Investigation of crystallisation kinetics of Bi0·5Se99·5-xZnx glasses by differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract

The kinetics of crystallisation in Bi_0·5Se_99·5-xZn_x (x=0, 0·1, 0·2, 0·5, 1·0) glasses are studied by non-isothermal method using differential scanning calorimetry. Differential thermal analysis was performed at different heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min^-1. The values of glass transition and crystallisation temperatures are found to be composition and heating rate dependent. From the heating rate dependence of the glass transition and crystallisation temperatures, the activation energy of crystallisation ΔE _c, the order parameter n and the enthalpy released ΔH _c are calculated. The thermal stability (T _c–T _g) was found to be maximum for Bi_0·5Se_99·5 glass, which suggest that this glass can be considered as a critical composition at which the system becomes chemically ordered. The crystallisation enthalpy ΔH _c is maximum for Bi_0·5Se₉₉Zn_0·5 glass, hence it is the least stable glass in the present system.     

Grain refinement of HAZ in multi-pass welding

A technique named Impacting Trailed Welding (ITW) was proposed, aimed at refining the grain size of the HAZ in multi-pass welding. The key idea of ITW is to obtain a large deformation in the HAZ during one weld pass, and get it recrystallized during the next weld pass. Theoretical analysis suggests that the deformed HAZ can get completely recrystallized and the degree of the successive grain growth is lower than the normal grain growth, so that the grains can be dramatically refined. The average grain size was reduced by a factor 2 through the application of the ITW technique, and remained close to the grain size of the base material. The results are consistent with the theoretical analysis.     

Characterisation of corrosion products formed on steel rebars

Abstract

In this study, corrosion products on steel reinforcing bars (rebars) exposed in mortar contaminated with chlorides were characterised. For this purpose, scanning electron images were taken on steel surface and energy dispersive spectrometry analyses, as well X-ray diffraction was employed for quantitative characterisation using the Rietveld method. The main phases present were maghemite, goethite, lepidocrocite and akaganeite.

Dans cette étude, on a caractérisé les produits de corrosion de barres de renforcement en acier (barres d’armature) exposées dans du mortier contaminé par des chlorures. À cette fin, on a pris des images au microscope électronique à balayage, à la surface de l’acier, et l’on a employé des analyses de spectroscopie à dispersion d’énergie ainsi que la diffraction des rayons X pour la caractérisation quantitative, en utilisant la méthode de Rietveld. Les principales phases présentes consistaient en maghémite, en goéthite, en lépidocrocite et en akaganéite.     

Understanding grain refining and anti Si-poisoning effect in Al-10Si/Al-5Nb-B system

Grain refinement is critical for fabricating high-quality Al-Si casting components in the application of automobile and aerospace industries,while the well-known Si-poisoning effect makes it difficult.Nbbased refiners offer an effective method to refine Al-Si casting alloys,but their anti Si-poisoning capability is far from being understood.In this work,the grain refining mechanism and the anti Si-poisoning effect in the Al-10 Si/Al-5 Nb-B system were systematically investigated by combining transmission electron microscope,first-principles calculations,and thermodynamic calculations.It is revealed that NbB₂provides the main nucleation site in the Al-10 Si ingot inoculated by 0.1 wt.%Nb Al-5 Nb-B refiner.The exposed Nb atoms on the(0001)NbB₂and(1-100)NbB₂surface can be substituted by Al to form(Al,Nb)B₂intermedia layers.In addition,a layer of NbAl₃-like compound(NbAl₃')can cover the surface of NbB₂with the orientation relation of(1-100)[11-20]NbB_2//(110)[110]NbAl₃'.Both of the(Al,Nb)B₂and NbAl₃'intermedia layers contribute to enhancing the nucleation potency of NbB₂particles.These discoveries provide fundamental insight to the grain refining mechanism of the Nb-B based refiners for Al-Si casting alloys and are expected to guide the future development of stronger refiners for Al-Si casting alloys.     

Development of Cu particles and Cu core-shell particles reinforced Al composite

Copper particles were incorporated and retained in elemental state in an aluminium matrix by friction stir processing thereby producing a non-equilibrium particulate composite. The processed Al–Cu_p composite exhibited improved strength with significantly high ductility. The composite was stable up to a temperature of more than 300°C. Thermal exposure at 350°C for more than 10 min led to diffusion of Cu atoms into the Al matrix forming a core-shell type structure in the Cu particles and thus producing an Al–Cu core-shell composite. The shell consists of multiple layers, the thickness of which was controllable.     

Investigating the co-substitution impact of yttrium–nickel cations on lattice,morphological and magnetic parameters of SrM based ceramics

