Microstructure and Properties of Plasma-Nitrided Fe-Based Superalloy Fe-25Ni-15Cr

Fe-based superalloy Fe-25Ni-15Cr was plasma nitrided at a low temperature of 723 K (450 °C). The nitrided layer was characterized by optical microscopy (OPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) through stepwise mechanical polishing and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that the double expanded austenite (γ _N1 and γ _N2) was developed on the nitrided surface. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS) revealed that separate expanded austenite layers with distinctly different nitrogen contents occurred: high (18.98 to 11.49 at. pct) in the surface layer and low (5.87 to 5.32 at. pct) in the subsurface. XRD analysis indicated that large lattice expansion and distortion relative to the untreated austenite of an idea face-centered-cubic (fcc) structure occurred on the γ _N1, but low expansion and less distortion on the γ _N2. No obvious lattice distortion on the γ _N1 was determined by calculating its electron diffraction pattern (EDP), except for detectable lattice expansion. Inconformity between XRD and EDP results suggested that the high compressive residual stress in the γ _N1 was mainly responsible for the lattice distortion of the γ _N1. TEM indicated that the γ _N1 layer exhibited the monotonous contrast characteristic of an amorphous phase contrast to some extent, and corresponding EDP showed a strong diffuse scattering effect. It was suggested that the pre-precipitation took place in the γ _N1 in the form of strongly bonded Cr-N clusters or pairs. Decomposition of the γ _N1 into CrN and γ occurred at the grain boundaries, and the orientation of both phases remained cubic and cubic relationship, i.e., the planes and the directions with identical Miller indices in both phases were parallel. The nitrided surface was found to have significantly improved wear resistance. Further, the nitrided surface showed no adverse effect in the corrosion resistance but slight improvement in the 3.5 pct NaCl solution.     

Co Effect on As-cast and Heat-Treated Microstructures in Ru-Containing Single-Crystal Superalloys

The effect of Co on the as-cast and heat-treated microstructures was investigated in two experimental Ni-based single-crystal superalloys containing low levels of Re and Ru. The experimental results indicated that increasing the Co content from 7.9 to 15.8 wt pct decreased the volume fraction of (γ + γ′) eutectic and the solidification segregation ratio of W. High levels of Co additions were also found to decrease the solvus temperatures of the γ′ phase and (γ + γ′) eutectic as well as the solidus temperature. During the long-term thermal exposure at 1373 K (1100 °C), no TCP phases precipitated in either alloy. However, the coarsening and coalescence of γ′ precipitates in the alloy containing 15.8 wt pct Co was slower than that in the other alloy with 7.9 wt pct Co. In the current study, high levels of Co additions decreased the equilibrium volume fraction of γ′ phase, leading to a change in the partitioning ratios of TCP-forming elements Cr, Mo, Re, and W between the γ and γ′ phases. This change resulted in a lower degree of elemental supersaturation in the γ matrix and improved the phase stability of the γ/γ′ microstructure. These experimental results were then compared with those obtained from multi-component thermodynamic calculations, and good agreement was observed.     

Morphological Stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis>-Ferrite/<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis> Interphase Boundary in Carbon Steel

The morphological changes of the δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary have been observed in situ with a high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscope (HTCSLM) during δ/γ transformations (δ → γ and γ → δ) of Fe-0.06 wt pct C-0.6 wt pct Mn alloy, and a kinetic equation of morphological stability of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary has been established. Thereafter, the criterion expression for morphological stability of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary was established and discussed, and the critical migration speeds of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundaries are calculated in Fe-C, Fe-Ni, and Fe-Cr alloys. The results indicate that the δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary is very stable and nearly remains absolute planar all the time during γ → δ transformation in Fe-C alloy. The δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary remains basically planar during δ → γ transformation when the migration speed is lower than 0.88 μm/s, and the interphase boundary will be unstable and exhibit a finger-like morphology when the migration speed is higher than 0.88 μm/s. The morphological stability of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary is primarily controlled by the interface energy and the solute concentration gradient at the front of the boundary. During the constant temperature phase transformation, an opposite temperature gradient on both sides of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary weakens the steady effect of the temperature gradient on the boundary. The theoretical analysis of the morphological stability of the δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundary is coincident with the observed experimental results utilizing the HTCSLM. There is a good agreement between the theoretical calculation of the critical moving velocities of δ-ferrite/γ interphase boundaries and the experimental results.     

