US2611264A - Metallurgical apparatus for treating test specimens - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 23, 1952 Q KLSHIAN 2,611,264

METALLURqlcAL. APPARATUS FORL TxATING TEsT-sPEcIMENs Filed sept. .'50, 1949 *UNI-'reo STATES PATENT orifice METALLURGICAL APPARATUS lFora TREAT- .ING TEST SPECIMENS Henry G. Keshian, Waterbury, Conn.

Application September 30, 1949, Serial No. 118,987

The pres-ent invention relates in general tov metallurgical apparatus and more yespecially to apparatus for subjecting solid metal test-specimens to successive treatments simulating actual operating conditions.

An object of the inv-ention is to provide superior apparatus for treating solid metal test-specimens.

A further object of the invention is to provide solid metal test-specimen treating-apparatus of simple, .durable-and relatively-economical con-- struction. A Y

A still further object of the invention is to provide --apparatus for repeatedly subjectingy a .plurality of solid metal test-specimens to temperature changes fand pressures or stresses encountered under normial operating conditions. Y

A still further object of theinvention is to 9 Claims. (Cl. 73-15.6)

provide solid metal test-specimen treating-apparatus which may be used selectively for subjecting test-specimens to the destructive forces to w-hich stamping-die :allOyaeXtruSiOn-Idie alloys, casting-.die alloys, and similar die alloys are sub- With the above and other objects in View, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this linvention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over theprior art. v-

' In theaccompanying drawings, in which certain modes lof carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes Fig. l is a side elevation partly in section of the improvedfapparatus of 'this invention for treating sol-id metal test-specimens; Fi-g. 2 is a plan View ofthe apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is lan enlarged fragmentary front -elelnation of the test-specimen carrier of the apparatus of this invention, shoWin-g asection of the carri-cron line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the pressure-applying means of the apparatus on section line 4-4 ofFig.1;and 'L v Fig. 5 is -a broken enlarged perspective View of the test-specimen'mountin-g-ring of the carrier. In brief, the metallurgicalapparatus of this invention is designed to subject a plurality of hard metal test-specimens repeatedly to temperature changes and stress-in -a predetermined sequence andoforagiven length of time, to simulate the destructive forces towhich stamping-die alloys, o

:extrusion-die alloys, andA similar die alloys are normally-subjected in use. After the test-specimens have been so treated, theyare then etched and-examinedmicroscop'ically or lby meansof a 2 i microscope, to determine how well a given testspecimen has resisted pitting, ridgng, erosion, and the formation of insipient fractures or minute fissures.v Y -V l The invention is carried out by the exemplary embodiment thereof shown in the Vdrawings, wherein the test-specimen treating-apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular box-like base-member indicated gener-ally at II), having test-specimen carrier-means indicated generally at II mounted thereon atv one end thereof and stress-applyingmeans indicated generally lat I2 mounted-at the opp-osite end thereof andin alignment with the carrier-means II. Y The substantially rectangular box-like basemernber I0 may be constructed in any suitable manner and is preferably a Welded metal structure embodying a iiat substantially rigid bottom plate I3 on whichis mounted a preformed inverted cover-like member comprising a il-at top plate I4, sic` le Walls I5-I5, and .an Iend wall I6, the bottom edges of the side Walls and end wall being Welded or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the bottom plate I3. A separate -plate I'I forms the end Wall of the box-like member opposite its end Wall I5, the plateV I'I being suitably Welded to the upper surface of the bottom plate v I3 and to the underside of the top plate I4of the cover inwardly of the corresponding end thereof,as shown Iespecially well in Fig. l. An aperture I8 is 4provided in the end Wall I'B to give access to the interior of the box-like basemember, whereby a heat-eXchanging'iui-d bath, such as indicated generally at I9 and4 hereinafter described, may be inserted therein. In the" present embodiment, the fluid bath I9 comprises a vessel for holding a body of liquid 20 which, for certain uses of the apparatus, may comprise water, oil or vthe like, and Which for other uses of the apparatus, may comprise a molten metal. Associated With the vfluid bath I9 is a heating-element 2|, the latter bei-ng preferably an electric immersion-heater adapted to be connected to a suitable power source (not shown).

