Importance of optical homogeneity for high-quality transparent ceramics

Two types of transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics without including large scattering sources such as residual pores, one with very high optical homogeneity (type A) and another one with slightly insufficient optical homogeneity (type B), are purposely prepared, and their optical properties are investigated and compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Type A ceramic exhibits transmittance characteristics with very low internal loss in the visible to infrared wavelength region, while type B ceramic is inferior in various optical performances especially in the short (visible) wavelength region. In type B ceramic, birefringence occurs due to optical inhomogeneity in the visible region, resulting in a decrease in the extinction ratio. Non-uniform refractive index distribution is also observed in the Schlieren image of type B ceramic, hence the laser beam quality through that material is degraded. This study proved the importance of optical homogeneity of transparent ceramics and clarified the problems in actual applications.     

Predictive process mapping for laser powder bed fusion: A review of existing analytical solutions

One of the main challenges in the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process is making dense and defect-free components. These porosity defects are dependent upon the melt pool geometry and the processing conditions. Power-velocity (PV) processing maps can aid in visualizing the effects of LPBF processing variables and mapping different defect regimes such as lack-of-fusion, under-melting, balling, and keyholing. This work presents an assessment of existing analytical equations and models that provide an estimate of the melt pool geometry as a function of material properties. The melt pool equations are then combined with defect criteria to provide a quick approximation of the PV processing maps for a variety of materials. Finally, the predictions of these processing maps are compared with experimental data from the literature. The predictive processing maps can be computed quickly and can be coupled with dimensionless numbers and high-throughput (HT) experiments for validation. The present work provides a boundary framework for designing the optimal processing parameters for new metals and alloys based on existing analytical solutions.     

Laser damage resistance of plasma-sprayed alumina and honeycomb skeleton/alumina composite ceramic coatings

Al₂O₃ and honeycomb skeleton-Al₂O₃ composite coatings on Titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) were prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying. A laser ablation experiment on as-sprayed coatings was performed. In this paper, the laser damage resistance, microstructure, phase composition of Al₂O₃ coatings were examined. 3D Dimensional Confocal Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) characterized the laser damage morphology, microstructure, phase composition, and element analysis, respectively. The influence of the honeycomb skeleton on the laser ablation damage on as-sprayed coatings was investigated by a comparative analysis of the laser damage morphology with different laser ablation times and gas flow. The results show that the honeycomb skeleton raises thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity. Moreover, a “tower”-like dendrite was generated during the laser irradiation of the composite coating. The honeycomb skeleton refined the structure, suppressed crack propagation, and reduced the influence of gas flow on cracks. Under the same experimental laser ablation parameters, the laser damage area of the honeycomb skeleton-Al₂O₃ composite coating was smaller than that of the Al₂O₃ coating. It was demonstrated that the laser damage resistance of the honeycomb skeleton-Al₂O₃ composite coating was superior to that of the Al₂O₃ coating.     

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of laser aided additive manufactured low carbon interstitial Fe49.5Mn30Co10Cr10C0.5 multicomponent alloy

Laser aided additive manufacturing(LAAM)was used to fabricate bulk Fe49.5Mn30Co10Cr10C0.5 interstitial multicomponent alloy using pre-alloyed powder.The room temperature yield strength(σy),ultimate tensile strength(σUTS)and elongation(εUST)were 645 MPa,917 MPa and 27.0％respectively.The as-built sample consisted of equiaxed and dendritic cellular structures formed by elemental segregation.These cellular structures together with oxide particle inclusions were deemed to strengthen the material.The other contributing components include dislocation strengthening,friction stress and grain bound-ary strengthening.The high εUTS was attributed to dislocation motion and activation of both twinning and transformation-induced plasticity(TWIP and TRIP).Tensile tests performed at-40℃and-130℃demonstrated superior tensile strength of 1041 MPa and 1267 MPa respectively.However,almost no twinning was observed in the fractured sample tested at-40℃and-130℃.Instead,higher fraction of strain-induced hexagonal close-packed(HCP)ε phase transformation of 21.2％were observed for fractured sample tested at-40℃,compared with 6.3％in fractured room temperature sample.     

Effect of Cu-Rich Phase Precipitation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of CoCrNiCux Medium-Entropy Alloys Prepared via Laser Directed Energy Deposition

CoCrNiCux (x=0.16,0.33,0.75,and 1) without macro-segregation medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) was prepared using laser directed energy deposition (LDED).The microstructure and mechanical properties of CoCrNiCux alloys with increas-ing Cu content were investigated.The results indicate that a single matrix phase changes into a dual-phase structure and the tensile fracture behaviors convert from brittle to plastic pattern with increasing Cu content in CoCrNiCux alloys.In addi-tion,the tensile strength of CoCrNiCux alloys increased from 148 to 820 MPa,and the ductility increased from 1 to 11％with increasing Cu content.The nano-precipitated particles had a mean size of approximately 20 nm in the Cu-rich phase area,and a large number of neatly arranged misfit dislocations were observed at the interface between the two phases due to Cu-rich phase precipitation in the CoCrNiCu alloy.These misfit dislocations hinder the movement of dislocations during tensile deformation,as observed through transmission electron microscopy.This allows the CoCrNiCu alloy to reach the largest tensile strength and plasticity,and a new strengthening mechanism was achieved for the CoCrNiCu alloy.Moreover,twins were observed in the matrix phase after tensile fracture.Simultaneously,the dual-phase structure with different elastic moduli coordinated with each other during the deformation process,significantly improving the plasticity and strength of the CoCrNiCu alloy.     

