Microstructural and dimensional stabilities of a potential γ/γ′-α(Mo) directionally solidified eutectic superalloy under cyclic thermal exposure to 1000° C

A potential heat-resistant ductile eutectic composite,/-, in the Ni-Al-Mo ternary system has been thermally cycled in the temperature range 200 to 1000° C for up to 1000 cycles in an attempt to examine dimensional as well as microstructural stability of the composite under thermal fatigue conditions. The composite examined has two types of initial microstructure; in one, blocky -Ni₃Al encircles individual-Mo fibres (as-grown condition) whereas in the other, is in the form of fine cuboidal particles uniformly distributed in an Ni-rich fcc matrix (heat-treated condition). Dilatometric measurements upon temperature cycling show that the composite is stable against thermal ratchetting irrespective of initial microstructural conditions. However, the cycling induces microstructural change, which is characterized by segmentation of-Mo fibres or formation of a detrimental brittle phase identified as an intermetallic-NiMo that consumes-Mo fibres whether the fibres are encircled by or not. Post-cycling tensile tests at room temperature show that the fibre damage in the former has no fatal effect on tensile strength and ductility. A beneficial effect of the-encircling configuration is discussed on the basis of the recognition of a peritecto-eutectoid reaction:++ that has been disregarded.     

The effective surface energy of brittle materials

The effective surface energy of four brittle materials, alumina, poly(methylmethacrylate), glass, and graphite, is calculated from load/deflection curves of notched bars deformed in three-point bending. Two of the methods, which are commonly used in fracture mechanics studies,viz the modified Griffith treatment and the compliance analysis method, are concerned with the effective surface energy at the initiation of fracture, _I . The third method, the work of fracture test, is concerned with the mean effective surface energy over the whole fracture process, _F . The two estimates of _I give consistent values, and there is no systematic variation of _I with notch depth. Values of _F decrease with increasing notch depth as the fracture process becomes more controlled. For alumina _{I F} . For PMMA and glass _I > _F because of a multiplicity of crack sources during fracture initiation. For graphite _I < _F because of subsidiary cracking as fracture proceeds.     

First principles study of effect of lattice misfit on the bonding strength of Ni/Ni3Al interface

By using a discrete variational X (DV-X) method, the electronic structures and bonding strengths of Ni/Ni₃Al (or /) interface with different lattice misfits () were calculated in the framework of the nonrelativistic first-principles theory. In order to describe the effect of on the interfacial binding strength and the structural stability of coherent / interface, we calculated the interfacial binding covalent bond density (CBD) and the local environmental total bond overlap population (LTBOP). Very obvious effects of lattice misfits on the electronic structures of coherent / interface were found. On one hand, less than –0.6% negative lattice misfit can increase the binding strength of the /' interface. On the other hand, the local environmental total bonding strength of the /' interface decreases with increasing magnitude of . Therefore, the magnitude and sign of lattice misfit must be carefully controlled to balance the high-temperature creep strength of Ni-base single crystal superalloy and the structural stability of the /' interface when one designs new alloys.     

The Ni3Al-Ni3Cr-Ni3Mo section of the Ni-Cr-Al-Mo system

An investigation is reported of the constitution of the 75 at % nickel section of the Ni-Cr-Al-Mo system in the temperature range 1523 to 1073 K. Alloys in the region 10 to 20 at % Al were annealed at 1523, 1273, and 1073 K, respectively, and subjected to electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction, and microscopical and hardness examination. Constitutional data are presented as partial isothermal sections and as vertical sections. At 1523 K the section consists only of fields containing ,+ and , the last mentioned phase being predominant. With decreasing temperature the and + fields increase in extent. Also, the NiMo and Ni₃Mo phases were encountered in the ternary Ni-Al-Mo alloy studied. The quaternary + alloys showed small lattice mismatch values, i.e. up to 0.25%. Raft like morphologies of were found in the quaternary alloys, resulting from directional coarsening. Observations of as-cast structures are also reported.     

IN-713C characteristic properties optimized through different heat treatments

The strength of a nickel-based superalloy hardened through precipitation is related to the volume fraction, particle size and distribution of the precipitated phase, . These parameters may vary as a result of heat treatment, or high-temperatures service. The information obtained, describing the influence of time and temperature on the precipitated phase, , is of special importance owing to its technological application at high temperatures. Dissolution or precipitation kinetics are such that the volume-fraction balance of the phase is quickly established at an ageing temperature given by successive changes due only to the particle growth. The results of the present study describe heat-treatment effects on size and distribution of the phase, and precipitated carbides ageing of a nickel-based superalloy (IN-713C). These on ageing studies at a certain temperature show that the kinetic growth of particles by controlled diffusion follows that r t ^1/3 law.     

