Porous TiFe_(2) intermetallic compound fabricated via elemental powder reactive synthesis

Porous intermetallics show potential in the field of filtration and separation as well as in the field of catalysis.Herein,porous Ti Fe2intermetallics were fabricated by the reactive synthesis of elemental powders.The phase transformation and pore formation of porous TiFe2intermetallics were investigated,and its corrosion behavior and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)performance in alkali solution were studied.Porous TiFe2intermetallics with porosity in the range of 34.4%-56.4%were synthesized by the diffusion reaction of Ti and Fe elements,and the pore formation of porous TiFe2intermetallic compound is the result of a combination of the bridging effect and the Kirkendall effect.The porous TiFe2samples exhibit better corrosion resistance compared with porous 316L stainless steel,which is related to the formation of uniform nanosheets on the surface that hinder further corrosion,and porous TiFe2electrode shows the overpotential of 220.6 and 295.6 mV at 10 and 100 mA·cm-2,suggesting a good catalytic performance.The synthesized porous Fe-based intermetallic has a controllable pore structure as well as excellent corrosion resistance,showing its potential in the field of filtration and separation.

Corrosion resistance of Mg-Al-LDH steam coating on AZ80 Mg alloy:Effects of citric acid pretreatment and intermetallic compounds

In this study,the effects of intermetallic compounds(Mg_(17)Al_(12)and Al_(8)Mn_(5))on the Mg-Al layered double hydroxide(LDH)formation mechanism and corrosion behavior of an in-situ LDH/Mg(OH)_(2)steam coatings on AZ80 Mg alloy were investigated.Citric acid(CA)was used to activate the alloy surface during the pretreatment process.The alloy was first pretreated with CA and then subjected to a hydrothermal process using ultrapure water to produce Mg-Al-LDH/Mg(OH)_(2)steam coating.The effect of different time of acid pretreatment on the activation of the intermetallic compounds was investigated.The microstructure and elemental composition of the obtained coatings were analyzed using FE-SEM,EDS,XRD and FT-IR.The corrosion resistance of the coated samples was evaluated using different techniques,i.e.,potentiodynamic polarization(PDP),electrochemical impedance spectrum(EIS)and hydrogen evolution test.The results indicated that the CA pretreatment significantly influenced the activity of the alloy surface by exposing the intermetallic compounds.The surface area fraction of Mg_(17)Al_(12)and Al_(8)Mn_(5)phases on the surface of the alloy was significantly higher after the CA pretreatment,and thus promoted the growth of the subsequent Mg-Al-LDH coatings.The CA pretreatment for 30 s resulted in a denser and thicker LDH coating.Increase in the CA pretreatment time significantly led to the improvement in corrosion resistance of the coated AZ80 alloy.The corrosion current density of the coated alloy was lower by three orders of magnitude as compared to the uncoated alloy.

An innovative joint interface design for reducing intermetallic compounds and improving joint strength of thick plate friction stir welded Al/Mg joints

Friction stir welding of dissimilar Al/Mg thick plates still faces severe challenges, such as poor formability, formation of thick intermetallic compounds, and low joint strength. In this work, two joint configurations, namely inclined butt(conventional butt) and serrated interlocking(innovative butt), are proposed for improving weld formation and joint quality. The results show that a continuous and straight intermetallic compound layer appears at the Mg side interface in conventional butt joint, and the maximum average thickness reaches about 60.1 μm.Additionally, the Mg side interface also partially melts, forming a eutectic structure composed of Mg solid solution and Al_(12)Mg_(17) phase.For the innovative butt joint, the Mg side interface presents the curved interlocking feature, and intermetallic compounds can be reduced to less than 10 μm. The joint strength of innovative butt joint is more than three times that of conventional butt joint. This is due to the interlocking effect and thin intermetallic compounds in the innovative joint.

