Identification of thermal effects involved in DSC experiment on Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys with high Cu:Mg ratio

Precipitation reactions in the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy were identified by analyzing the results from hardness test, electrical conductivity test, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination. It is discovered that thermal effects can be identified through selected area electron diffraction and bright-field images. The reaction peaks around 171, 231, and 276℃ can be attributed to a structural rearrangement of coherent zones, to the precipitation of Ω phases, and to the precipitation of Ω and θ' and possible combination with the transition of θ'→θ, respectively. In addition, the hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy change proportionately with the progression of reactions during the heating process. This phenomenon can be attributed to the evolution of the microstructure.     

Effects of aging on the microstructure of a Cu-Al-Ni-Mn shape memory alloy

The influence of aging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-11.6wt%Al-3.9wt%Ni-2.5wt%Mn shape memory alloy (SMA) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Experimental results show that bainite, γ_2, and α phase precipitates occur with the aging effect in the alloy. After aging at 300dgC, the bainitic precipitates appear at the early stages of aging, while the precipitates of γ₂ phase are observed for a longer aging time. When the aging temperature increases, the bainite gradually evolves into γ₂ phase and equilibrium α phase (bcc) precipitates from the remaining parent phase. Thus, the bainite, γ₂, and α phases appear, while the martensite phase disappears progressively in the alloy. The bainitic precipitates decrease the reverse transformation temperature while the γ₂ phase precipitates increase these temperatures with a decrease of solute content in the retained parent phase. On the other hand, these precipitations cause an increasing in hardness of the alloy.     

Mechanism of α-Cr precipitation and crystallographic relationships between α-Cr and δ phases in Inconel 718 alloy after long-time thermal exposure

To study the precipitation mechanism of α-Cr phase in Inconel 718 alloy, the samples after long-time aging at 650 and 677℃ were examined by microstructural observations and chemical phase analysis methods. Combining the thermodynamics and kinetics calculation results, α-Cr always precipitates in the vicinity of δ phase, because δ phase rejects Cr into the γ-matrix when growing. The selected area diffraction patterns confirm that the crystallographic relationships of α-Cr with δ phase are (010)_δ//(1 10)_α-Cr and [100]_δ//[111]_α-Cr. A graphic model is also presented to show the crystallographic relation between α-Cr and δ phases.     

Precipitation variability in central Himalayas and its relation to Northern Hemisphere temperature

Agriculture, industry and hydroelectric power in south Asia are heavily dependent on the performance of the summer (June to September) monsoon rainfall, which provides 75—90% of the annual rainwater over most parts of the area. A weak monsoon year generally corresponds to low crop yields. And strong monsoon usually produces abundant crops, although too much rainfall may produce devastating floods. However, modeling efforts to forecast the monsoon have met with only moderate success[1]. Prev…     

Aging behavior of a copper-bearing high-strength low-carbon steel

The effects of aging temperature and time on the hardness and impact toughness of a copper-bearing high-strength low-carbon steel were investigated. The hardness of the aged samples reached maxima after 1 h and 5 h of aging at 500 and 450℃, respectively; this increase in hardness was followed by a decrease in hardness until a temperature of 700℃, at which secondary hardening was observed. The impact toughness of the aged steel was found to be higher for 5 h of aging. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of carbide and copper precipitates; also, the secondary hardening could be the result of the transformation of austenite (formed in the aging treatment) to martensite. Differential scanning calorimetry of the steel was performed to better understand the precipitation behavior. The results revealed that the precipitation of the steel exhibited two significant stages of copper precipitate nucleation and coarsening of the precipitates, with corresponding activation energies of 49 and 238 kJ·mol-1, respectively.     

