Growth morphology and mechanism of primary TiC carbide in laser clad TiC/FeAl composite coating

TiC-reinforced FeAl intermetallic matrix composite (IMC) coatings were fabricated on substrate of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel using laser cladding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the phases in the laser clad composite coating and the growth morphologies of TiC carbide were observed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that there are two phases in the laser clad composite coating: TiC and FeAl intermetallic matrix alloy. The primary TiC carbide in laser clad coating nucleates heterogeneously on the surface of oxide particles; its growth morphology is found to be in a unique radial-branching dendrite with strongly faceted feature. The growth mechanism of TiC is confirmed to be lateral growth from the ledges or steps existing on the growing fronts.     

Microstructure and wear properties of Fe–TiC surface composite coating by laser cladding

AISI 1045 steel surface was alloyed with pre-placed ferrotitanium and graphite powders by using a 5-kW CO₂ laser. In situ TiC particles reinforced Fe-based surface composite coating was fabricated. The microstructure and wear properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, as well as dry sliding wear test. The results showed that TiC carbides with cubic or flower-like dendritic form were synthesized via in situ reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite in the molten pool during laser cladding process. The TiC carbides were distributed uniformly in the composite coating. The TiC/matrix interface was found to be free from cracks and deleterious phase. The coatings reinforced by TiC particles revealed higher wear resistance than that of the substrate.     

Fabrication and microstructure of the d.c.-magnetron-sputtered YBa2Cu3O7 − x superconducting thin films

Systematic investigations were conducted to determine the effect of deposition conditions on the microstructure and superconducting properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 – x} thin films produced by d.c. magnetron sputtering on (001) MgO substrate. The films were c-axis preferentially oriented with respect to the (001) MgO surface at substrate temperatures of 680–700 C. X-ray diffraction patterns clearly indicated the existence of the c-axis alignment normal to the substrate surface and some second phases. The second phases, including a Cu-rich phase and Y₂O₃, were identified by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and the microstructures were analysed by electron and atomic force microscopes.     

Tailoring the secondary phases and mechanical properties of ODS steel by heat treatment

The oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel with the nominal composition of Fe–14Cr–2W–0.3Ti–0.2V–0.07Ta–0.3Y₂O₃ (wt%) was fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). In order to optimize the relative volume fraction of secondary phases, the as-HIPed ODS steel was annealed at 800 °C, 1000 °C, 1200 °C for 5 h, respectively. The microstructures and different secondary phases of the as-HIPed and annealed ODS samples were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The tensile properties of all the ODS steels at room temperature were also investigated. The results indicate that annealing is an effective way to control the microstructure and the integral secondary phases. The annealing process promotes the dissolution of M₂₃C₆ particles, thus promoting the precipitation of TiC. No obvious coarsening of Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanoparticles can be observed during annealing. The tensile results indicate that the annealed ODS sample with the optimized secondary phases and high density possesses the best mechanical properties.     

Fabrication of in situ TiC reinforced aluminum matrix composites Part I: Microstructural characterization

In the present work traditional ingot metallurgy plus rapid solidification techniques were used to in situ produce Al-TiC composites with refined microstructures and enhanced dispersion hardening of the reinforcing phases. Microstructural characterization of the experimental materials were comprehensively done by optical, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the in situ synthesized TiC particles possess a metastable fcc crystal structure with an atomic composition of TiC08 and a lattice parameter of 0.431 nm. The typical ingot metallurgy microstructures exhibit aggregates of TiC particle phase segregated generally at the -Al subgrain or grain boundaries and consisted of fine particles of 0.2–1.0 m. After re-melting of the ingots and hence rapid solidification, the microstructures formed under certain thermal history conditions contained uniform fine-scale dispersion of TiC phase particles with a size range of 40–80 nm in an Al supersaturated matrix of 0.30–0.85 m grain size. In the most case these dispersed TiC particles have a semi-coherent relationship with the -Al matrix.     

