Papers by Keyword: Interdiffusion

Abstract: Interdiffusion plays a significant role in the formation and stability of metallic joints and coatings. It is also of critical importance in designing advanced materials. Because commercial alloys are usually multicomponent, the key target is prediction of a complex morphology of the diffusion zone which grows between the alloys, alloy-coating, etc. In a two-component system, the diffusion zone can be composed of single-phase layers of the intermetallic compounds and solid solutions. The evolution of the composition and thicknesses of such layers are fairly well understood and consistent with the phase diagrams. The situation is qualitatively different in multicomponent systems. For example, the diffusion zone in a ternary system can be composed of single-and two-phase sublayers. Their number and thicknesses depend on the initial conditions, i.e. composition, component diffusivities and geometry of the system. The usual way of presenting the sequence of the layers and their compositions is by drawing a diffusion path which is, by definition, a mapping of the stationary concentrations onto the isothermal section of the equilibrium phase diagram. The diffusion path connects initial compositions of the diffusion couple and can go across the single-, two-and three-phase fields. It starts at the composition of one alloy and ends at the other. The possibility of mapping the concentration profiles onto the ternary isotherm has been postulated in one from the seventeen theorems by Kirkaldy and Brown [] for the diffusion path. The detailed presentation of all theorems was recently done by Morral []. Here we remind the reader only of the chosen ones (shown in italics).

Abstract: By combining mechanical activation and combustion synthesis in ultrahigh gravity field, the laminated composite of TiB₂ based ceramic to stainless steel was achieved in continuously-graded composition and microstructure, and within the Fe-Cr based intermediate Ti-Fe enriched carbides and fine TiB₂ platelets decreased gradually in size and volume fraction from the ceramic to stainless steel. Because of the sequent presence of thermal explosion, the dissolution of the molten stainless steel to TiC-TiB₂ liquid, the formation of diffusion-controlled concentration gradient from the ceramic liquid to the alloy liquid, the rapid sequent solidification of the ceramic and the alloy, the laminated composite is achieved in multilevel, scale-span hybrid microstructure that the different-size, different-morphology Fe-Cr alloy phases alternate with TiB₂ platelets and irregular TiC grains in size from micrometer to micro-nanometer.

Abstract: The widespread use of thermal barrier coatings (TBC) in gas turbines stresses the importance of accurate life prediction models for TBCs. During service, the TBC may fail due to thermal fatigue or through the formation of thermally grown oxides (TGOs). The current paper presents a Thermo-Calc/Dictra-based approach to life prediction of isothermally oxidised atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) TBCs. The β-phase depletion of the coating was predicted and compared to life prediction criteria based on TGO thickness and Al content in the coating. All tried life models underestimated the life of the coating where the β-depletion-based model was the most conservative.

Abstract: Epitaxial bilayer structure consisting of ferromagnetic (FM) metallic Pr_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (PSMO) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulator La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ (LCMO) was fabricated on (001)-oriented single crystal SrTiO₃ (STO) substrate by pulsed laser deposition technique. We studied the surface structure and interdiffusion at interface between PSMO and LCMO by using atomic force microscope and grazing incident x-ray reflectivity (GIXRR). The perfect data fitting result of GIXRR indicated that interdiffusion at the interface of Pr_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃/La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ (PSMO/LCMO) could not be negligible; there was a large interdiffusion zone at the PSMO/LCMO interfaces with a thickness of about 7 nm. We found that the thickness of the top layer at air/PSMO interface was about 2.5 nm and the mass density of the top layer was about 76.53% of that of PSMO layer. The surface roughness was about 1.6 nm which was consistent with observation by atomic force microscopy. Normal X-ray diffraction (NXRD) was also employed to investigate the average structure. Except from PSMO and LCMO layer diffraction peaks, we observed another additional peak, which was developed from the large disordered layer resulting from interdiffusion at the interface of PSMO/LCMO. This implied that the variation of crystalline structure of PSMO/LCMO film occurred due to interdiffusion. Surface roughness and interdiffusion played an important role in magnetic properties of FM/AFM bilayer.

