Thermophysical properties of a Ti–44%Al–8%Nb–1%B alloy in the solid and molten states

The families of titanium aluminide intermetallic alloys have attractive high temperature mechanical properties which make them potential candidate materials for a wide range of applications, particularly in the aeronautic and automobile sectors. The development of appropriate manufacturing techniques is an essential stage in the engineering exploitation of these materials, e.g., Induction Skull Melting is one of the techniques which needs to be optimised for the casting of titanium aluminides. Research is underway to develop a computer model of this process but data are required for the key thermophysical properties. Pulse-heating techniques have been used to measure properties for the Ti–44Al–8Nb–1B system. Rectangular samples have been prepared and are resistively heated as part of a fast capacitor discharge circuit. Time-resolved measurements with sub-μs resolution of currents through the specimen were made with a Pearson probe current monitor using the induction principle. Voltages across the specimen were determined with knife-edge contacts and voltage dividers, and radiance temperatures of the sample were measured with a pyrometer. These measurements allow the calculation of specific heat and dependencies between enthalpy, electrical resistivity and temperature of the alloy up into the liquid phase. Data for thermal diffusivity have been obtained by using the Wiedeman–Franz relation. The results are compared with those obtained using DSC and the four-probe method to measure the temperature dependence of the resistivity.     

Self-organized porous TiO2 and ZrO2 produced by anodization

The present work investigates the electrochemical formation of self-organized high aspect ratio TiO₂ and ZrO₂ nanotube layers. The formation and growth of a self-organized porous layer can be achieved directly by anodization without any templates in fluoride containing electrolytes. The morphology of the porous layers is affected by the electrochemical conditions such as the electrolyte composition, the pH and the exact polarization treatment (such as the potential sweep rate from the open-circuit potential to the anodizing potential). For Ti, nanotube layers are formed with diameters varying from approx. 20 nm to 100 nm and lengths from approx. 0.25 μm to 2.5 μm depending on the electrolytes and pH. On the other hand, for Zr, tubes of 50 nm in diameter and up to approx. 17 μm in length can be grown—a key parameter in this case is the potential sweep rate. The large difference between Ti and Zr in the achievable thickness of nanotube layers indicates a difference in the growth mechanism which may be based on the different chemical dissolution rates of electrochemically formed oxides.     

Application of optical transmission interferometry for in-situ structural investigations of titanium dioxide sputter-deposited coatings

Titanium dioxide coatings (from 0.1 to 1.5 μm thick) have been dc sputter-deposited on glass slides from titanium targets in various Ar-O₂ reactive gas mixtures. Deposition rate and optical properties were controlled in-situ by optical transmission interferometry (OTI) with an optical fibre located behind the glass substrate in order to perform a real-time control of transmittance of the growing film. Thus, it is possible to determine in-situ the optical indices (n, k) and the thickness of the as-deposited film by using a simple simulation, developed on Matlab software. The optical properties of the films were investigated in relation to their structure, which depends on the sputtering conditions adopted. In particular, the effects of the sputtering pressure (working pressure and oxygen partial pressure), the discharge power and the substrate location into the reactor are investigated in detail. Films structure is assessed by standard grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD).     

表面氧化层对TiMn1.25Cr0.25储氢合金活化性能的影响

通过TiMn1.25Cr0.25合金粉活化前在空气中暴露不同的时间,探讨了表面氧化层的形成对其活化性能的影响。活化测试结果表明：合金的活化难度随着合金在空气中暴露时间的延长而加大。俄歇电子能谱(AES)结果表明,在空气中暴露后的合金表面形成了一层大约6nm-10nm厚的表面氧化层,正是这层氧化层的形成加大了合金的活化难度。扫描电镜(SEM)结果表明合金的活化过程与合金的碎化有着密切的联系。     

Effect of theθ-α-Al2O3 transformation on the oxidation behavior ofβ-NiAl + Zr

Isothermal oxidation of NiAl + Zr has been performed over the temperature range of 800–1200°C and studied by TGA, XRD, and SEM. A discontinuous decrease in growth rate of two orders of magnitude was observed at 1000° C due to the formation of -Al₂O₃ from -Al₂O₃. This transformation also resulted in a dramatic change in the surface morphology of the scales, as a whisker topography was changed into a weblike network of oxide ridges and radial transformation cracks. It is believed that the ridges are evidence for a shortcircuit outward aluminum diffusion growth mechanism that has been documented in a number of¹⁸O tracer studies.     

