5 Werkstofftechnik
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Iron aluminides, already reported in the late 19th century, did not cease to attract the interest of scientists and engineers ever since. Besides good oxidation resistance, low density and resource availability, potentials for hightemperature strengths that compete with high-alloy steels were unlocked by low alloy contents. Still, research on alloy design continues, as alloying usually comes at the price of brittleness in low-temperature regimes. A potential candidate is the quinary Fe–Al–Mo–Ti–B system which is strengthened by solid solution and eutectic borides. It was shown to have good strength and outstanding creep resistance under compressive loading up to elevated temperatures. Although the individual effect of alloy additions is well understood in iron aluminides, little is known about the combined effects of alloying concentrations on microstructure, phase stability and mechanical properties. Therefore a systematic study of two Ti-doped near-Fe3Al alloys with varying contents of Mo (2–4 at.%) and B (0.5–1 at.%) was conducted. In total eight different alloys were fabricated by investment casting into ceramic shell molds. Alloys were characterized and compared by grain size, phase transitions, microstructure evolution as well as elemental compositions and volume fractions of phases. For mechanical characterization, macrohardness and microhardness tests as well as tensile tests at ambient and high tempera tures were conducted. Independent of alloy additions, alloys with 24–25 at.% Al exhibit superior proof strength due to a higher matrix hardness. Decreasing B content generally decreases strength by lower secondary phase fractions which contribute via particle hardening. Reducing Mo content decreases both the solute concentration in the matrix and secondary phase fractions. Surprisingly, strength is similar or even superior to alloys with higher Mo content. Strength relations are discussed with a focus on solid-solution hardening theory and other competing strengthening mechanisms.
Ni-base superalloy single crystals have been used in turbine blades for hot sections of gas turbines for over four decades. In order to increase the efficiency of the turbines, a continuous increase in the inlet temperature of combustion gases into the turbine has driven the design of turbine blades to complicated shapes and the presence of a complex pattern of cooling channels. These three-dimensional shapes, together with the inhomogeneous distribution of stresses along the blade, induce an also complicated triaxial stress state, which does not compare to uniaxial tests that are performed to characterize high temperature properties such as creep. A round notch on a test piece represents a simple configuration that generates a quasi-isostatic stress state across the notch. In the present contribution, the effect of a sharp round notch on the microstructural micromechanisms within the notched region cylindrical bars, loaded along [001] at 1020 °C and 160 MPa net stress, is studied. To this end, a series of interrupted creep tests is conducted on plain and notched bars and the microstructure is compared. Results are discussed in terms of degree microstructural coarsening, and dislocation activity. The effect of notch generation via grinding is also discussed in these terms. The presence of carbides evolving in from residual carbon is also shown and discussed. .Funding by the German Research Association (DFG) [grant number AG 191/1] is acknowledge
Unlike conventional alloys, which typically consist of one main element, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) contain five or more principal elements, which broaden chemical complexity and with it a realm of synergistic mechanisms. The AlMo0.5NbTa0.5TiZr HEA initiated a subclass of Al-containing refractory (r)HEAs that has recently drawn attention [2]. The alloy has a superalloy-resembling B2/bcc nanostructure, which inspired its name refractory high entropy superalloy (RSA). With high-temperature (HT) compressive strengths beyond conventional Ni-based superalloys, this nanostructure could be used for improved HT structural applications. However, in the application-relevant HT regime the Al-Zr-rich B2 phase decomposes to form a hexagonal Al-Zr-based intermetallic (Al4-xZr5; x: 0..1) [3,4]. This work explores the fascinating yet fatal micromechanisms associated to this phase transformation, in the context of creep, annealing and oxidation experiments performed between 800 and 1200 °C.
The material was produced by arc-melting and heat treatment in argon, which lead to grain boundaries decorated with up to 7%. Interrupted constant-load creep tests were performed under vacuum (at 10-4 Pa), at 900–1100 °C with external tensile stresses of 30–120 MPa. Oxidation experiments were separately conducted for 24 hours at 800 and 1000 °C in both dry (21% O2 + 79% N2) and humid (8% O2 + 74% N2 + 18% H2O) air. After the experiments, the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to reveal degradation mechanisms. Crystallographic texture, orientation relationships and stabilization of an oxygen-containing iso structure (Al4-xZr5(Ox-y); y: 0..x) of the Al-Zr-rich intermetallic are found and discussed.
The field of materials science is defined as “the study of the properties of solid materials and how those properties are determined by a material’s composition and structure.”. Many –if not most– of the materials that are produced nowadays owe their properties to structures engineered down to the nanoscopic level. This need has been partly realized thanks to the understanding of materials’ building blocks via characterization techniques that reach this level of resolution. Transmission electron microscopy, since its first implementation in the early 1930s (in Berlin), has been implemented to achieve imaging –and spectral– analysis at lateral resolutions down to the atomic level.
In this contribution, a series of practical examples will be presented, where applied materials are characterized by a range of transmission electron microscopy techniques to understand structural and functional properties of a wide range of materials. Among these materials examples will be presented on structural conventionally and additively manufactured metallic alloys, high entropy alloys, dissimilar aluminum-to-steel welds, magnetic nanoparticles, ceramic coatings, high temperature oxidation products. Addressed will be either the effect of processing route or that of the exposure to experimental conditions similar to those found in the respective intended applications.
Additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic alloys has gained momentum in the past decade for industrial applications. The microstructures of AM metallic alloys are complex and hierarchical from the macroscopic to the nanometer scale. When using laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process, two main microstructural features emerge at the nanoscale: the melt pool boundaries (MPB) and the solidification cellular substructure.
Here, details of the MPB are revealed to clearly show the three-dimensional nature of MPBs with changes of cell growth of direction and their relation to their surrounding cellular substructure, as investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for L-PBF 316L austenitic stainless steel (cf. Figure 1). A hitherto unknown modulated substructure with a period of 21 nm is further discovered within cells as the result of a partial Ga+-focused ion beam-induced ferritic transformation of the austenite. Cell cores and cell boundaries differ notably regarding the modulated substructure.
Dislocations are the carriers of plastic deformation. As such, their characterization offers important information on the properties they affect. In this contribution, a new tool is presented, which is incorporated in Amira ZIB Edition and allows for three-dimensional (3D) imaging and quantification of dislocations substructures from thick regions an electron-transparent specimen. In the tool, the dislocation segments are traced on diffraction contrast images that are obtained in the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The uncertainties related to the experimental setup and to the proposed method are discussed on the base of a tilt series.
9-12% Cr ferritic-martensitic stainless steels are widely used as high temperature construction materials in fossil fueled power plants due to their excellent creep and oxidation resistance, but changes in electricity markets during the last two decades have considerably changed the typical working conditions of these facilities. The growing share of renewable energy sources in power generation forces most of these plants into flexible operation with frequent load shifts or shutdowns. These cyclic operation profiles constitute a major lifetime issue, raising the question which fundamental processes govern the reaction of ferritic-martensitic steels to cyclic load and temperature variations.
The present contribution reports on current findings obtained in a multidisciplinary project funded by German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) which combines cyclic mechanical and cyclic oxidation testing of different 9-12% Cr grades with detailed microstructural analyses and related micromechanical modeling.
