Numerical Classification of Microstructures

9520173 Hellawell这项研究工作旨在提高根据基材的微观结构和生产中使用的加工路径预测制成品性能的能力。为了实现这一点，有必要用定量的术语描述微结构；因此，研究了图像分析系统和对所获得的微结构信息的解释，以数字地描述微结构组件。大多数金属合金的微观组织，如那些来自凝固和铸造的组织，不容易用欧几里得几何来描述。对于这些情况，可以使用分形分析来对微观结构进行数值描述，尽管它可能是混沌的。这种方法的可行性已被证明在石墨铸铁中的分布，并应适用于许多其他复杂的显微组织，目前尚不能进行定量的数值评估。这项研究涉及模型合金系统和实际工业产品，从铸铁和铝基发动机铸件开始。福特汽车公司和通用汽车公司将这项研究视为竞争前技术的一个重要领域，并为该计划做出了重大贡献。%虽然这个项目在学术上很有启发性，但它在制造过程的预测性自动化方面具有相当大的工业潜力。***

9520173 Hellawell This research effort is directed towards improved capability for predicting the properties of manufactured items from the microstructure of the base material and the processing path that was used in production. To accomplish this it is necessary to describe the microstructure in quantitative terms; accordingly, image analysis systems and the interpretation of acquired microstructural information are examined to numerically describe microstructural assemblies. A majority of metal alloy microstructures, such as those derived from solidification and casting, are not easily described in terms of Euclidean geometry. For these cases fractal analysis can be employed to make numerical statements about the microstructure, however chaotic it may be. The feasibility of this approach has been shown for distributions of graphite in graphitic cast irons and should apply to many other complex microstructures which presently defy quantitative numerical assessment. The research involves model alloy systems and actual industrial products, starting with cast irons and aluminum-based engine castings. Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation view this research as an important area of pre-competitive technology and are providing significant contributions to the program. %%% While this program is academically stimulating, it has considerable industrial potential for predictive automation of manufacturing processes. ***