摘要:
A metal forming process involves applying a lubricant, formed from a vitreous enamel mixed with particles of boron nitride, to at least one surface of a sheet metal blank, and without pre-heating the sheet metal blank, placing the sheet metal blank having the lubricant applied to the surface(s) thereof into a pre-heated forming tool so that the at least one surface contacts a surface of the forming tool. The method further involves, via the pre-heated forming tool, forming the sheet metal blank into a desired part shape, and during such forming, forming a lubricant layer on the surface(s) as the lubricant is heated from the pre-heated forming tool, the lubricant layer adhering to the surface(s) of the sheet metal blank.
摘要:
Corrosion resistant, manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steels with a low nickel content are used in bipolar plates, methods for fabricating the bipolar plates, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprising the bipolar plates. The bipolar plates are formed from high-manganese austenitic stainless steels comprising, in weight percents, 4.0 to 35 manganese, 0.5 to 1.5 nickel, 17 to 20 chromium, 0.2 to 0.5 nitrogen, up to 0.075 carbon, 0.5 to 1.0 silicon, up to 0.1 aluminum, 0 to 0.005 sulfur, and balance iron and incidental impurities. The steels exhibit suitable corrosion resistance, electrical contact resistance, and mechanical properties for high-corrosion applications such as use in bipolar plate materials for PEM fuel cells. The bipolar plates may comprise a solid plate of the steel, optionally coated with a highly electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the bipolar plates may comprise an economical substrate coated with the steel, optionally further coated with a highly electrically conductive material.
摘要:
A coating for superplastic forming (SPF) and quick plastic forming (QPF) tooling and an SPF/QPF process made possible with the coating. The coating defines the forming surface of an SPF/QPF tool, and consists essentially of either a tungsten carbide cermet or a chromium carbide cermet. The coating preferably comprises a metal matrix containing tungsten carbide or chromium carbide particles having a particle size of not more than 0.1 micrometer, and is preferably prepared to have a surface finish of not rougher than 0.3 micrometer Ra. An SPF/QPF process that makes use of a tool whose forming surface is provided with the coating can be performed without depositing any lubricant on the forming surface or workpiece.
摘要:
A bipolar plate to reduce electrical contact resistance between the plate and a diffusion layer used in a fuel cell. The opposing surfaces of the plate define flow channels with upstanding lands interspersed between them. The lands of the plate form an electrically-conductive contact with a diffusion layer in the fuel cell. At least a portion of the electrically-conductive contact is made up of a nickel-based alloy that reduces the contact resistance between the plate and the diffusion layer as a way to achieve improved electric current density. In one form, the alloy can be used as the primary material in the plate, while in another, it can be used as a coating deposited onto a conventional stainless steel plate.
摘要:
A bipolar plate to reduce electrical contact resistance between the plate and a diffusion layer used in a fuel cell. The opposing surfaces of the plate define flow channels with upstanding lands interspersed between them. The lands of the plate form an electrically-conductive contact with a diffusion layer in the fuel cell. At least a portion of the electrically-conductive contact is made up of a nickel-based alloy that reduces the contact resistance between the plate and the diffusion layer as a way to achieve improved electric current density. In one form, the alloy can be used as the primary material in the plate, while in another, it can be used as a coating deposited onto a conventional stainless steel plate.
摘要:
Screen tooling having a durable coating system, and a fiber preforming process employing the tooling. The coating system comprises a surface layer of a porcelain enamel composition that is generally a borosilicate glass, and preferable contains quartz, borax, boric oxide, potassium nitrate, sodium silicofluoride, and manganese dioxide, and optionally contains titanium dioxide, antimony oxide, cobalt oxide and/or barium oxide.
摘要:
According to one embodiment, a film of solid lubricant particles is applied to metal workpieces, which are then subjected to a controlled humid environment for predetermined times and temperatures. Following the exposure to humidity, the lubricated metal workpieces are heated for a hot forming operation. The humidification of the lubricated workpiece increases the adhesion of solid lubricant films to the metal workpieces, thereby improving the tribological performance of the workpieces during subsequent hot forming operations.
摘要:
A die for use in a sheet metal forming process includes a die material having a surface. A plurality of depressions is formed in a predetermined portion of the surface, where each of the plurality of depressions has a predetermined diameter and depth. Interaction of a surface of a sheet metal blank with i) the plurality of depressions, and ii) a solid forming lubricant, including particles of an average predetermined size and distribution, disposed on one of the die material surface or the sheet metal blank surface substantially reduces adhesion between the sheet metal blank surface and the die material surface during the sheet metal forming process.
摘要:
In one embodiment, a substrate, for example a tool used in hot metalforming operations, is coated with an enamel nanoparticulate graded coating. The nanoparticles in the coating may be boron nitride nanoparticles. The coating may include a first portion adjacent a surface of the substrate, and a second portion adjacent the first portion. The first portion of the coating may have a lower volume fraction of nanoparticles than the second portion. The first portion has excellent adhesion to the surface of the substrate, and the second portion reduces friction and wear. The coated tool may be formed by applying at least one layer of a coating mixture to a surface of the tool and heating the coating mixture. A metal workpiece may be formed into an article by contacting the metal workpiece against the coated surface of the tool.
摘要:
According to one embodiment, a film of solid lubricant particles is applied to metal workpieces, which are then subjected to a controlled humid environment for predetermined times and temperatures. Following the exposure to humidity, the lubricated metal workpieces are heated for a hot forming operation. The humidification of the lubricated workpiece increases the adhesion of solid lubricant films to the metal workpieces, thereby improving the tribological performance of the workpieces during subsequent hot forming operations.