Surface morphologies of Mg-Gd alloy particle during its reactions with O_(2) and Teflon

Mg-Gd alloy particle has exhibited its unique combustion properties as the fuel of Mg/Teflon/Viton(MTV).Mg-Gd alloy/Teflon/Viton(MGTV)could burn at lower ambient pressure than MTV.To further investigate the reaction of MGTV in air,it was investigated via thermo gravity-differential scanning calorimetry(TG-DSC).Meanwhile,the morphologies and element distributions on the alloy surface during the reaction of MGTV in air were investigated via scanning electronic microscope-mapping-electronic differential spectrometer.Meanwhile,a similar experimental protocol on the Mg-Gd alloy particle during oxidation was also applied.The results showed that owning to a protective oxide shell,the onset oxidation temperature of Mg-Gd alloy is higher than Mg.However,the onset oxidation temperature of the exceeded Mg-Gd alloy in MGTV is significantly lower than that of the exceeded Mg in MTV.It was due to the existence of GdOF,which could significantly lower the oxidation temperature of the exceeded fuel.Furthermore,a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.The fascinating oxidation properties of Mg-Gd alloy suggested its promising applications in energetic materials.

Effects of semi-solid isothermal process parameters on microstructure of Mg-Gd alloy

The effects of semi-solid isothermal process parameters on the microstructure evolution of Mg-Gd rare earth alloy produced by strain-induced melt activation(SIMA)were investigated.The formation mechanism of the particles in the process of the isothermal treatment was also discussed.The results show that the microstructure of the as-cast alloy consists ofα-Mg solid solution, Mg5RE and Mg24RE5(Gd,Y,Nd)phase.After being extruded with an extrusion ratio of 14:1 at 380℃,the microstructure of Mg-Gd alloy changes from developed dendrites to near-equiaxed grains.The liquid volume fraction of the semisolid slurry gradually increases with elevating isothermal temperature or prolonging isothermal time during the partial remelting.To obtain an ideal semisolid slurry,the optimal process parameters for the Mg-Gd alloy should be 630℃for isothermal temperature and 30 min for the corresponding time,respectively,where the volume fraction of the liquid phase is 52%.

Effects of Sc and Mn on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd alloy

Two alloys of Mg-12.4Gd and Mg-12.5Gd-0.8Sc-1.4Mn were prepared. Hot extrusion and T5 heat treatment were conducted,and then the mechanical properties of the two alloys were tested at room and high temperatures. The effects of Sc,Mn on the microstructures of Mg-12.4Gd were investigated by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that after hot-extrusion the alloying with Sc,Mn can efficaciously refine the grains of Mg-12.4Gd alloy;and increase the elongation at room and high temperatures after T5 heat treatment. But the strength at high temperature is not obviously improved.

Achieving high strength and rapid degradation in Mg-Gd-Ni alloys by regulating LPSO phase morphology combined with extrusion

In this study,Mg-13.2Gd-4.3Ni alloys containing continuous bulk-shaped long-period stacking ordered(LPSO),lamellar LPSO,and a small amount of eutectic phase were prepared,and the evolution of microstructure at different extrusion temperatures and its influence on mechanical and degradation properties as well as corrosion mechanism were investigated.Preheating before extrusion can effectively promote the precipitation of lamellar LPSO in matrix.EX400 with higher volume fraction of non-DRXed grains exhibited higher strength,which was mainly due to strong texture,high dislocation density,and high volume fraction of lamellar LPSO.The EX420 with higher volume fraction of DRXed grains showed higher degradation rate,which was mainly due to the higher density of grain boundary.The EX400 exhibited excellent comprehensive properties with tensile yield strength(TYS)of 334 MPa,ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 484 MPa and elongation(EL)of 7.4%,ultimate compressive strength(UCS)of 638 MPa and compressive yield strength(CYS)of 443 MPa,degradation rate of 86.1 mg/cm^(2)/h at 93℃in 3 wt.%KCl solution.

The growth ofβphase in Mg-Gd-Y-Ni alloy by experimental and first-principles study

The paper reports on the atomic investigation aboutβphase in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy by using the first-principles study and the high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope(HAADF-STEM)corrected by atomic Cs.By using HAADF-STEM,the rectangularβphases were observed in the underage and peak aging stages in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy.Theβphase could be precipitated from the previously precipitatedβphase,and theβphase grew in steps when it was precipitated.A special transition structure of three atomic layer thicknesses was first observed at the edge of theβphase and the structure of this interface is probably as theβ/Mg_(1) interface for the analysis of thermodynamic characterization and electronic characterization.Theβ'phase and theβ_(H) structure were precipitated only at the edge of the length directions of theβphase.Theβ'phase continues to grow into aβphase directly without the formation ofβ_(1) phase,resulting in an increase in the length of theβphase,which is discovered for the first time.

