Papers by Keyword: Laves Phases

Abstract: A comprehensive study of the structure and phase composition, magnetostrictive and magnetic properties of the (Sm_0.5R_0.5)Fe₂ (R = Gd, Tb) compounds was performed. The effect of partial replacement of samarium by gadolinium and terbium on the microstructure of the surface, the temperature of phase transitions, the magnitude of magnetostrictive deformations and magnetization was studied. Using atomic force and magnetic force microscopy, the surface topology at the micro and nanoscale was established, and information on the magnetic domain structure at room temperature was obtained.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage in reversible metal hydrides is attractive because it can be stored at relatively low pressures with a high volumetric density. In the present research work have been investigated compounds with nominal compositions Zr0.8Ti0.2Cr1.2V0.4Ni0.4 and Zr0.8Ti0.2Cr0.8V0.8Ni0.4 that have been prepared by arc-melting under argon atmosphere. Structural characteristics have been studied by using X-ray powder diffraction while the patterns have been analyzed by using the Rietveld analysis. A main hexagonal Laves phase MgZn2 (C14) and a secondary MgCu2 (C15)-type of, have been found in the powdered compounds. The bulk samples have composite microstructures but the V-rich is characterized by a dendritic microstructure. The high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) have been used for the morphology and quantitative analysis, respectively. Hydrogenations and dehydrogenations have been obtained after crucial activation procedure. The alloys were found to be more active under hydrogen after activation while the desorbed amount of hydrogen has been measured by using a Sievert-type apparatus.

Abstract: The goal of our studies is to find alloy compositions capable of high H capacity and reversible low temperature hydrogenation. In the present research work, specimens with nominal compositions Zr0.9Ti0.1Cr1.2V0.8 and Zr0.9Ti0.1Cr0.8V0.8Ni0.4 have been prepared by arc–melting under argon atmosphere. The microstructural properties of the samples were analyzed by XRD and SEM, while the corresponding microchemistry was determined by EDAX measurements. A two phase system was regularly obtained, with the main component being the hexagonal (C14) Laves phase. The presence of small amounts of Ni has been found to increase the alloy activity on hydrogen. Hydrogen activation was performed for both samples and charging-discharging properties were investigated in the temperature range between 20 oC and 100 oC by using a Sievert-type apparatus.

Abstract: Ferritic heat-resistant steel comprises basic alloys of Fe-10mass%Cr-W. This study investigates how stress, the addition of Co, and tempering before aging affect the precipitation of the Laves phase of Fe-10Cr-6W ferritic heat-resistant steel, which is used in ultra-supercritical power plants and nuclear reactor materials. The study also investigates the mechanical properties of the steel. Precipitation of the Laves phase by aging increases the tensile strength, but decreases the elongation and impact strength of the alloys. Toughness of the alloys decreases greatly as very fine disk-like Laves phases appear in early aging stage. The strength and impact value of the steel decrease when the steel is tempered before aging. This is mainly due to decrease of density and increase of the particle size in the Laves phase. Since precipitation of the Laves phase increases by addition of Co; the strength increases and the elongation and impact value decrease.