Formed-in th-e top plate I4 ofthe box-like body-member is a substantially rectangular slot 22 extending longitudinally thereof and coinciydent with its longitudinal axis, the Width of th-e slot 22 being somewhat greater than the widthof the fluid bath I9 as shown :clearlyv in Fig. 2. Secured on the top plate lllonopposite sides respectively of its slot 22 are bearing-brackets 23f23` for rotatablysupporting the corresponding en ds of a transverse shaft 24 which-supports the'specimen--carrier I I for rotation in .a substantially vertical pl-ane within the slot 22 of the body-member and immediately above the fluid bath I9.

Referring especially to Figs. 2, 3 and 5 as a preferred embodiment, the specimen-carrier cornprises a wheel consisting of a substantially solid hub indicated generally at 25 having conical side walls between which is an annular raised substantially cylindrical surface of revolution 21 provided at its right-hand edge, as seen in Fig. 3, with an integral radially extending annular flange 28. 'I'he latter is provided with a plurality of threaded apertures 29 substantially equally spaced therearound, into which assembling-bolts 30 .are threaded for removably securing the testspecimens 3| and a test-specimen mounting-ring 32 thereto.

As shown especially well in Figs. 3 and 5, the test-specimen mounting-ring 32 is an annulus, the inside diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the cylindrical surface of revolution 21 of the hub, so that the annulus` may t snugly thereon, as shownclearly in Fig. 3, the outside diameter of the annulusv corresponding substantially to the diameter ofthe annular flange 28 of the hub. As indicated in Fig. 5, the annulus or mounting-ring 32 is substantially rectangular in cross` section and provided on its inner face with a plurality of rectangular grooves 33 substantially U-shaped in cross section, the longitudinal axes of the U-shaped grooves extending radially of the ring. Formed in the center of each groove 33 is a substantially smooth-bored aperture 34 for` accommodating the shank of one of the aforesaid assemblingbolts 30. In this regard, each pair of apertures 34 of the mounting-ring is spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between each pair of apertures 29 of the annular flange 28,*whereby on assembling the mounting-ring on the hub 25, the respective apertures of the ring and flange may be aligned to receive the assembling-bolts 30.

The test-specimens 3| are preferably rectangular heat-treated solid metal blocks, the inner ends of which are dimensioned to flt snugly in the U-shaped grooves of the mounting-ring, each test-specimen being provided with an aperture 354 through Yits inner end to receive an assembling-bolt 33. Thus, with the mounting-ring assembled on the hub 25 of the carrier and oriented so as to align its bolt-holes with the bolt-holes of the annular flange, the inner ends of the solid metal test-specimens may be inserted into the U-shaped grooves of the mounting-ring whereupon by passing the assembling-bolts 35 through the aligned apertures of the mountingring and test-specimens and into the flange 28, the mounting-ring and its test-specimens are firmly secured on the hub 25 with the test-specimens projecting outwardly substantially radially therearound.

Mounted on the top of the box-like body-member on opposite sides respectively of the testspecimen carrier are arcuate burners 35-36 which are substantially concentric to the loci of the outer ends of the test-specimens 3|, each burner having combustion-apertures 31 on its inner face adapted to direct flames against the corresponding sides of the test-specimens as the latter are rotated by the carrier between the arcuate burners, in the manner hereinafter described. A combustible mixture for producing flames at the combustion-apertures 31 of the burners is fed to the lower end of each burner by piping which is indicatedgenerally at 38, and

4 connected to a common supply-pipe 39, the piping 38 and supply-pipe 39 being supported on and extending substantially transversely of the lefthand end of the box-like base-member.

