HRTEM and HAADF-STEM tomography investigation of the heterogeneously formed S (Al2CuMg) precipitates in Al–Cu–Mg alloy

The distribution of variants and three-dimensional (3D) configurations of the heterogeneously formed S (Al₂CuMg) precipitates at dislocations, grain boundaries and the Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃ dispersoid/Al interfaces were studied in this research. By means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy, we systematically investigated the orientation relationships (ORs) between these heterogeneously formed S precipitates and the Al matrix, and further unraveled that the preferred orientation of S variants at grain boundaries and at dispersoid/Al interfaces are respectively associated with the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the grain boundary plane, and the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the interface plane. The inherent characteristic of the crystal structure of the S phase, i.e. the symmetry of the pentagonal subunit, was considered to be the fundamental factor determining the preference of the variant pair. By using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography, we successively obtained the 3D reconstruction of the S precipitates at these defects. Both the morphology of an individual S precipitate and the overall configuration of the S precipitates nucleated at these defects can be clearly observed without misunderstandings induced by the overlap and projection effects of the conventional two-dimensional methods.     

Microstructural evolution in Al–Mn–Cu–(Be) alloys

This study investigates the effects of alloying elements on the microstructural evolution of Al-rich Al–Mn–Cu–(Be) alloys during solidification, and subsequent heating and annealing. The samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In the ternary Al₉₄Mn₃Cu₃ (at%) alloy, the phases formed during slower cooling (≈1?K?s^?1) can be predicted by the known Al–Mn–Cu phase diagram. The addition of Be prevented the formation of Al₆Mn, decreased the fraction of τ₁-Al₂₉Mn₆Cu₄, and increased the fraction of Al₄Mn. During faster cooling (≈1000?K?s^?1), Al₄Mn predominantly formed in the ternary alloy, whereas, in the quaternary alloys, the icosahedral quasicrystalline phase dominated. Further heating and annealing of the alloys caused an increase in the volume fractions of τ₁ in all alloys and Be₄Al (Mn,Cu) in quaternary alloys, while fractions of all other intermetallic phases decreased. Solidification with a moderate cooling rate (≈1000?K?s^?1) caused considerable strengthening, which was reduced by annealing for up to 25% in the quaternary alloys, while hardness remained almost the same in the ternary alloy.     

The legacy of S Chandrasekhar (1910–1995)

Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, known simply as Chandra in the scientific world, is one of the foremost scientists of the 20th century. In celebrating his birth centenary, I present a biographical portrait of an extraordinary, but a highly private individual unknown to the world at large. Drawing upon his own “A Scientific Autobiography,” I reflect upon his legacy as a scientist and a great human being.     

Thermal and structural characterization of Cu–Al–Mn–X (Ti,Ni) shape memory alloys

In this study, the Cu–Al–Mn–X (X = Ni, Ti) shape memory alloys at the range of 10–12 at.% of aluminum and 4–5 at.% manganese were produced by arc melting. We have investigated the effects of the alloying elements on the transformation temperatures, and the structural and the magnetic properties of the quaternary Cu–Al–Mn–X (X = Ni, Ti) shape memory alloys. The evolution of the transformation temperatures was studied by differential scanning calorimetry with different heating and cooling rates. The characteristic transformation temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters were highly sensitive to variations in the aluminum and manganese content, and it was observed that the nickel addition into the Cu–Al–Mn system decreased the transformation temperature although Ti addition caused an increase in the transformation temperatures. The effect of the nickel and the titanium on the thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and entropy values was investigated. The structural changes of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction measurements and by optical microscope observations at room temperature. It is evaluated that the element Ni has been completely soluble in the matrix, and the main phase of the Cu–Al–Mn–Ni sample is martensite, and due to the low solubility of the Ti, the Cu–Al–Mn–Ti sample has precipitates, and a martensite phase at room temperature. The magnetic properties of the Cu–Al–Mn, Cu–Al–Mn–Ni and Cu–Al–Mn–Ti samples were investigated, and the effect of the nickel and the titanium on the magnetic properties was studied.     

