Microstructure and mechanical properties of a novel Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite

Zr48.5Cu46.5Al5 bulk metallic glass （BMG） composites with diameters of 3 and 4 mm were prepared through suction casting in an arc melting furnace by modulating the alloy composition around the monothetic BMG composition of the high glass forming ability. Microstructural characterization reveals that the composites contain micron-sized CuZr phase with martensite structure, as well as nano-sized Zr2Cu crystalline particles and Cu10Zr7 plate-like phase embedded in an amorphous matrix. Room temperature compression tests showed that the composites exhibited significant strain hardening and obvious plastic strain of 7.7% for 3 mm and 6.4% for 4 mm diameter samples, respectively.     

Formation and corrosion properties of Fe-based bulk metallic glasses

Bulk metallic glass (BMG) formation was explored in the Fe-B-Si-Nb alloy system though combined use of the atomic cluster line approach and the minor alloying strategy. The basic ternary compositions in the Fe-B-Si system were determined by the intersection points of two cluster lines, namely, Fe-B cluster to Si and Fe-Si cluster to B. 3at%–4at% Nb was added to the quaternary Fe-B-Si-Nb alloy. The casting experiments revealed that good glass-forming ability (GFA) occurred at the (Fe_73.4Si_8.2B_18.4)₉₆Nb₄ composition, and 3-mm diameter BMG samples were made. The glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallization temperature (T_x), and supercooled liquid region (ΔT_x=T_x-T_g) of this BMG were measured to be 866, 889, and 23 K, respectively. The BMG shows a high Vickers hardness of about Hv 1164, a Young’s modulus of 180 GPa, and a good corrosion resistance in the solutions of 1 mol/L HCl and 3wt% NaCl.     

Glass forming ability of Zr– Al –Ni(Co,Cu) understood via cluster sharing model

Clusters are shared atoms in different ways with their neighboring clusters in the crystalline phases.Cluster formula [effective cluster]1(glue atom)xcan be used to describe crystalline phases,and the effective cluster means the true cluster composition due to cluster overlapping in the phase structure.Degree of cluster sharing of Zr6Al2Ni(InMg2),Zr2Co(Al2Cu) and Zr2Cu(MoSi2) phases is investigated in this paper.Ni3Zr9,Co3Zr8 and Cu5Zr10clusters are highlighted because they have the least degree of sharing and can best represent the local atomic short-range order features of the formed phases.It is pointed out that the least sharing clusters are correlated with metallic glass formation and are verified by experiments.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> synthesis of TiC reinforced Cu<Subscript>47</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>34</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>8</Subscript> bulk metallic glass composites

In situ synthesized TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites reinforced Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 bulk metallic glass (BMG) composite ingots were prepared by the suction casting method.The ingots with diameters from 1 up to 4mm were successfully obtained. It was shown that introducing TiC micro-sized particles into the amorphous matrix did not disturb the glass forming ability (GFA) of the matrix,while the yield strength and ductility could be well improved.The phase constitution, microstructure and elements distribution in the composites were studied by OM, XRD, SEM and EDS.It was shown that the in situ synthesized TiC particles acting as heterogeneous nucleation sites promoted the precipitation of β-Ti dendrites, resulting in the formation of the TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites co-reinforced BMG composites. The compressive tests were employed to probe the yield strength and ductility of BMG composites.     

High plastic Zr–Cu–Fe–Al–Nb bulk metallic glasses for biomedical applications

Four Zr–Cu–Fe–Al-based bulk metallic glasses(BMGs) with Zr contents greater than 65at% and minor additions of Nb were designed and prepared. The glass forming abilities, thermal stabilities, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance properties of the prepared BMGs were investigated. These BMGs exhibit moderate glass forming abilities along with superior fracture and yield strengths compared to previously reported Zr–Cu–Fe–Al BMGs. Specifically, the addition of Nb into this quaternary system remarkably increases the plastic strain to 27.5%, which is related to the high Poisson's ratio and low Young's and shear moduli. The Nb-bearing BMGs also exhibit a lower corrosion current density by about one order of magnitude and a wider passive region than 316 L steel in phosphate buffer solution(PBS, pH 7.4). The combination of the optimized composition with high deformation ability, low Young's modulus, and excellent corrosion resistance properties indicates that this kind of BMG is promising for biomedical applications.     

