Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Carbide Morphology and Phase Transformation Dynamics of High Ni-Cr Alloy Cast Iron

The effect of rare earth(RE) elements on carbide of high NiCr alloy cast iron was investigated. Meanwhile, the continuous cooling transformation(CCT) curves of cast iron with and without RE addition were determined. The results show that the carbides in high NiCr cast iron can be refined and changed from network and long strip structures into island and block ones. The phase transformation temperature was raised and incubation period of bainite transformation was shortened by adding RE element in high NiCr alloy cast iron.

Effect of Rare Earth Alloy Modification on High Carbon Equivalent Gray Cast Iron of Automotive Brake Drum

Effect of rare earth alloy modification on properties and microstructure of high carbon equivalent gray cast iron was investigated.The experimental results show that in the way of mechanical property,when the addition of rare earth alloy is 0.2% and 0.3%,the tensile strength of cast iron increases.In the way of microstructure,the addition of rare earth alloy increases the number of primary austenite dendrites,reduces secondary dendritic arm spacing,and changes the eutectic size and quantity.When rare earth alloy is added into gray cast iron,the morphology and quantity of graphite play a major role on the improvement of tensile strength.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Thermal Fatigue of High Ni－Cr Alloy Cast Iron

The effect of RE on crack forming and developing of hot rolled high Ni-Cr alloy cast iron during thermal fatigue test was investigated.It shows that the serviceable life of hot rolled high Ni-Cr alloy cast iron can be improved by RE.The number of cycle before fracture was increased by 42%～163%.The optimum of RE addition is 0.05 wt%～0.15wt%.

Influence of Rare Earth Elements on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Li Alloys

A series of a-based Mg-Li-A1-Zn-xRE alloys were prepared. These alloys have low density ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 g·cm^-3 and high strength properties. The influence of RE element on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of these alloys were studied. The results indicate that the addition of RE （La, Pr, Ce） leads to the formation of rodshaped intermetallic compound Al2Zn2La distributed in the matrix. Al2Zn2La induces reduction of the laminar spacing and causes refinement of the microstructure. Therefore, this compound improves the strength of alloys at a high temperature.

Effect of rare earth additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloys

In order to meet the demands of high temperature components in automobile, the microstructure and mechanical properties of several new die-casting AZ91-rare earth (RE) magnesium alloys were studied. The alloys were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scan electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), tensile and creep tests. The results show that Ce addition has little effect on the mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy at high temperature, while Y and Nd addition play important role in the improvement of creep resistance. New alloys containing Y or Nd with excellent high temperature performance are selected to produce cylinder head cover of high power diesel engine of Red Flag car and oil pan of Besturn car. The new magnesium alloys with RE addition for die-casting have potential to produce power-train parts, and can greatly decrease weight.

Study of rare earth element effect on microstructures and mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Mg-Si cast alloy

The improvements of microstructures and properties of a high strength aluminum cast alloy were studied. The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the high strength cast alloy Al-Cu-Mg-Si were investigated. The result shows that the addition of rare earth elements can change the microstructures in refining the grain size of the alloy and making the needle-like and laminar eutectic Si to a granular Si. With the increase of the rare earth, the tensile strength and elongation of the alloy increase first and then fall down. The mechanical properties of the alloy will reach the highest value when the content of rare earth elements is about 0.7%.

Phase Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Rare Earth Based Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The rare earth based hydrogen storage alloys MmxM1 1 - x ( Ni3.55 Co0.75 Mn0.4 A10.3 ) ( x = 0 ～ 0.5 ) were investigated in this work.Adjusted Ml: Mm ratio to change the content of La,Ce,Pr and Nd in the alloys and then to change the phase structure, the influences of phase structure on the electrochemical properties were analyzed.The results indicate that the main phase of all alloys is LaNi5 with CaCu5 type structure and the crystal lattices constants of LaNi5 are changed with increasing x value, i.e, decreased a-axis, increased c-axis and axis ratio and nonlinear decreased crystal volume.The crystal volume of the alloy with x = 0.3 is larger than others.There is second phase A1LaNi4 in alloys when x≥0.3, which decrease the discharge capacity, but increase the cycling stability and high rate discharge ability.Compared comprehensively, the alloy with x = 0.3 shows the higher discharge capacity and the better cycling stability.

