AFM and SEM characterization of non-toxic vanadium-free Ti alloys used as biomaterials

In this work, three titanium alloys have been studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine their surface topography. The alloys investigated were Ti–6Al–7Nb, Ti–13Nb–13Zr, and Ti–15Zr–4Nb, with no presence of the toxic element V, and with a possible use as biomaterials for osteoarticular prostheses. These alloys were studied at room temperature and also after a thermal treatment at 750 °C during 24 h, which produces a protective surface oxide layer. The aim of the present work is to compare the surface structure and morphology of the alloys, both as-received and after the oxide layer was formed at elevated temperature.     

抽拉速度对SCN-DC共晶生长形貌的影响

本文采用类金属透明模型合金丁二腈-23.6 wt%樟脑 (SCN-23.6 wt%DC) 合金, 研究了棒状共晶定向凝固组织的演化行为, 考察了抽拉速度对棒状共晶合金组织形貌演化的影响规律. 结果表明, 在共晶生长初期, 共晶组织首先起源于晶粒晶界或者试样盒型壁处, 随后沿液/固界面和平行于热流方向生长; 在较小的抽拉速度 (0.064–0.44 μm/s)下, 棒状共晶界面前沿呈现平界面形态, 内部两相棒状组织平行生长, 并且随着抽拉速度的增大,棒状共晶逐渐细化, 棒状间距减小; 而在较大的抽拉速度 (0.67–1.56 μm/s)下, 共晶界面前沿呈现胞状生长形貌, 胞内的棒状共晶呈放射状生长, 同样, 随着抽拉速度的增大, 胞内棒状共晶逐渐细化, 棒状间距减小. 关键词： 定向凝固 共晶形貌 抽拉速度 共晶间距     

Mechanism of phase formation during quenching in the Al-Ga system

Through an evaluation of the bond energy in eutectic and metastable phases of different crystallographic structures but the same composition in the aluminumgallium system, an explanation is given of the mechanism of phase formation in this and other eutectic systems during quenching. It is shown that a metastable phase is formed in this system from the liquid, where preferred interaction between different atomic species should be expected to occur in the melt. An explanation is also given for the nonoccurrence of the expected expansion of the region of the solid solution based on aluminum above 65% (at.) gallium during ultrarapid cooling of the liquid. Finally, an explanation is offered for the well-known empirical fact that most metastable phases formed during quenching are formed in the region of eutectic or near-eutectic compositions.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 6, pp. 89–92, June, 1988.     

Surface free energies of electroless Ni–P based composite coatings

Surface free energy of a solid surface gives a direct measure of intermolecular interactions at interfaces and has a strong influence on adsorption and adhesion behaviour. However few data are available for the surface free energies of electroless Ni–P based composition coatings. In this paper, the electroless Ni–P, Ni–P-surfactant, Ni–Cu–P, Ni–P–PTFE and Ni–Cu–P–PTFE composite coatings were prepared under various coating conditions. The chemical compositions, surface morphology and thickness of the coatings were measured using an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a digital micrometer respectively. The contact angles of water, diiodomethane and ethylene glycol on the coatings were measured automatically using dataphysics OCA-20 contact angle analyser. The surface free energy of the coatings and their components (e.g. dispersion, polar or acid/base portions) were calculated using various methods. The experimental results showed that the incorporation of surfactant or PTFE particles into Ni–P matrixes has a significant influence on the surface free energy of the coatings, while the incorporation of copper into Ni–P matrixes has no significant influence on the surface free energy of the coatings.     

Computation of solidification problems with hydrodynamic convection resolving energetic anisotropies at the microscale quantitatively

In this work we propose a new numerical approach to solve the solidification of microstructures from a pure melt including hydrodynamic effects in the molten phase. The model is based on the classical sharp-interface model, i.e the solid–liquid interface is tracked and latent heat is released. An enhanced scheme is employed to solve fluid flow in the melt. The no-slip condition is applied on the interface by enforcing the velocities in the solid phase to be zero. The morphology evolution of the solidifying crystal microstructure under the influence of convection is compared with an existing morphology diagram for pure diffusion controlled growth (see Brener et al. [1]). The peculiarity of our approach is that it models the physical anisotropies along the solid–liquid interface with high accuracy. This allows us to report changes in the morphology diagram given by Brener et al. [1] due to the influence of forced flow. Moreover, we present some results on the scaling of the dendritic tip in such cases.     

