Examining the Effects of Production Method on Aluminium A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp Composite for Hydro Turbine Bucket Application
This study investigates the use of centrifugal casting method to fabricate functionally graded aluminium A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite for hydro turbine bucket application. The study includes the design and fabrication of a permanent mould. The mould was put into use and the buckets of A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite were cast, cut and machined into specimens. Some specimens were given T6 heat treatment and the specimens were prepared for different examinations accordingly. The SiCp particles were found to be more at inner periphery of the bucket. The maximum hardness of As-Cast A356 and A356-10%SiCp composite was recorded at the inner periphery to be 60 BRN and 95BRN, respectively. And these values were appreciated to 98BRN and 122BRN for A356 alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite, respectively. It was observed that the ultimate tensile stress and yield tensile stress prediction curves show the same trend.
[1] W. S. Ebhota, A. C. Eloka-Eboka, and F. L. Inambao, "Energy sustainability through domestication of energy technologies in third world countries in Africa," in Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy (ICUE), 2014 International Conference on the “Energy efficiency in buildings". 2014, pp. 1-7.
[2] W. S. Ebhota & F. L. Inambao (2016) Electricity insufficiency in Africa: A product of inadequate manufacturing capacity, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, vol. 8, pp. 197-204.
[3] H. Liu, D. Masera, and L. Esser, "World Hydropower Development Report 2013.," United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Intertional Centre on Small Hydropower (ICSHP), 2013.
[4] G. Loice and M. Ignatio, "Efficiency Improvement of Pelton Wheel and Crossflow Turbines in Micro-Hydro Power Plants: Case Study," International Journal of Engineering and Computer Science vol. 2, pp. 416-432, 2013.
[5] B. William, S. Vasu, and S. Manjot, "Green Mechatronics Project: Pelton Wheel Driven Micro-Hydro Plant," Mechanical Engineering University of Ottawa, 2010.
[6] R. N. Mbiu1, S. M. Maranga, and H. Ndiritu, "Performance of Aluminium A356 Alloy Based Buckets Towards Bending Forces on Pelton Turbines," in Sustainable Research and Innovation (SRI) Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 2015, pp. 134-138.
[7] I. A. K. M. Khabirul, B. Sahnewaz, and A. C. Farooque, "Advanced Composite Pelton Wheel Design and Study its Performance for Pico/Micro Hydro Power Plant Application," International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT), vol. 2, pp. 126-132, 2013.
[8] N. I. R. Nava and T. S. Prasad, "Design and Static Analysis of Pelton Turbine Bucket " International Journal of Science Technology and Management, vol. 4, pp. 19-25, 2015.
[9] A. C. Vieira, P. D. Sequeira, J. R. Gomes, and L. A. Rocha, "Dry Sliding Wear of Al Alloy/SiCp Functionally Graded Composites: Influence of Processing Conditions," Wear vol. 267 pp. 585–592., 2009.
[10] Casting Metal handbook, 9th ed. vol. 15: ASM International, 1997.
[11] G. Chirita, I. Stefanescu, D. Cruz, D. Soares, and F. S. Silva, "Sensitivity of Different Al–Si Alloys to Centrifugal Casting Effect," Materials and Design vol. 31 pp. 2867-2877, 2010.
[12] SAAJ. (2014, 23/03/2016). Die Steel Grade OHNS. Available: http://saajsteel.com/?page_id=1055.
[13] D. L. Zhang, L. Zheng, and D. H. StJohn, "Effect of Solution Treatment Temperature on Tensile Properties of AI-7Si-0.3 (wt-%) Alloy," Materials Science and Technology, vol. 14, pp. 619-625, 1998.
[14] S. Shivkumar, S. Ricci, B. Steenhoff, and D. Apelian, "An Experimental Study to Optimize the Heat Treatment of A356 alloy " American Foundry Society Transaction, vol. 97, pp. 791-810., 1989.
[15] M. Drouzy, S. Jacob, and M. Richard, "Interpretation of Tensile Results by Means of Quality Index and Probable Yield Strength," AFS International Cast Metals Research Journal, vol. 5, pp. 43-50, 1980.
[16] K. G. Basavakumar, P. G. Mukunda, and M. Chakraborthy, "Impact Toughness in Al -12Si and Al-12Si-3Cu Cast Alloys- Part - I: Effect of Process Variables and Microstructure," International Journal of Impact Engineering, vol. 25, pp. 199-205, 2008.