Effect of aging treatment on the precipitation transformation and age hardening of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy

In this study, the precipitation transformation and age hardening of solution-treated Mg-9Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.5Zr(wt.%) alloy were investigated at different aging treatment parameters. The precipitation sequences of the alloy aged at 200℃, 250℃ and 300℃ are β’’(DO19) → β’(BCO) → β(FCC), β’’(DO19) → β’(BCO) → β_(1)(FCC) → β(FCC) and β(FCC), respectively. The streaks sequences of the alloy aged at 200℃, 250℃ and 300℃ are SF, SF → 14H-LPSO and SF → 14H-LPSO, respectively. For the alloy aged at 200℃ and 250℃, the increase in hardness with increasing aging time is contributed from the increase in precipitate volume fraction and the transformation from β’’ to β’ phase with basal → prismatic and spherical → spindle-like precipitate changes. The decrease in hardness after the peak-aging stage is attributed to the appearance of micro-sized β precipitates. Because of the smaller size of precipitates and the triangular arrangement of β’ precipitate, the hardness of the alloy aged at 200℃ is higher than that aged at 250℃. For the alloy aged at 300℃, the appearance of only micro-sized β precipitate and its coarsening with increasing aging time leads to the lowest hardness and an overall decrease in hardness with the aging time.

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a multidirectionally forged Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ag alloy

Multidirectional forging(MDF)was successfully applied to fabricate large-size Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ag alloy in this work and effects of T4,T5 and T6 treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-forged alloy were analyzed.Results show that dynamic recrystallization(DRX)occurs and second phase particles precipitate along the grain boundary during the MDF process.After annealing treatment(T4),the volume fraction and size of dynamic precipitates slightly increase at a lower temperature(430℃)compared with those of MDFed sample,while they are dissolved into theα-Mg matrix at a higher temperature(450℃).At the meantime,short plate-shaped long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phases are observed in the DRX grains of the MDFed sample and then dissolved into theα-Mg matrix during annealing at both temperatures.Typical basal texture is identified in the MDFed sample,but the basal pole tilts away from final forging direction and rare-earth texture component with<1121>orientation parallel to penultimate forging direction becomes visible after annealing.The T6 sample annealing at 430℃for 4 h and ageing at 200℃for 34 h exhibits the superior strength and ductility in this study.The ultimate tensile strength,tensile yield strength and elongation to failure,which is 455 MPa,308 MPa and 7.7%,respectively,are overall improved compared with the directly-aged(T5)sample.This paper provides a superior heat treatment schedule to manufacture high-performance large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ag components for industrial production.

A novel Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Cu-Ni alloy with excellent combination of strength and dissolution via peak-aging treatment

Inferior absolute strength and dissolution properties are the main bottlenecks for the widespread application of dissolvable magnesium alloys in complex working environments for unconventional oil and gas resources.Here,a novel functional peak-aged Mg-9.5Gd-2.7Y-0.9Zn-0.8Cu-0.4Ni(wt.%) alloy for fracturing tools is reported,and it possesses an ultimate tensile strength of 457.6 MPa,ultimate compressive strength of 620.7 MPa and dissolution rate of ~43.7 mg·cm^(-2)·h^(-1) in 3 wt.% KCl solutions at 93℃.The excellent strength of the agedalloy is primarily attributed to the combination of grain refinement,long-period stacking ordered(LPSO) strengthening,and precipitation strengthening induced by stacking fault and β’ phase,among which the precipitation strengthening is dominant.Further investigations confirm that the corrosion is triggered from the micro-galvanic coupling between the Mg matrix and the cathodic lamellar and block LPSO phases.Strip-shaped corrosion pits along with LPSO phases are subsequently formed,significantly accelerating corrosion.The β’ precipitates can effectively improve the strength without compromising the dissolution rate because of their nanoscale size.This study provides an excellent material selection for dissolvable fracturing tools and presents a strategy by which a synergistic combination of strength and dissolution rate is achieved via peak-aging treatment.

