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Nowadays, one of the most crucial focus in the aluminium-foundry sector is the production of high-quality castings. Mainly, High-Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) is broadly adopted, since by this process is possible to realize aluminium castings with thin walls and high specific mechanical properties. On the other hand, this casting process may cause tensile states into the castings, namely residual stresses. Residual stresses may strongly affect the life of the product causing premature failure of the casting. Various methods can assess these tensile states, but the non-destructive X-Ray method is the most commonly adopted. Namely, in this work, the residual stress analysis has been performed through Sinto-Pulstec μ-X360s. Detailed measurements have been done on powertrain components realized in aluminium alloy EN AC 46000 through HPDC processes to understand and prevent dangerous residual stress state into the aluminium castings. Furthermore, a comparison with stresses induced by Rheocasting processes is underway. In fact, it is well known that Semi-Solid metal forming combines the advantages of casting and forging, solving safety and environmental problems and possibly even the residual stress state can be positively affected.

In this paper, a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) micellar solution was effectively deposited on metallic substrates using a dip-coating process to enhance brass and nickel aluminum bronze (NAB) corrosion resistance. Particular attention was paid to the aesthetic results as well. Enabling the metallic substrates hydrophobic to facilitate water and moisture removal was the key concept of this work. The corrosion resistance of the as-received and coated metals was investigated via a salt spray chamber test. The study focused on the characterization of the polymeric coating via dynamic light scattering and wettability tests, while the substrates were assessed with traditional metallographic techniques. The preparation of the polymeric solution was important in determining the final corrosion resistance of the two substrates. Noteworthy was the effectiveness of the PFPE-based coating when it was applied to the brass rather than the NAB. Moreover, the polymer concentration of the dip-coating polymeric emulsion was the most significant factor to obtaining adequate protection: higher polymer concentrations resulted in a decrease in corrosion resistance.

Nowadays, aluminium alloys are adopted mainly to produce engineering and automotive components. The present investigation aims to design, cast and characterize novel functionally graded materials (FGMs) produced using Al-Mg and Al-Si alloys by gravity casting technique. Alloys were sequentially cast into a mould to obtain an FGM to realizing great mechanical and metallurgical bonding. Zn addition was further performed in FGM to increase the mechanical properties, thanks to the nucleation of the intermetallic phases MgZn2. Castings were subsequently mechanically tested by tensile tests, bending tests, hardness and microhardness measures to assess the products\' quality. Microstructural characterizations were performed along the FGM to assess the metallurgical bonding and evaluate the microstructures obtained. Fracture, microstructural and compositional analysis will highlight the quality of this new FGM proposed. Possible applications of these materials are suggested, as automotive pistons or structural components.

Metal–metal composites are a class of composite materials studied for their high ductility and strength, but their potential applications are currently limited by the complex manufacturing processes involved. Electro-sinter-forging (ESF) is a single-pulse electro discharge sintering technique that proved its effectiveness in the rapid sintering of several metals, alloys, and composites. Previous studies proved the processability of Ti and AlSi10Mg by ESF to produce metal–metal composites and defined a correlation between microstructure and processing parameters. This paper presents the wear and corrosion characterizations of two metal–metal composites obtained via ESF with the following compositions: 20% Ti/80% AlSi10Mg and 20% AlSi10Mg/80% Ti. The two materials showed complementary resistance to wear and corrosion. A higher fraction of AlSi10Mg is responsible for forming a protective tribolayer in dry-sliding conditions, while a higher fraction of Titanium confers improved corrosion resistance due to its higher corrosion potential.

Metal/metal composites represent a particular class of materials showing innovative mechanical and electrical properties. Conventionally, such materials are produced by severely plastically deforming two ductile phases via rolling or extruding, swaging, and wire drawing. This study presents the feasibility of producing metal/metal composites via a capacitive discharge-assisted sintering process named electro-sinter-forging. Two different metal/metal composites with CP-Ti/AlSi10Mg ratios (20/80 and 80/20 %vol) are evaluated, and the effects of the starting compositions on the microstructural and compositional properties of the materials are presented. Bi-phasic metal/metal composites constituted by isolated α-Ti and AlSi10Mg domains with a microhardness of 113 ± 13 HV0.025 for the Ti20-AlSi and 244 ± 35 HV0.025 for the Ti80-AlSi are produced. The effect of the applied current is crucial to obtain high theoretical density, but too high currents may result in Ti dissolution in the Ti80-AlSi composite. Massive phase transformations due to the formation of AlTiSi based intermetallic compounds are observed through thermal analysis and confirmed by morphological and compositional observation. Finally, a possible explanation for the mechanisms regulating densification is proposed accounting for current and pressure synergistic effects.

