Influence of relative positions between RF coil and crucible on sapphire crystals by edge-defined film-fed growth(EFG) technique

To obtain the stable temperature field required for growing sapphire crystals, the influence of relative positions between RF coil and crucible on the performances of sapphires produced by edge-defined film-fed growth(EFG) technique was investigated. For comparison, the crucible was located at the top(case A) and the middle(case B) of the RF coil, respectively. Furthermore, the lattice integrities were studied by the double-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the dislocations were observed under the optical microscope and atomic force microscope after corroding in molten KOH at 390 °C. The crystals in case B exhibit better lattice integrity with smaller full width at half maximum of 29.13 rad·s, while the value in case A is 45.17 rad·s. The morphologies of dislocation etch pits in both cases show typical triangular symmetry with smooth surfaces. However, the dislocation density of 2.8×104 cm-2 in case B is only half of that in case A, and the distribution is more uniform, compared to the U-shaper in case A.     

Effects of laser heat treatment on the fracture morphologies of X80 pipeline steel welded joints by stress corrosion

The surfaces of X80 pipeline steel welded joints were processed with a CO2 laser, and the effects of laser heat treatment （LHT） on H2S stress corrosion in the National Association of Corrosion Engineers （NACE） solution were analyzed by a slow strain rate test. The fracture morphologies and chemical components of corrosive products before and after LHT were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively, and the mechanism of LHT on stress corrosion cracking was discussed. Results showed that the fracture for welded joints was brittle in its original state, while it was transformed to a ductile fracture after LHT. The tendencies of hydrogen-induced corrosion were reduced, and the stress corrosion sensitivity index decreased from 35.2% to 25.3%, indicating that the stress corrosion resistance of X80 pipeline steel welded joints has been improved by LHT.     

Film-induced stress enhancing stress corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel

A constant deflection device designed for use within a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the change in dislocation configuration ahead of a crack tip during stress corrosion cracking (SCO of type 310 austenitic stainless steel in a boiling MgCI2 solution, and the initiation process of stress corrosion microcrack. Results showed that corrosion process during SCC enhanced dislocation emission, multiplication and motion. Microcracks of SCC were initiated when the corrosion-enhanced dislocation emission and motion reached critical state.A passive film formed during corrosion of austenitic stainless steel in the boiling MgCI2 solution generated a tensile stress. During SCC, the additive tensile stress generated at the metal/passive film interface helps enhance dislocation emission and motion.     

Influence of Aluminum Ions Implantation on Corrosion Behavior of Zircaloy-2 Alloy in 1M H2SO4

The specimens were implanted with aluminum ions with fluence ranging from 1× 10^16 to 1× 10^17 ions/cm^2 to study the effect of aluminum ion implantation on the aqueous corrosion behavior of zircaloy-2 by metal vapor vacuum arc source （MEVVA） at an extraction voltage of 40 kV. The valence states and depth distributions of elements in the surface layer of the samples were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） and Auger electron spectroscopy （AES）, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to examine the microstructure of the aluminum-implanted samples. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction （GAXRD） was employed to examine the phase transformation due to the aluminum ion implantation. The potentiodynamic polarization technique was employed to evaluate the aqueous corrosion resistance of implanted zircaloy-2 in a 1 M H2SO4 solution. It is found that a significant improvement was achieved in the aqueous corrosion resistance of zircaloy-2 implanted with aluminum ions. Finally, the mechanism of the corrosion behavior of aluminum- implanted zircaloy-2 was discussed.     

