Effect of Pouring Temperature by a Novel Micro Fused-Casting on Microstructure and Properties of ZL101 Semisolid Slurry

A novel micro fused-casting(MFC)process is developed for semisolid aluminum alloy slurry.The microstructure evolution and properties of semisolid ZL101 aluminum alloy slurry with difierent pouring temperature by MFC are investigated in this paper.During the cooling process,the effects of the pouring temperature on microstructure and properties is primarily analyzed.The microstructure of the semisolid ZL101 aluminum alloy is more homogeneous and the grain is smaller under proper pouring temperature.Temperature of liquids and solids of ZL101 aluminum alloy is measured by difierential scanning calorimetry(DSC).Distribution and characteristics of the microstructure of samples are examined by optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS).The results show that the ZL101 semisolid slurry fabricated by MFC presents uniform shape and good grain size under the pouring temperature of 594°C and the stirring velocity of 600 r/min,and the fine grains of the primary a-Al phase with average grain size of 55μm and shape factor up to 0.67 were obtained.Besides,the ultimate tensile strength and the average Vickers hardness for semisolid ZL101 aluminum slurry are 178.19±1.37 MPa and 86.15±1.16 HV,respectively.

One-step quantum dialogue

Quantum dialogue(QD)enables two communication parties to directly exchange secret messages simultaneously.In conventional QD protocols,photons need to transmit in the quantum channel for two rounds.In this paper,we propose a one-step QD protocol based on the hyperentanglement.With the help of the non-local hyperentanglement-assisted Bell state measurement(BSM),the photons only need to transmit in the quantum channel once.We prove that our one-step QD protocol is secure in theory and numerically simulate its secret message capacity under practical experimental condition.Compared with previous QD protocols,the one-step QD protocol can effectively simplify the experiment operations and reduce the message loss caused by the photon transmission loss.Meanwhile,the non-local hyperentanglement-assisted BSM has a success probability of 100%and is feasible with linear optical elements.Moreover,combined with the hyperentanglement heralded amplification and purification,our protocol is possible to realize long-distance one-step QD.

Effect of the Retarder on Initial Hydration and Mechanical Properties of the"one-step"Alkaliactivated Composite Cementitious Materials

This paper studied the effects of different retarders on the performance of the"one-step"alkali-activated composite cementitious material(ACCM)which is composed of ground granulated blast slag(GGBS)and fly ash(FA),and analyzed its mechanical properties,hydration mechanism,and retardation mechanism.The effects of retarders on the hydration products,mechanical properties,and hydration kinetics of ACCM were investigated using XRD,SEM,FTIR,EDS,and thermoactive microcalorimetry.The results showed that Na_(2)B_(4)O_(7)·10H_(2)O(B)delayed the exotherm during the alkali activation process and could effectively delay the setting time of ACCM,but the mechanical properties were slightly decreased.The setting time of ACCM increased with the increase in SG content,but the mechanical properties of ACCM decreased with the increase in SG content.C1_(2)H_(22)O_(11)(CHO)could effectively delay the hydration reaction of ACCM and weakly enhanced the compressive strength.H_(3)PO_(4)(HP)at a concentration of 0.05 mol/L had a certain effect on ACCM retardation,but HP at a concentration of 0.07 and 0.09 mol/L had an effect of promoting the setting and hardening time of ACCM.

