DENUCLEATION AND HIGH UNDERCOOLING OF Ni-32.5%Sn EUTECTIC ALLOY

Undercoolings up to 397 K(0.283 T_E)have been obtained for Ni-32.5% Sn eutectic alloy melted by superheating-cooling cycles and denucleating with inorganic glasses.The predomi- nant dissipation of heat for highly undercooled alloy melt is through radiation.An approxi- mate method is consequently derived to calculate its mean specific heat from measured cooling curves.With the aid of high speed cinematography,it is revealed that the surface or interface heterogeneous nucleation takes place in preference to homogeneous nucleation even though the undercooling has exceeded 0.2 T_E.

Microstructure Characteristics of Interaction Layer of Zn-Al Eutectic Alloy with Al_2O_3p/6061Al Composites

The interaction between Zn-AI eutectic alloy and Al203p/6061AI composites in the vacuum furnace was investigated. Great attention has been paid to the elements diffusion, the microstructure and formation of the interface between Zn-AI eutectic alloy and Al2O3p/6061AI composites. Experimental results show that Zn-AI eutectic alloy has a good wetting ability to Al2O3p/6061 Al composites and the wetting angle decreases with increasing the temperature in vacuum. After the interaction, an interaction layer forms between Zn-AI alloy and Al2O3p/6061 Al composites. The phases in the interaction layer mainly consist of α-AI(Zn), Al2O3 and CuZn5 resulted from the diffusion of elements from the Zn-AI alloy. Several porosities distribute in the region near the interface of the Zn-AI alloy/interaction layer. The amount of shrinkage voids in the interacting layer is relevant to the penetration of Zn element into Al2O3p/6061Al composites which is a function of temperature. So it is necessary to lower heating temperature in order to limit the Zn penetration.

Compatibility of T91 steel with liquid Pb-Bi eutectic alloy at 450℃

Pb-Bi eutectic alloy has been receiving increasing attention as a heavy liquid metal coolant in accelerator driven systems and Generation IV fission reactors. Compatibility of structural materials with liquid PbBi eutectic alloy at high temperature is one of the issues concerned. In the present study, corrosion tests of T91 steel in stagnant Pb-Bi eutectic alloy in saturated oxygen condition at 450 oC were carried out. After experiments, the thickness and compositional profile of the oxide layer on the specimen were analyzed using SEM and EDX. Analysis results show that the thickness of the oxide layer increases as the exposure time increases from 500 h to 1,000 h. The thickness of the oxide layer remains almost unchanged at 15 to 16 mm from 1,000 to 1,500 h. Formation of a thick and protective oxide layer at 450 oC prevents the penetration of liquid Pb-Bi eutectic alloy into the matrix of the T91 steel.

STRUCTURE OF Al-Cu EUTECTIC ALLOY SOLIDIFIED IN COMPLEX FIELD OF CENTRIFUGAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES

The effects of magnetic field on macro and microstructure of Al-CuAl2 eutectic alloy produced by electromagnetic centrifugal casting have been erperimentally investigated in the present paper. Electromagnetic stirring can lead to columnar formation in the cuter region and equiaxed in the inner, and otherwise cause the lamellae coarsened and the microstructure morphology to change from lamella to rod and then to block,if the electromagnetic stirring is intensified.

Directional solidification and physical properties measurements of the zinc-aluminum eutectic alloy

Zn-5wt% Al eutectic alloy was directionally solidified with different growth rates （5.32-250.0μm/s） at a constant temperature gradient of 8.50 K/mm using a Bridgman-type growth apparatus.The values of eutectic spacing were measured from transverse sections of the samples.The dependences of the eutectic spacing and undercooling on growth rate are determined as λ=9.21V-0.53 and ΔT=0.0245V0.53,respectively.The results obtained in this work were compared with the Jackson-Hunt eutectic theory and the similar experimental results in the literature.Microhardness of directionally solidified samples was also measured by using a microhardness test device.The dependency of the microhardness on growth rate is found as Hv=115.64V0.13.Afterwards,the electrical resistivity （r） of the casting alloy changes from 40×10-9 to 108×10-9 Ω·m with the temperature rising in the range of 300-630 K.The enthalpy of fusion （ΔH） and specific heat （Cp） for the Zn-Al eutectic alloy are calculated to be 113.37 J/g and 0.309 J/（g·K）,respectively by means of differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） from heating trace during the transformation from liquid to solid.

