Hydrogen storage properties of as-cast and annealed low-Co La<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>MgNi<Subscript>8.9</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.1</Subscript> alloys

Low-Co La_1.8Ti_0.2MgNi_8.9Co_0.1 alloys were prepared by magnetic levitation melting followed by annealing treatment. The effect of annealing on the hydrogen storage properties of the alloys was investigated systematically by X-ray diffraction (XRD), pressure-composition isotherm (PCI), and electrochemical measurements. The results show that all samples contain LaNi₅ and LaMg₂Ni₉ phases. LaCo₅ phase appears at 1,000 °C. The enthalpy change of all hydrides is close to ?30.6 kJ·mol^?1 H₂ of LaNi₅ compound. Annealing not only increases hydrogen capacity and improves cycling stability but also decreases plateau pressure at 800 and 900 °C. After annealing, the contraction of cell volume and the increase of hydride stability cause the high rate dischargeability to reduce slightly. The optimum alloy is found to be one annealed at 900 °C, with its hydrogen capacity reaching up to 1.53 wt%, and discharge capacity remaining 225.1 mAh·g^?1 after 140 charge–discharge cycles.     

Effects of Laser Remelting and Oxidation on NiCrAlY/8Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Thermal Barrier Coatings

In this study, three groups of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) samples were remelted by CO₂ laser with different laser energy densities (1, 5 and 10 J/mm²) to seal the surface of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings. Microscopic observations showed that the cracks size and the remelted depth in YSZ coatings increased. A ~ 50-μm-thick dense layer was formed on the surface of YSZ coating in samples with 1 J/mm² energy density. Microindentation tests showed that the Vickers hardness of YSZ coatings increases with the increase in laser energy density. After isothermal oxidation at 1200 °C for 200 h, thinner thermally growth oxides were found in laser remelted YSZ samples under energy density of 1 J/mm² (6.32 ± 0.28 μm). Cyclic oxidation results showed that the weight gain per unit area of low energy density laser remelted TBCs was smaller than that of the high energy density laser remelted and as-sprayed TBCs.     

Thermal Spray Deposition,Phase Stability and Mechanical Properties of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>/LaAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coatings

This paper deals with the deposition of La₂Zr₂O₇ (LZO) and LaAlO₃ (LAO) mixtures by air plasma spray (APS). The raw material for thermal spray, single phase LZO and LAO in a 70:30 mol.% ratio mixture was prepared from commercial metallic oxides by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and high-temperature solid-state reaction. The HEBM synthesis route, followed by a spray-drying process, successfully produced spherical agglomerates with adequate size distribution and powder-flow properties for feeding an APS system. The as-sprayed coating consisted mainly of a crystalline LZO matrix and partially crystalline LAO, which resulted from the high cooling rate experienced by the molten particles as they impact the substrate. The coatings were annealed at 1100 °C to promote recrystallization of the LAO phase. The reduced elastic modulus and hardness, measured by nanoindentation, increased from 124.1 to 174.7 GPa and from 11.3 to 14.4 GPa, respectively, after the annealing treatment. These values are higher than those reported for YSZ coatings; however, the fracture toughness (K _IC) of the annealed coating was only 1.04 MPa m^0.5.     

Comparison of ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-MoSi<Subscript>2</Subscript> Composite Coatings Fabricated by Atmospheric and Vacuum Plasma Spray Processes

In this work, ZrB₂-20 vol.% MoSi₂ (denoted as ZM) composite coatings were fabricated by atmospheric plasma spray (APS) and vacuum plasma spray (VPS) techniques, respectively. Phase composition and microstructure of the composite coatings were characterized. Their oxidation behaviors and microstructure changes at 1500 °C were comparatively investigated. The results showed that VPS-ZM coating was composed of hexagonal ZrB₂, tetragonal and hexagonal MoSi₂, while certain amount of ZrO₂ existed in APS-ZM coating. The oxide content, surface roughness and porosity of VPS-ZM coating were apparently lower than those of APS-ZM coating. The mass gain of APS-ZM coating was maximum at the beginning (1500 °C, 0 h) and then decreased with the oxidation time extending, while the mass of VPS-ZM coating gradually increased with increasing the oxidation time. The possible reasons for the different oxidation behaviors of the two kinds of coatings were analyzed.     

