A Study on the Interface Diffusion of In2O3/ITO Multilayer Thin-Film Thermocouple

In2O3/ITO multilayer thin film thermocouple is a new type of semiconductor thin-film thermocouple, which has broad application prospects. The interface diffusion between the layers is the main cause of its thermal oxidation failure. In this paper, an interface diffusion model of multilayer films is established based on Fick's second law. A sample of In2O3/ITO thin-film thermocouple was prepared, then designed and conducted high temperature test. According to the test results, the diffusion of substances between the film layers was analyzed. Based on the established interface diffusion model, a simulation calculation is carried out. The influence of interface diffusion on the life of In2O3 and ITO sensitive layer was quantitatively analyzed.

Analysis of the sharpness of interfaces in short-period GaN/AlN superlattices using Raman spectroscopy data

The results of joint theoretical and experimental studies aimed at revealing features in the Raman spectra, which can be used for evaluation of the interface quality between GaN and AlN layers in short-period GaN/AlN superlattices (SLs) are presented. The Raman spectra for SLs with sharp interface and with different degree of interface diffusion are simulated by ab initio calculations and within the framework of random-element isodisplacement model, respectively. The comparison of the results of theoretical calculations and experimental data obtained on PA MBE and MOVPE grown SLs, leads to conclusion that the spectral region of the A1(LO) confined phonons is very sensitive to the degree of interface sharpness. As a result of comprehensive studies, the correlations between the parameters of the A1(LO) confined phonons and the structure of SLs are obtained. The results of the complex studies can be used to optimize the parameters of the growth process in order to form structurally perfect short-period GaN/AlN SLs.

The Effect of Interface Diffusion on Raman Spectra of Wurtzite Short-Period GaN/AlN Superlattices

We present an extensive theoretical and experimental study to identify the effect on the Raman spectrum due to interface interdiffusion between GaN and AlN layers in short-period GaN/AlN superlattices (SLs). The Raman spectra for SLs with sharp interfaces and with different degree of interface diffusion are simulated by ab initio calculations and within the framework of the random-element isodisplacement model. The comparison of the results of theoretical calculations and experimental data obtained on PA MBE and MOVPE grown SLs, showed that the bands related to A1(LO) confined phonons are very sensitive to the degree of interface diffusion. As a result, a correlation between the Raman spectra in the range of A1(LO) confined phonons and the interface quality in SLs is obtained. This opens up new possibilities for the analysis of the structural characteristics of short-period GaN/AlN SLs using Raman spectroscopy.

Ultrasonic Spot Welding of Similar and Dissimilar Alloys for Automotive Applications

Lightweighting has been regarded as a key strategy in the automotive industry to improve fuel efficiency and reduce anthropogenic environment-damaging, climate-changing, and costly emissions. Magnesium (Mg) alloys and Aluminum (Al) alloys are progressively more used in the transportation industries to reduce the weight of vehicles due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Similarly, high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel is widely used to reduce gauge thickness and still maintain the same strength, and thereby reduce vehicle weight as well. A multi-material design of automotive structures and parts inevitably involve similar Mg-to-Mg and dissimilar Mg-to-Al, Al-to-steel, and Mg-to-Cu joints. Ultrasonic spot welding (USW) – a solid-state joining technique has recently received significant attention due to its higher efficiency in comparison with conventional fusion welding techniques. In this study, USW was used to generate similar joints of low rare-earth containing ZEK100 Mg alloy sheets and dissimilar ZEK100-to-Al5754, Al6111-to-HSLA steel, and Mg-to-Cu joints at different levels of welding energy or welding time. To optimize welding process and identify key factors affecting the weld strength, microstructural evolution, microhardness test, tensile lap shear test, fatigue test, and fracture analysis were performed on similar and dissimilar ultrasonic spot welded (USWed) joints. Dynamic recrystallization and grain coarsening were observed during Mg-to-Mg similar welding while rapid formation and growth of interface diffusion layer were observed in all dissimilar joints in the present study. It was due to significantly high strain rate (~103 s-1) and high temperature generated via frictional heating during USW. The interface diffusion layer was analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD phase identification techniques which showed the presence of eutectic structure containing intermetallic compounds (IMCs). As a result, brittleness at the interface increased. The Zn coating in dissimilar USWed Al-to-steel joints eliminated the formation of brittle IMCs of Al-F, which were replaced by relatively ductile AlZn eutectic. The optimum welding energy or welding time during similar and dissimilar USW of lightweight alloys with a sheet thickness of 1-2 mm was in the range of ~500 J to 2000 J (~0.25 s to 1 s).

Ultrasonic Spot Welding of Similar and Dissimilar Alloys for Automotive Applications

Lightweighting has been regarded as a key strategy in the automotive industry to improve fuel efficiency and reduce anthropogenic environment-damaging, climate-changing, and costly emissions. Magnesium (Mg) alloys and Aluminum (Al) alloys are progressively more used in the transportation industries to reduce the weight of vehicles due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Similarly, high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel is widely used to reduce gauge thickness and still maintain the same strength, and thereby reduce vehicle weight as well. A multi-material design of automotive structures and parts inevitably involve similar Mg-to-Mg and dissimilar Mg-to-Al, Al-to-steel, and Mg-to-Cu joints. Ultrasonic spot welding (USW) – a solid-state joining technique has recently received significant attention due to its higher efficiency in comparison with conventional fusion welding techniques. In this study, USW was used to generate similar joints of low rare-earth containing ZEK100 Mg alloy sheets and dissimilar ZEK100-to-Al5754, Al6111-to-HSLA steel, and Mg-to-Cu joints at different levels of welding energy or welding time. To optimize welding process and identify key factors affecting the weld strength, microstructural evolution, microhardness test, tensile lap shear test, fatigue test, and fracture analysis were performed on similar and dissimilar ultrasonic spot welded (USWed) joints. Dynamic recrystallization and grain coarsening were observed during Mg-to-Mg similar welding while rapid formation and growth of interface diffusion layer were observed in all dissimilar joints in the present study. It was due to significantly high strain rate (~103 s-1) and high temperature generated via frictional heating during USW. The interface diffusion layer was analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD phase identification techniques which showed the presence of eutectic structure containing intermetallic compounds (IMCs). As a result, brittleness at the interface increased. The Zn coating in dissimilar USWed Al-to-steel joints eliminated the formation of brittle IMCs of Al-F, which were replaced by relatively ductile AlZn eutectic. The optimum welding energy or welding time during similar and dissimilar USW of lightweight alloys with a sheet thickness of 1-2 mm was in the range of ~500 J to 2000 J (~0.25 s to 1 s).