Mechanical properties of directionally solidified lead-antimony alloys

The Pb-17wt% Sb alloy was directionally solidified under two solidification conditions: with different temperature gradients (G=0.93–3.67 K/mm) at a constant growth rate (V=17.50 μm/s) and with different growth rates (V=8.3–497 μm/s) at a constant temperature gradient (G=3.67 K/mm) in a Bridgman furnace. Microstructure parameters, such as primary dendrite arm spacing (λ₁), secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ₂), and dendrite tip radius (R), were measured. The microhardness (Hv) and ultimate tensile strength (σ) of the directional solidification samples were also measured. The influences of solidification and microstructure parameters on Hv and σ were investigated. The results obtained in this work were compared with similar experimental researches in literatures. It is shown that the Hv and σ values increase with the increase of G and V, but decrease with the increase of λ₁, λ₂, and R.     

Directional solidification and physical properties measurements of the zinc-aluminum eutectic alloy

Zn-5wt% Al eutectic alloy was directionally solidified with different growth rates (5.32–250.0 μm/s) at a constant temperature gradient of 8.50 K/mm using a Bridgman-type growth apparatus. The values of eutectic spacing were measured from transverse sections of the samples. The dependences of the eutectic spacing and undercooling on growth rate are determined as λ=9.21V-0.53 and ΔT=0.0245V0.53, respectively. The results obtained in this work were compared with the Jackson-Hunt eutectic theory and the similar experimental results in the literature. Microhardness of directionally solidified samples was also measured by using a microhardness test device. The dependency of the microhardness on growth rate is found as Hv=115.64V0.13. Afterwards, the electrical resistivity (r) of the casting alloy changes from 40×10-9 to 108×10-9 Ω·m with the temperature rising in the range of 300–630 K. The enthalpy of fusion (ΔH) and specific heat (C_p) for the Zn-Al eutectic alloy are calculated to be 113.37 J/g and 0.309 J/(g·K), respectively by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) from heating trace during the transformation from liquid to solid.     

Reduction in secondary dendrite arm spacing in cast eutectic Al-Si piston alloys by cerium addition

The effects of Ce on the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and mechanical behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys were investigated. The reduction of SDAS at different Ce concentrations was evaluated in a directional solidification experiment via computer-aided cooling curve thermal analysis (CA CCTA). -The results showed that 0.1wt%-1.0wt% Ce addition resulted in a rapid solidification time, △T_S, and low solidification temperature, △T_S, whereas 0.1wt% Ce resulted in a fast solidification time, △ta-Al, of the α-Al phase. Furthermore, Ce addition refined the SDAS, which was reduced to approximately 36%. The mechanical properties of the alloys with and without Ce were investigated using tensile and hardness tests. The quality index (Q) and ultimate tensile strength of (UTS) Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys significantly improved with the addition of 0.1wt% Ce. Moreover, the base alloy hardness was improved with increasing Ce concentration.     

Influence of Nd and Y additions on the corrosion behaviour of extruded Mg-Zn-Zr alloys

To improve the corrosion resistance of wrought magnesium alloys through rare earth (RE) additions, the corrosion behaviour of Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-xNd (x=0, 1, and 2; wt%) and Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-2Nd-yY (y=0.5 and 1; wt%) alloys in a 5wt% NaCl solution was investigated using immersion test and electrochemical measurements. The results of immersion test show that Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-2Nd alloy exhibits the best corrosion resistance among the tested alloys. Electrochemical measurements show that secondary phases in RE-containing Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr alloys behave as less noble cathodes in micro-galvanic corrosion and suppress the cathodic process. The additions of Nd and Y into Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr alloy also improve the compactness of the corrosion product film and are beneficial to the corrosion resistance.     

Corrosion behavior of as-cast Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloy in 3.5wt% NaCl solution

Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloys (x = 0.5wt%, 1.0wt%, and 1.5wt%) were prepared through a casting route in an electric resistance furnace under a controlled atmosphere. The cast alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The corrosion behavior of the as-cast Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloys were studied under salt spray tests in 3.5wt% NaCl solution at 35°C, in accordance with standard ASTM B–117, in conjunction with potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) tests. The results show that the addition of Ce to Mg–8Li–3Al (LA83) alloy results in the formation of Al₂Ce intermetallic phase, refines both the α-Mg phase and the Mg₁₇Al₁₂ intermetallic phase, and then increases the microhardness of the alloys. The results of PDP and salt spray tests reveal that an increase in Ce content to 1.5wt% decreases the corrosion rate. The best corrosion resistance is observed for the LA83 alloy sample with 1.0wt% Ce.     