Microstructure Characteristics of Ni-Nb Near Eutectic Alloy during EBFZM Directional Solidification

Microstructure Characteristic of Ni-Nb near eutectic alloy is systematically investigated during directional solidification with electron beam floating zone melting (EBFZM). The effect of the Zone melting rate on the microstructure has also been studied.

Mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the directionally solidified Bi–Zn–Al ternary eutectic alloy

A Bi-2.0Zn-0.2A1 （wt%） ternary eutectic alloy was prepared using a vacuum melting furnace and a casting furnace. The samples were directionally solidified upwards at a constant growth rate （V= 18.4 μm/s） under different temperature gradients （G = 1.15-3.44 K/mm） and at a constant temperature gradient （G = 2.66 K/mm） under different growth rates （V= 8.3-500 μm/s） in a Bridgman-type directional so- lidification furnace. The dependence ofmicrostructure parameter （2） on the solidification parameters （G and V） and that of the microhardness （Hv） on the microstructure and solidification parameters were investigated. The resistivity （ρ） measurements of the studied alloy were per- formed using the standard four-point-probe method, and the temperature coefficient of resistivity （α） was calculated from the ρ-Tcurve. The enthalpy （AH） and the specific heat （Cp） values were determined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. In addition, the thermal conductivities of samples, obtained using the Wiedemann-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations, were compared with the experimental results. The results revealed that, the thermal conductivity values obtained using the Wiedemarm-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations for the Bi-2.0Zn-0.2Al （wt%） alloy are in the range of 5.2-6.5 W/Km and 15.2-16.4 W/Km, respectively.

Tensile Behavior of NiAL-9Mo Eutectic Alloy around Brittle to Ductile Transition Temperature

The influence of strain rate and temperature on the tensile behavior of as-cast and HIPed NiAI-9Mo eutectic alloy was investigated in the temperature range of 700-950℃ and over a strain rate range from 2.08×10-4 s-1 to 2.08×10-2 s-1. The results indicate that HIP process causes an enhancement in ductility and a decrease in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), average strain hardening rate as well as a drop in brittle to ductile transition temperature(BDTT) under the same condition. It is noticed that the BDTT of as-cast NiAI-9Mo is more dependent on strain rate than that of HIPed one. The brittle to ductile transition process of the alloy is related to a sharp drop in strain hardening rate. Regardless of strain rate, the fracture morphology changes from cleavage in NiAl phase and debonding along NiAI/Mo interface below the BDTT to microvoid coalescence above BDTT. The apparent activation energy of the BDT of HIPed and as-cast material are calculated to be 327 and 263 kJ/mol, respectively, suggesting that the mechanism is associated with lattice diffusion in NiAl phase.

INFLUENCE OF LANTHANUM ON THE STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUMSILICON EUTECTIC ALLOY

This paper deals with the characteristics of silicon modification with lanthanum of Al-Si eutectic alloy in sand mold and metal mold with optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,electron microprobe and X-ray diffractometer.It is found that the amount of lanthanum,liquid alloy condition,holding time and stir- ring liquid influence the modification of silicon.The modification of silicon with lanthanum is of long effectiveness and has a“incubation time”.The modification can improve the ductility(δ_s)and tensile strength (σ_b)of the alloy,but their maximum values are not corresponding to the same amount of lanthanum.

Si-RICH LAYER FORMATION DURING DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF AI-Si EUTECTIC ALLOY IN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD

The formation of a special Si-rich layer on the periphery of Al-Si eutectic alloy specimen during directional solidification in rotary electromagnetic field has been investigated.This layer seems due to the migration of some Si grains onto the crucible wall,then stagnating and coarsening further.

