Microstructure and electrolysis behavior of self-healing Cu-Ni-Fe composite inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning

The microstructure evolution and electrolysis behavior of(Cu_(52)Ni_(30)Fe_(18))–x Ni Fe_2O_4(x=40wt%,50wt%,60wt%,and 70wt%)composite inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning were studied.Ni Fe_2O_4 was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 950°C.The dense anode blocks were prepared by ball-milling followed by sintering under a N_2 atmosphere.The phase evolution of the anodes after sintering was determined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.The results indicate that a substitution reaction between Fe in the alloy phase and Ni in the oxide phase occurs during the sintering process.The samples were also examined as inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning in the low-temperature KF–NaF–AlF_3 molten electrolyte for 24 h.The cell voltage during electrolysis and the corrosion scale on the anodes were analyzed.The results confirm that the scale has a self-repairing function because of the synergistic reaction between the alloy phase with Fe added and the oxide phase.The estimated wear rate of the(Cu_(52)Ni_(30)Fe_(18))–50Ni Fe_2O_4 composite anode is 2.02 cm·a~(-1).     

In situ reaction mechanism of MgAlON in Al-Al2O3-MgO composites at 1700℃ under flowing N2

The Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with added aluminum contents of approximately 0wt%, 5wt%, and 10wt%, named as M₁, M₂, and M₃, respectively, were prepared at 1700℃ for 5 h under a flowing N₂ atmosphere using the reaction sintering method. After sintering, the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that specimen M₁ was composed of MgO and MgAl₂O₄. Compared with specimen M₁, specimens M₂ and M₃ possessed MgAlON, and its production increased with increasing aluminum addition. Under an N₂ atmosphere, MgO, Al₂O₃, and Al in the matrix of specimens M₂ and M₃ reacted to form MgAlON and AlN-polytypoids, which combined the particles and the matrix together and imparted the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites with a dense structure. The mechanism of MgAlON synthesis is described as follows. Under an N₂ atmosphere, the partial pressure of oxygen is quite low; thus, when the Al-Al₂O₃-MgO composites were soaked at 580℃ for an extended period, aluminum metal was transformed into AlN. With increasing temperature, Al₂O₃ diffused into AlN crystal lattices and formed AlN-polytypoids; however, MgO reacted with Al₂O₃ to form MgAl₂O₄. When the temperature was greater than (1640 ±10)℃, AlN diffused into Al₂O₃ and formed spinel-structured AlON. In situ MgAlON was acquired through a solid-solution reaction between AlON and MgAl₂O₄ at high temperatures because of their similar spinel structures.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of electrochemically synthesized aluminum oxide nanoparticles

In this study, aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via an electrochemical method. The effects of reaction parameters such as supporting electrolytes, solvent, current and electrolysis time on the shape and size of the resulting NPs were investigated. The Al₂O₃ NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Moreover, the Al₂O₃ NPs were explored for photocatalytic degradation of malachite green (MG) dye under sunlight irradiation via two processes: adsorption followed by photocatalysis; coupled adsorption and photocatalysis. The coupled process exhibited a higher photodegradation efficiency (45%) compared to adsorption followed by photocatalysis (32%). The obtained kinetic data was well fitted using a pseudo-first-order model for MG degradation.     

Feasibility of aluminum recovery and MgAl2O4 spinel synthesis from secondary aluminum dross

The feasibility of aluminum recovery from secondary aluminum dross by extraction with NaOH solution and the subsequent synthesis of MgAl₂O₄ spinel by sintering the extracted slag were studied. The extraction percentage of soluble aluminum from the dross reached 80% at a temperature of 353 K, liquid-to-solid ratio of 12 mL·g-1, stirring speed of 300 r·min-1, and an extraction time of 15 min; the hydrolysis percentage of AlN reached 40% with an extraction time of 30 min. The activation energies of the soluble aluminum and AlN extracted from the dross were 7.15 and 8.98 kJ·mol-1, respectively, indicating that their kinetics were controlled by outer diffusion without a product layer. The extracted slag was sintered in the temperature range 1373-1773 K; MgAl₂O₄ spinel with a compressive strength as high as 69.4 MPa was produced in the sample sintered at 1673 K for 3 h. This value exceeds the threshold (40 MPa) prescribed by the National Standard for the Magnesia and Magnesia-alumina Refractory Bricks of China (GB/T 2275-2007). These results establish the effectiveness of aluminum recovery from secondary aluminum dross and subsequent MgAl₂O₄ spinel synthesis.     

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.     

