Modulation of microstructure and properties of Cu−Ni−Sn alloy by addition of trace Ti

The segregation of Sn and discontinuous precipitation at grain boundaries are detrimental to the strength,ductility,and machinability of the Cu−Ni−Sn alloy.A strategy to solve the above problems is multi-component composition design by introducing strong enthalpic interaction element.In this work,a series of Cu_(80)Ni_(15)Sn_(5−x)Ti_(x)(at.%)alloys were designed by cluster-plus-glue-atom model,and the effects of Ti content on the microstructure and properties of the alloys were systematically investigated using TEM and other analysis methods.The results demonstrate that Ti can effectively inhibit the segregation and discontinuous precipitation while promoting continuous precipitation to improve the high-temperature stability of the alloys.As the Ti content increases,the distribution of Ti changes from uniform distribution to predominant precipitation.The hardness and conductivity of the alloy exceed those of the C72900(Cu−15Ni−8Sn(wt.%))commercial alloy and the Cu_(80)Ni_(15)Sn_(5)(at.%)reference alloy when Ti is in the solution state.

Suppress oxygen evolution of lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials via an integrated strategy

Improving the reversibility of anionic redox and inhibiting irreversible oxygen evolution are the main challenges in the application of high reversible capacity Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials.A facile synchronous lithiation strategy combining the advantages of yttrium doping and LiYO_(2) surface coating is proposed.Yttrium doping effectively suppresses the oxygen evolution during the delithiation process by increasing the energy barrier of oxygen evolution reaction through strong Y–O bond energy.LiYO_(2) nanocoating has the function of structural constraint and protection,that protecting the lattice oxygen exposed to the surface,thus avoiding irreversible oxidation.As an Li^(+) conductor,LiYO_(2) nano-coating can provide a fast Li^(+) transfer channel,which enables the sample to have excellent rate performance.The synergistic effect of Y doping and nano-LiYO_(2) coating integration suppresses the oxygen release from the surface,accelerates the diffusion of Li^(+)from electrolyte to electrode and decreases the interfacial side reactions,enabling the lithium ion batteries to obtain good electrochemical performance.The lithium-ion full cell employing the Y-1 sample(cathode)and commercial graphite(anode)exhibit an excellent specific energy density of 442.9 Wh kg^(-1) at a current density of 0.1C,with very stable safety performance,which can be used in a wide temperature range(60 to-15℃)stable operation.This result illustrates a new integration strategy for advanced cathode materials to achieve high specific energy density.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti−Al−V−Nb alloys with cluster formula manufactured by laser additive manufacturing

Ti−Al−V−Nb alloys with the cluster formula,12[Al−Ti_(12)](AlTi_(2))+5[Al−Ti1_(4)](V,Nb)2Ti,were designed by replacing V with Nb based on the Ti−6Al−4V alloy.Single-track cladding layers and bulk samples of the alloys with Nb contents ranging from 0 to 6.96 wt.%were prepared by laser additive manufacturing to examine their formability,microstructure,and mechanical properties.For single-track cladding layers,the addition of Nb increased the surface roughness slightly and decreased the molten pool height to improve its spreadability.The alloy,Ti−5.96Al−1.94V−3.54Nb(wt.%),exhibited better geometrical accuracy than the other alloys because its molten pool height was consistent with the spread layer thickness of the powder.The microstructures of the bulk samples contained similar columnar β-phase grains,regardless of Nb content.These grains grew epitaxially from the Ti substrate along the deposition direction,with basket-weaveα-phase laths within the columnar grains.Theα-phase size increased with increasing Nb contents,but its uniformity decreased.Along the deposition direction,the Vickers hardness increased from the substrate to the surface.The Ti−5.96Al−1.94V−3.54Nb alloy exhibited the highest Vickers hardness regardless of deposition position because of the optimal matching relationship between theα-phase size and its content among the designed alloys.