Low Solution Temperature Heat Treatment of AlSi<Subscript>9</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Fe) High-Pressure Die-Casting Actual Automotive Components

Usually, high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) components cannot be heat-treated at high temperature without the occurrence of surface blisters, which are unacceptable for surface finish and may reduce the mechanical properties. In this context, the purpose of the present paper was to analyze the effectiveness of special low solution temperature T6 heat treatment in overcoming this limit for HPDC AlSi₉Cu₃ alloy. Very low solution temperatures (<?450 °C, followed by 165 °C aging) to prevent the occurrence of blisters were combined with commonly used times (from 1 to 16 h) ensuring the feasibility of industrial application. Treatments were conducted on samples extracted from actual castings to evaluate the typical defects encountered in common production. Properties were analyzed by means of visual inspection, microstructural observations, image analysis, hardness, tensile tests and fractography. The results showed that it is possible to use solubilization temperatures below 450 °C for several hours in a T6 treatment to give strengthening without relevant blistering in AlSi₉Cu₃ alloy. The optimum match of properties was provided by a solution treatment at 430 °C for 4 h followed by an aging at 165 °C for 8 h, which gave a yield increase of ~?50 MPa, an increase in ductility and the best Quality Index value.     

Oxidation Behavior of TiAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Al Composite Coating on Orthorhombic-Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>AlNb Based Alloy at Different Temperatures

This paper reports the oxidation behavior of TiAl₃/Al composite coating deposited by cold spray. The substrate alloy was orthorhombic-Ti-22Al-26Nb (at.%). The oxidation kinetics of the coating was tested at 650, 800, and 950 °C, respectively. The parabolic rate constant for the coating oxidized at 650 °C was k _p = 7.2 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 for the tested 1200 h. For the coating oxidized at 800 °C, the oxidation kinetics could be separated into two stages with k _p value of 39.8 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 for the initial 910 h and 17.7 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 for the stage thereafter. For the coating oxidized at 950 °C, the oxidation kinetics can be separated into three stages with k _p of 136.9 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 in the first 100 h, followed by 26.9 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 from 100 to 310 h, and 11.8 × 10⁻² mg·cm⁻²·h^−1/2 from 310 to 1098 h. XRD, SEM, and EPMA were used to study the microstructure of the coating. The results indicated that the oxidation took place throughout the entire coating instead of only at the surface. The aluminum phase in the composite coating was soon oxidized to Al₂O₃ in all tested cases. The aluminum in TiAl₃ phase was depleted gradually and oxidized to Al₂O₃ along with the degradation of TiAl₃ to TiAl₂ and TiAl as the temperature increased and time proceeded. AlTi₂N was also a typical oxidation product at temperature higher than 800 °C. The experimental results also indicated that the protection of the coating was attributed greatly to the interlayer formed between the coating and the substrate.     

Recovery of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> from Bayer liquor by ion exchange

A new technology was developed to recover V2O5 from Bayer spent liquor by ion exchange.The experimental results show that in the conditions of 105°C and 0.20-0.25 mass ratios between CaO in lime and Al2O3 in spent liquor, the precipitation rate of vanadium in Bayer liquor is more than 85%.The vanadium-bearing precipitation is leached by NaHCO3 solution.The leaching rate of vanadium can reach 85% in the conditions of 95°C, 40 g·L-1 of NaHCO3 concentration, and ventilating of CO2.The 201 × 7 type of resin has...     

Phase Formation of the Yttrium Aluminates in the Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiC System

Phase formation sequence of the yttrium aluminates in the Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiC ternary system as temperature increases were investigated via x-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that YAM (monoclinic), YAP (perovskite) and YAG (garnet) were the yttrium aluminates presented in the solid-state reacted samples at a fixed Al₂O₃:SiC ratio of 1:1. Formation of the yttrium aluminates depended on the temperature. The YAM, YAP and YAG started to form below 1150 °C, at 1300 °C, and at 1450 °C, respectively. Accordingly, two behavior phase diagrams of the Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiC ternary system were recognized, one is in the temperature range of 1150-1300 °C and the other is in 1300-1450 °C, respectively. Thereafter, the phase equilibrium was reached in the temperature range of 1450-1700 °C. Effects of SiC on the phase formation processes in the ternary system were discussed.     

