Advanced Materials Research Vols. 89-91

Abstract: Dilatometric measurements were used to design the processing parameters of two types of bainitic steels. The first type is a hypoeutectoid ultra fine bainite steel, for which the dilatometer was used to locate the temperature at which cementite is completely dissolved during intercritical annealing (TC). The intercritical annealing temperatures are then selected will above TC. To obtain the martensite start temperatures (MS), the steel is quenched to the room temperature (RT) from these selected temperatures and then the bainite transformation temperatures were selected to be well above MS. The dilatometer was then used to monitor the bainite transformation kinetics from which the required time frames for cessation of the bainitic reactions were estimated. In the second type, bimodal bainite had been produced in thermo-mechanically processed TRIP-steel. A deformation dilatometer is used to perform three deformation-steps before slow cooling to form approx. 30% polygonal ferrite. The material was then rapidly cooled to the first bainite formation temperature. During this step, the dilatometer was used to monitor the bainite reaction from which the required time for 50% decomposition of austenite is estimated. The martensite start of the undecomposed austenite was located by quenching to RT. The second bainite transformation step was then performed well above the new MSII to form a second generation of finer bainite.

Abstract: A Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric semiconductor was subjected by high pressure torsion (HPT). Sample disks of p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3.0 were cut from sintered compacts that were made by mechanically alloying (MA) followed by hot pressing. Disks were subjected by HPT with 1, 5 and 10 turns at 473 K under 6.0 GPa of pressure. Crystal orientation was investigated by X-ray diffraction. Microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated that HPT disks after 5 turns had a preferred orientation and a fine grain compared with pre-HPT disks while the orientation factor was decreased after HPT using 10 turns. The power factor had a maximum value at 5 turns as determined by measuring its thermoelectric properties. A maximum power factor of 4.30×10-3 Wm-1K-2 was obtained for HPT disks after 5 turns. This value was larger than that for the pre-HPT disk. The over-HPT of 10 turns was found to have caused a decrease in the preferred orientation leading to a low power factor.

Abstract: Nature is full of many interesting things to work with, but many natural resources are also protected. In this view the recycling of aquaculture and fishery residues may lead to the manufacture of new devices and the isolation of new molecules with potential application in medicine. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibility to transform the cuttlefish bone into an hydroxyapatite scaffold suitable for bone tissue engineering application. The mixture of different lamellar porous structure of cuttlefish bone from the species Sepia Officinalis was selected and characterized, according to morphology (including porosity, surface development, surface characteristics) and mechanical properties. The material was transformed into suitable scaffold for bone tissue regeneration, trying to totally or partially convert calcium carbonate (aragonite) into calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite HA) using hydrothermal transformation. The studies on cell attachment and proliferation (by MTT assay at different experimental times), cell morphology with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) activities and expressions by mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells on HA were investigated at different experimental times in cultures, in comparison with those observed on titanium specimens used as a control (ET and ST). Cell proliferation was less in HA transformed cuttlefish bone scaffolds than in ET and ST specimens. In contrast, good performance for osteoblasts differentiation was observed on HA transformed cuttlefish bone scaffolds, similar to those observed onto titanium scaffolds.

Abstract: In the paper two aluminium alloys, i.e. 6082 and 7075, which were cold hardened by shot peening under different conditions, are treated. Surface hardening was carried out with S170 steel shot of the same diameter, particle hardness being 56 HRC. Other conditions were the operating pressure, mass flow, which provide different Almen intensities. The hardened layer was described by surface integrity. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses consisted in analyses of hardened profiles of hardness, and residual stresses in the thin surface layer. Research results indicated that there were significant differences among the characteristics chosen to describe surface integrity and that they had an important influence on the final condition of the surface layer. With too severe settings of the peening parameters, the surface properties got worse because of damages, which resulted in crack initiation and growth of the existing cracks.

