Preparation and properties of β-tricalcium phosphate porous bloceramlc

Porous β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramic (PTCP) has important roles in surgical implants because of good biocompatibility. But the low compressive strength of the ceramic limits its application. The preparation of PTCP was improved with the adjustment of the constituents and the sintering-process. A new type of PTCP material with high compressive strength was made. The compositions, microstructure and properties of PTCP were analyzed by TG-DSC, XRD, TEM, SEM and so on. The result indicates that stearic acid burns sufficiently and gives out carbon dioxide and water vapor when slowly heated between 200℃ and 400℃ so that the porous structure like coral in β-TCP bioceramic is formed. Through crystallization at 470℃ and 570℃, more CaO-P2O3 glass-cement is converted into crystallite-glass, which is beneficial for improving the compressive strength of β-TCP bioceramic. PTCP can form a support action in bone imperfect section with good solubility.     

Effect of carbon fiber on calcium phosphate bone cement

The calcium phosphate cement (α-TCP/TTCP) was reinforced with oxidation-treated carbon fibers. The effect of aspect ratio and content of carbon fiber on the compression strength and bending strength of the hardened body was discussed. The results show that the reinforcing effect is optimal as the aspect ratio is 375 and the additive amount is 0.3% (mass fraction). Under this condition, the compressive strength is increased by 55% (maximum 63.46 MPa), and the bending strength is nearly increased by 100% (maximum 11.95 MPa), respectively. However, if the additive quantity and aspect ratio are too high, the effect of the carbon fibers is limited because it can not be dispersed uniformly in the hardened body. The biological evaluation indicates that the calcium phosphate cement reinforced by carbon fibers has good biocompatibility.     

Prediction of Compressive Strength of Biodegradable Mg–Zn/HA Composite via Response Surface Methodology and Its Biodegradation

This work aimed to fabricate magnesium zinc/hydroxyapatite(Mg–Zn/HA) composite via powder metallurgy method and to develop a mathematical model to predict the compressive strength of the composite using response surface methodology method. The effect of various mechanical milling parameters, milling speed(200–300 r/min), ball-to-powder weight ratio(5–12.5)and HA content(2.6–10 wt%) on the compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite was investigated. The model shows that high compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite was achieved when the powders were prepared with high milling speed and ball-topowder weight ratio and low HA content. The mathematical model was adequate with error percentage lower than 3.4%. The microstructure of Mg–Zn/HA composite with different process parameters revealed that fine microstructure was observed at high milling speed and ball-to-powder weight ratio while agglomeration of HA was found in composite with 10 wt% HA. The agglomeration of HA led to degradation of interfacial bonding strength between matrix and reinforcement phases and hence decreased the overall compressive strength of Mg–Zn/HA composite. Biodegradation test revealed that sample with higher HA content had more weight gain and there was more formation of hydroxyapatite. Mg–Zn/HA composite with 8 wt% HA was found to be the best candidate for implant application because it had considerable compressive strength and good biodegradation properties.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V powder compacts prepared by magnetic pulse compaction

Ti6Al4V powder compaction was performed by using magnetic pulse compaction in air at 200℃.Effects of process parameters such as voltage,capacitance,discharge times on the microstructure,compressive strength,hardness and relative density of compacts were investigated.The experimental results show that the relative density,hardness and compressive strength of compacted specimens increase with increasing voltage.In addition,the relative density and compressive strength of compacted specimens increase with the augmentation of capacitance in the range investigated.The relative density increases,the hardness firstly increases and then tends to be a fixed value;and the compressive strength firstly increases and then decreases from one to five times compaction.Both values of the hardness and compressive strength reach the maxima of HRA 69.1 and 1 062.31 MPa,at three times compaction,respectively.There are pores in and between particles.     

Obtaining Ultra-High Strength and Ductility in a Mg–Gd–Er–Zn–Zr Alloy via Extrusion,Pre-deformation and Two-Stage Aging

The Mg–12Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.9 Zr(wt%) alloy with ultra-high strength and ductility was developed via hot extrusion combined with pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment.The age-hardening behavior and microstructure evolution were investigated.Pre-deformation introduced a large number of dislocations,resulting in strain hardening and higher precipitation strengthening in the subsequent two-stage aging.As a result,the alloy showed a superior strength–ductility balance with a yield strength of 506 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 549 MPa and an elongation of 8.2% at room temperature.The finer and denser β' precipitates significantly enhanced the strength,and the bimodal structure,small β-Mg_5RE phase as well as dense γ' precipitates ensured the good ductility of the alloy.It is suggested that the combination of pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment is an eff ective method to further improve the mechanical properties of wrought Mg alloys.     

