Long-term corrosion behavior of HVOF sprayed FeCrSiBMn amorphous/nanocrystalline coating

A FeCrSiBMn amorphous/nanocrystalline coating with 700 μm in thickness and 0.65% in porosity, was prepared by high velocity oxygen fuel(HVOF) spraying process. The long-term corrosion behavior of the FeCrSiBMn coating was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution with a hard chromium coating as a reference. The FeCrSiBMn coating exhibited higher corrosion potential and lower corrosion current density than the hard chromium coating. The pore resistance(Rp) and charge transfer resistance(Rct) of FeCrSiBMn coating were higher than those of the hard chromium coating. In addition, after immersion in the Na Cl solution for 28 d, only small pores in the FeCrSiBMn coating were observed. All the results indicated that the FeCrSiBMn coating held superior corrosion resistance to the hard chromium coating. This could be attributed to the dense structure, low porosity and amorphous/nanocrystalline phases of the FeCrSiBMn coating.

Quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms and inverse Hall-Petch relationship in nanocrystalline boron carbide under compression

Grain boundaries(GBs)play a significant role in the deformation behaviors of nanocrystalline ceramics.Here,we investigate the compression behaviors of nanocrystalline boron carbide(nB_(4)C)with varying grain sizes using molecular dynamics simulations with a machine-learning force field.The results reveal quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms in nB_(4)C:GB sliding,intergranular amorphization and intragranular amorphization.GB sliding arises from the presence of soft GBs,leading to intergranular amorphization.Intragranular amorphization arises from the interaction between grains with unfavorable orientations and the softened amorphous GBs,and finally causes structural failure.Furthermore,nB_(4)C models with varying grain sizes from 4.07 nm to 10.86 nm display an inverse Hall-Petch relationship due to the GB sliding mechanism.A higher strain rate in nB_(4)C often leads to a higher yield strength,following a 2/3 power relationship.These deformation mechanisms are critical for the design of ceramics with superior mechanical properties.

Correlation between pre-peak in structure factor and physical properties in Al-based amorphous alloys

To study the influence of Fe addition on the Al-based amorphous alloys,the structure and properties of Al84Ni10La6 and Al84Ni9Fe1La6 alloys were investigated through various techniques.The results show that 1% Fe（molar fraction） addition increases the area of the pre-peak in the structure factor and decreases the thermal expansion coefficient difference between the crystalline and amorphous states.1% Fe addition also improves the glass forming ability（GFA）,micro-hardness,fracture toughness,electric resistivity,absolute diamagnetism and corrosion resistance of Al-Ni-La alloys,which is related to the changes of medium-range order and quench-in free volume caused by 1% Fe addition.

Growth characteristics of amorphous-layer-free nanocrystalline silicon films fabricated by very high frequency PECVD at 250 ℃

Amorphous-layer-free nanocrystalline silicon films were prepared by a very high frequency plasma enhanced chem-ical vapor deposition （PECVD） technique using hydrogen-diluted Sill4 at 250 ℃. The dependence of the crystallinity of the film on the hydrogen dilution ratio and the film thickness was investigated. Raman spectra show that the thickness of the initial amorphous incubation layer on silicon oxide gradually decreases with increasing hydrogen dilution ratio. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that the initial amorphous incubation layer can be completely eliminated at a hydrogen dilution ratio of 98%, which is lower than that needed for the growth of amorphous-layer-free nanocrystalline silicon using an excitation frequency of 13.56 MHz. More studies on the microstructure evolution of the initial amorphous incubation layer with hydrogen dilution ratios were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It is suggested that the high hydrogen dilution, as well as the higher plasma excitation frequency, plays an important role in the formation of amorphous-layer-free nanocrystalline silicon films.

TEM Specimen Preparation for Al-based Amorphous Alloys

Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） is usually used to identify the amorphicity. However, some artifacts may be introduced due to improper TEM foil preparation. In this paper, three Al-rich metallic glasses with and without a glass transition were selected for characterizing the effect of the electropolishing condition on the as-quenched structure during TEM specimen preparation. It is shown that the occurrence of the modulated bright-dark structure under TEM observation is closely sensitive to the electropolishing condition, which suggests us being careful about the possible artifacts induced by specimen preparation when examining amorphous alloys under TEM.

