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At least 865 records · Page 48

AC Susceptibility of BaZrO{sub 3} Nanoparticles Added YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} Superconductor Prepared via Coprecipitation Method

In this work, magnetic properties of polycrystalline samples YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} added with x mol.% of BaZrO{sub 3} (BZO) nanoparticles (x = 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0) were studied by AC susceptibility (ACS) measurement. The samples were prepared using coprecipitation (COP) method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that all the samples were composed of Y-123 as the major phase and Y-211 as the secondary phase. XRD peak of BZO was also observed in the samples added with BZO nanoparticles. The intensity of the peak became higher with increasing amount of BZO addition indicating the presence of increased amount of the unreacted nanoparticles in the samples. The refined lattice parameters indicated that all the samples have an orthorhombic crystal structure without the occurrence of orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transformation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the samples have randomly distributed grains with irregular shape. The average grain size increased from 0.30 μ m for the pure sample to 0.50 μ m for the BZO addition of 7.0 mol.%. ACS measurement showed a slight decrease of onset critical temperature, T{sub c−onset} (< 1 K) with BZO addition. Both phase lock-in temperature, T{sub cj}, and coupling peak temperature, T{sub p}, remained relatively unchanged for BZO addition up to 3.0 mol.%. Based on the Bean critical state model, the calculated intergranular critical current density, J{sub cm}, for the pure sample is 1.88 A/cm{sup 2} at T{sub p} = 84.8 K. For the sample added with 7.0 mol.% of BZO, J{sub cm} at T{sub p} = 83.6 K is 1.95 A/cm{sup 2}.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of High-Strength Steel Controlled by Hot Stamping Process

A novel design and manufacturing method, dubbed “precast,” of the cooling system and tools for a hot forming process was proposed in this paper. The integrated structures of the punch and blank holder were determined by analyzing the bending and reverse-bending deformation of the forming parts. The desired crashworthiness performance of an automotive front bumper constructed with this process was obtained by a tailored phase transformation, which generated martensite-bainite in the middle and full martensite transformation in the corner areas. Varying cooling effects in the formed parts caused the highest temperature to be located in the bottom and the lowest on the end of the formed parts. Moreover, the microstructural distributions demonstrated that the bottom possessed a relatively lower content of martensite, while, conversely, the end possessed a higher content. This was precisely the most desired phase distributions for the hot formed parts. For the six-process cycle stamping, the temperatures reached a stable status after an initial rapid increase in the first three process cycles. The microstructural results verified the feasibility of the hot forming tools under multiprocess cycles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of boron addition on the deformation behavior and microstructure of β-solidify TiAl alloys

Highlights: • Borides could promote the DRX formation to soften TiAl alloys. • Boron addition increases firstly and then stabilizes the deformation activate energy. • The stable region expands with boron increasing in processing maps. • The DRX critical strain increases firstly and then decreases with boron increasing. • DRX softening and strengthening from solid solution and borides influence deformation behavior. - Abstract: The effect of boron addition on the deformation behavior and microstructure of Ti-43Al-6Nb-1Mo -1Cr alloys have been studied in this paper. Boron addition would induce Ti{sub 2}Al(P6{sub 3}/mmc) phase with hexagonal structure formation on the interfaces between TiB and γ phase. TiB would be the obstacles for dislocations slipping and increase the stacking fault energy. Ti{sub 2}Al could also provide the chemical foundation for DRXed γ nucleation and disappear after thermal deformation. Both these two phase could promote DRXed grains nucleation to soften the alloys during thermal deformation. With the strengthen effect of boron solid solution and TiB obstacles, the microstructure evolution, phase transformation and deformation behavior are also discussed and concluded as follow.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Ti-22Al-25Nb (At.%) Orthorhombic Alloy with Three Typical Microstructures

Microstructural evolution, tensile and creep behavior of Ti-22Al-25Nb (at.%) orthorhombic alloy with three typical microstructures were investigated. The three typical microstructures were obtained by different solution and age treatment temperatures and analyzed by the BSE technique. The tensile strengths of the alloy at room temperature and 650 °C were investigated. The creep behaviors of the three typical microstructures were also studied at 650 °C/150 MPa for 100 h in air. The phase transformation mechanisms in creep deformation were also found. The experimental results showed that the formations of the three typical microstructures were decided by the isothermal forging and heat treatment. It was supposed that the high-temperature solution treatment might be dominant for the volume fraction and diameter of the equiaxed particles. While the double age treatment would lead to lamellar O phases. Due to grain refinement strengthening, the equiaxed microstructure presented the best tensile strength and ductility. The fully lamellar microstructure had the best creep resistance than that of other microstructures. In this paper, the phenomenon of creep-induced α{sub 2} phase decomposition was occurred during creep deformation of the equiaxed microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

