Papers by Author: Riccardo Donnini

Abstract: The tensile curves of AISI 316L deformed at temperatures between 700 and 1000 °C in the strain rates range 10^-5-10^-2 s^-1 are modelled with the Voce equation, starting from strain hardening analysis. The parameters, needed to draw the Voce equation, are the saturation stress σ_V, the critical strain ε_C and the stress σ_o, that respectively define the height of the flow curve, the velocity to achieve σ_V and namely the back-extrapolated flow stress to zero strain. A two-parameter model of strain hardening recently proposed [ is used to analyze the strain hardening rate, dσ/dε, vs. the flow stress, σ. Through this analysis, σ_V, ε_C and the thermal activation of plastic flow s are obtained. In fact, the two-parameter model assumes that s and the total dislocation density ρ are the only two parameters needed to describe strain hardening. It has been reported [ that the parameter s can be parameterised in terms of strain rate and temperature and, furthermore, relationships between σ_V, σ_o, ε_C and s can be established. At this stage, the Voce equation can reproduce the experimental tensile curves at the explored temperatures and strain rates. However, the obtained Voce equations can well describe the tensile curves at large strains, while significant discrepancy occurs at small strains [. Preliminary results of an improved model based on two coupled differential equations with physical meaning are reported to correct this discrepancy at low strains.

Abstract: AISI 316L steel, subjected to a low temperature carburizing treatment (kolstering), has been examined by Mechanical Spectroscopy (MS) and nanoindentation to determine the Youngs modulus of the surface hardened layer (S phase). MS results showed that the average value of elastic modulus of S phase is 202 GPa, a little higher than that of the untreated material.Nanoindentation tests, carried out with loads of 5, 15 and 30 mN, evidence a modulus profile vs depth: E is ~ 400 GPa at a distance from the surface of ~ 110 nm, then decreases to reach the value of the steel substrate (190 GPa) at 33 μm.These results, together with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) measurements of carbon concentration profile, can be explained by considering the presence of a very thin surface layer, different from S phase and consisting of a mixed structure of Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and tetrahedral carbon (taC).Furthermore, the same experiments have been carried out also after heat treatments at 450 °C to correlate the modulus change to the decomposition of the metastable S phase leading to the formation of (Cr,Mo)C and Cr₂₃C₆ carbides in a Cr-depleted austenitic matrix.

Abstract: Tungsten is a promising armour material for plasma facing components of nuclear fusion reactors. Two materials with different density and purity have been examined by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), instrumented indentation tests (FIMEC) and mechanical spectroscopy. For both the materials yield stress and elastic modulus strictly depend on the residual porosity. Moreover, the material with higher porosity (≈ 9%) is not stable and remarkable modulus variations are observed during heating. The IF spectrum exhibits a relaxation Q^-1 peak superimposed to an exponentially increasing background. The peak is a single Debye peak with activation energy H = 74.86 kJ mol^-1 and pre-exponential factor τ₀ = 1.76 x 10^-9 s that has been ascribed to dislocation interaction with intrinsic point defects (autointerstitial and substitutional).

Abstract: Titanium-metal-matrix composites (Ti-MMC) are materials with very large specific resistance and potential operative temperature up to 800° C. At present these composites are produced by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), a reliable but expensive manufacturing method. To cut production costs, Centro Sviluppo Materiali SpA (CSM) has developed and patented an experimental plant for co-rolling at high temperature sheets of titanium alloy and silicon carbide monofilaments fabrics. The experimental Roll Diffusion Bonding (RDB) pilot plant permits a reduction of process costs of about 40% with respect to the HIP process. This work reports the results of microstructural and mechanical examinations carried out on composites realized by RDB and HIP. The comparison shows that the fibre-matrix interface is stable in both the composites while the mechanical properties of RDB composite are better due to its smaller grain size and high dislocation density.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the behaviour in terms of drilling forces and roughness of Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) in hot drilling machining. In particular, Al2009/(SiC)_w, Al6061/(SiC)_w, and Al6061(Al₂O₃)_p metal matrix composites were used, and the adopted temperature were in the range 20°C-160°C. A comparison with drilling at room temperature has been discussed. The results have shown the sensible influence of the working temperature on drilling forces and on surface material properties. In the case of Al2009/(SiC)_w a minimum in the drilling forces has been found, making possible the dry machining and improving the cutting conditions. Instead, for Al6061/(SiC)_W and Al6061(Al₂O₃)_p in the used temperature range no minimum appears.

