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At least 73 records · Page 4

Ceramic Inclusions in Powder Metallurgy Disk Alloys: Characterization and Modeling

Powder metallurgy alloys are increasingly used in gas turbine engines, especially in turbine disk applications. Although powder metallurgy materials have many advantages over conventionally cast and wrought alloys (higher strength, higher temperature capability, etc.), they suffer from the rare occurrence of ceramic defects (inclusions) that are inherent to the powder atomization process. These inclusions can have a potentially large detrimental effect on the durability of individual components. An inclusion in a high stress location can act as a site for premature crack initiation and thereby considerably reduce the fatigue life. Because these inclusions are exceedingly rare, they typically do not reveal themselves in the process of characterizing the material for a particular application (the cumulative volume of the test bars in a fatigue life characterization is typically on the order of a single actual component). Ceramic inclusions have, however, been found to be the root cause of a number of catastrophic engine failures. To investigate the effect of these inclusions in detail, we have undertaken a study where known populations of ceramic particles, whose composition and morphology are designed to mimic the "natural" inclusions, are added to the precursor powder. Surface-connected inclusions have been found to have a particularly large detrimental effect on fatigue life; therefore, the quantity of ceramic "seeds" added is calculated to ensure that a minimum number will intersect the surface of the fatigue test bars. Because the ceramic inclusions are irregularly shaped and have a tendency to break up in the process of extrusion and forging, a method of calculating the probability of occurrence and expected intercepted surface area was needed. We have developed a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the distributions of these parameters and have verified the simulated results with observations of ceramic inclusions found in macroscopic slices from extrusions and forgings. Fatigue specimens have been machined from Udimet 720 (a powder metallurgy superalloy) forgings, to determine the effects of the inclusions on fatigue life. The ultimate goal of this study will be to use probabilistic methods to determine the reliability detriment that can be attributed to these ceramic inclusions. This work has been supported by the Ultra Safe and Ultra- Efficient Engine Technologies programs.

Bonacuse, Peter J.↗

Stable powders made from photosensitive polycrystalline complexes of heterocyclic monomers and their polymers

The present invention relates to a low electronic conductivity polymer composition having well dispersed metal granules, a stable powder made from photosensitive polycrystalline complexes of pyrrole, or its substituted derivatives and silver cations for making the polymer composition, and methods of forming the stable powder and polymer composition, respectively. A polycrystalline complex of silver and a monomer, such as pyrrole, its substituted derivatives or combinations thereof, is precipitated in the form of a stable photosensitive powder upon addition of the monomer to a solvent solution, such as toluene containing an electron acceptor. The photosensitive powder can be stored in the dark until needed. The powder may be dissolved in a solvent, cast onto a substrate and photopolymerized.

Hodko, Dalibor↗

Short-Term Elevated Temperature Mechanical Performance and Microstructure of A Niobium-Zirconium Alloy Produced via Laser Powder Bed Fusion In-Situ Alloying

Nb-1Zr is a readily fabricable, dispersion-strengthened niobium alloy with improved elevated temperature properties compared to commercially pure niobium. This low to moderate strength niobium alloy is desirable in thermal management systems for fission power and propulsion applications; however, pre-alloyed spherical feedstock for powder-based additive manufacturing processes is generally unavailable. Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) in-situ alloying of a Nb-1Zr chemistry was performed using a high-purity niobium feedstock coated with 1 wt% of zirconium-based ceramic compound nano-powders: ZrO 2 , ZrC, and ZrH 2 . The additively manufactured material was mechanically tested at elevated temperatures within a controlled environment in the as-built condition. For comparison, traditionally manufactured wrought feedstock was also tested within an identical environment. Examination of the materials’ microstructure and short-term elevated temperature mechanical response determined: in-situ alloying of spherical Nb powder feedstock with Zr-based ceramic nanoparticles can be successfully implemented; the ZrO 2 addition offered the greatest elevated temperature stability and strength but exhibited brittle behavior; the ZrC addition achieved a balance of room temperature ductility and elevated temperature strength; and the ZrH 2 -modified material had the lowest as-built interstitial content and showed high ductility with mechanical performance most similar to wrought Nb-1Zr.

Niobium Alloy↗

Improved camera for better X-ray powder photographs

Camera obtains powder-type photographs of single crystals or polycrystalline powder specimens. X-ray diffraction photographs of a powder specimen are characterized by improved resolution and greater intensity. A reasonably good powder pattern of small samples can be produced for identification purposes.

Parrish, W.↗

Are the lunar seismic signals compatible with a deep layer of fine powder.

