Using simulation and experiments to optimize strength and ductility in metals processed by surface mechanical attrition treatment

Using simulation and experiments to optimize strength and ductility in metals processed by surface mechanical attrition treatment

Poster - Basic

Precision and Energy Controlled Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (PECSMAT) is a novel technique for strengthening metal parts by impacting the surface, which causes residual stresses to increase in the material and thereby increases the strength of the part. Ductility, which is the degree to which a material will permanently deform before breaking, will decrease as a part is hardened and the strength increases. This tradeoff is undesirable as retaining both high strength and ductility will allow parts to be in service longer before the part fails. This research aims to optimize the impact energy and location on a metal part to have high strength and retain ductility. Questions to be answered during the research process include: How many impacts are optimal for a given region, and where should those impacts occur? How much energy should be put into each impact? Do the experimental results agree with the simulations? Is the ductility of the impacted part higher than conventional methods while maintaining or exceeding the strength of the material? Testing will first be conducted using commercially available software Abaqus CAE, which is a simulation based finite element analysis (FEA) tool. Subsequent validation of simulation results will be carried out experimentally performing monotonic and cyclic testing. Results and conclusions have yet to be determined to date as this is ongoing research. Implications of this research include the ability to increase the strength and ductility of a metal part so it will last longer and provide a greater factor of safety.