Influence of isothermal aging onσprecipitation in super duplex stainless steel

The time-temperature-transformation (TTT) curve of the 00Cr25Ni7Mo4N duplex stainless steel was obtained with a Formastot-digital thermal dilatometer,and the influence of isothermal aging on σ precipitation was studied by metallographic observation,X-ray diffraction (XRD),and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).The results show that the decomposition of ferrite phase is accompanied by the formation of σ phase at 750-1000℃,especially in the range of 800-900℃.The longer the aging time,the higher the amount of σ precipitation.The area fraction of various phases remains at a certain value upon the completion of ferrite deformation.The temperature of 850℃ is the most sensitive transaction temperature,the incubation time for the formation of o precipitation is less than 1 min,and aging for 20 min leads to the complete transformation of ferrite.The o phase is formed preferentially at the α/α/γ junction,and then grows along the α/α boundary in the matrix.     

Relationships between the precipitation of α2 ordered phase and alloying elements／electron concentration in α＋α2 titanium alloys

Some experimental α α2 alloys were prepared by the addition of tin or aluminum elements into Ti-55 alloy. These alloys were designed with varied electron concentration values and named as Sn-rich alloys and Al-rich alloys, respectively. The precipitation and growth of α2 ordered phase in the tested alloys under various heat treatment conditions were investigated. Some comparisons among the experimental results were performed and discussed in detail. Stronger precipitation and growth of α2 ordered phasewere caused in Al-rich alloys but relatively weak change in Sn-rich alloys with increasing the electron concentration. The precipitation of α2 ordered phase in Al-rich alloys is stronger than that in Sn-rich alloys when the electron concentration value is the same for the two alloys.     

Sigma phase precipitation and properties of super-duplex stainless steel UNS S32750 aged at the nose temperature

The nose temperature for σ-phase precipitation in super-duplex stainless steel (SDSS) UNS S32750 was evaluated by hardness method.Color-optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy spectrum analysis,impact and corrosion testing were carried out to investigate characteristics of microstructure and properties of the SDSS aged at the nose temperature.The experimental results indicate that the nose temperature of precipitation is 920℃ and aging at this temperature tiny σ phases can precipitate at phase interfaces or ferrite grain boundaries within 2min.Prolonging aging duration the amount ofσ-phase increases and a dual structure with σ and γ is obtained when aging for 120min.The precipitation ofσ-phase leads to severe deterioration in impact toughness (longitudinal/transverse direction) and corrosion resistance of SDSS.     

Synthesis of Cordierite by Decomposition of Metal Nitrates on the Surface of Carbon Black Powder

Cordierite precursor was obtained through a process, which inwolved the decomposition of metal nitrates on the surface of ultrafine carbon black pouder between 100-300℃ and the gasification of the carbon black at higher temperature in air ,the average size of the particles,which were heat-treated at 700℃ for 10h is about 1020nm,and the specific surface area is about 129m^2/g,the experimental restults show that the ultrafine particles of cordierite precursor can be produced by this process.the precursor potcder was cacined at different temperatures.X-ray diffraction examination indicates the β-quartz is crystallized from the amorphous matrixaround 850℃ firstly and then MgO-Al2O3 spinel and α-cordierite appears.Above 1000℃.MgO-Al2O3spinel and cristobalite disappear gradnally and form an intermediate phase(sapphirine)At aronmd 1300℃.the main phase is α-cordierite,and no other phase is detected.     

Precipitation behavior of B2—like particles in Fe—Cu binary alloy

The precipitation behavior in Fe-Cu binary alloy was investigated under transmission electron microscope(TEM) during aging at 650℃ for the time range of 100s to 300h,In addition to the zones with higher copper content and ε-Cu were observed,a metastable phase with B2-like structure was found in the early stage of the precipitation process,which is quite different from the equilibrium copper phase shown in the Fe-Cu binary phase diagram and has perfect coherent relationship to the α-Fe matrix.The appearance of B2-like structure is very important concerning the mechanism of aging strengthening effect and mechanical properties of corresponding engineering steels and alloys containing copper.     

