Yasin Mehdizadeh, Saeed Reza Allahkaram, Mohammad H.mohammad-Ebrahimi, Majid Shamsarjmand,
Volume 21, Issue 0 (3-2024)
Abstract
The present work deals with the corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of a coted AZ31 magnesium alloy through plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) coating process in different alkaline electrolytes based on sodium silicate (Si-coating), sodium polyphosphate (P-coating) and sodium aluminate (Al-coating). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with the energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) plus x-ray diffraction were recruited to investigate the morphology, chemical composition, and phase structure of coatings, respectively. Microscopic scrutiny revealed that the coating in the phosphate electrolyte was twice as thick and the relative porosity percentage was higher than those formed in the other electrolytes. The phase analysis indicated that the MgO was present as the prevailing phase in the Al-coating and P-coating. However, the dominant phase in the Si-coating was Mg2SiO4. Electrochemical testing was examined in a solution containing 3.5.wt% sodium chloride, showing improvements in corrosion resistance of coated alloys. These investigations confirmed that the corrosion resistance of Si-coating was dramatically higher than others which could be attributed to the presence of the dense and stable Mg2SiO4 phase as well as its relatively low porosity. According to the results of tensile tests, the coated samples had lower tensile strength and elongation than the uncoated one. The tensile strength and elongation diminished upon changing the electrolyte from Al-coating to P-coating, while the yield strength was almost similar. Further analyses indicated that the drop of tensile strength and elongation could be attributed to the presence of cracks and pores in the brittle ceramic PEO coating as stress concentration regions during deformation. Those areas are created due to thermal stress during the coating process and deformation in the elastic stage.
M. J. Rezaei, M. Sedighi,
Volume 21, Issue 0 (3-2024)
Abstract
The investigation of the mechanical response and microstructural evolution of engineering materials at the micro-scale under macro-scale loading poses a significant challenge in mechanical engineering, particularly in the fields of material forming and materials science. This critical has been addressed using a computational crystal plasticity tool known as DAMASK (Düsseldorf Advanced Material Simulation Kit). DAMASK is a multi-scale computational framework developed for modeling the deformation of crystalline materials by employing the principles of continuum mechanics and crystal plasticity. This software is widely recognized within the scientific community for its high flexibility and capability to simulate complex material behavior under various loading conditions. In this study, the DAMASK code—a finite element crystal plasticity software—was employed to analyze a representative volume element (RVE) containing 1000 grains under tensile loading. By applying a random initial texture to aluminum grade 1050, the microstructural evolution of the material under the specified loading conditions was evaluated. The results indicate the formation of <111> and <100> fiber textures in the (111) crystallographic plane of the FCC-structured material, which are consistent with observations obtained from EBSD experiments.
Sumrit Mopoung, Khachidapron Seeoon,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Activated carbon preparation from tamarind wood derived charcoal by microwave-assisted sodium chloride activation was studied to investigate the effects of 0-5 wt.% NaCl and 450-850 W microwave heating power. The properties of the derived products were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, and BET. Methylene blue adsorption by the activated carbon products was also studied to evaluate the contract time, pH, methylene blue concentration, and adsorption isotherms. The study’s results showed that the percent yields (77.42-92.52%) of the fabricated activated carbons decrease with increasing wt.% of NaCl and MP. On the other hand, the contents of disordered graphitic carbon, carbonate, basic surface functional groups, and mesopores increased. However, 3 wt.% NaCl and 600 W microwave irradiation power were identified as appropriate conditions for activation, which created the micro-mesopore (pore size range 1.59 -14.76 nm) on the surface of the derived activated carbon products. Optimal values of equilibrium time and pH for methylene blue adsorption are 60 minutes and 8, respectively. The results of methylene blue concentrations were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm indicating 33.33 mg/g as the maximum methylene blue adsorption capacity.