Molybdenum based amorphous and nanocrystalline coatings prepared by high velocity oxy-fuel spraying

The high velocity oxy-fuel(HVOF) based thermal spray process has developed as a potential advantageous approach for fabricating various kinds of functional coatings.In this article,the coatings of Mo-based alloy were synthesized using the HVOF process.The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the HVOF-processed coatings were investigated using SEM,TEM,XRD,and hardness and wear tests.Annealing treatment was applied to the as-sprayed coatings to develop the microstructure and its effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings was examined.It is found that the HVOF-processed Mo-based alloy coatings are comprised of an amorphous splat matrix embedded with nano-sized crystalline particles.Annealing at temperatures over 950 ℃ results into crystallization of the amorphous matrix.The mechanical properties of the as-sprayed coatings are enhanced with annealing temperature up to 750 ℃ and from 950 to 1050 ℃,keeps constant between 750 and 950 ℃,and reduce over 1050 ℃.The change of the mechanical property with the microstructure was illustrated in the study.

Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage Performance of the Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Pr-Mg-Ni-based Alloys Synthesized by Mechanical Milling

The PrMg12-type composite alloy of PrMg_(11)Ni + x wt% Ni (x=100,200) with an amorphous and nanocrystalline microstructure were synthesized through the mechanical milling.Effects of milling duration and Ni content on the microstructures and electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of the ball-milled alloys were methodically studied.The ball-milled alloys obtain the optimum discharge capacities at the first cycle.Increasing Ni content dramatically enhances the electrochemical property of alloys.Milling time varying may obviously impact the electrochemical performance of these alloys.The discharge capacities show a significant upward trend with milling duration prolonging,but milling for a longer time more than 40 h induces a slight decrease in the discharge capacity of the x=200 alloy.As milling duration increases,the cycle stability clearly lowers,while it first declines and then augments under the same condition for the x=200 alloy.The high-rate discharge abilities of the ball-milled alloys show the optimum values with milling time varying.

Anisotropic Magnetoresistance Effect in Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Fe(Cu,Nb)-Si-B Alloys

The magnetoresistance effect and magnetic properties in amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe(Cu, Nb)-Si-B ribbons have been investigated, it was observed that the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) of nanocrystalline alloy is much smaller than that of amorphous alloy, Indicating that the anisotropy of nanocrystalline alloy becomes smaller after crystallizing, and the smallest AMR is coincident with the excellent soft magnetic characteristics. It is believed that the smaller magnetic crystalline anisotropy is the origin of the excellent soft magnetic characteristics of nanocrystalline alloy.

Effect of melt spinning on gaseous hydrogen storage characteristics of nanocrystalline and amorphous Nd-added Mg_2Ni-type alloys

Nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg-Nd-Ni-Cu quaternary alloys with a composition of(Mg_(24)Ni_(10)Cu_2)_(100-x)Nd_x(x=0, 5, 10, 15, 20) were prepared by melt spinning technology and their structures as well as gaseous hydrogen storage characteristics were investigated. The XRD, TEM and SEM linked with EDS detections reveal that the as-spun Nd-free alloy holds an entire nanocrystalline structure but a nanocrystalline and amorphous structure for the as-spun Nd-added alloy, implying that the addition of Nd facilitates the glass forming in the Mg_2Ni-type alloy. Furthermore, the degree of amorphization of the as-spun Nd-added alloy and thermal stability of the amorphous structure clearly increase with the spinning rate rising. The melt spinning ameliorates the hydriding and dehydriding kinetics of the alloys dramatically. Specially, the rising of the spinning rate from 0(the as-cast was defined as the spinning rate of 0 m/s) to 40 m/s brings on the hydrogen absorption saturation ratio(R_5~a)(a ratio of the hydrogen absorption quantity in 5 min to the saturated hydrogen absorption capacity) increasing from 36.9% to 91.5% and the hydrogen desorption ratio(R_(1 0)~d)(a ratio of the hydrogen desorption quantity in 10 min to the saturated hydrogen absorption capacity) rising from 16.4% to 47.7% for the(x=10) alloy, respectively.

Magnetothermal Analysis of Nanocrystallization of Amorphous and Relaxations of Nanocrystalline Materials

For a few years it has been realized that nanocrystalline phases can be formed during crystallization of amorphous alloys annealed isothermally below the crystallization temperature of usual heating experiments. Data of this transformation monitored by the measurement of magnetic susceptibility are presented. A method using a magnetic balance with electronic stabilisation and combined computer facilities is applied. Constant heating and cooling rates as well as isothermal heat treatments are used. Magnetic measurements are able to detect the onset of the transformation of amorphous NI-P alloys much earlier than was possible with differential scanning calorimetry. The transformation kinetics can be analyzed by means of the Avrami plot based on the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation. The kinetics of solid state reactions in the nanostructured material can be investigated similarly. Formation of a Ni-phase in a nanostructured Hf-Ni alloy could be detected in a very early stage, where calorimetric methods are not sensitive. Segregation phenomena could be detected from the experiments even after long time. The sensitivity of the applied method is not dependent on the heating rate as the sensitivity of scanning calorimetry is.

