Investigation of the microstructure evolution in TP347HFG austenitic steel at 700°C and its characterization method

This article reports the microstructure evolution in TP347HFG austenitic steel during the aging process. The experiments were carried out at 700°C with different aging time from 500 to 3,650 h. The metallographic results show that the coherent twin and incoherent twin are existed in the original TP347HFG grains, while they gradually vanished with the increase of the aging time. After aging for 500 h, a lot of fine, dispersed particles precipitated from the matrix, but they disappeared after aging for 1,500 h. When the aging time extend to 3,650 h, the precipitates appeared apparently coarse in TP347HFG steel, which include the M23C6 and σ phase; besides, the micro-hardness of TP347HFG also changes during the aging, which was closely related to the effect of dispersion strengthening and solution strengthening. The results of the nonlinear ultrasonic measurement reveal that the β′ of TP347HFG steel was also changed with the aging time. It first increased at 0–500 h, then reduced later, and increased finally at 1,500–3,650 h. The variation of β′ in TP347HFG was influenced by a combined effect of the twin microstructure and the precipitate phase, which indicate that the nonlinear ultrasonic technique can be utilized to characterize the microstructure evolution in TP347HFG.

Evolution of reduction process from tungsten oxide to ultrafine tungsten powder via hydrogen

Herein, the evolution of reduction process of ultrafine tungsten powder in industrial conditions was investigated. The transition process of morphology and composition was examined via SEM, XRD, and calcination experiments. The results show that the reduction sequence of WO2.9 was WO2.9 → WO2.72 → WO2 → W on the surface, but WO2.9 → WO2 → W inside the oxide particles. With the aid of chemical vapor transport of WO x (OH) y , surface morphology transformed into rod-like, star-shaped cracking, floret, irregularly fibrous structure, and finally, spherical tungsten particles.

Evolution regularity of temperature field of active heat insulation roadway considering thermal insulation spraying and grouting: A case study of Zhujidong Coal Mine, China

To study the active heat insulation roadways of high-temperature mines considering thermal insulation and injection, a high-temperature −965 m return air roadway of Zhujidong Coal Mine (Anhui Province, China) is selected as a prototype. The ANSYS numerical simulation method is used for the sensitivity analysis of heat insulation grouting layers with different thermal conductivities and zone ranges and heat insulation spray layers with different thermal conductivities and thicknesses; thus, their effects on the heat-adjusting zone radius, surrounding rock temperature field, and wall temperature are studied. The results show that the tunneling head temperature of the Zhujidong Mine is >27°C all year round, consequently causing serious heat damage. The heat insulation circle formed by thermal insulation spraying and grouting can effectively alleviate the disturbance of roadway airflow to the surrounding rock temperature field, thereby significantly reducing the heat-adjusting zone radius and wall temperature. The decrease in the thermal conductivities of the grouting and spray layers, expansion of the grouting layer zone, and increase in the spray layer thickness help effectively reduce the heat-adjusting zone radius and wall temperature. This trend decreases significantly with the ventilation time. A sensitivity analysis shows that the use of spraying and grouting materials of low thermal conductivity for thermal insulation is a primary factor in determining the temperature field distribution, while the range of the grouting layer zone and the spray layer thickness are secondary factors. The influence of the increased surrounding rock radial depth and ventilation time is negligible. Thus, the application of thermal insulation spraying and grouting is essential for the thermal environment control of mine roadways. Furthermore, the research and development of new spraying and grouting materials with good thermal insulation capabilities should be considered.