Divya Bajpai Tripathy, Anita Kushwaha, Smrita Singh, Smriti Dwivedi, Anjali Gupta, Lalit Prasad, Ashutosh Chauhan,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Organosilicon compounds represent a fascinating class of molecules with diverse structures, unique bonding characteristics, and wide-ranging applications across various fields. The structural diversity of organosilicon compounds arises from the versatility of silicon, which can form a variety of chemical bonds, including single, double, and triple bonds with carbon, as well as bonds with other heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. This diversity enables the synthesis of an extensive range of organosilicon molecules, including silanes, siloxanes, silanols, silazanes, and silsesquioxanes, among others. The unique properties of these compounds, such as thermal stability, chemical inertness, and flexibility, make them valuable building blocks for the design of advanced materials.Organosilicon compounds find applications in diverse fields, including materials science, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agriculture. In materials science, they are used as coatings, adhesives, sealants, and modifiers to impart desirable properties such as water repellency, thermal resistance, and biocompatibility. In the pharmaceutical industry, organosilicon compounds serve as drug delivery agents, imaging agents, and synthetic intermediates due to their biocompatibility and tunable properties. In electronics, they are employed as dielectric materials, insulators, and encapsulants in semiconductor devices. Current review aims to unlock new opportunities for the development of innovative materials and technologies with enhanced performance and functionality.
Manjunath Vatnalmath, Virupaxi Auradi, Bharath Vedashantha Murthy, Madeva Nagaral, Veeresh Kumar G B, Suresh Shetty, Suresh Shetty,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Dissimilar joints of AA2219 and Ti-6Al-4V alloys are obtained using the vacuum diffusion bonding method. The bonding pressure is controlled in the range of 1-4 MPa by keeping the bonding temperature and holding time constant. The influence of the bonding pressure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the bonding joints is investigated. The diffusion behaviour across the interface of the bonding joints is increased with the increase in bonding pressure. The interface morphology of the specimen bonded at lower bonding pressures exhibits scraggly voids and cracks. The irregular voids and cracks are squeezed and gradually closed due to the significant increase in the diffusion between Al and Ti. The maximum shear strength of 81 MPa is obtained for the joint made at the bonding pressure of 4 MPa, and a diffusion layer of 0.76 µm is formed at the Ti side interface. The fracture morphology inferred the brittle failure of the bonding joints due to the formation of intermetallic compounds like TiAl, TiAl2, and TiAl3 at the interface of Al and Ti.
Uglal Pandit Shinde, Somnath Bhika Handge, Dharma Kisan Halwar,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of SnO2 as an additive on the structural, electrical, optical, and gas sensing properties of LaCrO3 nanoparticles. SnO2 is added into the LaCrO3 by weight percentage (1 wt. %, 3 wt. %, 5 wt. %, 7 wt. %, 9 wt. % and 11 wt. %) employing screen printing method. Initially, the nanoparticles of SnO2 and LaCrO3 separately synthesis by sol-gel method and then used for the development of thick films. LaCrO3 is used as host material while SnO2 is additive material. The structural characterizations like FESEM, EDX and XRD were carried out to investigate the morphology, elements and crystallite size respectively. The inclusion of SnO2 modifies the crystalline structure and surface morphology of LaCrO3, as revealed by structural analyses. The optical characterizations like FTIR and UV were used for the study of impact of SnO2 additive on functional group and band gap of the host material respectively. Optical studies indicate a modification in the bandgap, affecting light absorption properties and indicating changes in electronic transitions. The electrical characterizations were conducted by using half bridge method. Electrical resistivity measurements show enhanced performance, likely due to variation in charge carrier mobility induced by the SnO2 additive. Among other selected wt. % SnO2 additives, 9 wt. % SnO2 added LaCrO3 thick films shows maximum sensitivity to CH4 gas at 120oC operating temperature. The gas sensing characteristics demonstrate enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and response time to target gases, suggesting that SnO2 doping improves the sensing capabilities of LaCrO3 nanoparticles, making them more efficient as a gas sensor. Obtained findings suggest that, SnO2 as an additive enhances the multifunctional properties of LaCrO3 nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for advanced gas sensing applications.
