Influence of Cr on microstructure and elastocaloric effect in Ni–Mn–In–Co–Cr polycrystalline alloys

Ni–Mn-based metamagnetic shape memory alloys have been proposed as potential elastocaloric refrigerants. The intrinsic brittleness of the alloys has limited their cooling application. Introducing a soft second phase is an effective way to reduce the brittleness. From the viewpoint of application, the effect of second phase on elastocaloric effect should be illustrated. In this paper, we have investigated the microstructure, martensitic transformation and elastocaloric effect of Ni₄₅Mn_37-xIn₁₃Co₅Cr_x ($x=0,1\text{ and }2$) polycrystalline alloys. Single-phase and precipitates-containing microstructures are obtained for the undoped and doped alloys, respectively. The precipitates in Cr-doped alloys enhances the fracture strength but significantly hinders the martensitic transformation. Balancing the fracture strength and martensitic transformation, the Ni₄₅Mn₃₆In₁₃Co₅Cr alloy with small amount of precipitates along grain boundaries exhibits large cooling effects of 4–6 K in the temperature range of 317–353 K.     

Influence of gamma radiation on morphology structure,electrochemical corrosion behavior and hardness of Ni–Cr based alloys

This study evaluates the effects of gamma radiation on structure, electrochemical corrosion behavior and Vickers hardness of commercial dental Nikkeli–Kromi–Polttosekoitus [Ni_65.2Cr_22.5Mo_9.5X_2.8 (X=Nb, Si, Fe and Mn)] alloy. The corrosion rate of Ni_65.2Cr_22.5Mo_9.5X_2.8 (X=Nb, Si, Fe and Mn) alloy with 0.5 M HCl is increased with increasing the exposure rate of gamma radiation. The corrosion resistance of Ni_65.2Cr_22.5Mo_9.5X_2.8 (X=Nb, Si, Fe and Mn) is varied and reaches a minimum value at 30 KGy. The corrosion potential value also is varied and reaches its highest value at 30 KGy. The Vickers hardness value of Ni_65.2Cr_22.5Mo_9.5X_2.8 (X=Nb, Si, Fe and Mn) alloy is decreased by increasing the gamma radiation dose. Also it is obvious from our results that the effects of gamma radiation at the surface are much higher as compared with deeper parts and the structure of the alloy is changed due to its exposure to gamma radiation.     

Composition,microstructure, Vickers hardness and activation energies of Co–Cu alloys fabricated by arc melting technique

We have determined the phase transition for the Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu alloys fabricated by arc melting technique, from the binodal to the two phases α?+?L as well as the peritectic transitions, using differential thermal analysis (DTA). We equally studied the effects of aging treatment, ranging from 3 to 35?h, on the alloy samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Vickers hardness (HV). The activation energies of these alloys are equally determined using five established models. Our results show that for aging time up to 15?h, within the spinodal region at 773?K, the hardness value for Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu alloys oscillates reaching a local maximum at the aging time of 8.5?±?0.5?h. After 20?h of heat treatment, the HV for Co-20 at.% Cu alloy diminishes significantly while that of Co-30 at.% Cu effectively stabilizes at 241?MPa. The activation energies for the peritectic transformation based on Ozawa model are estimated to be 2465 and 2680?kJ?mol^?1 for Co-20 and -30 at.% Cu, respectively.     

Abnormal resistivity behavior of Cu–Ni and Cu–Co alloys in undercooled liquid state

The resistivity behavior of undercooled liquid Cu–Ni and Cu–Co alloys had been studied in the contactless method, to probe the structure transition in undercooled melts during the cooling process. Over the entire concentration range, linear behavior of resistivity with temperature was obtained in liquid and undercooled liquid Cu–Ni system. It implied that the formation of icosahedral order might not influence the electron scattering in undercooled liquid Cu–Ni alloys. Similar results were obtained in Cu–Co system in the vicinity of liquidus temperature. A turning point was obvious in temperature coefficient of resistivity for undercooled liquid Cu–Co alloys around the bimodal line, which was interpreted to be responsible for metastable liquid–liquid phase separation. During liquid phase separation process, resistivity decreased and the temperature coefficient of resistivity was larger than that of homogeneous melts. In combination with transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscope studies on the as-solidified microstructure, this was interpreted as the formation of egg-type structure and concentration change in Cu-rich and Co-rich phases. The mechanism controlling the separation and droplets motion was also discussed in undercooled liquid Cu–Co system.     

