Analysis of spot defects on the surface of a cold-rolled Fe-36%Ni alloy strip

Many spot defects were found on the surface of a cold-rolled Fe-36%Ni alloy strip produced in a factory,which seriously affected the surface quality of the product.Through metallographic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses,it was found that the spot defects were caused by the residual oxide layer on the surface of the cold-rolled Fe-36%Ni alloy strip after hydrogen annealing.By properly increasing the grinding amount of the blank before cold rolling to remove the oxide layer,the spot defects on the surface of the cold-rolled strip were effectively eliminated,and the surface quality of the product was ensured.

Solidification microstructure of Ti-43Al alloy by twin-roll strip casting

As a near-net-shape technology,the twin-roll strip casting(TRC)process can be considered to apply to the fabrication of TiAl alloy sheets.However,the control of the grain distribution is very important in strip casting because the mechanical properties of strips are directly determined by the solidification microstructure.A three-dimensional(3D)cellular automation finite-element(CAFE)model based on ProCAST software was established to simulate the solidification microstructure of Ti-43Al alloy.Then,the influence of casting temperature and the maximum nucleation density(nmax)on the solidification microstructure was investigated in detail.The simulation results provide a good explanation and prediction for the solidification microstructure in the molten pool before leaving the kissing point.Experimental and simulated microstructure show the common texture<001>orientation in the columnar grains zone.Finally,the microstructure evolution of the Ti-43Al alloy was analyzed and the solidification phase transformation path during the TSC process was determined,i.e.,L→L+β→β→β+α→α+γ+β/B2 phase under a faster cooling rate and L→L+β→β→β+α→γ+lamellar(α_(2)+γ)+β/B2 phase under a slower cooling rate.

Effects of Strip Casting and Annealing on Electrochemical Properties of LPCNi_(3.55)Co_(0.75)Mn_(0.4)Al_(0.3) Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The effect of thickness (1 similar to 10 mm) of the ingots on the electrochemical properties of as-cast and annealed strip cast LPCNi3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3 hydrogen storage alloys was investigated. It is found that the 0.2 C discharge capacity of as-cast LPCNi3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3 alloy increases with the increase of the thickness of the ingots. As-east alloy with the thickness of 10 mm shows better activation property, higher 1C discharge capacity and better cyclic stability than others. It is mainly contributed to its larger unit cell volume and less internal stress. Annealed LPCNi3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3 alloy with the thickness of 3 mm shows much better comprehensive electrochemical properties than as-east one; The cyclic. stability of the alloy with the thickness of 6 mm and the activation properties of the alloys with the thickness of 3 similar to 6 mm are improved after annealing. It is mainly owing to the great release of internal stress and the decrease of the segregation of Mn in the alloys.

Microstructure characteristics of Ti-43Al alloy during twin-roll strip casting and heat treatment

To shorten the fabrication process of difficult-to-form TiAl sheets, twin-roll strip casting and microstructural control were investigated in Ti-43Al alloy. A crack-free sheet with dimensions of 1000 mm × 110 mm × 2 mm was obtained. The microstructure of stip casting sheets and heat treatments was systematically studied. The macrostructure consisted of columnar crystals extending inward and centrally located equiaxed crystals with severe Al segregation were observed along the thickness direction, due to the symmetrical solidification process and decreasing cooling rates. The strip casting alloy was characterized by fine duplex microstructure with a grain spacing of 20-30 μm and a lamellar spacing of 10-20 nm. Furthermore, multiple microstructures of near gamma, nearly lamellar and fully lamellar were obtained through heat treatment process with significantly improved homogeneity of the microstructure.

Surface Analysis of Chemical Stripping Titanium Alloy Oxide Films

The chemical stripping method of titanium alloy oxide films was studied. An environment friendly solution hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide without hydrofluoric acid or fluoride were used to strip the oxide films. The morphologies of the surface and cross-section of the oxide films before and after the films stripping were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The microstructure and chemical compositions of the oxide films before and after the films stripping were investigated by using Raman spectroscopy （Raman） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. It was shown that the thickness of the oxide film was in the range of 5-6 μm. The oxide films were stripped for 2 to 8 min in the solution. Moreover, the effect of the stripping time on the efficiency of the film stripping was investigated, and the optimum stripping time was between 6-8 min. When the stripping solution completely dissolved the whole film, the α/β microstructure of the titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al was partly revealed. The stripping mechanism was discussed in terms of the dissolution of film delamination. The hydrogen peroxide had a significant effect on the dissolution of the titanium alloy anodic oxide film. The feasibility of the dissolution reaction also was evaluated.

