ICEMS study of isothermal oxidation of Fe–Mn–Al–C–Cr–Si–Mo, Fe–Mn–Al–C–Cr–Si and Fe–9Cr–1Mo alloys

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the isothermal behavior of Fe–27.3Mn–7.6Al–C–6.5Cr–0.25Si–0.88Mo (Mo(0)) and Fe–27.3Mn–7.6Al–1.0C–6.5Cr–0.25Si (Mo(1)) alloys and compare it against Fe–9Cr–1Mo (FCR) commercial alloy. The experiments were carried out at 600°C, 700°C, 750°C and 850°C, each one during 72 h in static air. The oxidation kinetics was measured as a function of time using a Thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA). The structure and composition of the oxide scale were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Integral Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS). The TGA results show that at all oxidation temperatures the sample FCR exhibit the lowest kinetic corrosion and the lowest weight gain, whereas Mo(0) the highest. By CEMS technique it were found a broad magnetic sextet, which has been fit by one hyperfine field distribution with mean hyperfine field characteristic to ferritic/martensite phase, one Fe^3?+? doublet and one singlet for the Mo(0) and Mo(1) alloys. Samples oxidized at highest temperatures exhibit a strong paramagnetic line, probably due that the Cr or Mn oxides may be enriched on the surface. Then, the magnetic phase can be converted partially into austenite phase at highest temperatures.     

Decagonal quasicrystal in the Al–Pd–Mn system

Abstract

A stable decagonal quasicrystal in Al₇₀Pd_30?xMn_x alloys (x = 10–20) was examined by electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy. The decagonal quasicrystalline grains are formed with definite crystallographic relationships to adjacent icosahedral and Al₃Mn crystalline grains. The structure of the decagonal phase, which is formed as the main phase at near Al₇₀Pd₁₀Mn₂₀ composition, is a mixture of decagonal quasicrystalline regions with some linear phason strain and microcrystalline regions. The structures of both regions may be interpreted in terms of quasiperiodic and periodic tilings, constructed with two types of bond lengths, S (about 2 nm) and L (= τ · S, where τ is the Golden ratio), of the same atom cluster with decagonal symmetry.     

Glass formability and the Al–Au system

The aluminum–gold system exhibits various features that suggest high glass formability, such as a deep eutectic, formation of icosahedral clusters in the intermetallic compound near the eutectic minimum and a strongly negative heat of mixing. However, it is very difficult to form a glass with this system. Various issues related to glass formability are discussed using the Al–Au system as a negative test-case. In particular, the atomic level pressure was calculated from first principles for the first time for Al₂Au, AlAu₂ and AlAu₄ intermetallic compounds. The atomic level pressure is very high in these compounds, suggesting frustrated electronic states which destabilize both crystalline and glassy phases.     

Modeling the TDFD dissolution of Al–Fe–Mn–Si particles in an Al–4.5Zn–1Mg alloy

Dissolution of large particles in DC-cast 7xxx aluminum alloys is one of the primary objectives of the homogenization process. A mathematical model to describe and predict this complex thermodynamical and kinetical process is of great significance. In this paper, the details of a diffusion-limited dissolution model, based on the thinning, discontinuation and full dissolution (TDFD) mechanism, to predict the dissolution of the Al₁₇(Fe_3.2, Mn_0.8)Si₂ particles is described. The model is capable of predicting the volume fraction and thickness of the particles during homogenization at different temperatures and time intervals. The predicted results are in good agreement with measurements using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) and quantitative field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (QSEM). The model predictions of the supersaturation parameter, interface position, interface movement rate of the planar surfaces and the cylindrical edges, and the effect of the occurrence of discontinuities on the dissolution extent are presented.     

Thermoluminescence of Al2O3:Cr3+ films synthesized by the nonaqueous sol–gel method

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺ thin films prepared by the nonaqueous sol–gel method were evaluated. The obtained thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry. They were irradiated with ⁶⁰Co gamma rays of the different doses. TL glow curves exhibited two peaks centered at 197°C and 322°C.The heights of peaks were found to be sensitive to exposures of ionizing irradiation and the integral area of the TL signals had a linear response in the dose range of 5–60 Gy.This remarkable result suggests that Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺ films might potentially be used for radiation dosimetry.     

Ab initio calculations of the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Ni–Mn–Al

Results of the first-principles calculations of the magnetic shape-memory alloy NiMnAl are presented. The properties of a series of alloys in the composition range Ni₅₀Mn _x Al_{50? x} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 were deduced from the ab initio simulations. One essential result is that the alloy is ferromagnetic in the range from 14 to 31?at.% Mn. Furthermore, the martensitic phases 2?M, 10?M, and 14?M with long-periodic structure were calculated. They are metastable in the stoichiometric Ni₂MnAl alloy due to additional bonding between specific atomic sites. Their properties are discussed in terms of the density of states and their charge distribution.     

Effect of a Second-Order Phase Transition on the Electrical Conductivity of the Cr–Polymer–Cu Structure

Physics of the Solid State - This report presents the results of studying an anomalous increase in the conductivity in the Cr/polymer/Cu structure near the antiferromagnet/paramagnet phase...     

