Effect of tunnel structure on the specific capacitance of etched aluminum foil

The morphology of etched aluminum foil was observed using scanning electron microscopy, which led to the establishment of a cylindrical model and two merged models, considering the fixed weight loss of etching. The maximum of specific capacitance and the corresponding optimum values for tunnel sizes at various anodization voltages were predicted. The increased size distribution and taper of tunnels were demonstrated to decrease the specific capacitance, whereas the addition of polymeric additive into the tunnel widening solution was demonstrated to increase the capacitance. The formation of merged tunnels on the etched aluminum surface, irrespective of the presence of row-merged tunnels or cluster-merged tunnels, resulted in a dramatic decrease in the specific capacitance. It is concluded that, enhancing the uniformity of tunnel size and distribution and avoiding the formation of merged tunnels are the effective approach to achieving the higher capacitance for the tunnel etched and formed aluminum foil.     

Evolution of ferronickel particles during the reduction of low-grade saprolitic laterite nickel ore by coal in the temperature range of 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO–CaF2–H3BO3

The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lowering the slag melting point.The ferronickel product was recovered by means of a magnetic separator from semi-molten slag and metal after water quenching.To increase the efficiency of magnetic separation,a large particle size of ferronickel is desired.Therefore,in this study,the influences of CaO,CaF₂,and H₃BO₃ additives on the evolution of ferronickel particle at≤1250℃were investigated.The experiments were conducted at 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO,CaF₂,and H₃BO₃.The reduction processes were carried out in a horizontal tube furnace for 2 h under argon atmosphere.At 1250℃,with the CaO addition of 10 wt%of the ore weight,ferronickel particles with size of 20μm were obtained.The ferronickel particle size increased to 165μm by adding 10 wt%CaO and 10 wt%CaF₂.The addition of boric acid further increased the ferronickel particle size to 376μm,as shown by the experiments with the addition of 10 wt%CaO,10 wt%CaF₂,and 10 wt%H₃BO₃.     

Phosphate enrichment mechanism in CaO–SiO2–FeO–Fe2O3–P2O5 steelmaking slags with lower binary basicity

The addition of silica to steelmaking slags to decrease the binary basicity can promote phosphate enrichment in quenched slag samples. In this study, we experimentally investigated phosphate enrichment behavior in CaO–SiO₂–FeO–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ slags with a P₂O₅ content of 5.00% and the binary basicity B ranging from 1.0 to 2.0, where the (%Fe_tO)/(%CaO) mass percentage ratio was maintained at 0.955. The experimental results are explained by the defined enrichment degree R_C2S-C3P of solid solution 2CaO·SiO₂–3CaO·P₂O₅ (C₂S–C₃P), where R_C2S-C3P is a component of the developed ion and molecule coexistence theory (IMCT)–N_i model for calculating the mass action concentrations N_i of structural units in the slags on the basis of the IMCT. The asymmetrically inverse V-shaped relation between phosphate enrichment and binary basicity B was observed to be correlated in the slags under applied two-stage cooling conditions. The maximum content of P₂O₅ in the C₂S–C₃P solid solution reached approximately 30.0% when the binary basicity B was controlled at 1.3.     

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.     

Activity coefficient of NiO in SiO2-saturated MnO–SiO2slag and Al2O3-saturated MnO–SiO2–Al2O3slag at 1623 K

As a part of the fundamental study related to the reduction smelting of spent lithium-ion batteries and ocean polymetallic nodules based on MnO–SiO₂slags,this work investigated the activity coefficient of NiO in SiO₂-saturated Mn O–Si O₂slag and Al₂O₃-saturated Mn O–SiO₂–Al₂O₃slag at 1623 K with controlled oxygen partial pressure levels of 10^-7,10^-6,and 10^-5Pa.Results showed that the solubility of nickel oxide in the slags increased with increasing oxygen partial pressure.The nickel in the Mn O–Si O₂slag and Mn O–Si O₂–Al₂O₃slag existed as Ni O under experimental conditions.The addition of Al₂O₃in the Mn O–Si O₂slag decreased the dissolution of nickel in the slag and increased the activity coefficient of Ni O.Furthermore,the activity coefficient of Ni O(γN_(i O)),which is solid Ni O,in the Si O₂saturated Mn O–Si O₂slag and Al₂O₃saturated Mn O–Si O₂–Al₂O₃slag at 1623 K can be respectively calculated asγN_(i O)=8.58w(Ni O)+3.18 andγN_(i O)=11.06w(Ni O)+4.07,respectively,where w(Ni O)is the Ni O mass fraction in the slag.     