Electrochemical behaviors of silicon wafers in silica slurry

The electrochemical behaviors of n-type silicon wafers in silica-based slurry were investigated, and the influences of the pH value and solid content of the slurry on the corrosion of silicon wafers were studied by using electrochemical DC polarization and AC impedance techniques. The results revealed that these factors affected the corrosion behaviors of silicon wafers to different degrees and had their suitable parameters that made the maximum corrosion rate of the wafers. The corrosion potential of (100) surface was lower than that of (111), whereas the current density of (100) was much higher than that of (111).     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded 7050-T7451 Aluminum Alloy Plates

7050-T7451 aluminum alloy plates was friction stir welded at different welding parameters.Mechanical properties of the joints were estimated according to tensile test and hardness test.The microstructure evolution during friction stir welding(FSW) was examined using optical microscope(OM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM).The nugget zone(NZ) has a recrystallized,fine equiaxed grain structure with high dislocation density.Strengthening precipitates appear to have gone to solution.Heat mechanical affected zone(TMAZ) was characterized by a highly bend deformed grain structure with partly dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization.The grain structure in heat affected zone(HAZ)is similar to that of the base metal with little growth in size and contained a relatively low dislocation density.Strengthening precipitates coarsen severely and the precipitated-free zone(PFZ) along the grain boundaries increase in width.The mechanical properties of the joints were affected by welding parameters with different microstructure and welding defects.The joint with largest tensile strength was welded at the parameters with tool traverse speed of 200 mm/min and rotation rate of 800 r/min,up to 88% of that of base metal.     

Pitting and galvanic corrosion behavior of stainless steel with weld in wet-dry environment containing Cl~-

Accelerated corrosion test of stainless steel with weld was carried out to investigate the corrosion behavior under the wet-dry cyclic condition in the atmosphere containing Cl?. In the surface morphology, corrosion products were analyzed by metal- lographic observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the damage to stainless steel with weld in the atmosphere containing Cl? is due to localized corrosion, especially pitting and galvanic corrosion. Weld acts as the anode, whereas matrix acts as the cathode in the corrosion process. The pitting corrosion, including the nucleation and growth of a stable pit, is promoted by the presence of wet-dry cycles, especially during the drying stage. Pits centralizing in weld are found to be grouped together like colonies, with a number of smaller pits surrounding a larger pit. The composition of the corro- sion products is Fe2O3, Cr2O3, Fe3O4, NiCrO4, etc.     

Growth characterization of anodic film on AZ91D magnesium alloy in an electrolyte of Na2SiO3 and KF

Anodization of AZ91D magnesium alloy in the electrolyte solution of 0.5 mol/L of sodium silicate and 1.0 mol/L of potassium fluoride was investigated. The anodic films were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion resistance of the various anodized alloys was evaluated by a fast corrosion test using the solution of hydrochloric acid and potassium dichromate. The results showed that the addition of KF resulted in the presence of NaF in the anodic film. The thickness of the anodic film formed under a constant current density of 20 mA/cm2 for 16 min at 60℃ exceeded 100 μm. The growth of the anodic film could be divided into three stages based on the anodizing time; the growth rate was much faster during stage Ⅱ than in stages Ⅰ and Ⅲ. The anodic film exhibited the highest corrosion resistance for the AZ91 alloy,which is attributed to the fact that the anodization was maintained until the end of stage Ⅱ.     

Effects of Composition of ZnO Ceramics Containing TiO2 onVaristor Properties

The development of low-voltage ZnO varistor ceramics containing TiO2 is presented in this report. The varistor properties of ZnO ceramics with different compositions were measured, and microstructure of the ceramics was investigated by XRD and SEM. The results show that the addition of TiO2 is beneficial to the decrease of varistor voltage (V1mA). whereas it leads to the recession of nonlinear coefficient (α) and leakage current (lL). The varistor properties of ZnO ceramics containing TiO2 can be effectively improved by introducing moderate amount of pre-fabricated ZnO seed grains. The behaviors of TiO2 and seed grains, as well as the mechanisms by which TiO2 and seed grains influence varistor properties, are discussed.     