Brittle and ductile characteristics of intermetallic compounds in magnesium alloys: A large-scale screening guided by machine learning

In the present work,we have employed machine learning(ML)techniques to evaluate ductile-brittle(DB)behaviors in intermetallic compounds(IMCs)which can form magnesium(Mg)alloys.This procedure was mainly conducted by a proxy-based method,where the ratio of shear(G)/bulk(B)moduli was used as a proxy to identify whether the compound is ductile or brittle.Starting from compounds information(composition and crystal structure)and their moduli,as found in open databases(AFLOW),ML-based models were built,and those models were used to predict the moduli in other compounds,and accordingly,to foresee the ductile-brittle behaviors of these new compounds.The results reached in the present work showed that the built models can effectively catch the elastic moduli of new compounds.This was confirmed through moduli calculations done by density functional theory(DFT)on some compounds,where the DFT calculations were consistent with the ML prediction.A further confirmation on the reliability of the built ML models was considered through relating between the DB behavior in MgBe_(13) and MgPd_(2),as evaluated by the ML-predicted moduli,and the nature of chemical bonding in these two compounds,which in turn,was investigated by the charge density distribution(CDD)and electron localization function(ELF)obtained by DFT methodology.The ML-evaluated DB behaviors of the two compounds was also consistent with the DFT calculations of CDD and ELF.These findings and confirmations gave legitimacy to the built model to be employed in further prediction processes.Indeed,as examples,the DB characteristics were investigated in IMCs that might from in three Mg alloy series,involving AZ,ZX and WE.

PtCoNi ternary intermetallic compounds anchored on Co,Ni and N co-doped mesoporous carbon:Synergetic effect between PtCoNi nanoparticles and doped mesoporous carbon promotes the catalytic activity

Highly active and robust electrocatalysts are desired for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.Pt-based intermetallic compounds(IMCs) have been recognized as one of the most promising low-platinum catalysts for fuel cells(FCs).Herein,we report a high-performance IMCs by anchoring ordered PtCoNi ternary nanoparticles on the N,Co and Ni co-doped dodecahedral mesoporous carbon(DMC).While the introduced Co and Ni participate in the formation of PtCoNi IMCs,some of them are doped in the mesoporous carbon and coordinated by N to form Co-N_(y)/Ni-N_(z)dual active centers,which further enhances the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction.Moreover,the addition of Ni results in a negative shift of the d-band center of Pt as compared to the Pt/DMC and Pt_(3)Co/DMC,making it easier to adsorb oxygen on the surface.As expected,our optimal sample Pt_(3)Co_(0.7)Ni_(0.3)/DMC exhibits excellent performance with mass activity and specific activity of 1.32 A mgPt-1and 1.98 mA cm^(-2)at 0.9 V,which are 7.33and 6.19 times that of commercial Pt/C,respectively.The Pt_(3)Co_(0.7)Ni_(0.3)/DMC also reveals much better cathodic performance in an H2-air single fuel cell than commercial Pt/C catalyst with a power density of0.802 W cm^(-2).This work provides critical sights into constructing efficient catalysts by ternary intermetallic strategy and synergetic effect between active components and support.

Computational Modeling of Intergranular Crack Propagation in an Intermetallic Compound Layer

A micromechanical model is presented to study the initiation and propagation of microcracks of intermetallic compounds(IMCs)in solder joints.The effects of the grain aggregate morphology,the grain boundary defects and the sensitivity of the various cohesive zone parameters in predicting the overall mechanical response are investigated.The overall strength is predominantly determined by the weak grain interfaces;both the grain aggregate morphology and the weak grain interfaces control the crack configuration;the different normal and tangential strengths of grain interfaces result in different intergranular cracking behaviors and play a critical role in determining the macroscopic mechanical response of the system.

Hydrogen storage properties of Zr_(1-x)Ti_xCo intermetallic compound

The intermetallic compound Zr1-xTixCo was prepared and its suitability for hydrogen storage was investigated. The alloys obtained by magnetic levitation melting with the composition of Zr1-xTixCo (x=0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3, at.%) show single cubic phase by X-ray diffraction. A single sloping plateau was observed on each isothermal, and pressure-composition-temperature (PCT) measurement results show that the equilibrium hydrogen desorption pressure of Zr1-xTixCo alloy increases with increasing Ti content. The desorption temperatures for supplying 100 kPa hydrogen are about 665, 642, 621 and 614 K for ZrCo, Zr0.9Ti0.1Co, Zr0.8Ti0.2Co and Zr0.7Ti0.3Co alloy, respectively. Repeated hydrogen absorption and desorption cycles do not generate separated ZrCo, TiCo and ZrH2 phases, indicating that alloys have good thermal and hydrogen stabilization.