Constitution of the Ni3Cr-Ni3Al-Ni3W system

Isothermal sections of the Ni-Cr-Al-W system have been investigated at 75 at % Ni and temperatures of 1523 and 1273 K, by means of phase compositional analysis, X-ray diffraction and microscopical examination. The alloys studied lay in the range 2.5 to 10 at % Cr, 12.5 to 20 at% Al, 2.5 to 6.25 at % W, The phases formed were, and the bcc solid solution based on tungsten (designated ₂). The maximum extent of the region was found to be 3 at % each of chromium and tungsten. Preferential partitioning of tungsten to occurred. Study of an Ni-10Cr-12.5Al-2.5W alloy aged at 1273 and 1073 K, after quenching from 1573 K, showed that changes in and compositions and lattice parameters occur as a function of ageing time.     

Effect of elastic interaction energy on coarsening of γ′ precipitates in a mechanically alloyed ODS Ni-base superalloy

The coarsening behavior of precipitates with a uniform size distribution and with a bimodal size distribution in a mechanically alloyed ODS Ni-base superalloy were investigated to clarify the effect of elastic interaction energy on the coarsening behavior of precipitates. The coarsening rate decreased with increasing size of precipitates with a uniform size distribution, contrary to the classical LSW theory, and the coarsening behavior of precipitates with a bimodal size distribution exhibited Ostwald ripening in which the larger precipitates grow at the expense of smaller precipitates. The driving force for coarsening of precipitates was analyzed based on the two-particle model, considering the effect of elastic interaction energy in addition to the effect of interfacial energy. The contribution of elastic interaction energy on the total energy was found to increase with increasing size of precipitates, and the decelerated coarsening of precipitates was attributed to the decrease in the driving force for coarsening with increasing size of precipitates.     

Microstructure of laser melted/rapidly solidified γ/Cr3Si metal silicide “in situ” composites

In order to improve the ductility of Cr₃Si metal silicide alloys, rapidly solidified /Cr₃Si metal silicide in situ composites were fabricated by laser melting/rapid solidification technology using Cr-Si-Ni alloy powders. Microstructure of the /Cr₃Si in situ composites was characterized by OM, SEM, XRD and EDS. The effect of Ni content in the alloy powder on microstructure and hardness of the /Cr₃Si composites was investigated. The /Cr₃Si metal silicide in situ composites have high hardness and rapidly solidified fine microstructure consisting of primary Cr₃Si dendrites and the interdendritic /Cr₃Si eutectics. The volume fraction of the Cr₃Si primary dendrites in the laser melted/rapidly solidified /Cr₃Si metal silicide in situ composites decreases with the increasing nickel content. Because of the presence of the ductile nickel-base solid solution and the rapidly solidified fine microstructure, the /Cr₃Si metal silicide in situ composites are expected to have adequate combination of strength and toughness. The results demonstrate that laser melting/rapid solidification for /Cr₃Si metal silicide in situ composites is a promising toughening method for improving the ductility of Cr₃Si metal silicide alloys.     

Martensitic transformation of γ-Fe precipitates in a Cu 1.5 at % Fe Alloy

In the present work, the mechanism of martensitic transformation, the influence of -Fe particle size on the martensitic transformation induced by cold working, and the transformation of -Fe into -Fe by thermal treatment alone in a Cu-1.5 at% Fe alloy, was studied using field ion microscopy (FIM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It has been found that -Fe precipitates smaller than about 10 nm did not transform martensitically to -Fe by cold working. Precipitates larger than 10 nm adopted a Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation relationship with the copper matrix; and the martensitically transformed -Fe precipitates were ellipsoidal in shape, with their major axes being oriented parallel to the 1 1 0 direction in the matrix. Dislocations were found in the matrix near the vicinity of transformed -Fe precipitates, giving support to the dislocation cutting mechanism proposed by other workers for the transformation. In thermally aged alloys, no transformation of -Fe to -Fe was observed during the coarsening of -Fe precipitates up to sizes as large as about 50 nm. These precipitates still remained coherent or semi-coherent with the copper matrix.     

