Ning Zhang

Bio: Ning Zhang is an academic researcher from Southwest Jiaotong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Austempering & Hardness. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 12 publications receiving 195 citations.

Recent developments in ultrasonic fatigue

Abstract: The recently increased interest in very high cycle fatigue properties of materials has led to extended use and further development of the ultrasonic fatigue testing technique. Specimens are stimulated to resonance vibrations at ultrasonic frequency, where the high frequency allows collecting lifetime data of up to 1010 cycles and measuring crack propagation rates down to 10−12 m per cycle within reasonable testing times. New capabilities and methods of ultrasonic testing and outstanding results obtained since the year 1999 are reviewed. Ultrasonic tests at load ratios other than R = −1, variable amplitude tests, cyclic torsion tests and methods for in situ observation of fatigue damage are described. Advances in testing at very high temperatures or in corrosive environments and experiments with other than bulk metallic materials are summarized. Fundamental studies with copper and duplex steel became possible and allowed new insights into the process of very high cycle fatigue damage. Higher cyclic strength of mild steels measured at ultrasonic frequency because of plastic strain rate effects are described. High-strength steels and high-alloy steels are less prone to frequency influences. Environmental effects that can lead to prolonged lifetimes in some aluminium alloys and possible frequency effects in titanium and nickel and their alloys are reviewed.

Effect of laser energy density on defects behavior of direct laser depositing 24CrNiMo alloy steel

Abstract: 24CrNiMo alloy steel samples for preparing the brake disc of high-speed train were fabricated by direct laser deposition (DLD) with different laser energy area density (EAD). The effect of various energy area densities on the distribution, size and mechanism of pores, slag inclusions and cracks in the DLD 24CrNiMo alloy deposition layer were investigated. The results show that the increase of the EAD leads to the increase of the dilution index and area of the molten pool. The density of multilayer samples reached highest (99.25%) when the EAD was 100 J/mm2. The morphology of pores had irregular deformation when the EAD was low while had smooth sphere morphology when the EAD was high. The cracks ratio increased with the increase of the EAD while the content of inclusion defects decreased. A behavioural process for the re-melting of pore defects at different energy densities was discussed, and the formation of inclusion defects with low EAD was studied to illuminate the EAD effects on defects. The samples deposited at the 100 J/mm2 have no obvious defects and relatively high density, this EAD can be considered as a reference to prepare 24CrNiMo samples with low defects by DLD.

Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI): Influence of Austempering Temperature on Microstructure, Mechanical and Wear Properties and Energy Consumption

Abstract: Alloyed Ductile iron, austenitized at 840 °C for 30 min in a special sealed austempering furnace, was austempered for 30 min in molten salt mixture at 4 trial temperatures of 300 °C, 320 °C, 340 °C and 360 °C. Tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and impact energy were evaluated for the as-cast and austempered samples. Microstructures were investigated using microscopy, coupled with analyzing software and a scanning electron microscopy. The specific wear of samples was tested using pin-on-disc wear testing machine. X-ray diffraction was performed to calculate the amount of retained austenite present in the ausferrite matrix. As-cast microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite, whereas austempered ductile iron (ADI) contains a mixture of acicular ferrite and carbon enriched austenite, called “ausferrite”. Hardness and strength decreased, whereas ductility and impact strength improved with an increase in the austempering temperature. XRD analysis revealed that the increase in austempering temperature increased the retained austenite content. A decrease in wear resistance with austempering temperature was observed. Modified Quality Index (MQI) values were envisaged, incorporating tensile strength, elongation and wear resistance. MQI for samples austempered at 340 °C and 360 °C showed a better combination of properties. About an 8% reduction in energy consumption was gained when the heat treatment parameters were optimized.