Nanotwin-assisted nitridation in FeNi nanopowders for synthesis of rare-earth-free magnets

L10-ordered FeNi alloy (tetrataenite), a promising candidate for rare-earth-free and low-cost permanent magnet applications, is attracting increasing attention from academic and industrial communities. Highly ordered single-phase L10-FeNi is difficult to synthesis efficiently because of its low chemical order-disorder transition temperature (200–320 ℃). A non-equilibrium synthetic route utilizing a nitrogen topotactic reaction has been considered a valid approach, although the phase transformation mechanism is currently unknown. Herein, we investigated the basis of this reaction, namely the formation mechanism of the tetragonal FeNiN precursor phase during the nitridation of FeNi nanopowders. Detailed microstructure analysis revealed that the FeNiN precursor phase could preferentially nucleated at the nanotwinned region during nitridation and subsequently grew following a massive transformation, with high-index irrational orientation relationships and ledgewise growth motion detected at the migrating phase interface. This is the first report of a massive phase transformation detected in an Fe-Ni-N system and provides new insights into the phase transformation during the nitriding process. This work is expected to promote the synthetic optimization of fully ordered FeNi alloys for various magnetic applications.

Characterization of AlSi10Mg-CP-Ti Metal/Metal Composite Materials Produced by Electro-Sinter-Forging

Metal–metal composites represent a particular class of materials showing innovative mechanical and electrical properties. Conventionally, such materials are produced by severely plastically deforming two ductile phases via rolling or extruding, swaging, and wire drawing. This study presents the feasibility of producing metal–metal composites via a capacitive discharge-assisted sintering process named electro-sinter-forging. Two different metal–metal composites with CP-Ti/AlSi10Mg ratios (20/80 and 80/20 vol.%) are evaluated, and the effects of the starting compositions on the microstructural and compositional properties of the materials are presented. Bi-phasic metal–metal composites constituted by isolated α-Ti and AlSi10Mg domains with a microhardness of 113 ± 13 HV0.025 for the Ti20-AlSi and 244 ± 35 HV0.025 for the Ti80-AlSi are produced. The effect of the applied current is crucial to obtain high theoretical density, but too high currents may result in Ti dissolution in the Ti80-AlSi composite. Massive phase transformations due to the formation of AlTiSi-based intermetallic compounds are observed through thermal analysis and confirmed by morphological and compositional observation. Finally, a possible explanation for the mechanisms regulating densification is proposed accounting for current and pressure synergistic effects.

Characterization of AlSi10Mg- CP-Ti Metal-metal Composite Materials Produced by Electro-sinter-forging

Metal/metal composites represent a particular class of materials showing innovative mechanical and electrical properties. Conventionally, such materials are produced by severely plastically deforming two ductile phases via rolling or extruding, swaging, and wire drawing. This study presents the feasibility of producing metal/metal composites via a capacitive discharge-assisted sintering process named electro-sinter-forging. Two different metal/metal composites with CP-Ti/AlSi10Mg ratios (20/80 and 80/20 %vol) are evaluated, and the effects of the starting compositions on the microstructural and compositional properties of the materials are presented. Bi-phasic metal/metal composites constituted by isolated α-Ti and AlSi10Mg domains with a microhardness of 113 ± 13 HV0.025 for the Ti20-AlSi and 244 ± 35 HV0.025 for the Ti80-AlSi are produced. The effect of the applied current is crucial to obtain high theoretical density, but too high currents may result in Ti dissolution in the Ti80-AlSi composite. Massive phase transformations due to the formation of AlTiSi based intermetallic compounds are observed through thermal analysis and confirmed by morphological and compositional observation. Finally, a possible explanation for the mechanisms regulating densification is proposed accounting for current and pressure synergistic effects.

Métropolitain.e: Language in Compressed Spaces

A few years ago, I described myself finding a livelier sense of self by looking up at the windows of the metro as it clattered past the iron wings above me. A corner of city, I wrote, which I had explored so frequently that my unceasing movement within it founded me more than the State-led rationalities that were reshaping the landscape around me. The blinking eyes of the metro cast a gaze that made me feel particularly me amid the ruination of the textures of life that were being smoothed out and boxed in, all the while this city, to which I had repeatedly returned, underwent a massive phase of renovation. What of me was I tied to in that shuddering moment, and what of the city? How did my own turn to translingual poetics relate to my readings in “metro” and mass transportation aesthetics, and where do I find myself now, writing in the constrained distances and proximities of Paris in 2020, when movement to and from—and in and around—the city and the continent more broadly has become all the more difficult for many, and nigh impossible for those living without papers.

