Advances in Mechanical and Materials Engineering

The Influence of Plasma Nitriding Process Conditions on the Microstructure of Coatings Obtained on the Substrate of Selected Tool Steels

Magdalena Mokrzycka — 2024-01-05

This study presents the results of research into the influence of the time of the plasma nitriding process on the microstructure of the coatings obtained. Cold-work tool steels (60WCrV8, 90MnCrV8, 145Cr6), hot-work tool steel (X37CrMoV5-1) and high-speed tool steel (HS6-5-2) were selected as substrate material. The processes were carried out under industrial conditions using an Ionit device from Oerlikon Metaplas with variable process times of 2, 4 and 6 hours. According to literature data, a nitriding mixture consisting of 5% nitrogen and 95% hydrogen was chosen, which allowed the expected diffusion layer to be obtained without a white layer (composed of iron nitrides). Analysis of elemental mapping indicates that the presence and content of nitride-forming elements influences the formation of alloy additive nitrides in the microstructure of the diffusion layer. It was also found that an increase in the duration of plasma nitriding, results in an increase in the depth of the nitrided layers formed on the substrate of high-alloy steels: X37CrMoV5-1 and HS6-5-2. Nitrides of alloying additives, present in the diffusion layer, are formed in the high-alloyed the hot-work steel X37CrMoV5-1, indicating that these steels are the most suitable for plasma nitriding of the entire tool steels analysed.

Analysis of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient of Glass- and Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Composites

Romuald Fejkiel — 2024-01-12

With the development of manufacturing processes, an increase in the importance of metal-fibre composites in materials engineering is observed. These are materials consisting of appropriately arranged layers of metal and various types of fibres. The very wide use of composite materials in the construction of machine and equipment components means they are often exposed to work in variable temperature conditions. The aim of this article was analysis of the thermal expansion of typical composites: carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, glass fibre-reinforced polymer, glass-reinforced aluminium laminate and carbon-fibre reinforced aluminium laminate. EN AW-6060 aluminium alloy was used as the reference material. The aim of the dilatometric tests was to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion and the dimensional stability of composite materials at elevated temperatures up to 100 °C. The EN AW-6060 aluminium alloy was characterized by the highest linear expansion coefficient (20.27×10⁻⁶1/K). Composites containing glass fibres were characterized by the lowest positive linear thermal expansion coefficient. Among the composite materials tested, CARALLs exhibit the lowest thermal expansion coefficient.

Effect of Floating-Plug Drawing Process Parameters on Surface Finish of Inner and Outer Surfaces of AISI 321 Stainless Steel Thin-Walled Tubes

Krzysztof Żaba — 2024-01-29

This article presents the results of the analysis of changes in the surface topography of AISI 321 (1.4541) thin-walled stainless steel tubes in single-pass Floating-Plug Drawing (FPD) process. Experimental tests were carried out with variable drawing speed (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 m/min) and different angles of floating plug (11.3°, 13° and 14°). Wisura DSO7010 (Fuchs Oil) lubricant was used in the experiments. Mean roughness Ra and ten point height of irregularities Rz were adopted as surface quality indicators. Roughness parameters were measured independently on the inner and outer surfaces of thin-walled tubes. Analysis of variance was used to analyse the relationship between process parameters (drawing speed and angle of floating plug) and surface roughness of tubes. A decrease in the values of both analyzed roughness parameters was observed as a result of the drawing process. The FPD process significantly improves the inner surface quality of AISI 321 thin-walled stainless steel tubes. The mean roughness value tends to increase with increasing drawing speed, while the angle of the floating-plug has no significant effect on the mean roughness Ra.

The Impact of Particle Size in Fluidized Bed on Heat Transfer Behavior: A Review

Ahmed Hammood Darweesh — 2024-02-21

This review paper explores the significance of fluidized bed heat exchangers in various industrial applications. By delving into the operation of fluidized beds as multiphase flow systems, the aim is to enhance their capabilities and efficiency. Key parameters such as minimum fluidization velocity and local gas holdup are crucial for characterizing the hydrodynamic behavior of materials within fluidized beds. Fluidization, achieved by passing atmospheric air through particulate solids, imparts fluid-like properties to the bed. Fluidized beds serve as reactors where this phenomenon takes place, offering several advantages in industrial processes, including high rates of heat and mass transfer, low pressure drops, and uniform temperature distribution. In future work, a focus on understanding and optimizing the fluidization process will contribute to further advancements in the performance of fluidized bed heat exchangers.

