The deformation of B4C particle in the B4C/2024Al composites after high velocity impact

In the present work, B₄C/2024Al composites with volume fraction of 45% were prepared by a pressure infiltration method. The microstructure of the crater bottom of B₄C/2024Al composite after impact was characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), which indicated that recovery and dynamic recrystallization generated in Al matrix, and the grain size distribution was about from dozens of nanometer to 200 nm. Furthermore, the plastic deformation was observed in B₄C ceramic, which led to the transformation from monocrystal to polycrystal ceramic grains. The boundary observed in this work was high-angle grain boundary and the two grains at the boundary had an orientation difference of 30°.     

TiB2-reinforced B4C composites produced by reaction sintering at high-pressure and high temperature

ABSTRACT

Obtaining both high hardness and toughness is a challenge in B₄C-nano-adhesive composites. Solving the inhomogeneous distribution of nano-adhesives in B₄C and forming the chemical bonding at grain boundary is an effective method. Here, we reported that the uniform distribution of titanium diboride (TiB₂)-reinforced B₄C composites synthesized by high-pressure and high temperature (HPHT). It is found that HPHT sintering can effectively inhibit the grain growth and increase the relative density. Moreover, HPHT sintering can cross high reaction energy barrier and effectively promote the formation of chemical bonding at grain boundary between B₄C and TiB₂. The optimal hardness and toughness value reach 30.0?±?0.9?GPa and 7.87?MPa·m^1/2, respectively. The improvement of hardness and toughness in the final products are ascribed to the strengthening of nanoTiB₂ connection of B₄C boundary and intergranular fracture mechanism. This work suggests a new way to achieve the uniform distribution of nanoTiB₂ in B₄C and form the chemical bonding at grain boundary, which is of great significance to the further development of TiB₂-reinforced B₄C composites with excellent mechanical properties.     

Influence of heat treatment on structure and some physical properties of lithium boro-niobate glass

The glass composition (90?mol% Li₂B₄O₇–10?mol% Nb₂O₅) was prepared by the melt quenching technique. The quenched sample was heat treated at 480°C, 545°C and 630°C for 5?h and heat treated at 780°C with different time. The times were 5, 10, 15, 20, 28, and 36?h. The glass and glass ceramics were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dc conductivity as a function of temperature. Lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) and lithium diborate (Li₂B₄O₇) were the main phases in glass ceramic addition to traces from LiNb₃O₈. Crystallite size of the main phases determined from the X-ray diffraction peaks are in the range <100?nm. The fraction of crystalline (LiNbO₃) phase increases with increase the heat treatment temperature and time. The relation between physical properties and structure were studied.     

Effect of ZnAl2O4 coating on the compressive behaviors of aluminum borate whiskers-reinforced aluminum composites at elevated temperatures

Aluminum borate whiskers (ABOw) with or without ZnAl₂O₄ coating reinforced pure aluminum composites (ABOw/Al, ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al) were fabricated by squeeze casting. The effects of ZnAl₂O₄ coating on the compressive behaviors, microstructures, and matrix textures of the composites were investigated at different temperatures and strain rates. The results indicate that the maximum compressive flow stress of the composites almost linearly decreases with the increase in temperature. The maximum compressive flow stress of ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite is higher than that of ABOw/Al composite at the same temperature when the strain rate is larger, however, it is reversed when the strain rate is smaller. It is more serious for the fracture of whiskers in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite than that in ABOw/Al composite at the high compressive strain rate. However, the average length of whiskers in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite is larger than that in ABOw/Al composite at the low compressive strain rate. The strong matrix texture in ABOw/ZnAl₂O₄/Al composite appears at the high compressive strain rate, however, it is observed in ABOw/Al composite at the low compressive strain rate.     

X-ray properties and interface study of B4C/Mo and B4C/Mo2C periodic multilayers

We present a comparative study of B₄C/Mo and B₄C/Mo₂C periodic multilayer structures deposited by magnetron sputtering. The characterization was performed by grazing incidence X-ray reflectometry at two different energies and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results indicate the existence of an interdiffusion layer at the B₄C-on-Mo interface in the B₄C/Mo system. Thus, the B₄C/Mo multilayers were modeled by an asymmetric structure with three layers in each period. The thickness of B₄C-on-Mo interfacial layer was estimated about 1.1 nm. The B₄C/Mo₂C multilayers present less interdiffusion and are well modeled by a symmetric structure without interfacial layers. This study shows that B₄C/Mo₂C structure is an interesting alternative to B₄C/Mo multilayer for X-ray optic applications.     

