Texture evolution and operative mechanisms during large-strain deformation of nanocrystalline nickel

The large-strain deformation of nanocrystalline nickel was investigated at room temperature and cryogenic (liquid N-2) temperature. Deformation mechanisms ranging from grain boundary sliding to slip, operate due to a wide distribution of grain sizes. These mechanisms leave their finger print in the deformation texture evolution during rolling of nanocrystalline nickel. The occurrence and severance of different mechanisms is understood by a thorough characterization of the deformed samples using X-ray diffraction, X-ray texture measurements, electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Crystal plasticity-based viscoplastic self-consistent simulations were used to further substantiate the experimental observations. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of deformation behavior of nanocrystalline nickel, which is characterized by simultaneous operation of dislocation-dominated and grain boundary-mediated mechanisms, has been developed.

On the exothermic peak during annealing of electrodeposited nanocrystalline nickel

Nanocrystalline metals frequently exhibit poor thermal stability, and the exothermic peak in differential scanning calorimetry is usually attributed to grain growth. We show from experiments on electrodeposited nano-Ni with varying levels of S, and tests with microcrystalline Ni and S powders, that the exothermic peak is associated with the formation of a nickel sulfide phase and concurrent grain growth. Analysis suggests that segregation plays a more important role in limiting grain growth than second-phase particles in nano-Ni. (C) 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure evolution and hardness variation during annealing of equal channel angular pressed ultra-fine grained nickel subjected to 12 passes

The microstructure, thermal stability and hardness of ultra-fine grained (UFG) Ni produced by 12 passes of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) through the route Bc were studied. Comparing the microstructure and hardness of the as-ECAPed samples with the published data on UFG Ni obtained after 8 passes of ECAP through the route Bc reveals a smaller average grain size (230 nm in the present case compared with 270 nm in 8-pass Ni), significantly lower dislocation density (1.08 x 10(14) m(-2) compared with 9 x 10(14) m(-2) in 8-pass Ni) and lower hardness (2 GPa compared with 2.45 GPa for 8-pass Ni). Study of the thermal stability of the 12-pass UFG Ni revealed that recovery is dominant in the temperature range 150-250A degrees C and recrystallisation occurred at temperatures > 250 A degrees C. The UFG microstructure is relatively stable up to about 400 A degrees C. Due to the lower dislocation density and consequently a lower stored energy, the recrystallisation of 12-pass ECAP Ni occurred at a higher temperature (similar to 250 A degrees C) compared with the 8-pass Ni (similar to 200 A degrees C). In the 12-pass Nickel, hardness variation shows that its dependence on grain size is inversely linear rather than the common grain size(-0.5) dependence.

An electron diffraction study of quasicrystals in Ti-37 at% Mn and Ti-24 at% Mn-13 at% Fe alloys

Electron diffraction studies were carried out to establish the icosahedral phase formation in rapidly quenched Ti-37 at% Mn and Ti-24 at% Mn-13 at% Fe alloys. Distortions in the diffraction spots and diffuse intensities in the diffraction patterns were investigated. The existence of a rational approximant structure and a decagonal like phase are also reported.

Mechanical properties of B-modified Ti-6Al-4V alloys

Minor addition of B to the Ti-6Al-4V alloy reduces the prior beta grain size by more than an order of magnitude. TiB formed in-situ in the process has been noted to decorate the grain boundaries. This microstructural modification influences the mechanical behavior of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy significantly. In this paper, an overview of our current research on tensile properties, fracture toughness as well as notched and un-notched fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V-xB with x varying between 0.0 to 0.55 wt.% is presented. A quantitative relationship between the microstructural length scales and the various mechanical properties have been developed. Moreover, the effect of the presence of hard and brittle TiB has also been studied.

A study of the reaction of divalent transition metal chlorides with pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride), ppht, and the effect of potassium hydrogen fluoride on fluorination and complexation

Studies of the reaction of metal chlorides, MCl2 (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with PPHF at room temperature have shown that Mn, Co and Zn form the corresponding metal fluorides, MF2, while Ni and Cu form their dipyridine metal(II) dichloride complexes. Nickel and copper complexes further undergo fluorination and complexation by potassium hydrogen fluoride in PPHF to form KNiF3 and KCuF3.

