Microstructure evolution and nitrides precipitation in in-situ Ti_2 AlN/TiAl composites during isothermal aging at 900°C

Microstructures of Ti2AlN/TiAl composites prepared by in-situ method were characterized in in-situ and aging treatment conditions and the nitride precipitation was investigated in Ti2AlN/TiAl composites aged at 900 ℃ for 24 h after being heat treated at 1400 ℃ for 0.5 h. The in-situ composites consist of γ＋α2 lamellar colonies, equiaxed y grains and Ti2AlN reinforcements. Matrix with nearly fully lamellar structure formed after solution and subsequently aging treatment. With the increase of Ti2AlN content, the nearly fully lamellar structure becomes instable for the aged composites. According to TEM study, fine Ti2AlN precipitates are found to distribute at the grain boundaries of lamellar colony. Needle-like Ti3AlN precipitates arrange in line with growing axis parallel to [001] direction of the γ-TiAl matrix and another needle-like Ti3AlN precipitates with lager size distribute at the dislocations. Key words：

Dynamic recrystallization and silicide precipitation behavior of titanium matrix composites under different strains

In order to elucidate the microstructure evolution and silicide precipitation behavior during high-temperature deformation,TiB reinforced titanium matrix composites were subjected to isothermal hot compression at 950℃,strain rate of 0.05 s^(−1) and employing different strains of 0.04,0.40,0.70 and 1.00.The results show that with the increase of strain,a decrease in the content,dynamic recrystallization of theαphase and the vertical distribution of TiB along the compression axis lead to stress stability.Meantime,continuous dynamic recrystallization reduces the orientation difference of the primaryαphase,which weakens the texture strength of the matrix.The recrystallization mechanisms are strain-induced grain boundary migration and particle stimulated nucleation by TiB.The silicide of Ti_(6)Si_(3) is mainly distributed at the interface of TiB andαphase.The precipitation of silicide is affected by element diffusion,and TiB whisker accelerates the precipitation behavior of silicide by hindering the movement of dislocations and providing nucleation particles.

EFFECT OF REINFORCEMENT VOLUME FRACTION ON PRECIPITATION IN MATRIX OF SiC_p/AI COMPOSITE

The differential scanning calorimetric(DSC) and transmission electron microanalysis (TEM) techniques were used to study the kinetic process of precipitation in matrix of cast SiC_p/2024 composites.The results showed that precipitation reactions of GP zone and intermediate phase S'(Al_2CuMg)in the composites were accelerated compared with SiC-free material,the peak temperatures of both reactions were decreased.The reaction enthalpies of both the GP zone and intermediate phase S' formation in the matrix were substantially decreased after the addition of SiC.TEM analysis found that the alloying element Mg segregated at the SiC/Al interfaces,and was depleted in the matrix near the interface.The precipitation-free zones(PFZ) and precipitation-sparse zones(PSZ) formed near the interfaces,as a results,the volume fraction of precipitates in matrix was reduced.

Effects of Solution Atoms and Precipitates on Isochronal Annealing Behavior of Cold-Rolled Squeeze-Cast SiCw/Al Composites

SiCw/Al and SiCw/6061Al composites, which contained 15 vol pct of whiskers, were fabricated through a squeeze cast route followed by cold rolling and isochronal annealing. Effects of whicker, solution atoms and precipitates on isochronal annealing behavior of cold rolled composites were investigated by comparing the isochronal annealing behavior between pure Al, SiCw/Al, solution-treated SiCw/6061Al and aged SiCw/6061Al. It was found that the recrystallization of SiCw/Al composite occurs earlier than that of pure Al, indicating SiCw has a role of particle stimulated nucleation. Solution atoms have no significant influence on the isochronal annealing behavior of SiCw/6061Al composite, while precipitates have such a strong retarding effect on the recrystallization of SiCw/6061Al composite that the isochronal annealing curve of aged SiCw/6061 composite loses the definable recrystallization step.

Characterization and evaluation of interface in SiC_p/2024 Al composite

35% SiCp/2024 Al（volume fraction） composite was prepared by powder metallurgy method. The microstructures of Si Cp/Al interfaces and precipitate phase/Al interfaces were characterized by HRTEM, and the interface conditions were evaluated by tensile modules of elasticity and Brinell hardness measurement. The results show that the overall Si Cp/Al interface condition in this experiment is good and three kinds of Si Cp/Al interfaces are present in the composites, which include vast majority of clean planer interfaces, few slight reaction interfaces and tiny amorphous interfaces. The combination mechanism of Si C and Al in the clean planer interface is the formation of a semi-coherent interface by closely matching of atoms and there are no fixed or preferential crystallographic orientation relationships between Si C and Al. MgAl2O4 spinel particles act as an intermediate to form semi-coherent interface with SiC and Al respectively at the slight reaction interfaces. When the composite is aged at 190 °C for 9 h after being solution-treated at 510 °C for 2 h, numerous discoid-shaped and needle-shaped nanosized precipitates dispersively exist in the composite and are semi-coherent of low mismatch with Al matrix. The Brinell hardness of composites arrives peak value at this time.

