Modified Scherrer Equation to Estimate More Accurately Nano-Crystallite Size Using XRD

Scherrer Equation, L=Kλ/β.cosθ, was developed in 1918, to calculate the nano crystallite size (L) by XRD radiation of wavelength λ (nm) from measuring full width at half maximum of peaks (β) in radian located at any 2θ in the pattern. Shape factor of K can be 0.62 - 2.08 and is usually taken as about 0.89. But, if all of the peaks of a pattern are going to give a similar value of L, then β.cosθ must be identical. This means that for a typical 5nm crystallite size and λ Cukα1 = 0.15405 nm the peak at 2θ = 170° must be more than ten times wide with respect to the peak at 2θ = 10°, which is never observed. The purpose of modified Scherrer equation given in this paper is to provide a new approach to the kind of using Scherrer equation, so that a least squares technique can be applied to minimize the sources of errors. Modified Scherrer equation plots lnβ against ln(1/cosθ) and obtains the intercept of a least squares line regression, ln=Kλ/L, from which a single value of L is obtained through all of the available peaks. This novel technique is used for a natural Hydroxyapatite (HA) of bovine bone fired at 600°C, 700°C, 900°C and 1100°C from which nano crystallite sizes of 22.8, 35.5, 37.3 and 38.1 nm were respectively obtained and 900°C was selected for biomaterials purposes. These results show that modified Scherrer equation method is promising in nano materials applications and can distinguish between 37.3 and 38.1 nm by using the data from all of the available peaks.

Electroplating of Ni/Co–pumice multilayer nanocomposite coatings: Effect of current density on crystal texture transformations and corrosion behavior

The present paper aims to investigate the influence of the current density in the electroplating process on the microstructure, crystal texture transformations, and corrosion behavior of Ni/Co pumice multilayer nanocomposite coatings. The Ni/Co pumice composite coatings were prepared by deposition of Ni, followed by the simultaneous deposition of pumice nanoparticles (NPs) in a Co matrix via an electroplating process at various current densities. Afterward, the morphology, size, topography, and crystal texture of the obtained samples were investigated. Furthermore, electrochemical methods were used to investigate the corrosion behavior of the produced coatings in a solution of 3.5wt% NaCl. The results indicated that increasing the plating current density changed the mechanism of coating growth from the cell state to the column state, in- creased the coating thickness, roughness, and texture coefficient (TC) of the Co (203) plane, and reduced the amount of pumice NPs incorporated into the Ni/Co pumice composite. The electrochemical results also indicated that increasing the current density enhanced the corrosion resistance of the Ni/Co pumice composite.

Investigation of Viscosity's Effects on Continuous Casting of Steel Mold Powders Containing B₂O₃, Li₂O, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ZnO and Na₂O

Mold powders are mainly formed of such oxides as SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Na2O along with F and C. One of the main constitutional composes of mold powders is F, which is utilized in chemical composition of mold powders due to its features of controlling viscosity and producing desired lubrication between solidified steel shell and mold. However, the emission of F through such compositions as HF (g) causes health and environmental problems. The purpose of this research is to decrease, and subsequently substitute, F in chemical composition of a lubricating high speed powder, which is used in continuous casting of steel industry. A combination of Fe2O3 and TiO2 compositions to substitute F in chemical composition of a fluorine-free mold powder was used to meet the purposed of this research. In addition, nine powder samples (A-I) with laboratory scale were prepared. In order to evaluate the samples’ viscosity behavior, groove viscometer test and image analysis software was used and to evaluate the crystalline behavior of samples C and G, XRD and SEM analyses were conducted. The results of these analyses demonstrated that the fluorine-free sample, due to its viscosity resemblance in comparison with molten reference powder and through creation of such crystalline phases as Perovskite (CaTiO3) and Fayalite (Fe2SiO4), will result in viscosity control of the mold powder and therefore optimizing continuous casting conditions. Finally, it is possible to derive that this sample may be an appropriate substitution for the reference powder being utilized in steel continuous casting industry.

Effect of Multi-Step Tempering on Retained Austenite and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Steel

The effect of multi-step tempering on retained austenite content and mechanical properties of low alloy steel used in the forged cold back-up roll was investigated.Microstructural evolutions were characterized by optical microscope,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscope and Feritscope,while the mechanical properties were determined by hardness and tensile tests.The results revealed that the content of retained austenite decreased by about 2% after multi-step tempering.However,the content of retained austenite increased from 3.6% to 5.1% by increasing multi-step tempering temperature.The hardness and tensile strength increased as the austenitization temperature changed from 800 to 920 ℃,while above 920 ℃,hardness and tensile strength decreased.In addition,the maximum values of hardness,ultimate and yield strength were obtained via triple tempering at 520 ℃,while beyond 520 ℃,the hardness,ultimate and yield strength decreased sharply.

Improving mold powder through crystallization using calcium fluoride and manganese oxide for continuous casting of steel

Mold powder is generally made of SiO2 and CaO with little amount of calcium fluoride(CaF_(2))and carbon.Basically,F^(-)has a crucial effect on viscosity and crystallization of the powder.However,emission of toxic materials containing F^(-)constituent such as HF and SiF4 leads to serious environmental pollution.Overall,six powder samples were made during this research to study the effects of such compounds as calcium fluoride(CaF_(2))and manganese oxide(MnO)on the crystallization of mold powder and compare with that of the original mold powder.Having considered the chemical compounds of these six samples,two were finally chosen:powder sample A and powder sample E.The former was a simulated sample of the original mold powder using CaF_(2),and the latter was a less-F^(-)sample in which MnO was used as a substitution for F^(-)in the compounds of the mold powder.In other words,the amount of F^(-)was cut in half comparing to that of the original mold powder.The thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA)was performed on the original mold powder,the simulated sample of the original mold powder and the less-F^(-)sample.The results of the TGA demonstrated the reduction of thermal loss in samples A and E comparing to the original mold powder.On the other hand,the results of differential thermal analysis(DTA)of these three samples,i.e.,original mold powder and samples A and E,demonstrated that melting and crystallization temperatures of the original mold powder were similar to those of samples A and E.Therefore,it can be concluded that samples A and E are potential laboratory-scale substitutions for the original mold powder.