Effect of As,Cu and Sb impurities on performance of Pb‐Ca‐Sn grids of lead‐acid batteries

The performance of Pb‐Ca‐Sn grids of lead‐acid batteries made from recycled lead in 4 M H₂SO₄ in the absence and presence of traces of Cu, As and Sb, as potential impurities in the recycling process at 0.1% level, is investigated by electrochemical methods. The study includes the effect of each impurity and impurities combined on the alloy corrodibility, the efficiency of PbO₂ formation, the rate of the self‐discharge and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The results show that individual impurity enhances the corrosion resistance but increases the anode corrosion and the self‐discharge rate. Impurities play opposite effects on hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction either individually or combined. Concerning water loss problem, the harmful effect of individual impurity on increasing oxygen evolution reaction is compensated by their suppression of hydrogen evolution reaction. The impurities combined suppress effectively both hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction relative to alloy without any impurity. Sb has the highest harmful effects on oxygen evolution reaction and the self‐discharge but it is the best in the suppression of hydrogen evolution reaction. The impurities combined relatively improve the general corrosion resistance, the anode corrosion resistance and the self‐discharge. The study supports higher tolerance levels of Cu, As and Sb in Pb‐Ca‐Sn grids, especially when present combined, than the recommended levels in the industry standards.     

High‐performance Cu/Al laminated composites fabricated by horizontal twin‐roll casting

Horizontal twin‐roll casting technology was successfully introduced to produce high‐performance copper/aluminum (Cu/Al) laminated composites. The interface morphology, electrical properties and peeling strength after different annealing and cold rolling processes were investigated and contrasted with Cu/Al clad plates fabricated by conventional methods. The results show that sound metallurgical bonding between the copper and aluminum matrix can be attained after the horizontal twin‐roll casting processes and Al₂Cu is the only intermetallics at the interfacial region, the thickness of interfacial interlayer is about 0.7 μm. The peeling strength is 31.4 N/mm and can be further increased to 37.1 N/mm after annealing at 250 °C. However, higher temperature like 400 °C will cause the excessive growth of intermetallics so that peeling strength sharply decreases to 9.2 N/mm. Electrical conductivity of the clad plate is 51 MS/m. At the same electrical current intensity, the temperature‐rise of the composite plate is between the pure copper plate and the aluminum plate, and closer to the copper plate. All of the properties are outstanding than that of Cu/Al clad plate fabricated by conventional methods.     

Effects of Sn segregation and precipitates on creep response of Mg‐Sn alloys

Mg‐Sn alloys are promising for the development of new cheap creep resistant magnesium alloys. In the present paper, the creep behaviours of Mg‐Sn and Mg‐Sn‐Ca alloys were examined at the constant temperature and different stresses. The measurements of stress exponents indicate that the dislocation climbing is the dominant mechanism during the creep of Mg‐3Sn or Mg‐3Sn‐2Ca alloys. The poor creep resistance of the binary Mg‐3Sn alloy is caused by the easy movement of dislocation and the segregation of Sn at the boundaries. Both T4 and T6 heat treatments improve the creep resistance of Mg‐3Sn alloy due to the alleviation of Sn segregation at grain boundaries and the precipitation of Mg₂Sn particles, respectively. Ca is an effective alloying element to increase the creep resistance of Mg‐Sn alloys. The Ca addition leads to the formation of thermal stable phases Mg₂Ca and CaMgSn in Mg‐3Sn‐Ca alloys. These two phases effectively hinder the movement of dislocations and the sliding of grain boundaries. On the other hand, the addition of Ca alleviates the segregation of Sn by the interaction of Ca with Mg and Sn to form the phase CaMgSn.     

超声振动对石墨烯微片/聚丙烯复合材料导电导热性能的影响机制

在挤出过程加入超声振动作用,研究超声振动对高石墨烯微片(GNP)含量的聚丙烯基(GNP/PP)复合材料微观形态、结晶、导电性和导热性的影响。结果表明:由于超声振动提供强烈的冲击波与微射流,挤出过程中加入超声振动可有效地减薄GNP片层厚度,减少GNP团聚,增强GNP在PP中的分散均匀性,有利于构建导电导热网络,从而提高GNP/PP纳米复合材料的导电导热性能。相较于无超声振动,加入100 W超声振动后,GNP含量越高,GNP/PP电导率和热导率提升幅度越大,在GNP含量为15wt%时,电导率升幅为85%,热导率升幅为9.7%。而在GNP含量同为12wt%时,随着超声振动功率的增加,电导率和热导率呈现先增大后减少的规律。当超声功率为200 W时,电导率升幅为214%,热导率升幅为17.2%。而超声功率达到300 W时,较高功率的超声振动使部分石墨烯微片的片径减少,导致片层间更难以搭建完整的导电导热网络,使GNP/PP性能均略有下降。     