Improvement of microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd–Fe–B alloys by Nb and Co additions

In order to establish the role of niobium on the hydrogenation, disproportionation, desorption and recombination (HDDR) behavior of near-stoichiometric alloys, two alloys: NdI3Fe8OB7 and Nd13Fe78Nb1Co1B7 (at%) were investigated before, during and after the HDDR process. The microstructure of the as-cast Nb-free alloy before employing the HDDR process was found to consist of three phases, the matrix Nd₂Fe₁₄B (φ) phase, Nd-rich phase and a significant amount of free iron; whereas, the microstructure of the Nb-containing alloy consisted of only the first two phases.     

Evolution of phase,texture, microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe–Cr–Co–Mo–Ti permanent magnets

Magnetic phase evolution, crystallographic texture, microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe–28Cr–15Co–3.5Mo–1.8Ti alloy have been investigated by X-ray diffractometry, scanning transmission electron microscopy and magnetometry techniques as a function of processing conditions. Heat treatment conditions for obtaining optimum textural, microstructural and magnetic properties have been established by the experimentations. The Goss {110}〈001〉 and cube type {001}〈010〉 textures have been developed in an optimal treated Fe–28Cr–15Co–3.5Mo–1.8Ti magnets. The coercive force in Fe–28Cr–15Co–3.5Mo–1.8Ti magnets depends critically on the shape anisotropy of rod-like Fe Co Ti-rich α₁ particles and remanence on the alignment and elongation of α₁ particles parallel to applied magnetic field 〈100〉 directions. The optimum magnetic properties obtained in Fe–28Cr–15Co–3.5Mo–1.8Ti alloy are intrinsic coercive force, _iH_c, of 78.8 kA/m (990 Oe), remanence, B_r of 1.12 T (11.2 kG) and energy product, (BH)_max of 52.5 kJ/m³ (6.5 MGOe). The development of Fe–28Cr–15Co–3.5Mo–1.8Ti magnets as well as characterization of texture, microstructural and magnetic properties in the current study would be helpful in designing the new Fe–Cr–Co–Mo based magnets suitable for scientific and technological applications.     

Influence of gamma radiation and magnetic resonance imaging radiation on micro-structure,hardness and electrochemical corrosion behavior of Co‒Cr-based dental alloy

The effects of therapeutic gamma radiation at 10, 20 and 30 kGy and magnetic resonance imaging radiation from a 1.5 T MR scanner on the micro-structure, electrochemical corrosion behavior and micro-hardness of commercial dental Magnum H50 (Co=64%, Cr=29%, Mo=6.5%) alloy have been investigated. The corrosion rate, corrosion resistance, corrosion potential and corrosion current density values of the alloy treated with 0.5 M HCl vary due to gamma and magnetic resonance imaging radiation. At 30 kGy, the corrosion resistance of Magnum H50 reaches a minimum value and the corrosion rate obtains a maximum value. The Vickers hardness value of the Magnum H50 alloy decreases after both gamma and magnetic resonance imaging radiation.     

Effect of Sn and Al additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys

Amorphous Ti–Cu–Zr–Ni alloys with minor addition of Sn and Al were prepared by melt spinning technique.The effects of Sn and Al additions on the microstructures and mechanical properties of glassy ribbons were investigated.The amorphous state of ribbons was confirmed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy,where those ribbons with Sn addition exhibited a fully amorphous state.The characteristic temperature indicates that Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy has a stronger glass-forming ability,as proven by differential scanning calorimetry.Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Al_5 alloy showed a better hardness of 9.23 GPa and elastic modulus of 127.15 GPa and good wear resistance.Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy displayed a pop-in event related to discrete plasticity according to nanoindentation.When the temperature is below 560 K,Ti_(45)Cu_(35)Zr_(10)Ni_5Sn_5 alloy mainly exhibits elasticity.When the temperature rises between 717 K and 743 K,it shows a significant increase in elasticity but decrease in viscoelasticity after the ribbon experiences the main relaxation at 717 K.When the temperature is above 743 K,the ribbon shows viscoplasticity.     

