Improved corrosion protection of aluminum alloys by electrodeposited silanes

Organofunctional silanes recently have emerged as outstanding, environmentally friendly corrosion protectors for metal substrates, compared with conventional chromate treatments. A simple immersion technique is typically used to coat the metal surface with silane films. However, the thickness and uniformity of the films are uncontrolled in this process. This paper proposes a new deposition technique for the silane films on the metal surface, i.e., by electrodeposition. Hydrolyzed silanes are water-soluble, ionized molecules, so they can be deposited on metals by electrodeposition. Various combinations of silane mixtures were tested at different voltages, pH values, bath concentrations, and exposure times on panels of alloy aluminum and mirror-polished ferro-plate. The surface structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ellipsometry. The resistance of the film to corrosion was investigated by direct current (DC) polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Electrodeposition results in a more organized and uniform film with fewer pores, compared with immersed or dipped films. This paper was presented at the 2nd International Surface Engineering Congress sponsored by ASM International, on September 15–17, 2003, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and appears on pp. 320–26 of the Proceedings.     

The distribution of grain boundary planes in polycrystals

During the last ten years, techniques have been developed to measure the distribution of grain boundaries in polycrystals as a function of both lattice misorientation and grain boundary plane orientation. This paper presents a brief overview of the techniques used for these measurements and the principle findings of studies implementing these techniques. The most significant findings are that grain boundary plane distributions are anisotropic, that they are scale invariant during normal grain growth, that the most common grain boundary planes are those with low surface energies, that the grain boundary populations are inversely correlated with the grain boundary energy, and that the coincident site lattice number is a poor predictor of the grain boundary energy and population.     

Macrosegregation in ESR and VAR Processes

The method of heat generation, heat transfer characteristics, and ingot structure are very different in the VAR and ESR processes, which result in different tendencies and mechanisms for macrosegregation formation in forged IN-718. Freckles are niobium rich and can be generated in both ESR and VAR, with higher incidence in ESR than VAR. White spots are niobium lean and can only be found in VAR-processed materials. Freckles are indige-nous in nature, and result from the flow of solute-rich interdendritic liquid in the mushy zone during solidification. The most plausible cause for white spots is exogenous material, which remains unmelted, falling into the molten pool. The best way to minimize the formation of freckles is to improve the ingot heat transfer rate, a more difficult task in ESR than in VAR.     

Diffusion in gold and Au-Ag alloys

The self-diffusion coefficients of gold in pure gold and alloys of gold and silver have been measured over a range of temperatures. Chemical interdiffusion coefficients have been measured on pure metal and incremental couples, but are of lower accuracy because of the development of porosity. The results are compared with earlier work and internally on the basis of Darken’s equations.     

Use of the Laws of Delayed Fracture of Metallic Materials for Forecasting the Remaining Life of Structures under a Test Load

Metal Science and Heat Treatment -