Achieving superior hydrogen storage properties via in-situ formed nanostructures: A high-capacity Mg–Ni alloy with La microalloying

Mg-based hydride is a promising hydrogen storage material, but its capacity is hindered by the kinetic properties. In this study, Mg–Mg₂Ni–LaH_x nanocomposite is formed from the H-induced decomposition of Mg₉₈Ni_1·67La_0.33 alloy. The hydrogen capacity of 7.19 wt % is reached at 325 °C under 3 MPa H₂, attributed to the ultrahigh hydrogenation capacity in Stage I. The hydrogen capacity of 5.59 wt % is achieved at 175 °C under 1 MPa H₂. The apparent activation energies for hydrogen absorption and desorption are calculated as 57.99 and 107.26 kJ/mol, which are owing to the modified microstructure with LaH_x and Mg₂Ni nanophases embedding in eutectic, and tubular nanostructure adjacent to eutectic. The LaH_2.49 nanophase can catalyze H₂ molecules to dissociate and H atoms to permeate due to its stronger affinity with H atoms. The interfaces of these nanophases provide preferential nucleation sites and alleviate the “blocking effect” together with tubular nanostructure by providing H atoms diffusion paths after the impingement of MgH₂ colonies. Therefore, the superior hydrogenation properties are achieved because of the rapid absorption process of Stage I. The efficient synthesis of nano-catalysts and corresponding mechanisms for improving hydrogen storage properties have important reference to related researches.     

A novel Ag–CuAlO2 sealant for reactive air brazing of 3YSZ and AISI 310S

Based on reactive air brazing (RAB), we designed a new type of sealant (Ag–xCuAlO₂) for joining 3 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics and AISI 310S stainless steel. The CuAlO₂ content affected the wettability of the sealant on the YSZ surface, and the joints had a high shear strength when Ag–2 wt.%CuAlO₂, which had a small contact angle on the YSZ substrate, was used as the sealant. In addition, the thickness of the oxide layer was reduced compared to that for the Ag–CuO sealant. The effects of the processing parameters on the microstructure and shear strength of the joints were investigated, and the as-brazed joints reached their highest shear strength (93.7 MPa) when brazed at 1040 °C for 30 min. After high-temperature oxidation at 800 °C for 200 h, the shear strength of the joints remained at 50 MPa, and no apparent change in the microstructure was observed, proving that the joints possessed excellent oxidation resistance.     

双级时效对7050-T7451铝合金搅拌摩擦焊组织及应力腐蚀敏感性的影响

采用搅拌摩擦焊方法对3 mm厚7050-T7451铝合金进行焊接，为改善接头应力腐蚀敏感性，焊后进行121 ℃ × 5 h + 163 ℃ × 27 h双级时效处理. 通过对微观组织、显微硬度以及应力腐蚀敏感性的分析，研究双级时效对焊接接头性能的影响. 结果表明，双级时效后晶粒发生粗化，晶界内析出相和周边无沉淀析出带(PFZ)变宽，导致在热影响区和热力影响区出现大量不连续晶界；接头热影响区的显微硬度有所下降，但范围明显变窄，接头组织的均一性得到改善；时效处理后的接头在进行应力腐蚀试验 60天后仍未发生断裂，而未经时效处理的接头在1天内全部发生断裂，说明双级时效有效降低了焊接接头的应力腐蚀敏感性.     

Effect of microbial hydrogen consumption on the hydrogen permeation behaviour of AISI 4135 steel under cathodic protection

The feasibility of microbial hydrogen consumption to mitigate the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) under different cathodic potentials was evaluated using the Devanathan-Stachurski electrochemical test and the hydrogen permeation efficiency η. The hydrogen permeation efficiency η in the presence of strain GA-1 was lower than that in sterile medium. The cathodic potential inhibited the adherence of strain GA-1 to AISI 4135 steel surface, thereby reducing the hydrogen consumption of strain GA-1. The adherent GA-1 cells were capable of consuming ‘cathodic hydrogen’ and reducing the proportions of absorbed hydrogen, indicating that it is theoretically possible to control HE by hydrogen-consuming microbes.     