Copper( 11) Complexes of Novel Tripodal Ligands containing Phenolate and Benzimidazole/Pyridine Pendants: Synthesis, Structure, Spectra and Electrochemical Behaviour

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes of tri- and tetra-dentate tripodal ligands containing phenolic hydroxyl and benzimidazole or pyridine groups have been isolated. They are of the type (CuL(X)].nH2O, [CuL(H2O)]X.nH2O or [CuL].nH2O where X = Cl-, ClO4-, N3- or NCS- and n = 0-4. The electronic spectra of all the complexes exhibit a broad absorption band around 14000 cm-1 and the polycrystalline as well as the frozen-solution EPR spectra are axial, indicating square-based geometries. The crystal structure of [CuL(Cl)] [HL = (2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)bis(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine] revealed a square-pyramidal geometry around Cu(II). The mononuclear complex crystallises in the triclinic space group P1BAR with a = 6.938(1), b = 11.782(6), c = 12.678(3) angstrom and alpha = 114.56(3), beta = 92.70(2), gamma = 95.36(2)-degrees. The co-ordination plane is comprised of one tertiary amine and two pyridine nitrogens and a chloride ion. The phenolate ion unusually occupies the axial site, possibly due to the electron-withdrawing p-nitro group. The enhanced pi delocalisation involving the p-nitrophenolate donor elevates the E1/2 values. The spectral and electrochemical results suggest the order of donor strength as nitrophenolate < pyridine < benzimidazole in the tridentate and nitrophenolate < benzimidazole < pyridine in the tetradentate ligand complexes.

Impedance peaks of sealed nickel/cadmium cells at low states-of-charge

The impedance of sealed nickel/cadmium cells is measured at low states-of-charge that correspond to a cell e.m.f. range of 0.0 to 1.3 V. The results show that the impedance exhibits a pronounced maximum between 0.3 and 0.45 V. It is concluded that the impedance maxima are due to physicochemical processes taking place at the nickel oxide electrode. The impedance of the nickel oxide electrode is dominated by three different phenomena: (i) a Ni(II)/Ni(III) reaction between 1.3 and 0.8 V; (ii) a double-layer impedance between 0.8 and 0.3 V; (iii) a hydrogen evolution reaction between 0.3 and 0.0 V.

Variations in the copper(I)-copper(I) distances in multinuclear clusters with identical coordination geometries. Short metal-metal contacts induced by oligomerization

Factors contributing to the variations in the Cu(I)-Cu(I) distances in two clusters with identical ligand and coordination geometries have been analyzed. While the hexamer, 4, exhibits metal-metal distances in the range 2.81-3.25 Angstrom, shorter contacts are found in the corresponding tetramer, 3 (2.60-2.77 Angstrom). EHT calculations reveal relatively little attractive interactions in the corresponding Cu-4(4+) and Cu-6(6+) cores. Introduction of the ligands lowers the reduced overlap populations between the metals further. MNDO calculations with model electrophiles have been carried out to determine the bite angle requirements of the ligands. These are satisfactorily met in the structures of both 3 and 4. The key geometric feature distinguishing 3 and 4 is the Cu-S-Cu angle involving the bridging S- unit. In 4, the corresponding angles are about 90 degrees, while the values in 3 are smaller (70-73 degrees). Wider angles are computed to be energetically favored and are characterized by an open three-center bond and a long Cu-Cu distance. The bridging angles are suggested to be primarily constrained by the mode of oligomerization. Implications of these results for the stability and reactivity of these clusters and for short metal-metal distances in d(10) systems in general are discussed.

Glasslike elastic properties in the omega-beta alloys

We have measured the internal friction and speed of sound in several polycrystalline alloys, using compound torsional oscillators at frequencies between 60 kHz and 100 kHz and temperatures between 50 mK and 100 K. By combining these data with existing elastic and thermal data on similar alloys, we find that those alloys which can undergo diffusionsless phase transitions, such as Ti:Nb, Ti:V, or Zr:Nb in certain ranges of composition have glasslike excitations, since they have elastic properties which agree in magnitude and temperature dependence with those of amorphous solids. By contrast, crystalline continuous solution alloys, such as Nb:Ta, or alloys with diffusive phase transitions, such as high-pressure quenched Al94Si6, have the same elastic properties as are known for crystals.

Iron, cobalt and nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon obtained by the arc evaporation of graphite with the metals

Are evaporation of graphite with Fe, Co and Ni yields two distinct types of metal nanoparticles, wrapped in graphitic layers and highly resistant to oxidation. Electron microscopy shows that the metal particles (10-40 nm) in the stub region are encapsulated in carbon onions, the particles in the soot being considerably smaller (2-15 nm). The metal particles in the soot are either ferromagnetic with lowered Curie temperatures or superparamagnetic.

Physicochemical studies of (o-vanillin thiosemicarbazonato)-nickel(Ii) chelate

Five- and six-membered rings result from the chelation of nickel(II) by the dibasic tridentate Schiff base ligand, o-vanillin thiosemicarbazone(o-VTSC), a new chelate prepared and characterized. The structural results are discussed in the light of spectroscopic and other data.