Metal–metal composites represent a particular class of materials showing innovative mechanical and electrical properties. Conventionally, such materials are produced by severely plastically deforming two ductile phases via rolling or extruding, swaging, and wire drawing. This study presents the feasibility of producing metal–metal composites via a capacitive discharge-assisted sintering process named electro-sinter-forging. Two different metal–metal composites with CP-Ti/AlSi10Mg ratios (20/80 and 80/20 vol.%) are evaluated, and the effects of the starting compositions on the microstructural and compositional properties of the materials are presented. Bi-phasic metal–metal composites constituted by isolated α-Ti and AlSi10Mg domains with a microhardness of 113 ± 13 HV0.025 for the Ti20-AlSi and 244 ± 35 HV0.025 for the Ti80-AlSi are produced. The effect of the applied current is crucial to obtain high theoretical density, but too high currents may result in Ti dissolution in the Ti80-AlSi composite. Massive phase transformations due to the formation of AlTiSi-based intermetallic compounds are observed through thermal analysis and confirmed by morphological and compositional observation. Finally, a possible explanation for the mechanisms regulating densification is proposed accounting for current and pressure synergistic effects.

During the past 50 years, the aim to reduce the eddy current losses in magnetic cores to a minimum led to the formulation of new materials starting from electrically insulated iron powders, today called Soft Magnetic Composites (SMC). Nowadays, this promising branch of materials is still held back by the mandatory tradeoff between energetic, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical performances. In most cases, the research activity focuses on the deposition of an insulating/binding layer, being one of the critical points in optimizing the final composite. This insulation usually is achieved by either inorganic or organic layer constituents. The main difference is the temperature limit since most inorganic materials typically withstand higher treatment temperatures. As a result, the literature shows many materials and process approaches, each one designed to meet a specific application. The present work summarizes the recent advances in state of the art, analyzing the relationship among material compositions and magnetic and mechanical properties. Each coating shows its own processing sets, which vary from simple mechanical mixing to advanced chemical methods to metallurgical treatments. From state of the art, Aluminum coatings are characterized by higher current losses and low mechanical properties. In contrast, higher mechanical properties are obtained by adopting Silicon coatings. The phosphates coatings show the best-balanced overall properties. Each coating type was thoroughly investigated and then compared with the literature background highlighting. The present paper thus represents a critical overview of the topic that could serve as a starting point for the design and development of new and high-performing coating solutions for SMCs. However, global research activity continuously refines the recipes, introducing new layer materials. The following steps and advances will determine whetherthese materials breakthrough in the market.

Actually, in many industrial applications, like automotive industry, mass decreases and fuel economy constitute very important features. Light alloys are extensively used in automotive applications and simultaneously, the constant industrial progress forces low-cost innovative machining routes to be used after the manufacturing process oriented to transform the product into a right shape with high accuracy of the geometry and good surface quality. In this paper, a general overview of the actual state-of- the-art about the Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) is presented including some experimentally results of the current research in this field performed by the authors. The target of the research is oriented on the validation of the possibility to use a common milling machine, as ISF apparatus, and to find the most suitable process parameters to be assumed for the production of automotive sheet made by Ti alloys.

Purpose: Among many disciplines within engineering, welding is probably one of the most inexact – rather more of an art than a science. As weldment is meant the complete joint comprising the weld metal, heat affected zones (HAZ) and the adjacent parent metal and should have the same properties as the parent metal. This paper aims provides a basic understanding of the metallurgical principles involved in how aluminium alloys achieve their strength and how welding can affect these properties. The most important and applied welding processes to Al alloys are here shortly introduced, as well as the preparation of parent metals prior to welding and good welding practice to avoid and/or keep under control defects and failures. Some case studies with possible failures will be introduced together with actions and suggestions to solve the observed problems. Design/methodology/approach: Two sheets of the EN AW 5454 (AlMg3Mn) alloy were weld with resistance welding process and after a mechanical processing of lamination was observed the presence of the defect. The microstructure of the defect as well as the welded part were evaluated with stereomicroscope (LEICA MS5), optical microscope (LEICA MEF4M), and with SEM analysis (LEO 1540 VP equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope Oxford Link Pentafet). Findings: The well welded part was analysed with optical microscopy and electronic microscopy resulting with the attended mechanical properties. Micro-hardness indentations on the joint demonstrated the good mechanical properties of the joint while with the microscopic observations were identified the orientation and presence of precipitates typical of this alloy. In the defect, microscopically observations showed the presence of oxide inclusions. Research limitations/implications: There are a number of problems associated with the welding of aluminium and its alloys that make it difficult to achieve this ideal. The features and defects that may contribute to the loss of properties comprise the following: gas porosity, oxide inclusions and oxide filming, solidification (hot) cracking or hot tearing, reduced strength in the weld and HAZ, lack of fusion, reduced corrosion resistance and reduced electrical resistance. Originality/value: This case study illustrated clearly the importance of the cleaning on the surfaces to obtain a well welded joint ensuring the desired mechanical properties.

