APPLICABILITY OF THE MASS ACTION LAW IN COMBINATION WITH THE COEXISTENCE THEORY OF METALLIC MELTS INVOLVING COMPOUND TO BINARY METALLIC MELTS

Based on the atomicity and rnolecularity as well as the consistency of thermodynamic properties and activities of metallic melts with their structures, the coexistence theory of metallic melts structure involving compound has been suggested. According to this theory, the calculating models of mass action concentrations for different binary metallic melts have been formulated. The calculated mass action concentrations agree well with corresponding measured activities, which confirms that the suggested theory can reflect the structural characteristics of metallic melts involving compound and that the mass action law is widely applicable to this kind of metallic melts.     

Empirical model to predict mass gain of cobalt electroless deposition on ceramic particles using response surface methodology

This investigation was undertaken to predict the mass gain(MG) of cobalt electroless deposition(ED)on ceramic SiC particles.Response surface methodology(RSM) based on a full factorial design with three ED parameters and 30 runs was used to conduct the experiments and to establish a mathematical model by means of Design-Expert software.Three ED parameters considered were pH,bath temperature and ceramic particle morphology.Analysis of variance was applied to validate the predicted model.The results of confirmation analysis by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) show that the developed models are reasonably accurate.The pH is the most effective parameter for the MG.Also,the highest mass gain is obtained for the lowest pH,highest bath temperatures and heat-treated SiC particles.In addition,the developed model shows that the optimal parameters to get a maximum value of mass gain are pH,bath temperature and ceramic particle state of 8,70℃ and heat treatment,respectively.     

INDUSTRY NEWS

正The world's largest 3D sand core printer is expected to be mass produced in Kocel this year Kocel is expected to mass produce the world's largest 3D printer this year.This 3D sand core printer is 5.2 meters high,weighs35 tons and has a printing accuracy of±0.3 mm,which makes it possible to make the heavy castings.Taking a train internal combustion engine as an example,20-30 pieces of sand core     

Effects of calcium addition on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy

The effects of Ca addition on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-5Zn-5Sn (mass fraction,%) alloy were investigated.The results indicate that an addition of 0.5%-1.5% (mass fraction) Ca to the Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy not only refines the as-cast microstructure of the alloy but also causes the formation of the primary and/or eutectic CaMgSn phases with high thermal stability;an increase in Ca amount from 0.5% to 1.5% (mass fraction) increases the amount and size of the CaMgSn phase.In addition,Ca addition to the Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloy improves not only the tensile properties at room temperature and 150 ℃ but also the creep properties.Among the Ca-containing Mg-5Zn-5Sn alloys,the one added 0.5% (mass fraction) Ca obtains the optimum ultimate tensile strength and elongation at room temperature and 150 ℃,however,the alloy added 1.5% (mass fraction) Ca exhibits the optimum yield strength and creep properties.     

Processing of tailings in Canadian oil sands industry

Vast amounts of tailings are produced daily in bitumen extraction from the Athabasca oil sands.The coarse sand from the tailings stream is used to build dykes around the containment basin.The run-off slurry arrives at the water‘s edge in the tailings pond at a solids concentration of about 3%-8% by mass.Settling of the solids takes place“felatively fast”,over several days,creating a “free water zone” that contains little solids.When the fine mineral solids concentration has reached about 15% by mass,the suspension develops non-Newtonian properties.After2-3years,the suspension concentration reaches a value of about 30% by mass at which the settling rate becomes extremely slow.Methods to hadle the already created tailings ponds and new approaches to eliminate the creation of new ones will be discussed both from the industrial and fundamental prospective.     

Interfacial Characters of Organophosphoric and Phosphonic Acid Extraction Systems

Dynamic interracial characters are investigated for solvent extraction system of metals by organophosphoric or phosphonicacid.The relationship between interfacial characters and kinetic parameters shows that the dynamic interfacial properties are im-portant to mass transfer processes in liquid-liquid extraction.The authors develop a two-film adsorption model,which may offera basis for researching interfacial activity in mass transfer process.     

Performance of hydrogen storage of carbon nanotubes decorated with palladium

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) decorated with palladium were synthesized and applied to hydrogen storage of gas phase. The results show that the amount of hydrogen storage of the decorated CNTs is up to 3.9 % (mass fraction), of which, almost 85％ H2 can be desorbed at ambient temperature and pressure, while the non-decorated CNTs has a poor performance of hydrogen storage(only about 0.5% H2, mass fraction). These indicate that it is feasible to enhance the performance of hydrogen storage of CNTs by further decoration with hydrogen-storing metals or alloys.     

