Impact Toughness of Heat-Affected Zones of 11Cr Heat-Resistant Steels

Aiming at the requirements of structural steel in Gen-IV nuclear reactor, the high-chromium martensitic heat-resistant steels containing 10–12% chromium were developed. The toughness of heat-affected zones(HAZs) is one of the important factors for evaluating the weldability of steels. In this paper, the simulated HAZs were fabricated using tempered SIMP steels. The effects of microstructures on the impact toughness of materials were analyzed using Vickers hardness tester, optical microscope, transmission electron microscope. Experimental results demonstrated that the HAZs of weldment were poor in toughness, much lower than that of the base metal. However, after experiencing post-weld heat treatment, the toughness of the HAZs increased greatly. The toughness became better in terms of CG-HAZ, FG-HAZ and IC-HAZ for the two steels, regardless of as-welded or after PWHT. Compared with SIMP7 steel, chemical compositions, such as C, Si, Mn and Cr, were adjusted to a lower content; the toughness of base metal and simulated HAZs was better in the case of SIMP11. The conjunct roles of dislocation density and carbon contents retained in the martensite led to poor impact toughness of the aswelded HAZs, because dislocations and carbon atoms affected the inner stresses within lattices.     

Hot Tearing Susceptibility of AXJ530 Alloy Under Low-Frequency Alternating Magnetic Field

Herein, a hot tearing measured system with external excitation coil and a differential thermal analysis system with applied magnetic field were used to study the effects of low-frequency alternating magnetic field on the solidification behavior and hot tearing susceptibility(HTS) of the AXJ530 alloy under different magnetic field parameters. The hot tearing volume of the castings was measured via paraffin infiltration method. The microstructure of the hot tearing zone of the casting was observed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the phase composition was analyzed using X-ray diffraction and energy depressive spectroscopy. The experimental results show that the solidification interval of AXJ530 alloy was shortened and the dendrite coherency temperature of the alloy decreased with the increase in frequency of alternating magnetic field. Under appropriate magnetic field parameters, the electromagnetic force could enhance the convection in the melt to promote the flow of the residual liquid phase, refine the microstructure, and optimize the feeding channel in the late solidification stage, which reduced the HTS of the alloy. However, when the magnetic field frequency was increased to 15 Hz, the induced current generated excessive Joule heat to the melt. At this time, the thermal action of the magnetic field coarsened the microstructure of the alloy, resulting in an increase in HTS of the alloy.     

挤压态AM30镁合金的动态力学行为及变形机制

采用分离式Hopkinson压杆和反射式拉杆装置在室温对挤压态AM30镁合金进行动态压缩和拉伸试验,分析AM30镁合金在沿挤压方向(ED)和横向(TD)压缩和拉伸时的变形机制,计算AM30镁合金在ED和TD方向压缩和拉伸时的应变速率敏感系数,并通过SEM观察断口形貌。结果表明:沿ED方向压缩时,拉伸孪晶{1012}1120是主要变形机制,屈服强度对应变速率不敏感;沿ED方向拉伸以及TD方向压缩和拉伸时,拉伸孪晶不能启动,位错滑移参与变形,应变速率敏感系数提高;AM30镁合金在ED方向表现出很强的拉压不对称性,压缩/拉伸屈强比约为0.38,在TD方向则无明显的拉压不对称性;AM30镁合金在动态压缩和拉伸时断口形貌呈韧脆混合的断裂特征。     

Hydrogen porosity in directionally solidified aluminium–copper alloys: a mathematical model

A combined continuum and stochastic model of diffusion-controlled growth was developed to simulate the formation of porosity during the solidification of aluminium alloys. The whole population of pores was tracked, rather than just the average values. A finite difference solution of the diffusion equations was used, combined with a stochastic model of nucleation. The growth of each individual pore was simulated, assuming the shape to be spherical until it impinged on the developing dendrites, at which point the growth was modelled as a hemispherically capped segmented cone, with the growth radius limited by the liquid space between the dendrites. A previously published model by one of the authors was used to predict the dendritic spacing as a function of the thermal conditions.The model was compared with in situ observations of the formation of porosity during the solidification of aluminium–copper alloys, where the size, distribution and morphological evolution of pores were measured as a function of temperature/time. The predicted development of the porosity, including the distribution in size and morphology, compared well with that observed experimentally. The qualitative agreement between the model predictions and experimental results supports the hypothesis that the effect of hydrogen and its diffusion must be incorporated into any accurate model of pore formation in aluminium alloys.     

