Graphite-polypyrrole coated 316L stainless steel as bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

316L stainless steel（SS 316L） is quite attractive as bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells（PEMFC）.In this study,graphite-polypyrrole was coated on SS 316L by the method of cyclic voltammetry.The surface morphology and chemical composition of the graphite-polypyrrole composite coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）.A simulated working environment of PEMFC was applied for testing the corrosion properties of graphite-polypyrrole coated SS 316L.The current densities in the simulated PEMFC anode and cathode conditions are around 3×10-9 and 9×10-5 A·cm-2,respectively.In addition,the interfacial contact resistance（ICR） was also investigated.The ICR value of graphite-polypyrrole coated SS 316L is much lower than that of bare SS 316L.Therefore,graphite-polypyrrole coated SS 316L indicates a great potential for the application in PEMFC.

RESEARCH ON LASER DIRECT DEPOSITION PROCESS OF Ti-6Al-4V ALLOY

Laser direct deposition （LDD） of metallic components is an advanced technology of combining CAD/CAM （computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing）, high power laser, and rapid prototyping. This technology uses laser beam to melt the powders fed coaxiaUy into the molten pool by the laser beam to fabricate fuUy dense metallic components. The present article mainly studies the LDD of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which can be used to fabricate aircraft components. The mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, fabricated by LDD, are obtained using the tension test, and the oxygen content of used powders and deposited specimens are measured. In the present article, it can be seen that the mechanical properties obtained using this method are higher than the ones obtained by casting, and equal to those got by wrought anneal. One aircraft part has been made using the LDD process. Because of this aircraft part, with sophisticated shape, the effect of the laser scanning track on the internal soundness of the deposited part was discussed.

Effect of P/M value on the preforms and microstructures of spray formed 70Si30Al alloy

A novel 70Si30Al alloy was prepared by the spray forming process for electronic packaging materials. The effect of the ratio of atomization pressure to metal melt mass flux rate （P/M） on the preforms and microstructures of the spray-deposited 70Si30Al alloy was studied. The results indicate that the PIM value has a considerable influence on the formation of the preforms and the optimal value is in the range of 0.209-0.231 MPa/（kg.min^-1）. The microstructure of the spray formed 70Si30AI alloy is fine and homogenous. The primary silicon phases distributing in the aluminum matrix evenly are fine and irregular. The aluminum matrix is divided into two groups： supersaturated α-Al phase or α-Al phase and Al-Si pseudoeutectic phase or Al-Si eutectic phase.

Hot deformation behavior of rare earth magnesium alloy without pre-homogenization treatment

The behavior and structure evolvement of as-cast Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr magnesium alloy during the hot deformation process were discussed.The flow stress behavior of magnesium alloy over the strain rate range of 0.002-1 s^(-1) and the temperature range of 573-723 K was researched on Gleeble-1500D hot simulator under the maximum deformation degree of 60%.The experimental results show that the relationship between stress and strain is obviously affected by the strain rate and deformation temperature.The important softening mechanisms are eutectic melting and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization(DDRX) during deformation.The fragments of eutectic melting along the boundaries can turn round so as to take effect of the slippage between grains.The flow stress of Mg-7Gd-5Y-1.2Nd-Zr magnesium alloy during high temperature deformation can be represented by a Zener-Hollomon parameter in the hyperbolic Arrhenius-type equation.The strain coefficient n and deformation activation energy Q are evaluated by linear regression analysis.A,αand n in the analytical expressions ofσare fitted to be 2.401 93×10^(15),0.017 3 MPa^(-1) and 3.218 19, respectively.The hot deformation activation energy of alloy during hot deformation is 234.950 58 kJ/mol.The results also show that the structure of primitive microstructure has an effect on the plastic deformation.

Hot Deformation Behavior of AZ40 Magnesium Alloy at Elevated Temperatures

Hot compression tests on AZ40 magnesium alloy were conducted on a Gleeble 1500 d hot simulation testing machine in a deformation temperature range of 330 ℃-420 ℃ and a strain rate range of 0.002-2 s^-1. Hot deformation behaviors were investigated on the basis of the analysis of the flow stressstrain curves, constitutive equation, and processing map. The stress exponent and apparent activation energy were calculated to be 5.821 and 173.96 k J/mol, respectively. Deformation twins and cracks located in grain boundaries were generated at 330 ℃ and 0.02 s^-1, which are associated with a high strain rate and a limited number of available slip systems. With increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate, the twins disappeared and the degree of dynamic recrystallization increased. The alloy was completely dynamically recrystallized at 420 ℃ and 0.002 s^-1, with a homogenous grain size of approximately 13.7 μm. The instability domains of the deformation behavior can be recognized by processing maps. By considering the processing maps and characterizing the microstructure, the optimum hot deformation parameters in this experiment were determined to be 420 ℃ and 0.002 s^-1.