Alloying elements characterization in a Ti-5.6Al-4.8Sn-2Zr-1Mo-0.35Si-1Nd titanium alloy by carbon addition

The effects of carbon addition (0.01wt%-0.43wt%) on a Ti-5.6Al-4.8Sn-2Zr-1Mo-0.35Si-1Nd (wt%) alloy with a bimodal microstructure were investigated. Electron probe microanalysis was carried out to examine the partitioning behavior of carbon and the relation of carbon content to the distributions of Al and Mo in the primary α phase (αp) and β transformed structure (β). It was found that interstitial carbon is enriched in the αp phase and its content slightly reduces with the increase of the volume fraction of αp.The measurements of carbon content in the present alloy with an αp of 15vo1% showed that the carbon content in the αp phase increases with the increment of carbon addition until a maximum but keeps almost constant in the β phase. The addition of carbon reduces the solubility of Al and Mo in the αp phase and leads to the increment of Mo partitioning to the β phase. When the carbon content is over 0.17wt% (0.67at%), carbide precipitation occurs in the matrix and its volume fraction is related to the volume fraction of αp which can be explained in term of the difference of carbon solubility in the αp and β phases.     

Microscopic phase-field simulation of Cr atom substitution character during formation of Ll2 and DO22 phases in Ni-Cr-Al alloy

The simulations of Cr atom substitution character during the formation of L12 and DO22 phases in Ni-Cr-Al alloy were performed at 873 K based on microscopic phase-field model. It is found that the substitution of Cr is affected by Cr and Al contents and limits of occupation probabilities of Cr atom in L12 phase are present. The precipitate is single L12 phase when the component is less than the limit, Cr atoms substitute the Al sublattices in Ll2 phase, and both of atoms Al and Cr occupy the β-sites and complex phases Ni3（Al1-xCrx） are formed; Cr atoms enter Ni sites when Al and Cr contents exceed the limit, and substitute β-sites or both of α- and β-sites. The DO22 phase is formed at the boundary of Ll2 phase.     

A novel annealing method to uniformly refine deformed mixed grain microstructure of a solution-treated Ni-based superalloy

Increasing static recrystallization(SRX) nucleation rate and decreasing grain growth rate are the main ways to obtain uniform and fine grain microstructure by annealing treatment. However, it is contradictory to raise the SRX nucleation rate and reduce grain growth rate during isothermal annealing treatment. This is because the increase of the SRX nucleation rate needs to raise annealing temperature, while the decline of grain growth rate needs to reduce the annealing temperature. To solve the contradiction, a novel method named cooling recrystallization annealing treatment(CRT) is designed and verified. For the CRT, the relatively high annealing temperature in the primary stage can promote SRX nucleation, and the gradually decreased annealing temperature can reduce the growth rate of SRX grains. Besides, an aged treatment is first carried out to precipitate high content of the δ phase before the CRT. Enough δ phases not only provide large numbers of sites for SRX nucleation but also limit the grain growth due to the pinning effect, especially in the primary high-temperature stage. The results show that the novel method can refine deformed mixed grain microstructure well when the suitable cooling rate, start and final recrystallization annealing temperatures are employed. The deformed mixed grain can be uniformly refined to an average size of 8.26 μm with the route of 900℃×12 h+1020℃→970℃×20 min.     

Elevated-temperature properties of one long-life high-strength gun steel

The hardness, tensile strength and impact toughness of one quenched and tempered steel with nominal composition of Fe0.25C-3.0Cr-3.0Mo-0.6Ni-0. 1Nb (mass fraction) both at room temperature and at elevated temperatures were investigated in order to develop high-strength steel for long-life gun barrel use. It is found that the steel has lower decrease rate of tensile strength at elevated temperature in comparison with the commonly used G4335V high-strength gun steel, which contains higher Ni and lower Cr and Mo contents. The high elevated-temperature strength of the steel is attributed to the strong secondary hardening effect and high tempering softening resistance caused by the tempering precipitation of fine Mo-rich M2C carbides in the α-Fe matrix. The experimental steel is not susceptible to secondary hardening embrittlement, meanwhile, its room-temperature impact energy is much higher than the normal requirement of impact toughness for high strength gun steels. Therefore, the steel is suitable for production of long-life high-strength gun barrels with the combination of superior elevated-temperature strength and good impact toughness.     

Evolution of microstructure and high temperature tensile properties of as-extruded Ti Bw reinforced near-α titanium matrix composite subjected to heat treatments

The Ti Bw reinforced near-α titanium matrix composite(Ti-5.8 Al-3.4 Zr-4.0 Sn-0.4 Mo-0.4 Nb-0.4 Si-0.06 C) was successfully synthesized by powder metallurgy and hot extrusion route. The effects of solution and aging temperature on the microstructure and high temperature tensile properties of the composite were investigated. The results revealed that the fine transformed β phase can be obtained by the solution treatment at β phase region and aging treatment, no other precipitates were observed. The α2 phase(Ti3 Al) can be acquired when the solution treated at α+β phase region followed by aging treatment. With increasing the aging temperature from 500 to 700°C for 5 h, the size of α2 precipitates increases from about 5 to about 30 nm. The Ti Bw are stable without any interfacial reaction during the heat treatments. The high temperature tensile properties show that the composite performed by solution and aging treatment exhibits good strengthening effects. With increasing the aging temperature from 500 to 700°C, the strength of the composite increases at the expense of elongation due to the increment of α2 precipitates.The strength of the composite at 600°C increases by 17% to 986 MPa after 1000°C/2 h/AC and 700°C/5 h/AC heat treatment.     

