A model for the prediction of lattice parameters of iron–carbon austenite and martensite

Prediction of lattice parameters of interstitial iron–carbon austenites and martensites as a function of carbon concentration and temperature are given. The model is based on the two assumptions that the change in lattice parameters of the pure Fe phase is due to the occupation by carbon atoms to the octahedral holes in the fcc austenite and the bct martensite; and on the relative change in length and vacancy concentration at the lattice sites that are in thermal equilibrium. The predicted lattice parameters of the Fe–C martensites are in a good agreement with the experimental data. However, the preparation procedures of the austenites at room temperature, causes crystal defects thereby dropping the experimental values by 0.25% from the purely ideal predicted values. The model also yield the tetragonality (c/a) of the martensite as a function of C atoms/100 Fe atoms, defined by the ideal ratio c/a = 1 + 0.01X_C.     

A backward extrusion analysis by the rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method

The rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method is applied to the analysis of plane strain backward extrusion. The rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method, based on the moving least squares approximation and the partial differential equations of mechanical equilibrium, is a truly meshless method. In addition, since there is no any integration in the formulation of the rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method, this method is also an integralless method. Compared with the conventional rigid–plastic FEMs, the rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method has some advantages that are briefly no mesh generation, no remeshing and no integration. Compared with BEMs and FBEMs, the rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method is found to have some merits such as sparse matrix, no singularity, no integration and no fundamental solution. Contours of the equivalent strain rate, the equivalent strain, the equivalent stress and the shear stress, etc. of the backward extrusion analysis using the rigid–plastic integralless–meshless method are obtained successfully.     

FEM analysis for V–H rolling process by updating geometric method

Three passes of slab rolling during vertical–horizontal rolling process were simulated with explicit dynamic FEM by updating geometric method. Simulation model of the next pass was built when the rolling geometry model was updated after previous pass was finished, changing roll gap, material attribution and boundary conditions. The calculated results of the slab shape are in good agreement with the experimental ones. It is shown that the explicit dynamic FEM and updating geometric method can be used effectively to analyze the multi-passes of V–H rolling process.     

An electrochemical method for the preparation of Mg–Li alloys at low temperature molten salt system

Mg–Li alloys have been prepared by electrolysis in a molten salt electrolyte of 50% LiCl–50% KCl (mass%) at low temperature of 420–510 °C. The effects of electrolytic temperature and cathodic current density on alloy formation rate and current efficiency were studied. For the deposition of metallic lithium on the cathode consisting of solid Mg and liquid Mg–Li, both electrolytic temperature and cathodic current density have no obvious influence on current efficiency; while for the deposition of metallic lithium on the solid magnesium cathode, both electrolytic temperature and cathodic current density greatly affect alloy formation rate and current efficiency. The optimum electrolysis condition is—molten salt mixture, LiCl:KCl = 1:1 (mass%), electrolytic temperature: 480 °C, cathode current density: 1.13 A cm⁻². Mg–Li alloys with low lithium content (about 25 wt% Li) were prepared via electrolysis at low temperature following by thermal treatment at higher temperature.