Magnesium hydroxide-based peroxide bleaching of high-brightness mechanical pulps

A high final brightness is desired in most paper and board products. This requires bleaching processes that are able to produce high-brightness pulps. Mechanical pulps are widely bleached for high brightness using alkaline hydrogen peroxide with traditional sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate as additives. With high doses however, peroxide bleaching causes high organic loads in the mill effluent and anionic trash carry-over to papermaking. To alleviate the problems that arise from the use of sodium-based additives in peroxide bleaching, interest in the use of alternative magnesium-based chemicals has increased. In this study, a new, technical high-purity magnesium hydroxide-based bleaching additive was evaluated on laboratory-scale, pilot-scale and mill-scale experiments and trials for its ability to produce a high brightness in peroxide bleaching without the known problems of sodium-based chemicals. The key findings of this study include: a high brightening potential of peroxide bleaching using the Mg(OH)2-based additive, significant reductions (40-70%) in all categories of environmental load, and cationic demand lowered by 60-70% in bleached pulp with no loss in strength properties or in sheet bulk. When used in TMP refiner bleaching, the Mg(OH)2-based additive resulted in savings in specific energy consumption and provided a good bleaching response.

Tandem-MAG-welding of high strength steels for shipbuilding applications

Tämän työn tavoitteena oli hitsata tandem MAG –laitteistolla 25 mm paksua Ruukin E500 TMCP terästä. Työssä oli tarkoituksena vähentää railotilavuutta mahdollisimman paljon sekä suorittaa testihitsaukset 0.8 kJ/mm sekä 2.5 kJ/mm lämmöntuonneilla. Teoriaosuudessa käsiteltiin Tandem MAG-hitsaukseen, sen tuottavuuteen ja laatukysymyksiin liittyviä asioita sekä siinä perehdyttiin suurlujuusteräksien käyttöön hitsauksessa sekä laivanrakennuksessa. Kokeellisessa osuudessa perehdyttiin hitsauksessa huomattuihin etuihin, ongelmiin sekä ongelmien ratkaisumahdollisuuksiin. Hitsausliitoksen mekaaniset ominaisuudet tutkittiin rikkomattomin sekä rikkovin menetelmin. Alustavat hitsausohjeet luotiin kummallekin lämmöntuonnille. Testaukset aloitettiin 30 º railokulmalla pienentäen kulmaa mahdollisuuksien mukaan. Testauksissa ei saatu hitsattua onnistuneesti alle 30 º railokulmalla. Hitsaustestien aikana huomattiin magneettisen puhalluksen vaikutus hitsaustapahtumaan. Kaasunvirtausnopeuden tuli olla tietyn suuruinen jotta palkokerrokset onnistuivat ilman huokoisuusongelmaa. Pienemmällä lämmöntuonnilla hitsattaessa kaasunvirtausnopeudet olivat tärkeämpiä hitsatessa ylempiä palkokerroksia. Kääntämällä hitsauspoltinta sivuttaissuunnassa 7-10 astetta auttoi ehkäisemään reunahaavan syntymistä. Rikkovista menetelmistä testitulokset olivat hyväksyttyjä kaikkien muiden paitsi päittäishitsin sivutaivutuskokeen osalta.

Weldability of high strength aluminium alloys

The need for reduced intrinsic weight of structures and vehicles in the transportation industry has made aluminium research of interest. Aluminium has properties that are favourable for structural engineering, including good strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance and machinability. It can be easily recycled saving energy used in smelting as compared to steel. Its alloys can have ultimate tensile strength of up to 750 MPa, which is comparable to steel. Aluminium alloys are generally weldable, however welding of high strength alloys like the 7xxx series pose considerable challenges. This paper presents research on the weldability of high strength aluminium alloys, principally the 7xxx series. The weldability with various weld processes including MIG, TIG, and FSW, is discussed in addition to consideration of joint types, weld defects and recommendations for minimizing or preventing weld defects. Experimental research was carried out on 7025-T6 and AW-7020 alloys. Samples were welded, and weld cross sections utilized in weld metallurgy studies. Mechanical tests were carried out including hardness tests and tensile tests. In addition, testing was done for the presence of Al2O3 on exposed aluminium alloy. It was observed that at constant weld heat input using a pulsed MIG system, the welding speed had little or no effect on the weld hardness. However, the grain size increased as the filler wire feed rate, welding current and welding speed increased. High heat input resulted in lower hardness of the weld profile. Weld preheating was detrimental to AW- 7020 welds; however, artificial aging was beneficial. Acceptable welds were attained with pulsed MIG without the removal of the Al2O3 layer prior to welding. The Al2O3 oxide layer was found to have different compositions in different aluminium alloys. These findings contribute useful additional information to the knowledge base of aluminium welding. The application of the findings of this study in welding will help reduce weld cost and improve high strength aluminium structure productivity by removing the need for pre-weld cleaning. Better understanding of aluminium weld metallurgy equips weld engineers with information for better aluminium weld design.

