In-Situ observation on microfracture behavior ahead of the crack tip in 63Sn37Pb solder alloy

in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tensile tests on as-cast and aged 63Sn37Pb solder alloys were conducted, and the fracture behavior in nanometer scale ahead of the crack tip was inspected and discussed. Results show that the fracture was completed by connecting the discontinuous cracks or voids. Dislocation behavior was concentrated along the grain boundaries for as-cast samples, and displayed mainly as dislocation climb. The crack was intergranular dominated under the lower strain rate. While remarkable mutual dislocation emission was detected in the aged solder. Transgranular cracks were dominant in the fractured area, and they propagated by linking up with the nanometer scale cracks ahead of the crack tips under the effective promotion of the inverse dislocation emission. At the same time, the partial interphase or intergranular cracks in the thinned area were also found. Under this condition, a new critical stress intensity factor K _c ^′ to define the mutual dislocation emission was proposed.     

Amorphous diffusion bonding of steel pipe and its impact toughness

An iron-based amorphous foil (FeNiCrSiB) was used as an interlayer for the amorphous diffusion bonding of low carbon steel pipes under argon flux. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint were analyzed using an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), tensile test, bending test and impact test. The results show that the joint microstructure resembles that of the base metal and no precipitates form at the joint. Melting point depressants (B, Si) diffuse far away from the joint and the base metal element is homogenous across the joint. The joint impact toughness is greater than the base metal toughness and the mechanical properties of the joint are similar around the pipe.     

Electrical conductivity and gas sensitivity of Zn-Sb-O thick films

The thick film of Zn-Sb-O was prepared by coating the paste of nanoparticles mixture (Sb₂O₃:ZnO=1:3) on the alumina substrate, followed by sintering at 500-900 °C for 2 h in air. The electrical resistance and gas-sensing properties to benzene, alcohol and acetone of Zn-Sb-O films were found to be dependent on the change of phase structure caused by sintering temperature.     

Development of polyurethane elastomer composite materials by addition of milled fiberglass with coupling agent

Polyurethane elastomer composites were developed using milled fiberglass and their mechanical properties were studied. In particular, the organically chemical treatment of the milled fiberglass was investigated in detail. It was demonstrated that both strength and toughness of the resulting elastomer composites were improved considerably with the addition content of fiberglass. Furthermore, it was indicated that the optimal properties can be achieved by the proper addition of milled fiberglass that was chemically treated using coupling agent.