All-optical modulator based on a ferrofluid core metal cladding waveguide chip

We propose a novel optical intensity modulator based on the combination of a symmetrical metal cladding optical waveguide （SMCW） and ferrofluid, where the ferrofluid is sealed in the waveguide to act as a guiding layer. The light matter interaction in the ferrofluid film leads to the formation of a regular nanoparticle pattern, which changes the phase match condition of the ultrahigh order modes in return. When two lasers are incident on the same spot of the waveguide chip, experiments illustrate all-optical modulation of one laser beam by adjusting the intensity of the other laser. A possible theoretical explanation may be due to the optical trapping and Soret effect since the phenomenon is considerable only when the control laser is effectively coupled into the waveguide.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in horizontal core-filling continuous casting for copper cladding aluminum rods

The steady-state temperature field of horizontal core-filling continuous casting （HCFC） for producing copper cladding aluminum rods was simulated by finite element method to investigate the effects of key processing parameters on the positions of solid-liquid interfaces （SLIs） of copper and aluminum. It is found that mandrel tube length and mean withdrawing speed have significant effects on the SLI positions of both copper and aluminum. Aluminum casting temperature （TAI） （1003-1123 K） and secondary cooling water flux （600-900 L.h-1） have little effect on the SLI of copper but cause the SLI of aluminum to move 2-4 mm. When TA1 is in a range of 1043-1123 K, the liquid aluminum can fill continuously into the pre-solidified copper tube. Based on the numerical simulation, reasonable processing parameters were determined.

Influence of cross correlation step length on the surface stress of thin laser cladding Fe314 alloy coatings

To measure the surface stress of thin laser cladding coatings with Rayleigh waves based on the cross correlation function, this pa- per introduced the influence of cross correlation step length on the stress measurement. Flat-shaped specimens made of laser cladding Fe314 alloy coatings were performed by static tensile tests, and Rayleigh wave signals were collected during the test process with an ultrasonic pulser and receiver instrument combined with two Rayleigh wave transducers. The difference in time of flight between two signals was de- termined based on the cross correlation function. The microstructure was observed by scanning electronic microscopy. The influence of the stress on the propagation velocity of Rayleigh waves and the relationship between the difference in time of flight and tensile stress under dif- ferent cross correlation step lengths were analyzed. The inhomogeneous deformation of the coatings affects the relationship between the dif- ference in time of flight and tensile stress; the stress measurement of the coatings is nearly constant with the increase of cross correlation step length when it attains one cycle.

Microstructure and properties of pure iron/copper composite cladding layers on carbon steel

In the present study, pure iron/copper composite metal cladding was deposited onto carbon steel by tungsten inert gas welding. The study focused on interfacial morphological, microstructural, and mechanical analyses of the composite cladding layers. Iron liquid–solid-phase zones were formed at copper/steel and iron interfaces because of the melting of the steel substrate and iron. Iron concentrated in the copper cladding layer was observed to exhibit belt, globule, and dendrite morphologies. The appearance of iron-rich globules indicated the occurrence of liquid phase separation（LPS） prior to solidification, and iron-rich dendrites crystallized without the occurrence of LPS. The maximum microhardness of the iron/steel interface was lower than that of the copper/steel interface because of the diffusion of elemental carbon. All samples fractured in the cladding layers. Because of a relatively lower strength of the copper layer, a short plateau region appeared when shear movement was from copper to iron.

Interfacial characteristics and properties of a low-clad-ratio AA4045/AA3003 cladding billet fabricated by semi-continuous casting

A low-clad-ratio AA4045/AA3003 cladding billet was fabricated using a semi-continuous casting process and was subsequently extruded indirectly into a cladding pipe. The temperature distribution near the interface was measured. The microstructures, elemental distribution, Vickers hardness around the bonding interface, and the interfacial shear strength were examined. The results showed that the interface temperature rebounded when AA4045 melt contacted the supporting layer. The two alloys bonded well, with few defects, via the diffusion of Si and Mn in the temperature range from 569℃ to 632℃. The mean shear strength of the bonding interface was 82.3 MPa, which was greater than that of AA3003（75.8 MPa）, indicating that the two alloys bonded with each other metallurgically via elemental interdiffusion. Moreover, no relative slip occurred between the two alloys during the extrusion process.