Microstructural evolution,tensile property and dynamic compressive property of FSWed Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Friction stir welding was applied to Ti-6 A1-4 V plates with 5 mm in thickness.The microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated.A full lamellar microstructure was developed near the top surface,and the size of prior β grain gradually decreases as the distance from the top surface increases.The microstructure of the bottom is fine equiaxed a grains,and the mean size is2 μm.A mixture microstructure consisting of primary a,lamellar α+β and fine equiaxed α is discovered in thermomechanically affected zone(TMAZ).Results of transverse tensile test show that the tensile strength of the joint reaches 98% that of the base material(BM).Quasi-static compression test shows that the joint exhibits larger compressive strength and failure strain than the BM.Dynamic compressive strength of the joint is close to that of the BM;furthermore,the strain at the peak stress and energy absorption of the joint are larger than those of the BM.     

Structural characterization and property of in-situ synthesized AZ91-Mg2Si composite

A new-type Mg2Si composite was prepared with Mg-9Al-1Zn （AZ91） alloy and vermiculite as raw materials by melt infiltration method. The results show that the microstructure of composite consists of a large amount of MgESi precipitates and a little amount of MgO embedded in α-Mg matrix. The Vickers hardness of the composite is obviously higher than that of matrix of AZ91 alloy. Moreover, the composite exhibits excellent compressive property. The ultimate compressive strength of the material is 290 MPa, the yield strength is 175 MPa, and the elongation is about 5%, which are higher than those of AZ91 alloy.     

Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and compressive performance of AZ91 magnesium alloy

Effect of cooling rate on both microstructure and room temperature compressive performance of the AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated. The experimental results show that with increasing cooling rate, the quantity of the solid solution phase increases and the fraction of secondary phase Mg17Al12 decreases. The almost single solid solution phase can be obtained with using liquid nitrogen as a coolant. The compressive strengths of the rapid solidified AZ91 magnesium alloys are higher than those of normal cast alloy, and decrease with increasing cooling rate. After artificial aging treatment for 14 h at 168 ℃, the compressive strength of the rapidly solidified AZ91 magnesium alloy cooled in liquid nitrogen increases from 253.5 to 335.3 MPa, while the compressive yield strength increases from 138.1 to 225.91 MPa. The improvement in the compressive strength of the rapidly solidified AZ9 lmagnesium alloys can be attributed to the hardening effect from fine secondary phase.     

STRESS RELAXATION AND RELIABILITY EVALUATION OF SODA-LIME GLASS

Stress relaxation of glass is a dualism effect, it often lead to strength degradation in strengthened glass, but on the other hand, it improves the reliability and stressuniformity of glasses. In this work, stress relaxation of soda-lime glass was investigated using three-point bending tests at 400-560℃ which is near the brittle to ductile transition temperature, for enhancing the safety of glass productions and exploring the most economic anneal process. The experimental results show that the speed of stress relaxation increases but the ultimate stress decreases with increasing temperature. The stress uniformity of the glass samples before and after anneal was examined using spherical indentation at arranged testing points. It indicates that the scatter of the local strength measured by the Hertzian indentation is smaller in the anneal glass than in initial specimen, so that the estimated Weibull modulus for the anneal specimen is higher. Furthermore, the strength evaluation by Hertzian indentation and statistical analysis was presented.     

High-temperature compressive properties of TiC–TiB_2/Cu composites prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

TiC–TiB2 /Cu composites were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis with pseudo hot isostatic pressing using Ti, B4 C, and Cu powders. The compressive deformation of the composites at high temperature was investigated. It is found that the maximum compressive strength decreases with the increase of temperature and Cu content. The deformation of the composites includes the steps of elastic, stable rheology, and inaction. The maximum strain is in the range of 5 %–10 %. Before fracture, TiC–TiB2 /40Cu becomes drum-shaped at 1123 K; however, TiC–TiB2 /20Cu only has a brittle fracture along the axial direction of 45°. The results show that the compressive strength of TiC–TiB2 /Cu decreases from 823 to 1223 K. However, the maximum compressive strength of TiC–TiB2 /20Cu reaches 1850 MPa at 823 K, which predicts that this series of composites could be applied to high-temperature compressive materials.     

Effect of rare earths on phase transformation in as-cast ZA27 alloy dur-ing compressive creep

The effect of the mixed rare earths of Ce on the phase transformation in as cast ZA27 alloy during compressive creep was investigated under 37 MPa and at 160℃ by X-ray diffraction technique and SEM. The results showed that the as cast microstructure of ZA27-RE alloy consisted of a dendritic Al-rich a' surrounded by Zn-rich β' phase, interdendritic ε phase and Zn-rich η phase together with a complex Z phase which was a complex constitute compound, (RE,Cu)Al5Zn16, dispersed in crystal interfaces or branch crystal interfaces and stable during compressive creep test at 160'C. The phase transformations of ZA27-RE alloy, decomposition of β' phase and four transformation, were delayed by the addition of rare earths, also the lamellar structure and the spheroidized structure in ZA27-RE alloy were finer than in ZA27 alloy during compressive creep test at 160℃ at the same creep time, and the compressive creep resistance of ZA27-RE alloy was higher than that of ZA27 alloy.     

