This review summarizes recent insights into the Mg corrosion mechanism, clarifies many critical controversial points regarding the Mg corrosion behaviour, and updates some efforts made to extend the industrial applica...This review summarizes recent insights into the Mg corrosion mechanism, clarifies many critical controversial points regarding the Mg corrosion behaviour, and updates some efforts made to extend the industrial application of Mg alloys. Based on the new understandings gained so far, future research directions are also suggested in the review. This review has the following logic. The first section "1. Scope"is a consolidation of the new understandings or developments regarding the Mg corrosion mechanism and the new applications for Mg alloys. It also highlights some key points for the review. The second section "2. Widely accepted knowledge" briefly summarizes the general understanding of Mg corrosion gained so far, which acts as the foundation for the following sections. The third section "3. Recently deepened insights" mainly briefs on some new insights into Mg corrosion phenomena based on recent findings. Different interpretations on the corrosion behaviours are comprehensively discussed in the fourth section "4. Controversial points" and the conclusions are drawn in the subsection"4.5 Clarified points". Apart from the fundamental understandings, various efforts in the application of Mg alloys are presented in the fifth section "5. New applications". Following the research tendency as indicated in the review, prioritized research areas are suggested in "6.Future directions". The review is concluded with "7. Concluding remarks" at last.展开更多
A novel Mg-Al LDH film was in-situ prepared hydrothermally in an alkaline aqueous solution on an Al-alloyed AZ31 substrate.The structural,chemical and functional characteristics of the film were explored by means of s...A novel Mg-Al LDH film was in-situ prepared hydrothermally in an alkaline aqueous solution on an Al-alloyed AZ31 substrate.The structural,chemical and functional characteristics of the film were explored by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),polarization curve,AC impedance and salt immersion tests,respectively.The anti-corrosion results indicated that the Mg-Al LDH film on the Al-alloyed AZ31 surface could effectively protect the AZ31 from corrosion attack even after 90 days of immersion in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution.The protection performance is surprisingly better than most of the reported coatings on Mg alloys.More interestingly,when the Mg-Al LDH film was scratched,the exposed Al-alloyed surface might gradually release metal ions and re-generate dense LDH nano-sheets in the corrosive environment to inhibit the further corrosion there,exhibiting a self-repairing behavior.The combination of the benign long-term protection and desirable self-repairing performance in this new process of surface-alloying and LDH-formation may significantly extend the practical application of magnesium alloys.展开更多
The microstructural evolution,texture and mechanical properties of nine Mg-4Zn-xCa-yMn alloys(x=0.3,0.6,1.0;y=0.2,0.3,0.7 wt.%)were investigated systematically.Alloying with Ca and Mn refined the grains of the extrude...The microstructural evolution,texture and mechanical properties of nine Mg-4Zn-xCa-yMn alloys(x=0.3,0.6,1.0;y=0.2,0.3,0.7 wt.%)were investigated systematically.Alloying with Ca and Mn refined the grains of the extruded sheets and increased the unDRX fraction.Mn could be the heterogeneous nucleation site of Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase because of a good atom matching at the orientation relationship of(211)_(Mn)//(1211)_(Ca2Mg6Zn3),(251)_(Mn)//〈1103〉_(Ca2Mg6Zn3).The traditional texture weakening effect of Ca was strongly decreased for the simultaneously addition of Mn.With increasing Ca and Mn concentration,the strength increased and ductility decreased.Mg-4Zn-0.6Ca-0.7Mn exhibited a good combination of ultimate tensile strength(320 MPa),yield strength(286 MPa)and elongation(16%).A model of strengthening indicated that grain boundary strengthening and precipitate strengthening made a large contribution to the strength of Mg-4Zn-0.6Ca-0.7Mn.In addition,the dynamic recrystallization,texture modification and the strengthening effect from different parts also have been analyzed in detail.展开更多
The negative thermal expansion(NTE) phenomenon is of great significance in fabricating zero thermal expansion(ZTE) materials to avoid thermal shock during heating and cooling. NTE is observed in limited groups of mate...The negative thermal expansion(NTE) phenomenon is of great significance in fabricating zero thermal expansion(ZTE) materials to avoid thermal shock during heating and cooling. NTE is observed in limited groups of materials, e.g., metal cyanides, oxometallates, and metalorganic frameworks, but has not been reported in the family of metal hydrides. Herein, a colossal and continuous negative thermal expansion is firstly developed in the low-temperature phases of LT1-and LT2-Mg_(2)NiH_(4) between 488 K and 733 K from in-situ transmission electron microscope(TEM) video, with the volume contraction reaching 18.7% and 11.3%, respectively. The mechanisms for volume contraction of LT1 and LT2 phases are elucidated from the viewpoints of phase transformation, magnetic transition, and dehydrogenation, which is different from common NTE materials containing flexible polyhedra units in the structure. The linear volume shrinkage of LT2 in the temperature of 488-553 K corresponds to the phase transition of LT2→HT with a thermal expansion coefficient of -799.7 × 10^(-6) K^(-1) revealed by in-situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. The sudden volume contraction in LT1 between 488 and 493 K may be caused by the rapid dehydrogenation of LT1 to Mg_(2)Ni. The revealed phenomenon in single composite material with different structures would be significant for preparing zero thermal expansion materials by tuning the fraction of LT1 and LT2 phases.展开更多
