Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Shape Memory Properties of Cold-Rolled Dual-Phase Ni-Mn-Ga-Gd Alloy

The influence of annealing temperature on the shape memory effect (SME) and recovery ratio of cold-rolled dual-phase Ni₅₈Mn₂₅Ga_16.9Gd_0.1 high-temperature shape memory alloy were investigated. The results showed that the SME can be improved by appropriate annealing. SME of 6.0% and recovery ratio of 98% were observed in the rolled alloy at 550 °C annealing, which were larger than that of the samples annealed at other temperatures. The annealing temperature was in between the recrystallization temperatures of the martensite and γ phase, which leads to the work-hardening state of γ phase kept unchanged during annealing process, and therefore, the critical slip stress of γ phase increased. Thus, the plastic deformation of γ phase reduced during the compression process, and the SME increased.     

First-Principles Investigation on Phase Stability,Elastic and Magnetic Properties of Boron Doping in Ni-Mn-Ti Alloy

The all-d-metal Ni-Mn-Ti Heusler alloy has giant elastocaloric effect and excellent mechanical properties, which is different from the conventional Ni-Mn-based Heusler alloys. In this work, the preferred site occupation, phase stability, martensitic transformation, magnetic properties, and electronic structure of the B-doped Ni₂Mn_1.5Ti_0.5 alloys are systematically investigated by the first-principles calculations. The results show that B atoms preferentially occupy the octahedral interstitial. The doped B atoms tend to exist in the (Ni₂Mn_1.5Ti_0.5)_1-xB_x (x = 0.03, 0.06, 0.09) alloy in the form of aggregation distribution, and the martensitic transformation temperature decreases with the increase in the B content. For octahedral interstitial doping, the toughness and plasticity of the (Ni₂Mn_1.5Ti_0.5)_1-xB_x alloys decrease, but the strength and rigidity are greatly enhanced. This is because a small part of the d-d hybridization in ternary Ni-Mn-Ti alloy is replaced by the p-d hybridization in Ni-Mn-Ti-B alloy.     

Effect of Mo Addition on Corrosion Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys CoCrFeNiMo_x in Aqueous Environments

The corrosion behavior of CoCrFeNiMo_x alloys was investigated in aqueous environments, NaCl and H_2SO_4 solutions,respectively, to simulate typical neutral and acidic conditions. The cyclic polarization curves in NaCl and the potentiodynamic curves in H_2SO_4 clearly reveal the beneficial effects of Mo and the detrimental effect of σ-phase on the corrosion resistance. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results of CoCrFeNiMo_x alloys in H_2SO_4 solution indicate that Cr and Mo predominate the corroded surface of the alloys, where Mo primarily exists in the form of MoO_3.     

Microstructural Feature and Evolution of Rapidly Solidified Ni_3Al-Based Superalloys

The Ni_3Al-based superalloy was rapidly solidified in the form of droplets with varying diameters. The cooling rate(R_c) is a function of diameter(D) of droplet. With the decrease in droplet sizes(increase in the cooling rates), the volume fraction of γ'+γ eutectic structure increases from 21.31(D = 1400 lm, Rc= 3.6 9 10~2 K s~(-1)) to 36.31%(D = 270 lm, R_(c-)= 2.3 9 10~3 K s~(-1)). Moreover, unimodal size distribution of nano-γ' exists in the droplets instead of bimodal dual-size distributions of γ precipitates that are normal in as-cast alloys.     

Effect of alloy composition on enthalpy and entropy changes of hydride formation for stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric hydrogen storage alloys

Both enthalpy change ΔH° and entropy change ΔS° of hydride formation were evaluated from the measurement of pressure-composition isotherms (P-C-T curves) for hydrogen desorption in stoichiometric and nostoichiometric Mm (Ni₁₆Mn_11.4Al_0.3Co_0.7)₃ (Mm = misch metal, 0.88 x 1.12 values decreased with increasing x value, supporting that the low stability of the hydride causes the improved high-rate dischargeability of the Mm-poor Mm(Ni₁₆Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.7)₁₁₂ alloy electrode.     