Tracing process of β-TCP ceramics in vivo with ^45Ca

The metabolic way of calcium ions which was released due to in vivo degradation of porous β-TCP ceramics was studied by using the radioisotope ^45Ca as tracer. The result shows that some of the calcium ions enter blood and take part in the circulation. These calcium ions distribute into organs and tissues (such as liver, kidney, brain,heart, lung, spleen and stomach) and participate in the metabolisms of body. There is neither the accumulation of calcium ions, nor the lesion or pathologic calcification of the organs and tissues. Some of the calcium ions that enter the near-end femur, ulna and skull are reused by bony tissue to take part in both local mineralization processes during bone healing, or are stored in calcium pool which can participate in the whole body circulating. In the cyclical process, other calcium ions are excreted with urine and feces through kidney and liver. It is indicated that the degradation products of β-TCP ceramics can take part in the physiological metabolic process of normal bone and tissue.     

Microstructures and compressive properties of AZ91D/fly-ash cenospheres composites

Novel AZ91D Mg alloy/fly-ash cenospheres(AZ91D/FACs)composites were fabricated by melt stir technique.Fly-ash cenosphere particles with 4%,6%,8%,10%in mass fraction and 100μm in size were used.Hardness and compressive strength of the composites were measured.The effects of mass fraction of cenospheres on the microstructure and compressive properties were characterized.The results show that the cenospheres are uniformly distributed in the matrix and there is no sign of cenosphere cluster or residual pore.The densities of the composites are 1.85-1.92 g/cm 3 .By comparing with matrix,the compressive yield strength of the composites is improved,and the cenospheres is filled with Mg matrix alloy.SEM,XRD and EDX results of the composites show clear evidence of reaction product at cenosphere/matrix interface.On the basis of XRD and EDX,composition, structure and thermodynamic analysis,the main interfacial phase between the cenosphere and AZ91D Mg alloy was identified to be MgAl2O4.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 2D woven Grf/Al composite

A 2D woven graphite fibers reinforced aluminum matrix composite with 50%Grf （volume fraction） was fabricated by the squeeze-casting technology, and its microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that the composite is dense, the graphite fibers are distributed uniformly in the composite. TEM observation indicates the bonding between fiber and matrix is good and little interfacial reaction is found in the Grf/Al composite. This is attributed to the better stability of graphite fiber and the fabrication process minimizing the contact time between fiber with matrix at high temperatures. The 2D woven Grf/Al composite exhibites better mechanical properties with tensile strength, bending strength and elastic modulus of 366.2, 519.7 and 110.7 GPa, respectively.＂ SEM images suggeste that the fracture is irregular and some pulled-out fibers are found, which indicats that the high strength of fiber is not degraded.     

Microstructure,Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of AlCoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

AlCoCrFeNi is one of the most widely studied alloy systems in the high-entropy alloy(HEA) area due to the interesting microstructure and mechanical properties.In this study,the AlCoCrFeNi alloy was prepared using spark plasma sintering(SPS) with pre-alloy powders obtained through gas atomization.Then,the sintered samples were annealed at 700,800 and900℃,and the effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure,mechanical and corrosion properties was studied.The results show that phase formation takes place during annealing process with the new phase(σ) and some nano scale BCC precipitates formation.The size and quantity of the nanoscale precipitates increase with increasing annealing temperature.The twin is also observed after annealing at 900℃.The annealing temperature has an obvious effect on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the spark plasma sintered AlCoCrFeNi HEA.When the annealing temperature is 700℃,the hardness,yield strength and fracture strength reach the maximum with the value of 545 HV,1430 MPa and 2230 MPa,respectively.The compressive ratio reaches the maximum of 17.2%,with the annealing temperature increasing to 800℃.The corrosion resistance of the samples decreases with increasing the annealing temperature.     

Effect of mold temperature and casting dimension on microstructure and tensile properties of counter-gravity casting Ti-6Al-4V alloys

The cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy bars with different section sizes were fabricated by investment casting at counter-gravity condition with the mold temperatures of 300 °C and 650 °C, respectively. The microstructure of the alloy was observed by means of OM and SEM, and the effect of mold temperature and casting dimension on tensile properties was studied. Results show that equiaxed grains are obtained regardless of the casting dimension. β grain size tends to increase with an increase in mold temperature. Hot isostatic pressing of the alloy was carried out for tensile properties' comparison. Room temperature tensile test results show that Ti-6Al-4V alloy produced via counter-gravity casting has good balance of strength and ductility after hot isostatic pressing(HIP). The alloy shows higher ductility due to the elimination of porosity. In both cast and HIP status, the tensile strength is inclined to decrease with an increase in mold temperature, while the ductility is prone to slightly increase. Both the strength and ductility tend to decrease with an increase in the casting dimension.     