Multiscale structures of Zr-based binary metallic glasses and the correlation with glass forming ability

Thermal behaviors and structures of three Zr-based binary glass formers, Zr50Cu50, Zr64Cu36 and Zr64Ni36, were investigated and compared using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The high energy XRD results show that the bulk glass former Zr50Cu50 has a denser atomic packing efficiency and reduced mediumrange order than those of marginal glass formers Zr64Cu36 and Zr64Ni36. Based on TEM observations for the samples after heat treatment at 10 K above their crystallization onset temperatures, the number density of crystals for Zr50Cu50 was estimated to be 1023–1024 m?3, which was four-orders higher than that in Zr64Cu36 and Zr64Ni36 metallic glasses. SAXS results indicate that Zr50Cu50 has higher degree of nanoscale inhomogeneities than those in Zr64Cu36 and Zr64Ni36 at as-cast state. The observed multiscale structures are discussed in terms of the phase stability and glass-forming ability of Zr-based binary glass formers.     

Structural and optical properties of Zn1−xNixTe thin films prepared by electron beam evaporation technique

Zn1-xNixTe thin films with different composition(x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) were deposited on glass substrate by electron beam evaporation technique followed by its characterization using advanced structural and optical analysis techniques. Structural properties of the prepared thin films were studied by X-ray diffraction(XRD). The XRD patterns revealed that the binary compounds transformed into a ternary compound with cubic structure having preferred orientation along the c-direction with(111) planes. Composition analysis of the films was determined by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays(EDAX) and found to be in agreement with the precursor composition. Optical properties such as extinction coefficient(k) and band gap energy of these films were examined by using a spectroscopic ellipsometer. It was found that the extinction coefficient(k) increased with the addition of Ni content in the alloy. In comparison, the band gap energy was also determined by using transmission spectra and found to be agreed with that of the ellipsometric results. These analyses confirm that the band gap energy decreases with the increase of Ni content in the alloy.     

Bulk Al–Al_3Zr composite prepared by mechanical alloying and hot extrusion for high-temperature applications

Bulk Al/Al_3Zr composite was prepared by a combination of mechanical alloying(MA) and hot extrusion processes. Elemental Al and Zr powders were milled for up to 10 h and heat treated at 600℃ for 1 h to form stable Al_3Zr. The prepared Al_3Zr powder was then mixed with the pure Al powder to produce an Al–Al_3Zr composite. The composite powder was finally consolidated by hot extrusion at 550℃. The mechanical properties of consolidated samples were evaluated by hardness and tension tests at room and elevated temperatures. The results show that annealing of the 10-h-milled powder at 600℃ for 1 h led to the formation of a stable Al_3Zr phase. Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) results confirmed that the formation of Al_3Zr began with the nucleation of a metastable phase, which subsequently transformed to the stable tetragonal Al_3Zr structure. The tension yield strength of the Al-10wt%Al_3Zr composite was determined to be 103 MPa, which is approximately twice that for pure Al(53 MPa). The yield stress of the Al/Al_3Zr composite at 300℃ is just 10% lower than that at room temperature, which demonstrates the strong potential for the prepared composite to be used in high-temperature structural applications.     

A Ti–Zr–Cu–Ni–Co–Fe–Al–Sn amorphous filler metal for improving the strength of Ti–6Al–4V alloy brazing joint

Ti_(50)Zr_(27)Cu_8Ni_4Co_3Fe_2Al_3Sn_3(at%) amorphous filler metal with low Cu and Ni contents in a melt-spun ribbon form was developed for improving mechanical properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy brazing joint through decreasing brittle intermetallics in the braze zone. Investigation on the crystallization behavior of the multicomponent Ti–Zr–Cu–Ni–Co–Fe–Al–Sn amorphous alloy indicates the high stability of the supercooled liquid against crystallization that favors the formation of amorphous structure. The Ti–6Al–4V joint brazed with this Ti-based amorphous filler metal with low total content of Cu and Ni at 1203K for 900s mainly consists of α-Ti, β-Ti,minor Ti–Zr-rich phase and only a small amount of Ti_3Cu intermetallics, leading to the high shear strength of the joint of about 460 MPa. Multicomponent composition design of amorphous alloys is an effective way of tailoring filler metals for improving the joint strength.     