Recovery of titania from high titanium slag by roasting method using concentrated sulfuric acid

By means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX) and scanning electron microscope(SEM)analysis,the phase structure characteristics of high titanium slag were analyzed.Through the single factor and the orthogonal experiment methods,the effects of material particle size,mass ratio of acid to ore,roasting temperature,and roasting time on the acidolysis ratio of TiO_2during the process of roasting high titanium slag with concentrated sulfuric acid were systematically investigated.The results show that the sequence of each factor affecting the acidolysis ratio of TiO_2 is:mass ratio of acid to ore,roasting time,and roasting temperature.The optimum technological conditions are obtained as mass ratio of acid to ore of 2.1,roasting temperature of 310 ℃,roasting time of 75 min,and material particle size of 45-53 μm.The acidolysis ratio of TiO_2 is over 96%under the optimum conditions.The roasting process is proved to be significant in the exploitation and utilization of high titanium slag.The advantages of the proposed roasting process are of high efficiency,low power consumption,and minimum pollution.     

Effect of mixing rate and temperature on primary Si phase of hypereutectic Al-20Si alloy during control ed diffusion solidification(CDS) process

Controlled Diffusion Solidification(CDS) is a promising process relied on mixing two liquid alloys of precisely controlled chemistry and temperature in order to produce a predetermined alloy composition. In this study, the CDS was employed to prepare hypereutectic Al-20%Si(mass fraction) alloy using Al-30%Si and pure Al of different temperatures. The mixing rate was controlled using three small crucibles with a hole of different diameters in their bottom. The effect of mixing rate and temperature on the microstructure of the primary Si-phase during the mixing of molten Al and Al-30%Si was studied. The results showed that when the diameter of the small crucible bottom hole is 16 mm, a higher mass mixing rate 0.217 kg·s-1 would results in a lower stream velocity 0.414 m·s-1. Conversely a lower mass mixing rate 0.114 kg·s-1(the diameter of the small crucible bottom hole is 8 mm) would result in a higher fluid stream velocity 0.879 m·s-1. A lower mass mixing rate would be better to refine the primary Si than a higher mass mixing rate. Meanwhile, the morphology and distribution of primary Si could also be improved. Especially, when Al-30%Si alloy at 820 °C was mixed with pure Al at 670 °C in the case of a mass mixing rate of 0.114 kg·s-1 and a pouring temperature of 680 °C, the average size of the primary Si phase would be only 18.2 μm. Its morphology would mostly be octahedral and the primary Si would distribute uniformly in the matrix microstructure. The lower mass mixing rate(0.114 kg·s-1) will enhance the broken tendency of Al-30%Si steam and the mixing agitation of resultant melt, so the primary Si phase can be better refined.     

Thermodynamic properties and mixing thermodynamic parameters of Ba-Al, Mg-Al, Sr-Al and Cu-Al metallic melts

Application of equations of mixing thermodynamic parameters formulated on the basis of the coexistence theory of metallic melts in Ba-Al, Mg-Al, Sr-Al and Cu-Al melts leads to fruitful results that not only the evaluated mass action concentrations agree well with the measured activities, but also the calculated mixing thermodynamic parameters are quite coincident with the experimental values. Moreover, the calculated mass action concentrations strictly obey the mass action law. The evaluated mixing thermodynamic parameters have very fine regularity: the mixing free energy is composed of standard free formation energies of all compounds and chemical potentials of all structural units at equilibrium; the mixing enthalpy consists of standard formation enthalpies of all compounds; the mixing entropy is composed of standard entropies of all compounds and configuration entropies of all structural units at equilibrium. As the equations of mixing thermodynamic parameters formulated are widely applicable to metallic melts involving compound formation, they can be used as the second practical criterion to determine whether thermodynamic models of metallic melts are correctly formulated.     

Microstructure,mechanical properties and creep resistance of Mg–(8%–12%)Zn–(2%–6%)Al alloys

The microstructural characteristics, mechanical properties and creep resistance of Mg–(8%–12%)Zn–(2%–6%)Al alloys were investigated to get a better overall understanding of these series alloys. The results indicate that the microstructure of the alloys ZA82, ZA102 and ZA122 with the mass ratio of Zn to Al of 4–6 is mainly composed of α-Mg matrix and two different morphologies of precipitates (block τ-Mg₃₂(Al, Zn)₄₉ and dense lamellar ε-Mg₅₁Zn₂₀), the alloys ZA84, ZA104 and ZA124 with the mass ratio of 2–3 contain α-Mg matrix and only block τ phases, and the alloys ZA86, ZA106 and ZA126 with the mass ratio of 1–2 consist of α-Mg matrix, block τ precipitates, lamellar ?-Al₂Mg₅Zn₂ eutectics and flocculent β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ compounds. The alloys studied with the mass ratio of Zn to Al of 2–3 exhibit high creep resistance, and the alloy ZA124 with the continuous network of τ precipitating along grain boundaries shows the highest creep resistance.     

