Modification of MgO·Al_2O_3 spinel inclusions in Al-killed steel by Ca-treatment

The modification of MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions in Al-killed steel by Ca-treatment has been studied by industrial trials and thermodynamic calculations.In the industrial trials,samples were taken systematically during the refining process in which the molten steel was treated by calcium,and the characters of the inclusions were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectra (EDS).The effects of Ca-treatment were evaluated by tracking the compositions of the inclusions.The re...     

Formation mechanism and control of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions in non-oriented silicon steel

On the basis of the practical production of non-oriented silicon steel, the formation of Mg O·Al2O3 inclusions was analyzed in the process of ＂basic oxygen furnace（BOF） → RH → compact strip production（CSP）＂. The thermodynamic and kinetic conditions of the formation of Mg O·Al2O3 inclusions were discussed, and the behavior of slag entrapment in molten steel during RH refining was simulated by computational fluid dynamics（CFD） software. The results showed that the Mg O/Al2O3 mass ratio was in the range from 0.005 to 0.017 and that Mg O·Al2O3 inclusions were not observed before the RH refining process. In contrast, the Mg O/Al2O3 mass ratio was in the range from 0.30 to 0.50, and the percentage of Mg O·Al2O3 spinel inclusions reached 58.4% of the total inclusions after the RH refining process. The compositions of the slag were similar to those of the inclusions; furthermore, the critical velocity of slag entrapment was calculated to be 0.45 m·s^-1 at an argon flow rate of 698 L·min^-1, as simulated using CFD software. When the test steel was in equilibrium with the slag, [Mg] was 0.00024wt%–0.00028wt% and [Al]s was 0.31wt%–0.37wt%; these concentrations were theoretically calculated to fall within the Mg O·Al2O3formation zone, thereby leading to the formation of Mg O·Al2O3 inclusions in the steel. Thus, the formation of Mg O·Al2O3 inclusions would be inhibited by reducing the quantity of slag entrapment, controlling the roughing slag during casting, and controlling the composition of the slag and the Mg O content in the ladle refractory.     

Effect of magnesium addition on inclusions in H13 die steel

The effect of magnesium addition on the number, morphology, composition, size, and density of inclusions in H13 die steel was studied. The results show that the total oxygen content in the steel can be significantly decreased to 0.0008wt%. Al2O3 and Mn S inclusions are changed into nearly spherical Mg O·Al2O3 spinel and spherical Mg O·Mg S inclusions, respectively. The number of inclusions larger than 1 μm decreases and the number of inclusions smaller than 1 μm increases with increasing magnesium content. V（N,C） precipitates around Mg O·Al2O3 and Mg O·Mg S inclusions during solidification of liquid steel. The densities of Mg O·Al2O3 spinel inclusions are lower than that of alumina inclusions. With increasing magnesium content in the Mg-containing inclusions, the density of inclusions decreases, leading to the improvement of inclusion removal efficiency.     

Formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 dual phase inclusion in Ti stabilized stainless steel

The formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 dual phase inclusion in 321 stainless steel was investigated in the laboratory. The result indicated that the condition for the formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 in 321 steel is [Ca]〉0.001wt%, [Ti]〉0.1wt%, and [A1]〉0.01wt%. The mechanism is the following： Al2O3 inclusion turns into CaO-Al2O3 after Ca-Si wire is fed into the molten steel; [Mg] is then obtained by reducing MgO in slag or crucible wall by [Al] and [Ti]; finally CaO-Al2O3 inclusion is changed into CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 by the reaction with [Mg], [Ti], and [O] in the molten steel simultaneously.     

Damage Mechanism of Al2O3 Ceramic Coatings Irradiated by CO2 CW Laser

Rules and mechanism of damage in Al2O3 coatings irradiated by CO2 CW laser are studied in order to improve the ability of parts of equipment standing against the high power laser.Al2O3 coatings were sprayed by air plasma spray(APS)on the 45# steel substrate,and then were irradiated by CO2 CW laser from 795 W/cm2 to 31 830 W/cm2.As the output power of the laser is increasing,its porosity is increasing and cracks are appearing and spreading quickly.And also the phase will transform from γ-Al2O3 to α-Al2O3 in the damaged areas.When the energy density is 17 507 W/cm2,the coatings are destroyed completely.The thermal infection field on substrate is rather small.The laser energy is depleted by the phase transformation and cracks in Al2O3 coatings during the laser thermal shock.     

