Investigation of the Effects of Ni, Fe, and Mn on the Formation of Complex Intermetallic Compounds in Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni Alloys

The aim of this work is to partially substitute Fe and Mn for Ni in the 3HA piston alloy and to study the consequences through microstructural evaluation and the thermal analysis technique. Three types of near-eutectic alloys containing (2.6 wt pct Ni-0.2 wt pct Fe-0.1 wt pct Mn), (1.8 wt pct Ni-0.75 wt pct Fe-0.3 wt pct Mn), and (1 wt pct Ni-1.15 wt pct Fe-0.6 wt pct Mn) were produced, and their solidification was studied at the cooling rate of 0.9 K/s (°C/s) using the computer-aided thermal analysis technique. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the microstructure of the samples, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis was used to identify the composition of the phases. Also, the quantity of the phases was measured using the image analysis technique. The results show that Ni mainly participates as Al₃Ni, Al₉FeNi, and Al₃CuNi phases in the high Ni-containing alloy (2.6 wt pct Ni). In addition, substitution of Ni by Fe and Mn makes Al₉FeNi the only Ni-rich phase, and Al₁₂(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ appears as an important Fe-rich intermetallic compound in the alloys with the higher Fe and Mn contents.     

Characteristics of Zinc Phosphate Coating Activated by Different Concentrations of Nickel Acetate Solution

Activation pretreatment with nickel acetate solution at various concentrations was performed prior to the phosphating step to enhance the corrosion resistance of carbon steel substrates. The activation solution was studied over various concentrations: 10, 50, and 100 g/L. The effects of these concentrations on surface characteristics and microstructural evolution of the coated samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and immersion test in a 3.5 pct NaCl solution. Significant increases in the nucleation sites and surface coverage of zinc phosphate coating were observed as the concentration of activation solution reached 50 g/L. The electrochemical analysis revealed that the activation treatment with 50 g/L nickel acetate solution significantly improved the protection ability of the zinc phosphate coating. The corrosion current density of activated phosphate coating with 50 g/L was reduced by 64.64 and 13.22 pct, compared to the coatings obtained with activation solutions of 10 and 100 g/L, respectively.

     

Effects of AlN Nanoparticles on the Microstructure,Solderability, and Mechanical Properties of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder

The addition of nanosized AlN particles to Sn-3.0 wt pctAg-0.5 wt pctCu (SAC305) lead-free solder alloy has been investigated. The various weight fractions of AlN (0, 0.03, 0.12, 0.21, 0.60 wt pct) have been dispersed in SAC305 solder matrix by a mechanical mixing and melting route. The influences of AlN nanosized particles on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and solderability (e.g., spreadability and wettability) have been carried out. The structural and morphological features of the nanocomposite solder were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The experimental results show that the best combination of solderability and mechanical properties is obtained at 0.21 wt pct AlN in the solder matrix. The reinforced composite solder with 0.21 wt pct AlN nanoparticles shows ≈25 pct improvement in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and ≈4 pct increase in the spreadability. In addition, the results of microstructural analyses of composite solders indicate that the nanocomposite solder, especially reinforced with 0.21 wt pct of AlN nanoparticles, exhibits better microstructure and improved elongation percentage, compared with the monolithic SAC305 solder.

     

Characterization of Tribological and Mechanical Properties of the Si3N4 Coating Fabricated by Duplex Surface Treatment of Pack Siliconizing and Plasma Nitriding on AISI D2 Tool Steel

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) coating was deposited on AISI D2 tool steel through employing duplex surface treatments—pack siliconizing followed by plasma nitriding. Pack cementation was performed at 650 °C, 800 °C, and 950 °C for 2 and 3 hours by using various mixtures to realize the silicon coating. X-ray diffraction analyses and scanning electron microscopy observations were employed for demonstrating the optimal process conditions leading to high coating adhesion, uniform thickness, and composition. The optimized conditions belonging to siliconizing were employed to produce samples to be further processed via plasma nitriding. This treatment was performed with a gas mixture of 75 pct H₂-25 pct N₂, at the temperature of 550 °C for 7 hours. The results showed that different nitride phases such as Si₃N₄-β, Si₃N₄-γ, Fe₄N, and Fe₃N can be recognized as coatings reinforcements. It was demonstrated that the described composite coating procedure allowed to obtain a remarkable increase in hardness (80 pct higher with respect to the substrate) and wear resistance (30 pct decrease of weight loss) of the tool steel.

