Anti-corrosion performance of Si-surface-alloying NdFeB magnets obtained with magnetron sputtering and thermal diffusion

Si alloying in the surface layer of NdFeB magnets was realized by thermal diffusion combined with magnetron sputtering.The surface composition,phase structure and morphology of NdFeB(S-Si)specimens were characterized by an X-ray diffractometer,an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and a field emission scanning electron microscope,respectively.The corrosion resistance of bare NdFeB(S-Si)was analyzed by static full immersion corrosion test and electrochemical experiments.Effects of sputtering and thermal diffusion on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of the surface layer were studied.Results show that surface alloying layer can effectively improve the corrosion resistance of bare NdFeB with the optimized static total immersion corrosion test time in NdFeB(1S-Si)-800 of 36 h,which is much longer than that of the pristine NdFeB(less than 0.5 h).The E_(corr)of NdFeB(1S-Si)-800 positively shifts from-1.05 to-0.92 V,indicating that the corrosion tendency is obviously lower.The J_(corr)is1.45×10^(-6)A/cm^(2)which is 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of the pristine NdFeB(5.25×10^(-4)A/cm^(2)).The intergranular composite oxides existing in Nd-rich phase contribute to the enhancement of corrosion resistance of Si-surface-alloying NdFeB.

Effects of bias voltage on coating structures and anticorrosion performances of PA-PVD Al coated NdFeB magnets

Al coated NdFeB magnets were prepared by plasma-assisted-physical-vapor-deposition(PA-PVD)method fo r enhancing the corro sion resistance.Mo rphologies and structures were characterized by an Xray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope.Corrosion behaviors of the samples with different bias voltages were studied by electrochemical methods and neutral salt spray test,respectively.The bias voltage during the deposition process was optimized according to the coating structures and corrosion resistances.The density and flatness of Al coating increase with increasing the bias voltage,and at the same time the thickness decreases.The coating density and thickness turn to be stable when bias voltage is 1800 V.Also,the corrosion behaviors of PA-PVD Al coatings in different media,such as NaOH,HNO_(3) and NaCl solutions,were studied.The self-corrosion potentials(E_(corr)) of PA-PVD Al coatings almost keep constant in NaOH and HNO_(3) solutions with diffe rent concentrations.However,the self-corrosion current densities(J_(corr)) decrease with the increasing concentrations.E_(corr) shifts to negative potential and J_(corr)decreases gradually when increasing the concentration of NaCl solution.The corrosion mechanisms of Al coatings are discussed based on the corrosion behaviors in different media.

Densification and anticorrosion performances of vacuum evaporated aluminium coatings on NdFeB magnets

Al coated NdFeB magnets obtained by vacuum evaporation technique were densified by high energy ball milling method.The surface morphology,metal composition and micro structure of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,respectively.The anticorrosive properties were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization curves and neutral salt spray test.The pores in the Al coatings of columnar crystals(Al) induced by the evaporation technique,were apparently filled in the following ball milling process,leading to the densification of Al coatings and the evident improvement of the anticorrosive performances.When treated with ball milling for 30 min,the sample achieves the best anticorrosive performances with the self-corrosion potential of-0.87 V,self-corrosion current density of 1.65 μA/cm^(2) and the neutral salt spray(NSS) time of 144 h(red rust).The improvement of the anticorro sive performances of vacuum evaporated Al coating mainly lies in the densification effect of the coating,which depends on different loading conditions of ball milling process.

Molecular and epidemiologic characterization of Wilms tumor from Baghdad, Iraq

Background Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common childhood kidney cancer worldwide, yet its incidence and clinical behavior vary according to race and access to adequate healthcare resources. To guide and streamline therapy in the war-torn and resource-constrained city of Baghdad, Iraq, we conducted a first-ever molecular analysis of 20 WT specimens to characterize the biological features of this lethal disease within this challenged population. Methods Next-generation sequencing of ten target genes associated with WT development and treatment resistance (WT1, CTNNB1, WTX, IGF2, CITED1, SIX2, p53, N-MYC, CRABP2, and TOP2A) was completed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for 6 marker proteins of WT (WT1, CTNNB1, NCAM, CITED1, SIX2, and p53). Patient outcomes were compiled. Results Mutations were detected in previously described WT 'hot spots' (e.g., WT1 and CTNNB1) as well as novel loci that may be unique to the Iraqi population. Immunohistochemistry showed expression domains most typical of blastemal-predominant WT. Remarkably, despite the challenges facing families and care providers, only one child, with combined WT1 and CTNNB1 mutations, was confirmed dead from disease. Median clinical follow-up was 40.5 months (range 6–78 months). Conclusions These data suggest that WT biology within a population of Iraqi children manifests features both similar to and unique from disease variants in other regions of the world. These observations will help to risk stratify WT patients living in this difficult environment to more or less intensive therapies and to focus treatment on cell-specific targets.