Fatigue performance of Friction Stir Welded titanium structural joints

The Friction Stir Welding process for producing corner and T-joints out of 6 mm Ti–6Al–4V was developed in this effort using previous work on butt weld joints as a starting point. A limited number of corner joints were also subjected to a bending fatigue test to preliminarily assess the applicability of the process in producing fatigue critical structures. These results were also compared to predictions made by applying stress concentration factors to previously generated uniaxial butt joint test data. While additional testing is still required to obtain a higher degree of confidence in the conclusions of this study, it was found that the performance of these corner joints in fatigue could be compared to butt joint data when a geometrically based stress concentration factor is applied. Furthermore, these welded joints possessed equivalent fatigue performance relative to identical test specimens machined from wrought product forms, both bar and extrusion. Thus, from the perspective of fatigue design, this study has shown that Friction Stir Welding is able to produce structures with the same performance as currently made from wrought materials.     

Microstructure and shear strength of ZrB2SiC/Ti6Al4V joint by TiCuZrNi with Cu foam

In this paper, brazing behaviors between ZrB₂SiC and Ti6Al4V by Cu foam interlayer were studied. The microstructure, formation mechanism, mechanical property and fracture surface of the joints were systematically studied. The results showed that the phases in the joints were α+β-Ti, TiCu, Ti₂Cu, Cu(s, s), TiC, TiB₂ and Ti₃SiC₂. An optimum shear strength reached up to 435??MPa?at a brazing temperature of 910?°C and holding time of 20?min. Such a shear strength was 90?MPa higher than the one without the Cu foam. The obtained high shear strength of joint was discussed from microstructure and residual stress. With the increase of brazing time, Cu(s,s) gradually disappeared and the content of Ti₂Cu intermetallic compound increased, which was harmful for the joint. Furthermore, the residual stress of joint with Cu foam was calculated to be 324?MPa, lower than the one without Cu foam interlayer.     

Influence of starting powder choice on structure property relations in gadolinia stabilized zirconia 3Gd-TZP manufactured from co-milled starting powders

Two 3Gd-TZP materials were manufactured from powders produced by intense mixing and milling of unstabilized zirconia starting powders and gadolinia as stabilizer oxide by hot pressing at 1250 °C – 1400 °C. The materials show a combination of high toughness and moderate strength. In detail depending on starting powder the two TZP showed distinct differences concerning transformation characteristics, sintering temperature dependence of mechanical properties and the tendency to develop R-curve related deformation features such as non-linear stress strain curves and formation of transformation bands prior to fracture.     

Effects of silicocalcium on microstructure and properties of Mg-6Al-0.5Mn alloy

1 Introduction Magnesium alloys are attractive for applications in the automobile, aerospace and electronic industries due to their light mass, high stiffness, high specific strength, good dimensional stability and damping capacity. It is the lightest sp…     

Numerical simulation of prestrain history effect on ductile crack growth in mismatched welded joints

Pipe reeling may lead to plastic pre‐deformation (prestrain) around existing cracks in components; therefore, investigating whether this process accelerates or counteracts ductile crack growth, especially for strength mismatched welded joints, is warranted. This study focused on the effect of prestrain history on ductile crack growth in mismatched welded joints. A single‐edge‐notched tension specimen was selected for numerical study, and the crack was assumed to have existed before a prestrain history was applied. Crack growth resistance curves for plane strain and mode I crack growth under large‐scale yielding conditions have been computed using the complete Gurson model. Meanwhile, symmetrical and non‐symmetrical prestrain cycle modes with different loading levels were applied to the overmatched specimens. The outcome demonstrated that the mismatch ratio (the ratio between the yield stress of the weld metal and base metal) showed a significant effect on fracture resistance regardless of the stage at which the prestrain cycle loading was located. By contrast, the processing of the crack growth was weakened by the increase of prestrain values, and the symmetrical prestrain cycle resulted in greater plastic damage than the non‐symmetrical prestrain cycle did. However, the initial crack length had a non‐significant effect on the ductile fracture considering the prestrain and mismatch effects.