Role of Si modification on the compressive flow behavior of Al-Si based alloy

The flow characteristics of a near-eutectic heat-treated Al-Si based cast alloy have been examined in compression at strain rates varying from 3 x 10(-4) to 10(2) s(-1) and at three different temperatures, i.e., room temperature (RT), 100 degrees C and 200 degrees C. The dependence of flow behavior on modification is examined by testing the alloy in both the unmodified and modified conditions. Modification has strong influence on strain rate sensitivity (SRS), strength and work hardening behavior of the alloy. The strength of the alloy is found to increase with increase in strain rate for both the conditions. The increase is more rapid above the strain rate of 10(-1) s(-1) for the unmodified alloy at all the temperatures. This rapid increase is observed at 1 s(-1) at RT and 100 degrees C, and at 10(-2) s(-1) at 200 degrees C for the modified alloy. The thermally dependent process of the Al matrix is rate controlling in the unmodified alloy. On the other hand, the thermally dependent process of both Al matrix and Si particles are rate controlling, which is responsible for the higher strain rate sensitivity (SRS) in the modified alloy. The unmodified alloy exhibits a larger work hardening rate than the modified alloy during the initial stages of straining due to fiber loading of unmodified Si particles. However, the hardening rate decreases sharply at higher strains for the unmodified alloy due to a higher rate of Si particle fracture. Thermal softening is observed for both alloys at 200 degrees C due to precipitate coarsening, which leads to a decrease in SRS at higher temperatures. Stress simulations by microstructure based finite element method support the experimentally observed particle and matrix fracture behavior. Negative SRS and serrated flow are observed at lower strain rate regime (3 x 10(-4) to 10(-2) s(-1)) at RT and 100 degrees C, in both alloys. The critical onset strain is found to be lower and the magnitude of serration is found to be higher for the modified alloy, which suggests that, in addition to dynamic strain aging, Si particle size and morphology also play a role in serrated flow. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.

Effect of RF power on the structural, optical and gas sensing properties of RF-sputtered Al doped ZnO thin films

The effect of Radio Frequency (RF) power on the properties of magnetron sputtered Al doped ZnO thin films and the related sensor properties are investigated. A series of 2 wt% Al doped ZnO; Zn0.98Al0.02O (AZO) thin films prepared with magnetron sputtering at different RF powers, are examined. The structural results reveal a good adhesive nature of thin films with quartz substrates as well as increasing thickness of the films with increasing RF power. Besides, the increasing RF power is found to improve the crystallinity and grain growth as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, the optical transmittance is significantly influenced by the RF power, where the transparency values achieved are higher than 82% for all the AZO thin films and the estimated optical band gap energy is found to decrease with RF power due to an increase in the crystallite size as well as the film thickness. In addition, the defect induced luminescence at low temperature (77 K) and room temperature (300 K) was studied through photoluminescence spectroscopy, it is found that the defect density of electronic states of the Al3+ ion increases with an increase of RF power due to the increase in the thickness of the film and the crystallite size. The gas sensing behavior of AZO films was studied for NO2 at 350 degrees C. The AZO film shows a good response towards NO2 gas and also a good relationship between the response and the NO2 concentration, which is modeled using an empirical formula. The sensing mechanism of NO2 is discussed.

Effect of RF power on the structural, optical and gas sensing properties of RF-sputtered Al doped ZnO thin films

The effect of Radio Frequency (RF) power on the properties of magnetron sputtered Al doped ZnO thin films and the related sensor properties are investigated. A series of 2 wt% Al doped ZnO; Zn0.98Al0.02O (AZO) thin films prepared with magnetron sputtering at different RF powers, are examined. The structural results reveal a good adhesive nature of thin films with quartz substrates as well as increasing thickness of the films with increasing RF power. Besides, the increasing RF power is found to improve the crystallinity and grain growth as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. On the other hand, the optical transmittance is significantly influenced by the RF power, where the transparency values achieved are higher than 82% for all the AZO thin films and the estimated optical band gap energy is found to decrease with RF power due to an increase in the crystallite size as well as the film thickness. In addition, the defect induced luminescence at low temperature (77 K) and room temperature (300 K) was studied through photoluminescence spectroscopy, it is found that the defect density of electronic states of the Al3+ ion increases with an increase of RF power due to the increase in the thickness of the film and the crystallite size. The gas sensing behavior of AZO films was studied for NO2 at 350 degrees C. The AZO film shows a good response towards NO2 gas and also a good relationship between the response and the NO2 concentration, which is modeled using an empirical formula. The sensing mechanism of NO2 is discussed.

