Variations of work function and corrosion behaviors of deformed copper surfaces

Surface work function (WF) and the corrosion behavior of copper under influence of plastic strain were investigated using experimental and computational approaches. It was observed that both the corrosion potential (Ecorr) and the WF decreased while the corrosion rate increased with an increase in plastic strain, indicating that the strained surface layer became more electrochemically active. Ecorr and WF eventually became stable when the plastic strain reached a certain level. However, the corrosion rate continuously increased. It was demonstrated that this continuous increase in corrosion rate could be dominated by the dislocation density rather than the corrosion potential. The study has shown that the WF is closely related to the corrosion potential and could thus be a sensitive parameter for investigating mechanisms responsible for corrosive wear. The investigation of the effects of plastic deformation on the corrosion behavior would help to fundamentally understand the synergism of wear and corrosion.     

Laser formed amorphous Fe-based alloy

the amorphous layers were obtained using the method of CW CO_2 laser scanning Fe-based alloy surface. The function of structure of Fe-based alloy, scanning speed, cooling method etc. for laser-formed amorphous state were discussed. A much thick amorphous layer can be made by laser scanning.     

Investigation on corrosion and wear behaviors of nanoparticles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer

In order to investigate the role of amorphous SiO₂ particles in corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-based metal matrix composite alloying layer, the amorphous nano-SiO₂ particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer has been prepared by double glow plasma alloying on AISI 316L stainless steel surface, where Ni/amorphous nano-SiO₂ was firstly predeposited by brush plating. The composition and microstructure of the nano-SiO₂ particles reinforced Ni-based composite alloying layer were analyzed by using SEM, TEM and XRD. The results indicated that the composite alloying layer consisted of γ-phase and amorphous nano-SiO₂ particles, and under alloying temperature (1000 °C) condition, the nano-SiO₂ particles were uniformly distributed in the alloying layer and still kept the amorphous structure. The corrosion resistance of composite alloying layer was investigated by an electrochemical method in 3.5%NaCl solution. Compared with single alloying layer, the amorphous nano-SiO₂ particles slightly decreased the corrosion resistance of the Ni-Cr-Mo-Cu alloying layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the passive films formed on the composite alloying consisted of Cr₂O₃, MoO₃, SiO₂ and metallic Ni and Mo. The dry wear test results showed that the composite alloying layer had excellent friction-reduced property, and the wear weight loss of composite alloying layer was less than 60% of that of Ni-Cr-Mo-Cu alloying layer.     

Improvement of the corrosion behavior of low carbon steel by laser surface alloying

In the present study, an integrated layer of iron aluminides of FeAl and Fe₃Al was formed on the surface of a low carbon steel sheet by a two-step process. The first step was hot dipping of the steel in a molten aluminum pool and secondly laser surface processing using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The corrosion resistance of the coated specimens was evaluated by activation polarization and Tafel methods. The results show that laser processing of the aluminized steel leads to a considerable increase in its corrosion resistance compared to both uncoated and merely aluminized materials.     

Structure and properties of laser quenched 4Cr13 steel

The structure and properties of laser quenched 4Cr13 steel were reported. The results show that: (1) Fine martensite is obtained after laser quenching. The highest content of retained austenite in the surface area 10 μm thick of laser hardened zone is 47. 13 percent, but only 3.6 percent of retained austenite is measured inside the laser hardened layer after the surface layer 10μm thick is worn off. (2) The hardness of laser quenched layer is much higher (HV_(0.1) 690) than that of the substrate (HV_(0.1) 237). (3) The wear resistance of laser quenched layer is 3.3 times higher than that of traditionally treated specimen and the corrosion resistance of 4Cr13 steel is also improved greatly by laser quenching.     