Abstract: Severe plastic deformation processes are used to refine grain structure by means of very high deformations. Equivalent Von-Mises strains in the range of 5.06 to 11.57 were obtained using the accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) process. The effect of the initial microstructure is analyzed. Microstructure, microhardness and tensile strength of the alloy, both starting with previously cold-rolled material and after a 30 minute, 300 °C heat treatment, are compared. The effect of a heat treatment after 5 steps of ARB ( = 8.11) is also presented. Results show that even though both the microhardness and tensile strength go up with increasing deformation, they are not related to each other by a factor of 3. The highest values of these parameters depend more on the initial microstructure than on the total deformation. A better distribution of the second phase and an increase in solid solubility are also observed after ARB.

Abstract: It is well recognized the importance of nano-structured materials in the present technological stage. Due to their unique properties these materials can be used in a large number of applications. One example is the growing interest in nanocomposites, in which a very fine dispersion of a ceramic phase in a metal matrix will significantly improve the material properties. In view of that, extensive studies have been carried out on a variety of materials such as alloys and different types of composites. Recently, the authors have developed a novel chemical method for in-situ formations of Cu-Al2O3 and Ni-Al2O3 nanoscale composites by decomposition of their mixed nitrate solutions, to co-form the nano oxides, followed by preferential reduction of CuO or NiO by hydrogen at very low temperature. Studies carried out by the authors on the kinetics of reduction of such fine oxides indicated that under low partial pressure of hydrogen (0.25 atm) in argon, the oxides of Ni and Cu can be reduced completely, in a low temperature range of 523 to 623 K. The composites containing nanosized metal-metal oxide particles have been found to be quite homogeneous in nature. In view of this, Cu-Ni and Ni-Co alloys was also produced by mixing the respective aqueous nitrate solutions, followed by decompositions of their nitrates to their mixed oxides and subsequent low temperature hydrogen reduction. In that context, the purpose of the present work is to address the fundamental aspects of the synthesis procedure, emphasizing the basic thermodynamics background of the two steps involved. Also, the work aims to illustrate the outcome, by presenting experimental conditions and providing relevant characterization of the obtained nano-materials, by means of electronic microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. Examples are given in terms of the obtained nano-composites and alloys.

Abstract: This paper focuses on the analysis of the microstructure and of the texture through the sheet thickness after temper rolling of very thin ferritic steels. The study uses EBSD and X-Ray diffraction. Comparison is made between an interstitial-free (IF) steel and of some industrial low carbon ferritic steels used after ageing. The experimental results are discussed with respect to the anisotropy of the mechanical behaviour after temper rolling during simple shear tests.

Abstract: Eutectoid steels present a wide range of interesting mechanical properties (high strength, wear resistance, ductility and toughness) and could be a cheaper alternative to high strength low-alloyed steels (HSLA) in applications where weldability is not a critical requirement. The mechanical properties of pearlite are mainly dictated by the interlamellar spacing and the spheroidization of cementite. In this work, the spheroidization kinetics during annealing of a fully pearlitic steel produced in an electric arc furnace (EAF) is investigated. More specifically, the influence of a prior cold deformation and of the interlamellar spacing is studied using image analysis and hardness tests. It is shown that spheroidization is faster in fine pearlite than in coarse pearlite. Prior cold deformation strongly accelerates the spheroidization kinetics in fine and coarse pearlite. The tensile properties corresponding to different pearlite microstructure were measured and are compared to the hardness evolution during annealing.

Abstract: Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has potential for locally enhancing the properties of Al-Si alloy castings, for demanding applications within the automotive industry, by greatly refining the second phase particle size. In the present study, the homogeneity of particle refinement and second phase spatial distribution within the process zone, as well as the relationship to the processing parameters, were investigated in a gravity die cast Al-Si LM24/A380 alloy, subjected to a range of FSP conditions. Detailed image analysis and the dirichlet tessellation method were used to quantify particle clustering. ‘Stop-action’ experiments were also used to study the process of particle break up, by following the behaviour through the deformation zone surrounding the tool.

Abstract: An in-situ investigation was performed on the stress relaxation of sandwiched Si3N4/Al/Si3N4 thin films by using multi-beam optical stress sensor (MOSS), a developed technique for substrate curvature measurement. Furthermore, the microstructures of the thin films were characterized by several analyzing techniques, such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicated sharp rise and drop of the residual stress due to the cracks of Si3N4 surface layer or the separation of Al particles during annealing process. An appropriate model was suggested to interpret this phenomenon.