Abstract: This work aims to highlight the importance of interphase triggered from interdiffusion at neighboring layers on controlling the interfacial flow instability of multilayer coextrusion based on a compatible bilayer system consist of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) melt streams. A fundamental rheological measurement on the bilayer structures provides a good strategy to probe the mutual diffusion process occurred at neighboring layers and to quantify the rheology and thickness of the interphase generated thereof. By implementing steady shear measurements on the multilayer’s, subtle interfacial slippage can be observed at a condition of short welding time and rather high shear rate due to the disentanglement of chains at the interphase. Pre-shear at an early stage on the multilayer was found to greatly promote the homogenizing process by inducing branched structures and hence increasing interfacial area. In coextrusion, some key classical decisive parameters concerning the interfacial instability phenomena such as viscosity ratio, thickness ratio and elasticity ratio, etc. were highlighted. These key factors that are significant in controlling the interfacial stability of coextrusion in an incompatible system seem not that important in a compatible system. In comparison to the severe flow instability observed in the coextrusion of PMMA/PE incompatible bilayer, the coextrusion of PMMA/PVDF compatible bilayer appears to be smooth without apparent interfacial flow instability due to the presence of the interphase. Interdiffusion can reduce (even eliminate) the interfacial flow instability of coextrusion despite of the very high viscosity ratio of PVDF versus PMMA at low temperatures. Indeed, in the coextrusion process, on one hand, the interdiffusion should be studied by taking into account of the effect of polymer chain orientation which was demonstrated to decelerate the diffusion coefficient. On the other hand, the interfacial shear stress was able to promote mixing and homogenizing process at the interface, which favours the development of the interphase and guarantees the stable interfacial flow. The degree of the interphase is related to a lot of parameters like contact time, processing temperature, interfacial shear stress and compatibility of the polymers, etc. Therefore, apart from the classical mechanical parameters, the interphase created from the interdiffusion should be taken into consideration as an important factor on determining the interfacial instability phenomena. References [1] H. Zhang, K. Lamnawar, A. Maazouz, Rheological modeling of the diffusion process and the interphase of symmetrical bilayers based on PVDF and PMMA with varying molecular weights. Rheol. Acta 51 (2012) 691-711 [2] H. Zhang, K. Lamnawar, A. Maazouz, Rheological modeling of the mutual diffusion and the interphase development for an asymmetrical bilayer based on PMMA and PVDF model compatible polymers, Macromolecules (2012), Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ma301620a [3] H. Zhang, K. Lamnawar, A. Maazouz, Role of the interphase in the interfacial flow stability of multilayer coextrusion based on PMMA and PVDF compatible polymers, to be submitted. [4] K. Lamnawar, A. Maazouz, Role of the interphase in the flow stability of reactive coextruded multilayer polymers, Polymer Engineering & Science, 49, (2009), 727 - 739 [5] K. Lamnawar, H. Zhang, A. Maazouz, one chapter” State of the art in co-extrusion of multilayer polymers: experimental and fundamental approaches” in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology (wiley library) (feature article)

Abstract: In this paper we couple the bi-velocity with the phase field method. It deals with: (1) the different mobility of the components in the two-phase zone; (2) nonzero steps of molar volumes for each component from phase to phase and (3) the composition dependent interdiffusion coefficients. The method allows to determine the average stress field during the diffusion process, the kinetics of the reactions and estimate the entropy production. The paper presents the numerical computations of diffusion in th eNiAlCr system. The results can serve as a basis in designing gradient coatings of extended life time.