Evolution of physicochemical properties of quick lime at converter-smelting temperature

The volume stability caused by the hydration of f-CaO is one of the main obstacles to the comprehensive utilization of steel-making slag. In view of the f-CaO produced by incomplete dissolution of lime, it is necessary to strengthen the dissolution behavior of lime in the converter process. The reactivity of lime determines the dissolution efficiency and is closely related to its microstructure. The experimental results show that the reactivity and porosity of quick lime decrease and the average diameter of pore increases with an increase in temperature. The CaO crystals gradually grow up under the action of grain boundary migration. When the temperature increased from 1,350 to 1,600°C, the lime reactivity decreased from 237.60 to 40.60 mL, the porosity decreased from 30.55 to 15.91%, the average pore diameter increased from 159.10 to 1471.80 nm, and the average CaO particle size increased from 0.33 to 9.61 µm. The results indicate that reactivity is decreased because of the deformation and growth of CaO crystals and the decrease in porosity in reactive lime. This will cause an obstacle to the dissolution of lime and is not conducive to the control of f-CaO in slag.

Analysis of oxide scale thickness and pores position of HCM12A steel in supercritical water

More attention has been paid to the exfoliation of oxide scale on high-temperature heating surface of utility boiler. The oxidation mechanism of HCM12A steel in supercritical water is proposed and the growth of oxide film is simulated. The duplex scale contains an outer magnetite layer and an inner Cr-rich spinel layer. According to the data of Backhaus and Töpfer, the diffusion coefficient values of iron in magnetite layer are discussed and the function of R V, R I {R}_{\text{I}} for oxygen activity can be used for calculation of iron diffusion coefficients in Cr-rich spinel layer. Based on Wagner’s oxidation theory, the oxidation rate constants of HCM12A are calculated at 500 and 600°C in supercritical water, compared with experimental data of the relevant literatures. The oxygen activities at the interfaces of alloy/Cr-rich spinel oxide and magnetite/supercritical water are estimated. The simulation results of weight gain are matched with the test data. The iron diffusion mechanisms inside the magnetite layer and the Cr-rich spinel layer are analyzed. The iron diffusion coefficient at the interface of Cr-rich spinel/magnetite is discontinuous, while the oxygen activity is continuous in the whole double layer. The thickness of oxide scale on inner tube walls of the final superheater coils (T91) of a 600 MW supercritical boiler is calculated by using the calculation method provided by the paper. The modeling results, the measured data, and the calculation results by the method are compared. Accurate calculation of the thickness of the inner and outer oxide scales can provide a necessary basis for predicting the stress and exfoliation of oxide scales.

A thermodynamic assessment of precipitation, growth, and control of MnS inclusion in U75V heavy rail steel

Thermodynamic analysis of the precipitation behavior, growth kinetic, and control mechanism of MnS inclusion in U75V heavy rail steel was conducted in this study. The results showed that solute element S had a much higher segregation ratio than that of Mn, and MnS would only precipitate in the solid–liquid (two-phase) regions at the late stage during the solidification process at the solid fraction of 0.9518. Increasing the cooling rate had no obvious influence on the precipitation time of MnS inclusion; however, its particle size would be decreased greatly. The results also suggested that increasing the concentration of Mn would lead to an earlier precipitation time of MnS, while it had little effect on the final particle size; as to S, it was found that increasing its concentration could not only make the precipitation time earlier but also make the particle size larger. Adding a certain amount of Ti additive could improve the mechanical properties of U75V heavy rail steel due to the formation of TiO x –MnS or MnS–TiS complex inclusions. The precipitation sequences of Ti3O5 → Ti2O3 → TiO2 → TiO → MnS → TiS for Ti treatment were determined based on the thermodynamic calculation.

Preparation and cutting performance of nano-scaled Al2O3-coated micro-textured cutting tool prepared by atomic layer deposition

Al2O3 nano-scaled coating was prepared on micro-textured YT5 cemented carbide cutting tools by atomic layer deposition ALD. The effect of Al2O3 nano-scaled coating, with and without combined action of texture, on the cutting performance was studied by orthogonal cutting test. The results were compared with micro-textured cutting tool and YT5 cutting tool. They show that the micro-texture and nano-scaled Al2O3 coated on the micro-texture both can reduce the cutting force and friction coefficient of the tool, and the tools with nano-scaled Al2O3 coated on the micro-texture are more efficient. Furthermore, the friction coefficient of the 100 nm Al2O3-coated micro-texture tool is relatively low. When the distance of the micro-pits is 0.15 mm, the friction coefficient is lowest among the four kinds of pit textured nanometer coating tools. The friction coefficient is the lowest when the direction of the groove in strip textured nanometer coating tool is perpendicular to the main cutting edge. The main mechanism of the nanometer Al2O3 on the micro-textured tool to reduction in cutting force and the friction coefficient is discussed. These results show that the developed tools effectively decrease the cutting force and friction coefficient of tool–chip interface.