Effect of phosphoric acid on the performance of low antimony grid of Pb‐acid cell under constant current charging and discharging

Effect of phosphoric acid on the performance of Pb‐1.7%Sb grid of lead‐acid cell is studied in 5 M H₂SO₄ by cyclic galvanostatic polarization and impedance spectroscopy. An increase in capacitance to a maximum is recorded during the initial stages of the electro‐reduction of PbO₂ into Pb(II) compounds and attributed to concurrent compositional and dimensional changes. These changes include removal of O₂ bubbles, insertion of large amounts of H₂SO₄ and H₂O. Efficiency of PbO₂ formation decreases, while its rate of self‐discharge increases with increasing the charging current and in the presence of H₃PO₄. The charge capacity increases with increasing the discharging current due to the decrease in the self‐discharge. The charge capacity is lower in the presence of H₃PO₄. On increasing the cycle number, the corrodibility of the grid increases, because more layers of the surface Pb are involved in the self‐discharge. H₃PO₄ significantly retards the effect of cycle number.     

纤维铺放压紧力及预浸带加热温度对复合材料力学性能的影响

采用三因素四水平正交实验与单因素实验相结合, 通过力学性能测试及SEM和光学显微镜微观形貌观察研究了复合材料铺放过程中压紧力、 预浸带加热温度及芯模温度对复合材料力学性能的影响。实验结果表明: 压紧力与加热温度对层间剪切强度(ILSS)影响很大, 而芯模温度影响较小; 当压紧力为600 N、 预浸带加热温度为30℃、 芯模温度为18℃时, 复合材料综合力学性能达到最佳。微观形貌观察结果表明: 随着压紧力和预浸带加热温度升高, 纤维与树脂接触充分, 树脂与纤维分布均匀性较好, 层间富树脂区的厚度较小, ILSS逐渐增加; 但当预浸温度上升到40℃以后, 压紧力作用导致树脂与纤维的分布均匀性变差, 层间富树脂区的厚度较大, 从而导致ILSS下降。     

Embrittlement of the titanium alloy VT‐5

The binary titanium‐ 5wt% aluminum alloy (VT‐5) is a commonly used Russian grade of titanium. It has much higher strength compared to the well known commercially pure titanium grades; at the same time it exhibits reasonable toughness values. Hot rolled bars of this grade were to be manufactured and supplied conforming to OST I 90173‐75 specification. Material was hot rolled to final size; as the hydrogen level was higher than the specified maximum, the bars were subjected to vacuum annealing. The vacuum annealed material did not meet the specification with reference to Charpy impact toughness. Repeat vacuum heat treatment was therefore carried out at a higher temperature; material was then found to be meeting all specification requirements. The paper brings out the details of failure, analysis carried out to identify the factors responsible for the failure and the rejuvenation steps taken to render the product acceptable.     

Effects of various strengthening methods on the properties of Cu–Ti–B alloys

A copper alloy of Cu–1.9?wt-%Ti–0.7?wt-%B was fabricated by vacuum induction melting and casting followed by cold working and annealing. Four strengthening methods has been involved during the preparation of the alloy, and the combined action of these methods results in the alloy with the tensile strength of 530?±?24?MPa and the electrical conductivity (EC) of 48.0?±?2.1% International Annealed Copper Standard. The specific contribution (or deterioration) of different strengthening methods to hardness and EC was quantitatively evaluated. With regard to combined properties of Cu–Ti–B alloys, age hardening and forming TiB₂ particles are two effective methods to improve hardness and to maintain EC at a relatively high level simultaneously, but solid solution strengthening and work hardening are two inferior strengthening methods.     

Effect of annealing on the fracture behavior of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3‐δ, a potential energy material for oxygen separation

The perovskite material La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3‐δ, offers high oxygen permeability at elevated temperature and is considered as a potential material for oxygen separation membranes. It can enhance the efficiency of oxy‐fuel combustion at high temperatures (> 800 °C) and hence due to the high reliability demands, required by the long term operation at elevated temperatures, it requires a thorough investigation from the view point of structural stability. Aiming towards long term stability, the present work is a detailed and systematic study on the effect of annealing on the mechanical behavior of dense La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3‐δ. The study reveals that the indentation fracture toughness of the material increases with increase in annealing temperature. In most of the indentation loads, the subsurface crack profile was Palmqvist in nature with low value of the ratio of crack length versus indentation size (c/a). A consistent pattern of variation of c/a and indentation fracture toughness (K_IC) at all indentation loads was observed. Systematic drop in c/a and subsequent increase in fracture toughness in the as prepared test pieces has been attributed to residual stress accumulation during preparation.     

