Effect of microstructural features on the corrosion behavior of severely deformed Al–Mg–Si alloy

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of severe plastic deformation processing and the changes in microstructure resulting therefrom on the corrosion resistance of an Al–Mg–Si alloy. The alloy was processed using incremental equal channel angular pressing, which caused a reduction in grain size from 15 to 0.9 µm. The grain refinement was accompanied by an increase in the number of grain boundaries and dislocations, and by changes in grain orientation. However, there was no change in the size and number of intermetallic particles, which presumably resulted in a constant number of galvanic couplings. Electrochemical experiments revealed only slight differences between the samples before and after processing. Higher potential transients/oscillations upon immersion and increased corrosion currents in the vicinity of corrosion potential point to slightly higher reactivity of the most refined material. This indicates that intermetallic particles are the most crucial microstructural elements in terms of corrosion resistance. Their impact exceeds that of grain boundaries, in particular, at the stage of corrosion initiation. The development of corrosion attack is controlled more by the microstructure of the matrix as the grain refinement resulted in a less pronounced corrosion attack in comparison with the coarse-grained sample.     

辊速差对连铸连轧7075铝板显微组织、织构及力学性能的影响

研究辊速差对连铸连轧7075铝板显微组织、织构及力学性能的影响。采用3种不同上辊/下辊转速比(ω/ω0,ω为上辊转速,ω0为下辊转速)1:1、1:1.2及1:1.4进行多次试验。结果显示,在最大辊速差条件下(ω/ω0=1:1.4),7075铝板在轧制方向的屈服强度和极限抗拉强度分别提高41.5%和21.9%。此外,当辊速比ω/ω0为1:1.4时,成品轧制板的平均晶粒尺寸减小36%,横剖面平均硬度增加约9.2%。织构研究结果显示,辊速差越大,成品各向同性及硬度越大。然而,采用不同辊速度的连铸连轧会导致变形板伸长率降低约6%。     

5A06-O aluminium–magnesium alloy sheet warm hydroforming and optimization of process parameters

The uniaxial tensile test of the 5A06-O aluminium–magnesium (Al–Mg) alloy sheet was performed in the temperature range of 20–300 °C to obtain the true stress–true strain curves at different temperatures and strain rates. The constitutive model of 5A06-O Al–Mg alloy sheet with the temperature range from 150 to 300°C was established. Based on the test results, a unique finite element simulation platform for warm hydroforming of 5A06-O Al–Mg alloy was set up using the general finite element software MSC.Marc to simulate warm hydroforming of classic specimen, and a coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model for warm hydroforming of cylindrical cup was built up. Combined with the experiment, the influence of the temperature field distribution and loading conditions on the sheet formability was studied. The results show that the non-isothermal temperature distribution conditions can significantly improve the forming performance of the material. As the temperature increases, the impact of the punching speed on the forming becomes particularly obvious; the optimal values of the fluid pressure and blank holder force required for forming are reduced.     

Microstructure and some properties of powder-pack borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy with special attention to the microstructure at the interface TiB/substrate

The borided layer was prepared on the surface of the Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy by powder-pack boriding at 1000°C-10h. SEM, EPMA and TEM were used to investigate the effects of alloying elements (Al, V, Mo and Cr) on the growth of TiB whiskers in the borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Wear properties of borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy were investigated using dry reciprocating friction tests. SEM results show that the thickness of boride layer in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy is thinner than that in the Cp-Ti. This is attributed to the enrichment of alloying elements especially V in TiB/substrate by TEM, which hinders the diffusion of B atoms, thus resulting in the short and thick TiB whiskers in Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy. Borided Ti–5Mo–5V–8Cr–3Al alloy has the better wear resistance than as-received alloy.     

Preparation of Pt/Ce–Zr–Y mixed oxide/anodized aluminium oxide catalysts for hydrogen passive autocatalytic recombination

The use of a Pt-based catalyst was evaluated for autocatalytic hydrogen recombination. The Pt was supported on a mixture of Ce-, Zr- and Y-oxides (CZY) to yield nanosized Pt particles. The Pt/CZY/AAO catalyst was then prepared by the spray-deposition of the Pt/CZY intermediate onto an anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) layer on a metallic aluminum core. The Pt/CZY/AAO catalyst (3 × 1 cm) was evaluated for hydrogen combustion (1–8 vol% hydrogen in the air) in a recombiner section testing station. The thermal distribution throughout the catalyst surface was investigated using an infrared camera. The maximum temperature gradient (ΔT) for the examined hydrogen concentrations did not exceed 36 °C. The Pt/CZY/AAO catalyst was also evaluated for prolonged hydrogen combustion duration to assess its durability. An average combustion temperature of 239.0 ± 10.0 °C was maintained for 53 days of catalytic hydrogen combustion, suggesting that there was limited, or no, catalyst deactivation. Finally, a Pt/CZY/AAO catalytic plate (14.0 × 4.5 cm) was prepared to investigate the thermal distribution. An average surface temperature of 212.5 °C and a maximum ΔT of 5.4 °C was obtained throughout the catalyst surface at a 3 vol% hydrogen concentration.     

Microstructure,wear and corrosion characteristics of multiple-reinforced (SiC–B4C–Al2O3) Al matrix composites produced by liquid metal infiltration

In this study, AA7075 aluminum matrix composites reinforced with the combination of SiC, Al₂O₃, and B₄C particles were fabricated by the liquid metal infiltration method. The effects of the relative ratio of B₄C and Al₂O₃ particles on the microstructural, wear, and corrosion features of the composite samples were analyzed using XRD, light metal microscopy, SEM, EDS, Brinell hardness, ball-on-disc type tribometer, and potentiodynamic polarization devices. It was determined that infiltration occurred more successfully, and homogenously distributed particles with reduced porosity were obtained as the amount of Al₂O₃ increased. Worn surface studies revealed that the specimens were predominantly worn by abrasion and adhesion. The increase in B₄C/Al₂O₃ ratio caused a decrease in the hardness and wear strength, whereas it increased the corrosion resistance.     

