On the behaviour of minor active elements during oxidation of selected Ni-base high-temperature alloys

We have examined the distribution of active minor elements in the oxide scales developed by selected Ni-base alloys with commercial grades. Emphasis is placed upon Mn, La and Si in a chromia-forming alloy and Y in an alumina-forming alloy. Initially, La and Y have been segregated at free surfaces and then become constituents of the oxides in contact with the substrates. A continuous layer of MnCr₂O₄ is formed above La- and Si-modified inner chromia layer. Silicon has been homogenously distributed throughout the grain structure, however, some La is present as LaCr₂O₃ particles and most of the remainder has been segregated at grain boundaries. The results indicate that the collective effect of Mn, Si and La is to extend protection by chromia to temperatures in excess of 1000 °C. Yttrium in the alumina- forming alloy is found to predominantly segregate at grain boundaries of nanostructured oxide with improved mechanical strength.     

The effect of H2-anneal on the adhesion of Al2O3 scales on a Fe3Al-based alloy

Abstract

The cyclic (1,100°C, air) and isothermal (1,000°C, O₂) oxidation behavior of a Fe-28Al-5Cr (at%) alloy, with and without a prior H₂-anneal heat treatment at 1,200°C for 100 h, was studied. Changes in interfacial chemistry were evaluated using Scanning Auger Microscopy after removal of the oxide film in ultra high vacuum. This was achieved by making a scratch on the specimen surface, which caused spallation of the film at various locations along the scratch. The scale thickness and the temperature drop at which spallation took place during cooling were utilized to semi-quantitatively compare the adherence of the scales. Porosity at the scale–alloy interface and the scale microstructure were determined from scanning electron microscope observations. It was found that H₂-anneal greatly improved scale adhesion and resulted in a pore-free and sulfur-free interface. The effects were similar to that of a 0.1 at% Zr-containing alloy, except that the improvement in scale adhesion was not as great as that from Zr doping. This implies that oxide/alloy interfaces are not intrinsically strong and the effect of reactive elements, such as Zr, is more than preventing impurity from segregating to the interface. Results are also compared with the effect of H₂-anneal on other model alloys, such as NiCrAl, FeCrAl and NiAl, and on single crystal superalloys.     

Evaluation of lanthanum ferrite coated interconnect for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In this paper, an La_0.8Sr_0.2FeO_3−δ (LSF20) protective layer has been prepared on SUS430 alloy substrate using the atmospheric plasma spraying technology combined with nitrate solution impregnation and its effectiveness was evaluated. Thermodynamic and electrochemical performance tests confirmed the effectiveness of the LSF20 protective layer for decreasing the oxidation rate of the alloy and abating the chromium poisoning to the cathode. Upon exposure to air at 800 °C for 100 h, the oxidation rate of LSF20-coated alloy was reduced 56 folds compared to that of the uncoated alloy, and the LSF20-coated alloy produced a low area specific resistance of 1 mΩ cm² after oxidized in air at 800 °C for 1000 h. Half-cell measurement results indicate that the influence of chromium poisoning on the La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3−δ cathode was greatly inhibited with the LSF20-coated SUS430 alloy as interconnects.     

Microstructure and mechanical behaviour of (Fe88Si12)95Al5 alloy prepared by aluminothermics

Abstract

The (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy was prepared by an aluminothermics. The (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy is composed of spheroidic α-Fe(Si,Al) precipitate with size of 20–50 nm and γ-Fe(Si,Al) matrix. The yield strength and fracture strain in compression of the (Fe₈₈Si₁₂)₉₅Al₅ alloy are 1500 MPa and 23% respectively. The shear bands propagating in the compressive deformation are arrested by the precipitation particles that resulted in large ductility and high strength simultaneously.     

High-strength Mg95Y3Zn1Ni1 alloy with LPSO structure processed by hot rolling

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg₉₅Y₃Zn₁Ni₁ alloy containing long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase processed by hot rolling were systematically investigated in the present work. The results showed that the as-cast alloy was mainly composed of α-Mg and network 18?R LPSO phase. The thermal stability of 18?R LPSO phase in the as-cast alloys decreased with the decrease of Ni content. After solution treatment at 773?K for 40?h, network 18?R phase at grain boundary dissolved, while fine lamellar phase identified as 14H LPSO precipitated in the interior of grains. When the solid-solution alloy was hot rolled at 723?K with six passes and thickness reduction of 62%, some LPSO phases broke down and kinking of varying degrees occurred in LPSO phase. Meanwhile, the as-rolled α-Mg and LPSO phase redistributed aligned along the rolling orientation. The alloy exhibited excellent mechanical properties: yield strength of 282?MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 383?MPa, and elongation to failure of 16% at ambient temperature along the rolling orientation. The remarkable improvement of strength was ascribed to the refined microstructure induced by the deformation kinking and the crush of LPSO phase.     

