Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

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Abstract: Formation of a hybrid coating by the use of plasma nitriding and hard chromium electroplating on the surface of H11 hot work tool steel was investigated. Firstly, specimens were plasma nitrided at a temperature of 550 °C for 5 hours in an atmosphere of 25 vol. % H2: 75 vol. % N2. Secondly, electroplating was carried out in a solution containing 250 g/L chromic acid and 2.5 g/L sulphuric acid for 1 hour at 60 °C temperature and 60 A/dm2 current density. Thirdly, specimens were plasma nitrided at a temperature of 550 °C for 5 and 10 hours in an atmosphere of 25 vol. % H2: 75 vol. % N2. The obtained coatings have been compared in terms of composition and hardness. The compositions of the coatings have been studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The surface morphology and elemental analysis was examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The improvement in hardness distribution after third step is discussed in considering the forward and backward diffusion of nitrogen in the chromium interlayer. Also, the formed phases in the hybrid coating were determined to be CrN+Cr2N+Cr+Fe2-3N+Fe4N.

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Abstract: Horizontal continuous casting is widely used to produce semi-finished and finished metallic products. Homogeneity in metallurgical characteristics and mechanical properties in such products is of importance. In the present work microstructure and mechanical properties of a horizontal continuous cast pipe have been studied. Microstructural features were investigated by an optical microscope equipped with image analyzer and SEM was used to characterize precipitates. Tensile behavior, impact strength and hardness variations were the mechanical properties which were studied. Results showed that microstructure and mechanical properties had diversities in different parts of the pipe and distinct differences were observed between upper and lower parts of the pipe. A meaningful correlation was found in microstructure and mechanical properties in different parts of the component.

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Abstract: The risks of alternating current (AC) corrosion and overprotection increasingly demand new criteria for
cathodically protected pipelines. To assess the risk of AC corrosion, new cathodic protection (CP) criteria have been
proposed based on DC/AC current densities measurements using coupons. The monitoring system designed for this
project was based on the instant-off method, with steel coupons simulating coating defects on a buried pipeline. The
problems associated with the instantaneous off-potential measurements have been attributed to a non-sufficient time
resolution. In present study, it has been possible to determine the de-polarisation of steel coupon within a few
milliseconds after disconnecting the coupon from the DC/AC power source, by increasing data acquisition rate. For
this, a monitoring system was developed in order to measure the IR-free potential together with the DC/AC current
densities. The monitoring system was utilized for both laboratory experiments and site survey to study the mechanism
and the condition of AC corrosion, its mitigation and more importantly to define new CP criteria.

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Abstract:

transition and heat affected zones formed during surface remelting (in order to improve wear resistance) with TIG

process has been investigated. Relationship between various TIG parameters and thickness of remelted and heat

affected zones revealed that a high concentrated heat energy is imposed by TIG process which makes it a proper option

for focused surface treatment. Based on microstructural examinations five areas with different microstructure and

microhardness were identified within the surface area. Graphite flakes were totally dissolved within the first area

leading to the transformation of denderitic austenite to plate martensite and the formation of ledeburite within

interdenderites. The main feature of the second area, resulted from the presence of graphite flakes, was the local

melting with a gap in the vicinity of graphite flakes and that of third area was the formation of finer and denser

martensite plates closer to the graphite flakes compared with those formed at a further distance. In the fourth layer

there is a mixture of martensitic and pearlitic matrix while the matrix of fifth layer has no change of microstructure.

In this study the effect of graphite flakes present in a pearlitic grey cast iron on the microstructure of melted,

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Abstract:

the changes of BET surface area of a mineral substance during intensive grinding process. Validity of the proposed

model was tested by the experiments performed using a natural chalcopyrite mineral as well as the published data. It

was shown that the model can predict the experimental results with a very good accuracy and can be used to predict

what may happen under the similar experimental conditions.

Based on experimental observations, a model has been developed to describe the effect of grinding time on

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Abstract: In this paper‚ the physical and mechanical properties of Al nanocomposite reinforced with CNTs wereinvestigated. High purity Al powder and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) with different percentage were mixed by ballmilling method and the composite was fabricated by cold pressing followed by sintering technique. The variation ofdensity and hardness of composite with CNTcontent was investigated. The microstructure of composite was evaluatedby SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and XRD (X -Ray Diffraction). The results show that the density and hardnessincrease with CNTpercentage.

