Effect of Nb content on the phase composition,densification, microstructure,and mechanical properties of high-entropy boride ceramics

Dense high-entropy (Hf,Zr,Ti,Ta,Nb)B₂ ceramics with Nb contents ranging from 0 to 20 at% were produced by a two-step spark plasma sintering process. X-ray diffraction indicated that a single-phase with hexagonal structure was detected in the composition without Nb. In contrast, two phases with the same hexagonal structure, but slightly different lattice parameters were present in compositions containing Nb. The addition of Nb resulted in the presence of a Nb-rich second phase and the amount of the second phase increased as the Nb content increased. The relative densities were all >99.5 %, but decreased from ～100 % to ～99.5 % as the Nb content increased from 0 to 20 at%. The average grain size decreased from 13.9 ± 5.5 μm for the composition without Nb additions to 5.2 ± 2.0 μm for the composition containing 20 at% Nb. The reduction of grain size with increasing Nb content was due to the suppression of grain growth by the Nb-rich second phase. The addition of Nb increased Young’s modulus and Vickers hardness, but decreased shear modulus. While some Nb dissolved into the main phase, a Nb-rich second phase was formed in all Nb-containing compositions.     

A new perspective of co-doping and Nd segregation effect on proton stability and transportation in Y and Nd co-doped BaCeO3

Bulk and surface properties of proton stability and transportation in Y and Nd co-doped BaCeO₃ (BCYN), especially the effect of Nd segregation, were investigated by first-principles calculations. Since the structure of doped BaCeO₃ at the operating temperature of proton-conducting has been unclear for a long time, we have summarized the latest experimental results and calculated the structure of the asymmetric BCYN for the first time. The results show that compared with Y, Nd doping promotes oxygen vacancy formation, however reduces proton stability. Our calculation can also provide a possible explanation for the formation of space charge layer at the grain boundary of doped BaCeO₃ in experiment. Unlike the stable Y in BCYN, Nd is calculated to be easily segregated, which can facilitate both proton hydration and proton transportation near the surface. Moreover, Nd segregation at the grain boundary is predicted to be beneficial for proton transportation between grains.     

The 3-dimensional morphology of dendrite during equiaxed solidification of an Al-5 wt.% Cu alloy

In a sample quenched during equiaxed solidification of an Al-5 wt.% Cu alloy, the multi-scales 3-dimensional morphology of equiaxed dendrite was observed. The slim primary stem and secondary branches constitute the frame of dendrite, and rows of dense tertiary branches further divide the 3-dimensional space. In the divided space, the quartic branches grow further. The dendritic branches,which are perpendicular to each other, can change their growth directions and coalesce into a whole. In the tertiary branches and quartic branches, the formation of double branch structures is induced by competitive growth. The branch that wins in the competitive growth will produce a cabbage-like structure by wrapping the failed branches. In addition, the side branch can also wrap the original parent branch to produce cabbage-like structures. Depending on the historical growth direction, the dendritic arms can form vein-like and spicate structures, and the shapes of single dendritic arm may be the cylinder, plate and trapezoid platform. According to the compositions and etching morphology, the single dendritic arm in the final solidification structures should coalesce from a fine porous structure. The porous structures at different length-scales are principally induced by the preferential growth. Based on 3-dimensional morphology of equiaxed dendrite, a new research object for the investigation of microsegregation was suggested.     

Discrete element method study on hopper discharge behaviors of binary mixtures of nonspherical particles

This study is aimed at unveiling the influence of binary mixtures of nonspherical particles on hopper discharge behavior, which remains poorly understood. The discrete element method (DEM) is employed to simulate seven particle types with aspect ratios between 0 and 2 (namely, a sphere, two ellipsoids, two cylinders, and two cuboids) with the same volume. Seven monodisperse systems and twelve binary-shape mixtures are assessed. For the monodisperse systems, particle shape is the dominant factor dictating discharge rate, compared to other factors like aspect ratio, preferential orientation, and packing. Regarding the binary-shape mixtures, the discharge rates are similar for all twelve mixtures, reflecting a surprising lack of shape effects, which in turn means the negligible impact of solid volume fraction, aspect ratio, and segregation extent. Moreover, collision force is generally negatively correlated with discharge rate.     