Anomalous Thermal Stability of Nd-Fe-Co-Al Bulk Metallic Glass

The thermal stability of Nd60Fe20Co10Al10 bulk metallic glass (BMG) has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), isochronal dilatation and compression tests. The results show that the glass transition of the BMG takes place quite gradually between about 460 and 650 K at a heating rate of 0.17 K/s. Several transformation processes are observed during continuous heating with the first crystallization process beginning at about 460 K, while massive crystallization takes place near the solidus temperature of the alloy. The positive heat of mixing between the two major constituents, Nd and Fe, and, consequently, a highly inhomogeneous composition of the attained amorphous phase are responsible for the anomalous thermal stability in this system. (C) 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and Evolution of Mechanically-Induced Ultrafine Grain in Surface Layer of Al-Alloy Subjected to USSP

Experiments were conducted to investigate the ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructures in the surface layer of an aluminum alloy 7075 heavily worked by ultrasonic shot peening. Conventional and high-resolution electron microscopy was performed at various depths of the deformed layer. Results showed that UFG structures were introdued into the surface layer of 62 μm thick. With increasing strain, the various microstructural features, e.g., the dislocation emission source, elongated microbands, dislocation cells, dislocation cell blocks, equiaxed submicro-, and nano-crystal grains etc., were successively produced. The grain subdivision into the subgrains was found to be the main mechanism responsible for grain refinement. The simultaneous evolution of high boundary misorientations was ascribed to the subgrain boundary rotation for accommodating further strains. Formed microstructures were highly nonequilibratory.  2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Numerical Model of Rapid Solidification Processing of Ni-Al Alloy in Planar Flow Casting

A numerical model has been developed for simulating the rapid solidification processing (RSP) of Ni-Al alloy in order to predict the resultant phase composition semi-quantitatively during RSP. The present model couples the initial nucleation temperature evaluating method based on the time dependent nucleation theory, and solidified volume fraction calculation model based on the kinetics model of dendrite growth in undercooled melt. This model has been applied to predict the cooling curve and the volume fraction of solidified phases of Ni-Al alloy in planar flow casting. The numerical results agree with the experimental results semi-quantitatively.

Microcracks Propagation in One Al/SiCp under Impact Loading

Numerous microcracks propagation in one metal matrix composite, Al/SiCp under impact loading was investigated. The test data was got with a specially designed impact experimental approach. The analysis to the density, nucleating locations and distributions of the microcracks as well as microstructure effects of the original composite was received particular emphasis. The types of microcracks or debonding nucleated in the tested composite were dependent on the stress level and its duration. Distributions of the microcracks were depended on that of microstructures of the tested composite while total number of microcracks in unit area and unit duration, was controlled by the stress levels. Also, why the velocity was much lower than theoretical estimations for elastic solids and why the microcracks propagating velocities increased with the stress levels' increasing in current experiments were analysed and explained.

Effect of Nb Content on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Zr-Cu-Ni-Al-Nb Glass Forming Alloys

(Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15)(100-x) Nb-x glass forming alloys with Nb contents ranging from 0 to 15 at.% were prepared by water-cooled copper mould cast. The alloys with different Nb contents exhibited different microstructures and mechanical properties. Unlike the monolithic Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15 bulk metallic glass, only a few primary bee beta-Ti phase dendrites were found to distribute in the glassy matrix of the alloys with x = 5. For alloys with x = 10, more beta-phase dendrites forms, together with quasicrystalline particles densely distributed in the matrix of the alloys. For alloys with x = 15, the microstructure of the alloy is dominated by a high density of fully developed P-phase dendrites and the volume fraction of quasicrystalline particles significantly decreases. Room temperature compression tests showed that the alloys with x = 5 failed at 1793 MPa and exhibited an obvious plastic strain of 3.05%, while the other samples all failed in a brittle manner. The ultimate fracture strengths are 1793, 1975 and 1572 MPa for the alloys with x = 0, 10 and 15 at.% Nb, respectively.