Active metal brazing of Al2O3 to Kovar® (Fe–29Ni–17Co wt.%) using Copper ABA® (Cu–3.0Si–2.3Ti–2.0Al wt.%)

The application of an active braze alloy (ABA) known as Copper ABA® (Cu–3.0Si–2.3Ti–2.0Al wt.%) to join Al₂O₃ to Kovar® (Fe–29Ni–17Co wt.%) has been investigated. This ABA was selected to increase the operating temperature of the joint beyond the capabilities of typically used ABAs such as Ag–Cu–Ti-based alloys. Silica present as a secondary phase in the Al₂O₃ at a level of ~5 wt.% enabled the ceramic component to bond to the ABA chemically by forming a layer of Si₃Ti₅ at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface. Appropriate brazing conditions to preserve a near-continuous Si₃Ti₅ layer on the Al₂O₃ and a continuous Fe₃Si layer on the Kovar® were found to be a brazing time of ≤15 min at 1025 °C or ≤2 min at 1050 °C. These conditions produced joints that did not break on handling and could be prepared easily for microscopy. Brazing for longer periods of time, up to 45 min, at these temperatures broke down the Si₃Ti₅ layer on the Al₂O₃, while brazing at ≥1075 °C for 2–45 min broke down the Fe₃Si layer on the Kovar® significantly. Further complications of brazing at ≥1075 °C included leakage of the ABA out of the joint and the formation of a new brittle silicide, Ni₁₆Si₇Ti₆, at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface. This investigation demonstrates that it is not straightforward to join Al₂O₃ to Kovar® using Copper ABA®, partly because the ranges of suitable values for the brazing temperature and time are quite limited. Other approaches to increase the operating temperature of the joint are discussed.     

Electron irradiation-enhanced core/shell organization of Al(Cr,Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids in Al–Mg–Si alloys

The age hardening 6061-T6 aluminium alloy has been chosen as structural material for the core vessel of the material testing Jules Horowitz nuclear reactor. The alloy contains incoherent Al(Cr, Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids whose characterization by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) analysis shows a core/shell organization tendency where the core is (Mn, Fe) rich, and the shell is Cr rich. The present work studies the stability of this organization under irradiation. TEM characterization on the same particles, before and after 1 MeV electron irradiation, reveals that the core/shell organization is enhanced after irradiation. It is proposed that the high level of point defects, created by irradiation, ensures a radiation-enhanced diffusion process favourable to the unmixing forces between (Fe, Mn) and Cr. Shell formation may result in the low-energy interface segregation of Cr atoms within the (Fe, Mn) system combined with the unmixing of Cr, Fe and Mn components.     

Mechanochemical Reactions in Fe2O3–M (M: Al, Ti)

The production of metal–ceramic nanodispersion by mechanical milling of powders through the displacement reaction Fe₂O₃+M→Fe+M-oxide (with M: Al, Ti) was studied. The reaction progress with milling time was followed by recording the temperature and pressure during the process. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy at the intermediate and final stages. In both cases self-sustained reactions were observed with different activation times. The results confirm that mechanical work at room temperature yields the reduction of hematite by Ti and Al. The final oxides were identified as Ti₂O₃ and Al₂O₃, respectively. The dependence of the intermediate and final stages on the milling conditions and the starting composition will be discussed.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(III) Hydroxycarbonates

Green rust-like compounds (GRs) were discovered as natural minerals in various hydromorphic soils, where anoxic conditions allow their stability. They may control some redox processes in aquifers and participate to the transformation of various pollutants. Since Mg(II) cations are present in the fields where GRs were discovered, a partial substitution of Mg(II) to Fe(II) leading to intermediate compounds between GRs and usual Mg(II)–Fe(III) hydroxysalts is suspected. Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(II) hydroxycarbonates can be obtained as intermediate oxidation products of (Mg, Fe)(OH)₂ in carbonate-containing aqueous media obeying to [Fe^II _4(1–x)Mg^II _4x Fe^III ₂(OH)₁₂]²⁺ [CO₃ ^2– nH₂O]^–2. TMS spectra at 12 K are similar to those of GRs, i.e., two quadrupole doublets, one due to Fe(II) with a large isomer shift =1.29 mms^–1 (with respect to -iron at room temperature) and quadrupole splitting E _Q=2.76 mms^–1, the other one due to Fe(III) with smaller hyperfine parameters =0.49 mms^–1 and E _Q=0.44 mms^–1. Fe(II) ions oxidise rapidly into Fe(III) with dissolved O₂. The reactivity is similar to that of Fe(II)–Fe(III) hydroxysalts GR, and thus the potential of Mg(II)–Fe(II)–Fe(III) compounds for reducing pollutants.     

