An emergy-based evaluation of a reverse logistics network for steel recycling

Efficient implementation of recycling networks requires appropriate logistical structures for managing the reverse flow of materials from users to producers. The steel sheet distributor studied had established a protocol for scrap recovery with the steel plant and its customers. The company invested in producing containers, hiring a specialized labor force and in purchasing trucks for container transportation to implement the logistics network for recycling. That network interconnected the company with two kinds of customers: the ones returning scrap and the ones who preferred to continue business-as-usual. The logistical network was analyzed using emergy synthesis, and the data obtained were used to evaluate and compare the system's environmental costs and benefits from the perspective of the distributor and the steel plant operator. The use of emergy ternary diagrams provided a way to assess recycle strategies to compare the relative economic and environmental benefits of the logistical network implemented. The minimum quantity of scrap that the distributor must recover to improve environmental benefits was determined allowing decision on whether it is worth keeping the system running. The new assessment method proposed also may help policy-makers to create strategies to reward or incentive users of reverse logistics, and help to establish regulations, by decreasing taxes or stimulating innovation, for effectively implement the National Policy on Solid Waste. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CHARACTERIZATION OF A AISI/SAE 4340 STEEL IN DIFFERENT MICROSTRUCTURAL CONDITIONS

The 4340 are classified as ultra-high strength steels used by the aviation industry and aerospace applications such as aircraft landing gear and several structural applications, usually in quenched and tempered condition. In this situation occurs reduction of toughness, which encourages the study of multiphasic and bainitic structures, in order to maintain strength without loss of toughness. In this study, ferritic-pearlitic structure was compared to bainitic and martensitic structure, identified by the reagents Nital, LePera and Sodium Metabisulfite. Sliding wear tests of the type pin-on-disk were realized and the results related to the microstructure of these materials and also to their hardnesses. It is noted that these different microstructures had very similar behavior, concluding that all three tested pairs can be used according to the request level.

Utilization of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) with Water in CBN Grinding of Steel

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fatigue Behavior of Weld Repaired AISI 4130 Aeronautic Steel Used in Critical Flight Safety Structures

Since the 1950s, fatigue is the most important project and operational consideration for both civil and military aircrafts. For some aircraft models the most loaded component is one that supports the motor: the Motor Cradle. Because they are considered critical to the flight safety the aeronautic standards are extremely rigorous in manufacturing them by imposing a zero index of defects on the final weld quality (Safe Life), which is 100% inspected by Non-Destructive Testing/NDT. This study has as objective to evaluate the effects of up to four successive TIG welding repairs on the axial fatigue strength of an AISI 4130 steel. Tests were conducted on hot-rolled steel plate specimens, 0.89 mm thick, with load ratio R = 0.1, constant amplitude, at 20 Hz frequency and in room temperature, in accordance with ASTM E466 Standard. The results were related to microhardness and microstructural and geometric changes resulting from welding cycles.

INFLUENCE OF HVOF COATING ON THE FATIGUE STRENGTH OF 15-5 PH STAINLESS STEEL

Structural component failures due to cyclic loading are associated to surface damage of materials and its interaction with environment. Fatigue failure occurs with stresses below the yield strength of each material and is a result of crack initiation and propagation. In aeronautical components is an important parameter to be considered in project, as well as the corrosion and wear resistance. Thermally sprayed HVOF coatings have been considered to replace galvanic chromium deposits with comparable performance for wear and corrosion resistance. The aim of present research is to study the influence of WC-13Co-4Cr applied by HVOF, on the axial fatigue strength of 15-5 PH stainless steel. The shot peening treatment was used to restore fatigue performance.

Influence of shot peening on the fatigue strength of Custom 465 stainless steel for aeronautic application

This project was originated from the national aircraft industry requirements to reduce the use of coated materials with electroplated chromium or cadmium that produce waste, which is harmful to health or the environment. The selected material is a Custom 465 stainless steel used in the aeronautical field due to its high mechanical strength. Considering the load sustained by the wheel axis of the landing gear, the Custom 465 is tested in axial fatigue. The objective is to compare the behavior of the Custom 465 with plated AISI 4340 steel coated with cadmium. X-ray diffraction method was used to determine the residual stress field induced by shot peening.

MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CP STEEL USED IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

This study aims to characterize the microstructure of the complex phase steel (CP). Using the conventional and colored metallographic analysis with 3% Nital etchant, sodium metabisulfite 10% and LePera. Techniques were applied in this work of optical microscopy, using, besides the lighting in bright field, dark field illumination of the reverse contrast in bright field illumination, the method of polarized light, which generates colorful contrast, providing a complementary identification phases present in the microstructure, and the system by differential interference contrast (DIC). The results obtained by metallography CP indicates that the steel has a microstructure composed of ferrite, retained austenite, bainite and martensite and precipitates arranged in a refined and complex morphology. Besides bright field illumination others' optical microscopy's techniques such as dark field illumination were applied.

Second Phase Precipitation in Ultrafine-grained Ferrite Steel

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Application of acoustoelasticity to measure the stress generated by milling in ASTM A36 steel plates

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Hot turning of a difficult-to-machine steel (sae xev-f) aided by infrared radiation

A possible way for increasing the cutting tool life can be achieved by heating the workpiece in order to diminish the shear stress of material and thus decrease the machining forces. In this study, quartz electrical resistances were set around the workpiece for heating it during the turning. In the tests, heat-resistant austenitic alloy steel was used, hardenable by precipitation, mainly used in combustion engine exhaustion valves, among other special applications for industry. The results showed that in the hot machining the cutting tool life can be increased by 340% for the highest cutting speed tested and had a reduction of 205% on workpiece surface roughness, accompanied by a force decrease in relation to conventional turning. In addition, the chips formed in hot turning exhibited a stronger tendency to continuous chip formation indicating less energy spent in material removal process. Microhardness tests performed in the workpieces subsurface layers at 5 m depth revealed slightly higher values in the hot machining than in conventional, showing a tendency toward the formation of compressive residual stress into plastically deformed layer. The hot turning also showed better performance than machining using cutting fluid. Since it is possible to avoid the use of cutting fluid, this machining method can be considered better for the environment and for the human health.

Sn(1-x)LaxO2 thin films deposited on AISI 304 stainless steel substrates

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Heat Treatment and Yb-Fiber Laser Welding of a Maraging Steel

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

FATIGUE IN CUSTOM 465 STAINLESS STEEL FOR AERONAUTIC APPLICATION

This project was originated from the national aircraft industry requirements to reduce the use of coated materials with electroplated chromium or cadmium that produce waste, which is harmful to health or the environment. The selected material is a Custom 465 stainless steel used in the aeronautical field due to its high mechanical strength. Considering the load sustained by the wheel axis of the landing gear, the Custom 465 was tested in axial fatigue. The objective is to compare the behavior of the Custom 465 stainless steel with plated AISI 4340 steel coated with cadmium. Fractographic analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction method was used to determine the residual stress field induced by shot peening.

Interaction between recrystallization and strain-induced precipitation in a high Nb- and N-bearing austenitic stainless steel: influence of the interpass time

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Solution heat treatment of plasma nitrided 15-5PH stainless steel - Part I: Improvement of the corrosion resistance

The results of the investigation on Solution Heat Treatment of Plasma Nitrided (SHTPN) precipitation-hardened steel 15-5PH are presented. The layers have been obtained by the plasma nitriding process followed by solution heat treatment at different temperatures. The influence of the solution heat treatment after nitriding on the dissolution process of the nitrided layer has been considered. The nitrided layers were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis (EDX), and X-Ray diffraction. Micro-hardness tests of the nitrided layers and solubilized nitrided layers have been carried out and interpreted by considering the processing conditions. It was found that high nitrogen austenitic cases could be obtained after SHTPN of martensitic precipitation-hardened steel (15-5PH). When Solution Heat Treatment (SHT) was performed at 1100 °C, some precipitates were observed. The amount of precipitates significantly reduced when the temperature increased. The EDX microanalysis indicated that the precipitate may be chromium niobium nitride. When the precipitation on the austenite phase occurred in small amount, the corrosion resistance increased in SHTPN specimens and the pit nucleation potential also increased. The best corrosion result occurred for SHT at 1200 °C.