Magnesium alloys are lightweight materials with great potential,and plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)is effective surface treatment for necessary improvement of corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys.However,the∼1...Magnesium alloys are lightweight materials with great potential,and plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)is effective surface treatment for necessary improvement of corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys.However,the∼14µm thick and rough PEO protection layer has inferior wear resistance,which limits magnesium alloys as sliding or reciprocating parts,where magnesium alloys have special advantages by their inherent damping and denoising properties and attractive light-weighting.Here a novel super wear-resistant coating for magnesium alloys was achieved,via the discontinuous sealing(DCS)of a 1.3µm thick polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)polymer layer with an initial area fraction(A_(f))of 70%on the necessary PEO protection layer by selective spraying,and the wear resistance was exceptionally enhanced by∼5500 times in comparison with the base PEO coating.The initial surface roughness(Sa)under PEO+DCS(1.54µm)was imperfectly 59%higher than that under PEO and conventional continuous sealing(CS).Interestingly,DCS was surprisingly 20 times superior for enhancing wear resistance in contrast to CS.DCS induced nano-cracks that splitted DCS layer into multilayer nano-blocks,and DCS also provided extra space for the movement of nano-blocks,which resulted in rolling friction and nano lubrication.Further,DCS promoted mixed wear of the PTFE polymer layer and the PEO coating,and the PTFE layer(HV:6 Kg·mm^(−2),A_(f):92.2%)and the PEO coating(HV:310 Kg·mm^(−2),A_(f):7.8%)served as the soft matrix and the hard point,respectively.Moreover,the dynamic decrease of Sa by 29%during wear also contributed to the super wear resistance.The strategy of depositing a low-frictional discontinuous layer on a rough and hard layer or matrix also opens a window for achieving super wear-resistant coatings in other materials.展开更多
The development of lightweight magnesium(Mg)alloys capable of operating at elevated temperatures of 200-300℃and the ability of using high pressure die casting for high-volume manufacturing are the most advanced devel...The development of lightweight magnesium(Mg)alloys capable of operating at elevated temperatures of 200-300℃and the ability of using high pressure die casting for high-volume manufacturing are the most advanced developments in manufacturing critical parts for internal combustion engines used in power tools.Here we report the microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed die-cast Mg-RE(La,Ce,Nd,Gd)-Al alloy capable of working at higher elevated temperatures of 200-300℃.The new alloy delivers the yield strength of 94 MPa at 300℃,which demonstrates a 42%increase over the benchmark AE44 high temperature die-cast Mg alloy.The new alloy also has good stiffness at elevated temperatures with its modulus only decreasing linearly by 13%from room temperature up to 300℃.Thermal analysis shows a minor peak at 364.7℃in the specific heat curve of the new alloy,indicating a good phase stability of the alloy up to 300℃.Nd and Gd have more affinity to Al for the formation of the minority of divorced Al-RE(Nd,Gd)based compounds,and the stable Al-poor Mg_(12)RE(La_(0.22)Ce_(0.13)Nd_(0.31)Gd_(0.31))Zn_(0.39)Al_(0.13)compound acts as the continuous inter-dendritic network,which contribute to the high mechanical performance and stability of the new die-cast Mg alloy at 200-300℃.展开更多
The coarsening-grained single-phase face-centered cubic(fcc)medium-entropy alloys(MEAs)normally exhibit insufficient strength for some engineering applications.Here,superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile...The coarsening-grained single-phase face-centered cubic(fcc)medium-entropy alloys(MEAs)normally exhibit insufficient strength for some engineering applications.Here,superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 1.6 GPa and fracture strain of 13.1%at ambient temperature have been achieved in a(CoCrNi)_(94)Ti_(3)Al_(3)MEA by carefully architecting the multi-scale heterogeneous structures.Electron microscopy characterization indicates that the superior mechanical properties mainly originated from the favorable heterogeneous fcc matrix(1-40μm)and the coherent sphericalγ’precipitates(10-100 nm),together with a high number density of crystalline defects(2-10 nm),including dislocations,small stacking faults,Lomer-Cottrell locks,and ultrafine deformation twins.展开更多
Recently, Sn-Zn-Bi alloys have been reported to be the sheath material for miniature detonating cords,due to appropriate mechanical properties, ease of manufacturing, and low cost. Bi addition was found beneficial to ...Recently, Sn-Zn-Bi alloys have been reported to be the sheath material for miniature detonating cords,due to appropriate mechanical properties, ease of manufacturing, and low cost. Bi addition was found beneficial to the mechanical performance of Sn-Zn. However, limited information about the influence of Bi on the corrosion properties of Sn-Zn alloys has been provided. In this work, electrochemical corrosion behaviours of Sn-3Zn-xBi(x=0, 1, 3, 5, 7 wt%) alloys were investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) techniques, to explore the effects of Bi on the corrosion performance of Sn-Zn alloys. The corrosion mechanism of Sn-Zn-Bi alloys was analysed through microstructure examination on the surface of alloys after corrosion measurements. Results indicated that the addition of 1 wt% Bi increased the corrosion susceptibility of the Sn-3Zn alloy, mainly attributed to the coarsened and more uniformly distributed corrosion-vulnerable Zn-rich precipitates, while further increasing the Bi contents decreased the corrosion susceptibility of Sn-3Zn-xBi alloys due to the higher fraction of nobler Bi particles serving as anodic barriers. The Sn-3Zn-7Bi possessed the best corrosion resistance among all Sn-Zn-Bi alloys investigated. The role of Bi on corrosion was considerably discussed.展开更多
