The quasi ternary system TiB2-CrB2-WB2 between 1900 and 2300°C

The quasi-ternary TiB₂-CrB₂-WB₂ system has been studied up to 2300 °C by means of hot-pressing, SPS and pressureless dilatometry. Liquid phase is generated by two binary eutectics at the TiB₂-WB₂ edge at 2230 ± 30 °C (e₁) and at the CrB₂-WB₂ edge at 1965 °C (e₂). A large homogeneity range of a (Ti,W,Cr)B₂ solid solution has been noticed. A new ternary γ-phase emerges from a critical tie line between (W,Cr,Ti)₂B₄ and α-(Ti,W,Cr)B₂ solid solution at 1950 °C, spreads slightly into both the WB₂ and CrB₂ direction and decomposes by the peritectic reaction P: γ ⇆ α-(Ti,Cr,W)B₂ + (W,Cr,Ti)₂B₄ + Liquid at 2170 ± 30 °C. γ reacts with the CrB₂-WB₂-rich liquid according to the transition equilibrium T: δ-(Ti,Cr,W)B₂ + (W,Cr,Ti)₂B₄ ⇆ γ + Liquid at 2050 °C. The γ-phase is characterized by broad 00 l x-ray reflections which implies a layerwise accumulation and differentiation of Cr and W atoms in the basal plane of the AlB₂-type structure.     

Phase equilibria of Co−Mo−Zn ternary system

To experimentally determine the isothermal sections of Co−Mo−Zn ternary system at 600 and 450 °C, the equilibrated alloy and diffusion couple methods were adopted by using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry and electron probe microanalysis. Experimental results show that there are six three-phase regions on the Co−Mo−Zn isothermal section at 600 °C and nine three-phase regions on the Co−Mo−Zn isothermal section at 450 °C. No ternary compound is found in these two isothermal sections. Both the maximum solubilities of Mo in the Co−Zn compounds (γ-Co₅Zn₂₁, γ₁-CoZn₇, γ₂-CoZn₁₃ and β₁-CoZn) and that of Zn in ε-Co₃Mo are no more than 1.5 at.%. The maximum solubilities of Zn in μ-Co₇Mo₆ are determined to be 2.1 at.% and 2.7 at.% at 600 and 450 °C, respectively. In addition, the maximum solubilities of Co in MoZn₇ and MoZn₂₂ are 0.5 at.% and 4.7 at.% at 450 °C, respectively.     

Efficient reliability analysis of dynamic k-out-of-n phase-AND mission systems

Motivated by real-world applications of satellites and wireless sensor networks, this paper models and evaluates a dynamic k-out-of-n phase-AND mission system (k/n-PAMS). The mission task conducted by a k/n-PAMS involves multiple consecutive phases; the mission is successful as long as the task is successful in any of the phases. Due to factors, such as scheduled maintenance, location changes in task execution during different phases, and resource sharing with other tasks, the total number of available components n for the considered mission task and the required number of working components k may change from phase to phase. In addition, due to varying load and working environments, component failure time distributions are also phase dependent. This paper proposes an analytical modeling approach based on multivalued decision diagrams (MDDs) for assessing reliability of the considered k/n-PAMS. The approach encompasses a new and fast MDD model generation algorithm that considers behaviors of all the mission phases simultaneously based on node labeling. As demonstrated through empirical studies on k/n-PAMSs with different sizes (different numbers of phases and different numbers of system components), the proposed algorithm is more efficient than the traditional phase-by-phase model generation method.     

