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Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The effects of Si addition on the microstructures and properties of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) were systematically investigated. The CrCoNiSi MEA possesses a...
The effects of Si addition on the microstructures and properties of CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) were systematically investigated. The CrCoNiSi MEA possesses a single face-centered cubic (FCC) phase when x is less than 0.3 and promotes solution strengthening, while the crystal structure shows a transition to the FCC+σ phase structure when x = 0.4 and the volume fraction of the σ phase increases with a microstructure evolution as the Si content increases. The Orowan mechanism from σ precipitation effectively enhances the strength, hardness, and stain hardening of CrCoNiSi MEA, which also exhibits superior hardness at high temperatures. Furthermore, a large amount of σ phase decreases the wear resistance because of the transformation of the main wear mechanism from abrasion wear for σ-free CrCoNiSi MEA to adhesion wear for σ-contained CrCoNiSi MEA. This work contributes to the understanding of the effect of Si addition on FCC structured alloys and provides guidance for the development of novel Si-doped alloys.
PubMed: 38930262
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122893 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In this study, two-mm-thick dual-phase LA103Z Mg-Li and 6061 Al alloys, known for their application in lightweight structural designs, were joined using dynamic support...
In this study, two-mm-thick dual-phase LA103Z Mg-Li and 6061 Al alloys, known for their application in lightweight structural designs, were joined using dynamic support friction stir lap welding (DSFSLW). The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of dissimilar joints were investigated at different welding speeds. The analysis revealed two distinct interfaces: the diffusion interface and the mixed interface. The diffusion interface, characterized by a pronounced diffusion zone, is formed under slower welding speeds. The diffusion zone height, the effective lap width, and the interface layer thickness decrease with increasing welding speed due to low plastic deformation capacity and weak interfacial reactions. Conversely, the mixed interface, associated with higher welding speeds, contained large Al fragments. The extremely high microhardness values (130.5 HV) can be ascribed to the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and strain-hardened Al fragments. Notably, the maximum shear strength achieved was 175 N/mm at a welding speed of 20 mm/min. The fracture behavior varied significantly with the interface type; the diffusion interface showed enhanced mechanical strength due to better intermetallic reactions and interlocking structures, while the mixed interface displayed more linear crack propagation due to weaker IMCs and the absence of hook structures. Fracture surface analysis indicates that fractures are more likely to propagate through the Al matrix and interface layers.
PubMed: 38930252
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122883 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) require considerable Pd in the cathode, hindering the widespread of alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). By alloying Pd...
The sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) require considerable Pd in the cathode, hindering the widespread of alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). By alloying Pd with transition metals, the oxygen reduction reaction's catalytic properties can be substantially enhanced. Nevertheless, the utilization of Pd-transition metal alloys in fuel cells is significantly constrained by their inadequate long-term durability due to the propensity of transition metals to leach. In this study, a nonmetallic doping strategy was devised and implemented to produce a Pd catalyst doped with P that exhibited exceptional durability towards ORRs. PdP with an average size of 6.41 nm was synthesized by the heat-treatment phosphorization of Pd nanoparticles followed by acid etching. After P-doping, the size of the Pd nanoparticles increased from 5.37 nm to 6.41 nm, and the initial mass activity (MA) of PdP/NC reached 0.175 A mg at 0.9 V, slightly lower than that of Pd/C. However, after 40,000 cycles of accelerated durability testing, instead of decreasing, the MA of PdP/NC increased by 6.3% while the MA loss of Pd/C was 38.3%. The durability was primarily ascribed to the electronic structure effect and the aggregation resistance of the Pd nanoparticles. This research also establishes a foundation for the development of Pd-based ORR catalysts and offers a direction for the future advancement of catalysts designed for practical applications in AFCs.
PubMed: 38930248
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122879 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Friction stir processing (FSP) was performed on an AZ91 magnesium alloy cladding layer fabricated by a cold metal transfer (CMT) technique. Electrochemical properties...