Review of magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in the intermetallic compounds of rare earth with low boiling point metals

The magnetocaloric effect （MCE） in many rare earth （RE） based intermetallic compounds has been extensively in- vestigated during the last two decades, not only due to their potential applications for magnetic refrigeration but also for better understanding of the fundamental problems of the materials. This paper reviews our recent progress on studying the magnetic properties and MCE in some binary or ternary intermetallic compounds of RE with low boiling point metal（s） （Zn, Mg, and Cd）. Some of them exhibit promising MCE properties, which make them attractive for low temperature magnetic refrigeration. Characteristics of the magnetic transition, origin of large MCE, as well as the potential application of these compounds are thoroughly discussed. Additionally, a brief review of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties in the quaternary rare earth nickel boroncarbides RENi2B2C superconductors is also presented.

Twinning in Intermetallic Compounds Are Long Shear Vectors and/or Shuffles Really Necessary?

In this paper the geometric description and general theory of mechanical twinning are reviewed, the twins in general lattices and superlattices are summarized, and the kinetic process by which mechanical twins form is revisited. A case study of mechanical twinning of HfV2+Nb, (cubic) Laves phase, is presented and the synchroshear of selected atomic layers is proposed to explain the physical process of twin formation. If the twins form in this way, then long shear vectors and / or atomicshuffles are not really necessary.

Formation of Bulk Intermetallic Compound AgaSn in Slowly-Cooled Lead-Free Sn-4.0 wt pct Ag Solders

Sn-Ag alloy system has been regarded as one of the most promising lead-free solder to substitute conventional Sn- Pb eutectic solder. But the formation of bulk Ag3Sn intermetallic compounds （IMCs） during reflow and post heat treatment significantly influences the performance of the solder joints. With an effort to clarify its microstructural evolution as a function of slow cooling rates, the fraction of bulk IMCs within the slowly solidified Sn-4.0 wt pct Ag solder was investigated by standard metallographic and compared with that detected by thermal analysis. It was found that the bulk IMCs fraction determined by thermal analysis corresponds quite well with the microstructure observation results. In accordance with the conventional solidification theory, the lower the applied cooling rate, the fewer the amount of bulk Ag3Sn IMCs formed in Sn-4.0 wt pct Ag alloy. In addition, Vickers hardness measurement results indicated that the relative coarse eutectic Ag3Sn IMCs distributing in the lamellar eutectic structure favored the improvement of the mechanical performance.

Structure of the Intermetallic Compound Ni_3Al Synthesized under Compression of the Powder Mixture of Pure Elements Part Ⅰ: Phase Composition and Microstructure of Main Phase

It was shown by TEM and X-ray analysis that there are four types of grains of the main Ni3Al phase in the structure of the intermetallic obtained by the self-propagation high temperature method (SHS). Every type of grains has its own domain and dislocation structure. There are mono- and polydomains with and without dislocations. The grains of the main phase of monoand polydomains without dislocations and polydomains with dislocations were formed by diffusion in the solid phase. In these conditions NiAl3 phase is located on the grain boundary of the main phase. The Ni2Al3 phase is located at the triple joints of the main phase.

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF BORON CONTENT ON THE ORDERED EXTENT OF THE Ni_3Al INTERMETALLICS COMPOUND BY AP-FIM

By using AP-FIM the varity of the ordered degree of Ni_3Al with L1_2 structure with B content was studied. The possibility of boron improving ductility was also discussed from bonding between Ni and Al atoms, and antisite defects in Ni_3Al. The extent of ordering is reduced with an increase in boron content and the autisite defects are most obvious for 0.52at.K B-doped sample that has the best ductility. Some results were verified by X-ray diffraction non. The addition of boron not only influences electron environment at grain boundary but also in the interior of Ni_3Al gm ins, the latter is favorable to improve the ductility of Ni_3Al grains.

