Influence of AlF3 and hydrothermal conditions on morphologies of α-Al2O3

Homogeneous α-Al2O3 platelets were synthesized by introducing AlF3 to alumina precursor.The effects of AlF3 additive on the phase transformation and morphology of the prepared α-Al2O3 platelets were investigated.The results show that a single phase of α-Al2O3 with an average particle size of 8μm can be obtained at 900℃ with 2% AlF3 additive.The transformation temperature decreasing IS attributed to introduction of Al3 vacancy and to the formation of intermediate compound of AlOF,which is considered to accelerate the mass transportation from transitional Al2O3 to α-Al2O3.AlF3 concentration and hydrothermal temperature can also affect the morphology of α-Al2O3.When hydrothermal temperature is 120℃,the morphology of α-Al2O3 transforms from irregular to flat hexangular platelet with increasing AlF3 concentration.As hydrothermal temperature increases,the morphology of α-Al2O3 with 2% AlF3 additive changes from polyhedron to hexangular platelet and then to vermicular.     

Influence of Al~(3+) on Hydrothermally Synthesized Xonotlite Whiskers in CaO-SiO_2-H_2O System

Influences of Al3+ concentration on hydrothermally synthesized xonotlite whiskers were researched in this paper. The crystal phase composition and morphology of the products were analyzed and characterized using XRD and SEM techniques. The results indicate that Al3+ concentration have great impact on the crystal phase composition and morphology of the xonotlite whiskers in CaO-SiO2-H2O system under the condition of initial CaO/SiO2 mol ratio of 1.0, reactant concentration of 0.05 mol·L-1 , at 225 ℃ for 15 h. The main crystal phase of hydrothermally synthesized products had a phase transition from xonotlite to tobermorite, and the morphology changed from fibrous to tabular with increasing the concentration of Al3+ ion. At last, in order to prepare the pure xonotlite whiskers via hydrothermal synthesis in CaO-SiO2-H2O system, the Al2O3 contents in raw materials should be less than 1%.     

Improvement in the Oxidation Resistance of Tungsten by Sol-Gel Derived Al2O3 Coating

An Al2O3 coating was prepared from aluminum isopropoxide as precursor on tungsten substrate.The dependences of crystalline and phase in Al2O3 coating on temperature were studied.The results show the coatings being compact,uniform and crack-free can be obtained by suitable experiment.The main phase of coating is α-Al2O3.Compared to the uncoated specimens,the ones with coatings synthesized by sol-gel process provide excellent oxidation resistance at high temperature.     

Formation of composites fabricated by exothermic dispersion reaction in Al-TiO_2-B_2O_3 system

The formation of aluminum matrix composites fabricated by exothermic dispersion reaction in Al-TiO2-B2O3 system was investigated. The thermal analysis results show that the reactions are spontaneous and exothermic. The Gibbs free energy of α-Al2O3 is the lowest among all the combustion products, followed by TiB2 and Al3Ti. It is noted that when the B2O3/TiO2 mole ratio is below 1, the reaction products are composed of particle-like α-Al2O3, TiB2 and rod-like Al3Ti. The α-Al2O3 crystallites, resulting from the reaction between Al and TiO2 or B2O3, are segregated at the grain boundaries due to a lower wettability with the matrix. SEM micrographs show that rod-like Al3Ti phase distributes uniformly in the matrix. When the B2O3/TiO2 mole ratio is around 1, the Al3Ti phase almost disappears in the composites, and the distribution of α-Al2O3 particulates is improved evidently.     

Formation of composites fabricated by exothermic dispersion reaction in A1-TiO2-B2O3 system

The formation of aluminum matrix composites fabricated by exothermic dispersion reaction in A1-TiO2-B2O3 system was investigated. The thermal analysis results show that the reactions are spontaneous and exothermic. The Gibbs free energy of α-Al2O3 is the lowest among all the combustion products, followed by TiB2 and Al3Ti. It is noted that when the B2O3/TiO2 mole ratio is below 1, the reaction products are composed of particle-like α-Al2O3, TiB2 and rod-like Al3Ti. The α-Al2O3 crystallites, resulting from the reaction between A1 and TiO2 or B2O3, are segregated at the grain boundaries due to a lower wettability with the matrix. SEM micrographs show that rod-like Al3Ti phase distributes uniformly in the matrix. When the BEO3/TiO2 mole ratio is around 1, the Al3Ti phase almost disappears in the composites, and the distribution of α-Al2O3 particulates is improved evidently.     