AlP has been widely used as an effective heterogenous nucleus for primary Si phase in hypereutectic AlSi alloys,but the morphological correlation between AlP and primary Si is still confusing.In the present work,the m...AlP has been widely used as an effective heterogenous nucleus for primary Si phase in hypereutectic AlSi alloys,but the morphological correlation between AlP and primary Si is still confusing.In the present work,the morphologies of AlP crystals were studied comprehensively by experimental observation and theorical prediction.It is found that AlP collected from an Al-0.03 P melt could be divided into two categories:spinel twin crystals and non-twin crystals.During the nucleation process,these two kinds of AlP crystals triggered morphologically templated nucleation of primary Si phase,resulting in the formation of hexagonal primary Si twin and octahedral non-twin crystals,respectively.As such,the percentage of primary Si twin crystals in the experimental Al-18 Si alloy was also increased obviously after the morphologically templated nucleation via Al P.The morphologically templated nucleation also eliminated the dendritic growth of primary Si phase and the formation of hopper structures inside primary Si,forcing primary Si to maintain to be faceted solid crystals through layer-by-layer growing mechanism.The insight into morphologically templated nucleation offers a new view in understanding the mechanism of heterogeneous nucleation of primary Si phase on AlP nuclei.展开更多
A novel Al-5 Mg2 Si-2 Mg alloy was processed by selective laser melting(SLM) to understand its representative features of microstructural evolution and mechanical properties during additive manufacturing(AM). The as-S...A novel Al-5 Mg2 Si-2 Mg alloy was processed by selective laser melting(SLM) to understand its representative features of microstructural evolution and mechanical properties during additive manufacturing(AM). The as-SLM fabricated Al-5 Mg_(2) Si-2 Mg alloy is found to deliver much less hot cracks and other defects. Meanwhile, excellent mechanical property is also achieved, i.e. 452 ± 11 MPa for ultimate tensile strength, 295 ± 14 MPa for yield strength, and 9.3 ± 2.5% for elongation. Clearly, these mechanical properties are better than that obtained by high pressure die casting(HPDC), and better than some other alloys obtained by SLM. The as-SLM fabricated Al-5 Mg_(2) Si-2 Mg alloy is featured by the significantly refined microstructures in the compact primary α-Al, the divorced Mg_(2) Si eutectic networks distributing atα-Al grain boundaries, and some α-Al Fe Mn Si phase in association with eutectic Mg_(2) Si phase. The high strength and ductility of the alloy are attributed to its unique features including(a) the reduced solidification range,(b) the possible increase of the eutectic level in the microstructure, and(c) the shift of eutectic point and the maximum solubility point of Mg2 Si in Al matrix.展开更多
The selective laser melting(SLM)with subsequent cold rolling and annealing is used to produce high-density lattice defects and grain refinement in the CoCrNi medium-entropy alloys(MEAs).The superior comprehensive mech...The selective laser melting(SLM)with subsequent cold rolling and annealing is used to produce high-density lattice defects and grain refinement in the CoCrNi medium-entropy alloys(MEAs).The superior comprehensive mechanical properties have been achieved in the as-SLMed CoCrNi alloy after rolling and annealing.The as-SLMed alloys delivered the yield strength of 693.4 MPa,the ultimate tensile strength of 912.7 MPa and the fracture strain of 54.4%.After rolling with 70%reduction in thickness and annealing at 700℃for 2 h.the yield strength,ultimate tensile strength and fracture strain reached 1161.6 MPa,1390.8 MPa and 31.5%,respectively.The exceptional strength-ductility synergy is mainly attributed to the refined hierarchical microstructures with coarsening grains at a level of 30μm and ultrafine grains at a level of 1μm,and the heritage of dislocation-formed sub-grains and other lattice defects.This investigation demonstrates that the SLM with subsequent rolling and annealing is beneficial to fabricate high strength and ductile MEAs with single face-centered cubic(fcc)structure.展开更多
基金This work was financially supported by the Jiangsu Distinguished Professor Project,the Innovate UK(Project reference:10004694)the National Key R&D Program of China 2021YFB3401200.The Experimental Techniques Centre at Brunel University London and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics are acknowledged.The authors also acknowledge the characterization facility at Shanghai Jiao Tong University,Central South University,University of Birmingham and University of Lille.