Effects of Ce-rich RE on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Nd alloy with duplex structure

The effects of Ce-rich RE on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Nd-x RE(x = 0, 1, 2, 3 wt%) alloys were investigated. The results indicated that the as-cast Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Nd alloy mainly consisted of α-Mg, β-Li, AlLi, MgLi2 Al and Al2 Nd phases. With the addition of Ce-rich RE in the alloy,Al3 RE and Al2 RE phases generated and gradually grew into net-like or block-like structure. With the addition of RE, Al-RE phases generated by consuming Al element and, thus, less Al element was dissolved in the matrix and less AlLi phase formed. Furthermore, less AlLi phase means that more Li element released to cause the increase ofβ-Li phase and refine the α-Mg phase. Under the influence of these factors, adding more RE led to higher elongation and lower tensile strength and hardness. With the addition of Ce-rich RE, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the as-cast Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Nd alloy gradually decreased from 180 to 152 MPa and from 215 to 193 MPa, respectively, while the elongation was remarkably improved from 21.1% to 40.2%.     

Binding number,minimum degree and bipancyclism in bipartite graphs

Let G =(V_1,V_2,E) be a balanced bipartite graph with2 n vertices.The bipartite binding number of G,denoted by B(G),is defined to be n if G =K_n and min i∈{1,2}|N(S)|n min |N(S)|/|S|otherwise.We call G bipancyclic if it contains a cycle of every even length m for 4 ≤ m ≤ 2n.A theorem showed that if G is a balanced bipartite graph with 2n vertices,B(G) 3 / 2 and n 139,then G is bipancyclic.This paper generalizes the conclusion as follows:Let 0 c 3 / 2 and G be a 2-colmected balanced bipartite graph with 2n(n is large enough) vertices such that B(G) c and δ(G)(2-c)n/(3-c)+2/3.Then G is bipancyclic.     

Grain size-dependent electrical resistivity of bulk nanocrystalline Gd metals

The electrical resistivity of the as-consolidated and coarse-grained bulk gadolinium(Gd) metals was studied in the temperature range of 3-315K.The experimental results showed that with decrease in the grain size of Gd grains from micrometer to nanometer range,the room temperature electrical resistivity increased from 209.7 to 333.0 μΩcm,while the electrical resistivity at the low temperature of 3K was found to increase surprisingly from 16.5 to 126.3 μΩcm.The room temperature coefficient resistivity(TCR) values were obtained as 39.2×10-3,5.51×10-3 and 33.7×10-3K-1.The ratios of room temperature to residual resistivity [RRR=ρ(300K)/ρ(3K)] are 2.64,11.0,respectively,for the as-consolidated samples at 280℃ and 700℃ with respect to that of the coarse-grained sample.All results indicate the remarkable influence of the nanostructure on the electrical resistivity of Gd due to the finite size effect and large fraction of grain boundaries.     

Effects of Sn addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg- Zn-Al alloys

The effects of Sn addition(0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3 wt%) on microstructure of Mg-4Zn-1.5Al alloy in cast and extruded states were investigated, and the mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg-4Zn-1.5Al-xSn studied. The experimental results showed that the as-cast Mg-4Zn-1.5Al alloy was composed of two phases α-Mg and Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49), while Sn-containing alloys consisted of α-Mg, Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49) and Mg_2Sn phases, and Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49) was not detected after extruding due to that the most of them dissolved into the matrix during the homogenized treatment. The addition of Sn refined the grains of as-cast and as-extruded Mg-Zn-Al alloys obviously. It was noted that the basal texture intensity reduced with increasing Sn content significantly in as-extruded Mg-Zn-Al alloys. The tensile tests results indicated that Sn addition improve the tensile strength of the extruded alloys,while it had a harmful effect on the ductility. When the addition of Sn was 2 wt%, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS), yield strength(YS) and elongation(ε_f) of the alloy were 280 MPa, 147 MPa and 17.4%, respectively.     

An investigation on supercooling directional solidification process of Cu-Ni single phase alloy

Supercooling directional solidification (SDS) is put fotward by combination of melt supercooling and conventional solidification by application of supercooling inheritance. On the self-designed SDS equipment, SDS of Cu-Ni alloy was achieved successfully The results are as follows f (i) The primary arm spacing is about 30 μm, the growth of secondary arms are strongly suppressed. The primary arm spacing is nearly the same as LMC method (GL=25 K/mm, V=500 pm/s), the primary stems are straight, fine and completed. with an inclination angle of about 5.8° (ii) A semi-quantitative T-T model is brought fotward to describe the dendrite growth rate V vs. undercooling AT The prediction of T-T model agrees well with experimental results. The formation of fine equiaxed dendrites, transition region and dendrite region can be explained successfully by △T-V-x relation of T-T model.     

