Influence of annealing on oxidation, microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni-49Ti films

Thin films of Ni-49 at.% Ti were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering on silicon substrates at 300 degrees C. The as-deposited amorphous films were annealed at a vacuum of 10(-6) mbar at various temperatures between 300 and 650 degrees C to study the effect of annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties. The as-deposited films showed partial crystallization on annealing at 500 degrees C. At 500 degrees C, a distinct oxidation layer, rich in titanium but depleted in Ni, was seen on the film surface. A gradual increase in thickness and number of layers of various oxide stoichiometries as well as growth of triangular shaped reaction zones were seen with increase in annealing temperature up to 650 degrees C. Nanoindentation studies showed that the film hardness values increase with increase in annealing temperature up to 600 degrees C and subsequently decrease at 650 degrees C. The results were explained on the basis of the change in microstructure as a result of oxidation on annealing.

Effect of Pt on interdiffusion and mechanical properties of the gamma and gamma ` phases in the Ni-Pt-Al system

The effect of Pt on the growth kinetics of the gamma'-Ni(Pt)](3)Al ordered intermetallic phase and the gamma- Ni(Pt, Al) solid solution diffusion rates of the species, hardness and elastic modulus was examined by employing the diffusion couple experimental technique. Experiments were conducted by using the beta-Ni(Pt)Al phase and Ni(Pt) alloy couples, each of which had a fixed amount of Pt (5, 10 and 15 at. %) in both the end members so that the Pt content is more or less constant throughout the interdiffusion zone. The results suggest that the growth kinetics of both phases and the average effective interdiffusion coefficients of Ni and Al increase with the increase in Pt content. Nanoindentation studies across the compositional gradients show that the mechanical properties of the intermetallic phase in the superalloy are relatively insensitive to the presence of Pt but are more sensitive to the Ni/Al ratio. In contrast, the marked variation in the hardness of the gamma phase were noted, increasing markedly with Al concentration in a given couple and also increasing with increasing Pt content. Possible causes for the observed variations are discussed.

Viscoelastic, Mechanical and DOE-Based Study on PP-Nanocomposites

This paper deals with the quasi-static and dynamic mechanical analysis of montmorillonite filled polypropylene composites. Nanocomposites were prepared by blending montmorillonite (nanoclay) varying from 3 to 9% by weight with polypropylene. The dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus and mechanical loss factor of PP and nano-composites were investigated by varying temperature and frequencies. Results showed better mechanical and thermomechanical properties at higher concentration of nanoclay. Regression-based models through design of experiments (DOE) were developed to find the storage modulus and compared with theoretical models and DOE-based models.

Structure and mechanical properties of Ti-C films deposited using combination of pulsed DC and normal DC magnetron co-sputtering

Titanium-carbon (Ti-C) thin films of different compositions were prepared by a combination of pulsed DC (for Ti target) and normal DC (for graphite target) magnetron co-sputtering on oxidized silicon and fused quartz substrates. At 33.7 at.% of C content, pure hcp Ti transforms into fcc-TiC with a preferential orientation of (2 2 0) along with (1 1 1) and (2 0 0). A clear transformation in the preferential orientation from (2 2 0) to (1 1 1) has been observed when the C content was increased to 56 at.%. At 62.5 at.% of C, TiC precipitates in an amorphous carbon matrix whereas further increase in C leads to X-ray amorphous films. The cross-sectional scanning electron microscope images reveal that the films with low carbon content consists of columnar grains, whereas, randomly oriented grains are in an amorphous carbon matrix at higher carbon content. A dramatic variation was observed in the mechanical properties such as hardness, H, from 30 to 1 GPa and in modulus, E, from 255 to 25 GPa with varying carbon content in the films. Resistance to plastic deformation parameter was observed as 0.417 for films containing 62.5 at.% of C. Nanoscratch test reveals that the films are highly scratch resistant with a coefficient of friction ranging from 0.15 to 0.04. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mechanical properties of ZnS nanowires and thin films: Microscopic origin of the dependence on size and growth direction

Mechanical properties of ZnS nanowires and thin films are studied as a function of size and growth direction using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Using the stress-strain relationship we extract Young's moduli of nanowires and thin films at room temperature. Our results show that Young's modulus of 0001] nanowires has strong size dependence. On the other hand, 01 (1) over bar0] nanowires do not exhibit a strong size dependence of Young's modulus in the size range we have investigated. We provide a microscopic understanding of this behavior on the basis of bond stretching and contraction due to the rearrangement of atoms in the surface layers. The ultimate tensile strengths of the nanowires do not show much size dependence. To investigate the mechanical behavior of ZnS in two dimensions, we calculate Young's modulus of thin films under tensile strain along the 0001] direction. Young's modulus of thin films converges to the bulk value more rapidly than that of the 0001] nanowire.

