Influence of layer thickness on formation quality,microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)of Mg alloys has provided tremendous opportunities for customized production of aeronautical and medical parts.Layer thickness(LT)is of great significance to the L-PBF process but has not been studied for Mg alloys.In this study,WE43 Mg alloy bulk cubes,porous scaffolds,and thin walls with layer thicknesses of 10,20,30,and 40μm were fabricated.The required laser energy input increased with increasing layer thickness and was different for the bulk cubes and porous scaffolds.Porosity tended to occur at the connection joints in porous scaffolds for LT40 and could be eliminated by reducing the laser energy input.For thin wall parts,a large overhang angle or a small wall thickness resulted in porosity when a large layer thicknesses was used,and the porosity disappeared by reducing the layer thickness or laser energy input.A deeper keyhole penetration was found in all occasions with porosity,explaining the influence of layer thickness,geometrical structure,and laser energy input on the porosity.All the samples achieved a high fusion quality with a relative density of over 99.5%using the optimized laser energy input.The increased layer thickness resulted to more precipitation phases,finer grain sizes and decreased grain texture.With the similar high fusion quality,the tensile strength and elongation of bulk samples were significantly improved from 257 MPa and 1.41%with the 10μm layer to 287 MPa and 15.12%with the 40μm layer,in accordance with the microstructural change.The effect of layer thickness on the compressive properties of porous scaffolds was limited.However,the corrosion rate of bulk samples accelerated with increasing the layer thickness,mainly attributed to the increased number of precipitation phases.

Greatly enhanced corrosion/wear resistances of epoxy coating for Mg alloy through a synergistic effect between functionalized graphene and insulated blocking layer

The poor corrosion and wear resistances of Mg alloys seriously limit their potential applications in various industries.The conventional epoxy coating easily forms many intrinsic defects during the solidification process,which cannot provide sufficient protection.In the current study,we design a double-layer epoxy composite coating on Mg alloy with enhanced anti-corrosion/wear properties,via the spin-assisted assembly technique.The outer layer is functionalized graphene(FG)in waterborne epoxy resin(WEP)and the inner layer is Ce-based conversion(Ce)film.The FG sheets can be homogeneously dispersed within the epoxy matrix to fill the intrinsic defects and improve the barrier capability.The Ce film connects the outer layer with the substrate,showing the transition effect.The corrosion rate of Ce/WEP/FG composite coating is 2131 times lower than that of bare Mg alloy,and the wear rate is decreased by~90%.The improved corrosion resistance is attributed to the labyrinth effect(hindering the penetration of corrosive medium)and the obstruction of galvanic coupling behavior.The synergistic effect derived from the FG sheet and blocking layer exhibits great potential in realizing the improvement of multi-functional integration,which will open up a new avenue for the development of novel composite protection coatings of Mg alloys.

What If the Protection against Oxidation of Chromia-Forming Alloys Was Not Always Due to the Chromia Layer?

Chromia-forming alloys have good resistance to oxidizing agents such as O2, CO2, … It is accepted that the protection of these alloys is always due to the chromia layer formed at the surface of the alloys, which acts as a barrier between the oxidizing gases and the alloy substrates, forming a diffusion zone that limits the overall reaction rate and leads to parabolic kinetics. But this was not verified in the study devoted to Inconel®625 the oxidation in CO2 that was followed by TGA, with characterizations by XRD, EDS and FIB microscopy. Contrary to what was expected and accepted in similar studies on other chromia-forming alloys, it was shown that the diffusion step that governs the overall reaction rate is not located inside the chromia layer but inside the alloy, precisely inside a zone just beneath the interface alloy/chromia, this zone being depleted in chromium. The chromia layer, therefore, plays no kinetic role and does not directly protect the underlying alloy. This result was demonstrated using a simple test that consisted in removing the chromia layer from the surface of samples partially oxidized and then to continue the thermal treatment: insofar as the kinetics continued without any change in rate, this proved that this surface layer of oxide did not protect the substrate. Based on previous work on many chromia-forming alloys, the possibility of a similar reaction mechanism is discussed. If the chromia layer is not the source of protection for a number of chromia-forming alloys, as is suspected, this might have major consequences in terms of industrial applications.

Effects of reflowing temperature and time on alloy layer of tinplate and its electrochemical behavior in 3.5%NaCl solution

Effects of reflowing temperature and time on the alloy layer of tinplate and its electrochemical behavior in 3.5%NaCl solution were investigated by electrochemical measurements and surface characterization.It is found that the amount of alloy layer increases with the increase of reflowing temperature and time.Then the corrosion potential of detinned tinplate shifts positively and the corrosion rate decreases.After being coupled with tin,the detinned tinplate acts as cathode and tin acts as anode initially.However,after being exposed for some time,the potential shifts of both detinned tinplate and tin reverse the polarity of the coupling system.The galvanic current density decreases with the increase of reflowing temperature and time.

