Microstructure and properties of novel quinary multi-principal element alloys with refractory elements

Five equiatomic alloys(Ti Zr Hf VNb, Ti Zr Hf VTa, Ti Zr Nb Mo V, Ti Zr Hf Mo V and Zr Nb Mo Hf V) composed of five elements with high melting temperature, respectively were prepared by arc-melting to develop a novel high temperature alloy. The five alloys exhibit different dendritic and interdendritic morphologies. The Ti Zr Hf VNb, Ti Zr Hf VTa and Ti Zr Nb Mo V alloys formed disordered solid solution phases with body-centered cubic structure, and exhibited high compressive strength and good plasticity. The Ti Zr Hf Mo V and Zr Nb Mo Hf V alloys are composed with Laves phase(Hf Mo2) and disordered solid solution phases with body-centered cubic structure. The Ti Zr Hf Mo V and Zr Nb Mo Hf V alloys are harder and more brittle than the other three alloys due to the existence of hard and brittle Laves phases. At high temperatures, the strength decreases to below 300 MPa for the Ti Zr Hf VNb and Ti Zr Hf Mo V alloys. Solution strengthening is the primary strengthening mechanism of the Ti Zr Hf VNb, Ti Zr Hf VTa and Ti Zr Nb Mo V alloys, and brittle Laves phase is the main cause for the low ductility of the Ti Zr Hf Mo V and Zr Nb Mo Hf V alloys.

Microstructure studies of air-plasma-spray-deposited CoNiCrAlY coatings before and after thermal cyclic loading for high-temperature application

In the present study, bond-coats for thermal barrier coatings were deposited via air plasma spraying（APS） techniques onto Inconel 800 and Hastelloy C-276 alloy substrates. Scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, and atomic force microscopy（AFM） were used to investigate the phases and microstructure of the as-sprayed, APS-deposited Co Ni Cr Al Y bond-coatings. The aim of this work was to study the suitability of the bond-coat materials for high temperature applications. Confirmation of nanoscale grains of the γ/γ′-phase was obtained by TEM, high-resolution TEM, and AFM. We concluded that these changes result from the plastic deformation of the bond-coat during the deposition, resulting in Co Ni Cr Al Y bond-coatings with excellent thermal cyclic resistance suitable for use in high-temperature applications. Cyclic oxidative stability was observed to also depend on the underlying metallic alloy substrate.

Kinematic Evolution of the Nyakong-Manyi Shear Zone(Adamawa,Cameroon): Constraints from Field Observations and Microstructures,and Implication for Metamorphic P-T-t Estimation

The Nyakong-Manyi Shear Zone(NMSZ) is a NE-SW elongated corridor found to the northwest of the Foumban-Bankim Shear Zone(FBSZ) along the Central Cameroon Shear Zone. Controversial chronology models has been proposed for the kinematic evolution of the sinistral and dextral shear phases in the Tikar Plain, thus in the FBSZ;early dextral and late sinistral shear phases for some authors and early sinistral and late dextral shear for others. Moreover, the NMSZ kinematic evolution implication on the mylonitization P-T-t path in the area seem to be problematic and the present paper aim is to clear enough those problems;since this shear zone is the main mylonitic corridor that registered the left and right lateral movement in this area. The NMSZ comprises amphibolites, protomylonites, strict sensus mylonites(garnet-kyanite-sillimanite mylonite and garnet-pyroxene mylonite), ultramylonites kyanite-sillimanite and garnet-kyanite-sillimanite gneiss. Field structures testify that the investigated area recorded three deformation phases:(i) the D1deformation phase which is marked by NW-SE to N-S trending S1metamorphic foliation with low to moderate dips(15°–45°) that was transposed during the D2phase, is responsible for a regional metamorphism whose mineral paragenesis is garnet-kyanite-sillimanite;(ii) the early sinistral NNE-SSW to NE-SW shear phase D2marked by S2metamorphic and mylonitic foliations;responsible for, L2stretching mineral lineation, F2fold axes and B2boudins structures;(iii) the late dextral NE-SW shear phase D3, characterized by F3folds, B3boudins and ductile dextral C3shear planes. Mineral paragenesis garnet + kyanite + sillimanite and microstructures within gneiss testify that this rock underwent high grade regional metamorphism whose peak conditions are estimated at 11.5–13.5 kbar/850–900 ℃. After the peak of metamorphism gneiss was overprinted by high grade pressure mylonitization during the early sinistral and late dextral shear deformations. Microstructural data here indicate a high-grade mylonitization whose P-T conditions are estimated at least at around 10 kbar/750 ℃ attained during the D2. Shear markers, indicates that the studied area underwent an intense mylonitization at deep crustal deformation level, probably at the ductile-brittle boundary structural level during a major dextral shear deformation.