This paper presents a re-evaluation of the room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep resistance of magnesium die-casting alloy AE44(Mg-4Al-4RE)in light of the influence of minor Mn addition.It ...This paper presents a re-evaluation of the room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep resistance of magnesium die-casting alloy AE44(Mg-4Al-4RE)in light of the influence of minor Mn addition.It is shown that the Mn-containing AE44 exhibits distinct age hardening response upon direct ageing(T5)due to the precipitation of nanoscale Al-Mn particles,as reported previously in a similar alloy.The T5 ageing leads to a significant improvement in strength with similar ductility.Consequently,the T5-aged AE44 has a remarkably better strength-ductility combination than most Mg die-casting alloys and even the Al die-casting alloy A380.Minor Mn addition is also shown to be critical for the creep resistance of AE44 whereas the influence of the RE constituent is not as significant as previously thought,which reaffirms that precipitation hardening of theα-Mg matrix is more important than grain boundary reinforcement by intermetallic phases for the creep resistance of die-cast Mg alloys.The findings in this work could provide new application perspectives for AE44,particularly in the automotive industry.展开更多
It has long been postulated that a relationship exists between commodity price cycles and fatalities in the mining industry.Previous studies have found only weak correlations in this area.This study analyses the fatal...It has long been postulated that a relationship exists between commodity price cycles and fatalities in the mining industry.Previous studies have found only weak correlations in this area.This study analyses the fatalities recorded in coal mines over the period 1985-2016 in the State of Queensland as a function of thermal coal price variation.The study finds that the relationship between fatalities and coal prices is not linear.One to two fatalities occur in most years independent of the thermal coal price.When the price of coal falls below AUD 55/tonne(non-inflation adjusted),the likelihood of an incident involving multiple fatalities increases.The probability can be estimated at 2 in 18 events(equivalent to 11%).This paper postulates that in difficult economic times,mining companies react by downsizing direct employees.If not carefully managed,this can result in loss of knowledge around safety systems,and reduced effectiveness of safety supervision.Because of labour cost advantages,some jobs previously undertaken by direct employees will be replaced by contractors.Increased contractor numbers contribute to increased risk of fatalities occurring,as contractors are over-represented in accident categories involving vehicle accidents,tire handling and crushing incidents.Mine inspectorates,mining,and mining contractor companies need to be especially vigilant to enforce health and safety management systems during periods of low coal prices.展开更多
The pumping ability and placement performance of fresh cemented paste backfill(CPB) in underground mined cavities depend on its rheological properties. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rheology of fresh CPB slur...The pumping ability and placement performance of fresh cemented paste backfill(CPB) in underground mined cavities depend on its rheological properties. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rheology of fresh CPB slurry, which is related to CPB mixture design and the temperature underground. This paper presented an experimental study investigating the effects of binder type, content, water chemical properties and content, and temperature, on the rheological properties of CPB material prepared using the tailings of a copper mine in South Australia. Portland cement(PC), a newly released commercially manufactured cement called Minecem(MC) and fly ash(FA) were used as the binders added to the mine tailing materials. Various amounts of two different water types were added to the mixtures in the preparation of backfill material slurry. Six different temperatures ranging from 5 to 60 °C were to investigate the effect of temperature on CPB rheology. Overall, the increasing water content and decreasing temperature lead to lower yield stress. Based on the results obtained from the rheological properties of CPB slurry, it was found that at room temperature(25 °C), with regards to the unconfined compressive strength(UCS) performance, the replacement of 4% PC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 425 k Pa) to 3% MC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 519 k Pa), reduced the slurry yield stress from 210.7 to 178.5 Pa. The results also showed that the chemical composition of water affects the yield stress of CPB slurry and that MC mitigates the negative effect of mine-processed water(MW) and thus lead to improve the rheological properties of the slurry. However, the results suggested that the rheological properties of a mixture using MC is very sensitive to the water volume and temperature change. Therefore, using MC in backfill requires better quality control in slump mixing.展开更多
Coal permeability is a measure of the ability for fluids to flow through coal structures. It is one of the most important parameters affecting the gas drainage performance in underground coal mines. Despite the extens...Coal permeability is a measure of the ability for fluids to flow through coal structures. It is one of the most important parameters affecting the gas drainage performance in underground coal mines. Despite the extensive research conducted on coal permeability, few studies have considered the effect of coal damage on permeability. This has resulted in unreliable permeability evaluation and prediction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coal damage on permeability and gas drainage performance. The Cui-Bustin permeability model was improved by taking into account the impact of coal damage on permeability. The key damage coefficient of the improved permeability model is determined based on the published permeability data. A finite-element numerical simulation was then developed based on the improved permeability model to investigate the damage areas and the permeability distribution around roadway. Results showed that the tensile failure occurs mainly on the upper and lower sides of the roadway while the shear failure symmetrically occurs on the left and right sides. With the increase in the friction angle value, the damage area becomes small. A good agreement was obtained between the results of the improved permeability model(c = 3) and the published permeability data. This indicated a more accurate permeability prediction by the improved permeability model. It is expected that the findings of this study could provide guidance for in-seam gas drainage borehole design and sealing, in order to enhance the gas drainage performance and reduce gas emissions into underground roadways.展开更多