Microstructure and texture evolution of TRC A8006 alloy by homogenization

The microstructure and texture evolution of twin-roll cast A8006 alloy by homogenization were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and the microhardness was tested as well. According to the relationship between dendritic arm spacing and cooling rate the cooling rate of the as-cast twin-roll cast A8006 sheet of 6 mm in thickness was estimated as 1.48×103 K·s?1. It is found that the grains and the nanostructural precipitates of the twin-roll cast sheet become coarser after homogenization at 580℃ for 4 h in comparison with those after homogenization at 500℃ for 8 h. The textures formed after cold rolling and became weaker during homogenization. The increase in hardness of the as-cast twin-roll cast sheets is related to the supersaturated α-Al solid solution and fine microstructure, but the decrease in hardness after homogenization can be attributed to the coarsening of grains and Al₆Fe(Mn) precipitates.     

Influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys

The influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cu-11.9wt%Al-3.8wt%Ni shape memory alloy (SMA) were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The experimental results show that Mn addition influences considerably the austenite-martensite transformation temperatures and the kind of martensite in the Cu-Al-Ni alloy. The martensitic transformation changes from a mixed xed β₁→β'₁+γ'₁ transformation to a single β₁→β'₁ martensite transformation together with a decrease in transformation temperatures. In addition, the observations reveal that the grain size of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy can be controlled with the addition of 2.5wt% Mn and thus its mechanical properties can be enhanced. The Cu-Al-Ni-Mn alloy exhibits better mechanical properties with the high ultimate compression strength and ductility of 952 MPa and 15%, respectively. These improvements are attributed to a decrease in grain size. However, the hardness decreases from Hv 230 to Hv 140 with the Mn addition.     

Semisolid die forging process,microstructures and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy mobile telephone shells

A semisolid slurry of AZ31 magnesium alloy was prepared by vibrating wavelike sloping plate process, and the semisolid die forging process, microstructures, and properties of the magnesium alloy mobile telephone shell were investigated. The semisolid forging process was performed on a YA32-315 four-column universal hydraulic press. The microstructures were observed by optical microscopy, the hardness was analyzed with a model 450SVD Vickers hardometer, the mechanical properties was measured with a CMT5105 tensile test machine, and the fractograph of elongated specimens was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results reveal that with the increase of die forging force, the microstructures of the product become fine and dense. A lower preheating temperature and a longer dwell time are favorable to the formation of fine and dense microstructures. The optimum process conditions of preparing mobile telephone shells with excellent surface quality and microstructures are a die forging force of 2000 kN, a die preheating temperature of 250℃, and a dwell time of 240 s. After solution treatment at 430℃ and aging at 220℃ for 8 h, the Vickers hardness is 61.7 and the ultimate tensile strength of the product is 193 MPa. Tensile fractographs show the mixing mechanisms of quasi-cleavage fracture and ductile fracture.     

Hydrothermal plume anomalies along the Central Indian Ridge

Water column turbidity and temperature were investigated along the Central Indian Ridge （CIR） from 25°19＇S to 23°48＇S during a December 2005 cruise on board Chinese PJV DayangYihao. Measurements were made using NOAA＇s MAPR （Miniature Autonomous Plume Recorder） sensors during CTD casts, TV grabber operations, and tow-yo profiles, yielding the following results on hydrothermal plume anomalies： （1） Strong hydrothermal turbidity and temperature anomalies were recorded over the previously discovered Kairei （25°19.2＇S, 70°02.4＇E） and Edmond （23°52.7＇S, 69°35.8＇E） vent fields, with the plume anomalies concentrated at depths of 2150--2300 m and 2700--2900 m, respectively. The maximum height of the turbidity anomalies near the Kairei vent field recorded in December 2005 was slightly below 2100 m, which is consistent with the plume depth measured in June 2001, indicating that the Kairei plume may have maintained its buoyancy flux in the intervening 4.5 years. （2） The water column beneath the Kairei plume has background anomalies of about 0.005ANTU, whereas no such background turbidity anomalies were observed below the Edmond hydrothermal plume. （3） No visible turbidity anomalies were detected from 24°42＇S to 24°12＇S including the Knorr Seamount. Thus 24°12＇S marks the southern end of the hydrothermal plume. （4） Significant turbidity anomalies were observed at four individual sections from 24°12＇S to 23°56＇S at the depth of 2500--3000 m along the eastern rift valley wall. Whether the individual sections of anomalies are connected is still unknown due to the absence of data at the intervening gaps. If the four sections are connected with each other and are linked to the Edmond vent field farther to the north, the total along-axis length of the plume anomaly would be more than 37 km, implying a plume incidence value Ph of 0.38, greater than the predicted Ph of 0.21 --0.25 based on the spreading rate of the Central Indian Ridge.     