Design for Ti-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys for laser additive manufacturing based on a cluster model and on their microstructure and properties

In this study,α+βTi-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys with the addition of multiple elements that are suitable for laser additive manufacturing(LAM)were designed according to a Ti-6Al-4V cluster formula.This formula can be expressed as 12[Al-Ti12](AlTi2)+5[Al-Ti14]((Mo,V,Nb)2Ti),in which Mo and Nb were added into the alloys partially instead of V to give alloys with nominal compositions of Ti-6.01Al-3.13V-1.43Nb,Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.93Mo,and Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.20Mo-0.71Nb(wt.%).The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-deposited and heat-treated samples prepared via LAM were examined.The sizes of theβcolumnar grains andαlaths in the Nb-containing samples are found to be larger than those of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy,whereas Mo-or Mo/Nb-added alloys contain finer grains.It indicates that Nb gives rise to coarsenedβcolumnar grains andαlaths,while Mo significantly refines them.Furthermore,the single addition of Nb improves the elongation,whereas the single addition of Mo enhances the strength of the alloys.The simultaneous addition of Mo/Nb significantly improves the comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloys,leading to the best properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 1,070 MPa,a yield strength of 1,004 MPa,an elongation of 9%,and micro-hardness of 355 HV.The fracture modes of all the alloys are ductile-brittle mixed fracture.

Microstructure and storage properties of low V-containing Ti–Cr–V hydrogen storage alloys prepared by arc melting and suction casting

The microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of low V content （Ti0.46Cr0.54）100-xVx （x = 2.5-7.1, at%） and （TiyCr1-y）95V5 （y= 0.38-0.54） alloys were investigated. These alloys were prepared by arc melting and copper mould suction casting. The structures of as-cast （Ti0.46Cr0.54）100-xVx （x = 2.5, 5.0, and 7.1） alloy ingots evolve with V contents from pure Laves-（x = 2.5） to dual-phase TiCr2-BCC structures （5.0 and 7.1）, whereas the suction-cast （Ti0.46Cr0.54）100-xVx （x =2.5, 5.0, and 7.1） alloys only contain single BCC phase. The suction-cast alloy rod （Ti0.46Cr0.54）95V5, containing only 5.0 at% V is shown to possess the optimum hydrogen absorption capacity, with the maximum hydrogen content of 3.14 wt%. Furthermore, the hydrogen storage properties of the suction-cast low V alloys （TiyCr1-y）95V5 （y = 0.38-0.54） are sensitive to Ti/Cr ratios and only those alloys with Ti/Cr ratios close to the CN14 cluster [TiTCrs] have good hydrogen storage properties.

Approximate Design of Alloy Composition of Cathode Target

An empirical formula for composition demixing analysis in cathodic arc ion plating using alloy target is established based on the concepts of average charged state and relative demixing parameter. The level of composition demixing effect is presented by demixing degree of one element. For binary constituent alloy target, the composition change trend in coating is discussed and the limit of demixing degree for each element is determined. The content of one element with higher average charged state gets larger in coating than in alloy target, at meantime, the content of one element with lower average charged state gets less. For each one of the two constituents, the less the atom percent in alloy target, the larger the difference of its contents between the coating and the target. For triple constituent alloy target, the content change of one element with moderate average charged state is discussed in detail. Its content in coating getting larger or less is determined by the combination result of the contents of the other two elements in alloy target. For a given content of the element with moderate average charged state in triple alloy target, the content deviation level of that element from coating to alloy target will be not larger than that using binary alloy target containing only that element and one of the two others. According to the wanted coating composition, the composition design of alloy target is easily deduced from the formula.

Preparation and electro-catalytic activity of nanoporous palladium by dealloying rapidly-quenched Al_(70)Pd_(17)Fe_(13) quasicrystalline alloy

The formation of nanoporous Pd was studied by electro-chemical dealloying a rapidly-quenched Al70Pd17Fe13 quasicrystal alloy in dilute NaCl aqueous solution,and the electro-catalytic activity of the nanoporous Pd towards methanol electro-oxidation was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol/L KOH solution.XRD and TEM analyses revealed that nano-decomposition of quasicrystal grains occurred in the initial stage of dealloying,and the fully dealloyed sample was composed of FCC-Pd phase.Scanning electron microscopy observation indicated that a maze-like nanoporous pattern was formed in the dealloyed sample,consisting of percolated pores of 5.20 nm in diameter in a skeleton of randomly-orientated Pd nano-ligaments with a uniform thickness of^5 nm.A retention of^12 at.%Al in the Pd nano-ligments was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS).The nanoporous Pd demonstrated obvious electro-catalytic activity towards methanol electro-oxidation in alkaline environment.

