Materials Science Forum Vols. 618-619

Abstract: Titanium (Ti) plates were firstly treated to form various types of oxide layers on the surface and then immersed into simulated body fluid (SBF) to evaluate the apatite forming ability. The surface morphology and roughness of the different oxide layers were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the surface energies were determined based on the Owens-Wendt (OW) methods. It was found that Ti samples after Alkali-Heat treatment (AH) achieved the best apatite formation after soaking in SBF for 3 weeks, compared to those without treatment, thermal or H2O2 oxidation. Furthermore, contact angle measurement revealed that the oxide layer on the alkali-heat treated Ti samples possessed the highest surface energy. The results indicate that the apatite inducing ability of a titanium oxide layer is linked to its surface energy. Apatite nucleation is easier on a surface with a higher surface energy.

Abstract: Grain refinement of cast titanium alloys is believed to have many benefits. However, literature on how to control and manipulate β-grain size during the solidification of cast components is scarce. This paper discusses the current state of research in grain refining practices in cast titanium alloys.

Abstract: To improve the biocompatibility and bioactivity of NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA), apatite/collagen composite coatings were fabricated on the surface of NiTi SMA at room temperature using the electrochemical deposition technique. Spherical apatite particles and fibrous collagen that formed the composite coating were visible under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Ca/P ratio of the apatite component in the coating, as determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), was about 1.38 which is slightly higher than that of octocalcium phosphate (OCP). X-ray diffraction result showed that the apatite was amorphous, which was due to the low temperature (i.e., room temperature) deposition process. The structure of the composite coatings was further characterized using Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (FTIR). It was also found that, compared to bare NiTi SMA samples, the wettability of as-deposited samples was increased because of the formation of the composite coating.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA) was coated on the surface of a titanium-niobium (Ti-Nb) alloy by a sol-gel process. Triethyl phosphite and calcium nitrate were used as the phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) precursors respectively to prepare a Ca/P sol solution. The Ti-Nb alloy was dip-coated in the sol and heated at 600°C for 30 minutes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the major phase constituent of the coating after heat treatment was HA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that a few cracks were distributed on the HA coating. The in-vitro bioactivity of the HA coated Ti-Nb alloy was assessed using a cell culture of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells. The density of cell attachment was determined by MTT assay; the cell morphology was observed by SEM. Results indicated that the density of cell attachment on the surface of the Ti-Nb alloy was significantly increased by HA coating. Cell morphology observation showed that cells attached, spread and grew well on the HA coated surface. It can be concluded that the HA coating improved the in-vitro bioactivity of Ti-Nb alloy effectively.

Abstract: Recently, heat treatment technologies have been developed by the CSIRO Light Metals Flagship in Australia that allow the yield stress in conventional aluminium HPDC’s to be more than doubled without encountering problems with blistering or dimensional instability. These procedures involve a severely truncated solution treatment step conducted at lower than normal temperatures followed by quenching and artificial ageing. Typically, heat treated HPDC’s may display increases to the yield stress of around 80 to 100%, but a range of other properties may also be improved such as fatigue resistance, thermal conductivity and fracture resistance for some tempers. However, the HPDC alloys currently used worldwide have not been developed specifically for heat treatment or the optimization of specific properties. In particular, recent work in Al-Si-Cu HPDC alloys has identified ranges of alloys specifically for achieving yield strengths exceeding 400 MPa, or for high strength combined with elevated ductility levels. The role of alloying elements, composition limits and effects on microstructure development are discussed.

Abstract: This work evaluates the feasibility of using a holistic approach, based on dynamical system theory, to reduce porosity defects in high pressure aluminum die casting. Quality improvements, from a dynamical system perspective mean the ability to move the die casting process out of its natural equilibrium to a more beneficial state and the ability to maintain this new process state. This more beneficial state may be achieved in several ways. One way is to increase the amount of forcing to overcome natural process resistance. This forcing approach is represented by typical continuous intervention policy, with modifications in die/part design and/or process parameters. An alternative approach is to reduce the amount of natural process resistance, in particular the amount of process disturbance, allowing the process to move out of its natural equilibrium with much less forcing. This alternative uses the self-regulating ability of dynamical systems thus decreasing the amount of human intervention required. In this respect, the influence of vacuum on time on chattering at the first stage of the casting shot was identified as a good process candidate for testing using dynamical system theory. A significant reduction in porosity defects was achieved, which also set the process on a path of slow but consistent self-improvement.

Abstract: Within the project “Decision and design methodology for the lay-out of modular dies” which is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries”, established and financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the main objective is setting guidelines for cost-effective and high quality high pressure die casting (HPDC) moulds. The strong increase in product variants and the growing demand for individualised products results in a growing complexity of all related products. The main objective of this project is bridging the existing gap between individual manufacturing and mass production. A new perspective on the value creation chain of HPDC-dies has to be established. First of all, the methodology for the lay-out of modular dies consists in an analysis of the already produced die cast moulds. For the development of modules, standard parts, and different die types, a wide range of HPDC-dies will be compared with each other and subsequently clustered along specific criteria such as size or number of core sliders. Another step consists in optimising setting-up time and maintenance. The as-is state in different companies will be examined. With this knowledge, new concepts will be developed, keeping a modular configuration of the different parts involved in mind. Concepts for modular core sliders, guides and ejectors will be developed and will be investigated for further use. Based on this information, the decision and design methodology for the lay-out of modular HPDC -dies will be examined and developed throughout the process.

Abstract: Streaking is a common problem on anodised extrusions of 6xxx series soft alloys. This paper presents various types of streaking defects on the basis of industry practice and experimental results. The streaking defects are classified according to their root causes. This provides a basis for developing effective methods for preventing the formation of these defects for the extrusion.

Abstract: The traditional solution treatment cycles that are currently applied to rheo-processed A201 are mostly those that are used for conventional castings. These solution treatments are not necessarily the optimum solution treatments for rheo-processing. As a result, DSC analysis was done to optimize this heat treatment. The new solution treatment, which consists of higher temperatures and shorter times (515°C/5h, followed by 570°C/10h), resulted in slightly higher hardness values for both alloy A206 and A201.

Abstract: In this study a new thermal fatigue test rig has been developed that can apply a net energy input to materials with different physical properties using HF induction heating. Several commercially available hot work ferrous and non-ferrous die materials were evaluated with the aim of providing a basis for selecting an appropriate die material with good thermal fatigue resistance for a given HPDC application. The results show materials with high thermal conductivity such as tungsten-based materials are more resistant to thermal fatigue cracking than conventionally used hot work tool steels for HPDC dies. The initiation and growth of thermal fatigue cracks were examined and periodically evaluated using computer image analysis, for crack morphology, and hardness on each material tested.