Heterogeneous nuclei size in magnesium–zirconium alloys

An investigation was made of the size distribution of zirconium particles that were observed at the centres of grains in a magnesium alloy grain-refined by zirconium. It was found that the majority of particles were in the range between 1 and 5 μm and that large zirconium particles (>5 μm) were inactive as nucleation centres.     

Preparation of zirconium by electro-deoxidization in molten salt

Metal zirconium was prepared by electro-deoxidization method. Using CaCl2 molten salt as electrolyte, sintered ZrO2 pallets as cathode, graphite rod as anode, the pallets were electrolyzed at 900 ℃ and 3.1 V for 8, 10 and 12 h, respectively. The mechanism of electro-deoxidization of ZrO2 was studied preliminarily. The results show that the morphologies of cathode pallets affect the forming process of products. The process of electro-deoxidization ofZrO2 in the molten salt is conducted step by step, from exterior of cathode to its interior and from high valence oxide to low valence oxide until to metal.     

Oxidation of zirconium between 400° and 800°C

The vacuum microbalance method is used to study the oxidation reaction for two surface preparations over the temperature range of 400° to 800°C. The results fit in well with the authors previous work at temperatures of 200° to 425°C and with the work of other groups at higher temperatures. An analysis of the rate data shows that the cubic rate law fits the experimental data best for the abraded specimens. However, the parabolic rate law can be fitted to the data if an initial deviation is disregarded. With chemically polished specimens, a good fit is obtained with the parabolic rate law. The parabolic rate law constant A gives two straight lines when plotted as log A vs 1/T. For the temperature range of 200° to 525°C an energy of activation of 18,200 cal per mol is calculated while a value of 28,600 cal per mol is calculated for the temperature range of 525° to 750°C. The results of this work bring together the previously determined high-temperature oxidation studies of Cubicciotti with the early low-temperature studies of Gulbransen and Andrew.     

Hydrogen desorption behaviors of zirconium hydride in oxygen containing atmosphere

Hydrogen desorption behaviors of zirconium hydride at temperature range of 100-900 ℃in mixture gases of helium and oxygen was studied by gas phase analysis（GPA）. Meanwhile, the morphologies of the oxide scale formed on the surface of zirconium hydride were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The hydrogen desorption is retarded effectively when zirconium hydride is exposed to an oxygen containing atmosphere. Hydrogen desorption in mixed gas of helium and oxygen starts at 525℃ and reaches maximum at 660℃ and ends eventually at 800 ℃. No hydrogen desorption is found at the temperature range from 800℃ to 900℃. An oxide scale with approximately 20 μm in thickness formed on the surface of zirconium hydride acts as an effective diffusion barrier.     

Interfacial reaction between zirconium alloy and graphite mold/yttrium oxide ceramic mold

Zirconium alloys are active in the molten state and tend to react with the mold during casting. The casting technology of zirconium is not yet well established; especially in selecting the mold materials, which are difficult to determine. In the present work, the interfacial reactions between zirconium casting and casting mold were studied. The zirconium alloy was melted in a vacuum arc skull furnace and then cast into the graphite mold and ceramic mold, respectively. The zirconium casting samples were characterized using SEM, EDS and XRD with an emphasis on the chemical diffusion of elements. A reaction layer was observed at the casting surface. Chemical analysis shows that chemical elements C, O and Y from the mold are diffused into the molten zirconium, and new phases, such as ZrC, Zr30, YO1.335 and Y6ZrO11, are formed at the surface. In addition, an end product of zirconium valve cast in a yttria mold has a compact structure and good surface quality.     

Different grain refinement mechanisms of minor zirconium and cerium in magnesium alloys

Zirconium and rare earth element cerium were added in magnesium and magnesium alloys to study their different grain refinement mechanisms. The results show that zirconium has an obvious refinement effect on the cast grain of magnesium and its alloys without the alloy element Al because the crystal structure of zirconium is the same as magnesium matrix, and the lattice parameters are close to magnesium. Zirconium can decrease the grain size of magnesium from 150 to 20 pm. The rare earth cerium also has a grain refinement effect on Mg and Mg-Al alloy. The cerium atoms tend to remain in the liquid rather than solidify with the solvent atoms magnesium at the solid-liquid interface. The liquid constitutional undercooling can provide a heterogeneous crystal nucleation. The grain is refined from 200 μm to 40-80 μm. These two elements have different grain refinement mechalfism on Mg alloy. The mechanism of zirconium is that it acts as the nuclei of α-Mg. But the mechanism of cerium is that it increases the liquid constitutional undercooling that can provide a heterogeneous crystal nucleation for the alloy.     

