• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 1992

The effects of alloying elements on the superplastic properties of Al-Li based alloys had been investigated. The intermediate thermo-mechanical treated (ITMT) Al-2.0wt%Li, Al-2.0wt%Li-1.0wt%Mg, Al-2.0wt%Li-0.12wt%Zr and Al-2.0wt%Li-1.2wt%Cu-1.0wt%Mg-0.12wt%Zr alloys were tested in tension at various temperature (400, 450, 500 and $550^{\circ}C$) and strain rate($6.7{\times}10^{-3}$, $1.0{\times}10^{-2}$, $1.6{\times}10^{-2}$ and $5.0{\times}10^{-2}/sec$). The results were as follows : The superplasticity in binary, ternary and pentanary alloys appeared at 500 to $550^{\circ}C$, and good strain rate for superplasticity. $1.6{\times}10^{-2}/sec{\sim}1.0{\times}10^{-2}/sec$ for a binary alloy and $1.0{\times}10^{-2}/sec{\sim}6.7{\times}10^{-3}/sec$ for ternary and pentanary alloys. A Zr-added ternary alloy had best value of elongation (730%) in four alloys at $550^{\circ}C$ of tension temperature and $1.0{\times}10^{-2}/sec$ of strain rate. The strain rate was greatly dependent on tension temperature and true strain rate was more than 1.0 at all test temperature and strain rate. In binary and Mg-added teranry alloys. the necks were slightly formed and their fracture surface had lips shape, but Zr-added ternary and pentanary alloy fractured along the grain boundary without necking. Their dislocations moved to grain boundary during superplasticity deformation and arranged perpendicular to grain boundary. Super plastic deformation was made by grain boundary slip of dislocation slip creep and model of core and mantle.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.25-37
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• 2002

The most important industrial application of gamma radiation in characterizing green compacts is the determination of the density. Examples are given where this method is applied in manufacturing technical components in powder metallurgy. The requirements imposed by modern quality management systems and operation by the workforce in industrial production are described. The accuracy of measurement achieved with this method is demonstrated and a comparison is given with other test methods to measure the density. The advantages and limitations of gamma ray densitometry are outlined. The gamma ray densitometer measures the attenuation of gamma radiation penetrating the test parts (Fig. 1). As the capability of compacts to absorb this type of radiation depends on their density, the attenuation of gamma radiation can serve as a measure of the density. The volume of the part being tested is defined by the size of the aperture screeniing out the radiation. It is a channel with the cross section of the aperture whose length is the height of the test part. The intensity of the radiation identified by the detector is the quantity used to determine the material density. Gamma ray densitometry can equally be performed on green compacts as well as on sintered components. Neither special preparation of test parts nor skilled personnel is required to perform the measurement; neither liquids nor other harmful substances are involved. When parts are exhibiting local density variations, which is normally the case in powder compaction, sectional densities can be determined in different parts of the sample without cutting it into pieces. The test is non-destructive, i.e. the parts can still be used after the measurement and do not have to be scrapped. The measurement is controlled by a special PC based software. All results are available for further processing by in-house quality documentation and supervision of measurements. Tool setting for multi-level components can be much improved by using this test method. When a densitometer is installed on the press shop floor, it can be operated by the tool setter himself. Then he can return to the press and immediately implement the corrections. Transfer of sample parts to the lab for density testing can be eliminated and results for the correction of tool settings are more readily available. This helps to reduce the time required for tool setting and clearly improves the productivity of powder presses. The range of materials where this method can be successfully applied covers almost the entire periodic system of the elements. It reaches from the light elements such as graphite via light metals (AI, Mg, Li, Ti) and their alloys, ceramics ($AI_20_3$, SiC, Si_3N_4, $Zr0_2$, ...), magnetic materials (hard and soft ferrites, AlNiCo, Nd-Fe-B, ...), metals including iron and alloy steels, Cu, Ni and Co based alloys to refractory and heavy metals (W, Mo, ...) as well as hardmetals. The gamma radiation required for the measurement is generated by radioactive sources which are produced by nuclear technology. These nuclear materials are safely encapsulated in stainless steel capsules so that no radioactive material can escape from the protective shielding container. The gamma ray densitometer is subject to the strict regulations for the use of radioactive materials. The radiation shield is so effective that there is no elevation of the natural radiation level outside the instrument. Personal dosimetry by the operating personnel is not required. Even in case of malfunction, loss of power and incorrect operation, the escape of gamma radiation from the instrument is positively prevented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2001

The increasing interest in light weight materials coupled to the need for cost -effective processing have combined to create a significant opportunity for aluminum P/M. particularly in the automotive industry in order to reduce fuel emissions and improve fuel economy at affordable prices. Additional potential markets for Al PIM parts include hand tools. Where moving parts against gravity represents a challenge; and office machinery, where reciprocating forces are important. Aluminum PIM adds light weight, high compressibility. low sintering temperatures. easy machinability and good corrosion resistance to all advantages of conventional iron bm;ed P/rv1. Current commercial alloys are pre-mixed of either the AI-Si-Mg or AL-Cu-Mg-Si type and contain 1.5% ethylene bis-stearamide as an internal lubricant. The powder is compacted in closed dies at pressure of 200-500Mpa and sintered in nitrogen at temperatures between $580~630^{\circ}C$ in continuous muffle furnace. For some applications no further processing is required. although most applications require one or more secondary operations such as sizing and finishing. These sccondary operations improve the dimension. properties or appearance of the finished part. Aluminum is often considered difficult to sinter because of the presence of a stable surface oxide film. Removal of the oxide in iron and copper based is usually achieved through the use of reducing atmospheres. such as hydrogen or dissociated ammonia. In aluminum. this occurs in the solid st,lte through the partial reduction of the aluminum by magncsium to form spinel. This exposcs the underlying metal and facilitates sintering. It has recently been shown that < 0.2% Mg is all that is required. It is noteworthy that most aluminum pre-mixes contain at least 0.5% Mg. The sintering of aluminum alloys can be further enhanced by selective microalloying. Just 100ppm pf tin chnnges the liquid phase sintering kinetics of the 2xxx alloys to produce a tensile strength of 375Mpa. an increilse of nearly 20% over the unmodified alloy. The ductility is unnffected. A similar but different effect occurs by the addition of 100 ppm of Pb to 7xxx alloys. The lend changes the wetting characteristics of the sintering liquid which serves to increase the tensile strength to 440 Mpa. a 40% increase over unmodified aIloys. Current research is predominantly aimed at the development of metal matrix composites. which have a high specific modulus. good wear resistance and a tailorable coefficient of thermal expnnsion. By controlling particle clustering and by engineering the ceramic/matrix interface in order to enhance sintering. very attractive properties can be achicved in the ns-sintered state. I\t an ils-sintered density ilpproaching 99%. these new experimental alloys hnve a modulus of 130 Gpa and an ultimate tensile strength of 212 Mpa in the T4 temper. In contest. unreinforcecl aluminum has a modulus of just 70 Gpa.