Flat Surface Plasmon Polariton Bands in Bragg Grating Waveguide for Slow Light

The formations of the surface plasmonpolariton (SPP) bands in metal/air/metal (MAM) sub-wavelength plasmonic grating waveguide (PGW) are proposed. The band gaps originating from the highly localized resonances inside the grooves can be simply estimated from the round trip phase condition. Due to the overlap of the localized SPPs between the neighboring grooves, a Bloch mode forms in the bandgap and can be engineered to build a very flat dispersion for slow light. A chirped PGW with groove depth varying is also demonstrated to trap light, which is validated by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations with both continuous and pulse excitations.

Investigation of high cycle and Very-High-Cycle Fatigue behaviors for a structural steel with smooth and notched specimens

The high cycle and Very-High-Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) properties of a structural steel with smooth and notched specimens were studied by employing a rotary bending machine with frequency of 52.5 Hz. For smooth specimens, VHCF failure did occur at fatigue cycles of 7.1 x 10(8) with the related S-N curve of stepwise tendency. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used for the observations of the fracture surfaces It shows that for smooth specimens the crack origination is surface mode in the failure regime of less than 10(7) cycles While at VHCF regime, the material failed from the nonmetallic inclusion lies in the interior of material, leading to the formation of fisheye pattern. The dimensions of crack initiation region were measured and discussed with respect to the number of cycles to failure. The mechanism analysis by means of low temperature fracture technique shows that the nonmetallic inclusion in the interior of specimen tends to debond from surrounding matrix and form a crack. The crack propagates and results to the final failure. The stress intensity factor and fatigue strength were calculated to investigate the crack initiation properties. VHCF study on the notched specimens shows that the obtained S-N curve decreases continuously. SEM analysis reveals that multiple crack origins are dominant on specimen surface and that fatigue crack tends to initiate from the surface of the specimen. Based on the fatigue tests and observations, a model of crack initiation was used to describe the transition of fatigue initiation site from subsurface to surface for smooth and notched specimens. The model reveals the influences of load, grain size, inclusion size and surface notch on the crack initiation transition. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Fabrication of nano-sized grains by pulsed laser surface melting

In this work, the formation and characterization of nano-sized grains on the modified surfaces of GCr15 and H13 steels have been investigated. The material was processed by pulsed laser surface melting (LSM) under different depths of de-ionized water. The microstructures and phases of the melted zones were examined by x-ray diffraction, environmental field emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that LSM under water can successfully fabricate nano-scaled grains on the surfaces of steel, due to the rapid solidification and crystallization by heterogeneous nucleation. The elemental segregation of chromium and activated heterogeneous nucleation mechanism of austenite in liquid metal play a key role in the formation of nano-sized grains at high cooling rates. This one-step technique provides us a new way to prepare uniform nano-scaled grains, and is of great importance for further understanding the growth of nano-materials under extreme conditions.

一种低活化铁素体/ 马氏体钢的高能重离子辐照效应研究

Low-activation Ferritic/Martensitic steels are a kind of important structural materials candidate to the application in advanced nuclear energy systems.Possible degradation of properties and even failure in the condition of high-temperature and high helium production due to energetic neutron irradiation in a fusion reactor is a major concern with the application of this kind of materials.In the present work microstructural evolution in a 9Cr Ferritic/Martensitic steel(T92B) irradiated with 122 MeV 20Ne ions...中文摘要：低活化的铁素体/马氏体钢是先进核能装置(如聚变堆)的重要候选结构材料。在聚变堆实际工作环境下,由于高温和高氦产生率引起的材料失效是这类材料面临的一个重要问题。本项研究以兰州重离子加速器(HIRFL)提供的中能惰性气体离子束(20Ne,122 MeV)作为模拟辐照条件,借助透射电子显微镜,研究了一种低活化的9Cr铁素体/马氏体钢(T92B)组织结构的变化和辐照肿胀。实验结果表明,高温下当材料中晶格原子的撞出损伤和惰性气体原子沉积浓度超过一定限值时,材料内部形成高浓度的空洞,并且空洞肿胀率显著依赖于辐照温度和剂量;在马氏体板条界面及其它晶界处空洞趋于优先形成,并且在晶界交汇处呈加速生长。基于氦泡的形核生长与空洞肿胀的经典模型探讨了在不同辐照条件(He离子、Ne离子、Fe/He离子双束、快中子、Ni离子)下铁素体/马氏体钢中肿胀率数据的关联。

Void swelling in a 9Cr ferritic/martensitic steel irradiated with energetic Ne-ions at elevated temperatures

In this work the void swelling behavior of a 9Cr ferritic/martensitic steel irradiated with energetic Ne-ions is studied. Specimens of Grade 92 steel (a 9%Cr ferritic/martensitic steel) were subjected to an irradiation of Ne-20-ions (with 122 MeV) to successively increasing damage levels of 1, 5 and 10 dpa at a damage peak at 440 and 570 degrees C, respectively. And another specimen was irradiated at a temperature ramp condition (high flux condition) with the temperature increasing from 440 up to 630 degrees C during the irradiation. Cross-sectional microstructures were investigated with a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A high concentration of cavities was observed in the peak damage region in the Grade 92 steel irradiated to 5 dpa, and higher doses. The concentration and mean size of the cavities showed a strong dependence on the dose and irradiation temperature. Enhanced growth of the cavities at the grain boundaries, especially at the grain boundary junctions, was observed. The void swelling behavior in similar 9Cr steels irradiated at different conditions are discussed by using a classic void formation theory. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study of the suppression of the high-temperature helium embrittlement in an oxide-particle dispersion strengthened alloy