The stress-applying means I2 of the apparatus is mounted on the top of the box-like base-member substantially opposite the test-specimen carrier and as shown especially well in Figs. l, 2 and 4 comprises a substantially rectangular yoke indicated generally at 40, each arm 4| of which has a longitudinal tongue 42 on its outer face substantially rectangular in cross section and adapted to slidingly engage in a longitudinal substantiallyV U-shaped guide-groove 43 formed on the inner face of a yoke-guiding block 44 secured by means of bolts 45 or equivalent fasteningmeans on the top of the body-member longitudinally thereof and adjacent its corresponding outer edge. The yoke 40 is thus adapted to move longitudinally to and away from the test-specimen carrier I. Supported by the arms 4|-4| of the yoke for rotation in a substantially vertical plane in the slot 22 of the body-member is a.

stress-applying wheel or pressure-wheel 46, the shaft 41 of the wheel being journaled at its 0pposite ends substantially transverselyof the slot 22, as shown in Fig. 4,l and in the axially aligned apertures 48--48 respectively in the ends ofthe yoke-arms 4|-4|. The pressure-wheel 46 comprises preferably a solid metal disk' and as mounted thusly in the yoke, the vertical plane of the pressure-Wheel 46 lies in the vertical plane of the test-specimen carrier Suitable adjusting-means are provided for moving the yoke to and from the carrier,v thereby both to engage the periphery of the pressurewheel 46V againstthe outer end of the test-specimens of*l the carrier underV varying degrees of pressure and to withdrawA the pressure-wheel therefrom. To these ends, a relatively long screw-bolt 49 is slidably'engaged at its inner end in a central apertureof theI crossbar 50 of the yoke, the inner extremity of the screw-bolt 49 projecting through the crossbar of the yokeand having a rnut-and-washer assembly 5| thereonto prevent the bolt from being withdrawn from the aperture in the crossbar 50 of theyo'ke. The shank of the screw-bolt 49 extendsloutwardlyor to the right, as seen in Figs. 1 yand 2, and is provided With an externally. threaded shouldered enlargement 52. The externally threaded enlargement 52 of the screw-bolt is adapted to be threadedly engaged in an internally threaded aperture of a block 53 secured on theoverhanging end of the top plate of thebase-member, the outer extremityV of the externally threaded enlargement terminatingin a squared head 54 for application of a wrench or handle (not shown) for turning the screw-bolt. By turning the latter in av counterclockwise direction, thescrew-bolt 49 will positively draw the slidable yoke 49 outwardly, thereby withdrawing the pressure-wheel 46 from engagement with the inner ends of thetest-specimens of the carrier.

In order to slide the yoke inwardlyso as to urge the pressure-wheel against the outerv ends of the test-specimens of the carrier, a coil spring 55 ismounted on the shank of theadjustable screw-bolt between the shoulder 56fthereof and the outerfface of the crossbar 5'of5the yokefthe coil spring thereby servingtotransmit the longitudinal'inward movement of lthe shoulder` 56 of the screw-bolt to the crossbar 50 as thescrewbolt is rotated in Ya clockwise direction'. Thus, the pressure-.wheel 46 may be moved inwardly actress.

toaposition to 'engage against vthe ends,ofthe; test-specimens ofthe carrier. lItwill *be clear wheel against the test-specimens acts in ahorizontal plane coincident with theinitial point of engagement 4oi. each test specimen with the' pressure-wheel, which engagement is substantially ltangential-to the periphery of the pressurewheel, as'illustrated in Fig- 1.

v In order that an accurate measure may be made of the pressure being applied bythe pressure-wheel to the ends of the test-specimens, a ring 51 is slidably mounted on the shank of the screw-bolt between its annular shoulder 56 and the corresponding end of the coil spring 55, the

ring being provided with van upstanding index-l finger 58 adapted to engage in a narrow guideslot 59 extending longitudinally ofa cylindrical sleeve 60 which encases the coil spring 55 and is secured by an annular flange 6| to the outer face of the yoke-crossbar 50. VSuitable indicia 62 is provided on Vthe Vupper surface ofthe sleeve 6x0, along the edge of its guide-slot 59, by which the position of the lindex-flnger 58 may be identified. y