18wt%Cr–8wt%Ni不锈钢中增塑性MnO–Al2O3–SiO2基非金属夹杂物的演变及其浸泡性能

The properties of MnO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂-based plasticized inclusion are likely to change during soaking  process due to its low melting point. In this study, the evolution of the MnO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂-based inclusion of 18wt%Cr?8wt%Ni stainless steel under isothermal soaking process at 1250°C for different times was investigated by laboratory-scale experiments and thermodynamic analysis. The results showed that the inclusion population density increased at the first stage and then decreased while their average size first decreased and then increased. In addition, almost no Cr₂O₃-concentrated regions existed within the inclusion before soaking, but more and more Cr₂O₃ precipitates were formed during soaking. Furthermore, the plasticity of the inclusion deteriorated due to a decrease in the amount of liquid phase and an increase in the high-melting-point-phase MnO–Cr₂O₃ spinel after the soaking process. In-situ observations by high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed that liquid phases were produced in the inclusions and the inclusions grew rather quickly during the soaking process. Both the experimental results and thermodynamic analysis conclude that there are three routes for inclusion evolution during the soaking process. In particular, Ostwald ripening plays an important role in the inclusion evolution, i.e., MnO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂-based inclusions grow by absorbing the newly precipitated smaller-size MnO–Cr₂O₃ inclusions.     

Microstructure and properties of Ag–Ti3SiC2 contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering

Ti₃SiC₂-reinforced Ag-matrix composites are expected to serve as electrical contacts. In this study, the wettability of Ag on a Ti₃SiC₂ substrate was measured by the sessile drop method. The Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ composites were prepared from Ag and Ti₃SiC₂ powder mixtures by pressureless sintering. The effects of compacting pressure (100–800 MPa), sintering temperature (850–950℃), and soaking time (0.5–2 h) on the microstructure and properties of the Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ composites were investigated. The experimental results indicated that Ti₃SiC₂ particulates were uniformly distributed in the Ag matrix, without reactions at the interfaces between the two phases. The prepared Ag–10wt%Ti₃SiC₂ had a relative density of 95% and an electrical resistivity of 2.76×10-3 mΩ·cm when compacted at 800 MPa and sintered at 950℃ for 1 h. The incorporation of Ti₃SiC₂ into Ag was found to improve its hardness without substantially compromising its electrical conductivity; this behavior was attributed to the combination of ceramic and metallic properties of the Ti₃SiC₂ reinforcement, suggesting its potential application in electrical contacts.     

Effects of cupric ions on the corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy 5A02 in ethylene glycol-water solution

The effects of cupric ions on the corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy 5A02 in ethylene glycol-water solutions were studied by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical noise (EN), and complementary techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A positive corrosion potential and increased corrosion current were observed due to the deposition of copper. The results demonstrate that the main corrosion type was pitting and the increasing cupric ion concentration augmented the pitting density. The pits became larger and deeper as a result of the embedment of copper into the surface of the alloy. Cupric ions were preferentially deposited at the defects around the secondary phase, leading to the formation of Al-Cu microgalvanic couples, which increased the corrosion rate. The corrosion rate gradually reached a stable value as the concentration of cupric ions was increased beyond 10 mmol/L.     