Competitive growth of Al2O3/YAG/ZrO2 eutectic ceramics during directional solidification: Effect of interfacial energy

The microstructure evolution and growth behavior of the Al₂O₃/Y₃Al₅O₁₂(YAG)/ZrO₂ ternary eutectic ceramics during directional solidification were well investigated. During directional solidification of the Al₂O₃/YAG/ZrO₂ ternary eutectic ceramics, {} Al₂O₃ paralleled with {001}ZrO₂ while they did not parallel with {001}YAG at the same time in the competitive growth stage. All of the interfaces parallel to each other finally. The area percentage of the Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ and YAG/ZrO₂ interfaces are 40.4 ± 0.2% and 30.8 ± 0.1%, respectively, higher than that of the Al₂O₃/YAG (28.8 ± 0.2%). The content of Al₂O₃ and YAG phases are 39.9% and 41.1%, respectively, almost double of that of ZrO₂. The interfaces of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ and YAG/ZrO₂ are shorter and more dispersed than that of the Al₂O₃/YAG. It was found that the interfacial energy of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ and YAG/ZrO₂ interfaces are lower than that of Al₂O₃/YAG. It can be concluded that interfacial energy plays a decisive role in affecting the crystallographic orientation and interfaces distribution in the Al₂O₃/YAG/ZrO₂ eutectic since the interfaces of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ and YAG/ZrO₂ with lower interfacial energy can be formed more easily during directional solidification. Therefore, the contents of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ and YAG/ZrO₂ interfaces are higher. This study can provide theoretical guidance for interface design of multi-phase materials.     

Structural studies on Ca3Al4MgO10 (C3A2M)—A ternary phase in the system CaO–Al2O3–MgO

In a sequence of temperature-dependent solid-state reactions in the system CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO the formation of the ternary phase Ca₃Al₄MgO₁₀ or C₃A₂M has been studied. Whereas the compound could not be prepared at 1200°C, a yield of 85 wt.-% of Ca₃Al₄MgO₁₀ was obtained at 1320°C (incongruent melting point: 1330°C). Powder diffraction data compare well with results of previous investigations from the 1960s. Single crystals of Ca₃Al₄MgO₁₀ could be retrieved from the sinter-pellets. Basic crystallographic data are as follows: orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbcm, a = 5.14073(8), b = 16.7576(2), c = 10.70977(16) Å, V = 922.61(2) ų, Z = 4. Using synchrotron diffraction data it was possible to solve the crystal structure. Least-squares refinements resulted in a residual of R(|F|) = 0.021 for 1000 independent observed reflections with I > 2σ(I) and 97 parameters. The structure contains [TO₄]-tetrahedra (T=Al,Mg) forming a three-dimensional (3-D) framework whose topological characteristics have been determined. Al-Mg distributions on the different T-sites have been studied. The calcium cations are located in voids of the network. More than 50 years after its first observation our investigation clarifies the crystal structure of a compound belonging to a system that is of relevance for several fields of materials science.     

Red-shift and improved afterglow of Sr3Al2-xBxO5Cl2:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors via a cation substitution strategy

Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) long persistent phosphors were prepared via solid-state process. The pristine Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor exhibits orange/red broad band emission around 609 nm, which can be attributed to the electric radiation transitions 4f⁶5 d¹→4f⁷ of Eu²⁺. Upon the same excitation, the B³⁺-doped Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors display red-shift from 609 nm to 625 nm with increasing B³⁺ concentrations. The XRD patterns show that Al³⁺ can be replaced by B³⁺ in the host lattice at the tetrahedral site, which causes lattice contraction and crystal field enhancement, and thereafter achieves the red-shift on the emission spectrum. The XPS investigation provides direct evidence of the dominant 2-valent europium in the phosphor, which can be ascribed for the broad band emission of the prepared phosphors. The afterglow of all phosphors show standard double exponential decay behavior, and the afterglow of Sr₃Al₂O₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺is rather weak, while the sample co-doped with B³⁺shows longer and stronger afterglow, as confirmed after the curve simulation. The analysis of thermally stimulated luminescence showed that, when B³⁺ is introduced, a much deeper trap is created, and the density of the electron trap is also significantly increased. As a result, B³⁺ ions caused redshift and enhanced afterglow for the Sr₃Al_2-xB_xO₅Cl₂:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphor.     

Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study on the influence of La2O3 on the melt structure of SiO2–CaO–Al2O3–MgO

In order to gain more insights into the influence of rare earth elements on the melt structure of SiO₂–CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO glass ceramics, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques were used to study the influence of La₂O₃ on the Si–O/Al–O tetrahedron structure within SiO₂–CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO–quenched glass samples in this study. Results showed that some Raman peak shapes at low frequencies (200–840 cm^?1) changed significantly after the addition of La₂O₃, compared to the high frequency (840–1200 cm^?1) region that corresponds to the [SiO₄] structure, suggesting that the depolymerization of the low-frequency T–O–T (T=Si or Al) structure was more prevalent with La³⁺ addition. Besides, the depolymerization extent of the Si–O/Al–O tetrahedral network varied when the melt composition altered. Most notably, depolymerization is the most significant at a low CaO/SiO₂ ratio (0.25) and a high Al₂O₃ content (8%). Meanwhile, La³⁺ can promote the transformation of Si–O–Si and Al–O–Al bonds to the Si–O–Al ones, thereby forming a complex ionic cluster network interwoven with Si–O and Al–O tetrahedrons.