Mg-9Zn—xAl合金的显微组织和力学性能

借助金相显微镜、扫描电镜、能谱分析仪、显微硬度计及电子万能试验机等研究了Mg-9Zn-xAl（x=2％、4％、6％）合金的显微组织和力学性能。试验结果表明：随着Al含量的增加,晶粒尺寸呈不断减小的趋势,合金中的第二相由断续状分布向连续网状转变;当Al含量为2％和4％时,合金主要由α-Mg基体相、τ-Mg32（Al,Zn）49相和MgZn相组成,当Al增加到6％时,合金主要由α-Mg基体相、τ-Mg32（Al,Zn）49相和少量Mg5Zn2A12相组成。抗拉强度随着Al含量的增加呈先增大后减小的趋势,当Al含量为4％时,抗拉强度为171MPa;伸长率和硬度随着Al含量的增加而逐渐增加,当Al含量为6％时,硬度为133HV。     

Effect of Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−Zn−Sn−Mn alloy

The microstructure and properties of the as-cast, as-homogenized and as-extruded Mg−6Zn−4Sn−1Mn (ZTM641) alloy with various Al contents (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt.%) were investigated by OM, XRD, DSC, SEM, TEM and uniaxial tensile tests. The results show that when the Al content is not higher than 0.5%, the alloys are mainly composed of α-Mg, Mg₂Sn, Al₈Mn₅ and Mg₇Zn₃ phases_. When the Al content is higher than 0.5%, the alloys mainly consist of α-Mg, Mg₂Sn, MgZn, Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉, Al₂Mg₅Zn₂, Al₁₁Mn₄ and Al₈Mn₅ phases. A small amount of Al (≤1%) can increase the proportion of fine dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains during hot-extrusion process. The room- temperature tensile test results show that the ZTM641−1Al alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties, in which the ultimate tensile strength is 332 MPa, yield strength is 221 MPa and the elongation is 15%. Elevated- temperature tensile test results at 150 and 200 °C show that ZTM641−2Al alloy has the best comprehensive mechanical properties.     

Effect of Sn content on microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast and as-extruded Mg−8Li−3Al−(1,2,3)Sn alloys

The effects of Sn content on microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast and as-extruded Mg−8Li−3Al− (1,2,3)Sn (wt.%) alloys were investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile test. It is found that, as-cast Mg−8Li−3Al−(1,2,3)Sn alloys consist of α-Mg+β-Li duplex matrix, MgLiAl₂ and Li₂MgSn phases. Increasing Sn content leads to grain refinement of α-Mg dendrites and increase in content of Li₂MgSn phase. During hot extrusion, complete dynamic recrystallization (DRX) takes place in β-Li phase while incomplete DRX takes place in α-Mg phase. As Sn content is increased, the volume fraction of DRXed α-Mg grains is increased and the average grain size of DRXed α-Mg grains is decreased. Increasing Sn content is beneficial to strength but harmful to ductility for as-cast Mg−8Li−3Al−(1,2,3)Sn alloys. Tensile properties of Mg−8Li−3Al− (1,2,3)Sn alloys are improved significantly via hot extrusion and Mg−8Li−3Al−2Sn alloy exhibits the best tensile properties.     

Effects of Mg content on microstructure and mechanical properties of low Zn-containing Al−xMg−3Zn−1Cu cast alloys

Effects of Mg content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low Zn-containing Al?xMg? 3Zn?1Cu cast alloys (x=3?5, wt.%) were investigated. As Mg content increased in the as-cast alloys, the grains were refined due to enhanced growth restriction, and the formation of η-Mg(AlZnCu)₂ and S-Al₂CuMg phases was inhibited while the formation of T-Mg₃₂(AlZnCu)₄₉ phase was promoted when Mg content exceeded 4 wt.%. The increase of Mg content encumbered the solution kinetics by increasing the size of eutectic phase but accelerated and enhanced the age-hardening through expediting precipitation kinetics and elevating the number density of the precipitates. As Mg content increased, the yield strength and tensile strength of the as-cast, solution-treated and peak-aged alloys were severally improved, while the elongation of the alloys decreased. The tensile strength and elongation of the peak-aged Al?5Mg?3Zn?1Cu alloy exceed 500 MPa and 5%, respectively. Precipitation strengthening implemented by T′ precipitates is the predominant strengthening mechanism in the peak-aged alloys and is enhanced by increasing Mg content.     

