Effect of the addition of crystalline β-phase in Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline coatings on their tribological properties

We investigate tribological properties (friction coefficient, wear, and adhesion force with fretting tests) of both quasicrystalline (Ψ-phase) and dual-phase (Ψ + β-cubic phases) Al-Cu-Fe coatings produced by electron-beam physical vapour deposition. Performed standard pin-on-disk tests (using bear steel pin and a load of 2 N) indicate that both quasicrystalline and dual-phase (Ψ + β) Al-Cu-Fe coatings exhibit close values of the friction coefficient (≈ 0.2-0.3) in vacuum. At the same time, the wear rate of the dual-phase coating is found to be essentially lower than that of quasicrystalline coating. It is demonstrated also that the value of the adhesion between the coating and the steel counterpart under fretting depends on the coating structure. The lowest adhesion is found to be observed for quasicrystalline coatings. Possible origins of the tribological behaviour of the coatings and their potential applications are discussed.     

Mechanical properties of quasicrystalline Al-Cu-Fe coatings with submicron-sized grains

Quasicrystalline Al-Cu-Fe coatings with submicron-sized grains (∼ 400 nm) were produced by electron beam PVD. Mechanical properties of the Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline coating and a bulk Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline specimen with an average grain size of about 50 μm were examined using a set of micro- and nanoindentation techniques (with plotting stress-strain curves). It has been found that the length of the hardening stage in the stress-strain curve at room temperature for the coating is essentially greater, and the softening is weaker as compared with those for the bulk specimen. Possible reasons for such mechanical behavior of the coatings are discussed. Nanoindentation tests have shown that stepwise plastic flow is observed in both bulk sample and coating.     

Crystallographic relationship of orthorhombic φ-Al5Mg11Zn4 phase to icosahedral quasicrystalline phase

The orthorhombic φ-Al₅Mg₁₁Zn₄ phase is known to be related to quasicrystalline phases, but the exact relationship has not been shown yet. In this study, the relationship of this phase to the icosahedral quasicrystalline phase is explored through analysis of the electron diffraction patterns. It is shown that icosahedral coordinations in three orientations occur in the unit cell - one with three mutually perpendicular twofold axes along 〈1 0 0〉 of the unit cell, and two with a twofold axis along [1 0 0] and a fivefold along [0 0 1]. In this, this phase is similar to aluminum and zinc based hexagonal phases which are related to quasicrystals.     

Modelling and experimental study of impedance spectra of electron beam physical vapour deposition thermal barrier coatings

A 2-dimensional finite element model has been developed to calculate the impedance spectra of electron beam physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The model has been used to examine the effect of thermally grown oxide (TGO) growth and the TGO conductivity change on impedance spectra of TBCs. According to modelling, different spectra were generated due to the TGO growth and TGO conductivity change. Impedance measurements have been carried out on both as-deposited and thermally treated TBCs where the thermal treatments lead to the TGO growth. In addition, the thermal treatment of TBCs at different temperatures produced TGO with different compositions, probably leading to different electrical conductivities of TGO. Measured impedance spectra of TBCs with different TGO thicknesses and TGO compositions agree with modelled spectra of TBCs with different TGO thicknesses and conductivities.     

Boundaries and interfaces in ultrafine grain composites

The present study was motivated by two questions. First, what are the characteristics of grain and phase boundaries in a nanostructured material containing multiple phases? Second, what is the influence of these interfaces on mechanical behavior? Accordingly, a three-constituent Al 5083/B₄C ultrafine grain (UFG) composite, consisting of a coarse grain (CG) phase (1–2 μm), an UFG phase (100–200 nm) and B₄C particles (∼0.7 μm), was selected for study. Interest in this particular Al 5083/B₄C system stems from its hierarchical architecture, which comprises multiple scales, as well as from a reported yield strength of 1145 MPa. The associated grain boundaries (GB) and interfaces were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy methods. The role of high/low-angle GB, equilibrium and non-equilibrium GB within and between the CG and UFG regions, twin boundaries, twist transition boundaries and impurity segregation at GB in strengthening mechanisms is discussed.     

