Phase decomposition of liquid-quenched β-type Ti-Cr alloys

Phase decomposition behaviour of liquid-quenched (bcc) type Ti-Cr alloys was investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurements. It was found that decomposition of to ₁ (Ti-rich, bcc) + ₂ (Ti-lean, bcc) takes place in the intermediate composition range of the Ti-Cr system. This experimental result proves the theoretical prediction made by Menon and Aaronson, but the observed ₁ + ₂ two-phase field expands towards higher temperatures than the predicted binodal line. The coherent ₁ + ₂ two-phase state exhibits the so-called 100 modulated structure and it was concluded that the formation of such a structure is a result of spinodal decomposition of the -phase. We obtained time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams of -type Ti-30, 40 and 50 at % Cr alloys. A typical sequence of structural change is coherent ₁ + ₂ incoherent ₁ + ₂ incoherent ₁ + ₂ + grain boundary precipitates stable state of + TiCr₂ or + TiCr₂. Not all the states in the above sequence appear, depending on alloy composition, liquid-quenching rate and ageing temperature.     

Boundary-layer similarity flows driven by a power-law shear over a permeable plane surface

Summary. The boundary-layer similarity flow driven over a semi-infinite permeable flat plate by a power-law shear with asymptotic velocity profile U(y)=y(y,>0) is considered in the presence of lateral suction or injection of the fluid (y denotes the coordinate normal to the plate). The analytically tractable cases =–2/3 and =–1/2 are examined in detail. It is shown that while for =–2/3 the adjustment of the flow over an impermeable plate to the power-law shear is not possible, in the permeable cases the presence of suction allows for a family of boundary-layer solutions with the proper algebraic decay. The value of the skin friction corresponding to this family of solutions is given by the parameter s=9³/(4f_w), where f_w denotes the suction parameter. In the limiting case of a vanishing suction and a properly vanishing value of the parameter (such that s=finite), this family of algebraically decaying solutions goes over into the (exponentially decaying) Glauert-jet. In the case =–1/2, solutions showing the proper algebraic decay were found both for suction ( f_w > 0) and injection ( f_w<0) in the whole range –<f_w<+. In this case the skin friction parameters s=2²/3 is independent of the suction/injection parameter f_w.     

Interface characterization of a β-SiC whisker-Al composite

The nature of the interface, the orientation relationship of -SiC whisker (-SiC_w)-Al combination, and the misfit dislocation structures at the -SiC_w-Al interfaces in a -SiC_w-Al composite have been observed by a high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was shown that quite a good bonding between the whisker and the aluminium was achieved due largely to the lattice match between SiC and aluminium at the interfaces. The orientation relationship between the whisker and the aluminium was {002}_SiC{111}_Al; 110_SiC110_Al. The interface was clean, faceted and semicoherent. The misfit dislocation cores were located in the whisker side away from the -SiC_w-Al interfaces.     

Semiconduction properties of some polyene-iodine charge-transfer complexes and their application in solid-state batteries

The conjugated polyenes -carotene, lutein, retinoic acid and -apo-8-carotenal are shown to form charge-transfer (CT) complexes with the electron acceptor iodine. The conductivity increases by several orders of magnitude and the activation energy decreases on CT complex formation. Using these complexes as cathodic material, batteries with the configuration Mg/(polyene-iodine CT complex) /graphite are developed. Different battery parameters are evaluated. The effects of ambient temperature and humidity on battery performance are also studied. Results show that a -apo-8-carotenal-l₂ based battery has the maximum power density and longest self-life and is suitable for use as a micro-electronic gadget energizer.     

The influence of ageing on the stability of β-γ/γ′ derived microstructures in Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys

Multiphase Ni-Al-(Fe)-(Cr)-(Co)-based intermetallics with (B2)- (A1)/(L1₂), - or - microstructures can exhibit significant room-temperature tensile ductility. In the case of Ni-Al-Cr-based alloys, microstructural development is complicated by the precipitation of -Cr, which can supplant the -phase during ageing of three-phase -/ microstructures. An investigation of the stability, during ageing, of cast Ni-Al-Cr-(Co) alloys with microstructures derived from -/ is reported. In the as-cast condition, the materials investigated consisted of a dendritic matrix containing L1₀ type martensite and interdendritic /. Extensive intra- and interdendritic -Cr precipitation was also observed. The stability during ageing of the interdendritic / microstructure is also considered and transformation of the L1₀ martensite is examined.     