Effect of pulsed laser parameters on the corrosion limitation for electric connector coatings

Materials used in electrical contact applications are usually constituted of multilayered compounds (e.g.: copper alloy electroplated with a nickel layer and finally by a gold layer). After the electro-deposition, micro-channels and pores within the gold layer allow undesirable corrosion of the underlying protection. In order to modify the gold-coating microstructure, a laser surface treatment was applied. The laser treatment suppressing porosity and smoothing the surface sealed the original open structure as a low roughness allows a good electrical contact. Corrosion tests were carried out in humid synthetic air containing three polluting gases. SEM characterization of cross-sections was performed to estimate the gold melting depth and to observe the modifications of gold structure obtained after laser treatment. The effects of the laser treatment were studied according to different surface parameters (roughness of the substrate and thickness of the gold layer) and different laser parameters (laser wavelength, laser fluence, pulse duration and number of pulses). A thermokinetic model was used to understand the heating and melting mechanism of the multilayered coating to optimize the process in terms of laser wavelength, energy and time of interaction.     

Effects of the amorphous layer on laser-induced subwavelength structures on carbon allotropes

By micro-Raman spectroscopy, we show that the structured surfaces of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and diamond induced by 800 nm, 125 fs or 532 nm, 30 ps laser pulses are capped by thin amorphous carbon layers. Based on the results, we propose that for multiphoton ablation the thin amorphous layer with a reduced bandgap can facilitate surface ionization, raise free electron density, bring on plasmonic effects, and thus promote the growth of subwavelength structures. Therefore, concerning multipulse laser ablation of wide bandgap materials, we should take into account the effects of the superficial amorphous layer produced by preceding pulses instead of the intrinsic surface.     

Laser surface alloying of an electroless Ni–P coating with Al-356 substrate

Laser surface alloying of an electroless plating Ni–P coatings on an Al-356 aluminium alloy was carried out using a 1-kW pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The microstructure, chemical composition and phase identification of the alloyed layer were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), respectively. It was shown that laser surface treatment produced a relatively smooth, crack-free and hard surface layer. The hardness of the surface significantly increased due to the formation of the uniformly distributed fine Ni–Al intermetallic phases. The corrosion behaviour of the surface alloyed specimens in 3.5% NaCl solution at 23 °C was also determined by electrochemical techniques. The laser-alloyed surface showed an improved corrosion and pitting potential compared to the substrate as well as the plated Ni–P coating.     

Microstructures and properties of electrical discharge strengthened layers on 65Mn steel

Here, we reported the successful surface modification with silicon electrode via electrical discharging. During the modification procedure, metallurgy reaction occurred between silicon electrode and workpiece materials, in which kerosene was discomposed and a strengthened layer was obtained on the surface of workpiece materials. The influence of processing parameters on the modified layer was also investigated. Our experimental results elucidated that an amorphous nano-crystalline alloy layer can be fabricated on the surface of 65Mn steel (ASTM:1566) in a controllable way. By forming a strengthened nano-layer, the hardness of 65Mn steel as well as the wear and corrosion resistance was obviously enhanced. In addition, a homogenous strengthened nano-layer can be formed by utilizing ultrasonic vibration of silicon electrode.     

Microscopic observation of laser glazed yttria-stabilized zirconia coatings

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are frequently used as insulation system for hot components in gas-turbine, combustors and power plant industries. The corrosive gases which come from combustion of low grade fuels can penetrate into the TBCs and reach the metallic components and bond coat and cause hot corrosion and erosion damage. Glazing the top coat by laser beam is advanced approach to seal TBCs surface. The laser beam has the advantage of forming a dense thin layer composed of micrograins. Plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating was glazed with Nd-YAG laser at different operating conditions. The surface morphologies, before and after laser treatment, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Laser beam assisted the densification of the surface by remelting a thin layer of the exposed surface. The laser glazing converted the rough surface of TBCs into smooth micron-size grains with size of 2-9 μm and narrow grain boundaries. The glazed surfaces showed higher Vickers hardness compared to as-sprayed coatings. The results revealed that the hardness increases as the grain size decreases.     

Composition design and laser cladding of Ni-Zr-Al alloy coating on the magnesium surface

The cluster line criterion was used for optimized design of a Ni-Zr-Al alloy used as coating on the AZ91HP magnesium alloy by laser cladding. Results show that the coating mainly consists of an amorphous, two ternary intermetallic phases with Ni₁₀Zr₇ and Ni₂₁Zr₈ type structures resulting in high hardness, good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The interface between the clad layer and the substrate has good metallurgical bond.     

