Effect of heat treatment environment on the structural characteristics and microhardness of high velocity oxy-fuel sprayed tungsten carbide-cobalt coatings

In the present study, tungsten carbide-cobalt was coated on the austenitic stainless steel using high velocity oxy-fuel spraying. The as-deposited coatings were heat treated at 750 °C in air and argon gas environments. Structural characteristics of these coatings were studied using x-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum analysis. Further, the microhardness of the polished coated samples was also evaluated. The hardness of the coatings was significantly improved after heat treatment in air and argon gas environment. However, the highest hardness was observed with the coatings treated in argon gas environment. The formation of oxide phases such as tungsten trioxide and cobalt tungstate was observed after heat treatment in the air environment, whereas under the argon environment, no oxide phases were observed.     

生长温度对ZnO薄膜结构的影响

在不同温度下，利用射频等离子体增强型MOCVD系统，在蓝宝石C面上生长出了C轴单一取向的ZnO薄膜，并通过XRD，SEM手段对生长温度与样品的生长速度，表面结构和氧锌原子化学计量比的关系作了较为详细的研究，优化了薄膜的温度生长参数，当生长温度为520℃时，ZnO薄膜的生长速度最大且表面粗糙度较低，当温度为550℃时，可生长出O：Zn为49.99:50:01的近本征ZnO薄膜。     

Mechanical and tribological behaviour of tungsten carbide reinforced aluminum LM4 matrix composites

Aluminum-based metal matrix composites (AMCs) play a vital role for potential applications in aerospace and automotive industries. This paper explores the experimental analysis of a composite with aluminum LM4 alloy as the matrix and tungsten carbide (WC) as the reinforcement material. The composite specimens were fabricated by the stir casting process. The reinforced ratios of 5, 10 and 15?wt.% of WC particulates were stirred in molten aluminum LM4 alloy (AALM4). Once the composite is solidified, the specimens are prepared to the required ASTM dimensions and tested for various mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact strength and hardness. Moreover, the tribological behavior of the composite was studied using the pin-on-disc wear test apparatus. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted to analyze the various elements present in the composites. Finally, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis reveals the uniform distribution of WC particles in Aluminum LM4 alloy matrix. The improvement in mechanical properties – hardness, impact strength and tensile strength – was achieved for the increase in the addition of wt.% of WC particles in the LM4 matrix. The decrease in mass loss was observed for the composite containing 15?wt.% of WC during the wear test among the various composites tested.     

Si衬底上RF磁控溅射MgO薄膜的研究

采用射频磁控溅射(rf magnetron sputte-ring)在Si(100)衬底上生长得到MgO薄膜。将在不同气压和Ar分压条件下得到的样品在氧气氛围下1000℃退火并进行X射线衍射(XRD)分析,结果表明,溅射总气压和O2分压影响MgO薄膜的择优取向,控制总气压和Ar分压可以控制MgO薄膜的晶格取向,Si衬底取向也对薄膜的择优取向产生影响。通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)分析发现,MgO薄膜经过高温退火形成结晶并产生了表面裂纹。     

Enhanced deposition of cubic boron nitride films on roughened silicon and tungsten carbide-cobalt surfaces

We report the influence of substrate surface roughness on cubic boron nitride (cBN) film deposition under low-energy ion bombardment in an inductively coupled plasma. Silicon and cemented tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) surfaces are roughened by low-energy ion-assisted etching in a hydrogen plasma, followed by deposition in a fluorine-containing plasma. Infrared absorption coefficients are measured to be 22,000 cm⁻¹ and 17,000 cm⁻¹ for sp²-bonded BN and cBN phases, respectively, for our films. For the silicon substrates, the film growth rate and the cBN content in the film increase with increasing the surface roughness, while the amount of sp²BN phase in the film shows only a small increase. A larger surface roughness of the substrate results in a smaller contact angle of water, indicating that a higher surface free energy of the substrate contributes to enhancing growth of the cBN film. For the WC-Co substrates, the film growth rate and the cBN content in the film increase similarly by roughening the surface.     

