Session: 13-13-01: Simulations of Material Modeling and Behavior Analysis for MEMS Applications

Paper Number: 146032

146032 - Flexural and Tensile Properties of Cu-Ni-Cr Alloy Processed by Solid-State Additive Manufacturing 

As a non-ferrous alloy, copper-nickel-chromium (Cu-Ni-Cr) alloy, has garnered significant attention for their unique combination of properties, including corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Their ability to withstand harsh conditions, such as corrosion in seawater, high temperatures, and mechanical stress, makes them indispensable materials in marine engineering, electronics, aerospace, and space applications. In marine engineering, Cu-Ni-Cr alloys are utilized for their exceptional corrosion resistance, employed in shipbuilding, piping systems, heat exchangers, propellers, and underwater structures, ensuring longevity and reliability in harsh seawater environments. Their resistance to corrosion ensures the integrity and durability of marine vessels, reducing maintenance costs and extending service life. In electrical engineering, Cu-Ni-Cr alloys are valued for their high electrical conductivity and resistance to oxidation, making them ideal materials for connectors, switches, and other electrical components. Their conductivity and stability contribute to the efficient and reliable operation of electronic devices and systems, ensuring optimal performance. Moreover, in the aerospace industry, Cu-Ni-Cr alloys play a crucial role due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, thermal stability, and resistance to fatigue. They serve critical functions in aircraft components such as engine parts, structural elements, and landing gear, contributing to the safety, efficiency, and performance of aerospace systems. Considering the widespread applications of Cu-Ni-Cr alloys, this paper seeks to explore different mechanical properties of the newly proposed 3D printable 51Cu-44Ni-5Cr alloy. Particularly focusing on this alloy, 51Cu-44Ni-5Cr alloy can be utilized as feedstock materials for 3D printing processes such as powder-bed fusion (PBF) and additive friction stir deposition process (AFSD), where it is printed in layers to create complex geometries with enhanced properties. In this study, different mechanical properties of the 51Cu-44Ni-5Cr alloy using two different characterization techniques  three-point bending and tensile tests. Necessary data including thermal conductivity, density, and Poisson's ratio are obtained from molecular dynamics simulation models of Cu(51)Ni(44)Cr(5) developed in LAMMPS. Two separate finite element models for the ASTM standard specimens of the same alloy are developed in ANSYS to run the flexural and tensile test simulations. The flexural test model can predict the bending stress, equivalent strain, equivalent deformation, and failure behavior of the alloy under various transverse loading conditions. On the other hand, the tensile test model characterizes the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and safety factor by using a dog bone-shaped specimen under the application of various axial loads. Outcomes presented in the paper serves 51Cu-44Ni-5Cr as the potential 3D printed material to be implemented in different sectors of aerospace, marine, electrical and manufacturing industries.

Presenting Author: M Shafiqur Rahman Louisiana Tech Universitry

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. M Shafiqur Rahman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University. His area of research covers additive manufacturing/3D printing, solid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and machine learning.

Authors:

Abyaz Abid Louisiana Tech University
Hamid Sharifi Louisiana Tech University
Chowdhury Sadid Alam Louisian Tech Univerisity
Radif Uddin Ahmed Louisiana Tech University
Pratik Sarker Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Collin Wick Louisiana Tech University
M Shafiqur Rahman Louisiana Tech Universitry