New features of the low temperature ductile shear failure observed in bulk amorphous alloys

Fractographic studies of ductile shear failure under the uniaxial compression for rod–like samples of the Zr_41.2Ti_13.8Ni₁₀Cu_12.5Be_22.5 and Cu₅₀Zr₃₅Ti₈Hf₅Ni₂ bulk amorphous alloys at temperatures 300 and 77 K are presented. The mechanisms of shear deformation and failure appeared to have characteristics in common with other amorphous alloys prepared in the form of thin ribbons. However, there were a number of new fractographic features observed due to the bulk character of the samples and to the large supercooled liquid region of these alloys.     

Thermopower and resistance of superconducting-normal interfaces II. Experiment

This paper presents experimental data on the thermopower and resistance of superconducting-normal interfaces in SNS junctions made from pure copper foils to which rods of pure lead or PbBi alloys are attached, measured using a SQUID voltmeter. The data are analysed using the theory presented in the preceding paper, which is generally successful in its region of validity for the purer alloys near to T_c, and more successful than earlier theories, particularly as concerns the thermopower. The bulk thermopower for the superconducting excitations is found to be continuous with its normal value at T_c. The junctions made using dirty alloys in which the heat flow is phonon dominated show an unexplained large rise in boundary thermopower at low temperatures.     

Structure and properties of bulk nanostructured alloys synthesized by flux-melting

Nanomaterials can easily be prepared as thin films and powders, but are much harder to prepare in bulk form. Nanostructured materials are prepared mainly by consolidation, electrodeposition, and deformation. These processing techniques have problems such as porosity, contamination, high cost, and limitations in refining the grain size. Since most bulk engineering metals are initially prepared by casting, we developed a casting technique, flux-melting and melt-solidification, to prepare bulk nanostructured alloys. The casting technique has such advantages as simplicity, low cost, and full density. In our method, Ag–Cu alloys were melted in B₂O₃ flux, which removed most of the impurities, mainly oxides, in the melts. Upon solidifying the melt at a relatively slow cooling rate on the order of 10¹–10² K/s a large undercooling of ∼0.25 T _m (where T _m is the melting temperature) was achieved. This large undercooling leads to the formation of bulk nanostructured Ag–Cu alloys composed of alternative Ag/Cu lamella and nanocrystals, both ∼50 nm in dimension. Our liquid-processed alloys are fully dense and relatively free from contamination. The nanostructured Ag–Cu alloys have similar yield strength in tension and in compression. The as-quenched alloys have yield strength of 400 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 550 MPa, and plastic elongation of ∼8%. The UTS was further increased to ∼830 MPa after the as-quenched alloy rod was cold drawn to a strain of ∼2. The nanostructured Ag–Cu alloys show a high electrical conductivity (∼80% that of International Annealed Copper Standard), a slight strain hardening (strain-hardening coefficient of 0.10), and a high thermal stability up to a reduced temperature of 2/3 T _m. Some of these behaviors are different than those found in previous bulk nanostructured materials synthesized by solid state methods, and are explained based on the unique nanostructures achieved by our flux-melting and melt-solidification technique.     

Structural transformation in thin films of binary alloys

Structural transformation in thin films of binary alloys of 1st and 6th group elements, prepared by vacuum evaporation, has been studied by the author in detail by electron diffraction. The alloys chosen for the investigation were Ag₂Te, Ag₂Se, Ag₂S, Cu₂Te and Cu₂Se. The study of thin films of these alloys revealed that there occurs a transformation in structure and on heating, the temperatures of transformation are higher compared to the alloys in the bulk state. It has also been observed that the temperatures of structural transformation during heating and cooling are different. No quantitative explanation of the result has been given and it is expected that detailed discussion of the results will be published later.     

Alloying element additions to Ni3Al: Site preferences and effects on elastic properties from first-principles calculations

First-principles calculations were performed to study the effects of alloying elements (Mo, Re, Ta, W, Ti, Co, Nb, Ru, Cr, Y) on the elastic properties of Ni₃Al. The site preferences of the alloying elements in Ni3Al at different temperature and concentrations were predicted. The influence of alloying elements on the lattice parameters of Ni₃Al were calculated and compared with the values fitted from experimental data. The effects of alloying elements on the elastic constants of Ni₃Al were present. The directional shear and Young’s moduli for single-crystal Ni₃Al alloys with alloying elements were estimated. The bulk, shear, and Young’s moduli of polycrystalline alloys were obtained. It is found that all the alloying elements occupy Al sites except Ru and Co, which may occupy both sites depending on concentration and temperature. All the elements increase shear and Young’s moduli of single-crystal Ni₃Al in all orientations except Cr, Co and Y. All the elements increase both bulk and shear moduli of polycrystalline Ni₃Al except Co and Y. The solute atoms with higher bulk modulus tend higher bulk modulus of Ni₃Al alloys, and the bulk modulus is related to the mole volume either.     

