Optical and Electron Microscopy Investigation of Damaged Storz Firehose Couplings Microstructure

Abstract:

This paper presents the results of a microscopic investigation of fractured Storz type fire hose couplings. It is part of the authors’ previous investigations on the failure mechanisms of this type of couplings. The investigations were performed using optical and scanning electron microscopy with Field Emission Gun (FED) and X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). It is shown that the AlSi5Cu1Mg casting alloy, used for the fabrication of these couplings, presents a normal microstructure. Thus, the nucleation and growth of micro-cracks in the investigated couplings are not related to the alloy’s microstructural defects and must be generated by a different process.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 919)
• Pages: 379-385
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.919.379
• Online since: April 2018
• Authors: Cornel Băbuţ*, Nicolae UNGUREANU, Gheorghe Iepure
• Keywords: Failure Mechanisms, Micro-Cracks, Microscopic Investigation, Microstructural Defects, Storz Couplings

References

[1] Bălulescu P., Crăciun I., Agenda pompierului, Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti, (1993).

[2] Manual pentru cunoasterea accesoriilor, utilajelor şi autospecialelor de stingere a incendiilor, Editura Ministerului de Interne, (1992).

[3] Romanian Standards Association, Aluminum and aluminum alloys. Castings, Chemical composition sand mechanical properties, SR EN 1706 : (2010).

[4] Niţu, Margareta Iulia, Cercetări privind îmbunătăţirea unor proprietăţi fizico-mecanice la aliajele de aluminiu turnabile prin intermediul tratamentelor termice, Teză de doctorat, Universitatea Transilvania, Braşov, (2010).

[5] Wierzbińska M, Sieniawski J, Effect of morphology of eutectic silicon crystals on mechanical properties and cleavage fracture toughness of AlSi5Cu1 alloy, Journal of Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, 01/(2005).

[6] ASM International, Aluminum-Silicon Casting Alloys: Atlas of Microfractographs, ASM International, (2004).

[7] Hurtalová, L., Tillová, E., Chalupová, M., The Fractography Study Of Fatigue Fracture Surfaces In Al-Si Cast Alloys Powder, Metallurgy Progress Jurnal, Vol. 15, (2015).

[8] Apelian, D., Worldwide Report Aluminum Cast Alloys: Enabling Tools for Improved Performance, NADCA (2009).