Phase composition and structure of grain boundary of oversintered Y3Al5O12 ceramics

Phase composition and microstructures of grain boundary of oversintered yttrium aluminum garnet （Y3Al5O12, YAG） ceramics by vacuum sintering at 1 850 ℃ were investigated. For synthesizing YAG, grain boundary is a key factor for YAG ceramics. The morphology of grain boundary was observed by SEM, TEM and its composition was analyzed by EDS. It is identified that the grain boundary is composed of a-AI2O3 and yttrium aluminum perovskite （YAP, YAlO3） eutectics. At the edge of YAG crystal grain, YAG phase is decomposed into perovskite YAP and α-Al2O3 during high temperature sintering. Due to refractive indexes of YAP and α-Al2O3 phases in wide grain boundary are different from those of YAG, the transmittance of oversintered YAG ceramics is lower than that of YAG ceramics sintered at 1 750 ℃.     

Bonding of Al2O3 ceramic and Nb using transient liquid phase brazing

The brazing of Al2O3 to Nb was achieved by the method of transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding. Ti foil and Ni-5V alloy foil were used as interlayers for the bonding. The base materials were brazed at 1423-1573 K for 1-120 min. The results show that the shear strength of the joint first increases and then decreases with increasing holding time and brazing temperature. The joint interface microstructure and elements distribution were investigated. It can be concluded that a composite structure, in which the base metals are solid solution Nb(V) and Nb(Ti) reinforced by Ni3Ti, is formed when the brazing temperature is 1473 K and holding time 15 min, and a satisfactory joint strength can be achieved. The interaction of Ti foil and Ni-5V foil leads to the formation of liquid eutectic phase with low melting point, at the same time the combination of Ti come from the interlayer with O atoms from Al2O3 results in the bonding of Al2O3 and Nb.     

Transient oxidation behavior of nanocrystalline CoCrAlY coating at 1050℃

Nanocrystalline CoCrA1Y overlay coating was prepared on M38G superalloy by magnetron sputtering deposition. To investigate the oxidation behavior and phase transformation of alumina during oxidation, the oxidation experiments were conducted at 1 050 ℃ for various time in the range of 5-180 min. The phase compositions of the oxide scales were investigated by using glancing angle X-ray diffraction（XRD）. The microstructure analysis of oxide scales was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The growth process of metastable alumina at the grain boundaries and transformation to stable alumina were discussed. The results show that at the initial oxidation stage the mixture of δ-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3 is formed on the sample surface rapidly. Especially, δ-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 prefer growing at the grain boundaries of CoCrA1Y coating. With increasing oxidation time, δ-Al2O3 and γ-Al2O3 transform to θ-Al2O3, afterwards θ-Al2O3 transforms to α-Al2O3 gradually. After 180 min oxidation, θ-Al2O3 transforms into α-Al2O3 completely.     

Research on semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy prepared by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of a hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouting temperature and stirring power on the semi-solid slurry were investigated. The results indicated that the semi-solid slurry to satisfy rheocasting can be manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The pouring temperature （or superheat） and the stirring power remarkably affected the morphology of primary α-Al and the size of primary α-Al, and there is no obvious effect of stirring time on primary α-Al. Compared with the samples made by low superheat pouring with no stirring, the nucleation rate, particle morphology and grain size of primary α-Al in A356 were markedly improved by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. On the condition of weak electromagnetic stirring, the pouring temperature with low superheat can be suitably raised to reach the effectiveness obtained from the lower pouring temperature without stirring.     