High-strength Ti-Al-V-Zr cast alloys designed using α and β cluster formulas

Ti-Al-V-Zr quaternary titanium alloys were designed followingα-{[Al-Ti12](AlTi2)}17-n+β-{[Al-Ti12Zr2](V3)}n,where n=1-7(the number ofβunits),on the basis of the dual-cluster formula of popular Ti-6Al-4V alloy.Such an alloying strategy aims at strengthening the alloy via Zr and V co-alloying in theβ-Ti unit,based on the originalβformula[Al-Ti14](V2Ti)of Ti-6Al-4V alloy.The microstructures of the as-cast alloys by copper-mold suction-casting change from pureα(n=1)toα+α’martensite(n=7).When n is 6,Ti-5.6Al-6.8V-8.1Zr alloy reaches the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1,293 MPa and yield strength of 1,097 MPa,at the expense of a low elongation of 2%,mainly due to the presence of a large amount of acicularα’martensite.Its specific strength far exceeds that of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by 35%.

Effect of processing parameters on formability, microstructure, and micro-hardness of a novel laser additive manufactured Ti-6.38Al-3.87V-2.43Mo alloy

A novel Ti-6.38Al-3.87V-2.43Mo alloy was designed with a cluster formula of 12[Al-Ti12](V0.75Mo0.25Ti2)+4[Al-Ti12](Al3)by replacing Ti with Mo/V on the basis of the Ti-Al congruent alloy.The effects of laser power and scanning speed on the molten pool size,surface roughness,relative density,microstructure,and micro-hardness of single-track and bulk Ti-6.38Al-3.87V-2.43Mo samples prepared via laser additive manufacturing(LAM)were investigated.The results show that processing parameters significantly affect the formability,microstructure,and micro-hardness of the alloy.With decreasing laser power from 1,900 W to 1,000 W,the relative density is decreased from 99.86%to 90.91%due to the increase of lack-of-fusion;however,with increasing scanning speed,the relative density does not change significantly,but exceeds 99%.In particular,Ti-6.38Al-3.87V-2.43Mo samples of single-track and bulk exhibit a good formability under an input laser power of 1,900 W and a scanning speed of 8 mm·s_(-1),and display the lowest surface roughness(Ra=13.33μm)and the highest relative density(99.86%).Besides,the microstructure of LAM Ti-6.38Al-3.87V-2.43Mo alloy coarsens with increasing laser power or decreasing scanning speed due to the greater input energy reducing the cooling rate.The coarsening of the microstructure decreases the microhardness of the alloy.

Formation and properties of high Fe-content Fe-(B-Si)-Zr bulk amorphous alloys

The present work is devoted to the development of Fe-（B-Si）-Zr amorphous alloys with high glass-forming ability and good magnetic properties. Using the cluster-plus-glue-atom model proposed for ideal amorphous structures, [FeFe11B3Si]（Fe1-xZrx） was determined as the cluster formula of Fe-（B-Si）-Zr alloys. The glass formation and thermal stability of the serial alloys, namely, [FeFel^B3Si]（Fel_xZrx） （x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, and 1.0）, were studied by the combination of copper mold casting, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis techniques. The maxima of glass-forming ability and thermal stability were found to occur at the compositions of [FeFe11B3Si] （Fe0.6Zr0.4） and [FeFe11B3Si]（Fe0.5Zr0.5）. The alloys can be cast into amorphous rods with 1.5 ram diameter, and upon reheating, the amorphous alloys exhibit a large undercooled liquid span of 37 K. The saturation magnetization of the [FeFe11B3Si]（Fe0.5Zr0.5） amorphous alloy was measured to be 1.4 T.

