Mechanical,electrical, and thermal properties of the directionally solidified Bi-Zn-Al ternary eutectic alloy

A Bi-2.0Zn-0.2Al (wt%) ternary eutectic alloy was prepared using a vacuum melting furnace and a casting furnace. The samples were directionally solidified upwards at a constant growth rate (V = 18.4 μm/s) under different temperature gradients (G = 1.15–3.44 K/mm) and at a constant temperature gradient (G = 2.66 K/mm) under different growth rates (V = 8.3–500 μm/s) in a Bridgman-type directional solidification furnace. The dependence of microstructure parameter (λ) on the solidification parameters (G and V) and that of the microhardness (Hv) on the microstructure and solidification parameters were investigated. The resistivity (ρ) measurements of the studied alloy were performed using the standard four-point-probe method, and the temperature coefficient of resistivity (α) was calculated from the ρ-T curve. The enthalpy (ΔH) and the specific heat (C_p) values were determined by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. In addition, the thermal conductivities of samples, obtained using the Wiedemann-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations, were compared with the experimental results. The results revealed that, the thermal conductivity values obtained using the Wiedemann-Franz and Smith-Palmer equations for the Bi-2.0Zn-0.2Al (wt%) alloy are in the range of 5.2–6.5 W/Km and 15.2–16.4 W/Km, respectively.     

High undercooling and rapid dendritic growth of Cu-Sb alloy in drop tube

Droplets of Cu-20%Sb hypoeutectic alloy has been rapidly solidified in drop tube within the containerless condition. With the decrease of droplet diameter, undercooling increases and the microstructures of primary copper dendrite refines. Undercooling up to 207 K (0.17 T _L) is obtained in experiment. Theoretic analysis indicated that because of the broad temperature range of solidification, the rapid growth of primary copper dendrite is controlled by the solutal diffusion. Judging from the calculation of T₀ curve in the phase diagram, it is shown that the critical undercooling of segregationless solidification is δT ₀ = 474 K. At the maximum undercooling of 207 K, the growth velocity of primary copper phase exceeds to 37 mm/s, and the distinct solute trapping occurs.     

The strain ampli tude-controlled cyclic fatigue behavior of Al2O3 fiber reinforced Al–Si alloy composite at elevated temperatures

The strain amplitude-controlled fatigue characteristics of an Al–Si casting alloy and itscomposite reinforced with 17 vol% Al₂O₃ fibers (Al–Si/Al₂O₃) are studied at three different temperatures. Both the alloy and the composite showed different degrees of cyclic softening at elevated temperatures. Increasing the temperature, fatigue damage of either the alloy or the composite occurred with varying mode from brittle fracture of silicon particles to their separation from the aluminum matrix. This is explained by the different thermal expansion coefficients of silicon particles and the aluminum matrix. The reinforcement Al₂O₃ fibers in the composite showed a similar damage behavior with those silicon particles despite temperature variation     

Dissolution characteristics of sericite in chalcopyrite bioleaching and its effect on copper extraction

The effects of sericite particle size, rotation speed, and leaching temperature on sericite dissolution and copper extraction in a chalcopyrite bioleaching system were examined. Finer particles, appropriate temperature and rotation speed for Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans resulted in a higher Al3+ dissolution concentration. The Al3+ dissolution concentration reached its highest concentration of 38.66 mg/L after 48-d leaching when the sericite particle size, temperature, and rotation speed were -43 μm, 30℃, and 160 r/min, respectively. Meanwhile, the sericite particle size, rotation speed, and temperature can affect copper extraction. The copper extraction rate is higher when the sericite particle size is finer. An appropriately high temperature is favorable for copper leaching. The dissolution of sericite fitted the shrinking core model, 1-(2/3)α-(1-α)2/3=k₁t, which indicates that internal diffusion is the decision step controlling the overall reaction rate in the leaching process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed small precipitates covered on the surface of sericite after leaching, which increased the diffusion resistance of the leaching solution and dissolved ions.     