Microstructure stability of Ti_2Al N/Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb composite at 900 °C

Microstructure stability of in situ synthesized Ti2AlN/Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb composite during aging at 900 ℃ was investigated by XRD, OM and TEM, and the unreinforced Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy was also examined for comparison. The result showed that in the TiAl alloy,α2 lamellae thinned and were broken down, and became discontinuous with increasing aging time. The decomposition ofα2 lamella toγ which was characterized by parallel decomposition and breakdown ofα2 lamellae led to the degradation of the lamellar structure. While in the composite, lamellar structure remained relatively stable even after aging at 900 ℃ for 100 h. No breakdown ofα2 lamellae except parallel decomposition and precipitation of fine nitride particles was observed. The better microstructural stability of the composite was mainly attributed to the precipitation of Ti2AlN particles at theα2/γ interface which played an important role in retarding the coarsening of lamellar microstructure in the matrix of composite.

Simultaneously enhancing the strength and ductility of as-extruded AlN/AZ91 composites via nano-precipitation and pyramidal slip

Age hardening is often used to optimize the mechanical properties of as-deformed Mg-based materials in industry,whereas the improvement of strength is usually accompanied by the significant loss of ductility,which hinders the application of Mg-based materials in structural components.In the present work,high strength-ductility synergy(the yield strength of 263±9 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of 398±7 MPa and elongation to fracture of 34%±1%)was realized in as-extruded AlN/AZ91 composites after optimiz-ing aging processes.Microstructural characterization shows that AlN particles induced a large number of geometrically necessary dislocations around the AlN/Mg interface during extrusion,which decreased the nucleation barrier and provided more heterogeneous nucleation sites forγ-Mg 17 Al 12 continuous precipi-tation.Meanwhile,95%of residual dislocations in as-extruded AlN/AZ91 composites were annihilated dur-ing peak-aging,suppressing the growth and coarsening of continuous precipitates.Therefore,high density of nano-sizedγ-Mg 17 Al 12 continuous precipitates was produced in as-extruded AlN/AZ91 composites af-ter peak-aging.During tension,gliding dislocations bypassed sphericalγ-Mg 17 Al 12 nano-precipitates by Orowan looping rather than cutting mechanism,which induced a strong block on dislocation motion.So high yield strength was mainly attributed to the high density of non-shearableγ-Mg 17 Al 12 nano-precipitates with spherical morphology,which was different from other Mg-Al-based systems.The results of texture evolution and slip trace analysis demonstrated that the suppression of extension twinning and less basal slip was due to the enhanced activity of pyramidalc+aslip in as-extruded AlN/AZ91 com-posites after peak-aging during the room temperature tension,meanwhile,the dislocation density of as-extruded AlN/AZ91 composites was significantly decreased during peak-aging,then higher elongation to fracture was achieved.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites

The microstructures and interface structures of basalt particle reinforced 7A04 Al matrix composites (BP/7A04 Al) were analyzed by using OM, TEM, SEM and EDS, and the mechanical properties of 7A04 Al alloy were compared with those of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites. The results show that the basalt particles are dispersed in the Al matrix and form a strong bonding interface with the Al matrix. SiO2 at the edge of the basalt particles is continuously replaced by Al2O3 formed in the reaction, forming a high-temperature reaction layer with a thickness of several tens of nanometers, and Al2O3 strengthens the bonding interface between basalt particles and Al matrix. The dispersed basalt particles promote the dislocation multiplication, vacancy formation and precipitation of the matrix, and the precipitated phases mainly consist of plate-like η(MgZn2) phase and bright white band-shaped or ellipsoidal T (Al2Mg3Zn3) phase. The bonding interface, high dislocation density and dispersion strengthening phase significantly improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites are up to 665 and 699 MPa, which increase by 11.4% and 10.9% respectively compared with 7A04 Al alloy without basalt particles.

Suppression effect of fine Al_2O_3 particulates on aging kinetics in a 6061 matrix composite material

Aging behaviors of submicron Al2O3p/6061 composite were investigated by Vickers hardness (HV) measurement and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. The results showed that there was an idiographic microstructure and aging characteristic in the composite. Addition of fine Al2O3 particulates would strongly restrain the precipitation and reduce the thermal mismatch dislocation density due to the difference of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the matrix and the reinforcemertt.