Structure and effects of electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer during acid electroless plating on magnesium alloys

An electroless ternary Ni-Sn-P transition layer with high corrosion resistance was applied for acid electroless nickel plating on magnesium alloys. The surface morphologies and microstructure of the traditional alkaline electroless Ni-P and novel Ni-Sn-P transition layers were compared by SEM and XRD, and the bonding strengths between the transition layers and AZ31 magnesium alloys were tested. The corrosion resistance of the samples was analyzed by porosity test, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy（EIS） in acid electroless solution at p H 4.5 and immersion test in 10% HCl. The results indicate that the transition layer is essential for acid electroless plating Ni-P coatings on magnesium alloys. Under the same thin thickness（-6 μm）, the electroless Ni-Sn-P transition layer possesses superior properties to the traditional Ni-P transition layer, including high amorphization, smooth and dense surface without pores, enhanced bonding strength and corrosion resistance. Most importantly, acid electroless Ni-P coatings can be successfully deposited on magnesium alloys by using Ni-Sn-P transition layer.

Effects of grain size on shift of neutral layer of AZ31 magnesium alloy under warm condition

The effects of grain size on the shift of neutral layer of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets with different grain sizes ranging from 12.1 to 34.7μm were investigated by the 90° V-bending tests at 150 °C. The results show that the neutral layer tends to shift to outer region of the sheets and the coefficient of neutral layer value (k-value) increases with the increasing grain size. This phenomenon is mainly owing to the enhanced asymmetry between the outer tension region and inner compression region with the increase of grain size. Twinning dominates the deformation in inner region while slips dominate the deformation in outer region.

Enhanced corrosion resistance of micro-arc oxidation coated magnesium alloy by superhydrophobic Mg-Al layered double hydroxide coating

To further enhance the corrosion resistance of the porous micro-arc oxidation(MAO) ceramic layers on AZ31 magnesium alloy, superhydrophobic Mg-Al layered double hydroxide(LDH) coating was fabricated on MAO-coated AZ31 alloy by using in-situ growth method followed by surface modification with stearic acid. The characteristics of different coatings were investigated by XRD, SEM and EDS. The effect of the hydrothermal treatment time on the formation of the LDH coatings was studied. The results demonstrated that the micro-pores and cracks of MAO coating were gradually sealed via in-situ growing LDH with prolonging hydrothermal treating time. Electrochemical measurement displayed that the lowest corrosion current density, the most positive corrosion potential and the highest impedance modulus were observed for superhydrophobic LDH/MAO coating compared with those of MAO coating and LDH/MAO coating. Immersion experiment proved that the superhydrophobic LDH/MAO coating with the active anti-corrosion capability significantly enhanced the long-term corrosion protection for MAO coated alloy.

Effects of alloy elements on microstructure and crack resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer

Effects of alloy elements on the microstructure and crack resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer were investigated. The results show that microstructures of the layer mainly consist of carbides and austenite matrix. Increasing C and Cr contents impair the crack resistance of the layer due to increased amount of brittle carbides. The addition of Ni, Nb or Mo improves the crack resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer by increasing the amount of austenite and forming fine NbC or M 7C 3 carbides in the layer. But, the excessive Nb (>2.50wt%) or Mo (>1.88wt%) impairs the crack resistance of the layer, which has relation with increased carbides or carbide coarsening and austenite matrix solid solution strengthening. The proper combination of C, Cr, Ni, Nb and Mo can further improve not only the crack resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer but also the erosion resistance as a result of fine NbC and M 7C 3 carbides distributing uniformly in austenite matrix. The optimal layer compositions are 3.05wt%C, 20.58wt%Cr, 1.75wt%Ni, 2.00wt%Nb and 1.88wt%Mo.

Effects of Alloying Elements on Microstructure and Erosion Resistance of Fe-C-Cr Weld Surfacing Layer

Effects of alloying elements on microstructure and erosion resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer have been studied. The experimental results show that increasing C and Cr content favors improving the erosion resistance of the layer, and the excessive C and Cr result in decreasing the erosion resistance at 90 deg. erosion. That Mo, Nb or Ti improves the erosion resistance of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer is mainly attributed to increasing the amount of M7C3 and forming fine NbC or TiC in austenite matrix, but the excessive Mo, Nb or Ti is unfavorable. The addition of Mo, Nb and Ti in proper combination possesses stronger effect on improving the erosion resistance and the erosion resistance (εA) of Fe-C-Cr weld surfacing layer with fine NbC, TiC and M7C3 distributing uniformly in austenite matrix obviously increases to 2.81 at 15 deg. erosion and 2.88 at 90 deg. erosion when the layer composition is 3.05C, 20.58Cr, 1.88Mo, 2.00Nb and 1.05Ti (in wt pct).