In the present first part of our contribution, an overview will be given on the results obtained in the mechanical testing programme of the project. Mechanical analyses were carried out on P91 and (mainly) P92 steel grades, particularly looking at softening phenomena and lifetimes obtained in isothermal cyclic loading (low cycle fatigue, LCF), non-isothermal cyclic loading (thermo-mechanical fatigue, TMF), and service-like combinations of creep and fatigue periods. For this purpose, cylindrical specimens were extracted from thick-walled steam pipes, orthogonal to the pipe axis, and subjected to strain controlled cyclic loading (± 0.2 to ±0.5 % mechanical strain) to different degrees of softening at temperatures up to 620 °C.
The test results will be presented and discussed with a focus on the impact of hold periods (i.e. combined creep-fatigue conditions) on mechanical softening, lifetime and crack formation. Details on the microstructural evolution and their representation in a micromechanical model will be given in a second, complementary contribution to this conference.
Seit Beginn der Luftfahrt Anfang des letzten Jahrhunderts ist die Menschheit auf der Suche nach neuen Materialien, die das Abenteuer Fliegen sicherer, angenehmer, schneller und rentabler gestalten. Hochentropielegierungen sind solche vielversprechenden Materialien. Die richtige Analytik hilft dabei, besser zu verstehen, wie deren Zusammensetzung und atomare Anordnung die makroskopischen Eigenschaften beeinflusst.
The current competitive situation on electricity markets forces conventional power plants into cyclic operation regimes with frequent load shifts and starts/shutdowns. In the present work, the cyclic mechanical behavior of ferritic-martensitic 9-12 % Cr steels under isothermal and thermomechanical loading was investigated for the example of grade P92 material. A continuous softening was observed under all loading conditions. The introduction of hold periods to the applied cycles reduced material lifetime, with most prominent effects at technologically relevant small strain levels. The microstructural characterization reveals a coarsening of the original “martensitic” lath-type microstructure to a structure with polygonal subgrains and reduced dislocation density. The microstructural data forms the input for a physically-based modelling approach.
A great amount of material properties is strongly influenced by dislocations, the carriers of plastic deformation. It is therefore paramount to have appropriate tools to quantify dislocation substructures with regard to their features, e.g., dislocation density, Burgers vectors or line direction. While the transmission electron microscope (TEM) has been the most widely-used equipment implemented to investigate dislocations, it usually is limited to the two-dimensional (2D) observation of three-dimensional (3D) structures. We reconstruct, visualize and quantify 3D dislocation substructure models from only two TEM images (stereo pairs) and assess the results. The reconstruction is based on the manual interactive tracing of filiform objects on both images of the stereo pair. The reconstruction and quantification method are demonstrated on dark field (DF) scanning (S)TEM micrographs of dislocation substructures imaged under diffraction contrast conditions. For this purpose, thick regions (> 300 nm) of TEM foils are analyzed, which are extracted from a Ni-base superalloy single crystal after high temperature creep deformation. It is shown how the method allows 3D quantification from stereo pairs in a wide range of tilt conditions, achieving line length and orientation uncertainties of 3% and 7°, respectively. Parameters that affect the quality of such reconstructions are discussed.
The current trend towards cyclic, “flexible” operation of fossil-fueled power plants constitutes a major issue regarding lifetime and operational safety of the respective installations and their components, as was outlined in our complementary contribution (Part 1). The present contribution reports on the investigation of the microstructure evolution in cyclically loaded ferritic-martensitic steels and its representation in a physically-based micromechanical model.
For this purpose, specimens of P92 steel grade from the mechanical test programme outlined in our companion contribution (Part 1) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including backscattered diffraction (EBSD) mapping, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A novel method was implemented to improve angular resolution of EBSD scans. Additionally, a correlative microscopy approach was developed and used to correlate EBSD and TEM measurements on the same locations of thick regions of electron transparent specimens. By applying these techniques, a detailed quantitative microstructure description of the as-received material condition, namely in terms of subgrain morphology and dislocation density/distributions, was established. Comparisons of as-received and cyclically loaded conditions from tests interrupted at different stages of lifetime indicate a rapid redistribution of in-grain dislocations with a strong interaction between mobile dislocations and low angle grain boundaries (LABs).
The proposed micromechanical model is formulated in a viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) scheme, which is a mean-field approach that allows us to include the crystal details at the level of slip systems while avoiding the considerable computational costs of full-field approaches (such as the classical crystal plasticity finite element analysis). Being physically-based, the model uses dislocation densities and includes the interaction between dislocations, e.g. annihilation of mobile dislocations, and evolution of microstructure, e.g. the grain coarsening. Particularly, the constitutive laws for dislocation evolution and interaction between dislocations and low angle boundaries are calibrated based on two-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamic (2D DDD) simulations, which are performed at a micro-/meso-scale. The results of the beforementioned EBSD experiments are considered as a direct input, involving e.g. the amount of geometrically necessary dislocations, average misorientations and grain characteristics.
The unusual behavior observed in the coefficient of thermal expansion and specific heat capacity of CrFeNi, CoCrNi, and CoCrFeNi medium/high-entropy alloys is commonly referred to as the K-state effect. It is shown to be independent of the Curie temperature, as demonstrated by temperature-dependent magnetic moment measurements. CoCrFeNi alloy is chosen for detailed characterization; potential reasons for the K-state effect such as texture, recrystallization, and second-phase precipitation are ruled out. An examination of the electronic structure indicates the formation of a pseudo-gap in the Density of States, which suggests a specific chemical interaction between Ni and Cr atoms upon alloying. Hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamic (MC/MD) simulations indicate the presence of non-negligible chemical short-range order (CSRO). Local lattice distortions are shown to be negligible, although deviations around Cr and Ni elements from those expected in a fully disordered structure are experimentally observed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The determined bonding distances are in good agreement with MC/MD calculations. A mechanism is proposed to explain the anomalies and calorimetric experiments and their results are used to validate the mechanism.
Geothermal energy is one of the most promising energy resources to replace fossil fuel. To extract this energy, hot fluids of various salts and gases are pumped up from a geothermal well having a certain depth and location. Geothermal wells in volcanic regions often contain highly corrosive CO2 and H2S gases that can be corrosive to the geothermal power-plants, which are commonly constructed of different steels, such as carbon steel. This research focuses on the corrosion behaviour of carbon steel exposed to an artificial geothermal fluid containing CO2 gas, using an artificial acidic-saline geothermal brine as found in Sibayak, Indonesia. This medium has a pH of 4 and a chloride content of 1,500 mg/L. Exposure tests were conducted for seven days at 70 °C and 150 °C to simulate the operating temperatures for low and medium enthalpy geothermal sources. Surface morphology and cross-section of the specimens from the above experiments were analysed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Electrochemical tests via open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed to understand the corrosion processes of carbon steel in CO2-containing solution both at 70 °C and 150 °C. Localized corrosion was observed to a greater extent at 70 °C due to the less protectiveness of corrosion product layer compared to that at 150 °C, where FeCO3 has a high corrosion resistance. However, a longer exposure test for 28 days revealed the occurrence of localized corrosion with deeper pits compared to the seven-day exposed carbon steel. In addition, corrosion product transformation was observed after 28 days, indicating that more Ca2+ cations incorporate into the FeCO3 structure.
