Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry

Effect of sandblasting on the characterization of 95MXC coating layer on 304 stainless steel prepared by the twin wire arc spray (TWAS) coating method

2024-11-07T06:15:08+00:00

Twin wire arc spraying (TWAS) is a thermal spray process that is widely used in various industries. Nevertheless, the impact of repeated sandblasting on the coating characteristics of FeCrBSiMn coating created using the TWAS technique has not been extensively researched. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of repeated sandblasting on the properties of the FeCrBSiMn coating layer created using the TWAS process. The study used stainless steel 304, 75B, and FeCrBSiMn as the substrate, bond coat, and top coat materials. The substrate materials underwent sandblasting with a repetition of 1, 2, and 3 cycles before the coating procedure. The coating's quality in this study was assessed using surface roughness, thickness, hardness, corrosion rate, bond strength, and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) examination. The findings of this investigation indicate that the sandblasting treatment substantially elevates the surface roughness of 304 stainless steel substrates. As the substrate surface becomes rougher, there is an increase in the percentage of porosity and unmelted material, as well as an increase in the thickness of the coating layer. Furthermore, the hardness of the resulting coating layer diminishes. Specimen A exhibited superior qualities in comparison to the other specimens. The coating layer on this specimen has a percentage of unmelted material and porosity, thickness, hardness, and adhesion of 7.122%, 0.125 mm, 1081.6 HV, and 14.5 MPa respectively. This investigation's results indicate that the substrate material's corrosion rate (x 10−6 mmpy) is 3648.6, which is lower than the corrosion rate of specimen A, which is 37.802.

Evaluation of a diesel engine performance and emission using biogas in dual fuel mode

2024-11-07T06:21:50+00:00

Environmental pollution and the gradual depletion of fossil fuels have recently shifted the focus to alternate fuels. Hence, more diversified research on alternate fuels is necessary to deal with the global energy crisis. Biogas extracted from biomass is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels due to its low cost and good mixing ability. It is mainly generated by anaerobic digestion of organic waste products in a digester tank. The present paper investigates the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine in dual fuel mode with biogas as main fuel and diesel as pilot fuel without any engine modification. The main aspect of the paper is to critically study the effect of supplementation of biogas on diesel engine efficiency and emission level of important constituent gases such as CO₂ and NO_X. Our findings demonstrate that the essential performance result of engine, such as Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and Mechanical Efficiency for the biogas-air mixture of 20% (DB20), was slightly decreased. At the same time, there was a reduction in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) compared to pure diesel. Furthermore, the exhaust emission of NO_Xand CO₂ was lowered when the engine was operated in dual fuel induction mode. The results of engine performance were found to be better than the results of other researchers for engines of same specifications and operating conditions. Hence, biogas serves as a viable alternative fuel and contributes to cleaner combustion, offering a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of diesel engines. The study provides critical insights into optimizing dual fuel systems for enhanced performance and sustainability.

Mechanical behavior of glass fiber-epoxy composite laminates for ship hull structures

2024-11-07T06:28:22+00:00

Polymer composite is widely used in various structures due to its strength-to-load ratio. Despite the significant benefits, many structures are vulnerable to high-impact loads in practical situations. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the effect of fiber arrangement on the mechanical behavior of glass fiber-epoxy composite laminates. Experiments were conducted on several samples with glass fiber arrays of Chopped Strand Matt (CSM), Woven Rovings (WR), and Woven Cloth (WC). The composite fabrication was molded using the vacuum pressure infusion (VAPRI) method. The mechanical behavior of laminate composite was obtained using a tensile test, tree point bending, shore D hardness, Charrpy impact, fracture observation, and fiber-matrix delamination. The results showed that WR arrangement excelled in various mechanical behaviors, including flexural strength 6992.6 Mpa, Hardnes 75.66 HD, and Impact 0.1789 J/mm. In comparison, the highest tensile strength value was obtained in the WC arrangement of 73.24 Mpa. This research showed that both regular and arranged fiber provided better mechanical properties than random fiber. The incorporation of fiber arrangement could be recommended in the further development of high-performance polymer composite.