Constant and variable amplitude fatigue strength of high strength steel welds treated with ultrasonic impact treatment

Hitsattujen rakenteiden väsymiskestävyyttä pystytään parantamaan jälkikäsittelymenetelmillä, joistayksi, ultraäänikäsittely muokkaa hitsin geometriaa ja aiheuttaa puristusjäännösjännitystilan. Tässä tutkimuksessa verrataan kokeellisesti kuormaa kantamattoman hitsatun ja ui -käsitellyn rivan väsymislujuutta toisiinsa. Tutkimusohjelmaan kuuluu kahta teräslajia ja sekä vakio - että vaihtuva - amplitudista kuormitusta. Ultraäänikäsittelyllä saavutetaan väsymiskestoiän parantuminen vakio - ja vaihtuva - amplitudisella kuormituksella. Perusaineen lujuudella ei ole merkittää vaikutusta väsymislujuuteen kun liitos on hitsatussa tilassa. Tällöin väsymiskestävyyden määrää hitsin rajaviivan jännityskeskittymä. Ultraäänikäsitellyn hitsatunliitoksen väsymiskestävyys on suurempi korkeamman lujuuden omaavilla teräksillä. Tästä syystä korkealujuuksisten terästen käyttö ultraäänikäsiteltynä väsyttävästi kuormitetuissa kevytrakenteissa on perusteltua.

Optimal Mechanical PulpingProcesses for Eucalyptus, Acacia and Birch

Tässä diplomityössä tutkittiin ja vertailtiin eukalyptuksen, akaasian ja koivun kemimekaanista kuiduttamista ja valkaisua. Yleensä näitä puulajeja käytetään sellun keittoon. Puulajit eroavat toisistaan kasvupaikan ja kuiturakenteen osalta. Eukalyptus ja akaasia ovat niin sanottuja trooppisia lehtipuita, kun taas koivu kasvaa pohjoisilla vyöhykkeillä. Koivulla on kookkaimmat kuidut ja akaasialla pienimmät kuidut. Myös näiden lajien putkilot eroavat toisistaan. Koivun putkilot ovat pitkiä ja kapeita, kun taas eukalyptuksen ja akaasian putkilot ovat lyhyitä ja leveitä. Prosessiksi valittiin kaksivaiheinen APMP-prosessi. Koeajot tehtiinKeskuslaboratorio Oy:ssä. Massoille asetettiin seuraavat tavoitteet: freeness 150-200 ml ja vaaleus 80 %ISO. Eukalyptukselle ja koivulle tehtiin kaksi erilaista impregnointisarjaa, mutta akaasialle vain yksi. Jauhatuksen viimeisessä vaiheessa kokeiltiin myös jauhinvalkaisua. Jauhatuksen energiankulutus oli korkea varsinkin eukalyptuksella ja akaasialla. Jotta energiankulutus saataisiin pienemmäksi, tulisi käyttää enemmän lipeää, mutta se johtaa alkalitummumiseen. Lopuksi massat valkaistiin laboratoriossa. Eukalyptus ja koivu pystyttiin valkaisemaan vaaleuteen 80 %ISO, mutta eukalyptuksen valkaisu vaati enemmän peroksidia kuin koivun valkaisu. Akaasian lähtövaaleus oli niin alhainen, ettei siinä päästy tavoitevaaleuteen. Eukalyptuksella on parempi valonsironta ja paremmat lujuusominaisuudet kuin koivulla. Kemimekaanista massaa voidaan käyttää hienopaperissa parantamassa jäykkyyttä, bulkkia ja valonsirontaa, mutta usein ongelmana on alhainen vaaleus ja huono vaaleuden pysyvyys. Kemimekaanista massaa voidaankäyttää missä tahansa mekaanisissa painopapereissa. Mekaanisissa painopapereissa kemimekaanisella lehtipuumassalla voidaan korvata mekaanista havupuumassaa. Akaasia on niin tummaa, ettei sitä voida käyttää korkeavaaleuksisiin papereihin. Eukalyptus ja koivu ovat vaaleampia ja helpompia valkaista kuin akaasia, mutta myös niillä on niin huono vaaleudenpysyvyys että käyttö hienopapereissa on rajoittunutta. Mekaanisille eukalyptus ja koivumassoille hienopaperia parempi käyttökohde on mekaaniset painopaperit, kuten MWC-paperi.