Particle size effects on chemistry and structure of Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline coatings

Gas atomized Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ powders of varying size fractions were plasma sprayed onto hot (~600 °C) and cool (~25 °C) substrates using Mach I and subsonic plasma gun configurations. The chemical composition and phase contents of coatings were determined. Furthermore, coatings were annealed in vacuum at 700 °C for 2 h to observe phase changes. It was found that finer particles (e.g., <25 μm) tend to vaporize Al during spraying, which shifts the coating composition away from the quasicrystalline (ψ) single-phase region in the Al-Cu-Fe phase diagram. Coatings deposited on hot substrates were denser, richer in theψ phase, and harder than the corresponding coatings deposited onto cool substrates.     

Effect of Small Amounts of Zinc in Watts Type Nickel Depositing Solutions

A study has been made of some of the more important factors which affect the surface appearance and brightness of laboratory-produced electrolytic tinplate.

It has been demonstrated that the characteristics of the thinner tin coatings are particularly influenced by the surface finish of the steel base, and by all but the lightest pickling treatments. Increasing the temperature of the electrolyte and the relative cathode-electrolyte velocity result in an extension of the upper limit of current density at which acceptable coatings can be produced.     

Influence of grain size in the near-micrometre regime on the deformation microstructure in aluminium

The effect of grain size on deformation microstructure formation in the near-micrometre grain size regime has been studied using samples of aluminium prepared using a spark plasma sintering technique. Samples in a fully recrystallized grain condition with average grain sizes ranging from 5.2 to 0.8 μm have been prepared using this technique. Examination in the transmission electron microscope of these samples after compression at room temperature to approximately 20% reduction reveals that grains larger than 7 μm are subdivided by cell block boundaries similar to those observed in coarse-grained samples, with a similar dependency on the crystallographic orientation of the grains. With decreasing grain size down to approx. 1 μm there is a gradual transition from cell block structures to cell structures. At even smaller grain sizes of down to approx. 0.5 μm the dominant features are dislocation bundles and random dislocations, although at a larger compressive strain of 30% dislocation rotation boundaries may also be found in the interior of grains of this size. A standard 〈1 1 0〉 fibre texture is found for all grain sizes, with a decreasing sharpness with decreasing grain size. The structural transitions with decreasing grain size are discussed based on the general principles of grain subdivision by deformation-induced dislocation boundaries and of low-energy dislocation structures as applied to the not hitherto explored near-micrometre grain size regime.     

XRD and HREM studies from the decomposition of icosahedral AlCuFe single-phase by high-energy ball milling

In this investigation the Al₆₄Cu₂₄Fe₁₂ alloy was melted in an induction furnace and solidified under normal casting conditions. In order to obtain the icosahedral phase (i-phase) in a single-phase region, the as-cast sample was subject to a heat treatment at 700 °C under argon atmosphere. Subsequently, the i-phase was milled for different times in order to evaluate phase stability under heavy deformation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) analysis were conducted to the structural characterization of ball-milled powders. XRD results indicated a reduction in quasicrystal size during mechanical ball milling to about 30 h. HREM analysis revealed the presence of aperiodic nano-domains, for example, with apparent fivefold symmetry axis. Therefore, the i-phase remains stable over the first 30 h of ball-milling time. However, among 30-50 h of mechanical milling the i-phase transforms progressively into β-cubic phase.     

Laser-assisted synthesis of carbon nanofibers: From arrays to thin films and coatings

Carbon nanofiber assemblies in the form of non-aligned films, arrays of vertically aligned nanofibers, aligned nanofiber mats and composite coatings were produced by laser-assisted catalytic chemical vapor deposition. A visible argon ion laser was used to thermally decompose pure ethylene over alumina supported nickel catalysts. Straight, vermicular, beaded, branched and coiled individual nanofibers were observed. The effects of the laser irradiation time on individual nanofiber characteristics, thus on overall nanofiber assembly characteristics were investigated. The arrays, nanostructured films and coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The individual nanofibers were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Nanofiber texture and nanotexture were assessed by lattice fringe analysis of high resolution transmission electron microscopy images. The observed variation in the interfringe distance along the nanofiber wall suggests a pulsed growth mode. This growth mode and the nanofiber shaping mechanism are discussed. Recommendations on how to control nanofiber characteristics such as shape and internal structure are provided.     

