Nov_Dec_AMP_Digital

FEATURE A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 5 1 the isothermal bainitic transformation. Choose three trans- formation temperatures for the austempering trials. In each trial, three different transformation times will be chosen to investigate the transformation kinetics. Review preliminary results with research team. Prepare for mechanical testing. Year Two— Conduct austempering process at CHTE labs. Characterize the austempered samples using optical microscopy, SEM microscopy with EDS and EBSD, and pos- sibly TEManalysis to determine bainite plate thickness. Meet with research focus group to review results and prepare for mechanical testing. Prepare project brief for members. Year Three— Mechanical testing on austempered sam- ples begins. Conduct microhardness testing, tensile testing, impact toughness testing, and possibly fatigue testing. Ana- lyze and assess what additional research needs to be done. Share findings with members. Train and teach as needed. At this time, CHTE researchers expect to conduct aus- tempering experiments to determine the bainite transfor- mation kinetics by heating to a temperature within the aus- tenitizing range; quenching in salt bath/fluidized bed and maintaining at a constant temperature (bainite transforma- tion temperature); holding for a time to allow transformation to a bainite microstructure; cooling to room temperature; and characterizing the austempered samples to investigate the bainite transformation kinetics. For more information about CHTE, email Rick Sisson at sisson@wpi.edu . CHTE UPDAT At WPI, Richard Sisson, director of CHTE, and Mei Yang, assistant research professor, are working on optimizing the austempering process to formbainite. 7

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA4MTAy