Friction stir processing (FSP) was performed on an AZ91 magnesium alloy cladding layer fabricated by a cold metal transfer (CMT) technique. Electrochemical properties and immersion corrosion behavior of the cladding layer before and after FSP in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated. After applying the FSP, the corrosion potential and corrosion current density of the cladding layer increased from -1.455 V to -1.397 V and decreased from 4.135 μA/cm to 1.275 μA/cm, respectively. The results of OM and SEM displayed the refinement of grains and the dispersion of β-MgAl second phase in the friction stir processed (FSPed) cladding layer and more severe corrosion of the unprocessed sample. The corrosion rate of the FSPed cladding layer was lower, and a more compact corrosion product film was formed on the surface of the FSPed cladding layer. EDS results and XRD patterns showed that the corrosion products was mainly composed of Mg(OH). The increase in Al content in the α-Mg matrix, grain refinement, and fragmentation and dispersion of the β-MgAl second phase induced by FSP were the main factors that led to the improvement in corrosion resistance of the cladding layer of the AZ91 magnesium alloy fabricated by CMT.
PubMed: 38930245
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122875 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Ultrasonic frequency pulse assisted TIG welding (UFP-TIG) experiments were conducted to join Inconel 690 alloy (IN690) by adding Inconel 718 alloy (IN718) as the filler....
Ultrasonic frequency pulse assisted TIG welding (UFP-TIG) experiments were conducted to join Inconel 690 alloy (IN690) by adding Inconel 718 alloy (IN718) as the filler. The effect of the filler on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and ductility dip cracking (DDC) susceptibility of IN690 joints were investigated. The results show that a variety of precipitates, including MC-type carbide and Laves phases, are formed in the weld zone (WZ), which are uniformly dispersed in the interdendritic region and grain boundaries (GBs). The increase in the thickness of the IN718 filler facilitates the precipitation and growth of Laves phases and MC carbides. However, the formation of Laves phases in the WZ exhibits a lower bonding force with the matrix and deteriorates the tensile strength of IN690 joints. Due to the moderate content of Laves phases in the WZ, the IN690 joint with 1.0 mm filler reaches the maximum tensile strength (627 MPa), which is about 96.5% of that of the base metal (BM). The joint with 1.0 mm filler also achieves the highest elongation (35.4%). In addition, the strain-to-fracture tests indicate that the total length of cracks in the joint with the IN718 filler decreases by 66.49% under a 3.8% strain. As a result, the addition of the IN718 filler significantly improves the mechanical properties and DDC resistance of IN690 joints.
PubMed: 38930226
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122857 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Bulk metallic glasses are modern engineering materials with unique functional properties. Zr-based alloys are particularly attractive as they exhibit high glass forming...
Bulk metallic glasses are modern engineering materials with unique functional properties. Zr-based alloys are particularly attractive as they exhibit high glass forming ability as well as good mechanical properties. Due to their relatively high thermal stability, reaching as much as 400 °C, they can be surface-treated in low-temperature plasma to further improve their mechanical properties. The subject of this study was to determine the influence of the technological parameters of nitriding in low-temperature plasma on the structure and mechanical properties of ZrCuAlAg bulk metallic glass. In the course of this study, the influence of the ion accelerating voltage on the structure and micromechanical properties of the bulk metallic glass was analyzed. The produced samples were characterized in terms of nanohardness, layer adhesion by using the scratch test, and wear resistance by using the ball-on-disc method. As a result of low-temperature plasma nitriding, a significant increase in the surface nanohardness of the ZrCuAlAg bulk metallic glass was obtained. The produced layers exhibited high adhesion to the substrate and they improved the wear resistance of the glass. The present study indicates the possibility of modifying the surface properties of bulk metallic glasses by using diffusion processes in low-temperature plasma without substrate crystallization.
PubMed: 38930219
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122850 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Due to the continuous miniaturization and high current-carrying demands in the field of integrated circuits, as well as the desire to save space and improve... (Review)
Review
Due to the continuous miniaturization and high current-carrying demands in the field of integrated circuits, as well as the desire to save space and improve computational capabilities, there is a constant drive to reduce the size of integrated circuits. However, highly integrated circuits also bring about challenges such as high current density and excessive Joule heating, leading to a series of reliability issues caused by electromigration. Therefore, the service reliability of integrated circuits has always been a concern. Sn-based solders are widely recognized in the industry due to their availability, minimal technical issues during operation, and good compatibility with traditional solders. However, solders that are mostly Sn-based, such as SAC305 and SnZn, have a high melting point for sophisticated electronic circuits. When Bi is added, the melting point of the solder decreases but may also lead to problems related to electromigration reliability. This article reviews the general principles of electromigration in SnBi solder joints on Cu substrates with current flow, as well as the phenomena of whisker formation, voids/cracks, phase separation, and resistance increase caused by atomic migration due to electromigration. Furthermore, it explores methods to enhance the reliability of solder joint by additives including Fe, Ni, Ag, Zn, Co, RA (rare earth element), GNSs (graphene nanosheets), FNS (Fullerene) and AlO. Additionally, modifying the crystal orientation within the solder joint or introducing stress to the joint can also improve its reliability to some extent without changing the composition conditions. The corresponding mechanisms of reliability enhancement are also compared and discussed among the literature.