Research on high-temperature oxidation resistance, hot forming ability, and microstructure of Al–Si–Cu coating for 22MnB5 steel

High-temperature oxidation resistance, hot formability, element distribution, and microstructure of Al-10% Si-(0.5–3.0%)Cu coating were investigated by means of glow discharge spectroscopy, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Results show that the addition of Cu can increase high-temperature oxidation resistance above 950°C and improve hot formability so that no crack spreads into substrate steel as hot forming at 33.3% strain. Oxidation film structure is continual and compacting, and Si highly concentrates in the surface layer. The distribution of Cu has skin effect with peaking content 8.2% in the surface layer. After hot stamping, Al and Si diffuse into substrate steel, and Cu diffuses from inner to outer coating. Al–Si–Cu coating has smoother surface, straighter diffusion layer, and finer metal compound than Al–Si coating. Surface and diffusion layers are identified as aluminum oxide, Si-rich, and Cu phase and Al7SiFe2, Al3Fe, and CuAl3, respectively. Al-rich phase and the metal compound are composed of α-Al dissolving Fe, Si, and Cu and Al–Si matrix, Cu3Al, respectively.

Copper-based kesterite thin films for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Copper kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 is a promising photoabsorber material for solar cells and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this article, we will first review the crystallographic/energetic structures of Cu2ZnSnS4 in view of its applications to sunlight conversion devices. Then, historical progress in photovoltaic properties of Cu2ZnSnS4-based solar cells is introduced. Finally, studies on PEC H2 evolution over Cu2ZnSnS4-based photocathodes are reviewed in detail. For realizing efficient PEC H2 evolution, surface modifications with an n-type buffer layer (such as CdS) and a catalytic site (such as Pt nanoparticles) were found to be indispensable. Since these surface-modified photocathodes had poor resistances under an operating bias due to the occurrence of oxidative photocorrosion of the CdS layer and elimination of the Pt catalysts, coverage with a protection layer was required to improve the long-term durability. Moreover, partial or complete substitution of the constituent cations with some cations was proved to be effective for improving PEC properties. Although recent studies showed a rapid increase in PEC properties, there is room for further development of PEC properties by using effective combinations among surface protection(s), defect engineering(s), and band engineering(s).

Dephosphorization behavior of reduced iron and the properties of high-P-containing slag

Reduced iron (1.74% P) is produced from oolitic hematite ore by coal-based reduction and magnetic separation. To realize the comprehensive utilization of Fe and P, the dephosphorization behavior of the reduced iron is investigated in the presence of CaO–SiO2–FeO–Al2O3 slag. The P content of the final iron and the P2O5 content of the high-P-containing slag are determined, and the phase composition and P2O5 solubility of the slag are analyzed. The P content can be decreased to 0.2% when the initial slag has a basicity of 3.5 and contains 55% FeO and 6% Al2O3. The phases of the high-P-containing slag are mainly Ca2Al2SiO7, Ca2SiO4, Ca5(PO4)2SiO4, and FeO, and P exists in the form of Ca5(PO4)2SiO4. Excessively high basicity or low content of FeO and Al2O3 results in free CaO, which affects the dephosphorization results. The change rule of the intensity of the Ca5(PO4)2SiO4 diffraction peak agrees well with the dephosphorization indexes, which further verify the accuracy of the dephosphorization experiments. Moreover, the P2O5 content and P2O5 solubility of the high-P-containing slag reached as high as 14.41 and 94.54%, respectively, indicating that it can be used as a phosphate fertilizer.