K9基片的亚表面损伤探测及化学腐蚀处理技术研究

 研究了几种类型的腐蚀液对K9基片化学腐蚀的影响。通过腐蚀液对基片纵向腐蚀速度的变化初步判断了K9基片重沉积层的深度。考察了腐蚀前后基片表面参数的变化以及腐蚀对激光损伤阈值的影响。研究表明,特定的腐蚀液能够对K9基片进行平稳可控的腐蚀,并且腐蚀能提高其激光损伤阈值,其主要原因是去除了重沉积层及表面、亚表面缺陷中的污染物,但过多的腐蚀会暴露本来为重沉积层所掩盖的划痕等亚表面缺陷,所以腐蚀并非越深越好。同时,表面各种杂质与缺陷的去除能够提高材料的机械强度,从而也有利于提高材料的激光损伤阈值。     

Ultra short pulse laser annealing of FeB metallic glasses

We present the results of picosecond laser annealing of as-quenched Fe₈₅B₁₅ and Fe₈₂B₁₈ metallic glasses. The influence of the laser radiation on the surface and bulk properties are studied using CrK X-ray diffraction and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy. The X-ray data show that the amorphous nature of the surface of the samples can be improved with laser treatment. The mat (cooling) surfaces of the ribbons appear to be more affected by the laser treatment, and show a higher stability. The Mössbauer data reveal that laser annealing of ribbon surfaces also affects the bulk properties of these materials due to induced stresses from the surface layer. The magnetic properties of these materials can be modified by laser annealing.     

Dynamics of phase transitions induced by femtosecond laser pulse irradiation of indium phosphide

The structural transformation dynamics of single-crystalline indium phosphide (InP) irradiated with 150 fs laser pulses at 800 nm has been investigated by means of time-resolved reflectivity measurements covering a time window from 150 fs up to 500 ns. The results obtained show that for fluences above a threshold of 0.16 J/cm² thermal melting of the material occurs on the timescale of 1–2 ps. The evolution of the reflectivity on a longer timescale reveals the reflectivity of the liquid phase and shows resolidification times typically around 10–30 ns after which an amorphous layer several tens of nanometers thick is formed on the surface. This amorphous layer significantly alters the optical properties of the surface and finally leads to a reduced ablation threshold for subsequent laser pulses. Single-pulse ablation at higher fluences (>0.23 J/cm²) is preceded by an ultrafast phase transition (non-thermal melting) occurring within 400 fs after the arrival of the pulse to the surface. PACS 79.20.Ds; 78.47.+p; 64.70.-p     

Ultrashort laser-pulse annealing of hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Crystallization of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-SI:H) has been initiated using ultrashort laser-pulse train annealing. Optical microscopy, infrared absorption, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements show that in our experiment the crystallized layer is localized on the surface and is non-epitaxial. The depth of the crystalline layer and its surface morphology are discussed. A sharp luminescence band at 0.970 eV with fine structure is found after laser annealing and is identified as a recombination center similar to irradiation induced defects in crystalline Si.     

Stress corrosion cracking behavior of Nd:YAG laser-treated aluminum alloy 7075

Nd-YAG laser surface treatment was conducted on 7075-T651 aluminum alloy with the aim of improving the stress corrosion cracking resistance of the alloy. Laser surface treatment was performed under two different gas environments, air and nitrogen. After the laser treatment, coarse constituent particles were removed and fine cellular/dendritic structures had formed. In addition, for the N₂-treated specimen, an AlN phase was detected. The results of the stress corrosion test showed that after 30 days of immersion, the untreated specimen had been severely attacked by corrosion, with intergranular cracks having formed along the planar grain boundaries of the specimen. For the air-treated specimen, some relatively long stress corrosion cracks and a small number of relatively large corrosion pits were found. The cracks mainly followed the interdendritic boundaries; the fusion boundary was found to be acting as an arrestor to corrosion attacks. In contrast, only few short stress corrosion cracks appeared in the N₂-treated specimen, indicating an improvement in corrosion initiation resistance. The superior corrosion resistance was attributed to the formation of the AlN phase in the surface of the laser-melted layer, which is an electrical insulator. The electrochemical impedance measurements taken during the stress corrosion test showed that the film resistance of the laser-treated specimens was always higher than that of the untreated specimen, with the N₂-treated specimen showing the highest resistance.     

