Papers by Author: Mario Ueda

Abstract: Metal matrix multicomponent alloys and others based on the Ti+Ti₆Si₂B phases are potentially attractive for structural applications. However, there is limited information in literature on the effect of alloying in stability of the Ti₆Si₂B compound, which presents its single-phase region close to Ti-22Si-11B alloy composition (at.-%). In this sense, this work discusses on the effect of copper addition on the stability of the Ti₆Si₂B compound. Elemental powder mixtures were used to prepare the Ti-xCu-22Si-11B (x=2 and 6 at.-%) alloys by high-energy ball milling and subsequent heat treatment (1100oC for 240 minutes). The as-milled Ti-Cu-Si-B powders and heat-treated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Similar behavior was noted during ball milling of Ti-Cu-Si-B powders, i.e., the Ti₅Si₃ phase was formed after milling for 180 minutes. The mechanically alloyed and heat treated Ti-2Cu-22Si-11B alloy presented a matrix of Ti₆Si₂B dissolving close to 2 at.-% Cu. Precipitates of Ti₅Si₃ and other unknown Cu-and Fe-rich phase were also identified in microstructures of these quaternary alloys, whose amounts were increased in the mechanical alloyed and heat treated Ti-6Cu-22Si-11B alloy.

Abstract: This work reports on effect of magnesium addition on the Ti₆Si₂B stability in Ti-xMg-22Si-11B (x = 2 and 6 at.-%) alloys prepared by high-energy ball milling and subsequent sintering. Ball milling was conducted under Ar atmosphere in stainless steel vials and balls, 300 rpm, and a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 10:1. Following, the powders milled for 10 h were axially compacted in order to obtain cylinder samples with 6 mm diameter. To obtain the equilibrium structures the green samples were sintered at 1100°C for 4 h under Ar atmosphere. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry were used to characterize the as-milled powders and sintered samples. Extended Ti solid solution were found in the Ti-2Mg-22Si-11B and Ti-7-Mg-Si-B powders milled for 20 min and 60 min, respectively, whereas an amorphous halo was produced on Ti-2Mg-22Si-11B powders milled for 420 min. The increase of Mg amount in the starting powder mixture has inhibited the Ti₆Si₂B formation in the mechanically alloyed and sintered Ti-7Mg-22Si-11B alloy.

Abstract: This paper is focused on the processing of thermoplastic composite materials obtained from carbon fibers (CFs) treated by plasma assisted techniques. The treatments employed in this work were the Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD), which is done at atmospheric pressure, involving lower energies and the Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII), which is performed at low pressure, involving higher energies. After the treatments, samples characterizations were performed to determine which treatment is most effective to get better physico-chemical CF surface properties. The techniques employed in this work in order to evaluate the surface treatment were: scanning electron microscopy (SEM); atomic force microscopy (AFM) Raman spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Treated and untreated CFs/Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites were processed by hot-compression molding technique. These composites were evaluated by interlaminar shear tests (ILSS). After analyzing the results, it was found that the treatments increased the CF roughness and caused slight changes in the CF structure. In addition, there was an increase in the shear strength of the composites obtained from treated fibers by both plasma processes. In conclusion, DBD and PIII treatments are effective tools for improving adhesion between CF and the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Titanium alloys are widely used in machine building, aircraft manufacturing, medicine, motors, chemistry, and biomedicine due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, elasticity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. In particular, Ti-6Al-4V containing (α + β) structure plays a very important role in aerospace industry in the manufacturing of components such as disks and blades for aircrafts turbines and structural forgings. However, one of the major factors limiting the life of titanium alloys in service is their degradation due to gaseous environments, in particular, to environments containing oxygen at elevated temperatures during long-term use. The sensitivity of titanium alloys to high-temperature exposure is a well-known phenomenon. When titanium alloys are heated to temperatures above approximately 800oC, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen can penetrate into them. The penetration of these elements increases hardness and brittleness while decreasing the toughness of the alloy. Laser surface nitriding is a technique used to modify the near-surface microstructure and/or composition by melting the surface using a high-power laser beam with reactive gas as a shrouding environment, forming a nitride layer on the surface of Ti–6Al–4V to improve the alloy’s tribological and mechanical properties. The results of laser gas nitriding of Ti–6Al–4V showed a significant increase of microhardness and enhanced erosion resistance significantly compared with untreated Ti–6Al–4V, since the nitride layer acts as a diffusion barrier for inward oxygen diffusion into the alloy, reducing the contribution of oxygen dissolution in the substrate to the total mass gain. Other important technique that was developed for the beneficial modification of surface sensitive properties is Nitrogen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation N-PIII. A sample is immersed in plasma and subjected to negative high-voltage pulses. In the electrical field, the ions are accelerated to high energies and incorporated into the sample. Enhancing of the hardness and wear process of the materials due to the N-enriched layer caused by diffusion of N in the sample at PIII process can be expected. Both techniques provide an improvement in the creep resistance. The objective of this work was evaluating the creep resistance of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy with superficial treatments of laser nitriding and Nitrogen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation N-PIII in creep test of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. It was used Ti-6Al-4V alloy as cylindrical bars under forged and annealing of 190 oC by 6 hours condition and cooled by air. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy after the superficial treatment of laser nitriding and N-PIII was submitted to creep tests at 600 oC in the stress of 250 MPa and 319 MPa, under constant load mode. The creep parameters are determined and a comparative analysis is established with the results gotten from the alloy with both treatments. The laser nitrided has showed an improved creep behavior compared with the same alloy with N-PIII coating, with a reduction in the creep rate and increasing the creep lifetime.

