Corrosion behavior of T24, T92, VM12, and AISI 304 steels exposed to KCl–NaCl–K2SO4–Na2SO4 salt mixtures

The corrosion mechanisms of T24, T92, VM12, and AISI 304 steels are studied under the influence of NaCl–KCl, NaCl–Na₂SO₄, and KCl–K₂SO₄ salt mixtures in a dry air atmosphere at 650°C for 15 days. NaCl–KCl was the most aggressive deposit and AISI 304 stainless steel exhibited the highest corrosion resistance. There was no relation between the Cr content of the ferritic steels and their corrosion resistance in NaCl–KCl. In contrast, the resistance of high-Cr steels was better when exposed to NaCl–Na₂SO₄ and KCl–K₂SO₄. The high-Cr and the low-Cr steels were more susceptible to NaCl–Na₂SO₄ and to KCl–K₂SO₄, respectively.     

Reduced‐scale test to assess the effect of fire barriers on the flaming combustion of cored composites: An upholstery‐material case study

Herein, we describe a reduced‐scale test (“Cube” test), measuring the fire performance of specimens including a fire barrier (FB) and a flammable core material, which acts as the main fuel load. The specimen is intended to reproduce a cross‐section of a composite product where heat/mass transfer occurs primarily in a direction perpendicular to the FB. The Cube test procedure and benefits are discussed in this work by adopting residential upholstery furniture as an exemplary study. One flexible polyurethane foam, one polypropylene cover fabric, and 10 commercially available FBs were selected. They were used to compare the fire performance of FBs, measured in terms of peak of heat release rate, in the ASTM E1474‐14 standard test and the newly developed Cube test. Edge effects severely affected the performance of FBs in the ASTM E1474‐14 standard test but not in the Cube test. Furthermore, appropriate test conditions were determined in the Cube test to measure the so‐called “wetting point,” that is, the time and value of heat release rate measured when flammable liquid products were first observed on the bottom of the specimen. The relevance of the “wetting point” in terms of full‐scale fire performance and failure mechanism of FBs is discussed.     

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.     

An analytical method for the analysis of trihalomethanes in ambient air using solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry: An application to indoor swimming pool complexes

A simple method for the collection and analysis of the four brominated and chlorinated trihalomethanes (THMs) in air samples is described. Ambient air samples were collected in pre‐prepared glass vials, with THM analysis performed using solid‐phase microextraction gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, where the need for chemical reagents is minimized. Analytical parameters, including oven temperature program, solvent volume, incubation time, vial agitation, extraction time and temperature, as well as desorption time and temperature, were evaluated to ensure optimal method performance. The developed method allows for point‐in‐time quantification (compared to an average concentration measured over extended periods of time), with detection limits between 0.7 to 2.6 µg/m³. Excellent linearity (r² > 0.99), repeatability (3% to 11% RSD), and reproducibility (3% to 16% RSD) were demonstrated over a concentration range from 2 to 5000 µg/m³. The method was validated for the analysis of THMs in indoor swimming pool air and was used to investigate the occurrence of THMs in the air above 15 indoor swimming pools. This is the first study to report the occurrence of THMs in swimming pool air in Australia, and concentrations higher than those previously reported in other countries were measured.     

First principles computational studies of spontaneous reduction reaction of Eu(III) in eutectic LiCl‐KCl molten salt

Using first principles calculations, we study fundamental mechanism of spontaneous reduction reaction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ in eutectic LiCl‐KCl molten salt. We decouple the reaction Gibbs free energy into enthalpy and entropy contributions by using rigorous thermodynamic formalism. Key structural features of the solvation shell are characterized by the radial distribution function and the coordination number. Compared with Eu²⁺, the Eu³⁺ ion has a more rigid framework of the solvation shells, corroborating its stronger electrostatic interaction with neighboring ligands of Cl^? ions and a more favorable state on the aspect of enthalpy. Computations on vibrational frequency, however, pose significant contribution of vibrational entropy to the reaction Gibbs free energy for the reduction. Vibration frequency of Eu²⁺ is smaller than that of Eu³⁺, driving a more positive change of the entropy in the reduction reaction. Furthermore, an Eu²⁺ diffuses more quickly than an Eu³⁺ in the LiCl‐KCl molten salt with switching mechanism of ligand Cl^? ions in the solvation shell. Our results propose that the spontaneity of the reduction reaction is driven by the entropic contribution by overcoming the penalty of the reaction enthalpy.     

