Papers by Author: Tadashi Asahina

Abstract: The deposition of pure tin onto pure aluminum powder in its self-convective motion by magnetron DC sputtering was examined in order to prepare Al-Sn composite powder and thereby to improve the sintering of the aluminum particles, aiming at the development of highly structure-controlled porous aluminum materials. The fabrication of porous aluminum materials was carried out by space-holder method using the prepared Al-Sn composite powder in ordinary powder metallurgy processing. The effects of the sputterdeposition of tin on porous structure and mechanical properties of the sintered compact were investigated. It was found that the porous structure of the sintered porous materials with the porosity 80% was better regulated by the sputter-deposition, compared to that without the deposition. Regarding their compressive properties, it was found that the plateau stress of the sintered porous materials reached by the sputter-deposition twice as high as that without the deposition. Therefore it was concluded that coating of aluminum powder with tin deposits enables the porous-structure to be controlled more effectively in fabricating sintered highly porous aluminum materials, as well as improves their mechanical property.

Abstract: The cell-structure of highly porous aluminum material prepared by foaming of aluminum alloy melt with titanium hydride was investigated nondestructively with fine-focus X-ray 3D-CT at several interrupt steps during slow compressive deformation. The foamed highly porous aluminum has anisotropic shape of each cell inevitably because of gravity force during solidification of foamed material and mechanical properties especially the dependence on the deformation direction of highly porous aluminum is analyzed well from the size and shape of each void composing the porous material. The statistic anisotropic distribution of these form factors such as three axial lengths and directions at the time of ellipsoidal approximation of each cell was found to be less important to improve the mechanical properties of this type of material.

Abstract: Fabrication of sintered compact from aluminum powder coated with tin deposits was examined, in order to enhance the bonding among the aluminum particles under the assistance of tin and thereby the sintering effect of the aluminum powder, aiming at improving the mechanical properties of sintered aluminum materials. For the coating of aluminum powder with tin deposits, the deposition of pure tin onto the aluminum particles was carried out by magnetron DC sputtering during the self-convective motion of the aluminum powder in a vacuum chamber. The tablet consisting of the aluminum powder coated with tin deposits was sintered at 650°C in a vacuum chamber for 2 hours, while the tablet consisting of non-coated aluminum powder was also sintered under the same condition for comparison. The sintered compact from the coated aluminum powder was solid and uniform, and its consolidation reached over 95% while that from non-coated aluminum powder was around 85%. According to tensile tests, the tensile strength of the sintered compact from the coated aluminum powder was 75.4N/mm2 while that from non-coated aluminum powder was 71.0N/mm2, and the elongation of the sintered compact from the coated aluminum powder reached over 20% while that from non-coated aluminum powder was around 10%. Therefore it was found that the consolidation and the mechanical properties of the sintered compact consisting of aluminum powder were considerably improved by this powder coating process.

Abstract: The cell-structure of highly porous aluminum material prepared by melt foaming technology was investigated under deformation with fine-focus X-ray 3D-CT to make clear the development target porous material for automobile industries with improved reliability. It was confirmed that structures with more fine, more uniform and exclusion peculiar anisotropic pores would make improved mechanical properties of the material.

Abstract: Coating of austentic stainless steel substrates with Ti/O compositionally gradient film was examined using reactive DC sputtering technique, in order to improve not only the abrasion resistance of the stainless steel but also the adhesion between the deposited film and the substrate with preserving the high hardness of such a hard ceramic coating as titanium oxide coating. The deposition of Ti/O compositional gradient films were realized by varying continuously the oxygen content in Ar-O2 sputter-gas during the reactive sputtering. The obtained films were appeared to be uniform and adhesive, while Ti-O compositional constant (i.e. non-gradient) films which were deposited by reactive DC sputtering under the same sputtering conditions except for the Ar-O2 gas mixing condition, i.e., with the oxygen content in the gas mixture constant, peeled off partly. According to AES in-depth profiles, the oxygen (O) concentration in the obtained film gradually decreased in depth direction from the surface toward the substrate, confirming that Ti/O compositional films had formed on the stainless steel. On the basis of XRD, it was found that not only hcp alpha-titanium and titanium oxide (anatase) but also some types of suboxides had formed in the gradient films. Furthermore the gradient films approximately indicated Hv600 which was much higher than that of the stainless steel substrate. Therefore the abrasion resistance of the stainless steel and the adhesion at the interface were expected to be improved at the same time.

Abstract: The deposition of Sn-5wt.%Al alloy onto pure aluminum powder in its self-convective motion by magnetron DC sputtering was examined in order to prepare Al-Sn composite particles, aiming not only at the development of highly uniform sintered binary compact materials but also at the improvement of the bonding between the aluminum particles after sintering at low temperature such as 250°C. The self-convection phenomenon of the aluminum powder in the vacuum chamber occurred when a perpendicular vibration was applied to the powder. The sputter-deposition of the Sn-Al alloy was carried out during the self-convection of the aluminum powder. Under SEM and according to EPMA analysis, as well as according to thermal analysis with DSC, it was confirmed that the obtained particles were coated with the Sn-Al deposits. Therefore it was found that Sn-Al composite powder could be produced by this processing, and thereby not only the development of highly uniform sintered binary compact materials but also the improvement of the bonding between the aluminum particles after sintering at low temperature were expected.

Abstract: A new specimen is proposed to measure the interfacial toughness between the Al-0.5%Cu thin film and the Si substrate. The plain and general micro-fabrication processes are sufficient to fabricate the specimen. With the help of the finite element method and the concepts of the linear elastic fracture mechanics, the detailed structure for this specimen is modeled and evaluated. The results obtained from this research show that the proposed specimen provides efficient and convenient method to measure the interfacial toughness between the Al-Cu thin film and the Si substrate.

Abstract: Manufactured cellular aluminums have been developed for a wide range of automotive applications where weight savings, improved safety, crashworthiness and comfort are required. The plateau deformation behavior of cellular aluminums under compressive loading makes this new class of lightweight materials suitable for energy absorption and comes close to ideal impact absorbers. In the present study, aluminum hollow hemispheres were firstly processed by pressing. Hollow sphere aluminum samples with a body-centered cubic (BCC) packing were then fabricated by bonding together single hollow spheres, which were prepared by adhering together hollow hemispheres. Hollow sphere aluminum samples with various kinds of sphere wall thicknesses of 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm but the same outside diameter of 4 mm were investigated by compressive tests. The effects of the sphere wall thickness on the mechanical properties and energy absorption characteristics were investigated.