Effects of hot pressing temperature on microstructure,hardness and corrosion resistance of Al2NbTi3V2Zr high-entropy alloy

A novel lightweight high-entropy alloy Al₂NbTi₃V₂Zr was fabricated by vacuum hot pressing. The effects of sintering temperature (1200–1550°C) on the microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of the alloy were investigated. Results showed that Al₂NbTi₃V₂Zr mainly consisted of simple cubic matrix and (Zr, Al)-based intermetallic phase (α-phase) at sintering temperatures of 1200–1350°C. Moreover, the matrix phase transformed from simple cubic to body-centred cubic phase, and (Ti, Zr, Al)-based intermetallic precipitated from the matrix at temperature of 1450°C. The fabricated Al₂NbTi₃V₂Zr alloy had low density of 5.05–5.23?g?cm^–3, high hardness of 510–728?HV and excellent corrosion resistance in 10?wt-% HNO₃ solution.     

The adsorption properties of PdZnx alloy on Pd(1 0 0): Preparation and characterization

The formation of PdZn_x alloy on Pd(1 0 0) and its characteristics were investigated by various methods, such as photoelectron, auger-electron, electron energy loss, thermal desorption spectroscopic methods and work-function measurement. The alloy was produced by the decomposition of diethyl zinc on Pd(1 0 0). The alloy surface reacts with O₂ and ZnO_x is formed. The reactivity of alloy to hydrogen is similar to that of K/Pd. The stability of adsorbed CO is lower than on clean Pd(1 0 0).     

Microstructure and mechanical properties in Ni45·4Mn39·5In13·1Gd2 alloy with high transformation temperature

Abstract

A Heusler Ni_45·4Mn_39·5In_13·1Gd₂ alloy with high transformation temperature has been obtained by substituting 2 at-%Gd for Mn in a ternary Ni_45·4Mn_41·5In_13·1 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy. It is shown that the microstructure of Ni_45·4Mn_39·5In_13·1Gd₂ alloy consists of a matrix and a Gd rich phase. The Ni_45·4Mn_39·5In_13·1Gd₂ alloy exhibits a martensitic transformation start temperature of 726 K, and the transformation hysteresis is A_f?M_s?=?148°C. At room temperature, non-modulated martensite of tetragonal L1₀ structure is observed in Ni_45·4Mn_39·5In_13·1Gd₂ alloy. In addition, it is revealed that the addition of Gd significantly enhances the compressive strength and improves the ductility of Ni_45·4Mn_39·5In_13·1Gd₂ alloy.     

Creep resistance of Fe–Ni–Cr heat resistant alloys for reformer tube applications

Relations between microstructure, phase transformations and creep resistance of austenitic Fe–Ni–Cr alloys are investigated. As-cast alloys with different silicon contents and an ex-service tube are submitted to laboratory agings to trigger specific phase transformations, and subsequently creep-tested at 950°C under stresses of 24–48?MPa. As-cast microstructures contain interdendritic chromium-rich M₇C₃ carbides with niobium-rich MC carbides. After aging at 950°C, primary M₇C₃ carbides transform into chromium-rich M₂₃C₆ carbides, associated to a loss in creep strength. The G phase present in the ex-service alloy is reversed into MC carbides by a heat treatment at 1100°C, associated to a slight decrease in creep resistance. Besides, the addition of silicon is highly detrimental to creep strength. Results can be used for alloy design.     

Ag-Al_2O_3金属陶瓷复合薄膜的光学特性

采用磁控溅射技术在硼硅玻璃基片上沉积具有不同填充因子的Ag--Al2O3金属陶瓷复合薄膜,柔相济用紫外--可见--近红外分光光度计和透射电镜(TEM)分别表征复合薄膜的光谱特性及微观结构, 使用透射光谱及反 射光谱数据计算其光学常数, 研究了Ag--Al2O3复合薄膜的表面等离子体共振(SPR)吸收峰随填充因子的变化特征。结果表明, 在一定范围内, 随着填充因子的增大, SPR吸收峰增强、半峰全宽增大且峰位红移。     

Some thermodynamic aspects of the high-temperature transition in doped V2O3

Measurements of the entropy change are reported for the high-temperature metal-insulator (MI) transitions in the (V_1–xCr_x)₂O₃ and (V_1–xAl_x)₂O₃ systems. It is emphasized that the entropy of the I phase exceeds that of the M phase. Evidence is presented to show that the M and I phases coexist over a narrow temperature range. The transformation is attended by enormous hysteresis effects; these indicate that the lattice plays an important role in the transition. The probable role of Cr³⁺ and Al³⁺ as a dopant in the V₂O₃ lattice is briefly discussed. A phase diagram for the dilute V₂O₃-Al₂O₃ alloy system is presented.     

