Phase controlled synthesis of transition metal carbide nanocrystals by ultrafast flash Joule heating

Nanoscale carbides enhance ultra-strong ceramics and show activity as high-performance catalysts. Traditional lengthy carburization methods for carbide syntheses usually result in coked surface, large particle size, and uncontrolled phase. Here, a flash Joule heating process is developed for ultrafast synthesis of carbide nanocrystals within 1 s. Various interstitial transition metal carbides (TiC, ZrC, HfC, VC, NbC, TaC, Cr2C3, MoC, and W2C) and covalent carbides (B4C and SiC) are produced using low-cost precursors. By controlling pulse voltages, phase-pure molybdenum carbides including β-Mo2C and metastable α-MoC1-x and η-MoC1-x are selectively synthesized, demonstrating the excellent phase engineering ability of the flash Joule heating by broadly tunable energy input that can exceed 3000 K coupled with kinetically controlled ultrafast cooling (>104 K s−1). Theoretical calculation reveals carbon vacancies as the driving factor for topotactic transition of carbide phases. The phase-dependent hydrogen evolution capability of molybdenum carbides is investigated with β-Mo2C showing the best performance.

Study of the Temperature Dependence of a Carbidized Layer Formation on the Tungsten Surface Under Plasma Irradiation

The paper considers a method of tungsten surface carbidization using a beam-plasma discharge (BPD), which was implemented in a plasma-beam installation (PBI). The advantage of this method is to create conditions for chemical reactions and physical processes as close as possible to those possible in thermonuclear installations. The BPD makes it possible to generate plasma using different working gases. Methane was used as a plasma-forming gas. The working gas pressure in a chamber was (1,3-1,4)·10-1 Pa. The temperature dependence of the carbidized layer formation on the tungsten surface under plasma irradiation was determined in the temperature range of 700-1700 °C. The formation of tungsten carbides in surface layers was confirmed by SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that interaction between tungsten and methane in a wide temperature range can proceed with simultaneous or sequential formation of the carbide phases W2C and WC.

Effect of Ta and W Additions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tilt-Cast Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C Alloy

The effect of Ta and W additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of tilt-cast Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C (at.%) alloy was investigated. Three alloys with nominal composition Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C-2X (in at.%), where X is Ta or W, were prepared by vacuum induction melting in graphite crucibles followed by tilt casting into graphite moulds. The microstructure of the tilt-cast alloys consists of the α2(Ti3Al) + γ(TiAl) lamellar grains, single γ phase, (Ti,Nb,X)2AlC particles with a small amount of (Ti,Nb,X)C, and β/B2 phase identified only in W containing alloy. The EDS analysis shows that Ta segregates into the carbide particles and reduces dissolution of Nb in both (Ti,Nb,Ta)C and (Ti,Nb,Ta)2AlC phases. The alloying with W reduces Nb content in both carbide phases and leads to stabilisation of β/B2 phase in the lamellar α2 + γ regions. The alloying with Ta and W does not affect the volume fraction of the carbide particles but influences their size and morphology. While the alloying with Ta and W has no significant effect on Vickers hardness and the indentation elastic modulus of the studied alloys, the addition of Ta affects the nanohardness and elastic modulus of the (Ti,Nb,Ta)2AlC phase. The addition of W significantly increases the Vickers microhardness of the lamellar α2 + γ regions.

Закономерности образования карбидов титана и вольфрама из продуктов электровзрывного разрушения проводников

A series of electrical explosions in propane-butane of single and strand-connected Ti and W conductors with various diameters was carried out. Electrophysical characteristics of the explosion revealed that resistive heating of conductors is characterized by two monotonically ascending sections on the voltage – current curves separated by a flat segment (plateau), which corresponds to relatively stable electrical resistivity of refractory metals in the liquid state. The energy deposited by changing the power input into the conductor during its resistive heating, which can be higher or lower than its sublimation energy and can be regulated by changing the external adjustable parameters of the discharge circuit, is a key indicator determining the structural-phase state of destructed and chemically synthesized products after the explosion. The conditions are achieved under which micro- and nano-sized powder products do not contain residual metals and consist of carbide phases completely (TiC with an average microhardness of 29580 MPa as a result of the titanium explosion and a mixture of W2C+WC1-х, in which stabilized high-temperature non-stoichiometric cubic carbide WC1-x dominates, with an average microhardness of 16770 MPa as a result of tungsten explosion).

On microstructural and mechanical properties of 21-4-N nitronic steel joint developed using microwave energy

In the current experimental work, an effort has been made to explore the feasibility of fusion joints of 21-4-N nitronic steel employing microwave heating. These fusion joints were developed inside a domestic microwave applicator operating at 900 W. Microwave energy was used to fabricate the joints in hybrid heating mode by converting electromagnetic energy into heat at 2.45 GHz. Charcoal and SiC plates were used as susceptor and separator, respectively, and nickel powder was used as the interface material. The developed joints were characterized for their microstructural and mechanical properties. The microstructures indicate a complete fusion of nickel interfacing powder with the faying surfaces. XRD results show the formation of metallic nitrides and carbide phases (Cr2N, Fe3N, and Fe2C) and the FeNi phase at the weld zone. Furthermore, the observed average tensile strength of the fusion joints was approximately 61% of base metal. The reduction in the stress and elongation compared to the base metal were 38.67% and 12.68%, respectively. The average microhardness of the microwave joints was monitored as 407 ± 69.27 HV. The results indicate the feasibility of fusion joints of nitronic steel using microwave energy.

Preparation and Properties of Mo Coating on H13 Steel by Electro Spark Deposition Process

H13 steel is often damaged by wear, erosion, and thermal fatigue. It is one of the essential methods to improve the service life of H13 steel by preparing a coating on it. Due to the advantages of high melting point, good wear, and corrosion resistance of Mo, Mo coating was fabricated on H13 steel by electro spark deposition (ESD) process in this study. The influences of the depositing parameters (deposition power, discharge frequency, and specific deposition time) on the roughness of the coating, thickness, and properties were investigated in detail. The optimized depositing parameters were obtained by comparing roughness, thickness, and crack performance of the coating. The results show that the cross-section of the coating mainly consisted of strengthening zone and transition zone. Metallurgical bonding was formed between the coating and substrate. The Mo coating mainly consisted of Fe9.7Mo0.3, Fe-Cr, FeMo, and Fe2Mo cemented carbide phases, and an amorphous phase. The Mo coating had better microhardness, wear, and corrosion resistance than substrate, which could significantly improve the service life of the H13 steel.