Microstructure and Temperature Distribution in ZnAl_2O_4 Sintered Body by Pulse Electric Current

Microstructure of reaction sintering of ZnAl2O4 at 1500℃ by hot-pressing(HP) and pulse electric current was investigated. The results indicated that the existed cracks in sintered body were caused by structure mismatch. It is the evidence that periodical temperature field existed during pulse electric current sintering of nonconductive materials. The distance between high temperature areas was related to die diameter.

Electric Current-induced Failure of 200-nm-thick Gold Interconnects

200-nm-thick Au interconnects on a quartz substrate were tested in-situ inside a dual-beam microscope by applying direct current, alternating current and alternating current with a small direct current component. The failure behavior of the Au interconnects under three kinds of electric currents were characterized in-situ by scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the formation of voids and subsequent growth perpendicular to the interconnect direction is the fatal failure mode for all the Au interconnects under three kinds of electric currents. The failure mechanism of the ultrathin metal lines induced by the electric currents was analyzed.

Photon-Assisted Heat Generation by Electric Current in a Quantum Dot Attached to Ferromagnetic Leads

Heat generated by electric current in a quantum dot device contacting a phonon bath is studied using the non- equilibrium Green function technique. Spin-polarized current is generated owing to the Zeeman splitting of the dot level. The current＇s strength and the spin polarization are further manipulated by changing the frequency of an applied photon field and the ferromagnetism on the leads. We find that the associated heat by this spin- polarized current emerges even if the bias voltage is smaller than the phonon energy quanta and obvious negative differential of the heat generation develops when the photon frequency exceeds that of the phonon. It is also found that both the strength and the resonant peaks＇ position of the heat generation can be tuned by changing the value and the arrangement configurations of the magnetic moments of the two leads, and then provides an effective method to generate large spin-polarized current with weak heat. Such a result may be useful in designing low energy consumption spintronic devices.

Evolution of melt convection in a liquid metal driven by a pulsed electric current

Gain refinement in metal alloy can be achieved by applying an electric current pulse(ECP)in solidification process.Forced flow inside the melt has been proved to be a key role in grain refinement.In this paper,the fluid flow inside Ga 20 wt%-In 12 wt%-Sn alloy induced by a damping sinusoidal ECP flowing through two parallel electrodes into the cylindrical melt was investigated by both experimental measurements and numerical simulations.Experimental results showed that a strong descending jet was induced beneath the bottom of electrodes under the application of ECP.Besides,it was found that flow intensity increases with the increase of amplitude,frequency,and pulse width,respectively.In order to unlock the formation mechanism of flow pattern and the relevance of flow intensity varied with electrical parameters,a three-dimensional numerical model under the application of ECP was established.Meanwhile,a comparative study was conducted by numerical simulations to reveal the distributions of electromagnetic fields and forced flow.Numerical results showed that the downward Lorentz force induced by ECP was concentrated beneath the bottom of electrodes.This downward Lorentz force induces a descending jet and provokes a global forced flow.According to numerical simulations,the evolution of flow intensity with electrical parameters under the application of ECP can be understood by the time averaged impulse of Lorentz force.

NONLINEAR STABILITY ANALYSIS OF A CLAMPED ROD CARRYING ELECTRIC CURRENT

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the nonlinear Stability of a clamped rodcarrying electric current in the magnetic field which is produced by the current frowingin a pair of inifinitely long parallel rigid wires. The natural State of the rod is in theplane of the wires and is equidistant from them.Firstly under the assumption of apatial deformation, the governing equations of the problem are derived, and the linearizedproblem and critical currents are discussed. Secondly, it ls proved that the buckledstates of the rod are always in planes. Finally. the global responses of the bifurcationproblem of the rod are compuled numerically and the distributions of the deflections.axial forces and bending monents are obtained. The results show that the buckledslates of the rod may be either supercritical or Subcritical. depending on the distancebetween the rod and the wires. Furthermore, it is found that -there exists a limit pointon the branch solution of the supercritical buckled State. This is distinctively differentfrom the buckled slate of the elastic compressive rods.