A quantitative metallographic assessment of the evolution of porosity during processing and creep in single crystal Ni‐base super alloys

The present work reviews previous research on the evolution of porosity. It presents new results from a detailed study on the evolution of porosity during casting, heat treatment and creep of a single crystal Ni‐base superalloy subjected to uniaxial tensile creep at 1050 °C and 160 MPa in [001] and [110] directions. A quantitative metallographic study was performed on carefully polished metallographic cross sections, monitoring sampling fields of 4500 × 1000 µm² using the back scatter contrast of an analytical scanning electron microscope; evolutions of pore sizes and pore form factors were analyzed and all important details which were previously revealed in a synchrotron study could be reproduced. In addition, it was observed that micro cracks form at larger cast pores. They interlink and thus initiate final rupture. The [110] tensile creep tests showed lower rupture strains than the [001] experiments. In agreement with earlier work, this can be rationalized on the basis of aligned porosity along primary dendrites.     

化学镀锡层对镁铝异种金属超声波焊接的影响

为提高镁铝异种金属超声波焊接接头强度,预先在铝合金表面镀锡后进行镁铝异种金属超声波点焊,并对接头的微观组织和力学性能进行分析.研究表明:无镀锡层的镁铝超声波焊接接头界面出现了大量的Mg_3Al_2和Mg_(12)Al_(17)相,其接头的最大拉伸剪切强度为27.5 MPa;含镀锡层的铝镁超声波焊接结合区由镁锡反应扩散层、残余锡层和铝锡反应扩散层组成,其中,铝锡反应层是固溶体层,镁锡反应层主要是过饱和的固溶体基体及弥散析出的中间相Mg_2Sn,其接头的最大拉伸剪切强度为32.9 MPa.镀锡层的加入有效阻止了镁铝的相互扩散,抑制了硬脆的Mg-Al系金属间化合物的生成,提高了镁铝超声波焊接接头强度,与镁铝超声波焊接相比最大拉伸剪切强度提高了19.6%.     

Development of the heating and forming strategy in compound forging of hybrid steel‐aluminum parts

In times of increasing energy costs automotive light weight construction is gaining more importance. The production of hybrid compounds by forging is a promising method for manufacturing functional parts by applying resource‐saving process steps. The mechanical properties of these parts can be specifically adapted to the requirements. In compound forging of steel‐aluminum parts the two materials need to be heated to different forming temperatures. In this paper, the challenges and their methods for the development of a heating and forming strategy based on different material characteristics are presented.     

Experimental investigations of the environmental effects on stability and integrity of composite sandwich T‐joints

The superior mechanical properties of sandwich composites made them to favored materials, in particular in the aviation industry. However, environmental influences along the manufacturing process and during usage can reduce the strength and the life expectation of the composite parts. This contribution presents an experimental investigation on the effect of accelerated ageing on the mechanical properties of perpendicular honeycomb sandwich connections. Static tensile tests have been carried out on sets of new and 25 days artificially aged specimens and the load carrying capacity of the T‐joints has been measured. In parallel to the experimental part, a three dimensional finite element analysis has been performed. This combined approach allows quantifying the reduction of the fracture toughness of the connections. The obtained results will help to fulfill design requirements and to predict the long‐term structural behavior of sandwich composite constructions.     

Dynamic analysis of the micromilling process – influence of tool vibrations on the quality of microstructures

Micromilling is a suitable technique for the manufacturing of microstructured parts. The downscaling of the milling process leads to problems, which are caused by the low stability of microtools and their manufacturing. Tool vibrations and runout occur, resulting in poor surface qualities and undesirable surface location errors. The presented results of the experimental analysis include a stability diagram for the spindle speed range of n = 60,000–120,000 rpm and tool vibrations measured in the xy‐plane. Micrographs illustrate the influence of tool vibrations on the quality of the generated surface structures. In addition, the dynamic runout is characterized and its effects are discussed.     

Influence of process variables on the characteristics of friction‐stir‐welded polyamide 6,6 joints

This paper aims to study the feasibility of friction stir welding of thermoplastic material polyamide 6,6. The maximum joint strength achieved through the optimized process variables is 41 MPa. The maximum temperature rise of 126 °C is achieved and the weld nugget exhibits a hardness of 69 D on Shore hardness scale. Fractography analysis reveals that the fracture followed a continuous plastic flow comprising less prominent fibrillation and more elongated voids. An increase in glass transition temperature T_g is observed in the weld specimen. The impact of the welding process variables on the frequency and band shift of the functional groups of the polymer is also discussed.     