IR impurity absorption in Sb2S3–GeS2(Ge2S3) chalcogenide glasses

The IR optical transmission spectra in the 4000–1000 cm⁻¹ (2.5–10 μm) region in the chalcogenide glasses (ChG) of the ternary Ge–Sb–S system of stoichiometric Sb₂S₃–GeS₂ and non-stoichiometric Sb₂S₃–Ge₂S₃ compositions are studied. The compositional dependences of the measured IR spectra connected with influence of O-, H- and C-based absorbed impurites are analyzed.     

Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S/Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S/Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S多层纳米线中s-d交换作用的研究

以氧化铝纳米孔为模板,采用直流电化学沉积的方法制备了Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S/Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S/Cd_(0.96)Zn_(0.04)S量子阱纳米线阵列,并系统研究了该纳米线阵列在不同温度和不同磁场下的电学输运特性.随着外磁场的变化,样品表现出共振传输特性.通过量子阱理论对实验现象进行了分析,直接得到了稀磁层Cd_(0.97)Mn_(0.03)S中s-d交换作用常数N_0α的定量结果.研究发现该交换作用常数随温度具有e~(-1/T)的变化趋势.     

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.     

Structure of dislocations and stacking faults in the complex intermetallic ξ′-(Al–Pd–Mn) phase

We present the results of an electron microscopy study of defects in plastically deformed single crystals of the intermetallic ξ^′-(Al–Pd–Mn) phase. Pure edge dislocations with two different Burgers vector directions and four different Burgers vector magnitudes were found. All Burgers vector magnitudes observed can be described in terms of irrational fractions of the unit-cell parameters, and we have observed Burgers vector directions that can be indexed using irrational indices. The stacking faults observed have displacement vectors whose magnitudes and directions are incompatible with the unit cell of the ξ^′ phase. A comparison of the Burgers vectors observed in this study with those reported for the corresponding icosahedral quasicrystal shows that they are equivalent with respect to their directions and lengths. This leads to the conclusion that local order rather than long-range periodic (or quasiperiodic) order governs the structure of defects in these materials.     

Directional solidification of Al–Cu–Ag alloy

Al–Cu–Ag alloy was prepared in a graphite crucible under a vacuum atmosphere. The samples were directionally solidified upwards under an argon atmosphere with different temperature gradients (G=3.99–8.79 K/mm), at a constant growth rate (V=8.30 μm/s), and with different growth rates (V=1.83–498.25 μm/s), at a constant gradient (G=8.79 K/mm) by using the Bridgman type directional solidification apparatus. The microstructure of Al-12.80-at.%–Cu-18.10-at.%–Ag alloy seems to be two fibrous and one lamellar structure. The interlamellar spacings (λ) were measured from transverse sections of the samples. The dependence of interlamellar spacings (λ) on the temperature gradient (G) and the growth rate (V) were determined by using linear regression analysis. According to these results it has been found that the value of λ decreases with the increase of values of G and V. The values of λ ² V were also determined by using the measured values of λ and V. The experimental results were compared with two-phase growth from binary and ternary eutectic liquid.     

Structural,morphologic and optical characterization of In(2−x)Al x S3

Aluminum-doped indium sulfide thin films are deposited on glass by spray pyrolysis technique. The structure and the surface morphology of these films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The effects of aluminum ratio z and substrate temperature T _s, on the film structure and grain size are discussed. The influence of aluminum ratio on surface morphology is revealed by scanning electron microscope. Besides, energy dispersive spectrometry technique is used to compare atomic aluminum concentration in the film with aluminum ratio z in spray solution. Optical properties are studied by a spectrophotometer in the wavelength range 350–850 nm, at room temperature. Optical transmission and grain size are found to be maximal for z = 1.8 %. Moreover, band-gap energy is found to increase with aluminum ratio.     