弱熔体对流对定向凝固中棒状共晶生长的影响

利用渐近方法求出在弱对流熔体中定向凝固棒状共晶生长的浓度场的渐近解,研究了弱熔体对流对定向凝固中棒状共晶生长的影响.结果表明,弱熔体对流对定向凝固中棒状共晶生长有显著的作用;平均界面过冷度不仅与棒状共晶的棒间距、生长速度有关,还与流动强度有关;当生长速度一定时,随着流动强度增大,棒状共晶的平均界面过冷度减小.利用最小过冷原则,获得棒间距与生长速度和流动强度的关系.结果表明,当生长速度比较小时,随着流动强度增大,棒状共晶的棒间距增大;当生长速度比较大时,随着流动强度增大,棒状共晶的棒间距变化减弱;棒状共晶的生长速度越小,流动对棒状共晶生长的影响越大.利用本文的解析结果计算在对流条件下Al-Cu共晶的棒间距,结果显示随着转速增大或径向距离增大,共晶的间距增大,这与Junze等的实验结果相符合.     

Modelling of the solid–liquid interface during laser processing using an inverse methodology

This study presents a methodology for estimating the melt depth during laser processing of solid materials. The determination of the melt depth is treated as an inverse heat conduction problem, which includes the solid and liquid phases. The conjugate gradient method is applied to treat the inverse problem using the available temperature measurements. Without the inverse methodology the melt depth is very difficult to obtain with precision. The proposed method can also be applied during microthermal machining to determine the location of the solid–liquid interface and the temperature distributions of the two phases by using scanning thermal microscopy.     

X-ray investigation of short-range order in the liquid eutectic alloy Bi-Cd-Sn

From an analysis of the curves of the intensity of x-ray scattering and the atomic radial distribution function, information has been obtained about the formation of a complex polystructure in a liquid Bi-Cd-Sn melt near the melting point. The hypothesis is proposed that in the most probable structure of the liquid eutectic Bi-Cd-Sn alloy, in the neighborhood of the melting point, there are microscopic orbital regions containing bismuth atoms and microscopic regions with a statistical distribution of cadmium and tin. As the temperature is raised, this atomic distribution changes, and a homogeneous atomic solution is formed.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 7–10, March, 1975.     

液氮冷却条件下激光快速熔凝Ni-28 wt%Sn合金组织演变

研究了在液氮冷却条件下激光快速熔凝Ni-28 wt%Sn亚共晶合金的组织演化过程. 结果显示, 熔池从上至下可以分为三个区域: 表层为平行激光扫描方向的α-Ni转向枝晶区; 中部为近乎垂直于熔池底部外延生长的α-Ni柱状晶区; 底部为少量的残留α-Ni初生相和大量的枝晶间(α-Ni+Ni₃Sn) 共晶组织. 激光熔凝区组织受原始基材组织的影响很大, 熔池中的α-Ni枝晶生长方向受到了热流方向和枝晶择优取向的双重影响. 与基材中存在的层片状、棒状和少量离异(α-Ni+Ni₃Sn)共晶的混合组织相比, 熔池内的共晶组织皆为细小的规则(α-Ni+Ni₃Sn)层片状共晶, 皆垂直于熔池底部外延生长, 并且从熔池顶部至底部, 共晶层片间距逐渐增大. 分别应用描述快速枝晶生长的Kurz-Giovanola-Trivedi 模型和描述快速共晶生长的Trivedi-Magnin-Kurz模型对熔池表层凝固界面前沿的过冷度进行估算, 发现熔池表层α-Ni 枝晶和(α-Ni+Ni₃Sn)层片共晶的生长过冷度在50.4-112.5 K 之间, 远大于相应深过冷凝固(α-Ni+Ni₃Sn) 反常共晶生长的临界过冷度20 K, 这说明文献报道的临界过冷度并不是反常共晶出现的充分条件.     

Microstructural evolution during containerless rapid solidification of Co-Si alloys

The Co-12%Si hypoeutectic, Co-12.52%Si eutectic and Co-13%Si hypereutectic alloys are rapidly solidified in a containerless environment in a drop tube. Undercoolings up to 207K (0.14T_E) are obtained, which play a dominant role in dendritic and eutectic growth. The coupled zone around Co-12.52%Si eutectic alloy has been calculated, which covers a composition range from 11.6 to 12.7%Si. A microstructural transition from lamellar eutectic to divorced eutectic occurs to Co-12.52%Si eutectic droplets with increasing undercooling. The lamellar eutectic structure of the Co-12.52%Si alloy consists of εCo and Co_3Si phases at small undercooling. The Co_3Si phase cannot decompose completely into εCo and αCo_2Si phases. As undercooling becomes larger, the Co_3Si phase grows very rapidly from the highly undercooled alloy melt to form a divorced eutectic. The structural morphology of the Co-12%Si alloy droplets transforms from εCo primary phase plus lamellar eutectic to anomalous eutectic, whereas the microstructure of Co-13%Si alloy droplets experiences a `dendritic to equiaxed' structural transition. No matter how large the undercooling is, the εCo solid solution is the primary nucleation phase. In the highly undercooled alloy melts, the growth of εCo and Co_3Si phases is controlled by solutal diffusion.     

