Effects of helium implantation on mechanical properties of (Al_(0.31)Cr_(0.20)Fe_(0.14)Ni_(0.35)) O high entropy oxide films

It is widely accepted that helium(He) bubbles can prevent dislocations from moving and causing hardening and embrittlement of the material. However, He can affect the mechanical properties of materials in various ways. In this work,ultrafine nanocrystal high entropy oxide(HEO) films with He implantation are prepared by using a radio frequency(RF)reactive magnetron sputtering system to investigate the effects of He bubbles located at grain boundary on the mechanical properties of the films. The mechanical properties of the HEO films are investigated systematically via nanoindentation measurements. The results indicate that the grain boundary cavities induced by He implantation can degrade the hardness,the elastic modulus, and the creep resistance of the HEO films. The mechanical properties of the HEO films are sensitive to the interaction between the He bubbles and the dominating defects.     

TiCN/TiNbCN multilayer coatings with enhanced mechanical properties

Enhancement of mechanical properties by using a TiCN/TiNbCN multilayered system with different bilayer periods (Λ) and bilayer numbers (n) via magnetron sputtering technique was studied in this work. The coatings were characterized in terms of structural, chemical, morphological and mechanical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoindentation. Results of the X-ray analysis showed reflections associated to FCC (1 1 1) crystal structure for TiCN/TiNbCN films. AFM analysis revealed a reduction of grain size and roughness when the bilayer number is increased and the bilayer period is decreased. Finally, enhancement of mechanical properties was determined via nanoindentation measurements. The best behavior was obtained when the bilayer period (Λ) was 15 nm (n = 200), yielding the highest hardness (42 GPa) and elastic modulus (408 GPa). The values for the hardness and elastic modulus are 1.6 and 1.3 times greater than the coating with n = 1, respectively. The enhancement effects in multilayer coatings could be attributed to different mechanisms for layer formation with nanometric thickness due to the Hall-Petch effect; because this effect, originally used to explain the increase in hardness with decreasing grain size in bulk polycrystalline metals, has also been used to explain hardness enhancements in multilayers taking into account the thickness reduction at individual single layers that make the multilayered system. The Hall-Petch model based on dislocation motion within layers and across layer interfaces, has been successfully applied to multilayers to explain this hardness enhancement.     

Nanostructuring and hardening of LiF crystals irradiated with 3–15 MeV Au ions

Modifications of the structure and mechanical properties in LiF crystals irradiated with MeV-energy Au ions have been studied using nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The nanostructuring of crystals under a high-fluence irradiation (above 10¹³ ions/cm²) was observed. Nanoindentation tests show a strong ion-induced increase of hardness (up to 150–200%), which is related to the high volume concentration of complex color centers, defect aggregates, dislocation loops and grain boundaries acting as strong barriers for dislocations. From the depth profiling of the hardness and energy loss it follows that both nuclear and electronic stopping mechanisms of MeV Au ions contribute to the creation of damage and hardening. Whereas the electronic stopping is dominating in the near-surface region, the effect of elastic displacements prevails in deeper layers close to the projectile range.     

溅射压强对TiN/SiNx纳米多层膜微观结构及力学性能的影响

利用磁控溅射方法在不同溅射压强条件下制备了TiN/SiN_x纳米多层膜.多层膜的微观结构及力学性能分别用X射线衍射仪、原子力显微镜及纳米压痕仪来表征.结果表明随着溅射压强的增大,多层膜的界面变模糊,TiN层的择优取向由(200)晶面过渡到(111)晶面.与此同时,多层膜的表面粗糙度增大,硬度和弹性模量随溅射压强的增大而减小.多层膜力学性能的差异主要是由于薄膜的周期性结构及致密度存在差异所致. 关键词： x多层膜')" href="#">TiN/SiN_x多层膜 界面宽度 表面形貌     

The microstructure, mechanical and friction properties of protective diamond like carbon films on magnesium alloy

