A crystal plasticity based approach to establish role of grain size and crystallographic texture in the Tension–Compression yield asymmetry and strain hardening behavior of a Magnesium–Silver–Rare Earth alloy

Existence of tension–compression yield asymmetry is a serious limitation to the load bearing capablities of Magnesium alloys in a number of light weight structural applications.The present work is aimed at nullifying the tension to compression asymmetry problem and strain hardening anomalies in a Magnesium–Silver–Rare Earth alloy by engineering different levels of microstructural conditions via friction stir processing and post process annealing.The existence and extent of yield asymmetry ratio in the range of microstructural conditions was experimentally obtained through quasistatic tensile and compression tests.The yield asymmetry problem was profoundly present in specimens of coarse grained microstructures when compared to their fine grained and ultra fine grained counterparts.The impact of the microstructure and associated mechanisms of plasticity on the macroscopic strain hardening behavior was established by Kock–Mecking’s analysis.Crystal plasticity simulations using Viscoplastic Self Consistency approach revealed the consequential role of extension twinning mechanism for the existence of yield asymmetry and anomalies in strain hardening behavior.This was especially dominant with coarsening of grain size.Electron Microscopy and characterization were conducted thoroughly in partially deformed specimens to confirm the predictions of the above simulations.The role of crystallographic texture for inducing the polarity to Tension–Compression yield asymmetry was corroborated.A critical grain size in Magnesium–Silver–Rare earth alloy was hereby established which could nullify influences of extension twinning in yield asymmetry ratio.

Effect of Rare Earth Alloy Modification on High Carbon Equivalent Gray Cast Iron of Automotive Brake Drum

Effect of rare earth alloy modification on properties and microstructure of high carbon equivalent gray cast iron was investigated.The experimental results show that in the way of mechanical property,when the addition of rare earth alloy is 0.2% and 0.3%,the tensile strength of cast iron increases.In the way of microstructure,the addition of rare earth alloy increases the number of primary austenite dendrites,reduces secondary dendritic arm spacing,and changes the eutectic size and quantity.When rare earth alloy is added into gray cast iron,the morphology and quantity of graphite play a major role on the improvement of tensile strength.

A New Approach to Refining and Modifying Cast Aluminum Alloys with Rare Earth Alloys

The effects of rare earth (RE) alloys on the refining and modifying of cast aluminum alloys were investigated. Compared to other substances in common use, rare earth alloys maintain the refining and modifying effects of the aluminum alloys for a longer time. RE alloys can also reduce environmental pollution in the melting process. These effects of RE alloys make them become a superior choice for the applications in aluminum foundry.

Study on Y-Base Rare Earth Alloy in Ultra-High Hardfacing

The effect of Y base rare earth alloy in ultra high hardfacing was observed by means of OM, SEM and XRD. Precipitated carbide can be metamorphosed and spheroidized in surfacing by adding Y base rare earth alloy, which contributes to the increase of precipitated carbide. Rare earth combined with oxygen and sulfur can improve the morphology of slag inclusion as well as purify surfacing. The result shows proper rare earth alloy in surfacing can fine its microstructure, improve hardness and impact toughness.

Synthesis of palladium-rare earth alloy as a high-performance bifunctional catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have drawn attention for their simplicity, rapid start-up, high power density and environmental friendliness. Despite these advantages, the widespread application of DEFCs faces challenges, primarily due to the inadequate performance of anode and cathode catalysts. Pd-based materials have shown exceptional catalytic activity for both the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Alloying noble metals with rare earth elements has emerged as an effective strategy to further enhance the catalytic activity by modulating the electronic structure. In this study, we synthesized a series of palladium-rare earth (Pd3RE) alloys supported on carbon to serve as bifunctional catalysts that efficiently promote both ORR and EOR. Compared to Pd/C, the Pd3Tb/C catalyst exhibits 3.1-fold and 1.8-fold enhancement in activity for ORR and EOR, respectively. The charge transfer in the Pd3Tb/C results in an electron-rich Pd component, thereby weakening the binding energy with oxygen species and facilitating the two reactions.