Thermodynamics and surface properties of liquid Al–Ga and Al–Ge alloys

The surface properties of Al–Ga and Al–Ge liquid alloys have been theoretically investigated at a temperature of 1100 K and 1220 K respectively. For the Al–Ga system, the quasi chemical model for regular alloy and a model for phase segregating alloy systems were applied, while for the Al–Ge system the quasi chemical model for regular and compound forming binary alloys were applied. In the case of Al–Ga, the models for the regular alloys and that for the phase segregating alloys produced the same value of order energy and same values of thermodynamic and surface properties, while for the Al–Ge system, the model for the regular alloy reproduced better the thermodynamic properties of the alloy. The model for the compound forming systems showed a qualitative trend with the measured values of the thermodynamic properties of the Al–Ge alloy and suggests the presence of a weak complex of the form Al₂Ge₃. The surface concentrations for the alloys show that Ga manifests some level of surface segregation in Al–Ga liquid alloy while the surface concentration of Ge in Al–Ge liquid alloy showed a near Roultian behavior below 0.8 atomic fraction of Ge.     

S取代Se对Ge_(11.5)As_(24)Se_(64.5–x)S_x玻璃结构及光学性质的影响

本文制备了硫系玻璃Ge_(11.5)As_(24)Se_(64.5–x)S_x (x=0, 16.125%, 32.25%, 48.375%和64.5%)并研究了其光学性质,目的在于筛选可用于光学器件的最佳组分.通过测试该系列玻璃的激光损伤阈值、折射率、三阶非线性折射率以及吸收光谱,结果发现,玻璃中的Se被S原子逐渐替代后,玻璃的线性和三阶非线性折射率逐渐降低,玻璃光学带隙和激光损伤阈值不断升高.我们进一步利用拉曼散射光谱和高分辨率X射线光电子能谱研究导致这些物理性能变化的结构起源,通过分析玻璃中不同结构单元的演变过程,发现在这些玻璃网络结构中均以异极键(Ge—Se/S, As—Se/S)为主,且相对于Se而言, Ge和As优先与S结合成键.随着玻璃结构中S/Se比例的增加,与Se相关的化学键(Ge—Se,As—Se和Se—Se)数量逐渐减少, S相关化学键(Ge—S,As—S和S—S)数量逐渐增加,但这对玻璃的拓扑结构几乎没有影响.由此可以断定引起玻璃物理性质变化的主要原因是玻璃结构体系中各个化学键强度之间的差异.     

Non-uniform Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state

We provide a general review of the properties of the non-uniform superconducting Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase. Special emphasis is made on the orbital and crystal structure effects which may result in the quantum transitions between the higher Landau level states and should be responsible for the strong modification of the anisotropy of the critical field. The FFLO-type instability may be also expected in ultracold Fermi gases. In these systems it is caused not by the Zeeman interaction but by the tuning of the population imbalance between two lowest hyperfine states of the atoms. We also briefly discuss their properties.     

Effects of Poly(Propylene Oxide)–Poly(Ethylene Oxide)–Poly(Propylene Oxide) Triblock Copolymer on the Gelation of Poly(Ethylene Oxide)–Poly(Propylene Oxide)–Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Aqueous Solutions

Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) ((EO)_n–(PO)_m–(EO)_n) block copolymers, commercially available as Pluronics (BASF Corp.) and Poloxamers (ICI Corp.), have been widely applied in medicine, biochemistry, and other fields because of their ability to form reversible micelles and physical gels in aqueous solution. Generally, for PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymers with higher ethylene oxide concentration, the micellization and gelation in aqueous solution are easier. However, if we introduce the reverse block copolymer PPO–PEO–PPO into PEO–PPO–PEO aqueous solutions, the micellization and gelation of the system will be more complex. In this work, the reverse block copolymer PO₁₄–EO₂₄–PO₁₄ (17R4) was added to the Pluronics EO₂₀–PO₇₀–EO₂₀ (P123), EO₁₀₀–PO₆₅–EO₁₀₀ (F127), and EO₁₃₃–PO₅₀–EO₁₃₃ (F108) aqueous solutions with different molar ratios. The rheological properties of different mixtures were measured to study the additive effect on the gelation behavior. The sol–gel transition temperature of the P123, F127, and F108 solutions shifted to a higher temperature when 17R4 was added to the solutions. In addition, the existence of 17R4 greatly affected the stability of gels. These results help to better understand the gelation of Pluronic aqueous solutions.