By calibrating'the indicia 62 of the guide-slot in units of force, a `measure of the pressure being` applied to the ends of the test-specimens by the pressure-wheel 46 for any setting of the screwbolt may be determined. v

In using the apparatus for subjecting testspecimens to conditions ofheat and pressure simulating those to which the alloy of a stampingdiev is subjected, the heat-exchanging fluid bath i9 is Ylled with a coolantpreferably cold water. The burners 36 are then turned` on and kthe. carrier, including its radially disposed testspecimens, is rotated relatively slowly by suitable drive-means (not shown) in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig.`1. Thus, the test-specimens 3l are heatedduring the first portion of their travel cycle by the burners to a relatively high temperature comparable to the temperature reached in a stamping-die. Thereafter, the outer ends of the test-specimens are subjected during another portion of their travel cycle to pressure comparable to the' pressure used in die-'stamping operations, and l'thereafter the test-specimens are cooled during still another portion of their travel cycle in the rwater bath I9. This cycle of treatments is repeated for a predetermined number of times on each respective test-specimen, after which each specimen is removed from the carrier, by withdrawal of the asembly-bolts 30, and examined. in any well-known manner for evidences of pitting, ridging, incipient fractures, and other indications of breakdown.

In the present embodiment, the carrier-ll is adapted to support as many as eighteen Vtestspecimens, and hence a relatively-wide selection of alloys may be tested simultaneously Aand thereafter examined to determine the suitability of each alloy for stamping-dies.

It is also within the purview of the invention to utilize the same apparatus for subjecting testspecimens to conditions wherein dies are sublectedv to erosion-fromcontact with moltenmetal,v

a s for-example,dies used in die casting vand in extrusion operations. T O this end, the cold .waterzy 2i] of theriiuid bath I9 is replacedby. a bodyxoi', molten metal such asfor example, Vmolten aluminum,-zinc, or the like, which is kept ina liquid.

condition by means of the immersion-heater 2|. In order to simulate die-casting and 'extrusion die conditions, the carrier Il is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, to, immerse the test-specimens successively in the body of.y molten metal. Pressure Vis then applied.

torsuccessive test-specimens of the carrier by the pressure-wheel. For simulating extrusion die conditions, the pressure applied will be considerable, whereas when simulatingl die-casting con.-

ditions,4 the pressure applied, if any, will be rel-; ativelysmall. Thereafter. the test-specimens arel cooled.- The cooling of `the test-specimens may. be done simply by rotatingvthe specimens through.

the surrounding air, the burners being shutzol;

orcooled air may4 be-delivered to the burners ,and fed from the combustion-apertures thereof toI opposite sides, respectively of the test-specimens4 as the-latter are rotated between the burners.: thereby cooling the test-specimens more rapidly.4

After repeating this cycle of, treatments a predetermined number of times, the ,test-specimens are removed fromthe carrier and examined to. discover evidences of breakdown and, in particular,-

the verosion effect of the hot, metal on the test- Specimens. 1

.it will be understodfthat the alloy-treating.

cycles of the apparatus of this invention maybe varied to accord with the conditions under which varioustypes of, diesV are used, Vthe apparatusr being adapted to test alloy specimens, not only. for

dies tol be usedin stamping, extrusion and die-l casting operations, but also for forging dies, diesl for continuous casting, and draw dies. n The vinvention may be carried out in other speciflc waysY than those hereinr set forth without;A

departing from the spirit and essential characteristicsof the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respeets as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appendedclaims are intended to be'embraced therein.

