Prediction of the formation enthalpies of Bi–Cd–Ga–In–Pb–Sn–Zn liquid alloys by binary infinitely dilute enthalpies

The molecular interaction volume model (MIVM) is used to predict the formation enthalpies of Bi–Cd–Ga–In–Sn–Zn and Bi–Cd–Ga–In–Pb–Sn–Zn liquid alloys, using only the infinitely dilute enthalpies of binary systems and the coordination numbers of the constituent elements in liquid alloys. In addition, the infinitely dilute enthalpies of binary system were obtained by Miedema's theory without requiring experimental data. The results are compared with the experimental data and calculated values using the Hoch–Arpshofen model (HAM), the results indicate that the model is reliable as well as being convenient.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the Cu–Dy binary system

The Cu–Dy binary system has been thermodynamically assessed with CALPHAD approach. The solution phases including liquid, Bcc, Fcc and Hcp were treated as substitutional solution phases, of which the excess Gibbs energies were formulated with Redlich–Kister polynomial functions. The binary intermetallic compounds were treated as stoichiometric phases. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for describing various phases in this system has been obtained, which can well reproduce the corresponding experimental data.     

Microstructure and martensitic transformation of Ni–Fe–Ga–Si ferromagnetic shape memory alloys

The effects of the fourth element Si on the martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of Ni–Fe–Ga magnetic shape memory alloys were investigated. A complete thermoelastic martensitic transformation in Ni–Fe–Ga–Si alloys was observed in the temperature range of 218–285 K. The martensitic transformation temperatures of Ni–Fe–Ga alloys are obviously decreased by the substitution of Si for Ga element, that is, the substitution of 1 at.% Si for Ga leads to a decrease of martensitic transformation temperature of about 39.6 K. Moreover, the substitution of Si for Ga leads to a decrease of the saturation magnetic field and the magnetic anisotropy constant K₁ obviously.     

Thermodynamic modeling of the Ca–Ag binary system

The Ca–Ag binary system has been assessed with CALPHAD approach based on experiment information about phase diagram and thermodynamic properties. The excess Gibbs energies of the solution phases including liquid, bcc and fcc were formulated with Redlich–Kister polynomial functions. The intermetallic compounds Ca₂Ag₉, Ca₂Ag₇, CaAg₂, CaAg, Ca₅Ag₃ and Ca₃Ag were treated as stoichiometric phases. Self-consistent thermodynamic parameters have been obtained and the calculated results agree well with most literature data. Several diagrams and tables concerning the Ca–Ag system are presented.     

Thermodynamic analysis of alloys Ti–Al, Ti–V, Al–V and Ti–Al–V

Thermodynamic analysis of three binary Ti-based alloys: Ti–Al, Ti–V, and Al–V, as well as ternary alloy Ti–Al–V, is shown in this paper. Thermodynamic analysis involved thermodynamic determination of activities, coefficient of activities, partial and integral values for enthalpies and Gibbs energies of mixing and excess energies at four different temperatures: 2000, 2073, 2200 and 2273 K, as well as calculated phase diagrams for the investigated binary and ternary systems. The FactSage is used for all thermodynamic calculations.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the Mo–Re binary system

The existing Mo–Re phase diagrams are reviewed and a thermodynamic calculation of the Mo–Re binary system is undertaken. The Gibbs energies are estimated for liquid, bcc (Mo), hcp (Re), σ and χ phases. The liquid, bcc (Mo) and hcp (Re) phases are described by a regular solution model, whereas the σ and χ phases are described respectively by three-sublattice models. For the σ phase, two thermodynamic models are used for calculations and the results are compared. The models take into account the crystallographic structure and similarity between the σ and χ phases. The calculated results remove the ambiguity of the existing phase diagram data and are compared with the experimental data in the literature.     

The 260 °C phase equilibria of the Sn–Sb–Ag ternary system and interfacial reactions at the Sn–Sb/Ag joints

The isothermal section of the Sn–Sb–Ag ternary system at 260 °C has been determined in this study by experimental examination. Experimental results show no existence of ternary compounds in the Sn–Sb–Ag system. Two extensive regions of mutual solubility have been determined. The one located between the two binary isomorphous phases, Ag₃Sn and Ag₃Sb, is labeled as and the other one located between the two binary isomorphous phases, Ag₄Sn and Ag₄Sb, is labeled as ξ. The phase is a very stable phase and is in equilibrium with ξ, Sb, SbSn, Sb₂Sn₃, and liquid Sn phases. Each of the Sb and SbSn phases has a limited solubility of Ag. Only one stoichiometric compound, Sb₂Sn₃, exists. Besides phase equilibria determination, the interfacial reactions between the Sn–Sb alloys and the Ag substrate were investigated at 260 °C. It was found that the phase formations in the Sn–Sb/Ag couples are very similar to those in the Sn/Ag couples.     

