Ferroelastic domain structure and phase transition in single-crystalline [PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3]1-x[PbTiO3]x observed via in situ x-ray microbeam

(1-x)Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ ((1-x)PZN-xPT in short) is one of the most important piezoelectric materials. In this work, we extensively investigated (1-x)PZN-xPT (x = 0.07–0.11) ferroelectric single crystals using in-situ synchrotron μXRD, complemented by TEM and PFM, to correlate microstructures with phase transitions. The results reveal that (i) at 25 °C, the equilibrium state of (1-x)PZN-xPT is a metastable orthorhombic phase for x = 0.07 and 0.08, while it shows coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases for x = 0.09 and x = 0.11, with all ferroelectric phases accompanied by ferroelastic domains; (ii) upon heating, the phase transformation in x = 0.07 is Orthorhombic → Monoclinic → Tetragonal → Cubic. The coexistence of ferroelectric tetragonal and paraelectric cubic phases was in-situ observed in x = 0.08 above Curie temperature (T_C), and (iii) phase transition can be explained by the evolution of the ferroelectric and ferroelastic domains. These results disclose that (1-x)PZN-xPT are in an unstable regime, which is possible factor for its anomalous dielectric response and high piezoelectric coefficient.     

DZZ5型自动气象站多媒体故障排查系统的设计与研发

为更有针对性地进行故障排除工作,文章设计研发了一款多媒体软件平台,嵌入细化后的DZZ5型自动气象站各观测要素的故障排查流程,并在相应故障检测节点中添加文字、图片和操作视频。用户可按照流程逐一进行排查操作,或者搜索关键字查看节点内容。同时提供带有关键字查询功能的故障实例库,供基层装备保障业务人员参考。     

上水口环形吹氩对中间包内渣眼形成的影响

 中间包上水口环形吹氩可以在塞棒周围形成清洗钢液的环形气幕，同时部分氩气泡随钢液进入上水口内，可以减少非金属夹杂物在水口内壁的黏附，起到防止水口堵塞的作用。然而，不合理的吹氩量会导致中间包内液面渣层受过强的气液羽流冲击而形成渣眼，使得钢液裸露并发生二次氧化，严重影响铸坯质量。采用标准 k ε 湍流模型研究中间包内流体流动，采用DPM模型和VOF模型耦合方法，研究上水口环形吹氩条件下渣眼的形成及演化规律。结果表明，上水口环形吹氩在塞棒周围形成较强的上升流，塞棒上部邻近区域存在多个涡流区；在钢液涡流的影响下，中间包液渣下层远离塞棒区域，上层向塞棒区域迁移；随着吹氩量的增大，平均湍动能增大，塞棒附近钢液速度逐渐增大，钢渣界面钢液速度先增大后减小，渣眼边缘钢液速度先增大后减小然后再增大，速度与垂直方向夹角逐渐减小；增大吹氩量，中间包熔池液面形成以塞棒为中心的渣眼，渣眼面积逐渐增大。试验条件下不产生渣眼的临界吹氩量为4.2 L/min，对应的钢渣界面最大速度为0.247 m/s，与垂直方向夹角为70°。     

Microstructure and damage evolution of SiCf/PyC/SiC and SiCf/BN/SiC mini-composites: A synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography study

SiC_f/PyC/SiC and SiC_f/BN/SiC mini-composites comprising single tow SiC fibre-reinforced SiC with chemical vapor deposited PyC or BN interface layers are fabricated. The microstructure evolutions of the mini-composite samples as the oxidation temperature increases (oxidation at 1000, 1200, 1400, and 1600?°C in air for 2?h) are observed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction characterization methods. The damage evolution for each component of the as-fabricated SiC_f/SiC composites (SiC fibre, PyC/BN interface, SiC matrix, and mesophase) is mapped as a three-dimensional (3D) image and quantified with X-ray computed tomography. The mechanical performance of the composites is investigated via tensile tests.The results reveal that tensile failure occurs after the delamination and fibre pull-out in the SiC_f/PyC/SiC composites due to the volatilization of the PyC interface at high temperatures in the air environment. Meanwhile, the gaps between the fibres and matrix lead to rapid oxidation and crack propagation from the SiC matrix to SiC fibre, resulting in the failure of the SiC_f/PyC/SiC composites as the oxidation temperature increases to 1600?°C. On the other hand, the oxidation products of B₂O₃ molten compounds (reacted from the BN interface) fill up the fracture, cracks, and voids in the SiC matrix, providing excellent strength retention at elevated oxidation temperatures. Moreover, under the protection of B₂O₃, the SiC_f/BN/SiC mini-composites show a nearly intact microstructure of the SiC fibre, a low void growth rate from the matrix to fibre, and inhibition of new void formation and the SiO₂ grain growth from room to high temperatures. This work provides guidance for predicting the service life of SiC_f/PyC/SiC and SiC_f/BN/SiC composite materials, and is fundamental for establishing multiscale damage models on a local scale.     

Large increase of Curie temperature in (110)-oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films

From the perspectives of scientific researches and practical applications, it is desirable to explore high operating temperature ferromagnetic films. The effect of biaxial strain on magnetic properties of (110)-oriented La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films was studied. High quality La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films were grown on (110)-oriented perovskite single crystal substrates using pulsed laser deposition, varying substrate-induced misfit strains from ??2.27–0.75%. A remarkable enhancement of Curie temperature has been achieved for (110)-oriented La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films clamped with small misfit strains (i.e., grown on LAST (110)). The enhanced Curie temperature of (110)-oriented La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ films could be attributed to the misfit strain between the films and the underlying substrates and may have technological implication for applications at high temperature environments.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of B4C-TiB2-SiC composites fabricated by ball milling and hot pressing

B₄C-TiB₂-SiC composites were fabricated via hot pressing using ball milled B₄C, TiB₂, and SiC powder mixtures as the starting materials. The impact of ball milling on the densification behaviors, mechanical properties, and microstructures of the ceramic composites were investigated. The results showed that the refinement of the powder mixtures and the removal of the oxide impurities played an important role in the improvement of densification and properties. Moreover, the formation of the liquid phases during the sintering was deemed beneficial for densification. The typical values of relative density, hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness of the composites reached 99.20%, 32.84?GPa, 858?MPa and 8.21?MPa?m^1/2, respectively. Crack deflection, crack bridging, crack branching, and microcracking were considered to be the potential toughening mechanisms in the composites. Furthermore, numerous nano-sized intergranular/intragranular phases and twin structures were observed in the B₄C-TiB₂-SiC composite.     

Preparation of ZrC/SiC porous self-supporting monoliths via sol-gel process using polyethylene glycol as phase separation inducer

We present a straightforward method via sol-gel process using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as phase separation inducer to prepare zirconium carbide/silicon carbide (ZrC/SiC) porous monoliths. Organic/inorganic hybrid gels are prepared using zirconium oxychloride, furfuryl alcohol, and tetraethyl orthosilicate as major starting materials. In the presence of PEG, crack-free hybrid monoliths are obtained by drying the wet gels under ambient pressure, whereas in the absence of PEG, the wet gels break into pieces as expected. PEG plays a key role in maintaining the macroscopic shape of the monoliths. After ceramization at 1300–1500?°C, ZrC/SiC porous monoliths are obtained. SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry data show that PEG also has strong influence on the microstructures of the monoliths. The compressive strengths of the ceramic monoliths are in the range of 0.3 to 0.7?MPa. And their compressive behavior starts to differ due to the changes in their microstructures, especially the pore structure.