Microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg–5Al–0.4Mn–xNd (x=0, 1, 2 and 4) alloys

Mg-5Al-0.4Mn-xNd (x=0, 1, 2 and 4wt.%) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting method. The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results demonstrated that Al11Nd3 phase was formed and mainly aggregated along the grain boundaries with the addition of Nd. Meanwhile, the grain sizes were greatly reduced with the increasing Nd content.

Effect of Y for enhanced age hardening response and mechanical properties of Mg-Ho-Y-Zr alloys

In this study, compositional dependence of age hardening characteristics and tensile properties were investigated for Mg-4Ho-xY-0.6Zr alloys (x = 0, 3 5, and 7 wt%). The result showed that with increasing Y content, the hardness of the alloys increased in the as-quenched and aged-peak conditions. Considerable age hardening response was recognized for the alloys. When the alloy containing 7% Y showed the most remarkable age hardening response at aging temperature of 250 degrees C.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of high performance Mg-Gd based alloys

The Mg-12Gd-4Y-2Nd-0.3Zn-0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy was prepared by casting technology, and the structure, age hardening behavior and mechanical properties of the alloy have been investigated. The results demonstrated that the alloy was composed of alpha-Mg matrix, a lot of dispersed Mg24RE5 (RE = Gd/Y/Nd) and Mg5RE precipitates in the as-cast and the T6 state alloys. The alloy exhibited remarkable age hardening response and excellent mechanical properties from room temperature (RT) to 300 degrees C by optimum solid solution and aging conditions. The ultimate tensile strength.

Electrolytic Deposition and Diffusion of Lithium onto Magnesium-9 Wt Pct Yttrium Bulk Alloy in Low-Temperature Molten Salt of Lithium Chloride and Potassium Chloride

The electrolytic deposition and diffusion of lithium onto bulk magnesium-9 wt pct yttrium alloy cathode in molten salt of 47 wt pct lithium chloride and 53 wt pct potassium chloride at 693 K were investigated. Results show that magnesium-yttrium-lithium ternary alloys are formed on the surface of the cathodes, and a penetration depth of 642 mu m is acquired after 2 hours of electrolysis at the cathodic current density of 0.06 A center dot cm(-2). The diffusion of lithium results in a great amount of precipitates in the lithium containing layer. These precipitates are the compound of Mg41Y5, which arrange along the grain boundaries and hinder the diffusion of lithium, and solid solution of yttrium in magnesium. The grain boundaries and the twins of the magnesium-9 wt pct yttrium substrate also have negative effects on the diffusion of lithium.

Effect of yttrium-rich misch metal on the microstructures, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of die cast AZ91 alloy

Die cast AZ91-xYmm (x = 0-0.8 wt.%) magnesium alloys with excellent tensile properties and corrosion resistance behavior were successfully prepared by a simple addition of yttrium-rich misch metal (Ymm) to AZ91. Influences of Ymm on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of AZ91 were investigated. The results showed that addition of Ymm to die cast AZ91 alloy could re. ne the microstructure including primary alpha-Mg and eutectic beta-Mg17Al12. When the content of Ymm reached 0.8 wt.% a small quantity of Al2Y phase would form. The tensile properties were improved greatly with addition of Ymm to AZ91. The creep rate of the AZ91-Ymm alloys, tested at 150 degrees C/50MPa, was one order of magnitude lower than that of AZ91. When addition of Ymm was more than 0.3 wt.%, the salt-spray corrosion resistance of AZ91-Ymm alloys could be 30-40 times of that of AZ91. The improvement of corrosion resistance with addition of Ymm was confirmed by the results of electrochemical polarization experiments. Mechanism of the improvement of mechanical properties and corrosion behavior caused by Ymm was also discussed.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-xNd (x=0, 1, 2 and 3 mass%) alloys

Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-xNd (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3 mass%) alloys were prepared by metal mould casting method, and the microstructures, age hardening responses and mechanical properties have been investigated. The microhardness of the as-cast alloys is increased with increasing Nd content. The age hardening behavior and mechanical properties are enhanced significantly by adding Nd element. The peak ageing hardness of the Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-3Nd alloy is 103, it is about 1.3 times more than that of the Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr alloy. The aged Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-3Nd alloy exhibits maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength, and the values are 271 and 205 MPa at room temperature, 205 MPa and 150 MPa at 250 degrees C, respectively. Which are about 2 times higher than those of Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr alloy. The improved hardness and strength are mainly attributed to the fine dispersiveness Of Mg5RE and Mg12RE precipitates in the alloy.

