Correlating microstructural features with wear resistance of dual phase steel

In order to explore the tribological potential of the dual phase (DP) steel as a wear resistant material, the wear characteristics of the dual phase (DP) steel have been investigated with varying amounts of martensite from 43 to 81 vol pct, developed by varying holding time at the intercritical annealing temperature of 780 °C. Dry sliding wear tests have been conducted on DP steels using a pin-on-disk machine under different normal loads of 61.3, 68.5, 75.7 and 82.6 N and at a constant sliding speed of 1.20 m/s. At these loads, the mechanism of wear is mainly delamination, which has been confirmed by SEM micrographs of the subsurface and wear debris of the samples. Wear and friction properties have been found to be improved with increasing martensite volume fraction in dual phase steels.     

Caking property and active components of coal based on group component separation

The content and the caking index of the heavy,the dense medium and the loose medium components of coal,obtained by extraction and stripping with CS_2/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone mixed solvent(1:1 by volume),were studied and correlated with the caking property of raw coals.Images of the three group components after heat treatment were analyzed.The results show that both caking index(G) and maximum thickness of plastic layer(Y) of coals have a good linear relationship with the content of the medium component;the dense medium and the loose medium components are the two key factors to determine the caking property of raw coals-they are the source materials of fluidity and swelling of coal,respectively;the heavy component without the swelling and fluidity was cohered by the other components;two new indexes,which can extend current understanding of the caking properties,were introduced.     

Memory applications of a thiophene-based conjugated polymer by photoluminescence measurements

Data-storage and memory applications of conjugated polymers and organic semiconductors are generally probed by device current or dielectric properties to determine the storage and switching properties. In this article, we use photoluminescence as an alternate method of probing the states of the devices. We have fabricated such devices based on a polythiophene derivative, and recorded photoluminescence (PL) spectra during and after applying bias. The presence of localized charges on the backbone of the polymer has been found to modulate the PL intensity. Since the relaxation of the space charges is slow, we have shown that PL intensity can be used as a probe for memory applications to read the state of the device. PL as a probe for memory applications of polymeric materials offers an intrinsic advantage that the state can be read without affecting the device properties.     

Prediction of stable high-pressure structures of tantalum nitride TaN2

Structure searches based on a combination of first-principles calculations and a particle swarm optimization technique unravel two new stable high-pressure structures (C2/m and Cmce) for TaN₂. The structural features, mechanical properties, formation enthalpies, electronic structure, and phase diagram of TaN₂ are fully investigated. Being mechanically and dynamically stable, the two phases could be made metastable experimentally at ambient conditions.     

Meshfree simulations of spall fracture

Shock wave induced spall fracture is a complex multiscale phenomenon, and it is a challenge to build a constitutive and computational model that can capture essential features of the spall fracture. In this work, we present a computational micro-mechanics model to simulate spall fracture by utilizing the multiscale micro-mechanics theory proposed by Wright and Ramesh [36] and a RKPM meshfree method. The focus of this work is to develop and demonstrate a simulation tool that is capable of simulations of spall fracture in engineering application. First, based on a well-known empirical formula, we relate the macroscale spall strength to the kinematics of micro void growth in a Representative Volume Element (RVE). The connection between micro void growth and overall kinematics of the RVE is made through the conservation of mass in the micro to macro transition process. Second, we develop a set of meshfree void growth algorithms that is tailored to represent kinematics of void nucleation, growth and coalescence, and these algorithms retain the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy during simulations of ductile spall fracture. Third, based on the Johnson–Cook model, we developed a meshfree computational formulation, and we have carried out simulations of the spall fracture of a Ti–6Al plate under impact loads to validate the model. From the simulation, we find that the interaction between the first two inelastic wave pulses plays an important role in the mechanism of spall fracture. The numerical results show that the proposed method can capture some features of the spall fracture, and it may be used to simulate the spall fracture in engineering applications.     