On the improvement of measurement accuracy of retained austenite in steel with X-ray diffraction

Highlights: • Improved procedure to determine austenite in steels with crystallographic texture • Extension to X-ray area detectors • Electropolishing is essential to get correct results. - Abstract: An improved measurement scheme for the determination of the retained austenite fraction with X-ray diffraction is extended to area detectors. The scheme reduces the error due to crystallographic texture in phase analysis of steel by averaging the results of diffraction patterns at different sample positions. The method is based on the standard ASTM E975, but it can be easily extended to other crystal structures, multi-phase materials or X-ray wavelengths. Phase transformation, induced by mechanical sample preparation, may lead to a significant reduction of the retained austenite fraction. Electropolishing before the measurement is beneficial to remove the layer affected by sample preparation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural-Phase Features of Low-Stability Pre-Transitional States of BCC-Alloys with Complexes of Planar Defects (Antiphase Boundaries)

Using the Monte Carlo method, the influence of the complexes of antiphase boundaries (APBs) (a pair of shear APBs and a pair of thermal APBs) on the low-stability, pre-transitional states of BCC-alloys is considered by the example of a conventional copper alloy CuZn and an intermetallic compound NiAl. It is shown that in the region of low-stability structural-phase states the energy of formation of a complex of thermal APBs is higher than that of shear APBs. The contribution of APBs into disordering is appreciable up to the structural-phase transition temperature. The most significant factor in terms of the long-range order is the formation of the defect itself; the differences in the APB type or the plane of their occurrence do not so much affect the longrange order behavior with the temperature variation. The type of APBs however appreciably affects the structural-energy characteristics of the system at the temperatures below the phase transformation temperature. Logically, a system with structural defects is less ordered than a defect-free system. The presence of a defect favors the onset of disordering at lower temperatures: it starts at lower temperatures in the case of thermal APBs (TAPBs) compared to shear APBs (TAPBs). In a BCC-system with a complex of TAPBs the first signs of disordering invariably appear near the phase boundary in the neighborhood of large atoms (Zn–Zn in the CuZn alloy or Al–Al in the NiAl intermetallide). In the alloy with a complex of shear APBs the distortion of ordering at low temperatures is observed in the regions where the boundaries cross. The presence of antiphase boundaries affects the alloy stability under heating. It is shown that disordering is accompanied by smearing of the boundaries and their faceting. It follows from a comparative analysis of the peculiarities of disordering in the BCC-system under study (classical alloy CuZn and intermetallide NiAl) under conditions of higher temperatures in the region of low-stability, pre-transitional states that the order – disorder phase transition in the CuZn alloy takes place as a result of disordering of the system, while in the intermetallide NiAl the change of long-range order results from the structural-phase transition.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of Nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} on Microstructure and Crack Formation in Laser Direct-Deposited In Situ Particle-Reinforced Fe-Based Coatings

In situ hard-particle-reinforced Fe-based composite coatings were prepared on Q235 steel substrates by direct laser deposition using Fe-based alloy powders containing 2 wt.% B, 3 wt.% Si and 1-3 wt.% nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The microstructures, phase compositions, hardnesses and wear resistances of the deposited coatings with different nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} contents were studied using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, microhardness tests and pin-on-disk abrasion tests (MMW-1A), respectively. The results showed that the appropriate addition of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} played a role in grain refinement and in decreasing the number of brittle phases and impurity elements in the grain boundaries. Consequently, the number of cracks in the laser-deposited coating also decreased. The Fe-based composite coatings were mainly composed of α-Fe, γ-Fe and in situ-produced reinforced particle phases, such as Cr{sub 23}C{sub 6}, Cr{sub 7}C{sub 3}, (Cr, Fe){sub 7}C{sub 3}, Fe{sub 2}B, and CrFeB. When the content of nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} was 2 wt.%, a Fe-based composite coating with a thickness of 4 mm that was free of cracks was obtained, and its surface hardness reached 650HV. Moreover, the wear resistance of the coating with 2 wt.% nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} was the best among the samples studied. The presence of nano-Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} increased the solubility of Cr and Si in the solid solution, which eliminated the residual austenite region, and as a result, the phase transformation from γ-Fe to α-Fe was restrained and the transformation stress was also limited, thereby decreasing the probability of cracks in the coatings.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Evolution of the structure and chemical composition of the interface between multi-component silicate glasses and yttria-stabilized zirconia after 40,000 h exposure in air at 800 °C

