Papers by Keyword: Niobium

Abstract: Herein, solid-state diffusion-coupled joints (DCJs) were prepared in vacuum between stainless steel (SS) and Ti6Al4V by means of a pure niobium (Nb) interlayer (~200-μm thickness) using uni-axial compressive pressure of 4 MPa at 875 °C for 15 to 120 min. Interfacial characterization revealed the existence of successive layer wise Fe–Nb-based intermetallics like FeNb+(Nb) and Fe₂Nb at Nb|SS interfaces of DCJs processed from 60 to 120 min, but the DCJs processed for shorter duration (from 15 to 30 min) do not reveal any intermetallics; however, the DCJs processed for 45 min revealed a single reaction layer of FeNb whereas that of Ti6Al4V|Nb interfaces revealed solid solution behaviour for all bonding time intervals. Required chemical analysis (in at. pct) of the reaction products was found out using spectroscope and X-ray diffractometer. Mechanical characterization (at 32 °C) of the DCJs was carried out with a microhardness tester and tensile testing facility. Ti6Al4V|Nb interface experienced a hardness of ~298 HV (for all bonding time), whereas Nb|SS interface experienced ~200 HV for 15 and 30 min and ~650 HV for 45 min and longer. DCJs treated for 60 min have better strength properties. Manifestation of reaction layers: FeNb, FeNb+(Nb), and Fe₂Nb have significant effect on the strength. From the interfacial microhardness, path and surface of fracture surfaces characterizations, it was revealed that failure of the DCJs was transmitted seemingly along Nb|SS interfaces. The analytical finding of intrinsic diffusivity of Ti atoms in Nb along Ti6Al4V|Nb interface is higher by one order of magnitude than the diffusivity results of Fe atoms in Nb along the Nb|SS interface. Experimental evidences show that the growth of the reaction products along Ti6Al4V|Nb interface (adj. R-Square=0.982) and Nb|SS interface (adj. R-Square=0.999) follows a parabolic law. Recently, researchers considered diffusion coupling as the key technology to fabricate Ti|Al|Al-C_f biomimetic structure, graphite|Nb|Cu for fusion reactor devices, Ni|Ni₃Al for MEMS applications, hybrid heat exchangers for nuclear applications, etc.

Abstract: TiNb coatings were obtained by the electro-explosive doping on the surface of a titanium dental implant (VT6 alloy). The elemental and phase composition was determined by the methods of scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by X-ray structural analysis. The morphology and defective substructure of the coating were studied. Hardness and Young's modulus, friction coefficient and wear resistance of the formed coating were determined. It has been established that the electro-explosive coating is multi-element and multi-phase and possesses submicro-and nanocrystalline structure, high strength and tribological properties. It was found, that the formation of TiNb coating is accompanied by a multiple (more than 2 times) decrease in the wear parameter, i.e. wear resistance increase of the surface layer, an increase in the friction coefficient by 1.5 times, significant increase in hardness (1.5 times) and Young's modulus (1.3 times).

Abstract: The Heavy-Haul railroad wheels started to use higher wear resistance steels microalloyed with niobium, vanadium, and molybdenum [1]. During continuous cooling, these elements depress the temperature of the pearlite formation, producing smaller interlamellar spacing that increases the hardness of the steel, besides to favor the precipitation hardening through the formation of carbides [2, 3]. Also, they delay the formation of difusional components like pearlite and bainite during isothermal transformation. The effects of these alloy elements on microstructure during isothermal transformation were studied in this work using a Bähr 805A/D dilatometer. Three different compositions of class C railway wheels steels (two microalloyed and one, non microalloyed) were analyzed in temperatures between 200 and 700 °C. The microstructure and hardness for each isothermal treatment were obtained after the experiments. Comparing with non microalloyed steel (7C), the vanadium addition (7V steel) did not affect the beginning of diffusion-controlled reactions (pearlite and bainite), but delayed the end of these reactions, and showed separated bays for pearlite and bainite. The Nb + Mo addition delayed the beginning and the ending of pearlite and bainite formation and also showed distinct bays for them. The delays in diffusion-controlled reactions were more intense in the 7NbMo steel than in 7V steel. The V or Nb + Mo additions decreased the start temperature for martensite formation and increased the start temperature for austenite formation.

Abstract: The demand for tantalum and niobium has increased steadily due to their importance in the production of modern industrial materials and high tech consumer products such as super alloys and cell phones. This work aims at recovery of tantalum and niobium from Abu Dabbab deposits at the Eastern Desert of Egypt. The beneficiation was successfully performed using shaking table concentrator and carpco magnetic separator. The enrichment ratio reached up to 160-times for both Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂O₅. Aliquat 336 ionic liquid was used for separating Ta₂O₅ with purity of 90%. Amberlite anion exchanger was used for separating Nb₂O₅ with purity of 87%.