Phase Transformation Strengthening of Hot Extruded Inconel 625 under High-temperature Load Environment

Microstructure evolution and properties of hot-extruded Inconel 625 alloy were investigated at different creep temperatures, aging time and strain rates. The experimental results indicate that the Inconel 625 alloy exhibits an excellent creep resistance at 700 ℃ and below. When the creep temperature rises to 750 ℃, the creep resistance falls drastically due to the failure of phase transformation strengthening and the precipitation of a large amount of δ phase and σ phase at the grain boundary. The special temperature-sensitive characteristics of Inconel 625 alloy play a very important role in its fracture. When the strain rate is 8.33×10~(-3)s~(-1), the strength of the specimen is higher than that of other parameters attributed to the effect of phase transformation strengthening. With the increase of Ni_3(Al, Ti), the phase transformation strengthening inhibits thickening of the stacking faults into twins and improves the overall mechanical properties of the alloy. With the increase of the aging time, the granular Cr-rich M_(23)C_6 carbides continue to precipitate at the grain boundary, which hinders the movement of the dislocations and obviously increases the strength of the samples. Especially, the yield strength increases several times.     

A high-performance Mg-Er-Zn-Zr alloy with low Er/Zn mass ratio

The microstructure and properties of a quarternary Mg-8Er-5Zn-0.5Zr(mass fraction, %) alloy with the low Er/Zn mass ratio of 1.60 were investigated. It is found that despite of the low Er/Zn mass ratio, the microstructure of the as-prepared alloy is composed of α-Mg, W phase with face-centered cubic structure and long packed stacking ordered(LPSO) phase. As expected, the extruded and annealed alloy possesses high yield stress(310 MPa) and good elongation(14%) at room temperature. The superior mechanical properties can be interpreted in terms of the promising microstructure characteristic of fine α-Mg recrystallized grains embedded with high-density fine lamellar-shaped LPSO phase and block W phase structure.     

Effects of heat treatment temperature on crystallization and thermal expansion coefficient of Li_2O-Al_2O_3-SiO_2

The basic glass of Li2 O-Al2 O3-SiO2 system using P2O5 as nucleator was prepared by means of conventional melt quenching technology, and the heat-treatment process was determined by using differential thermal analysis. The crystalline phases and the microstructure of the glass-ceramics were investigated by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the glass based on Li2 O-Al2 O3-SiO2 oxides using P2 O5 as nucleator can be prepared at lower melt temperature of 1 450 ℃ and the glass-ceramics with lower thermal expansion coefficient of 21.6 × 10-7 ℃ 1 can also be obtained at 750 ℃. The glass-ceramics contain a few crystal phases in which the main crystal phase is β-quartz solid solution and the second crystal phase is β-spodumene solid solution. When the heat treatment temperature is not higher than 650 ℃, the transparent glass-ceramics containing β-quartzsolid solution can be prepared. β-quartz solid solution changes into β-spodumene solid solution at about 750 ℃. And the appearance of the glass-ceramics changes from translucent, part opaque to complete opaque with increasing temperature.     

Effect of low temperature aging on microstructure and mechanical properties of super-high strength aluminum alloy

The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of two alloys, namely Al- 12.2%Zn-2.48%Cu-2.0%Mg-0.15%Zr-0. 166%Ag（alloy 1）, and Al-9.99%Zn-1.72%Cu-2.5%Mg-0.13%Zr（alloy 2） were investigated. The results show that low temperature aging after promotive solution treatment can increase elongation without the loss of strength for the studied alloys. The optimum aging treatment （T6） for alloy 1 and alloy 2 is 100 ℃/80 h and 100 ℃/48 h, respectively. Compared with other heat treatment alloys, alloy 1 and alloy 2 show super-high tensile strength up to 753 MPa and 788 MPa, remaining 9.3% and 9.7% elongation under T6 condition, respectively. During aging, trace addition of Ag enhances the formations of GP zone and metastable phase, and stabilizes GP zone and metastable phase to a higher temperature. Trace addition of Ag prolongs the aging time of reaching the peak strength and delays over-aging condition of the alloy. However, trace addition of Ag promotes the formation of coarse constituent in the alloy and consumes hardening alloying elements of Zn and Mg. Moreover, the addition of the transition element Zr in 7000 series super-high alloy forms incoherent Al3 Zr dispersoid which can serve as nucleation sites for nonuniform precipitation of η phase during aging process. The higher the aging temperature, the greater the tendency for nonuniform precipitation of η phase.     

