Defect and Diffusion Forum Vols. 312-315

Abstract: The results concerning gas nitriding of sintered stainless steel are presented in the paper. The samples made of 316L steel were gas nitrided at temperatures between 400-550°C. The microstructure of the layer was investigated by means of light and atomic force microscopy. The phase composition was identified using X-ray diffraction. Moreover, tribological and corrosion properties of the samples were evaluated. It was demonstrated that in case of gas nitriding it is possible to obtain nitrided layers also inside open pores, which can be beneficial for corrosion response of nitrided sintered austenitic stainless steel applied in corrosive environments.

Abstract: The paper presents results of research on nitrided layers on precipitation hardened stainless steel, known also as 1RK91 (Sandvik NanoflexTM). Samples were subjected to low temperature nitriding. The influence of nitriding parameters on nitriding kinetics was investigated. The nitriding process was carried out in a mixture of NH3 50% and products of its dissociation as well as in 100% ammonia atmosphere at temperature range 425-475°C. To investigate the kinetics of nitrided layer formation, the nitriding time changes between 2 and 8 h. The obtained diffusion layers were examined using the following methods: light and scanning electron microscopy, XRD phase analysis. The distribution profiles of selected chemical elements were acquired using optical spectrometry GDOES.

Abstract: Numerical simulation of natural convection heat transfer in the presence of a magnetic field is analyzed in a non-isothermally heated square enclosure. The left wall is heated and cooled with a sinusoidal heat source and the right wall is cooled isothermally. The horizontal walls of the enclosure are adiabatic. The effects of Rayleigh number (Ra = 104, 105 and 106), Hartmann number (Ha = 0, 25, 50 and 100) and amplitude of sinusoidal function (n = 0.25, 0.5 and 1) on temperature and flow fields are analyzed. It is observed that the rate of heat transfer is decreased with increasing the Hartmann number; it is also decreased when decreasing the amplitude of sinusoidal function.

Abstract: CBN diffusion coating on the ball nose end mills made of AISI-M35 high speed steel (HSS) has been produced thermo-chemically. The microstructure and component depth profiles of the CBN diffusion layer have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The results on laboratory cutting tests of ball nose end mills made of AISI-M35 HSS with and without complex CBN diffusion coating are also introduced in the paper. The relationship between wear kinetics and tool life has been established. It was shown that under the used cutting conditions the tool life of the mills with the coating was a factor of 1.6 higher than that of the mills without the coating. The higher tribological stability of the coating in cutting process was supported by metallographic observations of the worn surfaces using scanning electron microscopy.

Abstract: Single vapour bubble growth and heat transfer mechanism during flow boiling in a rectangular horizontal mini-channel were experimentally investigated. The hydraulic diameter of the channel was 1454 μm, with an aspect ratio (Win/din) of 10. Degassed FC-72 was used as the working liquid. In this paper, bubble equivalent radius was found to increase linearly till a critical time, beyond which the growth turned into exponential. Bubble growth rate increases with increasing heat flux. Heat transfer mechanisms of the bubble growth at different heat fluxes and mass fluxes were discussed. In addition, the relation between thermal and flow conditions with bubble temporal geometry was explored.

Abstract: Free fatty acids (FFA) is one of the most frequently determined quality indices in fats and oils industry because it has the economic impacts on production [1]. The FFA in macaúba pulp oil is usually very high (10 to 40%) due to enzymatic activity in the raw material [2]. In this case, alkali neutralization is not economically recommended due to neutral oil loss by occlusion in soapstock. The differential solubility of fatty acids and triacylglycerides (TAG) in various organic solvents has formed the basis of several processes for deacidification of crude oils by liquid–liquid extraction [3]. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the influence of raw oil acidity, ethanol/water ratio, water content in ethanol and temperature extraction on partition coefficients of FFA during macaúba oil deacidification. The macaúba crude oil presented high acid index, about 86  1.2 mg KOH/g. The extraction data for the system macaúba oil + free fatty acids + ethanol + water was determined for oil:solvent mass ratios 1:1. Alcoholic solutions containing 2 to 10 % (w/w) of water were used to FFA extraction and the partition coefficients were determined after 24 hours at room temperature (293 K). The phase’s separation was observed for water content in the mixture above 4%. After solvent evaporation, the FFA in oil phase was evaluated by AOCS standard method. Regarding the high acid oil, the single stage liquid-liquid extraction reduced the FFA in macaúba pulp oil in about 23 % while the three batch stages reduced up to 60%. At the selected parameters (ethanol 94oGL, solvent/substrate ratio = 2), the partition coefficients in the firs stage to FFA (KFFA) were 30.45, 12.00 and 1.95, respectively to high acid, acid and low acid macaúba oils and the partition coefficients to TAG (KTAG) were 7.07, 0.04 and 0.02, respectively to high acid, acid and low acid macaúba oils. These results show the potential of ethanol to vegetable oil deacidification. Besides reduced generation of environmental pollutants, this new approach could also lead to reduction in oil losses, especially for low acid oil.

