Microstructure of Ni–Al powder and Ni–Al composite coatings prepared by twin-wire arc spraying

Ni–Al powder and Ni–Al composite coatings were fabricated by twin-wire arc spraying（TWAS）. The microstructures of Ni-5wt%Al powder and Ni-20wt%Al powder were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy（SEM） and energy dispersive spectroscopy（EDS）. The results showed that the obtained particle size ranged from 5 to 50 μm. The morphology of the Ni–Al powder showed that molten particles were composed of Ni solid solution, NiAl, Ni_3Al, Al_2O_3, and NiO. The Ni–Al phase and a small amount of Al_2O_3 particles changed the composition of the coating. The microstructures of the twin-wire-arc-sprayed Ni–Al composite coatings were characterized by SEM, EDS, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）. The results showed that the main phase of the Ni-5wt%Al coating consisted of Ni solid solution and Ni Al in addition to a small amount of Al_2O_3. The main phase of the Ni-20wt%Al coating mainly consisted of Ni solid solution, Ni Al, and Ni_3Al in addition to a small amount of Al and Al_2O_3, and Ni Al and Ni_3Al intermetallic compounds effectively further improved the final wear property of the coatings. TEM analysis indicated that fine spherical NiAl_3 precipitates and a Ni–Al–O amorphous phase formed in the matrix of the Ni solid solution in the original state.

An investigation on plasma spraying with artificial bone powder and bonding characteristics of coating

Artificial bone powder is satisfactorily deposited onto the surface of synthetic metal arthrosis(Co-Cr-Mo) with plasma spraying process. Factors influencing the quality of coating are investigated. Bond of artificial bone powder coating sprayed with different parameters is measured. and the coatings are anlyzed with metallographic examination and electron probe analysis. Experiments show that artificial bone powder coating sprayed onto synthetic metal arthrosis with satisfactory bond strength can be obtained by manipulating plasma spraying.

Difference in particle characteristics and coating properties between spraying metallic and ceramic powder cored wires

The sprayed particles of metallic and cermet wires were collected to analyze the atomization state of the particles in arc spraying forming, the microstructure and properties of metallic and ceramic coatings were investigated and compared. Particle size analyzer was used for quantifying particle size. The XRD, SEM and optical microscope(OM) were used to analyze the phase composition and microstructure of the particles and coatings. From the experimental results, some difference of particle characteristics was established between the spraying metallic and ceramic cored wires, and the microstructure and properties of coatings depend strongly on the particles behaviors. The result shows that Fe-TiB2/Al2O3 composite coating has a high potential for abrasive wear applications.

CALCULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRIC FIELDS INDUCED BY ELECTRODES IN ELECTROSTATIC CHARGED POWDER SPRAYING TECHNIQUE

Electric fields induced by ring and pin electrodes in electrostatic charged powder sprayingtechnique are analysed. The fundamental formulae to deseribe these fields have been built up. Theseformulae could be used to design electrostatic charged podwer spraying system. The chargingeffectiveness of ring and pin electrode is experimentally investigated and compared each other. Theperformance of ring electrode is better than that of pin electrode.

Deformation and densification behavior of discrete media filled thin-walled tubes during forward extrusion

Discrete media filled thin-walled hollow profiles are frequently used as integer structures for special purpose, e.g., in certain materials processing or architectural components. To understand the deformation of such composite structures which is a complicate mechanics process, involving coupled elastic-plastic deformation of dense metal, compaction of particle and interaction between the filler and the wall, the forward extrusion of Al 6061 tubes filled with various particles was studied. The analysis regarding internal volume variation of round tubes during forward extrusion indicates that with the diameter reduction the volume of tubes decreases commonly. The cavity shrinkage brings about triaxial pressure on the filler, resulted in compaction and densification of it. Loose powders filling leads to higher extrusion load. Due to dissimilar migration behaviors of the particles, the load?stroke curves of the tubes filled with fine powders and coarse balls are quite different. Small Lankford value of the tube wall material leads to higher hydrostatic pressure of the filler and then more powders are compacted.

