A new preparation technology of structural- gradient materials without a brittle transition zone in a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel

In the present work, a unique gradient cooling heat treatment process(GCHT) for a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel was developed, and microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by OM, SEM, EBSD and a uniaxial tensile test. The results showed that the structural-gradient-material(SGM) with a gradient microstructure from granular bainite to martensite was successfully produced, and it exhibited a good ductility(~13.8%) at one end and an excellent ultimate strength(~1,720 MPa) at the other end. In between the bainite and martensite, a transition region with a superior combination of tensile strength and ductility(1,700 MPa and 11.1%) was obtained, which is different from the normal knowledge of a brittle transition region. Moreover, through changing the gradient of cooling rate, the optimized SGM with a new gradient microstructure from pearlite to martensite showed a more stable structural gradient and an improved ductility(22.8%) at one end. The microstructure variation in the sample was mainly related to the carbon diffusion rate during heat treatment, and the diffusion rate could be controlled by regulating the cooling velocity. Therefore, the SGMs with different gradient microstructures could be designed to meet the needs of different properties. As a result, this work provides a new approach for preparation of the gradient structured steel, which has potential for practical application for dual-property automobile parts.

Effect of Yttrium and Cerium Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AM50 Magnesium Alloy

To develop magnesium alloy with low cost, high strength and excellent elevated temperature properties, effect of Y and Ce addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy was studied. Result showed that addition of small amount of Y and Ce to AM50 alloys resulted in refinement of microstructure. Owing to the improvement of microstructure, the mechanical properties of alloys at both ambient and elevated temperature were increased. AM50 alloy containing 0.6 % Ce-0.3 % Y （mass fraction） had good refinement effect and relatively ideal mechanical properties.

Tailoring bimodal grain structure of Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy for strength-ductility synergy:Co-regulating effect from coarse Al_(2)Y and submicron Mg_(17)Al_(12) particles

Grain boundary strengthening is an effective strategy for increasing mechanical properties of Mg alloys.However,this method offers limited strengthening in bimodal grain-structured Mg alloys due to the difficultly in increasing the volume fraction of fine grains while keeping a small grain size.Herein,we show that the volume fraction of fine grains(FGs,~2.5μm)in the bimodal grain structure can be tailored from~30 vol.%in Mg-9 Al-1 Zn(AZ91)to~52 vol.%in AZ91-1Y(wt.%)processed by hard plate rolling(HPR).Moreover,a superior combination of a high ultimate tensile strength(~405 MPa)and decent uniform elongation(~9%)is achieved in present AZ91-1Y alloy.It reveals that a desired bimodal grain structure can be tailored by the co-regulating effect from coarse Al_(2)Y particles resulting in inhomogeneous recrystallization,and dispersed submicron Mg_(17)Al_(12)particles depressing the growth of recrystallized grains.The findings offer a valuable insight in tailoring bimodal grain-structured Mg alloys for optimized strength and ductility.

Microstructure evolution of semi-solid Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloys during isothermal heat treatment

A new Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy that exhibits a wide solidification range and sufficient fluidity for semi-solid forming was designed.And the microstructure evolution of semi-solid Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy during isothermal heat treatment was investigated. The mechanism of the microstructure evolution and the processing conditions for isothermal heat treatment were also discussed.The results show that the microstructures of cast alloys consist ofα-Mg,β-Mg17Al12 and a small amount of Al-Mn compounds.After holding at 520℃ for 3 min,the phases ofβ-Mg17Al12 and eutectic mixtures in the Mg-14Al-0.5Mn alloy melt and the microstructures ofα-Mg change from developed dendrites to irregular solid particles.With increasing the isothermal time,the amount of liquid increases,and the solid particles grow large and become spherical.When the holding time lasts for 20 min or even longer,the solid and liquid phases achieve a state of dynamic equilibrium.

