Relationship between transformation temperatures and alloying elements in Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys

Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys are good candidates for high temperature applications. We have investigated the effects of alloying elements on transformation temperatures, heat-capacity values, and structural properties of Cu–13.73Al–4.3Ni and Cu–13Al–4.3Ni (wt%) shape memory alloys. The evolution of the transformation temperatures was studied by differential scanning calorimetry with different heating/cooling rates. The heat-capacity measurements of the samples were made. It was found that the mass percentage of the alloying element has an important effect on the characteristic transformation temperatures and thermodynamic parameters. The structural changes of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction measurements and optical microscope observations at room temperature. It is evaluated that the transformation parameters of CuAlNi shape memory alloy can be controlled by the change of the mass percentages of the alloying elements.     

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.     

Influence of Ag additions on the activation energy for the reverse eutectoid reaction in Cu–Al alloys

The eutectoid transformation may be defined as a solid-state diffusion-controlled decomposition process of a high-temperature phase into a two-phase lamellar aggregate behind a migrating boundary on cooling below the eutectoid temperature. In substitutional solid solutions, the eutectoid reaction involves diffusion of the solute atoms either through the matrix or along the boundaries or ledges. The effect of Ag on the non-isothermal kinetics of the reverse eutectoid reaction in the Cu–9 mass%Al, Cu–10 mass%Al, and Cu–11 mass%Al alloys were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The activation energy for this reaction was obtained using the Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The results indicated that Ag additions to Cu–Al alloys interfere on the reverse eutectoid reaction, increasing the activation energy values for the Cu–9 mass%Al and Cu–10 mass%Al alloys and decreasing these values for the Cu–11 mass%Al alloy for additions up to 6 mass%Ag. The changes in the activation energy were attributed to changes in the reaction solute and in Ag solubility due to the increase in Al content.     

Study of microstructure and thermal properties of the low-melting Bi–In eutectic alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This study reports the results of microstructure and thermal analysis of low-melting Bi–In alloys with potential for commercial application in...     

Effect of the TiC content on microstructure and thermal properties of Cu–TiC composites prepared by powder metallurgy

Copper matrix with an individual addition of TiC particles was prepared by means of powder metallurgy and hot pressing process, and the effect of TiC addition on microstructure, thermal properties, and electrical conductivity of Cu–TiC composites was investigated. The TiC quantity was changed as 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 Cu (in mass%), and Cu–TiC powder mixtures were hot-pressed for 4 min at 700 °C under an applied pressure of 50 MPa. Microstructure studies revealed that TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the Cu matrix. Thermal Analysis result showed that there were two exothermic peaks and with rising TiC rate, oxidation amount of Cu composite decreased. With the increasing addition of TiC, hardness of composites changed between 58.6 HV_0.1 and 87.8 HV_0.1. The highest electrical conductivity for Cu–TiC composites was obtained in the Cu-1 mass% TiC composite, with approximately 81.2 % IACS.     

Synthesis and thermal energy storage properties of the polyurethane solid–solid phase change materials with a novel tetrahydroxy compound

Based on the phase change theory, a novel tetrahydroxy compound (THCD) was designed and prepared. Depending on the spatial structure of the tetrahydroxy compound, a form-stable thermoplastic polyurethane solid–solid phase change material (TPUPCM) was synthesized via employing PEG as soft segments, while multi-benzene ring structure made by 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and tetrahydroxy compound as hard segments. The composition and structure of THCD and TPUPCM, the TPUPCM’s the weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight, dissolving and melting abilities, phase change behaviors, thermal performances and crystalline morphology were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, multiangle laser light scattering apparatus, differential scanning calorimentry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetry analysis system, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy. The results show that the solid–solid phase change material owns excellent phase change properties and a broad processing temperature range. The heating cycle phase change enthalpy is 137.4 J/g, and the cooling cycle phase change enthalpy is 127.6 J/g. The started decomposition temperature and the maximum decomposition temperature are at 323.5 and 396.2 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the solid–solid phase change material is dissolvable, meltable and can be processed directly, and has great potential applications in thermal energy storage.     