Kinetics of the δ to γ zirconium hydride transformation in Zr-2.5Nb

When the concentration of hydrogen exceeds the solubility limit in a metal matrix, metal hydrides may appear as precipitates that degrade the performance of the material. Neutron diffraction was combined with microscopy to study the δ to γ phase transformation of zirconium hydride precipitates in Zr-2.5 wt.% Nb. Specimens were heated to dissolve all hydrides, then cooled to holding temperatures ranging from 17–100 °C, to investigate the kinetics of transformation from the high-temperature δ-hydride to the low-temperature γ-hydride. The δ to γ transformation proceeds over a period of many hours, with a rate that increases as the holding temperature is decreased. Transmission Electron Microscopy images indicate that the boundary regions of hydride precipitates transform to the γ-phase, leaving a shrinking core of the δ-phase. The crystallographic orientations of the hydrides appear to be determined by the texture of the α-Zr matrix, even after complete dissolution and re-precipitation.     

Martensitic transformation of Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy with zirconium

The addition of 3%～9% Zr on the martensitic transformation of Ti-18Nb(at.%) alloy was investigated. The results of microstructure and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis show that the phase constitution of as-quenched Ti-18Nb-9Zr(at.%) alloy consists of the retained matrix and martensite, while that of the other three alloys is single martensite. No trace of athermal phase was found in any of the as-quenched alloys. Unlike the effect of Nb addition on the martensitic transformation start temperature Ms of Ti-1...     

Effect of 0.1 at.% zirconium on the cyclic oxidation resistance ofβ-NiAl

The effect of 0.1 at.% Zr (0.2 wt.% Zr) on the cyclic oxidation of hipped -NiAl was studied. Oxidation testing was performed in static air at 1100–1200 °C, using 1-hr exposure cycles for test times up to 3000 hr. The weight change versus time data were modeled with the COSP computer program to analyze and predict cyclic-oxidation behavior. Zr additions significantly change the nature of the scale-spalling process during cooling so that the oxide spalls near the oxide-air interface at a relatively low depth within the scale. Without Zr, the predominantly -Al₂O₃ scale tends to spall randomly to bare metal at relatively high effective-scale-loss rates, particularly at 1150°C and 1200°C. This leads to higher rates of Al consumption for the Zr-free aluminide and much earlier depletion of Al, leading to eventual breakaway (i.e., failure).     

Improved mechanical properties of ZrB2-30 vol% SiC using zirconium carbide additive

Influence the different amount of ZrC as well as fabrication parameters on the mechanical properties such as flexural strength and densification behavior of spark plasma sintered ZrB₂-30 vol% SiC composites were investigated. The composites contained 4, 8 and 12 vol% ZrC were consolidated at 1650, 1725 and 1800 °C for 4, 9 and 14 min under 20, 30 and 40 MPa pressures. Relative density and the ratio of open porosities were measured and used to appraise the densification behavior. Three-point bending instrument applied for flexural strength measurement. Microstructural investigations were carried out using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the ZrC till to 4 vol%, have positive effect on grain growth and acts as grain growth inhibitor while more addition caused to grain growth happening. Also, ZrC ascent from 4 up to 12 vol%, accompanied by shrinkage temperature rising (from 1263 °C to 1389 °C and 1392 °C). Relative density reduction occurred from 94.4% to 92.2% by increasing ZrC amount from 4 up to 12 vol%. Flexural strength reached to its maximum value, 460 MPa, in the presence of 8 vol% ZrC for composite which was consolidated at temperature of 1800 °C, time of 9 min under 30 MPa pressure.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti43Al6Nb alloys with different zirconium contents

Ti43Al6Nb-xZr alloys with different additions of zirconium were prepared by vacuum arc melting furnace.The microstructure and compressive properties at room temperature(RT) were investigated.The microstructure shows dendrites with addition of 0 at%-2.5at% Zr,and the dendrites are refined with the primary dendrite arms spacing decreasing from 222.64 μm(0 at%Zr) to 92.57 μm(2.0 at% Zr).With Zr addition more than2.5 at%,the microstructure shows equiaxed grains surrounded by y phase.Zr is a y stabil...     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-Mg and Al-Zn-Mg based alloys containing minor scandium and zirconium

1　INTRODUCTIONAddingofminorMn ,Cr ,Ti,B ,Zr ,Sc ,Agintoaluminumalloyscanremarkablychangethemi crostructuresandpropertiesofaluminumalloys[18] .Amongthem ,theeffectofminorScandZrhasre ceivedspecialattention .Onthe 1stInternationalScandiumConferenceheldinMoscowin 1994 ,Rus sianmetallurgistsdescribedtheapplicationprospectofaluminumalloyscontainingScinaerospace ,aviation ,warshipsandnuclearindustry ,whichhasstimulatedmanyindustrialcountries’researchinterestinthiskindofalloys .Atpresent…     

Mechanical properties and the structure of chromium–zirconium bronze after dynamic channel-angular pressing and subsequent aging

Changes in the structure and mechanical properties of the low-alloy chromium–zirconium bronze Cu–0.14% Cr–0.04% Zr have been investigated after a high-strain-rate (10⁴–10⁵ s^–1) deformation by the method of dynamic channel-angular pressing (DCAP) and following annealings at 300–700°C. A significant increase in the mechanical properties of the investigated bronze after DCAP and after DCAP and subsequent aging at temperatures of 400–450°C has been established. Thus, compared to the initial quenched state the ultimate tensile strength increases by a factor of 2.6 and 2.8 and the yield stress, by a factor of 3.3 and 5.1, respectively, with the retention of satisfactory plasticity. It has been shown that, upon DCAP and subsequent annealings, in the low-alloyed bronze under investigation there occurs a decomposition of the α solid solution with the precipitation of nanosized particles. This leads to a significant strengthening of the bronze and to an increase in its thermal stability compared with the pure copper subjected to DCAP.     