It is shown that a sudden change in the seismic wave velocity at 25 km can be interpreted in terms of a single type of material, namely the fine rock powder that is so abundant on the lunar surface. An investigation conducted by Toksoz et al. (1972) is considered. Toksoz et al. rule out a deep powder layer and derive a velocity profile for powders from laboratory data. Differences regarding powder densification between laboratory tests and actual lunar conditions due to much longer compression times are pointed out.

Jones, B. W.↗

A study of the oxide dispersion and recrystallization in NiCrAl prepared from preoxidized powder

The sintered aluminum powder (SAP) technique of dispersion strengthening (formation of an oxide dispersion by preoxidation of metal powders) was applied to atomized powder of a nickel alloy containing, by weight, 17% Cr, 5% Al, and 0.2% Y. The SAP-NiCrAl alloy (without the ytterbium removed by oxdation) was worked by extrusion and rod rolling at 1205 C and by swaging at 760 C. Annealing treatments were applied after working to determine the recrystallization response. The NiCrAlY alloy, similarly prepared from atomized powder, but without a preoxidation treatment, was examined for comparison. The SAP-NiCrAl alloy exhibited oxide particle size and spacing much larger than that usually observed in oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; nonetheless, it was possible to achieve abnormal (secondary) recrystallization in the SAP-NiCrAl alloy as has been reported for other oxide dispersion strengthened alloys. In contrast, the unoxidized NiCrAlY alloy exhibited only primary recrystallization.

Glasgow, T. K.↗

Evaluation of powder metallurgy superalloy disk materials

A program was conducted to develop nickel-base superalloy disk material using prealloyed powder metallurgy techniques. The program included fabrication of test specimens and subscale turbine disks from four different prealloyed powders (NASA-TRW-VIA, AF2-1DA, Mar-M-432 and MERL 80). Based on evaluation of these specimens and disks, two alloys (AF2-1DA and Mar-M-432) were selected for scale-up evaluation. Using fabricating experience gained in the subscale turbine disk effort, test specimens and full scale turbine disks were formed from the selected alloys. These specimens and disks were then subjected to a rigorous test program to evaluate their physical properties and determine their suitability for use in advanced performance turbine engines. A major objective of the program was to develop processes which would yield alloy properties that would be repeatable in producing jet engine disks from the same powder metallurgy alloys. The feasibility of manufacturing full scale gas turbine engine disks by thermomechanical processing of pre-alloyed metal powders was demonstrated. AF2-1DA was shown to possess tensile and creep-rupture properties in excess of those of Astroloy, one of the highest temperature capability disk alloys now in production. It was determined that metallographic evaluation after post-HIP elevated temperature exposure should be used to verify the effectiveness of consolidation of hot isostatically pressed billets.

Evans, D. J.↗

Metal powder reactions in ball milling

On milling chromium powder in three metal chlorides and either chromium or nickel powders in ten organic liquids representative of nine different functional groups, the powders always reacted with the liquids and became contaminated with elements from them. The milled powders had specific surface areas ranging from 0.14 to 37 sq m/g, and the total contamination with elements from the milling liquid ranged from 0.01 to 56 wt%. In most milling runs, compounds resulting from substitution, addition, or elimination reactions formed in or from the milling liquid, and in most runs with organic liquids H2, CH4, and CO2 were generated.

Arias, A.↗

Aerosil for the improvement of the flow behavior of powdered substances

The tendency of powdered substances to agglomerate and stick together is studied. The highly dispersed silicic acid Aerosil (tradename) is studied as an agent to improve the free flowing characteristics of powdered materials. It was concluded that the use of Aerosil 200, Aerosil R 972, aluminum oxide C and sylicic acid D 17 as flow agents caused broad improvements in the flow properties of powders. Additionally, the sifting, dispersion, and spray behavior, as well as the grinding and air separation characteristics of powders were improved.

Source record↗

Effect of the powder characteristics of Sisub3Nsub4 on the microstructure of sintered bodies

Silicon nitride powders sintered with the addition of 2 wt% Mg0 to 95% theoretical density after attrition milling and subsequent purification were evaluated. Preparation of the powders is described. The powder characteristics (specific surfaces, iron concentration, and oxygen content), and density, weight loss, and phase state of the sinter bodies as a function of powder preparation are presented.

Woetting, G.↗

Method for classifying ceramic powder

Under the invented method, powder A of particles of less than 10 microns, and carrier powder B, whose average particle diameter is more than five times that of powder A, are premixed so that the powder is less than 40 wt.% of the total mixture, before classifying.