Effects of mechanical activation on the structural changes and microstructural characteristics of the components of ferruginous quartzite beneficiation tailings

The effects of mechanical activation in a planetary mill on the structural changes and microstructural characteristics of the components of ferruginous quartzite beneficiation railings generated by wet magnetic separation process were studied using X-ray and laser diffraction methods. The results revealed the relationship between variations in the mean particle size of activated powders and the milling time. The crystallite size, microstrain, lattice parameters and unit cell volumes were determined for different milling times in powder samples of quartz, hematite, dolomite, and magnetite from the beneficiation tailings. The main trends in the variation of the crystallite size of quartz, hematite, dolomite, and magnetite as a function mean particle size of powder samples were revealed. Changes in the particle shape as a function of the activation time was also investigated.

Gradient Structured Copper by Rotationally Accelerated Shot Peening

A new technology-rotationally accelerated shot peening（RASP）, was developed to prepare gradient structured materials. By using centrifugal acceleration principle and large steel balls, the RASP technology can produce much higher impact energy compared to conventional shot peening. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the RASP was utilized to refine the surface layer in pure copper（Cu） with an average grain size of 85 nm. The grain size increases largely from surface downwards the bulk, forming an800 ？m thick gradient-structured surface layer and consequently a micro-hardness gradient. The difference between the RASP technology and other established techniques in preparing gradient structured materials is discussed. The RASP technology exhibits a promoting future for large-scale manufacturing of gradient materials.

Heterogeneous particle structure formation during post-crystallization of spray-dried powder

The formation of heterogeneous particle structure in skim milk powder has been investigated in a post- crystallization facility using experimental and a mathematical model. Various processing conditions were used to produce these heterogeneous structures. The experimental process parameters were used as initial and boundary conditions for the model. The modelled data agreed well with the experimental data. The experimental and modelling results show that the powder processed at high water activity （aw = 0.7） with low initial moisture content （X0 = 0.01 kg/kg） developed a crystalline surface layer while the core of the particle remained amorphous. This structure is referred to as an egg-shell structure. The powder that was processed at low water activity （αw = 0.1） with high initial moisture content （X0 = 0.2 kg/kg） developed a crystalline core while the surface of the particle remained amorphous. This structure is referred to as an egg-yolk structure. Understanding the dependency of particle microstructures on the processing conditions could be useful when developing procedures to control the drying equipment because the particle microstructure affects the physicochemical properties of the powder and potential applications and behaviour of the powder.

Effect of pH on Crystal Size and Photoluminescence Property of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Chemical Precipitation Method

The effects of pH value on crystal size and optical property of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by chemical precipitation method were investigated.Prepared samples have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,ultraviolet-visible spectrometer and photoluminescence spectrometer.From X-ray diffraction profile,it is found that the particle size of sample increases from 13.8 to 33 nm when the pH value of the solution was increased from 6 to 13.Microstructural study also shows that the particle size increases with pH value.Hexagonal shape of the zinc oxide nanoparticle has been confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy image.The recorded ultraviolet-visible spectrum shows excitonic absorption peaks around 381 nm.The energy gap of the prepared samples has been determined from the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum,effective mass model equation and Tauc＇s relation.It was found that the energy gap of the prepared samples decreases with increase in pH value.The recorded blue shift confirmed the quantum confinement effect in the prepared zinc oxide samples.Photoluminescence spectrum infers that the increase in pH value shifts the ultraviolet-visible emission but not the violet and green emissions.