Experimental investigation of the Nd–Al–Si system

The isothermal section of the Nd–Al–Si ternary system at 500 °C has been investigated using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and electron micro-probe analysis. Four ternary intermetallic compounds were confirmed: NdAl₂Si₂ (τ₁), hP5-CaLa₂O₂ structure type, Nd₂Al₃Si (τ₂), hP3-AlB₂ structure type, NdAl_1−x Si_1+x , 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 (τ₃), tI12-αThSi₂ structure type and Nd₂Al_1−x Si_1+x , 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, (τ₅), oS8-CrB structure type. A new ternary intermetallic phase (τ₄) was found: Nd₄Al₃Si₃, orthorhombic oS20, isotypic with Pr₄Al₃Ge₃.     

Microstructural properties of sintered Al–Cu–Mg–Sn alloys

A non-commercial Al4Cu0.5Mg alloy has been used for investigating the effects of the elemental Sn additions. Uniaxial die compaction response of the alloys in terms of green density was examined, and the results showed that Sn addition has no effect when compacting conducted under high pressures. In total, 93–95% green density was achieved with an applied pressure of 400 MPa. Thermal events occurring during the sintering of the emerging alloys were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). First thermal event on the DSC analysis of the Al4Cu0.5Mg1Sn alloy is the melting of elemental Sn, whereas for Al4Cu0.5Mg alloy, it is the formation of Al–Mg liquid nearly at 450 °C. Also it is clearly seen on the DSC analysis that Sn addition led to an increase in the formation enthalpy of Al–Mg liquid phase. High Sn content and high sintering temperature (620 °C), therefore high liquid-phase content, caused decrease on the mechanical properties due to thick intergranular phases and grain coarsening. Highest transverse rupture strength and hardness values were obtained from Al4Cu0.5Mg0.1Sn alloy sintered at 600 °C and measured as 390 MPa and 73 HB, respectively.     

Effect of cooling rate and Al content on solidification behavior and microstructure evolution of as-cast Mg–Al–Ca–Sm alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the present study, the Mg–xAl–2Ca–2Sm (x = 3, 5, 9 and 15) alloys were fabricated in sand mold with stepped type, and...     

Synthesis of quasi-crystalline phases in the Al–Cu–Fe–Cr system

Phase equilibria in the Al–Cu–Fe system alloyed with 5% Cr were studied. Based on the data of X-ray powder diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis, the effect of temperature on i ? d phase transitions in alloys Al₆₅Cu₂₅Fe₅Cr₅ and Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₅Cr₅. In the Al–Cu–Fe–Cr system, multiphase structures were detected; these structures are mixtures of quasi-crystalline and approximant phases, the contents and morphologies of which depend on the composition of the initial mixture and the crystallization rate.     

Formation of short-range order in Al–Ge–Fe melts: influence of composition

ABSTRACT

The short-range order in Al–Ge–Fe melts has been studied by X-ray diffraction and reverse Monte Carlo simulations in wide concentration range. Influence of the replacement of one component by another while the content of third component is constant on the formation of a local structure of ternary melts has been discussed. It has been shown that at Ge content less than 30 аt. % Ge atoms are uniformly distributed in the volume of the Al–Ge–Fe melts and atomic clusters with structure similar to the liquid germanium are formed at content more than 30 аt. % Ge. The addition of the third component (Ge or Al) to the binary Al–Fe or Fe–Ge melts, correspondingly, results in competition between Al and Ge atoms in formation of the local structure around Fe atoms. The obtained concentration dependences of the nearest neighbour distances point out that the ternary interactions take place in the Al–Fe–Ge melts.     