Electrochemical deposition of polyaniline on carbon steel for corrosion study in geothermal solution
(2019)
Polyaniline has been widely developed for many applications, e.g. sensor, supercapacitor components, electrochromic devices, and anticorrosion pigments. Although the addition of polyaniline pigment in organic coatings has been an alternative for corrosion protection in industrial applications, the protection mechanism is still not fully understood. Herein in this study, as a part of the development of polyaniline/silicon dioxide coating for geothermal application, polyaniline has been deposited electrochemically on carbon steel surface in oxalic acid medium and tested in geothermal solution to understand the contribution of polyaniline to the corrosion protection of a polyaniline-based composite in the geothermal system. To observe the surface/interface reaction between the electrolyte and electrode surface during the electrochemical polymerization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was applied after each cycle. For corrosion study in the geothermal application, an artificial geothermal solution was used with the composition of 1,500 mg/l Cl⁻, 20 mg/l SO₄²⁻, 15 mg/l HCO₃⁻, 200 mg/l Ca²⁺, 250 mg/l K⁺, and 600 mg/l Na⁺, and pH 4 to simulate a geothermal brine found in Sibayak, Indonesia. An electrochemical measurement was performed by monitoring the open circuit potential over seven days, with the interruption by EIS every 22 hours. The experiments were performed at room temperature and 150 °C (1 MPa) in an oxygen-free environment. Impedance spectra showed a reduction of the total impedance value of approximately 10 times for specimens measured at 150 °C compared to the specimens measured at room temperature, suggesting a less stable layer at high temperature.
This study focuses on the corrosion mechanism of carbon steel exposed to an artificial geothermal brine influenced by carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The tested brine simulates a geothermal source in Sibayak, Indonesia, containing 1500 mg/L of Cl-, 20 mg/L of SO4 2-, and 15 mg/L of HCO3-with pH 4. To reveal the temperature effect on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel, exposure and electrochemical tests were carried out at 70 °C and 150 °C. Surface analysis of corroded specimens showed localized corrosion at both temperatures, despite the formation of corrosion products on the surface. After 7 days at 150 °C, SEM images showed the formation of an adherent, dense, and crystalline FeCO3 layer. Whereas at 70 °C, the corrosion products consisted of chukanovite (Fe2(OH)2CO3) and siderite (FeCO3), which are less dense and less protective than that at 150 °C.
Control experiments under Ar-environment were used to investigate the corrosive effect of CO2. Free corrosion potential (Ecorr) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirm that at both temperatures, the corrosive effect of CO2 was more significant compared to that measured in the Ar-containing solution. In terms of temperature effect, carbon steel remained active at 70 °C, while at 150 °C, it became passive due to the FeCO3 formation. These results suggest that carbon steel is more susceptible to corrosion at the near ground surface of a geothermal well, whereas at a deeper well with a higher temperature, there is a possible risk of scaling (FeCO3 layer). A longer exposure test at 150 °C with a stagnant solution for 28 days, however, showed the unstable FeCO3 layer and therefore a deeper localized corrosion compared to that of seven-day exposed specimens.
Study of Polyaniline/Silicon Dioxide based Coating on Carbon Steel in Artificial Geothermal Brine
(2021)
Geothermal brines are corrosive in nature because of their salt contents and high temperatures. Therefore, they pose a major challenge to geothermal power-plants, which are mostly built of low alloyed steels, e.g., carbon steel. Carbon steel is susceptible to uniform and localized corrosion when exposed to geothermal brines having acidic-saline properties. To overcome this limitation, geothermal power plants should be built by either high alloyed materials or by integrating protection systems on carbon steel, such as coatings and inhibitors. We studied a coating system containing polyaniline/silicon dioxide basing on locally available resources that provides protection against corrosion of carbon steel and enhance the thermal resistance in geothermal environments. Here, exposure and electrochemical tests of coated carbon steels were performed in an artificial geothermal brine. The solution had a pH of 4, with the composition of 1,500 mg/L of chlorides, which is based on the chemical analysis of geothermal brine found in Sibayak, Indonesia. All exposure tests were conducted using autoclaves at 150 °C with a total pressure of 1 MPa, which was performed for up to six months to evaluate the durability of the coating system. Post-experimental analyses were performed by assessing the surface of specimens using optical and electron microscopes. On the other hand, electrochemical tests were performed for seven days at 25 °C and 150 °C to investigate the kinetics of electrochemical reactions by measuring open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectra. Experimental results showed the corrosion resistance of PANI/SiO2 composite coatings, where polyaniline and SiO2 play their roles as stabilizers.
Al2O3 has been widely used as a coating in industrial applications due to its excellent chemical and thermal resistance. Considering high temperatures and aggressive mediums exist in geothermal systems, Al2O3 can be a potential coating candidate to protect steels in geothermal applications. In this study, γ-Al2O3 was used as a coating on martensitic steels by applying AlOOH sol followed by a heat treatment at 600 °C. To evaluate the coating application process, one-, two-, and three-layer coatings were tested in the artificial North German Basin (NGB), containing 166 g/L Cl−, at 150 °C and 1 MPa for 168 h. To reveal the stability of the Al2O3 coating in NGB solution, three-layer coatings were used in exposure tests for 24, 168, 672, and 1296 h, followed by surface and cross-section characterization. SEM images show that the Al2O3 coating was stable up to 1296 h of exposure, where the outer layer mostly transformed into boehmite AlOOH with needle-like crystals dominating the surface. Closer analysis of cross-sections showed that the interface between each layer was affected in long-term exposure tests, which caused local delamination after 168 h of exposure. In separate experiments, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed at 150 °C to evaluate the changes of coatings within the first 24 h. Results showed that the most significant decrease in the impedance is within 6 h, which can be associated with the electrolyte penetration through the coating, followed by the formation of AlOOH. Here, results of both short-term EIS measurements (up to 24 h) and long-term exposure tests (up to 1296 h) are discussed.
Al2O3 coatings are often used as protective layers on steels against electrochemical and high-temperature corrosion because they are chemically inert and stable at elevated temperatures. This study presents preliminary work on the possibilities of using Al2O3 sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection of martensitic stainless steels in geothermal environments. Al2O3 sol-gel coatings were applied on UNS S42000, which is known to be susceptible to uniform and localized corrosion. The coated steel specimens were then tested in two types of artificial geothermal water, which simulate the geothermal fluids found in Sibayak (SBY), Indonesia, and North German Basin (NGB), Germany, respectively. SBY has pH 4 and 1.5 g/L of chloride ions, whereas NGB has a pH of 6 and 166 g/L of chloride ions. All experiments were carried out in autoclaves at 150 °C and 1 MPa under the deaerated condition. Evaluations were performed by investigating the surface profiles of both uncoated and coated steels before and after the corrosion test using a Laser Scanning Microscope (LSM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Finally, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to compare the corrosion resistance of Al2O3 coated steels in SBY and NGB solutions. It was observed from the corrosion test that Al2O3 coatings are more suitable for use in the geothermal water with a higher pH.
This poster presents the focused ion beam preparation methodologies developed within the framework of the EU funded EURAMET project ADVENT (Advanced Energy-Saving Technology).