添加AlCl3水解TiCl4制备的对Cr(VI)具有较高的吸附能力的金红石二氧化钛

Rutile titania (TiO₂) was successfully prepared via hydrolysis of TiCl₄ in the presence of AlCl₃. The powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer?Emmett?Teller (BET) surface area analysis. In the present system, AlCl₃ functions as a nucleating agent and induces the formation of rutile TiO₂. The influences of HCl and isopropanol concentrations on the purity and morphology of the rutile TiO₂ were investigated. The purity of the rutile TiO₂ increased with increasing concentration of HCl. Evenly dispersed rutile TiO₂ particles with a spherical morphology were obtained when the HCl and isopropanol concentrations were 0.5 and 1 mol·L?l, respectively. Furthermore, the prepared TiO₂ powders were used in adsorption tests of the heavy metal pollutant Cr(VI). Rutile TiO₂ sample S-9 demonstrated greater adsorption performance and a removal efficiency that was greater than 99.95% after 60 min of adsorption when the Cr(VI) concentration was 200 mg·L?l. The maximum adsorption capacity on rutile TiO₂ was 28.9 mg·g?1. This work provides an easy path to prepare a high-performance rutile TiO₂ adsorbent with potential applications in water pollution treatment.     

Fluoride evaporation and crystallization behavior of CaF2–CaO–Al2O3–(TiO2) slag for electroslag remelting of Ti-containing steels

To elucidate the behavior of slag films in an electroslag remelting process, the fluoride evaporation and crystallization of CaF₂–CaO–Al₂O₃–(TiO₂) slags were studied using the single hot thermocouple technique. The crystallization mechanism of TiO₂-bearing slag was identified based on kinetic analysis. The fluoride evaporation and incubation time of crystallization in TiO₂-free slag are found to considerably decrease with decreasing isothermal temperature down to 1503 K. Fish-bone and flower-like CaO crystals precipitate in TiO₂-free slag melt, which is accompanied by CaF₂ evaporation from slag melt above 1503 K. Below 1503 K, only near-spherical CaF₂ crystals form with an incubation time of less than 1 s, and the crystallization is completed within 1 s. The addition of 8.1wt% TiO₂ largely prevents the fluoride evaporation from slag melt and promotes the slag crystallization. TiO₂ addition leads to the precipitation of needle-like perovskite (CaTiO₃) crystals instead of CaO crystals in the slag. The crystallization of perovskite (CaTiO₃) occurs by bulk nucleation and diffusion-controlled one-dimensional growth.     

Fabrication of Fe–TiC–Al2O3 composites on the surface of steel using a TiO2–Al–C–Fe combustion reaction induced by gas tungsten arc cladding

The aim of the present study was to fabricate Fe–TiC–Al₂O₃ composites on the surface of medium carbon steel. For this purpose, TiO₂–3C and 3TiO₂–4Al–3C–xFe (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.6 by mole) mixtures were pre-placed on the surface of a medium carbon steel plate. The mixtures and substrate were then melted using a gas tungsten arc cladding process. The results show that the martensite forms in the layer produced by the TiO₂–3C mixture. However, ferrite–Fe₃C–TiC phases are the main phases in the microstructure of the clad layer produced by the 3TiO₂–4Al–3C mixture. The addition of Fe to the TiO₂–4Al–3C reactants with the content from 0 to 20wt% increases the volume fraction of particles, and a composite containing approximately 9vol% TiC and Al₂O₃ particles forms. This composite substantially improves the substrate hardness. The mechanism by which Fe particles enhance the TiC + Al₂O₃ volume fraction in the composite is determined.     

Effects of SiO2 on the preparation and metallurgical properties of acid oxidized pellets

The effects of SiO₂ content on the preparation process and metallurgical properties of acid oxidized pellets, including compressive strength, reduction, and softening–melting behaviors, were systematically investigated.Mineralogical structures, elemental distribution, and pore size distribution were varied to analyze the mechanism of the effects.The results show that with an increase in SiO₂ content from 3.51 wt%to 7.18 wt%, compressive strength decreases from 3150 N/pellet to 2100 N/pellet and reducibility decreases from 76.5% to 71.4%.The microstructure showed that pellets with high SiO₂ content contained more magnetite in the mineralogical structures.Additionally, some liquid phases appeared, which hindered the continuous crystallization of hematite.Also, the softening–melting properties of the pellets clearly deteriorated as the SiO₂ content increased.With increasing SiO₂ content, the temperature range of the softening–melting zone decreased, and the maximum differential pressure and the comprehensive permeability index increased significantly.When acid oxidized pellets are used as the raw materials for blast furnace smelting, it should be combined with high basicity sinters to improve the softening–melting behaviors of the comprehensive charge.     