Formation and mechanical properties of Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites with high oxygen levels

Zr-based bulk metallic glass(BMG) composites with in situ formed Y 2 O 3 particle reinforcements were synthesized by proper additions of Y to ultrahigh-oxygen-containing glass-forming alloy precursors.Microstructures,thermal stabilities,and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated.Glass formation was greatly enhanced by Y additions in the alloys and the resultant particles were homogenously distributed in the glassy matrix,allowing for the fabrication of oxide dispersion strengthened BMG composites.The compressive strength and hardness increased by 10% and 20%,respectively,with the introduction of Y 2 O 3 particles.These results are significant for the design and production of Zr-based BMGs and BMG composites with improved properties using commercial high-oxygen content raw materials under industrial conditions.     

Isothermal section of ternary Sn ? Zn?Ni phase equilibria at 250 °C

Ternary Sn ?Zn? Ni alloys were prepared and equilibrated at 250 °C for 4? 15 weeks. The phases formed in these equilibrated alloys were determined experimentally. The isothermal section of Sn ?Zn? Ni system was constructed, based on the phase diagrams of the three constituent binary sy stems and the ternary phase equilibria data, determined in this study and referenced in literatures. 12 single-phase regions were identified in the Sn? Zn?Ni ternary system at 250 °C, including the three ternary compounds, δ , τ1 and τ2. There were 13 ternary phase regions and 23 binary phase regions in the 250 °C Sn ? Zn? Ni isothermal section. The solubility of Zn in the binary Sn ?Ni compounds is significant, and is 15.1% (mole fraction) in the Ni3Sn phase.     

High plastic Zr-Cu-Fe-Al-Nb bulk metallic glasses for biomedical applications

Four Zr-Cu-Fe-Al-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with Zr contents greater than 65at% and minor additions of Nb were designed and prepared. The glass forming abilities, thermal stabilities, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance properties of the prepared BMGs were investigated. These BMGs exhibit moderate glass forming abilities along with superior fracture and yield strengths compared to previously reported Zr-Cu-Fe-Al BMGs. Specifically, the addition of Nb into this quaternary system remarkably increases the plastic strain to 27.5%, which is related to the high Poisson's ratio and low Young's and shear moduli. The Nb-bearing BMGs also exhibit a lower corrosion current density by about one order of magnitude and a wider passive region than 316L steel in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4). The combination of the optimized composition with high deformation ability, low Young's modulus, and excellent corrosion resistance properties indicates that this kind of BMG is promising for biomedical applications.     

Composition design of superhigh strength maraging stainless steels using a cluster model

The composition characteristics of maraging stainless steels were studied in the present work investigation using a cluster-plus-glue-atom model. The least solubility limit of high-temperature austenite to form martensite in basic Fe–Ni–Cr corresponds to the cluster formula [NiFe12]Cr3,where NiFe12is a cuboctahedron centered by Ni and surrounded by 12 Fe atoms in FCC structure and Cr serves as glue atoms. A cluster formula [NiFe12](Cr2Ni) with surplus Ni was then determined to ensure the second phase(Ni3M) precipitation,based on which new multicomponent alloys [(Ni,Cu)16Fe192](Cr32(Ni,Mo,Ti,Nb,Al,V)16) were designed. These alloys were prepared by copper mould suction casting method,then solid-solution treated at 1273 K for 1 h followed by water-quenching,and finally aged at 783 K for 3 h. The experimental results showed that the multi-element alloying results in Ni3M precipitation on the martensite,which enhances the strengths of alloys sharply after ageing treatment. Among them,the aged [(Cu4Ni12)Fe192](Cr32(Ni8.5Mo2Ti2Nb0.5Al1V1)) alloy(Fe74.91Ni8.82Cr11.62Mo1.34Ti0.67Nb0.32Al0.19V0.36Cu1.78wt%) has higher tensile strengths with YS?1456 MPa and UTS?1494 MPa. It also exhibits good corrosion-resistance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.     

