Synthesis and properties of open-cell Ni–Cr–Fe–Al alloy foams by pack co-deposition process

A pack cementation process for the co-deposition of Cr, Fe and Al onto open-cell nickel foam was developed. The reticulated open-cell Ni–Cr–Fe–Al foams were annealed to homogenize the material with 18.8 wt.% Cr, 11.3 wt.% Fe and 7.7 wt.% Al. The microstructure and phase composition of the Ni–Cr–Fe–Al foams were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive analysis (EDS). The results show that the coating is uniform and dense along the perimeter of the Ni strut, and consists of three layers: a Cr–Fe outer layer, an inner layer containing mostly Al and a transition zone. After homogenization annealing, the alloyed foams retain the hollow struts structure of the original pure nickel foams and the low relative densities. The Ni–Cr–Fe–Al alloy foams exhibit enhancement in absolute strength as compared to the pure nickel and Ni–35.2Cr foams. Furthermore, the Ni–Cr–Fe–Al alloy foams show excellent oxidation resistance and outperform the chromia-forming Ni–35.2Cr alloy foam after oxidation at 900 and 1000 °C, which is mainly due to its high aluminum and chromium content leading to the formation of a continuous and adherent duplex oxide layer.     

Microstructure and properties of open-cell Ni–Sn–P alloy foams prepared by electroless plating

In this study, open-cell Ni–Sn–P alloy foams were prepared by electroless plating. The influence of tin content on the surface morphology and properties of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams were investigated. The surface structure of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams became more uniform and compact with the increase of Sn content. The X-ray diffraction result showed that Ni–Sn–P alloy foams gradually transformed from an amorphous structure into crystallization with the increase of heat-treatment temperature. The introduction of Sn significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of Ni–P coatings in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, the corrosion current density decreased from 5.022 to 0.805 μA/cm² and the corrosion potential shifted positively from −0.423 to −0.294 V after adding 5.96 wt% Sn to Ni–P coatings. However, the corrosion resistance of Ni–Sn–P foams was deteriorated after heat treatment. Adding Sn to the Ni–P system slightly weakened the compressive strength of Ni–P binary foams. Nevertheless, significant improvement in the antioxidant performance of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams was indicated by the reduction of the mass change rate in that the mass change rate of Ni–P foams obviously reduced from 5.15% to 0.25% after adding 5.96 wt% Sn.     

Effect of Y content on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2519 aluminum alloy

The effects of yttrium（Y） content on precipitation hardening, elevated temperature mechanical properties and morphologies of 2519 aluminum alloy were investigated by means of microhardness test, tensile test, optical microscopy（OM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The results show that the tensile strength increases from 485 MPa to 490 MPa by increasing Y content from 0 to 0.10%（mass fraction） at room temperature, and from 155 MPa to 205 MPa by increasing Y content from 0 to 0.20% at 300 ~C. The high strength of 2519 aluminum alloy is attributed to the high density of fine 0＇ precipitates and intermetallic compound AICuY with high thermal stability. Addition of Y above 0.20% in 2519 aluminum alloy may induce the decrease in the tensile strength both at room temperature （20 ℃） and 300℃.     

Effects of Fe content on microstructure and properties of Cu–Fe alloy

Cu–Fe alloys with different Fe contents were prepared by vacuum hot pressing. After hot rolling and aging treatment, the effects of Fe content on microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of Cu–Fe alloys were studied. The results show that, when w(Fe)<60%, the dynamic recrystallization extent of both Cu phase and Fe phase increases. When w(Fe)≥60%, Cu phase is uniformly distributed into the Fe phase and the deformation of alloy is more uniform. With the increase of the Fe content, the tensile strength of Cu–5wt.%Fe alloy increases from 305 MPa to 736 MPa of Cu–70wt.%Fe alloy, the elongation decreases from 23% to 17% and the electrical conductivity decreases from 31%IACS to 19%IACS. These results provide a guidance for the composition and processing design of Cu–Fe alloys.     

Effect of Mn content on microstructure and mechanical properties of modified ZA-27 alloy

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Compressive properties of open-cell ceramic foams

The compressive experiments of two kinds of ceramic foams were completed. The results show that the behavior of ceramic foams made by organic filling method is anisotropic. The stress-strain responses of ceramic foams made by sponge-replication show isotropy and strain rate dependence. The struts brittle breaking of net structure of this ceramic foam arises at the weakest defects of framework or at the part of framework, which causes the initiation and expanding of cracks. The compressive strength of ceramic foam is dependent on the strut size and relative density of foams.     