Vertex disjoint cycles in intersection graphs of bases of matroids

The intersection graph of bases of a matroid M=(E, B) is a graph G=G~I(M) with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G) such that V(G)=B(M) and E(G)={BB′:|B∩B′|≠0, B, B′∈B(M), where the same notation is used for the vertices of G and the bases of M. Suppose that|V(G~I(M))| =n and k_1+k_2+…+k_p=n, where k_i is an integer, i=1, 2,…, p. In this paper, we prove that there is a partition of V(G~I(M)) into p parts V_1 , V_2,…, V_p such that |V_i| =k_i and the subgraph H_i induced by V_i contains a k_i-cycle when k_i ≥3, H_i is isomorphic to K_2 when k_i =2 and H_i is a single point when k_i =1.     

Sn对Mg-5Zn-2.5Al合金微观组织与性能的影响

利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、万能试验机等分析测试设备研究了Sn对Mg-5Zn-2.5Al-xSn(x=0,1,2,3,4)(ZAT52x)合金组织结构及力学性能的影响.采用Thermo-Calc热力学软件计算了ZAT52x(x=0,2,4)3种合金在Scheil模型条件下液相质量分数与温度的关系以及凝固过程中的相变反应....     

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

The microstructure evolution and electrolysis behavior of (Cu₅₂Ni₃₀Fe₁₈)-xNiFe₂O₄ (x=40wt%, 50wt%, 60wt%, and 70wt%) composite inert anodes for aluminum electrowinning were studied. NiFe₂O₄ was synthesized by solid-state reaction at 950℃. The dense anode blocks were prepared by ball-milling followed by sintering under a N₂ 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-AlF₃ 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 (Cu₅₂Ni₃₀Fe₁₈)-50NiFe₂O₄ composite anode is 2.02 cm·a-1.     

Characteristics of lateral heterogeneities with thermal and chemical origins in the pyrolitic lower mantle

The relative changes between shear and compressional velocities (R_SP = ∂ ln V_S/∂ ln V_P), bulk sound and shear velocities (R_CS = ∂ ln V_C/∂ ln V_S), and density versus shear wave velocity (R_ρS = ∂ ln ρ/∂ ln V_S) in response to thermal and chemical variations were investigated for the pyrolitic lower mantle. For heterogeneities with thermal origins, R_SP increases from 1.7 to 2.0 together with R_ρS decreasing from 0.4 to 0.2 and R_CS = ∼0.27 from the top to the bottom of the lower mantle. In comparison, chemical variations (bulk iron or silica contents) are characterized by R_SP < 1.5 and R_CS > 0.5 at lower mantle depths. Negative values of R_ρS and R_CS are indicative of chemical anomalies in the lower mantle, but a combination of thermal and chemical heterogeneities may be required to produce velocity and density anomalies at the magnitudes observed in seismic data. Further refinement of these characteristics requires data on the higher order pressure and temperature derivatives of the elastic moduli of the constituent phases.     

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.     

Minor-alloyed Cu-Ni-Si alloys with high hardness and electric conductivity designed by a cluster formula approach

Cu-Ni-Si alloys are widely used due to their good electrical conductivities in combination with high strength and hardness. In the present work, minor-alloying with M =(Cr, Fe, Mo, Zr) was conducted for the objective of further improving their hardness while maintaining their conductivity level. A cluster-plus-glue-atom model was introduced to design the compositions of M-alloyed Cu-Ni-Si alloys, in which an ideal composition formula[(Ni,Si,M)-Cu_(12)]Cu_3(molar proportion) was proposed. To guarantee the complete precipitation of solute elements in fine δ-Ni_2 Si precipitates, the atomic ratio of(Ni,M)/Si was set as 2/1. Thus the designed alloy series of Cu_(93.75)(Ni/Zr)_(3.75)Si_(2.08)(Cr/Fe/Mo)_(0.42)(at%) were arc-melted into ingots under argon atmosphere, and solidsolutioned at 950 ℃ for 1 h plus water quenching and then aged at 450 ℃ for different hours. The experimental results showed that these designed alloys exhibit high hardness(HV 1.7 GPa) and good electrical conductivities(≥ 35% IACS). Specifically, the quinary Cu_(93.75)Ni_(3.54)Si_(2.08)(Cr/Fe)_(0.42)Zr_(0.21) alloys(Cu-3.32 Ni-0.93 Si-0.37(Cr/Fe)-0.30 Zr wt%) possess both a high hardness with HV = 2.5-2.7 GPa, comparable to the highstrength KLFA85 alloy(Cu-3.2 Ni-0.7 Si-1.1 Zn wt%,HV= 2.548 GPa),and a good electrical conductivity(35-36% IACS).     