Protective hard coatings deposited on magnesium alloys are believed to be effective for overcoming their poor wear properties. In this work, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films as hard protective films were deposited on AZ91 magnesium alloy by arc ion plating under negative pulse bias voltages ranging from 0 to −200 V. The microstructure, composition and mechanical properties of the DLC films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nanoindentation. The tribological behavior of uncoated and coated AZ91 magnesium alloy was investigated using a ball-on-disk tribotester. The results show that the negative pulse bias voltage used for film deposition has a significant effect on the sp³ carbon content and mechanical properties of the deposited DLC films. A maximum sp³ content of 33.3% was obtained at −100 V, resulting in a high hardness of 28.6 GPa and elastic modulus of 300.0 GPa. The DLC films showed very good adhesion to the AZ91 magnesium alloy with no observable cracks and delamination even during friction testing. Compared with the uncoated AZ91 magnesium alloy, the magnesium alloy coated with DLC films exhibits a low friction coefficient and a narrow, shallow wear track. The wear resistance and surface hardness of AZ91 magnesium alloy can be significantly improved by coating a layer of DLC protective film due to its high hardness and low friction coefficient.     

Toughening of Fe-based laser-clad alloy coating

An investigation is reported on crack-free laser clad Fe-based alloy by use of biaxial powder feeding shielded with argon gas. The microstructure and phase structure of the coating were studied, and mechanical properties were analyzed through hardness, tension strength and wear resistance of the coating. Microstructure analysis showed that there was retained austenite with spherical particles distributed therein in the interdendritic and nearby grain boundary regions. The mechanical test results showed that net-like distributed retained austenite in the interdendritic region had certain toughening effect through blunting crack-tip. Under wear condition of high sliding speed and high loading, the wear resistance of the coating with net-like retained austenite was much higher than that of the coating with some discontinuous carbide network or carbide blocks. The results showed that toughening of laser clad Fe-based alloy with high hardness over 850 HV could be achieved by modifying interdendritic phases from net-like carbide to net-like austenite with spherical particles.     

N2分压对ZrN/WN纳米多层膜缺陷性质与力学性能的影响

利用射频磁控溅射系统在不同N₂分压的条件下，制备了一系列ZrN/WN纳米多层膜.借助慢正电子湮没技术分析了样品的缺陷性质，采用纳米压痕仪研究了多层膜的力学性能.结果发现：N₂分压为0.4Pa的多层膜具有最小的空位型缺陷浓度，其中心层和膜基结合层的平均S参数分别为0.4402和0.4641，而较低或较高的N₂分压都可能导致空位型缺陷浓度的增加.随着空位型缺陷浓度的减小，多层膜的硬度和临界载荷增大.对于空位型缺陷浓度最小的多层膜，其硬度和临界载荷达到最大值，分别为34.8GPa和100mN，说明较低的缺陷浓度有利于提高多层膜的力学性能. 关键词： ZrN/WN纳米多层膜 缺陷性质 力学性能 慢正电子湮没     

Ag implantation-induced modification of Ni–Ti shape memory alloy thin films

Nanocrystalline thin films of Ni–Ti shape memory alloy are deposited on an Si substrate by the DC-magnetron co-sputtering technique and 120?keV Ag ions are implanted at different fluences. The thickness and composition of the pristine films are determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). X-Ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and four-point probe resistivity methods have been used to study the structural, morphological and electrical transport properties. XRD analysis has revealed the existence of martensitic and austenite phases in the pristine film and also evidenced the structural changes in Ag-implanted Ni–Ti films at different fluences. AFM studies have revealed that surface roughness and grain size of Ni–Ti films have decreased with an increase in ion fluence. The modifications in the mechanical behaviour of implanted Ni–Ti films w.r.t pristine film is determined by using a Nano-indentation tester at room temperature. Higher hardness and the ratio of higher hardness (H) to elastic modulus (E_r) are observed for the film implanted at an optimized fluence of 9?×?10¹⁵ ions/cm². This improvement in mechanical behaviour could be understood in terms of grain refinement and dislocation induced by the Ag ion implantation in the Ni–Ti thin films.     