In-situ TiC Reinforced Composite Coating Produced by Powder Feeding Laser Cladding

A Ni-base alloy composite coating reinforced with TiC particles of various shapes and sizes on medium carbon steel substrate was produced by multilayer laser cladding. The chemical compositions, microstructures and surface morphology of the cladded layer were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and X-ray diffractometry （XRD）. The experimental results showed that an excellent metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate was obtained. The microstructure of the coating was mainly composed of γ-Ni dendrites, a small amount of CrB, Ni3B, M23C6 and dispersed TiC particles. Much more and larger TiC particles formed in the overlapping zone, which led to a slightly higher microhardness of this zone. The maximum microhardness of the coating was about HV0.21200. The effects of the laser processing parameters on the microstructures and properties of coating were also investigated.     

Characterisation of sugar MMC layers developed in Ti-6AI-4V alloy using combination of SiCp and dilute nitrogen environment

Abstract

Laser gaseous nitriding associated with powder alloying has been developed to modify a Ti-6AI-4V alloy. Under specific conditions, a surface MMC layer over 500 μm was produced in the Ti-6AI-4V alloy. The processed specimen contains complex microstructures in the MMC surface which provide a significant improvement in the surface wear resistance (25 times that of the base alloy). In the present work, the microstructures developed were characterised and the phases identified to provide a better understanding and further improvements to the laser processing. A continuous CO₂ laser was used for the processing and TEM, SEM, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electron backscattering pattern techniques were used for the characterisation.     

Microstructure and property of nitrogen-alloyed high manganese austenitic steel under high strain rate tension

The microstructures and mechanical properties of 32Mn–7Cr–1Mo–0.3N steel under high strain rate tension companied with different deformation temperature are investigated by using of the split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The results show that with increasing the strain rate and decreasing the deformation temperature the strength increase, but the elongation and the area reduction do not obviously decrease. The fracture surfaces of the tensile specimens all exhibit ductile characters with many dimples. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results show no ′-martensite in all specimens. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations further confirm that the deformation microstructures are mainly composed of deformation twins and slipping bands or stacking faults.     

TiB2 and TiC stainless steel matrix composites

Stainless steel matrix composites reinforced with TiB₂ or TiC particulates have been in situ produced through the reactive sintering of Ti, C and FeB. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the completion of reaction. The TiB₂, TiC and steel were detected by X-ray diffraction analysis. No other reaction product or boride was found, indicating the stability of TiB₂ and TiC in steel matrix. The SEM micrographs revealed the morphology and distribution of in situ synthesized TiB₂ and TiC reinforcements in steel matrix. During sintering the reinforcements TiB₂ and TiC grew in different shapes. TiB₂ grew in hexagonal prismatic and rectangular shape and TiC in spherical shape.     

Microstructure of XDTM Ti-6Al/TiC composites

XD^TM method has been used to prepare TiC particles reinforced titanium composites. The phases constitute and microstructure of the Ti-6Al/TiC composites have been investigated by XRD and SEM. The lattice parameter value of TiC calculated from the XRD pattern has indicated that there exists carbon deficiency in TiC. The microstructure observed by SEM has shown that TiC is of dendritical and spherical morphology, which quite different from that of the TiC in Al/TiC master alloy. In macrostructure, the TiC particles homogeneously distribute in the matrix, but the spherical TiC mainly segregate at the grain boundary, especially at the triangle grain boundary. Microstructure of the interface has also been observed by TEM and HTEM. No reaction product has been found in the interface, but a C atom diffusion layer was determined by energy spectrum diffraction and observed by HREM image of interface microstructure. Although no definite crystallographic relationship can be defined, a orientation relationship of [0110]_Ti//[011]_TiC has been obtained.     

Study of Ni3 Al–Cr7 C3 coating fabricated by self-propagating high temperature synthesis casting route

Abstract

A coating on carbon steel was fabricated by a self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) casting route. The process is described in detail. The phases in the coating were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructures of the coating and the substrate were analysed using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and optical microscopy, respectively. The wear behaviour and microhardness of the coating were determined. The experimental results show that the coating was composed of Ni₃ Al and Cr₇ C₃ phases and had a dense microstructure. Metallurgical bonding had formed between the coating and the substrate. The grain size of the substrate near the interface was coarsened. The wear resistance of the coating is better than that of a bearing steel or a Ni₃ Al coating. The microhardness of the coating is higher than that of a Ni₃ Al coating or the substrate.     