Effect of the particle size on the electrochemical performance of nano-Li2FeSiO4/C composites

Nano-Li₂FeSiO₄/C composites were prepared from three kinds of nano-SiO₂ (their particle sizes are 15?±?5, 30?±?5, and 50?±?5 nm, respectively) by a traditional solid-state reaction method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elementary analyzer, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, galvanostatic charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. XRD results reveal that nano-Li₂FeSiO₄ composites fabricated from nano-SiO₂ (smaller than 30 nm) have less impurity. SEM results indicate that the particle size of nano-Li₂FeSiO₄ composites is nearly accord with the particle size of nano-SiO₂. BET analysis indicates that the specific surface areas of LFS15, LFS30, and LFS50 are 35.10, 35.27, and 26.68 m² g, respectively, and the main pore size distribution of LFS15, LFS30, and LFS50 are 1.5, 5.5, and 10 nm, respectively. Electrochemical measurements indicate that nano-Li₂FeSiO₄ composites prepared from nano-SiO₂ of 30?±?5 nm have the best electrochemical performance among the three samples.     

Plastic deformation of polycrystals of Co3(Al,W) with the L12 structure

The plastic behaviour of Co₃(Al,W) polycrystals with the L1₂ structure has been investigated in compression from 77 to 1273?K. The yield stress exhibits a rapid decrease at low temperatures (up to room temperature) followed by a plateau (up to 950?K), then it increases anomalously with temperature in a narrow temperature range between 950 and 1100?K, followed again by a rapid decrease at high temperatures. Slip is observed to occur exclusively on {111} planes at all temperatures investigated. The rapid decrease in yield stress observed at low temperatures is ascribed to a thermal component of solid-solution hardening that occurs during the motion of APB-coupled dislocations whose core adopts a planar, glissile structure. The anomalous increase in yield stress is consistent with the thermally activated cross-slip of APB-coupled dislocations from (111) to (010), as for many other L1₂ compounds. Similarities and differences in the deformation behaviour and operating mechanisms among Co₃(Al,W) and other L1₂ compounds, such as Ni₃Al and Co₃Ti, are discussed.     

Critical view on TL/OSL properties of Li2B4O7 nanoparticles doped with Cu,Ag and co-doping Cu,Ag: Dose response study

Small size (25 nm) Li₂B₄O₇ nanoparticles doped with different concentrations of Cu, Ag and co-doped with Cu, Ag were prepared by solid state sintering at 700 °C. The crystalline phase and particle sizes analysis were carried out by XRD and TEM. FTIR study reveals the formation of vibrational bonds at 1600–1200 cm⁻¹, 1500–700 cm⁻¹, 950–870 cm⁻¹ and 870–415 cm⁻¹. The kinetic parameters of the TL glow curves were evaluated using CGCD procedure in R-software. The CW-OSL decay curves were fitted with third order exponential decay curves and photoionization cross sections of each component were evaluated. The lifetime of the main TL dosimetric peak were also calculated to check the stability of the signal. Dose responses of the synthesized Li₂B₄O₇ nanoparticles for both the TL and CW-OSL were studied in the range of 0.02 mGy to50 Gy and found to be linear upto this range. Fading of the CW-OSL decay curves were also studied. The MDD of the synthesized samples were also calculated and observed to be 15 μGy.     

Improvement in the corrosion resistance of Al18B4O33w/2024Al composite by laser surface treatment

Aluminum metal-matrix composites (MMCs) show great potential for aircraft industries. Nevertheless, the composites can be affected by different forms of corrosion such as pitting and galvanic corrosion. A pulsed YAG laser installation was used to produce surface treatment on Al₁₈B₄O₃₃w/2024Al composite. Results indicate that laser power has significant influences on both of the microstructure and the corrosion resistance. The difference in morphological transformations was observed on the surfaces of the laser-treated specimens. An increase in E_pit was obtained after laser treatment for the composite. The improvement was considered primarily due to the reduction both of reinforcement Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ whisker and intermetallics CuAl₂ on the surfaces of the laser-treated composites, which were found to be sites for pits nucleation. Moreover, the specimen with 700 W laser treatment exhibited a much greater resistance to corrosion than the other specimens with laser treatment. This was attributed to the formation of the homogeneous and defect free microstructure in the laser-modified layer.     

