Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Recycled from Scraps by Hot-press/extrusion

A large number of scraps are produced in the fabrication process of magnesium alloy products. It is necessary to recycle these scraps for the development and scale application of magnesium alloys. In this research,a method for recycling AZ91D magnesium alloy scraps fabricated by hot-press / extrusion was studied. Mechanical properties and microstructure of the recycled specimens were investigated. Microstructural analyses were performed by using the techniques of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Microstructural observations reveal that the recycled specimens consisted of fine grains when adopting the extrusion temperature of 400- 450 ℃,the extrusion ratio of( 25- 100) ∶ 1 and the extrusion rate of 0. 10- 0. 20 mm / s. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increased with the increase of the extrusion temperature,the extrusion ratio and the extrusion rate,respectively. Recycled specimens reached the highest ultimate tensile strength of average 361. 47 MPa and the highest elongation to failure of average 11. 55% when adopting the hot-press,the extrusion temperature of 400± 5 ℃,the extrusion ratio of 100 ∶ 1 and the extrusion rate of 0. 15 mm / s. The shape of bonding interface was tightly relation with the ultimate tensile strength. When the bonding interface formed continuous curves,the ultimate tensile strength decreased almost linearly with increasing the average width of the bonding interface. When the bonding interface formed discontinuous curves,the ultimate tensile strength increased almost linearly with the increase the proportion of the fine bonding length accounting for the measured interface length. Ultimate tensile strength of the recycled specimens could be calculated by using the forecastable equation.

Effect of extrusion ratio on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy recycled from scraps by hot extrusion

A method for recycling AZ91D magnesium alloy scraps directly by hot extrusion was studied.Various microstructural analyses were performed using the techniques of optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).Microstructural observations revealed that all the recycled specimens consisted of fine grains due to the dynamic recrystallization.The main strengthening mechanism of the recycled specimen was grain refinement strengthening and homogeneous distribution of oxide precipitates.The interfaces of individual scraps of extruded materials were not identified when the scraps were extruded with the extrusion ratio of 40-1.Oxidation layers of the scraps were broken into pieces by high compressive and shear forces under the extrusion ratio of 40-1.The ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increased with increasing the extrusion ratio.Recycled specimens with the extrusion ratio of 40:1 showed higher ultimate tensile strength of 342.61 MPa and higher elongation to failure of 11.32%,compared with those of the cast specimen.

Microstructure and Composition of Hydration Products of Ordinary Portland Cement with Ground Steel-making Slag

The effect of ground steel-making slag on microstructure and composition of hydration products of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP),X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA).Results show that ground steel-making slag is a kind of high activity mineral additives and it can raise the longer-age strength of OPC mortar.The total porosity and average pore diameter of OPC paste with ground steel-making slag increase with the increase of the amount of ground steel-making slag replacing OPC at various ages,while after 28 days most pores in OPC paste with ground steel-making slag do not influence the strength because the diameter of those pores is in the rang of 20 to 50nm.The hydration mechanism of ground steel-making slag is similar to that of OPC but different from that of fly ash and blast furnace slag.The hydration products of ground steel-making slag contain quite a lot of Ca(OH) 2 in long age.

Genetic Algorithm Based on Duality Principle for Bilevel Programming Problem in Steel-making Production

Steel-making and continuous/ingot casting are the key processes of modern iron and steel enterprises. Bilevel programming problems(BLPPs) are the optimization problems with hierarchical structure. In steel-making production, the plan is not only decided by the steel-making scheduling, but also by the transportation equipment.This paper proposes a genetic algorithm to solve continuous and ingot casting scheduling problems. Based on the characteristics of the problems involved, a genetic algorithm is proposed for solving the bilevel programming problem in steel-making production. Furthermore, based on the simplex method, a new crossover operator is designed to improve the efficiency of the genetic algorithm. Finally, the convergence is analyzed. Using actual data the validity of the proposed algorithm is proved and the application results in the steel plant are analyzed.