Synthesis of Ni/Al System Intermetallic Compound Under the Influence of Pulsating Electric Current

Synthesis of Ni/Al system intermetallic compound under the influence of pulsating electric current is researched.Reactions of Ni/Al system intermetallic compound are analyzed.It is found that solid-state reactions occur at Ni/Al interface and the main way of reactions is atoms diffusing each other under the influence of a high-density pulsating electric current.

Equivalent Resistance in Pulse Electric Current Sintering

The sintering resistance for conductive TiB2 and non-conductive A12O3 as well as empty die during pulse current sintering were investigated in this paper. Equivalent resistances were measured by current and valtage during sintering the conductive and non-conductive materials in the same conditions. It is found that the current paths for conductive are different from those for non-conductive materials. For non-conductive materials, sintering resistances are influenced by powder sizes and heating rates, which indicates that pulse current has some interaction with non-conductive powders. For conductive TiB2 , sintering resistances are influenced by heating rates and ball-milling time, which indicates the effect of powders activated by spark.

Evolution of Vertical Electric Currents and Flares in An Active Region

In this paper, solar active region (AR) 6891 is studied. The long term temporal (over a 8 day period) relationahip between vertical current evolution and flare are examined. We found that the day to day variation of the flare number in the active region is more closly associated with the variation of net current intensity than that of total current intensity. The increase in negative current in the weak following polarity area is due to the reduction in negative current in the strong preceding area.

Effect of Electric Current on Diffusion of Aluminum in Ti3AlC2 into Zirconium Alloy

The spark plasma sintering（SPS） method was used to study the mechanism of reaction interface between Zr and Ti3AlC2 with electric current going through it. It was found that electric current greatly reduced the bonding temperature of Zr and Ti3AlC2. By the micro-structure analysis of the interface through SEM/EDS, it was found that Al atoms diffused from the Ti3AlC2 substrate into the Zr side and reacted with Zr to form the Zr-Al compounds at the interface, which is the strengthening mechanism of Ti3AlC2-Zr bonding. The thickness of reaction layers（Zr-Al alloy） was from 0.879 to 13.945 mm depending on different sintering condition. Current direction, heating rate, soaking time, pulse patterns all influenced the diffusion of Al atoms which affected the joining quality of Zr and Ti3AlC2.

Altering the Residual Stress in High-Carbon Steel through Promoted Dislocation Movement and Accelerated Carbon Diffusion by Pulsed Electric Current

Residual stress in high-carbon steel affects the dimensional accuracy, structural stability, and integrity of components. Although the evolution of residual stress under an electric field has received extensive attention, its elimination mechanism has not been fully clarified. In this study, it was found that the residual stress of high-carbon steel could be effectively relieved within a few minutes through the application of a low density pulse current. The difference between the current pulse treatment and traditional heat treatment in reducing residual stress is that the electric pulse provides additional Gibbs free energy for the system, which promotes dislocation annihilation and carbon atom diffusion to form carbides, thus reducing the free energy of the system. The electroplastic and thermal effects of the pulse current promoted the movement of dislocations under the electric field, thus eliminating the internal stress caused by dislocation entanglement. The precipitation of carbides reduced the carbon content of the steel matrix and lattice shrinkage, thereby reducing the residual tensile stress. Considering that a pulsed current has the advantages of small size, small power requirement, continuous output, and continuously controllable parameters, it has broad application prospects for eliminating residual stress.

Columnar to Equiaxed Transition During Solidification of Small Ingot by Using Electric Current Pulse

A new approach to applying the electric current pulse （ECP） with parallel electrodes to the promotion of the transition from columnar crystal to equiaxed crystal and the improvement of macrosegregation was introduced. The ECP was applied to different stages of the solidification. The results showed that the application of the ECP in both the initial stage （the thickness of solidified shell reached 2 mm approximately） and the late stage （the thickness of solidified shell reached 14 mm approximately） of solidification can promote the columnar to equiaxed transition （CET）. The analysis showed that during solidification, a large number of nuclei around the upper surface fell off due to ECP, which subsequently showered on the melt and impinged the growth front of the columnar crystal. Therefore, the CEToccurred. In addition, this method was also employed to influence the solidification process of bearing steel, and the results showed that the structure was changed from columnar crystal to equiaxed crystal, indicating that ECP can enhance the homogeneity of structure and composition of bearing steel.

