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 com-posites 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.     

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.     

Reaction mechanism for in-situ β-Si Al ON formation in Fe_3Si–Si_3N_4–Al_2O_3 composites

In this work,Fe_3Si–Si_3N_4–Al_2O_3 composites were prepared at 1300°C in an N_2 atmosphere using fused corundum and tabular alumina particles,Al_2O_3 fine powder,and ferrosilicon nitride(Fe_3Si–Si_3N_4) as raw materials and thermosetting phenolic resin as a binder.The effect of ferrosilicon nitride with different concentrations(0wt%,5wt%,10wt%,15wt%,20wt%,and 25wt%) on the properties of Fe_3Si–Si_3N_4–Al_2O_3 composites was investigated.The results show that the apparent porosity varies between 10.3% and 17.3%,the bulk density varies from 2.94 g/cm~3 and 3.30 g/cm~3,and the cold crushing strength ranges from 67 MPa to 93 MPa.Under the experimental conditions,ferrosilicon nitride,whose content decreases substantially,is unstable;part of the ferrosilicon nitride is converted into Fe_2C,whereas the remainder is retained,eventually forming the ferrosilicon alloy.Thermodynamic assessment of the Si_5AlON_7 indicated that the ferrosilicon alloy accelerated the reactions between Si_3N_4 and α-Al_2O_3 fine powder and that Si in the ferrosilicon alloy was nitrided directly,forming β-Si Al ON simultaneously.In addition,fused corundum did not react directly with Si_3N_4 because of its low reactivity.     

Effect of Al_2O_3 on the viscosity of CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–MgO–Cr_2O_3 slags

We investigated the effect of Al_2O_3 content on the viscosity of CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–8wt%MgO–1wt%Cr_2O_3 (mass ratio of CaO/SiO_2is 1.0,and Al_2O_3 content is 17wt%–29wt%) slags.The results show that the viscosity of the slag increases gradually with increases in the Al_2O_3content in the range of 17wt%to 29wt%due to the role of Al_2O_3 as a network former in the polymerization of the aluminosilicate structure of the slag.With increases in the Al_2O_3 content from 17wt%to 29wt%,the apparent activation energy of the slags also increases from 180.85 to 210.23 k J/mol,which is consistent with the variation in the critical temperature.The Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicate that the degree of polymerization of this slag is increased by the addition of Al_2O_3.The application of Iida’s model for predicting the slag viscosity in the presence of Cr_2O_3 indicates that the calculated viscosity values fit well with the measured values when both the temperature and Al_2O_3 content are at relatively low levels,i.e.,the temperature range of 1673 to 1803 K and the Al_2O_3 content range of 17wt%–29wt%in CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–8wt%MgO–1wt%Cr_2O_3 slag.     

In situ(α-Al_2O_3+ZrB_2)/Al composites with network distribution fabricated by reaction hot pressing

In situ(α-Al_2O_3+ZrB_2)/Al composites with network distribution were fabricated using low-energy ball milling and reaction hot pressing. Differential thermal analysis(DTA) was used to study the reaction mechanisms in the Al–Zr O2–B system. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX) were used to investigate the composite phases, morphology, and microstructure of the composites. The effect of matrix network size on the microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The results show that the optimum sintering parameters to complete reactions in the Al–Zr O2–B system are 850°C and 60 min. In situ-synthesized α-Al2O3 and Zr B2 particles are dispersed uniformly around Al particles, forming a network microstructure; the diameters of the α-Al2O3 and Zr B2 particles are approximately 1–3 μm. When the size of Al powder increases from 60–110 μm to 150–300 μm, the overall surface contact between Al powders and reactants decreases, thereby increasing the local volume fraction of reinforcements from 12% to 21%. This increase of the local volume leads to a significant increase in microhardness of the in situ(α-Al2O3–Zr B2)/Al composites from Hv 163 to Hv 251.     

Thermodynamic analysis on the formation mechanism of MgO·Al_2O_3 spinel type inclusions in casing steel

MgO·Al2O3 spinel type inclusions in casing steel were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).The results show that there are three forms.One is pure MgO·Al2O3 spinel,another is the composite oxide of the Mg-Al-Ca-Si-O system,and the third is the complex with oxide as a core covered by sulfide.The formation mechanisms were studied.The influences of slag basicity and vacuum degree on the magnesium content during the vacuum treatment of molten steel and furnace lining in molten steel were calculated with the coexistence theory of slag structure.The results show that the magnesium content increases with the increase in slag basicity and aluminum content in molten steel,and decreases with the increase in CO partial pressure.     