Effect of irradiation on microstructure and hardening of Cr–Fe–Ni–Mn high-entropy alloy and its strengthened version

ABSTRACT

A single-phase fcc high-entropy alloy (HEA) of 20%Cr–40%Fe–20%Mn–20%Ni composition and its strength with yttrium and zirconium oxides version was irradiated with 1.4?MeV Ar ions at room temperature and mid-range doses from 0.1 to 10 displacements per atom (dpa). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (STEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterise the radiation defects and microstructural changes. Nanoindentation was used to measure the ion irradiation effect on hardening. In order to understand the irradiation effects in HEAs and to demonstrate their potential advantages, a comparison was performed with hardening behaviour of 316 austenitic stainless steel irradiated under an identical condition. It was shown that hardness increases with irradiation dose for all the materials studied, but this increase is lower in high-entropy alloys than in stainless steel.     

Electronic structures of CO adsorbed Pt-skin surface on Pt–Co and Pt–Ni alloys

By using angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigate the electronic structures of Pt-skin layer of Pt–Co and Pt–Ni alloys with CO molecules on the surface. Measured Fermi surface maps and band dispersions reflect the signatures of chemical bonding between Pt-skin layer and CO molecules. Furthermore, the degree of chemical bonding strength of CO molecules, estimated from the energy shift of the participating bands, is found to be reduced on both Pt bimetallic alloys. Our results show how the surface band structure of Pt bimetallic alloys is modified with molecular orbitals of CO molecules on the surface, revealing the important role of the electronic structure in the determination of chemical properties of bimetallic alloys.     

Effects of laser power density on the microstructure and microhardness of Ni–Al alloyed layer by pulsed laser irradiation

Laser alloying of Ni–P electroless deposited layer with aluminum substrate was carried out by Nd–YAG pulsed laser. The phase composition and microstructure of the alloyed layers produced by different laser power densities were identified by X-ray diffractionary (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) accompanied by energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Furthermore, the surface roughness of the alloyed layers was characterised by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The results showed that the characteristic dendritic or lamellar microstructures were observed in the alloyed layers. The phase constituents of the alloyed zones were intermetallic compounds of nickel–aluminum NiAl, Al₃Ni and Al₃Ni₂, as well as some non-equilibrium phases and amorphous phases depending on the employed laser power density. As a result, the microhardness of the alloyed layer with Ni–P amorphous phases formed at laser power density 5.36×10⁹ W/m² reached to HV_0.1 390.     

The effect of thermomechanical treatment regimes on microstructure and mechanical properties of V–Me(Cr,W)–Zr–C alloys

The regularities of the formation of a heterophase structure in dispersion-strengthened vanadium V–Me(Cr, W)–Zr–C alloys are studied as a function of the regimes of their thermomechanical treatment. The regimes of treatment providing a substantial increase in the dispersity and homogeneity of spatial distribution of ZrC particles, temperature of recrystallization, and high-temperature (at T = 800°C) short-time strength are found in comparison to conventional treatment regimes.     

The effect of HCP on the formation of twin boundaries and dislocations in Ni–Co alloys

In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) was used to simulate the rapid solidification process of Ni₄₇Co₅₃ and Ni₄₈Co₅₂ alloys at a cooling rate of 10¹² K/s. The effects of HCP on the formation of twin boundaries and dislocations in two Ni–Co alloys are studied. It is found that the difference of HCP clusters is the main effect that producing discrepancies on microstructure of two alloys. The number of HCP clusters accounted for 9.23% in Ni₄₇Co₅₃ alloy. They are regularly arranged to form the number of single-layer twin boundaries, and each twin boundary ends in a dislocation. The FCC and HCP structures coexist in the same atomic layers, which is easy to create dislocations. The relatively standard FCC crystal and only 0.32% HCP clusters are formed in Ni₄₈Co₅₂ alloy at 300 K. That small amount of HCP clusters are dispersed on the surface, and cause the formation of dislocation in the border with FCC clusters.     

