Self-repairing functionality and corrosion resistance of in-situ Mg-Al LDH film on Al-alloyed AZ31 surface

A novel Mg-Al LDH film was in-situ prepared hydrothermally in an alkaline aqueous solution on an Al-alloyed AZ31 substrate.The structural,chemical and functional characteristics of the film were explored by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),polarization curve,AC impedance and salt immersion tests,respectively.The anti-corrosion results indicated that the Mg-Al LDH film on the Al-alloyed AZ31 surface could effectively protect the AZ31 from corrosion attack even after 90 days of immersion in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution.The protection performance is surprisingly better than most of the reported coatings on Mg alloys.More interestingly,when the Mg-Al LDH film was scratched,the exposed Al-alloyed surface might gradually release metal ions and re-generate dense LDH nano-sheets in the corrosive environment to inhibit the further corrosion there,exhibiting a self-repairing behavior.The combination of the benign long-term protection and desirable self-repairing performance in this new process of surface-alloying and LDH-formation may significantly extend the practical application of magnesium alloys.

Effects of acetic acid on microstructure and electrochemical properties of nano cerium oxide films coated on AA7020-T6 aluminum alloy

Nano cerium oxide films were applied on AA7020-T6 aluminum alloy and the effects of acetic acid concentration on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the coated samples were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and potentiodynamic polarization methods. It has been found that by increasing the acetic acid/CeCl3·7H2O molar ratio, high uniform and crack-free films with well-developed grains were obtained and grain sizes of the films decreased. Elimination of cracks and decreasing grain size of the nano cerium oxide films caused corrosion resistance to increase.

Fabrication and characterization of anodic oxide films on a Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al titanium alloy

Anodic oxide films of the titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al in ammonium tartrate electrolyte without hydrofluoric acid or fluoride were fabricated. The morphology, components, and microstructure of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the films were thick, uniform, and nontransparent. Such films exhibited sedimentary morphology, with a thickness of about 3 μm, and the pore diameters of the deposits ranged from several hundred nanometers to 1.5 μm. The films were mainly titanium dioxide. Some coke-like deposits, which may contain or be changed by OH, NH, C-C, C-O, and C=O groups, were doped in the films. The films were mainly amorphous with a small amount of anatase and rutile phase.

Investigation of Formation and Inhibition Mechanism of Cerium Conversion Films on Al 2024 Alloy

To study the mechanism of formation and inhibition of Ce conversion films on Al 2024-T3 alloy, scanning microreference electrode technique (SMRE) is used to probe the potential map on Al 2024-T3 in CeCl 3 solution, the localized corrosion of Al alloy decreases with immersion time and disappears finally, which results from the competition of Cl - aggression and Ce 3+ inhibition on alloy surface. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicate that the Ce conversion films consist of Al 2O 3, CeO 2 and Ce 2O 3(Ce(OH) 3), and CeO 2/Ce 2O 3 ratio decreases with the immersion time. When a critical pH for Ce(OH) 3 formation was reached, Ce(OH) 3 will precipitate on the micro cathodic area on alloy surface. Consequently, H 2O 2, the product of the catholic reaction will oxidize a part of Ce(OH) 3 to CeO 2, which appears a better corrosion resistance for Al alloys.

Preparation of Diamond-like Carbon Films on the Surface of Ti Alloy by Electro-deposition

In this paper, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited on Ti alloy by electro-deposition. DLC films were brown andcomposed of the compact grains whose diameter was about 400 nm. Examined by XPS, the main composition of the filmswas carbon. In the Raman spectrum, there were a broad peak at 1350 cm^(-1) and a broad peak at 1600 cm^(-1), which indicatedthat the films were DLC films.