Non-destructive evaluation of porosity and its effect on mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite materials

In this work, an attempt is made to induce porosity of varied levels in carbon fiber reinforced epoxy based polymer composite laminates fabricated using prepregs by varying the fabrication parameters such as applied vacuum, autoclave pressure and curing temperature. Different NDE tools have been utilized to evaluate the porosity content and correlate with measurable parameters of different NDE techniques. Primarily, ultrasonic imaging and real time digital X-ray imaging have been tried to obtain a measurable parameter which can represent or reflect the amount of porosity contained in the composite laminate. Also, effect of varied porosity content on mechanical properties of the CFRP composite materials is investigated through a series of experimental investigations. The outcome of the experimental approach has yielded interesting and encouraging trend as a first step towards developing an NDE tool for quantification of effect of varied porosity in the polymer composite materials.

Non-destructive evaluation of porosity and its effect on mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite materials

Structural adhesive bonding is widely used to execute assemblies in automobile and aerospace structures. The quality and reliability of these bonded joints must be ensured during service. In this context non destructive evaluation of these bonded structures play an important role. Evaluation of adhesively bonded composite single lap shear joints has been attempted through experimental approach. Series of tests, non-destructive as well as destructive were performed on different sets of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite lap joint specimens with varied bond quality. Details of the experimental investigations carried out and the outcome are presented in this paper.

Effect of length scale on mechanical properties of Al-Cu eutectic alloy

This paper attempts a quantitative understanding of the effect of length scale on two phase eutectic structure. We first develop a model that considers both the elastic and plastic properties of the interface. Using Al-Al2Cu lamellar eutectic as model system, the parameters of the model were experimentally determined using indentation technique. The model is further validated using the results of bulk compression testing of the eutectics having different length scales. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4761944]

Manifestation of intermediate phase in mechanical properties: Nano-indentation studies on Ge-Te-Si bulk chalcogenide glasses

Nano-indentation studies have been undertaken on bulk Ge15Te85-xSix glasses (0 <= x <= 9), to estimate hardness, H and elastic modulus, E. It is found that E and H increase initially with the increase in the atomic percent of Si. Further, a plateau is seen in the composition dependence of E and H in the composition range 2 <= x <= 6. It is also seen that the addition of up to 2 at% Si increases the density rho of the glass considerably; however, further additions of Si lead to a near linear reduction in rho, in the range 2 <= x <= 6. Beyond x=6, rho increases again with Si content. The variation of molar volume V-m brings out a more fascinating picture. A plateau is seen in the intermediate phase suggesting that the molecular structure of the glasses is adapting to keep the count of constraints fixed in this particular phase. The observed variations in mechanical properties are associated with the Boolchand's intermediate phase in the present glassy system, in the composition range 2 <= x <= 6, suggested earlier from calorimetric and electrical switching studies. The present results reveal rather directly the existence of the intermediate phase in elastic and plastic properties of chalcogenide glasses. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of oxidation resistant suction cast Nb-Si-Al alloy

In this paper, we report a significant improvement in mechanical and oxidation properties of near eutectic Nb-Si alloys by the addition of aluminum (Al) and control of microstructural length scale. A comparative study of two alloys Nb-18.79at%Si and Nb-12.3at%Si-9at%Al were carried out. The processing for microstructure refinements were carried out by vacuum suction casting in water cooled thick copper mould. It is shown that addition of Al suppresses Nb3Si phase and promotes beta Nb5Si3 phase under nonequilibrium solidification condition. The microstructural length scale and in particular eutectic spacing reduces significantly to 50-100 nm in suction cast ternary alloy. A detailed TEM study shows the presence of delta-Nb11Si4 phase in Nb matrix. The hardness of Nb solid solution can be increased as a consequence to a level observed in Nb3Si intermetallic due to the well oriented precipitates. Compression test yields the ultimate strength of 1.8 +/- 0.1 GPa and engineering strain of 2.3 +/- 0.03%. In comparison, the binary Nb-18.79 at% Si alloy possesses an ultimate strength of 1.35 +/- 0.1 GPa and strain of 0.2 +/- 0.01% when processed under identical conditions. The latter exhibits coarser microstructural length scale (300-400 nm) and a brittle behavior. The indentation fracture toughness of Al containing suction cast alloy shows a value of 20.2 +/- 0.5 MPa root m which represents a major improvement over bulk Nb-Si eutectic alloy. The detailed thermal studies confirm a multifold improvement in oxidation resistance up to 1000 degrees C. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and mechanical properties of room temperature sputter deposited CrN coatings

