Interfacial reaction between the oxidized SiC particles and Al-Mg alloys

The interfacial reactions of oxidized SiC particles reinforced Al-Mg matrix composites were investigated by the field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), TEM and X-ray diffraction. It was found that the nanoscale MgO forms initially due to the interfacial reaction, then whether it reacts with molten Al continuously or not depends on the content of Mg in the matrix and its covering densification at the surface of particles. When there is not enough Mg in the matrix for the formation of dense MgO layer, MgO will transform into MgAl₂O₄ crystal owing to the continuous reaction with SiO₂ and molten Al. When dense MgO layer forms at the surface of the particles due to the affluence of Mg for the initial reaction, it will protect the inner SiC from the attack of molten Al. However, the reaction products of both MgO and MgAl₂O₄ are thermo-stable phases at the surface of the particles under high temperature. The results clarify the interfacial reaction route and they are of great value to the control of the interfacial reactions and their interfacial design of the composites.     

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.     

Effects of gadolinium addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al alloy

This research aims to study the significance of Gd addition (0wt%-2wt%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al alloy. The effect of Gd addition on the microstructure was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Mg-9Al alloy contained two phases, α-Mg and β-Mg17Al12. Alloying with Gd led to the emergence of a new rectangular-shaped phase, Al₂Gd. The grain size also decreased marginally upon Gd addition. The ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of Mg-9Al alloy increased by 23% and 19%, respectively, upon 1.5wt% Gd addition. We observed that, although Mg-9Al-2.0Gd alloy exhibited the smallest grain size (181 μm) and the highest dislocation density (5.1×1010 m-2) among the investigated compositions, the Mg-9Al-1.5Gd alloy displayed the best mechanical properties. This anomalous behavior was observed because the Al₂Gd phase was uniformly distributed and present in abundance in Mg-9Al-1.5Gd alloy, whereas it was coarsened and asymmetrically conglomerated in Mg-9Al-2.0Gd.     

Al2O3-SiC纳米复合陶瓷的制备及其表征

以分析纯Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, (CH₂)₆N₄和粒径为30 nm的SiC粉末为原料, 采用溶胶-凝胶(sol-gel)方法制备干凝胶, 经煅烧合成Al₂O₃-SiC纳米陶瓷粉, 利用真空热压装置对粉末进行烧结. 通过X射线衍射(XRD)、 扫描电镜(SEM)和维氏硬度实验分析了不同SiC含量和不同烧结温度的Al₂O₃-SiC陶瓷样品的结构、 形貌、 晶粒尺寸和硬度, 并研究了其机理.     

Simple method to rapidly fabricate chain-like carbon nanotube films and its field emission properties

A simple process to fabricate chain-like carbon nanotube (CNT) films by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) was developed successfully. Prior to deposition, the Ti/Al₂O₃ substrates were ground with Fe-doped SiO₂ powder. The nano-structure of the deposited films was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The field electron emission characteristics of the chain-like carbon nanotube films were measured under the vacuum of 10-5 Pa. The low turn-on field of 0.80 V/μm and the emission current density of 8.5 mA/cm2 at the electric field of 3.0 V/μm are obtained. Based on the above results, chain-like carbon nanotube films probably have important applications in cold cathode materials and electrode materials.     

Dissolution of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript> inclusions in CaO-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> slags at 1823 K

Al-Ti-O inclusions always clog submerged nozzles in Ti-bearing Al-killed steel. A typical synthesized Al₂TiO₅ inclusion was immersed in a CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃ molten slag for different durations at 1823 K. The Al₂TiO₅ dissolution paths and mechanism were revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Decreased amounts of Ti and Al and increased amounts of Si and Ca at the dissolution boundary prove that inclusion dissolution and slag penetration simultaneously occur. SiO₂ diffuses or penetrates the inclusion more quickly than CaO, as indicated by the w(CaO)/w(SiO₂) value in the reaction region. A liquid product (containing 0.7–1.2 w(CaO)/w(SiO₂), 15wt%–20wt% Al₂O₃, and 5wt%–15wt% TiO₂) forms on the inclusion surface when Al₂TiO₅ is dissolved in the slag. Al₂TiO₅ initially dissolves faster than the diffusion rate of the liquid product toward the bulk slag. With increasing reaction time, the boundary reaches its largest distance, the Al₂TiO₅ dissolution rate equals the liquid product diffusion rate, and the dissolution process remains stable until the inclusion is completely dissolved.     