I claim:

1. Specimen-testing apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a plurality ofmetal test-.specimens to temperature variations and to stress, said appa'- ratus comprising in combination: a base, an end-r less carrier mounted on said base and vconstructed and arranged to support a plurality of base arranged .to apply stress to said testspeci mens. during another portion of their travel cycle, and drive-means arranged to continuously movesaid carrier so as to subject said test-speci-` mens repeatedly and successively to said heatingmeans and to said stress-applying means.

2.r Specimen-testing apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a plurality of hard metal test-specimens to temperature variations and pressure,Ur

said apparatus comprising in combination: 'a

base; an endless carrier mounted on said base constructed and arrangedto support a plurality of hard metal test-specimens; means arranged to heat said test-specimens during a portion of their travel cycle; means arranged `to cool said test-- specimens during another Vportion of their-travel cycle; means. on sala base arranged 'reapply'- stress 'to "said test-specimens during still another portion of their travel cycle; zand' drive-meansar'ranged-to continuously -move "saidcarrier to carry said 'test-specimens repeatedly into engagement successively with said heating-means. said stress-applying means rand said cooling-means.

3'. Specimen-testing `apparatus for vrepeatedly subjecting a plurality of hard metal test-specimens to temperature variations and pressure,lsaid apparatus comprising in combination: a base; an endless carrier mounted on lsaid base constructed and arranged 'to support a plurality of hard metal test-specimens; means on said 'base 'arranged to-heatsaid test-specimens duringV a portion 'of their travel cycle; means'on said base A'arranged to cool said tes t-speoimens 'during another portion'of their travel'cycle; means on said base arranged 'to apply'stress to said test-specimens duringfstill'another portion of their'tra'velcycle; drive-means arranged to continuously move said carrier to carry said test-specimens Vrepeatedly into engagement successively with said heatingmeans, said stress-applyingfmeans and said cooling-means; and vmeans arranged to adjust the stress applied to said test-specimens by said stress-applying means.

4. Specimen-testing apparatus 'for repeatedly subjecting a lplurality of hard metal test-specimens to temperature variations and pressure, saidfapparatus.comprising in combination: a base; an endless carrier mounted on said 'base constructed and arranged to support a plurality of 4hard metal test-specimens; means for heatin'gs'aid test-'specimens during a portion of their travel cycle, said heating-means comprising burners mounted on opposite sides respectively of said carrier to heat the opposite sides of each test-specimen; means for applying stress to said test-specimens during another 'portion of their travel cycle, said stress-applyingm'ean's comprising -a wheel mounted on said base and resilient means arranged to urge said Wheel into engagement 'with the ends of said test-specimens;'means to cool said 'test-specimens during still another portion ofltheir travelcycle; and drive-means arranged to continually move said carrier to carry said Atest-specimens repeatedly between the burners of said heating-meansa'nd into engagement with said stress-applying wheel and said cooling-means.

5" Specimen-testing apparatus for 'repeatedly subjecting -a plurality of Ahard metal test-specimens to: temperature variations and pressure, said apparatus comprising in combination:v a base; an endless carrier mounted on said. base. constructed and'arranged to support, a plurality of hard, metal test-specimens; means for heating said test-specimens during a portion ci their travel cycle, said heating -me'an-s comprisingburnl ersv mounted on saidv 'base on. opposite. sides respectively'oi said carrier to heat the opposite sides of eachtest-specimen; means for applying stress lto-saidtest-specimens during another portion of their travel cycle. said stress-applying. means comprising a wheel mounted on saidbase and resilient means arranged to urge said wheel into engagementfwith the endsy of said test-specimens; means on said base'to` cool said test-'speci'- mens during still another portion of theirtravel cycle; drive-means` arranged to continually move said carrier to carry saidV test-specimens repeatedly between the burners ofv saidv heating-means and into engagement with said stress-applying wheel and said; cooling-means; and adiustablemountendsfoi saidtest-specimens.` I

