For the product development process of cast parts, it is crucial to know about the solidifica-tion and cooling mechanisms forming process-related stresses. Therefore, simulation tools are available. However, only insufficient data is given for validating the results, as common ex-situ strain measuring methods like the cut-free method only deliver data at room temperature. Thus, a validation of the data during casting or heat treatment processes is not enabled.
That for, state of the art methods such as in-situ measurements of elastic strains by means of transmission methods are provided. These are based on the scattering of coherent X-rays or neutron radiation on the lattice planes of crystalline materials. These methods are provided by large research facilities such as synchrotron radiation facilities or neutron sources, which are, however, only suitable for tests on a laboratory scale and not applicable in the foundry.
With this work, a new non-destructive method for in-situ measurements of strains is present-ed. The method incorporates cast-in fibre-optical strain sensors (FBG), which are capable of measuring strains during casting, solidification and cooling of aluminum parts. Thereby, data of several component areas can be obtained, which would not be measurable using conven-tional measuring methods in reference to the temporal or local situation. Due to that, strain information versus time and temperature are available which allows the analysis of cast de-fects as well as the validation of numerical simulations during the whole cast process.
This work covers the examination of the strain transmission between cast aluminium and FBG as well as the calibration of FBG-strains using neutron diffraction data. The method is secured by an experimental series including two academic cast geometries. It is completed by an appli-cation of the FBG to an industrial part which is cast into a core package close to production.
As a result, the new approach of a cast-in sensors delivers destruction-free internal strain data during casting, solidification and cooling of parts cast in the foundry. The valuable infor-mation obtained by FBG enables the calculation of internal stresses due to shrinkage of the cast part as well as the analysis of solidification mechanisms and the monitoring of cast pro-cesses and thermal treatments.
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For the product development process of cast parts, it is crucial to know about the solidifica-tion and cooling mechanisms forming process-related stresses. Therefore, simulation tools are available. However, only insufficient data is given for validating the results, as common ex-situ strain measuring methods like the cut-free method only deliver data at room temperature. Thus, a validation of the data during casting or heat treatment processes is not enabled.
That for, state of the art method...
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