Application of Lanthanum in High Strength and High Conductivity Copper Alloys

China is quite poor in argent resource. Roughly 80% of this industrial argent is imported every year. In order to improve the situation, we took advantage of rare earth (RE) mineral resource and successfully developed the non-argent Lanthanum-tellurium-copper alloy as a substitute for industry argent-copper. In our research, we were able to successfully apply rare earth lanthanum to copper alloy. The defects as porosity, inclusion, etc. originating from nonvacuum melting processing were controlled. Fine grain was obtained. Meanwhile, the comprehensive properties of the copper alloy, such as strength, conductivity and thermal conductivity were improved. The research results in increasing conductivity and thermal conductivity by 5% and 15%, respectively, while the tensile strength is increased by 6% higher than Ag-Cu alloy. The anti-electric corrosion property is good, and there is no argent-cadmium steam population originating from the electric arc effect. The addition of lanthanum further reduces the content of oxygen and hydrogen. The optimum quantity of the addition of RE lanthanum in the copper alloy is 0.010% - 0.020% .

Recent developments in high-strength Mg-RE-based alloys:Focusing on Mg-Gd and Mg-Y systems

Higher strength is always the goal pursued by researchers for the structural materials,especially for the lightweight magnesium(Mg)alloys which generally have relatively low strength at present.From this aspect,the present paper reviews the recent reports of a kind of Mg alloys,i.e.Mg-RE(RE:rare earths,mainly Gd or Y)casting and wrought alloys,which have been able to achieve high strength compared with common or commercial Mg alloys,from the viewpoint and content of the alloy system,alloying constitution,preparation process,tensile strength and each of the main strengthening mechanisms.This review of recent research and developments in high-strength Mg-RE alloys is beneficial for the further design of Mg alloys with higher strength as well as excellent comprehensive performance.

Study on High Rate Discharge Performance and Mechanism of AB_5 Type Hydrogen Storage Alloys

The effects of surface treatment, particle size distribution,rare earth composition and B additive on the high rate discharge performance of hydrogen storage alloys were investigated. It is found that the activity, discharge capacity and high rate dischargeability of the alloys are improved after physical and chemical modification as a result of the increase of the surface area and formation of the electrocatalysis layers, which increase both the electrochemical reaction rate on the alloy surface and H diffusion rate in the alloy bulk. It is also found that both the over-coarse and over-fine particle size increase the contact resistance of the electrode, resulting in a decrease of discharge capacity, deterioration of high rate dischargeability and lower discharge plateau. In another word, a suitable particle size distribution can enhance the alloy activity, discharge capacity and high rate dischargeability. In addition, the high rate dischargeability is enhanced by increasing La content and decreasing Ce content of the alloy composition because of enlargement of the unit cell volume and the improvement of the surface activity. Moreover, B additive resultes in the formation of the second phase, and makes the alloys easier pulverization, which greatly improves the activity, discharge capacity and high rate dischargeability.

Research and Development of Rare Earth Advanced Materials in China

China is rich in resources of rare earths(REs). Based on tremendous work, China has made great achievements in research and development of REs since 1980s, and the production of RE has won the leading position in the world. The application of RE elements in advanced materials have progressed significantly during the past years. The wide range of rare earth application in China has been reviewed and discussed in this paper, including the development of advanced RE materials (RE-Al alloys, rare earth nonferrous metal alloys, rare earth luminescent materials, rare earth hydrogen storage materials, rare earth permanent magnet and rare earth compounds used in agriculture, i.e., rare earth micronutrient fertilizer etc.) End the research of new RE materials (high T-c rare earth superconductor, rare earth electronic and photonic materials, rare earth ceramics and rare earth precious metal alloys). Finally, the further development works to be required are as follow: (1) to enhance the applied fundamental research, study the intrinsic properties of rare earth elements and develop less well known uses; (2) to undertake the applied research of median and heavy rare earth and find a way out of the unbalance of RE resources in the various applications; (3) to strengthen the applied research of RE element's in energy field, solving the energy-related, energy-saved and environmental problems.