Metallographic Analysis of Cu-Zr-Al Bulk Amorphous Alloys with Yttrium Addition

Minor yttrium addition can improve the glass-forming ability of Cu-Zr-Al ternary alloys via suppression of the growth of eutectic clusters. Yttrium addition also makes the room temperature ductility of the alloys decrease, and both the compressive strength and elastic strain limits increase slightly.

Microstructure and mechanical behaviour of a SiC particles reinforced Al-5Cu composite under dynamic loading

The mechanical behaviour of a composite of Al–5Cu matrix reinforced with 15% SiC particles was studied at different strain rates from 1×10−3 to 2.5×103 s−1 using both a conventional universal testing machine (for low strain-rate tests) and a split Hopkinson bar (for tests at dynamic strain rates). Whilst the yield stress of the composite increases as the strain rate increases, the maximum flow stresses, 440 MPa for compression and 450 MPa for tension, are independent of strain rate. The microstructures and defect structures of the deformed composite were studied with both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and were correlated to the observed mechanical behaviour. Fracture surface studies of samples after dynamic tensile testing indicates that failure of the composite is controlled by ductile failure of the aluminium matrix by the nucleation, growth and coalescence of voids.

Influencia de diferentes períodos de destete sobre peso de la hembra al destete (PHD), peso de la camada al destete (PCD) y peso de la hembra al segundo parto (PHP2) en conejas primiparas, en el municipio de Rivas

El presente ensayo se realizó con el objetivo de medir el efecto de tres períodos de destete diferentes (20, 40 y 60 días respectivamente) sobre el Peso de la hembra al destete (PHD), Peso de la camada al destete (PCD) y Peso de la hembra al segundo parto (PHP2) en conejas primíparas. Para el análisis de los datos fue utilizado un Diseño Completamente Aleatorio (D.C.A.) con 4 repeticiones (hembras primíparas) para el destete de 20 días, 5 repeticiones para el destete de 40 días y 4 repeticiones para el destete de 60 días. La información utilizada para los análisis estadísticos provino de datos recaudados en registros reproductivos, de un conejar compuesto de 13 conejas y un padrote. La edad y peso promedio de los animales al inicio del ensayo fueron homogéneos (7 meses y 3.007 Kg respectivamente). El ensayo se realizó en el municipio de Rivas ubicado a 111 km de la ciudad de Managua, a 11º 26' de latitud Norte y 85º 44' de longitud Oeste, a una elevación de 57.77 m.s.n.m. Las variables en estudio fueron: Peso de la hembra al destete (PHD), Peso de la camada al destete (PCD), Peso de la hembra al segundo parto (PHP2). Los valores y desviación estándar para dichas variables fue de : 2.94483 ± 0.3071 Kg, promedios 2.8629 ± 1.5308 Kg y 3.0635 ± 0.2212 Kg, respectivamente. En el ANDEVA realizado para las diferentes variables, el efecto de los tratamientos sobre el Peso de la hembra al destete resultó no significativo. No así, para con las variables Peso de la camada al destete (PCD) y Peso de la hembra al segundo parto (PHP2), donde el efecto de los tratamientos sobre estas fue significativo. El efecto de la covariable (Peso de la hembra al primer parto) solamente resultó significativo para la variable Peso de la hembra al destete (PHD). Mediante la Separación de medias por la Prueba de DUNCAN se obtuvieron los siguientes promedios de las variables por tratamiento; Peso de la hembra al destete (PHD): 1.3469 Kg (t: 20 días), 2.9508 Kg (t: 40 días) y 2.9194 Kg (t: 60 días). Para el Peso de la camada al destete (PCD), los valores fueron: 1.3469 kg (t: 20 días), 2.6571 Kg (t: 40 días) y 4.6363 Kg (t: 60 días). Para el Peso de la hembra al segundo parto (PHP2) los valores fueron: 3.2895 Kg (t: 20 días), 3.0030 Kg (t: 40 días) y 2.9131 Kg (t: 60 días). Con la realización del Análisis de los Costos para hembras, se determinaron valores de 105.29, 127.42 y 148.65 (córdobas), para una hembra al destete en los tratamientos de 20, 40 y 60 días de destete respectivamente. Los costos para una hembra al segundo parto fueron: C$ 130.77 (t: 20 días), C$ 147.03 (t: 40 días) y C$168.26 (t: 60 días). Para gazapo al nacimiento los costos por tratamiento fueron los siguientes: C$ 4.43 (t: 20 días), C$ 4.60 (t: 40 días) y C$ 4.87 (t 60 días. Así también, se determinaron los costos de un gazapo al destete, obteniéndose valores de C$ 7.90, C$ 11.53 y C$15.82 para los tratamientos de 20, 40 y 60 días de destete respectivamente.

