Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure skin layer thickness in high pressure die cast aluminum components. Because the faster-cooling skin layer region exhibits a higher volume fraction of eutectic phases than that of a slower-cooling inner region, measurements showing such higher eutectic phases can be used to quantify such layer thickness. An image at various thicknesses of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer, from which eutectic volume fractions within each of the received images may be determined. Comparisons of the determined volume fractions can be made against a known or predicted quantity for a particular alloy composition, and then correlated to the skin layer thickness via differences between the received or measured quantities and those of the known standard.

Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure skin layer thickness in high pressure die cast aluminum components. Because the faster-cooling skin layer region exhibits a higher volume fraction of eutectic phases than that of a slower-cooling inner region, measurements showing such higher eutectic phases can be used to quantify such layer thickness. An image at various thicknesses of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer, from which eutectic volume fractions within each of the received images may be determined. Comparisons of the determined volume fractions can be made against a known or predicted quantity for a particular alloy composition, and then correlated to the skin layer thickness via differences between the received or measured quantities and those of the known standard.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure pore sizes and pore distributions in cast aluminum components. An image of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer. Spacing criteria, such as a measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, may be used with the received image to provide evidence of pore clustering. This allows the system to performing calculations to determine if multiple pores can be clustered or grouped together as a single pore in three-dimensional space. From this, the total area of the pores in each of these groups or clusters is calculated and used as a representation of the pore area for that cluster. In general, pore size and pore distribution measurements in cast components achieved by the present invention show accurate predictions of pore size and spacing, and in particular evidence a reduced tendency to under-predict the size and distribution of actual pores.

Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.

Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.

Abstract: A quantitative metallographic method to measure pore sizes and pore distributions in cast aluminum components. An image of a location of interest in a cast component sample is first obtained using an image analyzer. Spacing criteria, such as a measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing, may be used with the received image to provide evidence of pore clustering. This allows the system to performing calculations to determine if multiple pores can be clustered or grouped together as a single pore in three-dimensional space. From this, the total area of the pores in each of these groups or clusters is calculated and used as a representation of the pore area for that cluster. In general, pore size and pore distribution measurements in cast components achieved by the present invention show accurate predictions of pore size and spacing, and in particular evidence a reduced tendency to under-predict the size and distribution of actual pores.

Abstract: A method to automatically quantify dendrite arm spacing in dendritic microstructures. Once a location of interest in a cast material specimen has been identified, the information contained in it is automatically analyzed to quantify dendrite cell size information that is subsequently converted into a quantified dendrite arm spacing through an empirical relationship or a theoretical relationship. In one form, the relationship between DCS and DAS is such that the DAS in dendritic structure of cast aluminum alloys may be automatically determined from the measurement of one or more of dendrite cell size and the actual volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the local casting microstructure. Non-equilibrium conditions may be accounted for in situations where a theoretical volume fraction of a eutectic phase of the alloy in equilibrium condition is appropriately modified.

Abstract: Woven glass cloth and method of its manufacture suitable for use as a resin-impregnated substrate for printed circuits in which the major dimension or transverse axis of the elliptical warp yarns exceeds a predetermined fraction of that dimension of the fill yarns of the woven cloth. Multi-filament warp yarns are typically subjected to tensile stress during weaving and firing such that the yarn compaction prevents the thorough impregnation by a resin. The result is that voids are maintained along the innermost filaments of the yarn. These voids, when filled with materials other than resin, such as plating solution, ultimately produce circuit failures.

Abstract: Woven glass fiber cloth for printed circuit substrates in which the warp is of plied yarn and the fill is of unplied or twisted yarn to facilitate more thorough polymeric resin impregnation and achieve improved dimensional stability.