The chemical and structural stability of two commercial multicomponent silicate glasses (SCN and G6) in contact with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was investigated after exposure times of up to 40,000 h in air at 800 °C. With exposure time, interfacial layers develop at the SCN-YSZ and G6-YSZ interfaces, which were characterized in detail using both quantitative chemical analysis and atomic-resolution imaging. At the SCN-YSZ interface, a Ca-Ba-Si-O reaction phase was found to grow by diffusion control. In G6-YSZ, Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy revealed a disorganized interfacial reaction later between G6 and YSZ, and the occurrence of cubic to tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformations in YSZ. Finally, this microstructural evolution is discussed in terms of devitrification resistance of glass and diffusion processes at interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shock-Wave Proprieties of High-Strength Ceramics

The shock and release response of a suite of high-strength ceramics has been investigated with controlled planar impact methods and velocity interferometry diagnostics. The study provides Hugoniot, yield and post-yield compressive strength, phase transformation and tensile spall material properties data for these ceramics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modulating the Pseudoelastic Response of NiTi Using Ion Implantation

Ni-ion irradiated NiTi is nearly 50% harder, retains 85% recoverable deformation, and has reduced hysteresis. This work explores the feasibility of using ion beam modification to modulate the austenite to martensite phase transformation in NiTi, thereby achieving novel or localized properties in near-surface regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A crystal-plasticity-informed Gaussian Process Regression model to capture anisotropy in single crystal shape memory alloys

This work presents a machine learning (ML) framework that model the anisotropic actuation responses in a shape memory alloy. A Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) based ML model is trained on a set of different crystal orientations subjected to different actuation conditions. The training employed thermo-mechanical responses from a crystal-plasticity model that captures phase-transformation, stress-induced plasticity, and transformation-induced plasticity. Further, on training the GPR-ML model at fixed stress level for different orientations, it captured the thermo-mechanical responses accounting for the anisotropy, and predicted responses for new orientations with good accuracy. The GPR-ML model is able to capture the transformation temperature variations even when trained using multiple stress levels, and the transformation strain showed significant deviations. The developed GPR-ML model gave reasonable predictions for an unexplored sample set of orientations and loading conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spectroscopic investigations on structural incorporation pathways of FeIII into zeolite frameworks in cement-relevant environments

Fe{sup III}-containing aluminosilicate zeolites are present in cement-relevant and natural environments. Although Fe{sup III} is known to occur in framework tetrahedral sites where it substitutes isomorphically Al{sup III}O{sub 4} or in extra-framework octahedral sites as free Fe(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}{sup 3+}, the structural incorporation process of Fe{sup III} into different sites is little known. We aim to discern feasible pathways of Fe{sup III} incorporation using hydrothermal synthesis methods and synchrotron-based spectroscopic analyses. Results showed that introducing either Fe{sup 3+} or Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}·xH{sub 2}O initially during zeolite nucleation did not lead to Fe{sup III} incorporation into the zeolites but only Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}·xH{sub 2}O prevailed in both cases. However, Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}, FeCl{sub 3}, and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}·xH{sub 2}O affected the kind of zeolite formed. A feasible pathway to incorporate tetrahedral Fe{sup III} in the zeolite framework was to introduce firstly Fe{sup III} in the cage of faujasite-Y followed by a phase transformation to chabazite. This study facilitates understanding of Fe{sup III} uptake in zeolites and of Fe{sup III} functional sites that can contribute to immobilization of contaminants.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructural evolution and electrical resistivity of nanocrystalline W thin films grown by sputtering

Highlights: • W thin films with thicknesses of 5–40 nm were deposited by sputtering and annealed up to 400°C. • Grain size of the beta (β)-W was about 5 nm, whereas that of the alpha (α)-W was about 130 nm. • Thickness dependent electrical resistivity variations as a function of annealing temperature were presented. - Abstract: Tungsten (W) thin films and nanostructures, particularly those having a beta (β)-phase, have attracted a large amount of attention lately because an ultrathin β-phase W film attached to a ferromagnetic layer can reverse the direction of magnetization upon current injection. However, in-depth microstructural studies including the phase transformation in W films as a function of thickness and post-deposition heat treatment temperature are rare. Here, we report the microstructural evolution and the change in the electrical resistivity of W films with thicknesses of 5–40 nm. Microstructural analyses indicate that the β-W is nanocrystalline with a small grain size of about 5 nm, while the alpha (α)-W has a grain size larger than 130 nm with random crystal orientation. We present a state diagram showing the phase of the W film as functions of film thickness and annealing temperature.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Microstructural Insights into Performance Loss of High-Voltage Spinel Cathodes for Lithium-ion Batteries