Three-dimensional visualization technology for guiding one-step percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of complex hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND Biliary stone disease is a highly prevalent condition and a leading cause of hospitalization worldwide.Hepatolithiasis with associated strictures has high residual and recurrence rates after traditional multisession percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy(PTCSL).AIM To study one-step PTCSL using the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation(PTOBF)technique guided by three-dimensional(3D)visualization.METHODS This was a retrospective,single-center study analyzing,140 patients who,between October 2016 and October 2023,underwent one-step PTCSL for hepatolithiasis.The patients were divided into two groups:The 3D-PTOBF group and the PTOBF group.Stone clearance on choledochoscopy,complications,and long-term clearance and recurrence rates were assessed.RESULTS Age,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,Child-Pugh class,and stone location were similar between the 2 groups,but there was a significant difference in bile duct strictures,with biliary strictures more common in the 3D-PTOBF group(P=0.001).The median follow-up time was 55.0(55.0,512.0)days.The immediate stone clearance ratio(88.6%vs 27.1%,P=0.000)and stricture resolution ratio(97.1%vs 78.6%,P=0.001)in the 3D-PTOBF group were significantly greater than those in the PTOBF group.Postoperative complication(8.6%vs 41.4%,P=0.000)and stone recurrence rates(7.1%vs 38.6%,P=0.000)were significantly lower in the 3D-PTOBF group.CONCLUSION Three-dimensional visualization helps make one-step PTCSL a safe,effective,and promising treatment for patients with complicated primary hepatolithiasis.The perioperative and long-term outcomes are satisfactory for patients with complicated primary hepatolithiasis.This minimally invasive method has the potential to be used as a substitute for hepatobiliary surgery.

Study of the reaction mechanism for preparing powdered activated coke with SO_(2)adsorption capability via one-step rapid activation method under flue gas atmosphere

In this study,the impact of different reaction times on the preparation of powdered activated carbon(PAC)using a one-step rapid activation method under flue gas atmosphere is investigated,and the underlying reaction mechanism is summarized.Results indicate that the reaction process of this method can be divided into three stages:stage I is the rapid release of volatiles and the rapid consumption of O_(2),primarily occurring within a reaction time range of 0-0.5 s;stage II is mainly the continuous release and diffusion of volatiles,which is the carbonization and activation coupling reaction stage,and the carbonization process is the main in this stage.This stage mainly occurs at the reaction time range of 0.5 -2.0 s when SL-coal is used as material,and that is 0.5-3.0 s when JJ-coal is used as material;stage III is mainly the activation stage,during which activated components diffuse to both the surface and interior of particles.This stage mainly involves the reaction stage of CO_(2)and H2O(g)activation,and it mainly occurs at the reaction time range of 2.0-4.0 s when SL-coal is used as material,and that is 3.0-4.0 s when JJ-coal is used as material.Besides,the main function of the first two stages is to provide more diffusion channels and contact surfaces/activation sites for the diffusion and activation of the activated components in the third stage.Mastering the reaction mechanism would serve as a crucial reference and foundation for designing the structure,size of the reactor,and optimal positioning of the activator nozzle in PAC preparation.

Effect of pouring and mold temperatures on hot tearing susceptibility of AZ91D and Mg-3Nd-0.2Zn-Zr Mg alloys

Pouring and mold temperatures are two important parameters during casting magnesium components. The present study examined their influence on hot tearing susceptibility （HTS） of commercial AZ91D and newly developed Mg-3Nd-0.2Zn-Zr （mass fraction, %; NZ30K） magnesium alloys in gravity permanent mold casting condition. The results indicate that mold temperature shows much more significant influence on the HTS of both alloys than pouring temperature whose influence only can be distinguished at low mold temperature （341 K for AZ91D alloy and 423 K for NZ30K alloy）. Hot tearing susceptibility prediction model concerning feeding parameters, grain size and solidification range, is more suitable to estimate the HTS of different magnesium alloys than the model only concerning feeding parameters. In order to achieve better hot tearing resistance, the ranges of pouring and mold temperatures are suggested to be 961-991 K and≥641 K for AZ91D alloy, 1003-1033 K and≥623 K for NZ30K alloy, respectively.

Effects of pouring temperature and cylinder temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of rheomoulding AZ91D alloy

An advanced rheomoulder,which is a device in the integration of melting metal,storage,slurry preparation,transportation and injection forming,was introduced and used to manufacture rheomoulding AZ91 D alloy.Effects of pouring temperature and cylinder temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of rheomoulding AZ91 D alloy were investigated.The results show that the process can obtain such rheomoulding AZ91 D in which primary α-Mg particles are fine,spherical and uniformly distributed in the matrix.With the decrease of pouring temperature,the morphology of primary α-Mg particles changes from coarse rosette-like to fine spherical shape gradually.As the cylinder temperature decreases,the average size of primary α-Mg particles decreases firstly and then substantially maintains stable while the sphericity and solid fraction increase continuously.Also,decreasing pouring temperature or cylinder temperature properly contributes to improving mechanical properties of rheomoulding AZ91 D for the refinement of α-Mg particles and the decrease of porosity fraction.Furthermore,rheomoulding AZ91 D performs much better than thixomoulding,rheo-diecasting and high pressure die-casting（HPDC） in terms of mechanical properties.Compared with HPDC,the tensile strength,yield strength and elongation are increased by 27.8%,15.7% and 121%,respectively.

