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At least 1,657 records · Page 92
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Effect of rhenium addition on deuterium retention in neutron-irradiated tungsten

In this work, the effects of rhenium (Re) addition on deuterium (D) retention in neutron-irradiated tungsten (W) were investigated. Pure W and W-5Re (5 at.%) alloy samples were irradiated with neutrons at High Flux Isotope Reactor using MFE-RB-19 J capsule. The sample temperature and the damage level were 864 K and 0.35 dpa for pure W and 792 K and 0.26 dpa for W-5Re alloy. A portion of the samples was exposed to D plasma at Tritium Plasma Experiment at Idaho National Laboratory at 823 K to a fluence of 5 × 1025 m -2 . Vacancy-type defects in neutron-irradiated samples were examined using positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS); D retention after plasma exposure was evaluated by thermal desorption spectrometry (TDS). TDS measurements revealed that D retention in the neutron-irradiated W-5Re alloy was similar to that in the unirradiated W sample, whereas a significant increase in D retention was observed in neutron-irradiated W. Thus, Re addition significantly suppressed the increase in D retention after neutron irradiation. This effect was attributed to the suppression of vacancy-type defect formation, as confirmed by PAS.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Structure characterization and steam oxidation performance of U 3 Si 2 with Zr alloying additions

Research and development of high uranium density fuels supports the on-going effort to enhance reactor technology, safety, performance, and economics. Among high uranium density fuels, U 3 Si 2 is a favored fuel candidate due to its higher uranium density and improved thermal conductivity when compared to traditional UO 2 . While U 3 Si 2 demonstrates an improved fuel economy, it suffers from rapid degradation when exposed to water at T > 300°C. In order for U 3 Si 2 to be implemented in water cooled reactors, the water reaction must be understood and mitigated. Reported here is the performance of Zr alloying additions to U 3 Si 2 exposed to high temperature steam oxidation environments. Here, the investigation shows that homogenization heat treatment contributes to a delayed onset of oxidation and an improved homogeneity throughout the arc-melt fabricated alloyed compositions. Of the pre- and post-annealed samples, the post-annealed 7 vol% Zr addition exhibited the highest onset temperature of oxidation. A preliminary computational investigation to complement the experimental analysis assesses the solubility of Zr in U 3 Si 2 and its incorporation in the crystal lattice.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Effects of Tungsten Oxide Addition on the Electrochemical Performance of Nanoscale Tantalum Oxide-Based Electrocatalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane PEM Fuel Cells

In the present study, the properties of a series of non-platinum based nanoscale tantalum oxide/tungsten oxide-carbon composite catalysts was investigated for potential use in catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode side of a PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assembly. Electrochemical performance was measured using a half-cell test set up with a rotating disc electrode and compared with a commercial platinum-on-carbon (Pt/C) catalyst. Overall, all of the oxide-based composite catalysts exhibit high ORR on-set potentials, comparable to that of the baseline Pt/C catalyst. The addition of tungsten oxide as a dopant to tantalum oxide greatly improved mass specific current density. Maximum performance was achieved with a catalyst containing 32 mol% of tungsten oxide, which exhibited a mass specific current density ~8% that of the Pt/C catalyst at 0.6 V vs. the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE) and ~35% that of the Pt/C catalyst at 0.2 V vs. NHE. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the tungsten cations in the composite catalysts exist in the +6 oxidation state, while the tantalum displays an average valence of +5, suggesting that the addition of tungsten likely creates an oxygen excess in the tantalum oxide structure that influences its oxygen absorption kinetics. When the 32mol% tungsten doped catalyst loading on the working electrode was increased to five times that of the original loading (which was equivalent to that of the baseline Pt/C catalyst), the area specific current density improved four fold, achieving an area specific current density ~35% that of the Pt/C catalyst at 0.6 V vs. NHE.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2012

Surface and Structural Stabilities of Carbon Additives in High Voltage Lithium Ion Batteries