Temperature effect on translocation speed and capture rate of nanopore-based DNA detection

We study the effects of electrolyte temperature on DNA molecule translocation experimentally without and with a temperature gradient across nanopore membranes.The same temperatures on both electrolyte chambers are first considered.The DNA molecule translocation time is measured to be 2.44 ms at 2°C in both chambers,which is 1.57 times longer than at 20°C.Then the temperature difference effect is characterized in both chambers.The results show that the DNA translocation speed can be slowed down as long as one side temperature is lowered,irrespective of the temperature gradient direction.This indicates that the thermophoretic driving force generated by a temperature gradient has no obvious effect on the threading speed of DNA molecules,while the main reason for the slowed DNA translocation speed is the increased viscosity.Interestingly,the capture rate of DNA molecules is enhanced under a temperature gradient condition,and the capture rate during DNA translocation from hot side at 21°C to cold one at 2°C is 1.7 times larger than that under the condition of both chambers at 20°C.Finally,an optimized configuration is proposed to acquire higher capture rates and lower DNA translocation speeds.     

Microstructural characteristics of cold-rolled Zr-2.5Nb alloy annealed near the monotectoid temperature

A dual-phase Zr-2.5 Nb alloy was rolled at room temperature to 50% reduction and then annealed at two temperatures(560 and580°C) near the monotectoid temperature. X-ray diffraction, electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction techniques were jointly used to characterize microstructural characteristics developed in the as-rolled and annealed specimens. Results show that plastic deformation occurs in both bulk α-Zr grains and thin β-Zr films during rolling, allowing large lattice strains to be accumulated in β-Zr and active dislocation slip(especially the prismatic áa?slip) to be initiated in α-Zr. During subsequent annealing at 580°C, the prior β-Zr films are transformed into submicron β-Zr particles, which lose coherency(the Burgers orientation relationship) with surrounding α grains. In the specimen annealed at 560°C, however, the prior β-Zr films are found to be decomposed into nanoscale β-Nb particles. In both the annealed specimens, the β-Zr and the β-Nb particles appeared to be linearly distributed along the rolling direction. Two types of α structures, i.e., small equiaxed crystallites formed by recovery of dislocation structures and coarse bamboo-like recrystallized grains, are revealed in the annealed specimens. Effective boundary pinning due to the dense β-phase particles is demonstrated to play a key role in forming such unusual bamboo-like grains.     

Atomic scale KMC simulation of {100} oriented CVD diamond film growth under low substrate temperature—part Ⅱ Simulation of CVD diamond film growth in C—H system and in Cl—containing systems

The growth of {100}-oriented CVD diamond film under two modifications of J-B-H model at low substrate temperatures was simulated by using a revised KMC method at atomic scale,The results were compared both in Cl-containing systems and in C-H system as follows:(1) Substrate temperature can produce an important effect both on film deposition rate and on surface roughness;(2) Aomic Cl takes an active role for the growth of diamond film at low temperatues;(3){100}-oriented diamond film cannot deposit under single carbon insertion mechanism,which disagrees with the predictions before;(4) The explanation of the exact role of atomic Cl is not provided in the simulation results.     

Mechanism of α-Cr precipitation and crystallographic relationships between α-Cr and δ phases in Inconel 718 alloy after long-time thermal exposure

To study the precipitation mechanism of α-Cr phase in Inconel 718 alloy, the samples after long-time aging at 650 and 677℃ were examined by microstructural observations and chemical phase analysis methods. Combining the thermodynamics and kinetics calcula-tion results, α-Cr always precipitates in the vicinity of δ phase, because δ phase rejects Cr into theγ-matrix when growing. The selected area diffraction patterns confirm that the crystallographic relationships of α-Cr with δ phase are (010) δ//(-110)α -Cr and [100] δ//[111] δ-Cr. A graphic model is also presented to show the crystallographic relation between α-Cr and δ phases.     

Retrogression characteristics of a novel Al-Cu-Li-X alloy

Retrogression characteristics of a novel Al-Cu-Li-X alloy of 2A97 were studied by hardness testing, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The retrogression treatments of aging at 155°C for 12 h followed by aging at 220 and 240°C were chosen by determining the peak temperature of δ' precipitation at 230°C by DSC. The retrogression treatment at a lower temperature of 220°C causes the precipitation and coarsening of δ' and θ' phases in the matrix, resulting in an ...