Thermodynamic study of the eutectic Mg49–Zn51 alloy used for thermal energy storage

The eutectic Mg₄₉–Zn₅₁ (mass%) alloy has been identified as a suitable material for latent heat thermal energy storage. Within this scope, the exhibited solid–solid and solid–liquid phase transitions have been carefully characterized. A detailed thermodynamic study focused on the specific heat of the investigated alloy is also provided. The C _p behaviour, very important in the thermal energy storage frame, is theoretically modelled and experimentally validated by quasi-isothermal modulated differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Different intermetallic phases of the Mg–Zn binary system have also been successfully described within this approach in the complete temperature range.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)-graft-polyethylene glycol copolymers as novel solid–solid phase change materials for thermal energy storage

A novel poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)-graft-polyethylene glycol(SAN-g-PEG) copolymer was synthesized as new solid–solid phase change materials(SSPCMs) by grafting PEG to the main chain of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The chemical structure of the SAN-g-PEG was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR) spectroscopy techniques. The thermal energy storage properties and the storage durability of the SAN-g-PEG were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The SAN-g-PEG was endowed with the solid–solid phase transition temperatures within the range of 23–36 8C and the latent heat enthalpy ranged from 66.8 k J/kg to 68.3 k J/kg. Thermal cycling tests revealed that the SAN-g-PEG kept great heat storage durability after 1000 thermal cycles. The thermal stability was evaluated by a thermal gravity analysis(TGA), and the initial decomposition temperature(Td) of SAN-g-PEG is 350 8C, which proves that the SAN-g-PEG possessed good thermal stability.     

Influence of Ti additions on the martensitic phase transformation and mechanical properties of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys

The effect of Ti additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu–Al–Ni shape memory alloys (SMA) was studied by means of a differential scanning calorimeter, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), a tensile test, a hardness test, and a shape memory effect test. The experimental results show that the Ti additions have an effective influence on the phase transformation behavior through generating a new phase into the microstructure, which is known as X-phase and/or controlling the grain size. The results of the XRD confirmed that the X-phase is a combination of two compounds, AlNi₂Ti and Ti₃·3Al. Nevertheless, it was found that with 0.7 mass% of Ti, the best phase transformation temperatures and mechanical properties were obtained. These improvements were due to the highest existence of the X-phase into the alloy along with a noticeable decrement of grain size. The Ti additions to the Cu–Al–Ni SMA were found to increase the ductility from 1.65 to 3.2 %, corresponding with increasing the strain recovery by the shape memory effect from 50 to 100 %; in other words, a complete recovery occurred after Ti additions.     

Crystallisation kinetics and structure of modified Zn–Al–Cu alloys

The present paper reports induced glass transition dynamics appeared in porous silica (PSi) and nonporous silica (NPSi) nanoparticles. The size of these spherical particles is 5–15 nm for PSi and 15–20 nm for NPSi. PSi shows two glass transitions (Tg1 and Tg2) on heating, whereas NPSi shows one glass transition (Tg). The NPSi shows Tg at a higher temperature than PSi. PSi shows an exothermic transition on cooling, whereas NPSi shows no transition on cooling. Both Tgs appeared in PSi show dynamic behavior with the existence of positive activation energy. Both Tgs are reversible in PSi, whereas NPSi shows only one and irreversible Tg. The observed glass transitions in PSi and NPSi follow the configuron percolation model and show thermodynamic quasi-equilibrium with percolation threshold (fc) <1. The silica nanoparticles show induced glass transitions because of the presence of weak hydrogen bonds (HB) and a weak van der Waal force present in PSi, whereas the lack of porosity in NPSi shows irreversible Tg with stronger HB. The porosity of PSi makes it more reactive and dynamic due to its capillary behavior and shows its applicability in medical sciences, whereas the stability of NPSi makes it important for industrial research.     

Effect of morphology and precipitation of Si phase on thermal properties of Al–Si–Mg–Cu foundry alloy

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, CuAl13?xTax (% mass x?=?1; 1.5; 2; 2.5) shape-memory alloys were produced through arc-melting method. Phase...     

Extended investigation of LiOH–LiBr binary system for high-temperature thermal energy storage applications

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - LiOH–LiBr binary system is thoroughly investigated by means of DSC and XRD experimental analysis. Observed discrepancies compared to previous...     