Effects of Al, F dual substitutions on the structure and electrochemical properties of lithium manganese oxide

Spinel LiMn2O4 and F, Al-doped spinel LiAl0.05Mn1.95O3.98F0.02 have been synthesized by a soft chemistry method using adipic acid as the chelating agent. The synthesized spinel materials were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetery (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and charge-discharge testing. The results indicate that all the samples have high phase purity, and fluorine is important in controlling the morphology; the doped aluminum enhances the stability of spinel LiMn2O4. The charge-discharge tests indicate that LiAl0.05Mn1.95O4 has high capacity retention, which is 92.60% of the initial after 50 cycles. It is found that the novel compound LiAl0.05Mn1.95O3.98F0.02 with smaller particles can offer much higher capacity, whose initial discharge capacity is 126.5 mAh?g-1. The cyclic voltammetric experiments disclose the enhanced reversibility of the F, Al3 -modified spinel as compared with the undoped spinel.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Al laminated ceramic matrix composites

Three series of Al2O3/Al laminated ceramic matrix composites,named SPA,SPV and HP,were fabricated by different methods.SPA and SPV were prepared using Al2O3 slices and Al slurry via screen printing and subsequent heat treatment in air or vacuum.HP samples were made by hot pressing the layered stack of Al foils and Al2O3 slices.SEM and XRD were applied to analyze the microstructure and the interlayer crystal phase.The bending strength,fracture toughness and fracture work of the samples made by the three methods were measured and compared.The results show that the composites have much better toughness and higher fracture work than the Al2O3 slice.Among the samples made by the three methods,the samples made by hot pressing have the optimum mechanical performance.The displacement-load curves and fracture mechanism were analyzed.     

Bonding mechanism of X10CrNi18-8 with Ni/Al_2O_3 composite ceramic by pressureless infiltration

An alloy steel/alumina composite was successfully fabricated by pressureless infiltration of X10CrNi18-8 steel melt on 30%(mass fraction) Ni-containing alumina based composite ceramic(Ni/Al2O3) at 1 600 ℃.The infiltration quality and interfacial bonding behavior were investigated by SEM,EDS,XRD and tensile tests.The results show that there is an obvious interfacial reaction layer between the alloying steel and the Ni/Al2O3 composite ceramic.The interfacial reactive products are(FexAly)3O4 intermetallic phas...     

Electrochemical Characterization of Surface-modified LiMn2O4 Cathode Materials for Li-ion Batteries

To improve the performance, the surface of 12Mn2O4 was coated with very fine MgO , Al2O3 and ZnO by solgel method, respectively. The structure and morphology of the coated materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction （ XRD ）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （ XPS ） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The charge and discharge performance of uncoated and surfnce modified 12Mn2O4 spinel at 25℃ and 55 ℃ were tested, using a voltage window of 3.0-4.35 V and a current deasity of 0. 1 C rate. There is a slight decrease in the initial discharge capacity relative to that of uncoated UMn2 O4, bat the cycle ability of 12 12Mn2O4 coated by metal-oxide has remarkably been improved. The EIS measuremeuts of uncoated and Al2O3 -coated 12Mn2O4 were carried out by a model 273 A potentiostatl galvanistat controUed by a computer using M270 software, and using a freqnency response analyzer （ Zsimpwin ） combined with a potentiostate （ PAR 273）. Coaseqnently, the reason for the improved cycle properties is that the surface modification reduces the dissolution of Mn , which results from the suppression of the electrolyte decomposition, and suppresses the formation of passivation film that acts as an electronic insulating layer. In conclusion, the use of surface modification is an effective way to improve the electrochemical performance of 12Mn2O4 cathode material for lithium batteries.     

Tribological properties of self-lubricating laminated ceramic materials

In order to improve the tribological properties of ceramic composites, Al2O3/TiC-Al2O3/ TiC/CaF2 self-lubricating laminated ceramic composites were prepared by vacuum hot pressing sintering. Experiments were conducted to get mechanical properties and the friction and wear properties were also measured with friction and wear tester. The worn surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscope （SEM） and energy dispersion spectrum （EDS）. The wear resistance properties and the self-lubricating effect of ceramic composites were analyzed. Results show that the Al2O3/TiC-Al2O3/TiC/CaF2 self-lubricating laminated ceramic composites layers are well-defined with a higher bonding strength and the mechanical performances are uniform enough to overcome the anisotropy of weak laminated ceramic composites. In addition, the fracture toughness of Al2O3/TiC layers is also improved. Its friction coefficient and wear rates decrease with the increase of rotation speed and load. Al2O3/TiC-Al2O3/TiC/CaF2 self-lubricating laminated ceramic composites have good wear resistance because of the tribofilm formed by the CaF2 solid lubricants. The wear mechanisms of Al2O3/TiC/ CaF2 layers are abrasive wear and Al2O3/TiC layers are adhesive wear.     