Abstract: The paper reports the results of an extensive characterization of the Ti6Al4V-SiC_f composite produced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to assess its capability to withstand the in-service conditions of turbine blades operating at middle temperatures in aeronautical engines. The microstructure of composite, in as-fabricated condition and after long-term heat treatments (up to 1,000 hours) in the temperature range 673-873 K, has been investigated by means of different techniques. Particular attention was paid to the micro-chemical evolution of fibre-matrix interface which is scarcely affected also by the most severe heat treatments examined here. This leads to stable mechanical properties as evidenced by hardness, tensile and FIMEC instrumented indentation tests. Therefore, the composite can operate at the maximum temperature (873 K) foreseen for its aeronautical applications without remarkable modifications of its microstructure and degradation of mechanical properties. The mechanical characterization has been completed by internal friction and dynamic modulus measurements carried out both at constant and increasing temperature, from 80 to 1173 K.

Abstract: Roll Diffusion Bonding (RDB) is a new process, developed at C.S.M., for producing Ti composites reinforced by long fibres. The prototypal “diffusion bonding” plant permits to co-roll at high temperature in superplastic rolling field (under temperature and strain rate control) foils of titanium alloy and fabrics made of SiC monofilaments. This study evidenced that the Ti6Al4V-SiCf composite produced by roll-bonding exhibits superior mechanical properties with respect the same material prepared by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) owing to the smaller grain size and the higher dislocation density.

Abstract: The composite, consisting of Ti6Al4V matrix reinforced by unidirectional SiC fibres (SCS-6), has been investigated by mechanical spectroscopy at temperatures up to 1,173 K. For comparison, the same experiments have been performed on the corresponding monolithic alloy. The internal friction (IF) spectrum of the composite exhibits a new relaxation peak superimposed to an exponentially increasing background. This peak, which is not present in the monolithic alloy, has an activation energy H = 186 kJ mol-1 and a relaxation time 0 = 2.3 x 10-15 s. The phenomenon has been attributed to a reorientation of interstitial-substitutional pairs in the  phase of Ti6Al4V matrix around the fibres. This explanation is supported by the results of micro-chemical characterization carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with Ar ion sputtering.

Abstract: Ti6Al4V-SiCf composite, manufactured by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) at Centro Sviluppo Materiali, has been submitted to long-term heat treatments (up to 1000 hours) at 400 and 600°C. The mechanical properties of the material, in as-fabricated condition and after heat treatments, have been investigated by instrumented indentation (FIMEC), dynamic modulus, tensile and fatigue tests. For comparison some experiments have been carried out also on the monolithic Ti6Al4V alloy. Results show that heat treatments, also the most severe examined here, do not produce remarkable variations of mechanical characteristics. In agreement with the microstructure examinations presented in part I, this behaviour, quite promising for future aeronautical applications, can be primarily ascribed to the stability of fibre-matrix interface.

Abstract: The microstructure of Ti6Al4V-SiCf composite, in as-fabricated condition and after long-term heat treatments (up to 1,000 hours) in the temperature range 400 - 600 °C, has been investigated by means of high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD), energy dispersion spectrometry (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Particular attention was paid to the strains, arising during heating, and to the micro-chemical evolution of fibre-matrix interface. Micro-chemical examinations evidenced that a thin TiC layer has formed between the fibre carbon coating and the matrix during the fabrication process. TiC slows down further diffusion of carbon towards the matrix and guarantees the interface stability also for the most severe treatments examined here.