The data collected from haul truck payload management systems at various surface mines show that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity, diesel energy consumption...The data collected from haul truck payload management systems at various surface mines show that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity, diesel energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and associated costs. The aim of this study is to determine the energy and cost saving opportunities for truck haulage operations associated with the payload variance in surface mines. The results indicate that there is a non-linear relationship between the payload variance and the fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and associated costs. A correlation model, which is independent of haul road conditions, has been developed between the payload variance and the cost saving using the data from an Australian surface coal mine. The results of analysis for this particular mine show that a significant saving of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions costs is possible if the standard deviation of payload is reduced from the maximum to minimum value.展开更多
The effects of Sr additions on the microstructure and corrosion performance of a Mg-Al-RE alloy in 3.5 wt.%Na Cl saturated with Mg(OH)_(2) have been investigated.Microstructure examination reveals that the Sr addition...The effects of Sr additions on the microstructure and corrosion performance of a Mg-Al-RE alloy in 3.5 wt.%Na Cl saturated with Mg(OH)_(2) have been investigated.Microstructure examination reveals that the Sr addition introduces additional intermetallic phases,refines intermetallic networks and dendritic grains,and improves the network continuity.More Al and rare earth elements can be identified in the intermetallics and grain boundaries or inter-dendrite regions under a transmission electron microscope and secondary electron microscope,respectively.On the Sr-containing intermetallic phases and the refined microstructure,the oxide films become more protective,resulting in more corrosion resistant boundary areas and thus dendrite grain grooves.Hence,the presence of large amounts of intermetallics and boundaries can enhance the corrosion performance of the Mg-Al-RE alloy containing Sr.展开更多
Ultrasonic treatment(UST)applied during the solidification of pure Mg,eutectic(Mg-Zn)and peritectic(Mg-Zr)alloys was investigated in order to explore the grain refinement mechanisms.Temperature dependent grain refinem...Ultrasonic treatment(UST)applied during the solidification of pure Mg,eutectic(Mg-Zn)and peritectic(Mg-Zr)alloys was investigated in order to explore the grain refinement mechanisms.Temperature dependent grain refinement is observed in pure Mg where decreasing the superheat temperature(at which UST is applied from above the melting temperature,TM)from 100℃to 40℃produces significant refinement with a uniform grain structure.The presence of solute reduces the temperature dependence of the UST refinement and excellent grain refinement is obtained regardless of the superheat temperature(100℃or 40℃)and even with the use of preheated sonotrode in the Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy.A further improvement in grain refinement is achieved when the alloy contains potent particles that introduce additional nucleation of grains in Mg-0.5 and 1.0 wt.%Zr alloys(producing an average grain size of≤100μm).At 40℃superheat,UST of Mg-Zn alloys produces excellent refinement(average grain size<200μm)with non-dendritic grains,which is normally achieved only with the addition of grain refining master alloy in the as-cast condition.The enhanced refinement observed in the eutectic alloy is explained through the undercooling imposed by a relatively cold sonotrode combined with high frequency vibrations and acoustic streaming.The advantages of using a cold sonotrode,a low superheat and solute are demonstrated for achieving significant refinement during solidification of Mg alloys under UST without or with a lower addition of grain refining master alloys.展开更多
Lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs)are promising alternative energy storage devices to the commercial lithium-ion batteries.However,the LSBs have several limitations including the low electronic conductivity of sulfur(5...Lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs)are promising alternative energy storage devices to the commercial lithium-ion batteries.However,the LSBs have several limitations including the low electronic conductivity of sulfur(5×10^-30S cm^-1),associated lithium polysulfides(PSs),and their migration from the cathode to the anode.In this study,a separator coated with a Ketjen black(KB)/Nafion composite was used in an LSB with a sulfur loading up to 7.88 mg cm^-2to mitigate the PS migration.A minimum specific capacity(Cs)loss of 0.06%was obtained at 0.2 C-rate at a high sulfur loading of 4.39 mg cm^-2.Furthermore,an initial areal capacity up to 6.70 mAh cm^-2 was obtained at a sulfur loading of 7.88 mg cm^-2.The low Cs loss and high areal capacity associated with the high sulfur loading are attributed to the large surface area of the KB and sulfonate group(SO3^-)of Nafion,respectively,which could physically and chemically trap the PSs.展开更多
The influence of trace As content(0.04,0.05,0.06 wt%)on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of AZ91 alloy in different metallurgical conditions(as-cast,as-quenched,peak-aged)was firstly investigated.It is found ...The influence of trace As content(0.04,0.05,0.06 wt%)on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of AZ91 alloy in different metallurgical conditions(as-cast,as-quenched,peak-aged)was firstly investigated.It is found that the corrosion resistance of AZ91 alloy in all conditions is significantly enhanced by As addition,mainly due to cathodic toxication,melt purification and incidence reduction of local corrosion.As alloying leads to the formation of Mg 3 As 2 and makes the β-Mg 17 Al 12 phase less continuous in the as-cast alloys.The alloy containing 0.06 wt%As obtains a higher corrosion rate than those of the alloy containing 0.05 wt%As owing to a more discontinuity of β phase.The β phase is dissolved into the matrix in the as-quenched alloys and reprecipitates along the grain boundaries after aging.The more continuous β phase distribution in the peak-aged alloys contributes to corrosion resistance.The corrosion rates are in the order of as-quenched>as-cast>peak-aged.The lowest corrosion rate(0.67 mm/y)in 3.5 wt%NaCl solution is obtained in the peak-aged AZ91-0.05As alloy,which is over 70%lower than that of as-cast AZ91 alloy(2.22 mm/y).展开更多
