Book Description

Ultrasonic materials process (UMP) has been found to produce unusual effects on the thermodynamic state and kinetics of structural changes in metals and alloys. This research was conducted with the objective of applying UMP to the consolidation of Cu and Cr powder mixtures into Cu-Cr composites suitable for electric contact and welding electrode applications, and also to the surface hardening of aluminum by rapid diffusion of Cu into Al and in-situ age hardening in the diffusion zone. The process variables involved in the ultrasonic powder consolidation (UPC) study were the temperature and time of consolidation, clamping pressure, punchdie geometry and the atmosphere of consolidation. Both air and argon gas atmospheres were used. The aluminum surface hardening study involved the same variables except only air atmosphere was used.