Kaolin-based geopolymers with various NaOH concentrations

Kaolin geopolymers were produced by the alkali-activation of kaolin with an activator solution (a mixture of NaOH and sodium silicate solutions). The NaOH solution was prepared at a concentration of 6–14 mol/L and was mixed with the sodium silicate solution at a Na₂SiO₃/NaOH mass ratio of 0.24 to prepare an activator solution. The kaolin-to-activator solution mass ratio used was 0.80. This paper aimed to analyze the effect of NaOH concentration on the compressive strength of kaolin geopolymers at 80℃ for 1, 2, and 3 d. Kaolin geopolymers were stable in water, and strength results showed that the kaolin binder had adequate compressive strength with 12 mol/L of NaOH concentration. When the NaOH concentration increased, the SiO₂/Na₂O decreased. The increased Na₂O content enhanced the dissolution of kaolin as shown in X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. However, excess in this content was not beneficial for the strength development of kaolin geopolymers. In addition, there was the formation of more geopolymeric gel in 12 mol/L samples. The XRD pattern of the samples showed a higher amorphous content and a more geopolymer bonding existed as proved by FTIR analysis.     

TiO2对含铬高钛熔分渣熔化性能和黏度的影响

A study on the melting and viscosity properties of the chromium-containing high-titanium melting slag (CaO–SiO₂–MgO–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–Cr₂O₃) with TiO₂ contents ranging from 38.63wt% to 42.63wt% was conducted. The melting properties were investigated with a melting-point apparatus, and viscosity was measured using the rotating cylinder method. The FactSage 7.1 software and X-ray diffraction, in combination with scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), were used to characterize the phase equilibrium and microstructure of chromium-containing high-titanium melting slags. The results indicated that an increase in the TiO₂ content led to a decrease in the viscosity of the chromium-containing high-titanium melting slag. In addition, the softening temperature, hemispheric temperature, and flowing temperature decreased with increasing TiO₂ content. The amount of crystallized anosovite and sphene phases gradually increased with increasing TiO₂ content, whereas the amount of perovskite phase decreased. SEM observations revealed that the distribution of the anosovite phase was dominantly influenced by TiO₂.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb–Mo–ZrB2 composites prepared by hot-pressing sintering

Nb–Mo–ZrB₂ composites (V(Nb)/V(Mo)=1) with 15vol% or 30vol% of ZrB₂ were fabricated by hot-pressing sintering at 2000℃. The phases, microstructure, and mechanical properties were then investigated. The composites contain Nb-Mo solid solution (denoted as (Nb, Mo)ss hereafter), ZrB, MoB, and NbB phases. Compressive strength test results suggest that the strength of Nb–Mo–ZrB₂ composites increases with increasing ZrB₂ content; Nb–Mo–30vol%ZrB₂ had the highest compressive strength (1905.1 MPa). The improvement in the compressive strength of the Nb–Mo–ZrB₂ composites is mainly attributed to the secondary phase strengthening of the stiffer ZrB phase, solid-solution strengthening of the (Nb, Mo)ss matrix as well as fine-grain strengthening. The fracture toughness decreases with increasing ZrB₂ content. Finally, the fracture modes of the Nb–Mo–ZrB₂ composites are also discussed in detail.     

超音速等离子喷涂制备的Al–25Si–4Cu–1Mg耐磨涂层的组织与性能

A high content silicon aluminum alloy (Al–25Si–4Cu–1Mg) coating was prepared on a 2A12 aluminum alloy by supersonic plasma spraying. The morphology and microstructure of the coating were observed and analyzed. The hardness, elastic modulus, and bonding strength of the coating were measured. The wear resistance of the coating and 2A12 aluminum alloy was studied by friction and wear test. The results indicated that the coating was compact and the porosity was only 1.5%. The phase of the coating was mainly composed of α-Al and β-Si as well as some hard particles (Al₉Si, Al_3.21Si_0.47, and CuAl₂). The average microhardness of the coating was HV 242, which was greater than that of 2A12 aluminum alloy (HV 110). The wear resistance of the coating was superior to 2A12 aluminum alloy. The wear mechanism of the 2A12 aluminum alloy was primarily adhesive wear, while that of the coating was primarily abrasive wear. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a high content silicon aluminum alloy coating with good wear resistance on an aluminum alloy by supersonic plasma spraying.     