Rare Earth Metals in Light Alloys

A review of crystallochemical thermodynamic and phase diagram data of Mg RE and Al RE based systems is presented. On the basis also of their possible applications, special attention is given to the Mg rich and Al rich alloys and to the effects of rare earth additions on their properties. A summary of the experimental work carried out by our research group on several binary and ternary alloys is reported: that is Mg RE, Al RE, and Mg RE RE′ and Al RE RE′ with two different rare earth metals. A number of regularities observed in the formation and in the crystallochemistry of binary and ternary Mg rich or Al rich phases are summarised and discussed. Their application to a fine planning of alloys having a well defined structure is suggested.

Effect of Rare Earth on the Corrosion-Resisting Performance of Zinc-Based Alloy Coatings

The corrosion behavior of coatings of pure zinc and Zn-Al,Zn-Al-RE alloys in NaCl solu- tions was studied by salt-spray experiments,even corrosion experiments and electrochemical measurements of bi-directional polarization curves and a.c.impedance in weak polarization region consistent regularities were obtained by these different methods,viz.,the corrosion resistance of Zn could be enhanced by alloying it with Al,and particularly with Al-RE.The causes of enhancement of corrosion resistance by RE were also discussed.

Study on Nanocrystalline Rare Earth Mg-Based System Hydrogen Storage Alloys with AB_3-Type

A sort of rare earth Mg-based system hydrogen storage alloys with AB3-type was prepared by double-roller rapid quenching method. The alloys were nanocrystalline multi-phase structures composed of LaNi3 phase and LaNi5 phase by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses, and the suitable absorption/desorption plateau was revealed by the measurement of P-C-I curve. Electrochemical studies indicate that the alloys exhibit good electrochemical properties such as high capacity and stable cycle life, and the discharge capacity is 369 mAh·g-1 at 0.2 C (72 mA·g-1). after 460 cycles, the capacity decay was only 19.4% at 2 C (720 mA·g-1).

Effect of rare earth alloying on creep rupture of economical 21Cr-11Ni-N heat-resistant austenitic steel at 650 ℃

The effect of rare earth（RE） on creep rupture of economical 21Cr-11Ni-N heat-resistant austenitic steel was investigated at 650 °C under different stress levels. It was found that RE could increase the time to creep rupture, especially at long-term creep duration. The logarithm of the time to creep rupture（lgtr） was a linear function of the applied stress（σ）. RE addition was favorable to generating a high fraction of low-coincidence site lattice（CSL） boundaries which was a possible cause for improving the creep rupture resistance. The fracture surface of RE-added steel exhibited less intergranular cracks suggesting the alteration on the nature of grain boundaries due to the presence of RE. RE addition changed the morphology of the intergranular chromium carbides from continuous network shape to fragmentary distribution which was another cause for longer creep duration. These results strongly suggested that the effect of RE alloying played a crucial role in improving the creep rupture resistance.

Study on Particle Size and Electrochemical Properties of Rare Earth Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The rare earth based hydrogen storage alloys Ml_ 0.7Mm_ 0.3(Ni_ 3.55Co_ 0.75Mn_ 0.4Al_ 0.3) were chosen as objects of investigation in this paper. The effects of particle size on electrochemical properties of the alloy were investigated. The results indicate that the alloy with particle size of 100 and 150 mesh shows good activation behavior and high discharge capacity (the first discharge capacity and the maximum discharge capacity), but poor cycling stability, low capacity retention and high discharge capacity rate. The Ml_ 0.7Mm_ 0.3(Ni_ 3.55Co_ 0.75Mn_ 0.4Al_ 0.3) alloy with particle size of 150 mesh shows excellent electrochemical properties.

THE EFFECT OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS ON THE SOLIDIFICATION BEHAVIOR OF Al-Mg ALLOYS

The effect of rare earth element on the solidification behavior of Al-Mg alloy was investigated in a directional solidification apparatus.It was found that during the solidification process.the rare earth element segregated in the liquid at sold-liquid interface,changed the solidification morphology and reduced the secondary arm spacing markedly.