Effect of Continuous Galvanizing Heat Treatments on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Al-Low Si Transformation Induced Plasticity Steels

Heat treatments were performed using an isothermal bainitic transformation (IBT) temperature compatible with continuous hot-dip galvanizing on two high Al–low Si transformation induced plasticity (TRIP)-assisted steels. Both steels had 0.2 wt pct C and 1.5 wt pct Mn; one had 1.5 wt pct Al and the other had 1 wt pct Al and 0.5 wt pct Si. Two different intercritical annealing (IA) temperatures were used, resulting in intercritical microstructures of 50 pct ferrite (α)-50 pct austenite (γ) and 65 pct α-35 pct γ. Using the IBT temperature of 465 °C, five IBT times were tested: 4, 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds. Increasing the IBT time resulted in a decrease in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and an increase in the uniform elongation, yield strength, and yield point elongation. The uniform elongation was higher when using the 50 pct α-50 pct γ IA temperature when compared to the 65 pct α-35 pct γ IA temperature. The best combinations of strength and ductility and their corresponding heat treatments were as follows: a tensile strength of 895 MPa and uniform elongation of 0.26 for the 1.5 pct Al TRIP steel at the 50 pct γ IA temperature and 90-second IBT time; a tensile strength of 880 MPa and uniform elongation of 0.27 for the 1.5 pct Al TRIP steel at the 50 pct γ IA temperature and 120-second IBT time; and a tensile strength of 1009 MPa and uniform elongation of 0.22 for the 1 pct Al-0.5 pct Si TRIP steel at the 50 pct γ IA temperature and 120-second IBT time.     

Application of the square root Diffusivity to Diffusion in Ni-Cr-Al-Mo Alloys

The square root diffusivity matrix [r] and diffusivity matrix [D] have been measured for a Ni-4.0 at. pct Cr-6.3 at. pct Al-3.5 at. pct Mo quaternary alloy at 1100 °C. Using a constant diffusivity analysis, the diffusivities were obtained from three diffusion couples having small initial concentration differences of 5 at. pct or less. When elements of [r] were substituted into the error function solution of the diffusion equation, it was found that the predicted concentration profiles were accurate to within ±0.1 at. pct of measured values. Also, it was found that Mo tends to reduce the diffusion kinetics of Cr and Al in Ni-base alloys. These results suggest that these methods of analyzing diffusion data and predicting interdiffusion data can be applied to alloys containing more than four components.     

Atom-Probe Tomographic Investigation of Austenite Stability and Carbide Precipitation in a TRIP-Assisted 10 Wt Pct Ni Steel and Its Weld Heat-Affected Zones

Newly developed low-carbon 10 wt pct Ni-Mo-Cr-V martensitic steels rely on the Ni-enriched, thermally stable austenite [formed via multistep intercritical Quench-Lamellarization-Tempering (QLT)-treatment] for their superior mechanical properties, specifically ballistic resistance. Critical to the thermal stability of austenite is its composition, which can be severely affected in the weld heat-affected zones (HAZs) and thus needs investigations. This article represents the first study of the nanoscale redistributions of C, Ni, and Mn in single-pass HAZ microstructures of QLT-treated 10 wt pct Ni steels. Local compositions of Ni-rich regions (representative of austenite compositions) in the HAZs are determined using site-specific 3-D atom-probe tomography (APT). Martensite-start temperatures are then calculated for these compositions, employing the Ghosh-Olson thermodynamic and kinetics approach. These calculations predict that austenite (present at high temperatures) in the HAZs is susceptible to a martensitic transformation upon cooling to room temperature, unlike the austenite in the QLT-treated base-metal. While C in the QLT-treated base-metal is consumed primarily in MC and M₂C-type carbide precipitates (M is Mo, Cr, V), its higher concentration in the Ni-rich regions in the HAZs indicates the dissolution of carbide precipitates, particularly M₂C carbide precipitates. The role of M₂C carbide precipitates and austenite stability is discussed in relation to the increase in microhardness values observed in the HAZs, relative to the QLT-treated base-metal. Insights gained from this research on austenite stability and carbide precipitation in the single-pass HAZ microstructures will assist in designing multiple weld cycles for these novel 10 wt pct Ni steels.     