Preparation of titanium nitride nanoparticles from a novel refluxing derived precursor

Titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles were prepared from a novel refluxing-derived precursor.The organic/inorganic hybrid precursor was prepared by a two-stage refluxing method using hydrous TiO2 as titania source and n-dodecane as carbon source.The precursor was heat-treated to 1 200 °C in flowing ammonia (NH3) to get TiN nanoparticles.The phase and chemical compositions were investigated by means of XRD,Raman spectroscopy and XPS.Samples microstructure was studied by means of SEM,TEM and SEAD.XRD pattern indicated that the product was face-centered cubic TiN with a lattice constant a = 4.236 · and average crystallite sizes of 35.2 nm.Raman spectra indicated that long time refluxing results in Alkane dehydrogenation and the formation of coke on TiO2 nanoparticles.Oxygen presence in TiN lattice was confirmed by XPS investigation.The particle size that was showed by Electron microscopy photographs ranged from 20 to 60 nm.     

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on epitaxial growth and properties of laser-ablated AZO thin films

Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films were grown on c-sapphire substrates by laser ablation under different oxygen partial pressures (P _O2). The effect of PO2 on the crystal structure, preferred orientation as well as the electrical and optical properties of the films was investigated. The structure characterizations indicated that the as-grown films were single-phased with a wurtzite ZnO structure, showing a significant c-axis orientation. The films were well crystallized and exhibited better crystallinity and denser texture when deposited at higher P _O2. At the optimum oxygen partial pressures of 10 - 15 Pa, the AZO thin films were epitaxially grown on c-sapphire substrates with the (0001) plane parallel to the substrate surface, i e, the epitaxial relationship was AZO (000 1) // Al₂O₃ (000 1). With increasing P _O2, the value of Hall carrier mobility was increased remarkably while that of carrier concentration was decreased slightly, which led to an enhancement in electrical conductivity of the AZO thin films. All the films were highly transparent with an optical transmittance higher than 85 %.     

Morphology study of oriented SmBCO film deposited by MOCVD

c-axis-oriented SmBa_2Cu_3O_7(SmBCO) films have been deposited on(100)- LaA1O_3(LAO)substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD) technique.The effects of deposition temperature(T_(dep)) and total pressure(P_(tot)) on the orientation and microstructure of SmBCO films were investigated.The orientation of SmBCO films transformed from α-axis to c-axis with increasing of T_(dep) from 900 to 1 100℃.At T_(dep)=1 050℃,SmBCO films had c-axis orientation and tetragon surface.At P_(tot)~(dep)=400-800 Pa and T_(dep)=1 050 ℃,totally c-axis-oriented SmBCO films were obtained.The R_(dep) of SmBCO films increased firstly and then decreased with increasing P_(tot).The surface of SmBCO films exhibited tetragon morphology at 1 050 ℃ and400 Pa.Maximum thickness of SmBCO film deposited was 1.2μm at P_(tot)= 600 Pa,and the corresponding R_(dep)was 7.2 μm·h~(-1).     

Enhanced Ferroelectric Polarization in Laser-ablated Bi<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> Thin Films by Controlling Preferred Orientation

Polycrystalline Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ thin films with various fractions of a-axis, c-axis and random orientations have been grown on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by laser-ablation under different kinetic growth conditions. The relationship between the structure and ferroelectric property of the films was investigated, so as to explore the possibility of enhancing ferroelectric polarization by controlling the preferred orientation. The structural characterization indicated that the large growth rate and high oxygen background pressure were both favorable for the growth of non-c-axis oriented grains in the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ thin films. The films with high fractions of a-axis and random orientations, i e, f (a-sxis) = 28.3% and f (random) = 69.6%, could be obtained at the deposition temperature of 973 K, oxygen partial pressure of 15 Pa and laser fluence of 4.6 J/cm², respectively. It was also noted that the variation of ferroelectric polarization was in accordance with the evolution non-c-axis orientation. A large value of remanent polarization (2Pr = 35.5 μC/cm²) was obtained for the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ thin films with significant non-c-axis orientation, even higher than that of rare-earth-doped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ films.     