Distribution of α-AlFeSi and β-AlFeSi particles in surface layer of AA6063 alloy billets after heat treatment

We developed the EPMA mapping method of small -AlFeSi(Al_8.3Fe₂Si) and -AlFeSi(Al_8.9Fe₂Si₂) particles in the billets of Al-Mg-Si alloys such as AA6063 alloys. To discriminate between -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles we used the relative X-ray intensities of Fe/Si ratio, the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, instead of the Fe/Si mass ratio. To obtain the I _Fe/I _Si ratio, we used a Monte Carlo method. In this study, using this method the mapping of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles in the surface layer of AA6063 billets after the heat treatment (for 2 h at 580°C) was done. Namely, the distribution of -AlFeSi and -AlFeSi particles of zones from the billet surface to a depth of 800 m was measured. Results showed the zone from the surface to a depth of 200 m was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles and the zone from a depth of 200 m toward the center was occupied mainly by -AlFeSi particles. From these results, it was found that if we remove zones from the surface to a depth of 200 m, we can remove the majority of the -AlFeSi particles, and thus improve the quality of anodizing performance of Al-Mg-Si alloys extrusions.     

The constitution of the Ni-Al-Ru system

The constitution of the Ni-Al-Ru system has been investigated in the range 0 to 50 at% Al. Isothermal sections at 1523 and 1273 K have been determined using microstructural observations, electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction. The phases present were: nickel-based solid solution (); (based on Ni₃Al); solid solutions based on NiAl and RuAl, respectively (designated ₁ and ₂), and ruthenium-based solid solution (Ru). The maximum solubility of Ru in was 5 at%. ₁, and ₂ show extensive range of solubilities, namely up to 20at% Ru in ₁ and up to 25 to 35 at% Ni in ₂. Three-phase equilibrium between , ₂ and (Ru) existed at 1523 and 1273 K. Also at 1523 K, three-phase equilibria existed between , and ₁ and ,₁ and ₂, while at 1273 K, the equilibria were between , ₁,₂ and , , ₂ indicating the occurrence of a reaction +₁, +₂ at a temperature between 1523 and 1273 K. Liquidus features have been deduced from data on as-solidified structures. Lattice parameter data and hardnesses are also reported.     

The age hardening effect in Ti-6 Al-4 V due to ω and α precipitation in the β grains

The structure at room temperature of a quenched TA6V titanium alloy has been investigated. This structure is + or + according to the treatment temperature; it is always metastable. During ageing the grains decomposed by the reaction + + +; this decomposition was accompanied by a large increase of the 0.2% yield stress. No structural modification was observed in. The and phase of TA6V were separately investigated in the form of single-phase alloys. The hardness of was insensitive to ageing, while was considerably hardened by and; we deduced that the strengthening of the minor phase during ageing is mainly responsible for the hardening of TA6V.     

Phase Relations in the Li–V2O5–Cu System at 600°C and Cathodic Properties of Cu x V2O5

The phase relations in the Li–V₂O₅–Cu system at 600°C are studied by x-ray diffraction. The existence of the known vanadium bronzes M _x V₂O₅ (M = Li, Cu) is confirmed, and the composition ranges of the related solid solutions are determined. -Li _x V₂O₅ (0.22 x 0.49) and -Li _x V₂O₅ (0.88 x 1.0) are shown to dissolve Cu, forming Li _x Cu _y V₂O₅ solid solutions with y = 0.72 – 1.48x and y = 0.58 – 0.18x, respectively. Cu _x Li _y V₂O₅ solid solutions (y= 0.51 – 0.76 x) are only obtained from -Cu _x V₂O₅ (0.24 x 0.67). -Li _x V₂O₅ and -Cu _x V₂O₅ form a continuous series of solid solutions. The cathodic properties of Li–V₂O₅–Cu materials in high-temperature pulsed lithium batteries are investigated.     

Thermodynamic investigations of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys by coulometric titration using β″-alumina

The following double galvanic cell was assembled and the thermodynamic properties of liquid Bi-Na and Sn-Na alloys, and the ion selectivity of -alumina during coulometric titration, were investigated. Mo, Na(I)¦-alumina¦M-Na(I), Mo [I] M-Na(I)¦-alumina¦Au + Au₂Na, Mo [II] (M = Bi or Sn) where M-Na(1) and Au + Au₂Na were used as the common electrode and reference electrode, respectively. Sodium was coulometrically titrated through the -alumina electrolyte of cell I both ways, and the EMFs were measured. It was found that no ion-exchange reaction occurs between the liquid alloys and the -alumina, and only Na was transferred in the -alumina during coulometric titrations. The thermodynamic properties of liquid Sn-Na and Bi-Na alloys were found to be in agreement with the literature.     