Microstructure and magnetic properties of electrodeposited Gd-Co alloy films

Gd-Co alloy films were synthesized by potentiostatic electrolysis on Cu substrates in urea-acetamide-NaBr-KBr melt at 353 K. The electroreduction of Co^2＋ and Gd^3＋ was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The reduction of Co^2＋ is an irreversible process. Gd^3＋ cannot be reduced alone, but it can be inductively co-deposited with Co^2＋. Both the Gd content and microstructure of the prepared Gd-Co alloy films can be controlled by the deposited potential. The content of Gd was analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer （ICPES）, and the microstructure was observed by scanning electron micrograph （SEM）. The films were crystallized by heat-treatment at 823 K for 30 s in Ar atmosphere, and then were investigated by XRD. The hysteresis loops of the Gd-Co alloy films were measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The experimental results reveal that the deposited Gd-Co alloy films are amorphous, while the annealing causes the samples to change from amorphous to polycrystalline, thus enhancing their magnetocrystalline anisotropy and coercivity. Moreover, the magnetic properties of the Gd-Co alloy films depend strongly on the Gd content.

Properties of oxide films grown on 25Cr20Ni alloy in air-H_2O and H_2-H_2O atmospheres

The oxidation kinetics,surface morphology and phase structure of oxide films grown on 25Cr20Ni alloy in air-H2O and H2-H2O atmospheres at 900 ℃ for 20 h were investigated.The anti-coking performance and resistance to carburization of the two oxide films were compared using 25Cr20Ni alloy tubes with an inner diameter of 10 mm and a length of 850 mm in a bench scale naphtha steam pyrolysis unit.The oxidation kinetics followed a parabolic law in an air-H2O atmosphere and a logarithm law in a H2-H2O atmosphere in the steady-state stage.The oxide film grown in the air-H2O atmosphere had cracks where the elements Fe and Ni were enriched and the un-cracked area was covered with octahedral-shaped MnCr2O4 spinels and Cr1.3Fe0.7O3 oxide clusters,while the oxide film grown in the H2-H2O atmosphere was intact and completely covered with dense standing blade MnCr2O4 spinels.In the pyrolysis tests,the anti-coking performance and resistance to carburization of the oxide film grown in the H2-H2O atmosphere were far better than that in the air-H2O atmosphere.The mass of coke formed in the oxide film grown in the H2-H2O atmosphere was less than 10％ of that in the air-H2O atmosphere.The Cr1.3Fe0.7O3 oxide clusters converted into Cr23C6 carbides and the cracks were filled with carbon in the oxide film grown in the air-H2O atmosphere after repeated coking and decoking tests,while the dense standing blade MnCr2O4 spinels remained unchanged in the oxide film grown in the H2-H2O atmosphere.The ethylene,propylene and butadiene yields in the pyrolysis tests were almost the same for the two oxide films.

Magnetic Properties and Heat-Treatment of Electrodeposited Sm-Co Alloy Films

Dense, adhesive and uniform Sm-Co alloy films were prepared by potentiostatic electrolysis on copper substrates in urea-acetamide-NaBr-KBr melt at 353 K, which were observed by SEM. The electroreduction of Co2+ and Sm3+ was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The reduction of Co2+ is an irreversible process. Sm3+ can not be reduced alone, but Sm-Co can be co-deposited by induced deposition. The films could be crystallized by heat-treatment at different temperature from 723 to 923 K under Ar atmosphere. The annealed time was chosen as 30 s. The phases of deposited and annealed films were investigated by XRD. The content of Sm was analyzed by Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICPES). The hysteresis loops of the Sm-Co alloy films have been measured by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The experimental results reveal that, the heat-treatment has important influence on coercive field Hc and remanent squareness S of Sm-Co alloy films; the deposited Sm-Co alloy films are amorphous, while the annealed those become polycrystalline; in addition, the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and preferring orientation of films depend strongly on the contents of crystal phases.

