Experimental and numerical study on plasma nitriding of AISI P20 mold steel

In this study, plasma nitriding was used to fabricate a hard protective layer on AISI P20 steel, at three process temperatures (450°C, 500°C, and 550°C) and over a range of time periods (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 h), and at a fixed gas N₂:H₂ ratio of 75vol%:25vol%. The morphology of samples was studied using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the formed phase of each sample was determined by X-ray diffraction. The elemental depth profile was measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, and glow dispersive spectroscopy. The hardness profile of the samples was identified, and the microhardness profile from the surface to the sample center was recorded. The results show that ε-nitride is the dominant species after carrying out plasma nitriding in all strategies and that the plasma nitriding process improves the hardness up to more than three times. It is found that as the time and temperature of the process increase, the hardness and hardness depth of the diffusion zone considerably increase. Furthermore, artificial neural networks were used to predict the effects of operational parameters on the mechanical properties of plastic mold steel. The plasma temperature, running time of imposition, and target distance to the sample surface were all used as network inputs; Vickers hardness measurements were given as the output of the model. The model accurately reproduced the experimental outcomes under different operational conditions; therefore, it can be used in the effective simulation of the plasma nitriding process in AISI P20 steel.     

An error-free protocol for quantum entanglement distribution in long-distance quantum communication

Quantum entanglement distribution is an essential part of quantum communication and computation protocols. Here, linear optic elements are employed for the distribution of quantum entanglement over a long distance. Polarization beam splitters and wave plates are used to realize an error-free protocol for broadcasting quantum entanglement in optical quantum communication. This protocol can determine the maximum distance of quantum communication without decoherence. Error detection and error correc-tion are performed in the proposed scheme. In other words, if there is a bit flip along the quantum channel, the end stations (Alice and Bob) can detect this state change and obtain the correct state (entangled photon) at another port. Existing general error detec-tion protocols are based on the quantum controlled-NOT (CNOT) or similar quantum logic operations, which are very difficult to implement experimentally. Here we present a feasible scheme for the implementation of entanglement distribution based on a linear optics element that does not need a quantum CNOT gate.     

Formation kinetics of austenite in pearlitic ductile iron

This work evaluated the isothermal transformation of austenite in unalloyed pearlitic ductile iron and drew the isothermal phase diagram of austenitization in the ductile iron. Austenite forms at grain boundaries and then grows up to graphite regions during austenitization. The formation kinetics of austenite complies with the Avrami equation, in which the parameter (n) ranges from 4.71 to 4.99. The start time and finish time of transformation can be calculated at each temperature using the Avrami equation.     

Investigation on the homogenization treatment and element segregation on the microstructure of a γ/γ′-cobalt-based superalloy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of element segregation on the microstructure and γ′ phase in a γ/γ′ cobalt-based superalloy. Several samples were prepared from a cast alloy and homogenized at 1300°C for different times, with a maximum of 24 h. A microstructural study of the cast alloy using wavelength-dispersive spectroscopic analysis revealed that elements such as Al, Ti, and Ni segregated mostly within interdendritic regions, whereas W atoms were segregated within dendrite cores. With an increase in homogenization time, segregation decreased and the initial dendritic structure was eliminated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the γ′ phases in the cores and interdendritic regions of the as-cast alloy were 392 and 124 nm, respectively. The size difference of γ′ was found to be due to the different segregation behaviors of constituent elements during solidification. After homogenization, particularly after 16 h, segregation decreased; thus, the size, chemical composition, and hardness of the precipitated γ′ phase was mostly uniform throughout the samples.