Effect of phase proportions on deformation and cavitation of superplastic α/β brass

Studies have been made, using metallographic and precision density techniques, of the deformation and cavitation behaviour during superplastic tensile straining at 873 K of three microduplex/ brasses which, as a consequence of varying composition, contained varying proportions of and phases. It was observed that both strain-rate sensitivity and elongation-to-failure passed through a maximum when approximately equivolume proportions of the two phases were present. Cavitation, on the other hand, decreased rapidly as the volume fraction of phase was increased. The cavitation behaviour was attributed to the relative abilities of the phases to accommodate grain boundary sliding. When a high proportion of phase is present accommodation is minimal and cavity nucleation. occurs readily. Evidence is presented to show that grain-boundary sliding plays a predominant role in cavity growth. When a high proportion of phase is present accommodation is almost complete and cavity nucleation is minimal.     

The effect of temperature on the fracture of two partially crystalline polymers; polypropylene and nylon

Brittle fractures in polypropylene and nylon were obtained in the temperature range –180 to –10° C and –160 to 20° C, respectively. The fracture toughness results of surface notches and single edge notches showed a remarkable thickness dependence. This effect was explained in terms of a plane strain (K _C1) and a plane stress (K _C2) toughness value using a bi-modal fracture analysis. While K _C1 in both materials was generally insensitive to temperature, K _C1 was temperature dependent showing substantial viscoelastic effects. In polypropylene, the linear relationship between K _C2 and temperature (7) was associated with the and processes over the same temperature range. In nylon, there was a one-to-one correspondence between the K _C2 changes and the tan peaks due to the and relaxation processes. Using a modified crack tip opening displacement (u) equation, i.e. u = ((K_C2 – K _C1 )/ _y )²e_y, where _y and e_y are the yield stress and yield strain respectively, a constant u criterion was found to describe the fracture behaviour of both materials in the temperature ranges of the and processes.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of β-SiAION-β-SiC composites by pressureless sintering

-SiAION--SiC composites containing up to 12 wt% -SiC were prepared by pressureless sintering. The strength of composites at room temperature remained relatively unchanged, whereas strength at 1200 °C increased for composites. The fracture toughness (K _IC) for composites was higher than that for -SiAION ceramics. The maximum value was 5.4 MPa m^1/2 for 6 wt% -SiC, and this was an improvement of 15% in comparison with -SiAION ceramics. From SEM observations, an improvement inK _IC values was attributed to crack deflections and branching-off of cracks. Intra-granular fractures were frequently observed in -SiAION. From TEM observations, -SiAION crystals were nanocomposites, within which existed the fine crystals in -SiAION crystal. For composite, -SiAION and -SiC crystals were directly in contact. The mismatching zone was observed in -SiC.     

Precipitation phenomena in the Mg-31 at% Li-1 at% Al alloy

Precipitation phenomena produced in the -phase (b c c) of the Mg-31 at% Li-1 at%Al alloy subjected to different heat treatments have been studied by sensitive single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The variation of the hardness values of specimens quenched and then aged was also examined. It was confirmed that AlLi is a stable phase at room temperature for the examined Al content; AlLi precipitation is only produced for very slow cooling rates from the -field. Phase reactions for specimens quenched and then aged can be summarized as follows: ++ after ageing at room temperature; + ++ AlLi after ageing at 473 K. A considerable increase of the hardness, which attains its maximum value after about 30 h ageing at room temperature, was observed. Neither the -phase nor the AlLi-phase precipitation can account for the observed hardening process. The presence of the -metastable phase when the hardness reaches its maximum value is verified.     