Thermodynamic Behavior Research Analysis of Twin-roll Casting Lead Alloy Strip Process

The thermodynamic behavior of twin-roll casting （TRC） lead alloy strip process directly affects the forming of the lead strip, the quality of the lead strip and the production efficiency. However, there is little research on the thermodynamics of lead alloy strip at home and abroad. The TRC lead process is studied in four parameters： the pouring temperature of molten lead, the depth of molten pool, the roll casting speed, and the rolling thickness of continuous casting. Firstly, the thermodynamic model for TRC lead process is built. Secondly, the thermodynamic behavior of the TRC process is simulated with the use of Fluent. Through the thermodynamics research and analysis, the process parameters of cast rolling lead strip can be obtained： the pouring temperature of molten lead： 360-400 ℃, the depth of molten pool： 250-300 mm, the roll casting speed： 2.5-3 m/min, the rolling thickness： 8-9 mm. Based on the above process parameters, the optimal parameters（the pouring temperature of molten lead： 375-390 ℃, the depth of molten pool： 285-300 mm, the roll casting speed： 2.75-3 m/min, the rolling thickness： 8.5-9 mm） can be gained with the use of the orthogonal experiment. Finally, the engineering test of TRC lead alloy strip is carried out and the test proves the thermodynamic model is scientific, necessary and correct. In this paper, a detailed study on the thermodynamic behavior of lead alloy strip is carried out and the process parameters of lead strip forming are obtained through the research, which provide an effective theoretical guide for TRC lead alloy strip process.

Morphology transformation of primary strip α phase in hot working of two-phase titanium alloy

Microstructural development in hot working of TA15titanium alloy with primary stripαstructure was investigated withthe aim to globularizeαstrips.Results show that the mechanisms of morphology transformation are the same to the spheroidizationmechanisms of lamellar structure.Boundary splitting and termination migration are more important than coarsening due to the largesize of stripα.Theαstrips are stable in annealing due to the unfavorable geometrical orientation of intra-αboundaries,the largethickness of strip and the geometrical stability ofαparticles.Predeformation and low speed deformation accelerate globularization ofαstrips in the following ways:direct changing of particle shape,promotion of boundary splitting and termination migration byincreasing high angle grain boundaries and interfacial area,promotion of coarsening by forming dislocation structures.Largepredeformation combined with high temperature annealing is a feasible way to globularize stripα.

Corrosion behavior of Mg-8Li-3Zn-Al alloy in neutral 3.5%NaCl solution

The corrosion behavior of Mg-8Li-3Zn-Al alloy was investigated in neutral 3.5%NaCl aqueous solution by morphology observation and electrochemical tests.The weight loss method was to measure the corrosion rate.The electrochemical results indicated that the corrosion resistance of Mg-8Li-3Zn-Al alloy in 3.5%NaCl solution is poorer than that in distilled water.The Cl-anion leads to the initiation and development of the corrosion pits.And the corrosion products are mainly Mg(OH)_(2).

Decomposition Reactions in a Quench-aged Eutectoid Zn-Al Base Alloy AlZn75Cu3Si2

As a part of the systematical investigation of the phase relationships of the Zn-Al base alloys,decomposi- tion of the supersaturated phase β_S in a eutectoid Zn-Al-Cu-Si alloy was studied by hardness testing,opti- cal,electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.Com- pared to the monotectoid Zn-Al-Cu-Si alloy,a similar sequence of decomposition was found to consist of three stages of phase transformation,which were in accordance to various equilibrium reactions at the temperatures above the ageing temperatures.

Electrochemical Properties of Strip Casting LPCNi_(3.55) Co_(0.75) Mn_(0.4) Al_(0.3) Hydrogen Storage Alloys

LPCNi 3.55 Co 0.75 Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 hydrogen storage alloy was investigated, and the effects of thickness of its strip casting ingots(as cast) on the electrochemical performances were discussed. It was found that the 0.2 C discharge capacity increased with the increase of the thickness (from 1 mm to 10 mm) of the ingots, mainly due to the enlargement of the unit cell volume; Among the thickness of the ingots in our study, 10 mm sample showed a better activation property; LPCNi 3.55 Co 0.75 Mn 0.4 Al 0.3 alloy with 10mm showed higher comprehensive properties than those with other thickness under 1C rate.

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.

Effects of Al and Ca on microstructure and surface defect of magnesium alloy thin strip

Mg-Al-Zn alloy thin strips were prepared by vertical twin-roll casting.Effects of Al and Ca on the microstructure and the surface defects of the thin strips were investigated.The results show that with the increase of Al content,the quantity of surface cracks of the thin strips increases rapidly and their locations are moved to the center of the thin strips.The alloy melts with more than 0.10%Ca(mass fraction)stick on the roller and a poor surface quality of the thin strips appears.With the increase of Al content,the microstructure of the thin strips evolves from singleα-Mg phase,characterized by the uniform and equiaxed recrystallization grains, to the combination of dendriticα-Mg with Al supersaturatedα-Mg.The minor addition of Ca can obviously refine the grains of Mg-3Al-1Zn thin strip because the formation of Al2Ca and the finest grains are obtained by adding 0.08%Ca.