     

On the Prospects of Using Nanoindentation and Wear Test to Study the Mechanical Behavior of Fe-Based Metallic Glass Coating Reinforced by B4C Nanoparticles

In this study, Fe-based metallic glass was served as the matrix in which various ratios of hard B₄C nanoparticles as reinforcing agents were prepared using a high-energy mechanical milling. The feedstock nanocomposite powders were transferred to the coatings using a high-velocity oxygen fuel process. The results showed that the microstructure of the nanocomposite coating was divided into two regions, namely a full amorphous phase region and homogeneous dispersion of B₄C nanoparticles with a scale of 10 to 50 nm in a residual amorphous matrix. As the B₄C content is increased, the hardness of the composite coatings is increased too, but the fracture toughness begins to be decreased at the B₄C content higher than 20 vol pct. The optimal mechanical properties are obtained with 15 vol pct B₄C due to the suitable content and uniform distribution of nanoparticles. The addition of 15 vol pct B₄C to the Fe-based metallic glass matrix reduced the friction coefficient from 0.49 to 0.28. The average specific wear rate of the nanocomposite coating (0.48 × 10⁻⁵ mm³ Nm⁻¹) was much less than that for the single-phase amorphous coating (1.23 × 10⁻⁵ mm³Nm⁻¹). Consequently, the changes in wear resistance between both coatings were attributed to the changes in the brittle to ductile transition by adding B₄C reinforcing nanoparticles.

     

Degassing Behavior of Nanostructured Al and Its Composites

The synthesis of bulk ultrafine-grained (UFG) and nanostructured Al via cryomilling can frequently require a degassing step prior to consolidation, partly due to the large surface area of the as-milled powders. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects associated with cryomilling with stearic acid additions (as a process-control agent) on the degassing behavior of Al powders. This objective was accomplished by completing select experiments with Al-7.5Mg, Al-6.4 wt pct Al₈₅Ni₁₀La₅, and Al-14.3 wt pct B₄C. The interaction between Al and stearic acid was determined using thermal analysis combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The degassing experiments were carried out under high vacuum (10⁻⁴ to ~10⁻⁶ torr) in a range from room temperature to 400 °C, with the pressure of the released gases monitored using a digital vacuum gage. The results showed that the liberation of chemisorbed water was suppressed in cryomilled Al powders and both the chemisorbed water and stearic acid were primarily released in the form of hydrogen. It was also demonstrated that under certain conditions, a nanostructure (grain size ~100 nm) can be retained following the hot vacuum degassing of cryomilled Al.     

Development of Duplex Stainless Steels by Field-Assisted Hot Pressing: Influence of the Particle Size and Morphology of the Powders on the Final Mechanical Properties

The feasibility of processing duplex stainless steels with promising properties using a powder metallurgical route, including the consolidation by field-assisted hot pressing, is assessed in this investigation. The influence of the particle size and morphology of the raw austenitic and ferritic powders on the final microstructure and properties is also evaluated for an austenitic content of 60 wt pct. In addition, the properties of a new microconstituent generated between the initial constituents are analyzed. The maximum sintered density (98.9 pct) and the best mechanical behavior, in terms of elastic modulus, nanohardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility, are reached by the duplex stainless steel processed with austenitic and ferritic gas atomized stainless steel powders.

     

A metallographic study of porosity and fracture behavior in relation to the tensile properties in 319.2 end chill castings

