost. The present study focuses on the fabrication of aluminium matrix composite plates by squeeze casting using plain weave carbon fiber preform (AS4 Hexcel) as reinforcement and a matrix of wrought aluminium alloy 1235-H19. The objective is to investigate the process feasibility and resulting materials properties such as hardness at macro- and micro-scale, impact and bend strength. The properties obtained are compared with those of 6061/1235-H19 aluminium plates that were manufactured under the same fabrication conditions. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the properties is also investigated. Furthermore, the characterization of the microstructure is done using Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to establish relationships between the quality of the fiber/aluminium interface bond and mechanical properties of the composites. In conclusion, aluminium matrix composite laminate plates were successfully produced. The composites show a good chemical bond between the fiber and the aluminium matrix. This bond resulted from heterogeneous precipitation of aluminium carbides (Al4C3) at the interface between aluminium matrix and carbon fiber. The hardness at macro- and micro-scale of the composites increases by over 50% and the flexural modulus increases by about 55%. The toughness of the composite decreases due to the presence of brittle phases which can be improved by better oxidation prevention. Also, an optimal carbon volume fraction was observed that provides optimal properties including peak hardness, peak stiffness and peak toughness.

The aim of this study was to produce partially reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite components by insertion casting technique and to determine the effects of silicon content, fiber vol% and infiltration temperature on the mechanical properties of inserts, which were the local reinforcement parts of the components. Silicon content of alloys was selected as 7 wt% and 10 wt%. The reinforcement material, i.e. Saffil fiber preforms, had three different fiber vol% of 20, 25 and 30 vol% respectively. The infiltration temperatures of composite specimens were fixed as 750 &deg / C and 800 &deg / C. In the first part of the thesis, physical and mechanical properties of composite specimens were determined according to the parameters of silicon content of the matrix alloy, infiltration temperature and vol% of the reinforcement phase. X-ray diffraction examination of fibers resulted as the fibers mainly composed of deltaalumina fibers and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that fibers had planar isotropic condition for infiltration. Microstructural examination of composite specimens showed that appropriate fiber/matrix interface was created together with small amount of micro-porosities. Bending tests of the composites showed that as fiber vol% increases flexural strength of the composite increases. The highest strength obtained was 880.52 MPa from AlSi10Mg0.8 matrix alloy reinforced with 30 vol% Saffil fibers and infiltrated at 750 &deg / C. Hardness values were also increased by addition of Saffil fibers and the highest value was obtained as 191 HB from vertical to the fiber orientation of AlSi10Mg0.8 matrix alloy reinforced with 30 vol% Saffil fibers. Density measurement revealed that microporosities existed in the microstructure and the highest difference between the theoretical values and experimental values were observed in the composites of 30 vol% Saffil fiber reinforced ones for both AlSi7Mg0.8 and AlSi10Mg0.8 matrix alloys. In the second part of the experiments, insertion casting operation was performed. At casting temperature of 750 &deg / C, a good interface/component interface was obtained. Image analyses were also showed that there had been no significant fiber damage between the insert and the component.

Composites have been developed with great success by the use of fiber reinforcements in metallic materials. Fiber reinforced metal matrices possess great potential to be the next generation of advanced composites offering many advantages compared to fiber reinforced polymers. Specific advantages include high temperature capability, superior environmental stability, better transverse modulus, shear and fatigue properties. Although many Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are attractive for use in different industrial applications, Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) are the most used in advanced applications because they combine acceptable strength, low density, durability, machinability, availability, effectiveness and cost. The present study focuses on the fabrication of aluminium matrix composite plates by squeeze casting using plain weave carbon fiber preform (AS4 Hexcel) as reinforcement and a matrix of wrought aluminium alloy 1235-H19. The objective is to investigate the process feasibility and resulting materials properties such as hardness at macro- and micro-scale, impact and bend strength. The properties obtained are compared with those of 6061/1235-H19 aluminium plates that were manufactured under the same fabrication conditions. The effect of fiber volume fraction on the properties is also investigated. Furthermore, the characterization of the microstructure is done using Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to establish relationships between the quality of the fiber/aluminium interface bond and mechanical properties of the composites. In conclusion, aluminium matrix composite laminate plates were successfully produced. The composites show a good chemical bond between the fiber and the aluminium matrix. This bond resulted from heterogeneous precipitation of aluminium carbides (Al4C3) at the interface between aluminium matrix and carbon fiber. The hardness at macro- and micro-scale of the composites increases by over 50% and the flexural modulus increases by about 55%. The toughness of the composite decreases due to the presence of brittle phases which can be improved by better oxidation prevention. Also, an optimal carbon volume fraction was observed that provides optimal properties including peak hardness, peak stiffness and peak toughness.

