TMS 2007 136th Annual Meeting & Exhibition

February 25, 2007 - March 1, 2007

The conference held in Orlando, Florida was attended by:
Graduate Students:Olga Karabelchtchikova
Professors: Diran Apelian, Jianyu Liang, Richard Sisson, Jr.
Research Professors: Dan Backman, Qingyue Pan
Research Scientist: Lei (Leo) Zhang

Prof. Diran Apelian, Director of WPI's Metal Processing Institute, received two major awards: The 2007 J. Herbert Holloman Award in Materials and Society and the Brimacombe Prize at the TMS-AIME Awards Banquet from the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). Diran also presented "The Future of Materials Science and Engineering" to open the TMS 50th Anniversary Plenary Breakfast Series. Press release

Prof. Apelian receiving the Brimacombe Prize from
the Trustees of the Brimacombe Fdtn. in Canada.
Dr. Phillip Mackey of Xstrata in Falconbridge, Ontairo
(left), Prof. Apelian (center), Prof. Hani Henein of U.
of Alberta, Canada (right)

Pictures from the Event

(1) Prof. Apelian receiving the 2007 Acta materialia, Inc. J. Herbert Holloman Award
(2) Prof. Apelian and Prof. Liang at the Awards Banquet

(1) Dr. Steve Mashl, Prof. Sisson, Mickey, Prof. Apelian, Prof. Backman
(2) Prof. Dayananda (Purdue University), Olly Karabelchtchikova, Prof. Sisson

(1) Prof. Apelian delivering the TMS 50th Anniversary Plenary lecture
(2)Prof. Pan
(3) Olly Karabelchtchikova

Papers presented:

The Future of Materials Science and Engineering
Calculation of Carburization Kinetic Parameters from the Carbon Concentration Profiles Based on the Direct Integration of the Flux
The Effect of Surface Preparation on the Rate of mass Transfer in Gas Carburizing
ICME at GE: Accelerating the Insertion of New Materials and Processes
Computer Aided Heat Treatment Planning System for Quenching and Tempering
Precision Nanofabrication of Protein Nanostructures for Applications in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery

Calculation of Carburization Kinetic Parameters from the Carbon Concentration Profiles Based on the Direct Integration of the Flux

Authors:

Olga Karabelchtchikova, Richard D. Sisson, Jr.

Abstract

Understanding the effect of process parameters on the mass transfer coefficient and carbon diffusivity in austenite is very important for the gas carburizing process control and optimization. A method for direct flux integration has been proposed in this paper to calculate the kinetic parameters from the experimental concentration profiles. 8620 steel discs were gas carburized at different levels of the atmosphere carburizing potential and at different austenizing temperatures. Analyses of the carburized parts included weight gain, micro-hardness and carbon concentration profile. Time-dependent weight gain and surface carbon content measurements allowed calculation of the instantaneous mass transfer coefficient, while carbon profiles corresponding to different carburizing times were used to calculate the concentration dependent carbon diffusivity. The calculated mass transfer coefficient and carbon diffusivity values were compared to those reported in the literature and served as input to the carburizing model validating the predicted results by the experimental concentration profiles.

The Effect of Surface Preparation on the Rate of Mass Transfer in Gas Carburizing

Authors:

Olga Karabelchtchikova, Christopher Brown and Richard Sisson

Abstract

Surface roughness and the part cleanliness are important characteristics defining the interaction of any mass/heat transfer phenomena with the environment. This paper focused on studying the effect of surface preparation on gas carburizing performance and determining a functional relationship between the surface roughness and the mass transfer coefficient. 8620 steel samples were finished by sandblasting, wire brush operations and grinding to 120 and 800 grit. Surface roughness was characterized using high-resolution laser scanning microscope. Prior to carburizing, the parts were cleaned using alkaline and organic solutions. The observed weight gain and surface carbon content were primarily determined by the surface roughness characteristics. These data were used to calculate the mass transfer coefficient and total carbon flux from the atmosphere to the steel surface. Overall, the carburizing kinetic parameters were found to be directly proportional to the surface roughness and strongly dependent on the surface area available for carbon transfer.

The Future of Materials Science and Engineering

Authors:

Diran Apelian

Authors Note

On this special occasion of TMS’s 50th Anniversary, I have been given the onerous task of commenting on the future of materials as we head into the 21st century. Predicting future innovations and discoveries in the materials world is virtually impossible; however, one can observe trends and societal needs, which will motivate engineers and scientists to respond, innovate, give birth to products, and enhance the quality of life on this planet.

ICME at GE: Accelerating the Insertion of New Materials and Processes

Authors:

Deborah Whitis, Daniel Wei, Matthew Buczek, Peter Finnigan, Dongming Gao, Dan Backman

Abstract

The accelerated insertion of materials (AIM) initiative provides the opportunity to reduce the materials development cycle time by up to 50% and thereby lessen the lead time required for new materials and processes. The program was founded to revolutionize the way designers and materials engineers interact, to achieve a leap forward in the application of computational materials science and integration with design engineering tools, and to create an environment where the design/materials team can learn from and build on previous developments. The centerpiece of the AIM system is the designer knowledge base, which provides a framework for managing experimental data, executing linked models describing processing, microstructure, properties, and producibility, and calculating confidence bounds for system predictions.

Computer Aided Heat Treatment Planning System for Quenching and Tempering

Authors:

Lei Zhang, Radhakrishnan Purushothaman, Yiming Rong, Jinwu Kang, Amarjit Kumar Singh

Abstract

Furnaces are widely used for the heat treatment of mass production parts. So to optimize the heat treating process is of great significance, and will greatly takes the advantage to save energy. In this paper, an analytical tool "Computerized Heat Treating and Planning System for Quenching and Tempering" has been developed, which is to predict the temperature profile of load in batch as well as continuous furnace during heating, quenching and tempering of steel, then to provide information about the mechanical properties as Quenched and Tempered and finally to optimize the heat treatment process design with the aim to save energy and reduce cost. This tool is suitable for heat treating plants, workshops and also captive heat treaters. The calculation is the hybrid of numerical simulation and empirical equations. Therefore it is convenient for heat treating industry and furnace manufacturing.

Precision Nanofabrication of Protein Nanostructures for Applications in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery

Authors:

Shelley Dougherty and Jianyu Liang

Abstract

Based upon the need for more thorough nanoscale research we are developing simple, inexpensive, and scalable nanofabrication methods which accommodate different types of materials through the use of porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO). Using optimized manufacturing conditions we have fabricated AAO with uniform, highly ordered arrays of 20 nm and 50 nm diameter pores. In addition to conventional straight nanochannel arrays, Y-shaped nanochannel arrays are fabricated through a multi-step anodization process. These AAO membranes have been coated with thin layers of gold via e-beam evaporation and used to produce protein nanotubes. Briefly, the inner walls of the AAO pores are treated with a binding agent that immobilizes proteins and allows the protein to form a tube structure within the pores. The protein coating remains within the pores to form a composite nanomaterial, or is liberated to yield free standing protein nanotubes with different nanostrutures. Potential applications of those protein nanostructures include applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery will be briefly discussed.

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Last modified: Mar 07, 2007, 11:01 EST