Effect of thermophysical factors and magnetic field on the composition and optical properties of the surface of ribbons of amorphous cobalt- and iron-based alloys

Ellipsometric measurements of the surface of ribbons of amorphous Co₅₉Fe₅Ni₁₀Si₁₁B₁₅ and Fe₆₁Co₂₀Si₅B₁₄ alloys before and after thermal and laser treatments and Auger analysis of their surface layers have been performed in order to determine the character of changes in the composition of these layers after the noted treatments. It is found that magnetostriction significantly affects the processes of modification of the atomic structure of the surface layer of ribbons of amorphous iron-or cobalt-based alloys and formation of a microrelief of their surface from the noncontacting side after cryogenic treatments under the same conditions. Specifically, magnetostriction is characteristic of amorphous iron-based alloys and is responsible for the optical anisotropy induced in the skin layer. It is established that annealing of ribbons of a Co-based amorphous alloy, even at the temperature T = 425°C, changes the character of the spectral dependence of the IR optical conductivity of this alloy to that described by the Drude relation. This change fixes the beginning of ordering of the atomic structure of the surface layer of the material with the formation of microscopic crystallization regions.     

Microstructure analysis of magnesium alloy melted by laser irradiation

The effects of laser surface melting (LSM) on microstructure of magnesium alloy containing Al8.57%, Zn 0.68%, Mn0.15%, Ce0.52% were investigated. In the present work, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser was used to melt and rapidly solidify the surface of the magnesium alloy with the objective of changing microstructure and improving the corrosion resistance. The results indicate that laser-melted layer contains the finer dendrites and behaviors good resistance corrosion compared with the untreated layer. Furthermore, the absorption coefficient of the magnesium alloy has been estimated according to the numeral simulation of the thermal conditions. The formation process of fine microstructure in melted layers was investigated based on the experimental observation and the theoretical analysis. Some simulation results such as the re-solidification velocities are obtained. The phase constitutions of the melted layers determined by X-ray diffraction were β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and α-Mg as well as some phases unidentified.     

铜基大块非晶合金添加微量元素对腐蚀行为的影响机理研究

通过分子动力学方法模拟了Cu-Al合金液相,然后模拟降温过程得到Cu-Al非晶合金.通过计算机编程建立了Cu-Al-M非晶基体、Cu-Al-M非晶表面及吸附O原子Cu-Al-M非晶表面原子结构模型.利用实空间连分数方法,研究了添加微量合金元素Zr,Nb,Ta,V,Y,Sc对Cu基大块非晶合金的腐蚀行为的影响机理.研究发现合金元素Zr,Nb,Ta,V,Sc不向清洁Cu基非晶表面偏聚,但除Y外向有氧吸附的表面偏聚,说明有氧吸附后Cu基非晶表面偏聚发生逆转.键级积分计算表明Zr,Nb,Ta,V,Y,Sc元素均增大与氧之间的结合力,易形成氧化膜,提高Cu基大块非晶的耐蚀性.稀土Y提高Cu基大块非晶的耐蚀性可能是由于它向合金与氧化膜界面偏聚并提高了合金与氧化膜的结合力.     

HREM study of the YBCO/MgO interface on an atomic scale

The film-substrate interface of c oriented YBCO thin films grown by sputtering or laser ablation on (001) MgO substrate has been investigated with high-resolution electron microscopy. The first atomic plane of the YBCO lattice is a CuO chain layer. Two interface configurations occur: (1) the YBCO lattice and the MgO lattice continue up to the interface (this configuration is occasionally associated with some periodic strain in the MgO lattice; (2) the YBCO lattice and the MgO lattice are separated by an (almost) amorphous layer with a thickness of the order of two atomic layers. This amorphous layer is found to lead to the absence of strain. In some cases the surface roughness coincided with misoriented grains but most of the steps in the MgO substrate were accommodated by steps in the YBCO of one or more complete unit cells in height and some lattice bending in the YBCO film.