Zainab Dhyaa Fawzy, Saja Ali Muhsin, Taha Hassan Abood,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Ceramics in dentistry have been mainly recommended from a cosmetic perspective. Yet, the hardness behaviour may limit the application in many cases. Although amber glass is used for medications and chemicals, no studies focus on using amber glass for dental purposes as an additive material. This study aims to investigate the dark amber glass behaviour as a new additive material for dental ceramics. The amber glass powder was prepared using the ball mill technique. For the amber glass powder characterization, the SEM/EDX, particle size, DSC, Ion release, and XRD analysis were tested compared to VITA Lumex® AC ceramic. In addition, the Vickers hardness test was applied for ceramic and ceramic amber with an addition of 0.01g, 0.03g, and 0.05g amber glass powder following the DIN EN ISO 6872/ 2019. Statistically, the ANOVA (post hoc- Tukey) test was used for hardness testing analysis at a significant P-value of (P≤0.05). The results show that the amber glass behaviour and composition elements seem similar to VITA ceramics. The addition of amber glass powder to ceramic shows an increase in the HV hardness of specimens. Overall, it was concluded that the amber glass powder could be a promising material for ceramics to use as an additive powder.
Seyed Hossein Razavi, Amirhossein Riazi, Alireza Khavandi, Mostafa Amirjan, Mohsen Ostad Shabani, Hossein Davarzani, Yazdan Shajari,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic parts has gained significant attention in recent years due to its ability to produce components without traditional tooling such as molds, melting furnaces, or extensive raw material preparation. Its unique capability to fabricate complex geometries has revolutionized part design and enabled substantial weight reduction. This review first outlines the development trajectory of metal-based AM, with a particular focus on laser-based fusion methods, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Direct Laser Deposition (DLD). Understanding this evolution helps researchers identify both the capabilities and limitations of AM technologies, thereby enhancing their application in areas such as prototyping, mass production, and repair. Each metal possesses unique physical and chemical properties, which often make traditional manufacturing methods more challenging—especially for alloys with high strength, hardness, or temperature resistance. In this context, the review then focuses on nickel-based superalloys (NBSAs), which are widely used in high-temperature and high-stress environments but are particularly difficult to process using conventional techniques. Their application serves as a representative case study for evaluating the performance and feasibility of AM techniques for advanced materials. Furthermore, the future prospects of AM are discussed, including advancements in monitoring systems, integration of machine learning, and the development of AM-specific alloys. As a novel aspect, this work compares LPBF and DLD in terms of their advantages, limitations, and resulting material properties, along with a comparison to traditional manufacturing methods such as casting and wrought processing.
Ali Keramatian, Mohammad Hossein Enayati, Fatemehsadat Sayyedan, Sima Torkian,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of current density on the microstructure of electrodeposited Ni–WC–TiC composite coatings on 304 stainless steel and compare the corrosion resistance of the coating and substrate in a 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution. A Watts nickel bath was employed under direct current (DC) conditions. Microstructure, elemental composition, and phase composition analyses were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The results revealed that the coating formed at a current density of 40 mA/cm² exhibited a denser microstructure with higher cohesion and uniformity compared to coatings produced at other current densities. The corrosion resistance of the coating and substrate was evaluated using Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The corrosion test results indicated that the substrate exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to the coating. Based on the dynamic polarization test plots, the corrosion mechanism of the substrate is active-quasi passive, with a pseudo-passive layer forming on the sample which remains stable within the potential range of -0.17 to 0.17 V. Beyond this potential range, the sample becomes susceptible to pitting. In the coated sample, the corrosion behavior is similar to that of the substrate, with the exception that the pseudo-passive layer remains stable within a narrower potential range of -0.19 to 0.08 V.
Nur Aziah Suhada Naim, Muhammad Faiq Abdullah, Sung Ting Sam, Wan Ahmad Radi Wan Ahmad Yaakub,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Despite being an effective material for food packaging, chitosan (CS) exhibited poor ductility when processed into film, which restricted its use in this industry. In this study, composite films with enhanced properties were developed by incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into CS through a simple solution casting method. The effects of different PVA/CS weight ratios (70:30, 50:50, and 30:70 w/w) on the morphology, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and soil degradation of the composite films were analyzed. Compared to the pristine PVA film, increasing the CS content in the PVA/CS composite film enhanced thickness, stiffness, roughness, antibacterial efficiency, and degradation rate, while reducing tensile strength and elongation at break. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the highest intermolecular interactions in the PVA/CS composite film with 70:30 w/w. Antibacterial activity tests and soil burial analysis demonstrated that the PVA:70/CS:30 composite exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity toward Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis bacteria as opposed to PVA film, along with a moderate degradation rate of 76.76% following 30 days soil burial, effectively balancing biodegradability and material integrity. These findings suggest that the PVA:70/CS:30 composite is a promising alternative for sustainable and functional biodegradable packaging solutions.