Highly Improved Electrochemical Performances of the Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Mg_2Ni-type Alloys by Substituting Ni with M (M=Cu,Co,Mn)

The element Ni in the Mg2Ni alloy is partially substituted by M（M = Cu, Co, Mn） in order to ameliorate the electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of Mg2Ni-type electrode alloys. The nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg20Ni10-xMx（M = None, Cu, Co, Mn; x = 0-4） alloys were prepared by melt spinning. The effects of the M（M = Cu, Co, Mn） content on the structures and electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of the as-cast and spun alloys were comparatively studied. The analyses by XRD, SEM and HRTEM reveal that all the as-cast alloys have a major phase of Mg2Ni but the M（M = Co, Mn） substitution brings on the formation of some secondary phases, MgCo2 and Mg for the（M = Co） alloy, and Mn Ni and Mg for the（M = Mn） alloy. Besides, the as-spun（M = None, Cu） alloys display an entirely nanocrystalline structure, whereas the as-spun（M = Co, Mn） alloys hold a nanocrystalline/amorphous structure, suggesting that the substitution of M（M = Co, Mn） for Ni facilitates the glass formation in the Mg2Ni-type alloys. The electrochemical measurements indicate that the variation of M（M = Cu, Co, Mn） content engenders an obvious effect on the electrochemical performances of the as-cast and spun alloys. To be specific, the cyclic stabilities of the alloys augment monotonously with increasing M（M = Cu, Co, Mn） content, and the capacity retaining rate（S20） is in an order of（M = Cu） 〉（M = Co） 〉（M = Mn） 〉（M = None） for x≤1 but changes to（M = Co） 〉（M = Mn） 〉（M = Cu） 〉（M = None） for x≥2. The discharge capacities of the as-cast and spun alloys always grow with the rising of M（M = Co, Mn） content but first mount up and then go down with increasing M（M = Cu） content. Whatever the M content is, the discharge capacities are in sequence：（M = Co） 〉（M = Mn） 〉（M = Cu） 〉（M = None）. The high rate discharge abilities（HRDs） of all the alloys grow clearly with rising M（M = Cu, Co） content except for（M = Mn） alloy, whose HRD has a maximum value with varying M（M = Mn） content. Furthermore, for the as-cast alloys, the HRD is in order of（M = Co） 〉（M = Mn） 〉（M = Cu） 〉（M = None）, while for the as-spun（20 m·s^-1） alloys, it changes from（M = Co） 〉（M = Mn） 〉（M = Cu） 〉（M = None） for x = 1 to（M = Cu） 〉（M = Co） 〉（M = None） 〉（M = Mn） for x = 4.

Preparation and Properties of FeZrB Amorphous-Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic Alloy

Fe68Zr20B12 amorphous alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying（MA） method and annealed at different temperatures. Microstructures and magnetic properties of Fe68Zr20B12 alloys as-milled and annealed at 693, 843, 943 and 993 K were studied. The raw powders（Fe, Zr, B） formed b. c. c. α-Fe solid solution at early stages of MA and then transformed into amorphous alloy. Grain size（D） of Fe68Zr20B12 alloys increases with increasing annealing temperature and keeps at nanometer level. The specific saturation magnetization（σs） increases with increasing annealing temperature from 300 K to 943 K, and then decreases with annealing temperature at 993 K because of the precipitation of Fe3B.

Amorphous-Nanocrystalline Transition in Silicon Thin Films Obtained by Argon Diluted Silane PECVD

The Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) method is widely used compared to other methods to deposit hydrogenated silicon Si:H. In this work, a systematic variation of deposition parameters was done to study the sensitivities and the effects of these parameters on the intrinsic layer material properties. Samples were deposited with 13.56 MHZ PECVD through decomposition of silane diluted with argon. Undoped samples depositions were made in this experiment in order to obtain the transition from the amorphous to nanocrystalline phase materials. The substrate temperature was fixed at 200oC. The influence of depositions parameters on the optical proprieties of the thin films was studied by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The structural evolution was also studied by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structural evolution studies show that beyond 200 W radio frequency power value, we observed an amorphous-nanocrystalline transition, with an increase in crystalline fraction by increasing RF power and working pressure. The deposition rates are found in the range 6 - 10 /s. A correlation between structural and optical properties has been found and discussed.

