Abstract:
A method of making a magnetic material for a permanent magnet using hot-pressing or die-upset methods, or both, by combining two powders and optimizing grain boundary diffusion of Dy or Tb. The method can include making magnetic material for a permanent magnet using hot pressing using a core powder containing Nd, Fe and B and a surface powder containing Dy or Tb in metallic alloy form, combining the materials, forming a solid material in a shaped mold under a magnetic field in vacuum, heating the solid material, hot pressing it to form a magnetic material in a die, heat treating it if necessary, and then cooling it.
Abstract:
An additive manufacturing method includes providing a first composite material and forming a composite part matrix using the first composite material and defining a first layer, applying a first fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first layer of the composite part matrix such that fibers of the first fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a first direction and form a second layer on the composite part matrix, applying a second fiber reinforcing material to the composite part matrix atop and in contact with the first fiber reinforcing material such that fibers of the second fiber reinforcing material are oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and form a third layer on the composite part matrix, applying the first composite material to the composite part matrix, and curing the composite part matrix to create a composite product.
Abstract:
An apparatus for localized patterned surface hardening for light-weight alloys to increase wear resistance under lubricated contact is provided. The apparatus includes a first metallic structure and a second metallic structure. The second metallic structure includes a contact surface and is disposed in lubricated contact with the first metallic structure at the contact surface, wherein the second metallic structure is constructed with a lighter-than-steel material and wherein the contact surface includes a localized surface hardened pattern.
Abstract:
Methods for profiling a bore of an engine block are provided. Methods can comprise profiling the bore surface with a qualitative optical device (QlOD) to determine a qualitative surface characteristic map of the bore surface, wherein the QlOD comprises a light source configured to emit light toward the bore surface at an emitting angle, and a sensor array configured to sense scattered light reflected from the bore surface, and comparing the qualitative surface characteristic map to a calibration value to determine the suitability of the bore surface for thermal spray deposition. Methods can further include profiling the bore surface with a quantitative optical device (QnOD) to determine a quantitative surface characteristic, and determining a quantitative-qualitative correlation. Methods can further include profiling additional sample areas of the bore surface with the QlOD to determine a qualitative surface characteristic map of the bore surface and applying the correlation to the map.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented system and method of rapidly predicting at least one of residual stress and distortion of a quenched aluminum casting. Input data corresponding to at least one of topological features, geometrical features and quenching process parameters associated with the casting is operated upon by the computer that is configured as a neural network to determine output data corresponding to at least one of the residual stress and distortion based on the input data. The neural network is trained to determine the validity of at least one of the input data and output data and to retrain the network when an error threshold is exceeded. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments in a tiny fraction of the time required by conventional finite-element based approaches.
Abstract:
A method of activating the surface of an aluminum-based substrate. This method includes cleaning the substrate surface, and operating a plasma spraying device such that a air plasma jet produced by the device is accelerated toward the surface so that it removes or decomposes any remaining oxides and other surface contaminants. In one form, the surface being treated forms part of a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine block. In a particular form where a protective coating is subsequently being applied to the substrate, a sequential series of plasma spraying devices may be used such that a first—preferably simpler—device is used to perform activation or pretreatment operations, while a second—and more comprehensive—device may be used to deposit the protective layer on the pretreated surface.
Abstract:
Adhesion testing of coatings to the cylinder bore of an engine block. An adhesion testing fluid is dispensed from a nozzle that simultaneously rotates so that the fluid impinges about a substantial inner periphery defined by the coated cylinder bore. The performance of a referee coated engine block is used to provide parameters for one or more production-oriented engine blocks. This allows for rapid evaluation of a sizable sample of such production-oriented engine blocks. The fluid-dispensing nozzle is configured to simultaneously provide complete circumferential coverage of the cylinder bore with high-pressure/high-velocity fluid through rotational movement of the nozzle within the bore. By keeping the production-oriented engine blocks stationary during the test further improves testing efficiency.
Abstract:
A fluidized bed mixer for combining a first powder with a second powder for manufacturing a magnet and a method of using the fluidized bed mixer for making the magnet. The first powder material is an alloy powder containing neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe), and boron (B), and the second powder material is an alloy powder or elemental metal powder containing one or more of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb). The fluidized bed mixer includes a fluidized bed portion in an upper portion of a mixing chamber, a cascading baffle system beneath the fluidized bed portion, and combined powder collection area beneath the cascading baffle system. The fluidized bed mixer is configured to homogenously combine a first powder material with a second powder material in such a way that particles of the second powder material adheres to and covers the outer surfaces of the particles of the first powder material.
Abstract:
Composite reference electrode substrates and relating methods are provided. The composite reference electrode substrate includes a separator portion and a current collector portion adjacent to the separator portion. A method for forming the reference electrode substrate includes anodizing one or more surfaces of a first side of an aluminum foil so as to form a porous separator portion disposed adjacent to a porous current collector portion. The porous separator portion includes aluminum oxide, and the current collector portion includes the aluminum foil. The separator portion and the current collector portion each have a porosity of greater than or equal to about 10 vol. % to less than or equal to about 80 vol. %.
Abstract:
A reference electrode for a lithium-ion battery cell in the form of a porous ultrathin film that is fabricated from aluminum or an aluminum alloy is described. The aluminum layer is conductive and functions as a current collector for the reference electrode. The alloying elements may include but not limited to one or more of copper, zinc, silver, gold, titanium, chrome, rare earth metals, etc., to achieve target values for electrical, mechanical and chemical properties. Also disclosed is an electrochemical battery cell having an anode, a cathode, and a reference electrode, wherein the reference electrode is interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the reference electrode is an electrode layer that is arranged on a current collector, and wherein the current collector is fabricated from an aluminum alloy.