Influence of post weld treatments on the fatigue behaviour of Al-alloy welded joints

In this paper the influence of different post welding treatments, such as ageing or shot peening, on the fatigue behaviour of Al-alloy welded joints was investigated. The analysed joints were candidates for car structural applications. Several four point bending fatigue tests were conducted on GMAW specimens subjected to different post weld treatments. The residual stress field acting on specimens was measured by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The results of tests were discussed with the aid of a finite element model of the specimen aimed to calculate the actual fatigue cycle, also taking account of residual stresses and of their redistribution during the test. This allowed to characterize the fatigue resistance of the joints, taking account of the effective stress acting in the region of crack initiation.     

不同衬底制备稀土Nd+3掺杂SnO2薄膜的XRD、SEM分析

采用真空气相沉积法在玻璃和单晶硅衬底[111]上制备纳米SnO2及稀土金属钕掺杂薄膜，并对薄膜进行热处理。对薄膜进行XRD、SEM测试。实验显示，不同衬底制备SnO。薄膜在未掺钕时结构有明显区别，采用同样工艺条件在玻璃衬底上制备的SnO2薄膜没有显示择优生长；在硅衬底上制备未掺钕SnO2薄膜显示出沿[101]晶向择优生长趋势。掺钕（5at％）玻璃衬底制备的薄膜沿[110]衍射峰较强，但薄膜基本呈现自由生长；掺钕后硅衬底制备的薄膜则强烈沿[110]晶向择优生长，随掺钕含量增加择优生长趋势消失，当掺钕含量为（5at％）时薄膜呈自由生长结构较完善。SEM给出在玻璃基片生长的薄膜表面形貌呈均匀小颗粒状，平均晶粒尺寸在30nm左右。硅基片制备的薄膜表面则呈紧密均匀带孔颗粒状；颗粒尺寸约1000nm与计算值相差较大。两种衬底制备的SnO2薄膜经稀土钕掺杂可抑制晶粒生长。本实验中钕掺杂量为5at％（热处理T=500℃，t=45min）时薄膜结构特性最佳。     

Characterisation of microstructure and mechanical properties in two different nanostructured bainitic steels

Recently, valuable combinations of mechanical properties with strength of 1.9 GPa accompanied by very decent ductility of 19% and toughness of 31 J, have been achieved in a set of nanostructured bainitic steels. However, it is necessary to elucidate the significance of various microstructural features responsible of that extraordinary mechanical response in more detail. Thus, using two steels, with different Mn, Ni and V contents, and changing the nanostructured bainite isothermal transformation temperatures (200–300°C), has led to a plethora of subtle and essential microstructural variations, necessary to explain how the mechanical response of nanostructured bainite is attained.     

乙醇胺添加剂对AZ91D镁合金表面磷化膜微观结构的影响研究

以锌系磷酸盐化学转化膜为研究体系,采用SEM,XRD分析方法及检测手段,研究乙醇胺(MEA)添加剂及其浓度对AZ91D镁合金锌系磷酸盐化学转化膜微观结构的影响.研究发现由于锌系磷化液中乙醇胺的添加:(1)改变了AZ91D镁合金锌系磷化膜晶体层的微观结构,促进了晶核的形成和晶粒细化,晶簇间隙中晶核的形成对晶体膜层完整性和致密度起着关键作用;(2)对(Zn_3(PO_4)_2·_4H_2O)晶体的取向有影响,有控制晶簇尺寸使磷化结晶组织更均匀的作用;(3)MEA在1.2g/L时磷化膜层平整致密、晶簇的尺寸均匀缺陷最少;(4)锌系磷化膜有两层结构:(Zn_3(PO_4)_2·_4H_2O)晶体外层和非晶态内层;(5)MEA的不同添加量对晶体层孔隙的影响有3种类型:表面浅孔(a型),晶簇间缝隙或微裂纹(b型),开放缺陷(c型).     

Influence of LiF Addition on the Superconducting Properties of Bi1.7Pb0.4Sr1.5Ca2.5Cu3.6Ox High-Temperature Superconducting Oxide

We investigated the superconducting critical temperature, transport critical-current density, and the thermo-power properties of Bi_1.7Pb_0.4Sr_1.5Ca_2.5Cu_3.6O _x /(LiF) _y samples. It was found that the midpoint critical temperature increases with increasing y, attaining 119.5 K for y = 0.15. The transition width shows a minimum and the critical temperature (zero electrical resistance) exhibits a maximum as a function of y. The observed behavior is correlated with the SEM analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction studies reveal that in our samples the amount of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀₊ high-temperature superconducting phase is maximal (70–78%) for y = 0.05–0.07.     