Abstract: Metal–hydrogen systems are of great basic and technological interest in connection to the role of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. Frequently, metal systems are involved in hydrogen purification, storage, and engines making use of this fuel. The presence of hydrogen in a metallic matrix gives rise to modifications of electrical, optical and mechanical properties. Hydrogen accumulation in metals may cause damage to the material by also producing fracture, thus limiting operating lifetime. Reducing the hydrogen permeation is an important task also for the fusion reactors: it is well known, indeed, that tritium is radioactive so that it is very important to be able to confine tritium during the nuclear fusion process. The theoretical study of permeation is thus of fundamental importance to obtain efficient barriers to permeation. Hydrogen trapping sites have a great influence on the hydrogen permeation through a slab sample. The diffusion of the hydrogen in a crystal is generally described by a parabolic partial differential equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The numerical simulation code PHM (Permeation of Hydrogen through Metals), realized for the study of the permeation of hydrogen in presence of trapping sites, is here described and utilized for the analysis of the influence of reversible and irreversible traps on the diffusion of hydrogen in a metal.

Abstract: The paper presents results of tests concerning influence of accuracy in measurements of selected thermal properties of materials of a ceramic mould, insulating mat and an alloy itself on effects of simulation of a casting process provided for elements of an aero-engine. A simulation process was realized by means of the PROCAST program. In initial simulations, thermal parameters were applied and they are accessible in literature and concern materials of a mould and nickel superalloys. Results of simulation revealed presence of numerous defects in a form of gaps, pores and cracks. These results were proved in trial casting. In consequence, it was impossible to select correctly right casting parameters. In order to solve this problem, a value of thermal conductivity was defined experimentally and basing on it, coefficients of heat exchange in metal – mould, mould – insulation mat systems were defined as well. A value of partial coefficients of heat exchange was used to determine values of substitute coefficient of heat exchange for the whole metal – mould, mould – insulation mat systems. By introducing the got data, one managed to define parameters of a casting process, providing improvement in a level of quality of cast elements.

Abstract: The paper presents the microstructure test results of carbide layers with bond coat obtained on the magnesium alloy with WC/Co – NiCr – AZ91D type thermal spraying method. Layers were sprayed with the APS method on the sandblasted surfaces of approx. 5 mm thick elements manufactured with high pressure die casting (HPDC). The standard process parameters were used for the powders sprayed. The scope of the tests included characteristics of the AZ91D alloy top surface after HPDC process and after sandblasting. The stereometric analysis of surface was performed by using the laser profilometer. The top surface geometric parameters were determined and presented in the form of numbers and topographic maps. Both surfaces were subject to SEM analysis by using the Hitachi S3400N microscope and chemical composition analysis in micro areas (EDX analysis by using the Noran System Six software) to determine presence of impurities and other type of artefacts on the alloy surface before plasma spraying. The alloy surfaces were also subject to detailed tests after spraying process (on lateral micro-sections) to determine the influence of the spraying process on the substrate quality and consequently layer adhesion. Phase composition assessment of the NiCr 80/20 type bond coat and carbide layers WC/10Co and WC/8Co was also performed. Further tests referred to top surface morphology of both carbide layers and chemical composition assessment in micro areas.

Abstract: This article presents a study and results concerning the characteristics of selected thermal properties of the powders intended for deposition of gradient structure layers of the TBC type. The study included evaluation of the thermal diffusivity and specific heat of the powders in the initial state, and also calorimetric analysis of powder mixtures. Thermal diffusivity tests were performed with the laser-flash method. The temperature range of the tests was 25°C-1400°C. Specific heat and calorimetric analyses were performed with the heat flux method within a similar temperature range. The Gd2Zr2O7 powders obtained by spray drying method and standard ZrO2 x 8Y2O3 powder were analysed. The thermal diffusivity analysis and calorimetric analysis were performed for the samples obtained by pressing the Gd2Zr2O7 - ZrO2 x 8Y2O3 powder mixture of equal weight fractions. Specific heat measurements were taken for pure powders. The calorimetric analysis performed showed that no significant thermal effects were observed in both pure powders and their mixture within the temperature range of 800°C-1400°C. A small endothermic effect (approx.-7J/g) was observed for gadolinium powder within the temperature range of 350°C-615°C. Specific heat measurements revealed that gadolinium powder was characterized by stable values of that parameter within the whole temperature range like zirconium powder. The analyses performed showed that the powders were characterized by small mutual reactivity, and gadolinium powder showed a definitely lower thermal diffusivity, which is advantageous as regards obtaining TBC layers with a gradient structure on the basis of those two powders.