Effects of nano-Fe2O3 powder on thermal emission property of microarc oxidation coating on titanium alloy

Abstract

A ceramic coating was formed on the titanium alloy by microarc oxidation in an electrolyte containing nano-Fe₂O₃, emulsifier OP-10 and sodium phosphate. The composition, surface and cross-sectional morphology and the element compositions of the coatings were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis system. The spectral emissivity of the coatings was measured by a Fourier transform spectrometer apparatus. The bonding strength between the coating and the titanium alloy was studied by tensile strength test. The thermal shock resistance of the coatings was also evaluated. The results showed that nano-Fe₂O₃ was incorporated into the coating, and the coating had high emission at the wavelength range of 3–20 μm. The bonding strength was 33·2 MPa, and after being subjected to severe thermal shocking for 50 cycles, little peeling-off of the coating occurred.     

Direct Peritectic Growth of c-Axis Textured YBa2Cu3Ox on a Flexible Metallic Substrate

Previous work in the development of YBa₂Cu₃O _x (YBCO) superconducting wires and tapes has been focused on the deposition of YBCO on buffered metallic substrates. Although such an approach has proved successful in terms of achieving grain texturing and high transport current density, critical issues involving continuous processing of long-length conductors and stabilization of the superconductor have not yet been entirely settled. We have developed a novel process, the so-called direct peritectic growth (DPG), in which textured YBCO thick films have been successfully deposited directly onto a silver alloy substrate. No buffer layer is employed in the film deposition process. The textured YBCO grains have been obtained through peritectic solidification over a wide range of temperatures and times. The substrate materials have not demonstrated any observable reaction with the YBCO melt at the maximum processing temperature near 1010°C. The transport J _c has reached a respectable value of 10⁴ A/cm² at 77 K and zero magnetic field. Based on the experimental results in this work, we show that the DPG method offers an effective alternative for the fabrication of long-length YBCO conductors. Also reported is a physical explanation of the texturing mechanism on the metal substrate.     

The sintering densification and microstructure evolutions of Ti-1Al-8V-5Fe alloy with Si additions

The cost-efficient Ti-1Al-8V-5Fe-xSi (denoted Ti-185-xSi hereafter, x = 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, 0.75) alloys are synthesized by cold compaction and sintering powder metallurgy (PM) technology using TiH₂ and high-pure FeV₈₀ powders. The sintering densification, microstructural evolutions and mechanical behavior of Ti-185-xSi alloys sintered at 1350°C are investigated. The results show that the Si element is favorable to enhance the sintered density of Ti-185 alloys, which should be limited to ≤0.3%. The amount and average size of precipitate Ti₅Si₃ increase in the Ti-185 alloys with increasing Si content. Meanwhile, the Rockwell hardness of Ti-185 alloy also displays an increasing tendency, suggesting the Si element can improve the hardness of Ti-185. The Ti-185–0.15Si alloy possesses a better comprehensive mechanical property of strength (937 ± 8 MPa) and elongation (3.5%). The high-performance Ti-185 alloy is successfully prepared using low-cost FeV₈₀ master alloy with slight Si impurity instead of costly V.     

Torsional wear behaviours of TiO2/PMMA film against Ti6Al4V alloy and alumina femoral head ball in dry condition

The torsional fretting wear tests of Ti₆Al₄V alloy flat against alumina femoral ball in dry condition were carried out on a new high-precision torsional fretting-wear tester. The TiO₂/P-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA)/Ti₆Al₄V pair showed higher contact stiffness, friction torque, wear damage and material transfer than that of the presentation of TiO₂/PMMA/Al₂O₃ pairs. The mechanisms of torsional wear under different counterbodies were discussed in detail. The mechanisms of torsional fretting wear of aluminium alloy are mainly oxidative wear, abrasive wear and delamination in the three fretting regimes. The torsional fretting running regimes transferred from partial slip regime (PSR) to SR were analysed; however, the mixed fretting regime was never appeared in this test. In PSR (lower angular displacement amplitudes), only a dint was found after the tests. The kinetics behaviours and damage mechanism of Ti₆Al₄V alloy under different angular displacement amplitudes with friction torque and dissipation energy, which are strongly dependent upon the imposed angular displacement amplitudes and presented in three stages, were discussed in detail.     