预拉伸和时效处理对挤压态Mg-Gd合金组织和力学性能的影响

采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、万能拉伸试验机等研究了不同预拉伸量(0%、5%、10%)及时效处理对挤压态Mg-4Gd合金组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:增加预拉伸量会增加时效过程中形成的具有不规则多面体结构及Gd含量相对较低的第二相的数量,其尺寸随时效时间的延长而增加。当预拉伸量从0%增加至5%和10%时,合金的强度不断增加,但增幅逐渐减小,伸长率先迅速下降后趋于稳定。预拉伸处理与时效处理相结合可提高合金的强度但降低了伸长率,其中预拉伸10%合金在峰时效工艺下的屈服强度提高至136.29 MPa、抗拉强度提高至241.48 MPa、伸长率则降低至12.49%。与预拉伸处理相比,时效处理后合金的硬化能力和加工硬化指数值降低。合金的加工硬化率主要受预拉伸工艺的影响,但可通过后续时效处理进行有效控制。

Relationship between the unique microstructures and behaviors of high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys(HEAs),which were introduced as a pioneering concept in 2004,have captured the keen interest of nu-merous researchers.Entropy,in this context,can be perceived as representing disorder and randomness.By contrast,elemental composi-tions within alloy systems occupy specific structural sites in space,a concept referred to as structure.In accordance with Shannon entropy,structure is analogous to information.Generally,the arrangement of atoms within a material,termed its structure,plays a pivotal role in dictating its properties.In addition to expanding the array of options for alloy composites,HEAs afford ample opportunities for diverse structural designs.The profound influence of distinct structural features on the exceptional behaviors of alloys is underscored by numer-ous examples.These features include remarkably high fracture strength with excellent ductility,antiballistic capability,exceptional radi-ation resistance,and corrosion resistance.In this paper,we delve into various unique material structures and properties while elucidating the intricate relationship between structure and performance.

Microstructure and damping properties of LPSO phase dominant Mg-Ni-Y and Mg-Zn-Ni-Y alloys

This work studied the microstructure,mechanical properties and damping properties of Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66) and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys systematically.The difference in the evolution of the long-period stacked ordered(LPSO)phase in the two alloys during heat treatment was the focus.The morphology of the as-cast Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)presented a disordered network.After heat treatment at 773 K for 2 hours,the eutectic phase was integrated into the matrix,and the LPSO phase maintained the 18R structure.As Zn partially replaced Ni,the crystal grains became rounded in the cast alloy,and lamellar LPSO phases and more solid solution atoms were contained in the matrix after heat treatment of the Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloy.Both Zn and the heat treatment had a significant effect on damping.Obvious dislocation internal friction peaks and grain boundary internal friction peaks were found after temperature-dependent damping of the Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys.After heat treatment,the dislocation peak was significantly increased,especially in the alloy Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2).66.The annealed Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)alloy with a rod-shaped LPSO phase exhibited a good damping performance of 0.14 atε=10^(−3),which was due to the difference between the second phase and solid solution atom content.These factors also affected the dynamic modulus of the alloy.The results of this study will help in further development of high-damping magnesium alloys.

Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr合金碎屑固相再生工艺研究

通过热压烧结以及挤剪复合成形工艺对Mg-7Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.4Zr合金碎屑进行固相再生。在碎屑中添加体积分数5%、7%和9%的SiC颗粒,研究了SiC颗粒含量对固相再生坯料微观组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,热压烧结后坯料中的界面明显,O元素在烧结界面富集。此外,微观组织中存在大块SiC颗粒,不同试样的塑性均较差。相比于其它试样,SiC体积分数7%的热烧结试样的综合性能最优,其抗拉强度为232 MPa,伸长率为1.76%。挤剪复合成形后,微观组织中的烧结界面消失,平均晶粒尺寸细化至10μm。此外,原本团聚分布的SiC颗粒均匀、弥散地分布在合金内部。SiC体积分数5%的固相再生坯料具有较优的综合力学性能,其抗拉强度为269 MPa,伸长率为12.2%,相比于固溶态合金分别提升了24.5%和62.7%。

High corrosion and wear resistant electroless Ni–P gradient coatings on aviation aluminum alloy parts

A Ni–P alloy gradient coating consisting of multiple electroless Ni–P layers with various phosphorus contents was prepared on the aviation aluminum alloy. Several characterization and electrochemical techniques were used to characterize the different Ni–P coatings’ morphologies, phase structures, elemental compositions, and corrosion protection. The gradient coating showed good adhesion and high corrosion and wear resistance, enabling the application of aluminum alloy in harsh environments. The results showed that the double zinc immersion was vital in obtaining excellent adhesion (81.2 N). The optimal coating was not peeled and shredded even after bending tests with angles higher than 90°and was not corroded visually after 500 h of neutral salt spray test at 35℃. The high corrosion resistance was attributed to the misaligning of these micro defects in the three different nickel alloy layers and the amorphous structure of the high P content in the outer layer. These findings guide the exploration of functional gradient coatings that meet the high application requirement of aluminum alloy parts in complicated and harsh aviation environments.