Hot Deformation Behavior of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb Titanium Alloy

Characterization of hot deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb titanium alloy was investigated through isothermal compression at various temperatures from 750 to 1050℃and strain rate from 0.01 to 10 s^(-1).The isothermal compression experiment results showed that the peak stress of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb titanium alloy decreased with the temperature increasing and the strain rate decreasing.The softening mechanism was dynamic recovery below T_(β)and changed to dynamic recrystallization above T_(β).The arrheniustype relationship was used to calculate the constitutive equation of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb alloy in two-phase regions.It was found that the apparent activation energies were 427.095 kJ·mol^(-1)in theα+βphase region and 205.451 kJ·mol^(-1)in theβphase region,respectively.On the basis of dynamic materials model,the processing map is generated,which shows that the highest peak efficiency of power dissipation of 56%occurs at about 1050℃/0.01 s^(-1).It can be found in the processing maps that the strain had significant effect on the peak region of power dissipation efficiency of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb alloy.Furthermore,optimized hot working regions were investigated and validated through microstructure observation.The optimum thermo mechanical process condition for hot working of Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Ni-0.5Nb titanium alloy was suggested to be in the temperature range of 950-1000℃with a strain rate of 0.01-0.1 s^(-1).

Age-hardening characteristic of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy produced by spray deposition

Al-10.8Zn-2.8Mg-1.9Cu alloy was synthesized by spray atomization and deposition technique. GP zones and age-hardening process in the alloy were investigated using high-resolution electron microscopy （HREM）, selected area diffraction （SAD）, and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） analysis. The results indicated that spray deposition process accelerated the aging kinetics of the alloy at an aging temperature of 120℃, thereby reducing the peak aging time to 16 h. GPⅠ and GPⅡ are the two types of zones that are major precipitates for the alloy under peak-aged condition. The precipitation sequence for the alloy is also discussed.

Effect of Gd content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Y-RE-Zr alloys

Four kinds of Mg-Y-RE-Zr alloys with different Gd contents were prepared,and the effect of Gd content on microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys was researched.Based on the experimental investigation,the compounds at the grain boundaries are mainly Mg_(24)Y_5,Mg_(41)Nd_5,and Mg_5Gd phases.The average grain size of as-cast alloys is 50-60μm.After T4(535℃, 24 h)treatment,Mg_5Gd phases mostly decompose and dissolve into the matrix,and the disperse spotted phases are mainly Mg_(24)Y_5 and Mg_(41)Nd_5 phases.After extruding and ageing(250℃,5 h),the grain size is refined and some grains abnormally grow up to about 40μm.With Gd content increasing,the ultimate tensile strength,yield strength of as-cast alloys and the extruded bars after ageing are improved,but the elongation is decreased.

Potential control flotation of galena in strong alkaline media

The electrochemical oxidation of galena in collectorless and collector flotation systems, particularly in strong alkaline media, was studied. The results show that, with pH value higher than 12.5 and potentials below 0.17 V, the oxidation products of galena are elemental sulfur and HPbO - 2. Elemental sulfur was present on the mineral surface in excess of oxidized lead species due to dissolution of HPbO - 2, which is beneficial to the flotation of galena. Under the same conditions, sphalerite and pyrite were depressed as a result of significant surface oxidation. Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) was found to be the most suitable collector for galena flotation in strongly alkaline media. The very potential produced hydrophobic PbD 2-the surface reaction product of DDTC with galena, is 0 to 0.2 V. Meantime DDTC can depress the surface over oxidation of galena. Investigations also indicate that, in the range of -0.9 V to 0.6 V, hydrophobic PbD 2 can be firmly adsorbed on galena.