PubMed: 38930217
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122848 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The effects of the secondary processes of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) at 920 °C and Heat Treatment (HT) at 1000 °C of Electron Beam-Melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V alloy on...
The Effects of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Electron Beam-Melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V Alloy and Its Susceptibility to Hydrogen.
The effects of the secondary processes of Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) at 920 °C and Heat Treatment (HT) at 1000 °C of Electron Beam-Melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V alloy on the microstructure and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) after electrochemical hydrogen charging (EC) were investigated. Comprehensive characterization, including microstructural analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal desorption analysis, and mechanical testing, was conducted. After HIP, the β-phase morphology changed from discontinuous Widmanstätten to a more continuous structure, 10 times and ~1.5 times larger in length and width, respectively. Following HT, the β-phase morphology changed to a continuous "web-like" structure, ~4.5 times larger in width. Despite similar mechanical behavior in their non-hydrogenated state, the post-treated alloys exhibit increased susceptibility to HE due to enhanced hydrogen penetration into the bulk. It is shown that hydrogen content in the samples' bulk is inversely dependent on surface hydride content. It is therefore concluded that the formed hydride surface layer is crucial for inhibiting further hydrogen penetration and adsorption into the bulk and thus for reducing HE susceptibility. The lack of a hydride surface layer in the samples subject to HIP and HT highlights the importance of choosing secondary treatment process parameters that will not increase the continuous β-phase morphology of EBM Ti-6Al-4V alloys in applications that involve electrochemical hydrogen environments.
PubMed: 38930215
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122846 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The low-pressure die casting (LPDC) process was experimentally and numerically studied to produce AlSi7Mg0.3 components such as steering knuckles. Steering knuckles are...
The low-pressure die casting (LPDC) process was experimentally and numerically studied to produce AlSi7Mg0.3 components such as steering knuckles. Steering knuckles are important safety components in the context of a vehicle's suspension system, serving as the mechanical interface that facilitates the articulation of the steering to control the front wheel's orientation, while simultaneously bearing the vertical load imposed by the vehicle's weight. This work focuses on the development of a numerical model in ProCAST, replicating the production of the aforementioned part. The model analyses parameters such as the filling dynamics, solidification process, and presence of shrinkage porosities. For the purpose of evaluating the quality of the castings, six parts were produced and characterised, both mechanically (tensile and hardness tests) and microstructurally (porosity and optical microscopy analysis). When correlating simulation results with the available experimental data, it is possible to conclude that the usage of the LPDC process is a viable alternative to the use of steels and other metals for the production of very high-quality castings while using lighter alloys such as aluminium and magnesium in more demanding applications.
PubMed: 38930205
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122835 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This paper reports the results of our study on electrochemical polishing of titanium and a Ti-based alloy using non-aqueous electrolyte. It was shown that...
This paper reports the results of our study on electrochemical polishing of titanium and a Ti-based alloy using non-aqueous electrolyte. It was shown that electropolishing ensured the removal of surface defects, thereby providing surface smoothing and decreasing surface roughness. The research was conducted using samples made of titanium and TiAlV alloy, as well as implant system elements: implant analog, multiunit, and healing screw. Electropolishing was carried out under a constant voltage (10-15 V) with a specified current density. The electrolyte used contained methanol and sulfuric acid. The modified surface was subjected to a thorough analysis regarding its surface morphology, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties. Scanning electron microscope images and profilometer tests of roughness confirmed significantly smoother surfaces after electropolishing. The surface profile analysis of processed samples also yielded satisfactory results, showing less imperfections than before modification. The EDX spectra showed that electropolishing does not have significant influence on the chemical composition of the samples.
PubMed: 38930203
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122832