Strategy to design high performance TiB2-based materials: Strengthen grain boundaries by solid solute segregation

TiB₂ exhibits a unique combination of excellent properties that make it promising candidate for applications in extreme environments, where retention of strength at high temperatures is essential. Tailoring grain boundary properties by segregation is believed a prominent way to design high-temperature performance of ceramics. In this work, segregation tendencies of solute elements, including Sc, Y, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W, in TiB₂ grain boundaries and the strengthening/weakening effects induced by segregations are investigated by first-principles calculations. The results reveal that small atoms tend to segregate to grain boundary sites with local compression strains, while large atoms prefer grain boundary sites with local expansion strains. Deteriorated grain boundary strength is usually caused by additional expansion strain induced by segregation, while improved grain boundary strength results from either enhanced local bonding induced by segregation of small atoms or increased fracture strain due to segregation of large atoms. Cr and V, especially Cr, exhibit strong segregation tendency and improvement on grain boundary strength, which provides useful guidelines for the design of high performance TiB₂-based materials.     

基于非线性动力学的锂沉积形貌模拟与预测

金属锂具有极高的理论能量密度，是新一代锂电池中最有潜力的负极材料之一。金属锂沉积时容易形成枝晶，极大影响了锂金属电池的安全性与使用寿命。但由于金属锂性质活泼，缺乏锂电极/电解液界面原位表征方法，锂枝晶生长机制尚不明确。通过有限元方法，基于非线性电极过程动力学，以三次电流模型定量研究了电极/电解液界面行为，并分析不同过程参数对表面电流的影响。结果表明，电极/电解质界面的浓度、电场差异是枝晶生长的主要原因，更大的扩散系数有利于提高界面浓度均匀性，更小的交换电流密度有利于减弱界面反应的敏感性。存在电化学极化区间是均匀沉积的必要条件，电化学极化区间越宽，均匀沉积操作窗口越宽。通过极化曲线可以判断体系是否具有均匀沉积的倾向。加深了对锂电极/电解液界面的电沉积过程的理解，对锂负极保护研究具有指导性意义。     

Grain boundary strengthening in ZrB2 by segregation of W: Atomistic simulations with deep learning potential

Interaction between grain boundaries and impurities usually leads to significant altering of material properties. Understanding the composition-structure-property relationship of grain boundaries is a key avenue for tailoring and designing high performance materials. In this work, we studied segregation of W into ZrB₂ grain boundaries by a hybrid method combining Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD), and examined the effects of segregation on grain boundary strengths by MD tensile testing with a fitted machine learning potential. It is found that W prefers grain boundary sites with local compression strains due to its smaller size compared to Zr. Rich segregation patterns (including monolayer, off-center bilayer, and other complex patterns); segregation induced grain boundary structure reconstruction; and order-disorder like segregation pattern transformation are discovered. Strong segregation tendency of W into ZrB₂ grain boundaries and significant improvements on grain boundary strengths are certified, which guarantees outstanding high temperature performance of ZrB₂-based UHTCs.     

Nb和时效时间对热轧中锰TRIP钢中P偏聚的影响

热轧态中锰TRIP钢首先经650 ℃退火2 h,随后在550 ℃进行等温时效热处理,采用场发射扫描电镜(FE-SEM)研究该钢中P的偏聚和时效析出行为的变化情况。结果表明,中锰TRIP钢中P在晶界的偏聚是一种非平衡偏聚现象,临界时间约为50 h,与理论计算结果48 h较为吻合。在局部偏聚区域内,C与P存在共偏聚的关系,即P偏聚量高的地方,C含量也高。而合金元素Nb具有抑制P偏聚的效果,在20~70 h时效时间内,可以相对降低6.57%~19.5%的最大P偏聚量。根据电子背散射衍射(EBSD)菊池线分析,P偏聚量低于2.28at%时,P为固溶状态,高于2.28at.%时,P为析出状态。