Abstract: A solid-to-solid, U-7wt.%Mo vs. Mg diffusion couple was assembled and annealed at 550°C for 96 hours. Themicrostructurein the interdiffusion zone and the development of concentration profiles were examined via scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. A TEM specimen was prepared at the interface between U-7wt.%Mo andMgusing focused ion beam in-situ lift-out. The U-7wt.%Mo alloy was bonded well tothe Mg at the atomic scale, without any evidence of oxidation, cracks or pores.Despite the good bonding, very little or negligible interdiffusion was observed.This is consistent with the expectation based on negligible solubilities according to the equilibrium phase diagrams. Along with other desirableproperties, Mgis a potential inert matrix or barrier materialfor U-Mo fuel alloy systembeing developed forthe Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor (RERTR) program.

Abstract: Starting from fundamental aspects of thermal vacancies and solid-state self-and solute diffusion, this paper reviews procedures for tracer-and interdiffusion studies and of the major techniques for vacancy studies by dilatometry and positron annihilation in metals. Equilibrium vacancy and diffusion studies performed on pure iron and aluminium are mentioned at first. We also comment some peculiarities of solute diffusion in aluminium. Positron annihilation and differential dilatometry studies for Fe-Al alloys with various compositions are summarized and new experimental studies by the authors are reported for vacancy migration in Fe₆₁Al₃₉. All these studies indicate a relatively high fraction of thermal vacancies with relatively low mobility in this type of iron-aluminides as compared to pure metals. Tracer diffusion of iron and of several substitutional solutes such as Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Zn, and In in Fe-Al from the Münster laboratory are summarized. The diffusion studies of Fe-Al cover various alloy composition between Fe₃Al and FeAl and several structures such as A2, B2 and D0₃. Interdiffusion coefficients obtained from diffusion couples between Fe-Al alloys are discussed together with Fe tracer diffusion data. The Darken-Manning equation is used to deduce Al diffusivities therefrom. The latter are hardly accessible to radiotracer experiments due to a lack of a suitable Al tracer. Diffusion of Al is slightly faster than diffusion of Fe indicating diffusion mechanisms with coupled jumps of Fe and Al atoms.

Abstract: Titanium-platinum (Ti50Pt50) alloy has been identified as a potential candidate for high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) applications such as actuators in jet engines. This work evaluates powder metallurgy as an alternative processing route with the added benefit that near net shaped components can be formed. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) of blended elemental titanium and platinum powders was carried out. The sintering conditions used were: temperatures ranging from 1200 to 1400 °C and sintering times ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. SEM with EDS, XRD and DSC were carried out to study the results. Results showed that SPS only achieved high density, but not homogenisation of the alloys. All sintering conditions resulted in formation of the martensitic TiPt phase of interest, together with some or all of the following phases: Ti, Ti3Pt, Ti4Pt3, Ti3Pt5 and Pt. Post sintering annealing treatments were carried out to homoginise the alloys at 1300 °C for times ranging from 5 to 15 hours. With sufficient annealing times a two phase microstructure was produced with TiPt as the majority matrix phase and Ti3Pt5 as the precipitate phase.

Abstract: Interdiffusion in Zn/InSb system has been investigated under high (0.59×10⁶ G) and low (1 G) gravity conditions at 673, 593 and 573K, respectively. Samples annealed at 0.59×10⁶ G, 673K for 60 hours, indicated the formation of a periodic reaction layer structure. Since such structures can be formed in solid state reactions of ternary systems [, the effect of high gravitational field and high hydrostatic pressure (approximately 3kbar) in the formation of periodic patterns was investigated. Systematic investigations at ambient pressure and low gravitational field were carried out at 593 and 573 K in sandwich geometry. SEM and EDX analysis had shown that there are different phases between the initial components. Starting from the Zn side of the specimen there is a very thin single-phase with high (about 90%) In content. Next to it is a thin two-phase layer, containing mainly 50-50% InSb and some elongated Zn particles and then there is a thick phase with the composition of Zn₅In₂Sb₄ which is followed by a similar two-phase mixture (InSb+Zn) similar to the Zn side of the sample. Although the diffusion zone is not a well developed periodic structure, but every layer (clearly distinguishable form the others and was either a single-or multiphase layer) grows with the time.