Defect and Diffusion Forum Vols. 237-240

Abstract: The ionic semiconductor CdF2 that is of extraordinary interest for the modern optics and optoelectronics because of the largest band-gap value, 7.8 eV, from all wide-gap semiconductors and of the n-type conductivity caused by doping with the III group elements and subsequent thermal colouring is used to prepare the ultra-shallow p+- n junctions and p+-Si - n-CdF2 heterostructures by the short-time diffusion of boron from the gas phase. The forward branches of the I-V characteristics of the quantum-size p+-n junctions and heterostructures are shown to reveal not only the CdF2 gap value, but also the CdF2 valence band structure as well thereby identifying the ballistic character of the transport of holes. The studies of the I-V characteristics under the voltage applied along the p+-n junction plane demonstrate the metal conductivity of the two-dimensional hole gas, which seems to be evidence of the formation of the p-CdB2 compounds on the n-CdF2 surface in the process of doping with boron.

Abstract: Diffusion of nano-sized liquid Pb inclusions in thin aluminum foils is investigated using in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Free diffusion of the inclusions in the bulk and diffusion constrained by dislocations trapping is studied. The motion of trapped Pb inclusions is spatially confined in close proximity to the dislocations. The diffusion coefficients of free motion of the inclusions are determined using Einstein's equation. The diffusion coefficients of trapped inclusions were obtained using an equation based on Smoluchowski's analysis of the Brownian motion of particle in a harmonic potential. The agreement of the diffusion coefficients of free and trapped inclusions indicates the same underlying microscopic mechanism, and no strong influence from dislocations. The microscopic mechanism controlling the mobility is discussed.

Abstract: The use of atomic diffusion processes to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth and other Planetary systems are briefly reviewed in this paper. I outline some situations to illustrate how diffusion modeling may find varied applications in the Earth and Planetary Sciences. Some possible areas of research are described where advances in Geosciences may benefit researchers interested in diffusion processes in other fields. These include measurement of diffusion rates under high pressures, studies in multicomponent diffusion and modelling of diffusion and point defect related processes in multiphase and multicomponent non-metallic systems. Finally, I outline some areas where input from specialists in other areas may advance knowledge in the Geosciences.

Abstract: Ultra-strong gravitational field can induce sedimentation of even atoms in condensed matter. We had realized sedimentation of substitutional solute atoms in some miscible alloys. In this study, the ultra-centrifuge experiments were performed on an intermetallic compound of Bi-Pb system (Bi3Pb7) by changing time duration of experiment time (experimental conditions; maximum centrifugal force: 1.0x106g level, temperature: 130-150 °C, duration: 30-150h, state: solid). Composition changes were observed in the centrifuged samples. And, it was found that the Bi phase appeared from starting state of Bi3Pb7 around the weak gravitational field region of the sample. These results showed that sedimentation of substitutional solute atoms occurred, and induced the structure change in intermetallic compounds.

Abstract: The oxidation resistance behaviour of a number of surface-treated FeCrAl commercial alloys and some model alloys of well-defined composition, incorporating a range of reactive elements in trace amounts, has been studied under thermal cyclic conditions in air with and without additions of water vapour. Additions of reactive elements such as Zr, La, Y, Hf modify the oxidation resistance behaviour of FeCrAl-alloys by improving the scale adherence and consequently may extend the lifetime of FeCrAl steels. The presence of the water vapour can affect oxidation in a number of different ways. Our results may indicate that high content of water vapour can cause the lives of such alloys to be decreased. This work forms part of a larger European-funded project to evaluate physical properties, microstructural features, oxidation/corrosion resistance and lifetime improvement. The correlation between alloy parameters and lifetime; as well as the modeling of oxide scale behaviour as function of cycling conditions is also studied.

Abstract: The chemical and physical interaction between Fe-Si alloys in the range 0-3.8 Si wt% and a molten Al-(Si 25wt%) alloy at 800 °C has been studied for different reaction times (from 0.1 to 200s) by hot dipping tests. Several intermetallic phases have been identified, Fe2Al5, τ1-Al3Fe3Si2, τ2-Al12Fe6Si5, τ3- Al2FeSi and τ4- Al3FeSi2, which already were reported in the literature dealing with the interaction between iron and molten Al-Si alloys. In addition an ordered phase Fe3Si (D03) appears in contact with the Fe-Si substrate. Diffusion reaction and solidification phenomena appear to be involved in the developing of the coating. The growth kinetic has been studied and diffusion appears as the step controlling the intermetallic compounds growth. Special attention was paid to the effect of the microstructure of the dipped sheet on the interaction with the molten alloy. The higher deformed structures react faster; this effect can be explained by the faster diffusion through high diffusivity paths like grain boundaries and dislocations.

Abstract: A general trend in the field of hardmetals is to achieve a refinement of the microstructures, usually by using sub-micron powders as raw materials. In this study, an alternative route to produce fine structures within the fcc hard phase (W,Ti)(C,N) is investigated: nitrogen indiffusion into (W,Ti)C leads to precipitation of tungsten-rich phases. The mechanism of precipitation (lamella- and labyrinth-like structures with a size of 100-400nm) is thought do be discontinuous segregation on the one hand and spinodal decomposition on the other hand. Hot-pressed (W,Ti)(C,N) samples of different compositions were annealed at different temperatures and C activities in high-pressure N2 atmosphere. The composition and resulting structures of the precipitates were correlated with composition of the (W,Ti)(C,N) phase as well as with annealing conditions. An outlook of a possible application of the observed phenomena to powder particles is given to achieve micron-sized particles of this hard phase with nanometer-sized structures as a raw material for fine-grained hardmetals.