Hot deformation characteristics of INCONEL alloy MA 754 and development of a processing map

The characteristics of hot deformation of INCONEL alloy MA 754 have been studied processing maps obtained on the basis of flow stress data generated in compression in the temperature range 700-degrees-C to 1150-degrees-C and strain rate range 0.001 to 100 s-1. The map exhibited three domains. (1) A domain of dynamic recovery occurs in the temperature range 800-degrees-C to 1075-degrees-C and strain rate range 0.02 to 2 s-1, with a peak efficiency of 18 pct occurring at 950-degrees-C and 0.1 s-1. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs revealed stable subgrain structure in this domain with the subgrain size increasing exponentially with an increase in temperature. (2) A domain exhibiting grain boundary cracking occurs at temperatures lower than 800-degrees-C and strain rates lower than 0.01 s-1. (3) A domain exhibiting intense grain boundary cavitation occurs at temperatures higher than 1075-degrees-C. The material did not exhibit a dynamic recrystallization (DRX) domain, unlike other superalloys. At strain rates higher than about 1 s-1, the material exhibits flow instabilities manifesting as kinking of the elongated grains and adiabatic shear bands. The material may be safely worked in the domain of dynamic recovery but can only be statically recrystallized.

A Low-Complexity, Full-Rate, Full-Diversity 2 x 2 STBC with Golden Code's Coding Gain

This paper presents a low-ML-decoding-complexity, full-rate, full-diversity space-time block code (STBC) for a 2 transmit antenna, 2 receive antenna multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, with coding gain equal to that of the best and well known Golden code for any QAM constellation. Recently, two codes have been proposed (by Paredes, Gershman and Alkhansari and by Sezginer and Sari), which enjoy a lower decoding complexity relative to the Golden code, but have lesser coding gain. The 2 x 2 STBC presented in this paper has lesser decoding complexity for non-square QAM constellations, compared with that of the Golden code, while having the same decoding complexity for square QAM constellations. Compared with the Paredes-Gershman-Alkhansari and Sezginer-Sari codes, the proposed code has the same decoding complexity for non-rectangular QAM constellations. Simulation results, which compare the codeword error rate (CER) performance, are presented.

High-Rate Space-Time Coded Large MIMO Systems: Low-Complexity Detection and Performance

Large MIMO systems with tens of antennas in each communication terminal using full-rate non-orthogonal space-time block codes (STBC) from Cyclic Division Algebras (CDA) can achieve the benefits of both transmit diversity as well as high spectral efficiencies. Maximum-likelihood (ML) or near-ML decoding of these large-sized STBCs at low complexities, however, has been a challenge. In this paper, we establish that near-ML decoding of these large STBCs is possible at practically affordable low complexities. We show that the likelihood ascent search (LAS) detector, reported earlier by us for V-BLAST, is able to achieve near-ML uncoded BER performance in decoding a 32x32 STBC from CDA, which employs 32 transmit antennas and sends 32(2) = 1024 complex data symbols in 32 time slots in one STBC matrix (i.e., 32 data symbols sent per channel use). In terms of coded BER, with a 16x16 STBC, rate-3/4 turbo code and 4-QAM (i.e., 24 bps/Hz), the LAS detector performs close to within just about 4 dB from the theoretical MIMO capacity. Our results further show that, with LAS detection, information lossless (ILL) STBCs perform almost as good as full-diversity ILL (FD-ILL) STBCs. Such low-complexity detectors can potentially enable implementation of high spectral efficiency large MIMO systems that could be considered in wireless standards.

Microstructural control in hot working of IN-718 superalloy using processing map

The hot-working characteristics of IN-718 are studied in the temperature range 900 degrees C to 1200 degrees C and strain rate range 0.001 to 100 s(-1) using hot compression tests. Processing maps for hot working are developed on the basis of the strain-rate sensitivity variations with temperature and strain rate and interpreted using a dynamic materials model. The map exhibits two domains of dynamic recrystallization (DRX): one occurring at 950 degrees C and 0.001 s(-1) with an efficiency of power dissipation of 37 pct and the other at 1200 degrees C and 0.1 s(-1) with an efficiency of 40 pct. Dynamic recrystallization in the former domain is nucleated by the delta(Ni3Nb) precipitates and results in fine-grained microstructure. In the high-temperature DRX domain, carbides dissolve in the matrix and make interstitial carbon atoms available for increasing the rate of dislocation generation for DRX nucleation. It is recommended that IN-718 may be hot-forged initially at 1200 degrees C and 0.1 s(-1) and finish-forged at 950 degrees C and 0.001 s(-1) so that fine-grained structure may be achieved. The available forging practice validates these results from processing maps. At temperatures lower than 1000 degrees C and strain rates higher than 1 s(-1), the material exhibits adiabatic shear bands. Also, at temperatures higher than 1150 degrees C and strain rates more than 1 s(-1), IN-718 exhibits intercrystalline cracking. Both these regimes may be avoided in hot-working IN-718.