Performance of positive and negative electrodes in amorphous manganese oxide supercapacitor

Using potassium permanganate and acetic manganese as the reactants, amorphous manganese oxide was prepared with mechanochemical method. XRD was used for microstructure characterization, while cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge-discharge were used for electrochemical performance testing. The positive electrode （PE） and negative electrode （NE） were investigated respectively in amorphous manganese oxide supercapacitor, aiming to find their different performances in charging-discharging. The results show that the crystalline structure is destroyed in both the PE and NE material during charge-discharge process. Thereinto, the NE suffers a bit more seriously. When cycling, the PE potential scope diminishes while the NE potential scope enlarges. The increased inner resistance makes the NE curves almost bended to be a right angle, but not the PE curves. The cell＇s equivalent series resistance （ESR） is more dependent on the NE, and the capacitance is mainly determined by the rapid descent of the NE potential range. The capacitances of the NE are highly rate-dependent, decreasing from 121.3 to 53.1 F/g, by 56.2%, over the range of 5-25 mV/s. However, the PE appears to be weakly dependent and its capacitance is only dropped by 22.1%.     

Proximity-Induced Fully Ferromagnetic Order with Eightfold Magnetic Anisotropy in Heavy Transition Metal Oxide CaRuO3

Ferromagnetic materials with a strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) have attracted much attention in recent years because of their exotic properties and potential applications in energy-efficient spintronics. However, such materials are scarce in nature. Here, a proximity-induced paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition for the heavy transition metal oxide CaRuO₃ in (001)-(LaMnO₃/CaRuO₃) superlattices is reported. Anomalous Hall effect is observed in the temperature range up to 180 K. Maximal anomalous Hall conductivity and anomalous Hall angle are as large as ∼15 Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and ∼0.93%, respectively, by one to two orders of magnitude larger than those of the typical 3d ferromagnetic oxides such as La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃. Density functional theory calculations indicate the existence of avoid band crossings in the electronic band structure of the ferromagnetic CRO layer, which enhances Berry curvature thus strong anomalous Hall effects. Further evidences from polarized neutron reflectometry show that the CaRuO₃ layers are in a fully ferromagnetic state (∼0.8 μ_B/Ru), in sharp contrast to the proximity-induced canted antiferromagnetic state in 5d oxides SrIrO₃ and CaIrO₃ (∼0.1 μ_B/Ir). More than that, the magnetic anisotropy of the (001)-(LaMnO₃/CaRuO₃) superlattices is eightfold symmetric, showing potential applications in the technology of multistate data storage.     

Shape design of cerium oxide nanoparticles for enhancement of enzyme mimetic activity in therapeutic applications

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs), widely used in catalytic applications owing to their robust redox reaction, are now being considered in therapeutic applications based on their enzyme mimetic properties such as catalase and super oxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic activities. In therapeutic applications, the emerging demand for CONPs with low cytotoxicity, high cost efficiency, and high enzyme mimetic capability necessitates the exploration of alternative synthesis and effective material design. This study presents a room temperature aqueous synthesis for low-cost production of shape-selective CONPs without potentially harmful organic substances, and additionally, investigates cell viability and catalase and SOD mimetic activities. This synthesis, at room temperature, produced CONPs with particular planes: {111}/{100} nanopolyhedra, {100} nano/submicron cubes, and {111}/{100} nanorods that grew in [110] longitudinal direction. Enzymatic activity assays indicated that nanopolyhedra with a high concentration of Ce⁴⁺ ions promoted catalase mimetic activity, while nanocubes and nanorods with high Ce³⁺ ion concentrations enhanced SOD mimetic activity. This is the first study indicating that shape and facet configuration design of CONPs, coupled with the retention of dominant, specific Ce valence states, potentiates enzyme mimetic activities. These findings may be utilized for CONP design aimed at enhancing enzyme mimetic activities in therapeutic applications.

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Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing

Depositing large components (>10?kg) in titanium, aluminium, steel and other metals is possible using Wire + Arc Additive Manufacturing. This technology adopts arc welding tools and wire as feedstock for additive manufacturing purposes. High deposition rates, low material and equipment costs, and good structural integrity make Wire+Arc Additive Manufacturing a suitable candidate for replacing the current method of manufacturing from solid billets or large forgings, especially with regards to low and medium complexity parts. A variety of components have been successfully manufactured with this process, including Ti–6Al–4V spars and landing gear assemblies, aluminium wing ribs, steel wind tunnel models and cones. Strategies on how to manage residual stress, improve mechanical properties and eliminate defects such as porosity are suggested. Finally, the benefits of non-destructive testing, online monitoring and in situ machining are discussed.