Pitting of Al and Al–Si alloys in KSCN solutions and the effect of light

The pitting corrosion susceptibility of pure Al and three Al-Si alloys, namely (Al-6%Si), (Al-12%Si) and (Al-18%Si) has been studied in 0.04 M KSCN solution. Measurements were carried out under the effect of various experimental conditions using cyclic polarization, potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques. In all cases, the potentiodynamic anodic polarization curves do not exhibit active dissolution region due to spontaneous passivation. The passivity is due to the presence of a thin film of Al₂O₃ on the anode surface. The passive region is followed by pitting corrosion, at a certain critical potential, pitting potential (E_pit), as a result of breakdown of the passive film by SCN^? anions. Cyclic polarization measurements allowed the determination of the pitting corrosion parameters, namely the pitting potential and the repassivation potential (E_rp). Alloyed Si decreased the passive current (j_pass) and shifted both E_pit and E_rp towards more positive values. Thus alloyed Si suppressed pitting attack. The effect of illumination on passivity and the initiation of pitting corrosion on Al in KSCN solutions was also studied. It is observed that illumination of Al leads to an increase in its pitting corrosion resistance-apparent from j_pass, E_pit, and E_rp measurements in aggressive KSCN solutions.     

Thermal analysis of W-free Co–(Ni)–Al–Mo–Nb superalloys

CuAl layered double hydroxide (CuAl-LDH) was synthesized by co-precipitation. Sodium phenyl phosphate (SPP) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are used to modify CuAl-LDH for preparing CuAl-(SPP)LDH and CuAl-(SDS)LDH, which were incorporated into epoxy resin (EP) to obtain EP/CuAl-(SPP)LDH and EP/CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites. The results indicate that SPP and SDS are intercalated into the interlayers of CuAl-LDH, and CuAl-(SPP)LDH has larger layer spacing than CuAl-(SDS)LDH. The thermal stability and flame-retardant performances of EP/CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites were better than those of EP/CuAl-(SDS)LDH composites. Compared with those of EP/4CuAl-(SDS)LDH nanocomposites, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of EP/4CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites is reduced 25.8% and 55.6%, and peak smoke production rate (PSPR) value of EP/4CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites is reduced 27.6% and 46.2%, value of EP/4CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites is reduced 27.6% and 46.2%, respectively. The improved flame retardancy and smoke suppression performances of EP/CuAl-(SPP)LDH nanocomposites were attributed to the combination of copper compounds and SPP, promoting the formation of swollen, continuous and compact char layers on the surface of EP nanocomposites during combustion, eventually restraining the decomposition of EP nanocomposites.

     

Calorimetric study of spinodal decomposition in β-Cu–Al–Mn

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - We report data obtained from the spinodal decomposition in samples of two compositions of intermetallic Cu–Al–Mn shape memory alloys....     

Influence of Sr addition on microstructure of the hypereutectic Zn–Al–Cu alloy

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The purpose of the presented work is to answer the questions: how does the addition of strontium to the Zn–8Al–1Cu alloy crystallisation...     

Corrosion Behavior of Quasi-Crystalline Alloys of the Al–Cu–Fe–Cr System in Alkaline Media

Russian Journal of Electrochemistry - The electrochemical behavior of three alloys of different composition in the system Al65Cu25Fe10 – хCrх is studied by the potentiodynamic...     

Effect of hydrofluoric acid treatment on the crystallisation behaviour of Zr–Ti–Cu–Al–Ni metallic glass

The surface of the metallic glass Zr₅₉Ti₃Cu₂₀Al₁₀Ni₈ has been modified by hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching treatment. The devitrification and crystallisation process has been mainly studied by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nucleation-growth process is the mechanism of crystallisation; nevertheless the JMA-model is not applicable in every situation. Alternative methods are used to interpret the data. Results show the devitrification process is strongly affected by surface nucleation, which depends on the surface topology. Zr₃Al₂ is the first phase formed on the concave areas whereas the quasicrystalline and Zr₂Ni-based phases appears in the flatter ones. Nevertheless, the presence of an oxide surface layer acts upon the surface nucleation and dwarfs the consequences of such topological differences. Moreover, the quasicrystalline formation appears also to be in competition with the parallel formation of ZrO₂ due to thermal re-oxidation during the DSC experiments.     

Cooling curve thermal analysis of Al–Mg2Si–Cu–xSr composite

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In situ composites are today being considered for industrial use, owing to the fewer production steps involved, lower production cost, and better...     