固溶态和挤压态Mg-xLi-3Al-2Zn-0.5Y(x=4,8,12)合金的显微组织和腐蚀行为

研究固溶态和挤压态Mg-xLi-3Al-2Zn-0.5Y(x=4,8,12,质量分数,%)合金的显微组织和腐蚀行为。结果表明,当锂含量从4%增加到12%,合金基体由α-Mg单相转变为α-Mg+β-Li双相,再转变为β-Li单相。Mg-4Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Y和Mg-12Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Y合金具有晶间腐蚀和点蚀的混合腐蚀特征,前者与沿晶界析出的AlLi相有关,后者与第二相与基体之间的高电位差有关。挤压态合金的耐蚀性优于固溶态合金。挤压态Mg-8Li-3Al-2Zn-0.5Y合金具有最低腐蚀速率(P_W=(0.63±0.26)mm/a),主要归因于该合金的第二相分布更均匀、通过牺牲β-Li相形成的保护性α-Mg相和相对完整的更均匀分布的氧化膜。     

Effects of Al content on the corrosion properties of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys

The corrosion performances of Mg–4Y–xAl (x = 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%) alloys in the 3.5% NaCl electrolyte solution are investigated by electrochemical tests, weight loss measurement and corrosion morphology observation. The results indicate that corrosion modes for the alloys are localized corrosion and the filiform type of attack. With Al concentration increasing from 1 to 4 wt%, the corrosion rate of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys decreases firstly and then increases, and WA42 alloy shows the best corrosion resistance. The addition of Al element to Mg–4Y alloys leads to the formation of Al₂Y and Al₁₁Y₃ intermetallic compounds and reduces the proportion of Mg₂₄Y₅ phase. Corrosion resistance of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys mainly depends on the size and distribution of the second phases. Besides, the addition of excessive Al can greatly consumes the Y element in the matrix, thus leading to a less protective film on the alloys. The effect of the relative Volta potential changes between the second phases and α-Mg on corrosion resistance of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys is insignificant. The main corrosion products of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys are Mg(OH)₂, Mg₃(OH)₅Cl·4H₂O, Mg_0.72Al_0.28(CO₃)_0.15(OH)_1.98(H₂O)_0.48, and Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₂CO₃·3H₂O.     

Microstructure and phase composition of as-cast Mg–9Er–6Y–xZn–0.6Zr alloys

The microstructure and phase composition of as-cast Mg–9Er–6Y–xZn–0.6Zr (x=1, 2, 3, 4; normal mass fraction in %) alloys were investigated. In low Zn content, aside from the major second phase of Mg₂₄(Er, Y, Zn)₅, there are a few lamellar phases that grow parallel with each other from the grain boundaries to the grain interior. With Zn content increasing, the Mg₂₄(Er,Y,Zn)₅ phase decreases, but the Mg₁₂Zn(Y, Er) phase and lamellar phases continuously increase. When Zn content reaches 4% (normal mass fraction), the Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Er) phase mainly exists as large bulks, and some α-Mg grains are thoroughly penetrated by the lamellar phases. Moreover, the crystallography structures of the Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Er) and Mg₂₄(Er,Y,Zn)₅ phases are confirmed as 18R-type long-period stacking ordered structure and body-centred cubic structure, respectively.     

Effects of Li content on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg−xLi−3Al−2Zn−0.5Y alloys

The effects of Li content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-cast Mg?xLi?3Al?2Zn? 0.5Y (LAZx32-0.5Y) alloys were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, hardness tester and universal testing machine. The results show that the matrix of the alloy transforms from α-Mg to α-Mg+β-Li and then to β-Li when the Li content increases from 4% to 14% (mass fraction). All LAZx32-0.5Y alloys contain AlLi and Al₂Y, while MgLi₂Al appears only in the alloy containing the β-Li matrix. As the Li content increases, the content of AlLi and MgLi₂Al gradually increases, while the content of Al₂Y does not change much. As the Li content increases from 4% to 10%, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the as-cast LAZx32-0.5Y alloys gradually decrease while the elongation gradually increases. The corresponding fracture mechanism changes from cleavage fracture to quasi-cleavage fracture and then to microporous aggregation fracture. This is mainly attributed to the decrease of α-Mg and the increase of β-Li in the alloy. When the Li content continues to increase to 10% and 14%, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the as-cast LAZx32-0.5Y alloys gradually increase, while the elongation decreases sharply, which is mainly attributed to the nano-scale MgLi₂Al uniformly distributed in the β-Li matrix.     

Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys by nano-indentation

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn(x=0.5,1.5,2.5,molar fraction,%) alloys were examined using a nano-indentation technique.The alloys were fabricated using a vacuum induction melting method under an argon atmosphere. The microstructures of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys mainly consist ofα-Mg and eutectic Mg12Ce phase.The volume fraction and size of the eutectic Mg12Ce phase increase with increasing Ce contents.Nano-indentation test results show that the indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the eutectic Mg12Ce phase are higher than those of theα-Mg matrix.In addition,the mean indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys increase with the Ce addition amount increasing.