Abstract Aluminium casting alloy LM4 (EN 1706 AC-45200) composites with TiB2 (1, 2, and 3 wt.%) as reinforcements were produced using the two-stage stir casting method. OM and SEM study shows uniform and homogeneous reinforcement distribution in LM4 + TiB2 composites. As-cast composites were subjected to single-stage solution treatment at 520°C for 2 h and multistage solution treatment at 495 and 520°C for 2 and 4 h, followed by hot water quenching at 60°C and aging at 100 and 200°C for different time intervals. The hardness of as-cast and artificially aged composites were compared in both conditions. Compared to as-cast LM4 alloy, 20-45% improvement in hardness was observed for LM4 + TiB2 as-cast composites. 60-150% improvement in hardness was observed in artificially aged LM4 + 3 wt.% TiB2 composites when aged at 100 and 200°C during peak aged conditions. TEM images confirmed the presence of primary strengthening solute-rich phases after age hardening treatment such as θ’-Al2Cu and θ”-Al3Cu, which are responsible for hardness increment. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was created to predict the hardness trend of these composite samples using MATLAB R2021b, and results proved that the ANN model developed can be utilized as an effective tool to predict the hardness of treated composite samples.

The present work is associated with research concentrating on the innovation and use of hybrid heat treatment for eutectoid steel powder (0.8 wt%) reinforced Al-Zn-Mg (Al 7075) alloy composites. Due to high hardness, wear resistance, tensile strength and flexibility modifying heat treatment, heat treatable aluminium metal matrix composites reinforced with heat treatable hard steel particles may be the choice to explore. In this work, an attempt is made to increase hardness and tensile properties to higher levels through hybrid heat treatment, comprising simultaneous treatment to matrix and reinforcement in 3 different routes (Pearlite, Bainite and Martensite) compared to conventional age hardening treatment. SEM images and microhardness distribution witnessed the phase transformation in both matrix and reinforcement. Aging kinetics in conventional age hardening and hybrid treatments is accelerated by the increase in the quantity of reinforcement and increase in aging temperature. The improvement in hardness and tensile strength obtained by conventional age hardening path is further improved by the hybridisation path. Hybridisation route with martensite reinforcement phase shows excellent result in hardness, strength followed by bainite and pearlite path respectively in the decreasing order. In all heat treatment cycles, lower aging temperature marks greater property enhancement compared to higher temperature. Al 7075 with 6 wt% steel powder reinforced (martensite form) composite showed excellent peak age hardness, tensile strength compared to lesser quantity reinforced composites.

Abstract The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of heat treatment parameters on the tool life and surface roughness of dual phase steel. Optimization of machining parameters (cutting speed, feed and depth of cut) is carried out for the machinability tests on medium carbon low alloy steel. Taguchi’s method of design is used to carry out machinability tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out to determine the relative contribution of machining parameters on tool life and surface roughness. Microstructure analysis is carried out to ascertain the machining behavior of the steel. Results have shown that, depth of cut and cutting speed are the most significant factors contributing on the variation of the tool life and surface roughness. Optimized machining parameters are calculated in order to obtain higher tool life and lower surface roughness value.

Abstract Numerous research incorporating precipitation hardening and/or strain hardening on Al-Mg-Si alloys has demonstrated improved mechanical properties in the alloys. However, there is a lack of research on how these processes can be combined efficiently to provide better strength and hardness for the alloys. The present study describes the effects of low temperature thermomechanical treatment (LTMT - combination of conventional age hardening and strain/work hardening) carried at two isothermal aging temperatures on the hardness and strength of the aluminium alloy 6061 (AA6061). Further, an innovative LTMT process is also proposed, which aims at further enhancing the mechanical properties of the alloy. The study revealed the increase in degree of deformation improved the strength and hardness of the alloy with reduced aging time. The effect of the degree of deformation, pre-deformation, and alternate deformation and aging cycles on the hardness and strength of the alloy was studied with the help of fracture surface analysis.

Abstract Austempered ductile iron (ADI) is a revolutionary material which has excellent mechanical properties with ease of manufacturing. Manganese addition to the ductile iron is a complex job as it may segregate at the grain boundary causing brittleness to the material. Hence, it is important to select the optimum level of manganese which may be added to the ADI without causing any adverse effect on the mechanical properties. In this study, the effect of manganese addition and heat treatment parameters on the amount of retained austenite is studied. Manganese is added in three different proportion. Microstructure and XRD analysis have shown that increasing the austempeirng temperature has resulted in the increase in volume fraction of retained austenite. Manganese addition up to 1 wt% did not cause any adverse effect on the amount of retained austenite. Higher volume fraction of retained austenite obtained at 420°C is found be 36%.