整形器对SHPB入射波形影响规律的定量研究

波形整形器是实现分离式霍普金森压杆（SHPB）实验恒应变率加载的重要手段之一,为研究整形器对入射波形的影响规律,本文以紫铜、黄铜、铝等软材料为研究对象,在37 mm霍普金森压杆（SHPB）设备上开展了整形器直径和厚度、撞击杆速度、长度等因素对入射波形状影响规律的实验研究,并结合数值模拟仿真研究与量纲分析,给出了入射波T₁和T₂拐点的量纲一应力、量纲一时间的定量表达式,T₁拐点的量纲一应力σ/σ*与量纲一参数Y/σ*,（d/D_b）2和h/L_b分别呈线性关系;T₂拐点的量纲一时间t/t*与量纲一参数h/L_b、Y/σ*都是呈线性关系的.      

Effect of TRT process on GFA, mechanical properties and microstructure of Zr-based bulk metallic glass

The effect of yttrium addition on the glass-forming ability(GFA) and mechanical properties of the Zr-based (Zr_(0.525)Al_(0.1)Ti_(0.05)Cu_(0.179)Ni_(0.146))_(100-x)Y_x and(Zr_(0.55)Al_(0.15)Ni_(0.1)Cu_(0.2))_(100-x)Y_x(x=0,0.2,0.4 0.6,1,2) alloys was studied.Micro-alloying of 0.6%yttrium enhances the room temperature ductility as well as the GFA of the Zr-based alloys.The mechanism of enhancing the GFA and room temperature ductility was analyzed.It is indicated that proper yttrium addition stabilizes the...     

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.     

Revisiting Al-Ni-Zr bulk metallic glasses using the ＇cluster-resonance＇ model

Six series of alloys,namely,Ni3Zr6Alx,Ni3Zr7Alx,Ni4Zr9Alx,Ni3Zr8Alx,Ni3Zr9Alx and Ni3Zr10Alx (x=1,1.5,2,3) were designed in this work and the bulk metallic glass (BMG) formation of these compositions was investigated by copper mold suction casting. A centimeter-scale BMG sample was obtained for the Ni4Zr9Al2 (Al13.3Ni26.7Zr60 in atomic percent) composition. The thermal glass parameters for this BMG were determined to be ΔTx = 68 K,Trg = 0.579,and γm = 0.689. Using the ’cluster-resonance’ model for glass formation an optimal BMG composition was determined using the cluster formula [Ni3Zr9](Al2Ni1).     

Analysis of the global T_m–T_s correlation and establishment of the latitude-related linear model

In this study,the correlation between Tm,a key variable in GNSS water vapor inversion,and surface temperature(Ts)was calculated on a global scale based on the global geodetic observing system(GGOS)atmosphere Tmdata and European centre for medium-range weather forecasts(ECMWF)surface temperature data.The results show that their correlation is mainly affected by latitudes,and the correlation is stronger at high latitudes and weaker at low latitudes.Although the correlation is relatively weak in the tropic areas,the temperature changes so little in a year in these areas that we can still achieve good Tmresults by linear regression model.Based on these facts,‘‘GGOS atmosphere’’Tmdata and ECMWF Tsdata from 2005 to2011 were used to establish the global latitude-related linear regression model.The new model has root mean square error(RMSE)of 3.2,3.3,and 4.4 K,respectively,compared with respect to the‘‘GGOS atmosphere’’data,COSMIC data,and radiosonde data and is more accurate than the Bevis Tm–Tsrelationship.     

Thermodynamic characterization of two novel spin-crossover complexes

Spin-crossover complexes are of great interest to the scientists because of their potential application in molecular-based electronic devices. Some octahedral metal compounds with 3dn (4 ≤ n ≤ 7) configuration can induce a spin state conversion through a fine tuning condition (temperature, pressure, light irradiation, etc.). If the conversion occurs reversibly with a hystersis loop and color change, it will make the system possessing memory effect. The memory effect can be magnified and the …     

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.     