Effect of Mo on properties of the industrial Fe-B-alloy-derived Fe-based bulk metallic glasses

The experimental results concerning the effects of Mo on the glass-forming ability (GFA), thermal stability, and mechanical, anticorrosion, and magnetic properties of an (Fe71.2B24Y4.8)96Nb4 bulk metallic glass (BMG) were presented. An industrial Fe-B alloy was used as the raw material, and a series of Fe-based BMGs were synthesized. In BMGs with the Mo contents of approximately 1at%-2at%, the cast alloy reached a critical diameter of 6 mm. The hardness and fracture strength also reached their maximum values in this alloy system. However, the anticorrosion and magnetic properties of the BMGs were not substantially improved by the addition of Mo. The low cost, good GFA, high hardness, and high fracture strength of the Fe-based BMGs developed in this work suggest that they are potential candidates for commercial applications.     

Super-plasticity of Zr<Subscript>64.80</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>14.85</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>10.35</Subscript>Al<Subscript>10</Subscript> bulk metallic glass at room temperature

Generally, bulk metallic glasses （BMGs） exhibit a very limited plastic deformation under a compression load at room temperature, often less than 2% before fracturing. In this letter, through an appropriate choice of BMGs＇ composition, an amorphous rod of Zr64.80Cu14.85Ni10.35Al10 with a diameter of 2 mm was prepared by using copper mold suction casting. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were utilized to determine its structure and thermal stability, and the uniaxial compression test was adopted to study its plastic deformation behavior at room temperature simultaneously. The results showed that the glass transition temperature and onset temperature of the exothermic reaction of the amorphous rod were 646 and 750 K, respectively, and its micro-hardness was 594.7 Hv. During compression, when the engineering strain and engineering stress arrived at 9.05% and 1732 MPa, respectively, i.e., the true strain and true stress reached 9.42% and 1560 MPa, respectively, the amorphous rod started to yield. After yielding, with the increase of load, the strain increased and the glass rod ulti- mately were compressed into flake-like form. Although the maximum engineering strain was larger than 70%, i.e., the maximum true strain exceeded by 120%, the amorphous specimen was not fractured, indicating that it has super-plasticity at room temperature. Through the appropriate choice of composition and optimization of the technological process, flexible BMG with super-plasticity at room temperature could be produced.     

Effects of density difference of constituent elements on glass formation in TiCu-based bulk metallic glasses

Glass formation is generally favored by a large atomic size mismatch among constituent elements,which usually leads to large density differences among them as well.During melting,elemental segregation occurs due to Stokes’ law and then inevitably affects glass formation.In this paper,such effects on glass-forming ability in a TiCu-based alloy system have been demonstrated.In the bulk glassforming composition Ti43Cu42Hf14Si1,macroscopic segregation of Si was observed in the as-melted ingots and silicon was completely depleted in the as-cast rods.In another Ti33Cu47Ni8Zr11Si1 alloy,nevertheless,the effects of density differences among the constituent elements were less severe.It was also confrmed that using proper pre-alloys could be an effective way in alleviating the side effects of the elemental segregation.     

Efficient and selective recovery of Ni,Cu,and Co from low-nickel matte via a hydrometallurgical process

Low-nickel matte was intensively characterized,and Ni,Cu,and Co were determined to exist mainly as(Fe,Ni)_9S_8 and Fe Ni_3,Cu_5FeS_4,and(Fe,Ni)_9S_8 and Fe_3O_4(in isomorphic form),respectively.The efficient and selective extraction of Ni,Cu,and Co from the low-nickel matte in an(NH_4)_2S_2O_8/NH_3·H_2O solution system was studied.The effects of(NH_4)_2S_2O_8 and NH_3·H_2O concentrations,leaching time,and leaching temperature on the metal extraction efficiency were systematically investigated.During the oxidative ammonia leaching process,the metal extraction efficiencies of Ni 81.07%,Cu 93.81%,and Co 71.74% were obtained under the optimal conditions.The relatively low leaching efficiency of Ni was mainly ascribed to Ni Fe alloy deactivation in ammonia solution.By introducing an acid pre-leaching process into the oxidative ammonia leaching process,we achieved the high extraction efficiencies of 98.03%,99.13%,and 85.60% for the valuable metals Ni,Cu,and Co,respectively,from the low-nickel matte.     