Spinel-structured LiNi x Mn 2-x O 4 (LNMO), with low-cost earth-abundant constituents, is a promising high-voltage cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Even though extensive electrochemical investigations have been conducted on these materials, few studies have explored correlations between their loss in performance and associated changes in microstructure. Here, down to the atomic scale, the structural evolution of these materials is investigated upon the progressive cycling of lithium-ion cells. Transgranular cracking is revealed to be a key feature during cycling; this cracking is initiated at the particle surface and leads to the penetration of electrolytes along the crack path, thereby increasing particle exposure to the electrolyte. The lattice structure on the crack surface shows spatial variances, featuring a top layer of rock-salt, a sublayer of a Mn 3 O 4 -like arrangement, and then a mixed-cation region adjacent to the bulk lattice. The transgranular cracking, along with the emergence of local lattice distortion, becomes more evident with extended cycling. Further, phase transformation at primary particle surfaces and void formation through vacancy condensation is found in the cycled samples. All these features collectively contribute to the performance degradation of the battery cells during electrochemical cycling.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Mechanical and Frictional Performance of Ta and Ta-Ag Alloy Films Deposited at Different Sputtering Powers

The mechanical and tribological properties of tantalum and its alloy films are greatly influenced by their phase transformation. In this study, Ta and Ta-Ag films were prepared on carbon steel substrate by DC magnetron sputtering with various sputtering powers. The amorphous and nanocrystalline Ta and Ta-Ag film were produced at different sputtering powers from 40 to 110 W. The frictional properties of Ta and Ta-Ag films were investigated by rubbing against Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ball from RT to 700 °C. The nanocrystalline Ta-Ag films shows higher hardness values (12 GPa) compared with amorphous phase. The nanocrystalline Ta90-Ag8 film shows a low friction coefficient of about 0.20-0.30 when rubbing against Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ball at 700 °C. The segregation of Ag can effectively reduce friction coefficients of Ta-Ag film at 700 °C. The Ta-Ag films show high structure stability even after friction at 700 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Origin of enhanced performance when Mn-rich rocksalt cathodes transform to δ -DRX

Most Mn-rich cathodes are known to undergo phase transformation into structures resembling spinel-like ordering upon electrochemical cycling. Recently, the irreversible transformation of Ti-containing Mn-rich disordered rock-salt cathodes into a phase — named δ — with nanoscale spinel-like domains has been shown to increase energy density, capacity retention, and rate capability. However, the nature of the boundaries between domains and their relationship with composition and electrochemistry are not well understood. In this work, we discuss how the transformation into the multi-domain structure results in eight variants of Spinel domains, which is crucial for explaining the nanoscale domain formation in the δ -phase. We study the energetics of crystallographically unique boundaries and the possibility of Li-percolation across them with a fine-tuned CHGNet machine learning interatomic potential. Energetics of 16 d vacancies reveal a strong affinity to segregate to the boundaries, thereby opening Li-pathways at the boundary to enhance long-range Li-percolation in the δ structure. Defect calculations of the relatively low-mobility Ti show how it can influence the extent of Spinel ordering, domain morphology and size significantly; leading to guidelines for engineering electrochemical performance through changes in composition.

Anand, Shashwat↗

Dipole ordering and ionic conductivity in NASICON-Type Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} structures

The aspects of structure, dipole ordering, and ionic conductivity of the Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} crystal with the four polymorphic phases (α, α', β, and γ) have been investigated. The features of the α-Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} crystal structure and its dipole ordering and relaxation polarization in the low-temperature α and α' phases have been refined. The occurrence of Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} dipole ordering in the α and α' phases and high ionic conductivity in the β and γ phases is attributed to the structural changes in the rhombohedral [Me{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}]{sup –3}{sub 3∞} crystal frame upon phase transformations α → α', α' → β, and β → γ. A model for explaining the dipole ordering and ionic conductivity phenomena in Na{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} is proposed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Special Features of the Structure of Titanium Nitride Coatings in Substrate Surface Cuts

Elemental compositions and structure-phase states of titanium nitride coatings on the flat surface and in a cut of substrate from 10Cr18Ni10Ti steel are investigated by the methods of x-ray microspectral analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy, and dark-field electron microscopy analysis of the bending-torsion of the crystal lattice. It is established that the coating in the cut, unlike the coating on the frontal surface, has a modified elemental composition and a two-layer structure whose special features and thicknesses change with distance from the sample surface. It is shown that these changes are caused by phase transformations, decreased number of defects, dispersion of layer structures, and increased concentration of impurities with increasing distance from the substrate surface. Based on the results obtained, possible conditions for coating structure formation in the cut of the substrate surface are discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