Development of Strip Casting Technology in Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Alloys and Hydrogen Storage Alloys in China

The SC technique is now being applied widely in material preparation, especially in rare earth functional materials in virtue of its advanced process and high performance product. The applications of SC technique in rare earth permanent magnet alloys and hydrogen storage alloys were analyzed integrative, on the basis of summary of SC technique development in this paper. The paper mainly includes development history of SC technology, effect of SC technology on alloy microstructure, application of SC technology in RE storage hydrogen alloy and sintered Nd-Fe-B alloy, development of SC equipment and SC product industry. At the same time, the paper points out the existing problem of SC products.

Study on Phase Structure and PCT Characteristics of Rare Earth Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The rare earth based hydrogen storage alloys Mm_xMl_ 1-xNi_ 3.55Co_ 0.75Mn_ 0.4Al_ 0.3(x=0～0.50) were investigated in this work. The influences of phase structure on the PCT characteristics were analyzed by means of electrochemical measurements. The results indicate that there is a strict relationship between crystal volume and PCT characteristics.

The effect of rare earths on the solidification structure of Fe-36Ni invar alloy

The effect of Ce, La and mischmetal on the solidification structure of Fe-36Ni invar alloy was investigated. The results show that great amounts of high-melting point compounds （ Ce2O3, La202S and （ Ce, La）2O2S ） respectively formed in the alloy with the addition of Ce, La or mischmetal. Based on the theory of lattice misfit, the lattice misfit between the （0001） surfaces of Ce2O3,Ce2O2S and La2O2S and （100） surface of Fe-36Ni invar alloy were 6.21%, 5.77 % and 5.42 %, respectively, which are relatively low. Therefore, Ce2 O3, La2 O2 S and （ Ce, La） 2 O2 S could serve as the core of heterogeneous nucleation, improve the equiaxed grain ratio, reduce the equiaxed grain size and refine the solidification structure of alloy.

High T_c Superconductivity of Mixed Rare Earth Er-Ba-Cu-O System

The sample preparation technique for a mixed rare earth (MRE)Er-Ba-Cu-O system by solid-state reaction method with the MRE-oxide containing 68.22% Er2O3 is reported in this paper. The results of superconductivity measurements, crystal structure analysis by means of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis are also presented.

Preparation of Rarc Earth Alloys by Cathodic Alloying

The electrode processes of La(Ⅲ), Ce(Ⅲ), Pr(Ⅲ), Nd(Ⅲ) and Y(Ⅲ) reduced on iron, cobalt, nickel andcopper electrodes in chloride melts were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, potential- time curve afterpotentiostatic electrolysis and current-time curve at potential step. The diffusion coefficient of deposited metalatom in the alloyed cathode and the free energy of formation of intermetallic compound were determined.Thirteen surface alloy layers were obtained by electrolysis at constant potential. The alloys of La-Fe, La-Ni,La-Cu, Pr-Fc, Pr-Co. Pr-Ni. Pr-Cu, Nd-Fe, … were prepared by consumpable cathode.

Effect of Fe Substitution on Magnetic Properties and Radar Wave Absorption of the Y_(2)Co_(17) Rare Earth Soft Magnetic Alloy