Several different carbons have been systematically investigated in high voltage lithium ion batteries. It was founded that the higher surface area, the more parasitic reactions initiating from different onset voltages. A closer inspection reveals that for the low surface area carbon such as Super P, PF6- ions intercalate into carbon structure above 4.7 V contributing partial capacity. For high surface area carbon, in addition to the electrolyte decomposition, the oxidation of functional groups at high voltage further increases the irreversible capacities and Li+ ion consumption. Coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity and cycling stability observed by using different carbon additives are successfully correlated with their structure and surface chemistry providing information for predictive selection of carbons in different energy storage systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluating electrolyte additives for lithium-ion cells: A new Figure of Merit approach

Electrolyte additives are known to improve the performance of lithium-ion cells. In this work we examine the performance of Li 1.03 Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.3 O 2 -graphite (NMC532/Gr) cells containing combinations of lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB), vinylene carbonate (VC), trivinylcyclotriboroxane (tVCBO), prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES), phenyl boronic acid ethylene glycol ester (PBE), tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TMSPi), triethylphosphite (TEPi), and lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB) added to our baseline (1.2M LiPF 6 in EC:EMC, 3:7 w/w) electrolyte. In order to rank performance of the various electrolytes, we developed two separate figures of merit (FOM), which are based on the energy retention and power retention of the cells. Using these two metrics in conjunction, we show that only one of the fifteen electrolyte formulations tested significantly outperforms the baseline electrolyte: this electrolyte contains the 0.25 wt% tVCBO + 1 wt% TMSPi additive mix. Little correlation was observed between the FOMs for energy retention and power retention, which indicates that the mechanisms that govern these performance parameters are likely independent of each other. In conclusion, our FOM approach has general applicability and can be used to develop electrolyte and electrode formulations that prolong the life of lithium-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Additive-assisted synthesis of boride, carbide, and nitride micro/nanocrystals

General and simple methods for the syntheses of borides, carbides and nitrides are highly desirable, since those materials have unique physical properties and promising applications. Here, a series of boride (TiB{sub 2}, ZrB{sub 2}, NbB{sub 2}, CeB{sub 6}, PrB{sub 6}, SmB{sub 6}, EuB{sub 6}, LaB{sub 6}), carbide (SiC, TiC, NbC, WC) and nitride (TiN, BN, AlN, MgSiN{sub 2}, VN) micro/nanocrystals were prepared from related oxides and amorphous boron/active carbon/NaN{sub 3} with the assistance of metallic Na and elemental S. In-situ temperature monitoring showed that the reaction temperature could increase quickly to {approx}850 Degree-Sign C, once the autoclave was heated to 100 Degree-Sign C. Such a rapid temperature increase was attributed to the intense exothermic reaction between Na and S, which assisted the formation of borides, carbides and nitrides. The as-obtained products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and HRTEM techniques. Results in this report will greatly benefit the future extension of this approach to other compounds. - Graphical abstract: An additive-assisted approach is successfully developed for the syntheses of borides, carbides and nitrides micro/nanocrystals with the assistance of the exothermic reaction between Na and S. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An additive-assisted synthesis strategy is developed for a number of borides, carbides and nitrides. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The reaction mechanism is demonstrated by the case of SiC nanowires. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The formation of SiC nanowires is initiated by the exothermic reaction of Na and S.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

On the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of BiTeBr and BiTeI single crystals and of BiTeI with the addition of BiI{sub 3} and CuI