Localized Solid-State Amorphization at Grain Boundaries in a Nanocrystalline Al Solid Solution Subjected to Surface Mechanical Attrition

Using high-resolution electron microscopy, localized solid-state amorphization (SSA) was observed in a nanocrystalline (NC) Al solid solution (weight per cent 4.2 Cu, 0.3 Mn, the rest being Al) subjected to a surface mechanical attrition treatment. It was found that the deformation-induced SSA may occur at the grain boundary (GB) where either the high density dislocations or dislocation complexes are present. It is suggested that lattice instability due to elastic distortion within the dislocation core region plays a significant role in the initiation of the localized SSA at defective sites. Meanwhile, the GB of severely deformed NC grains exhibits a continuously varying atomic structure in such a way that while most of the GB is ordered but reveals corrugated configurations, localized amorphization may occur along the same GB.

Efectos de la utilización de la hoja de Nim (Azadirachta indica), en relación al levamisol como desparasitante interno en cabras nubias en el Centro de Experimentación y Capacitación Agropecuaria (CECA), Granada, Nicaragua

El presente estudio se realizó en el CECA (Centro de Experimentación y Capacitación Agropecuaria), ubicado al Noreste de la ciudad de Granada, siendo el clima catalogado como clima tropical de sabana con una biotemperatura de 17-24°C y humedad relativa de) 68-85%. El ensayo tuvo una duración de 37 días comprendidos entre los meses de Julio y Agosto de 1994. Con el objetivo de comprar el efecto de la utilización del té de hojas de Nim (Azadirachta indica) como desparasitante interno botánico realizando un análisis comparativo con el producto químico Levamisol en el control de endoparásitos en cabras reproductoras en edades de 2-5 años. Se les realizaron análisis coprológicos al inicio del ensayo para diagnosticar las especies parasitarias y la intensidad de las cargas parasitarias, para este análisis se les realizó en el laboratorio del MAG la prueba de flotación y sedimentación resultando por orden de importancia los géneros: Strongylata, Strongyloides, Coccidias, Paramphistomun, Trichostrongylus y Haemonchus. A continuación se procedió a la aplicación del té de hojas de Nim Azadirachta indica) por vía oral, formando dos grupos para el tratamiento botánico, uno tratado con 150 hojas y otro con 250 hojas y un tercero tratado con desparasitante interno químico Levamisol en dosis de 3 ce por UE vía intramuscular. Después de aplicar los tratamientos se procedió a tomar muestras de heces a los 7, 14,21 y 30 días post-tratamiento. Al realizar el análisis comparativo de los tratamientos respecto a las cargas parasitarias y especies parasitarias resultó que los niveles de efectividad se obtuvieron a los 14 días con los tratamientos botánicos Nim 250 y químico Levamisol. El porcentaje de efectividad con Nim 250 fue del 83.3% para la especie Strongyloides y el tratamiento Levamisol del l00%, mostrando para Coocidia una efectividad del 83.3% para Nim 250.

Mechanism of nucleation and precipitation in Li containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys

Investigations on the aging hardening behavior of four Al-Li-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurement. It is shown that the addition of Li inhibits the formation of Zn-rich G.P. zones in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys. The dominant aging hardening precipitates is delta'(Al3Li) phase. Coarse T ((AlZn)(49)Mg-32) phase, instead of MgZn2, precipitates primarily on grain boundaries, and provides little strengthening. The multi-stop aging involving plastic deformation introduces in the matrix a high concentration of structural defects. These defects play different role on the nucleation of Zn-rich G.P. zones in different alloys. For the Li free alloy, structural defects act as vacancy sinks and tend to suppress the homogeneous precipitation of G.P. zones, while for the Li containing alloys, these defects promote the heterogeneous nucleation of G.P. zones and metastable MgZn2. A significant aging hardening effect is attained in deformed Li containing alloys due to the extra precipitation of fine MgZn2 in the matrix combined with deformation hardening.