A novel procedure for establishing clinching parameters for high strength steel sheet

The building industry has a particular interest in using clinching as a joining method for frame constructions of light-frame housing. Normally many clinch joints are required in joining of frames.In order to maximise the strength of the complete assembly, each clinch joint must be as sound as possible. Experimental testing is the main means of optimising a particular clinch joint. This includes shear strength testing and visual observation of joint cross-sections. The manufacturers of clinching equipment normally perform such experimental trials. Finite element analysis can also be used to optimise the tool geometry and the process parameter, X, which represents the thickness of the base of the joint. However, such procedures require dedicated software, a skilled operator, and test specimens in order to verify the finite element model. In addition, when using current technology several hours' computing time may be necessary. The objective of the study was to develop a simple calculation procedure for rapidly establishing an optimum value for the parameter X for a given tool combination. It should be possible to use the procedure on a daily basis, without stringent demands on the skill of the operator or the equipment. It is also desirable that the procedure would significantly decrease thenumber of shear strength tests required for verification. The experimental workinvolved tests in order to obtain an understanding of the behaviour of the sheets during clinching. The most notable observation concerned the stage of the process in which the upper sheet was initially bent, after which the deformation mechanism changed to shearing and elongation. The amount of deformation was measured relative to the original location of the upper sheet, and characterised as the C-measure. By understanding in detail the behaviour of the upper sheet, it waspossible to estimate a bending line function for the surface of the upper sheet. A procedure was developed, which makes it possible to estimate the process parameter X for each tool combination with a fixed die. The procedure is based on equating the volume of material on the punch side with the volume of the die. Detailed information concerning the behaviour of material on the punch side is required, assuming that the volume of die does not change during the process. The procedure was applied to shear strength testing of a sample material. The sample material was continuously hot-dip zinc-coated high-strength constructional steel,with a nominal thickness of 1.0 mm. The minimum Rp0.2 proof stress was 637 N/mm2. Such material has not yet been used extensively in light-frame housing, and little has been published on clinching of the material. The performance of the material is therefore of particular interest. Companies that use clinching on a daily basis stand to gain the greatest benefit from the procedure. By understanding the behaviour of sheets in different cases, it is possible to use data at an early stage for adjusting and optimising the process. In particular, the functionality of common tools can be increased since it is possible to characterise the complete range of existing tools. The study increases and broadens the amount ofbasic information concerning the clinching process. New approaches and points of view are presented and used for generating new knowledge.

Effect of Mechanical and Geometric Mismatching on Fatigue and Damage of Welded Joints

The future of high technology welded constructions will be characterised by higher strength materials and improved weld quality with respect to fatigue resistance. The expected implementation of high quality high strength steel welds will require that more attention be given to the issues of crack initiation and mechanical mismatching. Experiments and finite element analyses were performed within the framework of continuum damage mechanics to investigate the effect of mismatching of welded joints on void nucleation and coalescence during monotonic loading. It was found that the damage of undermatched joints mainly occurred in the sandwich layer and the damageresistance of the joints decreases with the decrease of the sandwich layer width. The damage of over-matched joints mainly occurred in the base metal adjacent to the sandwich layer and the damage resistance of the joints increases with thedecrease of the sandwich layer width. The mechanisms of the initiation of the micro voids/cracks were found to be cracking of the inclusions or the embrittled second phase, and the debonding of the inclusions from the matrix. Experimental fatigue crack growth rate testing showed that the fatigue life of under-matched central crack panel specimens is longer than that of over-matched and even-matched specimens. Further investigation by the elastic-plastic finite element analysis indicated that fatigue crack closure, which originated from the inhomogeneousyielding adjacent to the crack tip, played an important role in the fatigue crack propagation. The applicability of the J integral concept to the mismatched specimens with crack extension under cyclic loading was assessed. The concept of fatigue class used by the International Institute of Welding was introduced in the parametric numerical analysis of several welded joints. The effect of weld geometry and load condition on fatigue strength of ferrite-pearlite steel joints was systematically evaluated based on linear elastic fracture mechanics. Joint types included lap joints, angle joints and butt joints. Various combinations of the tensile and bending loads were considered during the evaluation with the emphasis focused on the existence of both root and toe cracks. For a lap joint with asmall lack-of-penetration, a reasonably large weld leg and smaller flank angle were recommended for engineering practice in order to achieve higher fatigue strength. It was found that the fatigue strength of the angle joint depended strongly on the location and orientation of the preexisting crack-like welding defects, even if the joint was welded with full penetration. It is commonly believed that the double sided butt welds can have significantly higher fatigue strength than that of a single sided welds, but fatigue crack initiation and propagation can originate from the weld root if the welding procedure results in a partial penetration. It is clearly shown that the fatigue strength of the butt joint could be improved remarkably by ensuring full penetration. Nevertheless, increasing the fatigue strength of a butt joint by increasing the size of the weld is an uneconomical alternative.

