Phase-field study for effect of chemical composition on pre-precipitation process of γ′ phase in Ni-Al-Ti alloy

The pre-precipitation processes of γ＇ phase in Ni-Al-Ti alloy with different chemical compositions are investigated by microscopic phase-field dynamics model. The simulation results show that the early precipitated phase with L10 structure is formed before the formation of γ＇ phase. With the increase of Al content, the composition of precipitated phase is transformed from the co-existence of γ＇ phase and material phase into single y phase. Furthermore, excessive Al content can stimulate the production of γ＇ phase, and the conversion time from L10 phase to L12 phase will lag behind other samples with lower Al con-tent. By analyzing the occupation probability of Ti, it can be found that the solid solution strengthening effect of Ti is reduced with the increase of Al component.

Austenite formation during intercritical annealing in C-Mn cold-rolled dual phase steel

Two different kinds of experimental techniques were used to in-situ study the austenite formation during intercritical annealing in C-Mn dual phase steel. The microstructure evolution was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope, and the austenite isothermal and non-isothermal transformation kinetics were studied by dilatometry. The results indicate that banded structure is produced for the reason of composition segregation and the competition between recrystallization and phase transformation. Austenite prefers to nucleate not only at ferrite/ferrite grain boundaries, but also inside the grains of ferrite.Furthermore, the austenitizing process is accomplished mainly via migration of the existing austenite/ferrite interface rather than nucleation of new grains. The incubation process can be divided into two stages which are controlled by carbon and manganese diffusion, respectively. During the incubation process, the nucleation rate of austenite decreases, and austenite growth changes from two-dimensional to one-dimensional. The partitioning coefficient, defined as the ratio of manganese content in the austenite to that in the adjacent ferrite, increases with increasing soaking time.

Thermal Insulation and Strength of Autoclaved Light Concrete

The primary objective of this study was to develop an autoclaved light concrete （ALC） material with ultra-thermal insulation property and to investigate the relationship between its physical characteristics and mechanical properties. Through tests of dry bulk density and compressive strength, relationship of physical characteristics and mechanical properties of samples were studied, resulting in a material with ultra-thermal insulation property. Scanning electron microscope （SEM） and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX） were applied to analyze the micro-morphology and elemental composition of samples. To identify the product phases, X-ray diffraction （XRD） was engaged. The test results showed that compressive strength and thermal coefficient were reduced with the increasing of aluminum powder within the mixtures. As a result the optimal thermal coefficient and compressive strength of samples were improved to 0.061 W/（m·k） and 1.2 MPa, respectively. SEM, EDX and XRD analyses showed that calcium silicate hydrate and tobermorite crystal were main resultant phases.

Precipitate Phases in an 11% Cr Ferritic/Martensitic Steel with Tempering and Creep Conditions

Precipitates in an 11% Cr ferritic/martensitic steel containing Nd with tempering and creep conditions were investigated using transmission electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The precipitates in the steel with a tempering condition were identified to be Cr-rich M23C6 carbide, Nb-rich/V-rich/Ta–Nb-rich MX carbides, Nbrich MX carbonitride, and Fe-rich M5C2 carbide. Nd-rich carbonitride, which is not known to have been reported previously in steels, was also detected in the steel after tempering. Most of the Nb-rich MX precipitates were dissolved, whereas the amount of Ta-rich MX precipitates was increased significantly in the steel after a creep test at 600 °C at an applied stress of180 MPa for 1,100 h. No Fe2 W Laves phase has been detected in the steel after tempering.（Fe, Cr）2W Laves phase with a relatively large size was observed in the steel after the creep test.