熔体初始温度对液态金属Ni凝固过程中微观结构演变影响的模拟研究

采用量子 Sutton-Chen多体势, 对熔体初始温度热历史条件对液态金属Ni快速凝固过程中微观结构演变的影响进行了分子动力学模拟研究. 采用双体分布函数g(r)曲线、键型指数法、原子团类型指数法和三维可视化等分析方法对凝固过程中微观结构的演变进行了分析. 结果表明: 熔体初始温度对凝固微结构有显著影响, 但在液态和过冷态时的影响并不明显, 只有在结晶转变温度T_c附近才开始充分显现出来. 体系在1×10¹² K/s的冷速下, 最终均形成以1421和1422键型或面心立方(12 0 0 0 12 0)与六角密集(12 0 0 0 6 6) 基本原子团为主的晶态结构. 末态时, 不同初始温度体系中的主要键型和团簇的数目有很大的变化范围, 且与熔体初始温度的高低呈非线性变化关系. 然而, 体系能量随初始温度呈线性变化关系, 初始温度越高, 末态能量越低, 其晶化程度越高. 通过三维可视化分析进一步发现, 在初始温度较高的体系中, 同类团簇结构的原子出现明显的分层聚集现象, 随着初始温度的下降, 这种分层现象将被弥散开去. 可视化分析将更有助于对凝固过程中微观结构演变进行更为深入的研究. 关键词： 液态金属Ni 熔体初始温度 微观结构 分子动力学模拟     

Influence of NH beam bombarding energy on structural characterization and cell attachment of CNx coating

The carbon nitride (CN_x) coating with its novel properties will be excellent candidate for biomedical applications. CN_x coatings were prepared on the surface of Ti–6Al–4V by ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) with different NHⁿ⁺ beam bombarding energies at low substrate temperature. The coatings were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The result showed that the wear-resistance of CN_x coatings was better at higher beam bombarding energy. The cell attachment tests also gave interesting results that CN_x coatings exhibited low macrophage attachment and provide desirable surface for the normal cellular growth and morphology of the fibroblasts. Structural analysis showed that NHⁿ⁺ beam bombardment at the energies of 300–400 eV could result in more nitrogen concentration and fraction of sp³CN bonds in the structure of CN_x coatings, which may be responsible for the improvement in the wear-resistance and the cell attachment.     

Near-eutectic Zn-Mg alloys: Interrelations of solidification thermal parameters,microstructure length scale and tensile/corrosion properties

Zn-Mg alloys are considered to have potential application in bone implants, since both metals are biocompatible and have biodegradable characteristics. Adding Mg to Zn can boost mechanical and corrosion resistances. However, the literature is very limited on quantifying the interrelation of solidification parameters, microstructural features and mechanical/corrosion properties of Zn-Mg alloys. The present study examines the interrelations of alloy Mg content, macrosegregation effects, morphology and scale of the matrix and eutectic phases, nature of intermetallics and tensile and corrosion properties of near-eutectic Zn-Mg alloys. The alloys samples are obtained by unsteady-state directional solidification resulting in a wide range of solidification thermal parameters and microstructures. We examine microstructural features of both dendritic and complex regular eutectic phases. It is shown that the eutectic exhibits a bimodal pattern with neighboring areas of coarse and fine lamellae. Experimental growth laws relating the primary, secondary and eutectic spacings to the solidification cooling rate and growth rate are proposed. Hall-Petch type equations are derived expressing tensile strength and elongation to dendritic and eutectic spacings. Electrochemical parameters determined by polarization curves during corrosion tests and SEM analyses of corroded areas have shown that the alloy having an essentially eutectic microstructure is associated with better corrosion resistance.     

Crystallization features of silicon layers on thermo-insulated substrates under nanosecond laser radiation

P-Si layers on c-Si substrate with a thermo-insulating coating (TIC) were irradiated by the 50-ns second harmonic of an Nd-glass laser. Time-resolved measurements, optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data for samples with a 0.1–0.9 m p-Si layer and a 0.1 m SiO₂ or 0.16 m Si₃N₄ TIC layer show that if the p-Si layers melt throughout the depth the solidification starts from the surface as well as from the rear. The latent heat released upon coarse grain growth from the rear prevents further crystallization near the top surface and results in partial or complete remelting of the solid phase on the surface.     