Effect of Ni/Fe ratio of electrolyte salts on the magnetic property of electrodeposited Fe–Ni alloy

Electrodeposition of Fe–Ni thin films has been carried out on a copper substrate from simple as well as complex baths containing sulfate salts with Ni/Fe ratio of 1 : 1 and 12 : 1. Complex baths consistedeither all of ascorbic acid, citric acid and saccharine in addition to the salts viz. NiSO₄ · 7H₂O; FeSO₄ · 7H₂O; H₃BO₃ and Na₂SO₄ in simple bath. The chemical composition of the deposit was determined by an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. Magnetic properties of the Fe–Ni films were measured by avibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The X-ray diffraction was done on the electrodeposited thin films to determine Fe–Ni alloy phases. Magnetic properties of films were studied before and after heat treatment of the samples. It is found that the saturation magnetization decreases with increasing Ni content in the films obtained from simple baths with low Ni/Fe ratio (1 : 1) while the saturation magnetization increases with increasing Ni content obtained from complex bath with high Ni/Fe ratio (12 : 1). Among different baths with high Ni/Fe ratio of 12 : 1, the saturation magnetization of deposited film is higher deposited from a bath containing three complexing agents, namely, ascorbic acid, citric acid and saccharine than from a bath containing a single complexing agent–ascorbic acid. The ideal nature of the M _s–H (saturation magnetization vs. applied field) curve was obtained from complex baths with a high Ni/Fe ratio (12 : 1).     

Effect of Gallium on microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb–Si eutectic alloy

In this paper, we report a significant improvement in mechanical properties of near eutectic Nb–Si alloys by addition of Gallium (Ga) and control of microstructural length scale. A comparative study of two alloys Nb-18.79 at.%Si and Nb-20.2 at.%Si–2.7 at.%Ga were carried out. The microstructure refinements were carried out by vacuum suction casting in water cooled thick copper mold. It is shown that addition of Ga suppresses Nb₃Si phase and promotes β-Nb₅Si₃ phase. The microstructural length scale and in particular eutectic spacing reduces significantly to 50–100 nm in suction cast ternary alloys. Compression test shows a strength of 2.8 ± 0.1 GPa and plasticity of 4.3 ± 0.03%. In comparison, the binary Nb-18.79 at.%Si alloy processed under identical conditions exhibit coarser length scale (300–400 nm) and brittle behavior. The fracture toughness of Ga containing suction cast alloy shows a value of 24.11 ± 0.5 MPa√m representing a major improvement for bulk Nb–Si eutectic alloy.     

Effects of heat treatment on dynamic compressive properties and energy absorption characteristics of open-cell aluminum alloy foams

1 Introduction In the past few years, there has been a considerable increase in using metal foams for lightmass structural components and energy absorption parts for their wide plateau in the compressive stress-strain curve[1-3]. It has been shown that, e…     

Effect of Y addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Mn alloy

The effects of Y on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–1Mn alloy were investigated. The results show that the addition of Y has significant effect on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–1Mn alloy. Varied phases compositions, including Mg₇Zn₃, I-phase (Mg₃YZn₆), W-phase (Mg₃Y₂Zn₃) and X-phase (Mg₁₂YZn), are obtained by adjusting the Zn to Y mass ratio. Mn element exists as the fine Mn particles, which are well distributed in the alloy. Thermal analysis and microstructure observation reveal that the phase stability follows the trend of X>W>I>Mg₇Zn₃. In addition, Y can improve the mechanical properties of Mg–Zn–Mn alloy significantly, and the alloy with Y content of 6.09% has the best mechanical properties. The high strength is mainly due to the strengthening by the grain size refinement, dispersion strengthening by fine Mn particles, and introduction of the Mg–Zn–Y ternary phases.     

Effect of NiAl phase on the mechanical properties of Cr−Mn−Ni steels

Metal Science and Heat Treatment -     

Effect of Cu on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2519 aluminum alloy

The effect of Cu on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2519 aluminum alloy was investigated by means of tensile test, microhardness test, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that when the content of Cu is less than 6.0%, the strength of 2519 aluminum alloy increases with the increase of Cu eontent; when the content of Cu is more than 6.0%, the strength of the alloy decreases. The hardening effect of the aged alloy is accelerated at 180℃ and the time to peak age is reduced, but the plasticity of the alloy gradually decreases with the increase of Cu content. However, the hardening effect of the aged alloy decreases with the increase of Cu as the content of Cu is over 6.0%. The optimal content of Cu of 2519 aluminum alloy is 6.0%, at which the alloy has best tensile strength and plasticity.     

Effect of pre-deformation on aging characteristics and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Nd-Zr alloy

The effect of plastic deformation prior to artificial aging on the aging characteristics and mechanical properties of a Mg-I lGd-2Nd-0.5Zr （mass fraction, %） alloy was investigated. After solution treatment at 525 ℃ for 4 h, the alloy was subjected to cold stretching deformation of 0%, 5% and 10%, respectively. The as-deformed specimens possess high density of dislocations and mechanical twins, which increase with elevated deformation. As compared with non-stretched alloy, the stretched alloy shows accelerated age-hardening response and slightly enhanced peak hardness when aged at 200 ℃. Comparison of the microstructures in undeformed and deformed specimens after 200 ℃, 24 h aging reveals that pre-deformation induces the heterogeneous nucleation of precipitations at dislocations and twin boundaries in addition to the homogeneous precipitation in the matrix. Room and high temperature tensile test results show that pre-deformation enhances the strength of the alloy, especially at room temperature, though the ductility declines. The improvement in strength of deformed and aged alloy is attributed to the combined strengthening effect of precipitates, deformation structures and grain boundaries.     