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Abstract: Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were coated with MgO nano particles using simple precipitationmethod. The growth of Mg(OH)2particles was controlled by adjusting the alkaline concentration, salt concentrationand feed rate in simple precipitation method. The nanometer-sized Mg(OH)2particles were precipitated on the surfaceof functionalized MWCNTs by reaction between MgSO4 solution and NH4OH. The samples have been characterizedby scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetricanalysis. The results showed a nominally complete MgO coating over the entire outer surface of MWCNTs resulting inimprovement of their oxidation durability.

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Abstract:In this study, an effort has been made to determine the influence of rotational speed of tool on themicrostructure and hardness values of friction stir welded 2024-T851 aluminum alloy. The microstructure of stir zonein the joints has been investigated. It was found that the particles such as Al6(CuFeMn) particles are broken up duringfriction stir welding, and the degree of break up of these particles in the stir zone increases with increasing rotationalspeed. Since the break up of these particles and the recrystallization of new grains happen simultaneously, the brokenparticles would be placed in the grain boundaries. Moreover, the hardness value in the stir zone increases withincreasing rotational speed

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Abstract: Guinier-Preston (GP) zone formation and precipitation behavior of T1 (Al2CuLi) phase during the ageingof an Al-Cu-Li-Zr alloy was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique and electrical resistancemeasurement of the samples. Results show that endothermic effects in the thermograms of the alloy between 180°Cand 240°C can be related to the enthalpy of GPzones dissolution. Formation of GPzones in the structure increasedhardness, tensile strength and electrical resistance of the Al-Cu-Li-Zr alloy. Furthermore, precipitation of T1 phaseoccurred in temperature range of 250ºC to 300ºC whereas its dissolution occurred within the temperature of 450-530ºC. Activation energies for precipitation and dissolution of T1 phase which were determined for the first time inthis research, were 122.1(kJ/mol) and 130.3(kJ/mol) respectively. Results of electrical resistance measurementsshowed that an increase in the aging time resulted in the reduction of electrical resistance of the aged samples.

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Abstract: In this research, the oxidation behaviour of high Aluminum heat resistant steel (%25Cr,%20Ni,%8Al) hasbeen evaluated at the temperature range of (1000-1300ºC).The results showed that there was no countinous healinglayer on the surface of the alloy when Al increased up to %5.5 and the oxidation resistance of steel decreased due toformation of spinel oxides on the surface.By increasing the aluminum amount to %8, only Al oxide formed due to decreasing carbon potential of thealloy,homogenity of elemental concentration in matrix and no diffusion of  oxygen through oxide–metalinterface,therefore it has superior oxidation resistance. Meanwhile,oxidation tests showed that the weight gain of thesteel at high temperature oxidation even at 1300ºC was too low.

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Abstract: Localized corrosion of aluminum alloys is often triggered by intermetallic particles, IMP’s. To understandthe role of IMP’s in corrosion initiation of EN AW-3003, efforts were made to combine nano-scale ex-situ analysis ofthe IMP’s by SEM-EDS, SKPFM and in-situ AFM monitoring of the localized attack in chloride containing solution.The results showed that two distinct types of eutectically-formed constituent IMP’s exist the -Al(Mn,Fe)Si and theAl(Mn,Fe) phases. However, the exact chemical composition of the IMP’s varies with the particles size. Volta potentialdifference of surface constituents revealed that IMP’s have a higher Volta potential compared to the matrix, indicatingthe cathodic characteristic of the IMP’s. Noticeably, the boundary regions between the matrix and IMP’s exhibited aminimum Volta potential probably the sites for corrosion initiation. Localized corrosion attack monitored by in-situAFM clearly showed the trench formation occurrence around the large elongated IMP’s in the rolling direction.