Phase Stability,Magnetic Properties,and Martensitic Transformation of Ni2−xMn1+x+ySn1−y Heusler Alloy with Excess Mn by First-Principles Calculations

The phase stability, magnetic properties, martensitic transformation, and electronic properties of the Ni_2−xMn_1+x+ySn_1−y system with excess Mn have been systematically investigated by the first-principles calculations. Results indicate that the excess Mn atoms will directly occupy the sublattices of Ni (Mn_Ni) or Sn (Mn_Sn). The formation energy (E_f) of the austenite has a relationship with the Mn content: E_f = 135.27(1 + x + y) − 293.01, that is, the phase stability of the austenite decreases gradually with the increase in Mn content. According to the results of the formation energy of austenite, there is an antiparallel arrangement of the magnetic moment between the excess and normal Mn atoms in the Ni_2−xMn_1+x+ySn_1−y (x = 0 or y = 0) system, while the magnetic moment direction of the normal Mn atoms arranges antiparallel to that of Mn_Ni atoms and parallel to that of Mn_Sn atoms in the Ni_2−xMn_1+x+ySn_1−y (x, y ≠ 0) system. The martensitic transformation occurs in some Ni_2−xMn_1+x+ySn_1−y (x, y ≠ 0) alloys with large magnetic moments of ferrimagnetic austenite. Besides, the valence electrons tend to distribute around the Ni or Mn_Ni atoms and mainly bond with the normal Mn atoms. The results of this work can lay a theoretical foundation for further development of the Ni_2−xMn_1+x+ySn_1−y system as the potential ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.     

Structure and electrochemical properties of Li(Ni0.5Mn0.5)1-xTixO2 prepared by one-step solid state reaction

The layered compound Li(Ni_0.5Mn_0.5)_1-xTi_xO₂ powders were prepared with Ni(OH)₂, MnCO₃, Li₂CO₃ and TiO₂ by one-step solid state reaction. The effect of doping Ti on the structure and electrochemical properties was studied. The XRD results indicate that the powders with 0≤x≤0.05 have good layered structure and trace of impurity appears in the samples with x≥0.1. The SEM photographs show that the particle size distributes homogeneously and the sample with x=0.15 has larger particle size than other samples. The charge-discharge tests show that Li(Ni_0.5Mn_0.5)_0.95Ti_0.05O₂ synthesized at 800 °C for 36 h exhibits good electrochemical properties. It firstly delivers 173 mA·h/g and maintains 90% of the initial discharge capacity after 30 cycles. The cyclic voltammetry and differential capacity vs voltage curves show that the major oxidation and reduction peaks are around 3.95 V and 3.75 V, respectively, assigned to Ni²⁺/Ni⁴⁺ oxidation-reduction process. A weak peak around 4.5 V is found during the oxidation process in the first cycle, which can be regarded as the main reason of the large drop of discharge capacity in the initial cycle.     

Microdefects and electron densities in NiTi shape memory alloys studied by positron annihilation

1Introduction NiTi alloys are the most successful shape memory alloys as a result of their combination of good functional properties and excellent mechanical strength[1,2].The thermal and mechanical shape memory behavior in these alloys is dependent upon …     

σ-Phase Precipitation Mechanism of 15Cr–15Ni Titanium-Modified Austenitic Stainless Steel During Long-Term Thermal Exposure

The σ-Phase precipitation in 20% cold-worked 15Cr–15Ni titanium-modified austenitic stainless steel was studied during long-term aging treatment. During the isothermal aging stage, the amount of σ-Phase was significantly increased at beginning and gradually became constant. The aging time only slightly affected the size and morphology of the σ-Phase. Conversely, during the isochronal aging stage, the amount of σ-Phase grew rapidly with the increase in the aging temperature. The σ-Phase with a large amount of stacking faults was prone to nucleate around the(Ti, Mo)C particles or at the grain boundaries. The(Ti, Mo)C particles can act as effective nucleation sites, where the σ-Phase directly precipitates from the austenitic matrix. From this work, the growth of σ-Phase is found to be influenced by the aging temperature, and a new mechanism of σ-Phase precipitation from austenite has been proposed.     

Element Segregation and Solidification Behavior of a Nb,Ti, Al Co-Strengthened Superalloy ЭК151