Pulsed electron-beam melting of high-speed steel: structural phase transformations and wear resistance

The structural and phase transformations occurring in the near-surface layers of pre-quenched high-speed steel subjected to pulsed electron beam melting have been investigated. Melting was induced by a low-energy (20–30 keV), high-current electron beam with a pulse duration of 2.5 μs and an energy density ranging from 3 to 18 J/cm². Using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction it has been revealed that with increasing beam energy density gradual liquid-phase dissolution of initial globular M₆C carbide particles occurs in the near-surface layer of thickness up to 1 μm. This process is accompanied by the formation of martensite crystals (-phase) and an increase of residual austenite (γ-phase) content. When the carbide particles are completely dissolved, martensitic transformation is suppressed. In this case, a non-misoriented structure is formed consisting predominantly of submicrometer cells of γ-phase separated by nanosized carbide interlayers. Irradiation of cutting tools (drills) in a mode corresponding to an abrupt decrease in the content of M₆C particles due to their liquid-phase dissolution enhances the wear resistance of the drills by a factor of 1.7. This is associated with the fixation of undissolved particles in the matrix, the formation of residual compressive stresses and of dispersed M₃C carbide particles as well as the high (50%) content of the metastable γ-phase in the surface layer.     

Influence of Sb on damping capacity and mechanical properties of Mg2Si/Mg–9Al composite materials

The influence of Sb addition on mechanical properties and damping capacity of Mg₂Si/Mg–9Al composite materials were investigated. Due to modification of Sb, Mg₂Si intermetallic compound exhibits refinement polygonal type, and the grain size of Mg matrix reduces. Such improved microstructure of the modified materials results in the large improvement in tensile properties and damping capacity.     

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructures and damping properties of biomedical Mg-Zr alloy

In this study, we elucidated the effect of heat treatment on the microstructures and damping properties of the biomedical Mg-1 wt% Zr (K1) alloy by optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and experimental model analysis. The following microstructural transformation occurred when the as-quenched (AQ, i.e., solution heat treated and quenched) K1 alloy was subjected to aging treatment in the temperature range 200-500 °C: α-Mg → (α-Mg + twin_dense) → (α-Mg + twin_loose) → (α-Mg + α-Zr). This microstructural transformation was accompanied by variations in the damping capacity. The damping properties of the AQ K1 alloy subjected to aging treatment at 300 °C for 16 h were the best among those of the alloys investigated in the present study. The presence of twin structures in the alloy matrix was thought to play a crucial role in increasing the damping capacity of the K1 alloy. Hence, we state that a combination of solution treatment and aging is an effective means of improving the damping capacity of biomedical K1 alloys.     

Effects of phase composition on the mechanical properties and damping capacities of as-extruded Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys

The present work mainly investigated the microstructures, mechanical properties, and damping capacities of as-extruded Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys with varied phase composition. Alloys of MgZn₂, W-phases (Mg₃Y₂Zn₃), I-phases (Mg₃YZn₆), and X-phases (Mg₁₂YZn) were obtained by adjusting the Zn/Y ratio (in wt%). The crystallographic structure of the X-phase [long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase] and the crystallographic relationship between the W-phase and the Mg matrix were determined. The strengthening effects of the phase composition on the alloys exhibited the following trend: W + LPSO > LPSO>W + I > MgZn₂. Variations in the phase composition resulted in almost consistent variations in the damping capacities of the alloys compared with their mechanical properties. The LPSO structural phase could enhance the mechanical properties and simultaneously maintain the good damping capacity of the alloys.     

Effect of the initial grain size on the final grain size of materials of bellows

Conclusions The final grain size of the material of measuring bellows is determined by the conditions of mechanical and heat treatment, and it depends little on the initial grain size; this makes it possible to eliminate acceptance control of the grain size of material for bellows in the state as supplied.Belorussian Polytechnic Institute, Pilot Plant of the Research Institute of Heat-Treatment Instruments (NIIteplopribor), Smolensk. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 1, pp. 50–51, January, 1985.     