Formation of Dense Inclusion Buildup on Submerged Entry Nozzle by Electric Current Pulse

In this work, low-density electric current pulse （ECP） has been applied to submerged entry nozzle （SEN） and its effect on the morphology of the inclusion buildup and the distribution of the inclusions in slab has been explored. The results reveal that under the unique effects of ECP, part of small inclusions less than 10 μm is expelled through the boundary layer along the current direction to form dense inclusion buildup. This method is of great potential to prolong the service life of SEN and improve the quality of the steel product.

Solidification of Pb–Al Alloys Under the Influence of Electric Current Pulses

Continuous solidification experiments are carried out with Pb–Al alloys under the influence of the electric current pulses（ECPs）. The results demonstrate that the ECPs mainly affect the microstructure formation through changing the energy barrier for the nucleation of the minority phase droplets（MPDs） and minority phase particles（MPPs） during cooling Pb–Al alloys in the liquid–liquid and liquid–solid phase transformation temperature ranges in advance of the solidification of the matrix liquid. For Pb–Al alloys with Al-rich droplets/particles as the minority phase, the ECPs lower the energy barriers for the nucleation of the MPDs/MPPs and cause a significant increase in the nucleation rate of the MPDs/MPPs and, thus,promote the formation of Pb–Al alloys with a well-dispersed or even nanoparticles dispersed microstructure. The ECPs parameters show an important influence on the microstructure formation of Pb–Al alloys. The refinement extent of the MPDs/MPPs increases with the increase in the peak current density. For a given peak current density, the refinement extent of the MPDs/MPPs increases with the increases in the pulse frequency and pulse width first, and then level off and become asymptotic.

Removing prior particle boundaries in a powder superalloy based on the interaction between pulsed electric current and chain-like structure

The chain-like prior particle boundaries(PPBs)as a kind of stubborn harmful precipitate will hinder atomic diffusion and particle connection.They can only be broken into nanoscale through thermal deformation(1160–1200℃).Here,treated by the pulsed electric current at 800℃,PPBs were dissolved quickly as a result of the interaction between the pulsed electric current and the chain-like structure.According to the electromigration theory and the calculation results,the high current density regions will be mainly produced at the gaps due to the conductivity difference between the precipitates and the matrix.The atomic diffusion flux caused by the pulsed electric current is proportional to the current density.Therefore,the existence of a large number of gaps in the chain-like PPBs will make the high current density regions play a more positive role in fast-dissolution.

Modification of Corrosion Resistance of the Plain Carbon Steels by Pulsed Electric Current

The fracture of pipelines caused by corrosion cracks and the resulting oil and gas leakage can lead to great environmentalpollution and economic losses. These negative effects are due to serious corrosion of the plain carbon steels used for armorof flexible pipe in oil and gas transmission medium. However, corrosion resistance of carbon steel armors has yet to beimproved. In this study, the relationship between corrosion resistance and pearlite fraction in the plain carbon steels hasbeen investigated through the application of pulsed electric current. Based on immersion test and electrochemical mea-surement, pulsed electric current increases the corrosion resistance of the plain carbon steels by reducing the fraction ofpearlite phase. Pitting corrosion, which tends to initiate by galvanic corrosion of ferrite and cementite, is therefore inhibiteddue to the decrease in pearlite fraction （mixture of ferrite and cementite） under electropulsing.

An Application of the Inverse Solution for Electric Current Distribution From Magnetic Field Measurements in Aluminium Electrolysis Cells

A mathematical theory and the software application based on the full MHD model of the electrolysis cell is used to predict the electric current distribution over the anodes from the measurement of magnetic fields at specifically defined node points assumed to be available from the wireless sensors.The full 3d busbar configuration of two different commercial ceils are used for the model simulations.It is demonstrated that a unique solution for the electric current can be obtained when two sensors per each anode are used to detect the single component of magnetic field.The mathematical software is tested for the sensitivity to the busbar configuration complexity.The ability to monitor continuously the electric current distribution to high accuracy helps to control disturbances and deviations from a normal production process.