Al–Pd–Mn icosahedral quasicrystal: deformation mechanisms in the brittle domain

The extreme brittleness of Al–Pd–Mn quasi-crystalline alloys over a wide range of temperatures drastically restricts investigation of their plastic deformation mechanisms over a small high-temperature regime. Recently, plastic deformation of Al–Pd–Mn quasicrystal has been achieved in the brittle domain (20?≤?T?≤?690°C) using specific deformation devices, which combined a uniaxial compression deformation or a shear deformation with a hydrostatic pressure confinement (0.35–5?GPa). Results of these experimental techniques, which provide various deformation conditions giving rise to a range of Al–Pd–Mn plastic features in the brittle domain, are discussed. On this basis, we propose that low and intermediate temperature plastic properties of Al–Pd–Mn are controlled by non-planar dislocation core extensions specific to the non-periodic structure.     

Magnetic phase diagrams of Fe–Mn–Al alloy on the Bethe lattice

The magnetic behaviors of the Fe–Mn–Al alloy are simulated on the Bethe lattice by using a trimodal random bilinear exchange interaction(J) distribution in the Blume–Capel(BC) model. Ferromagnetic(J 0) or antiferromagnetic(J 0)bonds or dilution of the bonds(J = 0) are assumed between the atoms with some probabilities. It is found that the secondor the first-order phase boundaries separate the ferromagnetic(F), antiferromagnetic(AF), paramagnetic(P), or spin-glass(SG) phases from the possible other one. In addition to the tricritical points, the special points at which the second- and the first-order and the spin-glass phase lines meet are also found. Very rich phase diagrams in agreement with the literature are obtained.     

Phase diagram of the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K

The phase relationship in the Al–Er–Mo ternary system at 873 K has been investigated based on the equilibrated method mainly by means of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The existence of 10 binary compounds and two ternary compounds has been confirmed. The results present that the isothermal section at 873 K is governed by 15 single-phase regions, 29 two-phase regions and 15 three-phase regions. By using the phase-disappearing method, Al₈Mo₃ has a narrow homogeneity range (from 72 to 73 at% Al), while the homogeneity range of AlMo₃ is from 21% to 28.5% at% Al. Also, the maximum solubility of Al in Mo is about 16 at%.     

Strain behavior of the hydrogenated submicrocrystalline Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Comparative studies of the influence of 0.002–0.12 mass % hydrogenation on the structure and phase composition of the submicrocrystalline and coarse-grained Ti–6Al–4 V alloys are performed. The evolution of the strain processes in the hydrogenated alloy is studied for both alloys upon tension at a temperature of 293 K depending on the hydrogen content and alloy state. It is established that the presence of hydrogen in the nanostructured Ti–6Al–4 V alloy in the solid solution leads to a decrease of its yield stress and an increase of its tensile strength and total strain before failure. The possible reasons for the increased duration of the uniform strain stage and the effect of strain hardening of the alloy in the presence of hydrogen in the solid solution are discussed.     

Growth and physical properties of the decagonal Al–Cu–Co quasicrystal grown from the ternary melt

Large faceted single-grain quasicrystals of the approximate composition Al_63.2Cu_19.5Co_17.3 and with a high degree of structural perfection are obtained through the slow cooling of a ternary melt with initial composition Al₆₅Cu₂₉Co₆. X-ray diffraction patterns of crushed single-grain samples are exceptionally sharp, indicating a high degree of structural order, with no evidence of secondary phases. Transmission electron micrographs also reveal sharp diffraction patterns in the even-n layers but diffuse scattering in the odd-n layers. Temperature-dependent magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat are measured using bars cut perpendicular and parallel to the c axis and show diamagnetic behaviour: γ?≈?0.5?mJ?mol^?1?K^?2, ρ _c(2?K)?≈?52?μΩ?cm and ρ _q(2?K)?≈?283?μΩ?cm.     

Structural evolution of ZrO2–mullite nanocomposites from the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk

ZrO₂–mullite nanocomposites were fabricated by in-situ-controlled crystallization of Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk at 800–1250°C. The structural evolution of the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous, annealed at different temperatures, was studied by X-ray diffraction, infrared, Laser Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The materials consisted of an amorphous phase up to 920°C at which phase separation of Si-rich and Al, Zr-rich clusters occurred. The crystalline phases of t-ZrO₂ and mullite were observed at 950°C and 1000°C, respectively. Mullite with a tetragonal structure, formed by the reaction between Al–Si spinel and amorphous silica at low temperature, changed into an orthorhombic structure with the increase of temperature. It was the phase segregation that improved crystallization of the Si–Al–Zr–O amorphous bulk. The anisotropic growth of mullite was observed and the phase transformation from t-ZrO₂ to m-ZrO₂ occurred when the temperature was higher than 1100°C.     

Transport numbers in the molten system NaF–KF–AlF3–Al2O3

Transport numbers in the molten system NaF–KF–AlF₃ (Al₂O₃, CaF₂) were investigated by the Hittorf method. It was confirmed that in molten cryolite, Na₃AlF₆, 1,010 °C, the current is transported almost exclusively by the Na⁺ cations (t(Na⁺)?=?0.99). When AlF₃ was added to a Na₃AlF₆ melt, the transport number of sodium cations decreased to 0.74 at the composition corresponding to NaAlF₄. In molten K₃AlF₆, the transport number of K⁺ cations equals 0.836 at 1,005 °C. In melts containing both Na⁺ and K⁺, the cations contribute to the charge transport approximately in the ratio of the squares of their ionic radii. When 5 mass % of CaF₂ was added to the molten NaF–KF–AlF₃ system, it remarkably influenced the transport numbers of potassium and fluoride anions.