Enhanced corrosion resistance of Zn–Cu–Ti alloy with addition of Cu–Ti amorphous ribbons in 3.5% NaCl solution

In the present study, Zn–0.3Cu–0.3Ti alloy (sample I) was fabricated by a simple low-temperature melting method using Cu–50Ti amorphous alloy ribbons for corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution. As a comparison, crystalline Cu–50Ti master alloy was used to prepare Zn–0.3Cu–0.3Ti alloy (sample II). Sample I comprising Zn, TiZn₃, and TiZn₁₅ phases exhibits an equiaxed microstructure with subgrain structure. Large TiZn₃ particles show cluster feature, whereas intermittent small TiZn₁₅ particles exist at grain boundaries and subgrain boundaries. In sample II, the Zn matrix with typical dendritic microstructure is observed and no large particles are found. Compared with sample II, sample I shows lower weight gain and corrosion current density and a higher slope of cathode polarization curve. The weight gain for sample I is only 0.59 mg·cm⁻², but for sample II, this value reaches 0.70 mg·cm⁻². After 8 days of corrosion, corrosion products are mainly Zn₅(OH)₈Cl·H₂O and ZnO, showing loose particle shape. As corrosion time increases from 2 days to 8 days, corrosion layer thickness increases from about 15 to 24 μm for sample 1.     

Microstructure and properties of aging Cu–Cr–Zr alloy

The crystallography and morphology of precipitate particles in a Cu matrix were studied using an aged Cu–Cr–Zr alloy by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM). The tensile strength and electrical conductivity of this alloy after various aging processes were tested. The results show that two kinds of crystallographic structure associated with chromium-rich phases, fcc and bcc structure, exist in the peak-aging of the alloy. The orientation relationship between bcc Cr precipitate and the matrix exhibits Nishiyama–Wasserman orientation relationship. Two kinds of Zr-rich phases(Cu4Zr and Cu5Zr)can be identified and the habit plane is parallel to {111}Cu plane during the aging. The increase in strength is ascribed to the precipitation of Cr- and Zr-rich phase.     

Internal structures and shape memory properties of sputter-deposited thin films of a Ti–Ni–Cu alloy

Low-temperature heat treatments of the sputter-deposited amorphous films, which were previously proved to be a new method to produce very good shape memory properties for Ti-rich Ti–Ni alloys, have been applied to a ternary Ti–43.0Ni–6.2Cu alloy (at.%). The basically same nanometric structures as in the binary alloy are formed, i.e. the nanometric structures consist of extremely thin plate precipitates of bct structure, which are formed on {100} planes of the parent B2 structure and have the c-axis normal to the habit planes. High-shape recovery stresses of about 500 MPa with recoverable shape strains of 5% are obtained without accompanying any permanent strains. A shape recovery stress of more than 870 MPa is attained if it is allowed to involve about 1% permanent strain. Although these bct precipitates have large tetragonalities, they are perfectly coherent with the parent bcc lattice. The maximum shape recovery stress is nearly twice that of the Ti-rich Ti–Ni binary alloy having a similar nanometric structure. It is suggested that this remarkable increase in recovery stress may be attributed to the change in Burgers vector of dislocations caused by partial disordering in Ti–Ni–Cu alloys. It is emphasized that the shape recovery stress in this ternary alloy is four times that of the Ti₂Ni containing samples and 10 times that of a bulk Ti–45Ni–5Cu alloy.     

Microstructure and properties of Cu–2.8Ni–0.6Si alloy

The phase transformation behavior and heat treatment response of Cu-2.8Ni-0.6Si (wt%) alloy subjected to different heat treatments were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy observation, and measurement of hardness and electrical conductivity. The variation of hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy was measured as a function of aging time. On aging at the temperature below TR (500-550°C) in Cu-2.8Ni-0.6Si alloy, the transformation undergoes spinodal decomposition, DO22 ordering, and d-Ni2Si phase. On aging at the temperature above TR (500-550 °C), the transformation products were precipitations of d-Ni2Si. The free energy versus composition curves were employed to explain the microstructure observations.     

Influence of high-temperature solution treatments on mechanical properties of an Al–Si–Cu aluminum alloy

It has been demonstrated that the strength of an Al–Si–Cu alloy is maximized by high-temperature solution treatment at 807 K, which is approximately 16 K higher than the ternary eutectic temperature. The dual-energy K-edge subtraction imaging technique has been employed to obtain the spatial distribution of copper and its change during its solution treatment in three dimensions quantitatively, providing interpretations of the improved mechanical properties in terms of age-hardenability and its spatial variation. It has been also confirmed that the occurrence of incipient local melting and the accompanying growth of micro pores adjacent to the melt regions lead to fractures caused by these defects. However, it can be inferred that the positive effects can outweigh the negative effects even above the eutectic temperature, thereby realizing the maximum strength at such relative high temperature levels.     

