Densification and grain boundary nitrides in spark plasma sintered SAF 2205 -TiN composite

Densification and nature of α-ferrite γ-austenite interface associated with the spark plasma sintering (SPS) of SAF 2205 reinforced with TiN nanoparticles was investigated. The sintering data obtained during SPS was used to evaluate the densification mechanism. EBSD and TKD technique were used to characterize the SAF 2205 composite. The grain and grain boundary properties were evaluated using nanoindentation technique. Three densification stages relating to particles rearrangement, bulk deformation and rapid densification of the SAF 2205 composite was observed during SPS. The EBSD revealed a reverse ferrite to austenite phase transformation and a refined microstructure after SPS. TKD analysis of the grain boundary showed nanosized sintered-in nitride coexisting with ferrite and austenite upon sintering at α/γ interface but also at α/α and γ/γ interfaces. TKD-EDS compositional mapping revealed Ti-rich grain boundary. Nanoindentation experiments reveal that the TiN dominated grain boundaries exhibit lower penetration depths, an indication of higher hardness and modulus.     

In situ synthesis of Al2O3–SiC powders via molten-salt-assisted aluminum/carbothermal reduction method

Al₂O₃–SiC composite powder (ASCP) was successfully synthesized using a novel molten-salt-assisted aluminum/carbothermal reduction (MS-ACTR) method with silica fume, aluminum powder, and carbon black as raw materials; NaCl–KCl was used as the molten salt medium. The effects of the synthesis temperature and salt-reactant ratio on the phase composition and microstructure were investigated. The results showed that the Al₂O₃–SiC content increased with an increase in molten salt temperature, and the salt–reactant ratio in the range of 1.5:1–2.5:1 had an impact on the fabrication of ASCP. The optimum condition for synthesizing ASCP from NaCl–KCl molten salt consisted of maintaining the temperature at 1573 K for 4 h. The chemical reaction thermodynamics and growth mechanism indicate that the molten salt plays an important role in the formation of SiC whiskers by following the vapor-solid growth mode in the MS-ACTR treatment. This study demonstrates that the addition of molten salt as a reaction medium is a promising approach for synthesizing high-melting-point composite powders at low temperatures.     

Corrosion mechanism of cement-bonded Al2O3–MgAl2O4 pre-cast castables in contact with molten steel and slag

In this work, a cement-bonded corundum-spinel (Al₂O₃–MgAl₂O₄) pre-cast refractory brick with two typical Al₂O₃ aggregates was designed as the refractory lining. Corroded microstructure of the used corundum-spinel bricks after industrial trials in a commercial RH refining ladle was analyzed. Degradation processes of two types of alumina aggregates in the same corroded interface also were discussed. Typical corroded microstructure revealed that needle-like calcium hexaaluminate (CA₆) was observed in the matrix of the original layer. The formation of CA₆ was attributed to the reactions with pure calcium aluminate cement and matrix components under a high-temperature gradient during refining. Furthermore, the corrosion process of the used Al₂O₃–MgAl₂O₄ bricks would be discussed based on a post-mortem microstructural characterization, and the corrosion mechanism of the two types of aggregates was also elucidated.     

基于孪生支持向量回归机的转炉炼钢终点预测

为了提高转炉炼钢的终点命中率，建立了一种新的转炉终点预测模型，实现了对转炉终点碳质量分数和温度的准确预测。模型采用K最近邻孪生支持向量机(KNNWTSVR)算法，将权重矩阵引入到目标函数中，并利用鲸群优化算法进行求解，提高了传统算法的性能；然后基于某炼钢厂260 t转炉的实际生产数据，建立了转炉炼钢终点预测模型。结果表明，预测模型的终点碳质量分数(误差±0.005%)和温度(误差±15 ℃)的终点单命中率分别为94%和88%，双命中率达到84%。与其他两种现有的建模方法相比，本模型取得了最优的预测效果。该方法满足转炉炼钢实际生产的需求，也可适用于钢铁冶金其他领域的数学建模。     

Improvement in the properties of low carbon MgO-C refractories through the addition of graphite-SiC micro-composite

Graphite–SiC micro-composites have been prepared in–house by carbothermal reduction process. Controlling the process parameters including the weight ratio of SiO₂ to graphite as well as carbothermal reduction temperature during the micro-composite preparation favors the homogeneous formation of SiC with preferred morphologies like ribbons and whiskers/fibers. The micro-composite modified low carbon MgO-C refractories have exhibited significantly improved bulk properties over the standard composition. To understand the beneficial role of SiC reinforcement on hot strength performance under air oxidizing conditions, we propose a scaling parameter known as strength factor (fs) based on the ratio of hot strength (HMOR) to cold strength (CCS). Correlating the strength factor data (fs) with oxidative damage provides new insights into the reinforcing effects of distinct SiC morphologies in this new class of micro-composite fortified refractory systems over the standard compositions.     