In situ (α-Al2O3+ZrB2)/Al composites with network distribution fabricated by reaction hot pressing

In situ (α-Al2O3+ZrB2)/Al composites with network distribution were fabricated using low-energy ball milling and reaction hot pressing. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to study the reaction mechanisms in the Al–ZrO2–B system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to investigate the composite phases, morphology, and microstructure of the composites. The effect of matrix network size on the microstructure and mechani-cal properties was investigated.The results show that the optimum sintering parameters to complete reactions in the Al–ZrO2–B system are 850℃ and 60 min.In situ-synthesizedα-Al2O3 and ZrB2 particles are dispersed uniformly around Al particles, forming a network micro-structure; the diameters of theα-Al2O3 and ZrB2 particles are approximately 1–3μm. When the size of Al powder increases from 60–110μm to 150–300μm, the overall surface contact between Al powders and reactants decreases, thereby increasing the local volume fraction of re-inforcements from 12% to 21%. This increase of the local volume leads to a significant increase in microhardness of thein situ (α-Al2O3–ZrB2)/Al composites from Hv 163 to Hv 251.     

Hot-corrosion behavior of Cr_2O_3–CNT-coated ASTM-SA213-T22 steel in a molten salt environment at 700°C

The present work investigates the hot-corrosion behavior of carbon nanotube(CNT)-reinforced chromium oxide coatings on boiler steel in a molten salt(Na_2SO_4–60 wt%V_2O_5) environment at 700°C under cyclic conditions. The coatings were deposited via the high-velocity oxygen fuel process. The uncoated and coated steel samples were subjected to hot corrosion in a silicon tube furnace at 700°C for 50 cycles. The kinetics of the corrosion behavior was analyzed through mass-gain measurements after each cycle. The corrosion products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis techniques. The results revealed that uncoated steel suffered spallation of scale because of the formation of nonprotective Fe_2O_3 scale. The coated steel samples exhibited lower mass gains with better adhesiveness of oxide scale with the steel alloy until the end of exposure. The CNT-reinforced coatings were concluded to provide better corrosion resistance in the hot-corrosion environment because of the uniform dispersion of CNTs in the coating matrix and the formation of protective chromium oxides in the scale.     

Synthesis of a NiTi_2–AlNi–Al_2O_3 nanocomposite by mechanical alloying and heat treatment of Al–TiO_2–NiO

The aim of the present study was to investigate the phases formed during ball milling of Al–TiO_2–NiO. For this purpose, a mixture of Al–TiO_2–NiO with a molar ratio of 6:1:1 was used. Characterization of the milled powders by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of nanocrystalline NiTi_2 along with AlNi. A thermodynamical investigation confirmed that NiO was reduced by Al during ball milling, which consequently promoted TiO_2 reduction and the formation of NiTi_2. Al is capable of reducing NiO either during ball milling or at temperatures above the melting point of Al; by contrast, TiO_2 can be reduced by Al only by milling.     

The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during high-speed direct-chill casting in different Al–Mg_2Si in situ composites

The effect of high-speed direct-chill(DC) casting on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg_2Si in situ composites and AA6061 alloy was investigated. The microstructural evolution of the Al–Mg_2Si composites and AA6061 alloy was examined by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The results revealed that an increase of the casting speed substantially refined the primary Mg_2Si particles(from 28 to 12 μm), the spacing of eutectic Mg_2Si(from 3 to 0.5 μm), and the grains of AA6061 alloy(from 102 to 22 μm). The morphology of the eutectic Mg_2Si transformed from lamellar to rod-like and fibrous with increasing casting speed. The tensile tests showed that the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation improved at higher casting speeds because of refinement of the Mg_2Si phase and the grains in the Al–Mg_2Si composites and the AA6061 alloy. High-speed DC casting is demonstrated to be an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of Al–Mg_2Si composites and AA6061 alloy billets.     