Abstract: Titanium alloys of Ti-Si-B system were manufactured by blended elemental powder method using Ti, Si and B powders as starting materials. It was found that uniaxial and isostatic pressing followed by hot pressing at around 1000°C, for 20 minutes, provided good densification of such alloys. The physicochemical studies were performed by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and microindentation/wear tests. The investigations revealed a multiphase microstructure formed mainly by α-titanium, Ti₆Si₂B, Ti₅Si₃, TiB and Ti₃Si phases. The phase transformations after pressureless sintering at 1200°C was also studied by X-ray diffraction for the Ti-18Si-6B composition. As stated in some other researches, these intermetallics in the α-titanium matrix provide high wear resistance and hardness, with the best wear rate of 0.2 mm³/N.m and the highest hardness of around 1300 HV.

Abstract: The search for alloys with improved high-temperature specific strength and creep-resistance properties for aerospace applications has led in the last decades to sustained research activities to develop new alloys and/or improve existing ones. Titanium and its alloys are excellent for applications in structural components submitted to high temperatures owing to their high strength to weight ratio, good corrosion resistance and metallurgical stability. Its high creep resistance is of great importance in enhancing engine performance. However, the affinity by oxygen is one of main factors that limit its application as structural material at high temperatures. Materials with adequate behavior at high temperatures and aggressive environmental became a scientific requirement, technological and economically nowadays. The objective of this work is the mechanical and microstructural characterization of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy after treatment by nitrogen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) process. The aim of this process is the improvement of superficial mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The selected alloy after ionic implantation process by plasma immersion was submitted to creep tests at 600 °C, in constant load mode at 250 and 319 MPa. The techniques used in this work were optical microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. The fractograph analysis of the samples tested in creep shows narrowing phenomena and microcavities. The creep results show the significant increase of material resistance, it can be used as protection of oxidation in high temperatures applications.

Abstract: The objective of this work was evaluating the creep resistance of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy with superficial treatment of PIII superficial treatment and ceramic coating in creep test of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. It was used Ti-6Al-4V alloy as cylindrical bars under forged and annealing of 190oC by 6 hours condition and cooled by air. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy after the superficial treat-ment of PIII and ceramic coating was submitted to creep tests at 600°C and 250 and 319 MPa under constant load mode. In the PIII treatment the samples was put in a vacuum reactor (76x10-3 Pa) and implanted by nitrogen ions in time intervals between 15 and 120 minutes. Yttria (8 wt.%) stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with a CoNiCrAlY bond coat was atmospherically plasma sprayed on Ti-6Al-4V substrates by Sulzer Metco Type 9 MB. The obtained results suggest the ceramic coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy improved its creep resistance.

Abstract: Industrially relevant PIII conditions were applied to H13 and CrNiMo 316 steel as well as in CrCoMo and Ti6Al4V metal alloys. Typically, nitrogen ions were implanted at peak voltages of 10 to 15 kV, 50 to 80 (s pulse durations, and 1 to 2 kHz frequencies, for treatment times of 1 to12h. Case thicknesses of more than 20 μm were achieved in treated H13 steel which resulted in reduced friction and wear. For CrNiMo steel, a wear reduction of as high as 160 times was obtained besides a significant reduction of the coefficient of friction. Much thinner modified layer was obtained for Ti6Al4V but sufficient for an important improvement of the surface hardness.