It summarises the key breakthroughs achieved for various in situ investigation techniques, e.g. in situ experiments at the Synchrotron facility BESSY II (IR-SNOM and XRS), TEM and SMM instrumentation.
The created experimental devices from diverse thin-film semiconductor materials paved the way to dynamic structural studies bearing the potential to determine nanoscale correlations between strain and electric fields and, moreover, for the fundamental development of new in situ capabilities.
Zur Bewältigung der Herausforderung bei der Digitalisierung von Materialien und Prozessen ist eine mit allen Stakeholdern konsistente Kontextualisierung von Materialdaten anzustreben, d.h. alle erforderlichen Informationen über den Zustand des Materials einschließlich produktions- und anwendungsbezogener Änderungen müssen über eine einheitliche, maschinenlesbare Beschreibung verfügbar gemacht werden. Dazu werden Wissensrepräsentationen und Konzeptualisierungen ermöglichende Ontologien verwendet. Erste Bemühungen in den beiden Projekten Plattform Material Digital und Materials-open-Laboratory führten zur Erstellung von Anwendungsontologien, die Prozesse und Testmethoden explizit beschreiben. Dabei wurde u.a. der Zugversuch an Metallen bei Raumtemperatur nach DIN EN ISO 6892-1 ontologisch beschrieben. Diese als Beispiel dienende Ontologieentwicklung wird in dieser Präsentation vorgestellt.
Mit der Initiative MaterialDigital fördert das BMBF seit dem letzten Jahr ein wichtiges Instrument zur Digitalisierung der Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik in Deutschland. In der ersten Phase dieser Initiative wird seit Juli 2019 die Plattform MaterialDigital von einem Konsortium aufgestellt. Ziel dieser Plattform ist der Aufbau eines virtuellen Materialdatenraums, um zusammen mit allen Interessenten die Systematisierung des Umgangs mit Werkstoffdaten voranzutreiben. In einer zweiten Phase werden akademische F&E-Projekte voraussichtlich Anfang 2021 gefördert. In jedem dieser Projekte wird an einer konkreten Fragestellung das Themenfeld „Digitalisierung der Materialwissenschaft und Werkstofftechnik“ adressiert und multidisziplinär bearbeitet. In einer dritten Phase werden im Rahmen industriegeführter vorwettbewerblicher Verbundprojekte mit der gleichen Zielsetzung gefördert.
Der vorliegende Vortrag gibt einen Überblick über Probenpräparationen mit der Focused Ion Beam (FIB) für AFM-basierte Untersuchungsverfahren. Anhand zweier Beispiele wird gezeigt, wie ionenstrahlpolierte Lamellen aus Halbleiter-Schichtsystemen elektrisch leitfähig auf Substrate platziert werden, so dass in-situ und in-operando Messungen mit Scanning Microwave Microscope (SMM) bzw. Spectroscopic infrared scanning near-field optical microscope (IR-SNOM) durchgeführt werden können.
The amount of data generated worldwide is constantly increasing. These data come from a wide variety of sources and systems, are processed differently, have a multitude of formats, and are stored in an untraceable and unstructured manner, predominantly in natural language in data silos. This problem can be equally applied to the heterogeneous research data from materials science and engineering. In this domain, ways and solutions are increasingly being generated to smartly link material data together with their contextual information in a uniform and well-structured manner on platforms, thus making them discoverable, retrievable, and reusable for research and industry. Ontologies play a key role in this context. They enable the sustainable representation of expert knowledge and the semantically structured filling of databases with computer-processable data triples.
In this perspective article, we present the project initiative Materials-open-Laboratory (Mat-o-Lab) that aims to provide a collaborative environment for domain experts to digitize their research results and processes and make them fit for data-driven materials research and development. The overarching challenge is to generate connection points to further link data from other domains to harness the promised potential of big materials data and harvest new knowledge.
A global transition towards more sustainable, affordable and reliable energy systems is being stimulated by the Paris Agreement and the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This poses a challenge for the corrosion industry, as building climate‐resilient energy systems and infrastructures brings with it a long‐term direction, so as a result the long‐term behaviour of structural materials (mainly metals and alloys) becomes a major prospect. With this in mind “Corrosion Challenges Towards a Sustainable Society” presents a series of cases showing the importance of corrosion protection of metals and alloys in the development of energy production to further understand the science of corrosion, and bring the need for research and the consequences of corrosion into public and political focus. This includes emphasis on the limitation of greenhouse gas emissions, on the lifetime of infrastructures, implants, cultural heritage artefacts, and a variety of other topics.
Im Rahmen der DGM/DVM AG Fraktographie wird an der BAM eine fraktographische online-Datenbank aufgebaut. Während von metallischen Werkstoffen viele Beispiele vorliegen, die auch gut verstanden sind, sind die Brüche von Kunststoffen bislang weniger prominent vertreten. Eine teils ungeklärte Frage ist, in welcher Form sich an Kunststoffen klassische Schwingbrüche nachweisen lassen, wie sie von metallischen Werkstoffen bekannt sind. Der Vortrag zeigt einige Beispiele im Detail und stellt diese zur Diskussion.
Im Rahmen der Erstellung einer fraktographischen online-Datenbank an der BAM wurden systematisch Schwingversuche an einem Sinterstahl vorgenommen, dessen Sinterdichte variiert wurde. Die erzeugten Bruchflächen wurden analysiert, mit der Literatur verglichen und Datensätze in die Datenbank eingefügt.
Nachdem im Verbundprojekt COORAL das Hauptaugenmerk auf überkritisches CO2 gelegt wurde, d. h. Transport über kurze Strecken bei erhöhter Temperatur, wurde in CLUSTER ein größeres lokales Transport-Netzwerk betrachtet, bei dem CO2 bei geringeren Temperaturen, also vorwiegend im flüssigen Zustand transportiert wird. Wurden in COORAL die CO2-Ströme von Kohlekraftwerken untersucht, ging es in CLUSTER zusätzlich um die Emissionen von relevanten Industrien, deren CO2-Emissionen nicht ohne Weiteres vermieden werden können.
Aufgrund der Erfahrungen in COORAL konnte eine Auswahl von kommerziellen Werkstoffen getroffen werden, die für einen konkreten Einsatz für CCS zur Verfügung stünden. Die gemischten und fluktuierenden CO2-Zusammensetzungen sind bei geeigneten Begrenzungen der Begleit¬stoffe im CO2 bezüglich Korrosionsvorgänge beherrschbar. Die Machbarkeit eines lokalen CCS-Clusters erscheint daher gegeben, soweit dies die Anlagen für Kompression, Transport und Injektion betrifft.
Komponenten von Fahrrädern werden im Betrieb vorwiegend schwingend beansprucht. Typische Werkstoffe sind Stahl, Aluminiumlegierungen, Messing, CFK und thermoplastische Kunststoffe. Da es sich, unabhängig von der Preiskategorie, um konstruktiven Leichtbau handelt, werden einige Bauteile betriebsfest mehr oder weniger weit oberhalb der Dauerfestigkeit ausgelegt. Die im normalen Betrieb auftretenden Schäden sind daher weit überwiegend Schwingbrüche. Andere Schadensmechanismen wie z.B. Korrosion spielen quantitativ eine untergeordnete Rolle. Schwingbrüche treten nach einer Periode unbemerkten Risswachstums oft ohne Vorwarnung und ohne makroskopische Verformung auf. Im Falle von sicherheitsrelevanten Komponenten wie Rahmen, Gabeln, Lenkern, Sattelstützen, Kurbelarmen oder Pedalen kann dies zu erheblichen Personenschäden führen, die den Wert des ursächlichen Bauteilschadens weit überschreiten.