The rapid development of information technology leads a demand for high frequency soft magnetic materials with ex-ceptional radar wave absorption properties.A new magnetic material with superior radar wave absorption is explored in this paper.we explored the preparation of Y_(2)Co_(17)-xFex(x=0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0)alloy powders using yttrium oxide as a raw material by a low-cost and short preparation cycle reduction-diffusion process.The crystal structure,intrinsic magnetic properties,high frequency magnetism and radar wave absorption of Y_(2)Co_(17)-xFex(x=0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0)were investigated.These compounds have a perfect magnetic repair of Y_(2)Co_(17) and enable the improvement of the overall magnetic properties of Y_(2)Co_(17)-xFex(x=0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0)compounds.The Y_(2)Co_(17)-xFex/Polyurethane(PU)(x=0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0)absorbers were divided in detail using the zero-reflection mechanism.The results show that all Y_(2)Co_(17)-xFex/PU(x=0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0)absorbers have excellent absorption performance(reflection loss RL is less than-85 dB);in addition,Y_(2)Co_(15)Fe_(2)/PU absorbers and Y_(2)Co_(14)Fe_(3)/PU absorbers are superior candidates for S-band materials.In particular,the perfectly matched frequency fp of the modulated Y_(2)Co_(14)Fe_(3)/PU absorber is shifted to the L-band(1–2 GHz)where early warning radars are located.The Y_(2)Co_(14)Fe_(3)/PU absorber has an effective absorption bandwidth of 300 MHz(1.5–1.8 GHz)at a thickness of 5.230 mm.It can also absorb the full L-band at-4 dB,which has rarely been reported.

Research and Development of Rare Earth Advanced Materials in China

China is rich in resources of rare earths(REs). Based on tremendous work, China has made great achievements in research and development of REs since 1980s, and the production of RE has won the leading position in the world. The application of RE elements in advanced materials have progressed significantly during the past years. The wide range of rare earth application in China has been reviewed and discussed in this paper, including the development of advanced RE materials (RE-Al alloys, rare earth nonferrous metal alloys, rare earth luminescent materials, rare earth hydrogen storage materials, rare earth permanent magnet and rare earth compounds used in agriculture, i.e., rare earth micronutrient fertilizer etc.) End the research of new RE materials (high T-c rare earth superconductor, rare earth electronic and photonic materials, rare earth ceramics and rare earth precious metal alloys). Finally, the further development works to be required are as follow: (1) to enhance the applied fundamental research, study the intrinsic properties of rare earth elements and develop less well known uses; (2) to undertake the applied research of median and heavy rare earth and find a way out of the unbalance of RE resources in the various applications; (3) to strengthen the applied research of RE element's in energy field, solving the energy-related, energy-saved and environmental problems.

Formation mechanism of electroless plating nickel-based composite coating on highly active rare earth magnesium alloys and its corrosion resistance and adhesion performance

The process of preparing anodic oxide film containing active sites and electroless nickel plating on highly active rare earth magnesium alloy was developed.The formation mechanism of electroless nickel plating on active anodic oxide film and the structure and properties of the composite coating were studied by several surface and electrochemical techniques.The results showed that Ag nanograins with an average size of 10 nm were embedded into the anodic oxide film with pores of 0.1−2μm.Ag nanoparticles provided a catalytic site for the deposition of Ni-B alloy,and the Ni crystal nucleus was first grown in horizontal mode and then in cylindrical mode.The corrosion potential of the composite coating increased by 1.37 V and the corrosion current reduced two orders of magnitude due to the subsequent deposition of Ni-P alloy.The high corrosion resistance was attributed to the misaligning of these micro defects in the three different layers and the amorphous structure of the Ni-P alloy in the outer layer.These findings provide a new idea for electroless nickel plating on anodic oxide film.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength Mg−15Gd−1Zn−0.4Zr alloy additive-manufactured by selective laser melting process

In order to verify the feasibility of producing Mg−rare earth(RE)alloy by selective laser melting(SLM)process,the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−15Gd−1Zn−0.4Zr(wt.%)(GZ151K)alloy were investigated.The results show that fine grains(~2μm),fine secondary phases and weak texture,were observed in the as-fabricated(SLMed)GZ151K Mg alloy.At room temperature,the SLMed GZ151K alloy has a yield strength(YS)of 345 MPa,ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 368 MPa and elongation of 3.0%.After subsequent aging(200℃,64 h,T5 treatment),the YS,UTS and elongation of the SLMed-T5 alloy are 410 MPa,428 MPa and 3.4%,respectively,which are higher than those of the conventional cast-T6 alloy,especially with the YS increased by 122 MPa.The main strengthening mechanisms of the SLMed GZ151K alloy are fine grains,fine secondary phases and residual stress,while after T5 treatment,the YS of the alloy is further enhanced by precipitates.