Sliding Wear Studies on Aluminium–Copper Composites

Metal–metal composites are prepared by dispersing copper particulates in an aluminium matrix using stir-cast technique. Behaviour of the same is compared with the alloy having similar composition. Wear behaviour of the alloy in the cast condition is superior to the homogenized condition, though cast structure exhibit low hardness compared to the other. This is attributed to the easy crack propagation along the CuAl₂ precipitates in the homogenized condition, compared to the grain boundary in the as-cast structure. Wear properties of the resultant composite are superior to the alloy. Effect of particulate composition is studied by varying the copper concentration between 5 and 15 wt%. Composites with high copper content exhibit better wear resistance than the dilute ones, which is attributed to the increased hardness due to large population of intermetallics.     

Study of nanostructures on a solar cell surface exposed on the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mir</Emphasis> orbital station

It is shown that atomic-force microscopy under normal conditions makes it possible to obtain important information on the topography and features of nanostructures formed on the surface of cover glasses of solar cells exposed on the Mir orbital station for more than ten years. It is found that the nanostructures are multiscale; they are present on all vertical visualization scales from ∼1000 to ∼17 nm and on horizontal scales from ∼1000 to ∼100 nm. The nanoindentation study of mechanical properties of the exposed surface layer shows that the exposed surface at nanodepths is characterized by higher plastic deformation, but lower hardness and effective modulus, in comparison with unexposed surface.     

Effect of nitrogen flow ratios on the structure and mechanical properties of (TiVCrZrY)N coatings prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering

This study reports the influence of growth conditions on the characteristics of (TiVCrZrY)N coatings prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering at various N₂-to-total (N₂ + Ar) flow ratio, which is R_N. The crystal structures, microstructure, and mechanical properties for different R_N were characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field-emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nanoindentation. The results indicate that the TiVCrZrY alloy and nitride coatings have hexagonal close-packed (hcp)-type and sodium chloride (NaCl)-type solid-solution structures, respectively. The voids in the coatings are eliminated and the growth of the columnar crystal structures is inhibited along with an increasing R_N. As a consequence, highly packed equiaxed amorphous structures with smooth surfaces are formed. The coatings accordingly achieved a pronounce hardness of 17.5 GPa when R_N = 100%.     

Effect of microstructure on the nanomechanical properties of Zn1−xCdxSe alloys

We present a study of the nanoindentation behavior of Zn_1−xCd_xSe epilayers grown using molecular beam epitaxy; the surface roughness, microstructure, and crystallinity were analyzed using atomic force microscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction; the hardness H and elastic modulus E were studied using nanoindentation techniques. We found that these highly crystalline materials possessed no stacking faults or twins in their microstructures. We observed a very marked increase in the value of H and a significant decrease in the value of E upon increasing the concentration of Cd, presumably because of an increase in the stiffness of the CdSe bond relative to that of the ZnSe bond. We observed a corresponding shrinkage of the contact-induced damage area for those films having a small grain size and a higher value of H. It appears that resistance against contact-induced damage requires a higher Cd concentration.     

Proton-induced grain boundary segregation in stainless steel

Abstract

A technique is developed which addresses the problem of irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking of stainless steels in light water reactors using high energy protons to induce grain boundary segregation. These results represent the first grain boundary segregation measurements in bulk produced by proton irradiation of stainless steel. The technique allows the study of grain boundary composition with negligible sample activation, short irradiation time, rapid sample turnaround and at minimal cost. Scanning Auger electron microscopy is used to obtain grain boundary composition measurements of irradiated and unirradiated samples of ultra high purity (UHP) type 304L stainless steel and UHP type 304L steels with the additions of phosphorus (UHP + P) and sulphur (UHP + S). Results show that irradiation of all three alloys causes significant Ni segregation to the grain boundary and Cr and Fe away from it. Irradiation of the UHP + P alloy also results in segregation of P at the grain boundary from 5.3 to 8.7 at %, over 80 times the bulk value. No radiation-induced grain boundary segregation of S was measured in the UHP + S alloy. Results also indicate that the presence of P or S may enhance radiation-induced segregation of major alloying elements at the boundary. Comparison of irradiated and unirradiated regions of the UHP + P alloy indicate that while a prior thermal treatment segregates P to the grain boundary to 5.3 at %, the major element concentrations at the grain boundary are completely different from those under irradiation.     

