Sealing behaviour of glass-based composites for oxygen transport membranes

In this study, seven different filler materials in different proportions were added to a Ba-Ca-Si glass matrix “H” to investigate new sealant with higher thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) value and good sealing performance for application in oxygen transport membrane (OTM). SrTi_0.75Fe_0.25O_3-δ (STF25) was used as an OTM, and the sealing partners were ferritic steel Aluchrom and pre-oxidized Aluchrom. Compatibility tests were carried out to investigate the feasibility of the composites. Higher CTE values were found in dilatometer tests on composite samples by adding 40 wt% Ag (HAg40) and 30 wt% Ni-Cr (HNC30). Gas-tightness measurements of sandwiched samples produced appropriate helium leakage rates in the range of 10^?6 mbar·l·s^?1. Sealing behaviour of sealants HAg40 and HNC30 were investigated by joining STF25 and as-delivered/pre-oxidized Aluchrom together. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on cross-sections of the joints revealed a homogeneous microstructure and good adherence of the glass sealants to support metals and STF25.     

Phase constitution,microstructure and mechanical properties of a Ni-based superalloy specially designed for additive manufacturing

In this study, a kind of Ni-based superalloy specially designed for additive manufacturing (AM) was investigated. Thermo-Calc simulation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis were used to determine phases and their transformation temperature. Experimental specimens were prepared by laser metal deposition (LMD) and traditional casting method. Microstructure, phase constitution and mechanical properties of the alloy were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission scanning electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile tests. The results show that this alloy contains two basic phases, γ/γ', in addition to these phases, at least two secondary phases may be present, such as MC carbides and Laves phases. Furthermore, the as-deposited alloy has finer dendrite, its mean primary dendrite arm space (PDAS) is about 30-45 μm, and the average size of γ' particles is 100-150 nm. However, the dendrite size of the as-cast alloy is much larger and its PDAS is 300-500 μm with secondary and even third dendrite arms. Correspondingly, the alloy displays different tensile behavior with different processing methods, and the as-deposited specimen shows better ultimate tensile stress (1,085.7±51.7 MPa), yield stress (697±19.5 MPa) and elongation (25.8%±2.2%) than that of the as-cast specimen. The differences in mechanical properties of the alloy are due to the different morphology and size of dendrites, γ', and Laves phase, and the segregation of elements, etc. Such important information would be helpful for alloy application as well as new alloy development.     

High strength and high modulus carbon fibers

Carbon fibers have been processed from gel spun polyacrylonitrile copolymer on a continuous carbonization line at Georgia Tech (GT) with a tensile strength in the range of 5.5–5.8 GPa, and tensile modulus in the range of 354–375 GPa. This combination of strength and modulus is the highest for any continuous fiber reported to date, and the gel spinning route provides a pathway for further improvements in strength and modulus for mass production of carbon fibers. At short gauge length, fiber tensile strength was as high as 12.1 GPa, which is the highest value ever reported for a PAN based carbon fiber. Structure analysis shows random flaws of about 2 nm size, which results in limiting tensile strength of higher than 20 GPa. Inter-planar turbostratic graphite shear modulus in high strength carbon fibers is 30 GPa, while in graphite the corresponding value is only 4 GPa.     

Enhanced linear magneto-resistance near the Dirac point in topological insulator Bi2(Te1−xSex)3 nanowires

Nano Research - We report the composition and back-gate voltage tuned transport properties of ternary compound Bi2(Te1−xSex)3 nanowires synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). It is...     

Tribological behavior of graphene reinforced chemically bonded ceramic coatings

To investigate tribological behavior of graphene reinforced chemically bonded ceramic coatings at different temperatures, tribological tests at room temperature, 200 °C and 500 °C were carried out. Results show that the fracture toughness and the hardness of the coating are improved with the introduction of graphene. Besides, the friction coefficient of the coating decreases with the addition of graphene at the room temperature and 200 °C. The coating without graphene achieves the similar friction coefficient at all temperatures. However, the coating with graphene achieves the lowest friction coefficient at 200 °C, and achieves the highest at 500 °C. In addition, the wear rate of the coating decreases with the increase of graphene. Besides, the wear rate at 200 °C is almost similar with that at room temperature. In contrast, the wear rate at 500 °C is much larger than those at room temperature and 200 °C. The mechanisms for graphene to decrease the friction coefficient and improve the wear resistance of chemically bonded ceramic coatings at evaluated temperatures are clarified.     

Role of Co in formation of Ni-Ti clusters in maraging stainless steel

The effect of Co addition on the formation of Ni-Ti clusters in maraging stainless steel was studied by three dimensional atom probe (3DAP) and first-principles calculation. The cluster analysis based on the maximum separation approach showed an increase in size but a decrease in density of Ni-Ti clusters with increasing the Co content. The first-principles calculation indicated weaker Co-Ni (Co-Ti) interactions than Co-Ti (Fe-Ti) interactions, which should be the essential reason for the change of distribution characteristics of Ni-Ti clusters in bcc Fe caused by Co addition.     

Synthesis and Hydrogen Storage in Single—walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single=walled carbon nanotubes(SWNTs) were synthesized by a hydrogen arc discharge method.A high yield of gram quantity of SWNTs per hour was achieved.Tow kinds of SWNT products:web-like substancea and thin films in large slices were obtained. Results of resonant Raman scattering measurements indicate that the SWNTs prepared have a wider diameter distribution and a larger mean diameter.Hydrogen uptake measurements of the two kinds of SWNT samples(both as prepared and pretreated) were carried out using a high pressure volumetric method,respectively.And a hydrogen storage capacity of 4 wt pct could be repeatedly achieved for the suitably pretreated SWMNTs,whicb indicates that SWNTs may be a promising hydrogen storge material.     

Nature and Growth of Interaction Layers Formed during the Reaction between Solid Ni and Liquid Al

The nature and growth of the interaction layers between solid Nb and liquid Al has been studied by carrying out the tests on Nb(s)-Al(l)and Nb(s)-Al(l)-Ni(s) reaction couples isothermally reacted between 700℃and 900℃for different time intervals.It has been found that the interaction layer between Nb and Al contains two parts:a thin continuous layer of NbAl3 adjacent to the Nb surface and a two-phase zone constituted of NbAl3 particles dispersed in an Al matrix.Although the nature and growth of interaction layers follows the sour-stage mechanism,a typical cruciform pattern does not occur in Nb(s)-Al(l) reaction couples.However,a cruciform pattern was observed in Nb(s)-Al(l)-Ni(s)reaction couples.The movement of NbAl3 particles is important to the production of cruciform pattern in the reaction couples.