Electrical conductivity optimization of the Na_3AlF_6–Al_2O_3–Sm_2O_3 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 Na_3 AlF_6–AlF_3–LiF–MgF_2–Al_2O_3–Sm_2O_3 electrolysis medium in the temperature range from 905 to 1055°C. The temperature(t) and the addition of Al_2O_3(W(Al_2O_3)), Sm_2O_3(W(Sm_2O_3)), and a combination of Al_2O_3 and Sm_2O_3 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 Al_2O_3 or Sm_2O_3 or both. We concluded that the optimal operation conditions for Al–Sm intermediate alloy production in the Na_3 AlF_6–AlF_3–LiF–MgF_2–Al_2O_3–Sm_2O_3 system are W(Al_2O_3) + W(Sm_2O_3) = 3wt%, W(Al_2O_3):W(Sm_2O_3) = 7:3, and a temperature of 965 to 995°C, which results in satisfactory conductivity, low fluoride evaporation losses, and low energy consumption.     

Synthesis of layered LiMnO2 by in situ oxidationintercalation and a study of the reaction mechanism and electrochemical performance

Lithium-ion batteries have become the main candi-date for rechargeable power sources in current electronicproducts because of their high open circuit voltage, highenergy density, longevity and absence of memory effect.Layered LiCoO2 has been used commerci…     

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.     

Characterization of NbSi_2–Al_2O_3 nanocomposite coatings prepared with plasma spraying mechanically alloyed powders

The present study characterized NbS i2–Al2O3 nanocomposite powders plasma-sprayed on Ti–6Al–4Vsubstrates. The powders were agglomerated to obtain suitable particle sizes for spraying. The agglomerated powders were then plasma-sprayed using atmospheric plasma spraying. The structural transformations of the powders along with the morphological and mechanical changes of the coatings were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and hardness testing. The results showed that after plasma spraying, the grain size increased, and the lattice strain decreased. However, the grain size of this compound after spraying was still in the nanometer range. The coating was uniform and exhibited good adhesion to the substrate. The microhardness and fracture toughness of the nanocomposite coating were higher than those of a nanostructured NbS i2 coating.     

Mineral-phase evolution and sintering behavior of MO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–B_2O_3 (M = Ca,Ba) glass-ceramics by low-temperature liquid-phase sintering

In this work, network former SiO_2 and network intermediate Al_2O_3 were introduced into typical low-melting binary compositions CaO·B_2O_3, CaO·2B_2O_3, and BaO·B_2O_3 via an aqueous solid-state suspension milling route. Accordingly, multiple-phase aluminosilicate glass-ceramics were directly obtained via liquid-phase sintering at temperatures below 950°C. On the basis of liquid-phase sintering theory, mineral-phase evolutions and glass-phase formations were systematically investigated in a wide MO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–B_2O_3(M = Ca, Ba) composition range. The results indicate that major mineral phases of the aluminosilicate glass-ceramics are Al_(20)B_4O_(36), CaAl_2Si_2O_8, and BaAl_2Si_2O_8 and that the glass-ceramic materials are characterized by dense microstructures and excellent dielectric properties.     

Density functional theory study of the reaction paths of reactions of CH_3C(O)O_2 radicals with HO_2 in the gas phase

Acetyl peroxyradicals play a major roleinthe at-mospheric degradation of organic compounds .In pol-luted atmospheres ,the reaction between CH3C(O)O2radical and NO2forms the well-known PAN(peroxy-acetyl nitrate , CH3C(O)OONO2) ,an i mportant or-ganic contributor to photochemical smog.Inless pol-luted atmospheres ,the reactions between CH3C(O)O2and HO2radicals become critical as NOxlevels maybe low[1 ,2]. Niki et al . were the first to examine thereactions of CH3C(O)O2with HO2radic…     

Activity coefficients of NiO and CoO in CaO–Al_2O_3–SiO_2 slag and their application to the recycling of Ni–Co–Fe-based end-of-life superalloys via remelting

To design optimal pyrometallurgical processes for nickel and cobalt recycling, and more particularly for the end-of-life process of Ni–Co–Fe-based end-of-life(EoL) superalloys, knowledge of their activity coefficients in slags is essential. In this study, the activity coefficients of NiO and CoO in CaO–Al_2O_3–SiO_2 slag, a candidate slag used for the EoL superalloy remelting process, were measured using gas/slag/metal equilibrium experiments. These activity coefficients were then used to consider the recycling efficiency of nickel and cobalt by remelting EoL superalloys using CaO–Al_2O_3–SiO_2 slag. The activity coefficients of NiO and CoO in CaO–Al_2O_3–SiO_2 slag both show a positive deviation from Raoult's law, with values that vary from 1 to 5 depending on the change in basicity. The activity coefficients of NiO and CoO peak in the slag with a composition near B =(%CaO)/(%SiO_2) = 1, where B is the basicity. We observed that controlling the slag composition at approximately B = 1 effectively reduces the cobalt and nickel oxidation losses and promotes the oxidation removal of iron during the remelting process of EoL superalloys.     