Effects of post-annealing on the structural and nanomechanical properties of Ga-doped ZnO thin films deposited on glass substrate by rf-magnetron sputtering

In this study, the effects of post-annealing on the structure, surface morphology and nanomechanical properties of ZnO thin films doped with a nominal concentration of 3 at.% Ga (ZnO:Ga) are investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanoindentation techniques. The ZnO:Ga thin films were deposited on the glass substrates at room temperature by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Results revealed that the as-deposited ZnO:Ga thin films were polycrystalline albeit the low deposition temperature. Post-annealing carried out at 300, 400 and 500 °C, respectively, has resulted in progressive increase in both the average grain size and the surface roughness of the ZnO:Ga thin film, in addition to the improved thin films crystallinity. Moreover, the hardness and Young's modulus of ZnO:Ga thin films are measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter operated with the continuous contact stiffness measurements (CSM) option. The hardness and Young's modulus of ZnO:Ga thin films increased as the annealing temperature increased from 300 to 500 °C, with the best results being obtained at 500 °C.     

W-In体系溶质晶界偏聚行为的第一性原理计算

基于第一性原理构建了钨基合金体系的溶质偏聚模型,以W-In体系为例研究了不同浓度下溶质的晶界偏聚行为和成键特征,从电子结构层面揭示了W-In体系的键合作用,预测了W-In体系界面稳定性随溶质浓度的变化规律.结合键布居、电荷密度、差分电荷密度和态密度等电子结构分析,发现了W-In体系中溶质原子在偏聚过程中的键性转变特征,阐明了W-In键由晶粒内部的离子键过渡为晶界区域强共价键的微观机理.模型计算首次得到了W-In体系中溶质本征偏聚能随In浓度的非单调变化规律,结合键合作用和能量分析揭示了溶质浓度对本征偏聚能的影响机制.计算预测了W-In体系达到高热稳定性所需的最佳溶质浓度范围和应避开的溶质浓度范围.本研究为具有高温稳定性的钨基合金材料的设计与制备提供了理论基础和定量化指导.     

乙炔气体流量对纳米TiC类金刚石复合膜的化学结构及力学性能影响

采用离子注入与反应磁控溅射相结合的方法在钛合金及硅片基体表面上制备了纳米TiC类金刚石(DLC)复合膜.通过纳米压痕技术检测了薄膜的纳米硬度，显微划痕试验评估了薄膜的结合力.通过X射线光电子能谱及X射线衍射表征了薄膜的化学结构.结果表明，通过改变C₂H₂气体流量，可以达到控制薄膜中钛原子含量的目的，合适的C₂H₂气体流量可以在DLC膜中形成较多的纳米TiC晶粒，形成DLC包覆TiC晶粒的复合结构，使DLC膜力学性能得到明显提高.另外，划痕试验表明掺钛、先注入后沉积工艺都使薄膜的结合力得到了较大提高. 关键词： 纳米TiC类金刚石复合膜 类金刚石膜 力学性能     

Deformation mechanisms of ultra-thin Al layers in Al/SiC nanolaminates as a function of thickness and temperature