熔体初始温度对液态金属Na凝固过程中微观结构影响的模拟研究

采用分子动力学方法对熔体初始温度热历史条件对液态金属Na凝固过程中微观结构的影响，进行了模拟研究，并采用双体分布函数g(r)曲线、键型指数法和原子团类型指数法对凝固过程中的微观结构进行了分析.结果表明：液态金属Na在不同熔体初始温度条件下以1×10¹¹K/s冷速凝固时，均形成晶化结构，其中1661和1441键型或体心立方基本原子团(14 6 0 8)在凝固过程中对微观结构的转变起决定性作用.同时发现：熔体初始温度对凝固微结构有显著影响，而对液态和过冷态的微观结构影响并不明显，只有在晶化起始温度T_c附近才充分地展现出来.不同熔体初始温度对凝固结构的晶化程度有不同的影响，虽其影响程度是随着熔体初始温度的下降呈非线性变化关系的，但仍表明是可以通过改变熔体初始温度来加以控制的.原子团类型指数法(比键型指数法)更进一步表征了晶化体系中原子团的结构特征，将有利于对液态金属凝固过程中微观结构的转变机理进行更为深入的研究.     

Effect of plasticizer and surface topography on the cleanability of plasticized PVC materials

A quantitative radiochemical measuring procedure was used to investigate soil adhesion on laboratory-made polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces. The materials contained different plasticizers and microstructures. Both the quality and amount of plasticizers and the microstructure affected the cleanability of the PVC samples. The surface topography and structures were examined with a contact angle meter, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and a contact profilometer.     

二元层片共晶凝固过程的特征尺度选择

基于Jackson和Hunt二元规则共晶稳态生长理论,在共晶两相的界面溶质守恒条件中引入密度修正项,改进了共晶两相的界面溶质守恒条件.在此基础上,根据二元层片共晶常规凝固过程中层片组织稳态生长时Gibbs自由能的变化,运用极值形态选择原理确定二元层片共晶凝固过程中层片间距特征尺度选择准则.理论分析表明,对于给定二元共晶合金,在常规凝固条件下的层片间距选择通常为一有限区间.此外,理论分析还表明,二元层片共晶稳态生长时其特征尺度的选择可以呈现超稳定性,而且在给定的凝固条件下超稳定性只和给定合金系的物性参数有关.将该形态选择准则分别运用于物性参数精确已知的Al-Al2Cu,Sn-Pb和CBr4-C2Cl6合金系,表明计算结果与实验结果相符合.     

急冷条件下NiAl-Mo三元共晶合金的组织形成机制

采用单辊急冷技术实现了NiAl-Mo三元两相共晶合金的快速凝固, 同时与常规条件下的凝固组织进行了对比研究. 实验发现, 单辊急冷的合金条带与常规条件的凝固样品均由B2结构的NiAl金属间化合物和bcc结构的Mo固溶体两相组成, 两相均具有(110)晶面优先生长的趋势, 并呈现出(110)NiAl//(110)Mo取向关系. 常规条件下得到的微观结构主要由规则的两相共晶组织组成, 形成了类似菊花状的共晶胞. 而单辊急冷条件下形成的组织结构主要是由近辊面的柱状晶区和近自由面的等轴晶区组成的凝固组织. 理论计算发现, 合金熔体的单辊辊速由10 m/s增大至50 m/s后, 其冷却速率从1.01×10⁷ K/s逐渐增大到2.46×10⁷ K/s, 冷却速率明显高于常规铸造过程, 因而形成了差别很大的凝固组织. 随着辊速(冷却速率)的增加, 合金条带的厚度从54.4 μm减小至22 μm, 近辊面柱状晶区的厚度所占比例也逐渐增大, 晶粒发生了明显细化. 关键词： 快速凝固 三元共晶 共晶转变 冷却速率     

液态金属的初始状态对凝固微结构影响的模拟研究

采用分子动力学方法对液态金属Ａｌ在不同的初始状态下，以相同急冷速率凝固的过程进行模拟跟踪研究，发现：在玻璃转变温度Ｔｇ以上（即过冷液态）时，系统的微结构组态情况基本一致，相差甚微；但在Ｔｇ以下时，不同的初始液态微结构对其固态微结构有明显的影响；且在Ｔｇ处各种固态微结构之间的差别发生突发性的变化。这一结果对于深入理解液－固微结构之间的转变关系，具有一定的重要意义。