Crystallographic Characteristic of Intermetallic Compounds in Al-Si-Mg Casting Alloys Using Electron Backscatter Diffraction

The Al-Si-Mg alloy which can be strengthened by heat treatment is widely applied to the key components of aerospace and aeronautics. Iron-rich intermetallic compounds are well known to be strongly influential on mechanical properties in Al-Si-Mg alloys. But intermetallic compounds in cast Al-Si-Mg alloy intermetallics are often misidentified in previous metallurgical studies. It was described as many different compounds, such as AlFeSi, Al8Fe2Si, Al5（Fe, Mn）3Si2 and so on. For the purpose of solving this problem, the intermetallic compounds in cast Al-Si alloys containing 0.5% Mg were investigated in this study. The iron-rich compounds in Al-Si-Mg casting alloys were characterized by optical microscope（OM）, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer（EDS）, electron backscatter diffraction（EBSD） and X-ray powder diffraction（XRD）. The electron backscatter diffraction patterns were used to assess the crystallographic characteristics of intermetallic compounds. The compound which contains Fe/Mg-rich particles with coarse morphologies was Al8FeMg3Si6 in the alloy by using EBSD. The compound belongs to hexagonal system, space group P6_2m, with the lattice parameter a=0.662 nm, c=0.792 nm. The β-phase is indexed as tetragonal Al3FeSi2, space group I4/mcm, a=0.607 nm and c=0.950 nm. The XRD data indicate that Al8FeMg3Si6 and Al3FeSi2 are present in the microstructure of Al-7Si-Mg alloy, which confirms the identification result of EBSD. The present study identified the iron-rich compound in Al-Si-Mg alloy, which provides a reliable method to identify the intermetallic compounds in short time in Al-Si-Mg alloy. Study results are helpful for identification of complex compounds in alloys.

Evolution of AuSnx intermetallic compounds in laser reflowed micro-solder joints

To investigate the effect of Au thickness on evolution of AuSnx IMCs, pads with 0. 1, 0. 5 and 4. 0 μm thickness of Au surface finish were utilized. Laser reflowed solder joints were aged in 125℃ isothermal ovens. Results indicated that little IMC formed at the interface of solder and pad with 0. 1 μm thickness of Au. Even in condition of 744 hours aging, thickness of lMCs did not increase obviously. As for the joints with 0. 5 μm thickness of Au, most of AuSn4 IMCs stayed at the inteornce and were in needle-like or dendritic morphology. With the increase of aging time, AuSn4 IMCs beeame flat and changed to a continuous layer. In the joints with 4. 0 μm thickness of Au on pads, AuSn, AuSn2, AuSn4 IMCs and Au2Sn phase formed at the interface. As aging time was increased, more Sn rich IMCs formed at the interface, and evolved to AuSn4 IMCs in condition of long time aging. Thickness of AuSn4 IMCs reached about 30μm.

Investigation of Intermetallic Compound Formed from Rapid Solidification of Al-Ti-RE Alloy

Al-Ti alloy containing rare earth elements can produce fine, uniform dispersion intermetallic phase through rapid solidification (RS) technology. RS Al-Ti-RE alloy can be designed for applications at elevated-temperature since the intermetallic compound has good thermal stability. A transmission electron microscopy investigation shows the intermetallic phase has a diamond cubic structure (a=1.47736 nm), with space group Fd3m. The chemical stoichiometry is Al_(20)Ti_2La. The particle is formed from the melting directly, prior to other phases, and the nucleus is formed from icosahedrons composed with twenty tetrahedrons. Twin crystal structure plays an important role in the nucleation stage.

