Effect of hot pressing on processing and properties of BBN ceramics

BBN (BaBi₂Nb₂O₉) is very interesting and promising lead free material with relaxor properties in capacitors, sensors and actuators.     

Structural study of cubic pyrochlores based on quantum mechanical simulation

In the ideal A₂B₂O₆O′ pyrochlore structure, the x-value of O atom position is a variable parameter. In Bi_1.5ZnNb_1.5−xTa_xO₇ (BZNT) cubic pyrochlores, the x-values alter with the different compositions of Nb/Ta. In this work, a series of initial models for BZNT were established by analyzing X-ray diffraction data. Then three structure modifying methods, including Rietveld refinement, Rietveld refinement with energy and geometry optimization based on quantum mechanics, were employed to obtain the precise models using Materials Studio. Moreover, the reflectivities of BZNT were computed by quantum mechanical simulation based on the refined models. Comparing the simulation results from different modifying models with the experimental results, it is found that Rietveld refinement with energy optimization is the most accurate method for BZNT pyrochlores. According to the simulation results, the different reflectivities correspond well with various x-values of O atom positions in BZNT pyrochlores.     

Novel electro-optic properties of epitaxially grown (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O3 (PLZT) thin films derived by advanced sol–gel methods

Advanced sol–gel methods using a secondary solvent addition into (Pb, La)(Zr, Ti)O₃ (PLZT) sol–gel solution and a methanol pre-treatment of sapphire substrates are demonstrated. For the secondary solvent addition, the additive affected the crystallinity and electro-optic (EO) property of PLZT films and only methanol addition can improve them. In addition, the methanol pre-treatment is also appeared to be effective to improve film characteristics.

Through these optimizations, epitaxially grown PLZT thin films on r-cut sapphire are obtained and a high Pockels coefficient which is comparable to those of bulk PLZTs is achieved. It is believed that these PLZT thin films are applicable for integrated EO devices and open the door for the future data communication systems.     

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials with zirconium oxoclusters as protective coatings on aluminium alloys

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials are attracting a strong scientific interest mainly for their outstanding inherent mechanical and thermal properties, which can be traced back to the intimate coupling of both inorganic and organic components. By carefully choosing the experimental parameters used for their synthesis, chemically and thermally stable acrylate-based hybrid material embedding the zirconium oxocluster Zr₄O₄(OMc)₁₂, where OMcCH₂C(CH₃)C(O)O, can be deposited as UV-cured films on aluminium alloys.

In particular, the molar ratios between the oxocluster and the monomer, the polymerisation time, the amount of photo-initiator and the deposition conditions, by using an home-made spray-coating equipment, were optimised in order to obtain the best performing layers in terms of transparency and hardness to coat aluminium alloy (AA1050, AA6060 and AA2024) sheets. Furthermore, it was also evaluated whether the hybrid coatings behave as barrier to corrosion.

Several coated samples were prepared and characterised. Environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM) and scratch test were used to investigate the morphology of the films and to evaluate their scratch resistance, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed in order to evaluate if the coatings actually protect the metallic substrate from corrosion.

In order to measure shear storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the materials used for coatings, bulk samples were also obtained by UV-curing of the precursors solution. Dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed in shear mode on cured disks of both the hybrid materials and pristine polymer for comparison. The values of T_g were read off as the temperatures of peak of loss modulus. The length and mass of all the samples were measured before and after the DMTA analysis, so that the shrinkage of the materials in that temperature range was exactly evaluated.     

Effect of Bonder at Skin/Core Interface on the Mechanical Performances of Sandwich Structures Used in Marine Industry

The present work is aimed to extend the knowledge of mechanical properties of sandwich structures used for marine applications focusing on the possibility to increase the performances of such structures by adding a bonder at the skin/core interface. Therefore, three sandwich structures that are utilised in different structural components of a yacht were realised by manual lay-up. The mechanical characterisation was performed by flatwise compressive, edgewise compressive and three point flexural tests. The tests execution has allowed both to determine the mechanical performances and to understand the fracture mechanisms that take place when the bonder is added in the stacking sequence of the samples.     