Bonding mechanisms of thermally softened metallic powder particles and substrates impacted at high velocity

Thermally softened titanium powder particles were impacted at about 760 m/s onto three substrate materials, i.e., titanium, aluminum, and zirconia, at the same time. In spite of the very different physicochemical properties of these substrate materials, most of particles were bonded to the substrate. However, their microstructures suggested different dynamic deformation behaviors and interface features. On titanium or zirconia substrate, particles showed shear instability and direct metallurgical bonding or metal-ceramic bonding that resulted from the removal of oxide covered on them, while on aluminum, although the particle was not heavily deformed and its oxide remained it was also bonded to the substrate due to the instability of substrate and the removal of aluminum oxide. The results have demonstrated the complex and material dependent nature of bonding formation in kinetic spraying using thermally softened metallic powder particles.     

Microstructure and properties of low friction TiC---C nanocomposite coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering

The objective of nanocomposite coatings combining hard and lubricant phases is the development of advanced multi-functional protective thin films showing abrasion resistance, and simultaneously, low friction. Up to now, no clear relation between constitution, microstructural properties and performance of such nanocomposite coatings based on dry lubricants like carbon or MoS₂ has been evaluated. Deposition techniques, constitution, properties and performance of magnetron-sputtered nanocomposite coatings in the TiC---C system are presented. The Vickers hardness could be optimized to values of polycrystalline TiC thin films, and at the same time, low friction coefficients against steel, similar to diamond-like amorphous carbon, could be realized. The mechanical properties and the tribological behavior of these thin films are related to the chemical composition and the microstructure of these advanced materials, characterized by electron microprobe analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.     

The effect of grain refinement by multi-pass continuous hybrid process on mechanical properties of low-carbon steel wires

In this work, a multi-pass continuous hybrid (CH) process simulated by finite element analyses is investigated for producing grain-refined low-carbon steel wires in a continuous manner. The effect of grain-refined microstructure on mechanical properties such as tensile strength, ductility, micro-hardness, and fatigue limit is studied. For this purpose, the multi-pass CH process was experimentally set up and applied up to five passes with route A at room temperature. The experimental findings were compared with those for the multi-pass conventional wire drawing (WD) process. According to the present observation, the five-pass CH process refined the grains in the wires with many well-defined high angle grain boundaries, resulting in enhanced ultimate tensile strength and comparable ductility compared to the WD process. In addition, the fatigue limit of the specimen produced by the CH process was enhanced due to the grain-refined microstructure of the specimen compared to the one of the WD process. Based on the present investigation, it was found that the multi-pass CH process will be more efficient in manufacturing the fine-grained wires with enhanced mechanical properties compared to the WD process.     

Effect of environmental temperature on damping capacity of Cu-Al-Mn alloy

The effect of environmental temperature on the damping capacity of Cu-7.66Al-9.52Mn (mass fraction, %) alloy was studied. The result shows that with increasing the environmental temperature, the logarithmic decrement increases firstly and reaches the maximal value of 0.118. The reason is that more phase interfaces and twinning boundaries can move at a higher temperature, leading to higher consumption of energy, in despite of the decreasing of the amount of martensite. When the environmental temperature is above Ms, with further increase in the environmental temperature, the logarithmic decrement decreases sharply mainly because there is little martensite remaining in the alloy.     

TiO_2薄膜成分和结构分析及其对折射率的影响

在硅衬底上利用电子束蒸发沉积了TiO_2薄膜,利用椭圆偏振仪测量了不同沉积温度下的TiO_2薄膜的折射率,发现其折射率随着沉积温度的升高而升高.利用X射线衍射(XRD)仪对这些薄膜的结构进行表征,发现折射率高的样品其结晶化程度也高.利用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和傅立叶红外吸收谱(FT-IR)相结合的方法对薄膜的成分进行分析,发现内部存在低价态的钛氧化物,使薄膜的折射率明显低于固体块材料的折射率.