High temperature tensile properties,fracture behaviors and nanoscale precipitate variation of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

In order to assess Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys as potential high temperature structural materials,the hardness,tensile properties and fracture behaviors of 7085 Al alloy were investigated at various temperatures from room temperature to 175℃.High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the evolutions of precipitates at different temperatures,particularly on the relationship between microstructural evolution and tensile strength.The results reveal that both the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy are quite sensitive to the environmental temperature.As the temperature increases,the hardness and strength decrease while the elongation and reduction of area increase.As tensile testing temperature rises,the strain hardening exponent(n) decreases due to the thermal softening effect.The fracture mode of the alloy transforms from mixture of intergranular and transgranular fracture to completely transgranular dimples when tensile testing temperature reaches 150℃.The precipitate sequence during high temperature tests is coincident with that of aging.With the increase of tensile testing temperature,the mean precipitate radius grows larger,and the distribution of grain boundary precipitates transforms from continuous to discontinuous.     

基于厚向组织性能考量的7B50铝合金中厚板回归再时效热处理

为解决T6态高强铝合金强度高而耐蚀性难以满足使用需求,采用三级时效工艺来改善析出强化相特别是晶界析出相的形貌、尺寸、分布等,并通过研究不同回归处理制度对组织、性能的影响而获得适宜7B50铝合金中厚板的三级时效工艺.研究发现提高回归温度或延长回归时间均会使中厚板心部及表层组织的晶内和晶界析出相发生粗化并析出稳定η-MgZn2相,导致强度下降、电导率上升,其中回归温度对强度和电导率的影响显著.三级时效处理虽使晶内析出相尺寸有所增加,但却使T6态连续分布的晶界析出相呈断续分布,结合心部和表层强度及电导率测量结果认为合适的回归处理制度为165℃/6 h.然而,热轧引起中厚板表层较心部更为严重的变形使表层含有更多的亚晶或亚结构且其分布更均匀,从而使表层更快到达峰时效,进一步的回归再时效处理则使表层析出更多稳定η相,而η相的形成与晶内析出相的粗化长大是造成表层和心部强度差异的关键.虽然淬火/三级时效态表层和心部的晶粒结构存在差异,且局部出现亚晶合并长大,但其对强度的提升效果远低于表层析出稳定η相所引起的强度下降.可见,三级时效工艺并不能缓解7B50铝合金中厚板心部和表层的性能差异,但可使表层和心部的强度、电导率满足某实际工况要求.     

Changes in sea surface temperature in western South China Sea over the past 450 ka

Sea surface temperature over the past 450 ka was obtained by the unsaturation of molecular fossil-long chain alkenone with a resolution of about 1 ka from the western South China Sea. This is the longest temperature profile in the South China Sea at such high resolution. The U37^κ-SST results revealed similar glacial-interglacial cycles as the δ^18O profile of planktonic foraminifera, with SST variability of 23-25.5℃ for glacial and 25-28℃ for interglacial periods. The highest SST （28.4℃） was recorded at MIS5.5 and lowest SST （22.6℃） during MIS2. The SST record preceded the planktonic foraminiferal δ^18O on five glacial-interglacial transitions. Comparison of temperature records from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres indicated a more Southern Hemisphere-like pattern for the temperature variation in the SCS. Strong precession and semiprecession signals in the spectra of our SST record manifest the tropical phenomena.     