ANOMALOUS STRAIN RATE DEPENDENCE OF FLOW STRESS IN TiAl INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS

Plastic deformation of TiAI and TiAI-V intermetallic compounds has been studied by com- pression experiment at various temperatures and strain rates.Results show that the plastic deformation in distinct temperature range is principally controlled by the mechanisms of Peierls-Nabarro,cross slip and creep of dislocations.For TiAI-V alloy deformed at a range of 600—700 K,the negative strain rate dependence of flow stress was observed,i.e.,the more the plastic strain is.the more the negative dependence will be.A possible mechanism of the anomaly could be interpreted by thermal activation of dislocation cross slipping.The effects of temperature and strain rate on work-hardening exponent were also studied and discussed.

Lithium-ion-storage behaviours of CoSb_3 intermetallic compound and effects of some carbonaceous additives

Intermetallic compound CoSb 3 powders were prepared by vacuum melting and ball milling. It is found that the reversible capacity of the CoSb 3 electrode is about 470?mA·h/g at the first cycle with the potential plateaus from 0.8?V to 1.0?V against the pure lithium electrode. 10% mesocarbon microbead (MCMB) (mass fraction) additives can improve both capacity and cycling life of CoSb 3, while the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) additives is not visible.

Structure of the Intermetallic Compound Ni_3Al Synthesized under Compression of the Powder Mixture of Pure Elements Part Ⅱ: Influence of Alloying by Boron on the Phase Composition and the Microstructure of Grains of the Main Phase

The Ni_3B phase was formed when boron (0.5 at. pct B) was added to the intermetallic of sto- ichiometric and off-stoichiometric (Ni-24 at. pct Al) compounds. In the alloy of stoichiometric composition the particles of Ni_3B phase has the size around 0.1μm and is located on the grain boundary of the main phase. The decreasing of concentrations of Al in the ofF-stoichiometric alloy leads to increase in the degree of the long-range order parameter, increasing the concen- trations of boron in the solid solution and decreasing its localization on the grain boundary. Microalloying of boron leads to increasing in the fraction of grain monodomains with disloca- tions up to 0.7 in the alloy of the off-stoichiometric composition and up to 1 in the alloy of the stoichiometric composition. It was established the correlation between the degree of the concentration inhomogeneity, average density of the dislocations and the average long range-order parameter.

SURFACE REACTION，HYDROGEN DIFFUSIVITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EMBRITTLEMENT OF INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS Ni_3Al AND Fe_3Al

The effect of boron doping on the sensitivity to environmental embrittlement of Ni3Al-based alloys was investigated in this paper. The results show that the ductilizing effect of boron in Ni3Al is partly to suppress moisture-induced hydrogen embrittlement.The mechanism of this suppressing effect of boron relates to its severely decreasing the hydrogen diffusivity by boron segregated at the grain boundaries. The surface reaction of Fe3Al with water vapor and oxygen was experimentally confirmed by AES and XPS analysis. The kinetics of these reactions can be used to explain the different ductility behavior of aluminides in various environments.

Auto-thermal reforming of acetic acid for hydrogen production by Zn_(x)Ni_(y)CrO_(m±δ) catalysts:Effect of Cr promoted Ni-Zn intermetallic compound

A series of Zn_(x)Ni_(y)CrO_(m±δ)catalysts were synthesized via a typical co-precipitation method,in which Zn-Cr layered double hydroxides(LDHs)were found and Ni-Zn intermetallic compound(IMC)was formed after reduction in hydrogen.During auto-thermal reforming(ATR)of acetic acid(HAc),the Ni-Zn IMC was transformed into Ni/(amorphous-ZnO)-ZnCr_(2)O_(4) species with uniformed distribution and appropriate interaction within these Ni-Zn-Cr-O species;besides,the adsorbed oxygen promoted the activation and transfer of oxygen species;therefore,deactivation by oxidation,sintering and coking was inhibited.And the optimized Zn_(2.37)Ni_(0.63)CrO_(4.5±δ)catalyst presented high activity and stability in a 45-h ATR test with HAc conversion near 100%and hydrogen yield at 2.7 mol-H_(2)/mol-HAc,showing potential for hydrogen production via ATR of HAc.