Correlation between the glass-forming ability and activation energy of crystallization for Zr_(75-x)Ni_(25)Al_x metallic glasses

The thermal stability and the kinetics of glass transition and crystallization for Zr75-xNi25Alx （x = 8-15） metallic glasses were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） under continuous heating conditions. The apparent activation energy of glass transition rises monotonously with the A1 content increasing; the activation energy of crystallization increases with A1 changing from 8at% to 15at%, and then decreases with A1 further up to 24at%, which exhibits a good correlation to the thermal stability and the glass-forming ability （GFA）. The Zr60Ni25A115 metallic glass with the largest supercooled liquid region and GFA possesses the highest activation energy of crystallization. The relation between the thermal stability, GFA and activation energy of crystallization was discussed in terms of the primary precipitated phases.

Effect of Sample Configuration on Droplet-Particles of TiN Films Deposited by Pulse Biased Arc Ion Plating

Orthogonal experiments are used to design the pulsed bias related parameters, including bias magnitude, duty cycle and pulse frequency, during arc ion deposition of TiN films on stainless steel substrates in the case of samples placing normal to the plasma flux. The effect of these parameters on the amount and the size distribution of droplet-particles are investigated, and the results have provided sufficient evidence for the physical model, in which particles reduction is due to the case that the particles are negatively charged and repulsed from negative pulse electric field. The effect of sample configuration on amount and size distribution of the particles are analyzed. The results of the amount and size distribution of the particles are compared to those in the case of samples placing parallel to the plasma flux.

Effect of Ti/Nb/Ta addition on the γ/γ' coherent microstructure in low-density and high-strength Co-Al-W-Mo-based superalloys

Coherent precipitation of cuboidal γ'-Co3(Al,W) nanoparticles in face-centered-cubic (FCC)-γ matrix is of great significance for improving high-temperature mechanical properties of Co-based superalloys. The present work developed a series of low-density Co-based superalloys in light of the cluster composition formula of [Al1-(Co,Ni)12]((Al0.5(Ti/Nb/Ta)0.5W0.5)(Mo0.5Cr0.5Co0.5)), where the addition of Ti, Nb, and Ta is mixed with an equimolar ratio. It is found that these designed alloys with different combinations of Ti/Nb/Ta, Ti/Nb, and Ti/Ta possess the coherent microstructure of cuboidal γ' nanoprecipitates in the FCC-γ matrix. The microstructural evolution of coherent γ/γ' during aging at 1173 K shows that these superalloys exhibit higher thermal stability at high temperatures. Even after aging for 1000 h, there do not exist any other precipitated phases on grain boundaries, except the coarse γ' precipitates. Also, the coarsening rate constants of cuboidal γ' nanoprecipitates in these alloys are very low (K = 5.76-6.03 nm3/s), which is mainly ascribed to a moderate lattice misfit (ε = 0.28 %-0.45 %) between γ and γ'. The stable γ/γ' microstructure renders the alloys with prominent mechanical properties, as evidenced by the high yield strength of σYS = 438-445 MPa at 1143 K. A large amount of stacking faults appear after compressive deformation and Lomer-Contrell dislocation locks are also formed due to the reaction of partial dislocations of stacking faults. Moreover, the microhardness (285-320 HV) in each alloy keeps almost constant with the aging time. Besides, these superalloys have a relatively lower density (8.67-8.89 g/cm3), among which the alloy containing Ti0.25Ta0.25 also exhibits a much higher γ' solvus temperature (1361 ± 2 K) than those of the existing Co-Al-W-based superalloys.