In this paper, an investigation on the micro-structure of an Fe-base oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) alloy irradiated with high-energy Ne-20 ions to different doses at a temperature around 0.5T(m) (T-m is the melting point of the alloy) is presented. Investigation with the transmission electron microscopy found that the accelerated growth of voids at grain-boundaries, which is usually a concern in conventional Fe-base alloys under conditions of inert-gas implantation, was not observed in the ODS alloy irradiated even to the highest dose (12000 at.ppm Ne). The reason is ascribed to the enhanced recombination of point defects and strong trapping of Ne atoms at the interfaces of the nano-scale oxide particles in grains. The study showed that ODS alloys have good resistance to the high-temperature inter-granular embrittlement due to inert-gas accumulation, exhibiting prominence of application in harsh situations of considerable helium production at elevated temperatures like in a fusion reactor.

Synthesis and characterization of electroactive and biodegradable ABA block copolymer of polylactide and aniline pentamer

A triblock copolymer PLA-b-AP-b-PLA (PAP) of polylactide (PLA) and aniline pentamer (AP) with the unique properties of being both electroactive and biodegradable is synthesized by coupling an electroactive carboxyl-capped AP with two biodegradable bihydroxyl-capped PLAs via a condensation reaction. Three different molecule weight PAP copolymers are prepared. The PAP copolymers exhibit excellent electroactivity similar to the AP and polyaniline, which may stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. The electrical conductivity of the PAP2 copolymer film (similar to 5 x 10(-6) S/cm) is in the semiconducting region. Transmission electron microscopic results suggest that there is microphase separation of the two block segments in the copolymer, which might contribute to the observed conductivity. The biodegradation and biocompatibility experiments in vitro prove the copolymer is biodegradable and biocompatible. Moreover, these new block copolymer shows good solubility in common organic solvents, leading to the system with excellent processibility. These biodegradable PAP copolymers with electroactive function thus possess the properties that would be potentially used as scaffold materials for neuronal or cardiovascular tissue engineering.

热浸镀钢材在海水中的氢渗透行为和脆性研究

氢渗透和拉应力的联合作用对海洋环境中的热浸镀钢材的安全构成潜在威 胁，本文以当前应用最广泛的三种商业化热浸镀钢材（热浸镀锌、锌-5%铝-稀土和锌-55％铝-1.6%硅）为研究对象，采用Devanathan-Stachurski双面电解池测试技术，测试了自渗氢电流密度曲线，研究了镀层与缺陷比例对氢渗透电流的影响，比较了镀层的氢渗透抑制性能及存在缺陷时的自渗氢能力，并结合镀层成分、结构及其腐蚀机理，探讨了其氢渗透机理；通过慢应变速率拉伸实验，获得了热浸镀钢材在不同充氢条件下的应力-应变曲线，比较了其力学性能参数，并配合断口的显微分析，评价了三种热浸镀钢材在海水中的氢脆敏感性，并对其氢脆机理进行了探讨。主要结果如下： (1) 热浸镀锌镀层的氢渗透抑制能力最弱，锌-5%铝-稀土镀层的氢渗透抑制能力较强，镀层存在缺陷时导致的阴极保护能促进氢渗透；锌-55％铝-1.6%硅镀层的氢渗透抑制能力最强，镀层存在缺陷时基本没有氢渗透电流。当镀层存在缺陷时，氢渗透电流密度的最大值随着镀层与暴露的钢材基体的面积比增大而增大。随着镀层中铝含量的增加，镀层结构越致密，镀层的耐腐蚀性能越好，完整镀层的氢渗透抑制能力越强，镀层存在缺陷时的自渗氢能力越弱。 (2) 热浸镀锌和锌-5%铝-稀土镀层钢材在海水中的氢渗透能明显降低材料的断后延伸率和能量密度，使其断裂方式由韧性转变为准解理；锌-55％铝-1.6%硅镀层在海水中对钢材基体进行阴极保护导致的氢渗透虽能显著降低其断后延伸率和能量密度，但其断裂方式以韧性为主，且断口存在局部的准解理撕裂形貌。随着预浸泡时间的增长，材料充氢量的增加，三种热浸镀钢材的氢脆敏感性提高。随着镀层铝含量的增加，热浸镀钢材在海水中的氢脆敏感性降低。

Effect of H2S on stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen permeation behaviour of X56 grade steel in atmospheric environment

Susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of X56 steel and its relationship with hydrogen permeation behaviour in atmospheric environment containing H2S was investigated by hydrogen permeation tests at a slow strain rate. The results show that: the fracture strain decreases with the decrease of strain rate under the same experimental conditions; the fracture strain also decreases with the increase of H2S concentration under the same strain rate, and the increased concentration of H2S has no significant effect on the hydrogen permeation in the first wet, etc. dry cycle, however has lead to increased hydrogen permeation in the later cycles. The SEM images of the fractured surfaces show clear evidences of enhanced stress corrosion cracking susceptibility by H2S.

