Influence of Ni/Co binders and Mo2C on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of (Ti0.93W0.07)C–based cermets

In this research, solid–solution powder of (Ti_0.93W_0.07)C was synthesized by high–energy ball mill method followed by carbothermal reduction process. Subsequently, the acquired powder was blended with Ni/Co and Mo₂C secondary carbide, and sintered under the optimized temperature (1510?°C) for 1?h to produce the modulated cermets. A typical core–rim structure formation with solid–solution phases was confirmed by backscattered electrons studies using a Field Emission electron scanning microscope. The hardness of the synthesized cermets was enhanced by increasing the specific amount of Mo₂C. The acquired results demonstrate that the binder type has a prominent influence on the microstructure and hardness of the prepared cermets. The hardness of (Ti_0.93W_0.07)C–xMo₂C–Ni cermet increased ~ 9%, when nickel was partially substituted by cobalt.     

Refractory interphase and its role on the mechanical properties of boron containing nacre-like ceramic

Bioinspired ceramics based on the nacreous part of the mother-of-pearl microstructure have been developed in recent years to produce materials with high mechanical performance. Although significant advances in terms of simplicity and scalability of the synthesis process have been achieved, the reasons behind the improvement of the mechanical properties remains to be pinpointed. Recently, the development of boron containing nacre-like refractories have offered new insights into the relationship between the interphase composition and the performance increase of nacre-like materials. Based on those achievements, this paper presents a multiscale analysis to evaluate the role of the refractory interphase on the mechanical properties of the nacre-like refractories. The results demonstrate the presence of increased residual stresses and adhesion between the alumina platelets induced by the aluminium borate second phase when compared to composition without secondary phase. These new findings provide additional information towards a better design and fabrication of high-performance nacre-like refractories.     

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser engineering net shaping of ZrO2-Al2O3 bulk parts: Effects on crack suppression,microstructure, and mechanical properties

Laser additive manufactured zirconia-alumina ceramic (ZrO₂-Al₂O₃) parts demonstrate severe problems resulting from cracking and inhomogeneous material dispersion. To reduce these problems, we propose a novel ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser engineered net shaping (LENS) process for fabrication of bulk ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ parts. Results showed that the initiation of cracks and the crack propagation were suppressed in the parts fabricated by LENS process with ultrasonic vibration. For the parts fabricated without ultrasonic vibration, the sizes of cracks decreased with the increase of laser power. Scanning electron microscope analyses proved that the introduction of ultrasonic vibration was beneficial for grain refinement and uniform material dispersion. Due to the suppressed cracking, refined grains, and homogenized material dispersion, the parts fabricated with ultrasonic vibration demonstrated better mechanical properties (including higher microhardness, higher wear resistance, and better compressive properties), compared with the parts fabricated without ultrasonic vibration.     

Grain growth kinetics in microwave sintered graphene platelets reinforced ZrO2/Al2O3 composites

The grain growth kinetics and mechanical properties of graphene platelets(GPLs) reinforced ZrO₂/Al₂O₃(ZTA) composites prepared by microwave sintering were investigated. The calculated grain growth kinetics exponent n indicated that the GPLs could accelerate the process of the Al₂O₃ columnar crystal growth. And the grain growth activation energy of the Al₂O₃ columnar crystal indicated that the grain growth activation energy of the GPLs doped ZTA composites is much higher than those of pure Al₂O₃ and ZTA in microwave sintering. The optimal mechanical properties were achieved with 0.4?vol% GPLs, whose relative density, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were 98.76%, 18.10?GPa and 8.86?MPa?m^1/2, respectively. The toughening mechanisms were crack deflection, bridging, branching and pull-out of GPLs. The results suggested that GPLs-doped are good for the Al₂O₃ columnar crystal growth in the ZTA ceramic and have a potentially improvement for the fracture toughness of the ceramics.     

SnAgCu/SnAgCuCe焊点的显微组织与性能

针对SnAgCu和SnAgCuCe两种无铅焊点,研究焊点内部组织、力学性能及热疲劳特性。研究结果表明,稀土元素Ce的加入可以提高焊点的力学性能,稀土元素的添加可以使SnAgCu焊点拉伸力提高近12.7%。稀土元素的添加细化SnAgCu基体组织,同时减小金属间化合物颗粒(Cu6Sn5和Ag3Sn)的尺寸,这是SnAgCuCe焊点力学性能提高的主要原因。拉伸断裂后的扫描电镜分析表明,两种焊点的断裂呈现明显的韧性断裂特征。另外在温度循环载荷下,稀土元素可以显著提高SnAgCu焊点的疲劳寿命。基于有限元模拟发现SnAgCuCe的抗蠕变性能显著高于SnAgCu焊点。     

三种疲劳蠕变交互作用寿命预测模型的比较及其应用

对疲劳蠕变交互作用寿命预测方法进行简单回顾,并分别介绍从能量耗竭、韧性耗竭、延性耗竭角度提出的三种应力控制疲劳蠕变寿命预测方法.通过文献试验数据和1.25Cr0.5Mo钢520℃应力控制、梯形波加载试验数据对上述三种模型的优缺点和适用范围进行评价.三种方法的预测精度都大大高于传统的频率分离法和应变能频率分离法;能量模型对应力应变控制模式都适用,延性耗竭模型预测精度最高,平均应变速率模型形式最简单,适用于应力控制下纯蠕变、纯疲劳或疲劳蠕变交互作用下的各种失效组合模式,拓宽了Monkman-Grant经验关系式的应用范围,因此具有重要的工程应用价值和应用前景.最后阐述平均应变速率模型的应用步骤.     

