Relationship between corrosion and nanoscale friction on a metallic glass

Metallic glasses are promising materials for micro-devices, where corrosion and friction limit their effectiveness and durability. We investigated nanoscale friction on a metallic glass in corrosive solutions after different immersion times using atomic force microscopy to elucidate the influence of corrosion on nanoscale friction. The evolution of friction upon repeated scanning cycles on the corroded surfaces reveals a bilayer surface oxide film, where the outer layer is removed by the scanning tip. Friction and adhesion after different immersion times in different solutions allow to compare the physicochemical processes of surface dissolution at the interfaces of the two layers. The findings contribute to the understanding of mechanical contacts with metallic glasses in corrosive conditions by exploring the interrelation of microscopic corrosion mechanisms and nanoscale friction.

Contact Reactive Brazing of TC4 Alloy to Al7075 Alloy with Deposited Cu Interlayer

The brazing of Titanium alloy to Aluminum alloy is of great significance for lightweight application, but the stable surface oxide film limits it. In our work, the surface oxide film was removed by the ion bombardment, the deposited Cu layer by magnetron sputtering was selected as an interlayer, and then the contact reactive brazing of TC4 alloy to Al7075 alloy was realized. The microstructure and joining properties of TC4/Al7075 joints obtained under different parameters were observed and tested, respectively. The results revealed that the intermetallic compounds in the brazing seam reduced with the increased brazing parameters, while the reaction layer adjacent to TC4 alloy continuously thickened. The shear strength improved first and then decreased with the changing of brazing parameters, and the maximum shear strength of ~201.45 ± 4.40 MPa was obtained at 600 °C for 30 min. The fracture path of TC4/Al7075 joints changed from brittle fracture to transgranular fracture, and the intergranular fracture occurred when the brazing temperature was higher than 600 °C and the holding time exceeded 30 min. Our work provides theoretical and technological analyses for brazing TC4/Al7075 and shows potential applications for large-area brazing of titanium/aluminum.

Smoke Suppression in Electron Beam Melting of Inconel 718 Alloy Powder Based on Insulator–Metal Transition of Surface Oxide Film by Mechanical Stimulation

In powder bed fusion–electron beam melting, the alloy powder can scatter under electron beam irradiation. When this phenomenon—known as smoking—occurs, it makes the PBF-EBM process almost impossible. Therefore, avoiding smoking in EBM is an important research issue. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of powder bed preheating and mechanical stimulation on the suppression of smoking in the powder bed fusion–electron beam melting process. Direct current electrical resistivity and alternating current impedance spectroscopy measurements were conducted on Inconel 718 alloy powder at room temperature and elevated temperatures before and after mechanical stimulation (ball milling for 10–60 min) to investigate changes in the electrical properties of the surface oxide film, alongside X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to identify the surface chemical composition. Smoking tests confirmed that preheating and ball milling both suppressed smoking. Furthermore, smoking did not occur after ball milling, even when the powder bed was not preheated. This is because the oxide film undergoes a dielectric–metallic transition due to the lattice strain introduced by ball milling. Our results are expected to benefit the development of the powder bed fusion–electron beam melting processes from the perspective of materials technology and optimization of the process conditions and powder properties to suppress smoking.

Towards a better understanding of the oxide film growth mechanism in E110 zirconium alloy under high-temperature oxidation in steam

High-temperature oxidation of E110 (Zr-1%Nb) zirconium alloy in steam at Т = 1100°C to various degrees has been carried out. Based on the studies of morphology and microstructure of the oxide film and metal, as well as on review of previously published results, the mechanism of alloy oxidation has been proposed, which includes oxide thickening close to the oxide/metal interface, growth of the thickened areas and their conversion into nodules, growth of the nodules and crowning of the metal surface (white spots), clustering of nodules under the formed oxide, formation of a double (white on the surface) oxide film and delamination of the oxide upper layer.

Quasi-static crack propagation in Ti-6Al-4V in inert and aggressive media

High strength-to-weight ratio Ti-6Al-4V alloy is used in many engineering applications. Its surface oxide film can protect the substrate from interaction with a lot of corrosive environments. Unfortunately, this surface layer can be damaged under mechanical and chemical actions with a consequent reduction in corrosion resistance. A characterization of the untreated alloy under quasi-static loading is here provided. Inert and aggressive environments have been investigated and the influence of the notch geometry of the alloy has also been analyzed.