Key Engineering Materials Vol. 550

Abstract: An investigation was conducted to explore the applicability of Eddy Current (EC) and magnetic techniques to characterize the formation and grains size variation during Mechanical Alloying (MA) and the formation of a new mixture due to the variation of crystallography parameters. The change in apparent density was attributable to the irregular particles of the metal powders. A series of Nanocrystalline (Fe₆₅Co₃₅)_xAl_1-x samples have been prepared using M.A based on planetary ball mill under several milling conditions. M.A is a non-equilibrium process for materials synthesis. The structural effects of MA of powders were investigated by X-Ray diffraction analysis, SEM, microwaves, hysteresis magnetic and Eddy Current technique. Consequently, a nanostructure alloy was obtained with an average grain size of 8 nm. Experimental results show that fine nanocrystalline alloy powders prepared by mechanical milling are very promising for microwave applications and it is suggested that Eddy current measurement technique is a useful tool for the characterization of nanocrystalline materials.

Abstract: In the development of composites materials, the matrix acts as a binder of different reinforcements can distribute the stress, provide good resistance to chemical structure and the desired shape to the final product. But there are still some drawbacks that arise in the physicochemical and mechanical properties of thermosetting matrices. Our job is to synthesize composite materials with news formulations of thermosetting matrices (Granitex products) by the incorporation of 40% of local mineral fillers. The latter give the matrix properties which it does not have, first, to reduce the cost of composite materials, and secondly, to improve implementation by increasing the viscosity and reducing the withdrawal to its minimum value. Rheological testing of mixtures prepared is made on the cone-plate viscometer, or the sample undergoes a shear in the conical space between the plane and the cone. The geometry of the cone - package ensures constant velocity gradient throughout the volume. The rheograms obtained, represents the evolution of the shear stress as a function of shear rate of resin mixtures containing 35% of mineral filler (pozzolan). The mineral filler increases significantly in rheological parameters, whatever the nature of the mineral filler. Compared to the control without charges, an increase of 60% of the shear stress and that of plastic viscosity were recorded for the epoxy resin. The software Rheowine viscometer, enabled us to model and identified the rheological behavior of these mixed with resin. The results obtained in this modeling, confirmed that the resin mixtures have shear-thinning rheological behavior and their behavior follows the model of the Ostwald of Waele.

Abstract: In the framework of valorization of the worn tires and environment preservation, several techniques exist in many fields. In Algeria, and since 2005, about 19 facilities are carried out using the so-called `Pneusol' technique. Currently, researches are interested in the use of rubber fine powder (RFP) that results from worn tires crushing. The letters constitute a cumbersome waste.[1,2] The present work presents, beginning from an experimental investigation, the possible using of tire scrap in road coating. The main purpose of such mixture is to improve certain mechanical properties, and also to reduce waste materials in the urban or agricultural zones leading to environmental and human damage. The mean study approach refers to the behavior of asphaltic concrete containing fine powders. The latter is produced by crushing of rubbery products and worn-out tires through dry and wet processes. Changes in rheological laws and in mechanical properties of the bituminous powder mixture are checked by means of experiments. The present study highlights the influence of fine powder content, size distribution and mixing conditions on some product properties such as deformation modulus, compactness and creep. The experimental results of the whole survey lead to interesting correlations. In addition, the rubber fine powder (RFP) is recognized taking into account road and environment interests. This appears to be, economically, interesting.

Abstract: To meet the needs always more accurate and demanding in the construction industry, mechanical and thermal or acoustic features of building materials have known significant improvements over the last two decades. Researchers in materials science and civil engineering are constantly listening to the industry and continue to innovate in this field. The current trend is the search for new materials, called intelligent, where several properties as mechanical and physico-chemical are combined. In our case, the aim was to develop a new construction material reaching the construction standards, --- i.e. with acceptable mechanical properties --- but which is also able to perform other functions such as thermal insulation or sound insulation. To do this, we chose to strengthen a cement mortar with natural fibers obtained from poultry feather. A physical and chemical stability behavior is obtained thanks to a treatment performed before their incorporation into the composite matrix. The fibers are introduced in a mortar matrix as a substitute for mineral or synthetic fibers which are traditionally used for this purpose. The cylindrical and prismatic specimens were then prepared with the composite in order to determine the mechanical characteristics of this composite. Compression tests and three-point bending were carried out for this purpose. To determine the thermal conductivity of composites, several plates with different percentages of fiber, whose size is 300x300x10 mm³, was chosen in order to be adaptable to the experimental device, were fabricated.

Abstract: To determine the size of a grain, we associated its form to that of a equivalent sphere. The grains size is then measured by an equivalent diameter, which is not enough to describe the behavior materials with irregular grains shape. To understand these effects, a new technique was developed by Mandelbrot (1979) which is based on the fractal geometry. To clarify this notion, the grains shape is characterized using the fractal dimension (Df), which is a number measuring the degree of irregularity or the fragmentation of a grain. Mechanical tests were performed. The fractal dimension was calculated for different grains constituting the samples before and after each test while studying its evolution after crushing. The results confirm that the fractal dimension affects the measurement of mechanical properties of the granular materials.