Spontaneous Magnetic Transitions and Corresponding Magnetoelastic Properties of Intermetallic Compounds <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>Mn<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>=Gd,Tb and Dy)

The spontaneous magnetic transitions and corresponding magnetoelastic properties of intermetallic compounds RMn₂Ge₂ (R=Gd, Tb and Dy) were investigated by using the X-ray diffraction method and magnetic measurement. The results showed that the compounds experience two magnetic transitions, namely the second-order paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at temperature T_N (T_N=368, 423 and 443 K for GdMn₂Ge₂, TbMn₂Ge₂ and DyMn₂Ge₂, respectively) and the first-order antiferromagnetic - ferrimagnetic transition at temperature T_t (T_t=96, 80 and 40 K for GdMn₂Ge₂, TbMn₂Ge₂ and DyMn₂Ge₂, respectively) as the temperature decreases. The temperature dependence of the lattice constant a(T) displays a negative magnetoelastic anomaly at the second-order transition point T_N and, at the first-order transition T_t, a increases abruptly for GdMn₂Ge₂ and TbMn₂Ge₂, Δa/a about 10^-3. Nevertheless, the lattice constant c almost does not change at these transition points indicating that such magnetoelastic anomalies are mainly contributed by the Mn-sublattice. The transitions of the magnetoelastic properties are also evidenced on the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility χ. The first-order transition behavior at T_t is explained by the Kittel mode of exchange inversion.     

Is there any relation between helium isotope composition of underground fluids and heat flow in continental areas?

The regression formula between³He/⁴He ratio of underground fluids and terrestrial heat flow in continental areas is tested by data sets from the former Soviet Union and the mainland of China. The results show that there is no close relation between the two values. The heat-He relation might estimate the regional heat flow value with ±25% accuracy at best. We propose that the ratio of crust/mantle component of continental heat flow (q _c/q _m) be inversely related to the³He/⁴He ratio of underground fluids. Based on data sets of³He/⁴He ratio andq _c/q _m in the Eurasia and Canadian Shield, we obtain the regression relation betweenq _c/q _m and³He/⁴He:q _c/q _m=0.815?0.300^*log_e (³He/⁴He), in which the unit of³He/⁴He is Ra (atmospheric³He/⁴He ratio). The crust and mantle heat flow components can be taken from surface heat flow andq _c/q _m ratio. Based on this formula and heat flow data in major basins of China, the crustal, mantle heat flow values and the average crustal heat production rates were estimated. The estimated crustal chemical composition of China is in agreement with the result inferred by deep seismic sounding survey. Helium isotope ratio (³He/⁴He) of underground fluids may be a useful parameter for separating crust and mantle components of continental heat flow.     

Crystal growth,structure and properties of bismuth triborate BiB<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystal

BiB₃O₆ (BIBO) single crystals with size of 46×23×10 mm³ and weight of 26.0 g have been successfully grown by top-seeded method. Problems encountered in the growth process of this crystal have been discussed in detail, and the methods of growing high-quality large crystals have been put forward. The relationship between their structure and properties is studied. The space group of monoclinic BiB₃O₆ is C2 and the cell parameters are a=7.1203(7) Å, b=4.9948(7) Å, c=6.5077(7) Å, β=105.586(8)″, and V=222.93(5) ų. The density of BIBO is 4.8965 g/cm³. The Mohs’s scale of hardness is 5.5–6. There is no cleavage face in the crystal. The transmittance of BIBO is about 80 percent in the range from visible coherent light to near-infrared light. The ultraviolet cutoff wavelength is at 276 nm. BiB₃O₆ is a biaxial crystal and has two sets of axes, and the relative orientation of (X, Y, Z) with regard to (a, b, c) is: X//b, (Y, c)=47.2°, (Z, a)=31.6°, determined by X-ray analysis combined with polarized microscopy. Second-harmonic-generation (SHG) experiments were carried out for the first time. In type I phase-matching (PM) directions (11.1°, 90°) and (168.9°, 90°), SHG conversion efficiencies of two directions for 1.064 μm light are up to 67.7% and 58%, respectively. We have also obtained the third-harmonic-generation (THG) of 1.064 μm. The comparative experiments between BIBO and KTP were carried out on conversion efficiency, transmittance and hardness. All the above results indicate that BiB₃O₆ is a kind of excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal.     