Über einen langjährigen Zeitraum wurden gebrochene Komponenten aus dem Alltag und aus Gerichtsverfahren analysiert. Das Hauptaugenmerk lag hierbei auf der fraktographischen Analyse, teilweise wurden die zu Grunde liegenden Schadensursachen ermittelt. Einflussfaktoren sind beispielsweise konstruktive Kerben an ungünstigen Stellen, aber auch Werkstoffwahl und Fertigungsqualität spielen eine Rolle. In den meisten Fällen wurde jedoch die konstruktive Lebensdauer überschritten. Diese wird praktisch nie mitgeteilt, und eine wiederkehrende Prüfung sicherheitsrelevanter Bauteile findet nicht statt.
Im Sinne der Vermeidung von Schäden und Unfällen könnte darauf hingewirkt werden, für sicherheitsrelevante Komponenten Lebensdauern besser abzuschätzen und von der Laufleistung abhängige Sichtprüfungen zu empfehlen.
Komponenten von Fahrrädern werden im Betrieb vorwiegend schwingend beansprucht. Typische Werkstoffe sind Stahl, Aluminiumlegierungen, Messing, CFK und thermoplastische Kunststoffe. Da es sich, unabhängig von der Preiskategorie, um konstruktiven Leichtbau handelt, werden einige Bauteile betriebsfest mehr oder weniger weit oberhalb der Dauerfestigkeit ausgelegt. Die im normalen Betrieb auftretenden Schäden sind daher weit überwiegend Schwingbrüche. Andere Schadensmechanismen wie z.B. Korrosion spielen quantitativ eine untergeordnete Rolle. Schwingbrüche treten nach einer Periode unbemerkten Risswachstums oft ohne Vorwarnung und ohne makroskopische Verformung auf. Im Falle von sicherheitsrelevanten Komponenten wie Rahmen, Gabeln, Lenkern, Sattelstützen, Kurbelarmen oder Pedalen kann dies zu erheblichen Personenschäden führen, die den Wert des ursächlichen Bauteilschadens weit überschreiten.
Über einen langjährigen Zeitraum wurden gebrochene Komponenten aus dem Alltag und aus Gerichtsverfahren analysiert. Das Hauptaugenmerk lag hierbei auf der fraktographischen Analyse, teilweise wurden die zu Grunde liegenden Schadensursachen ermittelt. Einflussfaktoren sind beispielsweise konstruktive Kerben an ungünstigen Stellen, aber auch Werkstoffwahl und Fertigungsqualität spielen eine Rolle. In den meisten Fällen wurde jedoch die konstruktive Lebensdauer überschritten. Diese wird praktisch nie mitgeteilt, und eine wiederkehrende Prüfung sicherheitsrelevanter Bauteile findet nicht statt.
Im Sinne der Vermeidung von Schäden und Unfällen könnte darauf hingewirkt werden, für sicherheitsrelevante Komponenten Lebensdauern besser abzuschätzen und von der Laufleistung abhängige Sichtprüfungen zu empfehlen.
Bei der Untersuchung von Bruchflächen werden zunächst Beobachtungen gemacht, d.h. makroskopische und mikroskopische Merkmale analysiert und in Bildern dokumentiert. Im zweiten Schritt werden anhand der gefundenen Merkmale Rissverlauf und Bruchmechanismen ermittelt. Abschließend sollen diese Ergebnisse in einem Bericht oder Gutachten zusammengefasst werden. Hierbei ist eine skizzenhafte Darstellung der fraktographischen Befunde hilfreich für das Verständnis des Lesers. Ein vorgefertigter fraktographischer Symbolsatz würde dies erheblich vereinfachen.
Skizzen von fraktographischen Befunden sind in der Literatur recht häufig zu finden, z.B. in der VDI 3822 oder dem ASM Handbook Fractography, allerdings gibt es hierzu keine umfassende Systematik, wie sie z.B. aus der Meteorologie (Wetterkarten), Geographie (Landkarten, Seekarten) oder Geologie (Bodenkarten) seit langer Zeit bekannt sind. Deshalb wird hier der Versuch unternommen, einen Symbolsatz zu entwickeln und zur Verfügung zu stellen, mit dessen Hilfe fraktographische Befunde in eindeutiger und übersichtlicher Weise veranschaulicht werden können. Der fraktographische Symbolsatz ("Fracto Graphics") befindet sich in Entwicklung, ist offen zur Diskussion sowie für Verbesserungen.
Die AG Fraktographie im DVM/DGM-Gemeinschaftsgremium „Elektronenmikroskopie in der Materialforschung“ betreibt seit 2013 eine fraktographische online-Datenbank („FractoDB“), die für das interessierte Fachpublikum kostenfrei zur Verfügung steht. Die Analyse und Bewertung von Bruchflächen und der darauf befindlichen Bruchmerkmale ist ein wichtiger Teilaspekt der Schadensanalyse bei der Suche nach Schadensmechanismen und Schadensursachen. Risse und Brüche an realen Bauteilen können nur dann bewertet werden, wenn gut dokumentierte Vergleichsbrüche aus Laborversuchen zur Verfügung stehen, sei es an Proben oder an Vergleichs-Bauteilen. Daher trägt die AG Fraktographie Bildmaterial zusammen, führt systematisch Laborversuche und Ringversuche durch und analysiert Brüche aus Schadensfällen. Die gewonnenen Daten werden zu Datensätzen zusammengestellt und über die Datenbank zugänglich gemacht. Derzeit ist ein Bestand von über 400 Datensätzen mit insgesamt über 4.500 Bildern verfügbar, welcher durchsucht werden kann und in Anlehnung an die VDI 3822 organisiert ist. Weitere Aktivitäten der AG Fraktographie, die in der FractoDB abgebildet werden, sind u.a. die Entwicklung einer fraktographischen Symbolik und die Analyse von Bruchmerkmalen mittels Machine Learning. Über die aktuellen Ergebnisse und Planungen wird berichtet.
Die Fraktographische Online-Datenbank der AG Fraktographie – Entwicklungsstand und weitere Planung
(2023)
Vortrag zum aktuellen Stand der fraktographischen online-Datenbank. Darstellung des AGM/DVM Gemeinschaftsausschusses REM in der Materialforschung und seiner Arbeitsgruppen Fraktographie, EBSD und 2D/3D-Prüfung. Ziele und Inhalte der fraktographischen Datenbank, Aufruf zum Mitmachen. Durchführung von Vergleichsversuchen, Entwicklung einer fraktographischen Symbolik, Ringversuch, Vorhaben iFrakto mit Entwicklung einer KI-gestützten Bruchflächenanalyse.
