The Basics of Nonferrous Metallurgy

Solidification Processing of Sn-Pb Alloys in Magnetic Fields: Part One

The solidification process of metals provides an important opportunity to influence several key characteristics of the final product. Using magnetic fields can result in key benefits including improved metallurgical structure, reduced inclusions and improved mechanical properties to name but a few.

Solidification Processing of Sn-Pb Alloys in Magnetic Fields: Part Two

A wide range of detailed numerical simulations have been developed to help predict the influence of the electromagnetic convection on the solidification of Sn-Pb alloys.
The role of melt convection has also been studied during directional solidification of Pb-Sn alloys and shows a reduction of the boundary layer with electromagnetic stirring encouraging a thermal homogenization of the liquid bulk zone with affects being verified both in the macro- and microstructure.

Superplastic Aluminum Alloys

Superplasticity of Aluminum Alloys: Part One

It is known that superplasticity refers to the ability of a material to demonstrate under tensile tests very high uniform deformation more than several hundreds percents without visible necking. There are two basic requirements in order to achieve superplastic flow in a polycrystalline material. First, the material must have a very small and stable grain size less than 10 μm. Second, superplasticity is achieved only at relatively high temperatures above 0.5Tm (where Tm is the absolute melting temperature) because superplasticity is diffusion-controlled process.

Superplasticity of Aluminum Alloys: Part Two

Investigations into the superplasticity possibilities of aluminums can lead to many potential gains in finding lighter yet capable materials in terms of strength performance.
This article covers the high-temperature deformation behavior of 5083 at different annealing temperatures and yields some interesting conclusions.

Surface Treatment Of Aluminum And Aluminum Alloys

Aluminum alloys, categorized into wrought and casting types, undergo various thermal treatments like solution heat treatment and age hardening to improve their properties. To enhance surface characteristics such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and reflectivity, different surface treatment methods, including electrochemical treatments, chemical treatments, and coatings, are utilized.