Comparison of Cu–Al–Ni–Mn–Zr shape memory alloy prepared by selective laser melting and conventional powder metallurgy

This work aimed to investigate and critically analyze the differences in microstructural features and thermal stability of Cu−11.3Al−3.2Ni−3.0Mn−0.5Zr shape memory alloy processed by selective laser melting (SLM) and conventional powder metallurgy. PM specimens were produced by sintering 106−180 µm pre-alloyed powders under an argon atmosphere at 1060 °C without secondary operations. SLM specimens were consolidated through melting 32−106 µm pre-alloyed powders on a Cu−10Sn substrate. Mechanical properties were measured through Vickers hardness testing. Differential scanning calorimetry was conducted to assess the martensitic transformation temperatures. X-ray diffraction patterns were collected to identify the metallurgical phases. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructural features. β′₁ martensite was found, irrespective of the processing route, although coarser martensitic variants were present in PM-specimens. In conventional powder metallurgy samples, intergranular eutectoid constituents and stabilized austenite also formed at room temperature. PM-specimens showed similar average hardness values to the SLM-specimens, albeit with high standard deviation linked to the porosity. The specimens processed by SLM showed reversible martensitic transformation (T₀=171 °C). PM-processed specimens did not show shape memory effects.     

Content and diffusion of water and gases in MgAl2O4 spinel crystals synthesized to produce ceramics

Content, evolution and diffusion characteristics of water and gases in fine-crystalline spinel MgAl₂O₄ were studied by kinetic thermodesoption mass spectrometry. Water is the main volatile component by quantity in the spinel structure. From the spinel crystals with an average size of 0.52 μm, water is released in vacuum in three temperature ranges: at 100–200 °C due to desorption from micropores, at 300–600 °C due to near-surface dehydroxylation and at 500–800 °C due to diffusion of water from the crystal bulk. The content of structural water, diffusively released from the crystals, is about 3000 ppm. The coefficients and activation energy of diffusion of water from spinel crystals in the range 500–700 °C were calculated. This allows us to estimate at any temperature the degassing time of the spinel with a certain degree of dispersion and ceramics made of it, and thereby promote the production of high-quality ceramics.     

固溶处理对节镍型2101双相不锈钢组织及力学性能的影响

采用光学显微镜、透射电镜和X射线衍射等研究了固溶处理对2101节镍型双相不锈钢连铸坯边部试样的组织、相比例和力学性能的影响。结果表明:在1050~1150℃固溶处理时,双相不锈钢具有很好的高温塑性;在1000~1150℃温度范围,随着温度的升高,实验钢的断面收缩率和铁素体相比例先减小后增加;随着固溶温度增加,实验钢的抗拉强度逐渐降低,但在1050℃时有所增加,这是由于在此温度固溶过程中,铸态试样相界处Cr2N析出相完全溶解,使得大量的N原子集中在相界处,促进了相界附近的铁素体相发生相变,转变成奥氏体相,导致在此1050℃时实验钢铁素体相的比例减小,断面收缩率减小,抗拉强度增加。     

Application of the pack cementation process on SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites

The potentials and limitations of a halide-activated pack cementation process on SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites for the development of bond coats as part of environmental barrier coating (EBCs) systems were investigated. Different pack compositions using chromium, aluminum and alloys of these elements were tested and the kinetics of coating formation were examined in addition to their microstructure. The results and their analogy to diffusion couples were discussed and it was shown that coating elements which form silicides and carbides are promising candidates for coatings deposited on SiC/SiC via pack cementation. Based on such considerations a two-step pack cementation was proposed, which used chromium, one of the suitable elements, in a first step, to finally achieve an alumina-forming coating. The oxidation resistance of the developed coating was tested via thermogravimetric analysis and compared to the uncoated material. The coating protected the fiber-matrix interface of the SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites from oxidation.     

相场法在金属凝固过程的应用现状

摘要：相场法是在计算材料学中发展最快的一种强大的计算方法,以基本的热力学和动力学为输入,可用于模拟和预测材料的介观尺度形貌和微观结构的演变。首先总结了相场模型的历史发展、物理基础、数学表达及其数值求解,其次分析了相场法在纯物质、二元合金、多组分系统以及定向凝固、增材制造等领域中的应用情况,最后对相场法进行了总结及展望,并指出相场法发展应趋向于超大尺度相场模拟技术,更高效算法的开发,相场模型与热力学、动力学数据库的结合,工业应用的探索以及与实验观察技术的进一步结合。