Performability of automated manufacturing systems with centralized material handling

We present a framework for performance evaluation of manufacturing systems subject to failure and repair. In particular, we determine the mean and variance of accumulated production over a specified time frame and show the usefulness of these results in system design and in evaluating operational policies for manufacturing systems. We extend this analysis for lead time as well. A detailed performability study is carried out for the generic model of a manufacturing system with centralized material handling. Several numerical results are presented, and the relevance of performability analysis in resolving system design issues is highlighted. Specific problems addressed include computing the distribution of total production over a shift period, determining the shift length necessary to deliver a given production target with a desired probability, and obtaining the distribution of Manufacturing Lead Time, all in the face of potential subsystem failures.

Processing map for hot working of Ni–16Cr–8Fe alloy (IN 600)

The hot deformation characteristics of IN 600 nickel alloy are studied using hot compression testing in the temperature range 850-1200-degrees-C and strain rate range 0.001-100 s-1. A processing map for hot working is developed on the basis of the data obtained, using the principles of dynamic materials modelling. The map exhibits a single domain with a peak efficiency of power dissipation of 48% occurring at 1200-degrees-C and 0.2 s-1, at which the material undergoes dynamic recrystallisation (DRX). These are the optimum conditions for hot working of IN 600. At strain rates higher than 1 s-1, the material exhibits flow localisation and its microstructure consists of localised bands of fine recrystallised grains. The presence of iron in the Ni-Cr alloy narrows the DRX domain owing to a higher temperature required for carbide dissolution, which is essential for the occurrence of DRX. The efficiency of DRX in Ni-Cr is, however, enhanced by iron addition.

Composite material and piezoelectric coefficient uncertainty effects on structural health monitoring using feedback control gains as damage indicators

This article addresses uncertainty effect on the health monitoring of a smart structure using control gain shifts as damage indicators. A finite element model of the smart composite plate with surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors and actuators is formulated using first-order shear deformation theory and a matrix crack model is integrated into the finite element model. A constant gain velocity/position feedback control algorithm is used to provide active damping to the structure. Numerical results show that the response of the structure is changed due to matrix cracks and this change can be compensated by actively tuning the feedback controller. This change in control gain can be used as a damage indicator for structural health monitoring. Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to study the effect of material uncertainty on the damage indicator by considering composite material properties and piezoelectric coefficients as independent random variables. It is found that the change in position feedback control gain is a robust damage indicator.

High-rate, Double-Symbol-Decodable STBCs from Clifford Algebras

For the number of transmit antennas N = 2(a) the maximum rate (in complex symbols per channel use) of all the Quasi-Orthogonal Designs (QODs) reported in the literature is a/2(a)-1. In this paper, we report double-symbol-decodable Space-Time Block Codes with rate a-1/2(a)-2 for N = 2(a) transmit antennas. In particular, our code for 8 and 16 transmit antennas offer rates 1 and 3/4 respectively, the known QODs offer only 3/4 and 1/2 respectively. Our construction is based on the representations of Clifford algebras and applicable for any number of transmit antennas. We study the diversity sum and diversity product of our codes. We show that our diversity sum is larger than that of all known QODs and hence our codes perform better than the comparable QODs at low SNRs for identical spectral efficiency. We provide simulation results for various spectral efficiencies.

Multicode MIMO for High Data Rate Mobile Ad-hoc Networks

In a mobile ad-hoc network scenario, where communication nodes are mounted on moving platforms (like jeeps, trucks, tanks, etc.), use of V-BLAST requires that the number of receive antennas in a given node must be greater than or equal to the sum of the number of transmit antennas of all its neighbor nodes. This limits the achievable spatial multiplexing gain (data rate) for a given node. In such a scenario, we propose to achieve high data rates per node through multicode direct sequence spread spectrum techniques in conjunction with V-BLAST. In the considered multicode V-BLAST system, the receiver experiences code domain interference (CDI) in frequency selective fading, in addition to space domain interference (SDI) experienced in conventional V-BLAST systems. We propose two interference cancelling receivers that employ a linear parallel interference cancellation approach to handle the CDI, followed by conventional V-BLAST detector to handle the SDI, and then evaluate their bit error rates.