Prediction model for atmospheric corrosion of 7005-T4 aluminum alloy in industrial and marine environments

Accelerated corrosion tests of the 7005-T4 aluminum alloy were conducted to determine a suitable service life prediction method by using alternating wet-dry cycles in three kinds of solutions. The morphology and composition analysis of the corrosion product revealed that slight corrosion occurred on the surfaces of the samples immersed in a 0.25wt% Na₂S₂O₈ solution. However, pitting corrosion occurred on the surfaces of the samples immersed in a 3.5wt% NaCl solution, whereas exfoliation corrosion occurred on the surfaces of the samples immersed in a mixture of 0.25wt% Na₂S₂O₈ and 3.5wt% NaCl solutions. A power exponent relationship was observed between the mass loss and exposure time of the 7005-T4 aluminum alloy immersed in the three kinds of solutions. In the mixture of 0.25wt% Na₂S₂O₈ and 3.5wt% NaCl solutions, the mass loss of the aluminum alloy yielded the maximum value. Based on the calculation of the correlation coefficients, the alternating wet-dry procedure in a 3.5wt% NaCl solution could be used to predict the corrosion behavior of 7005-T4 aluminum alloy exposed in the atmosphere of Qingdao, China. The prediction model is as follows:T=104.28·t0.91, where T is the equivalent time and t is the exposure time.     

Phase transformation behaviors and shape memory effects of TiNiFeAl shape memory alloys

Measurements of electrical resistivity, X-ray diffraction, and tensile test at room temperature and -196℃ were performed to investigate the effects of Al addition substituting Ni on the phase transformation behaviors, the mechanical properties, and the shape memory effects of Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys. It is found that 1at% Al addition dramatically decreases the martensitic start transformation temperature and expands the transformation temperature range of R-phase for TiNiFeAl alloys. The results of tensile test indicate that 1at% Al improves the yield strength of Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys by 40% and 64%, but decreases the plasticity to 11% and 12% from 26% and 27% respectively. Moreover, excellent shape memory effect of 6.6% and 7.5% were found in Ti₅₀Ni₄₇Fe₂Al₁ and Ti₅₀Ni_46.5Fe_2.5Al₁ alloys, which results from the stress-induced martensite transformation from the R-phase.     

Graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

Graphene-reinforced 7055 aluminum alloy composites with different contents of graphene were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Testing results show that the hardness, compressive strength, and yield strength of the composites are improved with the addition of 1wt% graphene. A clean, strong interface is formed between the metal matrix and graphene via metallurgical bonding on atomic scale. Harmful aluminum carbide (Al₄C₃) is not formed during SPS processing. Further addition of graphene (above 1wt%) results in the deterioration in mechanical properties of the composites. The agglomeration of graphene plates is exacerbated with increasing graphene content, which is the main reason for this deterioration.     

Electrical conductivity of molten LiF-DyF3-Dy2O3-Cu2O system for Dy-Cu intermediate alloy production

Dy-Cu intermediate alloys have shown substantial potential in the field of magnetostrictive and magnetic refrigerant materials. Therefore, this study focused on investigating the electrical conductivity of molten-salt systems for the preparation of Dy-Cu alloys and on optimizing the corresponding operating parameters. The electrical conductivity of molten LiF-DyF₃-Dy₂O₃-Cu₂O systems was measured from 910 to 1030℃ using the continuously varying cell constant method. The dependencies of the LiF-DyF₃-Dy₂O₃-Cu₂O system conductivity on the melt composition and temperature were examined herein. The optimal operating conditions for Dy-Cu alloy production were determined via analyses of the electrical conductivity and activation energies for conductance, which were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The conductivity of the molten system regularly increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing concentration of Dy₂O₃ or Cu₂O or both. The activation energy E_κ of the LiF-DyF₃-Dy₂O₃ and LiF-DyF₃-Cu₂O molten-salt systems increases with increasing Dy₂O₃ or Cu₂O content. The regression functions of conductance as a function of temperature (t) and the addition of Dy₂O₃ (W(Dy₂O₃)) and Cu₂O (W(Cu₂O)) can be expressed as κ=-2.08435 + 0.0068t-0.18929W(Dy₂O₃)-0.07918W(Cu₂O). The optimal electrolysis conditions for preparing the Dy-Cu alloy in LiF-DyF₃-Dy₂O₃-Cu₂O molten salt are determined to be 2.0wt% ≤ W(Dy₂O₃) + W(Cu₂O) ≤ 3.0wt% and W(Dy₂O₃):W(Cu₂O)=1:2 at 970 to 1000℃.     

Microstructure of Ni–Al powder and Ni–Al composite coatings prepared by twin-wire arc spraying

Ni–Al powder and Ni–Al composite coatings were fabricated by twin-wire arc spraying (TWAS). The microstructures of Ni-5wt%Al powder and Ni-20wt%Al powder were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the obtained particle size ranged from 5 to 50 μm. The morphology of the Ni–Al powder showed that molten particles were composed of Ni solid solution, NiAl, Ni₃Al, Al₂O₃, and NiO. The Ni–Al phase and a small amount of Al₂O₃ particles changed the composition of the coating. The microstructures of the twin-wire-arc-sprayed Ni–Al composite coatings were characterized by SEM, EDS, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the main phase of the Ni-5wt%Al coating consisted of Ni solid solution and NiAl in addition to a small amount of Al₂O₃. The main phase of the Ni-20wt%Al coating mainly consisted of Ni solid solution, NiAl, and Ni₃Al in addition to a small amount of Al and Al₂O₃, and NiAl and Ni₃Al intermetallic compounds effectively further improved the final wear property of the coatings. TEM analysis indicated that fine spherical NiAl₃ precipitates and a Ni–Al–O amorphous phase formed in the matrix of the Ni solid solution in the original state.     