Innovative technologies for powder metallurgy-based disk superalloys: Progress and proposal

Powder metallurgy（PM） superalloys are an important class of high temperature structural materials, key to the rotating components of aero engines. In the purview of the present challenges associated with PM superalloys, two novel approaches namely, powder preparation and the innovative spray-forming technique（for making turbine disk） are proposed and studied.Subsequently, advanced technologies like electrode-induction-melting gas atomization（EIGA）, and spark-plasma discharge spheroidization（SPDS） are introduced, for ceramic-free superalloy powders. Presently, new processing routes are sought after for preparing finer and cleaner raw powders for disk superalloys. The progress of research in spray-formed PM superalloys is first summarized in detail. The spray-formed superalloy disks specifically exhibit excellent mechanical properties. This paper reviews the recent progress in innovative technologies for PM superalloys, with an emphasis on new ideas and approaches, central to the innovation driving techniques like powder processing and spray forming.

Properties, Phases and Microstructure of Microwave Sintered W-20Cu Composites from Spray Pyrolysis-continuous Reduction Processed Powders

The effects of microwave sintering on the properties, phases and microstructure of W-2OCu alloy, using composite powder fabricated by spray pyrolysis-continuous reduction technology, were investigated. Compared with the conventional hot-press sintering, microwave sintering to W-2OCu composites could be achieved with lower sintering temperature and shorter sintering time. Furthermore, microwave sintered W-Cu composites with high densification, homogenous microstructure and excellent properties were obtained. Microwave sintering could also result in finer microstructures. ：~

ON ZrO_2-NiCr COMPOSITE POWDER FOR SPRAYING

Composite powder prepared of calcium oxide stabilzed ZrO2(CSZ) and NiCr by vacuum sintering is studied,and the effect of additive TiO2 on its properties is discussed. The morphology and phases of the powder were measured and determined by SEM. EPMA, XRD methods and the testing of flowability, bulk density and microhard-ness. The results show that the metallic components in the powder are in homogeneous distribution , the flowability, bulk density and microhardness are superior to the ZrO2-NiCr powder prepared by mechanically mixing. All components in the coating made of the composite powder are well-distributed because of avoiding segregation in the middle of mixing. It proves that the composite powder is an excellent material for plasma spraying.

Numerical simulation of flow in Hartmann resonance tube and flow in ultrasonic gas atomizer

The gas flow in the Hartmann resonance tube is numerically investigated by the finite volume method based on the Roe solver. The oscillation of the flow is studied with the presence of a needle actuator set along the nozzle axis. Numerical results agree well with the theoretical and experimental results available. Numerical results indicate that the resonance mode of the resonance tube will switch by means of removing or adding the actuator. The gas flow in the ultrasonic gas atomization （USGA） nozzle is also studied by the same numerical methods. Oscillation caused by the Hartmann resonance tube structure, coupled with a secondary resonator, in the USGA nozzle is investigated. Effects of the variation of parameters on the oscillation are studied. The mechanism of the transition of subsonic flow to supersonic flow in the USGA nozzle is also discussed based on numerical results.

Spray forming and mechanical properties of a new type powder metallurgy superalloy

The deposited billet of a new type powder metallurgy （PM） superalloy FGH4095M for use in turbine disk manufac- turing has been fabricated using spray forming technology. The metallurgical quality of the deposited billet was analyzed in terms of density, texture, and grain size. Comparative research was done on the microstructure and mechanical properties between the flat disk preform prepared with hot isostatic pressing （HIP） and the same alloy forgings prepared with HIP followed by isothermal forging （IF）. The results show that the density of the spray-formed and nitrogen-atomized deposit billet is above 99% of the theoretical density, indicating a compact structure. The grains are uniform and fine. The billet has weak texture with a random distribution in the spray deposition direction and perpendicular to the direction of deposition. A part of atomizing nitrogen exists in the preform in the form of carbonitride. Nitrogen-induced microporosity causes the density reduction of the preform. Compared with the process of HIP＋IF, the superalloy FGH4095M after HIP has better mechanical properties at both room temperature and high temperature. The sizes of the 7~ phase are finer in microstructure of the preform after HIP in comparison with the forgings after HIP＋IE This work shows that SF＋HIP is a viable processing route for FGH4095M as a turbine-disk material.

