Eutectic reaction and cored dendritic morphology in yttrium doped Zr-based amorphous alloys

The microalloying effect of yttrium on the crystallization behaviors of (Zr_0.525Al_0.10Ti_0.05Cu_0.179Ni_0.146)_100-x Y_x, and (Zr_0.55Al_0.15-Ni_0.10Cu_0.20)_100-x Y_x (x=0, 0.4, and 1, thus the two alloy systems were denoted as Zr52.5, Zr52.5Y0.4, Zr52.5Y1, and Zr55, Zr55Y0.4, Zr55Y1, respectively) was studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results suggested that the crystalline phases were different in the two Zr-based alloys and with different yttrium contents. ZrNi-phase and Al₃Zr₅ phase precipitations can be well explained by the mechanisms of nucleation and growth. Al₃Zr₅ phase is mainly formed by a peritectic-like reaction, while ZrNi-phase by a eutectic reaction. The contents of elements Y, Al, and Ti may dominate the reaction types. The orientation relationship between Y₂O₃ particles and Al₃Zr₅ phase is also discussed.     

The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during high-speed direct-chill casting in different Al-Mg2Si in situ composites

The effect of high-speed direct-chill (DC) casting on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg₂Si in situ composites and AA6061 alloy was investigated. The microstructural evolution of the Al-Mg₂Si composites and AA6061 alloy was examined by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that an increase of the casting speed substantially refined the primary Mg₂Si particles (from 28 to 12 μm), the spacing of eutectic Mg₂Si (from 3 to 0.5 μm), and the grains of AA6061 alloy (from 102 to 22 μm). The morphology of the eutectic Mg₂Si transformed from lamellar to rod-like and fibrous with increasing casting speed. The tensile tests showed that the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation improved at higher casting speeds because of refinement of the Mg₂Si phase and the grains in the Al-Mg₂Si composites and the AA6061 alloy. High-speed DC casting is demonstrated to be an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of Al-Mg₂Si composites and AA6061 alloy billets.     

Effect of arsenic content and quenching temperature on solidification microstructure and arsenic distribution in iron-arsenic alloys

The solidification microstructure, grain boundary segregation of soluble arsenic, and characteristics of arsenic-rich phases were systematically investigated in Fe-As alloys with different arsenic contents and quenching temperatures. The results show that the solidification microstructures of Fe-0.5wt%As alloys consist of irregular ferrite, while the solidification microstructures of Fe-4wt%As and Fe-10wt%As alloys present the typical dendritic morphology, which becomes finer with increasing arsenic content and quenching temperature. In Fe-0.5wt%As alloys quenched from 1600 and 1200℃, the grain boundary segregation of arsenic is detected by transmission electron microscopy. In Fe-4wt%As and Fe-10wt%As alloys quenched from 1600 and 1420℃, a fully divorced eutectic morphology is observed, and the eutectic Fe₂As phase distributes discontinuously in the interdendritic regions. In contrast, the eutectic morphology of Fe-10wt%As alloy quenched from 1200℃ is fibrous and forms a continuous network structure. Furthermore, the area fraction of the eutectic Fe₂As phase in Fe-4wt%As and Fe-10wt%As alloys increases with increasing arsenic content and decreasing quenching temperature.     

Effects of aging on the microstructure of a Cu-Al-Ni-Mn shape memory alloy

The influence of aging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-11.6wt%Al-3.9wt%Ni-2.5wt%Mn shape memory alloy (SMA) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Experimental results show that bainite, γ_2, and α phase precipitates occur with the aging effect in the alloy. After aging at 300dgC, the bainitic precipitates appear at the early stages of aging, while the precipitates of γ₂ phase are observed for a longer aging time. When the aging temperature increases, the bainite gradually evolves into γ₂ phase and equilibrium α phase (bcc) precipitates from the remaining parent phase. Thus, the bainite, γ₂, and α phases appear, while the martensite phase disappears progressively in the alloy. The bainitic precipitates decrease the reverse transformation temperature while the γ₂ phase precipitates increase these temperatures with a decrease of solute content in the retained parent phase. On the other hand, these precipitations cause an increasing in hardness of the alloy.     

Template-free synthesis of morphology- and size-controlled nano indium hydroxide

Morphology- and size-controlled In(OH)₃ nanocrystals were synthesized via a novel, low-cost and low-temperature (70℃) route in the absence of any template and surfactant. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The morphology and size of In(OH)₃ nanostructures can be controlled by adjusting the reaction conditions such as the reaction time, the concentration of the alkali, and the alkaline source. A possible mechanism for the evolution of the morphology- and size-controlled In(OH)₃ was proposed. In addition, the optical properties of the In(OH)₃ prepared by this method were studied by diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and the results exhibit an obvious change of adsorption edges. The thermal behaviors of the as-prepared products were also explored by thermo-gravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. According to the results of TG-DSC, the pure phase and uniformity of the In₂O₃ nanocube and nanorod can be obtained by annealing In(OH)₃ precursors directly at 300℃.     