Takabe, K.↗

Structural changes during milling of aluminum oxide powders

The mechanical activation of four fused corundum powders and a calcined Al2O3 powder was studied. The milled powders were characterized by their structural properties, crystallite size, and lattice distortions. Structural changes during milling, detected by X-ray line broadening analysis, gave information about the enhanced activity of the powders caused by the lattice distortions and by the decreasing crystallite size during milling. The structural changes during milling, under the same milling conditions, can be quite different for the same ceramic material, but with different characteristics in the as received state.

Ziepler, G.↗

Metal powder production by gas atomization

The confined liquid, gas-atomization process was investigated. Results from a two-dimensional water model showed the importance of atomization pressure, as well as delivery tube and atomizer design. The atomization process at the tip of the delivery tube was photographed. Results from the atomization of a modified 7075 aluminum alloy yielded up to 60 wt pct. powders that were finer than 45 microns in diameter. Two different atomizer designs were evaluated. The amount of fine powders produced was correlated to a calculated gas-power term. An optimal gas-power value existed for maximized fine powder production. Atomization at gas-power greater than or less than this optimal value produced coarser powders.

Ting, E. Y.↗

Consolidation processing parameters and alternative processing methods for powder metallurgy Al-Cu-Mg-X-X alloys

The effects of varying the vacuum degassing parameters on the microstructure and properties of Al-4Cu-1Mg-X-X (X-X = 1.5Li-0.2Zr or 1.5Fe-0.75Ce) alloys processed from either prealloyed (PA) or mechanically alloyed (M) powder, and consolidated by either using sealed aluminum containers or containerless vacuum hot pressing were studied. The consolidated billets were hot extruded to evaluate microstructure and properties. The MA Li-containing alloy did not include Zr, and the MA Fe- and Ce-containing alloy was made from both elemental and partially prealloyed powder. The alloys were vacuum degassed both above and below the solution heat treatment temperature. While vacuum degassing lowered the hydrogen content of these alloys, the range over which the vacuum degassing parameters were varied was not large enough to cause significant changes in degassing efficiency, and the observed variations in the mechanical properties of the heat treated alloys were attributed to varying contributions to strengthening by the sub-structure and the dispersoids. Mechanical alloying increased the strength over that of alloys of similar composition made from PA powder. The inferior properties in the transverse orientation, especially in the Li-containing alloys, suggested deficiencies in degassing. Among all of the alloys processed for this study, the Fe- and Ce-containing alloys made from MA powder possessed better combinations of strength and toughness.

Sankaran, K. K.↗

Dendritic microstructure in argon atomized superalloy powders

The dendritic microstructure of atomized nickel base superalloy powders (Ni-20 pct Cr, NIMONIC-80A, ASTROALOY, and ZHS6-K) was studied. Prealloyed vacuum induction melted ingots were argon-atomized, the powders were cooled to room temperature, and various powder-size fractions were examined by optical metallography. Linear correlations were obtained for the powder size dependence of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, following the expected d-alpha (R) to the m power dependence on the particle size for all four superalloy compositions. However, the Ni-20 pct Cr alloy, which had much coarser arm spacing as compared to the other three alloys, had a much larger value of m.

Tewari, S. N.↗

Powder processing of nickel and other aluminides by hot consolidation

Alloys based on FeAl, NiAl, and Ni3Al have been processed by extrusion of powders over a range of compositions, powder characteristics, and extrusion parameters. It is found that extrusion leads to dynamic recrystallization and that the grain size of the extrusions depends on the powder size, extrusion temperature, and extrusion ratio. Prior particle boundary oxides play an important role in controlling the grain size and uniformity by acting as obstacles to grain growth. Hot isostatic pressing and vacuum hot pressing can be used for powder densification, but prior particle oxides are not effectively broken up due to insufficient shearing deformation.

Vedula, K.↗

Container Prevents Oxidation Of Metal Powder

Sealed high-vacuum container holds metal powder required free of contamination by oxygen from point of manufacture to point of use at vacuum-plasma-spraying machine. Container protects powder from air during filling, storage, and loading of spraying machine. Eliminates unnecessary handling and transfer of powder from one container to another. Stainless-steel container sits on powder feeder of vacuum-plasma-spraying machine.

Woodford, William H.↗

LaRC dry powder towpreg process

The dry powder towpreg process overcomes many of the difficulties associated with melt, solution and slurry prepregging of advanced composite materials. In the process, fluidized powder is deposited on spread tow bundles and melted on the fibers by radiant heating to adhere the polymer to the fiber. Bench scale design and operating data have been correlated for use in process scale up to commercial operation. Powdered towpreg has been woven and molded into preform material of good quality. Cost estimates suggest that processing costs are comparable to those of conventional hot melt prepreg. In the future, from a part fabrication point of view, powder coated prepreg tape, woven broad goods and woven and braided preforms may be considered as options to similar materials made by other methods.

Marchello, Joseph M.↗