Effect of thermal cycle on Ni-Cr based nanostructured thermal spray coating in boiler tubes

Ni-Cr based nanostructured feedstock powder was prepared by mechanical milling technique involving repeated welding, fracturing, and re-welding of powder particles in a planetary ball mill. The milled nanocrystalline powders were used to coat carbon steel tubes using high velocity oxygen fuel（HVOF） thermal spraying process. The characterization of the feedstock powder and HVOF coated substrates was performed using optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, high resolution transmission electron microscope（HR-TEM）, energy dispersive spectrometer（EDS） and microhardness tests. The coated and uncoated samples were subjected to different thermal cycles and characterized for their phase changes, metallurgical changes and microhardness variations. Ni-Cr nanostructured coated samples exhibited higher mechanical and metallurgical properties compared to their conventionally coated counter parts. The results showed that the nanostructured coating possessed a more uniform and denser microstructure than the conventional coating.

High-Temperature Corrosion of Protective Coatings for Boiler Tubes in Thermal Power Plants

High-temperature corrosion is a serious problem for the water-wall tubes of boilers used in thermal power plants. Oxidation, sulfidation and molten salt corrosion are main corrosion ways.Thereinto, the most severe corrosion occurs in molten salt corrosion environment. Materials rich in oxides formers, such as chromium and aluminum, are needed to resist corrosion in high-temperature and corrosive environment, but processability of such bulk alloys is very limited. High velocity electric arc spraying (HVAS) technology is adopted to produce coatings with high corrosion resistance. By comparison, NiCr (Ni-45Cr-4Ti) is recommended as a promising alloy coating for the water-wall tubes, which can even resist molten salt corrosion attack. In the study of corrosion mechanism, the modern material analysis methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), are used. It is found that the corrosion resistances of NiCr and FeCrAI coatings are much better than that of 20g steel, that the NiCr coatings have the best anti-corrosion properties, and that the NiCr coatings have slightly lower pores than FeCrAI coatings.It is testified that corrosion resistance of coatings is mainly determined by chromium content, and the microstructure of a coating is as important as the chemical composition of the material. In addition, the fracture mechanisms of coatings in the cycle of heating and cooling are put forward. The difference of the thermal physical properties between coatings and base metals results in the thermal stress inside the coatings. Consequently, the coatings spall from the base metal.

Preparation of high emissivity NiCr_2O_4 powders with a spinel structure by spray drying

Spray-drying was used to produce the high emissivity NiCr2O4 powders with a spinel structure. Preliminary investigations focused on fabricating the high emissivity powders for infrared radiation coatings and finding the relationship between microstructure and emissivity. The NiCr2O4 powders were characterized for composition, microstructure, and infrared emissivity by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, infrared radiant instrument, and Fourier transform infrared spectra （FT-IR）. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis show that the appropriate baking temperature for NiCr2O4 powder preparation is about 1200？C. The emissivity measurement and FT-IR spectra show that, because of the special spinel structure, the NiCr2O4 powders have a high emissivity about 0.91. Spray-drying is a suitable method to produce the high emissivity ceramic powders.

Fabrication of ultrafine Nd-Fe-B powder by a modified reduction-diffusion process

In order to obtain ultrafine Nd-Fe-B powder, a spray-dried precursor was treated by reduction-diffusion (R/D) process. And, unlike the conventional R/D process, calcium reduction that is a crucial step for the formation of Nd2Fe14B was performed without conglomerating the precursor with Ca powder. By adopting this modified process, it is possible to synthesize the hard magnetic Nd2Fe14B at the reaction temperature as low as 850 ℃. The average size of Nd2Fe14B particles that are uniformly distributed in the optimally treated powder was <<1 μm. Most Nd2Fe14B particles were enclosed with thin layers of Nd-rich phase. Typical magnetic properties of such powder without eliminating impurity CaO were iHc=～5.9 kOe, Br=～5.5 kG, and (BH)max=～6 MGOe.

Effect of Al_2O_3on Structure and Wearability of Composite Coating

The composite coating was prepared by thermal spray welding after making composite powder,which is composed of Ni-based self-melted alloy and AlOceramic powder including nano,sub-micron and micron powders.The influences of contents and sizes of AlOon the structure and wearability were investigated.The results show that the wear resistance of the coating would be increased greatly by adding AlO,but the spray weldability decreases with increasing AlOcontent.So there is an optimal content of AlOpowder.The composite coating with AlOnano or sub-micron powder of 0.5% has the best abrasive resistance,while the optimal content of AlOmicron powder is 1 %.