Elevated temperature deformation behaviour of multi-phase Ni-20 at % Al-30 at % Fe and its constituent phases

The mechanical behaviour of the multi-phase ( + /) alloy Ni-20 at % Al-30 at % Fe and alloys similar to its constituent and / phases, Ni-30 at % Al-20 at % Fe and Ni-12 at % Al-40 at % Fe, respectively, were investigated. When tested in tension at 300 K, the alloys exhibited 20%, 2% and 28% elongation, respectively. At elevated test temperatures (700, 900 and 1100 K), the multi-phase alloy exhibited increased ductility, reaching an elongation in excess of 70% at 1100 K without necking or fracture. Similarly, the alloy demonstrated increased ductility with increasing test temperatures. In contrast, the / alloy showed greatly reduced ductility with increasing temperature and was quite brittle both at 900 and 1100 K. Thus, whilst at room temperature the / phase improved the ductility of the + / aggregate, at elevated temperatures the phase alleviated the brittleness of the / phase, thereby preventing any embrittlement of the multi-phase alloy over the temperature range 300–1100 K. Also, whilst the phase improved the room-temperature strength of the multi-phase alloy, at elevated temperatures where the phase is known to be weak, the / phase improved the strength of the multi-phase alloy up to 900 K, beyond which the strength deteriorated due to disordering and lack of anomalous strengthening in the / component.     

Thermal stability of advanced Ni-base superalloys

Exposures consisting of 1 to 900 h at 1000 and 1100 °C after an ageing treatment of 16 h at 870 °C were used to study the thermal stability of selected -strengthened Ni-based superalloys representing conventional, directional solidification, and single-crystal castings. Various techniques of microscopy, spectroscopy and diffraction were used to characterize the microstructure. Primary MC carbides in the alloys studied were found to be stable toward decomposition into lower carbides. In the aged condition, the strengthening phase assumed a cuboidal morphology; however, all alloys also contained varying proportions of coarse lamellar and hyperfine cooling . On an atomic scale, the nature of the cuboidal -matrix interface was found to vary from coherent to partially coherent. However, the overall lattice mismatch varied from one alloy to another depending upon its composition and the distribution of various elements in carbide phases and lamellar phase. Directional growth of the cuboidal phase upon exposure to higher temperatures was found to be accelerated by a large initial lattice mismatch leading to a considerable loss of coherency, as indicated by the observation of dislocation networks around the particles. Although the composition of the phase remained essentially unchanged, there was a marked change in matrix composition. Sigma phase was found to precipitate in all alloys, but its thermal stability was a function of alloy composition. The initial decrease in hardness followed by a hardening effect during exposure could be explained in terms of the partial dissolution of the phase and precipitation of sigma phase.     

Effect of gamma irradiation and silver doping on YBCO superconductor

The effect of -irradiation and silver doping on the properties of YBCO superconductors has been studied by electrical resistance measurements and x-ray diffraction techniques. The zero-resistance superconducting transition temperature of (YBCO)_1–xAg _x systematically increase by about 2 K with an increase of Ag content up tox=0.04. Further increase in Ag content decreases the transition temperature. The normal-state resistance decreases up to a factor of 3.4 with an increase of Ag content. No significant change in the transition width has been observed due to silver addition up tox=0.30. Undoped YBCO and the Ag-doped specimens of (YBCO)_1.96Ag_0.04 were irradiated with-rays up to an integrated-dose of 77 MR. The normal-state resistance of the specimens gradually increases and the transition temperature slightly decreases with increase of-dose. The intensities of the x-ray diffraction peaks of the monolayers of the sample powders decrease with -irradiation without noticeable change of diffraction angles or peak widths. These observations indicate that the high-T _c supconductor YBCO is quite sensitive to-irradiation but drastic lattice expansion does not occur up to a-dose of 77 MR.     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

Stress-induced phase transformations in a hot-deformed two-phase (α2+γ) TiAl alloy

Stress-induced 2, 2 and 9R phase transformations in a hot-deformed Ti–45 at% Al–10 at% Nb alloy have been investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The 2 phase transformation is an interface-related process. The interfacial superdislocations emitted from the misoriented semicoherent 2– interface react with each other or with the moving dislocations in the phase, resulting in the formation of the 2 phase. The nucleation of the 2 phase transformation takes place either at the 2– interfaces or at the stacking faults on the basal plane of 2 phase, and the growth of plate is accomplished by the moving of a/61 0 1 0 Shockley partials on alternate basal plane (0 0 0 1)2. The 9R structure was usually found to form at incoherent twin or pseudotwin boundaries. During deformation the interfacial Shockley partial dislocations of these incoherent twin and pseudotwin boundaries may glide on (1 1 1) planes into the matrix, resulting in the formation of 9R structure. The interfaces (including 2– and – interfaces) as well as the crystallographic orientation relationship between the as-received or stress-induced 2, and 9R phase have been analysed. The mechanisms for the stress-induced 2, 2 and 9R phase transformations were also discussed. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Temperature coefficients of capacitance of solids

An earlier treatment of temperature coefficient of capacitance, _c [1] has been extended to include most solids. Materials are divided into those with given ranges of permittivity, , and temperature coefficient of polarisability. It appears that, for low dielectric loss, high permittivity glasses, like simple ionic compounds, always have a positive _c, whereas paraelectrics and polymers have negative _c. Ferroelectrics can have any value of _c. Limitations in _c and for given classes of solid are discussed.     