The mechanical properties of Al/SiC nanolaminates with layer thicknesses between 10 and 100 nm were studied by nanoindentation in the temperature range 25 to 100 °C. The strength of the Al layers as a function of the layer thickness and temperature was obtained from the hardness of the nanolaminates by an inverse methodology based on the numerical simulation of the nanoindentation tests by means of the finite element method. The room temperature yield stress of the Al layers showed a large ‘the thinner, the stronger’ effect, which depended not only on the layer thickness but also on the microstructure, which changed with the Al layer thickness. The yield stress of the Al layers at ambient temperature was compatible with a deformation mechanism controlled by the interaction of dislocations with grain boundaries for the thicker layers (>50 nm), while confined layer slip appeared to be dominant for layers below 50 nm. There was a dramatic reduction in the Al yield stress with temperature, which increased as the Al layer thickness decreased, and led to an inverse size effect at 100 °C. This behavior was compatible with plastic deformation mechanisms controlled by grain boundary and interface diffusion at 100 °C, which limit the strength of the ultra-thin Al layers.     

Precipitation structure in an Al-2·0 at. % Zn-1·0 at. % Mg alloy within and close to the grain boundaries and its effects on mechanical properties

During ageing the Al-2·0 at. %Zn-1·0 at. % Mg alloy at elevated temperatures the width of the precipitation free zone (PFZ) at both sides of the grain boundaries (GB) is identical with that free of quenched-in dislocation loops (DL). After sufficiently long ageing a band of precipitates is growing inside the former PFZ and the DLs in the midgrain regions act as sites for the heterogeneous nucleation of the-phase. Two precipitation processes significantly affect the mechanical properties. TEM correlates grain boundary precipitate density and morphology with grain boundary misorientation.     

Mechanical properties of in situ consolidated nanocrystalline multi-phase Al–Pb–W alloy studied by nanoindentation

Formation of chunks of various sizes ranging between 2 and 6 mm was achieved using high-energy ball milling in Al–1at.%Pb–1at.%W alloy system at room temperature during milling itself, aiding in in situ consolidation. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies indicate the formation of multi-phase structure with nanocrystalline structural features. From TEM data, an average grain size of 23 nm was obtained for Al matrix and the second-phase particles were around 5 nm. A high strain rate sensitivity (SRS) of 0.071 ± 0.004 and an activation volume of 4.71b³ were measured using nanoindentation. Modulus mapping studies were carried out using Berkovich tip in dynamic mechanical analysis mode coupled with in situ scanning probe microscopy imaging. The salient feature of this investigation is highlighting the role of different phases, their crystal structures and the resultant interfaces on the overall SRS and activation volume of a multi-phase nc material.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of nano-Y2O3 dispersed ferritic steel synthesized by mechanical alloying and consolidated by pulse plasma sintering

Ferritic steel with compositions 83.0Fe–13.5Cr–2.0Al–0.5Ti (alloy A), 79.0Fe–17.5Cr–2.0Al–0.5Ti (alloy B), 75.0Fe–21.5Cr–2.0Al–0.5Ti (alloy C) and 71.0Fe–25.5Cr–2.0Al–0.5Ti (alloy D) (all in wt%) each with a 1.0?wt% nano-Y₂O₃ dispersion were synthesized by mechanical alloying and consolidated by pulse plasma sintering at 600, 800 and 1000°C using a 75-MPa uniaxial pressure applied for 5?min and a 70-kA pulse current at 3?Hz pulse frequency. X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy disperse spectroscopy techniques have been used to characterize the microstructural and phase evolution of all the alloys at different stages of mechano-chemical synthesis and consolidation. Mechanical properties in terms of hardness, compressive strength, yield strength and Young's modulus were determined using a micro/nano-indenter and universal testing machine. All ferritic alloys recorded very high levels of compressive strength (850–2850?MPa), yield strength (500–1556?MPa), Young's modulus (175–250?GPa) and nanoindentation hardness (9.5–15.5?GPa), with up to 1–1.5 times greater strength than other oxide dispersion-strengthened ferritic steels (<1200?MPa). These extraordinary levels of mechanical properties can be attributed to the typical microstructure of uniform dispersion of 10–20-nm Y₂Ti₂O₇ or Y₂O₃ particles in a high-alloy ferritic matrix.