Fracture alloys

The sensitivity tests are carried out on artificial defects (nickel-chromium specimens of NFA 09.520,see figure 3 of annex 1) and natural defects (one part in "light" alloy, one part in stellite grade 1 containing micropores, 2 specimens of fracture mechanical type CT20 in Z2 CN 12.10 (NFA 03.180). 

Two approaches have been taken to produce metal-matrix composites (qv) incorporation of fibers into a matrix by mechanical means and in situ preparation of a two-phase fibrous or lamellar material by controlled solidification or heat treatment. The principles of strengthening for alloys prepared by the former technique are well estabUshed (24), primarily because yielding and even fracture of these materials occurs while the reinforcing phase is elastically deformed. Under these conditions both strength and modulus increase linearly with volume fraction of reinforcement. However, the deformation of in situ, ie, eutectic, eutectoid, peritectic, or peritectoid, composites usually involves some plastic deformation of the reinforcing phase, and this presents many complexities in analysis and prediction of properties. 

Another commercial development of the 1970s is the appHcation of superplasticity which is exhibited by a number of zinc alloys (135—138). Under the right conditions, the material becomes exceptionally soft and ductile and, under low stresses, extensions exceeding 1000% can be obtained without fracture. The grain size must be extremely small (about 1 micrometer) and stable. This grain size is less than one tenth that of common metals in the wrought condition. 

Depth-of-Gut Notching. Depth-of-cut notching (DOCN) is a localized wear process common when machining materials such as austenitic stainless steels or high temperature alloys. Notching is attributed to the chemical reaction of the tool material and the atmosphere, or to abrasion by the hard, sawtooth outer edge of the chip. DOCN may lead to tool fracture. 

Hardness and solubiUty for other carbides make TiC an important component of siatered cemented carbides. Although the addition of TiC or WTiC2 to WC—Co alloys imparts crater wear resistance, it also reduces the transverse mpture strength and fracture toughness of these alloys. Therefore, the amount of TiC or WTiC2 added to WC—Co alloys for steel machining is kept to a minimum, typically no greater than 10 wt %. The TiC-based cermets, on the other hand, may contain 30—85 wt % TiC. 

Stacking faults thereby providing barriers to sHp. If carbides are allowed to precipitate to the point of becoming continuous along the grain boundaries, they often initiate fracture (see Fracture mechanics). A thorough discussion of the mechanical properties of cobalt alloys is given in References 29 and 30 (see also Refractories). 

The abrasion resistance of cobalt-base alloys generally depends on the hardness of the carbide phases and/or the metal matrix. For the complex mechanisms of soHd-particle and slurry erosion, however, generalizations cannot be made, although for the soHd-particle erosion, ductihty may be a factor. For hquid-droplet or cavitation erosion the performance of a material is largely dependent on abiUty to absorb the shock (stress) waves without microscopic fracture occurring. In cobalt-base wear alloys, it has been found that carbide volume fraction, hence, bulk hardness, has Httie effect on resistance to Hquid-droplet and cavitation erosion (32). Much more important are the properties of the matrix. 

Specia.lty Coppers. Additions are made to copper to satisfy specific needs. Tellurium at a nominal 0.5 wt % addition, sulfur at 0.35 wt %, and lead at 1 wt % enhance machinabiHty. These alloys are identified as C145, C147, and C187, respectively. The solubiHty limit for each element is <0.001%, so that the excess is present as second-phase particles which assist in fracture of chips and lubrication during machining. 

Titanium alloys should be melted and cast under carefully controlled and optimum conditions. The higher elongation values of titanium castings reflect the superior ductihty of titanium. Ductile clasp arms of titanium castings can withstand relatively large bending adjustments without fracture. 

Fracture Mechanics Methods These have proved very usebd for defining the minimum stress intensity K[scc. t which stress corrosion cracking of high-strength, low-ductihty alloys occurs. They have so far been less successful when apphed to high-ductility alloys, which are extensively used in the chemicm-process industries. 

Figure 16.6 shows the general yield and fast fracture loci for a pressure-vessel steel and an aluminium alloy. The critical flaw size in the steel is =9 mm that in the aluminium alloy is =1 mm. It is easy to detect flaws of size 9 mm by ultrasonic testing, and pressure-vessel steels can thus be accurately tested non-destructively for safety -vessels with cracks larger than 9 mm would not be passed for service. Raws of 1 mm size cannot be measured so easily or accurately, and thus aluminium is less safe to use. 

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