Effect of temperature on solid-state formation of bulk nanograined intermetallic Al3Ni during high-pressure torsion

A bulk form of nanograined intermetallic Al₃Ni was produced by severe plastic deformation using high-pressure torsion (HPT). Powder mixtures of 75?mol% Al and 25?mol% Ni were processed by HPT at a selected temperature in the range of room temperature (RT) to 573?K under a pressure of 6?GPa. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the Al₃Ni intermetallic formed after processing for 50 revolutions at RT but, as the processing temperature increased, less revolutions (i.e. lower imposed strain) were required for the formation of Al₃Ni. Observations by transmission electron microscopy showed that the microstructure consists of ultrafine grains having a size of 300–2000?nm after 3 and 10 revolutions. Once the Al₃Ni formed after a higher number of revolutions, equiaxed nanograins with a size of ~30?nm prevailed with a significant increase in hardness. The increase in hardness was more significant when processed at higher temperatures because of increasing the fraction of Al₃Ni. It was shown that the solid-state formation of Al₃Ni occurred due to enhanced diffusion (i.e. decreased activation energy for diffusion) through the presence of high density of lattice defects.     

Interface characterization of B4C‐based multilayers by X‐ray grazing‐incidence reflectivity and diffuse scattering

B₄C‐based multilayers have important applications for soft to hard X‐rays. In this paper, X‐ray grazing‐incidence reflectivity and diffuse scattering, combining various analysis methods, were used to characterize the structure of B₄C‐based multilayers including layer thickness, density, interfacial roughness, interdiffusion, correlation length, etc. Quantitative results for W/B₄C, Mo/B₄C and La/B₄C multilayers were compared. W/B₄C multilayers show the sharpest interfaces and most stable structures. The roughness replications of La/B₄C and Mo/B₄C multilayers are not strong, and oxidations and structure expansions are found in the aging process. This work provides guidance for future fabrication and characterization of B₄C‐based multilayers.     

Growth fusion of submicron spherical boron carbide particles by repetitive pulsed laser irradiation in liquid media

We studied the fabrication of B₄C submicron particles by laser irradiation of boron nanoparticles dispersed in an organic solvent. The spherical shape of the formed particles suggests that instantaneous melt formation and solidification by quenching are involved in the particle-forming process. B₄C particles gradually became larger with irradiation time at relatively low laser fluence (1.5 J cm⁻² pulse⁻¹) by repetitive melting and fusion of the particles, and the B₄C yield increased with irradiation time to 90% for 600 min of irradiation. At higher laser fluences, the B₄C yield decreased due to the explosive ablation of boron or B₄C to form H₃BO₃, and thus only the larger B₄C particles were observed. The dielectric constant of the organic solvent also affected the generated B₄C particle size, probably due to the degree of particle aggregation. Thus, this technique can provide a new approach for fabricating spherical submicron particles of ceramic materials, such as carbides, with simple and safe processes.     

Molecular dynamic simulation of stress evolution analysis in Cu nanowire under ultra-high strain-rate simple tension

This study analyses the behaviour of atoms associated with the propagation of stress waves in Cu nanowires (NWs) during uniaxial tensile deformation using molecular dynamic simulation. Maximum local stress (MLS) and virial stress (VS) methods are adopted to express dynamic stress in ?100? Cu NWs under tension. Simulation results indicated that the VS method enhances the averaging effect at ultra-high strain rates (above 10¹⁰ s^?1), leading to serious undervaluation of yield stress. However, the MLS method provides superior prediction results for the dynamic mechanical responses of NWs under tension at the ultra-high strain rate than does the VS. At a strain rate of 7 × 10¹⁰ s^?1, the double-peak stress phenomenon was observed in the stress–strain curve using the MLS method. The response time (T_rs) to wave propagation, observed at an ultra-high strain rate, is responsible for the accumulation of the elastic stress that is applied at the beginning of tensile loading in a short period, producing the first stress peak. Following plastic deformation, the encounter of the wavefronts with the reduced tensile stress causes the fully constructive interference effect in the middle of the tensile NWs, producing the second stress peak. The results explain the dynamic mechanical behaviour of NWs, contributing to future applications of subsonic manufacturing.     

Studies on the influence of surface pre-treatments on electroless copper coating of boron carbide particles

Boron carbide is one of the hard ceramic particles which find application as structural materials and neutron shielding material due to its high neutron capture cross section. Copper coating on boron carbide particle is essential for the synthesis of metal-ceramic composites with enhanced sinterability and dispersibility. Surface characteristics of the substrate and the coating parameters play a foremost role in the formation of effective electroless coating. The effect of surface pre-treatment conditions and pH on electroless copper coating of boron carbide particles has been studied. Surface pre-treatement of B₄C when compared to acid treated and alkali treated particles were carried out. Uniform copper coating was observed at pH 12 in alkali treated particles when compared to others due to the effective removal of inevitable impurities during the production and processing of commercially available B₄C. A threshold pH 11 was required for initiation of copper coating on boron carbide particles. The growth pattern of the copper coating also varies depending on the surface conditions from acicular to spherical morphology.     