Microstructural zones and tensile characteristics of friction stir welded joint of TC4 titanium alloy

TC4 titanium alloy was friction stir welded using a W-Re pin tool,and the defect-free weld was produced with proper welding parameters.The joint consists of stir zone,heat affected zone and base material.The stir zone is characterized by equiaxed dynamically recrystallized α phases and transformed β phases with fine α+β lamellar microstructure.The microstructure of the heat-affected zone is similar to that of the base material,but there is an increase in the volume fraction of β.Transverse tensile strength of the joint is 92% that of the base material,and the joint is fractured in the stir zone and the fracture surface possesses typical plastic fracture characteristics.The stir zone is the weakest part of the joint,through which the tensile characteristics of the TC4 joint can be explained.     

Effect of TiH2 on preparation of closed-cell aluminum foam and its compressive behavior

The vesicant problem during the process of preparing closed-cell aluminum foam by molten body transitional foaming process was discussed and the effect of granularity and addition of TiH2 on porosity of closed-cell aluminum foam was investigated. The static compressive behavior of closed-cell aluminum foam and the influence of porosity on static compressive property of closed-cell aluminum foam were researched as well. The results show that with increasing granularity of TiH2, the porosity of closed-cell aluminum foam firstly increases and then decreases gradually, the granularity should be controlled in the range of 38-74μm which can result in higher porosity. The porosity of closed-cell aluminum foam increases with the increasing addition of TiH2, and the addition of TiH2 should be controlled fi＇om 1.5% to 2.5% which can result in homogeneous cell and moderate strength of closed-cell aluminum foam. The compressive process of closed-cell aluminum foam obviously displays linear elastic phase, plastic collapse phase, and densification phase, and the compressive strength grows with decreasing porosity.     

Preparation of Biodegradable Mg/β-TCP Biofunctional Gradient Materials by Friction Stir Processing and Pulse Reverse Current Electrodeposition

Mg alloys, as a new generation of biodegradable bone implant materials, are facing two tremendous challenges of enhancing strength and reducing degradation rate in physiological environment to meet clinical needs. In this study, tricalcium phosphate(β-TCP) particles were dispersed in Mg–2 Zn–0.46 Y–0.5 Nd alloy by friction stir processing(FSP) to produce Mg-based functional gradient materials(Mg/β-TCP FGM). On the surface of Mg/β-TCP FGM, the hydroxyapatite(HA) coating was prepared by electrodeposition. The effects of FSP and electrochemical parameter on the microstructure, microhardness, bonding strength and corrosion performance of the Mg/β-TCP FGM were investigated. After four passes of FSP, a uniform and fine-grained structure was formed in Mg/β-TCP and the microhardness increased from 47.9 to 76.3 HV. Compared to the samples without β-TCP, the bonding strength of the Mg/β-TCP FGM increased from 23.1 ± 0.462 to 26.3 ± 0.526 MPa and the addition of degradable β-TCP contributed to the in situ growth of HA coating. The thickness of HA coating could be dominated by controlling the parameters of electrodeposition. According to the results of immersion tests and electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid, it indicated that the degradation rate of the Mg/β-TCP FGM could be adjusted.     

Influence of annealing and spheroidizing treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy

The low-strength and high-brittleness of AZ91 cast magnesium alloy mainly result from the coarse divorced eutectic phase.To solve these problems,the annealing treatment of AZ91 cast magnesium alloy was carried out at 415 ℃ and held for 24 h in this study and the alloy was then slowly cooled to room temperature in furnace.The microstructures of the alloy were observed using a metallographic microscope,a transmission electron microscopy and an emission scanning electron microscopy,respectively.The phase analysis was performed using the X-ray diffraction,and the tensile test of the specimen at ambient temperature was performed on a material test machine.The results indicate that the coarse divorced eutectic phase dissolves into the Mg matrix during the isothermal process,and the lamellar β-Mg17Al12 phase precipitates from the magnesium solid solution with a type of pearlite precipitation during furnace cooling.Consequently,the spheroidizing treatment was carried out at 320 ℃ for 20 h following the annealing process and the lamellar β-Mg17Al12 phase was spheroidized.Compared with the as-cast alloy,the strength and ductility of the AZ91 magnesium alloy are increased obviously after annealing treatment;the yield strength and tensile strength are increased to 137.8 MPa and 240.4 MPa from 102.9 MPa and 199.3 MPa,respectively;and the elongation is improved to 6.12% from 4.35%.After being spheroidized,the strength and hardness decrease a little,but the ductility is elevated to 7.23%.The nucleation,growth and spheroidizing mechanism of the lamellar β-Mg17Al12 phase were also discussed.