Effect of second introduced phase on magnetotransport properties of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/0.33（CuO,ZnO, Al2O3） composites

The structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of La2/3Sr1/3MnO3（LSMO）/0.33（CuO, ZnO, Al2O3） composites were investigated to explore the role of second introduced phase. The microstructural analysis shows two kinds of grain boundaries： LSMO/LSMO and LSMO/second phase/LSMO. Two maximal resistivities appear in LSMO/0.33CuO and LSMO/0.33ZnO composites while the resistivity of LSMO/0.33Al2O3 decreases monotonically with increasing the temperature from 200 K to 400 K. Moreover, the temperature dependence of magnetoresistance（MR） of LSMO/0.33A1203 that decreases monotonically with increasing the temperature is different from that of LSMO/0.33CuO and LSMO/0.33ZnO. A developed two-channel model consisting of scattering model and tunneling model was proposed to fit the resistivity—temperature curves of these composites. The role of second introduced phase and the magnetotransport mechanism of these composites were elucidated.     

Phase fraction evolution in hot working of a two-phase titanium alloy: experiment and modeling

In the present work, the coupled effects of initial structure and processing parameters on microstructure of a two-phase titanium alloy were investigated to predict the microstructural evolution in multiple hot working. It is found that microstructure with different constituent phases can be obtained by regulating the initial structure and hot working conditions. The variation of deformation degree and cooling rate can change the morphology of the constituent phases, but do not alter the phase fraction. The phase transformation during heating and holding determines the phase fraction for a certain initial structure. β-α-βtransformation occurs during heating and holding.β to αtransformation leads to a significant increase in content and size of lamellar α. The α to β transformation occurs simultaneously in equiaxed α and lamellar α. The thickness of lamellar a increases with temperature, which is caused by the vanishing of fine α lamellae due to phase transformation and coarsening by termination migration. By assuming a quasi-equilibrium phase transformation in heating and holding,a modeling approach is proposed for predicting microstructural evolution. The three stages of phase transformation are modeled separately and combined to predict the variation of phase fraction with temperature.Model predictions agree well with the experimental results.     

3D Morphology and Formation Process of the Icosahedral Quasicrystalline Phase in Rapidly Solidified Al-Mn Alloy

Three-dimensional morphology and formation process of icosahedral quasicrystal phase have been investigated in a melt-spun Al-18 Mn alloy(in wt%).Three distinct layers corresponding to varying temperature gradient have been observed on the cross section of the ribbons.3D morphologies of cellular and dendritic icosahedral phase have been obtained through electro-etching.A model has been proposed to describe the formation process of the icosahedral phase and α-Al during the rapid solidification.The icosahedral phases are primarily precipitated from the melt into fine cellular and dendritic particles,and subsequently engulfed by the α-Al which propagates in a planar morphology.     

Effect of pouring temperature on semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy prepared by weak electromagnetic stirring

The semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy was manufactured by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring. The effects of pouring temperature on the slurry manufactured by weak electromagnetic stirring were researched. The results indicate that it is feasible to manufacture the slurry with particle-like primary phases by low superheat pouring and weak electromagnetic stirring, and there is an important effect of the pouring temperature （superheat temperature） on the morphology and the size of primary α -Al in A356 Al alloy. By the action of suitable weak electromagnetic stirring, increasing pouring temperature to put low superheat pouring in practice is capable of obtaining semi-solid slurry of A356 Al alloy with particle-like primary phase. Compared with the samples made only by low superheat pouring without stirring, raising pouting temperature by 15-35℃ above the liquidus temperature under condition of weak electromagnetic stirring can ensure the same grain size and morphology of the primary phase.     

Hydrothermal formation of dispersive Mg（OH）2 particles in NaOH solution

The hydrothermal modification of Mg(OH)2 crystals in NaOH solution was investigated. The aggregated Mg(OH)2 particles with irregular shape are converted to regular Mg(OH)2 hexagonal plates after hydrothermal treatment. The prolongation of reaction time from 1-4 h or the increase of temperature from 140℃ to 200℃ can promote the formation of Mg(OH)2 plates with big particle size but small cluster size. The dispersion characteristics of the hydrothermal products are improved owing to the improvement of Mg(OH)2 crystalline degree and the in-crease of I（001)/I（101） ratio. The proper hydrothermal modification condition is as follows: solid content 0. 075 g/mL,NaOH concentration 5.0 mol/L, temperature 200℃ and time 4 h. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that the increase of MgOH^ concentration at elevated temperature or the increase of OH^- concentration in concentrated NaOH solution is favorable for the hydrothermal formation of Mg(OH)2 particles.     