Effects of annealing processes on Cu<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> thin films

The Cu _x Si_1-x thin films have been grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) with in situ annealing on Si (001) and Si (111), respectively. The transformation of phase was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the as-deposited films were composed of Cu on both Si (001) and Si (111). The annealed thin films consisted of Cu + η”-Cu₃Si on Si (001) while Cu + η’-Cu₃Si on Si (111), respectively, at annealed temperature (T _a) = 300-600 °C. With the further increasing of T _a, at T _a= 700 °C, there was only one main phase, η”-Cu₃Si on Si (001) while η’-Cu₃Si on Si (111), respectively. The annealed thin films transformed from continuous dense structure to scattered-grain morphology with increasing T _a detected by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). It was also showed that the grain size would enlarge with increasing annealing time (t _a).     

Effects of functionalized silica nanoparticles on characteristics of nanocomposites PES cation exchange membranes

Nanocomposite cation exchange membranes(CEMs) were prepared by adding various loadings of functionalized silica nanoparticles to the sulfonated polyethersulfone(s PES) polymeric matrix. The silica nanoparticles were functionalized by mercaptopropyl(F_1, IEC=0), propylsulfonic acid(F_2, IEC= 2.71), and sulfonic acid(F_3, IEC=2.84). The properties of prepared membranes were investigated by varying the loadings of functionalized silica nanoparticles. Applying functionalized nanoparticles provides additional ion exchange groups and enhances water contents as well as conductivities and permselectivities of the membranes. The maximum IEC of 1.9 meq.g~(-1) was obtained for the membrane having 3 wt% F_3 nanoparticles and the maximum conductivity of 0.237 S·cm~(-1) was achieved for the membrane having 2 wt% F_3 nanoparticles, which were 19.6% and 64% higher than the corresponding values for s PES membrane, respectively. The excellent properties of the nanocomposite cation-exchange membranes make them appropriate candidates for electrodialysis and desalination processes.     

Entransy dissipation minimization for generalized heat exchange processes

This paper investigates the MED(Minimum Entransy Dissipation) optimization of heat transfer processes with the generalized heat transfer law q ∝(△(T~n))~m T. For the fixed amount of heat transfer, the optimal temperature paths for the MED are obtained. The results show that the strategy of the MED with generalized convective law q ∝(△T)~m T is that the temperature difference keeps constant, which is in accordance with the famous temperature-difference-field uniformity principle, while the strategy of the MED with linear phenomenological law q ∝△(T~(-1)) is that the temperature ratio keeps constant. For special cases with Dulong-Petit law q ∝(△T)~(1.25) and an imaginary complex law q ∝(△(T~4))~(1.25), numerical examples are provided and further compared with the strategies of the MEG(Minimum Entropy Generation), CHF(Constant Heat Flux) and CRT(Constant Reservoir Temperature) operations. Besides, influences of the change of the heat transfer amount on the optimization results with various heat resistance models are discussed in detail.     

Structural and electrical properties of high Curie temperature Aurivillius phase composite ceramics with largely enhanced piezoelectricity

High performance piezoelectric ceramics with high Curie temperatures(TC) are the bottle necks of relevant high temperature devices. In this study, the electrical performance and microstructure of Li and Mn codoped Aurivillius-type composite ceramics with a composition Ca_(0.99-x_Bi_(6.99+x)(Li Mn)_(0.01) Nb Ti_5O_(24)(x = 0–0.8) were systematically investigated. The results indicated that uniform intergrowth structure with a lattice similar to that of the end member CBT could be formed at a low x value(x 0.4). Phase separation occurred when more A-site Ca~(2+) ions were replaced by Bi~(3+) ions. Nevertheless, all composite samples showed d_(33) values about 2 to 3 times of that of the constituent phase Ca Bi_4Ti_4O_(15) and Bi_3 Ti NbO_9 with still a high depolarization temperature. The performance of the samples was found to be related to the density and larger lattice distortion along the polarization a axis. The results also demonstrated that formation of the compound system was an effective way in improving the performance of Aurivillius-type high TC piezoelectric ceramics.