Slippery anti-fouling nanoporous tungsten oxide coating strengthens steel
November 8, 2015
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Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., reports that a research team has developed a slippery anti-fouling coating made from nanoporous tungsten oxide that also makes steel stronger and more durable. The researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) claim that it is the most durable anti-fouling and anti-corrosive material developed to date, capable of repelling any kind of liquid even after sustaining intense structural abuse.
"Our slippery steel is orders of magnitude more durable than any previous anti-fouling material," said Joanna Aizenberg, the Amy Smith Berylson Professor of Materials Science, and core faculty member of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard. "So far, these two concepts – mechanical durability and anti-fouling – have been at odds with each other. We need surfaces to be textured and porous to impart fouling resistance, but rough nanostructured coatings are intrinsically weaker than their bulk analogs. This research shows that careful surface engineering allows the design of a material capable of multiple, even conflicting functions, without performance degradation."
The biggest challenge was to figure out how to structure the coating to ensure its anti-fouling capability without mechanical degradation of the steel substrate. The team solved this by using an electrochemical technique to grow an ultrathin film of hundreds of thousands of small and rough tungsten-oxide islands directly onto the steel surface.
http://www.seas.harvard.edu/
Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., reports that a research team has developed a slippery anti-fouling coating made from nanoporous tungsten oxide that also makes steel stronger and more durable.
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Silver nanoparticles in polymer coating prevent infections in dental implants
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Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany, have reportedly developed DentaPlas, an antimicrobial coating for dental implants that consists of three layers, with two plasma polymer layers surrounding a center layer of silver nanoparticles. Within this structure, a biocide reservoir is formed, and the outermost layer releases the ions.
Scientists can tailor the silver concentration as well as the thickness of the layers and their porosity. This allows the silver ions to penetrate the outermost plasma polymer layer over a set period of time. When the silver reservoir is exhausted, no more silver ions are released, thus avoiding any long-term toxic effects.
In trials of finished implants and titanium test samples, the team demonstrated that the DentaPlas coating is not only anti-microbial, but also fully biocompatible and sterilizable. They confirmed the mechanical stability and robustness of the DentaPlas coating in trials using the lower jawbones of pigs taken from butcher shops. Here, they subjected the DentaPlas-coated implants to the rigors of being screwed into place with instruments in modern dental practice.
The DentaPlas coating passed this stress test with no problems. Project partner and Fraunhofer spinoff Bio Gate AG successfully transferred the processes of coating the test samples and titanium screws to its own production facilities. This medical technology company is also the manufacturer of the DentaPlas three-layer coating system.
A demonstration unit of the plasma polymer coating is currently available. Researchers will be presenting a dental implant featuring the DentaPlas coating at the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf from November 16 -19 at the joint Fraunhofer booth (Hall 10, Booth G05).
https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2015/november/preventing-dental-implant-infections.html
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany, have reportedly developed DentaPlas, an antimicrobial coating for dental implants that consists of three layers, with two plasma polymer layers surrounding a center layer of silver nanoparticles.
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Nomination deadline for the 2016 Class of Fellows is fast approaching
November 5, 2015
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The honor of Fellow of the Society was established to provide recognition to members for distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering, and to develop a broadly based forum for technical and professional leaders to serve as advisors to the Society.
If you are interested in nominating someone for this prestigious award, please contact Christine Hoover, for a unique nomination link. This link will be exclusive to you, as the nominator, and will provide you the ability to work through the nomination at different times to add content and attachments until you submit the final nomination.
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The ASM Fellow Award is first and foremost an award for technical achievement and not intended to exclusively award contributions to ASM International. To the extent possible, the selection committee shall select a diverse slate of nominees from all the constituencies of ASM.
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Five years of current, continuous membership in ASM International as an individual is required at the time of nomination.
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Candidates for the award may be proposed by Chapters through their Executive Committee, Affiliate Societies, Regional Councils, Committees/Councils, Award Selection Committee, Awards Policy Committee, ASM Fellow or any five members of the Society.
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Please be aware that the nominee, and nominator(s), must be current ASM members in good standing, or the nomination will not be accepted. If you have any question regarding the status of membership, please contact me.
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The nomination is limited to ten pages, plus up to five letters of support for a total of 15 pages (this is in addition to the nomination form).
Please refer to our website to view the rules and lists of past recipients. The deadline for submission is November 30.
The honor of Fellow of the Society was established to provide recognition to members for distinguished contributions in the field of materials science and engineering, and to develop a broadly based forum for technical and professional leaders to serve as advisors to the Society. The deadline for submission is November 30.