Thermoelectric properties of p-type (Bi0.15Sb0.85)2Te3-PbTe graded thermoelectric materials with different barriers

The p-type (Bi_0.15Sb_0.85)₂Te₃ and PbTe are typical thermoelectric materials used for low and middle temperature range and functional graded materials (FGM) is an inevitable way to widen the working temperature range. Here two segments graded thermoelectric materials (GTM) consisting of (Bi_0.15Sb_0.85)₂Te₃, PbTe and different barriers were fabricated by the common hot pressure method. Metals Fe, Mg and Ni were used as barriers between the two segments. The diffusion of different barriers between the barriers and bases were analyzed by electron microprobe analysis (EMA). The phase and crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The thermoelectric properties were measured at 303 K along the direction parallel to the pressing direction. The results show that the compositional diffusion occurs when there is no barrier at the interface of the two segments, and the diffusion of Pb is most obvious; as the barrier material, the diffusion of metals Fe, Mg and Ni between different bases is not very obvious, and the thermoelectric properties of GTM is much better than that of the original segment.     

Influence of Te doping on the dielectric and optical properties of InBi crystals grown by directional freezing

Stoichiometric pure and tellurium (Te) doped indium bismuthide (InBi) were grown using the directional freezing technique in a fabricated furnace. The X-ray diffraction profiles identified the crystallinity and phase composition. The surface topographical features were observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The energy dispersive analysis by X-rays was performed to identify the atomic proportion of elements. Studies on the temperature dependence of dielectric constant (?), loss tangent (tanδ), and AC conductivity (σ_ac) reveal the existence of a ferroelectric phase transition in the doped material at 403 K. When InBi is doped with tellurium (4.04 at%), a band gap of 0.20 eV can be achieved, and this is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared studies. The results thus show the conversion of semimetallic InBi to a semiconductor with the optical properties suitable for use in infrared detectors.     

Microstructure evolution and phase transformation of traditional cast and spray-formed hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloys induced by heat treatment

Microstructural evolution and phase transformation induced by different heat treatments of the hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy, Al-25Si-5Fe-3Cu (wt%, signed as 3C), fabricated by traditional cast (TC) and spray forming (SF) processes, were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that Al₇Cu₂Fe phase can be formed and transformed in TC- and SF-3C alloys between 802–813 K and 800–815 K, respectively. The transformation from β-Al₅FeSi to δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase via peritectic reaction can occur at around 858–870 K and 876–890 K in TC- and SF-3C alloys, respectively. The starting precipitation temperature of δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase as the dominant Fe-bearing phase in the TC-3C alloy is 997 K and the exothermic peak about the peritectic transformation of δ-Al₄FeSi₂→β-Al₅FeSi is not detected in the present DSC experiments. Also, the mechanisms of the microstructural evolution and phase transformation are discussed.     

A Cu-Cr alloy with nano and microscale Cr particles produced in a water-cooled copper mold

Microstructures have profound effects on the hardness and strength of Cu-Cr alloys. The microstructures of a Cu-Cr alloy cast in a water-cooled copper mold were studied in the present work. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show that there are the copper matrix saturated with chromium, spherical precipitates of chromium separated from liquid phase during cooling before the initiation of solidification, and a eutectic phase in grain boundary areas. To investigate the effect of age-hardening treatment on the microstructures and properties of the material, some samples were subsequently age-hardened in a salt bath and investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that coherent precipitates with the diameter of 11 nm are detectable in the samples before and after the age-hardening stage. Of course, the volume fraction of coherent precipitates is higher after the aging process.     

Effect of sintering temperature on the physical properties and electrical contact properties of doped AgSnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> contact materials

AgSnO₂ electrical contact materials doped with Bi₂O₃, La₂O₃, and TiO₂ were successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy method under different initial sintering temperatures. The electrical conductivity, density, hardness, and contact resistance of the AgSnO₂/Bi₂O₃, AgSnO₂/La₂O₃, and AgSnO₂/TiO₂ contact materials were measured and analyzed. The arc-eroded surface morphologies of the doped AgSnO₂ contact materials were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of the initial sintering temperature on the physical properties and electrical contact properties of the doped AgSnO₂ contact materials were discussed. The results indicate that the physical properties can be improved and the contact resistance of the AgSnO₂ contact materials can be substantially reduced when the materials are sintered under their optimal initial sintering temperatures.     