Deposition of Bioactive Layer on NiTi Alloy by Chemical Treatment

A simple chemical method was developed for inducing bioactivity on NiTi alloys (50 at. pct by Ni/Ti). A layer of calcium phosphate was deposited on the surface to improve biocompatibility of the alloy. NiTi alloys were first etched in HNO3 aqueous solution, and then treated with boiling diluted NaOH solution. A rough surface was created and a thin TiO2 layer was formed on the surface. Pre-calcification was then introduced by immersing the treated NiTi alloys in supersaturated Na2HPO4 solution and supersaturated Ca(OH)2 solution in turn before calcification in simulated body fluid (SBF). A dense and uniform bonelike calcium phosphate (Ca-P) bioactive layer was formed on the surfaces of the specimen, which would improve their biocompatibility. Morphology and element analysis on NiTi surfaces during the treatments were investigated in detail by means of environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Aluminum-zinc alloy squeeze casting technological parameters optimization based on PSO and ANN

This paper presents a kind of ZA27 squeeze casting process parameter optimization method using artificial neural network (ANN) combined with the particle swarm optimizer (PSO). Regarding the test data as samples and using neural network create ZA27 squeeze casting process parameters and mechanical properties of nonlinear mapping model. Using PSO optimize the model and obtain the optimum value of the process parameters. Make full use of the non-neural network mapping capabilities and PSO global optimization capability. The network uses the radial direction primary function neural network,using the clustering and gradient method to make use of network learning,in order to enhance the generalization ability of the network. PSO takes dynamic changing inertia weights to accelerate the convergence speed and avoid a local minimum.

Effect of α phase on evolution of oxygen-rich layer on titanium alloys

In order to understand the evolution of oxygen-rich layer (ORL) on titanium alloys, the near α titanium alloy TA15 and α+β type titanium alloy TC4 were thermally exposed in air at 850 °C to evaluate the effect of α phase content on formation and evolution of ORL, and the stability and diffusion of oxygen in α- and β-Ti were investigated by first principles calculations to reveal the oxygen diffusion rate. TA15 with more α phases has a higher diffusion coefficient of ORL evolution than TC4, resulting in forming thicker ORL on TA15 under the same thermal exposure condition. The first principles calculations indicate that octahedral interstice of α-Ti is the most stable site for oxygen atom. The nearest neighbor diffusion between octahedral interstices along the [0001] direction in α-Ti presenting the lowest activation energy is the most favorable oxygen diffusion mechanism in α- and β-Ti.

THE MULTI-LAYER LASER CLADDING OF Ni60 ALLOY

The Multi layer coating of Ni60 alloy was got by multi layer laser cladding. The height of the coating was about 12mm and the wall of the coating was perpendicular to the base. The microstructure of the coating was made up of fine dendrite. The conjunction between layers was good.

Fabrication of ceramic layer on an Al-Si alloy by MAO process

The MAO (Micro-Arc Oxidation) process is applied to a eutectic Al-Si alloy(Al-12.0 percent Si-l.0 percent Cu-0.9 percent Mg (mass fraction)). The oxide ceramic layer wasfabricated with about 220 mum thickness and 3000 Hv micro-hardness. By XRD (X-ray diffractometry)and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) analyses, the oxide layer consists of amorphous Al_2O_3,which is distinct from the results reported by the other researchers. The SEM photographs of suchlayer show that the layer is fixed tightly on the substrate alloy. So this alloy can he used in thehigh temperature and friction environment alter it is treated with such process.

Electron beam welding of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy to 304 stainless steel with copper interlayer sheet

Electron beam welding of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy to 304 stainless steel with a copper sheet as interlayer was carried out.Microstructures of the joint were studied by optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffractometry(XRD).In addition,the mechanical properties of the joint were evaluated by tensile test and the microhardness was measured.These two alloys were successfully welded by adding copper transition layer into the weld.Solid solution with a certain thickness was located at the interfaces between weld and base metal in both sides.Regions inside the weld and near the stainless steel were characterized by solid solution of copper with TiFe2 intermetallics dispersedly distributed in it.While weld near titanium alloy contained Ti-Cu and Ti-Fe-Cu intermetallics layer,in which the hardness of weld came to the highest value.Brittle fracture occurred in the intermetallics layer when the joint was stretched.

