Correction to: Co-sputtering of Al1−xScxN thin films on Pt(111): a characterization by Raman and IR spectroscopies

Journal of Materials Science -     

The influence of high-energy impacts on the microstructure of synthesized metal ceramics

On the example of the metal-ceramic alloy of titanium carbide (TiC) with nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) binder, the comparative analysis of the influence of different high-energy impacts on the dispersion of the internal structure and phase composition of the synthesized metal ceramics 70 vol % TiC + 30 vol % (Ni-Cr) has been performed for the first time (self-spreading high-temperature synthesis (SSHTS) under pressure, preliminary mechanical activation (MA) of metal components of the initial powder mixture titanium-carbon-nickel-chromium binder, subsequent MA of the whole powder mixture, and intense plastic deformation of the synthesis product). It has been demonstrated that, under intense plastic deformation with extrusion of the high-temperature synthesis product, there a metal-ceramic structure forms containing particles of the nanosized carbide phase of the stoichiometric composition.     

Plasma Sprayed Metal-Ceramic Coatings and Modification of Their Structure with Pulsed Electron Beam Irradiation

Composite powder obtained from mechanically crushed titanium carbide—metal binder cermet compacts deserves special mention for plasma spraying of wear-resistant coatings. However, cermet coatings sprayed using this powder have comparatively high porosity. The porosity causes the mechanical strength of the coating to largely deteriorate, and it also lowers the strength of the bond between the coating and the substrate. Computational and physical experiments were performed in this area to reveal the possibilities offered by pulsed electron beam irradiation for structural modification of 70 vol.%TiC-(Ni-Cr) powder coatings. The authors evaluated optimal values of process parameters for suitability in implementing a controlled thermal treatment of coatings under conditions of solid-liquid interaction of components in the cermet composition with each other and with the steel substrate. Evolution of the structure and physical properties of the cermet coatings under rapid heating and following cooling in a wide range of temperatures typical of pulsed irradiation conditions have been examined.     

Oxidation of molten impurities in converters by means of combustion flames: Thermodynamic principles. 2. Interaction of flame with metal and slag in converter bath

Thermodynamic analysis is applied to the physicochemical processes in the converter bath when intensifying bath heating by means of gas–oxygen burners. In the converter’s working space, when the combustion flames interact with the liquid bath, the oxygen and natural gas supplied through the burners and the oxygen supplied through the tuyere interact in a bubbling slag–metal emulsion. As a result, iron and the impurities are oxidized. The use of such burners changes the gas composition: not only O₂, CO, and CO₂ are present, but also H₂ and H₂O, which changes the oxidative capacity of the gas phase. The presence of solid carbon (for example, pulverized coal) in the burner flame may be used to control and intensify the combustion process. Combustion is most effective in the oxidation of carbon to CO when the oxygen excess is less than 1.0. The oxidation conditions of carbon in the melt change with variation in its activity as a function of its concentration and the temperature. The equilibrium in the M–O–C system may be described by the oxygen partial pressure \({P_{{O_2}}}\), which may be regarded as a universal characteristic. In addition, the equilibrium may be assessed on the basis of the associated ratios \({P_{CO}}/{P_{C{O_2}}}\) and \({P_{{H_2}}}/{P_{{H_2}O}}\) It is found that iron may be oxidized by oxygen and, to some extent, by carbon dioxide. At 1600–2000 K, there is practically no oxidation of iron by steam. The carbon dissolved in the steel is oxidized relatively effectively by oxygen and carbon dioxide until its concentration is less than 0.1% C. Steam oxidizes carbon very poorly and is not much more effective with manganese and silicon. With increase in temperature, the rate at which carbon dissolved in steel is oxidized by oxygen increases, while the oxidation rate of manganese and silicon falls. Above 1800 K, superoxidized slag with a high FeO content actively oxidizes silicon (to <2% Si), manganese (to <1% Mn), and carbon (to <1.5% C).     

Application of plasma spraying in the preparation of metal-supported catalysts

Catalysts supported on metals are widely used today, but room still remains for further improvement of catalyst characteristics. The subject of this paper is the application of a plasma spray for the deposition of alumina coatings on metal substrates of different geometry (plates, foams) for subsequent synthesis of catalysts. The alumina layer sprayed successfully solves two different problems: (i) it serves as a washcoat on which a catalyst is synthesized, and (ii) it protects the metal surface from oxidation at high temperatures.     

Spreading and solidification of a metal droplet with a high volume concentration of solid refractory inclusions on a substrate

In the present paper, a physical engineering model is proposed to describe the process of spreading and solidification of a droplet of metallic melt containing a high volume concentration of fine solid inclusions and impacting onto a substrate. The model enables quick estimation of the final thickness and diameter of the solidified disk, or splat, formed on the substrate surface. The results obtained may prove useful for specialists in the field of thermal spraying and, in particular, plasma spraying of nano- and submicrostructured powder coatings.     

Preparation of Carbon-Doped TiO2 Nanopowder Synthesized by Droplet Injection of Solution Precursor in a DC-RF Hybrid Plasma Flow System

Carbon-doped titanium dioxide nanopowder has received much attention because of its higher photocatalytic performance, which is practically activated not only by UV, but also by visible light irradiation. In the present study, C-TiO₂ nanopowder was synthesized by droplet injection of solution precursor in a DC-RF hybrid plasma flow system, resulting in higher photocatalytic performance even under visible light irradiation. In-flight C-TiO₂ nanoparticles reacted with the high concentration of carbon in plasma flow and were then deposited on the surfaces of two quartz tubes in the upstream and downstream regions of this system. The collected C-TiO₂ nanopowder contained anatase-rutile mixed-phase TiO₂ and TiC, the contents of which depended on the location of the powder collection, the temperature, and the duration of plasma treatment. Highly functional C-TiO₂ nanopowder collected in the downstream region exhibited a higher degradation rate of methylene blue than that of single-phase anatase TiO₂, even under visible light irradiation, in spite of being TiC.     

Peculiarities of the composition of solid phases formed in aqueous calcium–silicate systems with a medium of variable acidity

The effect of a medium’s acidity on the composition of the solid phase formed in aqueous calcium-silicate systems is investigated. Solutions of Са(NO₃)₂ and Na₂SiO₃ are used for the synthesis; the pH values were varied in the range 7.00–12.00. Freshly precipitated solid phases and products of their annealing at 1000°C were studied by the methods of Fourier IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).