CeO2 thin films grown on biaxially textured nickel (001)

CeO\-2 films have been grown on biaxially textured Ni substrates at various temperatures. The results show that CeO\-2 films without IBAD are dominated by (111) orientation from room temperature to 800℃ while the preferential orientation of CeO\-2 films with IBAD is (001) at lower deposition temperature and (111) at deposition temperature higher than 450℃. CeO\-2 films with better in_plane texture and out_of_plane orientation can be grown at 360℃ with 240 eV ion energy and 200 μA/cm\+2 ion current density.     

Coarsening behavior of MX carbonitrides in type 347H heat-resistant austenitic steel during thermal aging

In this work, the growth kinetics of MX (M = metal, X = C/N) nanoprecipitates in type 347H austenitic steel was systematically studied. To investigate the coarsening behavior and the growth mechanism of MX carbonitrides during long-term aging, experiments were performed at 700, 800, 850, and 900℃ for different periods (1, 24, 70, and 100 h). The precipitation behavior of carbonitrides in specimens subjected to various aging conditions was explored using carbon replicas and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The corresponding sizes of MX carbonitrides were measured. The results demonstrates that MX carbonitrides precipitate in type 347H austenitic steel as Nb(C,N). The coarsening rate constant is time-independent; however, an increase in aging temperature results in an increase in coarsening rate of Nb(C,N). The coarsening process was analyzed according to the calculated diffusion activation energy of Nb(C,N). When the aging temperature was 800–900℃, the mean activation energy was 294 kJ·mol-1, and the coarsening behavior was controlled primarily by the diffusion of Nb atoms.     

RRA处理对1973铝合金晶间腐蚀与剥蚀的影响

采用维氏硬度、室温拉伸、极化曲线测试和晶间腐蚀、剥落腐蚀试验等方法,并结合金相(OM)和透射电镜(TEM)分析,研究回归再时效(RRA)过程对1973铝合金力学性能及晶间腐蚀和剥落腐蚀的影响。研究结果表明:1973铝合金经不同时效处理后晶间腐蚀和剥落腐蚀趋势相同,耐蚀性能由大到小的RRA工艺顺序为:200℃,60 min;180℃,60 min;180℃,40 min;180℃,20 min;T6。RRA 180℃处理适量时间可提高1973铝合金的强度和抗晶间腐蚀和剥落腐蚀性能,并且随着回归时间的延长耐蚀性能提高,但强度有所下降。而RRA 200℃,60 min处理与180℃处理相比,虽然有更好耐蚀性能,但是强度损失太大。因此,1973铝合金经RRA 180℃,60 min处理后具有较好的综合性能。     

Discovery of C<Subscript>4</Subscript> species at high altitude in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Plant specimens are collected from the areas between latitude 27°?2′N and 40°57′N, and longitude 88°93°E and 103°24′E, with an altitudinal range from 2210 to 5050 m above the sea level in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The stable carbon isotope analysis indicates that two of Chenopodiaceae and six of Poaceae in the samples are C4 plants. Four of the C4 plants are found in 11 spots with altitudes above 3800 m, and Pennisetum centrasiaticum, Arundinella yunnanensis and Orinus thoroldii are present in six spots above 4000 m, even up to 4520 m. At low CO2 partial pressure, that sufficient energy of high light improving C4 plant's tolerance of low temperature and precipitations concentrating in growing season probably are favorable for C4 plants growing at high altitude in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.     

Microstructure evolution and phase transformation of traditional cast and spray-formed hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloys induced by heat treatment

Microstructural evolution and phase transformation induced by different heat treatments of the hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy, Al-25Si-5Fe-3Cu (wt%, signed as 3C), fabricated by traditional cast (TC) and spray forming (SF) processes, were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that Al₇Cu₂Fe phase can be formed and transformed in TC- and SF-3C alloys between 802–813 K and 800–815 K, respectively. The transformation from β-Al₅FeSi to δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase via peritectic reaction can occur at around 858–870 K and 876–890 K in TC- and SF-3C alloys, respectively. The starting precipitation temperature of δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase as the dominant Fe-bearing phase in the TC-3C alloy is 997 K and the exothermic peak about the peritectic transformation of δ-Al₄FeSi₂→β-Al₅FeSi is not detected in the present DSC experiments. Also, the mechanisms of the microstructural evolution and phase transformation are discussed.     