Desulfurization ability of refining slag with medium basicity

The desulfurization ability of refining slag with relative lower basicity （B） and Al2O3 content （B = 3.5-5.0; 20wt%-25wt% Al2O3） was studied. Firstly, the component activities and sulfide capacity （Cs） of the slag were calculated. Then slag-metal equilibrium experiments were carried out to measure the equilibrium sulfur distribution （Ls）. Based on the laboratorial experiments, slag composition was optimized for a better desulfurization ability, which was verified by industrial trials in a steel plant. The obtained results indicated that an MgO-saturated CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO system with the basicity of about 3.5-5.0 and the Al2O3 content in the range of 20wt%-25wt% has high activity of CaO （αCaO）, with no deterioration of Cs compared with conventional desulfurization slag. The measured Ls between high-strength low-alloyed （HSLA） steel and slag with a basicity of about 3.5 and an Al2O3 content of about 20wt% and between HSLA steel and slag with a basicity of about 5.0 and an Al2O3 content of about 25wt% is 350 and 275, respectively. The new slag with a basicity of about 3.5-5.0 and an Al2O3 content of about 20wt% has strong desulfurization ability. In particular, the key for high-efficiency desulfurization is to keep oxygen potential in the reaction system as low as possible, which was also verified by industrial trials.     

Effects of CeO2 coating on oxidation behavior of T91 steel in water vapor

Oxidation behaviors of blank and CeO2 coated T91 steel were investigated at 600 °C in water vapor for up to 150 h.Gold marker was used to define the mass transport direction.The oxide scales were studied with X-ray diffractometry (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA).The oxidation resistance of the steel is improved by CeO2 coating,though the improvement is not remarkable.Ce-rich oxide band is located at the interface of the inner equiaxed layer and the outer colum...     

Physical Property Influence on Foaming Index of Refining Slag

The foaming indexes of a group of refining slag were measured. The refining slag with better foaming ability was chosen,its composition (mass frachon in %) is CaO, 53.25, SiO2, 17.75, MgO, 9; Al2O3, 15 and CaF2, 5. The relationship between slag foaming index and physical properties of the slag was obtained by dimensional analysis, and the expression indicates that viscosity of slag is the most important factor which influences foamng index. The influence sequence of slap composition on foaming index was also obtained as follows: CaF2→MgO→Al2O3→ B (CaO/SiO2).     

Fabrication and compressive performance of plain carbon steel honeycomb sandwich panels

Plain carbon steel Q215 honeycomb sandwich panels were manufactured by brazing in a vacuum furnace.Their character- istic parameters,including equivalent density,equivalent elastic modulus,and equivalent compressive strength along out-of-plane (z-direction)and in-plane(x- and y-directions),were derived theoretically and then determined experimentally by an 810 material test system.On the basis of the experimental data,the compressive stress-strain curves were given.The results indicate that the meas- urements of equivalent Young's modulus and initial compressive strength are in good agreement with calculations,and that the maximum compressive strain near to solid can be up to 0.5-0.6 along out-of-plane,0.6-0.7 along in-plane.The strength-to-density ra- tio of plain carbon steel honeycomb panels is near to those of Al alloy hexagonal-honeycomb and 304L stainless steel square-honeycomb,but the compressive peak strength is greater than that of Al alloy hexagonal-honeycomb.     

Structure characteristics and electrochemical properties of LiMn2O4 modified by LiCoO2

In order to improve the cycle performance of LiMn2O4, the modified LiMn2O4 was prepared by solid-state reactions using LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2 as precursors. XRD and EDS were used to study the structure properties of the modified LiMn2O4. The electrochemical properties of the modified LiMn2O4 were also investigated, The results show that Li and Co atoms could insert into the LiMn2O4 crystal lattice and a newly formed spinel phase, modified LiMn2O4 was obtained. The modified LiMn2O4 exhibits excellent cycle ability at room and elevated temperatures compared to pure LiMn2O4. The improved electrochemical stability of the modified LiMn2O4 attributes to the entrance of Li and Co ions inserted into the spinel crystal structure.     

Controlled preparation of monodisperse CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles by a facile method

CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by coprecipitation method using FeCl3·6H2O and CoCl2·6H2O as precursors.The synthesized conditions were optimized,such as added means of precipitator,quantity of precipitator,the mol ratio of Fe 3+ to Co2+,reaction temperature and pH value.The synthesized material was characterized by XRD,TEM,FTIR,EDS,Raman and its magnetic properties were studied by VSM.The experimental results confirm that the sample is cubic spinel structure CoFe2O4 with a narrow size distribution and a good dispersion feature.CoFe2O4 NPs with well-controlled shape and size was obtained at 70℃.The magnetic properties indicate superparamagnetic behavior and good saturated magnetization.     