[17] T. M. Chandrashekharaiah and S. A. Kori, "Effect of Grain Refinement and Modification on the Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Eutectic Al-Si Alloys," Tribology International, vol. 42, pp. 59-65, 2009.
[18] F. H. P. Juan, "Heat Treatment and Precipitation in A356 Aluminum Alloy," Doctor of Philosophy, Mining, Metals and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 2003.
[19] L. Heusler and W. Schneider, "Recent Investigations of Influence of P on Na and Sr Modification of Al-Si Alloys " American Foundry Society Transaction, vol. 97, pp. 915-921, 1997.
[20] B. C. a. J. E. Gruzleski:, "Mechanical Properties of A356.0 Alloys Modified with Pure Strontium " American Foundry Society Transaction, pp. 453-464, 1982.
[21] B. P. Vikramkumar, "Investigations on the Properties of Al-Si Alloy Synthesized by Centrifugal Casting Process," Metallurgical Engineering, Ganpat Uniiversiity, Kherva, India, 2014.
[22] A. S. Rao, S. T. Mahantesh, and S. R. Shrikantha, "Understanding Melt Flow Behavior for Al-Si Alloys Processed Through Vertical Centrifugal Casting," Materials and Manufacturing Processes, vol. 30, pp. 1305-1311, 2015.
[23] M. Ishak, A. Amir, and A. Hadi, "Effect of Solution Treatment Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A356 Alloy," presented at the International Conference on Mechanical Engineering Research (ICMER2013), Bukit Gambang Resort City, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, 2013.
[24] B. A. Dewhirst, "Optimisation of the Heat Treatment of Semi-Solid Processed A356 Aluminum Alloy," Masters Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2005.
[25] M. Rosso and G. M. Actis, "Optimisation of Heat Treatment Cycles for Automotive Parts Produced by Rheocasting Process.," Solid State Phenom., vol. 116-117, pp. 505-8, 2006.
[26] M. K. Padhy and R. P. Saini, "Effect of Size and Concentration of Silt Particles on Erosion of Pelton Turbine Buckets," Energy vol. 34, pp. 1477-1483, 2009.
[1] W. S. Ebhota, A. C. Eloka-Eboka, and F. L. Inambao, "Energy sustainability through domestication of energy technologies in third world countries in Africa," in Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy (ICUE), 2014 International Conference on the “Energy efficiency in buildings". 2014, pp. 1-7.
[2] W. S. Ebhota & F. L. Inambao (2016) Electricity insufficiency in Africa: A product of inadequate manufacturing capacity, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, vol. 8, pp. 197-204.
[3] H. Liu, D. Masera, and L. Esser, "World Hydropower Development Report 2013.," United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Intertional Centre on Small Hydropower (ICSHP), 2013.
[4] G. Loice and M. Ignatio, "Efficiency Improvement of Pelton Wheel and Crossflow Turbines in Micro-Hydro Power Plants: Case Study," International Journal of Engineering and Computer Science vol. 2, pp. 416-432, 2013.
[5] B. William, S. Vasu, and S. Manjot, "Green Mechatronics Project: Pelton Wheel Driven Micro-Hydro Plant," Mechanical Engineering University of Ottawa, 2010.
[6] R. N. Mbiu1, S. M. Maranga, and H. Ndiritu, "Performance of Aluminium A356 Alloy Based Buckets Towards Bending Forces on Pelton Turbines," in Sustainable Research and Innovation (SRI) Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 2015, pp. 134-138.
[7] I. A. K. M. Khabirul, B. Sahnewaz, and A. C. Farooque, "Advanced Composite Pelton Wheel Design and Study its Performance for Pico/Micro Hydro Power Plant Application," International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT), vol. 2, pp. 126-132, 2013.
[8] N. I. R. Nava and T. S. Prasad, "Design and Static Analysis of Pelton Turbine Bucket " International Journal of Science Technology and Management, vol. 4, pp. 19-25, 2015.
[9] A. C. Vieira, P. D. Sequeira, J. R. Gomes, and L. A. Rocha, "Dry Sliding Wear of Al Alloy/SiCp Functionally Graded Composites: Influence of Processing Conditions," Wear vol. 267 pp. 585–592., 2009.
[10] Casting Metal handbook, 9th ed. vol. 15: ASM International, 1997.
[11] G. Chirita, I. Stefanescu, D. Cruz, D. Soares, and F. S. Silva, "Sensitivity of Different Al–Si Alloys to Centrifugal Casting Effect," Materials and Design vol. 31 pp. 2867-2877, 2010.