Storage Characteristics of LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1 X)Mn_(0.1-X)O_2 (X=0,0.03,0.06) Cathode Materials for Lithium Batteries

1 Results LiNi0.8Co0.1 xMn0.1-xO2 cathodes with x=0,0.03 and 0.06 were prepared by firing a mixture of stoichiometric amounts of LiOH·H2O and coprecipitated Ni0.8Co0.1 xMn0.1-x(OH)2 at 800 ℃ for 15 h.Using these powders,their storage characteristics upon exposure to air and electrolytes at 90 ℃ were compared before charging and after charging to 4.3 V with a variation of the storage time.As the Co content (x) increased in the cathode,both the Ni2 content in the lithium 3a sites,and the contents of the LiOH and Li2CO3 impurity phases decreased.In particular,changes in the oxidation state of the Ni and Mn ions after 4.3 V charging upon storage at 90 ℃ were monitored using X-ray absorption near edge spectra (XANES),and Ni4 was found to reduce to Ni3 while the oxidation state of the predominant Mn4 did not change.However,residual Mn3 ions in the cathodes dissolved into the electrolytes.Moreover,the cathodes stored at 90 ℃ for 7 days were transformed into a spinel phase (Fd3m),regardless of the Co content.In an effort to resolve this dissolution problem,Al2O3 and Co3(PO4)2 nanoparticles were coated onto the cathode (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2) with the highest amounts of metal dissolution at 90 ℃.The results showed that the Co3(PO4)2-coated cathode exhibited greatly decreased metal dissolution and decreased its irreversible capacity by 5%,compared with a bare and Al2O3-coated cathodes.     

Effect of TiO_2 nanoparticles on hydrogen evolution reaction activity of Ni coatings

The electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Ni and Ni–TiO_2 coatings with regard to the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) was investigated. The Ni coatings were electrodeposited from an acid chloride bath at different current densities, and their HER activities were examined in a 1.0-mol·L~(-1) KOH medium. The variations in the HER activity of the Ni coatings with changes in surface morphology and composition were examined via the electrochemical dissolution and incorporation of nanoparticles. Electrochemical analysis methods were used to monitor the HER activity of the test electrodes; this activity was confirmed via the quantification of gases that evolved during the analysis. The obtained results demonstrated that the Ni–TiO_2 nanocomposite test electrode exhibited maximum activity toward the alkaline HER. The surface appearance, composition, and the phase structure of all developed coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), and X-ray diffraction(XRD), respectively. The improvement in the electrocatalytic activity of Ni–TiO_2 nanocomposite coating toward HER was attributed to the variation in surface morphology and increased number of active sites.     

Extraction and characterization of alumina nanopowders from aluminum dross by acid dissolution process

A significant amount of aluminum dross is available as a waste in foundry industries in Bangladesh. In this study, alumina was extracted from aluminum dross collected from two foundry industries situated in Dhamrai and Manikgang, near the capital city, Dhaka. Aluminum dross samples were found to approximately contain 75wt% Al₂O₃ and 12wt% SiO₂. An acid dissolution process was used to recover the alumina value from the dross. The effects of various parameters, e.g., temperature, acid concentration, and leaching time, on the extraction of alumina were studied to optimize the dissolution process. First, Al(OH)₃ was produced in the form of a gel. Calcination of the Al(OH)₃ gel at 1000℃, 1200℃, and 1400℃ for 2 h produced θ-Al₂O₃, (α+θ)-Al₂O₃, and α-alumina powder, respectively. Thermal characterization of the Al(OH)₃ gel was performed by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phases and crystallite size of the alumina were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The dimensions of the alumina were found to be on the nano level. The chemical compositions of the aluminum dross and alumina were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The microstructure and morphology of the alumina were studied with scanning electron microscopy. The purity of the alumina extracted in this study was found to be 99.0%. Thus, it is expected that the obtained alumina powders can be potentially utilized as biomaterials.