Abstract: Amorphous carbonitride coatings (a-C:N and a-C:N:H) with dopant of niobium (Nb) were deposited on substrates of JIS SKH51 high speed steel (HSS) by a four-target close-field unbalance magnetron sputtering system. Subsequently, they were characterized by GDOS, XRD and XPS, and their corrosion resistance was comparatively evaluated. An electro-chemical tester was used to evaluate the corrosive behavior. An SEM was used to examine the test surface. The results revealed that the Nb dopant provided improvements in the corrosive performance to both the a-C:N and a-C:N:H coatings.

Abstract: Low specific contact resistivity and high-temperature reliability of the Ni (x)/Nb (100-x) (where x = 25, 50, 75 nm) ohmic contact to 4H-SiC were investigated. After the annealing process at 1000°C for 3 min in N₂ ambient, the I-V curves indicated that all the contacts exhibited the ohmic behaviors. Based on the transfer length method, the specific contact resistivity of the contacts were extracted. High concentration of Ni was responsible for low specific contact resistance of the Ni (75)/Nb (25)/4H-SiC sample by the formation of Ni₂Si compound after the fabrication process. However, this contact lost the ohmic behavior at low temperature of 150°C. Whereas, both Ni (50)/Nb (50)/4H-SiC and Ni (25)/Nb (75)/4H-SiC contacts remained the ohmic behavior for 100-hour aging at 400°C. Two-dimensional X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the presence of carbon agglomeration formed at the interface of the Ni (75)/Nb (25)/4H-SiC contact caused the degradation of this sample when being aged at high temperature environment. Meanwhile, higher concentration of Nb in the Ni (50)/Nb (50)/4H-SiC and Ni (25)/Nb (75)/4H-SiC samples improved the ability to collect the excess carbon atoms and thus enhanced the high temperature reliability of these contacts when operating in high temperature ambient. Considering both low specific contact resistivity and high temperature reliability, the Ni (50)/Nb (50)/4H-SiC contact can be a good candidate for harsh environment applications.

Abstract: In the present work, we use a modified Equal Channel Angular Pressing technique for structure and properties change of Tantalum and Niobium at room temperature. The main advantage of this modified technique is the possibility to produce relatively large samples with ultrafine-grained microstructure in all volume of the workpiece by reduced deformation load up to 25% via friction decrease, and also to prevent the punch fracture under high compression stress during pressing. The various microstructures and properties were produced in metals by using different von Mises strain levels up to Ɛ_vM = 13.8. The changes in microstructure were studied by using SEM and TEM techniques. The change of mechanical properties was measured by using various tension and hardness testing setups. We can conclude that during processing the ultrafine-grained microstructure in as-cast Nb and Ta was formed. The uniaxial tensile strength, Vickers hardness, and plasticity of Nb and Ta significantly increased as compared to coarse-grained counterparts. We believe that the relatively large workpieces of pure bulk Ta and Nb metals with improved microstructure and exploitation properties are suitable materials for the modern industry.

Abstract: This article presents a study of Tomtor rare earth ore decomposition. This material contains a lot of valuable components such as REE and niobium (mas., %: 12,8 ΣREO (rare earth oxides), 0.039 Sc, 18.4 P₂O₅, 9.9 Fe, 9.0 Al, 0.24 ThO₂, 8.2 Nb₂O₅). The study aims to find efficient ways of processing this deposit. Technologies using the sulfuric acid as the main reagent to leach are described in this article. Investigation has three trends. The first trend is agitation leaching at low sulfuric acid concentrations, temperatures up to 95 °C and atmospheric pressure. The second trend is pressure leaching at low sulfuric acid concentrations, high temperatures (up to 180 °C) and high pressure. The third trend is high temperature sulfatization with concentrated sulfuric acid at elevated temperature (up to 180 °C) and atmospheric pressure followed by aqueous leaching. The dependence of target components (rare earth elements, scandium, phosphorus) and the impurity (iron, aluminum, thorium) extractions into solution from major factors was studied.

Abstract: This work investigates the evolution of the microstructure of an Nb-23Ti-20Si (at.%) based alloy, from the primary plasma-melted material that is gas-atomized towards the consolidated material (here using SPS). The nature, morphology and size of the solid solution and the various silicides are followed by SEM, EDS and EBSD. Homogenous and fine microstructures are obtained after the SPS step and are improved by a subsequent heat treatment (1500°C, 100 h). However blocky silicides, already present in the powder particles, cannot be eliminated. A better control of the primary material’s microstructure would improve the microstructure of the final material.

Abstract: This study presents how Nb addition allowed improving the Charpy impact toughness of a martensitic stainless steel by comparing a conventional AISI410 (12%Cr-0.1%C) and a 12%Cr-0.1%C-0.1%Nb steel after the same austenitization and quenching heat treatment. Adding niobium decreased the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature by 100°C with respect to the Nb-free steel. To identify quantitative fracture criteria for the two materials, the values of critical cleavage fracture stress were determined by the local approach to fracture, combining low temperature tensile tests on notched specimens and mechanical analysis by the finite element method. The main effects of niobium were to refine the grain size and to promote retained austenite films, resulting in a similar resistance to cleavage crack initiation but in a strong improvement of the ductile-to-brittle transition behavior by increasing the resistance to cleavage crack propagation.