Mahdi Rajaee, Mahdi Raoufi, Zeinab Malekshahi Beiranvand, Abbas Naeimi,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
This research explored the impact of the nickel-to-manganese ratio and the influence of the matrix phase on the properties of W-Ni-Mn tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs), aiming to determine the optimal composition for achieving desirable alloy properties. For this purpose, tungsten, nickel, and manganese powders with specified weight percentages underwent two rounds of wet milling. Powder mixtures were obtained with weight ratios of 90W-6Ni-4Mn, 90W-8Ni-2Mn, and 88W-10Ni-2Mn. These mixtures were then compressed through the cold pressing method at a pressure of 250 MPa. Subsequent reduction and sintering processes were carried out in a tube furnace at temperatures of 1150 and 1400 °C, respectively. Microstructural characterization was conducted using both optical and electron microscopy. The results showed that the change in chemical composition is not significantly effective on the sintering density of the samples and also the highest sintering density, reaching 90.11%, was achieved with the 88W-10Ni-2Mn sample. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that carburization of W-Ni-Mn WHAs during the sintering process led to an increase in the micro-hardness of the samples. The highest hardness, measuring 381 Hv, was observed in the 90W-6Ni-4Mn alloy, where carburization occurred. XRD results revealed that an increase in the nickel-to-manganese ratio led to a reduction in the peaks of manganese carbide and tungsten carbide. Consequently, this decrease in carbide peaks resulted in a reduction in hardness, reaching 352 Hv in the case of the 88W-10Ni-2Mn sample. Additionally, the alloys 90W-6Ni-4Mn and 88W-10Ni-2Mn both exhibited the lowest continuity, a value of 0.5. Fracture surface SEM images illustrated that the 90W-6Ni-4Mn alloy, characterized by the lowest nickel-to-manganese ratio (1.5), exhibited the highest trans-granular fracture mode involving cleavage and matrix tearing, which is considered desirable. Furthermore, an increase in the matrix phase content resulted in a shift of the preferred crack path, originating from the matrix phase.
Amin Rezaei Chekani, Malek Naderi, Reza Aliasgarian, Yousef Safaei-Naeini,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
This paper presents the novel fabrication method of a three-dimensional orthogonally woven (3DW) C/C-SiC-ZrB2 composite and the effects of ZrB2 and SiC particles on microstructure and the ablation behavior of the C/C–SiC–ZrB2 composite are studied. C/C–SiC–ZrB2 composite was prepared by isothermal-chemical vapor infiltration (I-CVI), slurry infiltration (SI), and liquid silicon infiltration (LSI) combined process. Pyrolytic carbon (PyC) was first infused into the 3DW preform by I-CVI at 1050°C using CH4 as a precursor in order to form a C/C preform with porous media. The next step was graphitization at 2400°C for 1hr. Then ZrB2 was introduced into 3DW C/C preform with a void percentage of 48 by impregnating the mixture of ZrB2 and phenolic resin, followed by a pyrolysis step at 1050°C. A liquid Si alloy was infiltrated, at 1650 °C, into the 3DW C/C composites porous media containing the ZrB2 particles to form a SiC–ZrB2 matrix. An oxyacetylene torch flame was utilized to investigate The ablation behavior. ZrB2 particles, along with the SiC matrix situated between carbon fiber bundles, form a compact ZrO2-SiO2 layer. This layer acts as a barrier, restricting oxygen infiltration into the composite and reducing the erosion of carbon fibers. The findings were supported by FESEM imaging and further confirmed through x-ray diffraction and EDS analysis. The addition of ZrB2 to the C/C-SiC composite resulted in a lower mass and linear ablation rate; 2.20 mg/s and 1.4 µm/s respectively while those for C/C-SiC composite were 4.8 mg/s and 6.75 µm/s after ablation under an oxyacetylene flame (2500°C) for 120 s.