Abstract: The tribological performances of in-situ (TiB + TiC) / Ti1100 composites prepared by casting and the matrix alloy were tested by pin-on disc mode. The worn surface and wear debris were investigated by SEM. The models of the composites during the wear process were simulated by ABAQUS FEA software. The analysis shows the stress distributions inside the composites under the different shear stress. The wear mechanism of the composites is probed.

Abstract: For the last 30 years, AA2024 aluminum alloy was very used as structural material in the aerospace industry due to its low density and good mechanical strength. The phenomenon of precipitation hardening in aluminum alloys takes place at relatively low temperature and induces the precipitation of intermetallic particles composed of the main alloying elements i.e., copper and magnesium. The fundamental stage of the age-hardening process consists in the acceleration of the decomposition phenomenon of the supersaturated solid solution, resulting in the coarse intermetallic particle precipitation; stage where the mechanical properties reaches the maximum values, but at the cost of a low corrosion resistance. In this paper, the AA2024 alloy microstructure was studied during the over-ageing process. The over-ageing treatment (T7) is supposed to stabilize the microstructure and the mechanical properties to improve the corrosion resistance. The over-ageing treatment consists in a solution treatment at 495±5°C for 1 hour, quenched into cold water and artificial aged. Three different artificial ageing temperatures were studied: 150°C, 175°C and 190°C. The mechanical properties modifications were followed by Vickers macrohardness measurements. The treatment duration for each temperature (36 days for 150°C, 50 hrs for 175°C and 24 hrs for 190°C) was determined by a given macrohardness reduction. To characterize the over-aged AA2024 alloy microstructure, a statistical analysis of the surface fraction and surface density of intermetallic particles was made. The intermetallic particle dimension distribution, depending on the over-ageing temperature, was also observed. To do so, scanning electron microscope observations were carried out and image analyses were performed from backscattered electron images.

Abstract: The 2xxx serie aluminum alloys are characterized by good mechanical performances and low density, however they are susceptible to different forms of localized corrosion: pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. The 2024-T351 aluminum alloy is used in the aircraft industry for numerous applications such as fuselage and door skin. Corrosion damage of the material is also very detrimental for the structural integrity of the aircraft. The presence of coarse intermetallic particles, with a heterogeneous size distribution was found to be responsible for the 2024 susceptibility to localized corrosion. These particles are generally the cause of initiation sites. Presence of micro-defects in the oxide film upon coarse intermetallic particles and the galvanic coupling with the matrix contribute to the development of pitting corrosion. The over-ageing treatment (T7) is supposed to stabilize the microstructure and the mechanical properties to improve the corrosion resistance. The 2024 alloy microstructure after the T7 heat treatment remains very complex. The 2024 alloy corrosion behavior was studied in the over-ageing state for three different temperatures (150, 175 and 190 °C). During the corrosion tests in chloride-containing environment, the behavior of coarse intermetallic particles was found to be different. Thus, the 2024 samples suffer a gradual attack upon S-Al₂CuMg particles and finally Al (Cu,Mn,Fe,Si) particles. The corrosion damage was studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe Force Microscopy (KFM). This technique allows simultaneous topographical and electric potential mapping to be obtained. This latest potential was shown to be correlated to the corrosion potential of the 2024 alloy. This study focuses on the variation of the KFM potential of the coarse intermetallic particles and the matrix for the over-ageing conditions (T7). Observations using optical microscope and AFM were also performed to obtain the corrosion rate for each condition. The corrosion rate was correlated to the chemical composition variation of the particles obtained by scanning electron microscope observations and EDS analyses.

Abstract: This paper presents different interests of non destructive full-field measurement. More precisely, it focuses on the characterization and the comparison of the X-ray tomography and two methods of infrared thermography in order to define the defect detection limits and to precise the specific application fields for each technique on multi-layered and sandwich composite structures. The obtained results are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed.

Abstract: Adhesives are often based on polymers materials. They are good candidates in order to manufacture adhesives joint because of their thermomechanical properties and their processing which is easier than other materials. Epoxy resins are widely used as adhesives joint. We can meet them in various industrial areas like car, spatial and aerospace domains. Because of numerous combinations between epoxy and amine chemical functions, these joints may be efficient at high or at low temperature. Indeed, close to their glassy transition temperature (Tg), exists an elastic modulus / ductility couple for which, shear stress is optimum: the Optimum Stress Zone (OSZ)[ which is restricted on limited temperatures range. Our study consists in formulating an epoxy amine joint able to be efficient on an extended temperatures range i.e. a joint able to ensure a stress continuity over a large range of temperatures, for example-50°C to 100°C. To reach this objective, we propose an evolution of the Multi Adhesive Joints (MAJ): an adhesive joint presenting a gradient of mechanical properties. To make this adhesive joint formulation possible, its necessary to control kinetics diffusion at the adhesive scale (200μm to 500μm) between the low temperature adhesive (LTA) and the high temperature adhesive (HTA). The diffusion study will be carried out by using a rheometer. For such adhesive thickness, the rheometer compliance may have an influence on the results. Therefore, this present work proposes to identify and to set up the key parameters, which allow following kinetics diffusion in a rheometer for dimensions similar to those of bonding assembly, by checking the measurements are performed in the linear viscoelastic domain. In a first part, the morphological, mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the nanostructured thermosets versus time are performed. And, the second part will deal with the optimization of the key parameters by performing dynamic shear tests versus time on HTA and LTA samples in sight of kinetics diffusion study.