In a global environment where energy and labor are becoming increasingly expensive, continuous mining systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying(IPCC) systems have been advanced as offering a real alternative to co...In a global environment where energy and labor are becoming increasingly expensive, continuous mining systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying(IPCC) systems have been advanced as offering a real alternative to conventional truck haulage systems. The implementation of IPCC systems in hard rock operations in open pit mines however requires different and more comprehensive planning approaches in order to adequately reflect the practical aspects associated with these. This paper investigates the impact that these approaches may have on the implementation of IPCC systems on a basic metalliferous deposit amenable to open pit exploitation. A strategic life of mine plan to provide numerous economic indicators for each approach is analyzed and compared to traditional truck haulage systems. The mine planning and evaluation process highlights the increased overall resource recovery that may accompany the use of IPCC systems. This investigation also provides insights into the issues associated with IPCC and the scale and type of operation and orebody that is likely to provide a feasible alternative to truck haulage.展开更多
In this work,the discharge properties and electrochemical behaviors of as-cast AZ80-La-Gd anode for Mg-air battery have been investigated and compared with the AZ80 anode.The microstructure evolution,electrochemical b...In this work,the discharge properties and electrochemical behaviors of as-cast AZ80-La-Gd anode for Mg-air battery have been investigated and compared with the AZ80 anode.The microstructure evolution,electrochemical behaviors and surface morphologies after discharge have been discussed to connect the discharge properties.The results indicate that the modified AZ80-La-Gd is an outstanding candidate for anode for Mg-air batter,which has high cell voltage,stable discharge curves,good specific capacity and energy,and good anodic efficiency.It exhibits the best anodic efficiency,specific capacity and energy of 76.45%,1703.6 mAh·g^(-1)and 2186.3 mWh·g^(-1),respectively,which are20.24%,18.92%and 25.71%higher than values for AZ80 anode.Such excellent discharge performance is attributed to the Al-RE particles.They refine the Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase and therefore improve the self-corrosion resistance and desorption ability of AZ80 anode.展开更多
Magnesium alloys such as Mg–Ca and Mg–Zn–Ca are good orthopaedic materials;however their tendency to corrode is high.Herein we utilize selective laser melting(SLM)to modify the surface of these Mg alloys to simulta...Magnesium alloys such as Mg–Ca and Mg–Zn–Ca are good orthopaedic materials;however their tendency to corrode is high.Herein we utilize selective laser melting(SLM)to modify the surface of these Mg alloys to simultaneously improve the corrosion behaviour and microhardness.The corrosion rate decreased from 2.1±0.2 mm/y to 1.0±0.1 mm/y for the laser-processed Mg–0.6Ca,and from 1.6±0.1 mm/y to 0.7±0.2 mm/y for laser-processed Mg–0.5Zn–0.3Ca.The microhardness increased from 46±1 HV to 56±1 HV for Mg–0.6Ca,and from 47±3 HV to 55±3 HV for Mg–0.5Zn–0.3Ca.In addition,good biocompatibility remained in the laser processed Mg alloys.The improved properties are attributed to laser-induced grain refinement,confined impurity elements,residual stress,and modified surface chemistry.The results demonstrated the potential of SLM as a surface engineering approach for developing advanced biomedical Mg alloys.展开更多
Fluctuations in commodity prices should influence mining operations to continually update and adjust their mine plans in order to capture additional value under new market conditions. One of the adjustments is the cha...Fluctuations in commodity prices should influence mining operations to continually update and adjust their mine plans in order to capture additional value under new market conditions. One of the adjustments is the change in production sequencing. This paper seeks to present a method for quantifying the net present value(NPV) that may be directly attributed to the change in commodity prices. The evaluation is conducted across ten copper price scenarios. Discrete event simulation combined with mixed integer programming was used to attain a viable production strategy and to generate optimal mine plans. The analysis indicates that an increase in prices results in an increased in the NPV from$96.57M to $755.65M. In an environment where mining operations must be striving to gain as much value as possible from the rights to exploit a finite resource, it is not appropriate to keep operating under the same mine plan if commodity prices alter during the course of operations.展开更多
Data collected from truck payload management systems at various surface mines shows that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity,energy consumption,greenhouse gas ...Data collected from truck payload management systems at various surface mines shows that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity,energy consumption,greenhouse gas emissions and associated cost.Payload variance causes significant differences in gross vehicle weights.Heavily loaded trucks travel slower up ramps than lightly loaded trucks.Faster trucks are slowed by the presence of slower trucks,resulting in‘bunching’,production losses and increasing fuel consumptions.This paper simulates the truck bunching phenomena in large surface mines to improve truck and shovel systems’efficiency and minimise fuel consumption.The study concentrated on completing a practical simulation model based on a discrete event method which is most commonly used in this field of research in other industries.The simulation model has been validated by a dataset collected from a large surface mine in Arizona state,USA.The results have shown that there is a good agreement between the actual and estimated values of investigated parameters.展开更多
This paper studied corrosion of pure Mg and the Mg alloys EV31A,WE43B,ZE41A,coated with commercial corrosion inhibiting compounds(CICs)(LPS 3,LPS2,AMLGuard,Ardrox 3961)immersed in 3.5 wt%(0.6M)Na Cl solution saturated...This paper studied corrosion of pure Mg and the Mg alloys EV31A,WE43B,ZE41A,coated with commercial corrosion inhibiting compounds(CICs)(LPS 3,LPS2,AMLGuard,Ardrox 3961)immersed in 3.5 wt%(0.6M)Na Cl solution saturated with Mg(OH)_(2).All four CICs reduced corrosion rates.LPS 3 resulted in zero corrosion rates and 100%inhibition in most cases.LPS 2 and AMLGuard had comparable inhibition efficiencies,whilst Ardrox 3961 had the lowest inhibition efficiency.Reduction in corrosion rates was tentatively attributed to barrier films formed by chemical adsorption for LPS 3 and AMLGuard,and by physical adsorption for LPS2 and Ardrox 3961.展开更多