Molten salt containing systems gain in importance for sustainable energy use and production. For research and development, interactions of molten salts with potential container materials are of major interest. This article introduces preparation procedures to display an intact metal and salt microstructure and their interface using light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The exemplary material combination is the ternary salt mixture NaCl-KCl-MgCl2 and the low alloyed steel 1.4901 (T92) with a maximum service temperature of 550 °C. These are potential elements/materials for use in latent heat thermal energy storages.
The following work deals with the quantitative fracture surface evaluation in damage analysis. So far, fracture surfaces have almost exclusively been evaluated qualitatively, i.e. the presence of fracture features is documented and their surface proportions are estimated, if necessary. Many years of experience are required, as well as an intensive comparison with defined comparative images from the literature. The aim of this work is the development of classifiers which can recognize fracture mechanisms or fracture features in scanning electron microscope images (SEM). The basis is 46 SEM images, which have been evaluated by fractography experts with regard to fracture features. The existing data set of images is expanded using augmentation methods in order to increase the variability of the data and counteract overfitting. Only convolutional neural networks (CNN) are used to create the classifiers. Various network configurations are tested, with the SegNet achieving the best results.
CO2 quality specifications are not only a matter of CO2 purity (i.e. CO2 content).
The “rest” also matters, in particular contents of reactive impurities affecting material corrosion (and rock alteration).
Also chemical reactions in CO2 stream needs to be considered, in particular when combining CO2 streams of different compositions.
Al2O3 coatings are often used as protective layers on steels against electrochemical and high-temperature corrosion because they are chemically inert and stable at elevated temperatures. This study presents preliminary work on the possibilities of using Al2O3 sol-gel coatings for corrosion protection of martensitic stainless steels in geothermal environments. Al2O3 sol-gel coatings were applied on UNS S42000, which is known to be susceptible to uniform and localized corrosion. The coated steel specimens were then tested in two types of artificial geothermal water, which simulate the geothermal fluids found in Sibayak (SBY), Indonesia, and North German Basin (NGB), Germany, respectively. SBY has pH 4 and 1.5 g/L of chloride ions, whereas NGB has a pH of 6 and 166 g/L of chloride ions. All experiments were carried out in autoclaves at 150 °C and 1 MPa under the deaerated condition. Evaluations were performed by investigating the surface profiles of both uncoated and coated steels before and after the corrosion test using a Laser Scanning Microscope (LSM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Finally, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to compare the corrosion resistance of Al2O3 coated steels in SBY and NGB solutions. It was observed from the corrosion test that Al2O3 coatings are more suitable for use in the geothermal water with a higher pH.
This contribution provides current findings regarding materials susceptibility for CCUS applications. Basing on results gathered in 2 German long-term projects (COORAL and CLUSTER) suitable materials are introduced as well as dominating impurities of the CO2 stream and corrosion mechanisms. Investigations cover the whole CCUS process chain and provide the following recommendations for certain parts. Commercially available carbon steels are suitable for compression and pipelines as long as moisture content and impurities are limited (water 50 to 100 ppmv, SO2 and NO2 ca. 100 ppmv).
Corrosion rates increase with increasing water content (0.2 – 20 mm/a).
Condensation of acids and therefore droplet formation is always possible, even at low water contents.
A low SO2 content within the CO2-stream might be more important than a low water content.
Cr13-steels showed a general susceptibility to shallow pitting and pitting. So, they seem to be not suitable for CCUS applications.
Low alloyed steels showed better corrosion behavior (predictable uniform corrosion).
For direct contact with saline aquifer fluids only high alloyed steels shall be used.
This work examined the factors that influence the droplet corrosion of CO2 pipeline steels caused by oxyfuel flue gases in dense phase CO2 at 278 K, simulating the underground transport conditions. The wetting properties were studied by contact angle measurement, revealing pH and time dependency on the reactive wetting behaviors of carbon steel X70. Exposure tests with CO2 saturated water droplet on steel surface showed that the impurities (220 ppmv SO2 and 6700 ppmv O2) diffused into the droplet and then reacted with metal surfaces in dense phase condition, forming the corrosion products. The corrosion rate was confirmed strongly depending on the droplet volume as well as the SO2 concentration. Condensation experiments carried out on freshly polished coupons in CO2 with 200 ppmv H2O, 220 ppmv SO2 and 6700 ppmv O2, showed that the formation and aggregation of droplets is time and temperature dependent. At 278 K, condensation happened stronger and the corrosion products, mainly consisted of dense hydrated FeSO3/FeSO4. While at 288 K, more fluffy corrosion products consisting of iron oxide/hydroxide and hydrated FeSO3/FeSO4 were found. Further exposure tests on carbon steel coupons with different surface roughness did not reveal the difference in weight loss/gain and therefore the corrosion rate.
Study of Polyaniline/Silicon Dioxide based Coating on Carbon Steel in Artificial Geothermal Brine
(2021)
By using the available resources in Indonesia, such as silicon dioxide and marine coating base, the PANI/SiO2 modified alkyd coating was able to protect carbon steel in a deaerated artificial geothermal water. The screening of coatings shows that the modification by adding individual pigment was not sufficient to protect carbon steel even during a short-term exposure, indicated by the discoloration after only seven days of exposure. Electrochemical tests indicated that there was no significant change in the Ecorr between the coated and uncoated carbon steel at room temperature. At 150 °C, the coated carbon steel has a lower potential than that of carbon steel, indicating that the coating is protecting carbon steel cathodically or slowing down the corrosion reaction. Finally, a long-term exposure test confirmed that the PANI/SiO2 modified coating successfully protects the carbon steel in the Sibayak artificial geothermal water up to 150 °C for 6 months.
Commercially available carbon steels are suitable for compression and pipelines as long as moisture content and impurities are limited. (water 50 to 100 ppmv, SO2 and NO2 ca. 100 ppmv) Corrosion rates increase with increasing water content. (0.2 – 20 mm/a) Condensation of acids and therefore droplet formation is always possible, even at low water contents. A low SO2 content within the CO2-stream might be more important than a low water content. Cr13-steels showed a general susceptibility to shallow pitting and pitting. So, they seem to be not suitable for CCUS applications. Low alloyed steels showed better corrosion behavior (predictable uniform corrosion). For direct contact with saline aquifer fluids only high alloyed steels shall be used.
Commercially available carbon steels are suitable for compression and pipelines as long as moisture content and impurities are limited. (water 50 to 100 ppmv, SO2 and NO2 ca. 100 ppmv).
Corrosion rates increase with increasing water content.
(0.2 – 20 mm/a).
Condensation of acids and therefore droplet formation is always possible, even at low water contents.
A low SO2 content within the CO2-stream might be more important than a low water content.
Cr13-steels showed a general susceptibility to shallow pitting and pitting. So, they seem to be not suitable for CCUS applications.
Low alloyed steels showed better corrosion behavior. (predictable uniform corrosion)
For direct contact with saline aquifer fluids only high alloyed steels shall be used.
This contribution provides current findings regarding materials susceptibility for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) applications. Basing on results gathered in 2 German long-term projects (COORAL and CLUSTER) suitable materials are introduced as well as dominating impurities of the CO2-stream and corrosion mechanisms. Investigations cover the whole CCUS process chain and provide material recommendations for certain parts.