The electronic structures were calculated for BiTeBr and BiTeI using the density-functional theory approach and accounting for the strong spin-orbital interaction. Qualitatively, the band structures for two compounds are similar, showing strong mixing of the p states of all elements in vicinity of the Fermi level, with the band gaps of 0.595 and 0.478 eV for BiTeBr and BiTeI, respectively. The optimized crystal structures show a tendency for the Bi-X (X=Br, I) bond elongation compared to the Bi-Te one. Both compounds are intrinsic n-type semiconductors but display a metallic-like conductivity coupled to rather large thermopower, which is rationalized within the frames of the acoustic phonons scattering model. Because of larger thermopower BiTeBr exhibits a twice higher thermoelectric figure-of-merit near room temperature, ZT=0.17, compared to BiTeI. The addition of 1 mass% of BiI{sub 3} or CuI to BiTeI decreases the mobility of electrons by two orders of magnitude, leading to significantly lower electrical conductivity, but at the same time effectively reduces the thermal conductivity. The prospects of further enhancing the thermoelectric efficiency are briefly discussed. - Graphical abstract: View of the crystal structure of BiTeBr is shown in the figure The optimized crystal structures show a tendency for the Bi-X (X=Br, I) bond elongation compared to the Bi-Te one. The electronic structures were calculated for BiTeBr and BiTeI using the density-functional theory approach and accounting for the strong spin-orbital interaction. Qualitatively, the band structures for two compounds are similar, showing strong mixing of the p states of all elements in vicinity of the Fermi level, with the band gaps of 0.595 and 0.478 eV for BiTeBr and BiTeI, respectively. Both compounds are intrinsic n-type semiconductors but display a metallic-like conductivity coupled to rather large thermopower, which is rationalized within the frames of the acoustic phonons scattering model. The addition of 1 mass% of BiI{sub 3} or CuI to BiTeI effectively reduces the thermal conductivity. The prospects of further enhancing the thermoelectric efficiency are briefly discussed. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BiTeBr and BiTeI feature mixing of p states of Bi, Te, and halogen near Fermi level. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BiTeBr has thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT=0.17, two times that of BiTeI. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer 1% CuI or BiI{sub 3} decrease dramatically electron mobility in BiTeI. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer 1% CuI decreases thermal conductivity of BiTeI by a factor of 4, reaching 0.5 W m{sup -1} K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effects of V addition on recrystallization resistance of 7150 aluminum alloy after simulative hot deformation

The effects of different V contents (0.01 to 0.19 wt.%) on the recrystallization resistance of 7150 aluminum alloys during post-deformation heat treatment were investigated. The microstructural evolutions at as-cast, as-homogenized conditions and after post-deformation annealing were studied using optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes and using the electron backscattered diffraction technique. The precipitation of Al{sub 21}V{sub 2} dispersoids was observed in alloys containing 0.11 to 0.19 wt.% V after homogenization. The dispersoids were mainly distributed in the dendrite cells, and the precipitate-free zones occurred in the interdendritic regions and near grain boundaries. V addition could significantly enhance the recrystallization resistance during post-deformation annealing, particularly in the presence of a great number of Al{sub 21}V{sub 2} dispersoids. Recrystallized grain growth was effectively restricted because of the dispersoid pinning effect. The alloy containing 0.15 wt.% V exhibited the highest recrystallization resistance amongst all V-containing alloys studied. - Highlights: • Investigated the effect of V level on microstructure and flow stress of 7150 alloys • Characterized microstructures using optical microscopy, SEM, TEM and EBSD • Described the precipitation behavior of V-dispersoids in the dendritic structure • Studied the V effect on recrystallization resistance during post heat treatment • V addition greatly enhanced the recrystallization resistance during annealing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Characterization of geopolymer fly-ash based foams obtained with the addition of Al powder or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} as foaming agents

Recent innovations in geopolymer technology have led to the development of various different types of geopolymeric products, including highly porous geopolymer-based foams, which are formed by the addition of foaming agents to a geopolymer fly-ash based matrix. These agents decompose, or react with the liquid matrix or oxygen in the matrix, resulting in the release of gases which form pores prior to the hardening of the gel. The hardened structure has good mechanical and thermal properties, and can therefore be used for applications in acoustic panels and in lightweight pre-fabricated components for thermal insulation purposes. This study presents the results of the pore-forming process in the case when two different foaming agents, i.e. aluminium powder amounting to 0.07, 0.13 and 0.20 mass. % and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} amounting to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mass. %, were added to a fly-ash geopolymer matrix. The physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of the thus obtained foams, and the effects of the type and amount of the added foaming agent, are presented and discussed. Highly porous structures were obtained in the case of both of the investigated foaming agents, with overall porosities up to 59% when aluminium powder was added, and of up 48% when H{sub 2}O{sub 2} was added. In the latter case, when 2% of the H{sub 2}O{sub 2} foaming agent was added, finer pores (with diameters up to 500 μm) occurred in the structure, whereas somewhat larger pores (some had diameters greater than 1 mm) occurred when the same amount of aluminium powder was added. The mechanical properties of the investigated foams depended on their porosity. In the case of highly porous structures a compressive strength of 3.3 MPa was nevertheless achieved for the samples containing 0.2% of aluminium powder, and 3.7 MPa for those containing 2.0% of H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. - Highlights: • Preparation of geopolymer foams based on fly ash with the addition of Al powder or H{sub 2}O{sub 2} as foaming agents • Determination of density, porosity and mechanical properties of such foams • Characterization of foaming process by means of X-ray micro-tomography (μcT)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Experimental investigation of grain boundaries misorientations and nano twinning induced strengthening on addition of silicon carbide in pulse electrodeposited nickel tungsten composite coating