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One Minute Mentor: Interactions Among Variables during Heat Treatment of Tool Steels
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Interactions Among Variables during Heat Treatment of Tool Steels
The diagram shows an overview of the main interactions during the heat treatment of steel alloys. Some of the main interactions take place between temperature, microstructure, and stress/strain. Especially for tool steels, these interactions are mainly influenced by the carbon content in the steel matrix, the types and relative amounts of the alloying elements, and the carbide formation/transformation/precipitation characteristics of the alloy system.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels -> Tool steels -> Distortion in Tool Steels
The diagram shows an overview of the main interactions during the heat treatment of steel alloys.
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Heat treat 2015 finishes with a “bang!”
November 2, 2015
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The ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition (Heat Treat 2015) took place in late October in Detroit. The three-day event, co-located with the American Gear Manufacturer's Association Gear Expo, attracted over 7000 heat treating and gear professionals from all over the world, including an equipment exhibition featuring 202 companies in 288 booths. The show featured top-notch technical programming as well as several new initiatives such as live equipment demonstrations on the show floor and a "hot" new social event that lit up the Detroit sky as well as local social media.
The technical program at Heat Treat featured more than 140 oral and poster presentations, including a new Applied Technology track focused on practical applications for operators. Jonn Nebbe, a metallurgical engineer at Eaton Corp., said, "Learning about the academic side of things is nice, but learning practical applications that you can take back to the shop floor? That's what I'm here for."
Attendees also enjoyed a plenary session from Dr. Alan Taub, chief technical officer of the newly established American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, who discussed the LIFT (Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow) consortium. The conference program also featured an expert-led panel on "New Development and Opportunities in Heat Treating" focused on technology needs and new disruptive technology within the industry. Finally, the popular Master Series lectures educated attendees on specific technical subjects such as the past and future of martensitic steels, bainite transformation in steel, and the Holloman-Jaffe parameter.
Local high school students got to participate in the ASM Materials Education Foundation "Mini Materials Camp" on the show floor during Heat Treat. Eight presenters gave hands-on science demonstrations to over 150 students in the mini-camp, including heat treating bobby pins and paper clips and the principle of diffusion at work in brassing a penny. College students also took part in the free "This is Heat Treat" student program, which included a special 35 and Under Keynote Breakfast and a student networking mixer on the show floor.
On the networking side of the event, attendees had many opportunities throughout the week to meet and catch up with old friends. Exhibitors and attendees were treated to a networking reception on Tuesday evening featuring local brews and appetizers on the show floor, and several refreshment and dessert breaks throughout the week. The main event however, the first-ever Heat Treat social event called "The Heat Is On," was held Wednesday evening at Waterview Loft at Port Detroit. Guests were treated to flame twirlers, local craft beer, and Detroit-style food. The evening was capped off by a fireworks display on the Detroit River, which surprised both guests and locals who happened to catch the show. The "mystery" fireworks caused quite a stir on social media and the news.
Attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors were positive about the direction that Heat Treat is going. "There is a new energy to this event," says Stephen Kowalski, president of the ASM Heat Treating Society and president, Kowalski Heat Treating. "The organizers are doing some exciting things with the programming, and the social event really was above and beyond all expectations and certainly had the local and international media on fire. Even if you have been to Heat Treat before, come again in 2017 – you won't be disappointed."
Chuck Faulkner, Market Development Manager, Heat Treatment & Metal Forming at Houghton International, says that Heat Treat is the must-attend event for the heat treating industry. "This show is one our company doesn't miss. We will be back in 2017."
Heat Treat 2017 will take place in Columbus, Ohio, on October 24-26, 2017. Space is limited and is expected to sell out. To reserve exhibit space, contact Christina Sandoval, global exhibition manager a [email protected] or 440.338.5151 ext. 5625.
The ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition (Heat Treat 2015) took place in late October in Detroit. The three-day event, co-located with the American Gear Manufacturer’s Association Gear Expo, attracted over 7000 heat treating and gear professionals from all over the world, including an equipment exhibition featuring 202 companies in 288 booths.
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Lincoln Electric to invest $30 million to build Welding Technology Center
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The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio, announces that it is investing approximately $30 million in a new Welding Technology Center on its campus in Euclid, Ohio. The new 130,000-ft.2 center will double Lincoln's welding education capacity to 180 welding booths, and will include high-tech classroom and seminar spaces. It will also showcase and integrate Lincoln Electric's latest technologies and solutions into a comprehensive welding curriculum.
The Center will focus on the training of welding educators and industry leaders to address the rising demand for welding education and career pathways in welding and advanced manufacturing. Construction is expected to begin in early 2016 with an opening anticipated in 2017 – marking the centennial anniversary of Lincoln's legacy welding school, the longest-running welding school in the United States.
"This investment reflects our commitment to being at the forefront of welding innovation and education," says Christopher L. Mapes, Lincoln Electric's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The increased demand from customers, the skilled trades, and technical schools to help develop the next generation of industry-ready welders has accelerated our investment in education."
www.lincolnelectric.com
The Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland, Ohio, announces that it is investing approximately $30 million in a new Welding Technology Center on its campus in Euclid, Ohio.