A homogenous microstructural Mg-based matrix model for orthopedic application with generating uniform and smooth corrosion product layer in Ringer’s solution:Study on biodegradable behavior of Mg-Zn alloys prepared by powder metallurgy as a case

For high corrosion resistance and extensively modified biodegradable Mg-based alloys and composites for bone implants,a new Mgbased matrix model prepared by powder metallurgy is discussed and developed.In this research,Mg-5 wt.%Zn alloys were selected as a case.And they were impacted by hot extrusion and aging treatments to construct microstructure with different characteristics.Their selfforming corrosion product layer in Ringer’s solution,biodegradable behavior and corrosion mechanism were minutely investigated by in vitro degradation,electrochemical corrosion and cytocompatibility.The results demonstrated the extruded Mg-5 wt.%Zn alloy aged for 96 h showed high corrosion resistance,good biocompatibility for L929 and excellent ability of maintaining sample integrity during the immersion.Significantly,the alloy showed fine-grain microstructure and uniform distributed hundred nano-sized second phases,which promoted the formation of the uniform and smooth corrosion product layer at the beginning of immersion.The corrosion product layer was more stable in chloride containing aqueous solution and could be directly formed and repaired quickly,which effectively protected the matrix from further corrosion.In addition,an ideal model of Mg-based matrix for bone tissue engineering was tried to presume and propose by discussing the causal relationship between microstructure and bio-corrosion process.

Design of self-healing PEO-based protective layers containing in-situ grown LDH loaded with inhibitor on the MA8 magnesium alloy

The high corrosion rate of magnesium and its alloys in chloride-containing solution significantly reduces the potential of this material for diverse applications.Therefore,the formation of a smart protective coating was achieved in this work to prevent degradation of the MA8 magnesium alloy.A porous ceramic-like matrix was obtained on the material by plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO).Further surface functionalization was performed using layered double hydroxides(LDH) served as nanocontainers for the corrosion inhibitor.Several methods of LDH intercalation with benzotriazole(BTA) were proposed.The composition and morphology of the formed coating were studied using SEM-EDX analysis,XRD,XPS,and Raman microspectroscopy.The corrosion behavior of the coated samples was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization.The corrosion rate was estimated using volumetry and gravimetry methods.The formed composite coating provides the Mg alloy with the lowest corrosion activity(|Z|_(f)=0.1 Hz)=8.48·10^(5) Ω·cm^(2),I_(c)=1.4·10^(-8)A/cm^(2),P_(H)=0.21 mm/year) and improves the protective properties of the PEO-coated sample(|Z|_(f)=0.1 Hz)=8.37·10^(3) Ω·cm^(2),I_(c)=4.1·10^(-7)A/cm^(2),P_(H)=0.31 mm/year).The realization of the self-healing effect of the inhibitor-containing LDH/PEO-coated system was studied using localized electrochemical methods(SVET and SIET) with two artificial defects on the surface.A mechanism involving three stages for the active corrosion protection of the alloy was proposed.These findings contribute to the follow-up work of developing modified LDH/PEO-based structures that promote the Mg alloy with high corrosion resistance,superior electrochemical performance for applications in various fields of industry and medicine.

Modifying element diffusion pathway by transition layer structure in high-entropy alloy particle reinforced Cu matrix composites

The Al0.3CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy(HEA)particles reinforced Cu matrix composites(CMCs)were fabricated by mechanical alloying and sintering.Transition layer structure was obtained by multi-step ball milling to investigate the related influence on element diffusion behavior and wear properties of CMCs.The results indicate that a new Cu transition layer is generated,and the thickness is about 5μm.Cr element diffuses into the interface via the transition layer,which forms the complex oxide.Because of the structure of Cu transition layer,the diffusion rates of Ni,Co and Fe increase,especially the Ni element.The wear resistance of CMCs is improved by 30%,which is due to the improvement of interface bonding strength,compared with the CMCs without transition layer.This method is applicable to the development of advanced HEA reinforced metallic matrix composites.

Fast ion diffusion alloy layer facilitating 3D mesh substrate for dendrite-free zinc-ion hybrid capacitors

Although aqueous zinc ion hybrid capacitors have advantageous integration of batteries and supercapacitors,they still suffer from the inherent problems of dendrite growth and interfacial side reactions on Zn anodes.Herein,a universal fast zinc-ion diffusion layer on a three-dimensional(3 D)mesh structure model is demonstrated to effectively improve Zn plating/stripping reversibility.The fast ion diffusion alloy layer accelerates the Zn^(2+)migration in an orderly manner to homogenize Zn^(2+)flux and overcomes the defects of the commercial mesh substrate,effectively avoiding dendrite growth and side reactions.Consequently,the proof-of-concept silver-zinc alloy modified stainless steel mesh delivers superb reversibility with the high coulombic efficiency over 99.4%at 4 mA cm^(-2)after 1600 cycles and excellent reliability of over 830 h at 1 mA cm^(-2),Its feasibility is also evidenced in commercial zinc ion hybrid capacitors with activated carbon as the cathode.This work enriches the fundamental comprehension of fast zinc-ion diffusion layer combined with a 3 D substrate on the Zn deposition and opens a universal approach to design advanced host for Zn electrodes in zinc ion hybrid capacitors.

IN SITU GRADIENT DOUBLE-LAYER COMPOSITES OF Al-Fe ALLOY BY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING

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