Oxidation of polycrystalline silicon carbide

The oxidation of densified silicon carbide has been studied by micrography and infrared reflection spectrometry, in addition to gravimetric techniques and X-ray diffraction. Of particular interest was the relative oxidation resistance of varieties of the material treated in various ways. The hot-pressed type oxidized less readily than the sintered, and annealing was found to impart substantial resistance to oxidation; these are thought to be impurity effects.     

Synthesis and photoelectrochemistry of In2S3

In₂S₃ was prepared by chemical vapor phase transport and gradient freeze techniques. A variety of differently doped samples were also synthesized. Both n, and n plus p photoresponses were observed depending on the dopant, quantity of excess sulfur, or sulfur atmosphere annealing. Photoetching significantly increased the photocurrent density at short circuit. In a polysulfide couple, the maximum power efficiency obtained with white light was 0.3% and the quantum efficiency of carrier collection at short circuit was 43%. Photocurrent onset occured near - 1.1 V which was shifted significantly positive in nonsulfide-sulfur containing couples. Band gap determinations were made. Stability studies as measured by In³⁺ in solution indicate a high (to 100%) stabilization which appears to be in conflict with visual observations. The behavior of photocurrent with time varies depending upon whether a negative or positive value of applied potential is involved.     

Influences of SiC infiltration and coating on compressive mechanical behaviours of 2D C/SiC composites up to 1600 °C at wide-ranging strain rates

The influences of the SiC infiltration and coating on the compressive mechanical behaviours of 2D C/SiC composites were determined up to 1600 °C at 0.001 and 1000/s strain rates in argon and air. In addition, the failure mechanisms responsible for the compressive mechanical behaviours were elucidated through in-situ observation and micro-analysis-based methods. The 2D C/SiC composite compressive strength was highly sensitive to temperature, loading rate, and oxidation, and was enhanced by the change in the thermal residual stress and decreased by oxidation. In argon, because of the extra infiltrated SiC matrix, SiC treated 2D C/SiC specimens exhibited higher compressive strengths and lower strain rate sensitivity factors than SiC untreated 2D C/SiC specimens. The SiC coating effectively improved the oxidation resistance of the 2D C/SiC composites in air, regardless of the temperature, strain rate, and oxidative damage-which depends on SiC coating, strain rate, and temperature.     

Polymer derived ZrO2 reinforced SiC-ZrB2 polycrystalline fiber

Most polycrystalline SiC-based fibers were prepared at a sintering temperature higher than 1600 °C. In this work, a ZrO₂ reinforced SiC-ZrB₂ polycrystalline fiber was prepared at 1400 °C via the polymer-derived ceramic method from a new Zr- and B-containing polycarbosilane. The morphology and microstructure of the polycrystalline nanocomposite fiber were studied using XRD, XPS, EDS, SEM, and TEM. The results showed that t-ZrO₂ was formed at relatively lower temperature (<1000 °C). The most interesting result is that the polycrystalline nanocomposite SiC-ZrB₂ was generated after heat-treatment at 1400 °C, producing an excellent ZrO₂ reinforced SiC-ZrB₂ polycrystalline fiber. The present study provides a novel strategy for the fabrication of SiC-based polycrystalline fiber at a relatively low temperature.     

Improving specific stiffness of silicon carbide ceramics by adding boron carbide

A strategy for improving the specific stiffness of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics by adding B₄C was developed. The addition of B₄C is effective because (1) the mass density of B₄C is lower than that of SiC, (2) its Young’s modulus is higher than that of SiC, and (3) B₄C is an effective additive for sintering SiC ceramics. Specifically, the specific stiffness of SiC ceramics increased from ~142 × 10⁶ m²?s^?2 to ~153 × 10⁶ m²?s^?2 when the B₄C content was increased from 0.7 wt% to 25 wt%. The strength of the SiC ceramics was maximal with the incorporation of 10 wt% B₄C (755 MPa), and the thermal conductivity decreased linearly from ~183 to ~81 W?m^?1?K^?1 when the B₄C content was increased from 0.7 to 30 wt%. The flexural strength and thermal conductivity of the developed SiC ceramic containing 25 wt% B₄C were ~690 MPa and ~95 W?m^?1?K^?1, respectively.