Influence of direct electric current on wetting behavior during brazing

The wetting behavior of liquid metals is of great importance for many processes. For brazing, however, a targeted modification beyond the adjustment of conventional process parameters or the actual set-up was not possible in the past. Therefore, the effect of direct electric current along the surface of a steel substrate on the wetting behavior and the formation of the spreading pattern of an industrial nickel-based filler metal was investigated at a temperature above T = 1000 °C in a vacuum brazing furnace. By applying direct current up to I = 60 A the wetted surface area could be increased and the spreading of the molten filler metal could be controlled in dependence of the polarity of the electric current. The electric component of the Lorentz force is supposed to be feasible reasons for the observed dependence of the electrical polarity on the filler metal spreading direction. To evaluate the influence of the electric current on the phase formation subsequent selective electron microscope analyses of the spreading pattern were carried out.

Effect of Electrical Current on the Tribological Behavior of the Cu-WS_2-G Composites in Air and Vacuum

As the traditional graphite-based composites cannot meet the requirement of rapid developing modern industry, novel sliding electrical contact materials with high self-lubricating performance in multiple environments are eagerly required. Herein a copper-based composite with WS2 and graphite as solid lubricant are fabricated by powder metallurgy hot-pressed method. The friction and wear behaviors of the composites with and without current are investigated under the condition with sliding velocity of 10 m/s and normal load of 2.5N/cm 2 in both air and vacuum. Morphologies of the worn surfaces are observed by optical microscope and compositions of the lubricating films are analyzed by XPS. Surface profile curves and roughness of the worn surfaces are obtained by 2205 surface profiler. The results of wear tests show that the friction coefficient and wear volume loss of the composites with current are greater than that without current in both air and vacuum due to the adverse effects of electrical current which damaged the lubricating film partially and roughed the worn surfaces. XPS results demonstrate that the lubricating film formed in air is composed of oxides of Cu, WS2 , elemental S and graphite, while the lubricating film formed in vacuum is composed of Cu, WS2 and graphite. Because of the synergetic lubricating action of oxides of Cu, WS2 and graphite, the composites show low friction coefficient and wear volume loss in air condition. Owing to the fact that graphite loses its lubricity which makes WS2 become the only lubricant, severe adhesive and abrasive wear occur and result in a high value of wear rate in vacuum condition. The formation of the lubricating film on the contact interface between the brush and ring is one of the factors which can greatly affect the wear performance of the brushes. The low contact voltage drop of the composites in vacuum condition is attributed to the high content of Cu in the surface film. This study fabricated a kind of new sliding electrical contact self-lubricating composite with dual-lubricant which can work well in both air and vacuum environments and provides a comprehensive analysis on the lubrication mechanisms of the composite.

Suggestions on the Current Electricity Price Level and Policies in China

The State Council decided to raise the retail electricity price by 0.25 Yuan/kWh from July, 2008. This will, to some extent, relieve the conflicts between power supply and demand, and decrease the economic losses in

EFFECTS OF HIGH-DENSITY CURRENT PULSES ON WORK HARDENING BEHAVIORS OF AUSTENITE STAINLESS STEEL IN WIRE-DRAWING DEFORMATION

The influence of high-density pulsing current on the work-hardening behaviour of H0Cr17Ni6Mn3 and 1Cr18Ni9 stainless steels in wire-drawing deformation processes has been studied. It was found that the drawing stress and the work-hardening rate of wires were significantly reduced by applying current pulses in drawing process. The work-hardening behavior of the multi-courses drawing deformation can be well described by Hollomon formula σ=κΕn. With the application of current pulses in drawing deformation, the work-hardening exponents of H0Cr17Ni6Mn3 steel wires and 1Cr18Ni9 stainless steel wires were reduced by 33% and 45%, respectively, and their work-hardening coefficients were reduced by 41% and 47%, respectively. It was also found that the work-hardening coefficient of wires was reduced with the increment of the frequency of current pulses, while the work-hardening exponents of both steels were insensitive to the pulsing frequency.