Effects of Cu content on microstructures and compressive mechanical properties of CNTs/Al-Cu composites

The carbon nanotubes(CNTs) reinforced Al-Cu matrix composites were prepared by hot pressing sintering and hot rolling, and the effects of Cu content on the interfacial reaction between Al and CNTs, the precipitation behavior of Cu-containing precipitates, and the resultant mechanical properties of the composites were systematically investigated. The results showed that the increase of Cu content can not only increase the number and size of Cu-containing precipitate generated during the composite fabrication processes, but also promote the interfacial reaction between CNTs and Al matrix, leading to the intensified conversion of CNTs into Al_(4)C_(3). As a result, the composite containing 1 wt.% Cu possesses the highest strength, elastic modulus and hardness among all composites, due to the maintenance of the original structure of CNTs. Moreover, the increase of Cu content can change the dominant strengthening mechanisms for the enhanced strength of the fabricated composites.

Aging behavior of nano-SiC_p reinforced AZ61 magnesium matrix composites

The mechanical properties of magnesium matrix composties can be further improved by aging treatment. To study the aging behavior of SiC particles reinforced AZ61 magnesium matrix composites fabricated by ultrasonic method, an investigation has been undertaken by means of Vickers hardness measurement, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy spectrum analyzing apparatus. The box-type heat treatment furnace was used in the study. The results showed that no discontinuous cellular precipitation is observed at the grain boundaries in the magnesium matrix of the composite while the MglTAI12 preferentially precipitates in the matrix. The time to reach the peak hardness for AZ61 alloy or SiCp/AZ61 magnesium matrix composites is reduced with the increase of aging temperature. At the same temperature, the composite exhibit an accelerated aging manner but lower aging efficiency, compared with the unreinforced matrix alloy. The microhardness of the composite is higher than that of the unreinforced matrix alloy, because that the SiC particles distributes homogeneously in the matrix alloy under the ultrasonic processing condition.

Influence of chemical composition and cold deformation on aging precipitation behavior of high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels

The influence of chemical composition and cold deformation on aging precipitation behavior of 18Cr-16Mn-2Mo-I.IN （HNS-A）, 18Cr-16Mn-I.3N （HNS-B）, 18Cr-18Mn-2Mo-0.96N （HNS-C） and 18Cr-18Mn-2Mo-0.77N （I-INS-D） high nitrogen austenitic stainless steels was investigated. The results show that the ＂nose＂ temperatures and incubation periods of the initial time-temperature-precipitation （TTP） curves of aged HNSs are found to be 850 ℃, 60 s; 850 ℃, 45 s; 850 ℃, 60 s and 900 ℃, 90 s, respectively. Based on the analysis of SAD patterns, the coarse cellular Cr2N precipitate which presents a lamellar structure has a hexagonal structure of a=0.478 nm and c=0.444 nm. The Z phase corresponding to a composition of Fe36Cr^2Mo10, is determined to be a body-centered cubic structure ofa=0.892 nm. The precipitating sensitivity presents no more difference with the nitrogen content increasing from 0.77% to 0.96%, but exhibits so obviously that the cellular precipitates nearly overspread the whole field. The addition of Mo element can restrain the TTP curves moving left and down, which means decreasing the sensitivity of aging precipitation. With increasing the cold deformation, the sensitivity of precipitation increases obviously.

Effect of alloying elements on mechanical properties in Cu-15%Cr in-situ composites

The effects of alloying elements on the mechanical properties as well as electrical conductivity in Cu-15%Cr(mass fraction) in-situ composites were systematically studied and high strength and high electrical conductive Cu base in-situ composites have been developed. The best combination is the addition of 0.1% to 0.2% Zr, Ti, or Sn in Cu-15%Cr in-situ composite, thermomechanical treatment to refine the microstructure and optimizing the precipitation of second phase. The strength is controlled by high density of dislocations in the Cu matrix, the lamellar spacing of the second phase, and the fine Cr precipitates. The aging treatment to reduce solute atoms has a beneficial effect on the increase of electrical conductivity. The addition of Zr, or Ti of about 0.15% to 0.2% promotes the precipitation of Cr particles.

Tin oxide-graphite composite for lithium storage material in lithium-ion batteries

A SnO-graphite composite material, which can deliver high capacities and good cycling stability compared with unsupported SnO, was described. This material prepared via chemical co-precipitation reaction in the presence of graphite consists of high dispersion of SnO with a size of about several hundred nanometers in the graphite. The phase structure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and the element distribution were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy spectrum. The results show that the SnO-graphite composites produced by slowly hydrolysis have higher rechargeable capacities than pure graphite and better cycling performance than SnO.