The influence of alloying with Al–Si eutectic on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of single-phase Mg–4Li was studied in this paper.The microstructure was characterized using an electron microscopy.The cor...The influence of alloying with Al–Si eutectic on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of single-phase Mg–4Li was studied in this paper.The microstructure was characterized using an electron microscopy.The corrosion properties were measured by immersion tests and electrochemical impedance spectrum(EIS)measurements.Alloying with Al–Si eutectic caused the formation of Mg_(2)Si and Mg–Al phase.The grain orientation of Mg–4Li was mainly composed of(0001)while the grain orientation of Mg–4Li–6(Al–Si)was mainly consisted of(10–10)and(11–20).Mg–4Li–6(Al–Si)shows worse corrosion resistance than Mg–4Li owing to the galvanic corrosion from the precipitates and texture change.展开更多
基金The support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.52250710159,51731008,51671163)。
文摘This review summarizes recent insights into the Mg corrosion mechanism, clarifies many critical controversial points regarding the Mg corrosion behaviour, and updates some efforts made to extend the industrial application of Mg alloys. Based on the new understandings gained so far, future research directions are also suggested in the review. This review has the following logic. The first section "1. Scope"is a consolidation of the new understandings or developments regarding the Mg corrosion mechanism and the new applications for Mg alloys. It also highlights some key points for the review. The second section "2. Widely accepted knowledge" briefly summarizes the general understanding of Mg corrosion gained so far, which acts as the foundation for the following sections. The third section "3. Recently deepened insights" mainly briefs on some new insights into Mg corrosion phenomena based on recent findings. Different interpretations on the corrosion behaviours are comprehensively discussed in the fourth section "4. Controversial points" and the conclusions are drawn in the subsection"4.5 Clarified points". Apart from the fundamental understandings, various efforts in the application of Mg alloys are presented in the fifth section "5. New applications". Following the research tendency as indicated in the review, prioritized research areas are suggested in "6.Future directions". The review is concluded with "7. Concluding remarks" at last.
基金The research is supported by the National Science Foundation of China(key project grant No.51731008 and general project grant No.51671163).
文摘A novel Mg-Al LDH film was in-situ prepared hydrothermally in an alkaline aqueous solution on an Al-alloyed AZ31 substrate.The structural,chemical and functional characteristics of the film were explored by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS),polarization curve,AC impedance and salt immersion tests,respectively.The anti-corrosion results indicated that the Mg-Al LDH film on the Al-alloyed AZ31 surface could effectively protect the AZ31 from corrosion attack even after 90 days of immersion in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution.The protection performance is surprisingly better than most of the reported coatings on Mg alloys.More interestingly,when the Mg-Al LDH film was scratched,the exposed Al-alloyed surface might gradually release metal ions and re-generate dense LDH nano-sheets in the corrosive environment to inhibit the further corrosion there,exhibiting a self-repairing behavior.The combination of the benign long-term protection and desirable self-repairing performance in this new process of surface-alloying and LDH-formation may significantly extend the practical application of magnesium alloys.
基金supported by National Key R&D Program of China(2016YFB0301100)National Natural Science Foundation of China(51571043)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2020CDJDPT001,cqu2018CDHB1A08)。
文摘The microstructural evolution,texture and mechanical properties of nine Mg-4Zn-xCa-yMn alloys(x=0.3,0.6,1.0;y=0.2,0.3,0.7 wt.%)were investigated systematically.Alloying with Ca and Mn refined the grains of the extruded sheets and increased the unDRX fraction.Mn could be the heterogeneous nucleation site of Ca2Mg6Zn3 phase because of a good atom matching at the orientation relationship of(211)_(Mn)//(1211)_(Ca2Mg6Zn3),(251)_(Mn)//〈1103〉_(Ca2Mg6Zn3).The traditional texture weakening effect of Ca was strongly decreased for the simultaneously addition of Mn.With increasing Ca and Mn concentration,the strength increased and ductility decreased.Mg-4Zn-0.6Ca-0.7Mn exhibited a good combination of ultimate tensile strength(320 MPa),yield strength(286 MPa)and elongation(16%).A model of strengthening indicated that grain boundary strengthening and precipitate strengthening made a large contribution to the strength of Mg-4Zn-0.6Ca-0.7Mn.In addition,the dynamic recrystallization,texture modification and the strengthening effect from different parts also have been analyzed in detail.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFB3701001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51871143)+1 种基金Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Metal Parts Green Remanufacture (No.19DZ2252900) from Shanghai Engineering Research Center Construction ProjectShanghai Rising-Star Program (21QA1403200)。
文摘The negative thermal expansion(NTE) phenomenon is of great significance in fabricating zero thermal expansion(ZTE) materials to avoid thermal shock during heating and cooling. NTE is observed in limited groups of materials, e.g., metal cyanides, oxometallates, and metalorganic frameworks, but has not been reported in the family of metal hydrides. Herein, a colossal and continuous negative thermal expansion is firstly developed in the low-temperature phases of LT1-and LT2-Mg_(2)NiH_(4) between 488 K and 733 K from in-situ transmission electron microscope(TEM) video, with the volume contraction reaching 18.7% and 11.3%, respectively. The mechanisms for volume contraction of LT1 and LT2 phases are elucidated from the viewpoints of phase transformation, magnetic transition, and dehydrogenation, which is different from common NTE materials containing flexible polyhedra units in the structure. The linear volume shrinkage of LT2 in the temperature of 488-553 K corresponds to the phase transition of LT2→HT with a thermal expansion coefficient of -799.7 × 10^(-6) K^(-1) revealed by in-situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. The sudden volume contraction in LT1 between 488 and 493 K may be caused by the rapid dehydrogenation of LT1 to Mg_(2)Ni. The revealed phenomenon in single composite material with different structures would be significant for preparing zero thermal expansion materials by tuning the fraction of LT1 and LT2 phases.