To reveal the corrosion resistance of casing steel/mortar interface in CO2 injection condition, sandwich samples were prepared and exposed up to 20 weeks in aquifer fluid under 10 MPa and 60 °C.
Cross section analysis revealed the crevice corrosion as main mechanism instead of pitting corrosion despite very high concentration of Cl in NGB.
EDS element line scan analysis of the 20-week-exposed metal/mortar coupon showed Chloride distribution, which still not reached the metal/mortar interface, explaining no pitting was observed.
It was confirmed that FeCO3 cannot protect the steel surface in CO2 saturated NGB.
To verify the protective possibility of passivation happened on casing steel/mortar interface, simulated pore solution was synthesized and used to passivate the steel for 42 days. OCP and EIS confirmed the formation of passive layer.
The 42 day passivated layer was broken during the first minute of exposure in CO2 saturated NGB.
However, due to high concentration of Ca2+, a new carbonate CaCO3 dense layer was formed, increased the corrosion resistance of steel surface.
Une transition mondiale vers des systèmes énergétiques plus durables, abordables et fiables a été initiée par l’accord de Paris et l’Agenda 2030 des Nations unies pour un développement durable. Il s’agit là d’un défi industriel majeur car les systèmes et infrastructures énergétiques résilients au changement climatique exigent de se positionner pour le long terme. Se pencher sur le comportement dans la durée des matériaux structurels - principalement des métaux et des alliages - s’impose alors comme une nécessité. Dans cette optique, « La corrosion : un défi pour une société durable »présente une série de cas montrant l’importance de la tenue à la corrosion et de la protection anticorrosion des métaux et des alliages pour le développement de systèmes durables, économiques et fiables de production d’énergie.
This contribution provides current findings regarding materials susceptibility for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) applications. Basing on results gathered in 2 German long-term projects (COORAL and CLUSTER) suitable materials are introduced as well as dominating impurities of the CO2-stream and corrosion mechanisms. Investigations cover the whole CCUS process chain and provide material recommendations for certain parts.
Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is a promising technology to reach the target for reduction of CO2 emissions, e.g. from fossil-fuel operated power plants or cement mills. Crucial points for a sustainable and future-proof CCUS procedure are reliability and cost efficiency of the whole process chain, including separation of CO2 from the source, compression of CO2, its subsequent transportation to the injection site and injection into geological formations, e.g. aquifers.
Most components that are in contact with CO2-stream consist of steel. Depending on the operating conditions (e.g. temperature, pressure, and CO2-stream composition) specific suitable steels should be used. The compressed CO2-stream is likely to contain process specific impurities; small amounts of SO2 and NO2 in combination with oxygen and water are most harmful.
One approach, as currently preferred by pipeline operators, is to clean the CO2-stream to such levels, acceptable for carbon steel, commonly used as pipeline material. Another consideration would be, to use more corrosion resistant alloys for CO2-streams with higher amounts of impurities.
Due to the absence of certified benchmarks for upper limits, systematic experiments with impurities in the CO2-stream were carried out reflecting mainly transport and injection conditions.
Within the COORAL project (German acronym for “CO2 purity for capture and storage”) levels of impurities in the CO2-stream, being acceptable when using specific steels, were evaluated. Material exposure to dense or multiphase carbon dioxide (CO2) containing specific amounts of water vapor, oxygen (O2) sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) can be a challenge to steels. In some situations, condensation of impurities and reaction products from the CO2 stream can occur.
CO2 saturated brine is supposed to rise in the well when the injection process is interrupted. The material selection shall ensure that neither CO2 nor brine or a combination of both will leak out of the inner tubing.
This COORAL-work was extended by a follow-up project, called CLUSTER. Here the additional influence of impurities was investigated when merging CO2 streams from different sources, combined within a “so-called” cluster.
Results are summarized within the following table regarding suitability for different parts of the process chain.
Due to the increasing global demand for pure silver, native wire silver aggregates in very high purities are gaining more industrial attention. Up to the present, no substantial metallurgical Investigation of natural wire silver exists in the accessible literature. To convey urgently needed cross-disciplinary fundamental knowledge for geoscientists and metallurgical engineers, twenty natural wire silver specimens from eight different ore deposits have been investigated in detail for the first time by EBSD (Electron Back Scattering Diffraction), supported by light microscopy and micro-probe analyses. The improved understanding of the natural silver wire microstructure provides additional Information regarding the growth of natural silver aggregates in comparison to undesired artificial growth on electronic devices. Clear evidence is provided that natural silver curls and hairs exhibit a polycrystalline face-centered cubic microstructure associated with significant twinning. Although the investigated natural wire silver samples have relatively high purity (Ag > 99.7 wt.-%), they contain a variety of trace elements such as, S, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Co and Bi, As and Sb. Additionally, Vickers micro-hardness measurements are provided for the first time which revealed that natural silver wires and curls are softer than it might be expected from conversion of the general Mohs hardness of 2.7.
On the influence of crystallography on creep of circular notched single crystal superalloy specimens
(2020)
The present work contributes to a better understanding of the effect of stress multiaxiality on the creep behavior of single crystal Ni-base superalloys. For this purpose we studied the creep deformation and rupture behavior of double notched miniature creep tensile specimens loaded in three crystallographic directions [100], [110] and [111] (creep conditions: 950 °C and 400 MPa net section stress). Crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) was used to analyze the creep stress and strain distributions during creep. Double notched specimens have the advantage that when one notch fails, the other is still intact and allows to study a material state which is close to rupture. No notch root cracking was observed, while microstructural damage (pores and micro cracks) were frequently observed in the center of the notch root region. This is in agreement with the FEM results (high axial stress and high hydrostatic stress in the center of the notched specimen). Twinning was observed in the notch regions of [110] and [111] specimens, and <112> {111} twins were detected and analyzed using orientation imaging scanning electron microscopy. The present work shows that high lattice rotations can be detected in SXs after creep fracture, but they are associated with the high strains accumulated in the final rupture event.
T92 steel was oxidized at 650 °C for 1000 h in dry and wet oxyfuel gases. The microstructure of inner oxide layer was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy on thin lamellas of oxide cross-sections. The oxides were composed of fine equiaxed grains and separated into Fe-rich and Cr-rich regions. Fe-rich regions were wustite and iron sulphide while Cr-rich regions consisted of Fe-Cr spinel with different stoichiometries. Precipitates of (W,Mo)-rich oxides were formed within the oxide scale and beneath the oxide/alloy interface. Often iron sulphide and (W,Mo)-rich oxide were surrounded by Cr-rich spinel.
The underlying cause of mechanical anisotropy in additively manufactured (AM) parts is not yet fully understood and has been attributed to several different factors like microstructural defects, residual stresses, melt pool boundaries, crystallographic and morphological textures. To better understand the main contributing factor to the mechanical anisotropy of AM stainless steel 316L, bulk specimens were fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Tensile specimens were machined from these AM bulk materials for three different inclinations: 0◦, 45◦, and 90◦ relative to the build plate. Dynamic Young’s modulus measurements and tensile tests were used to determine the mechanical anisotropy. Some tensile specimens were also subjected to residual stress measurement via neutron diffraction, porosity determination with X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT), and texture analysis with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). These investigations revealed that the specimens exhibited near full density and the detected defects were spherical. Furthermore, the residual stresses in the loading direction were between −74 ± 24 MPa and 137 ± 20 MPa, and the EBSD measurements showed a preferential ⟨110⟩ orientation parallel to the build direction. A crystal plasticity model was used to analyze the elastic anisotropy and the anisotropic yield behavior of the AM specimens, and it was able to capture and predict the experimental behavior accurately. Overall, it was shown that the mechanical anisotropy of the tested specimens was mainly influenced by the crystallographic texture.