Assessment of the Depth of the Plastically Deformed Top Layer in Burnishing Process of Shaft Using a Ceramic Tool

Piotr Paszta — 2024-03-05

Burnishing is one of the most effective methods of improving the strength of the surface layer of shafts as a result of strain strengthening of the material. This article presents an analytical approach to determining the the depth of the plastically deformed top layer of shaft based on Belyaev's theory. Contact of two bodies with an asymmetric stress state was assumed. A classic (symmetrical) solution was also considered. The aim of the research was to compare the calculated values of the depth of the plastically deformed top layer determined using these two methods. The calculations considered burnishing of shafts with a diameter of 48 mm made of steel with a yield stress of Re = 450 MPa and Re = 900 MPa. A burnishing tool with a Si3N4 ceramic tip was used for burnishing. It was found that in the range of low contact forces, the calculated values of the depth of the plastically deformed top layer using the asymmetric solution and the classical method are similar. It was also found that the relationship between the depth of the plastically deformed top layer and the contact force can be explained by a power equation with an accuracy of R² > 0.999.

Optimal Airfoil Selection for Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Blades: A Multi-Criteria Approach

Temesgen Batu — 2024-03-15

Over the last century, the growing demand for clean energy has emphasized wind energy as a promising solu-tion to address contemporary energy challenges. Within the realm of wind energy, the wind turbine plays a pivotal role in harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind and converting it into electrical power. Among the various components of the wind turbine system, turbine blades assume a critical role in capturing the wind's kinetic energy and converting it into rotational motion. Consequently, the design of wind turbine blades holds the utmost importance in determining the overall performance and efficiency of the entire wind turbine system. One essential aspect of blade design involves selecting an appropriate airfoil. Throughout history, numerous airfoil profiles have been developed for various applications. Notably, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) airfoils have been tailored for aircraft and large-scale wind turbine blades, respectively. However, the quest for suitable airfoil types for small-scale wind turbine blades has been ongoing. This study delves into an examination of over 62 distinct NACA and NREL aerofoil types tailored for small horizontal-axis wind turbine blades. Employing specialized software, namely QBlade, specifically designed for modeling and simulating wind turbine blades, the study calculates key parameters such as power output, stress, deformation, and weight for each airfoil. Subsequently, based on the simulated data, the optimal airfoil is identified using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) multi-criteria selection approach. This selection process takes into account simulation results pertaining to power output, stress, deformation, and weight. The decision-making process involving multiple criteria is facilitated using Excel and Python. The findings of this study reveal that among the 62 airfoil types under consideration, the NACA 0024, NACA 2424, and NACA 4424 airfoils emerge as the most suitable choices for small horizontal-axis wind turbine blades.

Application of Categorical Boosting to Modelling the Friction Behaviour of DC05 Steel Sheets in Strip Drawing Test

Marek Szewczyk — 2024-04-12

It is challenging to model the coefficient of friction, surface roughness, and related tribological processes during metal contact because of flattening, ploughing, and adhesion. It is important to choose the appropriate process parameters carefully when creating analytical models to overcome the challenges posed by complexity. This will ensure the production of sheet metal formed components that meets the required quality standards and is free from faults. This research analyses the impacts of nominal pressure, kinematic viscosity of lubricant, and lubricant pressure on the coefficient of friction and average roughness of DC05 deep-drawing steel sheets. The strip drawing test was used to determine the coefficient of friction. This work utilises the Categoric Boosting (CatBoost) machine learning algorithm created by Yandex to estimate the COF and surface roughness, intending to conduct a comprehensive investigation of process parameters. A Shapley decision plot exhibits the coefficient of friction prediction models via cumulative SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) data. CatBoost has outstanding prediction accuracy, as seen by R² values ranging from 0.955 to 0.894 for both the training and testing datasets for the COF, as well as 0.992 to 0.885 for surface roughness.