Effects of Zr addition on solidification characteristics of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy using thermal analysis

The effect of Zr as a grain refiner on the solidification behavior, micro- and macrostructure of a new Al–Zn–Mg–Cu aluminum super-high strength alloy containing high Zn content was studied. The addition of 2 mass% Zr reduced the grain size from 1500 to 190 μm. Moreover, the dendritic structure of the alloy altered from a coarse, elongated and non-uniform morphology to a rosette-like shape and more uniform one. The parameters of liquidus region of cooling curve obtained from thermal analysis were in a good correlation with grain size results. The maximum of first derivative in the liquidus region was introduced beside recalescence undercooling which could predict the grain refinement level even after disappearing of recalescence in the cooling curve. Furthermore, the addition of 1 mass% Zr enhanced fraction of solid in dendrite coherency point from 21 to 31% and lessened the amounts of porosity from 2.3 to 1.4%.     

Calorimetric investigation of Al–Zn alloys using Oelsen method

The results of calorimetric study of binary Al–Zn system done according to the Oelsen thermodynamic method are presented in this paper. Main thermodynamic properties, including activities, activity coefficients, partial/integral molar Gibbs excess, and mixing energies were determined at 1,000 K. Positive deviation from Raoult law was noticed, with minimal values of ΔG ^M about ?3 kJ mol^?1 and maximal values of ΔG ^E about +2 kJ mol^?1. The energetics of mixing in liquid Al–Zn alloys has been analyzed through the study of concentration fluctuation in the long-wavelength limit, and weak affinity between Al and Zn atoms in the system was observed. Differential thermal analysis and light optic microscopy were applied in the frame of characterization of investigated binary alloys and phase diagram examination, and the results obtained were in accordance with available literature data.     

Calorimetric study and thermal analysis of Al–Sn system

The results of calorimetric study and thermal analysis of binary Al–Sn system are presented in this paper. The Oelsen calorimetry was used in thermodynamic analysis. Following thermodynamic properties were determined at 727 °C: activities, activity coefficients, partial/integral molar Gibbs excess, and mixing energies. The energetics of mixing in liquid Al–Sn alloys has been analyzed through the study of concentration fluctuation in the long-wavelength limit. Thermal analysis of selected alloys in Al–Sn system was done using differential thermal analysis. Defined characteristic phase transition temperatures were used for comparison with calculated phase diagram of investigated system. Good agreement with available literature data was obtained. Structural analysis of selected alloys was done using optic microscopy.     

Modification of Structure and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Al–Cu–Fe Quasicrystal Alloy at Plasma Spraying

The structure and physico-mechanical properties of coatings of the quasicrystal alloy Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ produced by plasma spraying are investigated. Modification of structure of the sprayed alloys depends on spraying modes, in particular, on substrate temperature. The optimum temperature range of substrate (600 °C < T < 700 °C) which provides the maximum content (up to 80%) of quasicrystal phase is determined. The correlation between level of mechanical properties and content of icosahedral phase in the coating is established. It is revealed that allocation of nanostructural grains (d < 100 nm) resulted in additional increase of mechanical characteristics.     

Effects of vanadium and cadmium on transformation temperatures of Cu–Al–Mn shape memory alloy

Cu-based quaternary shape memory alloys were extensively investigated alloy in last decade. In this study, Cu–Al–Mn, Cu–Al–Mn–V and Cu–Al–Mn–Cd shape memory alloys were produced by arc melting. We have investigated the effects of the alloying elements on the characteristic transformation temperatures, variations in structure and microstructure. The characterization of the transformation temperatures was studied by the differential scanning calorimetry. It was observed that the addition of the vanadium and cadmium decreases the characteristic transformation temperatures. The structural changes of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction measurements and optical microscope observations. The crystal structure of the martensite Cu–Al–Mn, Cu–Al–Mn–V and Cu–Al–Mn–Cd shape memory alloys were identified as M18 at room temperature. The crystallite sizes of the alloys were determined. The microstructure of the alloy was studied with the help of optical microscope and V-type martensites with different orientations were detected. Microhardness value of the alloys were found between 194 and 211 Hv.