The microstructures and mechanical properties of cast Mg–Zn–Al–RE alloys

The microstructures and mechanical properties of cast Mg–Zn–Al–RE alloys with 4 wt.% RE and variable Zn and Al contents were investigated. The results show that the alloys mainly consist of α-Mg, Al₂REZn₂, Al₄RE and τ-Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉ phases, and a little amount of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase will also be formed with certain Zn and Al contents. When increasing the Zn or Al content, the distribution of the Al₂REZn₂ and Al₄RE phases will be changed from cluster to dispersed, and the content of τ-Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉ phase increased gradually. The distribution of the Al₂REZn₂ and Al₄RE phases, and the content of β- or τ-phase are critical to the mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Al–RE alloys. The Mg–6Zn–5Al–4RE alloy with cluster Al₂REZn₂ phase and low content of β-phase, exhibits the optimal mechanical properties, and the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation are 242 MPa, 140 MPa and 6.4% at room temperature, respectively.     

Thermodynamic modeling of the Ru–Zr system

The Ru–Zr system has been critically assessed by means of the CALPHAD technique. Based on the experimental data, the solution phases (liquid, body-centered cubic, hexagonal close-packed) were initially modeled with the Redlich–Kister equation. It was shown that this model had a definite temperature range beyond which the liquid became unstable. To tackle the problem, the solution phases were modeled with a new semi-empirical equation, which was recommended by Kaptay. A two-sublattice model (Ru, Zr)_0.5(Ru, Zr)_0.5 is applied to describe the compound RuZr in order to deal with the order–disorder transition between body-centered cubic solution (A2) and RuZr with CsCl-type structure (B2). Another two-sublattice model (Ru, Zr)_0.6667(Ru, Zr)_0.3333 is applied to describe the compound Ru₂Zr in order to cope with the order–disorder transition between hexagonal close-packed (A3) and Ru₂Zr with MgZn₂-type structure (C14). A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters of the Ru–Zr system was obtained.     

A novel Al–Ti–B alloy for grain refining Al–Si foundry alloys

Al–Ti–B refiners with excess-Ti (Ti:B > 2.2) perform adequately for wrought aluminium alloys but they are not as efficient in the case of foundry alloys. Silicon, which is abundant in the latter, forms silicides with Ti and severely impairs the potency of TiB₂ and Al₃Ti particles. Hence, Al–Ti–B alloys with excess-B (Ti:B < 2.2) and binary Al–B alloys are favored to grain refine hypoeutectic Al–Si alloys. These grain refiners rely on the insoluble (Al,Ti)B₂ or AlB₂ particles for grain refinement, and thus do not enjoy the growth restriction provided by solute Ti. It would be very attractive to produce excess-B Al–Ti–B alloys which additionally contain Al₃Ti particles to maximize their grain refining efficiency for aluminium foundry alloys. A powder metallurgy process was employed to produce an experimental Al–3Ti–3B grain refiner which contains both the insoluble AlB₂ and the soluble Al₃Ti particles. Inoculation of a hypoeutectic Al–Si foundry alloy with this grain refiner has produced a fine equiaxed grain structure across the entire section of the test sample which was more or less retained for holding times up to 15 min.     

Synthesis of the Ni–Zn–Sm ferrites using microwaves energy

This work reports the preparation of Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite powders by combustion reaction using microwaves energy and XRD characterization. The influence of the fuel type used was investigated. The metallic nitrates and fuels (urea, glycine or 1:1 mixture) were heated in microwave oven for 5 and 10 min using the power of 450 and 630 W. Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite and traces of secondary phases were observed in the powders obtained with glycine and mixture (1:1). The powers obtained with urea presented low cristallinity, only the main peak of the Ni–Zn–Sm ferrite phase was observed.     

Thermodynamic modeling of the Al–Cr system

By means of calculation of phase diagram (CALPHAD) technique, the Al–Cr system was critically assessed. Three solution phases (liquid, body-centered cubic, face-centered cubic) were modeled with the Redlich–Kister equation. The intermetallic compounds Al₇Cr, Al₁₁Cr₂, Al₄Cr, Al₈Cr₅, AlCr₂, which have a homogeneity range, were treated as the formulae Al₇(Al,Cr), Al₁₁(Al,Cr)₂, Al₄(Al,Cr), (Al,Cr)₈(Al,Cr)₅, (Al,Cr)(Al,Cr)₂ using two-sublattice model, respectively. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters describing the Gibbs energy of each individual phase as a function of composition and temperature for the Al–Cr system was obtained.     

A contribution to the Al–Pd–Mn phase diagram

A part of the Al–Pd–Mn phase diagram in the vicinity of the icosahedral phase was refined. Partial isothermal sections of 710, 850, 870 and 880°C are presented. The overall compositional range of the icosahedral phase was found to be between 5.8 and 10.5 at.% Mn and between 69.5 and 71.5 at.% Al at these temperatures. It shifts to lower Mn concentration at lower temperatures. It was confirmed that the phase usually designated Al₃Pd has a lower Al concentration in the binary alloys than that according to the formula. It extends to the ternary compositions up to about 5 at.% Mn. The increase of the Mn content results in an increase of the Al concentration of this phase.     