Bulk Glassy Alloys: Historical Development and Current Research

This paper reviews the development of current research in bulk glassy alloys by focusing on the trigger point for the synthesis of the first bulk glassy alloys by the conventional mold casting method. This review covers the background, discovery, characteristics, and applications of bulk glassy alloys, as well as recent topics regarding them. Applications of bulk glassy alloys have been expanding, particularly for Fe-based bulk glassy alloys, due to their unique properties, high glass-forming ability, and low cost. In the near future, the engineering importance of bulk glassy alloys is expected to increase steadily, and continuous interest in these novel metallic materials for basic science research is anticipated.     

Investigation of mechanical properties and devitrification of Cu-based bulk glass formers alloyed with noble metals

The mechanical properties, glass-forming ability, supercooled liquid region and devitrification behaviour of the Cu–Zr–Ti–(Pd, Ag, Pt and Au) bulk glass formers were studied by using a mechanical testing machine, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal calorimetry. The bulk glassy alloys of diameter 2 mm were formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Pd₅ and Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Ag₅ alloys while Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Au₅ bulk alloy showed mixed glassy and crystalline structure. No glassy phase was formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Pt₅ bulk alloy whereas the glassy phase was formed in all of the ribbon samples prepared by rapid solidification. The studied alloys except for the Pt-bearing one have slightly increased compressive fracture or yield strength values compared to ternary Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ glassy alloy. At the same time Pd and Au addition significantly expand the supercooled liquid region of Cu–Zr–Ti glassy alloy and increase Young’s modulus. A nanoicosahedral phase is primarily formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Pd,Au)₅ glassy alloys in the initial stage of the devitrification process by nucleation and three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth. Nearly the same quasilattice constant obtained in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Pd,Au)₅ alloys illustrates the same type of the icosahedral phase in these alloys. However, no icosahedral phase was found in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Ag,Pt)₅ alloys.     

Investigation of mechanical properties and devitrification of Cu-based bulk glass formers alloyed with noble metals

The mechanical properties, glass-forming ability, supercooled liquid region and devitrification behaviour of the Cu–Zr–Ti–(Pd, Ag, Pt and Au) bulk glass formers were studied by using a mechanical testing machine, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal calorimetry. The bulk glassy alloys of diameter 2 mm were formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Pd₅ and Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Ag₅ alloys while Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Au₅ bulk alloy showed mixed glassy and crystalline structure. No glassy phase was formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀Pt₅ bulk alloy whereas the glassy phase was formed in all of the ribbon samples prepared by rapid solidification. The studied alloys except for the Pt-bearing one have slightly increased compressive fracture or yield strength values compared to ternary Cu₆₀Zr₃₀Ti₁₀ glassy alloy. At the same time Pd and Au addition significantly expand the supercooled liquid region of Cu–Zr–Ti glassy alloy and increase Young's modulus. A nanoicosahedral phase is primarily formed in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Pd,Au)₅ glassy alloys in the initial stage of the devitrification process by nucleation and three-dimensional diffusion-controlled growth. Nearly the same quasilattice constant obtained in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Pd,Au)₅ alloys illustrates the same type of the icosahedral phase in these alloys. However, no icosahedral phase was found in the Cu₅₅Zr₃₀Ti₁₀(Ag,Pt)₅ alloys.     

Potential New Matrix Alloys for production of PM Aluminium Foams

The powder compact melting technique for aluminium foam production as practised today accepts a certain mismatch between foaming agent decomposition and matrix alloy melting temperatures. This mismatch is believed to influence the pore structure in an unfavourable way. Adjustment of TiH₂ decomposition as well as liquidus and solidus temperatures of matrix alloys can be used to counteract it. Effects of TiH₂ thermal treatments are investigated using thermal analysis. TiH₂ variants gained via annealing treatments were used to produce aluminium foam precursor materials. As matrix for these specimens, aluminium based alloys with low liquidus and solidus temperatures were selected. Alloy systems considered include established combinations of aluminium with Cu, Mg, Si and Zn as well as special quaternary mixtures of these elements. First examinations presented include thermal analysis of alloys as well as studies on expansion vs. time and temperature relationships of precursor material based on new alloys and foaming agent variants.     

快速凝固Al-Fe系耐热铝合金的研究进展

通过快速凝固技术制备Al-Fe系耐热铝合金,可以获得弥散细小且在高温下扩散率低的第二相粒子,从而获得良好的耐热性能。本文综述了快速凝固Al-Fe系合金的发展现状,介绍了各系列Al-Fe合金,着重介绍了Al-Fe-V-Si合金及其复合材料;综述了制备合金的快速凝固技术的发展历程;概述了几种快速凝固Al-Fe系耐热铝合金常用的致密方法,并介绍了能在小吨位设备上致密大块多孔材料的楔形压制工艺、外框限制轧制和陶粒包覆轧制工艺;展望了快速凝固Al-Fe系耐热铝合金的发展趋势,认为合金的耐热性能有待进一步提高,提出了制备方法将朝高冷却速率下制备组织均匀且致密度高的大尺寸坯料方向发展,而致密化技术也将朝小型设备制备大尺寸致密材料的方向发展。