Research on semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouting temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry were investigated. The results indicated that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting can be manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature （or superheat） and the stirring power remarkably affected the morphology of primary α-Al and the size of primary α-Al, and there is no obvious effect of stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring with no stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 were markedly improved by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. On the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be suitably raised to reach the effectiveness obtained from the lower pouring temperature without stirring.

Manufacture technique of semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry making process were investigated. The results indicate that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting requirement can be made by a combination of low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature (or superheat) and the stirring power significantly affect the morphology and the size of primary α-Al, while there is no obvious effect of the stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring without stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 Al alloy are markedly improved by a process of applying both low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. Under the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring applied, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be equivalently to reach the effectiveness obtained from the even lower pouring temperature without stirring.

EFFECT OF GRAIN REFINING ON PRIMARYαPHASE IN SEMI-SOLID A356 ALLOY PREPARED BY LOW SUPERHEAT POURING AND SLIGHT ELECTROMAGNETIC STIRRING

The semi-solid slurry of A356 alloy, which is grain-refined by Al-Ti-B master alloy, is prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring. The effects of grain refining on the morphology and the grain size of the primary α phase in the slurry manufactured are researched. The results indicate that the slurry with particle-like and rosette-like primary α phases can be prepared by low superheat pouring and slight electromagnetic stirring from liquid A356 alloy grain-refined, in which the pouring temperature can be suitably raised. Compared with the A356 samples without grain refining, the grain size and particle morphology of primary α phase as well as the distribution of the grain with particle-like or rosette-like along radial in the ingot in A356 are markedly improved by grain refining.

Effect of Pouring Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of A356 Alloy Strip by a Novel Semisolid Micro Fused-Casting for Metal

A novel semisolid micro fused-casting(MFC) for preparing A356 alloy strips is proposed, and the effects of process parameters of pouring temperature on the microstructure and properties of A356 alloy strips are investigated. MFC means that the semisolid metal slurry was pressed out from the outlet of bottom of crucible to the movable plate, and directly solidified and formed layer by layer. The microstructure and properties of A356 semisolid alloy slurry were influenced by the cooling conditions. Results show that the aluminu alloy A356 strip samples fabricated by micro fused-casting had good performances and uniform structures with the pouring temperature at 595 ℃ and the substrate movement speed at 18 mm/s. The fine grains of the primary a-Al phase with average grain size of 53 μm and shape factor up to 0.72 was obtained, the ultimate tensile strength of the aluminum alloy A356 strip reaches 243.79±3.91 MPa, while the average vickers hardness is 82.65±1.86 HV.

Refinement of primary Si grains in Al–20%Si alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this study, a serpentine channel pouring process was used to prepare the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry and refine primary Si grains in the alloy. The effects of the pouring temperature, number of curves in the serpentine channel, and material of the serpentine channel on the size of primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were investigated. The results showed that the pouting temperature, number of the curves, and material of the channel strongly affected the size and distribution of the primary Si grains. The pouring tempera- ture exerted the strongest effect, followed by the number of the curves and then the material of the channel. Under experimental conditions of a four-curve copper channel and a pouring temperature of 701℃, primary Si grains in the semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent, and the lath-like grains were changed into granular grains. Moreover, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape coefficient of primary Si grains in the satisfactory semi-solid A1-20%Si alloy slurry were 24.4 μm and 0.89, respectively. Finally, the re- finement mechanism and distribution rule of primary Si grains in the slurry prepared through the serpentine channel pouring process were analyzed and discussed.