Protection of the high-voltage equipment with reduced insulation strength

Power transformer is the most expensive equipment on a substation. It is always necessary to get needed benefit with the lowest expenses. Producing of power transformers with reduced insulation strength is one of the possible ways to reduce expenses. Exploitation of such transformers was begun in the end of 70-th in the last century. Protection from overvoltages was done with valve-type magnetic combined surge arresters with increased blanking voltage during switching overvoltages. Nowadays there is the necessity of replacement of those devices. That’s why modernized nonlinear surge arrester was invented. This master’s thesis is focused on the use research of that modernized device in comparison with usual nonlinear surge arresters. The goal is to show the lightning overvoltages level using different types of nonlinear surge arresters and then calculations of the lightning protection reliability.

Water circulations for effective bleaching of high-brightness mechanical pulps

The amount of water available is usually restricted, which leads to a situation where a complete understanding of the process, including water circulations and the influence of water components, is essential. The main aim of this thesis was to clarify the possibilities for the efficient use of residual peroxide by means of water circulation rearrangements. Rearranging water circulations and the reduction of water usage may cause new problems, such as metal induced peroxide decomposition that needs to be addressed. This thesis introduces theoretical methods of water circulations to combine two variables; effective utilization of residual peroxide and avoiding manganese in the alkaline peroxide bleaching stage. Results are mainly based on laboratory and mill site experiments concerning the utilization of residual peroxide. A simulation model (BALAS) was used to evaluate the manganese contents and residual peroxide doses. It was shown that with optimum recirculation of residual peroxide the brightness can be improved or chemical costs can be decreased. From the scientific perspective, it was also very important to discover that recycled peroxide was more effective pre-bleaching agent compared to fresh peroxide. This can be due to the organic acids i.e. per acetic acid in wash press filtrate that have been formed in alkaline bleaching stage. Even short retention time was adequate and the activation of residual peroxide using sodium hydroxide was not necessary. There are several possibilities for using residual peroxide in practice regarding bleaching. A typical modern mechanical pulping process line consist of defibering, screening, a disc filter, a bleach press, high consistency (HC) peroxide bleaching and a wash press. Furthermore there usually is not a particular medium consistency (MC) pre-bleaching stage that includes additional thickening equipment. The most advisable way to utilize residual peroxide in this kind of process is to recycle the wash press filtrate to the dilution of disc filter pulp (low MC pre-bleaching stage). An arrangement such as this would be beneficial in terms of the reduced convection of manganese to the alkaline bleaching stage. Manganese originates from wood material and will be removed to the water phase already in the early stages of the process. Recycling residual peroxide prior to the disc filter is not recommended because of low consistencies. Regarding water circulations, the novel point of view is that, it would be beneficial to divide water circulations into two sections and the critical location for the division is the disc filter. Both of these two sections have their own priority. Section one before the disc filter: manganese removal. Section two after the disc filter: brightening of pulp. This division can be carried out if the disc filter pulp is diluted only by wash press filtrate before the MC storage tower. The situation is even better if there is an additional press after the disc filter, which will improve the consistency of the pulp. This has a significant effect on the peroxide concentration in the MC pre-bleaching stage. In terms of manganese content, it is essential to avoid the use of disc filter filtrate in the bleach press and wash press showers. An additional cut-off press would also be beneficial for manganese removal. As a combination of higher initial brightness and lower manganese content, the typical brightness increase varies between approximately 0.5 and 1% ISO units after the alkaline peroxide bleaching stage. This improvement does not seem to be remarkable, but as it is generally known, the final brightness unit is the most expensive and difficult to achieve. The estimation of cost savings is not unambiguous. For example in GW/TMP mill case 0.6% ISO units higher final brightness gave 10% savings in the costs of bleaching chemicals. With an hypothetical 200 000 ton annual production, this means that the mill could save in the costs of bleaching chemicals more than 400 000 euros per year. In general, it can be said that there were no differences between the behavior of different types of processes (GW, PGW, TMP and BCTMP). The enhancement of recycling gave a similar response in all cases. However, we have to remember that the utilization of residual peroxide in older mills depends a great deal on the process equipment, the amount of water available and existing pipeline connections. In summary, it can be said that processes are individual and the same solutions cannot be applied to all cases.