Texture changes in the hcp → bcc → hcp transformation of zirconium studied in situ by neutron diffraction

The crystallographic texture of hot-rolled polycrystalline zirconium has been studied below and above the hcp–bcc transition temperature with HIPPO, the new time-of-flight neutron diffractometer at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, making use of the multidetector capabilities and a vacuum furnace. Incomplete pole figures were extracted from diffraction spectra to determine the orientation distribution function and recalculate complete pole figures in situ at various temperatures. The texture analysis reveals that the orientation of grains in the new high-temperature (bcc) phase is related to the texture of the low-temperature (hcp) phase by Burgers relation, but with both an orientation selection and a symmetry variant selection. The cubic transformation texture is best explained if we assume preferential nucleation of the bcc phase in the hcp grain orientations that are most subject to mechanical twinning. After cooling, the new hcp texture closely resembles the original texture. Thermal cycling repeats this process with slight strengthening of the texture. The hexagonal transformation texture (after cooling) may be caused by nucleation and growth of untransformed domains or through variant selection by stresses imposed by neighboring grains.     

Influence of zirconium addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd10.1Fe78.2-xCo5ZrxB6.7 permanent magnets

Nanocomposite Nd10.1Fe78.2-xCo5ZrxB6.7 （x= 0, 1.5, 2.5, 2.7, 3, 4） permanent magnets were prepared by melt-spun and annealing. The microstructure and magnetic properties of the permanent magnets were investigated. The resuits reveal that the addition of Zr element significantly reduces the grain size and improves the thermal stability of the amorphous phase. A fme nanocomposite microstructure with an average grain size of about 35 nm can be developed at a wheel speed of 16 m·s^-1 with the content of Zr up to 2.7 at.%. After optimal annealing （710℃ x 4 min）, the magnetic properties of the Ndl0.1Fe75.5Co5Zr2.TB6.7 bonded magnets were achieved as follows： Br= 0.72 T, jHc = 769 kA·m^-1, and （BH）max = 85.0 kJ·m^-3.     

Hydrogen permeation resistance and characterization of Si–Al and Si–Zr composite sol oxide coating on surface of zirconium hydride

The hydrogen permeation resistance of Si–Zr(SZ) and Si–Al(SA) composite sol oxide coating on zirconium hydride blocks(Zr H_(1.8)) was studied. SZ and SA composite sol were prepared by sol–gel method. SZ and SA composite oxide coatings were prepared on the surface of Zr H_(1.8)(in situ oxidized or not) in turns by dip-coating and heat treatment. Hydrogen permeation of Zr H_(1.8)with and without composite oxide coating was compared.Hydrogen desorption experiments in thermal vacuum show that hydrogen permeation resistance of SA composite oxide coating is better than that of SZ, to a certain extent,which could decrease hydrogen thermal loss. Experimental results in the working condition show that the SA composite oxide coating can not only prevent hydrogen permeation, but also retard contact and reaction between CO_2 and Zr H_(1.8)matrix, which could mitigate excessive oxidation of in situ oxide film. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry(DSC–TG) analysis was performed to investigate the decomposition behavior of SA and SZ liquid sol in heat treatment process. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) analysis were employed to characterize the phase composition,surface and cross-section morphology of the coatings.     

The effect of zirconium addition on microstructure and properties of ball milled and hot compacted powder of Al–12 wt% Zn–3 wt% Mg–1.5 wt% Cu alloy

Elemental powders of the composition Al–12 wt% Zn–3 wt% Mg–1.5 wt% Cu with addition of 1 and 2 wt% Zr were ball milled in a planetary high-energy ball mill and then hot pressed in vacuum under 600 MPa pressure at 380 °C. The effect of ball milling and hot pressing on the microstructure was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), light microscopy, analytical and scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ball milling for 80 h leads to homogenous, highly deformed microstructure of aluminium solid solution with grain size below 100 nm. In the powder with zirconium addition, some part of the Zr atoms diffused in aluminium up to 0.3 wt% Zr. The remaining was found to form Zr-rich particles identified as face centered cubic (fcc) phase. Good quality samples without pores and cracks obtained by hot pressing composed of grains and subgrains of size below 200 nm. The particles of MgZn₂ phase were identified which were located mainly between compacted particles of milled powder. Hot pressed powder showed Vickers microhardness of about 195 HV (0.2 N) and ultimate compression strength in the range 611–658 MPa in the compression test. Addition of zirconium had no influence on the strength of the compacted powders.