Influence of the Steel-making Dust on High Temperature and Fatigue Performance of Asphalt Mortars

To research the possibility of steel-making dust as a kind of mineral filler in asphalt mixture, two steel-making dusts and one ordinary mineral filler were adopted. The specific density, specific surface area, fineness modulus and mineralogy component of the dusts were tested. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) was carried out to research the microstructure of the dusts; dynamic shear rheological(DSR) test and time sweep test were used to research the high temperature and fatigue performance of asphalt mortars containing steel-making dust. The experimental results indicate that, compared with ordinary mineral filler, steel-making dusts have more active ingredients, difference surface characteristics and micro-structure. Furthermore, the high temperature and fatigue performance of steel-making dusts corresponding asphalt mortars are superior to those of reference group. Therefore, the steel-making dust would be an alternative to the ordinary mineral filler to improve the performance of asphalt mortars and reduce the harm of the dusts to the environment at the same time.

Recycling of minute metal scraps by semisolid processing:Manufacturing of design materials

As a new attempt to recycle minute metal scraps, the possibility of manufacturing design materials by semisolid extrusion processing was shown.A design material with an intended shape, such as a character or petal shape, was manufactured using minute metal scraps.Similarly, a design material with an intended color pattern for each metal, such as red copper in a white aluminum matrix, resembling grainlike wood, was manufactured by mixing two or more types of minute metal scrap.In addition, secondary design materials, which have engraved patterns on the surface of the target metal made by an electric discharge machine using the above primary design material as an electrode, were manufactured.

Effect of additives on anode passivation in direct electrolysis process of copper–nickel based alloy scraps

Effects of nickel component,thiourea,glue and chloride ions and their interactions on the passivation of copper–nickel based alloy scrap anodes were investigated by combining conventional electrochemical techniques.Results obtained from chronopotentiometry and linear voltammetry curves showed that the Ni component made electrochemical stability of the anode strong and difficult to be corroded,caused by the adsorption of generated Cu2O,NiO or copper powder to the anode surface.The Ni2+reducing Cu2+to Cu+or copper powder aggravated the anode passivation.In a certain range of the glue concentration≤8×10–6 or thiourea concentration≤4×10–6,the increase of glue or thiourea concentration increases the anode passivation time.Over this range,glue and thiourea played an adverse effect.The increase of chloride ions concentration led to the increase in passivation time.

Failure Mechanisms and Structural Optimization of Shredder Hammer for Metal Scraps

Recycling retired cars can relieve the environmental pollution and resource waste efficiently.However,a few publications can be found on the failure mechanisms and optimization method of recycling equipment,shredders.Thus,the failure mechanisms and structural optimization of shredder hammers for retired cars are studied aiming improving shredding efficiency and reducing cost.Failure types of shredder hammer are studied theoretically,and it is found that wear failure and fatigue failure are the two main failure types of shredder hammer.The shredding process of metal scraps is analyzed by finite element method,and it can be divided into four stages based on the stress states：initial stage,collision stage,grinding stage and separation stage.It is proved that the shredding efficiency can be improved by increasing cutouts on the hammer head.Finally,it is determined that the hammer with two cutouts is the optimal structure for metal scraps,which can improve the shredding efficiency by 20% and lengthen the hammer life by 15%.This study provides scientific basis for the industry application and theoretical foundation for further research.

Effect of the Proportion of Bamboo Scraps on the Properties of Bamboo Scraps/Magnesium Oxychloride Composites

This study was designed to solve the problem of large waste volume from bamboo processing residues in recent years.Using magnesium oxychloride(MO)cementitious material as the main material and bamboo residue(BR)as the reinforcing material,a BR/MO composite material was prepared.The effects of BR amount on the molding properties,mechanical strength,and water resistance of BR/MO composites were examined and discussed.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffractometry(XRD),and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize composite microscopic morphology,crystalline structure,and heat resistance.The results showed that,when the BR content was 1.00%(by wt),the flowability of MO paste was beneficial to composite molding.Composite mechanical properties and water resistance were greatly affected by BR addition.When the BR content was 1.00%,composite compressive and bending strengths and softening coefficient all reached maximum values.Meanwhile,increases in water absorption by 24 h and decreases of contact angle were small.These results suggested that,when the BR content was 1.00%,composite mechanical properties and water resistance were the best and the mechanical strength also improved with extended composite storage time.SEM analysis indicated that BR played the role of a reinforcing phase in MO matrices.However,when the BR content exceeded 1.00%,interfacial bonding between BR and MO became less.XRD analysis showed that,with 1.00%BR content,composites showed more 5-phase crystals with high strength.This further explained the reason why this composite’s mechanical properties were the best and the heat resistance not deteriorated due to BR,which was easily decomposed.