The as-cast microstructure, element segregation and solidification behavior of a multi-alloyed superalloy ЭК151 have been investigated. The results show that the severe element segregation leads to the complicated precipitations at the inter-dendritic region, including η-Ni_3(Ti, Nb), eutectic(γ + γ') and Laves, which shows the characteristics of both Ti, Al-strengthened and Nb-strengthened alloys. Differential thermal analysis, heating and quenching tests reveal the solidification sequence as follows: Liquids →γ matrix →(Nb, Ti)C →η-Ni 3(Ti, Nb) →eutectic( γ+γ') → Laves. The melting points are between 1250 and 1260 °C for(Nb, Ti)C, between 1200 and 1210 °C for η phase, between 1180 and 1190 °C for eutectic(γ+γ') and Laves. γ' initially precipitates from matrix at 1150 °C and achieves the maximum precipitation at 1130 °C. According to the microstructure evolution captured during solidification and composition analysis by an energy dispersive spectrometer and electron probe microanalyzer,(Nb, Ti)/Al ratio is put forward to explain the formation of η-Ni_3(Ti, Nb) and eutectic( γ+γ'). The solidification of γ matrix increased the Nb, Ti concentration in the residual liquids, so the high(Nb, Ti)/Al ratio would result in the formation of η-Ni_3(Ti, Nb); the precipitation of the phase consumed Nb and Ti and decreased the(Nb, Ti)/Al ratio in the liquid, which led to the precipitation of eutectic(γ + γ'). Laves formed by the sides of η-Ni_3(Ti, Nb) and in front of the eutectic( γ + γ') after Al, Ti were further depleted by the two phases and Cr, Co, Mo were rejected to liquids.     

Microstructure Evolution of Primary γ'Phase in Ni3Al-Based Superalloy

In this work, water cooling, air cooling (AC) and furnace cooling (FC) were applied to investigate the effect of cooling rate on microstructure evolution of primary γ′ in a newly designed Ni₃Al-based alloy. The results showed that nucleation rate of primary γ′ increased with increasing cooling rate. In addition, higher cooling rate shortened growth period of primary γ′, which made its morphology close to the initial precipitated γ′. For AC and FC specimens, due to the lower cooling rate, primary γ′ possessed longer growth period and its morphology was mainly due to the evolution of lattice misfit between γ and primary γ′. Meanwhile, growth of primary γ′ depended on lattice misfit distribution between its corner and edge area. Moreover, primary γ′ morphologies of sphere, cube and concave cube with tip corners were illustrated by considering interaction between elemental diffusion and elastic strain energy.     

(FeCoNiCr)100-xMnx高熵合金在NaCl和NaOH溶液中的抗腐蚀性能

研究了放电等离子烧结(FeCoNiCr)_100-xMn_x(x=4,8,12,20)高熵合金的组织结构及在NaCl和NaOH溶液中的耐腐蚀性能。结果表明,(FeCoNiCr)_100-xMn_x合金主要由FCC单相组织和少量BCC相组成。(FeCoNiCr)₈₈Mn₁₂合金在3.5wt%NaCl 溶液中具有最好的耐腐蚀性能。Mn的添加使合金在1 mol NaOH 溶液中耐腐蚀性增强。退火对合金在1 mol NaOH 溶液中抗腐蚀性能影响不大。(FeCoNiCr)_100-xMn_x合金在3.5wt%NaCl溶液和1 mol NaOH溶液中的抗腐蚀性能均优于304S不锈钢。     

Tailoring of misfit along interfaces between ZnxMn3−xO4 and Ag

This work is aimed at examining how the tetragonality of Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ spinel structures depends on the chemical composition when Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ is embedded in a metal matrix. The paper focuses on a wide range of Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ precipitates in a Ag matrix with x varying between 0 and 1.5. This variation of x has been obtained by internal oxidation of Ag–2at.%Mn–4at.%Zn in air followed by annealing in vacuo at different temperatures. It will be demonstrated that the Zn concentration x in Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ has a major influence on the interfacial misfit and orientation relation between Ag/Zn_xMn_3−xO₄. The degree of mismatch of 10.4% of 1 1 1 Ag–Mn₃O₄ and 2.4% of Ag–Zn_1.5Mn_1.5O₄ was visualized using the Bragg filtering technique on HRTEM micrographs of those interfaces. It was possible to identify misfit dislocations qualitatively with this technique at 1 1 1 Ag–Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ interfaces with different degree of mismatch.     

Reduced Annealing Time and Enhanced Magnetocaloric Effect of La(Fe,Al)13 Alloy by La-nonstoichiometry and Si-doping