Design of Ultra-Strong As-Cast Titanium Alloy at 600℃by Using Cluster Formula

A Ti-5.4Al-6.4Zr-6.2Sn-0.4Mo-1.6W-0.4Nb-3.2Ta-0.5Si alloy is designed following cluster formula approach that achieves a strength level of 1 GPa at 600℃in the as-cast state,superior to any existing high-temperature Ti alloys.Its composition is formulated by 17 basic units,α-{[Al-Ti12](AlTi2)}12+β-{[Al-Ti_(12)Zr_(2)](Mo_(0.125)Nb_(0.125)Ta_(0.5)W_(0.25)Sn_(1.5)Si_(0.5))}_(5),each unit covering a nearest-neighbor cluster plus a few next-neighbor glue atoms.This design is on the basis of the composition formula of Ti65 alloy,with an enhancedβstability via more Zr,Mo,Nb,Ta,W,Sn,and Si co-alloying.Upon copper-mold pour casting,this alloy shows a good microstructure stability.In tensile testing below at 650℃,itsαplates thickness is nearly at the same level of 0.2μm,which is much smaller than 0.7-0.8μm of Ti65 at the same condition.The changes in volume fraction ofβphase are increased by 86%,much less than by 105%in Ti65.Its room-temperature strength reaches the ultra-high-strength level,with an ultimate tensile strength of 1328 MPa and a yield strength of 1117 MPa,with a moderate elongation of 3.8%.At 600℃,its ultimate tensile strength of 1017 MPa and yield strength of 936 MPa are superior to those of any existing high-temperature Ti alloys,with an elongation of 7.2%.At 650℃,its ultimate tensile strength of 848 MPa still maintains a high level.

Composition optimization of high-strength Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloys based on the structural unit of Mg-Gd solid solution

Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloys with high strength fall within narrow composition range.The present paper explains their composition rule by establishing the cluster-plus-glue-atom unit of Gd-containing Mg solid solution with the aid of Mg matrix and Mg_(5) Gd precipitate phase.First,based on the structural homologue between Gd-containing Mg solid solution and Mg_(5) Gd precipitate phase and in combination with our previously established method for calculating the glue atoms,[Gd-Mg_(12)]Mg_(5) is obtained as the chemical unit of Gd-containing Mg solid solution.Then,seven compositions are designed using different combinations of this unit and that of pure Mg[Mg-Mg_(12)Mg3.After a systematic experimental investigation on the microstructure and mechanical property evolutions as a function of the unit proportions,it is revealed that the Mg-10.1 Gd-3.3 Y-0.9 Zr alloy,being issued from equi-proportion mixing of the two units,shows the strongest tendency of precipitation and reaches the highest strength of 374 MPa after aging.The composition and strength of this alloy are quite close to GW103 K which is well recognized for its general mechanical performance in Mg-Gd-Y-Zr system.

Design of near-α Ti alloys via a cluster formula approach and their high-temperature oxidation resistance

The multi-component composition characteristics of high-temperature near-α Ti alloys were investigated in the present work by means of a cluster formula approach. The uniform cluster formula [CN12 cluster](glue atom)3 for the hexagonal close-packed α solid solution was first obtained based on the Friedel oscillation theory, with a total atom number in the formula of Z = 16. Then it was analyzed that the Z values in the cluster composition formulas of typical near-α Ti alloys are within the range of Z = 16.0016.30, being perfectly consistent with the ideal Z = 16. Based on it, a series of new alloys with Z = 16 and with Nb/Ta substitution for Mo in Ti1100 alloy were designed, suction-cast into φ 6 mm rods, and then heat-treated with solid solution and aging. It was found that the alloy with co-addition of Mo, Ta and Nb has a high strength and good ductility at both room and high temperatures. More importantly, the additions of Nb and Ta can contribute to the formation of continuous and compact Al2O3 scales, resulting in an obvious improvement of oxidation resistances at both 923 K and 1073 K. The effects of Mo, Ta and Nb on the oxidation behaviors of the designed alloys at 1073 K were further discussed.

CuTiNiZrV Amorphous Alloy Foils for Vacuum Brazing of TiAl Alloy to 40Cr Steel

Vacuum brazing of TiAl alloy to 40Cr steel sheets was conducted with newly developed CuTiNiZrV amorphous foils. It was found that a diffusion layer,filler metal and reaction layer existed in the brazed seam. The diffusion layer in the joint brazed with Cu43.75Ti37.5Ni6.25Zr6.25V6.25(at.%) foil was flat and thin,containing Ti19Al6 and Ti2Cu intermetallic compounds; however,the diffusion layer brazed with Cu37.5Ti25Ni12.5Zr12.5V12.5 foil was uneven with bulges,consisting of essentially Ti-based solute solution. The foil with 12.5 at.% V showed inferior spreadability compared to that with 6.25 at.% V at brazing temperature. However,fracture happened along the diffusion layer with 6.25 at.% V foil due to the formation of brittle intermetallic phases,but the joints brazed with 12.5 at.% V foil failed through the TiAl substrate. These results show that designing amorphous alloy with less Ti and more V for brazing TiAl alloy to steel is appropriate.