Sintering mechanism of Cu-9Al alloy prepared from elemental powders

The sintering behavior of Cu-9Al alloys prepared from die pressing of elemental powders was investigated. The experimental results and kinetic analysis showed the formation of three consecutive layers of Al₂Cu, Al₄Cu₉, and AlCu phases, with Al₂Cu appearing first in the initial solid phase sintering stage. A liquid phase formed in the intermediate stage, resulting from the eutectic reaction between Al and Al₂Cu phases at 500 °C, which is 47 °C lower than the equilibrium reaction temperature. Swelling occurred when the liquid phase infiltrated the gaps between the copper particles, leaving pores at the original sites of Al particles and Al₂Cu. In the final stage of sintering, the Al-rich phases (Al₂Cu and AlCu) transformed to Al-poor phases (Al₄Cu₉ and α-Cu) in the temperature range of 500–565 °C. Al₄Cu₉ and α-Cu then transformed to AlCu₃ (β) above the eutectoid reaction temperature (565 °C), whereas AlCu₃ transformed to α-Cu and eutectoid phases (α-Cu + Al₄Cu₉) during cooling. The pure copper transformed to AlCu₃, and the pore volume decreased at 1000 °C. The microstructure study helps manipulate precisely the sintering process of Cu-Al alloys and optimize the microstructure with a high dimensional accuracy.     

Compositional dependence of thermal and elastic properties of Cu-Ti-Zr-Ni bulk metallic glasses

Starting from the quaternary Cu₄₇Ti₃₄Zr₁₁Ni₈ alloy, the compositional dependence of thermal and elastic properties of Cu-Ti-Zr-Ni alloys was systematically investigated. Quaternary Cu-Ti-Zr-Ni alloys can be cast directly from the melt into copper molds to form fully amorphous strips or rods with the thickness of 3–6 mm. The evidence of the amorphous nature of the cast rods was provided by X-ray spectra. The measured glass transition temperature (T_g) and crystallization temperature (T_x) were obtained for the alloys using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at the heating rate of 20 K/s. In the results, the differences between the glass temperature and the crystallization temperature (ΔT_x=T_x-T_g) are measured with values ranging up to 33–55 K. The reduced glass transition temperature (T_rg), which is the ratio of the glass temperature to the liquidus temperature (T_l), is often used as an indication of the glass-forming ability of metallic alloys. For the present Cu-Ti-Zr-Ni alloys, this ratio is typically in the range of 0.5838–0.5959, characteristic of metallic alloys with good glass-forming ability. The elastic constants for several selected alloys were measured using ultrasonic methods. The values of the elastic shear modulus, bulk modulus, and Poisson’s ratio were also given.     

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.     

Thermodynamics and kinetics of alumina extraction from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate roasting method

A novel method was developed for extracting alumina (Al₂O₃) from fly ash using an ammonium hydrogen sulfate (NH₄HSO₄) roasting process, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of this method were investigated. The thermodynamic results were verified experimentally. Thermodynamic calculations show that mullite present in the fly ash can react with NH₄HSO₄ in the 298–723 K range. Process optimization reveals that the extraction rate can reach up to 90.95% when the fly ash reacts with NH₄HSO₄ at a 1:8 mole ratio of Al₂O₃/NH₄HSO₄ at 673 K for 60 min. Kinetic analysis indicates that the NH₄HSO₄ roasting process follows the shrinking unreacted core model, and inner diffusion through the product layer is the rate-controlling step. The activation energy is calculated to be 16.627 kJ/mol; and the kinetic equation can be expressed as 1 ? (2/3)α ? (1 ? α)2/3 = 0.0374t exp[?16627/(RT)], where α is the extraction rate and t is the roasting temperature.     