Surface composites fabricated by vacuum infiltration casting technique

Alumina （Al2O3） particles reinforced copper matrix surface composites were fabricated on the bronze substrate using the vacuum infiltration casting technique. Three cases were obtained in the vacuum infiltration casting technique： no infiltration, partial infiltration and full infiltration （the thickness of preforms do not exceed 3.5mm）. The reason of no infiltration is that the vacuum degree is not enough so that the force acting on the liquid metal is lower than the resistance due to the surface tension. Partial infiltration is because of somewhat lower vacuum degree and pouring temperature. Full desired infiltration is on account of suitable infiltration casting conditions, such as vacuum degree, pouring temperature, grain size and preheating temperature of the preform. The most important factor of affecting formation of surface composites is the vacuum degree, then pouring temperature and particle size. The infiltration mechanism was discussed on the bases of different processing conditions. The surface composite up to 3.5 mm in thickness with uniformly distributed Al2O3 particles could be fabricated via the vacuum infiltration casting technique.     

Characterization and recycling of nickel- and chromium-contained pickling sludge generated in production of stainless steel

Pickling sludge generated during the neutralization of pickling wastewater with calcium hydroxide in stainless steel pickling process was characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, etc. The major compositions of pickling sludge are CaF2, CaSO4, Me（OH）, （M： Fe, Cr, Ni）, and the content of CaF2 is high in the sludge. The melting point of pickling sludge is about 1350℃ and the viscosity is about 0.14 Pa.s at 1450 ℃, which are comparatively lower than those of normal refining slag. After heat treatment, the contents of sulfur and fluorine in the pickling sludge were reduced, confirming the thermal decomposition of sulfate in the sludge. Fluorine in the sludge is reduced by the gaseous SiF4 and A1F3 generated through the reactions of CaF2 with SiO2 and Al2O3. The preliminary results from the reduction test indicate that the sulfur content in the steel is not affected by the presence of sulfur in the sludge. The recovery of nickel is about 40%, and the chromium content changes marginally due to the protective atmosphere under the reduction condition of chromic oxide. The pickling sludge is a potential auxiliary material for the production of stainless steel.     

Microstructure analysis of AISI 304 stainless steel produced by twin-roll thin strip casting process

The microstructure of AISI 304 austenite stainless steel fabricated by the thin strip casting process were investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructures of the casting strips show a duplex structure consisting of delta ferrite and austenite. The volume fraction of the delta ferrite is about 9.74vol% at the center and 6.77vol% at the surface of the casting thin strip, in vermicular and band shapes. On account of rapid cooling and solidification in the continuous casting process, many kinds of inclusions and precipitates have been found. Most of the inclusions and precipitates are spherical complex compounds consisting of oxides, such as, SiO2, MnO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, and FeO or their multiplicity oxides of MnO·Al2O3, 2FeO·SiO2, and 2MnO·SiO2. Many defects including dislocations and stacking faults have also formed during the rapid cooling and solidification process, which is helpful to improve the mechanical properties of the casting strips.     

The effect of alumina content on fracture property of all-ceramics zirconia

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Al2O3 content on the fracture property of all-ceramics ZrO2. To improve the all-ceramics ZrO2 restoration mechanics properity ,96 samples containing 0,5,10 and 15 wt% of Al2O3 particles were prepared by cold isostatic pressing (200 MPa) and 1 550 ℃ sintered .The phase was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis and the bulk densities of the samples were made using Archimedes principle. Samples were randomly divided into four groups. In each group, 24 specimens were prepared so that the angle between notch and specimen’s long axis is 90o and 60o. Notch depths were 1 mm for all samples. Samples were loaded with three-point bending method. 90° cut samples were used to measure fracture toughness while 60°cut samples were used to observe fracture curve by taking points on the fracture extension path under microscope, plotting points on coordinates, generating fitting curve by software "Origin", and analyzing the microstructure of the specimen fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The results show that the increment of Al2O3 has insignificant effect on the densification of all-ceramic ZrO2.XRD analysis shows that the specimen is comprised of t-ZrO2 and α- Al2O3 before fracture while fracture surface is m-ZrO2, t-ZrO2 and a-Al2O3. ZrO2 containing 10% Al2O3 has the optimum mechanical properties and unconspicuous crack propagation and distribution. The observations may provide a reference for the materials selection, shape design , and production process of all-ceramic crown and bridge.