Numerical simulation on multiple pouring process for a 292 t steel ingot

A ladle-tundish-mould transportation model considering the entire multiple pouring(MP) process is proposed. Numerical simulation is carried out to study the carbon distribution and variation in both the tundish and the mould for making a 292 t steel ingot. Firstly, the fluid flow as well as the heat and mass transfer of the molten steel in the tundish is simulated based on the multiphase transient turbulence model. Then, the carbon mixing in the mould is calculated by using the species concentration at the tundish outlet as the inlet condition during the teeming process. The results show a high concentration of carbon at the bottom and a low concentration of carbon at the top of the mould after a MP process with carbon content high in the first ladle and low in the last ladle. Such carbon concentration distribution would help reduce the negative segregation at the bottom and the positive segregation at the top of the solidified ingot.

Refinement of primary Si grains of A390 alloy slurry through serpentine channel pouring process

In this paper, the serpentine channel pouring process for preparing a semi-solid A390 alloy slurry and refining the primary Si grains of the A390 alloy, was used. The effects of the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves on the size of the primary Si grains in the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the pouring temperature, the cooling water flow and the number of the curves have a major effect on the size and the distribution of primary Si grains. Under the experimental condition of the four-curve copper channel whose cooling water flow was 500 L·h-1 and the pouring temperature was 690 oC, the primary Si grains of the semi-solid A390 alloy slurry were refined to the greatest extent and the lath-like grains were changed into granular ones. Additionally, the equivalent grain diameter and the average shape factor of the primary Si grains of the satisfactory semi-solid A390 alloy slurry are 18.6 μm and 0.8, respectively. Further, the refinement mechanism of the primary Si grains through the serpentine channel pouring process was analyzed and discussed. In summary, the primary Si nuclei could be easily precipitated due to the chilling effect of the channel inner wall, thus the primary Si grains were greatly refined. Meanwhile, the subsequent alloy melt fluid also promoted the separation of primary Si grains from the inner wall, further refining the primary Si grains.

Effect of pouring temperature on semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy prepared by slightly electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy is prepared by a combination technology of low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature on the slurry prepared by the technology are investigated. The results indicate that it is feasible to prepare the slurry with globular primary phases by low superheat pouring and slightly electromagnetic stirring, and that the pouring temperature has an important effect on the morphology and the size of primary α-AI in ZL101 alloy. By applying suitable slightly electromagnetic stirring combining with relatively increased pouring temperature, i.e., in a practical way to apply low superheat pouring technology, is capable of obtaining appropriate semi-solid slurry of ZL101 alloy with globular shape of primary phase. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring only without stirring, the samples prepared by applying both slightly electromagnetic stirring and low superheat pouring can enable to achieve the same grain size and morphology of the primary phase with that of pouring at 15-35℃ higher.

Influence of pouring methods on filling process,microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 Mg alloy pipe by horizontal centrifugal casting

Pouring position as the input heat source has great infl uence on the temperature fi eld evolution. In this study, the Flow3 D simulation software was applied to investigate the infl uence of pouring methods(with fi xed or moving pouring channel) on AZ91 Mg alloy horizontal centrifugal casting(HCC) process. The simulation results show that the moving pouring channel method can effectively increase the cooling rate and formability of casting pipe. The casting experiment shows that an AZ91 Mg alloy casting pipe with homogeneous microstructure and clear contour was obtained by the moving pouring channel method, and the grain size of the casting pipe is signifi cantly decreased. Meanwhile, serious macro-segregation appeared in the AZ91 casting pipe by the fi xed pouring channel HCC process. Compared with the fi xed pouring channel, the moving pouring channel can remarkably improve the ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the AZ91 HCC pipe from 142.2 MPa to 201.5 MPa and 6.2% to 6.7%, respectively.