Phase equilibria in CaNaPO4-CaKPO4 system and their influence on formation of bioceramics based on mixed Ca-K-Na phosphates

An investigation of the two-component phase diagram of the CaNaPO₄- CaKPO₄system performed using various analysis techniques is reported. The continuous solid solution series of α-CaMPO₄ existing above 700 °C undergoes eutectoid decomposition during cooling to β-CaMPO₄-based solid solutions enriched with Na and K, and to an intermediate nonstoichiometric compound with an ideal composition of CaK_0.6Na_0.4PO₄. All three compounds exhibit significant volumetric effects associated with first-order phase transitions, with positive volume changes under cooling for the intermediate compound. Increased K content in ceramics based on CaK_yNa_1-yPO₄ compositions enhances the strength properties of those ceramics, including their fracture toughness, which is associated with increased density. Increased K content also has a smaller effect of inducing phase transformations accompanied by strong volume changes.     

Preparation and elastic–plastic indentation response of MgAlON transparent ceramics

MgAlON transparent ceramic was prepared via pressureless sintering and post hot isostatic pressing. The in-line transmittance of MgAlON ceramic exceeds 80% in the range 0.39–4.67 μm, and the ceramic was fully dense with average grain sizes ～55 μm. The mechanical properties at the grain boundary (GB) and the center of the grain (CG) of MgAlON ceramic was investigated by nanoindentation at forces of 1 × 10²–3 × 10⁵ μN. The results indicated that the hardness values of MgAlON ceramic were sensitive to the testing forces and measurements position. The hardness at GB zone was lower than that at CG zone, which was probably ascribed to weaker interatomic bonding force in GB area. The Meyer's index of the hardness in GB and CG regions is 1.87 and 1.82, respectively. There is a weaker ISE in GB area of MgAlON as a result of larger plasticity and smaller elasticity. The hardness values of GB and CG regions are ～13.36 GPa and ～13.58 GPa, respectively.     

Phase equilibrium in systems based on oxides of zirconium,lanthanum and samarium

According to the results of the samples studied by X-ray diffraction and microstructural analyzes the phase equilibria in the binary La₂O₃ – Sm₂O₃ and ternary ZrO₂ – La₂O₃ – Sm₂O₃ systems were studied. The boundaries of the phase fields of the binary system are specified and an isothermal cross section of the ternary state diagram of the ZrO₂ – La₂O₃ – Sm₂O₃ system at a temperature of 1500 °C is constructed. No new phases have been identified in the studied systems. It is established that in the ternary system ZrO₂ – La₂O₃ – Sm₂O₃ at 1500 °C fields of solid solutions on the basis of cubic (F) modification with structure of fluorite type, tetragonal (T) modification of ZrO₂, monoclinic (B) modifications of Sm₂O₃, hexagonal (A) are formed. La₂O₃, as well as an ordered phase with a structure of the type of pyrochlore Ln₂Zr₂O₇ (Py). The boundaries of the phase fields and the parameters of the unit cells of the formed phases are determined. A characteristic feature of this isothermal cross section is the formation of a continuous series of solid solutions based on the phase of the pyrochlore type La₂Zr₂O₇ (Sm₂Zr₂O₇). The limiting solubility of Sm₂O₃ in the ordered phase La₂Zr₂O₇ is 16 mol. % along the section Sm₂O₃- (67 mol.% ZrO₂ - 33 mol.% La₂O₃). The solubility of La₂O₃ in the solid solution Sm₂Zr₂O₇ is slightly less and is 11 mol. % along the section La₂O₃- (67 mol.% ZrO₂ - 33 mol.% Sm₂O₃). The isothermal cross-section of the state diagram of the ZrO₂ – La₂O₃ – Sm₂O₃ system at 1500 °C is characterized by the presence of three three-phase (Py + T + F), (A + Py + B), (Py + F + B) and eight two-phase (A + Py), (B + A), (B + Py), (F + B), (T + F), (Py + T), (F + Py-two) areas.     

On amorphization as a deformation mechanism under high stresses

In this paper we review the work related to amorphization under mechanical stress. Beyond pressure, we highlight the role of deviatoric or shear stresses. We show that the most recent works make amorphization appear as a deformation mechanism in its own right, in particular under extreme conditions (shocks, deformations under high stresses, high strain-rates).