Development and tensile properties of Ti–40Al–10V alloy

A Ti–40Al–10V (at%) intermetallic compound has been developed using vacuum arc remelting and hot-isostatic pressing (HIP), followed by isothermal hot-forging (IHF). The alloy, composed mainly of B2 and γ phases with equiaxial grains of several μm in average diameter and a small amount of α₂ phase with equiaxial grains of smaller size, shows excellent tensile properties; it has an elongation larger than 6% on average and yield strength larger than 700 MPa at low (ambient temperature) to intermediate temperatures, although the strength decreases rapidly at temperatures higher than 600°C.     

Dealloying behavior of Mn–30Cu alloy in acetic acid solution

The dealloying behavior of single-phase Mn–30Cu sheets in acetic acid solutions with varying concentrations ranging from 1 vol.% to 60 vol.% and morphological evolution of nanoporosity have been investigated. The results show that the concentration of acetic acid solution has a key influence on the dealloying process and microstructure of nanoporous copper. It can be well explained as a consequence of the competition between association and ionization of acetic acid molecules. Additionally, the formation rate of porous structure in organic acid solution is remarkably lower than that in inorganic acid due to the limited H⁺ concentration from the competitive effect.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of amorphous Co–Cu–B alloy nano-powders

Magnetic Co–Cu–B powders were successfully prepared by the reduction of copper chloride and cobalt chloride in an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electronic diffraction (SAED), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) it was shown that, when Co²⁺/Cu²⁺ ratio in the original mixed solution was greater, the resultant powders were amorphous alloy powders, having a nearly spherical morphology with diameters <50 nm. DSC trace of the as-prepared Co–Cu–B ultrafine amorphous alloy powders showed only one exothermic peak, and no sharp glass transition temperature could be identified. From the room-temperature magnetic hysteresis loops measured by vibrating sample magnetometer, it was found that the Co–Cu–B amorphous alloy powders exhibited hard magnetic behavior, and the saturation magnetization could be further improved by crystallization.     

Microstructure and superelastic properties of free forged Ti–Ni shape-memory alloy

Elemental titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni) powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to fabricate Ti–51%Ni (mole fraction) shape-memory alloys (SMAs). The objective of this study is to enhance the superelasticity of SPS produced Ti–Ni alloy using free forging as a secondary process. Products from two processes (with and without free forging) were compared in terms of microstructure, transformation temperature and superelasticity. The results showed that, free forging effectively improved the tensile and shape-memory properties. Ductility increased from 6.8% to 9.2% after forging. The maximum strain during superelasticity increased from 5% to 7.5% and the strain recovery rate increased from 72% to 92%. The microstructure of produced Ti–51%Ni SMA consists of the cubic austenite (B2) matrix, monoclinic martensite (B19′), secondary phases (Ti₃Ni₄, Ti₂Ni and TiNi₃) and oxides (Ti₄Ni₂O and Ti₃O₅). There was a shift towards higher temperatures in the martensitic transformation of free forged specimen (aged at 500 °C) due to the decrease in Ni content of B2 matrix. This is related to the presence of Ti₃Ni₄ precipitates, which were observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). In conclusion, free forging could improve superelasticity and mechanical properties of Ti–51%Ni SMA.     

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.     

Hydrogen sorption properties of a Mg–Y–Ti alloy

The catalytic effect of titanium on the hydrogen sorption properties of a Mg–Y–Ti alloy has been investigated. The alloy is formed by a majority phase Mg_24+xY₅, a minor phase of solid solution of Y in Mg and Ti clusters randomly dispersed in the sample. During the first hydrogen absorption cycle 5.6 wt.% hydrogen was absorbed at temperatures above 613 K. The alloy decomposed almost completely to MgH₂ and YH₃. After hydrogen desorption pure Mg and YH₂ were formed. For further absorption/desorption cycles the material had a reversible hydrogen capacity of 4.8 wt.%. The MgH₂ decomposition enthalpy was determined to ?68 kJ/mol H₂, and the calculated activation energy of hydrogen desorption of MgH₂ was 150(±10) kJ/mol.     

Electrochemical behavior of a lead-free Sn–Cu solder alloy in NaCl solution

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization techniques and an equivalent circuit analysis are used to evaluate the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Sn–Cu alloy samples in a naturally aerated 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25 °C. It has been found that a better electrochemical corrosion resistance is provided by a coarser cellular microstructure array. It has also been found that the corrosion current density (i_corr) is of about a quarter when compared with that of the finest microstructure examined. Such behavior is attributed to both localized strains between the Sn-rich phase and intermetallic (IMC) particles and the cathode/anode area ratios. The effect of copper alloying on i_corr is also discussed.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints of Zr–Ti alloy

Zirconium–titanium alloy joints were successfully produced by friction stir welding. Unlike the (α+β) dual phase microstructure in base metal, only the β phase existed in the region in which temperature exceeded the β transient point for the as welded joint. Accordingly, the hardness in these regions exhibited integral decrement and uniform distribution features. The thermal simulation further showed that hardness variation was mainly determined by phase composition. Microstructure development in the nugget zone was mainly governed by continuous dynamic recrystallisation. Satisfactory ultimate tensile strength and elongation equal to the base metal were achieved in the as welded joint. Tensile fracture occurred at the heat affected zone near the retreating side of the joint. The fracture surface of the joint exhibited a mixing feature with quasi-cleavage facets and small dimples.     