The phase equilibria of the Al–Ce–Ni system at 500 °C

The phase equilibria at 500 °C in the Al–Ce–Ni system in the composition region of 0–33.3 at.% Ce are investigated using XRD and SEM/EDX techniques applied to equilibrated alloys. The previously reported ternary phases and the variation of the lattice parameters versus the composition for different solid solution phases are investigated. It is confirmed that τ₂(Al₂CeNi) exists at 500 °C, while τ₃(Al₅Ce₂Ni₅) does not exist at 500 °C. A new compound τ₉ with composition of about Al₃₅Ce_16.5Ni_48.5 is found. The solubility of Ni in Al₁₁Ce₃ and αAl₃Ce is generally about 1 at.%, while the solubility of Ni in Al₂Ce is measured to be 2.7 at.%. The solubility of Ce in Al₃Ni, Al₃Ni₂, AlNi and AlNi₃ is all less than 1 at.%. The solubility of Al in CeNi₅, Ce₂Ni₇ and CeNi₃ is measured to be 30.4, 4.8 and 9.2 at.%, respectively, while there is no detectable solubility for Al in CeNi₂. A revised isothermal section at 500 °C in the Al–Ce–Ni system has been presented.     

Oxidation of a quaternary two-phase Cu–40Ni–17.5Cr–2.5Al alloy at 973–1073 K in 101 kPa O2

Oxidation of a quaternary two-phase Cu–40Ni–17.5Cr–2.5Al (at.%) alloy was investigated at 973–1073 K in 101 kPa O₂. The alloy is composed of two phases. One light phase with lower Cr content forms the matrix of the alloy, and the other medium gray phase richer in Cr is presented in the form of continuous islands. At 973 and 1073 K, the kinetic curves for the present alloy deviate evidently from the parabolic rate law. They show a large mass gain in initial stage, and then their oxidation rates decrease evidently with time until they become very small up to 24 h. Cross sectional morphologies show the present alloy is able to form continuous external scales of chromia over the alloy surface with a gradual decrease in the oxidation rate. However, the previous studies showed that a ternary two-phase Cu–40Ni–20Cr alloy is unable to form protective external scales of chromia over the alloy surface, but is able to form a thin and very irregularly continuous layer of chromia at the top of the mixed internal oxidation region. Therefore, substituting Cr in Cu–40Ni–20Cr alloy with 2.5 at.% Al is able to decrease the critical content required to form Cr oxide and help to form continuous external scales of chromia under lower Cr content in two-phase alloys.     

Development of ultrafine grained Al–Mg–Si alloy with enhanced strength and ductility

The microstructure and mechanical properties of a precipitation hardenable Al–Mg–Si alloy subjected to cryorolling (CR), short annealing and ageing treatments are reported in this present work. The pre-cryorolled solid solution treatment combined with post-CR short annealing (155 °C for 5 min) and then ageing treatment (125 °C for 12 h) has been found to be the optimum processing condition to obtain the ultrafine grained microstructure with substantial improvement of tensile strength (286 MPa) and good tensile ductility (14%) in the Al–Mg–Si alloy. The significant improvement of the mechanical properties of the cryorolled and peak aged 6063 Al alloys have been observed as compared to its bulk alloys in the peak-aged condition (T6).     

The third-element effect in the oxidation of Ni–xCr–7Al (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 at.%) alloys in 1 atm O2 at 900–1000 °C

The oxidation in 1 atm of pure oxygen of Ni–Cr–Al alloys with a constant aluminum content of 7 at.% and containing 5, 10 and 15 at.% Cr was studied at 900 and 1000 °C and compared to the behavior of the corresponding binary Ni–Al alloy (Ni–7Al). A dense external scale of NiO overlying a zone of internal oxide precipitates formed on Ni–7Al and Ni–5Cr–7Al at both temperatures. Conversely, an external Al₂O₃ layer formed on Ni–10Cr–7Al at both temperatures and on Ni–15Cr–7Al at 900 °C, while the scales grown initially on Ni–15Cr–7Al at 1000 °C were more complex, but eventually developed an innermost protective alumina layer. Thus, the addition of sufficient chromium levels to Ni–7Al produced a classical third-element effect, inducing the transition between internal and external oxidation of aluminum. This effect is interpreted on the basis of an extension to ternary alloys of a criterion first proposed by Wagner for the transition between internal and external oxidation of the most reactive component in binary alloys.     

Constitution and hardnesses of the Al–Ir system

The Al–Ir phase diagram was investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results were found to agree with published literature, with the exception of the congruent melting of Al_2.7Ir and a previously unreported eutectic reaction to form Al_2.7Ir and AlIr. The AlIr and Al_2.7Ir phases had the widest composition ranges: 47–53 and 23–30 at.% Ir respectively.Mechanical tests, in the form of Vickers hardness tests were used to deduce the fracture toughness of the alloys. It was found that the high Al-content intermetallic compounds were very brittle, and the alloys containing AlIr were tougher. This compound was tougher on the Ir-rich side, especially when there was a small amount of the AlIr+(Ir) eutectic between the AlIr dendrites.