Papers by Author: Anders W.E. Jarfors

Abstract: The developed Mg-based metallic glass shows great potential as implants in biomedical applications instead of crystalline Mg alloys, which may possesses acceptable corrosion properties. In this study, corrosion behaviors of melt-spun amorphous Mg₆₇Zn₂₈Ca₅ ribbons were investigated in physiological saline solution. Electrochemical testing and hydrogen evolution rate indicated that the glassy ribbons obtained at lower wheel speed were more noble with smaller corrosion current, and possessed a comparatively lower corrosion rate in physiological saline solution. Surface morphology analysis revealed that glassy Mg₆₇Zn₂₈Ca₅ ribbons exhibited a strong susceptibility to localized pitting corrosion. A Zn-rich passive layer was formed on the surfaces of the glassy ribbons, indicating that Zn was an effective alloying element to enhance the corrosion resistance of amorphous Mg₆₇Zn₂₈Ca₅ alloys.

Abstract: Magnesium alloys are the lightest known structural material and have been very attractive for usage in marine and transportation industry (for its weight savings and payload increase), and also for its portability in hand-held devices. It is recyclable and one of the most abundant metal. Lately, it has gained attention for its biocompatibility, and also its biodegradable properties depending on the alloying elements. They can be used as a biomaterial in various applications from heart stents to implant screws and fixtures. In this work, amorphous magnesium alloys have been processed, based on its glass forming ability, by various techniques in order to obtain its amorphous state, and the microstructure are characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Their mechanical properties are also presented. High temperature tensile tests show similar strength to room temperature strength, while the total failure strain is significantly increased from around 0.5% to 10%.

Abstract: Conventional superplastic forming has been applied in automotive and aerospace industries for a few decades. Recently, superplastic forming combined with mechanical pre-forming process has been reported to be capable of forming non-superplastic AA5083 at 400 °C to a surface expansion of 200 % [1]. In this paper, finite element modeling (FEM) was used to develop the combined forming process by using the non-superplastic material AA5083-O. The simulation follows the experimental sequence and was divided into two phases (mechanical pre-forming and superplastic forming). A conventional creep equation based on tensile test data was adopted as a material model for the simulation. The pressure cycle and forming time was simulated according to the actual process route. The thickness distributions obtained from simulation validated the capability of the model to be used for this case. The influence of different parameters, such as holder force, friction, and punch depth was investigated by comparing the final sheet thickness and level of material draw-in. It was found that the punch depth played a significant effect on the uniformity of thickness distribution, from which a more uniform formed part can be obtained by using the punch with higher depth during mechanical pre-forming phase.

Abstract: Microforming is defined as the process of production of metallic micro-parts with sub-millimeter dimension. There is as strong interaction between the scale of the microstructure and the size of the part affecting material flow, the so-called “size effect” in microforming processes. Conventional forming rules cannot be directly applied to the micro-scale forming. To better understand the implications for part geometry and properties, further investigation of the material flow related events is necessary. The aim of this work is to investigate microstructural evolution of pure copper during a micro-extrusion process - for production of micro-pins with diameters varying from 300 to 800µm - by means of optical microscope (OM). Qualitative strain gradient distribution could be observed by those pictures. The results showed that change of micro-pins diameter and die angle affect the microstructure and strain distribution of the final product remarkably, that affect the mechanical properties of the pin formed. Furthermore, microhardness results were consistent with the microstructural observations.

Abstract: The liquid forging process has the flexibilities of casting in forming intricate profiles and features while imparting the liquid forged components with superior mechanical strength compared to similar components obtained via casting. Additionally, liquid forging requires significantly lower machine loads compared to solid forming processes. Currently, components that are formed by liquid forging are usually casting alloys of aluminum. This paper investigates the suitability of liquid forging a wrought aluminum alloy Al-6061 and the mechanical properties after forming. The proper handling of the Al-6061 alloy in its molten state is important in minimizing oxidation of its alloying elements. By maintaining the correct alloying composition of Al-6061 after liquid forging, these Al-6061 samples can subsequently undergo a suitable heat treatment process to significantly improve their yield strengths. Results show that the yield strengths of these liquid forged Al-6061 samples can be increased from about 90MPa, when they are in the as-liquid forged state, to about 275MPa after heat treatment. This improved yield strength is comparable to that of Al-6061 samples obtained by solid forming processes. As such, the liquid forging process here has been shown to be capable of forming wrought aluminum alloy components that has the potential for structural applications.

Abstract: Ti-based metallic glasses (MGs) due to their relative low densities exhibit ultrahigh specific characteristics. In this article the glass-forming behavior and atomic structure of Ti50Cu50 MG were investigated through molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) using the general embedded-atom method (GEAM) potential. As observed experimentally, simulated Ti50Cu50 alloy undergoes three states on quenching: (i) equilibrium liquid; (ii) supercooled liquid and (iii) glassy solid. The atomic configuration of the glass was analysed based on the radial distribution function (RDF) and Voronoi tessellation (VT). It was found that there exist a variety of polyhedral units in Ti50Cu50 MG, where distorted icosohedral and bcc clusters are dominant.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are one of the most exciting discoveries of nanosized materials in the 20th century. Challenges to create materials applicable for industrial applications involve both the incorporation of the carbon nanotubes into the material and to ensure that they do not agglomerate. Aluminium and magnesium based materials are among the metals that can benefit from the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. The fabrication of Aluminium carbon nanotube composites has challenges from reactivity and degradation of the carbon nanotube additions; hence the powder metallurgy route is preferred. Magnesium based materials on the other hand do not have this limitation and both the powder metallurgical route and the casting route are viable. Among the benefits of adding carbon nanotubes are increased yield strength and stiffness. Here is important that the effect is significant already at very low addition levels. This makes it possible to increase strength without having a significant detrimental effect on ductility. In fact, for magnesium alloys ductility can be improved due to the activation of additional slip planes improving the normally low ductility of HCP structure materials.