Papers by Keyword: Diffusion Couples

Abstract: Diffusion couples of the type WC-Co/VC-Co were employed to observe the diffusion behaviour of the grain-growth inhibitor (GGI) VC within nanoand ultrafine-grained WC-10wt.% Co samples. Since diffusion of the GGI during heating occurs already in the solid-state regime, interrupted sintering experiments were performed up to the liquid phase formation temperatures. By the use of light-optical and scanning electron microscopy the impact of GGI concentration on the microstructure as a function of depth from the interface was investigated. Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) was used in order to quantify the amount of vanadium diffused into WC-Co as a function of distance. In first approximation, an activation energy of 3.45 eV (332,6 kJ/mol) for vanadium transport was determined.

Abstract: In the present research, seven multi-phase diffusion couples, with terminal alloys having different microstructural features, were prepared and annealed for 4 weeks at 335°C. The phase relations and change of morphological characteristics of each phase were studied along the diffusion zone by means of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and quantitative electron probe microanalysis. Depending on the different terminal compositions of the diffusion couples, the morphological evolution in the diffusion zone can be: tooth-like, matrix phase with isolated and/or dendritic precipitates. Electron back-scattered diffraction analysis was carried out to investigate the crystal orientation of the ternary compounds and the crystal orientation relations at the interface of the diffusion zones.

Abstract: The concentration profile of Cu is modelled using semi-infinite geometry for diffusion couples of α and β phases in Cu-Al system. The dimensionless interface movement parameter γ is calculated, for various combinations of time and temperature, by root bracketing, bisection and inverse quadratic interpolation. A computational procedure is presented to calculate the concentration profile where the interface velocity (dε/dt) is high and/or with steep concentration gradient of the specie in the shrinking phase. In all cases the interface compositions are set at the equilibrium values given in the phase diagram with fixed composition of end members. The calculated profile match well with the experimental concentration profile as reported by Romig [3].

Abstract: Interdiffusion at 700°C for Ni-22at.%Cr (fcc γ phase) alloys with small additions of Al, Si, Ge, or Pd was examined using solid-to-solid diffusion couples. Rods of Ni-22at.%Cr, Ni- 21at.%Cr-6.2at.%Al, Ni-22at.%Cr-4.0at.%Si, Ni-22at.%Cr-1.6at.%Ge and Ni-22at.%Cr-1.6at.%Pd alloys were cast using arc-melt and homogenized at 900°C for 168 hours. The diffusion couples were assembled with alloy disks in Invar steel jig, encapsulated in Argon after several hydrogen flushes, and annealed at 700°C for 720 hours. Experimental concentration profiles were determined from polished cross-sections by using electron probe microanalysis with pure standards of Ni, Cr, Al, Si, Ge and Pd. Interdiffusion fluxes of individual components were calculated directly from the experimental concentration profiles, and the moments of interdiffusion fluxes were examined to determine average ternary interdiffusion coefficients. Effects of ternary alloying additions on the interdiffusional behavior of Ni-Cr-X alloys at 700°C are presented in the light of the diffusional interactions and the formation of protective Cr2O3 scale.

Abstract: To better understand interactions between fuel and cladding in research reactor fuels, diffusion couples between γ-phase U-7 wt% Mo and U-10 wt% Mo alloy fuels and a Si-bearing, Al alloy were fabricated using a friction stir welding technique. The advantage of such a fabrication technique is that it can potentially reduce the amount of aluminum-oxide that might be present at the diffusion couple interface. The presence of oxides at the interface can affect the interdiffusion process. These couples were annealed and characterized using a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive and wavelength-dispersive spectrometers. Images were taken of the developed diffusion structures; x-ray maps were generated to identify partitioning behavior of the various components; and, point-to-point analysis was employed to generate composition profiles and to determine phase compositions. To try and determine how the presence of Si in an Al alloy affects the interdiffusion behavior of fuel and cladding components in research reactor nuclear fuels, the results from this study were compared to those from earlier diffusion studies using U-Mo alloys and Al. The formed diffusion zones in some samples annealed for 30 minutes are comprised of Si-rich aluminide phases that appear to be (U,Mo)0.9(Al,Si)4 and (U,Mo)(Si,Al)2, based on composition. The diffusion rates observed and the types of phases that form can be correlated to the stability of the γ-U phase, which is a metastable phase. For a sample annealed for a much longer time, large diffusion structures formed and no Si-rich phases were observed.

Abstract: To better understand the formation of solid, liquid and gas phases between the Al-Li-O ceramics and zirconium (Zr) at temperatures above 1273 K, we built a thermodynamic database on the Al-Li-O-Zr quaternary system using the CALPHAD method. An accurate knowledge of both phase diagram and thermodynamic data of all the binary and ternary sub-systems is necessary to understand the phase relations in the quaternary. The thermodynamic descriptions of both Al-Li-Zr and Al-O-Zr ternary systems are presented. In addition, the Li-Al-O-Zr system was experimentally investigated using diffusion couples made of [ Zr / AlxLiyOz ] and [ ZrO2 / AlxLiyOz ] between 1373 K and 1573 K. The experimental results are compared with activity diagrams calculated with the thermodynamic database.

Abstract: At present, milling of titanium based alloys for aerospace applications is mainly carried out with un-coated WC-Co carbide tools. The present work evaluates the chemical interaction of the Ti-6%Al-4%V alloy with these WC-Co commercial hardmetals. Strong decarburation induced by carbon diffusion to the Ti based alloy is observed at temperatures ranging from 750-1000°C. This reaction is responsible for the high adhesion found at the alloy-carbide interface. Different cathodic arc coatings have proved efficient in inhibiting such reaction and the associated adhesion to the Ti-6%Al-4%V alloy. Delamination induced by reaction between the Ti6Al4V alloy and AlTiN and TiAlCN coatings increases with the hot pressing temperature, being more severe for the AlTiN material. A lower bound of 44 J/m2 has been obtained for the interfacial fracture energy of cathodic arc PVD TiAlCN coatings on hardmetal substrates, this value being significantly higher than those previously reported for TiAlN materials.