铝电解用NiFe2O4尖晶石基惰性阳极

采用高温固相合成法制备铝电解用NiFe2O4尖晶石基惰性阳极,利用球形模型研究了烧结时气孔的变化规律,并研究了烧结温度对其微观形貌和基本物理性能的影响.结果表明:烧结温度能显著改变NiFe2O4尖晶石基惰性阳极的性能;Fe2O3与NiO的反应属于自发反应,从热力学角度讲,该反应在常温下就可进行,而升高温度是为了满足动力学条件;当烧结温度从1150℃升高至1400℃,气孔率由30.41%降低到1.72%,抗弯强度由14.62MPa增加至71.94MPa.     

低温电解条件下铝电解用NiFe_2O_4-10NiO基金属陶瓷阳极Fe元素腐蚀行为研究

采用粉末冶金技术制备出铝电解用NiFe2O4-10NiO陶瓷基体和30(40Cu-Ni)/(NiFe2O4-10NiO)金属陶瓷阳极,并在低温电解条件下,对NiFe2O4陶瓷相中Fe元素的腐蚀行为进行研究。结果表明,在烧结过程中,NiFe2O4尖晶石陶瓷基体会在氮气中发生离解,在动态化学腐蚀试验和电解试验中,陶瓷相中的Fe元素更容易进入电解质;电解24h后,铝液中Fe、Ni、Cu的含量分别为0.45%、0.13%和0.03%。     

金属陶瓷基铝电解惰性阳极材料制备及其非极化腐蚀

为了搞清NiFe2O4基金属陶瓷惰性阳极的腐蚀机理,对其复杂腐蚀过程的一个方面非极化腐蚀进行了初步探讨·实验中摸索了阳极材料的制备工艺,发现烧结温度对材料性能影响巨大·采用高温氧化增重法对阳极的氧化腐蚀进行研究,发现其腐蚀过程比较平稳,氧化率增重曲线存在若干起伏,预示着新反应的加入,加快了氧化过程的进行·金属陶瓷阳极试样长时间高温熔盐腐蚀实验发现,不同组成的电解质对试样的腐蚀能力相差较大,含MgF2的电解质对试样的腐蚀能力较强,NaCl含量不同的电解质对试样的腐蚀相差较为显著·     

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.     

Phase modification and dielectric properties of a cullet-paper ash-kaolin clay-based ceramic

Novel ceramics from waste material made of (x) paper ash-(80-x) cullet-20 kaolin clay (10wt% ≤ x ≤ 30wt%) were successfully synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction technique. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of Si, Ca, Al, and Fe in the waste material for preparing these ceramics. The influence of the cullet content on the phase structures and the dielectric properties of these ceramics were systematically investigated. The impedance spectra were verified in the range from 1 Hz to 10 MHz at room temperature. The phase of the ceramics was found to primarily consist of wollastonite (CaSiO₃), along with minor phases of γ-dicalcium silicate (Ca₂SiO₄) and quartz (SiO₂). The sample with a cullet content of 55wt% possessed the optimum wollastonite structure and exhibited good dielectric properties. An increase of the cullet content beyond 55wt% resulted in a structural change from wollastonite to dicalcium silicate, a decrease in dielectric constant, and an increase in dielectric loss. All experimental results suggested that these novel ceramics from waste are applicable for electronic devices.>     

NiFe2O4合成工艺对惰性阳极力学性能及电导率的影响

研究以NiO和Fe2O3为主要原料合成镍铁尖晶石反应烧结过程中的热力学条件·同时对在不同烧结条件下合成的尖晶石二次烧结制备的阳极试样的抗弯强度及高温电导率进行了测量·结果表明:NiO和Fe2O3固相反应的热力学条件具备,反应先于致密化过程结束·当未经压制成型的粉料直接在合成温度为900℃下合成6h,经破碎工艺及二次烧结后,所制得的惰性阳极试样强度及电导率最大,烧结性能最好·而破碎工艺对增加粉末活性,提高试样电导率及力学性能也十分重要·     

Solvother mal synthesis of Co1-xNixFe2O4 nanoparticles and its application in ammonia vapors detection

Magnetic Co1-xNixFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal method using ethylene glycol as solvent.The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD),field emiss...     

添加物对镍铁尖晶石惰性阳极微观结构和性能的影响

为了改善镍铁尖晶石陶瓷的抗热震性、抗弯强度等性能,尝试在合成镍铁尖晶石的过程中添加微量添加剂MnO2,TiO2,V2O5,采用粉末冶金法在1200℃下烧结6h,制备掺杂的镍铁尖晶石惰性阳极材料·研究了不同添加剂和添加量对材料烧结和微观结构的影响以及微观结构对材料抗热震性、抗弯强度等性能的影响·研究结果表明,这些添加剂均能不同程度地促进烧结,提高制品的密度·添加MnO2能够细化晶粒,且粒径分布均匀;而TiO2和V2O5使晶粒变大,且大小分布不均匀·因此只有添加MnO2才能够改善制品的抗弯强度和抗热震性·     

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.