Preparation of Nano-Alumina with Aluminum Scraps as Raw Materials

Ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide (AACH) was synthesized by the reaction of ammonium aluminum sulphate (AA) with ammonium hydrogen carbonate (AHC). AA was obtained by the reaction of NH4HSO4 with aluminum scraps as the raw materials. According to this method, AACH samples prepared were used to fabricate nano alumina powders by thermal decomposition. The microstructural properties of as-formed alumina were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), special surface analysis and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Experimental observations revealed that highly pure (99.99%) α-alumina with mean diameter of 49 nm could be obtained.

Direct oxygen removal from titanium aluminide scraps by yttrium reduction

Titanium aluminum(TiAl)scraps with a high oxygen content were treated with yttrium(Y)in a liquid chemical deoxidization process for recycling.The Gibbs free energy and the equilibrium constant of the deoxidization reaction were calculated,and the effects of the yttrium content and the system pressure on the oxygen content in the product were determined.The results showed that the oxygen in TiAl scraps could be removed by yttrium,and the oxygen content of the deoxidized TiAl scraps had only 10%of the original content after deoxidization.Furthermore,the oxygen content of the deoxidized TiAl scraps was decreased with the increase of yttrium addition.The higher the chamber pressure,the greater the oxygen content in the final TiAl alloys.These results were consistent with calculated values.The microstructure of the deoxidized alloys was akin to that of the original material;however,Y_(2)O_(3) particles were observed in the deoxidized alloys.

Research on Refractories Technology to Meet the Demands of Steel-making Process

Based on the refractories research of Baosteel, the demands for refractories from the developing steel-making technology as high security, high efficiency, energy saving and environment .friendly are introduced.

Analysis of the Characteristics of Materials Obtained by Recycling Scrap Metal in Guinea

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of rebar produced from recycled scrap metal collected throughout the country,and imported rebar sold in the Republic of Guinea.To do this,the samples were subjected to various mechanical tests involving traction,bending and microscopic analysis.In the Lambanyi and Casse Sonfonia samples,all the tensile strength values for diameters 12,14 and 16 were above 550 MPa.Conversely,the iron samples from Baillobaye and the 10 mm diameters of the samples from Casse Sonfonio and Lambanyi have less appreciable values.The limits of elasticity were determined.The various values found vary more or less from the conventional yield strength of the NF A35-016 reference supplied by CBITEC,which is 500 MPa.Microscopic analysis gives us an insight into the internal structure of the iron samples used.This study may provide the company and the vendors with an alternative for their improvements.

RECOVERY OF CADMIUM AND NICKEL FROM SCRAP Ni-Cd BATTERIES

Several typical methods for the recovery of Ni-Cd batteries are described in detail. Based on the comparison between the hydrometallurgical process and the pyrometallurgical process, the latter is selected as the suitable method for recycling Ni-Cd batteries in China.

Derived oil production by catalytic pyrolysis of scrap tires

Scrap tires were pyrolyzed in a continuously stirred batch reactor in the presence and absence of catalysts. The maximum yield of derived oil was up to 55.65 wt%at the optimum temperature, 500 °C. The catalytic pyrolysis was performed using 1.0 wt%（on a scrap tire weight basis） of catalysts based on ZSM‐5, USY,β, SAPO‐11, and ZSM‐22. The oil products were characterized using simula‐tion distillation, elemental analysis, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The results show that using a catalyst can increase the conversion of scrap tires to gas and decrease char by‐products;the yield of derived oil remains unchanged or a little lower. The oils derived from catalytic pyrolysis had H/C ratios of 1.55–1.65 and contained approximately 70–75 wt%light oil, 0.3–0.58 wt%S and 0.78–1.0 wt%N. Catalysts with high acid strengths and appropriate pore sizes, such as ZSM‐5, USY,β, and SAPO‐11, increased the amount of single‐ring aromatics in the light‐middle‐fraction oil to 45 wt%. The derived oil can therefore be used as a petrochemical feedstock for producing high‐value‐added chemical products or fuel oil.