A metallographic study of the porosity and fracture behavior in unidirectionally solidified end chill castings of 319.2 aluminum alloy (Al-6.2 pct Si-3.8 pct Cu-0.5 pct Fe-0.14 pct Mn-0.06 pct Mg-0.073 pct Ti) was carried out using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine their relationship with the tensile properties. The parameters varied in the production of these castings were the hydrogen (∼0.1 and ∼0.37 mL/100 g Al), modifier (0 and 300 ppm Sr), and grain refiner (0 and 0.02 wt pct Ti) concentrations, as well as the solidification time, which increased with increasing distance from the end chill bottom of the casting, giving dendrite arm spacings (DASs) ranging from ∼15 to ∼95 /im. Image analysis and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were employed for quantification of porosity/microstructural constituents and fracture surface analysis (phase identification), respectively. The results showed that the local solidification time(viz. DAS) significantly influences the ductility at low hydrogen levels; at higher levels, however, hydro-gen has a more pronounced effect (porosity related) on the drop in ductility. Porosity is mainly observed in the form of elongated pores along the grain boundaries, with Sr increasing the porosity volume percent and grain refining increasing the probability for pore branching. The beneficial effect of Sr modification, however, improves the alloy ductility. Fracture of the Si, β-Al₅FeSi, α- Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂, and Al₂Cu phases takes place within the phase particles rather than at the particle/Al matrix interface. Sensitivity of tensile properties to DAS allows for the use of the latter as an indicator of the expected properties of the alloy.     

Characterization of Metallized Alumina Ceramics

The metallization of alumina ceramics (92 pct purity) was performed by the molybdenum-manganese (Mo−Mn) process in moist hydrogen and nitrogen atmosphere in the temperature range of 1523 K to 1673 K (1250 °C to 1400 °C) for 10 minutes with a dew point of 293 K (20 °C). The metallized alumina ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), evaluation of metallic coating adhesion by scratch test, and nanohardness measurement. XRD identified the phase composition of the metallized layer surface. The surface and cross-section microstructures of the metallized alumina ceramic specimens were observed by SEM. An EDX analysis across the metallized alumina specimens determined the elemental compositions at the selective regions. The scratch test results showed that the adhesion of the metallized layer on alumina ceramics enhanced with the increase in metallization temperature. Nanohardness measurements along the cross-sectional region of the metallized alumina ceramics exhibited the gradual change in the nanohardness values from the alumina substrate to the metallizing layer. Furthermore, it was observed that the nanohardness of interfacial and metallizing regions was enhanced slightly with increasing processing temperature.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Characterization of Cu-4.3 Pct Sn Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

Components were fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM) of prealloyed Cu-4.3 pct Sn powder and heat treated at 873 K and 1173 K (600 °C and 900 °C) for 1 hour. Tensile testing, conductivity measurement, and detailed microstructural characterization were carried out on samples in the as-printed and heat-treated conditions. Optimization of build parameters resulted in samples with around 97 pct density with a yield strength of 274 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 24.1 pct IACS, and an elongation of 5.6 pct. Heat treatment resulted in lower yield strength with significant increases in ductility due to recrystallization and a decrease in dislocation density. Tensile sample geometry and surface finish also showed a significant effect on measured yield strength but a negligible change in measured ductility. Microstructural characterization indicated that grains primarily grow epitaxially with a submicron cellular solidification substructure. Nanometer scale tin dioxide particles identified via X-ray diffraction were found throughout the structure in the tin-rich intercellular regions.

     

Effect of Tungsten on Long-Term Microstructural Evolution and Impression Creep Behavior of 9Cr Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic Steel

The present study describes the changes in the creep properties associated with microstructural evolution during thermal exposures to near service temperatures in indigenously developed reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steels with varying tungsten (1 and 1.4 wt pct W) contents. The creep behavior has been studied employing impression creep (IC) test, and the changes in impression creep behavior with tungsten content have been correlated with the observed microstructures. The results of IC test showed that an increase in 0.4 pct W decreases the creep rate to nearly half the value. Creep strength of 1.4 pct W steel showed an increase in steels aged for short durations which decreased as aging time increased. The microstructural changes include coarsening of precipitates, reduction in dislocation density, changes in microchemistry, and formation of new phases. The formation of various phases and their volume fractions have been predicted using the JMatPro software for the two steels and validated by experimental methods. Detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis shows coarsening of precipitates and formation of a discontinuous network of Laves phase in 1.4 W steel aged for 10,000 hours at 823 K (550 °C) which is in agreement with the JMatPro simulation results.