Deformation Microstructure and Deformation-Induced Martensite in Austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni Alloys Depending on Stacking Fault Energy

The deformation microstructure of austenitic Fe-18Cr-(10-12)Ni (wt pct) alloys with low stacking fault energies, estimated by first-principles calculations, was investigated after cold rolling. The ?-martensite was found to play a key role in the nucleation of α′-martensite, and at low SFE, ? formation is frequent and facilitates nucleation of α′ at individual shear bands, whereas shear band intersections become the dominant nucleation sites for α′ when SFE increases and mechanical twinning becomes frequent.     

Room-Temperature Deformation and Martensitic Transformation of Two Co-Cr-Based Alloys

Deformation of two Co-Cr alloys was studied by in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Both alloys show stress-induced martensite transformation, which is affected by phase stabilities and transformation strains. Crystal structure of WC in Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni is identified. Compared with other phases present, it is elastically isotropic, exhibits high strength, and can elastically withstand strains exceeding 1 pct. Texture change during phase transformation is explained based on the crystal orientation relationship between γ- and ε-phases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In Situ</Emphasis> Local Measurement of Austenite Mechanical Stability and Transformation Behavior in Third-Generation Advanced High-Strength Steels

Austenite mechanical stability, i.e., retained austenite volume fraction (RAVF) variation with strain, and transformation behavior were investigated for two third-generation advanced high-strength steels (3GAHSS) under quasi-static uniaxial tension: a 1200 grade, two-phase medium Mn (10 wt pct) TRIP steel, and a 980 grade, three-phase TRIP steel produced with a quenching and partitioning heat treatment. The medium Mn (10 wt pct) TRIP steel deforms inhomogeneously via propagative instabilities (Lüders and Portevin Le Châtelier-like bands), while the 980 grade TRIP steel deforms homogenously up to necking. The dramatically different deformation behaviors of these steels required the development of a new in situ experimental technique that couples volumetric synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurement of RAVF with surface strain measurement using stereo digital image correlation over the beam impingement area. Measurement results with the new technique are compared to those from a more conventional approach wherein strains are measured over the entire gage region, while RAVF measurement is the same as that in the new technique. A determination is made as to the appropriateness of the different measurement techniques in measuring the transformation behaviors for steels with homogeneous and inhomogeneous deformation behaviors. Extension of the new in situ technique to the measurement of austenite transformation under different deformation modes and to higher strain rates is discussed.     

Tensile Flow Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys Produced by CIPing and Gelcasting Routes

Present work describes the flow behavior of tungsten heavy alloys with nominal compositions 90W-7Ni-3Fe, 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe, and 95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe (wt pct) produced by CIPing and gelcasting routes. The overall microstructural features of gelcasting are finer than those of CIPing alloys. Both the grain size of W and corresponding contiguity values increase with increase in W content in the present alloys. The volume fraction of matrix phase decreases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The lattice parameter values of the matrix phase also increase with increase in W content. The yield strength (σ_YS) continuously increases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The σ_YS values of CIPing alloys are marginally higher than those of gelcasting at constant W. The ultimate tensile strength (σ_UTS) and elongation values are maximum at intermediate W content. Present alloys exhibit two slopes in true stress–true plastic strain curves in low and high strain regimes and follow a characteristic Ludwigson relation. The two slopes are associated with two deformation mechanisms that are occurring during tensile deformation. The overall nature of differential curves of all the alloys is different and these curves contain three distinctive stages of work hardening (I, II, and III). This suggests varying deformation mechanisms during tensile testing due to different volume fractions of constituent phases. The slip is the predominant deformation mechanism of the present alloys during tensile testing.     

Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of AF955 (UNS N09955) Nickel-Based Superalloy After Different Heat Treatments

The mechanical and strain-hardening behaviors of the new AF955 nickel-based superalloy were investigated through two different heat treatments. The first consisted of a solubilization with a subsequent precipitation heat treatment at 746 °C for 4 hours, while the second included an additional precipitation treatment at 621 °C for 8 hours, which further increased the AF955 yield stress by about 15 pct and the ultimate stress by about 9 pct. However, through analyzing the true stress and true strain flow curves, the Considére’s stresses of AF955 after the heat treatments were similar and the strain-hardening behaviors at high stresses were surprisingly comparable. The AF955 microstructures were observed after the two different heat treatments through transmission electron microscopy. The dimensions and volume fractions of the strengthening γ″ and γ′ particles were quantified through the imaging analysis technique, finding that there were only γ″ particles in AF955 with heat treatment at 746 °C, while with the additional heat treatment at 621 °C, there was a higher total volume fraction of the γ″?+?γ′ phases. The microstructure quantification allowed modeling of the different yield behaviors of the alloy after the heat treatments through the Orowan model for nondeformable particles and the weak coupled dislocation (WCD) and strong coupled dislocation models for deformable particles. The WCD model for deformable particles described the yield behaviors of AF955 very well after both heat treatments. Moreover, the deformability of the γ″ and γ′ particles also explained the comparable strain-hardening behaviors at high stresses of AF955 after the two different heat treatments. Although mechanical properties are correctly assumed to be key parameters for classifying materials, the analysis of true stress and true strain flow curves always should be performed to properly rationalize the mechanical behaviors of metallic alloys.     

On the Stability of Reversely Formed Austenite and Related Mechanism of Transformation in an Fe-Ni-Mn Martensitic Steel Aided by Electron Backscattering Diffraction and Atom Probe Tomography

The stability of reversely formed austenite and related mechanism of transformation were investigated against temperature and time in an Fe-9.6Ni-7.1Mn (at. pct) martensitic steel during intercritical annealing at a dual-phase (α + γ) region. Dilatometry, electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), atom probe tomography (APT), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the mechanism of reverse transformation. It was found that under intercritical annealing at 853 K (580 °C), when the heating rate is 20 K/s (20 °C/s), reverse transformation takes place through a mixed diffusion control mechanism, i.e., controlled by bulk diffusion and diffusion along the interface, where Ni controls the diffusion as its diffusivity is lower than that of Mn in the martensite and austenite. Increasing the intercritical annealing to 873 K (600 °C) at an identical heating rate of 20 K/s (20 °C/s) showed that reverse transformation occurs through a sequential combination of both martensitic and diffusional mechanisms. The transition temperature from diffusional to martensitic transformation was obtained close to 858 K (585 °C). Experimental results revealed that the austenite formed by the diffusional mechanism at 853 K (580 °C) mainly remains untransformed after cooling to ambient temperature due to the enrichment with Ni and Mn. It was also found that the stability of the reversely formed austenite by martensitic mechanism at 873 K (600 °C) is related to grain refinement.     

Microstructural Evolution of the Interdiffusion Zone between U-9 Wt Pct Mo Fuel Alloy and Zr-1 Wt Pct Nb Cladding Alloy Upon Annealing

Diffusion couple formed between U-9 wt pct Mo and Zr-1 wt pct Nb alloys, proposed as fuel and clad materials, respectively, in nuclear research reactors, was annealed to investigate the microstructural evolution of the interdiffusion zone (IZ) as a function of temperature. A layered-type IZ microstructure was observed, the mechanism of development of which was elucidated. Mo₂Zr phase, present as dispersoids, in the U-rich part of the as-bonded IZ evolved into a continuous layer and into a “massive” morphology upon annealing. The discontinuous precipitation reaction in the matrix adjoining the Mo₂Zr phase, instigated by Mo depletion, generated lamellae of α-U phase within the γ-U(Mo,Zr) matrix. Zr-rich α-Zr(U) precipitates were observed in U-rich U-Mo-Zr matrix in the IZ next to the U-9Mo base material due to the clustering tendency of the matrix phase. The IZ next to Zr-1Nb base material comprised a “basket weave” microstructure of α-Zr laths with β-Zr(Nb,U) interlath boundaries, wherein an omega like transformation of the latter to δ-UZr₂ was also noticed. The growth rates of the IZ were orders of magnitude lower when compared with the ones reported between the compositionally similar U-10 wt pct Mo alloy and the presently used Al or Al-Si cladding alloys.     