Effect of annealing on microstructure and properties of Cu–30Ni alloy tube

The microstructure, mechanical properties and seawater corrosion resistance of annealed Cu–30Ni alloy tube were investigated using mechanical test, optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope and electrochemical measurement system, respectively. The recrystallizations gradually increased with the increase of annealing temperature and holding time. The hardness and tensile strength, which maintained invariability with annealing temperature at 680–720 °C, dramatically decreased with annealing temperature at 720–770 °C. As annealing temperature and holding time increase, corrosion potential (E_C) increased while corrosion rate (i_C) decreased at the beginning of seawater immersion. But after 15 days’ seawater immersion, as annealing temperature and holding time increase, E_C firstly increased and then decreased, on the contrary, i_C firstly decreased and then increased. The Ni-rich surface film and the Ni-rich sub-grains were responsible for the initial and extended immersion, respectively. It was found that the Cu–30Ni alloy tube annealed at 720 °C for 30 min exhibited favorable comprehensive mechanical properties and seawater corrosion resistance.     

Corrosion characteristics of zinc–zirconium alloy in c-SBF and its biocompatibility in vitro/in vivo

Zinc-based metals have attracted attention as biodegradable implant materials for medical applications. New alloying systems are still being tried. In this study, three kinds of extruded zinc–zirconium alloys (R1, R2, and R3) were prepared, and two of the most important performance of corrosion characteristics and biocompatibility in vitro/in vivo were carefully examined. We found that zirconium content did not linearly influence the corrosion behavior. Zirconium improved the zinc–zirconium alloy corrosion potential, but the strengthening effect was weakened due to the ZrZn ₂₂ phase, leading to microgalvanic corrosion. The alloy with zirconium content of 0.8% (R2) showed high corrosion resistance and minimum initial corrosion rate in the corrected simulated body fluid. R2 alloy also exhibited favorable cytocompatibility and biological histocompatibility.     

Precipitation process and its effects on properties of aging Cu–Ni–Be alloy

The precipitation process of aged Cu-Ni-Be alloy was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, trans- mission electron microscopy （TEM）, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）. The tensile strength, yield strength, and electronic conductivity of this alloy after aging were also studied. The precipitation sequence of the C17510 alloy aged at 525 ℃ is supersat-urated solid solution→G.P zones→ γ″-γ′→ γ. This transformation can be achieved by the accumulation of Be-atom layers. The G.P zones are composed of disk-shaped monolayers of Be atoms, which are formed on （001） matrix planes. The intermediate γ″ precipitate is nucleated in the G.P zones. The γ″ and γ′ precipitates have the same orientation relationship with matrix, e.g., （110）p｜｜（100）M,[001]p｜｜[001]M. The tensile strength of specimen shows a maximum during the aging process and then continuously decreases if the specimen is over aged. The strengthening effect of γ′ phase precipitated in aging at 525 ℃ for 4 h is calculated to be 436 MPa according to the Orowan strengthening, which is quite consistent with the experimental data.     

Preparation and properties of W–Cu–Zn alloy with low W–W contiguity

The W–Cu–Zn alloy with a-brass matrix and low W–W contiguity was prepared by method of electroless copper plating combined with spark plasma sintering(SPS) method.The effects of process and parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated.The W–Cu–Zn alloy with a relative density of 96 % and a W–W contiguity of about 10 % was prepared by original fine tungsten particles combined with wet mixing method and SPS solid-state sintering method at 800 °C for 10 min.The microstructure analysis shows that Cu–Zn matrix consists of nano-sized a-brass grains,and the main composition is Cu_3Zn electride.The nano-sized Cu was coated on the surface of tungsten particles by electroless copper plating method,and the fairly low consolidation temperature and short solid-state sintering time result in the nano-sized matrix phase.The dynamic compressive strength of the W–Cu–Zn alloy achieves to1000 MPa,but the alloy shows poor ductility due to the formation of the hard and brittle Cu_3Zn electrides.The fine-grain strengthening and the solution strengthening of the Cu–Zn matrix phase are responsible for the high Vickers microhardness of about 300 MPa for W–Cu–Zn alloy.     

Microstructure and mechanical performance of brazed joints of Cf/SiC composite and Ti alloy using Ag–Cu–Ti–W

Abstract

C_f/SiC composite was brazed to Ti alloy using interlayer of Ag–Cu–Ti–W mixed powder. The effects of W content and brazing parameters on the microstructure and properties of the brazed joints were investigated. The results show that W grains mainly distribute in Ag phase in the brazing layer and provide the effects of reinforcement and lowering residual thermal stress on the joint. The room temperature and 500°C shear strengths of the joints performed at 500°C for 30 min with Ag–Cu–Ti–50W (vol.-%) are remarkably higher than the optimal strengths of the joints brazed with Ag–Cu–Ti.