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Abstract: The purpose of this study is to produce scarf joint through explosive welding process (EXW). The scarf weld is a process in which the final bond interface is oblique. With applying the explosive welding technique, this joint can create a metallic bond between similar or dissimilar metals. In this study, chamfered end of aluminum and copper plates were joined explosively and named scarf joint, employing changes in chamfered angle at different stand-off distance and explosive loading. The geometry of scarf joint enables consideration of both flyer and base plate thickness and explosive loading and the effects on mechanical properties of interface such as bond shear strength and micro-hardness can be investigated. Mathematical models developed for the interface properties of scarf joint to make relationship between the bond shear strength and explosive loading ratio. To check the adequacy of developed models, mechanical properties of interface, such as bond shear strength, predicted and compared with actual values in explosive cladding process. The results show reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. Consequently, mathematical model which is based on scarf joints, can predict bond shear strength of cladding metals under desired explosive loading and flyer plate thickness

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Abstract: Equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) is a promising technique for production of ultra fine-grain (UFG) materials of few hundred nanometers size. In this research, the grain refinement of aluminium strip is accelerated by sandwiching it between two copper strips and then subjecting the three strips to ECAE process simultaneously. The loosely packed copper-aluminium-copper laminated billet was passed through ECAE die up to 8 passes using the B_c route. Then, tensile properties and some microstructural characteristics of the aluminium layer were evaluated. The scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the microstructure. The results show that the yield stress of middle layer (Al) is increased significantly by about four times after application of ECAE throughout the four consecutive passes and then it is slightly decreased when more ECAE passes are applied. An ultra fine grain within the range of 500 to 600 nm was obtained in the Al layer by increasing the thickness of the copper layers. It was observed that the reduction of grain size in the aluminium layer is nearly 55% more than that of a ECA-extruded single layer aluminium billet, i.e. extruding a single aluminium strip or a billet without any clad for the same amount of deformation. This behaviour was attributed to the higher rates of dislocations interaction and cell formation and texture development during the ECAE of the laminated composite compared to those of a single billet

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Abstract: In this research plasma nitriding of pure aluminium and effect of iron elemental alloy on the formation and growth of aluminium nitride was investigated. Also corrosion properties of formed AlN were investigated. After preparation, the samples were plasma nitrided at 550^oC, for 6, 9 and 12 h and a gas mixture of 25%H₂-75%N₂. The microstructure and phases analysis were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover corrosion resistance of samples was investigated using polarization techniques. The results showed that only a compound layer was formed on the surface of samples and no diffusion zone was detected. Dominant phase in compound layer was AlN. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that nitride layer has particulate structure. These nitrided particles have grown columnar and perpendicular to the surface. It was also observed that the existence of iron in the samples increases the nitrogen diffusion, thus growth rate of iron containing nitrides are higher than the others. Corrosion tests results showed that formation of an aluminium nitride layer on the surface of aluminium decreases the corrosion resistance of aluminium significantly. This is due to elimination of surface oxide layer and propagation of cracks in the formed nitride layer

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  Abstract:

  The aims of this research were to investigate the effects of semisolid metal (SSM) processing parameters (i.e., shear rates –times – temperatures combinations) on the primary solidification products and isothermal holding duration, subsequent to cessation of stirring on the secondary solidification of Al-Si (A356) alloy.

  The dendrite fragmentation was found to be the governing mechanism of the primary dendritic to non-dendritic transformation, via rosette to final pseudo-spherical shapes during the primary solidification

The secondary solidification of the liquid in the slurry was not only a growth phenomenon but also promoted by 1) fresh heterogeneous nucleation and growth of dendrites and 2) the dendritic growth of the primary solidification products in the remaining liquid. Upon cessation of stirring and gradual disappearance of the prior shear force, the slurry relaxed, and the secondary solidification products pertained to conventional solidification condition

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  Abstract

  The effect of mechanical activation using an attrition mill on the particle size of an ilmenite concentrate and its effect on the ability of the concentrate for Iron separation during hydrochloric acid leaching and the kinetics of the dissolution process have been investigated. It was observed that mechanical activation in an attritor significantly enhances the dissolution of iron in hydrochloric acid while have a slight effect on dissolution of titanium. With the mechanically activated ilmenite using an attrition mill, leaching conversion at 90 ^oC reached to 80%. The kinetic data of leaching of mechanically activated ilmenite was found to follow shrinking core model. Mechanically activating ilmenite using the attrition mill was found to cause the activation energy of leaching to be decrease from 43.69 , found for samples leached without mechanically activated, to 18.23 .