Composition,Microstructure,Phase Constitution and Fundamental Physicochemical Properties of Low-Melting-Point Multi-Component Eutectic Alloys

Low-melting-point alloys have an extensive applications in the fields of materials processing, phase change energy storage, electronic and electrical automatic control, continuous casting simulation, welding, etc. Specifically, the eutectic compositions make up a large number of low-melting-point alloys that are ex- ploited because of their desirable features like single melting peaks, excellent operational reliability, and casting fluidity. However, the fundamental physicochemical properties from the current available liter- ature on low-melting-point multi-component eutectic alloys （LMP-MCEAs） are rather rare and lowly accurate, including the exact melting temperatures and compositions, constituent phases, microstruc- tures and morphologies, melting enthalpies, specific heats, densities, and so on. This lack of information seriously limits the development and application of low-melting-point multi-component eutectic alloys. In this paper, the low-melting-point multi-component eutectic alloys composed of Bi, Cd, Sn, Pb, and In elements synthesized by high vacuum induction melting and fundamental data were investigated by scan- ning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectrometry （EDS）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, and density analysis instrument. Most of the LMP-MCEAs with complex eu- tectic morphology structures and XRD diffraction patterns could be explained with the fact that they were three-phase eutectic alloys with mixed growth way. Generally, LMP-MCEAs present an extremely low melting point between 48.3 and 124 ℃ and high density between 8 and 10 g/cm3.

Reduction in secondary dendrite arm spacing in cast eutectic Al–Si piston alloys by cerium addition

The effects of Ce on the secondary dendrite arm spacing（SDAS） and mechanical behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were investigated. The reduction of SDAS at different Ce concentrations was evaluated in a directional solidification experiment via computer-aided cooling curve thermal analysis（CA-CCTA）. The results showed that 0.1wt%-1.0wt% Ce addition resulted in a rapid solidification time, ？ts, and low solidification temperature, ？T_S, whereas 0.1wt% Ce resulted in a fast solidification time, Δ^（ta-Al）, of the α-Al phase. Furthermore, Ce addition refined the SDAS, which was reduced to approximately 36%. The mechanical properties of the alloys with and without Ce were investigated using tensile and hardness tests. The quality index（Q） and ultimate tensile strength of（UTS） Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys significantly improved with the addition of 0.1wt% Ce. Moreover, the base alloy hardness was improved with increasing Ce concentration.

Formation mechanism of anomalous eutectics in highly undercooled Ag-39.9 at%Cu alloys

This paper investigates the solidification behaviour of the Ag-Cu eutectic alloy melt undercooled up to 100 K. It is revealed that lamellar eutectics grow in a dendritic form in the Ag-Cu eutectic melt with undercooling equal to or greater than 76 K. As undercooling increases, the remelted fraction of the primary eutectics during recalescence rises. The severe remelting and the subsequent ripening of the primary eutectic dendrites lead to the formation of anomalous eutectics.

Microstructure and microhardness of directionally solidified NiAl-W eutectic alloy

The microstructure and microhardness of directionally solidified NiAl-W eutectic alloys at growth rates of 2-25μm·s^-1 were investigated by a Bridgman crystal growing facility at a temperature gradient of 300 K·cm^-1.In view of the competitive growth between W dendritic and eutectic phases,W dendritic phase was eliminated,whereas the fully eutectic phase was prominent in the steady progress of the directionally solidified NiAl-W eutectic alloys.As the growth rate(V)increased,both the structure and solid/liquid interface of the directionally solidified NiAl-W eutectic alloys changed from planar to cellular.Both the fibrous spacing(d)and the diameter(a)decreased with increase in growth rate(V).The Vickers microhardness(H)of the directionally solidified NiAl-W eutectic alloys decreased with fibrous spacing(d)or diameter(a)increasing.The relationships of H to d and a were H=371.58 d^(-0.09)and H=297.70 a^(-0.09),respectively.