A novel diffusion model considering curvature radius at the bonding interface in a titanium/steel explosive clad plate

This article introduces an element diffusion behavior model for a titanium/steel explosive clad plate characterized by a typical curved interface during the heat-treatment process. A series of heat-treatment experiments were conducted in the temperature range from 750℃ to 950℃, and the effects of heat-treatment parameters on the microstructural evolution and diffusion behavior were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electron-probe microanalysis. Carbon atoms within the steel matrix were observed to diffuse toward the titanium matrix and to aggregate at the bonding interface at 850℃ or lower; in contrast, when the temperature exceeded 850℃, the mutual diffusion of Ti and Fe occurred, along with the diffusion of C atoms, resulting in the for- marion of Ti-Fe intermetallics （Fe2Ti/FeTi）. The diffusion distances of C, Ti, and Fe atoms increased with increasing heating temperature and/or holding time. On the basis of this diffusion behavior, a novel diffusion model was proposed. This model considers the effects of various factors, including the curvature radius of the curved interface, the diffusion coefficient, the heating temperature, and the holding rime. The experimental results show good agreement with the calculated values. The proposed model could clearly provide a general prediction of the elements＇ diffusion at both straight and curved interfaces.

Effect of continuous induction annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of copper-clad aluminum flat bars

Copper-clad aluminum （CCA） flat bars produced by the continuous casting-rolling process were subjected to continuous induction heating annealing （CIHA）, and the effects of induction heating temperature and holding time on the microstructure, interface, and mechanical properties of the fiat bars were investigated. The results showed that complete recrystallization of the copper sheath occurred under CIHA at 460℃ for 5 s, 480℃ for 3 s, or 500℃ for 1 s and that the average grain size in the copper sheath was approximately 10.0 μm. In the case of specimens subjected to CIHA at 460-500℃ for longer than 1 s, complete recrystallization occurred in the aluminum core. In the case of CIHA at 460-500℃ for 1-5 s, a continuous interracial layer with a thickness of 2.5-5.5 μm formed and the thickness mainly increased with increasing annealing temperature. After CIHA, the interracial layer consisted primarily of a Cu9A14 layer and a CuA12 layer; the average interface shear strength of the CCA flat bars treated by CIHA at 460-500℃ for 1-5 s was 45-52 MPa. After full softening annealing, the hardness values of the copper sheath and the aluminum core were HV 65 and HV 24, respectively, and the hardness along the cross section of the CCA flat bar was uniform.

Effect of interface morphology on the mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates

Interface morphology has important influence on the bond quality of titanium clad steel plates. The mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates with wavy and straight interfaces were investigated by tensile-shear tests and bending tests. The interface morphology of the plates was examined by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The experimental results show that the shear strength of a wavy interface is higher than that of a straight interface. A wavy interface is the guarantee for obtaining high shear strength to provide a greater shear resistance. During the maerobending process, cracks appear in the swirl of the wave tip and ferrotitanium intermetallies. For in-situ observing the bending process by SEM, the wave tip of a wavy interface and the massive ferrotitartium intermetallies of a straight interface are places where cracks initiate and propagate. The results are the same as those observed in the macrobending process. Became of high hardness, the wave tip and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallies are hard in terms of compatible deformation.

Plasmonic sensor with variable claddings based on metallic slit arrays

We propose a plasmonic sensor with variable refractive index （RI）, which exhibits high sensitivity and extraordinary optical transmission （EOT）. Its variable RI is attributed to its dielectric layers and metallic slit arrays. According to simulation results, the third resonant wavelength has a wavelength sensitivity of 800 nm/RIU and an ultra-high transmittance of 0.8 by adjusting the RIs of the upper and lower dielectrics, incident light angle, and structural geometric parameters. With its unique features, the proposed structure holds considerable potential for extensive application to metal–dielectric grating sensors operating at visible and near-infrared frequencies.

Boundary coupled dual-equation numerical simulation on mass transfer in the process of laser cladding

The coupled numerical simulation on fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer in the process of laser cladding is undertaken on the basis of the continuum model. In the simulation of mass transfer in the laser molten pool, the concentration distribution in the regions on different sides of the interface between cladding layer and substrate is calculated separately and coupled at the co-boundary. The non-equilibrium solute partition coefficient is obtained from equilibrium solute partition coefficient according to the Sobolev model. By using the developed software which is based on the commercial software PHOENICS 1.4, the distribution of Fe in laser molten pool in an experiment of cladding Stellite 6 on 12CrMoV is calculated. The obtained results well coincide with the experimental ones.

In-situ synthesis of Fe-Mn-Si-Cr-Ni shape memory alloy functional coating by laser cladding

Fe-Mn-Si-Cr-Ni composite powders are utilized to form a functional shape memory alloy cladding layer （SMACL） using a laser cladding method. The microstructure, microhardness, and phase composition of the SMACL are measured, and the extent of deformation of the laser cladding samples is determined. The SMACL is composed of planar, cellular, and dendritic crystals, equiaxed grains, and oxides with increasing distance from the substrate surface. The SMACL is further composed of ε-martensite and γ-austenite phases, while the tempered SMACL consists mainly of γ-austenite. Extensive deformation occurs in AISI 304 stainless steel laser cladding samples. By contrast, limited deformation is observed in the SMACL samples.