Removal of cobalt from zinc sulphate solution using rude antimony trioxide as additve

The process of cobalt removal from zinc sulphate solution using rude antimony trioxide as an additive was investigated.The rude antimony trioxide was produced in treatment of copper and lead anode mud and its main components are antimony trioxide,antimony arsenate and lead antimonate.Using the rude antimony trioxide as the additive of cobalt removal can not only decrease operation cost of purification but also find out a new way for utilization of the rude antimony trioxide.The effects of temperature,dosage of zinc dust,.the rude antimony trioxide.copper ion and solution pH on removal of cobalt were studied. And experimental data using the rude Sb2O3 as additive were compared with those using Sb2O3.The results indicate that using rude Sb2O3 as additive,cobalt concentration in solution could be decreased from 24mg/L to below 1mg/L under about the same conditions as using Sb2O3.     

Synthesis of TiAl-Al2O3 composites by high energy milling and hot-press sintering

A sub-microstructure titanium aluminide alloy/Al2O3 （3A） composite was obtained by crystallization of the amorphous powders, which were prepared by mechanical alloying （MA） in a planetary ball milling system using Ti-AI-TiO2 as raw materials. The experimental results show that, when the milling time increases up to 30 h, the hep Ti（Al） supersaturated solid solution disappears, only amorphous phase is left. The compact samples were synthesized by hot-press to 1 200 ℃ with the amorphous as a precursor; the final phases of the matrix and strengthened phase are y-TiAl and Al2O3. The phases come from in situ crystallization and transformation. The samples, fabricated from the amorphous phase by hot press sintering, have high bending strength and fracture toughness.     

Interactions between Ti Al alloy and AZC/AMT binder systems in investment casting

In this work, two kinds of binders, Ammonium Zirconium Carbonate(AZC) and Ammonium Metatungstate(AMT) hydrate, and three kinds of powders(ZrO 2, Al2O3 and Y2O3) were mixed to fabricate six kinds of face coating systems. The thermal behaviors of the AZC and AMT dried binders were investigated by TG-DTA, and the phase transformation of the two binders was determined by XRD. Monoclinic ZrO 2 phase was formed from AZC at 620 °C and WO3 at 700 °C, and the phase transformation was completed at lower than 1000 °C in both binders, and therefore, the sintering temperature for the molds was selected at 950 °C. The interaction between the ceramic molds with different face coatings and the Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy during investment casting was studied. Results showed no α-case reaction in the TiA l-mold reaction, and the AMT + Y2O3 face coating appeared to be the best choice for investment casting of TiA l alloys under the experimental conditions.     

Shape-controlled synthesis of nanocubic Co3O4 by hydrothermal oxidation method

The nanocubic Co3O4 was synthesized by hydrothermal oxidation method. The effects of cobalt salt, precipitating agent, surfactant, solvent, pH value of the suspension and the amount of oxidant H2O2 on the morphology and structure of Co3O4 were investigated. The Co3O4 powders were characterized by transmission electron microscope and X-my diffraction. The results show that the morphology of Co3O4 is closely dependant on the anion in cobalt salts, but it is not so sensitive to the precipitating agents and solvents. The amount of H2O2 is the key factor to obtain Co3O4 with spinel crystal structure. The optimum synthetic conditions of uniform shape-controlled Co3O4 nanocubes are as follows： Co（CH3COO）2·4H2O as cobalt salt, KOH as precipitating agent, polyethylene glycol with relative molecular mass of about 20 000 as surfactant, water-n-butanol as solvent system, pH value of 8-9, the molar ratio of H2O2 to Co^2＋ above 2.5：1.0, hydrothermal temperature of 160 ℃ and hydrothermal holding time of 10 h. The tap density and apparent density of nanocubic Co3O4 obtained with the average particle size of 20 nm are 1.01 g/cm^3 and 0.70 g/cm^3, respectively.