原位自生TiC颗粒对Al8.5Fe1.4V1.7Si耐热铝合金的组织及性能的影响

利用原位自生技术向Al8.5Fe1.4V1.7Si耐热铝合金中添加一定数量的TiC颗粒,利用金相、X-射线以及透射电镜等手段,分析了材料的组织结构特点,研究了原位TiC粒子对材料的组织结构的影响规律,并测试了材料的力学性能.研究结果表明:原位TiC粒子可以有效地抑制合金中粗大相的产生,促进球状Al12(Fe,V)3Si相的形成;通过添加原位TiC粒子,可以将材料的力学性能提高10%左右,而材料塑性变化不大.     

Ni–P amorphous phases obtained by Nd–YAG pulsed laser alloying of deposited Ni–P coating with aluminum

Ni–P electroless deposited coating with crystalline morphology was prepared on aluminum substrate. A Nd–YAG pulsed laser was used to alloy the materials at the condition of power density 5.36 × 10⁹ W/m² and scanning speed 3.0 mm/s. In the laser alloyed layer, Ni–P amorphous phases were found by means of TEM. Electron diffraction patterns and X-ray diffraction results showed that these Ni–P amorphous phases were decomposed as Ni and Ni₃P equilibrium phases when tempered at temperature over 300 °C.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-pressed SiC-TiC composites

Hot-pressed SiC-TiC composite ceramics with 0–100 wt% TiC have been investigated to determine the effect of composition (amount of TiC) on the elastic modulus, hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness,K _IC. The composites exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to monolithic SiC and TiC, especially in fracture toughness,K _IC, value for 30–50 wt% TiC composite. The maximum values ofK _IC and room-temperature flexural strength were 6 MPa m^1/2 for a 50 wt % TiC and 750 MPa for a 30 wt% TiC composite, respectively. The observed toughening could be attributed to the deflection of cracks due to dispersion of the different particles. Although no third phases were detected by both TEM and XRD studies, an EDAX study and resistivity measurements indicated some possibility of solid solutions being present. The composites containing more than 30 wt% TiC, exhibited resistivity lower than 10^–3 cm which is favourable for electro-discharge machining of ceramics.     

Hard TiC Coating on AISI304 Steel by Laser Surface Engineering Using Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser

The surface mechanical property of AISI304 stainless steel was improved by TiC coating deposited through laser surface engineering process using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The produced coating exhibited significantly higher hardness (650–1900 HV_0.1) compared to the steel substrate (190 HV_0.1). Coating thickness, dilution of TiC on substrate surface, and hardness of the coating were determined using various pulse laser processing parameters, i.e., peak power and pulse frequency. At low pulse frequency and peak power condition, relatively thick and uniform coating of TiC was deposited over the substrate. However, at higher pulse frequency and peak power condition, TiC-dispersed steel composite coating was produced.     

Rapidly solidifed Al-Cr alloys: structure and decomposition behaviour

Melt-spun ribbons of aluminium containing up to 15 wt% chromium were examined in the as-spun condition and after annealing. The more concentrated alloys contained multi-phase spherulites embedded in an -Al matrix: chemical microanalysis showed the average composition of the spherulite core to be 22 ± 2 wt% chromium. The kinetics of precipitation at grain boundaries and within the matrix were determined by TEM and X-ray diffraction. Three very similar Al-Cr intermetallic phases are present under equilibrium conditions, but most of the precipitates in the melt-spun ribbons could be identified as Al₇Cr.     

The orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase transition in YBa2(Cu1−xFex)3O7−y

The phase transition YBa₂(Cu_1–x Fe _x )₃O_7–y (0x0.05) prepared through solid-state reaction was studied with X-ray diffraction analysis and optical microscope. It was found that the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal phase change was induced between x=0.02 and x=0.03 by X-ray diffraction. The phase transition was also identified by the disappearance of striations in plate-like grains under polarized light. The microstructures of the specimens with compositions of x=0.01 and x=0.02 showed faint striation images. It is considered that a mixture of the orthorhombic and tetragonal phase exists in these compositions.     

Treatment of tooth fracture by medium energy CO2 laser and DP-bioactive glass paste: Thermal behavior and phase transformation of human tooth enamel and dentin after irradiation by CO2 laser

Acute trauma or trauma associated with occlusal disharmony can produce tooth crack or fracture. Although several methods are proposed to treat the defect, however, the prognosis is generally poor. If the fusion of a tooth fracture by laser is possible it will offer an alternative to extraction or at least serve as an adjunctive treatment in the reconstruction. The responses of soft tissues to lasers of different wavelengths are fairly well known, but the reactions of hard tissues are still to be understood. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility of using a medium energy continuous-wave CO₂ laser and a low melting-point bioactive glass to fuse or bridge tooth fractures. The present report is focused on the first part of the research, the analysis of changes in laser-irradiated human tooth enamel/dentin by means of X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transforming infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After CO₂ laser irradiation, there were no marked changes in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the enamel when compared to that before laser treatment. However, a small peak belonging to -TCP appeared at the position of 2=30.78°C. After being treated with CO₂ laser, the dentin showed much sharper peaks on the diffraction patterns because of grain growth and better crystallinity. -TCP and -TCP were identified after laser treatment. In the FTIR analysis, an HPO₄ ^-2 absorption band was noted before laser treatment disappeared after the irradiation. No significant change in the absorption band of HPO₄ ^-2 was found on the FTIR curves of enamel after laser treatment. The results of DTA/TGA indicated that loss of water and organic materials occurred in both enamel and dentin after laser treatment. Under SEM, melting and resolidification occurred in both enamel and dentin by medium energy of CO₂ laser. This implies that using a continuous-wave CO₂ laser of medium energy density to fuse a low melting-point bioactive glass to the enamel/dentin is possible. We believe these phase changes and thermal data can make a useful guide for future studies on the thermal interaction and bridging mechanism between the bioactive glass and enamel/dentin under CO₂ laser irradiation. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Interfacial Microstructure between WC-Based Cermet and Cu Alloy

A WC-TiC-Co/CuZnNi composite layer was produced on 1045 steel substrate by means of inside-furnace brazing technique. The microstructure, phase constituent and interfacial diffusion behavior between cermet and CuZnNi alloy were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that microstructure of matrix was α and β phases. Cermet particies were surrounded by the α+β phases in the composite layer and their sizes were almost similar to those in original state. The interfacial zone was formed by the mutual diffusion of elements under the condition of high temperature. The interface consists of WC, TiC, CuZn, and CuNi phases, and there are no microcracks and inclusions near the interface.     

Microscopy and neutron diffraction study of a zirconium-8 wt% stainless steel alloy

The electrometallurgical treatment of zirconium-based and Zircaloy-clad spent nuclear fuels will yield a metal waste form. The baseline composition for the waste form is zirconium-8 wt% stainless steel (Zr-8SS). The microstructure of the Zr-8SS alloy has been studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and neutron diffraction. The phases present in the as-cast alloy include Zr(), Zr₃(Fe,Ni), Zr₂(Fe,Ni), Zr₂(Fe,Cr), and Zr(Fe,Cr)₂; a solidification sequence has been proposed to explain the formation and morphology of these phases. Alloy phase stability has been studied by thermal aging at 780°C for periods up to 30 days. The phase changes that occur during thermal aging include an increase in Zr₃(Fe,Ni) and a decrease in Zr₂(Fe,Ni) content; reaction mechanisms have been proposed to explain these changes. The lattice parameters of alloy phases have been determined by neutron diffraction and found to be in agreement with those previously reported for similar phases. This study of alloy microstructures is the first step towards understanding the actinide and fission product distribution and predicting the corrosion behavior of the Zr-8SS metal waste form.