Effect of element fitting on composition optimization of Al-Cu-Ti amorphous alloy by mechanical alloying

In order to minimize the crystal phase in Al-Cu-Ti amorphous powder,Al65Cu35-xTix amorphous powders were optimized via ball milling through adjusting the amount of Cu and Ti elements and the ball milling time.The results show that increasing the mole fraction of Ti can decrease the amount of Al Cu2Ti,Cu9Al4,and Al2Cu intermetallics formed during the process of ball milling;and prolonging the ball milling time can reduce the element crystalline phase to almost none.The optimal composition is determined to be Al65Cu16.5Ti18.5.TiH2 forms in all selected Al65Cu35-xTix amorphous powders during the process of optimization.H atom is decomposed from toluene and reacts with Ti during ball milling,leading to the formation of TiH2.The volume fraction of TiH2 in Al65Cu16.5Ti18.5 amorphous powder is measured to be 4.30%.

Preparation of Al-based Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Composite Coating on Mg-based Alloys Precipitated by Arc Spraying Process

The Al-based amorphous and nanocrystalline composite coatings with the composition of Al-Ni-Y-Co and Al-Ni-Mm-Fe were prepared on AZ91 Mg-based alloys by high velocity arc spraying technique(HVAS).The structure character of the coatings indicates that coatings contain the mixture of amorphous phases and crystalline and there are both less than 2%porosity.The electrochemical tests of the coatings and the substrate were studied.The coatings show the passivation ability during polarization,but AZ91 Mg-based alloys show little passivation.The corrosion current density of the coatings is lower than that of AZ91 Mg-based alloys.The results show that the coatings have an excellent corrosion resistance for AZ91 Mg-based alloys in 5 wt%NaCl solution.

Effect of high pressure on microstructure of crystallizing amorphous Nd_9Fe_(85)B_6 alloy

The effect of high pressure on the microstructure of annealed amorphous Nd9Fe85B6 alloy was studied. It was found that application of high pressure made the microstructure of the crystallized alloy much more homogeneous. The average grain size of the Nd2Fe14B phase decreased with the increase of pressure, whereas, the size of the α-Fe first increased when a pressure of 1 GPa was applied and then decreased with further increase of pressure. Pressure-induced （410） texture of the Nd2Fe14B phase was also observed. The present study suggested an effective route for controlling the microstructure in a nanoscale solid.

Comparative Study on Thermodynamical and Electrochemical Behavior of Al_(88)Ni_6La_6 and Al_(86)Ni_6La_6Cu_2 Amorphous Alloys

Two amorphous ribbons with the compositions of Al88Ni6La6 and Al86Ni6La6Cu2 were made using the melt-spun method,and their thermal response and electrochemical behavior were studied comparatively.Differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）and electrochemical polarization measurements indicated that Al86Ni6La6Cu2 exhibited slightly higher crystallization temperature（Tx）,lower melting point（Tl）and better corrosion resistance in 0.01 mol·L-1 NaCl alkaline solution.These results demonstrated that Cu（2%）addition could slightly promote the glass forming ability,but it could greatly improve the corrosion resistance of Al88Ni6La6 alloy in 0.01 mol·L-1 NaCl alkaline solution.

Influence of crystallization on corrosion resistance of Al_(86)Ni_6La_6Cu_2 amorphous alloy

The influence of crystallization on the corrosion behavior of Al86Ni6La6Cu2 amorphous alloy in 0.01 M NaCl solution was investigated by electrochemical techniques. The Al86Ni6La6Cu2 amorphous alloy was prepared by melt spinning method, and the partially and fully crystallized states were obtained by controlled annealing. The evolution of the crystallization process after annealing was characterized by differential scanning calorimeter （DSC） and X-ray diffraction. The polarization curves revealed that all samples exhibited spontaneous passivation. The fully amorphous Al86Ni6La6Cu2 sample exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Partial and full crystallization resulted in deterioration of corrosion resistance in comparison with that of the as-spun amorphous state.

Thermal behavior and structure of Fe_(84)Nb_7B_9 nanocrystalline powders

The thermal behavior of Fe84Nb7B9 nanocrystalline powders were analyzed by DTA, XRD and TEM measurements. The results show that nanocrystalline powders with grain size of less than 10 nm can be prepared by mechanical alloying. After annealed below 770 ℃, the obtained powders remain in the scale of nanometer without new phases formed, exhibiting good thermal stability. On its DTA curve, a wide temperature interval of 450 ℃ between its two exothermic peaks can be observed. The powders in as-milled state has bcc structure of supersaturated solid solution type, and nanocrystalline together with amorphous phases can be observed in the powder annealed at 350 ℃, which is beneficial for the good soft magnetic properties.