[12] SAAJ. (2014, 23/03/2016). Die Steel Grade OHNS. Available: http://saajsteel.com/?page_id=1055.
[13] D. L. Zhang, L. Zheng, and D. H. StJohn, "Effect of Solution Treatment Temperature on Tensile Properties of AI-7Si-0.3 (wt-%) Alloy," Materials Science and Technology, vol. 14, pp. 619-625, 1998.
[14] S. Shivkumar, S. Ricci, B. Steenhoff, and D. Apelian, "An Experimental Study to Optimize the Heat Treatment of A356 alloy " American Foundry Society Transaction, vol. 97, pp. 791-810., 1989.
[15] M. Drouzy, S. Jacob, and M. Richard, "Interpretation of Tensile Results by Means of Quality Index and Probable Yield Strength," AFS International Cast Metals Research Journal, vol. 5, pp. 43-50, 1980.
[16] K. G. Basavakumar, P. G. Mukunda, and M. Chakraborthy, "Impact Toughness in Al -12Si and Al-12Si-3Cu Cast Alloys- Part - I: Effect of Process Variables and Microstructure," International Journal of Impact Engineering, vol. 25, pp. 199-205, 2008.
[17] T. M. Chandrashekharaiah and S. A. Kori, "Effect of Grain Refinement and Modification on the Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Eutectic Al-Si Alloys," Tribology International, vol. 42, pp. 59-65, 2009.
[18] F. H. P. Juan, "Heat Treatment and Precipitation in A356 Aluminum Alloy," Doctor of Philosophy, Mining, Metals and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 2003.
[19] L. Heusler and W. Schneider, "Recent Investigations of Influence of P on Na and Sr Modification of Al-Si Alloys " American Foundry Society Transaction, vol. 97, pp. 915-921, 1997.
[20] B. C. a. J. E. Gruzleski:, "Mechanical Properties of A356.0 Alloys Modified with Pure Strontium " American Foundry Society Transaction, pp. 453-464, 1982.
[21] B. P. Vikramkumar, "Investigations on the Properties of Al-Si Alloy Synthesized by Centrifugal Casting Process," Metallurgical Engineering, Ganpat Uniiversiity, Kherva, India, 2014.
[22] A. S. Rao, S. T. Mahantesh, and S. R. Shrikantha, "Understanding Melt Flow Behavior for Al-Si Alloys Processed Through Vertical Centrifugal Casting," Materials and Manufacturing Processes, vol. 30, pp. 1305-1311, 2015.
[23] M. Ishak, A. Amir, and A. Hadi, "Effect of Solution Treatment Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of A356 Alloy," presented at the International Conference on Mechanical Engineering Research (ICMER2013), Bukit Gambang Resort City, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, 2013.
[24] B. A. Dewhirst, "Optimisation of the Heat Treatment of Semi-Solid Processed A356 Aluminum Alloy," Masters Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2005.
[25] M. Rosso and G. M. Actis, "Optimisation of Heat Treatment Cycles for Automotive Parts Produced by Rheocasting Process.," Solid State Phenom., vol. 116-117, pp. 505-8, 2006.
[26] M. K. Padhy and R. P. Saini, "Effect of Size and Concentration of Silt Particles on Erosion of Pelton Turbine Buckets," Energy vol. 34, pp. 1477-1483, 2009.
@article{"International Journal of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Sciences:74060", author = "Williams S. Ebhota and Freddie L. Inambao", title = "Examining the Effects of Production Method on Aluminium A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp Composite for Hydro Turbine Bucket Application", abstract = "This study investigates the use of centrifugal casting method to fabricate functionally graded aluminium A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite for hydro turbine bucket application. The study includes the design and fabrication of a permanent mould. The mould was put into use and the buckets of A356 Alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite were cast, cut and machined into specimens. Some specimens were given T6 heat treatment and the specimens were prepared for different examinations accordingly. The SiCp particles were found to be more at inner periphery of the bucket. The maximum hardness of As-Cast A356 and A356-10%SiCp composite was recorded at the inner periphery to be 60 BRN and 95BRN, respectively. And these values were appreciated to 98BRN and 122BRN for A356 alloy and A356-10%SiCp composite, respectively. It was observed that the ultimate tensile stress and yield tensile stress prediction curves show the same trend.
", keywords = "A356 alloy, A356-10%SiCp composite, centrifugal casting, pelton bucket, turbine blade.", volume = "10", number = "10", pages = "1291-9", }