Exploring the feasibility of SS316L fabrication via CMT-based WAAM: A Comprehensive study on microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties

2024-11-07T06:57:22+00:00

Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing production, enabling the customization of components for specific applications while promoting sustainable and on-demand manufacturing. This innovative method is especially valuable for producing intricate and custom parts from metallic materials like SS316L. Known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength, AISI 316L austenitic steel is widely utilized in aerospace, medical, automotive, and marine industries. This study explores the deposition of multi layered SS316L wall using the Cold Metal Transfer (CMT)-based Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technique. The resultant multilayered wall exhibited seamless fusion devoid of macroscopic defects. A comprehensive analysis of its morphology, microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological performance was conducted. Microstructural examination revealed a progression from fine equiaxed grains with ferrites in the lower sections to coarser columnar grains with acicular ferrites in the upper sections. Vickers microhardness and Charpy impact tests indicated a decline in hardness and impact energy from lower to upper sections. Uniaxial tensile tests demonstrated decreasing yield and ultimate tensile strengths, alongside significant ductility and toughness. The coefficient of friction and wear rate escalated with higher loads and from lower to upper sections, predominantly displaying abrasive wear mechanisms. These results validate the efficacy and durability of the SS316L CMT-based WAAM process in fabricating high-quality structures with tailored mechanical and tribological properties.

Optimization of air suspension system for improved ride and handling performance in road vehicles dynamic

2024-12-15T11:57:42+00:00

This study focused on the optimization of air suspension systems (ASs) for road vehicles concerning on-ride and handling criteria. A quarter DOF vehicle model is used in this study to develop an optimized system based on nonlinear equations. The extracted equations are then linearized and transformed into dimensionless form to gain insights into the system's behavior. By employing the Root-Mean-Square (RMS) method, the dimensionless equations are utilized to optimize the system parameters focused on stability and ride comfort. The five main components are attached in the model which consisted of the sprung mass (SM), unsprung mass (USM), gas spring (GS), auxiliary reservoir (AR), and orifice (O). The optimization procedure involved adjustment to the orifice resistance coefficient, air spring volume, air spring area, and auxiliary volume using the RMS-based method. Simulation analysis revealed the superior performance of the RMS-optimized system in both ride quality and handling. The study concludes by emphasizing the advantages of utilizing the RMS method for optimizing air suspension, resulting in decreased sprung mass acceleration and enhanced handling qualities. Selecting the appropriate design point for the suspension system based on the method outlined in this article can ensure both stability and comfort in the vehicle simultaneously.

Optimization of preparation parameters of palm oil-based nanofuel with multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) for stability using Taguchi-grey relation analysis (GRA) combination

2024-12-15T12:09:47+00:00

This research optimizes the preparation parameters of palm oil-based nanofuel and Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) to produce stable nanofuel. The parameters optimized include stirrer speed, sonication time, sonication power, and surfactant ratio, with stability measured through absorbance and sedimentation ratio (SR). The Taguchi method, using an L9 orthogonal array designed with minitab 19.0 software, was employed for single-objective optimization, while Grey Relation Analysis (GRA) is applied for multi-objective optimization. Experimental results show that the optimal conditions for absorbance are stirrer speed of 1000 rpm, sonication time of 30 minutes, sonication power of 200 watts, and surfactant ratio of 1, whereas for sedimentation ratio the optimal conditions are stirrer speed of 1000 rpm, sonication time of 30 minutes, sonication power of 150 watts, and surfactant ratio of 1. ANOVA analysis reveals that surfactant concentration contributes the most to nanofuel stability, with contributions of 79.63% for absorbance and 82.60% for sedimentation ratio. Multi-objective GRA optimization results also show that surfactant concentration is the most dominant factor, contributing 71.5% to the Grey Relational Grade (GRG). The consistency of optimal parameters yielded by both Taguchi and GRA methods reinforces the validity and consistency of this study's results. This research provides a strong foundation for the development of more stable nanofuels, potentially enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. These findings offer practical guidelines for real-world applications and make significant contributions to nanofuel technology

Modulating the holding time of hardening process in Q-P-T heat treatment: An experimental study on mechanical properties of medium-carbon steel plate