电网设备线夹开裂原因

某电力公司变电站用铝合金设备线夹在运行过程发生批次开裂事故,通过宏观观察、断口分析、化学成分分析、力学性能测试、冷冻模拟试验等方法,对设备线夹的开裂原因和开裂机理进行了分析。结果表明:设备线夹焊缝存在焊接缺陷,导致焊缝强度下降;设备线夹接线管底部存在积水空间,寒冷天气下积水结冰,体积膨胀,使焊缝承受设计工况外的负载而过载开裂,造成了线夹开裂。     

Molding,patterning and driving liquids with light

When a laser beam induces surface tension gradient at the free surface of a liquid, a weak surface depression is expected and has been observed. Here we report giant depression and rupture in “optothermocapillary fluids” under the illumination of laser and sunlight. Computational fluid dynamics models were developed to understand the surface deformation and provided desirable physical parameters of the fluid for maximum deformation. New optothermocapillary fluids were created by mixing transparent lamp oil with different candle dyes. They can be cut open by sunlight and be patterned to different shapes and sizes using an ordinary laser show projector or a common laser pointer. Laser driving and elevation of optothermocapillary fluids, in addition to the manipulation of different droplets on their surface, were demonstrated as an efficient controlling method and platform for optofluidic operations. The fundamental understanding of light-induced giant depression and creation of new optothermocapillary fluids encourage the fundamental research and applications of optofluidics.     

Microstructures and properties of nickel-titanium carbide composites fabricated by laser cladding

In this work, Ni/TiC composites were synthesized by the laser cladding technique (LCT). A scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), microhardness meter, electrochemical workstation, and friction and wear tester examined the microstructure, surface morphology, phase structure, microhardness, wear, and corrosion resistances of the Ni/TiC composites. These results indicated the Ni/40TiC composite contained finer equiaxed crystals than the Ni and Ni/20TiC composites. In addition, numerous TiC particles in the Ni/40TiC composite impeded growth of the nickel crystals, which resulted in the fine microstructure of the Ni/40TiC composite. The Ni, Ni/20TiC, and Ni/40TiC composites exhibited face-centered cubic (f c c) lattices. The average microhardness values of the Ni/20TiC and Ni/40TiC composites were approximately 748 HV and 851 HV, respectively. The Ni/40TiC composite had the lowest friction coefficient (0.43) among all three coatings, and only some shallow scratches appeared on the surface of the Ni/40TiC composite. The corrosion potential (E) of Ni/40TiC exceeded the Ni/20TiC composite, and both were larger than the Ni composite, which indicated the Ni/40TiC composite had outstanding corrosion resistance and the Ni composite had poor corrosion resistance. The corrosion current densities (i) of Ni, Ni/20TiC, and Ni/40TiC composites were 5.912, 4.405, and 3.248 μA/cm², respectively.     

Comparative study of LuxY1-xAG (x=0..1) laser ceramics doped with 5% Yb3+

Materials with high thermo mechanical properties are required as laser media for high-powered lasers. One of such materials is lutetium-aluminum garnet (LuAG) doped with ytterbium. In the present work, we discuss for the first time a full comparative study of 5% Yb-doped LuYAG ceramics with variation Lu/Y ratio. Samples were prepared with addition of B₂O₃, MgO and SiO₂ which were used as sintering aids. Grain sizes, shrinkage curves, lattice constants and transmission spectra were measured for all samples. Thermal conductivity was measured in a wide temperature range for all studied samples. Output power of 12 W and 60% slope efficiency were obtained on the 5% Yb:LuAG disk laser.     

某X65钢级输气管道环焊缝泄漏失效分析

针对某X65输气管道环焊缝泄漏失效问题，通过无损探伤、硬度试验、金相组织分析、扫描电镜分析等方法，对钢管环焊缝进行了分析研究。分析结果显示，焊接接头组织未见明显异常，但裂纹附近存在疏松组织，该疏松组织主要元素为铁和氧，以及少量铝、硅、钙、硫元素。研究表明，该疏松组织为焊接时未清理干净的焊渣，在外力和内压作用下，夹渣处裂纹相互贯穿形成穿透性裂纹，裂纹由内表面向外表面扩展，导致焊缝产生开裂而发生泄漏。