基金supported by Australian Research Council(LP160100690)Magontec Ltd.Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy(MCEM)。
文摘This paper presents a re-evaluation of the room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep resistance of magnesium die-casting alloy AE44(Mg-4Al-4RE)in light of the influence of minor Mn addition.It is shown that the Mn-containing AE44 exhibits distinct age hardening response upon direct ageing(T5)due to the precipitation of nanoscale Al-Mn particles,as reported previously in a similar alloy.The T5 ageing leads to a significant improvement in strength with similar ductility.Consequently,the T5-aged AE44 has a remarkably better strength-ductility combination than most Mg die-casting alloys and even the Al die-casting alloy A380.Minor Mn addition is also shown to be critical for the creep resistance of AE44 whereas the influence of the RE constituent is not as significant as previously thought,which reaffirms that precipitation hardening of theα-Mg matrix is more important than grain boundary reinforcement by intermetallic phases for the creep resistance of die-cast Mg alloys.The findings in this work could provide new application perspectives for AE44,particularly in the automotive industry.
文摘It has long been postulated that a relationship exists between commodity price cycles and fatalities in the mining industry.Previous studies have found only weak correlations in this area.This study analyses the fatalities recorded in coal mines over the period 1985-2016 in the State of Queensland as a function of thermal coal price variation.The study finds that the relationship between fatalities and coal prices is not linear.One to two fatalities occur in most years independent of the thermal coal price.When the price of coal falls below AUD 55/tonne(non-inflation adjusted),the likelihood of an incident involving multiple fatalities increases.The probability can be estimated at 2 in 18 events(equivalent to 11%).This paper postulates that in difficult economic times,mining companies react by downsizing direct employees.If not carefully managed,this can result in loss of knowledge around safety systems,and reduced effectiveness of safety supervision.Because of labour cost advantages,some jobs previously undertaken by direct employees will be replaced by contractors.Increased contractor numbers contribute to increased risk of fatalities occurring,as contractors are over-represented in accident categories involving vehicle accidents,tire handling and crushing incidents.Mine inspectorates,mining,and mining contractor companies need to be especially vigilant to enforce health and safety management systems during periods of low coal prices.
基金This research was partially funded by Mining Education Australia(MEA)and OZ Minerals,Australiatheir support is gratefully acknowledged.
文摘The pumping ability and placement performance of fresh cemented paste backfill(CPB) in underground mined cavities depend on its rheological properties. Hence, it is crucial to understand the rheology of fresh CPB slurry, which is related to CPB mixture design and the temperature underground. This paper presented an experimental study investigating the effects of binder type, content, water chemical properties and content, and temperature, on the rheological properties of CPB material prepared using the tailings of a copper mine in South Australia. Portland cement(PC), a newly released commercially manufactured cement called Minecem(MC) and fly ash(FA) were used as the binders added to the mine tailing materials. Various amounts of two different water types were added to the mixtures in the preparation of backfill material slurry. Six different temperatures ranging from 5 to 60 °C were to investigate the effect of temperature on CPB rheology. Overall, the increasing water content and decreasing temperature lead to lower yield stress. Based on the results obtained from the rheological properties of CPB slurry, it was found that at room temperature(25 °C), with regards to the unconfined compressive strength(UCS) performance, the replacement of 4% PC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 425 k Pa) to 3% MC mixed CPB(28 days UCS 519 k Pa), reduced the slurry yield stress from 210.7 to 178.5 Pa. The results also showed that the chemical composition of water affects the yield stress of CPB slurry and that MC mitigates the negative effect of mine-processed water(MW) and thus lead to improve the rheological properties of the slurry. However, the results suggested that the rheological properties of a mixture using MC is very sensitive to the water volume and temperature change. Therefore, using MC in backfill requires better quality control in slump mixing.
基金financially supported by the CSC-UQ Scholarshipthe University of Queensland Top Up Assistance Scholarship
文摘Coal permeability is a measure of the ability for fluids to flow through coal structures. It is one of the most important parameters affecting the gas drainage performance in underground coal mines. Despite the extensive research conducted on coal permeability, few studies have considered the effect of coal damage on permeability. This has resulted in unreliable permeability evaluation and prediction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of coal damage on permeability and gas drainage performance. The Cui-Bustin permeability model was improved by taking into account the impact of coal damage on permeability. The key damage coefficient of the improved permeability model is determined based on the published permeability data. A finite-element numerical simulation was then developed based on the improved permeability model to investigate the damage areas and the permeability distribution around roadway. Results showed that the tensile failure occurs mainly on the upper and lower sides of the roadway while the shear failure symmetrically occurs on the left and right sides. With the increase in the friction angle value, the damage area becomes small. A good agreement was obtained between the results of the improved permeability model(c = 3) and the published permeability data. This indicated a more accurate permeability prediction by the improved permeability model. It is expected that the findings of this study could provide guidance for in-seam gas drainage borehole design and sealing, in order to enhance the gas drainage performance and reduce gas emissions into underground roadways.
基金CRC Mining and the University of Queensland for their financial support for this study
文摘The data collected from haul truck payload management systems at various surface mines show that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity, diesel energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and associated costs. The aim of this study is to determine the energy and cost saving opportunities for truck haulage operations associated with the payload variance in surface mines. The results indicate that there is a non-linear relationship between the payload variance and the fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and associated costs. A correlation model, which is independent of haul road conditions, has been developed between the payload variance and the cost saving using the data from an Australian surface coal mine. The results of analysis for this particular mine show that a significant saving of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions costs is possible if the standard deviation of payload is reduced from the maximum to minimum value.