Low-temperature SCR activity and SO_2 deactivation mechanism of Ce-modified V_2O_5–WO_3/TiO_2 catalyst

The promotion effect of ceria modi fi cation on the low-temperature activity of V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalyst was evaluated for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3(NH3-SCR). The catalytic activity of 1 wt% V2O5-WO3/TiO2 was signi fi cantly enhanced by the addition of 8 wt%ceria, which exhibited a NO x conversion above 80% in a broad temperature range 190–450 1C. This performance was comparable with 3 wt%V2O5-WO3/TiO2, indicating that the addition of ceria contributed to reducing the usage of toxic vanadia in developing low-temperature SCR catalysts. Moreover, V1 Ce WTi exhibited approximately 10% decrease in NOx conversion in the presence of 60 ppm SO2. The characterization results indicated that active components of V, W and Ce were well dispersed on TiO2 support. The synergetic interaction between Ce and V species by forming V–O–Ce bridges enhanced the reducibility of VCe WTi catalyst and thus improved the low-temperature activity. The sulfur poisoning mechanism was also presented on a basis of the designed TPDC(temperature-programmed decomposition) and TPSR(temperatureprogrammed surface reaction) experiments. The deposition of(NH4)2SO4on V1 Ce WTi catalyst was much smaller compared with that on V1 Ti.On the other hand, the oxidation of SO2 to SO3was signi fi cantly promoted on the CeO2-modi fi ed catalyst, accompanied by the formation of cerium sulfates. Therefore, the deactivation of this catalyst was mainly attributed to the vanishing of the V–Ce interaction and the sulfation of active ceria.     

Further mechanism of α/β interphase boundary evolution and dynamic globularization of Ti–5Al–2Sn–2Zr–4Mo–4Cr at elevated temperature deformation

The evolution characterization of the α/β interphase boundaries of the isothermally compressed Ti–5Al–2Sn–2Zr–4Mo–4Cr with lamellar microstructure was carried out via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The effect of the α/β interphase boundary evolution on the dynamic globularization was discussed, and the nucleation model for the β recrystallized grain at the cusp of α lath in the late stage of deformation in terms of the classic nucleation theory was established. The mean α/β interface deviation angle from Burgers orientation relationship (BOR) increased continuously up to 18.9° with the increasing strain from 0.1 to 0.5, which was dominated by the continuous dynamic recrystallization. Restoration of BOR between α and β phases at the strains of 0.7 and 0.9 occurred due to the occurrence of recrystallized α and β grains following BOR, which was rationalized by a nucleation model considering the stored energy of deformation provided the driving force for nucleation at the cusp of α lath. Loss of coherency of α/β interphase boundaries at a strain about 0.3 was responsible for accelerating the dynamic globularization of α lamellae since the energy of α/β interphase boundaries increased up to the maximum value when the non-coherent α/β interphase boundaries were formed. Restoration of coherency of α/β interphase boundaries due to the recrystallization nucleation in the late stage of deformation did not substantially affect the dynamic globularization since the α/α intraphase high-angle boundaries (HAGBs) were formed and the most α/β interphase boundaries were non-coherent.     

Effects of CeO_2 pre-calcined at different temperatures on the performance of Pt/CeO_2–C electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation reaction

Pt/CeO2–C catalysts with CeO_2 pre-calcined at 300–600°C were synthesized by combining hydrothermal calcination and wet impregnation. The effects of the pre-calcined CeO_2 on the performance of Pt/CeO_2–C catalysts in methanol oxidation were investigated. The Pt/CeO2–C catalysts with pre-calcined CeO_2 at 300–600°C showed an average particle size of 2.6–2.9 nm and exhibited better methanol electro-oxidation catalytic activity than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. In specific, the Pt/CeO_2–C catalysts with pre-calcined CeO_2 at 400°C displayed the highest electrochemical surface area value of 68.14 m~2·g~(-1) and If/Ib ratio(the ratio of the forward scanning peak current density(If)and the backward scanning peak current density(Ib)) of 1.26, which are considerably larger than those(53.23 m2·g~(-1) and 0.79, respectively) of the commercial Pt/C catalyst, implying greatly enhanced CO tolerance.