Effect of pouring height on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy

The effect of different pouring heights and evenly soaking process in the liquidus and solidus range on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy has been studied. The results show that if the pouring temperature is 630 or 650℃ and the pouring height is 40 mm, the microstructure of the solidified melt is not homogeneous and there are many rosette-like primary α-Al grains. But if the pouring height is increased to 400 mm, the solidified microstructure becomes more homogeneous and favorable to obtain spherical primary α-Al grains in the solidified melt. With further being evenly soaked in the liquidus and solidus range for some time, the temperature difference between the melt center and the melt periphery can be controlled within ±2℃ and the primary α-Al grains will evolve into more spherical grains. The theoretical analysis indicates that the higher pouring height promotes the melt flow motion and makes the temperature field in the melt more homogeneous and restrains the large rosette primary α-Al grains. This flow motion can also promote the ripening effect and the primary α-Al grains in the melt are gradually changed into spherical grains. It can be concluded from the experiments that pouring at an appropriate superheat and from a proper height is a good new method for preparing the semisolid slurry of AlSi7Mg alloy, its process control is easy and the preparation cost is lower.

Solidification process and microstructure of transition layer of Cu-Al composite cast prepared by method of pouring molten aluminum

The Cu?Al composite casts were prepared by the method of pouring molten aluminum. The solidification process and themicrostructure of the transition layer were investigated during the recombination process of the liquid Al and the solid Cu. The results reveal that the microstructure of the transition layer in the Cu?Al composite cast consists of α(Al)+α(Al)?CuAl2 eutectic,α(Al)?CuAl2 eutectic, CuAl2+α(Al)?CuAl2 eutectic and Cu9Al4. Additionally, the pouring temperature, cooling mode of the Cu platesurface and start time of the forced cooling after pouring have no effect on the microstructure species. But the proportion of thevarious microstructures in the transition layer changes with the process parameters. The pure Al at the top of the transition layer startsto solidify first and then the α(Al) phase grows in a dendritic way, while the CuAl2 phase exhibits plane or cellular crystal growth from the two sides of the transition layer towards its interior. The stronger the cooling intensity of the Cu plate outer surface, the more developed the dendrite, and the easier it is for the CuAl2 phase to grow into a plane crystal.

Effect of Pouring Process on the Microstructures of Semi-Solid AlSi_7Mg Alloy

The effect of different pouring temperatures and different pouring heights, the distance between the mouth of the pouring ladle and the top of the mold, on the microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy have been researched in the paper. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature, the primary alpha -Al in 'the billets of AlSi7Mg alloy solidified into spherical and nodular fine grains distributed homogeneously. The optimum pouring temperature for semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet with spherical or nodular primary alpha -Al is 615 degreesC. At the same pouring temperature, the higher the pouring ladle, the more easily the spherical and nodular primary alpha -Al obtained in the semi-solid AlSi7Mg billet. When the pouring temperature is close to the liquidus temperature and the pouring ladle is relatively high, it is the great cooling rate, the flow of the molten allay caused by pouring and the large simultaneous solidification region induced by the near liquidus temperature, that promote the formation of spherical or nodular primary cr-Al.

Microstructural characteristics of in situ Mg_2Si/Al-Si composite by low superheat pouring

To control the morphology and size of the primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases in in situ Mg2Si/Al-Si composite and achieve a feasible and reliable technique to produce appropriate feedstock for the thixo-casting and rheo-casting of this type of material, three AI-Si matrix composites reinforced by 5wt.%, 9wt.% and 17wt.% Mg2Si with hypoeutectic, eutectic and hypereutectic compositions were prepared by the low superheat pouring （LSP） process. The effects of the pouring temperature （superheat） on the morphology and size distribution of primary phases （primary e-AI and Mg2Si）, binary （a-AI ＋ Mg2Si） eutectic cell and eutectic Mg2Si were investigated. The experimental results show that low pouring temperature （superheat） not only refines the grain structure of the primary e-AI and binary （e-AI ＋ Mg2Si） eutectic cell in three composites and promotes the formation of more non- dendritic structural semi-solid metal （SSM） slurry of these phases; but also refines the primary and eutectic Mg2Si phases, which seems to be attributed to the creation of an ideal condition for the nucleation and the acquisition of a high survival of nuclei caused by the LSP process.