Papers by Author: K. Kusabiraki

Abstract: The halide-activated pack cementation method was utilized to deposit silicide coatings on a multicomponent Nb-Ti-Si based alloy. The siliconized temperature was 1150 °C and the holding time was 10h. Both the specimens with siliconized coatings and without coatings were oxidized at 1250°C for 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100h respectively. The coating possessed a double layer structure with the composition of (Nb,X)Si2 (X represents Ti, Cr and Hf), and the outer layer was denser. The major structure in the outer layer was composed of columnar crystals perpendicular to the interface between the coating and the substrate, and that in the inner layer was mainly composed of equiaxed crystals. A transitional layer about 5μm thick was found between the coating and the substrate. After oxidation at 1250°C, the major constituents in the scale were SiO2 and TiO2 and the mole ratio of these two phases was about 2:1. The thickness of the (Nb,X)Si2 layer decreased and that of transitional layer increased as the oxidation time prolonged. The siliconized coating exhibited excellent oxidation-resistance at 1250°C within 50 hours.

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties including room temperature fracture toughness Kq, tensile strengthσb and elongationδ at 1250°C of the Nb based alloy directionally solidified in an electron beam floating zone melting (EBFZM) furnace have been evaluated. The microstructure is primarily composed of Nb solid solution (Nbss), α-(Nb)5Si3 and (Nb)3Si phases. After directional solidification with the moving rate of electron beam gun R being respectively 2.4, 4.8 and 7.2 mm/min, the primary Nbss dendrites, Nbss + (Nb)5Si3/(Nb)3Si eutectic colonies (lamellar or rod-like) and divorced Nb silicide plates align along the longitudinal axes of the specimens. When R = 2.4 mm/min, the best directional microstructure is obtained. Directional solidification has significantly improved theσb at 1250°C and Kq. The maximumσb occurs for the specimens with R = 2.4 mm/min and is about 85.0 MPa, meanwhile, the Kq is about 19.4 MPam1/2.

Abstract: The directionally solidified specimens of Nb-13.52 Si-22.60 Ti–6.88 Hf–2.54 Cr–2.24 Al alloy were prepared in an electron beam floating zone melting furnace at the withdrawing rate of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 2.4 and 6.0 mm/min. All the primary Nb solid solution (Nbss) columns, Nbss + (Nb)3Si/(Nb)5Si3 eutectic colonies and divorced (Nb)3Si/(Nb)5Si3 plates or chains align well along the longitudinal axis of the specimens. With increasing of the withdrawing rate, the microstructure is gradually refined, and the amount of Nbss + (Nb)3Si/(Nb)5Si3 eutectic colonies increases. Both the room temperature ultimate tensile strength σb and fracture toughness KQ are improved for the directionally solidified specimens. The tensile fracture occurs in a cleavage way.