Corrosion-wear behavior of nanocrystalline Fe88Si12 alloy in acid and alkaline solutions

The corrosion-wear behavior of a nanocrystalline Fe₈₈Si₁₂ alloy disc coupled with a Si₃N₄ ball was investigated in acid (pH 3) and alkaline (pH 9) aqueous solutions. The dry wear was also measured for reference. The average friction coefficient of Fe₈₈Si₁₂ alloy in the pH 9 solution was approximately 0.2, which was lower than those observed for Fe₈₈Si₁₂ alloy in the pH 3 solution and in the case of dry wear. The fluctuation of the friction coefficient of samples subjected to the pH 9 solution also showed similar characteristics. The wear rate in the pH 9 solution slightly increased with increasing applied load. The wear rate was approximately one order of magnitude less than that in the pH 3 solution and was far lower than that in the case of dry wear, especially at high applied load. The wear traces of Fe₈₈Si₁₂ alloy under different wear conditions were examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the tribo-chemical reactions that involve oxidation of the worn surface and hydrolysis of the Si₃N₄ ball in the acid solution were restricted in the pH 9 aqueous solution. Thus, water lubrication can effectively improve the wear resistance of nanocrystalline Fe₈₈Si₁₂ alloy in the pH 9 aqueous solution.     

Fracture behavior and microstructure analysis of Al2O3–MgO–CaO castables for steel-ladle purging plugs

Three different castables based on the Al₂O₃–MgO–CaO system were prepared as steel-ladle purging plug refractories: corundum- based low-cement castable (C-LCC), corundum-spinel-based low-cement castable (C-S-LCC), and corundum-spinel no-cement castable (C-S-NCC) (hydratable alumina (ρ-Al₂O₃) bonded). The fracture behavior at room temperature was tested by the method of “wedge-splitting” on samples pre-fired at different temperatures; the specific fracture energy G′_f and notched tensile strength σ_NT were obtained from these tests. In addition, the Young’s modulus E was measured by the method of resonance frequency of damping analysis (RFDA). The thermal stress resistance parameter R′′′′ calculated using the values of G′_f, σ_NT, and E was used to evaluate the thermal shock resistance of the materials. According to the microstructure analysis results, the sintering effect and the bonding type of the matrix material were different among these three castables, which explains their different fracture behaviors.     

工艺参数对激光熔覆FeNiCoCrTi0.5高熵合金涂层组织和性能的影响

FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coatings with different process parameters were fabricated by laser cladding. The macro-morphology, phase, microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of each coating were studied. The smoothness and dilution rate of the FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coating generally increased with the increase of specific energy (E_s), which is the laser irradiation energy received by a unit area. FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coatings at different parameters had bcc, fcc, and Ti-rich phases as well as equiaxed, dendritic, and columnar structures. When E_s increased, the size of each structure increased and the distribution area of the columnar and dendritic structures changed. The prepared FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coating with the E_s of 72.22 J·mm–2 had the highest hardness and the best wear resistance, the highest hardness of the coating reached HV 498.37, which is twice the substrate hardness. The average hardness of the FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coating with the E_s of 72.22 J·mm–2 was 15.8% higher than the lowest average hardness of the coating with the E_s of 108.33 J·mm–2. The worn surface morphologies indicate that the FeNiCoCrTi_0.5 coatings exhibited abrasive wear.     

Recovery of alkali and alumina from Bayer red mud by the calcification–carbonation method

Red mud produced in the Bayer process is a hazardous solid waste because of its high alkalinity; however, it is rich in valuable components such as titanium, iron, and aluminum. In this study, a novel calcification–carbonation method was developed to recover alkali and alumina from Bayer red mud under mild reaction conditions. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the potential effects of important parameters such as temperature, amount of CaO added, and CO₂ partial pressure on the recovery of alkali and alumina. The results showed that 95.2% alkali and 75.0% alumina were recovered from red mud with decreases in the mass ratios of Na₂O to Fe₂O₃ and of Al₂O₃ to Fe₂O₃ from 0.42 and 0.89 to 0.02 and 0.22, respectively. The processed red mud with less than 0.5wt% Na₂O can potentially be used as a construction material.