Papers by Author: Wei Dong

Abstract: The microscopic morphologies of Bi₃₀Ga₇₀ immiscible alloy particles were investigated. Monosized microparticles with similar core-shell structures were fabricated for the first time by one step using the Pulsated Orifice Ejection Method. The EDS revels that the core and the shell consist of a Ga-rich phase (＞90 at. %) and a Bi-rich phase (＞80 at. %), respectively. The DSC testing at different temperatures is performed. Core-shell microstructures as well as endothermic peaks and exothermic peaks are observed after heating-cooling cycles when the working temperature is below the temperature of spinodal line, indicating good thermal stability after phase transformation. The thermal energy storage was preliminary tested, which is a good attempt for thermal energy storage. It is likely to use core-shell structures as microencapsulated phase change materials.

Abstract: A conventional hot-pressing method was used to produce Al/Al-4wt%Cu functionally graded material (FGM). Heat treatment, which included solid solution treatment (T4) and aging treatment (T6), was carried out on hot-pressed (F) specimens. The creep crack growth tests were performed under constant loading of the creep-testing machines. The distribution of copper composition was investigated by line analysis via electron probe microanalysis. Fracture morphology and creep crack paths were studied by scanning electron microscopy. During heat treatment, the thickness of the graded transition layer increased due to copper composition redistribution. Creep crack growth retardation was found when crack propagated from the graded transition region to the Al-4wt%Cu layer. Greater improvement in creep crack growth resistance was achieved by the T4 and T6 states of Al/Al-4wt%Cu FGM. For T4 and T6 state specimens, the micro-cracks and crack kinking in the transition region were observed, which prevented creep crack growth.

Abstract: Electron beam melting is an effective method to remove volatile impurities in silicon, during which impurities such as P, Al and Ca etc. can be removed to less than 0.3×10^-4wt.%. However, so far there is few research on the influence of electron beam parameters, such as beam density and beam size, on molten pool morphology, hence electron beam melting process has not been completely understood, which leads to low energy utilization. In this paper, on the basis of beam size calibration, the influence of beam density and beam size on molten pool morphology is investigated and the concept of melting angle is proposed to characterize molten pool morphology. At the same time, the optimal molten pool morphology for impurities removal and the corresponding electron beam parameters are also analyzed.

Abstract: The Si3N4 protective coating has an important impact on avoiding melting silicon from contacting with the crucible wall directly. A mixed Si/Si3N4 layer was formed on the interface of silicon and Si3N4 coating, and the declination of N content was observed in this mixed layer. With the ingots condition of 1500oC for 2 h, the large Si3N4 and SiC particles appeared in the mixed layer and the formation mechanism was discussed. The Si3N4 coating had significantly increased the lifetime of minority carriers by decreasing impurity content.

Abstract: Five-layered Al/Al-Cu functionally graded material (FGM) was fabricated by powder metallurgy technology. The microstructure and composition of the prepared specimen were studied. Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture surface morphology were also measured. The results showed that Al/Al-Cu graded material with dense structure and compositional continuous change was obtained by solution-precipitation method. The graded materials presented a compositional continuous change along the graded direction because of the diffusion effect, and the Vickers hardness was liner proportional to the distribution of Cu content. Compared with pure sintered Al, remarkable improvement on hardness and fracture strength was achieved due to the CuAl2 phase dispersively distributed in the matrix. With the increase of Cu content, the fracture mode changed from tough fracture to the tendency of brittle fracture.

Abstract: In this paper, the structure and composition of multicrystalline silicon ingots prepared by directional solidification with different pulling rates were analyzed to investigate the effect of pulling rate on the multicrystalline silicon ingot. The results showed that the lower pulling rate will make the site taking place constitutional supercooling move to the upper part of ingots and make the high purity area become larger. Lowering the pulling rate will decrease the impurity effective segregation coefficient and the solid-liquid interface curvature.

Abstract: The effects of melting condition on the dephosphorization behavior in metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si) by electron beam melting (EBM) were investigated in this study. Experiment results showed that phosphorus content decreased by evaporation with the increase of melting time, and evaporation rate increased with the increase of electron beam power. Phosphorus content decreased to below 0.1 ppmw by EBM treatment at 21 kW for 1800 seconds. The dephosphorization reaction was found to follow the first order kinetics. Dephosphorization rate was controlled by free evaporation.

Abstract: In order to investigate Ca evaporation behavior in the electron beam melting process, metallurgical-grade silicon was melted in an electron beam furnace with different experimental conditions. The results showed that the content of impurity Ca was significantly decreased in the early time, while these changed slowly with the extension of the melting. The removal rate of Ca was controlled by the transfer of Ca atoms from the bulk liquid silicon to liquid/gas phase interface within the range of experiment temperature.

Abstract: The growth in the solar energy technology caused inshortage solar grade Si. As a lowcost, environmental friendly technology, metallurgical method purity silicon is developed significantly. However, as a typical impurity in Si, B is difficult to be removed by directional refining or vacuum melting due to its large segregation coefficient and less evaporation coefficient. In this paper, the big difference of evaporation pressure between Si and B can be applied to separate B from Si, in which, B is remained in molten Si, while most of Si becomes evaporant. Electron beam is applied to scan molten Si and the Si existed in the form of the evaporant is gather on the watercooled crystallizer. The content B in the evaporant is undetectable by ICP-MS.

Abstract: AlN ceramics were prepared by hot-pressing process with Y(NO3)3·6H2O as a sintering additive. Microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered AlN ceramics were measured and compared with that of monolithic AlN ceramic prepared by the same process. The results showed that the density and mechanical properties of monolithic AlN ceramics were drastically enhanced by adding Y(NO3)3·6H2O. Especially, the AlN ceramic with 3.24 wt% Y(NO3)3·6H2O (2 wt% Y2O3) displayed striking enhancement in mechanical propertie. However, such enhancement did not follow a consistent behavior with the increase of Y(NO3)3·6H2O content. A significant drop present at contents over inflection point (3.24 wt% Y(NO3)3·6H2O).