Effect of grain size on corrosion behavior of electrodeposited bulk nanocrystalline Ni

Nanocrystalline (NC) and coarse-grained Ni with different grain sizes (from 16 nm to 2 μm) were fabricated by direct current electrodeposition. Effect of grain size on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of these Ni deposits in different corrosion media was characterized by using potentiodynamic polarization test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and immersion corrosion test. Results show that in the NaOH or NaCl solution, the NC Ni exhibits improved corrosion resistance with the decrease of grain size. But in H2SO4 solution, the higher grain boundary density accelerates corrosion due to no passive process and the corrosion resistance of NC Ni decreases with refining grain size. The distinct experimental results of NC Ni in corrosion behavior can be reasonably explained by the positive or negative effect of high-density grain boundaries in different corrosion media.

Formation process, microstructure and mechanical property of transient liquid phase bonded aluminium-based metal matrix composite joint

The formation process, microstructure and mechanical properties of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonded aluminium based metal matrix composite (MMC) joint with copper interlayer were investigated. The formation process of the TLP joint comprises a number of stages: plastic deformation and solid diffusion (stage 1), dissolution of interlayer and base metal (stage 2), isothermal solidification (stage 3) and homogenization (stage 4). The microstructure of the joint depends on the joint formation process (distinct stages). The plastic deformation and solid diffusion in stage 1 favoure the intimate contact at interfaces and liquid layer formation. The microstructure of joint consists of aluminium solid solution, alumina particle, Al 2Cu and MgAl 2O 4 compounds in stage 2. The most pronounced feature of joint microstructure in stage 3 is the alumina particle segregation in the center of the joint. The increase of joint shear strength with increasing bonding temperature is mainly attributed to improving the fluidity and wettability of liquid phase and decreasing the amount of Al 2Cu brittle phase in the joint. The principal reason of higher bonding temperature (>600 ℃) resulting in lowering obviously the joint shear strength is the widening of alumina particle segregation region that acts as a preferential site for failure. The increase of joint shear strength with increasing holding time is mainly associated with decreasing the amount of Al 2Cu brittle phase and promoting homogenization of joint.

Effect of graphite content on wear property of graphite/Al_2O_3/Mg-9Al-1Zn-0.8Ce composites

Using squeeze-infiltration technique, Mg-9Al-1Zn-0.8Ce composite reinforced by graphite particles and Al2O3 short fibers was fabricated. The reinforcing phases combined closely with the matrix and no agglomeration was observed. The microstructure, hardness and wear property of the composites with the graphite content of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were investigated, respectively. The results reveal that Ce tends to enrich around the boundaries of graphite particles and Al2O3 short fibers, and forms Al3Ce phase. When the graphite content increases to 20%, the grain size becomes small. Moreover, with increasing the graphite content, the microhardness of the composites decreases but the wear resistance increases. The graphite which works as lubricant during dry sliding process decreases the wear loss. At low load, the wear mechanism of the composite is mainly abrasive wear and oxidation wear; at high load, except that the composite with 20% graphite is still with abrasive wear and oxidation wear, the wear mechanism of other composites changes to delamination wear.

Preparation of Ultrafine Water-soluble Polymers Nanofiber Mats via Electrospinning

A series of water-soluble polymers such as poly（ethylene oxide）（PEO）, polyacrylamide（PAM） and poly（vinyl pyrrilidone）（PVP） was successfully prepared via the electrospinning of their aqueous solutions without the use of a surfactant. The effects of solution properties on the electrospinning of PEO, PAM and PVP solutions were investigated. The viscosity of the solution, charge density carried by the jet, and the surface tension of the solution are the key factors that influence the morphology and diameter size of the fibers. The viscosity of the solution was measured on a modular compact rheometer. The morphology and the diameter size distribution of the fibers were observed under an environmental scanning electron microscope（ESEM）. The results show that the diameters of the nanofibers electro spun from the solutions of these water soluble polymers were uniform and less than 300 nm.

Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide Spheres

Mesoporous titanium dioxide spheres were synthesized by a convenient solvothermal method at room temperature with tetraethyl titanate as a precursor. Investigation by means of X-ray diffraction（XRD）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms confirms that the sample has a mesostructure with a higher specific surface area and shows that the mesoporous TiO2 spheres have a diameter of 2 μm, the average pore size is about 5.9 nm, and the BET surface area and specific pore volume are about 236 m2/g and 2.116 cm3/g, respectively. The anatase and rutile mesoporous TiO2 spheres calcined at 700 °C show much better photocatalytic activity than the samples calcined at other temperatures and is comparable to an uncalcined sample in the photodegradation of Methyl Blue（MB） under the UV irradiation.

Influence of Fe Addition on Products of Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis Reaction in 3Ti-Si-2C System

Influence of Fe addition on products of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction in 3Ti-Si-2C system was investigated in the present study. Without Fe addition, Ti5Si3 and TiC are the dominant phases along with a small amount of Ti3SiC2 phase and unreacted C left in the final products. As Fe content ranges from 10% to 30%, the products consist of TiC, Ti5Si3, Fe2Ti and unreacted C, but no trace of Ti3SiC2 phase is detected. Furthermore, the amounts of both Fe2Ti and C phases increase with Fe content increasing. Addition of Fe has a great effect on the reaction route and significantly restrains the formation of Ti3SiC2 during the combustion synthesis process, and therefore, the SHS is not an effective fabrication technique to synthesize the ternary Ti3SiC2 ceramic in either 3Ti-Si-2C or Fe-3Ti-Si-2C system. Besides, without Fe addition, Ti5Si3 presents as the coarse irregular appearance with an obviously sintered morphology. In contrast, the shape of Ti5Si3 exhibits more and more spherical (cobblestone-like) and the surface becomes increasingly smooth, because the amount of liquids formed during the SHS reaction increases with the increase of Fe content. On the other hand, with Fe content increasing from 0 to 30 wt.%, the particulate size of TiC decreases from more than 5 μm to 1 μm or less, mainly due to the fact that the combustion temperature decreases with the increase of Fe content in the preforms.

Influence of melt superheating on microstructures of Mg-3.5Si-1Al alloys

The influence of melt superheating treatment on the microstructures of Mg-3.5Si-1Al alloys unmodified and modified with 0.2%Sr-Sb(mass fraction) was investigated.The results show that when the melt superheating temperature increases from 750 to 900℃,the average size of primary Mg2Si in the unmodified alloys decreases progressively from about 27 to about 19μm,while that in Sr-Sb-modified alloys is refined considerably from about 14 to about 7μm when the temperature increases from 750 to 850℃,and then slightly increases to about 9μm with temperature further increasing to 900 C,which might be attributed to the burning loss of Sr and Sb in melts.However,the superheating temperature only has a slight effect on the morphologies of both primary and eutectic Mg_2Si phases in unmodified and Sr-Sb-modified alloys.

Microstructures and wear properties of graphite and Al_2O_3 reinforced AZ91D-Cex composites

The magnesium matrix composites reinforced by graphite particles and Al2O3 short fibers were fabricated by squeeze-infiltration technique.The additions dispersed uniformly and no agglomeration and casting defect were observed.The microstructures and wear properties of the composites with different Ce contents of 0,0.4%,0.8%and 1.0%,respectively,were investigated.Especially,the effect of Ce on the properties was discussed.The results reveal that Ce enriches around the boundaries of graphite particles and forms Al3Ce phase with Al.The addition of Ce refines the microstructures of the composites.With the increase of Ce content,the grain size becomes smaller and the wear resistance of the composite is improved.At low load,the composites have similar worn surface.At high load,the composite with 1.0%Ce has the best wear resistance due to the existence of Al3Ce phase.The Al3Ce phase improves the thermal stability of the matrix so the graphite particles can keep intact,which can still work as lubricant. At low load,the wear mechanism is abrasive wear and oxidation wear.At high load,the wear mechanism changes to delamination wear for all the composites.