文摘Magnesium alloys are lightweight materials with great potential,and plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)is effective surface treatment for necessary improvement of corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys.However,the∼14µm thick and rough PEO protection layer has inferior wear resistance,which limits magnesium alloys as sliding or reciprocating parts,where magnesium alloys have special advantages by their inherent damping and denoising properties and attractive light-weighting.Here a novel super wear-resistant coating for magnesium alloys was achieved,via the discontinuous sealing(DCS)of a 1.3µm thick polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)polymer layer with an initial area fraction(A_(f))of 70%on the necessary PEO protection layer by selective spraying,and the wear resistance was exceptionally enhanced by∼5500 times in comparison with the base PEO coating.The initial surface roughness(Sa)under PEO+DCS(1.54µm)was imperfectly 59%higher than that under PEO and conventional continuous sealing(CS).Interestingly,DCS was surprisingly 20 times superior for enhancing wear resistance in contrast to CS.DCS induced nano-cracks that splitted DCS layer into multilayer nano-blocks,and DCS also provided extra space for the movement of nano-blocks,which resulted in rolling friction and nano lubrication.Further,DCS promoted mixed wear of the PTFE polymer layer and the PEO coating,and the PTFE layer(HV:6 Kg·mm^(−2),A_(f):92.2%)and the PEO coating(HV:310 Kg·mm^(−2),A_(f):7.8%)served as the soft matrix and the hard point,respectively.Moreover,the dynamic decrease of Sa by 29%during wear also contributed to the super wear resistance.The strategy of depositing a low-frictional discontinuous layer on a rough and hard layer or matrix also opens a window for achieving super wear-resistant coatings in other materials.
文摘The development of lightweight magnesium(Mg)alloys capable of operating at elevated temperatures of 200-300℃and the ability of using high pressure die casting for high-volume manufacturing are the most advanced developments in manufacturing critical parts for internal combustion engines used in power tools.Here we report the microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed die-cast Mg-RE(La,Ce,Nd,Gd)-Al alloy capable of working at higher elevated temperatures of 200-300℃.The new alloy delivers the yield strength of 94 MPa at 300℃,which demonstrates a 42%increase over the benchmark AE44 high temperature die-cast Mg alloy.The new alloy also has good stiffness at elevated temperatures with its modulus only decreasing linearly by 13%from room temperature up to 300℃.Thermal analysis shows a minor peak at 364.7℃in the specific heat curve of the new alloy,indicating a good phase stability of the alloy up to 300℃.Nd and Gd have more affinity to Al for the formation of the minority of divorced Al-RE(Nd,Gd)based compounds,and the stable Al-poor Mg_(12)RE(La_(0.22)Ce_(0.13)Nd_(0.31)Gd_(0.31))Zn_(0.39)Al_(0.13)compound acts as the continuous inter-dendritic network,which contribute to the high mechanical performance and stability of the new die-cast Mg alloy at 200-300℃.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFB0311300ZL)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52071343).
文摘The coarsening-grained single-phase face-centered cubic(fcc)medium-entropy alloys(MEAs)normally exhibit insufficient strength for some engineering applications.Here,superior mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 1.6 GPa and fracture strain of 13.1%at ambient temperature have been achieved in a(CoCrNi)_(94)Ti_(3)Al_(3)MEA by carefully architecting the multi-scale heterogeneous structures.Electron microscopy characterization indicates that the superior mechanical properties mainly originated from the favorable heterogeneous fcc matrix(1-40μm)and the coherent sphericalγ’precipitates(10-100 nm),together with a high number density of crystalline defects(2-10 nm),including dislocations,small stacking faults,Lomer-Cottrell locks,and ultrafine deformation twins.