Frictional Characteristics of EN AW-6082 Aluminium Alloy Sheets Used in Metal Forming

Ján Slota — 2024-05-20

This article is devoted to testing EN AW-6082 aluminium alloy sheets in friction pair with NC6 (1.2063) tool steel. A special tribometer designed to simulate the friction conditions in sheet metal forming processes was used for friction testing. The research aimed to determine the influence of contact pressure, surface roughness of the tool, and lubrication conditions on the value of the coefficient of friction in the strip drawing test. Three grades of typical petroleum-based lubricants with kinematic viscosities between 21.9 and 97 mm²/s were used in the tests. The surface morphologies of the sheet metal after the friction process were observed using a scanning electron microscope. A tendency for the coefficient of friction to decrease with increasing contact pressure was observed. LHL32 and 75W-85 oils lost their lubricating properties at a certain pressure value and with further increase in pressure, the coefficient of friction value tended to increase. The 10W-40 oil with the highest viscosity reduced the coefficient of friction more intensively than the LHL32 oil.

Implementation of Technology for High-Performance Milling of Aluminum Alloys Using Innovative Tools and Tooling

Robert Ostrowski — 2024-06-07

The research described in the concerns the development and implementation of new clamping technologies used in machining, particularly for thin-walled structural components of aircraft and helicopters. Among other things, the performance of the Schunk Vero-S Aviation clamping system in machining landing gear beams from 7075 T6 aluminum alloy was analyzed, resulting in significant increases in production efficiency and improvements in the geometric quality of machined parts. During experimental research and implementation testing, special chucks were used on the Schunk Vero-S Aviation system for machining the chassis beam. The results showed an improvement in the quality and accuracy of machined parts compared to traditional clamping methods. Increased production efficiency by minimizing scrap and significantly better surface quality and geometric properties compared to conventional clamping. These studies were conducted as part of a project by Ultratech Sp. z o.o. which was implementing a project co-financed by European Funds "Development and implementation of an innovative clamping method for milling processing of thin-walled structural elements of helicopters and airplanes".

The Influence of the Variability of the Support of the Mortar Base Plate on the Quality of the Results Obtained in the Process of Its Numerical Design

Piotr Bieniek — 2024-07-10

Due to the high costs associated with the purchase of ammunition and firing in certified training ground centers, tests of retaining plate deformations are increasingly replaced by computer simulations using numerical models. Computer programs usually use a single-parameter subsoil model (Winkler-Zimmermann) for calculations, which requires providing the subgrade susceptibility coefficient. The subgrade compliance coefficient is intended to determine the mutual reaction of the subgrade and the structure due to the pressure exerted on the soil by the retaining slab, which settles. When designing slabs in computer programs, it is assumed that the substrate compliance coefficient is constant. Determining the impact of the soil on the retaining slab is important when analyzing its deformations. The subject of the work was the analysis of the influence of ground support on the results obtained during modeling of the retaining slab. In order to obtain data for FEM analysis and validation, the actual strains occurring on the thrust plate were measured using strain gauge rosettes. The plate deformations were measured during field shooting tests. In order to vary the influence of supporting the slab on the ground and obtain reliable stress values on the slab surface, a method of successive iterations was proposed. Calculations are performed using this method until the error is smaller than the assumed one.

An Experimental Study on Electricity Generator Emissions and Their Environmental Impact in Kirkuk City

Maral Mahmood Husain — 2024-07-10

This article evaluated the environmental impact of emissions from private electric generators, focusing on the amount of toxic gas they contribute to the surrounding environment. In the research, the number of generators used in the study was fifteen diesel-powered generators confined within specific residential areas in the city of Kirkuk (Iraq). The study included a field survey and measurements using air pollution standards. The amounts of HCl, H₂S, SO₂, NO₂, NO, CO₂, CO, O₂, temperature, and relative humidity in the exhaust gases to illustrate the pollutants and compare them to the normal case were measured. It was found that the concentrations varied depending on the generators' parameters and they were high. The diffraction values were distinguished in location A4 (generator manufacturing company – Scania, generating capacity 250 kVA, voltage 200 V, number of residential units consumed - 500), which was characterized by higher concentrations of contaminants than in the standard case. In the remaining cases, this was due to a variety of factors, including the generator's operational age and the higher number of houses it served compared to its generating capacity, which exceeded its design limit.

