Composite materials of melt-spun Mg90Ni10 and graphite: Microstructural changes during cyclic hydrogenation and the impact on gas and heat transport characteristics

It is of high technical importance to consider the loading and unloading dynamics of hydride-based hydrogen storage tanks, which are mainly influenced by the heat and gas transfer properties inside the reaction bed. In this regard, hydride-graphite composites offer improved heat transfer properties and higher volumetric storage capacities compared to commonly used powder beds.     

氢燃料电池中钛双极板研究进展

钛及钛合金密度低、比强度高且在酸性环境中耐蚀性优异,在氢燃料电池双极板中具有较高的应用价值。回顾了近年来氢燃料电池用钛双极板的研究进展,详述了钛双极板表面改性技术的研究成果,包括掺杂合金元素、钛表面涂覆金属基涂层(贵金属、金属碳/氮化物等)和碳基涂层(石墨、无定型碳等)。涂层结构组织的复合化和纳米化,有利于提升钛双极板的耐蚀性、导电性和疏水性,其对于提升氢燃料电池的性能及保证其运行的稳定性和耐久性具有重要作用。     

Improving corrosion resistance of epoxy coatings modified with silane monomers on AZ31D magnesium alloy

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing high performance silane containing epoxy coatings. In this work, two silane monomers (3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and vinyltrimethoxy silane) were incorporated in epoxy coatings. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of 5 wt-% 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane in coating formulation improved the anticorrosive performance of the epoxy coating on AZ31D magnesium alloy. The improving effect of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane was much better than that of vinyltrimethoxy silane, which can be ascribed to the compatibility of the former with epoxy vehicle. The adhesion between epoxy coatings and substrate was also strengthened by addition of the two silane monomers.

Ces dernières années, on note un intérêt grandissant dans le développement de revêtements à haute performance de résine époxy contenant du silane. Dans ce travail, on a incorporé deux monomères de silane (3-glycidoxypropyltriméthoxysilane et vinyltriméthoxy silane) dans des revêtements de résine époxy. Les résultats ont démontré que l’incorporation de 5% en poids de 3-glycidoxypropyltriméthoxysilane dans la formule du revêtement améliorait le rendement anti-corrosif du revêtement de résine époxy sur l’alliage au magnésium AZ31D. L’amélioration du 3-glycidoxypropyltriméthoxysilane était bien meilleure que celle du vinyltriméthoxy silane, ce que l’on peut attribuer à la compatibilité du premier avec le véhicule de la résine époxy. L’adhésion entre les revêtements de résine époxy et le substrat était également renforcée par l’addition des deux monomères de silane.     

Microstructural evolution in silicon alloyed γ-Ti–Al alloys after thermomechanical processing

Abstract

The microstructures of silicon alloyed γ-Ti–Al alloys containing silicide particles have been studied after thermomechanical treatments to investigate microstructural evolution. Important parameters including temperature, forging strain, and sequence of thermomechanical treatments were systematically studied. Isothermal forging below the eutectoid temperature resulted in inhomogeneous dynamic recrystallisation with fine equiaxed grains in recrystallised areas and residual α₂ + γ lamellae elsewhere. Eutectic silicides play an important role in destruction of the as cast structure by promoting dynamic recrystallisation during deformation and static recrystallisation on subsequent annealing. There is evidence that silicon, in solution, also enhances recrystallisation. The presence of fine silicides produced by precipitation in the solid state restricts the size of grains produced by both dynamic and static recrystallisation. Silicon also alters significantly the phase equilibrium between the α and γ phases.     

Laboratory hot-dip aluminizing of sheet steels

It is a matter of common knowledge that in laboratory hot-dip aluminizing, great difficulties are often encountered in preparing specimens that are free of surface oxides and other ubiquitous contaminants such as oils, grease and dust. Inadequate preparation of specimens will inevitably lead to the prevention of alloy layer growth during hot dipping and poor coatings following withdrawal. This paper describes a method for the production on a laboratory scale of hot-dipped type 1 aluminized sheet- steel specimens of commercial quality.     

Improving cytocompatibility of Co28Cr6Mo by TiO2 coating: gene expression study in human endothelial cells

Cobalt-based materials are widely used for coronary stents, as well as bone and joint implants. However, their use is associated with high corrosion incidence. Titanium alloys, by contrast, are more biocompatible owing to the formation of a relatively inactive titanium oxide (TiO₂) layer on their surface. This study was aimed at improving Co28Cr6Mo alloy cytocompatibility via sol–gel TiO₂ coating to reduce metal corrosion and metal ion release. Owing to their role in inflammation and tissue remodelling around an implant, endothelial cells present a suitable in vitro model for testing the biological response to metallic materials. Primary human endothelial cells seeded on Co28Cr6Mo showed a stress phenotype with numerous F-actin fibres absent on TiO₂-coated material. To investigate this effect at the gene expression level, cDNA microarray analysis of in total 1301 genes was performed. Compared with control cells, 247 genes were expressed differentially in the cells grown on Co28Cr6Mo, among them genes involved in proliferation, oxidative stress response and inflammation. TiO₂ coating reduced the effects of Co28Cr6Mo on gene expression in endothelial cells, with only 34 genes being differentially expressed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein analysis confirmed microarray data for selected genes. The effect of TiO₂ coating can be, in part, attributed to the reduced release of Co²⁺, because addition of CoCl₂ resulted in similar cellular responses. TiO₂ coating of cobalt-based materials, therefore, could be used in the production of cobalt-based devices for cardiovascular and skeletal applications to reduce the adverse effects of metal corrosion products and to improve the response of endothelial and other cell types.     