Formation mechanism of an aluminium-based chemical conversion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

An environmentally clean aluminium-based conversion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy was studied in aluminium nitrate solutions. The morphology, composition, structure, and formation mechanism of the coating were investigated in detail using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical corrosion tests. The results show that the conversion coating is composed of magnesium, aluminium, and oxygen, and shows an amorphous structure. In the initial stage of coating formation, the grain-like nucleus is composed of Al₁₀O₁₅·xH₂O, (Al₂O₃)_5.333, Al₂O₃, AlO(OH), MgAl₂O₄, (Mg_0.88Al_0.12)(Al_0.94Mg_0.06)₂O₄, and (Mg_0.68Al_0.32)(Al_0.84Mg_0.16)₂O₄. The conversion coating formed in the 0.01 mol/L aluminium nitrate solution for 15 min can improve the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy greatly. The discussion reveals that the possible formation mechanism for the aluminium-based conversion coating is the reduction reaction on micro-cathodic sites due to the electrochemically heterogeneous magnesium alloy substrate.     

Effects of aluminum and titanium on the microstructure of ODS steels fabricated by hot pressing

Three oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) steels with compositions of Fe-14Cr-2W-0.2V-0.07Ta-0.3Y₂O₃ (wt%, so as the follows) (14Y), Fe-14Cr-2W-0.2V-0.07Ta-1Al-0.3Y₂O₃ (14YAl), and Fe-14Cr-2W-0.2V-0.07Ta-0.3Ti-0.3 Y₂O₃ (14YTi) were fabricated by hot pressing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructures and nanoparticles of these ODS steels. According to the TEM results, 14Y, 14YAl, and 14YTi ODS steels present similar bimodal structures containing both large and small grains. The addition of Al or Ti has no obvious effect on the microstructure of the steels. The spatial and size distribution of the nanoparticles was also analyzed. The results indicate that the average size of nanoparticles in the 14YTi ODS steel is smaller than that in the 14YAl ODS steel. Nanoparticles such as Y₂O₃, Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and YAlO₃, and Y₂Ti₂O₇ were identified in the 14Y, 14YAl, and 14YTi ODS steels, respectively.     

Two distinct roles of Al2Sm and Al11Sm3 phases on the corrosion behavior of the magnesium alloy Mg-5Sm-xAl

The roles of Al₁₁Sm₃ and Al₂Sm phases on microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the Mg-5Sm-xAl system was investigated. The results showed that adding Al to Mg–5Sm binary alloy brought two Al–Sm phases, Al₁₁Sm₃ and Al₂Sm, which had two distinct roles regarding the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the Mg-Sm-Al alloy. Al₁₁Sm₃ produced a strong galvanic couple with the Mg matrix, and significantly accelerated the corrosion. The Al₂Sm particles promoted heterogeneous nucleation and refined the grains, which increased the tensile strength and ductility. Both types of Al–Sm particles provided strengthening effect for the alloy. With higher Al contents, Al₂Sm formed an Al oxide protective surface layer and increased corrosion resistance.     

Effect of aluminum oxide on the compressive strength of pellets

Analytical-reagent-grade Al₂O₃ was added to magnetite ore during the process of pelletizing, and the methods of mercury intrusion, scanning electron microscopy, and image processing were used to investigate the effect of Al₂O₃ on the compressive strength of the pellets. The results showed that, as the Al₂O₃ content increased, the compressive strength of the pellets increased slightly and then decreased gradually. When a small amount of Al₂O₃ was added to the pellets, the Al₂O₃ combined with fayalite (2FeO·SiO₂) and the aluminosilicate (2FeO·2Al₂O₃·5SiO₂) was generated, which releases some iron oxide and reduces the inhibition of fayalite to the solid phase of consolidation. When Al₂O₃ increased sequentially, high melting point of Al₂O₃ particles hinder the oxidation of Fe₃O₄ and the recrystallization of Fe2O3, making the internal porosity of the pellets increase, which leads to the decrease in compressive strength of the pellets.     