Dissertation thesis is focused on evaluation of influence of exposure in 5% salt fog on fatigue behavior of AZ31 and AZ61 magnesium alloy fabricated by squeeze casting method. Microstructure and mechanical properties of experimental materials have been evaluated. The AZ61 alloy was solution heat treated after prior optimization of the heat treatment process based on microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties. Depths of corrosion damage, corrosion rate and mechanism of corrosion of all three experimental alloys have been evaluated. Influence of prior corrosion exposure for 480 and 1000 hours on fatigue behavior of experimental materials was evaluated. Obtained data were compared with data obtained using smooth test specimens. Fractographic analysis was carried out on both smooth and precorroded specimens. Furthermore, influence of aluminium on corrosion and fatigue behavior of tested alloys was defined.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical behavior and its relation with processing and microstructure of the silicon carbide particulate (SiCp) reinforced aluminum matrix composite. Aluminum 7075 alloy is chosen as matrix alloy, in which zinc is the main alloying element. Four different additions of SiCp were used and the weight fractions were 10%, 15%, 20% and 30%. Composites were processed by with squeeze casting and the applied pressure during casting was 80 MPa. The mould is specially designed to produce both specimens ready for tensile and three point bending tests. Both as-cast and heat treated aluminum composites were examined and T6 heat treatment was applied. Three point bending tests were performed to reveal the fracture strength of aluminum composites. 10wt% SiCp aluminum composites showed the maximum flexural strength in both as-cast and heat treated composites. The mechanical test results revealed that precipitated phases in heat treated composites, behaved like fine silicon carbide particulates and they acted as barriers to dislocation motion. Maximum flexural strength increased about 40 MPa (10%) in as-cast and 180 MPa (44%) in heat treated composites. Tensile testing was also conducted to verify the results of the three point bending tests. Hardness tests were done to find the effect of silicon carbide addition and to find the peak hardness in heat treatment. For as-cast specimens hardness values increased from 133 to 188 Vickers hardness (10 kg.) with increase in SiCp content from 0 to 30wt% and for heat treatment specimens hardness values increased from 171 to 221 Vickers hardness (10 kg.). The peak hardness values were obtained at 24 hours precipitation heat treatment. SEM studies were carried out to examine the heat treated composites, to take SEM photographs and to obtain a general elemental analysis. Theoretical volume percentage addition of SiCp was checked with Clemex Image Analyzer program. Distribution of SiCp was determined by mettalographic examination. Second phases that were formed during heat treatment was searched by x-ray analysis.

This master’s thesis is dealing with low-fatigue behavior of magnesium alloy AZ61, prepared via squeeze casting method. The main aim of this work was to obtain the basic mechanical properties as well as the low cycle fatigue data. Additional metallographical evaluation of microstructure and fractographical analysis after fatigue tests was made.

The purpose of this diploma thesis is an evaluation of die-castings porosity, eventually the evaluation of seats with local squeeze in connection with their mechanical and structural properties. The swatches of alloy AISi9Cu3 were taken from the engine block made by Škoda Auto Company, Mladá Boleslav. To the evaluation and the comparison of the results there were used value of porosity with own measure and other student´s thesis of Brno University of technology. Sets of mechanical and structural properties were selected, evaluated and tested by statistical programs.