LaFe_13-xM_x (M = Si, Al) alloys are promising for use in magnetic refrigeration. However, they require long annealing time (30 days) in order to optimize the magnetocaloric properties. Research has shown that the addition of extra La in off-stoichiometric alloys can greatly shorten the annealing time. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the extra addition of La on the annealing properties of a new off-stoichiometric La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.4-xSi_x (x = 0, 0.1, 0.4) alloys. It was demonstrated that after a 36h annealing time, a large volume fraction of 1:13 magnetocaloric phase was obtained for all alloys. Further microstructural analysis of the off-stoichiometric La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.4-xSi_x alloys revealed a facet-like grain morphology. The La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.4 and La_1.7Fe_11.6Al₁Si_0.4 alloys were shown to contain large 1:13 phase precipitates separated in a La-rich matrix, while the La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.3Si_0.1 alloy had a continuous 1:13 phase matrix with a fine dispersion of La-rich precipitates throughout. When the magnetic field varied between 0 and 2 T, the corresponding magnetic entropy change and relative cooling capacity for the La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.3Si_0.1 specimen were determined as 4.58 J/kg K and 173.6 J/kg, respectively. More importantly, the La_1.7Fe_11.6Al_1.3Si_0.1 alloy displayed only a slight volume change when the meta-magnetic phase transition occurred, which is promising for cyclic use.     

High-Temperature Structural Stabilities of Ni-Based SingleCrystal Superalloys Ni–Co–Cr–Mo–W–Al–Ti–Ta with Varying Co Contents

It has been recently pointed out that the compositions of industrial alloys are originated from cluster-plus-glueatom structure units in solid solutions. Specifically for Ni-based superalloys, after properly grouping the alloying elements into Al, Ni-like(■), r-forming Cr-like(■) and c-forming Cr-like(■), the optimal formula for single-crystal superalloys is established [Al–Ni_(12)](Al_1■~_(0:5) ■_(1:5)). The Co substitutions for Ni at the shell sites are conducted on the basis of the first-generation single-crystal superalloy AM3, formulated as [Al–■_(12)Co_x](Al_1Ti_(0.25)Ta_(0.25)Cr_1W_(0.25)Mo_(0.25)), with x = 1.5, 1.75, 2 and 2.5(the corresponding weight percents of Co are 9.43, 11.0, 12.57 and 15.71, respectively). The900 ℃ long-term aging follows the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory(LSW theory), and the Co content does not have noticeable influence on the coarsening rate of c0. The microstructure and creep behavior of the four(001) single-crystal alloys are investigated. The creep rupture lifetime is reduced as Co increases. The alloy with the lowest Co(9.43 Co) shows the longest lifetime of about 350 h at 1050 ℃/120 MPa, and all the samples show N-type rafting after creep tests.     

Role of Ru on the Microstructural Evolution During Long-Term Aging of Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloys

Two experimental alloys containing different contents of Ru were investigated to study the effect of Ru on the microstructural evolution during long-term thermal exposure. The increase in Ru promoted the formation of cubical, tiny, and even γ′ phase after full heat treatment. Moreover, the samples after full heat treatment were exposed at 1100 °C for different time. Based on the classical model by Lifshitz, Slyozov, and Wagner, the coarsening of γ′ phase of the alloy containing 2.5 and 3.5 wt.% Ru during the long-term aging was controlled by the interface reaction and diffusion, respectively. The γ/γ′ lattice misfit was more negative with the increment of Ru addition, which induced the formation of stable rafted γ′ phase in the alloy containing 3.5 wt.% Ru at the initiation of long-term aging. Besides, the increase in Ru reduced the diffusion coefficient, which could restrain the γ′ phase coarsening. The lower γ/γ′ lattice misfit of the alloy containing 2.5 wt.% Ru promoted the interface reaction, which induced the rapid coarsening of γ′ phase. Therefore, the increase in Ru improved the microstructural stability of the alloys. On the other hand, the raise of Ru induced “reverse partitioning” behavior, which was effective in suppressing the emergence of the topologically close-packed phase (TCP phase). The TCP phase occasionally occurred in the alloy containing 2.5 wt.% Ru, which was attributed to the high temperature and the supersaturation of the γ matrix. Moreover, the TCP phase was determined as μ phase, which had a high concentration of Co, Re, Mo, and W. A sketch map describing the evolution of the TCP phase was also constructed.     

Crystallographic Texture Evolution of ■-Fe_4N and Its Influences on Tribological Property of Nitrided Steel

The crystallographic texture of ■-Fe4 N in compound layer and its influences on the tribological properties of nitrided steel 38 Cr Mo Al are investigated in the study. The preferred orientation of(200)■ is produced by low-temperature nitriding in atmosphere with low nitrogen–hydrogen ratio and increases with the nitriding time. The preferred orientation of(220)■ appears after 72 h cyclic nitriding. The orientation relationships(0001)_ε//(101)_■ and [110]_ε//[111]_■,(111)_■//(0001)_ε and 011_■//[1■10]_g,(200)■//(110)_■ and [011]_■//[111]_■, as well as (1■03)_ε //(220)_■ and [0100]_ε//[1■0]_■ are established by first-principles method. The misfit of interatomic distance(δ), determining the phase transition resistance, is calculated. Accordingly, two reaction pathways during nitriding, ■→■ and ■→ε→■, are assumed, which determines the preferred orientations of ■-Fe_4 N. Results of wear tests demonstrate that the specimen with preferred orientation of(200)■ exhibits lower frictional coefficient and lower wear rate in comparison with the specimen with(220)■ preferred orientation.(111)■ texture usually relates to the lower frictional coefficient but higher wear rate due to the main slip system parallel to the sliding plane. Therefore, the(200)■ preferred orientation has a positive significance in improving the wear properties of steels.     