Molybdenum alloying in cast iron and steel

Metal casting is an important manufacturing technology for efficiently producing massive components with complex shape. A large share of industrial castings is made from iron and steel alloys, combining attractive properties and low production cost. Upgrading of properties in cast iron and steel is mainly achieved by alloying and in fewer cases by heat treatment. Molybdenum is an important alloying element in that respect, increasing strength, hardness and toughness. It also facilitates particular heat treatments such as austempering. The paper describes the metallurgical functionality of molybdenum alloying in iron-based castings and demonstrates its effectiveness for applications in the automotive and mining industry.The full text can be downloaded at https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40436-019-00282-1.pdf     

Effect of strontia on the densification and mechanical properties of sol–gel alumina

Boehmite sol was prepared by hot water hydrolysis of aluminum iso-propoxide using nitric acid as the catalyst. Hydrolysis was carried out at 80 °C for 80 min. Calcium nitrate was added and the peptization was complete at 80 °C for 1 h. The sol was precipitated in ammonia, the precipitate was aged for 24 h, dried at 120 °C and calcined at 500 °C for 3 h. The calcined powder was milled at 230 rpm for 6 h. The amount of calcium oxide was varied from 1 to 20 vol.%. The particle size and particle size distribution of the calcined powders were studied. The average particle size was found to increase with calcia content. The powder was compacted into cylindrical pellets using uni-axial press at 180 MPa and sintered at 1600 °C for 6 h. Mechanical properties such as hardness, fracture toughness, diametrical tensile strength and flexural strength for compacts containing various concentrations of strontium oxide was studied. There was a slight decrease in the density with increase in strontia content. Increase in the mechanical properties such as hardness, fracture toughness and diametrical tensile strength was observed with increase in strontia content.     

Mechanical properties of polyketone terpolymer/rubber blends

Blends of aliphatic polyketone terpolymer and a core-shell rubber (CSR) were melt processed with varying CSR concentration of 0-40 wt%. The obtained morphology was of finely dispersed CSR particles in the polyketone matrix. The thermal properties of the matrix polymer remained unaffected by the addition of the CSR phase. The crystallinity remained constant at 35 wt% and the melting temperature was not changed. The tensile modulus and yield stress were decreased by the addition of the rubber phase to the aliphatic polyketone polymer. The deformation was strongly delocalised with increasing CSR content. The temperature development during fracture was also strongly reduced with increasing rubber concentration. The CSR phase was found to toughen the aliphatic polyketone matrix very effectively, the brittle to ductile transition temperature was lowered from 90 to −40 °C with the highest rubber concentration (40 wt%). Cavitation experiments revealed that the macroscopic cavitation strain remained constant with increasing rubber content. A study of the deformation zone below the fracture surface showed that voids were produced by cavitation of the rubber phase. The voids were strongly deformed by the plastic deformation of the matrix polymer. At high strain rates a relaxation layer was found below the fracture surface, where the voids were no longer present. This relaxation zone was found to be due to the adiabatic temperature rise of the material during fracture at high strain rates.     

Polysilazane derived micro/nano Si3N4/SiC composites

The pyrolised polysilazanes poly(hydridomethyl)silazane NCP 200 and poly(urea)silazane CERASET derived Si–C–N amorphous powders were used for preparation of micro/nano Si₃N₄/SiC composites by hot pressing. Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃ and Y₂O₃–Yb₂O₃ were used, as sintering aids. The resulting ceramic composites of all compositions were dense and polycrystalline with fine microstructure of average grain size <1 μm of both Si₃N₄ and SiC phases. The fine SiC nano-inclusions were identified within the Si₃N₄ micrograins. Phase composition of both composites consist of , β modifications of Si₃N₄ and SiC. High weight loss was observed during the hot pressing cycle, 12 and 19 wt.% for NCP 200 and CERASET precursors, respectively. The fracture toughness of both nanocomposites (NCP 2000 and CERASET derived) was not different. Indentation method measured values are from 5 to 6 MPa m^1/2, with respect to the sintering additive system. Fracture toughness is slightly sensitive to the SiC content of the nanocomposite. Hardness increases with the content of SiC in the nanocomposite. The highest hardness was achieved for pyrolysed CERASET precursor with 2 wt.% Y₂O₃ and 6 wt.% Yb₂O₃, HV 23 GPa. This is a consequence of the highest SiC content as well as the chemical composition of additives.