Structure and thermal properties of heterometallic complexes for chemical vapor deposition of Cu–Pd films

Novel volatile heterocomplex compounds based on copper(II) and palladium(II) fluorinated β-diketonates are studied. The crystals of the synthesized compounds are shown to be composed of 1D coordination polymers in the form of chains of alternating molecules of monometallic complexes. The crystallographic data for [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂] are as follows: C₂₆H₂₂F₁₈O₁₀CuPd, P2₁/c, a = 7.9947(18) Å, b = 19.277(4) Å, c = 13.609(3) Å, β = 118.298(15)°, V = 1846.7(7) ų, Z = 2, d = 1.810 g/cm³. The thermal properties of the compounds are examined by TG-DTA and vacuum sublimation. The complexes are studied as the precursors for producing copper-palladium alloy films by chemical vapor deposition. It is demonstrated that bimetallic alloy coatings with a ratio Cu/Pd = 1:1 can be prepared from [Cu(hfa)₂?Pd(zif)₂].     

An intrinsic antistatic polyethylene glycol-based solid–solid phase change material for thermal energy storage and thermal management

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an important and popular phase change material (PCM), but is not a good antistatic material, which would cause the accumulation of static electricity and electrostatic discharge when used for the thermal energy storage and thermal management of electrical devices. Herein, we prepared a PEG-based solid–solid PCM (SSPCM) with good antistatic property by introducing an ionic liquid onto the macromolecular chains. This SSPCM is in solid state even at 90°C, avoiding the leakage issue of pure PEG. Its latent heat values in the melting and solidifying processes are 56.2 and 30.6 J g⁻¹, respectively. Additionally, this SSPCM has good thermal stability and thermal reliability for thermal storage and thermal management according to thermogravimetric and thermal cycling tests. The volume- and surface resistivity of the SSPCM at ambient temperature are 10^8.87 Ω m and 10^8.92 Ω, respectively, showing good antistatic performance.     

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...     

Influence of the addition of Cr in the microstructure and in the phase transformation temperatures of Cu–Al–Be–Nb–Ni alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Cu–Al–Be polycrystalline SMAs modified with the addition of inoculants show improved ductility, which accredits them for technological...     

Study on thermal properties of TBAB–THF hydrate mixture for cold storage by DSC

In order to study the thermal properties of new type environment-friendly binary hydrate for cold storage in air-conditioning system, tests have been carried out by DSC comprehensively on the phase-change temperature and fusion heat of TBAB hydrate, THF hydrate, and TBAB–THF hydrate mixture. The results show a good trend that TBAB–THF hydrate has the superiority for more proper phase-change temperature and increased fusion heat. A broader and more developed view is that adding appropriate amount of hydrate with lower phase-change temperature to hydrate with higher one can make the hydrate mixture more suitable for cold storage (especially for 278–281 K); some hydrates with lower phase-change temperature can even make the fusion heat of mixture hydrate increased greatly. Several new environmental working pairs for binary gas hydrates have been listed to help to promote the application.     

Preparation and characterization of form-stable tetradecanol–palmitic acid expanded perlite composites containing carbon fiber for thermal energy storage

In this study, tetradecanol–palmitic acid/expanded perlite composites containing carbon fiber (TD-PA/EP-CF CPCMs) were prepared by a vacuum impregnation method. Binary eutectic mixtures of PA and TD were utilized as thermal energy storage material in the composites, where EP behaved as supporting material. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that crystal structures of PA, TD, EP, and CF remained unchanged, confirming no chemical interactions among raw materials besides physical combinations. The microstructures indicated that TD-PA was sufficiently absorbed into EP porous structure, forming no leakage even in molten state. Differential scanning calorimetry estimated the melting temperature of TD-PA/EP-CF CPCM to 33.6 °C, with high phase change latent heat (PCLH) of 138.3 kJ kg⁻¹. Also, the freezing temperature was estimated at 29.7 °C, with PCLH of 137.5 kJ kg⁻¹. The thermal cycling measurements showed that PCM composite had adequate stability even after 200 melting/freezing cycles. Moreover, the thermal conductivity enhanced from 0.48 to 1.081 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ in the presence of CF. Overall, the proposed CPCMs look promising materials for future applications due to their appropriate phase change temperature, elevated PCLH, and better thermal stability.

     

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.