     

Influence of Martensitic Structure and Carbide Precipitation Behavior on Mechanical Properties of 25CrMoNbB Alloy Steels with Mo Contents of 0.25 and 0.5 Pct

In this article, the effects of Mo contents of 0.25 and 0.50 pct on the martensitic structure and carbide precipitation behavior of the experimental steels were investigated and their effects on strength, toughness, and fatigue strength were studied. The results showed that the martensitic blocks and laths were refined and the dislocation density increased with the addition of Mo contents of 0.25 and 0.50 pct. Meanwhile, the amount of carbides increased and the size of carbides decreased in tempered steels. The refinement of carbides is due to the increment of nucleation sites resulting from martensitic structure refinement and the dislocation density increment. Besides, the improvement of thermal stability of M₂₃C₆ carbides enriched with Mo also contributes to carbide refinement. With the addition of 0.50 pct Mo, the strength was improved and the toughness did not deteriorate compared with the steel 0.25 pct Mo. Meanwhile, the fatigue strength was also significantly improved with the addition of 0.50 pct Mo.

     

Thermal-Treated Pitches as Binders for TiB2/C Composite Cathodes

The effect of thermal treatment on the microstructure and properties of pitches and thermal-treated, pitch-based TiB₂/C composite cathodes were investigated. Thermal treatments were performed at 473 K, 523 K, 573 K, 623 K, and 673 K (200 °C, 250 °C, 300 °C, 350 °C, and 400 °C), respectively. The results show that the aromaticity of the treated pitches increases with an increasing thermal treatment temperature, and subsequently, the coking value and quinoline-insoluble (QI) content increase from 60.62 wt pct to 79.09 wt. pct and from 8.97 wt pct to 32.54 wt pct when the treatment temperature increases from 473 K to 623 K (200 °C to 350 °C). The volume fraction of coalesced mesophase in semicoke decreases with an increasing thermal treatment temperature, and after 673 K (400 °C) is reached, the coalesced mesophase is almost invisible. The bulk density and compressive strength of modified pitch-based cathodes increase with an increasing thermal treatment temperature from 2.24 g cm⁻³ to 2.39 g cm⁻³ and from 24.21 MPa to 54.85 MPa, whereas open porosity decreases from 34.62 pct to 27.06 pct. Both electrical resistivity and electrolysis expansion ratio first decrease and then increase with an increasing thermal treatment temperature, and the lowest values (45.63 μΩ m and 0.65 pct) are achieved at 573 K (300 °C). Compared with those of the parent pitch-based cathode, the properties of the modified pitch-based cathodes had improved significantly. The mechanisms of the improvements are discussed in the text.     

Studies on Direct Laser Cladding of SiC Dispersed AISI 316L Stainless Steel

In the present study, attempts have been made to develop SiC dispersed (5 and 20 wt pct) AISI 316L stainless steel matrix composite by direct laser cladding with a high power diode laser. Direct laser cladding has been carried out by melting the powder blends of AISI 316L stainless steel and SiC (5 and 20 wt pct) and, subsequently, depositing it on mild steel (0.15 pct C steel) in a layer by layer fashion to develop a coupon of 100 mm² × 10 mm dimension. A continuous, defect-free (microcracks and micro- or macroporosities), and homogeneous microstructure is formed, which consists of a dispersion of partially dissolved SiC (leading to formation of very low fraction of Cr₃C₂ and Fe₂Si) in grain-refined austenite. The microhardness of the clad layer increases from 155 VHN to 250 to 340 VHN (for 5 wt pct SiC dispersed) and 450 to 825 VHN (for 20 wt pct SiC dispersed) as compared to 155 VHN of commercially available AISI 316L stainless steel. The corrosion rate in 3.56 wt pct NaCl solution is significantly reduced in 5 wt pct SiC dispersed steel; however, 20 wt pct SiC dispersed steel showed a similar behavior as the commercially available AISI 316L stainless steel. The processing zone for the development of a defect-free microstructure with improved properties has been established.     

Development of New High-Strength Carbide-Free Bainitic Steels

An attempt was made to optimize the mechanical properties by tailoring the process parameters for two newly developed high-strength carbide-free bainitic steels with the nominal compositions of 0.47 pct C, 1.22 pct Si, 1.07 pct Mn, 0.7 pct Cr (S1), and 0.30 pct C, 1.76 pct Si, 1.57 pct Mn, and 0.144 pct Cr (S2) (wt pct), respectively. Heat treatment was carried out via two different routes: (1) isothermal transformation and (2) quenching followed by isothermal tempering. The results for the two different processes were compared. The bainitic steels developed by isothermal heat treatment were found to show better mechanical properties than those of the quenched and subsequently tempered ones. The effect of the fraction of the phases, influence of the transformation temperatures, the holding time, and the stability of retained austenite on the mechanical properties of these two steels was critically analyzed with the help of X-ray diffraction, optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Finally, a remarkable combination of yield strength of the level of 1557 MPa with a total elongation of 15.5 pct was obtained.     