Cluster-formula-embedded machine learning for design of multicomponent β-Ti alloys with low Young’s modulus

The present work formulated a materials design approach,a cluster-formula-embedded machine learning(ML)model,to search for body-centered-cubic(BCC)β-Ti alloys with low Young’s modulus(E)in the Ti–Mo–Nb–Zr–Sn–Ta system.The characteristic parameters,including the Mo equivalence and the cluster-formula approach,are implemented into the ML to ensure the accuracy of prediction,in which the former parameter represents the BCC-βstructural stability,and the latter reflects the interactions among elements expressed with a composition formula.Both auxiliary gradient-boosting regression tree and genetic algorithm methods were adopted to deal with the optimization problem in the ML model.

Solute-homogenization model and its experimental verification in Mg-Gd-based alloys

Composition homogenization in solid solution is important for industrial alloys. In the present work, a solute homogenization model is proposed based on the chemical short-range-order tendency in Mg-Gd- based alloys. After a calculation using the cluster-plus-glue-atom model, the stable Mg-Gd structural unit is derived, [Gd-Mg12 ]Mg6, where one solute Gd is nearest-neighbored with twelve Mg atoms to form the characteristic hcp cluster [Gd-Mg12 ] and this cluster is matched with six Mg glue atoms. Such a local unit is then mixed with [Mg-Mg12 ]Mg3, the stable unit for pure Mg. Assuming that the Gd-containing units are arranged in fcc- or bcc-like lattice points and the Mg units in their octahedral interstices, three proportions between the two units are obtained, 1：1, 2：3, and 1：3, which constitute three solute homogenization modes. The prevailing Mg-Gd-based alloys are consequently classified into three groups, respectively exemplified by GW103 K （Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr, wt%）, GW83 K （Mg-SGd-3Y-0.4Zr）, and GW63 K （Mg-6Gd- 3Y-0.4Zr）. Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloys were designed following the model （where Y and Zr were also added in substitution for Gd） and prepared by permanent-mould casting. According to their mechanical properties, the 1：3 alloy （Mg-5.9Gd-1.6Y-0.4Zr） shows the best comprehensive properties （ultimate tensile strength 305 MPa, yield strength 186 MPa, elongation 9.0%） in solution plus ageing state.2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science ＆ Technology.

High-Temperature Structural Stabilities of Ni-Based SingleCrystal Superalloys Ni–Co–Cr–Mo–W–Al–Ti–Ta with Varying Co Contents

It has been recently pointed out that the compositions of industrial alloys are originated from cluster-plus-glueatom structure units in solid solutions. Specifically for Ni-based superalloys, after properly grouping the alloying elements into Al, Ni-like（Ni^-）, γ＇-forming Cr-like（Cr^-γ＇） and γ-forming Cr-like（Cr^-γ＇）, the optimal formula for single-crystal superalloys is established [Al–Ni^-12]（AlCr^-γ0：5Cr^-γ1：5）. The Co substitutions for Ni at the shell sites are conducted on the basis of the first-generation single-crystal superalloy AM3, formulated as [Al-Ni2-xCox]（Al1Ti0.25Ta0.25Cr1W0.25Mo0.25）, with x = 1.5, 1.75, 2 and 2.5（the corresponding weight percents of Co are 9.43, 11.0, 12.57 and 15.71, respectively）. The900 ℃ long-term aging follows the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory（LSW theory）, and the Co content does not have noticeable influence on the coarsening rate of c0. The microstructure and creep behavior of the four（001） single-crystal alloys are investigated. The creep rupture lifetime is reduced as Co increases. The alloy with the lowest Co（9.43 Co） shows the longest lifetime of about 350 h at 1050 ℃/120 MPa, and all the samples show N-type rafting after creep tests.