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Ipsen predictive maintenance for heat treating furnaces cuts costs, optimizes operations
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., displayed the Titan 2.0 heat treating vacuum furnace and PdMetrics software platform for predictive maintenance at ASM International's Heat Treat 2015 conference. PdMetrics helps optimize operations while avoiding unnecessary costs and unplanned downtime. Ipsen also featured the Atlas batch atmosphere furnace line, which provides intelligent interfaces, advanced controls, and ease of integration.
The Titan 2.0 vacuum furnace incorporates years of customer feedback to deliver improved, user-friendly features, all while maintaining a global platform, small footprint, and short delivery times. It features intelligent silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCR) for efficient heating control with enhanced communication and diagnostic features. It also utilizes an integrated framework with a rigid, all-metal design that protects equipment from the surrounding work environment and provides a versatile platform for mounting accessories.
PdMetrics software platform for predictive maintenance utilizes proprietary sensors and control algorithms to determine the appropriate timing for replacing parts and servicing equipment. By monitoring critical data and key parameters such as temperature, vibrations, and pressure, users are able to improve the health and integrity of several systems: the hot zone, pumping system, cooling system, and vacuum integrity.
The stand-alone interface screen is capable of integrating with multiple furnaces; Furnace part replacement notifications are based on usage and wear characteristics; Smart connectivity allows users to receive alerts via email and/or text message; Diagnostic Helper provides access to weather station, leak diagnostics, vacuum level and more; Technical support via Ipsen's Service Cloud allows Ipsen experts to quickly access the necessary data
Two Ipsen experts presented papers at the conference. Aymeric Goldsteinas, Product Development Manager, presented "Growth of Predictive Maintenance and its Effect on Future Furnace Performance." Nathan Durham, Electrical Solutions Manger, presented "Obtaining Nadcap Accreditation: Helping You Pass Your Audit." Read the full technical papers at www.IpsenUSA.com/Articles.
www.IpsenUSA.com/Products
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., displayed the Titan 2.0 heat treating vacuum furnace and PdMetrics software platform for predictive maintenance at ASM International’s Heat Treat 2015 conference.
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Vaporized foil actuator welding produces bonds 50% stronger
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Engineers at Ohio State University, Columbus, report that they have developed vaporized foil actuator (VFA) welding, a technique that consumes 80% less energy than conventional techniques, yet produces bonds that are 50% stronger. In VFA, a high-voltage capacitor bank creates a very short electrical pulse inside a thin piece of aluminum foil. Within microseconds, the foil vaporizes, and a burst of hot gas pushes two pieces of metal together at speeds approaching thousands of miles per hour.
The pieces don't melt, preventing the formation of a seam of weakened metal between them. Instead, the impact directly bonds the atoms of one metal to atoms of the other. Seen under a high-powered microscope, the bond often features delicate curlicues in spots where veins of both materials extend outward and wrap around each other.
The technique needs less energy because the electrical pulse is so short, and because the energy required to vaporize the foil is less than that required to melt the metal parts.
So far, the engineers have successfully bonded different combinations of copper, aluminum, magnesium, iron, nickel, and titanium. They have created strong bonds between commercial steel and aluminum alloys--a feat which is impossible normally. Also, high-strength steel and aluminum join together with weld regions that are stronger than the base metals.
Glenn Daehn, a Fellow of ASM and professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State, who helped develop the new technique, explained the new process in a keynote address at the ASM Materials Science & Technology 2015 meeting recently in Columbus.
www.osu.edu
Engineers at Ohio State University, Columbus, report that they have developed vaporized foil actuator (VFA) welding, a technique that consumes 80% less energy than conventional techniques, yet produces bonds that are 50% stronger.
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Gas Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing
October 30, 2015
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Gas Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing
Gas nitriding is based on the decomposition of ammonia (NH3) at temperatures between 500 and 600°C (930 and 1110°F) according to:
NH3 = Nsoluted + 3/2H2
The nitriding potential (KN), which is connected with the formation of different phases in the surface layer and therefore acts as one of the key factors to control the process, can be derived from the reaction as:
KN = pNH3/pH23/2
The graph shows the Lehrer diagram for the formation of four iron phases in ammonia-hydrogen mixtures.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels -> Tool Steels -> Introduction to Heat Treating of Tool Steels -> Heat Treatment Applied to Tool Steels
Gas nitriding is based on the decomposition of ammonia (NH3) at temperatures between 500 and 600°C (930 and 1110°F) according to:
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One Minute Mentor: Gas Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing
Source: ASM International
Gas nitriding is based on the decomposition of ammonia (NH3) at temperatures between 500 and 600°C (930 and 1110°F) according to:
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