Ines Dhifallah, Faten Rhouma, Imen Saafi, Jamila Bennaceur, Wafa Selmi, Wissem Dimessi, Radhouane Chtourou,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
In this study, a novel three-step method for the synthesis of ZnO and branched ZnO microrods was developed. Numerous techniques were used to analyze the obtained samples: photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, raman spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-rays (EDX), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-visible) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD study and Rietveld refinement confirmed that the synthesized samples have the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO without any impurity with the P63mc space group. To further verify our experimental results, structural parameters were calculated by First Principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and compared with experimental ones. A small decrease in the unit cell volume following the branching process was observed by the DFT calculations and Rietveld refinement results. Raman spectra showed peaks corresponding to the phonon modes of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO, which was consistent with the results of XRD and Rietveld refinement. SEM confirmed that ZnO and BZnO samples have hexagonal rod and branched rod shapes. BZnO showed stronger green PL emission but lower overall PL intensity compared to ZnO. The reduced photoluminescence (PL) intensity across all frequencies indicates enhanced separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs in branched ZnO (BZnO) due to decreased recombination.
Noor Alhuda Hassan, Zainab Jaf, Hanaa Ibrahem, Mohammed Hamid, Hussein Miran,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
This work reports the influence of Cu dopant and annealing temperature on CdOx thin films deposited on glass substrates by spray-pyrolysis method. The Cu doping concentrations were 0, 0.46, and 1.51 at% with respect to the CdOx undoped material. Then, the fabricated films were subjected to annealing process at temperature of 450°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination confirms that the as-deposited films show a cubic crystallographic structure with high purity of CdO in the annealed films. It was found that the (111) peak is the most predominant diffraction orientation in the surveyed samples. At the microscopic scale, AFM machine was operated to quantify the three important parameters of the mean roughness (Ra), rms value (Rq), and z scale. These parameters hold highest values for the sample with 0.46 at% of Cu. Finally, reflectance, absorbance, transmittance and other optical parameters dielectric measurements were comprehensively analyzed. Our evaluation of optical band gaps for the studied samples reveals that the synthesized films have direct band gap character with the fact that the rise in the Cu contents in the as-deposited films lead to lessen the band gap values. In contrast, annealing process results in raising the band gap.
Seyed Ehsan Khadempir, Behnam Lotfi, Zohreh Sadeghian,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Ni-B4C nanocomposite coatings were deposited onto a pure Cu substrate using electroplating. Different types of current, including direct current (DC), pulse reverse current (PRC), and unipolar pulse current (PC), were applied using various concentrations of micron and nano size particles in the electroplating bath. Microstructure, hardness, and wear and corrosion behavior of the coatings were investigated. Microstructural evaluations were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Microhardness, pin-on-disk sliding wear, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were conducted on the coatings. Electrodeposition using PRC resulted in a more uniform distribution of co-deposited B4C microparticles and nanoparticles within the coatings. Nanocomposite coatings reinforced with B4C nanoparticles were obtained using PRC with a bath concentration of 8 g/l, exhibited higher hardness and improved wear properties compared to composite coatings containing B4C micron-sized particles. Moreover, using PRC resulted in higher hardness values and improved wear and corrosion resistance compared to PC and DC.