Microstructure characterization of a pressureless infiltrating oxidized SiCp preform by Al-8Mg

The microstructure of a pressureless infiltrating 55vol% oxidized SiC preform by Al-8Mg alloy was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction. The TEM image of the interface between Al and SiC shows that the surface of SiC is covered by a rough nanocrystal layer of MgAl₂O₄, Al₂O₃, and Si, produced by the interfacial reaction of Al, Mg, and SiO₂ on the surface of SiC. The Al-SiC interface is also examined by HRTEM to be better understood how MgAl₂O₄ and Al₂O₃ are produced. Dendritic Al₂O₃ crystals are embedded in the pores of the composite generated from the mutual bonding of SiO₂ on the surface of SiC. Columnar AlN crystals of about 250 nm in length are bunched vertically on the SiC particle surface.     

Characterization of Fe3Si-based coatings on low silicon steel by pulsed Nd:YAG laser cladding

The Fe₃Si based coating was produced on the Fe-1 Si steel surface by a pulsed Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. Its phase constitution and microstructure were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) with associated energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hyperfine structure of the coating was studied by Mrssbauer spectra (MS) and the magnetic property was also measured at room temperature by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The obtained coating is pore and crack-free with dense microstructure and high Si content. The metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate was realized. The microstructure of the coating is typical fine dendrites. The major phase was confirmed by XRD and TEM to be the ordering D0₃ structured Fe₃Si phase. In addition, there were smaller amounts of the Fe₅Si₃ phase and the γ-Fe phase in the coating. Compared with the substrate, the laser cladding coating has a lower saturation magnetization and a higher coercive force. The poor magnetic property might be because of rapid solidification microstructure and phase constitution in the coating.     

Solidification microstructure formation in HK40 and HH40 alloys

The microstructure formation processes in HK40 and HH40 alloys were investigated through JmatPro calculations and quenching performed during directional solidification. The phase transition routes of HK40 and HH40 alloys were determined as L → L + γ → L + γ + M₇C₃ → γ + M₇C₃ → γ + M₇C₃ + M₂₃C₆→ γ + M₂₃C₆ and L → L + δ → L + δ + γ→ L + δ + γ + M₂₃C₆ δ + γ + M₂₃C₆, respectively. The solidification mode was determined to be the austenitic mode (A mode) in HK40 alloy and the ferritic–austenitic solidification mode (FA mode) in HH40 alloy. In HK40 alloy, eutectic carbides directly precipitate in a liquid and coarsen during cooling. The primary γ dendrites grow at the 60° angle to each other. On the other hand, in HH40 alloy, residual δ forms because of the incomplete transformation from δ to γ. Cr₂₃C₆ carbide is produced in solid delta ferrite δ but not directly in liquid HH40 alloy. Because of carbide formation in the solid phase and no rapid growth of the dendrite in a non-preferential direction, HH40 alloy is more resistant to cast defect formation than HK40 alloy.     

Effect of arsenic content and quenching temperature on solidification microstructure and arsenic distribution in iron–arsenic alloys

The solidification microstructure, grain boundary segregation of soluble arsenic, and characteristics of arsenic-rich phases were systematically investigated in Fe–As alloys with different arsenic contents and quenching temperatures. The results show that the solidification microstructures of Fe–0.5wt%As alloys consist of irregular ferrite, while the solidification microstructures of Fe–4wt%As and Fe–10wt%As alloys present the typical dendritic morphology, which becomes finer with increasing arsenic content and quenching temperature. In Fe–0.5wt%As alloys quenched from 1600 and 1200°C, the grain boundary segregation of arsenic is detected by transmission electron microscopy. In Fe–4wt%As and Fe–10wt%As alloys quenched from 1600 and 1420°C, a fully divorced eutectic morphology is observed, and the eutectic Fe2 As phase distributes discontinuously in the interdendritic regions. In contrast, the eutectic morphology of Fe–10wt%As alloy quenched from 1200°C is fibrous and forms a continuous network structure. Furthermore, the area fraction of the eutectic Fe2 As phase in Fe–4wt%As and Fe–10wt%As alloys increases with increasing arsenic content and decreasing quenching temperature.     

