Heterogeneous fiberous structured Mg-Zn-Zr alloy with superior strength-ductility synergy

Here we reported a heterogeneous fiberous structured Mg-5.6Zn-0.6Zr(wt%)alloy obtained by conventional extrusion method,which exhibited high yield strength of∼345 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of∼370 MPa,and high tensile strain of∼20.5%,superior to most of the Mg-Zn based alloys reported so far.The extraordinarily high mechanical properties were mainly attributed to the heterogeneous fiberous structure consisting of alternating coarse-and fine-grain layers.Grains in the different layers grew into the neighboring layers,ensuring a good layer bonding.A high Schmid factor and geometric compatibility factor for pyramidal slip led to full slip transfer between the neighboring coarse grains and fine grains,which could help to release the stress concentration and avoid early fracture.The profuse acti-vated<c+a>glide dislocations could render the unprecedented high tensile strain.The constraint by the hard fine-grain domains made the soft coarse-grain domains strong like the hard fine-grain domains,as well as the nanoscale precipitates pinning dislocations,contributed to the high strength.The hetero-geneous microstructure design was shown to have synergistic improvement in strength-ductility balance,which could be an inspiring strategy to improve mechanical properties of hexagonal close-packed(hcp)metals.

Improved stability of superelasticity and elastocaloric effect in Ti-Ni alloys by suppressing Lüders-like deformation under tensile load

Functional stability of superelasticity is crucial for practical applications of shape memory alloys.It is degraded by a Lüders-like deformation with elevated local stress concentration under tensile load.By increasing the degree of solute supersaturation and applying appropriate thermomechanical treatments,a Ti-Ni alloy with nanocrystallinity and dispersed nanoprecipitates is obtained.In contrast to conventional Ti-Ni alloys,the superelasticity in the target alloy is accompanied by homogeneous deformation due to the sluggish stress-induced martensitic transformation.The alloy thus shows a fully recoverable strain of 6%under tensile stress over 1 GPa and a large adiabatic temperature decrease of 13.1 K under tensile strain of 4.5%at room temperature.Moreover,both superelasticity and elastocaloric effect exhibit negligible degradation in response to applied strain of 4%during cycling.We attribute the improved functional stability to low dislocation activity resulting from the suppression of localized deformation and the combined strengthening effect of nanocrystalline structure and nanoprecipitates.Thus,the design of such a microstructure enabling homogeneous deformation provides a recipe for stable superelasticity and elastocaloric effect.

Effects of different continuous fertilizer managements on soil total nitrogen stocks in China: A meta-analysis

Soil total nitrogen is critical for crop productivity and related to agricultural managements. However, the effects of different fertilizer applications on soil total nitrogen storage are not well understood. To quantify soil total nitrogen storage under different fertilizer management practices and explore the effects of climate, soil texture, experimental duration, and cropping system on soil total nitrogen storage in China, we conducted a meta-analysis of 67 fertilizer management strategies from experiments conducted over a period of at least three years. This meta-analysis included 854 observations of changes in soil total nitrogen stock(TNS) under no fertilizer application(control, CK), chemical fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium(CF), CF plus straw retention(CFS), and CF plus manure addition(CFM) relative to initial soil TNS. The CFM and CFS treatments increased soil TNS, and the CFM treatments increased soil C/N ratio the most. The longer the experimental duration, the greater the increase in soil TNS in the CF, CFS, and CFM treatments.Soil texture and crop type significantly affected the changes in soil TNS. The experimental duration, initial soil TNS, soil C/N ratio, and cropping system had significant linear correlations with the change in soil TNS. Temperature and precipitation were not correlated with soil TNS. Results of random forest modeling indicated that the most important factor affecting changes in soil TNS was experimental duration(positive correlation), followed by initial soil TNS(negative correlation). The CFM treatments had the largest increase in soil TNS under various conditions. We recommend promoting CFM to improve soil fertility in farmlands globally.