Sara Ahmadi, Bijan Eftekhari Yekta, Alireza Mirhabibi,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
The crystallization behavior and photocatalytic properties of the sol-gel derived glass ceramic coatings in the TiO2-SiO2-B2O3 system were studied. the prepared sol was sprayed on a glazed ceramic wall. Following drying, the coated specimens were fired at 900°C for 1 h. The impact of boron oxide content in the composition was explored in terms of anatase stability and glass maturing temperature. The thermal and crystallization behaviors of the dried gels were studied by the STA, XRD, and FESEM. The photocatalytic property of the coated layer was examined using methylen blue degradation. Based on the results, the sample containing 15 wt% of boron oxide demonestrated about 30% dye removal efficiency, after only 60 min of UV-irradiation. Additionally, this particular sample exhibited the greatest magnitude of the anatase phase in comparison to the other samples.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Asad, Hasan Ridoy, Md. Shuzon Ali, Mst. Jeba Maimuna,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Perovskite materials have accumulated considerable attention in recent years for their exceptional electro-optical properties, creating them rising candidates for various uses in the fields of photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, and beyond. Among these perovskite materials, CsPbI3 stands out as a notable example due to its remarkable stability, tunable bandgap, and efficient light-emitting properties. The crystal structure, composition, and introductory properties of CsPbI3 perovskite using density functional theorem (DFT) being focused. In detailed exploration of Electronic property, Elastic property, Optical property, Population analysis, and shedding light on the unique attributes of this material highlighted this study. To do above computation we have used CASTEP in Material Studio.
Salahaldin Mansur Alduwaib, Reihane Etefagh, Boshra Ghanbari Shohany,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
This research is focused on the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by means of the sol-gel conventional method, followed by the formulation of a zinc oxide-polypropylene (ZnO: PP) masterbatch using a twin-screw extruder. The next step involved the fabrication of antibacterial fibers through electrospinning. The resulting Nano powders, masterbatch, and fibers were subjected to a series of characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine the crystalline structure, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was employed to scrutinize the morphology of the samples, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was adopted for elemental analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was hired to identify the chemical bonds.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a three-stage weight loss process, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed a primary endothermic peak centered at about 317 °C and a pronounced exothermic peak at approximately 455 °C. XRD confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the zinc oxide nanoparticles and the presence of the alpha (α) crystal form in polypropylene. FESEM imaging revealed that the zinc oxide and masterbatch samples had a uniform size and shape, predominantly in the nanometer range with an elongated spherical morphology. The antibacterial properties of polypropylene fibers containing varying concentrations of zinc oxide, including 1.2, 2.4, and 5 wt.%, were tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Yaser Vahidshad, Karen Abrinia,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Selective laser melting (SLM) is a widely used additive manufacturing method for 3D-printing metal parts. This study investigates how SLM parameters affect the density, microstructure, and mechanical properties of maraging steel 300. A process window was developed, revealing that maximum density and minimal porosity are achieved when laser energy density exceeds 50 J/mm³. Optimal parameters—100 mm/s scan speed, 20 μm layer thickness, 0.15 mm hatch distance, Stripe scanning strategy, and XZ build direction—were identified. Optimal processing reduced porosity, increased martensite content, and enhanced strength, reaching 1064 MPa and improving by 75% to 1862 MPa after aging and solution treatment. Strength gains were attributed to the uniform dispersion of nano-sized precipitates (such as Ni(Mo)3 and Ni(Ti, Al)3) within the martensitic matrix. Additionally, it was found that higher cooling rates further improve the mechanical strength of heat-treated parts.
Gajanan M Naik, Santhosh Kumar B M, Shivakumar M M, Ramesh S, Maruthi Prashanth B H, Gajanan Anne6,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Magnesium and the alloys made from the same metal are utilized in the engineering applications such as automotive, marine, and aircraft, among others due to high strength to weight. Nevertheless, the applications of magnesium alloys are currently limited to a certain level due to their poor wear and corrosion properties. Another effective strategy for enhancing these properties involves utilizing the process of equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE), which serves to refine the grain structure, thereby resulting in improved material properties. This paper aims to establish the relationship between grain size reduction and wear and corrosion of AZ91 alloy. The wear performances of both coarse-grained and fine-grain alloy were conducted using L9 orthogonal array of experiments in order to study the effects of control parameters on wear performance. In the study, it has also been identified that through ECAP, the corrosion barrier and wear characteristics of the alloy were enhanced due to fine-grain-structure and the spheroidal precipitation of the second β-phase particles. Further, the influence of these changes on the performance of the AZ91 Mg alloy was assessed using SEM.