Analysis of chemical composition of precipitation in a typical background site

background precipitation in Lijiang, China was investigated. Results showed that the chemical composition of atmospheric background precipitation mainly comes from fly ash and continental atmospheric transfer, and does not have any obvious correlation with oceanic aerosol, taking Amsterdam in the Pacific Ocean and St. Georges in the Atlantic Ocean and Katherine, Australia as examples for analysing.

Aging microstructural characteristics of ZA-27 alloy and SiC_p/ZA-27 composite

The aging characteristics of as-quenched microstructures of ZA-27 alloy and SiCp/ZA-27 composite(ZMCp) were investigated using SEM, EDS and TEM. The structure, morphology and size of sub-grains in primary dendrite in ZMCp continuously change during aging process. Little tiny spherical Zn-rich η phase distributes in the dendrite. Amount of transitional α′phase, well coherent with equilibrium αf phase, in SiCp-neighboring dendrite edge zone is less than that in dendrite center zone. Both eutectic and peritectic β phase transform into lamellar α and η phases, obeying [ 2113]η∥[110]α, and (002)α∥ (1 101)η. In the like-eutecticum of ZMCp, less amount of β phase and decomposition products are found. The size of α phase decomposed from peritectic β phase in ZMCp is obviously larger than that in the monolithic alloy. The lamella decomposition of β phase beside SiCp is evidently more rapid than that in the alloy. SiC particulates strongly accelerate neighboring β phase decomposition in aging process.

AGING BEHAVIOUR OF PARTICULATE REINFORCED ALUMINUM ALLOY MATRIX COMPOSITES

The process of aging precipitation in SiCp/6061 and Al2O3/6061 composites were investigated. Hardness testing, differential scanning calorimetry（DSC） and transmission electron microscopy were employed. Results showed that the precipitation phase form directly along dislocation lines in the composites because the particles produce high densities of dislocations which makes vacancy densities in the composites decrease, and the main precipitation phase at peak hardness was β′ phase.

A Novel Processing Route for Ni-doped Alumina Composites

Alumina-based composites containing 0-15wt% Ni metallic phase were produced by hot press-sintering Ni-coated alumina powders. The Ni-coated alumina powders were prepared by the aqueous heterogeneous precipitation of alumina micro-powders and nickel sulfate salt followed by reduction process. The microstructural features and dispersion of Ni phase in Ni-coated alumina powders and the subsequent alumina-Ni cermets were investigated using scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffractometer （XRD）, and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The relative density of the hot press-sintered composites was measured with the Archimedes＇ method while the fracture strength and the fracture toughness were defined with the three-point bending method and the micro-indentation fracture method. In the formation of alumina-Ni cermets from sintered Ni-coated alumina powders, Ni phase to some extent limits the densification rate and stifles the coarsening and growing process of alumina grains. The Ni phase is found to be located at the interfaces and the triple-joint junctions of alumina grains which results into alteration of the fracture mode of alumina and its increased fracture strength and fracture toughness if compared with monolithic alumina.

Recovery of valuable elements from spent YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x)/Agcomposite superconductor bulks

Silver as a highly conductive metal is usually doped in YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductor bulks to improve critical current density of YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductor.The valuable metal elements silver,yttrium,barium and copper in waste YBa2Cu3O7-x/Ag composite superconductor bulks were recovered,respectively.Silver was recovered with process at first,the waste was dissolved by nitric acid and silver chloride was precipitated by adding chloride acid,then silver pig was obtained by melting silver chloride together with sodium carbonate at 1 000℃.The effective factors on recovery ratio and purity of silver were studied.The chemical analysis proves that the purity of silver ingot is 95.86%.The recovery ratio of silver is calculated to be 92.56%.The loss of silver may be due to the loss of silver chloride during filtering and the volatilization of silver when silver chloride and sodium carbonate are smelted at high temperature.For other three metal elements,Y3 +,Ba 2+and Cu 2+,in the surplus waste liquid after recovering silver, they were separated with the sequence of barium,copper and then yttrium step by step.First,sulfate acid was used to precipitate barium sulfate.Then,sodium sulfide was added to the surplus solution so that copper could be separated as copper sulfide.During this separation procedure,it was important to control the pH value to be 1-2.After that,oxalic acid was added into the surplus solution to obtain yttrium oxalate.Finally,yttrium oxide was formed by burning yttrium oxalate.The XRD results indicate that the final products are all single-phase compounds as BaSO4,CuS and Y2O3,respectively.