The effects of welding heat input on the usability of high strength steels in welded structures

High strength steel (HSS) has been in use in workshops since the 1980s. At that time, the significance of the term HSS differed from the modern conception as the maximum yield strength of HSSs has increased nearly every year. There are three different ways to make HSS. The first and oldest method is QT (quenched and tempered) followed by the TMCP (thermomechanical controlled process) and DQ (direct quenching) methods. This thesis consists of two parts, the first of which part introduces the research topic and discusses welded HSS structures by characterizing the most important variables. In the second part of the thesis, the usability of welded HSS structures is examined through a set of laboratory tests. The results of this study explain the differences in the usability of the welded HSSs made by the three different methods. The results additionally indicate that usage of different HSSs in the welded structures presumes that manufacturers know what kind of HSS they are welding. As manufacturers use greater strength HSSs in welded structures, the demands for welding rise as well. Therefore, during the manufacturing process, factors such as heat input, cooling time, weld quality, and more must be under careful observation.

Optimization of strength and toughness on the effect of the weldable high strength steels (hss) used in offshore structures

Optimization of high strength and toughness combination on the effect of weldability is very vital to be considered in offshore oil and gas industries. Having a balanced and improved high strength and toughness is very much recommended in offshore structures for an effective production and viable exploration of hydrocarbons. This thesis aims to investigate the possibilities to improve the toughness of high strength steel. High carbon contents induce hardness and needs to be reduced for increasing toughness. The rare combination of high strength with high toughness possibilities was examined by determining the following toughening mechanism of: Heat treatment and optimal microstructure, Thermomechanical processing, Effect of welding parameters on toughness and weldability of steel. The implementation of weldability of steels to attain high toughness for high strength in offshore structures is mostly in shipbuilding, offshore platforms, and pipelines for high operating pressures. As a result, the toughening mechanisms suggested have benefits to the aims of the effect of high strength to high toughness of steel for efficiency, production and cost reduction.

Narrow Gap flux-cored arc welding of high strength shipbuilding steels

This thesis is part of the Arctic Materials Technologies Development –project. The research of the thesis was done in cooperation with Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, Lappeenranta University of Technology and Kemppi Oy. Focus of the thesis was to study narrow gap flux-cored arc welding of two high strength steels with three different groove angles of 20°, 10° and 5°. Welding of the 25 mm thick E500 TMCP and 10 mm thick EH36 steels was mechanized and Kemppi WisePenetration and WiseFusion processes were tested with E500 TMCP steel. EH36 steel test pieces were welded without Wise processes. Shielding gases chosen were carbon dioxide and a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide. Welds were tested with non-destructive and destructive testing methods. Radiographic, visual, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant testing proved that welds were free from imperfections. After non-destructive testing, welds were tested with various destructive testing methods. Impact strength, bending, tensile strength and hardess tests proved that mechanized welding and Wise processes produced quality welds with narrower gap. More inconsistent results were achieved with test pieces welded without Wise processes. Impact test results of E500 TMCP exceeded the 50 J limit on weld, set by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. EH36 impact test results were much closer to the limiting values of 34 J on weld and 47 on HAZ. Hardness values of all test specimens were below the limiting values. Bend testing and tensile testing results fulfilled the the Register requirements. No cracking or failing occurred on bend test specimens and tensile test results exceeded the Register limits of 610 MPa for E500 TMCP and 490 MPa for EH36.