稀土元素铈对AZ61镁合金铸态显微组织及结构的影响

运用金相显微镜、电子探针和X ray等手段分析了AZ61合金添加稀土元素Ce后铸态显微结构的变化。结果表明 ,Ce的加入细化了 β相和晶粒 ,并减少了 β相的量。Ce在AZ61合金中以呈块状和杆状Al4 Ce化合物的形式存在 ,这两种化合物熔点极高 ,几乎不溶于基体 ,有极少部分偏聚在晶界上。固溶处理后 ,AZ61合金中的 β (Mg12Al17)相几乎全部溶入基体 ;而加入稀土Ce后 ,AZ61合金中的Al4 Ce化合物几乎很少溶入基体。Ce的加入能够提高AZ61合金基体相的显微硬度 ,但幅度不大 ;而将其固溶处理后 ,Ce显著提高了AZ61合金的显微硬度。     

热处理工艺路径对9Ni低温钢组织和性能的影响

对9Ni低温钢进行淬火＋回火（QT）、淬火＋淬火＋回火（QQT）不同工艺路径的热处理试验,分析了不同热处理工艺路径下9Ni低温钢组织和性能的影响。结果表明：不同的热处理工艺路径直接影响9Ni低温铜最终的性能。相较于淬火＋回火（QT）工艺路径,采用含有两相区淬火的QQT工艺能明显提高9Ni低温铜的低温韧性,但降低强度。在淬火＋回火（QT）工艺路径下,随着回火温度的升高,9Ni钢回火析出组织更加充分均匀,其低温韧性呈上升趋势。在淬火＋淬火＋回火（QQT）工艺路径下,9Ni钢的低温韧性随两相区淬火温度的升高呈下降趋势。     

Spin conversion of hydrogen using supported iron catalysts at cryogenic temperature

Alumina-supported iron oxides have been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method and employed for orthohydrogen to parahydrogen spin conversion at cryogenic temperature. These materials were characterized using a series of characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, Raman and in situ FTIR spectroscopy. The spin conversion was investigated at low temperature by a batch mode of operation. The in situ FTIR spectra were collected in a transmission mode to obtain the spin conversion. While the iron oxide was highly dispersed over alumina support at low loading percent, a rodlike crystallite of iron oxide was formed at high loading percent. The 10 and 20 wt% iron oxides on alumina were proved to be the most active catalysts. The spin conversion process was very slow and time-dependent. It was concluded that the spin conversion was a function of various factors including the iron oxide loading percent, calcination temperature, and different supports.     

Influence of post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc maraging steel weldments

Abstract

The response to post-weld heat treatment of an 18%Ni (250 grade) gas tungsten arc weld metal has been investigated. The post-weld heat treatments are (a) direct aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling, (b) solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling and (c) homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling. Metallographic characterisation of fusion zone revealed pronounced segregation of titanium and molybdenum along the interdendritic and intercellular boundaries. This led, during subsequent aging, to austenite reversion at temperatures much lower than in wrought (unwelded) material. Solutionised treatment at 815°C does not remove the segregation. Homogenisation treatment (1150°C/1 h/air cooling) succeeded in making the composition become homogenised. Mechanical properties including tensile, hardness and impact toughness were evaluated. Tensile test results showed that directly aged weldments exhibited lower strength but higher ductility than the other cases; this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite. Homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling resulted in optimum tensile properties. A substantial increase in fusion zone toughness was observed after homogenisation+solutionising+aged condition due to a decrease in the content of austenite content compared to the directly aged condition. The reduction in microsegregation by diffusion of alloying elements from cell boundaries to the cell during homogenisation treatment is responsible for the decrease in austenite content.     