Prediction of the thermal conductivity of Mg–Al–La alloys by CALPHAD method

Mg-Al alloys have excellent strength and ductility but relatively low thermal conductivity due to Al addition.The accurate prediction of thermal conductivity is a prerequisite for designing Mg-Al alloys with high thermal conductivity.Thus,databases for predicting temperature-and composition-dependent thermal conductivities must be established.In this study,Mg-Al-La alloys with different contents of Al2La,Al3La,and Al11La3phases and solid solubility of Al in the α-Mg phase were designed.The influence of the second phase(s) and Al solid solubility on thermal conductivity was investigated.Experimental results revealed a second phase transformation from Al_(2)La to Al_(3)La and further to Al_(11)La_(3)with the increasing Al content at a constant La amount.The degree of the negative effect of the second phase(s) on thermal diffusivity followed the sequence of Al2La>Al3La>Al_(11)La_(3).Compared with the second phase,an increase in the solid solubility of Al in α-Mg remarkably reduced the thermal conductivity.On the basis of the experimental data,a database of the reciprocal thermal diffusivity of the Mg-Al-La system was established by calculation of the phase diagram (CALPHAD)method.With a standard error of±1.2 W/(m·K),the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental data.The established database can be used to design Mg-Al alloys with high thermal conductivity and provide valuable guidance for expanding their application prospects.

Twin evolution in cast Mg-Gd-Y alloys and its dependence on aging heat treatment

Effects of rare-earth(RE)and precipitates on twin evolution in cast Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.5Zr(wt.%)(GW103)alloys of solid solution(T4)and aged(T6)states are investigated performing quasi-static room temperature compression tests and microstructural characterization.It is found that both{10–12}and{11–21}extension twins(ET1 and ET2)can appear in the T4 and T6 states but with different emergence sequences.As the aging heat treatment leads to consumption of RE solutes which could inhibit atomic shuffling required for nucleation of ET1 but not ET2,ET2 occurs prior to ET1 in the T4 state,and ET1 emerges before ET2 in the T6 state.The extension twins here mainly coordinate the plastic deformation through the non-Schmid effect.Our results shed light on the influence of RE elements on twin evolution in magnesium alloys and have implications in developing high-performance Mg-RE alloys.

Machine learning-assisted efficient design of Cu-based shape memory alloy with specific phase transition temperature

The martensitic transformation temperature is the basis for the application of shape memory alloys(SMAs),and the ability to quickly and accurately predict the transformation temperature of SMAs has very important practical significance.In this work,machine learning(ML)methods were utilized to accelerate the search for shape memory alloys with targeted properties(phase transition temperature).A group of component data was selected to design shape memory alloys using reverse design method from numerous unexplored data.Component modeling and feature modeling were used to predict the phase transition temperature of the shape memory alloys.The experimental results of the shape memory alloys were obtained to verify the effectiveness of the support vector regression(SVR)model.The results show that the machine learning model can obtain target materials more efficiently and pertinently,and realize the accurate and rapid design of shape memory alloys with specific target phase transition temperature.On this basis,the relationship between phase transition temperature and material descriptors is analyzed,and it is proved that the key factors affecting the phase transition temperature of shape memory alloys are based on the strength of the bond energy between atoms.This work provides new ideas for the controllable design and performance optimization of Cu-based shape memory alloys.