Surface Analysis of Chemical Stripping Titanium Alloy Oxide Films

The chemical stripping method of titanium alloy oxide films was studied. An environment friendly solution hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide without hydrofluoric acid or fluoride were used to strip the oxide films. The morphologies of the surface and cross-section of the oxide films before and after the films stripping were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The microstructure and chemical compositions of the oxide films before and after the films stripping were investigated by using Raman spectroscopy （Raman） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. It was shown that the thickness of the oxide film was in the range of 5-6 μm. The oxide films were stripped for 2 to 8 min in the solution. Moreover, the effect of the stripping time on the efficiency of the film stripping was investigated, and the optimum stripping time was between 6-8 min. When the stripping solution completely dissolved the whole film, the α/β microstructure of the titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al was partly revealed. The stripping mechanism was discussed in terms of the dissolution of film delamination. The hydrogen peroxide had a significant effect on the dissolution of the titanium alloy anodic oxide film. The feasibility of the dissolution reaction also was evaluated.

Magnetic Damping Properties of Single-Crystalline Co_(55)Mn_(18)Ga_(27) and Co_(50)Mn_(18)Ga_(32) Films

We investigate the structural,static magnetic and damping properties in two Mn-deficient magnetic Weyl semimetal Co-Mn-Ga(CMG) alloy films,i.e.,Co_(55)Mn_(18)Ga_(27)(CMG1) and Co_(50)Mn_(18)Ga_(32)(CMG2),which were epitaxially grown on MgO(001) substrates.CMG1 has a mixing phase of B2and L21,larger saturation magnetization(M_(s) ~760 emu/cm^(3)),stronger in-plane magnetic anisotropy.CMG2 has an almost pure B2phase,smaller M_(s)(~330 emu/cm^(3)),negligible in-plane magnetic anisotropy.Time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect results unambiguously demonstrate an obvious perpendicular standing spin wave(PSSW) mode in addition to the Kittel mode for both of the CMG films.The intrinsic damping constant is about 0.0055 and 0.015 for CMG1 and CMG2,respectively,which are both significantly larger than that of the stoichiometric CMG(i.e.,Co_(2)MnGa)film reported previously.In combination with the first-principles calculations,the intrinsic damping properties of the Mn-deficient CMG films can be well explained by considering the increase of density of states at the Fermi level,reduction of M_(s),and excitation of the PSSW mode.These findings provide a new clue to tuning the magnetic damping of the magnetic Weyl semimetal film through slight off-stoichiometry.

Effect of air-formed film on corrosion behavior of magnesium-lithium alloys

It is recently suggested that air-formed film plays an important role in controlling corrosion resistance of Mg-Li alloys. However, the structure of the air-formed film and its effect on corrosion resistance of Mg-Li alloys has not been fully understood. Firstly, the air-formed films formed on α and β phases in a dual-phase LZ91 Mg-Li alloy after exposure to laboratory air for up to 48 h have been examined by SEM under the assistance of ultramicrotomy. Then, the effect of the air-formed film on surface potential and, consequently, corrosion/oxidation behavior of the alloy has been investigated. Finally, in order to exclude the influence from α phase, the structure of the air-formed film on β phase and its effect on corrosion/oxidation behavior of Mg-Li alloys have been studied based on a single-phase LA141 Mg-Li alloy. The results show that the air-formed film is thin and negligible on α phase but thick on β phase after prolonged exposure to laboratory air. The thick air-formed film on β phase has a multilayer structure with an inner layer consisting of Mg O/Mg(OH)_(2) and outer layer consisting of Li_(2)CO_(3), which greatly elevates the surface potential of β phase in air. Both LZ91 and LA141 Mg-Li alloys firstly undergo uniform corrosion and then filiform corrosion when immersed in Na Cl solution and the pre-existed air-formed film on β-Li phase can retard the occurrence of filiform corrosion in the alloys.