用于邻苯基苯酚合成的Pt-K/Al2O3脱氢催化剂(Ⅱ):催化剂失活机制

采用热重-差热分析(TG-DTA)、元素分析、氢氧滴定(HOT)、扫描电镜能谱分析(SEM-EDS)、透射电镜(TEM)等对Pt-K催化剂可能的失活机制进行研究。结果表明:积碳并非Pt-K催化剂失活的主要原因;脱氢催化剂上铂颗粒的尺寸在运转过程中没有明显的增大,即铂中心烧结也不是催化剂失活的主要原因;Pt-K催化剂在运转过程中铂分散度明显下降而且无法通过再生恢复;Pt-K/Al2O3催化剂的失活极有可能源自催化剂运转过程中钾物种对铂中心的过度覆盖作用。     

Size-controlled synthesis of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles and their superparamagnetic properties tailoring

Superparamagnetic properties and fine-tuning of colloidal Fe₃O₄nanoparticles are important for their widespread biomedical applications. Herein, colloidal Fe₃O₄nanoparticles(NPs) of different sizes(8–20 nm) were prepared,and their hydrophilization with SiO₂shell coating to be Fe₃O₄@SiO₂core-shell had been realized successively.The size of Fe₃O₄NPs was controlled by different heating rate...     

Speciation of the elements and compositions on the surfaces of dust storm particles： The evidence for the coupling of iron with sulfur in aerosol during the long-range transport

The speciation of the elements on the surface of the particles collected during dust storm and non-dust storm in Beijing and Inner Mongolia was studied by XPS. The major species of iron on the surface were oxides, sulfate, silicate,FeOOH and minor part sorbed on SiO2/Al2O3. Sulfate is the dominant species of sulfur on the surface. SiO2 and Al2O3 are the main components of Si and Al on the surface respectively.One of the most important findings was that the Fe(Ⅱ) (FeS and FeSO4) produced could account for up to 44.3% and 45.6% of the total Fe on the surface in the aerosol sample collected at that night and next day of the “peak” time of the dust storm occurring on March 20, 2002, while Fe2(SO4)3,one of the Fe(Ⅲ) species on the surface decreased from 67.1% to 49.5% and 48.0% respectively. Both S and Fe enriched on the surface of aerosol particles. Fe(Ⅱ) accounted for 1.3%-5.3% of total Fe in bulk aerosol samples during dust storm. These results provided strong evidence to support the hypothesis of the coupling between iron and sulfur in aerosols during the long-range transport, which would have important impact on the global biogeochemical cycle.     

High-temperature frictional wear behavior of MCrAlY-based coatings deposited by atmosphere plasma spraying

Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃/NiCoCrAlYTa coatings were prepared via atmosphere plasma spraying (APS). The microstructure and phase composition of the coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser confocal scanning microscopy (LSCM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dry frictional wear behavior of the coatings at 500℃ in static air was investigated and compared with that of 0Cr25Ni20 steel. The results show that the coatings comprise the slatted layers of oxide phases, unmelted particles, and pores. The hot abrasive resistance of the coatings is enhanced compared to that of 0Cr25Ni20, and their mass loss is approximately one-fifteenth that of 0Cr25Ni20 steel. The main wear failure mechanisms of the coatings are abrasive wear, fatigue wear, and adhesive wear.     

Surface modification of Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys by microarc oxidation to improve high-temperature oxidation resistance

Microarc oxidation(MAO)electrolysis plasma deposition was used to prepare Al_2O_3coatings on Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys to improve high temperature oxidation resistance.The surface and cross-section morphologies before and after high-temperature oxidation,the chemical composition,and the phase identification of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron probe microanalyses(EPMA),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The results show that Al_2O_3coatings with a thickness of approximately 8μm can be obtained on the Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys by MAO for 600 s.The samples with the Al_2O_3coatings exhibited better high-temperature oxidation resistance.A minimal weight gain of only 0.396 g/m~2after 100 h oxidation at 900°C was observed for the coatings formed with a deposition voltage of 400 V and using a duty cycle of 3%.The deposition mechanism of the Al_2O_3coatings and the effect of the MAO parameters are also described.     