Magnetic Hysteretic and Mechanical Properties of a 31Kh20K3M Alloy with an Increased Carbon Content

An Fe–31Cr–20Co–3Mo (31Kh20K3M) alloy containing 0.09 wt % C, which is almost twice as much as its maximum content according to GOST 24897–81, has been studied to verify the influence of the carbon content on the magnetic hysteretic properties of hard magnetic high-chromium Fe–Cr–Co alloys. The optimal heat treatment, including thermomagnetic treatment, results in the average values of residual magnetic induction B_r = 0.96 T and coercive force H_cB = 63 kA/m and the maximum energy product (BH)_max = 29 kJ/m³. Some heat treatment regimes give B_r = 1.03 T, H_cB = 72 kA/m, and (BH)_max = 31 kJ/m³. In addition, for isotropic alloy samples, the following average values are obtained: B_r = 0.71 T, HcB = 56 kA/m, and (BH)_max = 15 kJ/m³. These magnetic hysteretic properties of the 31Kh20K3M alloy with an increased carbon content are similar to those of a powder 30Kh21K3M alloy with the minimum carbon content.     

Microstructural Degradation and the Effects on Creep Properties of a Hot Corrosion-Resistant Single-Crystal Ni-Based Superalloy During Long-Term Thermal Exposure

In the present study, the kinetics of microstructural degradation during long-term thermal exposure (LTTE) and the effects on creep deformation mechanisms of a hot corrosion-resistant single-crystal Ni-based superalloy with a low γ′ volume fraction and γ/γ′ lattice misfit were investigated in detail. The kinetic of γ′ coarsening in the experimental alloy conforms well to the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory during LTTE at 900 °C up to 10,000 hours. The evolution of γ/γ′ lattice misfit during the LTTE was also investigated by a first attempt. The focused research emphasized on the influences of γ/γ′ lattice misfit evolution after the LTTE on the microstructural degradation, dislocation motion, and different creep mechanisms during high-temperature low-stress creep and high-temperature high-stress creep. The results show that the decreasing of the absolute values of γ/γ′ lattice misfit and change of γ′ size and morphology after the LTTE contribute to the weakening of barrier to the dislocation cutting process into γ′ precipitates during creep and the sharp reduction of stress-rupture lifetime at 950 °C/280 MPa after 1000 hours exposure. As the applied stress decreased to 230 MPa at 950 °C, the creep mechanisms change from the dislocation cutting through γ′ precipitates at high applied stress to the dislocation glide and climb around γ′ precipitates. The dislocation glide and climb by-pass deformation mechanism were not significantly influenced by the change of γ′ precipitates morphology and magnitude of γ/γ′ mismatch within 1000 hours thermal exposure, and the minimum creep rate and creep lifetime after 1000 hours thermal exposure were similar to that of the original heat-treated samples.     

Retained Austenite Transformation during Heat Treatment of a 5 Wt Pct Cr Cold Work Tool Steel

Retained austenite transformation was studied for a 5 wt pct Cr cold work tool steel tempered at 798 K and 873 K (525 °C and 600 °C) followed by cooling to room temperature. Tempering cycles with variations in holding times were conducted to observe the mechanisms involved. Phase transformations were studied with dilatometry, and the resulting microstructures were characterized with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Tempering treatments at 798 K (525 °C) resulted in retained austenite transformation to martensite on cooling. The martensite start (M _s ) and martensite finish (M _f ) temperatures increased with longer holding times at tempering temperature. At the same time, the lattice parameter of retained austenite decreased. Calculations from the M _s temperatures and lattice parameters suggested that there was a decrease in carbon content of retained austenite as a result of precipitation of carbides prior to transformation. This was in agreement with the resulting microstructure and the contraction of the specimen during tempering, as observed by dilatometry. Tempering at 873 K (600 °C) resulted in precipitation of carbides in retained austenite followed by transformation to ferrite and carbides. This was further supported by the initial contraction and later expansion of the dilatometry specimen, the resulting microstructure, and the absence of any phase transformation on cooling from the tempering treatment. It was concluded that there are two mechanisms of retained austenite transformation occurring depending on tempering temperature and time. This was found useful in understanding the standard tempering treatment, and suggestions regarding alternative tempering treatments are discussed.     

