Improving fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy via ultrasonic surface rolling process

The effect of a gradient nanostructured (GNS) surface layer obtained by ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) on the fatigue behavior of Ti-6Al-4 V alloy has been studied in this paper. Microstructure, surface topography, surface roughness and residual stress measurements were performed to characterize the surface under different conditions. Rotating bending fatigue tests were carried out to evaluate the fatigue behavior of different treatments. The results present a remarkable fatigue performance enhancement for the Ti-6Al-4 V alloy with a GNS surface layer obtained by application of USRP with respect to the untreated condition, notwithstanding its considerable surface roughness due to severe ultrasonic impacts and extrusions. Mechanical surface polishing treatment further enhances the beneficial effects of USRP on the fatigue performance. The significantly improved fatigue performance can mainly be ascribed to the compressive residual stress. Simultaneously, the GNS surface layer and surface work hardening have a synergistic effect that accompanies the effect of compressive residual stress.     

X70管线钢交流腐蚀的影响因素

通过交流腐蚀模拟试验研究了交流电流密度、防腐蚀层的缺陷面积和缺陷形状对X70管线钢交流腐蚀的影响。结果表明:交流干扰下,随交流电流密度的增大,X70管线钢的腐蚀速率增大;相同的交流干扰电压下,缺陷面积越小,通过X70管线钢的交流电流密度越大,腐蚀速率越大;在圆形和不同长宽比的矩形这几种缺陷形状中,长宽比为10∶1长条形缺陷处腐蚀速率最大,矩形缺陷处交流腐蚀速率随缺陷长宽比增大而略微增大。     

Multiple eutectic orientation relationships in undercooled Ni−38wt.%Si eutectic alloy

Eutectic orientation relationships (EORs) in an undercooled Ni−38wt.%Si alloy were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction. A total of seven EORs were identified, and three of them were found at the under-cooling degree ΔT≈31 K. It is found that their orientations of the primary NiSi phase are same but the misorientation between the neighboring NiSi₂ grains can be either 50° or 60°. The multiple EORs were ascribed to a possible change in the growth direction of the primary phase, the change of the primary phase from the NiSi phase to the NiSi₂ phase, and the transition from coupled to uncoupled eutectic growth. The current work shows that epitaxial growth of the second eutectic phase on the primary eutectic phase can obey either a single EOR or multiple EORs, which is a unique phenomenon.     

A microstructure informed and mixed-mode cohesive zone approach to simulating hydrogen embrittlement

Hydrogen induced failure under uniaxial tension is simulated in a duplex stainless steel considering microstructural feature of the material. There are three key ingredients in the modelling approach: image processing and finite element representation of the experimentally observed microstructure, stress driven hydrogen diffusion and diffusion coupled cohesive zone modelling of fracture considering mixed failure mode. The microstructure used as basis for the modelling work is obtained from specimens cut in the transverse and longitudinal directions. It is found that the microstructure significantly influences hydrogen diffusion and fracture. The austenite phase is polygonal and randomly distributed in the transverse direction, where a larger effective hydrogen diffusion coefficient and a lower hydrogen fracture resistance is found, compared to the specimen in the longitudinal direction, where the austenite phase is slender and laminated. This indicates that the proper design and control of the austenite phase help improve hydrogen resistance of duplex stainless steel. The strength of the interface in the shear direction is found to dominate the fracture mode and initiation site, which reveals the importance of considering mixed failure mode and calibrating the hydrogen induced strength reduction in shear.     

Delayed static failure of twinning-induced plasticity steels

Delayed static failure of high-Mn twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels containing various Al contents (0–3.5 wt.%) was studied in the context of hydrogen embrittlement. The roles of residual stress and texture on hydrogen embrittlement were discussed. In the deformed state, Al-added TWIP steels exhibited much better delayed fracture resistance as compared to 0 Al steel, owing to the decrease in the number of diffusible hydrogen-trapping sites coupled with smaller residual stress and strong 〈1 1 1〉 and 〈1 0 0〉 textures.     

Pyrometallurgical upgrading of PGM-rich leach residues from the Western Platinum base metals refinery through roasting

The production of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) normally entails the smelting of PGM flotation concentrates, converting of the furnace matte and removal of the bulk of the Ni, Cu, Co, S and Fe through atmospheric and pressure leaching in a base metals refinery to produce a PGM-rich concentrate. A number of impurities, mostly Se, Te, As, Bi, Os and Pb, are not removed significantly during the oxidising leach process in sulphuric acid media. In addition slag inclusions in matte leads to contamination of the PGM residues with silica, fayalite, magnetite and trevorite phases. Furthermore some Cu, Ni, Fe and S also remain. For this reason a typical Precious Metal Refinery (PMR) feed material contains less than 65% PGMs. The PMR is based on a chloride process and requires contaminants to be within narrow specification limits to prevent the formation of PGM residues that must be reprocessed or tolled, leading to poor first pass metal efficiencies and extending the duration of the production pipeline for efficient recovery.A process has been developed to significantly upgrade the BMR leach residues through pyrometallurgical processing, which include a multistep process of roasting under oxidising atmospheres, a two-step smelting process of the roasted calcine (with engineered slag chemistry and slag-refractory interactions) and subsequent atomisation of the molten alloy which can be fed as a slurry into the HCl/Cl₂ dissolution reactors in the precious metals refinery. These pyrometallurgical steps upgrade the BMR residue from a 45–50% grade up to an alloy grade of ca. 90% PGMs, whilst removing the most deleterious elements with major process impacts on the PMR.This paper will focus primarily on the roasting step and it will investigate the thermochemical and mineralogical changes occurring during roasting. These changes were evaluated through a combination of thermochemical modelling and experimental investigation. The roasting step needs to be in an oxidative environment in order to achieve the vapourisation of Se, Te, As, Os and S. The speciation of PGMs and their vapourisation behaviour are presented, as well as the sensitivity of precious metals deportment to changes in roast conditions.     

Energy transfer realizes efficient NIR emitting Ca2ScTaO6:Cr3+, Yb3+ perovskite-structured phosphors

Stable and efficient broadband near-infrared (NIR) emitting phosphors are vital for the next-generation NIR sources. However, it still remains challenging to construct such phosphors, particularly those with a NIR-II window. In this work, using the Cr³⁺-Yb³⁺ energy transfer (ET) strategy, the as-synthesized Ca₂ScTaO₆:Cr³⁺, Yb³⁺ phosphor retains 86.2% of the initial luminescence intensity of Yb³⁺ at 373 K with characteristic emissions of both activators ranging from 700 nm to 1200 nm. The occupation of Cr³⁺ into both Ta⁵⁺ and Sc³⁺ sites is confirmed by X-ray diffraction, time-resolved emission spectrum, and crystal structure. The efficient ET from Cr³⁺ to Yb³⁺ is revealed by the diffuse reflection spectrum, steady-state and transient fluorescence. As a result, it contributes to the excellent performance of the phosphor. Based on the optimized phosphor, a NIR light-emitting diode is fabricated and demonstrated its advantage in imaging and potential application in information encryption. The result highlights ET as a robust strategy to construct efficient NIR phosphor.