Effect of high pressure on microstructure of crystallizing amorphous Nd_9Fe_(85)B_6 alloy

The effect of high pressure on the microstructure of annealed amorphous Nd9Fe85B6 alloy was studied. It was found that application of high pressure made the microstructure of the crystallized alloy much more homogeneous. The average grain size of the Nd2Fe14B phase decreased with the increase of pressure, whereas, the size of the α-Fe first increased when a pressure of 1 GPa was applied and then decreased with further increase of pressure. Pressure-induced （410） texture of the Nd2Fe14B phase was also observed. The present study suggested an effective route for controlling the microstructure in a nanoscale solid.

High Cycle Fatigue Properties of Die-Cast Magnesium Alloy AZ91D with Addition of Different Concentrations of Cerium

The effect of addition of different concentrations of Ce on high-cycle fatigue behavior of die-cast magnesium alloy AZ91D was investigated. Mechanical fatigue tests were conducted at the stress ratio of R = 0.1, and fatigue strength was evaluated using up-and-down loading method. The results show that the grain size of AZ91D alloy is remarkably refined, and the amount of porosity decreases and evenly distributes with the addition of Ce. The fatigue strength of AZ91D alloy at room temperature increases from 96.7 up to 116.3 MPa （ 1% Ce） and 105.5 MPa （2 % Ce）, respectively, at the number of cycles to failure, Nf = 1 × 10^7. The fatigue crack of AZ91D alloy initiates at porosities and inclusions, and propagates along grain boundaries. The fatigue striations on fractured surface appear with Ce addition. The fatigue fracture surface of test specimens shows mixed-fracture characteristics of quasi-cleavage and dimple.

Effect of Lanthanum on Mechanical Properties of ZL702 Alloy at Room and High Temperature Condition

Effects of lanthanum on microstructure and mechanical properties of ZL702 alloy at room and high temperature conditions are studied. The experiment shows that high temperature intermetallics reticularly distributing at grain boundary are formed with La and Al, Si, Fe etc. elements of alloy, which enhances the thermal stability of the alloy. With appropriate content of La (0.10%～ 0.15%), the mechanical properties of the alloy, such as strength, at room temperature and high temperature can be improved.

In-Situ High Temperature X-Ray Diffraction Study of Structure and Phase Transformation of Nd-FePt Alloys

The structure and disorder-order transformation of NdxFe60.5-x Pt39.5（x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5） alloys were investigated in situ by high temperature X-ray diffraction. The results show that the lattice parameter a of disordered γ phase （FCC, Al structure type） and the lattice parameter ratio c/a of ordered γ1 phase （FCT, L10 structure type） increase linearly with increasing Nd concentration, whereas the c/a ratio decreases with increasing temperature. The transition temperature from ordered FCT to disordered FCC decreases with increasing Nd concentration, but for alloys quenched rapidly from γ phase region into ice-water it increases with increasing Nd.

Effect of surface treatment on the structure and high-rate dischargeability properties of AB_5-type hydrogen storage alloy

Surface-treated MmNi3.55Co0.75Mn0.4Al0.3 alloy as negative electrode material of nickel-metal hydride battery was employed to improve the high-rate dischargeability. Surface treatment was realized by dipping and stirring the alloy into a HCl aqueous solution with various concentrations at room temperature. The microstructure of the alloy before and after surface treatment was analyzed by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The electrochemical properties before and after surface treatment were compared, and the alloy treated in 0.025 mol/L HCl solution showed the optimal high-rate dischargeability.