Power Management and Data Rate Maximization in Wireless Energy Harvesting Sensors

This paper considers the problem of power management and throughput maximization for energy neutral operation when using Energy Harvesting Sensors (EHS) to send data over wireless links. It is assumed that the EHS are designed to transmit data at a constant rate (using a fixed modulation and coding scheme) but are power-controlled. A framework under which the system designer can optimize the performance of EHS when the channel is Rayleigh fading is developed. For example, the highest average data rate that can be supported over a Rayleigh fading channel given the energy harvesting capability, the battery power storage efficiency and the maximum allowed transmit energy per slot is derived. Furthermore, the optimum transmission scheme that guarantees a particular data throughput is derived. The usefulness of the framework developed is illustrated through simulation results for specific examples.

Stabilized alpha-Ni(OH)2 as electrode material for for alkaline secondary cells

Hydrotalcite-like compounds of formula Ni1-xAl(x)(OH)2(CO3)x/2 . nH2O (x = 0.1 to 0.25), having the same structure as that of alpha-Ni(OH)2, have been synthesized by substituting nickel hydroxide with aluminum. Of these, the compounds of compositions x greater-than-or-equal-to 0.2 are found to have prolonged stability in strong alkaline medium. The electrodes comprising stabilized alpha-Ni(OH)2 of x = 0.2 composition are rechargeable with discharge-capacity values of 240 (+/- 15) mAh-g-1 and are attractive for applications in various alkaline secondary cells employing nickel-positive electrodes.

Fly ash as a pre-filter material for the retention of lead ions

Clay liners have been widely used to contain toxic and hazardous waste materials. Clays absorb contaminant cations due to their exchange capacity. To improve the performance of the clay liner, fly ash, a waste material arising from the combustion of coal has been studied as a pre-filter material. In particular, the retention of lead by two different fly ashes was studied. The influence of pH on retention as well as leaching characteristics are also examined. The results obtained from the retention experiments by the permeameter method indicate that fly ash retains the lead ions through precipitation in the pores as well as onto the surface when the ambient pH value is more than 5.5, and through adsorption when the pH value is less than 5.5. It has been observed that fly ash did not release the retained lead ions when the pH value is between 3.5 and 10.0. Hence, the retention of lead ions by fly ash is likely to be permanent since the pH of most of the municipal landfill leachates are within 3.7 to 8.8. However, for highly acidic or alkaline leachates, the retained ions can get released.

Industrial validation of processing maps of 316L stainless steel using hot forging, rolling, and extrusion

The development of microstructure in 316L stainless steel during industrial hot forming operations including press forging (strain rate of 0 . 15 s(-1)), rolling/extrusion (strain rate of 2-8 . 8 s(-1)), and hammer forging (strain rate of 100 s(-1)) at different temperatures in the range 600-1200 degrees C was studied with a view to validating the predictions of the processing map. The results showed that good col relation existed between the regimes indicated in the map and the product microstructures. The 316L stainless steel exhibited unstable flow in the form of flow localisation when hammer forged at temperatures above 900 degrees C, rolled below 1000 degrees C, or press forged below 900 degrees C. All these conditions must therefore be avoided in mechanical processing of the material. Conversely, in order to obtain defect free microstructures, ideally the material should be rolled at temperatures above 1100 degrees C, press forged at temperatures above 1000 degrees C, or hammer forged in the temperature range 600-900 degrees C. (C) 1996 The Institute of Materials.

Influence of strain rate and state-of-stress on the formation of ferrite in stainless steel type AISI 304 during hot working

The influence of strain rate and state-of-stress on the formation of ferrite in stainless steel type AISI 304L, 304 and 304 as-cast, during hot working has been studied. Compression and torsion tests were conducted in the temperature range 1100 to 1250 degrees C and strain rate range 0.001 to 100 s(-1) on these materials, Ferrite formation occurs during deformation at temperatures above 1150 degrees C and strain rates above 10 s(-1), in stainless steel type AISI 304L and 304. The tendency for the formation of ferrite is more in as-cast 304 than in wrought 304, In as-cast 304 the ferrite forms at lower temperatures and strain rates, The tendency for the ferrite formation is more in torsion than in compression.