Electrical conductivity optimization of the Na3AlF6-Al2O3-Sm2O3 molten salts system for Al-Sm intermediate binary alloy production

Metal Sm has been widely used in making Al-Sm magnet alloy materials. Conventional distillation technology to produce Sm has the disadvantages of low productivity, high costs, and pollution generation. The objective of this study was to develop a molten salt electrolyte system to produce Al-Sm alloy directly, with focus on the electrical conductivity and optimal operating conditions to minimize the energy consumption. The continuously varying cell constant (CVCC) technique was used to measure the conductivity for the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ electrolysis medium in the temperature range from 905 to 1055℃. The temperature (t) and the addition of Al₂O₃ (W(Al₂O₃)), Sm₂O₃ (W(Sm₂O₃)), and a combination of Al₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ into the basic fluoride system were examined with respect to their effects on the conductivity (κ) and activation energy. The experimental results showed that the molten electrolyte conductivity increases with increasing temperature (t) and decreases with the addition of Al₂O₃ or Sm₂O₃ or both. We concluded that the optimal operation conditions for Al-Sm intermediate alloy production in the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ system are W(Al₂O₃) + W(Sm₂O₃)=3wt%, W(Al₂O₃):W(Sm₂O₃)=7:3, and a temperature of 965 to 995℃, which results in satisfactory conductivity, low fluoride evaporation losses, and low energy consumption.     

Influence of stacking fault energy on formation of long period stacking ordered structures in Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloys

The influence of alloying elements on the stacking fault energy (SFE) of Mg–Y–Zn–Zr alloys was calculated by using first-principles, and the microstructure of as-cast Mg-1.05Y-0.79Zn-0.07Zr (mole fraction, %) alloy prepared by conventional casting was investigated by SEM, TEM and HRTEM. The block-like long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase, the lamellar LPSO phase and stacking faults were observed simultaneously and the lamellar LPSO structure and stacking faults were both formed on (0001)_α-Mg habit plane and grown or extended along [01i0]_α-Mg direction. The calculation results by the first-principles showed that the addition of Y can sharply decrease the stacking fault energy of the Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloy, while Zn slightly increases the stacking fault energy of the alloy. The influence of stacking fault energy on the formation of LPSO was discussed. It shows that LPSO may nucleate directly through stacking faults and the lower stacking fault energy was in favor of formation of LPSO.     

(r, k)-catching code

A collection ofr-words on an alphabet ofn letters is called (r, k)-catching code if for every ρ-word ω there is one selected memberv such that υ coincides with ω in at least κ places. How 1arge is the smallest size of the (ρ, κ)-catching code and how to find the minimal (ρ, κ)-catching code? Some methods are advanced to construct such codes.     

Effects of Gd solutes on hardness and yield strength of Mg alloys

Relative contribution of individual strengthening mechanisms to the yield strength of Mg–0–15 wt%Gd alloys were investigated.Alloys with different grain size were prepared by adding Zr and hot extrusion.Hardness and tensile/compression yield strength were tested on the alloys after solid solution treatment and extrusion.HallPetch constants were calculated with hardness and tensile/compressive data.The results showed that the hardness of Mg–Gd alloys with similar Gd content and different grain size were almost the same,which indicates that grain size had little effect on hardness.The hardness linearly increased with rising Gd content(d H_v/dc≈25 kg mm~(-2)/at%Gd).The tensile and compressive yield strengths enhanced with the increase of Gd content for all alloys in different conditions.In addition,the tensile/compressive(t/c)yield asymmetry of extruded alloys decreased with increasing Gd content.Large t/c yield asymmetry ratio(1.77)was observed for pure Mg,and with increasing Gd content this value decreased to 1.With the increasing of tensile strength,the stress intensity factor,k_y,decreased from 0.27 MPa m~(1/2)for Mg–2 wt%Gd alloy to 0.19 MPa m~(1/2) for Mg–5 wt%Gd alloy,then increased to 0.29 MPa m~(1/2) for Mg–15 wt%Gd alloy.However,k_yincreased linearly form 0.16–0.31 MPa for compression test.The influence of grain size strengthening was eliminated,and the yield strength of tension and compression both linearly increased with c~n,where c is the atom concentration of Gd,and n=1/2 or 2/3.