Solvent extraction of scandium(III), yttrium(III), lanthanum(III) and gadolinium(III) using Cyanex 302 in heptane from hydrochloric acid solutions

The extractions of the selected rare earths (Sc, Y, La and Gd) from hydrochloric acid solutions have been investigated using bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-mono thiophosphinic acid (Cyanex 302, HL) in heptane as an extractant. The results demonstrate that the extractions of rare earths occur via the following reaction: Sc(OH)(2+) + 2[(HL)(2)]((O)) double left right arrow [Sc(OH)L-2 (.) 2(HL)]((O)) + 2H(+) Y3+ + 3[(HL)(2)]((O)) double left right arrow [Y(HL2)(3)]((O)) + 3H(+) La(OH)(2)(+) + 3[(HL)(2)](O) double left right arrow [La(OH)(2)L (.) 5(HL)]((O)) + H+ Gd(OH)(2+) + 3[(HL)(2)]((O)) double left right arrow [Gd(OH)L-2 (.) 4(HL)]((O)) + 2H(+) The pH(1/2) values and equilibrium constants of the extracted complexes have been deduced by taking into account the aqueous phase complexation of the metal ion with hydroxyl ligands and plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. According to the pH(1/2) values, it is possible to realize mutual separation among Sc(III), Y(III), La(III) and Gd(III) with Cyanex 302 by controlling aqueous acidity.

Selective separation of yttrium by CA-100 in the presence of a complexing agent

The selective separation of Y from yttrium solution containing small heavy rare earth (HRE) impurities (Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) by liquid-liquid extraction using CA-100 in the presence of a water-soluble complexing agent of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was experimentally studied at 298K. Experiments were carried Out in two feeds, Feed-I: [RE](f) = 4.94 x 10(-3) M, Y = 98.5%, HRE (Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) = 1.5%; Feed-II: [RE](f) = 4.94 x 10(-3) M, Y = 99.9%, HRE (Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) = 0.1%, as a function of equilibrium pH (pH(eq)), the concentration ratio of [EDTA]:[HRE impurities]. It was shown that the extraction of HRE in the presence of EDTA was suppressed when compared to that of Y because of the masking effect, while the selective extraction of Y was enhanced and the separation factors increased to maximum at appropriate condition for Feed-I: Y/Ho = 1.53, Y/Er = 3.09, Y/Tm = 5.61, Y/Yb = 12.04, Y/Lu = 27.51 at pH 4.37 and [EDTA]:[HRE impurities] = 4: 1, for Feed-II: Y/Ho = 1.32, Y/Er = 1.91, Y/Tm = 2.00, Y/Yb = 3.05, Y/Lu = 3.33 at pH 4.42 and [EDTA]: [HRE impurities] = 8:1. The separation and purification of Y by this method was discussed.

Microstructures and tensile properties of Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-xNd-yY (x+y=3, mass%) alloys

Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-xNd-yY (mass%) alloys which containing different Nd:Y mass ratio of 3:0, 2:1, 1:2 and 0:3 with a constant x + y = 3 were prepared by metal mould casting method, and the microstructure, aging behaviour and tensile properties have been investigated. The fibrous eutectic areas along the boundaries enlarge clearly in the as-cast alloys containing Y element, and the fine grain boundaries and dispersed precipitation are observed in the aged alloys. The Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-2Nd-Y alloy exhibits notably age-hardening behaviour and the highest mechanical property. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-2Nd-Y alloy in the peak aged hardness are 293 and 221 MPa at room temperature, 248 and 191 MPa at 230 degrees C. The improvement of age-hardening response and tensile properties is mainly attributed to the quadrate-like stable Mg5RE precipitate, which forms readily and orderly in aged Mg-8Gd-0.6Zr-2Nd-Y alloy.

SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ER3+-ACTIVATED AND CE3+-SENSITIZED YTTRIUM-ALUMINUM-GARNET LASER CRYSTALS

We report in this paper the spectral characteristics of Er3+ (2 at.%)-activated and Ce3+ (0.3 at.%)-sensitized yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG:Er,Ce) laser crystals grown by the Czochralski technique. The absorption and emission spectra were measured at room temperature. By using absorption spectra and Judd-Ofelt theory the experimental oscillator strengths of the Er3+ transitions in the YAG:Er,Ce crystals were calculated. The energy transfer between the Er3+ and Ce3+ ions is also discussed.