Devitrification properties of lead borate glasses

Lead borate glasses containing 30 to 60?mol% PbO were prepared by melt quenching technique and devitrified by long duration heat treament in the supercooled region. Glasses crystallized on heating above their glass transition temperature, and the crystalline phases produced on devitrification were characterized by XRD and DSC analyses. Glass with 30?mol% PbO slowly formed a solid solution of Pb₆B₁₀O₂₁ and Pb₅B₈O₁₇ crystalline phases, while glasses with 40 and 50?mol% PbO formed a mixture of Pb₆B₁₀O₂₁, Pb₅B₈O₁₇ and the remanent glassy phase. Glasses with higher PbO concentration of 56 to 60?mol% devitrified completely and produced only Pb₅B₈O₁₇ crystalline phase. Lead borate glasses with PbO concentration of 40 to 50?mol% showed maximum thermal stability against devitrification, the ease of crystallization of glasses was correlated with the fraction of tetrahedral borons in them.     

Langmuir-Blodgett self-assembly and electrochemical catalytic property of FePt magnetic nano-monolayer

Dispersed-well FePt nanoparticles with particle size ~5 nm have been prepared by hydrazine hydrate reduction of H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O and FeCl₂·4H₂O in ethanol–water system. By employing as-synthesized FePt nanoparticles, the monolayer can be formed by LB Technique. The structural, magnetic properties and electrochemical properties of FePt monolayer were respectively studied by XRD, TEM, VSM and CHI 820 electrochemical workstation. The as-synthesized particle has a chemically disordered fcc structure and can be transformed into chemically ordered fct structure after annealing treatment above 400°C. The coercivity of ordered fct FePt phase can be up to 2515Oe. CVs of 0.5 M H₂SO₄/0.5M CH₃OH on GCE modified with FePt nanoparticles monolayer films illustrate that the as-synthesized FePt is a kind of active electrochemical catalyst.     

One-step synthesis of Fe3O4 nanorods/graphene nanocomposites

A composite of graphene (GE) supported by rod-like Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals has been fabricated by a simple one-step chemical route. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results show that the Fe₃O₄ nanorods with diameters in the range of 15?C20 nm and lengths of 150?C200 nm were firmly assembled on the GE nanosheet surface. Magnetic property investigation indicated that the Fe₃O₄/GE composites exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior and possess a saturation magnetization of 50.11?emu?g^?1. Moreover, Fe₃O₄/GE composites showed a very high adsorption capacity of Congo red.     

Hyperfine parameters of amorphous Fe64Cr16B20 particles dispersed in an alumina matrix

Mössbauer spectra of amorphous Fe₆₄Cr₁₆B₂₀ particles dispersed in an alumina matrix are compared to those of the corresponding amorphous ribbon. The slight variations between the hyperfine parameters of the granular samples are mainly assigned to disorders at the particle surface. The behaviour of the blocking temperatures versus frequency deduced from A.C. susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy is governed by particle interactions.     

Electronic Studies of Copper(II) Complexes of Amino Acids. III. EPR Spectra of Some Vitamin B6 Schiff Base Analogs

Schiff base coordination compounds of amino acids are good models to study the transamination reaction^2,3 of vitamin B₆. Several studies^4-6 have focused on the preparation, characterization and spectra study of these Schiff base coordination compounds, represented schematically in Figure 1, where R has been varied. In our continued studies of Cu(II) coordination compounds of amino acids, we have prepared a series of compounds with alanine (R=CH₃) and either a 4 or 5 substituent on the ring (X=H, OH, NO₂, Cl). In order to obtain as many of the EPR magnetic parameters as possible⁷, we prepared solid solutions in Zn(II) matrices with a Zn(II) to Cu(II) ratio of about 95:5. In this fashion we were able to reduce the dipole coupling and to calculate the [sgrave] molecular orbital coefficients for this important new series of compounds.     

Effect of deformation on Barkhausen jumps of fine wires of iron,nickel and iron-nickel alloy

The induction technique was used to measure the potential difference of Barkhausen jumps (V_B) for fine wires of technical iron, nickel and iron-nickel alloy. The effect of deformation and mechanical stresses on the dispersal band and on the behaviour of the measured values was studied. The theory of the measurement process is described in terms of magnetic domain theory. The behaviour of V_B reflects the magnetude of the applied stress.