“Lattice Strain Matching”-Enabled Nanocomposite Design to Harness the Exceptional Mechanical Properties of Nanomaterials in Bulk Forms

Nanosized materials are known to have the ability to withstand ultralarge elastic strains (4–10%) and to have ultrahigh strengths approaching their theoretical limits. However, it is a long-standing challenge to harnessing their exceptional intrinsic mechanical properties in bulk forms. This is commonly known as “the valley of death” in nanocomposite design. In 2013, a breakthrough was made to overcome this challenge by using a martensitic phase transforming matrix to create a composite in which ultralarge elastic lattice strains up to 6.7% are achieved in Nb nanoribbons embedded in it. This breakthrough was enabled by a novel concept of phase transformation assisted lattice strain matching between the uniform ultralarge elastic strains (4–10%) of nanomaterials and the uniform crystallographic lattice distortion strains (4–10%) of the martensitic phase transformation of the matrix. This novel concept has opened new opportunities for developing materials of exceptional mechanical properties or enhanced functional properties that are not possible before. The work in progress in this research over the past six years is reported.     

预时效对Al-5.2Mg-0.45Cu-2.0Zn合金室温稳定性的影响

本文详细研究了预时效对Al-5.2Mg-0.45Cu-2.0Zn合金时效析出行为的影响。预时效不仅提高了合金的室温稳定性,避免了合金烤漆软化,同时提高了合金的烤漆时效响应速度。合金经T4处理后,再峰时效处理后的组织包括粗大的T-Mg₃₂(AlZn)₄₉相以及针状的S-Al₂MgCu相。然而合金经T4P处理后,再峰时效处理的组织只含有细小而高密度的T-Mg₃₂(AlZn)₄₉相而不包括S-Al₂MgCu相。自然时效后不稳定的原子团簇在180℃时效后会回溶到基体中, 从而抑制了合金的时效析出强化。而预时效后生成的稳定的原子团簇会成为180℃时效的形核点,显著提高了合金的时效响应速度。     

Co-Free High-Entropy Alloys Powders Immobilized by Electrospray and Microf luidics for Decolorization of Azo Dye

In recent years,high-entropy alloys(HEAs) have received more and more attention due to their unique microstructure and properties.Several researchers have reported that some ball-milled(BM) HEAs powders possess prominent decolorization performance for azo dyes.Three kinds of Co-free HEA powders(AlCrFeMn,AlCrFeNi and FeCrNiMn) have been synthesized by ball milling in this work,of which AlCrFeMn shows the best decolorization efficiency for DB6 aqueous solution.However,at this time,the BM HEAs are in powder state and not easy to be reused,so the loss rate of the powders is high during the reaction.Sometimes,the reaction between reacted the powders and the dye solution is too fast to control.While,in order to solve these problems,this work proposes to immobilize bare BM AlCrFeMn HEA powders in calcium alginate beads(CAB s) by electrospray and microfluidics.Through four cycles of reaction,the loss rate of the AlCrFeMn powders can be reduced from 40 to 5 wt% if the powders are immobilized by CABs with an average diameter of 0.55 mm obtained at the DC voltage of 30 kV.In addition,in the four cycles of experiment,the AlCrFeMn HEA-CABs with an average diameter of0.55 mm shows better stability and easier separation than that of the bare AlCrFeMn powders.These findings provide new ideas for HEAs to decolorize azo dyes and are of great significance for protecting freshwater resources.     

Liquid−liquid structure transition in metallic melt and its impact on solidification: A review

Understanding the nature of liquid structures and properties has always been a hot field in condensed matter physics and metallic materials science. The liquid is not homogeneous and the local structures inside change discontinuously with temperature, pressure, etc. The liquid will experience liquid−liquid structure transition under a certain condition. Liquid−liquid structure transition widely exists in many metals and alloys and plays an important role in the final microstructure and the properties of the solid alloys. This work provides a comprehensive review on this unique structure transition in the metallic liquid together with the recent progress of its impact on the following microstructure and properties after solidification. These effects are discussed by integrating them into different experimental results and theoretical considerations. The application of liquid−liquid structure transition as a strategy to tailor the properties of metals and alloys is proven to be practical and efficient.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of squeeze-cast Al−5.0Mg−3.0Zn−1.0Cu alloys in solution-treated and aged conditions

The microstructure and mechanical properties at different depths of squeeze-cast, solution-treated and aged Al−5.0Mg−3.0Zn−1.0Cu alloy were investigated. For squeeze-cast alloy, from casting surface to interior, the grain size of α(Al) matrix and width of T-Mg₃₂(AlZnCu)₄₉ phase increase significantly, while the volume fraction of T phase decreases. The related mechanical properties including ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation decrease from 243.7 MPa and 2.3% to 217.9 MPa and 1.4%, respectively. After solution treatment at 470 °C for 36 h, T phase is dissolved into matrix, and the grain size increases so that the UTS and elongation from surface to interior are respectively reduced from 387.8 MPa and 18.6% to 348.9 MPa and 13.9%. After further peak-aging at 120 °C for 24 h, numerous G.P. II zone and η′ phase precipitate in matrix. Consequently, UTS values of the surface and interior increase to 449.5 and 421.4 MPa, while elongation values decrease to 12.5% and 8.1%, respectively.     

Electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution of the electrodeposited Co–Ni–Mo,Co–Ni and Co–Mo alloy coatings

The electrocatalytic activity for the HER of the ternary Co–Ni–Mo and the binary Co–Ni and Co–Mo alloy coatings is investigated in 1 M KOH solution. The surface morphology and the structure of the studied coatings is characterized by SEM and XRD analysis. The electrocatalytic activity for the HER is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cathodic polarization and chronopotentiometry techniques. XRD analysis reveals that all studied coatings are composed of the Co hcp structure. However, alloy deposits with Mo is characterized by more nanocrystalline structure. Electrochemical experiments reveal superior electrocatalytic activity of coatings with Mo in comparison to Co–Ni alloy. This is the results of larger real surface area of Co–Mo and Co–Ni–Mo alloys, which is confirmed by the higher surface roughness factors (R_f) calculated based on the EIS results. The ternary alloy coating is characterized by the highest R_f parameter and the highest catalytic activity for the HER.     

Hydrogen production from hydrolysis of magnesium wastes reprocessed by mechanical milling under air

Magnesium-based wastes were reprocessed by mechanical milling under air atmosphere and used to produce hydrogen by hydrolysis on a laboratory scale. The evolution of the material during reprocessing and the generation of hydrogen in a 0.6 M MgCl₂ aqueous solution at 24 °C are reported. The morphology, microstructure and phase abundance change with milling time. During mechanical processing, (i) particle size and crystallite size reduce, (ii) microstrain accumulates in the material, (iii) Al dissolves in Mg, (iv) the amount of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ (β-phase) increases and (v) small quantities of Fe from the milling tools are incorporated in the material. By hydrolysis, hydrogen yields in the 70–90% range after 30 min of reaction have been obtained, depending on milling time. Reactants are not exhausted during the hydrolysis reaction in the saline solution, due to the formation of a Mg(OH)₂ layer that produces a passivating effect. Higher generation has been observed for larger particles and for materials reprocessed for longer milling times. Reaction kinetics also improves with milling time, with faster rates observed for the smaller particles. The shape of the hydrolysis curves can be fitted with a model that corresponds to a reaction limited by a three dimensional geometric contraction process. Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Fe favor hydrogen production by acting as micro-galvanic cathodes during the reaction.     

Effect of Si/Ti additions on physico-mechanical and chemical properties of FeNiCrCo high entropy alloys manufactured by powder metallurgy technique

FeNiCrCoSi_x and FeNiCrCoTi_x (x=0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt.%) high entropy alloys (HEAs) were prepared via the powder metallurgy technique. A homogenous distribution of the elements in all alloys due to the formation of a solid solution phase is observed. The density and hardness of the prepared HEAs are improved by Si and Ti additions, compared to FeNiCrCo HEA. The wear rate of the prepared alloys was studied at different loads and the results indicate that the alloys that contain 0.3 wt.% Si and 0.9 wt.% Ti have the lowest wear rates. X-ray diffraction, SEM, and EDX were used to understand the phases, grain sizes, and microstructures in different investigated HEAs. The effects of Si and Ti content on the corrosion behavior and surface morphologies of sintered FeNiCrCoSi_x and FeNiCrCoTi_x HEAs were studied by immersion in H₂SO₄, HNO₃, and HCl solutions. Uniform corrosion and localized pitting are observed in different sizes in the corrosive media used. Because of the smaller pit size and the reduced pit density, the FeNiCrCoSi_0.3 HEA has an excellent microstructure.     

Deformation Behaviors of an Additive-Manufactured Ni32Co30Cr10Fe10Al18 Eutectic High Entropy Alloy at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

Eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) that have superior formability are attractive for direct laser deposition technology. In this study, a regular-shaped bulk Ni₃₂Co₃₀Cr₁₀Fe₁₀Al₁₈ EHEA without apparent pores and micro-cracks was successfully fabricated by direct laser deposition. The as-deposited alloy showed a high tensile strength of 1.3 GPa with a ductility of 35% at ambient temperature and a tensile strength of 320 MPa at 760 °C. The deformation mechanisms of the as-deposited alloy at ambient and elevated temperatures were investigated by coupling the in-situ tensile test with a scanning electron microscope. It is revealed that the excellent combination of strength and ductility originated from the synergic effects of the FCC and B2 phases in eutectic lamellae. And the generation of cracks along phase boundaries restricted its high-temperature strength above 760 °C.     

Heat-treatable Mg-9Al-6Sn-3Zn extrusion alloy

Mg-9Al-6Sn-3Zn (wt%) alloy was extruded and heat treated in T5 and T6 conditions, and its mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated. The extruded product can be slightly strengthened by the T5 treatment as a result of sparse and heterogeneous precipitation. Significant increase in strength is achieved by the T6 treatment, and this is mostly attributed to the formation of lamellar discontinuous Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates. The segregation of Al and Zn at grain boundaries is responsible for the discontinuous Mg₁₇Al₁₂ nucleation. The T6-treated alloy exhibits a tensile yield strength of 341 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 409 MPa, together with an elongation to fracture of 4%.