The volume change at the superconducting transition of lead and aluminum

The volume change at the magnetic field-induced transition from the super-conducting to the normal state has been measured on single crystals of lead and aluminum between 0.3 K andT _c. From these data we have deduced the pressure dependence of the critical fieldH _c, of the critical temperatureT _c, and of the electronic specific heat coefficient . In lead, the results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations by Carbotte, where strong coupling effects are taken into account. We find ln / lnV=3.1±0.8, whereV is the volume. The measurements on aluminum giving ln / lnV=3±4 are consistent with results derived from thermal expansion experiments.This work was in part financially supported by the Schweizerischer Nationalfonds.     

A numerical method for flexible airfoils in incompressible inviscid flow

Summary The paper deals with the aerodynamic analysis of flexible airfoils, based on a quasi-lattice vortex method (QVLM). The analysis is formulated in matrix form and leads, as in other similar studies, to a linear algebraic system when the angle of attack is nonzero, and to an eigenvalue problem when the incidence angle is zero. The aerodynamic characteristic curvesC _L -,C _m - are presented. Finally, the airfoil shapes for several values of the tension coefficient and angles of attack are drawn. The results obtained with the present method are in good agreement with those reported in previous studies and evidentiate the flexibility of the QVLM as applied to flexible airfoils.Notation A aerodynamic matrix, defined in QVL method, (8) - B matrix, see Eq. (18) - c chord of airfoil - C matrix defined asAB - C _L lift coefficient, 2L/V ² c) - C _p moment coefficient, 2M/(V ² c ²) - C _p pressure coefficient,C _p =2p/(V ² ) - C _T tension coefficient, 2T/(V ² c) - D matrix, see Eq. (11) - I unit matrix - l curvilinear length of the flexible airfoil - N number of collocation points on the airfoil shape - q dynamic pressure, V ² /2 - T tension force in the sail - V freestream velocity - w downwash - x nondimensional coordinate,x/c - X _i control points, Eq. (9) - X _max dimensionless position of the maximum camber - Y _k source points, Eq. (9) - z coordinate normal tox axis - Z nondimensional coordinate,z/c - Z _s camber equation in dimensionless form,z _s /c - incidence with respect to the upstream flow velocity - column vector of the local curvatures {₁, ₂,..., _N } ^T - nondimensional membrane excess ratio - eigenvalue of the problem (23) - _k zeroes of the Chebyshev polynomia of the first kind, 1kN - column vector of the local slopes, {₀, ₁, ₂,..., _N } ^T - column vector, {₁, ₂,..., _N } ^T - ₀ slope at airfoil leading edge     

Li+ ion mobility in eucryptite phases

The two polymorphs of LiAlSiO₄, and eucryptite, were studied by X-ray and thermal methods. The-eucryptite originated from different precursors that obtained from LiA zeolite is presented. It is shown that the electric conductivity of-eucryptites increased as the unit cell parameter,c ₀, increased. These results correlate well with chemical compositions and thermal investigations. The conductivity in mixed systems depends on the ratio/ eucryptites which indicates a higher Li⁺ mobility in the-phase.     

An investigation of structural transformation during the solidification of copper-gallium alloys

Metallographic examination, X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectral microanalysis, and mlcrohardness measurements were used to study structural changes during the solidification of copper-gallium alloys. It was shown that the solidification of these alloys in the temperature interval 40–200°C takes place as a result of the formation of the -phase. Long-term holding at 200 and 300°C leads to the formation of ₃-, ₂-, ₁-, and-phases.     

Abundance of 766.6 and 1001 keV γ-Quanta in the 238U Decay Chain

The abundances of 63.3, 185.7, 766.6, 1001 keV -quanta in the ²³⁸U decay chain, determinedby semiconductor -ray spectrometry of metallic uranium foil, are 4.2, 48, 0.39, and 1.12%, respectively.The abundance of 766.6 and 1001 keV -ray quanta is higher than the generally accepted values by a factor of 1.9.