Influence of synthesis methodology and post treatments on structural and textural variations in MgAlCO3 hydrotalcite

MgAl-CO₃ hydrotalcite was synthesized by a new method namely instantaneous precipitation (IP) and compared for structural and textural variations for both fresh and aged samples with the conventionally synthesized coprecipitated (COP) sample. PXRD showed a pattern similar to pure hydrotalcite, irrespective of synthesis methodology used, however, crystallinity and crystallite size was higher for both fresh and aged samples synthesized by IP method than for the corresponding samples synthesized by COP method. Significant variation in the particle morphology was noted, wherein nearly aggregated spherical particles were observed with IP method while elongated hexagonal platelets were observed with COP method. N₂ adsorption measurements showed a Type-IV isotherm for aged samples, however, pore size distribution varied with synthesis methodology. Particle size variations showed, a broad distribution for both fresh and aged samples synthesized by IP method while a size distribution for fresh COP sample changed to a bimodal distribution upon aging with a concomitant increase in average particle size. The difference in the properties of these samples with the variation in synthesis methodology and post treatments may be ascribed for variations in local hydrothermal effects, mixing at both microscopic and macroscopic levels and in degree of supersaturation.     

Heat treatment effects on the formation of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate thin films

The microstructural and compositional properties of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) thin films deposited on platinum coated Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering have been studied. The heat treatment processes of substrate heating during deposition and post deposition furnace and rapid thermal annealing were compared as processes for obtaining the desired pervoskite phase. PLZT thin films deposited with in-situ substrate heating showed little evidence of micro-cracking. The XRD data obtained showed the formation of pervoskite phase at 550 °C and indicated the suppression of the pyrochlore phase for increasing temperatures. The RBS analysis revealed a film thickness of 140 nm and composition of (Pb_0.91La_0.09)(Zr_0.6Ti_0.4)O₃. Deposition performed with in-situ substrate heating at 650 °C resulted in highly (110) pervoskite orientated thin films with an average grain size around 160 to 200 nm and an RMS roughness of 3 nm.     

Structural and optical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films with different compositions prepared by electron beam evaporation

Tin-doped Indium oxide thin films in different compositions (Sn = 0,5,10,15,20 at.wt%) were prepared on glass substrates at the substrate temperature of 250 °C in an oxygen atmosphere by electron beam evaporation. The structural and morphological studies were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The grain size of the ITO films decreased when increasing the dopant concentration of Sn in the In₂O₃ lattice. Optical properties of the films were studied in the UV-Visible-NIR region (300-1000 nm). The optical energy band gap (E_g), as determined by the dependence of the absorption coefficient on the photon energy at short wavelengths was found to increase from 3.61 to 3.89 eV revealing the ascending loading profile of dopant concentration. Optical Parameters, such as absorption depth, refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), packing density, porosity, dispersion energy and single effective oscillator energy were also studied to show the composition dependence of tin-doped indium oxide films.     

晶体生长用TiO2纳米晶的改良工艺研究

针对晶体生长的具体应用,分别以硫酸氧钛铵（ATS）和改良硫酸氧钛铵（M－ATS）为原料,采用高温焙烧法制备了TiO2纳米晶,用XRD分析了原料和纳米晶的物相,用SEM分析了纳米晶的形貌,结果表明虽然两种原料具有相似的物相结构,但所得纳米晶的性状不同,M－ATS焙烧所得纳米晶分散性更高,均匀性更好,此外,研究了焙烧温度,保温时间,急烧,缓烧等工艺条件对纳米晶形貌,物相的影响,并给出了批量制备TiO2纳米晶粉体的最佳工艺条件。     

Effects of cryogenic cooling on surface layer alterations in machining of AISI 52100 steels

Abstract

Microstructural phase transformations, commonly known as white layer formation in hard turned steel components, have in recent times become an interesting research topic in machining as they are related to the surface integrity and functional performance of components. Three main theories have been proposed to justify the mechanisms of white layer formation: (1) rapid heating and quenching; (2) severe plastic deformation; and (3) surface reaction with the environment. Coolant application also affects the surface microstructural alterations resulting from machining operations, which have a significant influence on product performance and life. The present work aims at understanding the effects of cryogenic coolant application on the machined surface alterations during machining of hardened AISI 52100 bearing steel. Experiments were performed under dry and cryogenic cooling conditions using cubic boron nitride tool inserts with varying initial work material hardness, tool shape, cutting speed and feedrate. Optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) were used to analyse the affected layer in the machined subsurface, while X-ray diffraction technique was utilised to investigate the microstructural phase composition. The experimental results prove that the microstructural phase changes are heavily influenced by the cutting process parameters and the use of cryogenic cooling, in some cases leading to the total removal of martensite.