Aluminum alloys are widely used to produce automotive components, thanks to their great mechanical properties&ndash, to&ndash, density ratio. Engine components such as pistons are conventionally produced by casting of Al&ndash, Si eutectic alloys (Silumin alloys) such as EN AC 48000. Due to the harsh working conditions and the lower ductility if compared to aluminum&ndash, silicon alloys with lower silicon content, pistons made of this alloy are prone to fatigue failures in the skirt region. In order to overcome such limits, the use of a Functionally Graded Material (FGM) in the production of a piston is proposed. The adoption of a functionally graded architecture can maximize the properties of the component in specific areas. A higher level of thermal resistance in the crown of the piston can be achieved with EN AC 48000 (AlSi12CuNiMg), while higher elongation at rupture in the skirt region would be conferred by an EN AC 42100 (AlSi9Mg0.3). The FGM properties are strictly related to the metallurgical bonding between the alloys as well as to the presence of intermetallic phases in the alloys junction. In the present article, the characterization of gravity casted FGM samples based on Al&ndash, Si alloys with respect to microstructure and mechanical testing is presented, with a specific focus on the characterization by impact testing of the joint between the two alloys.

The subject covered in this paper concerns the development of an innovative PVD coated multipoint cutting tool with cemented carbide brazed inserts for high-speed cutting of ferrous alloys. The aim of the research was to optimize the properties of the constituent materials in order to maximize their durability and provide a constant level of surface finishing of the machined parts. The results concerning the selection of the best cemented carbide grade for high-speed cutting application are presented in this work; both mixed and plain grades were considered. The optimal grade of cemented carbide was chosen by comparing microstructural and mechanical properties such as hardness and toughness with wear resistance in sliding condition against AISI 4140 pins on a pin on disc tribometer. After a proper design of the optimal tool geometry, tools were tested on a CNC milling machine and tool wear was characterized by optical and electronic microscopy.

Die-casting processes are commonly employed in the automotive area to cast aluminum alloys. These processes involve the use of steel dies, typically realized in AISI H11 or H13, with or without a coated surface. Mechanical and chemical stresses and thermal cycles act producing stresses, plastic deformation, corrosion and metallization on the mold surfaces. Particularly, the interaction between the die and the molten aluminum causes the nucleation of intermetallic compounds at the interface. In this work the interaction between the hot work steel AISI H13 and the aluminum alloy EN–AB 46000 were evaluated in terms of adhesion strength for different roughness of the die surface. Two of the tested roughness were finally applied on the surface of die inserts; the use of injection pressure in a high pressure die casting (HPDC) machine, led to observe the possible variations in terms of soldering severity on the surface of the die in real operating conditions. The comparison between casting tests carried out in laboratory conditions (aluminum alloy casted on the steel surface) and in real-work conditions (aluminum alloy injected with a certain pressure on the steel surface) allowed to evaluate the effect of surface-roughness on soldering mechanisms.

In solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks the sealing is a critical element which has to ensure gas tightness between different gas streams as well as electrical insulation in several parts of the system depending on its design. It has therefore to establish stable interfaces with different materials such as the ferritic stainless steel (FSS) used for interconnects frame or gas manifolds and the ceramic materials of the cell electrolytes. Therefore, sealants have to be chemically and mechanically stable in contact with such materials at the SOFC working conditions in terms of temperatures, thermal and stress gradients, and exposition to different gas compositions. Glasses are widely used as sealing material because of their thermal expansion characteristics, mechanical properties, the possibility to obtain gas tight structures and ease of application. However, due to the operating temperatures, reactions and diffusion processes can occur at the interfaces resulting in the formation of undesirable phases that could compromise the glass properties increasing the risk of failures. The application of a barrier layer between the two components is considered as suitable countermeasure avoiding the migration of elements at the interfaces. In this work the barrier properties and compatibility at the interfaces of Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been investigated. YSZ layers have been applied by means of plasma spraying on as-rolled FSS substrates. Several glass compositions, applied on substrates with and without YSZ coating, have been tested at 780°C in static air up to 1000 h to investigate the barrier layer effects, the compatibility of the materials and the stability of the interfaces. Microstructural changes and migration of elements have been characterized post-experiment in cross-section by means of scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray analysis.