Orthogonal tests of copper-clad aluminum bimetal continuous casting by nitrogen pressure core-illing

To provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for preparing composite rods by direct continuous casting, copper-clad aluminum composite rods of external copper layer diameter 12 mm and inner aluminum core diameter 8 mm were manufactured. Orthogonal tests consisted of three factors and three levels were carried out to research the effects of melting copper temperature, continuous casting speed and nitrogen pressure on the performance of composite rods. Results showed that nitrogen pressure is the most important factor in influencing the surface quality; continuous casting speed is the most important factor in influencing copper & aluminum inter diffusion amount. Nitrogen pressure can noticeably improve the surface quality and make the rods easily be drawn out, but the surface quality does not show visible improvement when the nitrogen pressure is above 0.05 MPa. Measured by tests, the compound layer can be divided into three types according to its cladding layer degree: deficient cladding, normal cladding and excess cladding. The diameter of normal copper-clad aluminum composite rods can be successfully drawn less than 0.6 mm without annealing.

Characterization of microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the spray-deposited AZ31 magnesium alloy

The cylindrical billets of a Mg-3Al-1Zn （AZ31） alloy were synthesized by spray deposition processing. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated. The results reveal that the microstructure of the AZ31 alloy is refined significantly by spray deposition processing. A homogeneous and equiaxial-grain structure with an average grain size of 17 μm is obtained. Further grain refinement with an average grain size of 5 μm is attributed to dynamic recrystallization during extrusion processing. The great increase in the density of grain boundary nucleation sites by the finer initial grain sizes makes the dislocation pile-ups near subgrain boundaries being absorbed easily by the boundaries, resulting in an accelerated recrystallization process. The average tensile ultimate and yield strengths of the extruded rods are 321 MPa and 237 MPa, respectively, with an elongation of 15.2% at room temperature, which are remarkably higher than those of the conventional as-cast AZ31 alloy.

Preparation of Ti-Mo getters by injection molding

Ti-Mo getters have been fabricated via metal injection molding (MIM) using three kinds of Ti powders with different mean particle sizes of 46 μm,35 μm and 26 μm,respectively. The surface morphology,porosity,and hydrogen sorption properties of Ti-Mo getters formed by MIM using paraffin wax as a principal binder constituent were examined. It has been proven that the powder injection molding is a viable forming technique for porous Ti-Mo getters. The particle size of Ti powders and the powder loading influence...

Bulk nanocrystalline Al prepared by cryomilling

Bulk nanocrystalline Al was fabricated by mechanically milling at cryogenic temperature （cryomilling） and then by hot pressing in vacuum. By using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, the microstructure evolution of the material during cryomilling and consolidation was investigated. With increasing the milling time, the grain size decreased sharply and reduced to 42 nm when cryomilled for 12 h. The grains had grown up, and the columnar grain was formed under the hot pressing and extrusion compared with the cryomilled powders. The grain size of as-extruded specimen was approximately 300-500 nm. The reason of high thermal stability of this bulk was attributed primarily to the Zener pinning from the grain boundary of the AlN arising from cryomilling and the solute drag of the impurity. Tensile tests show that the strength of nanocrystalline Al is enhanced with decreasing grain size. The ultimate tensile strength and tensile elongation were 173 MPa and 17.5%, respectively. It appears that the measured high strength in the cryomilled Al is related to a grain-size effect, dispersion strengthening, and dislocation strengthening.

Original potential flotation of galena and its industrial application

In the light of the knowledge gained by the study of electrochemical flotation for galena and selective flotation of galena from lead zinc iron sulfide ores, a technology for accurate potential control based on intrinsic electrochemical behavior in grinding flotation systems has been developed and is called "Original Potential Flotation (OPF)". The optimum conditions for the original potential flotation of galena from Pb Zn Fe sulfide ores are as follows: pH values of 12.5 12.8, potential of 150 180 mV and with diethyldithioncarbamate (DDTC) as collector. Lime is used as a regulator of pH, meanwhile, and can stabilize special potential very well, and this special potential is exactly the flotation potential of galena. This technology has been applied successfully in potential control flotation of galena in many complex lead zinc iron sulfide mines in China.