Effect of high Pressure on the Solid-State Phase Transformation Microstructure of Cu-Zn Alloy

The solid-state phase transformation microstructure of Cu-Zn alloy under different high pressure were investigated by means of SEM and XRD. The results show that the α phase with smaller grain size, different shape and random distribution appears in the Cu-Zn alloy, when the solid-state phase transformation generation in the Cu-Zn alloy under 25～750 ℃ and 3～6 GPa high pressure, and the volume fraction of transformation phase decreases with increasing pressure, under high pressure (6 GPa), the changes of microstructure of Cu-Zn alloy is not obvious. In addition, the effect of high pressure on the solid-state phase transformation microstructure of Cu-Zn alloy was discussed.

Modification Effect of P+Sr+Ce Compound on Microstructure and Properties of Cast High Silicon Heat-Resist Aluminum Alloy

The P ＋ Sr ＋ Ce compound modification technologies of as-cast Al-21Si-1.5Cu-1.5Ni- 2.5Fe- 0.5Mg alloy were investigated by means of orthogonal test. Orthogonal test results show that 3% （CaH2PO4 ＋ 2CASO4）＋ 0.2%Sr ＋ 0.2%Ce is the optimum additive of modification treatment which can fine eutectic and primary silicon also can change the form of rich-iron phase at same time. The needle form of rich-iron phase is Al9FeSi3, which is prored by X-ray diffraction analysis and X-ray energy spectrum analysis. After compound modification treatment, the needle form of rich-iron phase disappeared and the fish bone form of rich-iron and rich-Ce phase that is AlsCeFe emerged. Both at room temperature and at 300℃, the tensile strength of the alloy after the modification treatment with the optimum additive is 30% lager than that of the alloy unmodified. Observed by SEM, the brittle intercrystalline tensile fracture changed into a blended one in which has many dimples.

High cycle fatigue properties of die-cast magnesium alloy AZ91 D-1%MM

<正>The high cycle fatigue properties of the die-cast magnesium alloy AZ91D containing 1%mischmetal(mass fraction) at a fatigue ratio of 0.1 were investigated.The difference in the microstructure between the skin and core region of the die-cast magnesium alloy was analyzed by optical microscopy.The mechanical property tests indicate that the values of the tensile strength, elongation and hardness are 185 MPa,1.5%and HBS 70±3 at room temperature,respectively.The p-S-N curve(p=50%) of the die-cast magnesium alloy AZ91D-1%MM is determined and the mean fatigue strength corresponding to 3.8×10~5 cycles is 70 MPa. A linear relation between S and N_p in log scale between 10~3 and 10~6 cycles is written with a equation.The mechanical properties are influenced by the casting defects.The fatigue life of the samples with minor defects is near to the upper limit of the fatigue life data. The fatigue fracture surface of the samples with minor defects possesses the mixed characteristics of quasi-cleavage,lacerated ridge and dimple and it is brittle fracture mode as a whole.

国产Zn-5%Al-混合稀土合金镀层高钒封闭索丝耐久性研究

以国家速滑馆首次应用的国产Zn-5%Al-混合稀土合金镀层高钒封闭索丝为研究对象,对其使用性能、基本特性及耐久性等进行研究。采用了国家速滑馆内部高空索体实际服役环境处的大气暴露试验方式,综合考虑索在加工安装过程中易产生的损伤,对索丝试件进行了划痕、刮擦、焊点的预制缺陷设计,研究了含预制缺陷的国产Zn-5%Al-稀土合金镀层高钒封闭索丝在真实使用环境中的大气腐蚀行为规律,并采用力学性能测试研究了索丝在服役环境大气腐蚀作用下的力学性能变化规律及不同缺陷对力学性能的影响。结果表明,加工安装过程中在索丝表面合金镀层产生的划痕、刮擦、焊点等损伤,会破坏合金镀层的完整性。大气暴露试验和力学性能试验中,三类缺陷对索丝金属镀层防大气腐蚀性能和单丝抗拉强度均有负面影响,其中焊点缺陷影响最大,单丝抗拉强度下降约40%。