2024-12-15T12:22:19+00:00

The metal heat treatment industry has seen substantial growth, with market projections increasing by USD 15.18 billion from 2022 to 2027, driven by advancements in technology. The iron and steel industry significantly contributes to this growth, accounting for six percent of the market share. In this evolving landscape, the Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering (Q-P-T) technique is emerging as a valuable heat treatment process for enhancing Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS). The Q-P-T process, involving Quenching, Partitioning, and Tempering, aims to improve the mechanical properties of medium-carbon steels through controlled thermal modifications. This study explores the effects of varying holding times during the Q-P-T treatment on the mechanical properties and microstructure of medium-carbon steel ST60-2. Steel samples were subjected to holding times of 10, 15, and 20 minutes at a temperature of 920°C, followed by quenching to 350°C and partitioning at the same temperature for 15 minutes, with final tempering at 200°C. The results indicate that longer holding times enhance mechanical properties such as Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Product of Strength and Elongation (PSE), and hardness, with the 20-minute sample (Sample 3) achieving the highest UTS of 74.02 kgf/mm² and elongation of 16.63%. Hardness peaked at 109.33 HRB, and improved toughness was observed due to better phase transformation and carbon partitioning (1.36 Joule/mm²). Microstructural analysis revealed finer and more uniformly distributed cementite particles with extended holding times, contributing to enhanced material performance. The findings underscore the potential of Q-P-T heat treatment in optimizing medium-carbon steels, offering a tailored approach for applications requiring superior mechanical properties.

Optimized deposition parameters for titanium nitride coatings: Enhancing mechanical properties of Al 6011 substrates via DC sputtering

2024-12-15T12:36:34+00:00

The growing demand for advanced coatings in industries such as aerospace and automotive necessitates materials with superior hardness, wear resistance, and thermal stability. Despite advancements in ternary coatings, research on binary Titanium Nitride (TiN) coatings remains limited, particularly in optimizing deposition parameters for lightweight aluminum substrates. This study aims to investigate the effects of sputtering parameters, specifically Ar:N₂ gas ratios and deposition durations, on the mechanical properties of TiN coatings on Al 6011 substrates. The optimized conditions (70Ar:30N₂ gas ratio and 60-minute deposition) yielded a 165% increase in surface hardness (88.92 HV) and a 54% reduction in wear rate compared to untreated samples. XRD and SEM analyses confirmed the dense microstructure and strong (200) phase orientation contributing to these enhancements. This research highlights a cost-effective and scalable approach to improving the performance of aluminum alloys, bridging the gap between fundamental studies and industrial applications.

Experimental investigations of number of blades effect on archimedes spiral wind turbine performance

2024-12-19T04:54:26+00:00

This study investigates the effect of blade numbers on the performance of Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbines (ASWT), a low-speed axial flow turbine with an Archimedean spiral blade design. Experimental tests and numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate power generation and fluid flow behavior. Results revealed that a three-blade ASWT achieved optimal performance, producing 158.5% more power than the four-blade configuration. The findings highlight the significant influence of blade numbers on ASWT efficiency, offering insights for improving wind turbine design in urban renewable energy applications.

Designing a disturbance estimator for electric power steering robust controller

2024-12-19T05:01:18+00:00

Electric power steering, one of the most important advances in the automotive industry, is now found even in the most affordable cars. However, due to the chaotic driving environment, with multiple sources of noise and disturbances affecting the system, effective control of this technology remains a major challenge. Because of manufacturing cost constraints, the use of expensive components, such as high-end microcontrollers or numerous sensors, is not economically viable. Therefore, it is imperative to implement a cost-effective control method that ensures stability, safety, and other necessary requirements. This paper explains the complexities of electric power steering, represents its dynamic nature through mathematical modeling while considering noise and disturbances as integral inputs to the system, and introduces a robust controller designed to estimate these inputs. The method to estimate noise and disturbances using a sliding mode controller is also examined. Finally, the theoretical assertions presented earlier in this paper have been substantiated through meticulous simulations using MATLAB. These simulations have not only confirmed the validity of the claims but also provided a comprehensive evaluation of the system's operational efficacy, ensuring a robust foundation for future research and applications.

Characteristics of syngas combustion resulting from coffee skin biomass waste gasification process: Overview of automotive fuel alternatives

2024-12-19T05:07:26+00:00

The production of syngas from coffee skin biomass waste as a raw material offers significant potential as an alternative automotive fuel source through the gasification process, considering the abundant resources available. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the physical properties of the fuel initially, in order to observe the differences in these properties after the fuel underwent Ultra Fine Bubble treatment. The objective was to analyze the combustion characteristics of syngas derived from coffee skin biomass waste, to develop a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for automotive applications. The results showed that with increasing air discharge, the concentration of CO and H₂ gases in gasified syngas increased while the concentration of CH₄ decreased. Additionally, higher air discharge resulted in lower tar content, higher flame temperature, higher flame height visualization, and higher generator power output as a review of the feasibility of alternative automotive fuels.