Carbide transformation in carburised zone of 25Cr35NiNb+MA alloy after high-temperature service

Microstructure evolution due to carburising of a 25Cr35NiNb+MA ethylene pyrolysis furnace tube was investigated after service for approximately 4 years. The microstructure of 25Cr35NiNb+MA alloy was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that M₂₃C₆ carbides of the 25Cr35NiNb+MA alloy had coarsened and transformed to M₇C₃ carbides with a heavily faulted structure during carburising. The content of M₇C₃ carbide increased closer to the inner wall. A large number of dislocations had been observed surrounding the carbides and some formed dislocation walls. The carbide transformation mechanism and the effect of the dislocation walls are discussed.     

Chemical stability of carbon nanotubes in the 2024Al matrix

Five volume percent of carbon nanotubes and 2024Al alloy powder were mixed with ball milling method, and then the composite was fabricated at 873 K by hot pressing sintering technique. The microstructure of the composite was investigated using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The experimental results showed that carbon nanotubes are reacted and changed into Al₄C₃. Nano-Al₄C₃ phases with needle shape are distributed mainly on Al grain boundaries; meanwhile some of them exist within Al grains. The reaction mechanism of carbon nanotubes-Al is discussed.     

Phase composition of selenized Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

Thin layers of Sn onto Cu-Zn alloy with different component ratios were processed at different temperatures. Scrupulous comparative analyses were performed by room temperature Raman spectroscopy and X-ray-diffractometry. An excess of tin on the surface results in isothermal selenization at 450 °C in the hexagonal residuals of unstable SnSe₂ in the well-crystallized Stannite — Cu₂ZnSnSe₄. In similar selenization conditions, copper-rich layers as precursors result in the Stannite phase with micro-immersions of CuSe. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of selenized films indicated to two Gaussian shaped bands at 0.81 and 1.16 eV.     

Development of in-house fast X-ray diffraction apparatus and its application to the supercooled liquid Pd40Ni10Cu30P20 alloy

A fast X-ray diffraction apparatus has been developed for obtainingthe local structures of bulk metallic glasses at the supercooled liquid state by applying the Debye–Scherrer camera geometry in combination with a curved position sensitive proportional counter. This arrangement makes it possible to eliminate the time loss due to angular motion of a counter and to do a very short time X-ray measurement when using the conventional in-house X-ray source. The usefulness of this new apparatus was confirmed by obtaining the radial distribution functions of silicon powder and SiO₂ glass sample within one hundred seconds. Then, the short-range ordering structure of the supercooled liquid Pd₄₀Ni₁₀Cu₃₀P₂₀ alloy was observed as a function of time at 583 K.     

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of Ni-based alloy laser coatings with nanosize CeO2 addition

Abstract

Micron-size Ni-base alloy (NBA) powders were mixed with both 1.5 wt.% (hereinafter %) micron-size CeO₂ (m-CeO₂) and also 1.5% and 3.0% nano-size CeO₂ (n- CeO₂) powders. These mixtures were coated on low-carbon steel (Q235) by 2.0 kW CO₂ laser cladding. The effects on the microstructures, phases and electrochemical corrosion of the coatings upon the addition of m- and n- CeO₂ powders to NBA (m- and n- CeO₂ /NBA) have been investigated. The results showed that a smooth coating was prepared under suitable processing parameters (P= 2.0 kW, V= 180 mm min^{- 1}) by adding 1.5% n- CeO₂. In addition to the primary phases of γ-Ni, Cr₂₃ C₆ and Ni₃ B in the Ni-base alloy coating, CeNi₃ was formed in Ni-base alloy coatings with both n- CeO₂ and m-CeO₂ particles, and CeNi₅ appeared in the coating upon decreasing the size of CeO₂ particles. Well-developed dendrites were observed in the Ni-base alloy coating; directional dendrites grew at the interface in the coating upon the addition of m-CeO₂, whereas fine and multioriented dendrites grew upon decreasing the size of CeO₂ particles to the nanoscale. Actinomorphic dendrites and compact equiaxed dendrites grew from the interface to near the surface upon increasing the content of n- CeO₂ from 1.5 to 3.0%. In strongly acidic HNO₃ solution, the severe corrosion of dendrites occurred and there were many corrosion pits in the Ni-base alloy coating; intercrystalline corrosion also has a dominant role upon the addition of m-CeO₂, whereas uniform corrosion occurs in the coating as the size of CeO₂ particles is decreased to nanoscale.