Nanoindentation was performed on silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced pulse electrodeposited nickel-tungsten (Ni-W) composite coating. Addition of 5 vol.% of SiC in Ni-W coating increased the hardness from 10.31 ± 0.65 GPa to 14.32 ± 0.63 GPa and elastic modulus from 119.74 ± 3.15 GPa to 139.26 ± 2.09 GPa. Increased hardness and elastic modulus directly translates to the improved strengthening in the coating. An experimental investigation of strengthening mechanism was carried out in Ni-W-5 vol.% SiC alloy. Two simultaneous phenomena viz. grain refinement and increased internal strain was observed, which increased the dislocation density from 5.51 × 10{sup 18} m{sup −2} to 1.346 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −2} on reinforcement of 5 vol.% of SiC in Ni-W coating. Increased dislocation density promoted the formation of grain boundary misorientations and nano twinning. Low angle grain boundary, high angle grain boundary and nano twinning were identified using high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) image and their role in strengthening mechanism was discussed in details. - Highlights: • SiC reinforced pulse electrodeposition Ni-W coating was deposited on steel. • Nanoindentation showed the increased mechanical properties on addition of SiC. • Grain refinement and increased internal strain was observed in Ni-W-SiC coating. • Dislocation density increased on reinforcement of SiC in Ni-W coating. • Increased dislocation density triggered grain boundary misorientation and twinning.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of small addition of Cr on stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel

High carbon steels with dual phase structures of martensite and austenite have considerable potential for industrial application in high abrasion environments due to their hardness, strength and relatively low cost. To design cost effective high carbon steels with superior properties, it is crucial to identify the effect of Chromium (Cr) on the stability of retained austenite (RA) and to fully understand its effect on solid-state phase transition. This study addresses this important knowledge gap. Using standard compression tests on bulk material, quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis, nano-indentation on individual austenitic grains, transmission electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction–based orientation microscopy techniques, the authors investigated the effect of Cr on the microstructure, transformation behaviour and mechanical stability of retained austenite in high carbon steel, with varying Cr contents. The results revealed that increasing the Cr %, altered the morphology of the RA and increased its stability, consequently, increasing the critical pressure for martensitic transformation. This study has critically addressed the elastoplastic behaviour of retained austenite – and provides a deep understanding of the effect of small additions of Cr on the metastable austenite of high carbon steel from the macro- to nano-level. Consequently, it paves the way for new applications for high carbon low alloy steels. - Highlights: • Effect of small addition of Cr on metastable austenite of high carbon steel from the macro- to nano-level • A multi-scale study of elastoplastic behaviour of retained austenite in high carbon steel • The mechanical stability of retained austenite during plastic deformation increased with increasing Cr content • Effect of grain boundary misorientation angle on hardness of individual retained austenite grains in high carbon steel.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of maraging steel produced by wire + arc additive manufacture process