Synthesis of silicon nitride powder through nitrogen gas atomization

The feasibility of synthesizing silicon nitride powder utilizing reactive atomization processing was analysed. The range of times required for the flight time of particles, the cooling rate of the silicon melt, the reaction time of silicon and nitrogen, and the diffusion of nitrogen through silicon nitride layers were obtained and compared. The results of this study indicated that the production of silicon nitride powder through the reactive atomization process would be limited by diffusion of nitrogen through the nitride (ash) layer, assuming the nitride layer was coherent and the unreacted core model was a valid representation of the liquid silicon-silicon nitride system.Nomenclature k(T) reaction rate constant at temperature, T(s^–1) - k ₀ Arrhenius coefficient - E activation energy (kJ mol^–1) - R gas constant - T temperature (K) - fraction of normalized conversion of -phase in time t - fraction of normalized conversion of -phase in time t - k reaction rate constant for -phase (s^–1) - k reaction rate constant for -phase (s^–1) - k ⁱ intrinsic first-order rate constant for -phase (s^–1) - x conversion fraction of -phase in time t - x conversion fraction of -phase in time t - n reaction order for -phase = 1 - n reaction order for -phase = 0.5 - J diffusion flux (mol m^–2 s^–1) - D diffusivity, or diffusion coefficient (m² s^–1 or cm² s^–1) - dC change in concentration (mol m^–3) - dl change in distance, l (m) - A(_g) gaseous reactant A - B reactant B (may be solid or liquid) - P solid product P - b stoichiometric coefficient of reactant B - p stoichiometric coefficient of product P - t time of reaction passed (s) - time for complete reaction of a particle (s) - X _B conversion fraction - r _c core radius (m) - R _p particle radius (m) - _B molar density of reactant B (mol m^–3) - k _g mass transfer coefficient between fluid and particle (m s^–1) - C _Ag concentration of gaseous reactant A (mol m^–3) - D _e effective diffusion coefficient of gaseous reactant in ash layer (m² s^–1)     

Strength variations of reaction-sintered SiC heterogeneously containing fine-grained β-SiC

Strength variations of reaction-sintered SiC were examined to determine the effect of the volume fraction of fine-grained -SiC domain. The fracture strength significantly decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of the -SiC domain, and eventually fell to the strength of the -SiC domain alone. Furthermore, a substantial difference in the crack deflection was found between the indentation microfracture formed in a structure containing fine-grained -SiC and that in the typical structure of reaction-sintered SiC. This showed that the fracture toughness decreased on account of the -SiC layer.     

Precipitate strengthening mechanisms in magnesium zinc alloy single crystals

The mechanical behaviour of Mg-5.1 wt % Zn alloy single crystals was studied in the 4.2 to 300° K temperature range. Quenched crystals have activation energies and volumes best associated with the cutting of small clusters of Zn atoms by dislocations. Fully hardened crystals contain fine ₁ and occasional ₂ precipitates with an average ₁ interparticle spacing of 330 to 660 Å. Strengthening in these crystals is mainly ascribed to the cutting of ₁ particles by dislocations. In the overaged condition ₁, ₂ and equilibrium particles are present and lead to a considerable temperature-dependence unusual for an overaged condition. Analysis of this temperature-dependence suggests that below 77° K the relatively easy cutting of ₁ particles by dislocations takes place in addition to the cutting of ₂ and particles. Above 77° K the difficult cutting of ₂ and particles alone controls the deformation, ₁ being more easily cut with the aid of thermal fluctuations.     

The relative stability ofβ andβ″-phases in Na2O-Al2O3 beta alumina

To reveal the relative stability of and -phases in beta alumina, effects of Na₂0 content and calcination and annealing history on the relative content of and -phases have been studied for compositions ranging from Na₂O-5Al₂O₃ to Na₂O-9.5Al₂O₃. The relative stability appears to be dependent on the calcination or annealing history, except holding time such as annealing or re-annealing time, but independent of the Na₂O content and the holding time. From these results it can be demonstrated that the relative stability of and -phases is sensitive to the heat treatment path, except the holding time. The two stage model on the /. polytypic transition in silicon carbide has been quoted to explain the heat treatment pathdependent characteristics.     

The Interplay of Electronic and Nuclear Magnetism in PtFe x at Milli-, Micro-, and Nanokelvin Temperatures

We have measured ac susceptibility, nuclear magnetic resonance, and nuclear heat capacity of two PtFe _x samples with concentrations of magnetic impurities x = 11 ppm and 41 ppm at magnetic fields (0 ± 0.05) mTB248 mT. The susceptibility data have been measured at temperatures of 0.3 KT100 mK, no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to a temperature of 0.3 K. The nuclear heat capacity data taken at 1.4 KT10 mK show enhanced values which scale with x at low polarization. This effect is described by a model assuming an internal magnetic field caused by the impurities. No indication for nuclear magnetic ordering could be detected to 1.4 K. The nuclear magnetic resonance experiments have been performed on these samples at 0.8 KT0.5 mK and 2.5 mTB22.8 mT as well as on three other samples with x = 5, 10, 31 ppm in a different setup at 40 KT0.5 mK and at 5.4 mTB200 mT. Spin-lattice and effective spin-spin relaxation times ₁and ₂ ^* of ¹⁹⁵ Pt strongly depend on x and on the external magnetic field. No temperature dependence of ₁and ₂ ^* could be detected and the NMR data, too, give no hint for nuclear magnetic ordering to 0.8 K.