Comparative study of direct and indirect forging processes for rheological material of A356 aluminium alloy

Abstract

Using a vacuum electromagnetic stirring system, a high quality rheological material is developed in order to fabricate the engineering components without defects like internal porosities, which are caused by the entrapment of external air into the melt and impurities arising from the penetration of surface oxides by vacuum electromagnetic stirring. For practical application in vehicle industry, forming of the knuckle component that is used in automobiles was demonstrated by both direct and indirect type rheoforging processes. Here, insufficient filling behaviour occurred during direct forging processes, whereas indirect rheoforging of material with a solid fraction of 30–40% produced a completely formed knuckle component; thus, an indirect forging process may be suitable for forming the knuckle part. Through microstructural investigations and tensile tests before and after T6 heat treatment of the material, mechanical properties were characterised. By obtaining data about the rheoforging process and material properties of the rheoforged product associated with microstructural features, feasibility for future practical application was investigated. Moreover, the die structure for direct and indirect rheological forging processes was comparatively studied.     

Extraordinary catalytic effect of Laves phase Cr and Mn alloys on hydrogen dissociation and absorption

In activation of hydrogen storage alloys, the nickel-group metals, especially Pd, act as the catalysts to dissociate hydrogen and turn the alloys into successful hydrogen absorbers. The Laves phase Sc and Zr alloys with Cr–Mn as common components exhibit extraordinary hydrogen activation properties matching Pd. Through a cracking mechanism, the bulk samples of these alloys rapidly absorb hydrogen at sub-atmospheric pressures and room-temperature, achieve absorption performance of those Pd surface-modified alloys, meanwhile retaining good reversibility. Among them, the ScCrMn exhibits significantly higher absorption rate than Pd, whereas, the ZrCrMn shows similar absorption kinetics and reversibility to Pd. The shortest initial-activation-time, highest initial-activation-rate and lowest allowed-activation-pressure achieved by ScCrMn are 15 s, −16.6 kPa/s and 0.46 kPa, respectively, in comparison with those of 18 s, 3.2 kPa/s and 0.13 kPa for Pd powder measured under equivalent conditions. The findings and associated magnetization measurements indicate that Cr and Mn upon alloying with certain lower valence metals possess surface electronic structures highly beneficial to hydrogen dissociation.     

Effects of hydrogen addition on the high temperature deformation behavior of TC21 titanium alloy

The true stress-strain curves of TC21 titanium alloy charged with up to 0.7 wt.% hydrogen were obtained by the isothermal hot compression tests which were carried out on an Instron 5500 machine at 1023 to 1223 K and 0.001 to 0.1 s⁻¹. The dependence of the steady state flow stress on hydrogen content was determined. The results showed that with the increase of hydrogen content flow stress decreased at lower hydrogen content and then increased at higher hydrogen content. Suitable hydrogen addition can significantly decrease the flow stress and improve the hot workability of TC21 titanium alloy. The flow stress behaviors and the dependence of hydrogen content on flow stress were clarified by microstructural observation. The optimum hydrogen content at different deformation temperature was determined.     

Microstructure and hydrogen absorption/desorption properties of Mg24Y3M (M = Ni,Co, Cu,Al) alloys

Ternary alloys with the nominal composition of Mg₂₄Y₃M (M = Ni, Co, Cu, Al) have been fabricated by using vacuum induction melting method. Their microstructure and phase composition are characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isothermal hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics are measured by a Sievert's-type apparatus. The dehydrogenation behaviors of the full hydrogenated alloys are also analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Results show that each and every alloy has a distinct multiphase structure containing the main phase Mg₂₄Y₅ and some amount of Mg. Intermetallic compounds of YCo₂ and Al₂Y are detected in the M = Co and M = Al alloy, while long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase can be also observed in M = Ni and M = Cu alloy. The hydrogen absorption and desorption kinetics shows a decreased trend in the following order: (M = Ni) > (M = Al) > (M = Co) > (M = Cu). The M = Ni alloy has the best hydrogen storage performance among the investigated alloys. The dehydrogenation activation energy (E_a) of the M = Ni alloy decreases to 66 kJ/mol, and its decomposition peak temperature is also reduced to 313 °C. Moreover, the p–c–T (pressure-composition isotherms) curves of the studied alloys are also discussed.