Effect of ion-beam assisted deposition on the film stresses of TiO_2 and SiO_2 and stress control

Based on Hartmann-Shack sensor technique, an online thin film stress measuring system was introduced to measure the film stresses of TiO2 and SiO2, and comparison was made between the film stresses prepared respectively by the conventional process and the ion-beam assisted deposition. The effect of ion-beam assisted deposition on the film stresses of TiO2 and SiO2 was investigated in details, and the stress control methodologies using on-line adjustment and film doping were put forward. The results show that the film stress value of TiO2 prepared by ion-beam assisted deposition is 40 MPa lower than that prepared by conventional process, and the stress of TiO2 film changes gradually from tensile stress into compressive stress with increasing ion energy; while the film stress of SiO2 is a tensile stress under ion-beam assisted deposition because of the ion-beam sputtering effect, and the film refractive index decreases with increasing ion energy. A dynamic film stress control can be achieved through in-situ adjustment of the processing parameters based on the online film stress measuring technique, and the intrinsic stress of film can be effectively changed through film doping.

Numerical simulation of the preparation of semi-solid metal slurry with damper cooling tube method

In semi-solid forming process, preparing the slurry with rosette or globular microstructure is very important. A new approach named the damper cooling tube method （DCT）, to produce the semi-solid metal slurry, has been introduced. To optimize the technical parameters in designing the apparatus, the finite volume method was adopted to simulate the flow process. The temperature effects on the rheological properties of the slurries were also considered. The effects of the technical parameters on the slurry properties were studied in detail.

Photocatalytic Activity of Nanosized TiO_2 Enhanced by co-doping with Fe^(3+) and Nd^(3+) Ions

In this study, nanosized TiO2 co-doped with Fe3+ and Nd3+ ions was synthesized via a sol-gel method. The metallic ion doped TiO2 was thoroughly characterized with XRD and UV-vis, and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB) solution. The results indicated that TiO2 crystalline size was reduced and phase transformation of anatase to rutile was suppressed as the content of doped Nd3+ ion increased in the co-doped TiO2. The UV-vis spectra of co-doped TiO2 seemed to simply overlay two spectra of single metal doped TiO2, and had significantly increased absorbance in the ranges of 400～500 nm, 565～600 nm and 730～765 nm as compared to pure TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of co-doped TiO2 was obviously enhanced, and raised about 30% compared to that of pure TiO2 as doped Nd3+ content was 0.15% and Fe3+ content was 0.05%, respectively. The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to a synergistic effect of two doped ions, where doped Fe3+ ion inhibited the recombination of photogenerated electron and hole, and Nd3+ ion brought more surface carboxyl to promote the degradation reaction.

Application and Demonstration of a Series of Rare Earth Drought Resistant Materials in Western Area of China

The application and effects for a series of rare earth (RE) drought resistant materials used in arid, salina,hungriness, wind defending and sand fixing matter, withdraw farming and return to grass and forest in western of China were reported.The important discussion was technological innovation within two years: such as seed clothing agent,RE liquid field film, RE grass and woods transplant living agent, and RE complex pesticide development and application.

Electronic packaging materials prepared by powder injecting molding and pressure infiltration process

AlSiCp （65 vol.% SiC） electronic packaging materials were manufactured by powder injection molding （PIM） and pressure infiltration process in order to obtain near net-shaped parts. SiCp preformed compacts obtained by pre-sintering process at 1150 K have high strength and good appearance, and the ratio of open porosity to total porosity is nearly 98%. The relative density of composites is bigger than 99%. The thermal conductivity of A1SiCp composites fabricated by this method is 198 W·m^-1·K^-1, and the coefficient of thermal expansion （CTE） is 8.0 × 10^-6/K （298 K）.

Nano Lanthanum Oxide Preparation by Alkalescent Ammonium Citrate System and Its Primary Biological Effect

Using alkalescent ammonium(AAC)as precipitatnt, the diameter of nano La_2O_3 powder with diameter in 80 nm and less was prepared by the method of homogeneous precipitation, and reactant concentration, temperature and pH were studied and confirmed. The best precipitated concentration is from 0.2 to 0.5 mol·L^(-1), and the diameter of compounded powder turns small as the temperature gradually becomes high, and the pH from 6 to 8 is the best and the concentration of precipitant does not affect the diameter of compounded powder significantly. Meanwhile, most experiments lasting for fifty days in the greenhouse, and the results are 0.2 g·kg^(-1) nano La_2O_3 powder is enorgh for increasing biomass by 133% compared with that of the CK.