基金Financial support from the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP)Chemring Energetics UK [grant number WEAF058]
文摘Recently, Sn-Zn-Bi alloys have been reported to be the sheath material for miniature detonating cords,due to appropriate mechanical properties, ease of manufacturing, and low cost. Bi addition was found beneficial to the mechanical performance of Sn-Zn. However, limited information about the influence of Bi on the corrosion properties of Sn-Zn alloys has been provided. In this work, electrochemical corrosion behaviours of Sn-3Zn-xBi(x=0, 1, 3, 5, 7 wt%) alloys were investigated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) techniques, to explore the effects of Bi on the corrosion performance of Sn-Zn alloys. The corrosion mechanism of Sn-Zn-Bi alloys was analysed through microstructure examination on the surface of alloys after corrosion measurements. Results indicated that the addition of 1 wt% Bi increased the corrosion susceptibility of the Sn-3Zn alloy, mainly attributed to the coarsened and more uniformly distributed corrosion-vulnerable Zn-rich precipitates, while further increasing the Bi contents decreased the corrosion susceptibility of Sn-3Zn-xBi alloys due to the higher fraction of nobler Bi particles serving as anodic barriers. The Sn-3Zn-7Bi possessed the best corrosion resistance among all Sn-Zn-Bi alloys investigated. The role of Bi on corrosion was considerably discussed.
基金Financial supports from Innovate UK(grant number 11019)National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant number 51571133,51731007 and 52071189)。
文摘AlP has been widely used as an effective heterogenous nucleus for primary Si phase in hypereutectic AlSi alloys,but the morphological correlation between AlP and primary Si is still confusing.In the present work,the morphologies of AlP crystals were studied comprehensively by experimental observation and theorical prediction.It is found that AlP collected from an Al-0.03 P melt could be divided into two categories:spinel twin crystals and non-twin crystals.During the nucleation process,these two kinds of AlP crystals triggered morphologically templated nucleation of primary Si phase,resulting in the formation of hexagonal primary Si twin and octahedral non-twin crystals,respectively.As such,the percentage of primary Si twin crystals in the experimental Al-18 Si alloy was also increased obviously after the morphologically templated nucleation via Al P.The morphologically templated nucleation also eliminated the dendritic growth of primary Si phase and the formation of hopper structures inside primary Si,forcing primary Si to maintain to be faceted solid crystals through layer-by-layer growing mechanism.The insight into morphologically templated nucleation offers a new view in understanding the mechanism of heterogeneous nucleation of primary Si phase on AlP nuclei.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No.2020YFB0311300ZL)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52071343)。
文摘A novel Al-5 Mg2 Si-2 Mg alloy was processed by selective laser melting(SLM) to understand its representative features of microstructural evolution and mechanical properties during additive manufacturing(AM). The as-SLM fabricated Al-5 Mg_(2) Si-2 Mg alloy is found to deliver much less hot cracks and other defects. Meanwhile, excellent mechanical property is also achieved, i.e. 452 ± 11 MPa for ultimate tensile strength, 295 ± 14 MPa for yield strength, and 9.3 ± 2.5% for elongation. Clearly, these mechanical properties are better than that obtained by high pressure die casting(HPDC), and better than some other alloys obtained by SLM. The as-SLM fabricated Al-5 Mg_(2) Si-2 Mg alloy is featured by the significantly refined microstructures in the compact primary α-Al, the divorced Mg_(2) Si eutectic networks distributing atα-Al grain boundaries, and some α-Al Fe Mn Si phase in association with eutectic Mg_(2) Si phase. The high strength and ductility of the alloy are attributed to its unique features including(a) the reduced solidification range,(b) the possible increase of the eutectic level in the microstructure, and(c) the shift of eutectic point and the maximum solubility point of Mg2 Si in Al matrix.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2020YFB0311300ZL)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52071343)。
文摘The selective laser melting(SLM)with subsequent cold rolling and annealing is used to produce high-density lattice defects and grain refinement in the CoCrNi medium-entropy alloys(MEAs).The superior comprehensive mechanical properties have been achieved in the as-SLMed CoCrNi alloy after rolling and annealing.The as-SLMed alloys delivered the yield strength of 693.4 MPa,the ultimate tensile strength of 912.7 MPa and the fracture strain of 54.4%.After rolling with 70%reduction in thickness and annealing at 700℃for 2 h.the yield strength,ultimate tensile strength and fracture strain reached 1161.6 MPa,1390.8 MPa and 31.5%,respectively.The exceptional strength-ductility synergy is mainly attributed to the refined hierarchical microstructures with coarsening grains at a level of 30μm and ultrafine grains at a level of 1μm,and the heritage of dislocation-formed sub-grains and other lattice defects.This investigation demonstrates that the SLM with subsequent rolling and annealing is beneficial to fabricate high strength and ductile MEAs with single face-centered cubic(fcc)structure.