Yttrium oxysulfide nanosized spherical particles doped with Yb and Er or Yb and Tm: efficient materials for up-converting phosphor technology field

This work reports on the preparation, structural and luminescent studies of nanosized up-converter phosphors Y2O2S:Yb(4%), Er(0.1%) and Y2O2S:Yb(4%), Tm(0.1%),both from polymeric and basic carbonate precursors. The precursors were submitted to a sulphuration process that was previously developed for oxysulfide preparation from basic carbonate. From XRD data, all phosphors presented the oxysulfide phase and the mean crystallite size estimated from the Scherrer formula in the range of 15-20 nm. Polymeric precursor leads to the smallest crystallite size independent on the doping ion. SEM and TEM results confirmed that basic carbonate leads to spherical particles with narrow size distribution and mean diameter of 150 nm, and polymeric precursor smaller spherical particles with diameter between 20 and 40 nm. Up-conversion studies under 980 nm laser excitation showed that Er-doped phosphors present strong green emission related to H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2) --> I-4(15/2) Er transitions as well as the red ones, F-4(9/2) --> I-4(15/2). Tm-doped samples show strong blue emission assigned to (1)G(4) --> H-3(6) and also the red ones, related to (1)G(4) --> F-3(4). Therefore, the sulphuration method was successfully applied to prepare nanosized and nanostructured blue and green up-converter oxysulfide phosphors starting from basic carbonate and polymeric precursors. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescent properties of yttrium diphenylphosphinate activated by europium

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of yttrium diphenylphosphinates doped with europium are reported. The purity of all samples was confirmed by carbon and hydrogen micro analysis, thermal analysis, IR vibrational spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Luminescence spectra indicated the presence of two or more symmetry centers. The dynamic luminescence measurements suggested that one symmetry site presented an inversion center, while the others had lower symmetry. The average quantum yield of Eu3+ emission in the yttrium, matrices was 60%. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

4-Dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvic acid: Synthesis, characterization and complexation with trivalent lanthanides, yttrium(III), scandium(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in aqueous solution

4-Dimethylaminocinnamylidenepyruvic acid (H-DMCP)and its sodium salt (Na-DMCP) have been synthesized and characterized. The protonation constant of DMCP as well as the stability constants of its binary 1:1 complexes with trivalent lanthanides (except Pm), Yttrium(III), Scandium(III), Thorium(IV) and Uranium(VI) were determined in an aqueous medium at 25°C and ionic strength 0.500 M. The mode of coordination of this ligand is discussed.

Evaluation of silicon twinning in hypo-eutectic Al-Si alloys

It is generally accepted that growth of eutectic silicon in aluminium-silicon alloys occurs by a twin plane re-entrant edge (TPRE) mechanism. It has been proposed that modification of eutectic silicon by trace additions occurs due to a massive increase in the twin density caused by atomic effects at the growth interface. In this study, eutectic microstructures and silicon twin densities in samples modified by elemental additions of barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y) and ytterbium (Yb) (elements chosen due to a near-ideal atomic radii for twinning) in an A356.0 alloy have been determined by optical microscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Addition of barium or calcium caused the silicon structure to transform to a fine fibrous morphology, while the addition of yttrium or ytterbium resulted in a refined plate-like eutectic structure. Twin densities in all modified samples are higher than in unmodified alloys, and there are no significant differences between fine fibrous modification (by Ba and Ca) and refined plate-like modification (by Y and Yb). The twin density in all modified samples is less than expected based on the predictions by the impurity induced twining model. Based on these results it is difficult to explain the modification with Ba, Ca, Y and Yb by altered twin densities alone.

Effect of over-doped yttrium on the microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal properties of a Zr-based metallic glass

The effects of over-doped yttrium on the microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal behaviour of an oxygen-contaminated Zr51Cu20.7Ni12Al16.3 bulk metallic glass are studied systematically. It has been found that, when yttrium doping is beyond the optimum doping, the glass-forming ability enhancement effect induced by yttrium addition decreases and the mechanical properties are adversely affected. In this study, a new phase with an orthorhombic structure (a = 0.69 nm, b = 0.75 nm and c = 0.74 nm) is identified in the yttrium over-doped alloys. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.