文摘The effects of Sr additions on the microstructure and corrosion performance of a Mg-Al-RE alloy in 3.5 wt.%Na Cl saturated with Mg(OH)_(2) have been investigated.Microstructure examination reveals that the Sr addition introduces additional intermetallic phases,refines intermetallic networks and dendritic grains,and improves the network continuity.More Al and rare earth elements can be identified in the intermetallics and grain boundaries or inter-dendrite regions under a transmission electron microscope and secondary electron microscope,respectively.On the Sr-containing intermetallic phases and the refined microstructure,the oxide films become more protective,resulting in more corrosion resistant boundary areas and thus dendrite grain grooves.Hence,the presence of large amounts of intermetallics and boundaries can enhance the corrosion performance of the Mg-Al-RE alloy containing Sr.
基金the funding support provided by Australian Research Council Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices IH150100024the ARC Discovery grant DP140100702 and ARC linkage project LP150100950。
文摘Ultrasonic treatment(UST)applied during the solidification of pure Mg,eutectic(Mg-Zn)and peritectic(Mg-Zr)alloys was investigated in order to explore the grain refinement mechanisms.Temperature dependent grain refinement is observed in pure Mg where decreasing the superheat temperature(at which UST is applied from above the melting temperature,TM)from 100℃to 40℃produces significant refinement with a uniform grain structure.The presence of solute reduces the temperature dependence of the UST refinement and excellent grain refinement is obtained regardless of the superheat temperature(100℃or 40℃)and even with the use of preheated sonotrode in the Mg-6 wt.%Zn alloy.A further improvement in grain refinement is achieved when the alloy contains potent particles that introduce additional nucleation of grains in Mg-0.5 and 1.0 wt.%Zr alloys(producing an average grain size of≤100μm).At 40℃superheat,UST of Mg-Zn alloys produces excellent refinement(average grain size<200μm)with non-dendritic grains,which is normally achieved only with the addition of grain refining master alloy in the as-cast condition.The enhanced refinement observed in the eutectic alloy is explained through the undercooling imposed by a relatively cold sonotrode combined with high frequency vibrations and acoustic streaming.The advantages of using a cold sonotrode,a low superheat and solute are demonstrated for achieving significant refinement during solidification of Mg alloys under UST without or with a lower addition of grain refining master alloys.
基金the Australian Government and University of Queensland for the research training program scholarship and research facilities used in this study.
文摘Lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs)are promising alternative energy storage devices to the commercial lithium-ion batteries.However,the LSBs have several limitations including the low electronic conductivity of sulfur(5×10^-30S cm^-1),associated lithium polysulfides(PSs),and their migration from the cathode to the anode.In this study,a separator coated with a Ketjen black(KB)/Nafion composite was used in an LSB with a sulfur loading up to 7.88 mg cm^-2to mitigate the PS migration.A minimum specific capacity(Cs)loss of 0.06%was obtained at 0.2 C-rate at a high sulfur loading of 4.39 mg cm^-2.Furthermore,an initial areal capacity up to 6.70 mAh cm^-2 was obtained at a sulfur loading of 7.88 mg cm^-2.The low Cs loss and high areal capacity associated with the high sulfur loading are attributed to the large surface area of the KB and sulfonate group(SO3^-)of Nafion,respectively,which could physically and chemically trap the PSs.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51775334,51821001)National Defense Science and Technology Innovation Special Zone Project(No.002-002-01)the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant no.2016YFB0701205)。
文摘The influence of trace As content(0.04,0.05,0.06 wt%)on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of AZ91 alloy in different metallurgical conditions(as-cast,as-quenched,peak-aged)was firstly investigated.It is found that the corrosion resistance of AZ91 alloy in all conditions is significantly enhanced by As addition,mainly due to cathodic toxication,melt purification and incidence reduction of local corrosion.As alloying leads to the formation of Mg 3 As 2 and makes the β-Mg 17 Al 12 phase less continuous in the as-cast alloys.The alloy containing 0.06 wt%As obtains a higher corrosion rate than those of the alloy containing 0.05 wt%As owing to a more discontinuity of β phase.The β phase is dissolved into the matrix in the as-quenched alloys and reprecipitates along the grain boundaries after aging.The more continuous β phase distribution in the peak-aged alloys contributes to corrosion resistance.The corrosion rates are in the order of as-quenched>as-cast>peak-aged.The lowest corrosion rate(0.67 mm/y)in 3.5 wt%NaCl solution is obtained in the peak-aged AZ91-0.05As alloy,which is over 70%lower than that of as-cast AZ91 alloy(2.22 mm/y).