Microstructure and Thermomechanical Properties of Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coating

In this study, a Yb₂O₃ coating was fabricated by the atmospheric plasma spray technique. The phase composition, microstructure, and thermal stability of the coating were examined. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion behavior were also investigated. Some of the mechanical properties (elastic modulus, hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength) were characterized. The results reveal that the Yb₂O₃ coating is predominantly composed of the cubic Yb₂O₃ phase, and it has a dense lamellar microstructure containing defects. No mass change and exothermic phenomena are observed in the thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis curves. The high-temperature x-ray diffraction results indicate that no phase transformation occurs from room temperature to 1500 °C, revealing the good phase stability of the Yb₂O₃ coating. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the Yb₂O₃ coating is (7.50-8.67)?×?10^?6 K^?1 in the range of 200-1400 °C. The thermal conductivity is about 1.5 W m^?1 K^?1 at 1200 °C. The Yb₂O₃ coating has excellent mechanical properties and good damage tolerant. The unique combination of these properties implies that the Yb₂O₃ coating might be a promising candidate for T/EBCs applications.     

Chromia Scale Thermally Grown on Pure Chromium Under Controlled <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>) Atmosphere: II—Spallation Investigation Using Photoelectrochemical Techniques at a Microscale

Pure chromium oxidized at 900 °C at low oxygen partial pressure (10^?12 atm) gives duplex Cr₂O₃ scale with an internal part made of equiaxed grains and exhibiting an n-type conduction, and an external part made of columnar grains and exhibiting a p-type conduction. Spalled regions occurring during cooling have been studied with photoelectrochemical techniques at a microscale. New information in the form of a specific image (structural quality image) could be obtained and revealed a level of structural defect density in the internal chromia subscale higher than that measured in the non-spalled region. The results complement the spallation scenario proposed in part I of this work.     

High-Temperature Oxidation of Nickel-Based Cermet Coatings Containing WC and Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanosized Particles

This paper investigates the high-temperature oxidation of cermet coatings composed of two types of nanosized particles (WC and a mixture of WC and Al₂O₃) incorporated in nickel and produced by co-electrodeposition. For this purpose, high-temperature oxidation tests were conducted at three temperatures (500, 600, and 700 °C) in dry air with 6 time intervals up to 96 h and mass changes at each specific time interval was measured. Statistical techniques were used to calculate the oxidation rate constants (k) and growth-rate time constants (a) for all coatings. The confidence intervals associated with tests were also calculated. The results showed linear to sub-parabolic oxidation rates for coatings composed of only WC particles and sub-liner to liner oxidation rates for coating with both WC and Al₂O₃ particles. The reduction in oxidation rates for coatings with both WC and Al₂O₃ particles were correlated to the addition of Al₂O₃ particles in the matrix.     

Effect of Rolling Temperature on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Mg<Subscript>97</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1</Subscript>Y<Subscript>2</Subscript> Magnesium Alloy

Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ magnesium alloy was hot-rolled at different temperatures from 390 to 480 °C; the effect of rolling temperature on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ magnesium alloy was investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), laser optical microscopy (LOP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and tensile test. The results showed that in the multipass process, the rolling temperature had significant effect on the microstructures and tensile properties for the hot-rolled Mg₉₇Zn₁Y alloy. As the rolling temperature was increased, the original strengthening phase-Mg₁₂YZn in as-cast Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ alloy experienced an evolution from dissolution to precipitation, i.e. from chain-shaped Mg₁₂YZn phase together with a little lamellar structure at 420 °C to a maximum volume fraction of lamellar structure at 450 °C, and finally to a reduced volume fraction of lamellar structure at 480 °C. For Mg₉₇Zn₁Y₂ alloy hot-rolled in the temperature range of 390-450 °C, the tensile strength was at a high level with yielded strength of about 300 MPa and ultimate strength of about 320 MPa. The highest yielded strength was 317 MPa after hot-rolling at 450 °C; the elongation was the highest up to 5.5% after hot-rolling at 420 °C.     