Current Possibilities for Recycling Industrial Metallic Wastes: Potential of KOBO Extrusion Process

Damian Kołodziejczyk — 2024-08-30

The paper addresses the issue of utilizing industrial wastes considering the current legal regulations in Poland and the European Union. The importance of recycling was highlighted, with particular emphasis on metal elements whose natural deposits are limited. A comparison was made between primary methods of metal extraction and metal recovery (from secondary sources) using solid-state recycling methods without melting. An analysis of some methods for recycling industrial metallic wastes was conducted. Special attention was given to metal chips and the accompanying lubricating and cooling substances. An innovative recycling process was presented – the KOBO extrusion of metallic wastes in the form of chips, with example research results and a list of benefits from using this process for the production of metal profiles.

The Effect of Varnishing and Soaking on Formability of the AW-5052-H28 Aluminium Alloy Sheets in Erichsen Cupping Test

Krzysztof Żaba — 2024-09-02

This article presents the results of experimental tests on the stretch-forming ability of 0.21-mm-thick AW-5052-H28 aluminium alloy sheets used in the production of pull-off cups. Erichsen test under various tribological conditions (dry friction, lubrication with graphite lubricant) was used to assess the sheet formability. Punches with a various diameter of the spherical end (8 and 20 mm) were used in the tests. The effect of soaking conditions and varnishing variants on the value of Erichsen indices IE and IE11 was investigated. The sheets were soaked for 13 minutes at various temperatures: 185°C, 190°C and 200°C. In test conditions without lubrication, the lowest value of the IE index = 3.3 mm was observed for sheets in as-received state and for samples after soaking. However, the highest values of the Erichsen index in tests without lubrication were measured for varnished samples and repeatedly soaked. The tests conducted under lubrication conditions with graphite grease revealed usually higher values of the IE index compared to testing conditions without the use of grease. The values of the IE11 index were approximately twice lower than the IE indices. Observation of the bulge surface revealed a smooth surface, which means that the material is characterised by a fine-grained microstructure.

A Review of Generative Design Using Machine Learning for Additive Manufacturing

Parankush Koul — 2024-11-15

This review explores how generative design is combined with machine learning (ML) to achieve additive manufacturing (AM) and its societal transformative effect. Generative design uses complex algorithms to automate the process of designing best-fit designs, mass customization, and customization to suit specific customer requirements with high efficiency and quality. The scalability and predictability of artificial intelligence (AI) models make handling huge data easy and enable scale-up of production without compromising quality. This paper also focuses on how generative design can help accelerate innovation and product creation because it empowers designers to play in a wider space of design and provide solutions that cannot be reached with traditional techniques. AI integration with existing production processes is also vital to real-time manufacturing optimization—further increasing overall operational effectiveness. Additionally, the emergence of sophisticated predictive models like gradient boosting regression shows how ML can enable better accuracy and robustness of 3D printing operations to achieve quality standards of the outputs. This paper ends with what generative design and ML hold for the future of AM and how designing continues to be improved and modified to match changing industry requirements.

Calculation Methods for Volute Parameters Used in the Conceptual Design of Radial and Axial-Centrifugal Compressors

Stanisław Antas — 2024-11-15

In many designs of a single-stage radial and axial-centrifugal compressors of the turboprop and turboshaft aviation engines, a properly formed collector placed after a vaneless or vaned radial diffuser, is used to decrease velocity and to increase static pressure of an air stream. The spiral diffuser is one of the main diffuser types. A volute is a channel with a different form of transverse sections that gradually expands in the direction of rotor rotation and includes preceding diffuser with a cylindrical inlet hole. Its geometrical parameters should be properly selected to ensure the correct operation of the scroll. This paper presents two main methods of calculation of geometrical parameters of the spiral diffuser: free vortex design (constant angular momentum principle) and constant mean velocity design. Mentioned methods (recommended for use in the conceptual design of a compressor) are based on energy equation - steady flow energy equation, equation of continuity, first law of thermodynamics, Euler’s moment of momentum equation, gas dynamics functions and definitions used in theory of turbomachinery. A detailed analysis of geometrical parameters of different types of collectors were conducted. This paper also provides a review of experimental research results of total pressure loss coefficient in the volute and proposed method of determining air stream parameters at volute outlet.