Gas-based reduction of vanadium titano-magnetite concentrate: behavior and mechanisms

The reduction of vanadium titano-magnetite pellets by H₂-CO at temperatures from 850 to 1050℃ was investigated in this paper. The influences of pre-oxidation treatment, reduction temperature, and V_H2/(V_H2 + V_CO) on the metallization degree were studied. The results showed that pre-oxidation played a substantial role in the reduction of vanadium titano-magnetite pellets. During the reduction process, the metallization degree increased with increasing temperature and increasing V_H2/(V_H2 + V_CO). The phase transformation of pre-oxidized vanadium titano-magnetite pellets during the reduction process under an H₂ atmosphere and a CO atmosphere was discussed, and the reduced samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with back scatter electron (BSE) imaging. The results show that the difference in thermodynamic reducing ability between H₂ and CO is not the only factor that leads to differences in the reduction results obtained using different atmospheres. Some of Fe_3-xTi_xO₄ cannot be reduced under a CO atmosphere because of the densification of particles' structure and because of the enrichment of Mg in unreacted cores. By contrast, a loose structure of particles was obtained when the pellets were reduced under an H₂ atmosphere and this structure decreased the resistance to gas diffusion. Moreover, the phenomenon of Mg enrichment in unreacted cores disappeared during H₂ reduction. Both the lower resistance to gas diffusion and the lack of Mg enrichment facilitated the reduction of vanadium titano-magnetite.     

Preparation of CuInSe2 thin films by four-step process

A simple process for the deposition of CulnSe₂ thin films was described. The CulnSe₂ compound was prepared by selenization of Cu-In alloy precursors, which were electrodeposited at a constant current. The selenized precursors were compacted and then annealed. The films were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicate that single-phase CulnSe₂ is formed at 250℃ and its crystallinity of this phase is improved as the annealing temperature rises. The losses of In occur in selenization process. The dense CulnSe₂ film with comparatively smooth surface can be obtained by compaction under the pressure of 200 MPa.     

Effect of Ce addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of A380 aluminum alloy prepared by squeeze-casting

The effect of cerium (Ce) addition on the eutectic Si, β-Al₅FeSi phase, and the tensile properties of A380 alloy specimens prepared by squeeze-casting were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results showed that Ce more effectively modified the eutectic Si and refined the β-Al₅FeSi. The refinement effect significantly increased under a specific pressure of 100 MPa with the addition of Ce from 0.1wt% to 0.9wt%. In contrast, the average length and the aspect ratio of the eutectic Si and β-Al₅FeSi exhibited their optimal values when the content of the added Ce was greater than 0.5wt%. Needle-like Al8Cu4Ce was precipitated with the addition of excessive Ce; hence, the mechanical properties of A380 gradually decreased with increasing Ce content in the range from 0.3wt% to 0.9wt%.     

Preparation of nano-TiO2/diatomite-based porous ceramics and their photocatalytic kinetics for formaldehyde degradation

Diatomite-based porous ceramics were adopted as carriers to immobilize nano-TiO₂ via a hydrolysis-deposition technique. The thermal degradation of as-prepared composites was investigated using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, and the phase and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the carriers were encapsulated by nano-TiO₂ with a thickness of 300-450 nm. The main crystalline phase of TiO₂ calcined at 650℃ was anatase, and the average grain size was 8.3 nm. The FT-IR absorption bands at 955.38 cm-1 suggested that new chemical bonds among Ti, O, and Si had formed in the composites. The photocatalytic (PC) activity of the composites was investigated under UV irradiation. Furthermore, the photodegradation kinetics of formaldehyde was investigated using the composites as the cores of an air cleaner. A kinetics study showed that the reaction rate constants of the gas-phase PC reaction of formaldehyde were κ=0.576 mg·m-3·min-1 and K=0.048 m3.     

Nonmetallic inclusions in SUS304 strip produced by twin-roll strip casting

The shape, type, content, and dimension of nonmetallic inclusions in SUS304 strip produced by twin-roll strip casting were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the inclusions are mainly spherical Al₂O₃ and complex oxides composed of MnO, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂. The percentage of fine oxides smaller than 3 μm reaches up to 51.8%. The theoretical calculations show that fine oxides have precipitated during solidification. Therefore, it is concluded that during twin-roll strip casting, because of high cooling rate, the size of inclusions precipitated during solidification decreases, and the amount increases.     

Phase-selection and metastable phase formation in highly undercooled eutectic Ni_(78.6)Si_(21.4)alloys

A large undercooling (250 K) was achieved in eutectic Ni78.6 Si21.4 melt by the combination of molten-glass denucleation and cyclic superheating. The metastable phase formation process in the bulk undercooled eutectic Ni78.6 Si21.4 melts was investigated. With the increase of undercooling, different metastable phases form in eutectic Ni78.6 Si21.4 melts and part of these metastable phases can be kept at room temperature through slow post-solidification. Under large undercooling, the metastable phases β2-Ni3Si, Ni31Si12 and Ni3Si2 were identified. Especially, the Ni3Si2 phase was obtained in eutectic Ni78.6 Si21.4 alloy for the first time. Based on the principle of free energy minimum and transient nucleation theory, the solidification behavior of melts was analyzed with regard to the metastable phase formation when the melts were in highly undercooled state.