Crystallographic Features of Phases Involved in the Oxidation of Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>CrSi<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The oxidation behaviour of Ti₃(Ni,Cr)₃CrSi₆ and Ti₄Ni₄Si₇ was studied in air both at 1000 and 1100 °C. The formation of the oxidation products and the phase transformation were characterized by in situ X-ray diffraction and SEM-FEG post-mortem observations. The crystal structure of Ti₃(Ni,Cr)₃CrSi₆ was also determined using powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement in order to describe this phase as a pseudolamellar structure comparable to the one of Ti₄Ni₄Si₇. Results evidenced that diffusion in solid state governs the oxidation rate of these silicides. Ti₄Ni₄Si₇ oxidation rate was assessed as being one order of magnitude lower than the one of Ti₃(Ni,Cr)₃CrSi₆, while this latter readily transformed into Ti₄Ni₄Si₇ during the first time of oxidation. The understanding of this particular behaviour in which the oxidation rate of Ti₃(Ni,Cr)₃CrSi₆ was not affected by the phase transformation implied to consider the crystallographic lamellar features of these compounds that play a major role in the diffusion of the most oxidizable elements.     

Oxidation Kinetics of UZr<Subscript>2.3</Subscript> and U<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ti Alloys in Dry Air

The isothermal oxidation behavior of UZr_2.3 and U₂Ti alloys in dry air was studied by thermogravimetric technique in the temperature ranges of 773–848 and 548–623 K, respectively. The oxidation products were found to be U₃O₈ and ZrO₂ for UZr_2.3 and U₃O₈ and TiO₂ for U₂Ti by X-ray diffraction analysis. The oxidation kinetics were found to best fit into linear rate law for both the alloys in the temperature range of investigation and the lowest value of α (0.11 for UZr_2.3 and 0.12 for U₂Ti), which corresponds to the fraction of completed reaction. The linear rate constants (k) were evaluated from the oxidation data. The activation energies of oxidation reactions were calculated using the Arrhenius equation and found to be 161 kJ mol^?1 for UZr_2.3 and 88 kJ mol^?1 for U₂Ti.     

Synthesis and characterization of Li<Subscript>1.3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1.7</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>-coated LiMn<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> by wet chemical route

Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ was prepared by wet chemical route. The phase, surface morphology, and electrochemical properties of the prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph, and galvanostatic charge-discharge experiments. Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ has similar X-ray diffraction patterns as LiMn₂O₄. The corner and border of Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ particles are not as clear as the uncoated one. The two powders show similar values of lithium-ion diffusion coefficient. When cycled at room temperature and 55°C for 40 times at the charge-discharge rate of 0.2C, Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ shows the capacity retentions of 98.2% and 93.9%, respectively, which are considerably higher than the values of 85.4% and 79.1% for the uncoated one. Both the capacity retention differences between Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃-coated LiMn₂O₄ and LiMn₂O₄ cycling at room temperature and 55°C become larger with the increase of charge-discharge rate. When the charge-discharge rate reaches 2C, the capacity retention of LATP-coated LiMn₂O₄ becomes 8.4% higher than the uncoated LiMn₂O₄ for room temperature cycling, and it becomes 11.1% higher than the latter when cycled at 55°C.     

High-Temperature Exposure Studies of HVOF-Sprayed Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>-25(NiCr)/(WC-Co) Coating

In this research, development of Cr₃C₂-25(NiCr) + 25%(WC-Co) composite coating was done and investigated. Cr₃C₂-25(NiCr) + 25%(WC-Co) composite powder [designated as HP2 powder] was prepared by mechanical mixing of [75Cr₃C₂-25(NiCr)] and [88WC-12Co] powders in the ratio of 75:25 by weight. The blended powders were used as feedstock to deposit composite coating on ASTM SA213-T22 substrate using High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) spray process. High-temperature oxidation/corrosion behavior of the bare and coated boiler steels was investigated at 700 °C for 50 cycles in air, as well as, in Na₂SO₄-82%Fe₂(SO₄)₃ molten salt environment in the laboratory. Erosion-corrosion behavior was investigated in the actual boiler environment at 700 ± 10 °C under cyclic conditions for 1500 h. The weight-change technique was used to establish the kinetics of oxidation/corrosion/erosion-corrosion. X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDS), and EDS elemental mapping techniques were used to analyze the exposed samples. The uncoated boiler steel suffered from a catastrophic degradation in the form of intense spalling of the scale in all the environments. The oxidation/corrosion/erosion-corrosion resistance of the HVOF-sprayed HP2 coating was found to be better in comparison with standalone Cr₃C₂-25(NiCr) coating. A simultaneous formation of protective phases might have contributed the best properties to the coating.     