第一性原理计算Mo含量及压力对CrZrNbTiMox难熔高熵合金性能的影响

利用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理方法研究Mo含量和压力对CrZrNbTiMo_x难熔高熵合金相结构、弹性常数和弹性模量的影响。计算了CrZrNbTiMo_x难熔高熵合金的混合焓(ΔH_mix)、混合熵(ΔS_mix)、原子半径差(δ)、价电子浓度(VEC)以及参数Ω。结果表明,CrZrNbTiMo_x难熔高熵合金主要以单一的BCC无序固溶体结构为主。随着Mo含量的增加,合金的晶格畸变不断减小,但力学性能稳定且始终以金属键结合。Mo的添加对合金的抗体积变形能力提升较大、对抗切应变能力及刚度影响较小,合金表现为韧性材料。在0～25 GPa压力作用下,CrZrNbTiMo_0.6合金表现出优异的相稳定性和力学稳定性,体弹性模量(B)增幅较小,剪切弹性模量(G)、杨氏模量(E)变化较小;泊松比μ及G/B计算结果表明合金为韧性材料。     

The influence of titanium on the electrochemical properties of the AB5-type metal hydrides

AB₅-type intermetallic compounds were prepared by arc-melting in argon atmosphere. The composition of a stoichiometric compound LaNi_3.6Al_0.4Co_0.7Mn_0.3 with a hexagonal CaCu₅ structure was varied by stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric addition of Ti. With the increase of the Ti y0.05 content in LaNi_3.6Al_0.4Co_0.7Mn_0.3Ti_y, the hydrogen storage capacity is enhanced, whereas when y=0.1–0.3, it is decreased. The discharge capacity and cyclability are increased considerably by addition of titanium in the range of 0.02–0.1 with a maximum value at about 0.1%. The highest maximum capacity is achieved for a nonstoichiometric addition of 0.05% Ti. The kinetic properties are also additionally improved by the formation of a titanium-rich second phase. This can explain the improvement of the capacity for alloys with low Ti content. The decrease in capacity for high Ti content was also correlated with the amount of the Ti-rich phase. Therefore, the improvement of kinetics are due to the catalytic effect, grain boundary diffusion effect or more pronounced alloy pulverization upon cycling. This study has been aimed to improve the electrode properties of a series of multicomponent LaNi_3.6Al_0.4Co_0.7Mn_0.3Ti_y (y=0.0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) alloys which have mutual complementary properties. All the prepared alloys have been subjected to analyses by EDS, SEM and XRD. In order to determine the hydrogen storage capacity, the pressure composition isotherms (P–C–T curves) have been used. The metal hydride electrodes were characterized by galvanostatic cycling test.     

Microstructural Instability of an Experimental Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy

Microstructural instability with the precipitation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases of an experimental nickel-based single-crystal superalloy has been investigated. A significant amount of σ phases are distinguished in the interdendritic region of the as-cast samples after thermal exposure at 900 °C for 1000 h. The σ phases are preferentially precipitated at the periphery of coarse γ/γ′ eutectic, and their morphological evolution from needles to granules is observed. Microstructural analysis suggests that the local segregation of Cr and Ti at the periphery of coarse γ/γ′ eutectic accounts for the formation of σ phases in the as-cast samples. After heat treatment with low solution temperature and short holding time, the dendritic segregation of alloying elements (i.e., W, Re, Ti and Ta) and the volume fraction of γ′ phase in the interdendritic region are similar to that of the as-cast samples. However, no TCP phases are present in the interdendritic region of the heat-treated samples after thermal exposure, which is primarily ascribed to the elimination of local segregation of Cr and Ti near the coarse γ/γ′ eutectic. Moreover, small quantities of μ phases are precipitated in the secondary dendrite arm near the interdendritic region after thermal exposure, due to the increased volume fraction of γ′ phase and the concomitant enrichment of W and Re in the γ matrix.