Solidification microstructure of as-cast Mg–Zn–Y alloys

Composites consisting of icosahedral (i) phase and ductile α-Mg can be fabricated by controlling the alloy composition. With increasing Mg content, the primary solidification phase changed from the i phase to the α-Mg phase and single eutectic structure can be obtained at a composition of Mg₇₂Zn_23.5Y_3.5. The i phase showed a variation in structural order from the well-ordered icosahedral phase to the 1/1 rhombohedra1 approximant with lattice constants a=27.2 Å and α = 63.43°. The structural change in the i phase can be explained by microdomain formation due to compositional change during solidification. Annealing treatment improves the structural order of the i phase by homogenization. By controlling the alloy composition, a single eutectic structure consisting of a hard i phase and a ductile α-Mg phase could be obtained.     

X-ray photoelectron studies of changes in the electronic structure upon phase transitions in Co–Ni and Co–Fe alloys

The changes in the electronic structure of Co–Ni and Co–Fe systems upon phase transitions are studied. X-ray photoelectron study of the valence-band spectra and the parameters of the multiplet splitting of Co, Ni and Fe 3s spectra is carried out at different temperatures. It is established that the ordering–separation phase transition in Co–Ni alloys takes place in the temperature range of 600–700°C. As opposed to Co–Ni alloys, in the Fe–Co alloy, ordering–separation–ordering phase transitions are observed. High-temperature ordering of the Fe₅₀Co₅₀ alloy is observed above 1200°C. The transition from ordering to separation is shown to lead to changes in the d electron spectra of the valence band and in the parameters of the multiplet splitting of the 3s spectra.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Fe–Ni mecanosynthesized alloys

Fe_100???x Ni _x samples with x?=?22.5, 30.0 and 40.0 at.% Ni were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) with milling times of 10, 24, 48 and 72 h, a ball mass to powder mass (BM/PM) ratio of 20:1 and rotation velocity of 280 rev/min. Then the samples were sintered at 1,000°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission Mössbauer spectrometry (TMS). From the refinement of the X ray patterns we found in this composition range two crystalline phases, one body centered cubic (BCC), one face centered cubic (FCC) and some samples show FeO and Fe₃O₄ phases. The obtained grain size of the samples shows their nanostructured character. Mössbauer spectra were fitted using a model with two hyperfine magnetic field distributions (HMFDs), and a narrow singlet. One hyperfine field distribution corresponds to the ferromagnetic BCC grains, the other to the ferromagnetic FCC grains (Taenite), and the narrow singlet to the paramagnetic FCC grains (antitaenite). Some samples shows a paramagnetic doublet which corresponds to FeO and two sextets corresponding to the ferrimagnetic Fe₃O₄ phase. In this fit model we used a texture correction in order to take into account the interaction between the particles with flake shape and the Mössbauer $\upgamma$ -rays.     

Precipitation and fracture behaviour of Fe–Mn–Ni–Al alloys

The effects of Al addition on the precipitation and fracture behaviour of Fe–Mn–Ni alloys were investigated. With the increasing of Al concentration, the matrix and grain boundary precipitates changed from L1₀ θ-MnNi to B2 Ni₂MnAl phase, which is coherent and in cube-to-cube orientation relationship with the α′-matrix. Due to the suppression of the θ-MnNi precipitates at prior austenite grain boundaries (PAGBs), the fracture mode changed from intergranular to transgranular cleavage fracture. Further addition of Al resulted in the discontinuous growth of Ni₂MnAl precipitates in the alloy containing 4.2?wt.% Al and fracture occurred by void growth and coalescence, i.e. by ductile dimple rupture. The transition of the fracture behaviour of the Fe–Mn–Ni–Al alloys is discussed in relation to the conversion of the precipitates and their discontinuous precipitation behaviour at PAGBs.