Chromium nitride (CrN) thin films were deposited at room temperature on silicon and glass substrates using DC reactive magnetron sputtering in Ar + N-2 plasma. Structure and mechanical properties of these films were examined by using XRD, FESEM and nanoindentation techniques. XRD studies revealed that films are of mixed phase at lower nitrogen partial pressure (P-N2) and single phase at higher (P-N2). Microscopy results show that the films were composed of non-equiaxed columns with nanocrystallite morphology. The hardness and elastic modulus of the films increase with increasing nitrogen partial pressure (P-N2). A maximum hardness of similar to 29 GPa and elastic modulus of 341 GPa were obtained, which make these films useful for several potential applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanoindentation in Crystal Engineering: Quantifying Mechanical Properties of Molecular Crystals

Nanoindentation is a technique for measuring the elastic modulus and hardness of small amounts of materials. This method, which has been used extensively for characterizing metallic and inorganic solids, is now being applied to organic and metalorganic crystals, and has also become relevant to the subject of crystal engineering, which is concerned with the design of molecular solids with desired properties and functions. Through nanoindentation it is possible to correlate molecular-level properties such as crystal packing, interaction characteristics, and the inherent anisotropy with micro/macroscopic events such as desolvation, domain coexistence, layer migration, polymorphism, and solid-state reactivity. Recent developments and exciting opportunities in this area are highlighted in this Minireview.

The effect of minor addition of Ni on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of suction cast Al-0.14 at. pct Sc binary alloy

Aluminum scandium binary alloys represent a promising precipitation-hardening alloy system. However, the hardness of the binary alloys decreases with the rapid coarsening of Al3Sc precipitate during high-temperature aging. In the current study, we report a new approach to compensate for the loss of mechanical properties by combining rapid solidification with very small ternary addition of transition metal Ni. This addition yields dispersion, and at a critical concentration improves the mechanical properties. We explore additions of a maximum of 0.06 at. pct of Nickel to a binary Al-0.14 at. pct Sc alloy, which yield nickel-rich dispersions. We report two kinds of biphasic dispersions containing AlNi2Sc/Al9Ni2 and alpha-Al/Al9Ni2 phase combinations. The maximum improvement in mechanical properties occurs with the addition of 0.045 at. pct Ni with a yield strength of 239 +/- A 7 MPa for an aging treatment at 583 K (310 A degrees C) for 15 hours. DOI: 10.1007/s11661-013-1624-z (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2013

Effects of different modes of hot cross-rolling in 7010 aluminum alloy: part II. mechanical properties anisotropy

The influence of microstructure and texture developed by different modes of hot cross-rolling on in-plane anisotropy (A (IP)) of yield strength, work hardening behavior, and anisotropy of Knoop hardness (KHN) yield locus has been investigated. The A (IP) and work hardening behavior are evaluated by tensile testing at 0 deg, 45 deg, and 90 deg to the rolling direction, while yield loci have been generated by directional KHN measurements. It has been observed that specimens especially in the peak-aged temper, in spite of having a strong, rotated Brass texture, show low A (IP). The results are discussed on the basis of Schmid factor analyses in conjunction with microstructural features, namely grain morphology and precipitation effects. For the specimen having a single-component texture, the yield strength variation as a function of orientation can be rationalized by the Schmid factor analysis of a perfectly textured material behaving as a quasi-single crystal. The work hardening behavior is significantly affected by the presence of solute in the matrix and the state of precipitation rather than texture, while yield loci derived from KHN measurements reiterate the low anisotropy of the materials. Theoretic yield loci calculated from the texture data using the visco-plastic self-consistent model and Hill's anisotropic equation are compared with that obtained experimentally.

Mechanical properties of a metal-organic framework containing hydrogen-bonded bifluoride linkers

We report the mechanical properties of a framework structure, Cu2F(HF)(HF2)(pyz)(4)](SbF6)(2)](n) (pyz = pyrazine), in which Cu(pyz)(2)](2+) layers are pillared by HF2- anions containing the exceptionally strong F-H center dot center dot center dot F hydrogen bonds. Nanoindentation studies on single-crystals clearly demonstrate that such bonds are extremely robust and mechanically comparable with coordination bonds in this system.