Microstructure Evaluation, Quantitative Phase Analysis, Strengthening Mechanism and Influence of Hybrid Reinforcements (β-SiCp, Bi and Sb) on the Collective Mechanical Properties of the AZ91 Magnesium Matrix

Gravitational melt-stir casting produced hybrid nano-reinforcements (β-SiCp) and micro-reinforcements (Bi and Sb) of AZ91 composites. SiCp-diffused discontinuous β-Mg17Al12 precipitation with a vital factor of SiC was exhibited at the grain boundary region, formulated Mg3Si throughout the composite and changed the present Mg0.97Zn0.03 phases. The creation of Mg2Si (cubic) and SiC (rhombohedral axes) enhanced the microhardness by 18.60% in a 0.5 wt.% SiCp/AZ91 matrix. The microhardness of 1 wt.% SiCp/AZ91 was slightly reduced after Mg0.97Zn0.03 (hexagonal) reduction. The best ultimate tensile value obtained was about 169.33 MPa (increased by 40.10%) in a 0.5 wt.% SiCp/AZ91 matrix. Microelements Bi and Sb developed Mg3Bi2, Mg3Sb2 and monoclinic C60 phases. The best peak yield strength of 82.75 MPa (increased by 19.85%) was obtained with the addition of 0.5 wt.% SiCp/1 wt.% Bi/0.4 wt.% Sb. The mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion of segregated particles and the AZ91 matrix, the shear transfer effect and the Orowan effect, combined with the quantitative value of phase existence, improved the compressive strengths of the composites with 0.5 wt.% β-SiCp, 1 wt.% β-SiCp and 0.5 wt.% SiCp/1 wt.% Bi/0.4 wt.% Sb by 2.68%, 6.23% and 8.38%, respectively. Notably, the Charpy impact strengths of 0.5 wt.% and 1 wt.% β-SiCp-added AZ91 composites were enhanced by 236% (2.89 J) and 192% (2.35 J), respectively. The addition of Bi and Sb with SiCp resulted in the formation of a massive phase of brittle Al6Mn. Al–Mn-based phases (developed huge voids and cavities) remarkably reduced impact values by 80% (0.98 J). The discussion covers the quantitative analyses of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy results and fracture surfaces.

Effect of Cooling Rates during a Double Stage Solution Treatment on the Massive Phase Formation in Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

The effect of cooling rates during a double stage solution treatment (DSST) on the volume fraction of the massive phase (αm) in Ti-6Al-4V alloy was successfully confirmed in the present study. The morphology of Ti-6Al-4V alloy depends on the cooling rates during the cooling from the β region. The αm, which has a transformation characteristic between martensite (α′) and α diffusion, is reported to be a potential method for obtaining a fine lamellar α/β by thermal decomposition. The different fraction of αm was found after DSST with the first stage was conducted above the β-transus temperature at 1050 °C, followed by second annealing at different temperatures in the α+β region. It was found that the formation of αm exists in a specific temperature region. A longer period in this region, which was calculated based on different cooling rates during DSST, will increase the fraction of αm in the specimen. All specimens after DSST contain αm with the α width of approximately 1μm and white-dot particles, which is predicted to be V-enriched precipitates. The DSST can be a potential method for producing a high fraction of αm, which can be thermally decomposed into a fine lamellar α/β, introducing a Ti-6Al-4V alloy with superior mechanical properties.

Massive Phase Transformation as a New Prospective on Microstructural Design in a Titanium Alloy - A Review

Microstructural design is generally applied to improve the mechanical property of titanium alloy by introducing different phase transformations and thermomechanical treatments. Aside from the martensitic and diffusion transformation, the occurrence of massive transformation occurs in Ti alloy. Massive transformation is categorized as civilian phase transformation, which resulted in the change of crystal structure of an alloy with a given composition without changing the chemical composition of its initial phase. It happened when the body centered-cubic β phase changed into hexagonal closed-pack α phase without decomposing into α+β. Massive transformation involves a diffusion and growth mechanism in a short-range and generally occurs during the introduction of high cooling rates to restrict the full diffusion mechanism. Owing to the nature of a rapid cooling rate as a requirement for massive transformation, the massive phase is normally found together with the product of martensitic transformation. On the other hand, the product of massive transformation is observed as a blocky grain with a featureless characteristic using optical microscopy and. Phase identification using electron backscattered diffraction shows that the region of αm shows only the presence of the α phase. It was reported for containing a high dislocation density similar to martensitic transformation. Specifically, in Ti alloy, the higher magnification using scanning electron microscopy shows fine sub-lamellar morphology, which observed as a combination product morphology between martensitic and diffusion transformation. It resulted in the mechanical property of the massive phase is between those two morphologies. Hence, it brings a new perspective on designing the microstructure of Ti alloy, which can be used to improve the mechanical property of Ti alloy.