Recent temperature increase recorded in an ice core in the source region of Yangtze River

Interests on climate change in the source region of Yangtze River have been raised since it is a region with the greatest warming over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). A 70-year history of precipitation δ~(18)O has been recovered using an ice core record retrieved in a plat portion of the firn area in the Guoqu Glacier (33°34′37.8″N, 91°10′35.3″E, 5720 m a.s.l.), Mt. Geladaindong (the source region of Yangtze River), in November, 2005. By using a significant positive relationship between ice core δ~(18)O record and summer air temperature (July to September) from the nearby meteorological stations, a history of summer air temperature has been reconstructed for the last 70 years. Summer temperature was relatively low in 1940s and high in 1950s to the middle of 1960s. The lowest temperature occurred in the middle of 1970s. Temperature was low in 1980s and dramatically increased since 1990s, keeping the trend to the begin-ning of the 21st century. The warming rate recorded in the ice core with 0.5℃/10 a since 1970s is much higher that that in the central TP and the Northern Hemisphere (NH), and it becomes 1.1℃/10 a since 1990s which is also higher than these from the central TP and the NH, reflecting an accelerated warm-ing and a more sensitive response to global warming in the high elevation region.     

Foliar δ^13C and δ^15N values of C3 plants in the Ethiopia Rift Valley and their environmental controls

The foliar C and N stable isotopic compositions （δ^13C and δ^15N） and the relationships between these compositions and environmental factors of C3 plants in the Ethiopia Rift Valley were investigated. There were three distribution patterns for foliar δ^13C with mean values of -26.7‰±0.4‰, -29.7‰ ±0.6‰ , and -26.9‰± 1.2‰ in cold-moist, temperate-moist, and arid-hot environments, respectively. The δ^15N values ranged from -1.4‰ ±1.7‰ to 14.3‰ ± 0.1‰, with higher values under arid-hot conditions and the lowest values in plants growing at higher altitudes under cold-moist conditions. A strong negative relationship between mean annual precipitation and δ^15N explained more than half of the observed variation in the δ^15N values （r2= 0.54, P 〈 0.001）; a modest positive relationship was also found between δ^15N and temperature （r2 = 0.32, P 〈 0.01）. A weakly positive relationship existed between δ^13C and temperature, and changes in δ^13C values with precipitation and altitude followed quadratic curves. This suggests a shift in the effects of water and heat conditions caused by altitude on carbon isotopic discrimination.     

Comparison of the carbon isotope composition of total organic carbon and long-chain <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes from surface soils in eastern China and their significance

Surface soil samples collected over a high spatial resolution in eastern China were analyzed for carbon isotope composition （δ^13C） of total organic carbon （TOC） and higher plant-derived long-chain n-alkanes, with the latter reported as weighted mean values. The two sets of δ^13C values are significantly correlated and show similar trends in spatial variation. The spatial distribution of δ^13C shows less negative values in the mid-latitudes between 31°N and 40°N and more negative ones at higher and lower latitudes. This is consistent with previously reported carbon isotope data from surface soil phytoliths in the same region and suggests that the mid-latitude area provides relatively favorable growing condi- tions for C4 plants. Furthermore, δ^13C values of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes from 12 surface soil samples collected from a small grassland in north China displayed similar carbon isotope values and the difference between paired δ^13C of a soil samples remains relatively constant. Our data demonstrate that in eastern China, soil δ^13C composition of both TOC and long-chain n-alkanes is effective indicators of C3/C4 ratios of the prevailing vegetation. This work suggests that -22‰ and -32‰ are good es- timated end members for the weighted mean δ^13C values of long-chain n-alkanes （C27, C29 and C31 n-alkanes） from soils under dominant C4 or C3 vegetation, allowing us to reconstruct paleovegetation trends.