注射成形Fe-50%Ni软磁合金的研究

Fe-50 %Ni合金是一种典型的高磁导率和低矫顽力的软磁材料,有着广阔的应用前景.本次实验采用注射成形方法制取Fe-50 %Ni,研究了在注射成形工艺中烧结工艺对最终产品性能及微观组织的影响,并分析了影响产品磁性能的一些主要因素.实验表明,烧结温度的提高和烧结时间的延长能够较好改善产品的力学性能;密度是影响产品磁性能的主要因素,杂质(主要指(C、O、N)的含量和晶粒尺寸对剩磁、磁导率和矫顽力也有较大的影响;通过注射成形方法制取的Fe-50 %Ni,其性能要优于采用传统粉末冶金方法制造的Fe-50 %Ni.     

Recent advances in isotropic conductive adhesives for electronics packaging applications

Isotropic conductive adhesives (ICAs) have recently received a lot of focus and attention from the researchers in electronics industry as a potential substitute to lead-bearing solders. Numerous studies have shown that ICAs possess many advantages over conventional soldering such as environmental friendliness, finer pitch printing, lower temperature processing and more flexible and simpler processing. However, complete replacement of soldering by ICAs is yet not possible owing to several limitations of ICAs which are mainly related to reliability aspects like limited impact resistance, unstable contact resistance, low adhesion and conductivity etc. Continued efforts for last 15 years have resulted in development of ICAs with improved properties. This review article is aimed at providing a better understanding of ICAs, their principles, performance and significant research and development work addressing the technological utility of ICAs.     

Cr对低碳Si-Mn系TRIP钢组织与力学性能的影响

主要研究了Cr对低碳Si-Mn系TRIP钢组织与力学性能的影响。首先利用Formastor-F型膨胀仪测定了含Cr和不含Cr两种低碳钢的连续冷却转变(CCT)曲线,分析指出了Cr对连续退火工艺的潜在影响;然后采用Gleeble-3800热/力模拟试验机对两种钢的薄板试样进行了连续退火模拟实验,并通过拉伸试验测定了力学性能;最后采用金相、扫描电镜、X-射线衍射分析等技术考察分析了两种钢的显微组织。结果表明:含Cr的TRIP钢的组织比较细小,铁素体晶粒近似等轴分布;两种TRIP钢的残余奥氏体含量相近,但含Cr钢的残余奥氏体中的含碳量较高。分析认为这是由于含Cr钢在热轧阶段较易生成细小的组织,而在热处理阶段则抑制贝氏体的生成,最终获得稳定的残余奥氏体。     

Total simulation model of the thermo-mechanical process in shape rolling of steel rods

The production of steel reinforcing bars for civil engineering is investigated by means of FEM-simulation. An integrated system for computing appropriate thermo-mechanical parameters of the rolling process is proposed. Generalized plane strain approach and coupled thermal-mechanical solution are applied. The microstructural model combines both the effect of the recrystallization mechanisms (static, dynamic and metadynamic) upon the austenite grain forming in hot rolling and that of phase transformation upon the final microstructure. The phases are created during interrupted below the temperature of martensite transition cooling. Thus a typical industrial process for thermo-mechanical strengthening of reinforcing bars, known as Tempcor-process is considered. Computational results are validated to experimental measured mechanical properties of the steel. By means of computer simulation the system can perform different solutions, giving the possibility to obtain a reasonable choice of different thermo-mechanical rolling conditions.     

Structural transformation of FePt nanocomposite films during annealing and its effects on magnetic properties

Fe100-xPtx(x=30at.%-60at.% ) nanocomposite films were deposited on natural-oxidized Si(100) substrates by magnetron sputtering. The as-deposited films were annealed between 373 and 1073 K. In situ X-ray diffraction shows that the FePt nanocomposite films undergo a phase transformation from a disordered FCC phase to an ordered L10 phase between 673 and 773 K. The coercivity is 306 kA·m-1 whiles the average grain sizes is about 10 nm in the optimized FePt alloy film sample annealed at 673K. The adjustable coercivity and fine grain size suggest that this FePt nanocomposites system is suitable as recording media at extremely high areal density.