Corrosion characteristics of single-phase Mg-3Zn alloy thin film for biodegradable electronics

Biodegradable metals as electrodes, interconnectors, and device conductors are essential components in the emergence of transient electronics, either for passive implants or active electronic devices, especially in the fields of biomedical electronics. Magnesium and its alloys are strong candidates for biodegradable and implantable conducting materials because of their high conductivity and biocompatibility, in addition to their well-understood dissolution behavior. One critical drawback of Mg and its alloys is their considerably high dissolution rates originating from their low anodic potential, which disturbs the compatibility to biomedical applications. Herein, we introduce a single-phase thin film of a Mg-Zn binary alloy formed by sputtering, which enhances the corrosion resistance of the device electrode, and verify its applicability in biodegradable electronics. The formation of a homogeneous solid solution of single-phase Mg-3Zn was confirmed through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the dissolution behavior and chemistry was also investigated in various biological fluids by considering the effect of different ion species. Micro-tensile tests showed that the Mg-3Zn alloy electrode exhibited an enhanced yield strain and elongation in relation to a pure Mg electrode. Cell viability test revealed the high biocompatibility rate of the Mg-3Zn binary alloy thin film. Finally, the fabrication of a wireless heater demonstrated the integrability of biodegradable electrodes and highlighted the ability to prolong the lifecycle of thermotherapy-relevant electronics by enhancing the dissolution resistance of the Mg alloy.

Microstructure and properties of hydrophobic films derived from Fe-W amorphous alloy

Amorphous metals are totally different from crystalline metals in regard to atom arrangement. Amorphous metals do not have grain boundaries and weak spots that crystalline materials contain, making them more resistant to wear and corrosion. In this study, amorphous Fe-W alloy films were first prepared by an electroplating method and were then made hydrophobic by modification with a water repellent （heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetradecyl） trimethoxysilane. Hierarchical micro-nano structures can be obtained by slightly oxidizing the as-deposited alloy, accompanied by phase transformation from amorphous to crystalline during heat treatment. The mi-cro-nano structures can trap air to form an extremely thin cushion of air between the water and the film, which is critical to producing hydrophobicity in the film. Results show that the average values of capacitance, roughness factor, and impedance for specific surface areas of a 600°C heat-treated sample are greater than those of a sample treated at 500°C. Importantly, the coating can be fabricated on various metal substrates to act as a corrosion retardant.

Electrodeposition of Pr-Fe alloy films in urea-dimethylsulfoxide

Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to investigate theelectrochemical behavior of Pr^(3+) ions in a system of 0.01 mol centre dot dm^(-3) Pr(CH_3SO_3)_3 +0.01 mol centre dot dm^(-3) FeCl_2 + 3.0 mol centre dot dm^(-3) urea + DMSO on a R electrode. Someelectrochemical parameters were measured. Potentiostatic depositions between -1.6 and -2.4 V wereapplied to deposit Pr-Fe films in urea-DMSO mixed solution. The Pr content in the alloy films was inthe range of 34.89 wt. percent to 37.15 wt. percent. The Pr-Fe alloy films are proven to beamorphous by XRD (X-ray diffraction).

Oxidation Resistance of Fe-13Cr Alloy with Micro-Laminated (ZrO_2-Y_2O_3)/(Al_2O_3-Y_2O_3) Films

The micro-laminated （ZrO2-Y2O3）/（Al2O3-Y2O3） composite films were prepared on the surface of Fe-13Cr alloy by an electrochemical process and a sintering process alternately. High-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM） was used to characterize the laminated films, indicating that the micro-laminated （ZrO2-Y2O3）] （Al2O3-Y2O3） films have nano-structures. SEM, EDS and mass gain measurement were adopted to study the oxidation resistance of films on Fe-13Cr alloy. It is proved that such micro-laminated films are more effective than ZrO2-Y2O3 or Al2O3-Y2O3 films to resist the oxidation of the alloy, and the oxidation resistance is increased with increasing layers in micro-laminated films. These beneficial effects can be contributed to the mechanism, by which such micro-laminated （ZrOE- YEO3）/（Al2O3-Y2O3） composite film combines all the beneficial effects and overcomes all the disadvantages of both ZrOE- Y2O3 film and Al2O3-Y2O3 film during oxidation of alloy.