Influence of layer thickness on formation quality,microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)of Mg alloys has provided tremendous opportunities for customized production of aeronautical and medical parts.Layer thickness(LT)is of great significance to the L-PBF process but has not been studied for Mg alloys.In this study,WE43 Mg alloy bulk cubes,porous scaffolds,and thin walls with layer thicknesses of 10,20,30,and 40μm were fabricated.The required laser energy input increased with increasing layer thickness and was different for the bulk cubes and porous scaffolds.Porosity tended to occur at the connection joints in porous scaffolds for LT40 and could be eliminated by reducing the laser energy input.For thin wall parts,a large overhang angle or a small wall thickness resulted in porosity when a large layer thicknesses was used,and the porosity disappeared by reducing the layer thickness or laser energy input.A deeper keyhole penetration was found in all occasions with porosity,explaining the influence of layer thickness,geometrical structure,and laser energy input on the porosity.All the samples achieved a high fusion quality with a relative density of over 99.5%using the optimized laser energy input.The increased layer thickness resulted to more precipitation phases,finer grain sizes and decreased grain texture.With the similar high fusion quality,the tensile strength and elongation of bulk samples were significantly improved from 257 MPa and 1.41%with the 10μm layer to 287 MPa and 15.12%with the 40μm layer,in accordance with the microstructural change.The effect of layer thickness on the compressive properties of porous scaffolds was limited.However,the corrosion rate of bulk samples accelerated with increasing the layer thickness,mainly attributed to the increased number of precipitation phases.

Greatly enhanced corrosion/wear resistances of epoxy coating for Mg alloy through a synergistic effect between functionalized graphene and insulated blocking layer

The poor corrosion and wear resistances of Mg alloys seriously limit their potential applications in various industries.The conventional epoxy coating easily forms many intrinsic defects during the solidification process,which cannot provide sufficient protection.In the current study,we design a double-layer epoxy composite coating on Mg alloy with enhanced anti-corrosion/wear properties,via the spin-assisted assembly technique.The outer layer is functionalized graphene(FG)in waterborne epoxy resin(WEP)and the inner layer is Ce-based conversion(Ce)film.The FG sheets can be homogeneously dispersed within the epoxy matrix to fill the intrinsic defects and improve the barrier capability.The Ce film connects the outer layer with the substrate,showing the transition effect.The corrosion rate of Ce/WEP/FG composite coating is 2131 times lower than that of bare Mg alloy,and the wear rate is decreased by~90%.The improved corrosion resistance is attributed to the labyrinth effect(hindering the penetration of corrosive medium)and the obstruction of galvanic coupling behavior.The synergistic effect derived from the FG sheet and blocking layer exhibits great potential in realizing the improvement of multi-functional integration,which will open up a new avenue for the development of novel composite protection coatings of Mg alloys.

Effect of Cd on matrix structure ordering and aging precipitation evolution in a Mg-Gd-Cd solid-solution alloy

The formation and evolution of Gd-rich precipitates companying with the matrix structure ordering in a Mg_(97)Gd_(2)Cd_(1)(at.%)solid-solution alloy aged at 200℃have been systemically investigated using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM).The results show that Gd-rich precipitation dynamics during the aging treatment are noticeably affected by a continuous ordering transformation in the matrix.The ordering transformation process involving mainly re-distribution of Cd atoms was revealed to occur in the following way:random super-saturated solid solution(S.S.S.S.)→B19-type ordered domains→D019-type ordered domains.Four Gd(Cd)-rich precipitates,G.P.Ⅰ zone,G.P.Ⅱ zone,β′andβ_(1)phases,have been observed to be formed in sequence to coexist with the various ordered domains.Based on the HAADF-STEM characterization on the aging microstructures at different aging stages,it can be concluded that the Cd-addition and related matrix structure ordering can play significant roles in modifying the early-stage G.P.zone structure,altering the morphology ofβ′precipitates and promoting the forming ability of theβ_(1)precipitate.

Flow softening and dynamic recrystallization behavior of a Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr alloy under elevated temperature compressions

Flow softening behavior of a homogenized Mg-7Gd-4Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy under compression to a final strain of∼1.8 at elevated temperatures of 450∼550℃ and a constant strain rate of 2s^(−1) has been investigated by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.The results show that true stress first rises to the peak point and then drops to the bottom value and increases again with further increasing strain at each temperature.Twinning dynamic recrystallization(DRX)and continuous DRX contribute to the formation of new fine grains at temperatures 450∼475℃ when the restoration is caused by both DRX and texture change due to extension twinning,resulting in the larger softening degrees compared with the softening effects owing to continuous DRX and discontinuous DRX at 500∼550℃ when twinning activation is suppressed.500℃ is the transition temperature denoting a significant decline in the contribution of twinning and TDRX to the strain with increasing temperature.The cuboid-shape phase exists in both homogenized and compressed samples,while the compositions are varied.