Molten Alkali Halides: Straightforward Prediction of Surface Tension

This article provides a new model for predicting the surface tension of molten alkali halides, because the subject is worthy of investigation. A relationship exists between the surface tension (γ) at the melting point (T _m ), molar volume (V), internuclear distance (D), and radius ratio \( \left( {\frac{r^{+}}{r^{-} }} \right). \) The basic idea results from the assumption that all of the parameters are constants. The relation depends on the reliability and accuracy of all the constants on which it is based. The formula was examined and showed remarkable agreement between the calculated surface tension and experimental data within a difference of less than 10 pct for most of the salts studied.     

Austenite Formation in a Cold-Rolled Semi-austenitic Stainless Steel

The progress of the martensite (α′) to austenite (γ) phase transformation has been thoroughly investigated at different temperatures during the continuous heating of a cold-rolled precipitation hardening metastable stainless steel at a heating rate of 0.1 K/s. Heat-treated samples have been characterized using different experimental complementary techniques: high-resolution dilatometry, magnetization, and thermoelectric power (TEP) measurements, micro-hardness-Vickers testing, optical/scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. The two-step transformation behavior observed is thought to be related to the presence of a pronounced chemical banding in the initial microstructure. This banding has been characterized using electron probe microanalysis. Unexpectedly, dilatometry measurements seem unable to locate the end of the transformation accurately, as this technique does not detect the second step of this transformation (last 20 pct of it). It is shown that once the starting (A _S) and finishing (A _F) transformation temperatures have been estimated by magnetization measurements, the evolution of the volume fractions of austenite and martensite can be evaluated by TEP or micro-hardness measurement quite reliably as compared to magnetization measurements. The mechanical response of the material after being heated to temperatures close to A _S, A _F, and (A _F ? A _S)/2 is also discussed.     

Improvement of Creep Resistance at 950 °C and 400 MPa in Ru-Containing Single-Crystal Superalloys with a High Level of Co Addition

Microstructural features, including γ′ volume fraction and size, γ-γ′ lattice misfit, γ channel width, and dislocation substructure, are known to significantly influence the creep performance in Ni-base single-crystal superalloys. In this study, the microstructural characteristics of Ru-containing single-crystal superalloys with different levels of Co, Mo, and Ru additions were quantitatively investigated after ruptured and interrupted creep tests conducted at 1223 K (950 °C) and 400 MPa. The creep lifetime was slightly increased with the high level of Co addition and significantly increased with the coadditions of Mo and Ru. A minor effect of Co content on the γ channel width and γ′ volume fraction was found in experimental alloys. The alloy with high levels of Mo and Ru additions was determined to possess a more negative γ-γ′ lattice misfit, and a high density of stacking faults (SFs) was formed in the γ channels during creep. The combined effects of the SFs in the γ matrix serving as the barriers to dislocation movement, as well as the dense interfacial dislocation networks preventing dislocation to shear the γ′ phase, were considered as the main mechanism responsible for the improvement of creep resistance. Results from this study are helpful to understand the effect of microstructural features on creep performance and contribute to the knowledge of physical metallurgy in Ru-containing single-crystal superalloys.     

Orientation of Magnetized MnBi in a Strong Static Magnetic Field

Solidification of Bi-4.5 wt pct Mn alloy was investigated in the presence and absence of a strong static magnetic field (SSMF). A cooling rate (R) of 60 K/min caused MnBi to orient with the SSMF, owing to the force moment and attractive force. The attractive force and magnetic gradient force induced formation of multilayered MnBi when R was 5 K/min. The magnetic gradient force was damped when R was 60 K/min. Low cooling rates favored the aggregation process.