Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZrO_2-Ni Functionally Gradient Material

The fabrication. microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Ni functionally gradient materials (FGM ) have been studied. FGM as well as non-FG M of ZrO2-Ni system was developed by powder metallurgical process. X-ray diffractometer (XRD ). electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM ) and optical microscope were employed to investigate the crystalline phases. chemical composition and microstructure Experimental results demonstrate that the composition and microstructure of ZrO2-Ni FGM have the expected gradient distribution. There are no distinct interfaces in the FGM due to the gradient change of components. that is, the constituents are continuous in microstructure everywhere. Moreover, Vickers hardness and flexural strength were measured for the common composites as a function of composition. It is made clear that the mechanical properties of the FGM vary corresponding to the constitutional changes as well

Electronic and Optical Properties of TiS2 Determined from Generalized Gradient Approximation Study

The electronic and optical properties of TiS2 are studied of density functional theory. A linearized and augmented by using an ab-initio calculation within the frame plane wave basis set with the generalized gradient approximation as proposed by Perdew et al. is used for the energy exchange-correlation determination. The results show a metallic character of TiS2, and the plots of total and partial densities of states of TiS2 show the metallic character of the bonds and a strong hybridization between the states d of Ti and p of S below the Fermi energy. The optical properties of the material such as real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant （ε（w） = ε1（w） ＋ iε2（w））, refractive index n（w）, optical reflectivity R（w）, for E / /x and E / /z are performed for the energy range of 0-.14 eV.

Gradient Elastic–Plastic Properties of Expanded Austenite Layer in 316L Stainless Steel

The gradient mechanical properties, variation of stress with strain and surface cracking behavior of expanded austenite developed on 316L austenitic stainless steel were investigated by nanoindentation tests, X-ray residual stress analysis and scanning electron microscope observation in four-point bending tests. The results show that the plastic properties of the carburizing layer including true initial yield strengths and strain hardening exponents increase significantly from substrate to surface, while the true elastic modulus just improves slightly. Due to the onset of plastic flow, the residual stresses are almost equivalent to the true initial yield strengths from surface to the depth of ～10 lm. The results of four-point bending tests show that surface stress increases linearly with the increase in strain until the strain reaches～1.0%, after that the plastic yield happens. The expanded austenite surface layer is brittle, and the cracks will be created at the strain of ～1.4%.The cracking stress is about～2.4 GPa.

Effects of Temperature and Strain Rate on Solid-/Liquid-Phase Flow Behavior of 9Cr18 Steel During Thixoforging

A thixoforging process of the 9Cr18 steel was conducted in a designed setup, and a kind of multi-diameter component was fabricated. The effects of the forming temperature and the strain rate on the solid-/liquid-phase flow behavior were discussed. The results showed that functional gradient properties of the 9Cr18 steel could be obtained after thixoforging. Changes of microstructure along radial direction could be obtained. Solid austenite was retained after fast cooling, and the liquid film enriched in alloying elements was extruded outside to form a dendrite skin layer. As temperature increased, more molten liquid formed during thixoforging. A heterogeneous flow phenomenon was activated as free liquid channels were formed. The macro-separation of solid and liquid phases was critical for the formation of functional gradient properties. Above 1300 ℃, full dendrite skin layer could be formed. The strain rate affected the thixotropic property via influencing the deformation time of thixoforging. In the presence of lower strain rates, there was more time for the flow of liquid metal, which was the key to the extension of the thixotropic stage. High temperatures and low strain rates contributed to the formation of full skin layer for the designed specimen. The average thickness of skin layer for current specimen could be over 1000 ktm when thixoforged at 1340 ℃ and under a strain rate of 0.02 s^-1.