This study details the impact of the co-substitution of Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions for the Fe³⁺ ions on the structural, morphological and, magnetic parameters of SrM based SrY_xFe_12-2xNi_xO₁₉ (0.00 ≤ x ≥ 0.25) (SrYFeNiO) ceramic magnets synthesized by the ceramic route. Rietveld refinement of XRD confirmed the hexagonal (P63/mmc (194), z = 2) SrFe₁₂O₁₉ phase for all and an additional rhombohedral (R-3c (167), z = 6) hematite Fe₂O₃ phase for x = 0.2, x = 0.25 doping levels. The experimental and theoretical measurements abstracted the stretch of lattice parameters, i.e., the crystallographic axis and the lattice cell volume, and the dislocation of the crystallographic plane (1 1 4) for the hexagonal system, certified the heavy Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions substitution. To examine the morphological parameters, FESEM presented the regular hexagonal platelets of sizes ~ 1–2 μm, and EDX revealed the presence of constituent elements with their atomic and weight percentages in SrFeYNiO products. The extraction of vibrational frequencies of Fe–O bonds at tetrahedral and octahedral sites of iron through FT-IR spectroscopy authenticates the formation of the SrM phase. XPS correlated the doped elements, i.e., nickel in Ni⁺² and Ni⁺³ and yttrium in Y⁺³, whereas parent element, i.e., iron in Fe⁺³ and Fe⁺² chemical states, enlightened their impact on the magnetic parameters. Hysteresis loop analysis deduced a linear decline in magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization (M_s) and remnant magnetization (M_r) due to non-magnetic Y³⁺ and less magnetic Ni³⁺ ions installment in 4f1 and 2b polyhedral sites of Fe³⁺ ions. However, high coercivity (H_c) up to 2.92 kOe ∈ x = 0.15 and extended magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) up to 5.790× 10⁶ Erg/g ∈ x = 0.15 of our obtained ceramic magnets affirmed their application in permanent magnetic industry. M(T) curves also demonstrated the decrease in M_s and displayed an SPM at T_B, which is shifting towards lower temperatures with increasing Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ contents approved the expansion of lattice parameters.     

Solid solution limit of Fe2O3 in mullite crystals,produced from kaolin by solid state reactions

Porcelain, wall/floor tiles, and roofing tiles are classified as traditional ceramics and are produced from natural raw materials such as clay, quartz, and feldspar. The raw materials are selected by the oxide content which provides the desired properties of the final product. However, impurities such as Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ may have a significant influence on both physical/mechanical properties and aesthetic appearance. Fe₂O₃, which is of particular importance, causes black maculation formation in tablewares, in which whiteness is essential. The only way to overcome the black maculation is to corrupt the Fe₂O₃ crystal structure and to employ Fe^2+/3+ cation, making a solid solution with a host crystal (i.e. mullite-3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂). The aim of this study is to identify the solubility limit of Fe₂O₃ in mullite crystals. With the scope of the study, an illite/kaolinite was utilized by adding an increasing amount of Fe₂O₃ (e.g. 1–2–4–6–8–10?wt%) into the recipes fired at 1300?°C for 3?h after homogenization. According to the mullite phase content, it is concluded that ~ 5?wt% of Fe₂O₃ could be dissolved in mullite crystal structure on the basis of the Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns.     

The effect of TiO2 nanotube morphological engineering and ZnS quantum dots on the water splitting reaction: A theoretical and experimental study

Ordered arrays of TiO₂ nanotubes with smooth and rippled morphologies were prepared by one-step titanium oxidation in NH₄F and ethylene glycol solution. The samples were then decorated with ZnS using a microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The experiments under constant or pulsed applied voltage resulted in smooth and rippled TiO₂material morphologies, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, incident photon-to-current efficiency, linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the structure and morphology of the TiO₂ nanotubes, along with their photoelectrochemical activity in the water splitting reaction. An envelope function was proposed to correlate the anisotropic morphologies and broad distribution of mobility due to the random nature of charge carrier transport. The smooth and rippled morphologies were evaluated using the transmission line model. First-principles quantum mechanical calculations based on the density functional theory at the B3LYP level are conducted to obtain a better understanding of optical properties of TiO₂.     

氟锆酸钾盐混合物对Mg-3Y-3.5Sm-2Zn合金组织和性能的影响

制备了三种氟锆酸钾(K2ZrF6)盐混合物(M),分别在三个温度下将三种盐混合物加入到铸态Mg-3Y-3.5Sm-2Zn合金中。通过差热分析(DSC),X射线衍射(XRD),光学显微镜(OM),扫描电子显微镜(SEM),能量色散谱(EDS)和拉伸试验研究了合金的显微组织和力学性能,讨论了K2ZrF6盐混合物在合金中的晶粒细化机理。结果表明,铸态Mg-3Y-3.5Sm-2Zn合金由α-Mg,Mg12(Y,Sm)Zn 和 (Mg,Zn)3(Y,Sm)三种相组成。SEM和XRD检测发现,添加K2ZrF6盐混合物不会在合金中产生新的相。在780°C下加入M3盐(60wt% K2ZrF6-20wt% NaCl-20wt% KCl)时,合金的晶粒细化效果最佳。通过在780℃下加入三种盐,铸态Mg-3Y-3.5Sm-2Zn合金的力学性能得到提高,由M3盐细化后的合金具有最佳的力学性能。K2ZrF6盐混合物可细化铸态Mg-3Y-3.5Sm-2Zn合金,这是由于Mg和K2ZrF6之间还原反应得到的细Zr质点和富锆区在合金中起到的晶粒细化作用。     

高频微振辅助工艺对激光焊接接头组织性能的影响

基于自主搭建的高频微振平台，进行316L不锈钢振动辅助激光焊接试验，探究高频微振激光焊接工艺对接头组织性能的影响. 结果表明，施加振动后，焊缝表面无飞溅，成形良好. 截面未出现塌陷、堆高，背部熔宽均匀. 振动的施加，能够明显细化焊缝区的晶粒，在共振频率1 467.5 Hz的高频微振激光焊条件下，晶粒尺寸最小. 点状颗粒物分布在奥氏体晶粒间，趋于弥散，新相及大颗粒物减少. 随着振动频率增加，焊缝区显微硬度值跟着增加，在较高共振频率显微硬度值增加显著，在共振频率1 467.5 Hz、加速度160 m/s2条件下，焊缝区平均硬度206 HV，与无振动相比，硬度值增加5.6%.