Centimeter-sized Ti-based bulk metallic glass with high specific strength

Based on the quaternary Ti₄₁Zr₂₅Be₂₉Al₅ glassy alloy with a critical diameter of 7 mm reported not long ago, an obvious enhancement of glass-forming ability (GFA) has been realized in this alloy by the addition of Cu element. A series of (Ti₄₁Zr₂₅Be₂₉Al₅)_100?xCu_x (x=0, 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 at%) glassy alloys have been developed and some of them can be cast into one-centimeter diameter fully glassy rods by copper mold suction casting. It has been found that Cu addition could stabilize the liquid phase and suppress the crystallization, resulting in improvement of the GFA of the alloy. The addition of Cu also increases the compressive strength of the alloy and the (Ti₄₁Zr₂₅Be₂₉Al₅)₉₁Cu₉ glassy alloy possesses a specific strength (defined as yield strength/density) of 4.13×10⁵ Nm/kg, which is much higher than most other reported centimeter-sized bulk metallic glasses. The present result suggests that the newly developed (Ti₄₁Zr₂₅Be₂₉Al₅)₉₁Cu₉ glassy alloy is a good candidate for structural applications because of its good glass-forming ability and mechanical properties.     

Structure and corrosion resistance of Al–Cu–Fe alloys

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al–Cu–Fe alloys with the atomic compositions of Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15),Al_(78)Cu_7Fe_(15)and Al_(80)Cu_5Fe_(14)Si_1have been studied.The alloys were produced by induction melting of pure elements with copper mold casting.The microstructure of the alloys was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.The formation of quasicrystalline phases in the Al–Cu–Fe alloys was confirmed.The presence of intermetallic phases was observed in the alloys after crystallization in a form of ingots and plates.The electrochemical measurements were conducted in 3.5%NaCl solution.The electronic structure of the alloys was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The post corrosion surface of the samples was checked using a scanning electron microscope equipped with the energydispersive X-ray detector.It was observed that the Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15)alloy had the highest corrosion resistance.The improved corrosion resistance parameters were noted for the plate samples rather than those in the as-cast state.And the hardness of the Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15)alloy was significantly higher than the other alloy samples.     

Zr50Cu50金属玻璃形成过程中自由体积与玻璃态转变温度关系的分子动力学模拟

利用分子动力学模拟了Zr50Cu50金属玻璃的形成过程,并获得了不同温度下合金的原子构型.借助金属玻璃中自由体积量等于金属玻璃与对应晶体的体积差理论提出一种自由体积湮没速度法,对Zr50Cu50金属玻璃形成过程中的临界玻璃态转变温度Tc以及热力学玻璃态转变温度Tg进行预测.用该方法确定出的Tc(969.5K)与利用模式耦合理论计算获得的Tc(978.4K)接近;Tg(731K)与利用平均原子体积随温度变化关系曲线确定的Tg(725K)相近.运用自由体积湮没速度法计算的Tc和Tg无需计算各温度下的原子扩散系数,节省了计算时间.     

Preparation of Al<Subscript>72</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>8</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>8</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>6</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Y<Subscript>3</Subscript> amorphous powders and bulk materials

Amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were successfully fabricated by mechanical alloying. The microstructure, glass-forming ability, and crystallization behavior of amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation. In the results, the supercooled liquid region of the amorphous alloy is as high as 81 K, as determined by non-isothermal DSC curves. The activation energy for crystallization is as high as 312.6 kJ·mol?1 obtained by Kissinger and Ozawa analyses. The values of Avrami exponent (n) imply that the crystallization is dominated by interface-controlled three-dimensional growth in the early stage and the end stage and by diffusion-controlled two- or three-dimensional growth in the middle stage. In addition, the amorphous Al₇₂Ni₈Ti₈Zr₆Nb₃Y₃ powders were sintered under 2 GPa at temperatures of 673 K and 723 K. The results show that the Vickers hardness of the compacted powders is as high as Hv 1215.     

A new criterion for predicting glass forming ability of bulk metallic glasses and some critical discussions

A modified criterion,β',defined as T_g/T_x-T_g/(T_l·η))(T_g,T_x,T_l andηdenote the glass transition temperature,the onset of crystallization temperature,the liquidus temperature and constant coefficient,respectively),has been proposed for assessing the glass-forming ability(GFA) of bulk metallic glasses(BMGs).A survey of the readily available experimental data associated with the thermal analysis of various BMG alloys demonstrates that the newβ' criterion exhibits much better correlation with the GFA tha...