Monolithic zirconium dioxide as a full contour restorative material: With special emphasis on the optical and mechanical properties

Full contour monolithic zirconia restorations have shown an increased popularity in the dental field over the recent years, owing to its mechanical and acceptable optical properties. However, many features of the restoration are yet to be researched and supported by clinical studies to confirm its place among the other indirect restorative materials This series of in vitro studies aimed at evaluating and comparing the optical and mechanical properties, light cure irradiance, and cement polymerization of multiple monolithic zirconia material at variable thicknesses, environments, treatments, and stabilization. Five different monolithic zirconia materials, four of which were partially stabilized and one fully stabilized were investigated. The optical properties in terms of surface gloss, translucency parameter, and contrast ratio were determined via a reflection spectrophotometer at variable thicknesses, coloring, sintering method, and after immersion in an acidic environment. Light cure irradiance and radiant exposure were quantified through the specimens at variable thicknesses and the degree of conversion of two dual-cure cements was determined via Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Bi-axial flexural strength was evaluated to compare between the partially and fully stabilized zirconia prepared using different coloring and sintering methods. Surface characterization was performed using a scanning electron microscope and a spinning disk confocal microscope. The surface gloss and translucency of the zirconia investigated were brand and thickness dependent with the translucency values decreasing as the thickness increased. Staining decreased the translucency of the zirconia and enhanced surface gloss as well as the flexural strength of the fully stabilized zirconia but had no effect on partially stabilized zirconia. Immersion in a corrosive acid increased surface gloss and decreased the translucency of some zirconia brands. Zirconia thickness was inversely related to the amount of light irradiance, radiant exposure, and degree of monomer conversion. Type of sintering furnace had no effect on the optical and mechanical properties of zirconia. Monolithic zirconia maybe classified as a semi-translucent material that is well influenced by the thickness, limiting its use in the esthetic zones. Conventional acid-base reaction, autopolymerizing and dual-cure cements are recommended for its cementation. Its desirable mechanical properties give it a high potential as a restoration for posterior teeth. However, close monitoring with controlled clinical studies must be determined before any definite clinical recommendations can be drawn.

Simulation and material calibration of ultra high strength steel (UHSS) S960 welded joint under static tensile test utilizing finite element method (FEM)

The aim of this work was to calibrate the material properties including strength and strain values for different material zones of ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) welded joints under monotonic static loading. The UHSS is heat sensitive and softens by heat due to welding, the affected zone is heat affected zone (HAZ). In this regard, cylindrical specimens were cut out from welded joints of Strenx® 960 MC and Strenx® Tube 960 MH, were examined by tensile test. The hardness values of specimens’ cross section were measured. Using correlations between hardness and strength, initial material properties were obtained. The same size specimen with different zones of material same as real specimen were created and defined in finite element method (FEM) software with commercial brand Abaqus 6.14-1. The loading and boundary conditions were defined considering tensile test values. Using initial material properties made of hardness-strength correlations (true stress-strain values) as Abaqus main input, FEM is utilized to simulate the tensile test process. By comparing FEM Abaqus results with measured results of tensile test, initial material properties will be revised and reused as software input to be fully calibrated in such a way that FEM results and tensile test results deviate minimum. Two type of different S960 were used including 960 MC plates, and structural hollow section 960 MH X-joint. The joint is welded by BöhlerTM X96 filler material. In welded joints, typically the following zones appear: Weld (WEL), Heat affected zone (HAZ) coarse grained (HCG) and fine grained (HFG), annealed zone, and base material (BaM). Results showed that: The HAZ zone is softened due to heat input while welding. For all the specimens, the softened zone’s strength is decreased and makes it a weakest zone where fracture happens while loading. Stress concentration of a notched specimen can represent the properties of notched zone. The load-displacement diagram from FEM modeling matches with the experiments by the calibrated material properties by compromising two correlations of hardness and strength.

Effects of Fabrication Processes on the Behavior of S960 Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS)

Strenx® 960 MC is a direct quenched type of Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS) with low carbon content. Although this material combines high strength and good ductility, it is highly sensitive towards fabrication processes. The presence of stress concentration due to structural discontinuity or notch will highlight the role of these fabrication effects on the deformation capacity of the material. Due to this, a series of tensile tests are done on both pure base material (BM) and when it has been subjected to Heat Input (HI) and Cold Forming (CF). The surface of the material was dressed by laser beam with a certain speed to study the effect of HI while the CF is done by bending the specimen to a certain angle prior to tensile test. The generated results illustrate the impact of these processes on the deformation capacity of the material, specially, when the material has HI experience due to welding or similar processes. In order to compare the results with those of numerical simulation, LS-DYNA explicit commercial package has been utilized. The generated results show an acceptable agreement between experimental and numerical simulation outcomes.