Creep Induced Phase Transformation in Extruded Zn-Al Alloy

Phase transformation and microstructural change of an extruded eutectoid Zn-Al alloy Zn76Al22Cu2 (wt pct) were investigated during creep testing by using SEM and X-ray diffraction techniques. Creep induced decomposition of a metastable η'T phase and a four phase transformation, α+ ε →T' +η, occurred during the creep testing. Also a microstructural change was observed from a lamellar structure into a spheroidized structure in the rupture part of the extruded alloy. It provided evidence of creep induced phase transformations which occurred in ageing process. The mechanism of creep rupture of the extruded Zn-Al alloy was also discussed.

Strip Casting of High Performance Structural Alloys

There exists a great need for the development of high performance alloys due to increasing demands for energy conservation and environmental protection. Application of strip casting shows a strong potential for the improvement of properties of existing alloys and also for the development of novel alloy systems with superior properties. The present paper reviews our Center's activities in the development of high performance alloys by strip casting. Examples include (1) Al alloys, (2) wrought Mg alloys, and (3) bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys.

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.

Nanophase Decomposition of a Zn-Al Based Alloy Zn_(68)Al_(10)Cu_(22)

The nanostructural evolution and phase transformation of the films of a Zn-Al based alloy (Zn68Al10Cu22 in wt pct) have been studied by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Nanostructural thin films of the Zn-AI based alloy were produced by using an electron beam deposition technique. It was found that a nanocrystalline phase η'n had a strong preferred crystal orientation at (0002) crystal planes in the as-deposited films. During ageing at 220℃, the decomposition of nanophase η'n started with clustering to form Z-zones, and transitionai phase, which was accompanied by an eutectoid decomposition of the η'n phase: η'n β'eut T'. Decomposition, such as clustering and the formation of the Z-zones, and the transitionai phase etc. were observed in the nanophase β'eut. The formation and the decomposition of the transitionai phase of micrometers in size were involved in the decomposition of the main nanophase η'n. The mechanism of the Z-zones formation and the stability of nanophases were discussed.

Novel Impact Absorption Device Using NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Strips

The aim is to propose and design a kind of novel impact absorption devices using constant-force elements made from Ni Ti shape memory alloy( SMA) strips for safety protection.The availability evaluation results indicate that the constant-force elements can absorb over one half of the impact energy for its martensite transformation and thus the maximum impact force is reduced by nearly 80%.Compared with the ordinary cylindrical compression spring,the device's maximum impact force is reduced by nearly 50%,otherwise it has a very compact structure and insensitivity to the varying impact,and thus it is especially suitable for narrow space and safety purpose.

Electroplating Zn-Al Alloy Technology

The method of controlling separating anode and separating power source was used to perform orthogonal optimization for the parameters in electroplating Zn Al alloy.The electroplating Zn-Al alloy technology was decided, in which the content of Al is about 12%-15% .

Structural Changes ofαPhase in Furnace Cooled Eutectoid Zn-Al Based Alloy

Furnace cooling is a slow cooling process. It is of importance to study structural evolution and its effects on the properties of alloys during the furnace cooling. Decomposition of aluminium rich α phase in a furnace cooled eutectoid Zn-Al based alloy was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Two kinds of precipitates in the α phase were detected in the FCZA22 alloy during ageing at 170℃. One was the hcp transitional α＂ m phase which aooears as directional rods and the round precipitates. The other was the fcc α＇m phase. 〈101〉. The orientation relationship between the a phase and transitional phase α＇m was determined as （022）α＇m （fcc）//（022^-）α（fcc）, [1^-11]α＇m, （fcc）//[2^-33]α（fcc）. The non-equilibrium phase decomposition of the α phase is discussed in correlation with the equilibrium phase relationships.

Microstructures of Thermomechanically Treated Eutectoid Zn-Al Alloy

A continuously cast eutectoid Zn-Al alloy was extruded at about 250℃ and the complex microstructures of three phases (α. ε and η'E) were observed in the extruded eutectoid Zn-Al alloy.The fcc Al-rich α phase appeared as isolated particles with clear boundaries instead of the α phase occurring with diffuse boundary within the dendrites of the as-cast structure. A new unstable phase η'E was determined to have hexagonal close packed crystal structure. The decomposed β's, phase comprised the matrix. The new phase η'E decompoeed and a four phase transformation α+ε T'+η occurred afterwards during the isothermal holding. The extruded alloy tended to be stable after these two phase transformations. The early shrinkage and the following increase in dimension were related to the decomposition of the new phase η'E and the four phase transformation.