Ni,Cr, and Fe surfaces corroded by molten ZnCl2

Understanding the corrosion of molten ZnCl₂ on metal surfaces is significant for the corrosion protection of metals, sustainable use of molten salts, preparation of ZnO coatings, and so on. In this paper, surfaces of pure Ni, Cr, and Fe corroded by molten ZnCl₂ were investigated. The results show that Ni suffered very slight corrosion, while Cr experienced more serious corrosion than Ni, but lighter corrosion than Fe. The morphology of the corrosion of Cr and Fe, respectively, presented pitting and intergranular corrosion characteristics. Furthermore, nanostructured ZnO coatings were obtained on the surfaces of Ni and Fe, but not on the surface of Cr. The ZnO coating on the Ni surface was doped with a small amount of Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂, and the ZnO coating on the Fe surface was doped with ZnFe₂O₄ and Zn₂OCl₂. The coatings on the Ni and Fe surfaces had an average thickness of 1.5 and 50 μm, respectively.     

喷涂功率对YSZ涂层的力学性能和抗铝硅熔体腐蚀性能的影响

热浸镀Al–Si合金涂层是一种有效的现代钢铁防腐涂层，但熔融Al–Si合金腐蚀已成为热浸镀Al–Si合金生产线沉没辊及其备件亟待解决的关键问题之一。本工作采用大气等离子喷涂技术制备Y2O3部分稳定ZrO2(YSZ)/NiCrAlY防护涂层，研究了喷涂功率对YSZ涂层组织和力学性能的影响和涂层在700℃下Al–Si熔体中的腐蚀行为。结果表明，YSZ涂层是由板条和层间柱状晶粒组成的典型层状结构，随着喷涂功率从37 kW增至46 kW，层间柱状结晶呈长大趋势；YSZ涂层主要由t-ZrO2相和少量m-ZrO2相组成，喷涂功率对涂层相组成无明显影响；喷涂功率为40 kW的YSZ涂层具有较高的显微硬度642.4 HV0.3和结合强度62 MPa。此外，当带有涂层的样品在700℃的Al–Si熔液中腐蚀240 h后，YSZ涂层与高温Al–Si熔液之间的界面没有反应层生成，同时Al–Si合金熔液中的Al和Si元素也未渗透进YSZ涂层内部，表明YSZ/NiCrAlY防护涂层有效地将Al–Si合金熔体阻挡在涂层表面。     

高速激光热丝钎焊表面成形质量的控制

高速激光钎焊会引起熔池流动紊乱导致焊缝成形质量恶化,从而限制了其在汽车制造领域的应用。通过正交试验研究了高速下激光功率、送丝角度等工艺参数对焊缝成形质量的影响,发现焊缝成形质量随激光功率增加和送丝角度减小而提升。激光功率是通过影响熔池获得的热输入,从而影响熔池表面扰动的铺展来影响焊缝成形质量的。送丝角度是通过影响焊丝送入熔池的位置,从而影响焊丝对熔池的扰动强度和扰动的铺展速度来影响焊缝成形质量的。采用正交试验获得的最优工艺参数组合进行试验,获得了表面光滑平整无缺陷的高质量焊缝,为激光钎焊在高速下的应用发展奠定了基础。     

Synthesis of high-entropy diboride nanopowders via molten salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction

Powder synthesis is critical for implementing the wide applications of high-entropy diborides (HEBs). However, the low-temperature synthesis of HEB powders was rarely reported. Herein, the low-temperature synthesis of the single-phase HEB nanopowders via molten salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction (MMR) method was reported for the first time. The results showed that the as-synthesized nanopowders consisted of the single-phase HEBs and their average particle sizes are in the range of 28-56 nm. Meanwhile, they possessed the good compositional homogeneity and the low-content oxygen impurity in the range of 4.13-6.12 at%. In addition, their formation mechanism could be well interpreted by a classical MMR growth process.