6.-l Specimen-testing apparatus forv Vrepeatedly' subjecting a plurality '-'of hard metal test-specimens vto 'temperature variations and pressureI said apparatus comprising in combination: a base; a test-specimen carrier 'comprising a rotatable hub mountedon saidbaseand having a demountable test-specimen -mounting-ring ythereon arranged to secure a plurality of test-specimens on the periphery of said hub and extending radially therefrom; -means for heating said test-specimens duringla portion-of ytheir ftrave'lcycle, said heating-means comprising burners mounted on said base on opposite sides respectively of said carrier to heat the opposite sidesOf-e'ach test-specimen; means for applying stress Ato said test-specimens during another portion 'of their travel cyclefsaid stress-applying means comprising va 'wheel mounted on said base, resilient 'means arranged to urgethe'wheelinto engagement with the ends of the test-specimens and adjustable mountingmeans associated with said resilient means to vary the 4pressure exerted by said wheel against theends of saidtest-specimens; means mounted on said base-tovcool said test-specimens during stillV another portion of -theirtravel cycle; and drive-means arranged to lrotate saidv carrier to carry thesaid test-specimens thereof repeatedly between said burners land into-'engagement with said stress-applying lwheel Vand said coolingmeans.

7. Specimen-testing apparatus -for repeatedly subjecting a plurality of hard metal test-specimensto temperature variations and pressure-said apparatuscomprising-incombination: a base; ran endless -carrier comprising a rotatable hub mounted on said base and Vhaving a demountable test-specimen'mounting-ring thereon arranged to secure a plurality ofY test-specimens on the pe-4 ripheryof'sa'id `hubfand extending radially therefrom; meansefor heating-said test-specimens during-fa"portionofltheir travel-cycle, said heatingmeans comprising va-pairof burners mounted on said base on' 'opposite 'sides vrespectively of said carrier to` heat 'the opposite sides of each testspecimen; Vmeans for applyingstress to the ends4 of'said test-specimens during another portionY oi" their travel cycle, saidlstress-applying means comprisinga yoke s'lidably mounted on said base formovement to-andfrom-said carrier andhavinga stress-applying wheel rotatably mounted thereon for engagement with the ends of said' test-specimens, resilient -meansin engagement with said "yoke and' adjustable `mountingmeans associatedwith said resilient means arranged tourge-said resilient vmeansfagainst said yoke to varyy the pressure lexerted by'said wheel againstl the ffend-s-'of-said test-specimens; a water bath supported on 'said' basetofcoolsaid test-specimens during stillv another-portion of theirtravel cycle;v

and drive-means arrangedl to rotate said carrier' to carry saidtest-speci-mens repeatedly between said burnersand into-engagement with said pres-v sure-wheeland sai'd'water bath.

8. Specimen-testing"apparatus for repeatedly subjecting a'plurality' of hardv metal test-specimens'to temperature variations and pressure, said apparatus comprising incombinationz'a base; an endless carrier mounted' on" saidv base constructed and arranged to support a plurality of hard metalT test-specimens; means for heating said test-specimens during a portion of their travel cycle; said heating-means comprising a bath of' 9 10 molten metal supported on said base; means REFERENCES CITED mounted on said base to apply stress to Said test' The following references are of record in the specimens during another portion of their travel me of this patent:

cycle; and drive-means arranged to continually move said carrier to carry said test-'specimens 5 UNITED STATES PA'I'EN'I'S repeatedly through said bath of molten metal Number Name Date into engagement with said pressure-means. 1,277,372 Brunner Sept. 3, 1918 9. The combination defined in claim 8 which 2,167,185 Preston July 25, 1939 further includes means for cooling said testc 2,301,316 Orr et al Nov. 10,1942 specimens during another portion of their travel 10 2,377,590 Talalay June 5, 1945 cycle. 2,450,880 Chatten et al Oct. 12, 1948 HENRY G. mSHIAN.

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