Effect of Mg composition on sintering behaviors and mechanical properties of Al–Cu–Mg alloy

Al–3Cu–Mg alloy was fabricated by the powder metallurgy (P/M) processes. Air-atomized powders of each alloying element were blended with various Mg contents (0.5%, 1.5%, and 2.5%, mass fraction). The compaction pressure was selected to achieve the elastic deformation, local plastic deformation, and plastic deformation of powders, respectively, and the sintering temperatures for each composition were determined, where the liquid phase sintering of Cu is dominant. The microstructural analysis of sintered materials was performed using optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to investigate the sintering behaviors and fracture characteristics. The transverse rupture strength (TRS) of sintered materials decreased with greater Mg content (Al–3Cu–2.5Mg). However, Al–3Cu–0.5Mg alloy exhibited moderate TRS but higher specific strength than Al–3Cu without Mg addition.     

Effect of swaging on microstructure and tensile properties of W–Ni–Fe alloys

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of swaging on the microstructure and tensile properties of high density two phase alloys 90W–7Ni–3Fe and 93W–4.9Ni–2.1Fe. Samples were liquid phase sintered under hydrogen and argon at 1480 °C for 30 min and then 15% cold rotary swaged. Measurement of microstructural parameters in the sintered and swaged samples showed that swaging slightly increased tungsten grain size in the longitudinal direction and slightly decreased tungsten grain size in the transverse direction. Swaging increased the contiguity values in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Swaging led to more severe deformations at the edges than at the center of the specimens. Solidus and liquidus temperatures of the nickel-based binder phase in the sintered and swaged samples were determined by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. An increase in tensile strength with a reduction in ductility was observed due to strain hardening by swaging.     

Effect of Sulfur Partial Pressures on Oxidation Behavior of Fe–Ni–Cr Alloys

Fe–Ni–Cr alloys containing different contents of Si with and without pre-formed oxide scale at the surface were tested in oxidation environments at 1,050?°C with varied sulfur partial pressures. The oxide-scale growth on Fe–Ni–Cr alloys was accelerated by increasing sulfur partial pressures in the oxidizing-carburizing environments. This accelerated oxidation was characterized by the formation of plate-shaped MnCr₂O₄ spinel crystallites and the nodular clusters at the site of scale spallation. Pre-oxidized Fe–Ni–Cr alloys generally did not suffer from sulfur attack because of excellent protection of pre-formed oxide scale. Scale spallation and sulfur attack were found only on high-Si alloy subjected to the maximum sulfur potential, which was attributed to accelerated oxidation and selective oxidation and sulfidation at the sites where oxide scale spallation had occurred. For bare alloys in absence of pre-formed oxide layers, scale spallation was found to occur at lower level of sulfur potential on low-Si alloy than on high-Si alloy. A higher content of Si is necessary for the formation of protective silica sub-layer, which is believed to be the main cause of the difference in scale spallation observed.     

Effect of sulphides on corrosion of Cu–Ni–Fe–Mn alloy in sea water

Abstract

The corrosion behaviour of Cu–30Ni–2Fe–2Mn commercial alloy (similar to C71640) in quiescent, hermetically closed sulphide polluted and unpolluted natural sea water at 25°C was investigated. The corrosion resistance was examined using free corrosion and electrochemical tests and the surface film was characterised by chemical analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The different susceptibilities to corrosion were closely linked to the initial sulphide concentration; the accelerated attack occurring with an initial sulphide concentration of 4 ppm correlated with the amount of dissolved oxygen in solution and with the chemical composition of the corrosion layer.     

Effect of coating repair on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni3Al based alloy IC6

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Effect of Ru additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr–TaCr2 alloys

Early work indicated that Ru reduced the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of Cr even at small concentrations. To evaluate the potential of Ru as a beneficial alloying element in the two-phase Cr–TaCr₂ alloys, a number of Cr–8 at.%Ta alloys with 0–10 at.%Ru were prepared, and their microstructures and mechanical properties were evaluated. The Ru addition was found to move the eutectic point of Cr–TaCr₂ to a higher Ta level, as compared to the binary Cr–Ta system. Ru partitioned preferentially in the Laves phase over in the Cr matrix, with a partitioning ratio of 2–5:1, depending on the Ru addition level. Ru was also found to mainly occupy the Cr site in the TaCr₂ Laves phase. The hardness of both the primary Cr matrix and the eutectic microconstituent increased slightly with the increase in Ru addition. At a higher Ru addition level (i.e. 10 at.%), the hardness of the primary Cr matrix increased significantly, probably due to the precipitation of extremely fine Laves-phase precipitates. The Ru addition did not noticeably affect the fracture toughness of the two-phase alloys.