Abstract: The phase equilibria among α-Fe, γ-Fe and Fe2Ti phases in Fe-Ti-Ni ternary system at 1473 K and 1373 K with Ni (γ former element) addition were examined, by paying attention to the γ+Fe2Ti two-phase region. The Fe2Ti single-phase region extends toward the equal-titanium concentration direction up to about 30 at% Ni, and the Laves phase becomes in equilibrium with γ-Fe by 12 at% Ni addition, but the γ+Fe2Ti two-phase region is limited because of the formation of liquid phase by further Ni addition at 1473 K. With decreasing temperature, a ternary eutectic reaction (L→γ-Fe+Fe2Ti+Ni3Ti) occurs, making the two-phase region wider just below the invariant reaction at 1373 K, and the region becomes narrower again by the enlargement of the three-phases region toward Fe-rich side.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly Cu-based alloys with high strength and low electrical resistivity have been much sought in order to replace deleterious Cu-Be alloys for electrical applications. As one of the candidate systems, we have examined age-hardening behaviors of Cu-Mg alloys by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cu-2.26wt.%Mg alloys were solution-treated and annealed at 723K, and their structural changes have been investigated. The Vickers hardness measurements showed that they aged-harden gradually. Our TEM observations showed that annealing for 6h brings about precipitation of numerous needle-like particles of 10 nm in length. The diffraction studies indicated these precipitates consist of the Cu2Mg phase with {111}Cu habit planes. When annealed for 96h, these precipitates become semi-coherent, which was manifested by moiré fringes; while maintaining the orientation relationship of (111)Cu//(111)Cu2Mg, [110]Cu//[110]Cu2Mg.

Abstract: The effects of thermal aging on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties are important in the understanding of the in-service behavior of ferritic/martensitic steels in advanced nuclear power system. Ferritic/martensitic steels have been aged at 600oC for times up to 20,000 hrs. The change of mechanical properties has been examined for these aged materials. The strength and hardness was hardly changed after the thermal aging at 600oC for 20,000 hrs in all specimens. The impact absorbed energy decreased with the aging time. But the decrease of the impact absorbed energy was larger at the early stage of aging in tungsten added steels. This is attributed to the formation of Laves phase. Nitrogen which is known to increase the creep rupture strength had no effect on the degradation of the microstructure and mechanical properties during thermal aging.

Abstract: Site occupancies of ternary additions (Ti, V, and W) in the C15 ZrCr2 and NbCr2 Laves phases were predicted theoretically by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The results suggest that Ti preferentially occupies the Zr and Nb sites in ZrCr2 and NbCr2, respectively. V and W substitute the Cr sites in both ZrCr2 and NbCr2. The calculations of heats of formation also show that the occupancy of W on the Cr sites and of Ti on the Zr sites stabilize ZrCr2. For NbCr2, the occupancy of V on the Cr sites and of Ti on the Nb sites increases the phase stability.

Abstract: The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg95.9Zn3.5Gd0.6 and Mg94.4Zn3.5Gd0.6Cu1.5 alloys reinforced by icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase) and Laves phase has been studied after extrusion at 573K. Extrusion can significantly refined the I-phase and Laves phase, and the strengthening effect of I-phase and Laves phase has been analyzed. Large volume of icosahedral phase in Mg95.9Zn3.5Gd0.6 has important role in its high UTS and elongation due to strong bonding effect at the I-phase/matrix interface for low interface energy. The Laves phase with cubic topological and close-packed structure in Mg94.4Zn3.5Gd0.6Cu1.5 alloy result in the higher heat resistance at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A new method to improve oxidation resistance of ferritic stainless steel was studied. Increase in oxidation resistance of ferritic stainless steel with laves phase precipitation was succeeded in addition to the conventional method such as addition of rare-earth element. Ultra low carbon 20%Cr steels with various niobium content continuously oxidized at 1073-1173K in air. A mass gain with exposure at 1073K decreased with increasing niobium content and saturated more than 0.1% in niobium content. In steels contained niobium less than 0.1%, mass gain were also decreased with increase in initial ferritic grain diameter. In steels contained niobium more than 0.1%, laves phase was observed at the ferritic grain boundary by using transmission electron microscope. But then a mass gain with exposure at 1173K did not decreased with niobium content and laves phase was not observed. On the assumption that oxidation behaviors of steels contained niobium more than 0.1% obey the parabolic law, the parabolic rate constant obtained at 1173K is similar to that controlled by grain boundary diffusion, and parabolic rate constant obtained at 1073K is similar to that controlled by lattice diffusion. These results suggest that precipitation of laves phase retard growth of oxide film effectively with suppressing grain boundary diffusion of cation forming oxide film.