Application of nanoparticles in cast steel:An overview

The innovative and environmentally friendly methodologies for comprehensively enhancing the performances of high-strength steels without damage to plasticity,toughness and heat/corrosion/fatigue resistance are being developed.In recent years,nanoparticles elevate the field of high-strength steel.It is proposed that nanoparticles have the potential to replace conventional semi-coherent intermetallic compounds,carbides and alloying to optimize the steel.The fabrication process is simplified and the cost is lower compared with the traditional methods.Considerable research effort has been directed towards high-performance cast steels reinforced with nanoparticles due to potential application in major engineering.Nanoparticles are found to be capable of notably optimizing the nucleation behavior and precipitate process.The prominently optimized microstructure configuration and performances of cast steel can be acquired synchronously.In this review,the lattice matching and valence electron criterion between diverse nanoparticles and steel are summarized,and the existing various preparation methods are compared and analyzed.At present,there are four main methods to introduce nanoparticles into steel:external nanoparticle method,internal nanoparticle method,in-situ reaction method,and additive manufacturing method.These four methods have their own advantages and limitations,respectively.In this review,the synthesis,selection principle and strengthening mechanism of nanoparticles in cast steels for the above four methods are discussed in detail.Moreover,the main preparation methods and microstructure manipulation mechanism of the steel reinforced with different nanoparticles have been systematically expatiated.Finally,the development and future potential research directions of the application of nanoparticles in cast steel are prospected.

The Relationship Between Oxidation and Thermal Fatigue of Martensitic Hot-Work Die Steels

Thermal fatigue behaviors of two forged hot-work die steels subjected to cyclic heating （650 ℃）-water quenching were investigated. A martensitic hot-work die steel containing 10% Cr （HHD）, showing superior oxidation resistance and thermal fatigue resistance to the commercial martensitic hot-work die steel （Uddeholm DIEVAR ）, was developed. The maximal crack length in HHD was 35% shorter than that in DIEVAR after 2000 thermal cycles, and the hot yield strength at 650℃ of HHD was 14% lower than that of DIEVAR prior to thermal fatigue testing, which is 30% higher after 1500 cycles. It is found that cracks initiated and propagated along the oxide layers in the grain boundaries, suggesting that the oxidation-induced thermal fatigue cracks can significantly reduce the mechanical performance and service life for the hot- work die steel. High-temperature oxidation behavior is crucial for thermal fatigue crack formation, while high-temperature yield strength and ductility play a less important role.

A five-compartment model of age-specific transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2

Background:The novel coronavirus,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2,also called 2019-nCoV)causes different morbidity risks to individuals in different age groups.This study attempts to quantify the age-specific transmissibility using a mathematical model.Methods:An epidemiological model with five compartments(susceptible-exposed-symptomatic-asymptomatic-recovered/removed[SEIAR])was developed based on observed transmission features.Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases were divided into four age groups:group 1,those≤14years old;group 2,those 15 to 44years old;group 3,those 45 to 64years old;and group 4,those≥65 years old.The model was initially based on cases(including imported cases and secondary cases)collected in Hunan Province from January 5 to February 19,2020.Another dataset,from Jilin Province,was used to test the model.Results:The age-specific SEIAR model fitted the data well in each age group(P<0.001).In Hunan Province,the highest transmissibility was from age group 4 to 3(median:β43=7.71×10-9;SAR43=3.86×10-8),followed by group 3 to 4(median:β34=3.07×10-9;SAR34=1.53×10-8),group 2 to 2(median:β22=1.24×10-9;SAR22=6.21×10-9),and group 3 to 1(median:β31=4.10×10-10;SAR31=2.08×10-9).The lowest transmissibility was from age group 3 to 3(median:β33=1.64×10-19;SAR33=8.19×10-19),followed by group 4 to 4(median:β44=3.66×10-17;SAR44=1.83×10-16),group 3 to 2(median:β32=1.21×10-16;SAR32=6.06×10-16),and group 1 to 4(median:β14=7.20×10-14;SAR14=3.60×10-13).In Jilin Province,the highest transmissibility occurred from age group 4 to 4(median:β43=4.27×10-8;SAR43=2.13×10-7),followed by group 3 to 4(median:β34=1.81×10-8;SAR34=9.03×10-8).Conclusions:SARS-CoV-2 exhibits high transmissibility between middle-aged(45 to 64 years old)and elderly(≥65 years old)people.Children(≤14 years old)have very low susceptibility to COVID-19.This study will improve our understanding of the transmission feature of SARS-CoV-2 in different age groups and suggest the most prevention measures should be applied to middle-aged and elderly people.