Microstructure and Thermal Properties of Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> Coating

In the present work, Yb₂Si₂O₇ powder was synthesized by solid-state reaction using Yb₂O₃ and SiO₂ powders as starting materials. Atmospheric plasma spray technique was applied to fabricate Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating. The phase composition and microstructure of the coating were characterized. The density, open porosity and Vickers hardness of the coating were investigated. Its thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of the coating were measured. The results showed that the as-sprayed coating was mainly composed of crystalline Yb₂Si₂O₇ with amorphous phase. The coating had a dense structure containing defects, such as pores, interfaces and microcracks. The TG-DTA results showed that there was almost no mass change from room temperature to 1200 °C, while a sharp exothermic peak appeared at around 1038 °C in DTA curve, which indicated that the amorphous phase crystallized. The thermal conductivity of the coating decreased with rise in temperature up to 600 °C and then followed by an increase at higher temperatures. The minimum value of the thermal conductivity of the Yb₂Si₂O₇ coating was about 0.68 W/(m K).     

Controllable Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Synthesis and Gas-Sensing Investigation of Crystalline SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nanoparticles

SnO₂ nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method from SnCl₂·2H₂O, hexamethylenetetramine, and trisodium citrate in water at 120 °C for 12 h. The effects of surfactant and precipitant on SnO₂ synthesis were investigated. SnO₂ nanoparticles can be synthesized in the temperature range of 120-180 °C with long reaction time in the presence of trisodium citrate. When NaOH was used as precipitant instead of hexamethylenetetramine, it is difficult to obtain SnO₂ nanoparticles at 120 °C in the presence of trisodium citrate. SnO₂ nanoparticles with an average size of about 5 nm show good crystallinity and excellent sensitivity to ethanol and acetaldehyde in about 55% relative humidity.     

Microstructure and High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Cold Gas-sprayed Ni-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Coatings

Cermet coatings are widely used for high-temperature industrial applications. This study investigates the effect of high-temperature oxidation on cold gas dynamic-sprayed Ni-Al₂O₃ coatings. For this purpose, high-temperature oxidation tests were performed at 520 and 640 °C. The selected exposure times were 24, 48, 72, 168, and 336 h. The microstructural evolution during exposure at high temperature was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The oxidation kinetics was estimated by thickness measurements. The results show that the coatings protect the substrates against oxidation. In order to study possible changes in the mechanical properties of the system, Vickers microhardness experiments on the coatings and on the 10CrMo9-10 steel substrates were conducted. It was observed that hardness decreased by exposing the specimens to high temperature.     

High-Temperature Erosive Behavior of Plasma Sprayed Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>C<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NiCr/Cenosphere Coating

This research examines the deposition of Cr₃C₂-NiCr/cenosphere and Cr₃C₂-NiCr coatings on MDN 321 steel through the process of plasma spray. In this process, the solid particle erosion test is established at 200, 400, 600 °C with 30° and 90° impact angles. Alumina erodent is adopted to investigate the erosive behavior of the coating at higher temperatures. The properties of the Cr₃C₂-NiCr/cenosphere coating are established based on the microhardness, the adhesive strength, the fracture toughness, and the ductility. To quantify volume loss as a result of erosion, an optical profilometer is used. At higher temperature, decrease in the erosion volume loss of Cr₃C₂-NiCr/cenosphere and Cr₃C₂-NiCr coatings is observed. The erosion-resistive property of Cr₃C₂-NiCr/cenosphere coating is higher than that of MDN 321 steel by 76%. This property is influenced by high-temperature stability of mullite, alumina, and protective oxide layer that is formed at elevated temperatures. The morphology of eroded coating discloses a brittle mode of material removal.