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.     

Isothermal oxidation behavior and mechanism of a nickel-based superalloy at 1000℃

The oxidation behavior of a nickel-based superalloy at 1000℃ in air was investigated through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. A series of oxides, including external oxide scales (Cr₂O₃, (TiO₂ + MnCr₂O₄)) and internal oxides (Al₂O₃,TiN), were formed on the surface or sub-surface of the substrate at 1000℃ in experimental still air. The oxidation resistance of the alloy was dependent on the stability of the surface oxide layer. The continuity and density of the protective Cr₂O₃ scale were affected by minor alloying elements such as Ti and Mn. The outermost oxide scale was composed of TiO₂ rutile and MnCr₂O₄ spinel, and the growth of TiO₂ particles was controlled by the outer diffusion of Ti ions through the pre-existing oxide layer. Severe internal oxidation occurred beneath the external oxide scale, consuming Al and Ti of the strength phase γ' (Ni₃(Al,Ti)) and thereby severely deteriorating the surface mechanical properties. The depth of the internal oxidation region was approximately 35 μm after exposure to experimental air at 1000℃ for 80 h.     

Growth characteristics of directionally solidified Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/YAG/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> ternary hypereutectic <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> composites under ultra-high temperature gradient

Oxide eutectic ceramic in situ composites have attracted significant interest in the application of high-temperature structural materials because of their excellent high-temperature strength, oxidation and creep resistance, as well as outstanding microstructural stability. The directionally solidified ternary Al₂O₃/YAG/ZrO₂ hypereutectic in situ composite was successfully prepared by a laser zone remelting method, aiming to investigate the growth characteristic under ultra-high temperature gradient. The microstructures and phase composition of the as-solidified hypereutectic were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the composite presents a typical hypereutectic lamellar microstructure consisting of fine Al₂O₃ and YAG phases, and the enriched ZrO₂ phases with smaller sizes are randomly distributed at the Al₂O₃/YAG interface and in Al₂O₃ phases. Laser power and scanning rate strongly affect the sample quality and microstructure characteristic. Additionally, coarse colony microstructures were also observed, and their formation and the effect of temperature gradient on the microstructure were discussed.     

Manufacture of biomorphic Al2O3 ceramics using filter paper as template

Biomorphic Al₂O₃ ceramics were prepared through the surface sol-gel process with filter papers as bio-templates. The filter papers were infiltrated with γ-AlOOH sol and subsequently sintered in air at high temperatures to produce the biomorphic Al₂O₃ ceramics. The results show that the final materials have a hierarchical structure originated from the morphology of cellulose paper. The sintering temperatures exhibit a strong effect on the surface pore-size distribution of obtained Al₂O₃ ceramics. Differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and BET analysis were employed to characterize the microstructure, morphology and phase compositions of the final products.     

Modification of MgO·Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> spinel inclusions in Al-killed steel by Ca-treatment

The modification of MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions in Al-killed steel by Ca-treatment has been studied by industrial trials and thermodynamic calculations. In the industrial trials, samples were taken systematically during the refining process in which the molten steel was treated by calcium, and the characters of the inclusions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectra (EDS). The effects of Ca-treatment were evaluated by tracking the compositions of the inclusions. The results show that the modification of MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel inclusions by Ca-treatment is effective and the transformation sequence of the inclusions during the refining is Al₂O₃→MgO·Al₂O₃→liquid complex inclusions. The modification of spinel inclusions by Ca-treatment was calculated by FactSage6.0 utilizing its free-energy minimization routines. The results of thermodynamic calculations indicate that spinel inclusions are easier to be modified than Al₂O₃ inclusions and the spinel inclusions in 30CrMo steel would transform to liquid complex inclusions when the content of dissolved Ca in the molten steel exceeds 1×10⁻⁶. Also, the results show that adding more calcium into the molten steel would lower the contents of Al₂O₃ and MgO and increase the CaO content of the inclusions, while the change in SiO₂ content is little.