Highlights: • Wire + arc additive manufacture (WAAM) was applied to produce maraging steel structures. • Microstructure evolution of WAAM alloy was characterized and correlated with the layer-by-layer building manner. • Mechanical properties of WAAM alloy were tested and correlated with the aging response of WAAM microstructure. • Retained austenite content was measured and correlated with the tensile strength loss. - Abstract: Wire + arc additive manufacture is developed for producing large-scale metallic components. In this paper, maraging steel parts were produced, and the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The microhardness and tensile strength of the as deposited alloy reduced from the bottom to the top due to the transient thermal cycling, which resulted in partial aging and non-uniform formation of intermetallic compounds along the building direction. Solutionizing, followed by 3 h aging, significantly reduced the microstructural heterogeneity and increased the mechanical properties by 24.7% through the formation of large amounts of finely distributed precipitates. The as deposited alloy possessed superior strength to the wrought alloy in solutionized condition but inferior to the later in aged condition, which was attributed to the less pronounced aging response of the low-angle columnar grains characterized microstructure and the presence of retained and reverted austenite.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructural characterization and comparison of Ti-6Al-4V manufactured with different additive manufacturing processes

In this work, the microstructures of Ti-6Al-4V manufactured by different additive manufacturing (AM) processes have been characterized and compared. The microstructural features that were characterized are the α lath thickness, grain boundary α (GB-α) thickness, prior β grain size and α colony size. In addition, the microhardnesses were also measured and compared. The microstructure of shaped metal deposited (SMD) Ti-6Al-4V material showed the smallest variations in α lath size, whereas the material manufactured with laser metal wire deposition-0 (LMwD-0) showed the largest variation. The prior β grain size was found to be smaller in material manufactured with powder bed fusion (PBF) as compared with corresponding material manufactured with the directed energy deposition (DED) processes. Parallel bands were only observed in materials manufactured with DED processes while being non-present in material manufactured with PBF processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Template-free preparation and morphology evolution of (Cu, Ni) honeycomb structure via etching additive manufactured Fe-Cu-Ni alloy

Highlights: • (Cu, Ni) honeycomb structure with pore size of ~11 μm and wall thickness of ~200 nm was prepared. • The morphology evolution and the potential formation mechanism of the (Cu, Ni) honeycomb structure were investigated. • A new template-free method of additive manufacturing combined with etching was proposed to prepare ordered porous structure. • This work provides important insights into the preparation of ordered porous structure without template. - Abstract: Metallic ordered porous structures have attracted increasing attention due to their wide range of applications, but their preparation is usually accompanied with the employing of consumable templates. The development of template-free method to prepare metallic ordered porous structure can significantly reduce the cost as well as streamline the procedures. In the present work, a new template-free method of additive manufacturing combined with etching was proposed to prepare ordered porous structures. (Cu, Ni) honeycomb structure with pore size of ~11 μm and wall thickness of ~200 nm was successfully prepared from the Fe-Cu-Ni precursor alloy. The morphology evolution and the potential formation mechanism of the (Cu, Ni) honeycomb structure were studied. This work provides important insights into the preparation of ordered metallic porous structure without template.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of compositional changes on microstructure in additively manufactured aluminum alloy 2139

Highlights: • Volatile elements preferentially vaporize during additive manufacturing. • Vapor losses affect precipitate habit plane in aluminum alloy 2139. • Above 0.2 wt% Mg the precipitate forms on the preferred {111} habit plane. • Higher strength is associated with precipitates on the {111} habit planes. - Abstract: A matrix of nine experiments was conducted on aluminum alloy 2139 samples made by an electron beam directed energy deposition additive manufacturing process to characterize the effect of magnesium vaporization loss on microstructure and properties. The nine-sample matrix included three different magnesium levels deposited onto material at three different temperatures. The goal was to quantify the variability in the deposited material as a function of allowable magnesium content and the local temperature of the substrate or previous layer. The results show that temperature variations in the substrate up to 100 K have no significant effect on the amount of magnesium loss; however, relatively large variations in Mg content, up to a ±0.25 wt%, can significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties. This is due to a change in how the precipitate phase forms, which influences the mechanism by which the alloy is strengthened.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Selective growth of Ni4Ti3 precipitate variants induced by complicated cyclic stress during laser additive manufacturing of NiTi-based composites