Fabrication and Characterization of Nano Silver Powder Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis

Silver powder was fabricated by spray pyrolysis, using 2%-20% AgNO3 solution, 336-500 mL/h flux of AgNO3 solution, 0.28-0.32 MPa flux of carrier gas and in the 620-820 ℃ temperature range. The effects of furnace set temperature, concentration of AgNO3 aqueous solution, flux of AgNO3 aqueous solution as well as carrier gas on the morphology and particle size distribution of silver powder, were investigated. The experimental results showed that with the high concentration of AgNO3 aqueous solution, the average grain size of silver decreased with the increasing of furnace set temperature. But the gain size distribution was not homogenous, the discontinuous grain growth occurred. With the low concentration of AgNO3 aqueous solution, the higher furnace set temperature made the nano sliver grains sintered together to grow. Nano silver powder about 100 nm was fabricated by spray pyrolysis, using 2wt% AgNO3 solutions, 336 mL/h flux of AgNO3 aqueous solution, 0.32 MPa flux of carrier gas at 720 ℃ furnace set temperature.

Modeling and experimental verification of tubular product formation during spray forming

A mathematical model is formulated to predict the shape evolution and the final geometry of a tubular product prepared by spray forming. The effects of several important processing parameters on the shape evolution of the tube are investigated. The model is validated against experiments of spray formed large diameter tubes. The experimental and the modeling results show that there are three distinct regions in the preform, i.e., the left transition region, the middle uniform diameter region and the right transition region. The results show that the atomization parameters as and bs, traversing speed v of the substrate, the outer diameter D0 of the substrate, and the initial deposition distance d0 play important roles in the contour and the wall thickness of the spray formed tube. But the angular velocity ω of the substrate has little effect on the buildup of the deposit. After a certain time from the beginning of the process, the deposit will come into a steady growth state. In addition, an equation is provided to estimate the wall thickness of the deposit under the steady growth state based on the mass conservation.

Shape Memory Effect During Preparation of Alumia Ceramic Tubes

Pure alumina ceramic tube and 95 alumina ceramic （the ceramic with 95.84% alumina） tube were prepared by using self-prepared alumina micrometer powder without agglomeration as raw material. The ceramic green was shaped by isostatic pressing and sintered at different temperature from 800 to 1 600 ℃ for 2 h. The 95 ceramic tube sintered at 1 550 ℃ for 2 h had mean particle size of 4 μm, bend strength of 437 MPa and volume density of 3.714 g/cm3. Shape memory effect during sintering was observed. XRD results showed that no phase transition occurred during shape memory process, which indicated that shape memory effect was not caused by phase transition. Several probable causes of the alumina ceramic shape memory effect were discussed in this paper.

Characterization of functionally graded ZrO_2 thermal barrier coatings sprayed by supersonic plasma spray with dual powder feed ports

The functionally graded thermal barrier coatings （FG-TBCs） with 80%ZrO2-13%CeO2-7%Y2O3 （C-YSZ）/NiCoCrAlY were prepared using a recently developed supersonic plasma spraying（S-PS） with dual powder feed ports system. The thermal shock experiment of FG-TBCs specimens was carried out by means of the automatic thermal cycle device, in which the samples were heated to 1200℃ by oxygen-acetylene flame jet then water-quenched to ambient temperature. The temperature—time curves of specimens and photographs can be watched on-line and recorded by a computer during the test. The results show that the totally 1mm-thick FG-TBCs have excellent thermal shock resistance due to the fact that the coatings have no any peeling-off after 200 thermal cycles. The microstructures and morphologies of FG-TBCs were characterized and analyzed by SEM.

Synthesis and characterization of layered Li(Ni_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)Co_(1/3))O_2 cathode materials by spray-drying method

Spherical Li(Ni_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)Co_(1/3))O_2 was prepared via the homogenous precursors produced by solution spray-drying method. The precursors were sintered at different temperatures between 600 and 1 000 ℃ for 10 h. The impacts of different sintering temperatures on the structure and electrochemical performances of Li(Ni_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)Co_(1/3))O_2 were compared by means of X-ray diffractometry(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and charge/discharge test as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. The experimental results show that the spherical morphology of the spray-dried powers maintains during the subsequent heat treatment and the specific capacity increases with rising sintering temperature. When the sintering temperature rises up to 900 ℃ , Li(Ni_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)Co_(1/3))O_2 attains a reversible capacity of 153 mA·h/g between 3.00 and 4.35 V at 0.2C rate with excellent cyclability.