混合PiN/Schottky二极管的研究

对混合PiN/Schottky二极管（MPS）进行研究,首先对MPS二极管的工作原理进行了分析,通过对MPS二极管、肖特基二极管、PIN二极管的伏安特性进行模拟,结果表明MPS二极管正向压降小,电流密度大,反向漏电流小,是一种具有肖特基正向特性和PN结反向特性的新型整流器。可以通过改变肖特基和PN结的面积比来调整MPS二极管的性能,与肖特基二极管和PIN二极管相比具有明显的优势,是功率系统不可或缺的功率整流管。     

Microstructure to thermomagnetic and mechanical properties relationship in Gd75Ge15Si5Pr5 alloy

The relationship between topography, thermomagnetic and mechanical properties in the as-cast Gd₇₅Ge₁₅Si₅Pr₅ alloy was studied. Atomic force microscopy investigations accompanied by micrograph analysis confirm dual phase nature (observed as dark and bright phase) of the investigated material. The mechanical properties studies performed with respect to the Oliver–Pharr procedure show that the average instrumental hardness, Young's modulus and elastic deformation energy to total energy ratio equal 905 HV and 596 HV, 131 and 91 GPa, 40% and 45% for the dark and bright phase, respectively. The Curie point defined as inflection point on the magnetization versus temperature curve M(T) recorded in zero-field cooled mode equals 283 K. From the law of approach to magnetic saturation the temperature dependence of effective anisotropy constant K_eff was calculated in ferromagnetic region. It is also stated that the minimum observed on thermomagnetic M(T) characteristic at 100 K is associated with K_eff(T) dependence.     

固溶处理的热连轧GH4169合金的组织与蠕变特征

通过对热连轧GH4169合金进行固溶和时效处理、组织形貌观察和蠕变性能测试,研究了固溶和时效处理合金的组织结构和蠕变特征。结果表明,经固溶和时效处理合金由较大尺寸晶粒组成,并具有明显的孪晶特征,且细小γ′、γ″相在晶内弥散析出,可提高合金的蠕变抗力;在实验应力和温度范围内,测得该合金的蠕变激活能为537.8kJ/mol,且对施加应力和温度具有敏感性;在蠕变期间,热连轧GH4169合金的变形特征是位错的单双取向滑移和孪晶变形,随着蠕变进行,裂纹沿晶界萌生和扩展到发生沿晶断裂是该合金的蠕变断裂机制。     

Electrodes modified with Ni electrodeposition decrease hexavalent chromium generation in an alkaline electrolysis process

Alkaline water electrolysis is one of the easiest methods used to produce hydrogen, offering the advantages of simplicity and low cost. The challenges for the widespread use of water electrolysis are to reduce energy consumption, cost and maintenance and to increase the reliability, durability and safety of the process. The alkaline electrolysis of water has been used for many years to obtain H₂ and O₂; however, less expensive, more active, endurable and efficient electrodes must be designed. Stainless steel (SS) is considered one of the least expensive electrode materials for alkaline electrolysers, since it is relatively chemically stable and has a low overpotential. Nevertheless, SS anodes do not withstand high concentration alkaline solutions because they undergo a corrosion process. If the electrolyser operates at a voltage of up to 1.6 V, it can generate Fe₃O₄ and hazardous hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) at the anode. Hexavalent chromium is generated when the chromium-containing stainless steel electrodes undergo an electro-oxidation process. In this work, a low power alkaline electrolyser was designed. In the first step, six electrodes were manufactured of stainless steel. In the second step, a nickel layer with matte or opaque finish was deposited on the SS surfaces to improve their resistance to corrosion and wear. Then, the performance curves and the production of hexavalent chromium were determined. The performance curve after 70 h of operation with nickel-plated electrodes showed an overpotential of 0.5 V at 10 A compared with stainless steel electrodes. Cr⁶⁺ was detected in the electrolyte and bubbler water of the system using SS electrodes at values that exceeded the standard (>0.5–1 mg L⁻¹). If the electrolyser used Ni-electrodeposited electrodes, Cr⁶⁺ was observed in quantities within the normal range (<0.1 mg L⁻¹). It is very important to prepare modified anodes with nickel electro-deposited, this process prevents the generation of hexavalent chromium, contamination of the electrolyte and reduces maintenance times. The above compensates the slight increase in electrodes cost and energy consumed by the electrolyser.