Recycle for Sludge Scrap of Nd-Fe-B Sintered Magnet as Isotropic Bonded Magnet

The reduction diffusion method was performed for the sludge scrap of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets with adding Ca metal to recover the oxidized Nd-Fe-B phase. After washing the resultant powders to remove Ca metal component, the powders obtained were recycled as an isotropic magnetic powder by the melt spinning method. The magnetic properties of powders as recycled were inferior, especially for the coercivity value, due to the deletion of rare earth metals during the washing process. The adjustment of metal composition, i.e., the addition of Nd metal, at the melt spinning process improved the magnetic properties to be B r=～0.75 T, H cj=～0.93 mA·m -1, and (BH) max=～91 kJ·m -3. The magnetic properties of the bonded magnets prepared from the composition-adjusted powders were B r=～0.66 T, H cj=～0.92 mA·m -1, and (BH) max=～70 kJ·m -3, which are approximately comparable to the commercially available MQPB boned one (B r=～0.73 T, H cj=～0.79 mA·m -1, and (BH) max=～86 kJ·m -3).

Crushing performance and resource characteristicof printed circuit board scrap

The crushing performance of printed circuit board (PCB) was studied on several crushers. The results show that PCB is a material which is difficult to crush. The crushing performance of PCB with disk crusher, especially vibration grinding, which has cut or impact action, excels that of jaw crusher or roller crusher. The PCB scrap is worthwhile to recycle using variety of modern characterization methods. When compared with natural resources, this material stream remains a rich precious metal and nonferrous metals. In PCB scrap, metals account for 47% of the total material composition, in which there exists 19.66% copper, 11.47% iron, 3.93% lead, 300 g/t gold and 510 kg/t silver, etc. In addition, the PCB scrap contains 27% of plastics and 26% of refractory oxides.

Effect of Mn addition and refining process on Fe reduction of Mg−Mn alloys made from magnesium scrap

The Fe reduction,microstructure evolution and corrosion susceptibility of Mg−Mn alloys made from magnesium scrap refining with Mn addition were investigated.The results show that significant Fe content change occurs during near-solid-melt treatment(NSMT)process even in the absence of Mn,because of the high saturation of Fe in the melt.Furthermore,in the NSMT process,even a small amount of Mn addition can lead to a sharp deposition of Mn atoms.The NSMT process can increase the growth rate of the Fe-rich particles,and then accelerate their sinking movement.Nevertheless,the addition of Mn hinders the coarsening process of Fe-rich particles.Besides,the corrosion susceptibility of the alloys is mainly affected by the solubility of Fe,which can be significantly reduced by Mn addition.Moreover,the presence of more Fe-rich particles does not necessarily increase the corrosion susceptibility of the alloy.Consequently,in the refining process of Mg−Mn alloys made from magnesium scrap,on the basis of NSMT process and adding an appropriate Mn content(about 0.5 wt.%),the purity of the melt can be improved,thereby obtaining an alloy with excellent corrosion resistance.

Simulation on scrap melting behavior and carbon diffusion under natural convection

A 3D model applying temperature-and carbon concentration-dependent material properties was developed to describe the scrap melting behavior and carbon diffusion under natural convection.Simulated results agreed reasonably well with experimental ones.Scrap melting was subdivided into four stages:formation of a solidified layer,rapid melting of the solidified layer,carburization,and carburization+normal melting.The carburization stage could not be ignored at low temperature because the carburization time for the sample investigated was 214 s at 1573 K compared to 12 s at 1723 K.The thickness of the boundary layer with significant concentration difference at 1573 K increased from 130μm at 5 s to 140μm at 60 s.The maximum velocity caused by natural convection decreased from 0.029 m·s^(−1)at 5 s to 0.009 m·s^(−1)at 634 s because the differences in temperature and density between the molten metal and scrap decreased with time.

Reductive denitrification of nitrate by scrap iron filings

Reduction of nitrate by zero-valent iron is a highly exergonic reaction that has long been known to occur. Use of scrap iron filings (SIF) as the PRB (Permeable Reactive Barrier) material can be used to recycle certain by-products, and identify cheaper replacements for expensive conventional PRB materials, especially pure metallic iron. The feasibility of reductive denitrification of nitrate by SIF was studied by batch experiments. Operational parameters such as pH value, SIF dosage and initial concentration of nitrate were investigated. The removal efficiency of nitrate reached 80% under the conditions of pH of 2.5, nitrate initial con- centration of 45 mg/L and SIF dosage of 100 g/L within 4 h. Results indicated that nitrate removal is inversely related to pH. Low pH value condition favors for the nitrate transformation. Different from the results of others who studied nitrate reduction using iron powder, we found that there was a lag time before nitrate reduction occurs, even at low pH. Finally, the possible mechanism of nitrate reduction by Fe0 is discussed.