Effects of atomic corrugations on electronic structures in Pb_(1-x)Bi_(x) thin films

We carried out experimental investigations of the geometric effect on the electronic behavior in Pb_(1-x)Bi_(x) thin films by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy.Single crystal monolayer Pb_(0.74)Bi_(0.26) and two-monolayer Pb_(0.75)Bi_(0.25)Pb_(1-x)Bi_(x) thin films were fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy,where large surface corrugations were observed.Combined with tunneling spectroscopic measurements,it is found that atomic corrugations can widely change the electronic behaviors.These findings show that the Pb_(1-x)Bi_(x) system can be a promising platform to further explore geometry-decorated electronic behavior in two-dimensional metallic thin films.

Electrochemical Preparation of La-Fe Alloy Films in Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)

The cyclic voltammetry and potential step methods were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of Fe 2+ and La 3+ in FeCl 2 LiCl DMSO and LaCl 3 LiCl DMSO systems on Pt, Cu and Ni cathodes. The electroreduction of Fe 2+ to Fe is irreversible in one step,while the electroreduction of La 3+ to La is quasi reversible. The diffusion coefficient of La 3+ in LaCl 3 LiCl DMSO system at 298 K was 3 1×10 -6 cm 2·s -1 . The diffusion coefficient and transfer coefficient of Fe 2+ in FeCl 2 LiCl DMSO system at 298 K were 2 54×10 -6 cm 2·s -1 and 0 24, respectively. La Fe alloy films containing La from 22 7% to 37 1% (mass fraction) were prepared by potentiostatic electrolysis on Cu substrates at a deposition potential from -1 750 to -2 450 V (vs SCE). The fine La Fe alloy films were also obtained by pulse electrolysis at a pulse current densities from 2 to 6 mA·cm -2 . The surfaces of these alloy films are smooth, adhesive and uniform, and have metallic luster.

Deposition of cerium contained conversion films on LC4 alloy with square wave pulse method

Cerium contained conversion films were deposited on LC4 aluminum alloy usingsquare wave pulse (SWP) in a CeCl_3 solution with KMnO_4 as the oxidant. Energy dispersivespectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were adopted to study the composition andthe morphology of the film. It is found that the film is composed of Al, Zn, Cu, and small amount ofcerium. The polarization curves of the specimens treated with SWP technique measured in 3.5% (massfraction) NaCl solution reveal that the film thus formed inhibits both the anodic and cathodicprocess of the corrosion of the specimen. The immersion tests of treated specimens in 3.5% NaClsolution indicate that the corrosion resistance of the SWP treated specimen is better than that ofthe untreated and is equivalent to or even better than that of the traditionally electro-chemicallytreated specimens.

Superelasticity of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Thin Films

The superelastic properties of NiTi thin films prepared with sputtering were studied. To characterize their superelasticity, tensile and bulging and indentation tests were performed. The measured mechanisms using these three methods were compared, and the factors that influence superelasticity were described.

Study on the early surface films formed on Mg-Y molten alloy in different atmospheres

In the present study,the non-isothermal early stages of surface oxidation of liquid Mg-1%Y alloy during casting were studied under UPH argon,dry air,and air mixed with protective fluorine-bearing gases.The chemistry and morphology of the surface films were characterized by SEM and EDX analyses.The results indicate a layer of smooth and tightly coherent oxidation film composed of MgO and Y_(2)O_(3) formed on the molten Mg-Y alloy surface with 40-60 nm thickness under dry air.A dendritic/cellular microstructure is clearly visible with Y-rich second phases gathered in surface of the melt and precipitated along the grain/cell boundaries under all gas conditions.Under fluorine-bearing gas mixtures,the surface film was a mixed oxide and fluoride and more even;a flat and folded morphology can be seen under SF6 with oxide as dominated phase and under 1,1,1,2-tetra-fluoroethane,a smooth and compact surface film uniformly covering the inner surface of the bubble with equal oxide and fluoride thickness,which results in a film without any major defects.MgF_(2) phase appears to be the key characteristic of a good protective film.