Tribological properties of centrifugally cast copper alloy-graphite particle composite

Centrifugal casting technique was used to impart better tribological properties to the inner periphery of centrifugal castings of a C90300 copper alloy originally containing 13 vol pct graphite particles. Microstructural observation of centrifugally cast copper alloy containing graphite particles shows that a graphite-free zone and a graphite-rich zone (25 vol pct) with a unique microstructure are formed near the outer and the inner periphery of the centrifugally cast cylinders, respectively. Wear tests were conducted using a pin-on-disc apparatus running against a cast-iron counterface under dry conditions at applied loads between 44.5 and 267 N and at a sliding speed of 1 m/s. The worn surfaces of pin and counterface were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The wear rate (1.89×10⁻¹³ to 7.59 × 10⁻¹³ m³/m) and the temperature (50 °C to 170 °C) at the counterface for the pins from the graphite-rich zone of the centrifugal castings were found to be lower than the friction coefficient (0.52 to 0.75), the wear rate (6.32×10⁻¹² to 3.16 × 10⁻¹¹ m³/m), and the temperature (70 °C to 200 °C) at the counterface for the pins from the graphite-free zone (of the same centrifugal casting under similar conditions). A greater transfer of the copper phases from the pin to the cast-iron counterface was observed visually from the pin of the graphite-free zone than from the pin of the graphite-rich zone, which was also confirmed by EDX analysis. This leads to an increase in the weight of the counterface running against the pin from the graphite-free zone with an increase in the applied load. Despite the presence of graphite in cast iron, the presence of graphite in the matrix of mating copper alloys lead to improved tribological properties. The effect of graphite particles on tribological properties of the composites was discussed in terms of the transfer of iron and copper phases, the interparticle distance between graphite in cast-iron and copper-graphite alloys, and the deformability of the matrix containing graphite.     

Characterization of Ti carbosulfide precipitation in Ti microalloyed steels

The morphology and composition of the Ti carbosulfides observed in a family of steels containing 0.05 to 0.25 wt pct Ti were determined using optical and electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) techniques. It is demonstrated that the Ti carbosulfide phase has a Ti: S mole fraction ratio of 2∶1 and contains an appreciable level of carbon, its identity being Ti₄C₂S₂. The solubility product of Ti₄C₂S₂ in austenite is derived to be log [Ti] [C]^0.5[S]^0.5=−15,600/T+6.50 and that of TiS to be log [Ti] [S]=−17.640/T+8.20. The former lies between the values for TiN and TiC, whereas the latter is more soluble than TiC. Stringer inclusions consisting of globular Ti₄C₂S₂ surrounded by elongated MnS were observed in the steels with 0.05 to 0.18 wt pct Ti. The volume fraction of the stringers is shown to be related to the sulfur partition coefficient through an empirical power law function. W.J.Lju, formerly with the Department of Metallurgical Engineering, McGill University     

The effect of mischmetal addition on the structure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy containing excess iron (up to 0.6 Pct)

The effect of Fe content (0.2 to 0.6 pct) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg (LM 25/356) alloy has been investigated. Further, 1 pct mischmetal (MM) additions (a mixture of rare-earth (RE) elements) were made to these alloys, and their mechanical properties at room and at elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) were evaluated. A structure-property correlation on this alloy was attempted using optical microstructure analysis, fractographs, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX), and quantitative metallography by image analysis. An increase in Fe content increased the volume percentage of Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds (β and π phases), contributing to the loweryield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), percentage elongation, and higher hardness. An addition of 1 pct MM to the alloys containing 0.2 and 0.6 pct Fe was found to refine the microstructure; modify the eutectic silicon and La, Ce, and Nd present in the MM; form different intermetallic compounds with Al, Si, Fe, and Mg; and improve the mechanical properties of the alloys both at room and elevated temperatures.