Cost analysis of T6 induction heat treatment for the aluminum-copper powder metal compacts

Mehmet Taştan,Hayrettin Gökozan,Pınar Çavdar,Gürkan Soy,Uğur Çavdar

doi:10.2298/sos2001077t

Mehmet Taştan, Hayrettin Gökozan + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.2298/sos2001077t

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Abstract

This work compares an energy cost and an energy consumption results of the 4 wt.% cupper mixed aluminum based powder metal (PM) compacts processing under induction or furnace heating. Total power and energy consumptions and total energy costs per kilogram and compact have been analyzed. T6 precipitation heat treatment applications have been applied with two different methods, one with 2.8 kW, 900 kHz ultra-high frequency induction heating system (UHFIHS), other with 2 kW chamber furnace. In the first method, Al-Cu PM compacts have been heated by induction at 580 ?C in one minute and then cooled down by water. Afterwards, the samples have been heated 170, 180, 190 and 200?C respectively for artificial ageing and cooled naturally. In the second treatment, unlike the first study, Al-Cu PM compacts are heated by chamber furnace at 540?C in 5 hours and cooled by water. Then PM compacts are artificially aged at 190?C in 10 hours with same furnace. During both processes, energy and power consumptions for each defined process have been measured. Optimum heat treatment of the induction is determined. The cheaper energy cost is obtained by the induction heat treatment.

Highlights

The powder metallurgy is the method of procuring semi-finished and finished products with or without using (P/M) [1, 2] blended or alloy powder additives
When thermal energy is applied on compressed metal powder, the component condensates, and the average particle size level increases; this condensation and the increase in the particle size is named as sintering [6]
T6 heat treatment was applied on 3 wt.% Cu + Al powder metal (PM) cylindrical sample by using UHFIS and conventional method

Summary

Introduction

The powder metallurgy is the method of procuring semi-finished and finished products with or without using (P/M) [1, 2] blended or alloy powder additives. P/M compacts are produced by mixing pure or alloy powders, being compressed within a mould and being heated in order to allow the metal powders to form a metallurgical bond [3]. Which resistance & integrity are formed through the implementation of thermal energy to the metal powders in a temperature under the fusion temperature. When thermal energy is applied on compressed metal powder, the component condensates, and the average particle size level increases; this condensation and the increase in the particle size is named as sintering [6]. As the most significant factor for increasing the mechanical characteristics of aluminum alloys [21] by optimizing them, T6 heat treatment [22, 23] comprises of the solution treated and artificial ageing processes. T6 heat treatment provides more endurance and cracking resistance compared to T4 and T351 heat treatments [24]

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