Highlights: • The NiTi-based composites were in-situ synthesized by SLM. • Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} could tailor the phase transformation temperature of TiC/NiTi composites. • A three-dimensional stress field modeling of TiC/NiTi composites was established. • The relationship between growth of Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} variants and cyclic stress was disclosed. - Abstract: NiTi-based composites were in-situ synthesized by selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing technology with formation of a great many Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} precipitates. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were carried out to exhibit the similar phase transformation temperature (A{sub s} = 51.82 °C, A{sub f} = 94.02 °C, M{sub s} = 55.87 °C and M{sub f} = 18.93 °C) by comparing with that of SLM-fabricated equi-atomic NiTi alloy, which could be attributed to the compensation of Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} precipitates for the effect of an addition of TiC particles. Three different Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} precipitate variants ((111){sub R}//(1 1-bar 1-bar ){sub B2}, (111){sub R}//( 1-bar 1-bar 1){sub B2}, and (111){sub R}//( 1-bar 1 1-bar ){sub B2}) with various precipitate diameters were observed within SLM fabricated part, showing apparently selective growth behavior. By high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, severe lattice defects formed surrounding the smaller variant, while relatively intact lattice structure was found around the larger one, which indicated that high strain energy was produced in the interface between the matrix and the smaller variant. Furthermore, finite element simulation method was applied to disclose the evolution features of complicated cyclic stress during SLM processing of TiC/NiTi composites. By predicting, the main constraint mode within as-fabricated track was tensile stress effect. Based on the redistribution behavior of thermal stress and the coupling effect between the thermal stress and strain field induced by Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} precipitate, the selective growth mechanism of Ni{sub 4}Ti{sub 3} variant was revealed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of build geometry on the microstructural development of 316L parts produced by additive manufacturing

Highlights: • Stainless steel ribs were created via direct metal laser sintering to investigate microstructural effect of part design. • EBSD confirmed the presence of large elongated grains in the center of the part, with preferred orientation. • Small grains at the rib surface were found to grow towards the center of the rib with random orientation. • By changing rib thickness and build angle varying texture was observed in the final products. • Large intragranular misorientations were observed in all samples. - Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has shown great potential in manufacturing complex products, such as lattice structures without extensive tooling. The focus of this study was to understand the effect of the part geometry on the resulting microstructure. Direct metal laser sintering was used for fabrication of ribs with thicknesses varying between 0.2 and 3.0 mm as well as inclined ribs the with build angles of 30° and 45°. The investigation showed that grains were growing in an epitaxial manner parallel to the building direction. The large elongated grains had a preferential orientation, resulting from the temperature gradient. Additionally, it was found that small grains had formed close to the part surface which were inclined towards the center of the rib. In contrast to the elongated grains, they had a random orientations. The results also indicated that at build angles below 45°, the formed microstructure consisted of the large grains elongated in the building direction. For the used process parameters, the critical part thickness to avoid large elongated grains was found to be about 0.4 mm. These findings allowed us to establish the basics for design rules when it comes to thin wall structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

The relation between Mn additions, microstructure and corrosion behavior of new wrought Mg-5Al alloys

Highlights: • The influence of high Mn content (1.4 and 3.1 wt%) on Mg-5Al wrought alloys. • Core and shell Al-Mn particles formed when Mn content was 1.4 wt%. • 3.1 wt% Mn effectively mitigate the effect of Fe when it exceeds the tolerance limit. • Large Mn content stabilize the passive layer in long immersion periods. - Abstract: Three wrought Mg-5Al alloys with different Mn contents (0.5, 1.4, and 3.1 wt%) were examined and compared with a reference wrought Mg-5Al alloy. Additions of Mn decreased the grain size and caused precipitation of various Al-Mn intermetallide with different Al/Mn ratio. The corrosion resistance of the Mn-containing alloys significantly increased in comparison to the reference alloy. This contributed to a reduced harmful effect of the impurities, refined microstructure and formation of corrosion products layer. However, further increasing of Mn content caused greater precipitation of the Al-Mn intermetallics, which in its turn increased the galvanic micro-coupling. The alloy with 3.1 wt% Mn additions formed a relatively protective oxide film, which balances the increased number of cathodic particles, and its corrosion rate was very close to that of alloy with 1.4 wt% Mn content.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