文摘In a global environment where energy and labor are becoming increasingly expensive, continuous mining systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying(IPCC) systems have been advanced as offering a real alternative to conventional truck haulage systems. The implementation of IPCC systems in hard rock operations in open pit mines however requires different and more comprehensive planning approaches in order to adequately reflect the practical aspects associated with these. This paper investigates the impact that these approaches may have on the implementation of IPCC systems on a basic metalliferous deposit amenable to open pit exploitation. A strategic life of mine plan to provide numerous economic indicators for each approach is analyzed and compared to traditional truck haulage systems. The mine planning and evaluation process highlights the increased overall resource recovery that may accompany the use of IPCC systems. This investigation also provides insights into the issues associated with IPCC and the scale and type of operation and orebody that is likely to provide a feasible alternative to truck haulage.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51974082)the Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline Innovation to Universities 2.0(the 111 Project of China 2.0,No.BP0719037)
文摘In this work,the discharge properties and electrochemical behaviors of as-cast AZ80-La-Gd anode for Mg-air battery have been investigated and compared with the AZ80 anode.The microstructure evolution,electrochemical behaviors and surface morphologies after discharge have been discussed to connect the discharge properties.The results indicate that the modified AZ80-La-Gd is an outstanding candidate for anode for Mg-air batter,which has high cell voltage,stable discharge curves,good specific capacity and energy,and good anodic efficiency.It exhibits the best anodic efficiency,specific capacity and energy of 76.45%,1703.6 mAh·g^(-1)and 2186.3 mWh·g^(-1),respectively,which are20.24%,18.92%and 25.71%higher than values for AZ80 anode.Such excellent discharge performance is attributed to the Al-RE particles.They refine the Mg_(17)Al_(12)phase and therefore improve the self-corrosion resistance and desorption ability of AZ80 anode.
基金funded by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission(JCYJ20180504165824643)Shenzhen Industrial and Information Technology Bureau(ZDYBH201900000009)+1 种基金the support of Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchersthe support of the Australian Research Council Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices(IH150100024)
文摘Magnesium alloys such as Mg–Ca and Mg–Zn–Ca are good orthopaedic materials;however their tendency to corrode is high.Herein we utilize selective laser melting(SLM)to modify the surface of these Mg alloys to simultaneously improve the corrosion behaviour and microhardness.The corrosion rate decreased from 2.1±0.2 mm/y to 1.0±0.1 mm/y for the laser-processed Mg–0.6Ca,and from 1.6±0.1 mm/y to 0.7±0.2 mm/y for laser-processed Mg–0.5Zn–0.3Ca.The microhardness increased from 46±1 HV to 56±1 HV for Mg–0.6Ca,and from 47±3 HV to 55±3 HV for Mg–0.5Zn–0.3Ca.In addition,good biocompatibility remained in the laser processed Mg alloys.The improved properties are attributed to laser-induced grain refinement,confined impurity elements,residual stress,and modified surface chemistry.The results demonstrated the potential of SLM as a surface engineering approach for developing advanced biomedical Mg alloys.
文摘Fluctuations in commodity prices should influence mining operations to continually update and adjust their mine plans in order to capture additional value under new market conditions. One of the adjustments is the change in production sequencing. This paper seeks to present a method for quantifying the net present value(NPV) that may be directly attributed to the change in commodity prices. The evaluation is conducted across ten copper price scenarios. Discrete event simulation combined with mixed integer programming was used to attain a viable production strategy and to generate optimal mine plans. The analysis indicates that an increase in prices results in an increased in the NPV from$96.57M to $755.65M. In an environment where mining operations must be striving to gain as much value as possible from the rights to exploit a finite resource, it is not appropriate to keep operating under the same mine plan if commodity prices alter during the course of operations.
基金CRC MiningThe University of Queensland for their financial support for this study
文摘Data collected from truck payload management systems at various surface mines shows that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity,energy consumption,greenhouse gas emissions and associated cost.Payload variance causes significant differences in gross vehicle weights.Heavily loaded trucks travel slower up ramps than lightly loaded trucks.Faster trucks are slowed by the presence of slower trucks,resulting in‘bunching’,production losses and increasing fuel consumptions.This paper simulates the truck bunching phenomena in large surface mines to improve truck and shovel systems’efficiency and minimise fuel consumption.The study concentrated on completing a practical simulation model based on a discrete event method which is most commonly used in this field of research in other industries.The simulation model has been validated by a dataset collected from a large surface mine in Arizona state,USA.The results have shown that there is a good agreement between the actual and estimated values of investigated parameters.
基金supported and funded by the Defence Materials Technology Centre
文摘This paper studied corrosion of pure Mg and the Mg alloys EV31A,WE43B,ZE41A,coated with commercial corrosion inhibiting compounds(CICs)(LPS 3,LPS2,AMLGuard,Ardrox 3961)immersed in 3.5 wt%(0.6M)Na Cl solution saturated with Mg(OH)_(2).All four CICs reduced corrosion rates.LPS 3 resulted in zero corrosion rates and 100%inhibition in most cases.LPS 2 and AMLGuard had comparable inhibition efficiencies,whilst Ardrox 3961 had the lowest inhibition efficiency.Reduction in corrosion rates was tentatively attributed to barrier films formed by chemical adsorption for LPS 3 and AMLGuard,and by physical adsorption for LPS2 and Ardrox 3961.
基金This work was supported by projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51701029,51671041,51531002)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFB0301100)+2 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project(2018T110943,2017M620410)the Chongqing Postdoctoral Scientific Research Foundation(Xm2017010)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2018CDGFCL005).
文摘The influence of alloying with Al–Si eutectic on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of single-phase Mg–4Li was studied in this paper.The microstructure was characterized using an electron microscopy.The corrosion properties were measured by immersion tests and electrochemical impedance spectrum(EIS)measurements.Alloying with Al–Si eutectic caused the formation of Mg_(2)Si and Mg–Al phase.The grain orientation of Mg–4Li was mainly composed of(0001)while the grain orientation of Mg–4Li–6(Al–Si)was mainly consisted of(10–10)and(11–20).Mg–4Li–6(Al–Si)shows worse corrosion resistance than Mg–4Li owing to the galvanic corrosion from the precipitates and texture change.
