Rapid slurry formation (RSF) is a novel semi-solid metal forming technique which allows complex geometries to be formed in a single operation. Advantages of RSF include a much reduced suspension preparation time and cost and most importantly the ability to achieve a globular structure and high fluidity of suspension at the same time. Continue reading
Boriding/Boronizing of Steel Materials
As a thermos chemical process used for surface hardening boriding or boronizing entails heating a material to between 700-1000°C for 1 to 12 hours using a boronaceous solid powder, paste, liquid or gaseous medium. Some key advantages include obvious and large gains in surface hardness of the treated material as well as a reduction in friction coefficient meaning surface wear is significantly reduced. Continue reading
Vacuum Aluminum Brazing
Brazing is becoming an increasingly popular joining method and especially for aluminum and its associated alloys using vacuum brazing techniques. Some key advantages of vacuum aluminum brazing is its flexibility to join materials of varying shape and form and also its possibilities for joining dissimilar materials. Continue reading
The Melt Conditioned Twin Roll Casting (MC-TRC) Process
The melt conditioned twin roll casting process is a relatively new technology which aims to correct some of the disadvantages of the TRC process namely the reduced strength due to coarse grain structures. The proceeding MCAST process provides conditioning in the melt stage which ultimately generates materials with excellent grain size after the rolling process. Continue reading
Hollow Ingot Casting
Hollow ingot casting is a well-established casting technology which is used by many well-known manufacturers the world over to produce lighter good quality ingots for a range of applications. Some key advantages of hollow ingot castings include shortened forging times and subsequent yield increase and obvious savings in materials and finished product weight. Continue reading
Compacted Graphite Iron: Part Two
Compacted graphite iron (CGI) along with lamellar graphite iron and spheroidal graphite iron define the three main classes of cast iron according to morphology.
An important measure for assessing the application of CGI is the machinability levels and through specific studies it was concluded that CGI is much more difficult to machine than standard grey cast irons. Continue reading
Twin Roll Casting of Al alloys: Part Two
Twin roll casting is a relatively short single step casting process which is primarily used for thin, mm gauge aluminum sheets. In comparison to the more traditional direct chill casting process TRC provides and number of attractive economic and quality advantages. Continue reading
Boron Grain Refinement: Part Two
Grain refinement using inoculents such as boron increase the nucleation sites within the material and there for lead to improvements in the overall durability of the material.
As well as reducing quality issues such as hot tearing, boron also provides enhancements to some key properties such as electrical and heat conductivity. Continue reading
Vanadium Forging Steels
Vanadium forged steels have found their place in industry sectors such as automotive to help combat some specific problems related to the quenching process of medium carbon steels.
Alloying with vanadium has meant that advantageous properties such as tensile strength and yield stress can be achieved through air cooling of the material. Continue reading
Compacted Graphite Iron: Part One
Compacted graphite iron (CGI) along with lamellar graphite iron and spheroidal graphite iron define the three main classes of cast iron according to morphology.
CGI displays very useful properties for a range of engineering applications with the tensile strength and elastic modulus being considerably higher than grey cast irons (75% and 35% respectively). Continue reading