Effects of Sn content on the microstructure, phase constitution and shape memory effect of Ti–Nb–Sn alloys

The effect of Sn content on the microstructure, phase constitution and shape memory effect of Ti–16Nb–xSn (x = 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 at%) alloys were investigated by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and bending test. With the increase of Sn content, the β phase becomes stable. The solution-treated Ti–16Nb–4Sn alloy is composed of ″ and β phases at room temperature, whereas the solution-treated Ti–16Nb–5Sn alloy is only composed of β phase at room temperature. TEM observation shows that there is parallel lamellar ″ martensite with the substructure of () type I twin in the Ti–16Nb–4Sn alloy. There exists the dislocation wall inside the single β phase in the Ti–16Nb–5Sn alloy. The shape recovery ratio decreases with increasing the bending strain and the bending temperature, which is in correspondence with the different deformation mechanisms at different temperature ranges. The shape recovery ratio shows a decreasing trend with the increase of Sn content at the same bending strain and temperature. The maximum completely recovery strain is around 4%.     

The influence of post‐heat treatments on the tensile strength and surface hardness of selectively laser‐melted AlSi10Mg

To improve the mechanical properties of cast aluminium alloys several post‐heat treatments are known. However, these treatments cannot directly be transposed to additively via selective laser melting manufactured aluminium alloys, e. g., aluminium‐silicon‐magnesium (AlSi10Mg). Therefore, this study aims to determine suitable post‐heat treatments to optimise the mechanical properties of SLM‐built AlSi10Mg specimen. The influence of various post‐heat treatment conditions on the material characteristics was examined through hardness and tensile tests. The findings indicate that the Vickers hardness and ultimate tensile strength could not be improved via secondary precipitation hardening, whereas the fracture elongation shows a value which is distinctly higher than the values of a comparable cast alloy. Solution annealing at 525 °C reduces the hardness and the ultimate tensile strength by about 40 % and increases the fracture elongation three times. A subsequent precipitation hardening allows recovery of 80 % of the as‐built hardness, and 90 % of the previous ultimate tensile strength combined with maintaining an improved fracture elongation of about 35 % compared to the respective as‐fabricated condition.     

The influence of the nitrogen/nickel‐ratio on the cyclic behavior of austenitic high strength steels with twinning‐induced plasticity and transformation‐induced plasticity effects

Austenitic high nitrogen (AHNS) and austenitic high interstitial steels (AHIS) are of interest for mechanical engineering applications because of their unique combination of mechanical (strength, ductility), chemical (corrosion resistance) and physical (non‐ferromagnetic) properties. But despite their high strength values e. g. after cold deformation up to 2 GPa in combination with an elongation to fracture of 30 %, which is based on twinning‐induced plasticity (TWIP) mechanisms and transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) mechanisms, the fatigue limit remains relatively small. While for chromium‐nickel steels the fatigue limit rises with about 0.5‐times the elastic limit it does not at all for austenitic high‐nitrogen steels or only to a much smaller extent for nickel‐free austenitic high‐interstitial steels. The reasons are still not fully understood but this behavior can roughly be related to the tendency for planar or wavy slip. Now the latter is hindered by nitrogen and promoted by nickel. This contribution shows the fatigue behavior of chromium‐manganese‐carbon‐nitrogen (CrMnCn) steels with carbon+nitrogen‐contents up to 1.07 wt.%. Beside the governing influence of these interstitials on fatigue this study displays, how the nitrogen/nickel‐ratio might be another important parameter for the fatigue behavior of such steels.     

Influence of heat treatment and aging on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg‐1.8Zn‐0.7Si‐0.4Ca alloy

In order to optimize the aging treatment of Mg‐1.8Zn‐0.7Si‐0.4Ca alloy, different times and temperatures of solid solution and age hardening were applied to the alloy specimens. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated using the optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometer, x‐ray diffraction, hardness, and shear punch tests. The lowest hardness and strength were achieved by solution treating of the alloy at 500 °C for 8 h, presenting the optimal condition for solution treatment of the alloy. The microstructural examinations revealed three different precipitates consisting of CaMgSi, Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃, and Mg₂Si in the solid solution specimens. It was found that the highest peak hardness and strength are obtained by aging the alloy at 150 °C for 16 h. This condition was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests performed on the solid solution and aged specimens.     

Influence of compression aging on phase transition temperatures in single crystalline Ni‐rich NiTi shape memory alloys

The present paper considers the phase transition behavior of a single crystal Ni‐rich NiTi alloy which was compression aged to produce one single family of Ni₄Ti₃ precipitates. The single crystal material was produced in a two stage process. Polycrystalline material was first melted under an inert atmosphere and remelted when single crystals were produced. Compression aging treatments in <111>‐orientation were carried out in order to suppress all but one family of Ni₄Ti₃‐precipitates which nucleate and grow on {111}‐planes of the B2 matrix. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of Ni₄Ti₃‐precipitates on the martensitic transformation behavior. It was previously shown that grain boundaries provide heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of Ni₄Ti₃; this results in heterogeneous microstructures which undergo multiple step martensitic transformations. Single crystals avoid grain boundaries and the present study aims at clarifying how homogeneously precipitated particles affect martensitic transformations.