Cavitation erosion behavior of CLAM steel weld joint in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic alloy

The cavitation erosion of weld joint and base metal of China low activation martensitic（CLAM）steel in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic alloy（LBE）at 550°C was investigated to simulate the cavitation erosion of the first wall and the nuclear main pump impeller in the accelerator driven sub-critical system（ADS）.A suit of ultrasonic cavitation facility was self-designed to study the cavitation erosion.By studying the surface micro topography,roughness and mean pit depth of the tested specimens,it was found that some crater clusters and large scale cracks appeared on the tested specimen surface after the formation of numerous single craters,and the base metal exhibited much better cavitation erosion resistance than the weld bead due to the difference in their mechanical properties and microstructures.In addition,by comparing the results of static corrosion and cavitation erosion,it could be concluded that the cavitation erosion and the dissolution and oxidation corrosion in liquid LBE would accelerate mutually.

Effect of erbium on properties and microstructure of Al-Si eutectic alloy

Eutectic Al-12.6 wt.%Si alloys with various contents of the rare earth element Er were prepared by the conventional casting technique. The effect of Er on the microstructure and properties of the eutectic Al-Si alloys was investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy as well as the friction and wear tests. It was found that the addition of Er obviously improved the anti-wear properties, and reduced the friction coefficient of the alloys. The appropriate addition of Er would change the size and shape of the eutectic silicon, and thereby refine the microstructure of the Al-Si alloys. The refinement mechanism was also discussed.

Effect of Cerium on the Viscosity of Liquid Fe-C Alloy of Eutectic Content

The viscosities of liquid Fe-4.30C and Fe-4.30C-Ce alloys were measured by oscillating crucible viscometer. The results show that viscosity of Fe-4.30C alloy changes from 5.50 to 8.30 MPa·s when the liquid is cooled from 1425 ℃ to the melting point. The abnormity of viscosity of Fe-4.30C alloy near the melting point is reasonable due to the formation of graphite. The addition of cerium especially with content higher than 0.21% causes an evidently decrease in viscosity for eutectic alloy resulting from increase of free volume and size decrease of atom cluster in the liquids. It can be concended that the existence of C-Ce compound contributes to the discontinuous of viscosity at 1340～1370 ℃ for the Fe-4.30C-Ce alloy by experinments with differential scanning calorimeter.

Fabrication of wear-resistant layers with lamellar eutectic structure by laser surface alloying using the in situ reaction between Cr and B_4C

To improve the wear resistance of Cr5 steel, wear-resistant layers with lamellar eutectic microstructure were fabricated by laser surface alloying（LSA）, which is dependent on the in situ reaction between Cr and B_4C. Our results indicated that the hypoeutectic structures of the LSA layers were divided into interdendritic eutectic structures and dendrites. The area fraction of the eutectic structures increased with increasing laser scanning speed, which improved the hardness and wear resistance of the LSA layers. The average hardness of the LSA layer prepared at a scanning speed of 8 mm/s was HV_（0.2） 883.9, which was 1.8 times greater than that of the traditional quenched layer（approximately HV 480）. After sliding for 659.4 m, the specimen prepared at a scanning speed of 8 mm/s exhibited a volume loss of 0.0323 mm^3, which was only 29.5% of the volume loss of the traditional quenched specimen.

STRUCTUREAND PROPERTY OF DIRECTIONALLY SOLIDIFIED EUTECTIC Bi/MnBi ALLOY

Eutectic Bi/MnBi magnetic alloy was prepared by directional solidification.When the growth rate,R>2 cm/h,the MnBi fibre spacing,λ,distributed homogeneously in Bi matrix,follows λ~2R=constant.The thermal gradient.G_L,does not influence λ.The magnetic property,B_r of Bi/MnBi alloy decreases with the increase of R and increases with the increase of G_L.

Amorphous Formation in an Undercooled Binary Ni-Si Alloy under Slow Cooling Rate

High undercooling up to 392 K was achieved in eutectic Ni70.2Si29.8 alloy melt by using glass fluxing combined with cyclic superheating. A small quantity of amorphous phase was obtained in bulk eutectic Ni70.2Si29.8 alloy when undercooling exceeds 240 K under slow cooling conditions （about 1 K/s）. The amorphous phase was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.