Effect of graphite particle size on wear property of graphite and Al_2O_3 reinforced AZ91D-0.8%Ce composites

The graphite particles and Al_2O_3 short fibers reinforced AZ91D-0.8%Ce composites were fabricated by squeeze-infiltration technique.The researches about the effects of different graphite particle sizes on the microstructure and wear property of the composites were performed under the condition of constant contents of graphite particles and Al_2O_3 short fibers.The results reveal that the grain size of the composites changes less when the graphite particle size descends.Moreover,Ce enriches around the graphite particle and Al_2O_3 short fibers and forms Al_3Ce phase with A1 element.The graphite that works as lubricant decreases the wear loss.The wear resistance of the composites increases as the graphite particle size increases.At low load the composites have similar wear loss;at high load the composite with the largest graphite particle size has the best wear resistance.The wear mechanism of all the composites at low load is abrasive wear and oxidation wear;at high load,except the composites with the particle size of 240μm whose wear mechanism is still abrasive wear and oxidation wear,the wear mechanism of others changes to delamination wear.

Modification of primary Mg_2Si in Mg-5Si alloys with Y_2O_3

The Y2O3 addition to Mg-5Si alloys has a good modification effect on the primary Mg2Si. With 0.05% or 0.1%(mass fraction) Y2O3 additions,the primary Mg2Si begins to change from coarse dendritic shape(about 100 μm) into small polyhedral shape and therefore the alloys exhibits sub-modified microstructure. With 0.2% Y2O3 addition,most of the primary Mg2Si becomes polyhedral shape and its average size is only 25 μm or less. The Mg-5Si alloy exhibits modified microstructure. In addition,the experiments show that the reaction between Mg and Y2O3 cannot occur in the sintered Mg-6Y2O3 compact;however,the reaction among Mg,Si and Y2O3 can occur in the sintered Mg-5Si-6Y2O3 compact. Apart from the adsorption and poisoning manners,other mechanisms may exist in the modification of Y2O3 addition on the primary Mg2Si.

Structure and magnetic properties of columnar Fe-N thin films deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering

Columnar Fe-N thin films with thickness ranging from 30 to 150 nm were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering using an Ar/N2 gas mixture(V(N2)/V(N2+Ar)=5%) on corning glass substrates. The structure,surface morphology and magnetic properties were investigated using X-ray diffractometry(XRD),scanning electron microscopy,atomic force microscopy,transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and superconducting quantum interference magnetometry. XRD investigation shows that Fe-N films exhibit amorphous-like structures; however,TEM measurements indicate the synthesis of mixture phases of α-Fe+ζ-Fe2N+ε-Fe3N in these films. The magnetic anisotropy and coercivity of Fe-N thin films exhibit strong dependence on the film growth behavior and surface morphology. With increasing the height of Fe-N films with column structures,the coercivity increases from 7.96 kA/m to 22.28 kA/m in the direction parallel to the film surface. In perpendicular direction the coercivity only increases slightly from 39.79 kA/m to 43.77 kA/m. However,the values of anisotropy field increase from 0.79×106 to 1.44×106 A/m,which is mainly attributed to the shape anisotropy of elongated columns due to the fact that the difference of magneto-crystalline anisotropy among these Fe-N films is small. The saturation magnetizations of Fe-N films vary with increasing film thickness from 23.5 to 85.1 A·m2/kg.

Microstructure transformation of deformed AZ91D during isothermal holding

In order to understand the thermodynamic properties of deformed AZ91D alloy during isothermal holding, the microstructure characteristics and transformation were investigated. The results present that deformation mainly concentrates on the edge of the chips and billets, especially at the interface of α/β. Microstructure transformation mechanism of deformed AZ91D during holding mainly includes recrystallization, spheroidization and Ostwald ripening. The mechanism was then thermodynamically analyzed. During the heating and isothermal holding process, recrystallization driven by residual energy within the deformed AZ91D alloy, spheroidization and Ostwald ripening induced by the reduction of interfacial energy, will inevitably and continuously occur with the extension of heating and holding.