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  Abstract

  Recovery and recrystallization phenomena and effects of microalloying elements on these phenomena are of great importance in designing thermomechanical processes of microalloyed steels. Thus, understanding and modeling of microstructure evolution during hot deformation leads to optimize the processing conditions and to improve the product properties.

  In this study, finite element method was utilized to simulate thermomechanical parameters during hot deformation processes. FEM results then were integrated with physically based state variable models of static recovery and recrystallization combined with a realistic microstructural geometry. The thermodynamic software Thermo-calc was also used to predict present microalloying elements at equilibrium conditions.

The model performance was validated using stress relaxation tests. Parametric studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of deformation process parameters on the microstructure development following hot deformation of the API-X70 steel

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Abstract:

point of view. In this study, a shaking-table was used for concentrating a manganese ore sample from the Ghasem Abad

area in Kerman, Iran. Experiments were designed by using L

The influence of each variable and their interactions on the operation of the device was studied. The variables under

investigation were: table slope, table frequency, water flowrate, feed rate, and particle size. The manganese

concentrate grade, recovery, and separation efficiency were used as response variables. It was shown that water

flowrate, table slope, feed rate, and particle size are the significant variable on concentrate grade while, all the

variables influence manganese recovery. Also, water flowrate, table slope, and table frequency have an important

effect on manganese separation efficiency. Finally, three mathematical models were presented to predict the values of

each response variables.

Among all gravity concentration methods, the shaking-table is the most effective one from the metallurgical8 Taguchi design with five variables, each in two levels.

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Abstract:

transformation temperature and different ferrite morphologies in one Nb-microalloyed (HSLA) steel has been

investigated. Three different austenite grain sizes were selected and cooled at two different cooling rates for obtaining

austenite to ferrite transformation temperature. Moreover, samples with specific austenite grain size have been

quenched, partially, for investigation on the microstructural evolution.

In order to assess the influence of austenite grain size on the ferrite transformation temperature, a temperature

differences method (TDM) is established and found to be a good way for detection of austenite to ferrite, pearlite and

sometimes other ferrite morphologies transformation temperatures.

The results obtained in this way show that increasing of austenite grain size and cooling rate has a significant influence

on decreasing of the ferrite transformation temperature.

Micrographs of different ferrite morphologies show that at high temperatures, where diffusion rates are higher, grain

boundary ferrite nucleates. As the temperature is lowered and the driving force for ferrite formation increases,

intragranular sites inside the austenite grains become operative as nucleation sites and suppress the grain boundary

ferrite growth. The results indicate that increasing the austenite grain size increases the rate and volume fraction of

intragranular ferrite in two different cooling rates. Moreover, by increasing of cooling rate, the austenite to ferrite

transformation temperature decreases and volume fraction of intragranular ferrite increases.

The effect of different austenite grain size and different cooling rates on the austenite to ferrite

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Oxynitride glasses are found as grain boundary phases in silicon nitride ceramics. They are effectively alumino-silicate glasses in which nitrogen substitutes for oxygen in the glass network, and this causes increases in glass transition and softening temperatures, viscosities (by two to three orders of magnitude), elastic moduli and microhardness. Calcium silicate-based glasses containing fluorine are known to have useful characteristics as potential bioactive materials. Therefore, the combination of both nitrogen and fluorine additions to these glasses may give useful glasses or glass-ceramics with enhanced mechanical stability for use in biomedical applications. This paper reports glass formation and evaluation of glass thermal properties in the Ca-Si-Al-O-N-F system. Within the previously defined Ca-Si-Al-O-N glass forming region at 20 eq.% N, homogeneous, dense glasses are formed. However, addition of fluorine affects glass formation and the reactivity of glass melts. This can lead to fluorine loss as SiF4, and also nitrogen loss, leading to bubble formation and porous glasses. The compositional limits for both dense
and porous glass formation at 20 eq.% N and 5 eq.% F have been mapped. At high fluorine contents under conditions when Ca-F bonding is favoured, CaF2 crystals precipitate in the glass. The role of the different cations on glass formation in these oxyfluoro-nitride glasses is discussed.