The synergy between deformation and anodic dissolution of an austenitic stainless steel in acidic chloride solution

In corrosion medium, metals can deform under tensile stress and form a new active surface with the anodic dissolution of the metals being accelerated. At the same time, the anodic dissolution may accelerate the deformation of the metals. The synergy can lead to crack nucleation and development and shorten the service life of the component. Austenitic stainless steel in acidic chloride solution was in active dissolution condition when stress corrosion cracking (SCC) occurred. It is reasonable to assume that the anodic dissolution play an important role, so it's necessary to study the synergy between anodic dissolution and deformation of austenitic stainless steels. The synergy between deformation and anodic dissolution of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel in an acidic chloride solution was studied in this paper. The corrosion rate of the steel increased remarkably due to the deformation-accelerated anodic and cathodic processes. The creep rate was increased while the yield strength was reduced by anodic dissolution. The analysis by thermal activation theory of deformation showed a linear relationship between the logarithm of creep rate and the logarithm of anodic cur-rent. Besides, the reciprocal of yield strength was also linearly dependent on the logarithm of anodic current. The theoretical deductions were in good agreement with experimental results.

Influence of biofilms growth on corrosion potential of metals immersed in seawater

The changes of corrosion potential (E-corr) of metals immersed in seawater were investigated with electrochemical technology and epifluoresence microscopy. In natural seawater, changes of E-corr were determined by the surface corrosion state of the metal. E-corr of passive metals exposed to natural seawater shifted to noble direction for about 150 mV in one day and it didn't change in sterile seawater. The in-situ observation showed that biofilms settled on the surfaces of passive metals when E-corr moved in noble direction. The bacteria number increased on the metal surface according to exponential law and it was in the same way with the ennoblement of E-corr. The attachment of bacteria during the initial period played an important role in the ennoblement of E-corr and it is believed that the carbohydrate and protein in the biofilm are reasons for this phenomenon. The double layer capacitance (C-dl) of passive metals decreased with time when immersed in natural seawater, while remained almost unchanged in sterile seawater. The increased thickness and reduced dielectric constant of C-dl may be reasons.

Study on steel corrosion in different seabed sediments

A series of simulation experiments on carbon steel (A(3) steel) and low alloy steel (16 Mn steel) in marine atmosphere (MA), seawater (SW) and seabed sediment (SBS) including rough sea sand, fine sea sand and seabed mud were carried out indoors for a year or so by means of individually hanging plates (IHP) and electrically connected hanging plates (ECHP). The corrosion of steels in SBS was mainly due to the macrogalvanic cell effect. The steel plates at the bottom of SBS, as the anode of a macrogalvanic cell, showed the heaviest corrosion with a corrosion rate of up to 0.12 mm/a, approximately equal to that of steel plates in marine atmosphere. The test results showed that the corrosion rates of A(3) and 16 Mn steel in marine environment were in the order: MA > SW > SBS by the IHP method; and MA > SBS > SW by the ECHP method. The corrosion rates of steels in the water/sediment interface were directly proportional to the grain size of the SBS by the ECHP method, but those of steels in the water/sediment interface did not vary with the grain size of SBS by the IHP method. The corrosion rate of low-alloy steel was a little higher than that of carbon steel. The results of this study have important applications for design of offshore steel structures such as oil platform, pier, and port.

Effect of Process Conditions on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Cold-Sprayed Ti Coatings

Ti and Ti alloys can be applied to steels as a protective coating in view of its excellent resistance to corrosive environment. Cold spraying, as a new coating technique, has potential advantages in fabrication of Ti coating in comparison with conventional thermal spraying techniques. In this study, Ti coatings were prepared on carbon steel substrates by cold spraying via controlling the process conditions. The microstructure of coatings was observed by SEM. The porosity of coatings was estimated by image analysis and the bond strength was tested for comparison of the process conditions. Potentiodynamic polarization and open-circuit potential (OCP) measurements were performed to understand the corrosion behavior of the coatings. The SEM examination shows that the coatings become more compact with the increases of pressure and temperature of driving gas. The potentiodynamic polarization curves indicate that the coating which has lower porosity has lower corrosion current. The polarization and OCP measurement reveal that cold-sprayed Ti coating can provide favorable protection to carbon steel substrate. The polishing treatment of coating surface polishes the rough outer layer including the small pores as well as decreases the actual surface area of the coating, leading to the considerable improvement of corrosion resistance.

Sensitisation identification of stainless steel to intergranular stress corrosion cracking by atomic force microscopy

A new technique was developed for characterisation of stainless steel to intergramilar stress corrosion cracking by atomic force microscopy. The technique proved to be effective in sensitisation identification of AISI 304 stainless steel and might be promising in sensitisation identification of other stainless steels. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.