Effect of second phase precipitation behavior on mechanical properties of casting Al-Cu alloys

The effect of the second phase precipitation behavior on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of the modified casting Al-Cu alloys was investigated. The tensile strength of the alloys increases firstly and then decreases due to the appearance of θ′ precipitation phases,which increases firstly and then become coarser with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 155 ℃. The strength of the alloys reaches the peak,resulting from Ω and θ′ precipitation phases,and decreases due to Ω phases becoming coarser and θ′ precipitation decreasing with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 165 ℃. Ω phase becoming coarser and θ′ precipitation decreasing result in the strength of the alloys drastically decreasing after aging at 175 ℃ for 20 h. The ductility remains high level with increasing aging time at 155 ℃. The ductility irregularly changes as aging time prolongs at 165 ℃. The ductility is very low and at the same time gradually decreases with increasing aging time at 175 ℃. The Al-Cu alloy with a promising combination of tensile strength and ductility of about 474 MPa and 12.0% after aging at 165 ℃ for 10 h is due to a dense,uniform distribution of Ω precipitation phases together with a heterogeneous distribution of θ′ precipitations.

Characterization of Al-12Si alloy and its composites in dry sliding friction and wear at elevated temperature

Al 12Si alloy matrix composites reinforced with Al 2O 3 and carbon fibers respectively as well as with the two fibres were fabricated by squeeze infiltration. The elevated temperature (about 400 ℃) friction and wear behaviors of Al 12Si alloy and its composites were investigated.The results show that the hybrid composites reinforced with Al 2O 3 and carbon fibres are of superior high temperature wear resistance.The critical transition temperature from mild wear to severe wear of the composites reinforced only with Al 2O 3 fiber is improved markedly compared with monolithic Al 12Si alloy, from 200 ℃ to 300 ℃.However, the critical transition temperature of the hybrid composites reinforced with Al 2O 3 and carbon fibers is improved further to 400 ℃.The reinforcing fibers have no significant effect on wear mechanisms of Al 12Si alloy.The dominant mechanisms are ploughing grooves and delamination as well as slight adhesion during mild wear regime.The subsurface consists of three regions:non peeling delamination layer, microcrack formation and propagation zone, and unaffected zone.Whereas the dominant mechanism is shifted to severe wear when test temperature exceeds the critical transition temperature.

Effects of Bi and rare earth metal on the microstructure and properties of Zn-based high-temperature solder

A novel Zn-based high-temperature solder was developed to join copper/steel at moderate temperature. The effects of Bi and rare earth metal on the microstructures , wettability of solders as well as the mechanical properties of solder joints were investigated. The results indicated that with the addition of Bi into Zn-Cu-Sn （ZCS） alloy, significant improvement in wettability is realized. When the content of Bi element is 1.5 wt. % in the solder, the spreading area researched over 200 mm^2. Furthermore, with the addition of RE, refined primary ε-CuZn5 phases were formed and the shear strength of the solder joint was largely improved.

Effect of Cu-Ti-C Reaction Composition on Reinforcing Particles Size of TiC_x/Cu Composites

TiCx/Cu composites were fabricated by combustion synthesis and hot press technology. Using XRD, SEM, EDS, FESEM analysis methods, the effects of various carbon sources and different Cu contents on the microstructures of TiCx/Cu composites and the size of TiCx particles were investigated. Results showed that TiCx reinforcing particles size increases with decreasing Cu content in Cu-Ti-C reaction system. With carbon nanotubes（carbon black） serving as carbon source, the generated TiCx particles size transits from nanometer to submicron when Cu content corresponding to the reaction system is reduced to 60 vol%（70 vol%）; while graphite serves as carbon source, there is no clear limiting concentration. C particles with smaller size, larger specific surface area and better distribution result in finer TiCx particles, which is more beneficial to generating nano-sized TiCx/Cu composites.