Approximant-based orientation determination of quasicrystals using electron backscatter diffraction
(2020)
Orientation mapping of quasicrystalline materials is demonstrated using crystalline approximant structures in the technique of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The approximant-based orientations are symmetrised according to the rotational point group of the quasicrystal, including the visualization of orientation maps using proper colour keys for quasicrystal symmetries. Alternatively, approximant-based orientation data can also be treated using pseudosymmetry post-processing options in the EBSD system software, which enables basic grain size estimations. Approximant-based orientation analyses are demonstrated for icosahedral and decagonal quasicrystals.
To visualize the varying tetragonal distortions in high carbon martensitic steels by EBSD, two different approaches have been applied on backscattered Kikuchi diffraction (BKD) patterns. A band-edge refinement technique called Refined Accuracy (RA) (Oxford Instruments) is compared with a technique called Pattern Matching (PM), which optimizes the fit to a simulated BKD signal. RA distinguishes between hypothetical phases of different fixed 𝑐∕𝑎, while PM determines a best fitting continuous 𝑐∕𝑎 by projective transformation of a master pattern. Both techniques require stored BKD patterns.
The sensitivity of the 𝑐∕𝑎-determination was tested by investigating the microstructure of a ferritic steel with an expected 𝑐∕𝑎 = 1. The influence of the Kikuchi pattern noise on 𝑐∕𝑎 was compared for a single or 40 averaged frames per measuring point, and turned out to be not significant. The application of RA and PM on the martensitic microstructure delivered qualitatively similar maps of 𝑐∕𝑎. The comparison of RA and PM shows that RA is suitably fast and precise during mapping the martensite 𝑐∕𝑎 ratio in analyses of high carbon martensite, especially for fast initial surveys. As RA leads quantitatively to higher noise in 𝑐∕𝑎, the PM analysis can be used for higher precision results.
Development and characterization of starch film and the incorporation of silver nanoparticles
(2020)
Starch is one of the biopolymers being used for bioplastic synthesis. For production, starch can be combined with different plasticizers, starches from different plant sources and even with nanomaterials to improve or to add film properties. The challenge of adding these, e.g. in the form of silver nanoparticles (AgNp) is to determine the concentration so as to avoid impairing the properties of the film, agglomeration or altering the visual characteristics of the film. In this study, a starch film synthesis route and the incorporation of silver nanoparticles has been proposed in order not to alter the properties of the film while maintaining the transparency and a clear colour of the starch film. The results showed that the proposed synthesis route is promising, efficient, reproducible, fast and the film has good mechanical properties.
An investigation of the dislocation substructure and mechanical properties of high-purity niobium single crystals with different initial crystal orientations deformed in tension at strain rates of 10^{-4} to 10^3 s^{-1} is presented. Specimens were cut from a large grain niobium disk used for the manufacturing of SRF cavities. Different crystallographic tensile directions exhibited significantly different softening and hardening behaviors and elongation at fracture. Such anisotropy is reduced at high strain rates. Also, different dislocation substructures were observed with TEM at low and high strain rates. At low strain rates, dislocation cells with a high density of long dislocations were observed. At high strain rates, homogeneously distributed dislocations with a higher dislocation dipole density were observed. The relationship between the differences in dislocation substructures and mechanical properties at low and high strain rates and the potential effects on the superconducting properties are discussed.
The sliding behavior of an amorphous silica sample between two rigid surfaces is in the focus of the present paper. Molecular Dynamics using a classical Tersoff’s potential and a recently developed ReaxFF potential was applied for simulating sliding within a thin film corresponding to a tribofilm formed from silica nanoparticles. The simulations were performed at different temperatures corresponding to moderate and severe tribological stressing conditions. Simulations with both potentials revealed the need of considering different temperatures in order to obtain a sound interpretation of experimental findings. The results show the striking differences between the two potentials not only in terms of magnitude of the resistance stress (about one order of magnitude) but also in terms of friction mechanisms. The expected smooth sliding regime under high temperature conditions was predicted by both simulations, although with Tersoff’s potential smooth sliding was obtained only at the highest temperature. On the other hand, at room temperature Tersoff-style calculations demonstrate stick-slip behavior, which corresponds qualitatively with our experimental findings. Nevertheless, comparison with a macroscopic coefficient of friction is not possible because simulated resistance stresses do not depend on the applied normal pressure.
Morphology and structure of TixOy nanoparticles generated by femtosecond laser ablation in water
(2018)
In this work femto-second pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) procedure for the generation of titanium oxide nanoparticles (NP) is reported with the purpose of understanding morphology and structure of the newly generated NPs. Ablation duration was varied for optimization of NP generation processes between 10 and 90 min. Surface morphology of NPs as well as their size and shape (distribution) were analysed by various complementary electron microscopy techniques, i.e. SEM, TSEM and TEM. The crystalline structure of titanium oxide particles was investigated byXRD(two instruments operated in different geometries) and HR-TEM. Concentration of generated titanium oxide NPs in liquid was analysed by ICP-MS. A mix of crystalline (mainly anatase), partly crystalline and amorphous spherical titanium oxide NPs can be reported having a mean size between 10 and 20 nm, which is rather independent of the laser ablation (LA) duration. A second component consisting of irregularly shaped, but crystalline titanium oxide nanostructures is co-generated in the LA water, with more pronounced occurrence at longer LA times. The provenance of this component is assigned to those spherical particles generated in suspension and passing through the converging laser beam, being hence subject to secondary irradiation effects, e. g. fragmentation.
A femto-second pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) procedure for the generation of titanium oxide nanoparticles (NP) is reported with the purpose of understanding morphology and structure of the newly generated NPs. Ablation duration was varied for optimization of NP generation processes between 10 and 90 min. Surface morphology of NPs as well as their size and shape (distribution) were analysed by various complementary electron microscopy techniques, i.e. SEM, TSEM and TEM. The crystalline structure of titanium oxide particles was investigated by XRD(two instruments operated in different geometries) and HR-TEM. Concentration of generated titanium oxide NPs in liquid was analysed by ICP-MS. A mix of crystalline (mainly anatase), partly crystalline and amorphous spherical titanium oxide NPs can be reported having a mean size between 10 and 20 nm, which is rather independent of the laser ablation (LA) duration. A second component consisting of irregularly shaped, but crystalline titanium oxide nanostructures is co-generated in the LA water, with more pronounced occurrence at longer LA times. The provenance of this component is assigned to those spherical particles generated in suspension and passing through the converging laser beam, being hence subject to secondary irradiation effects, e. g. fragmentation.
Fatigue failure of a component can occur at service loads considerably lower than the yield strength of the material. Under fatigue loading condition, the material in the vicinity of the tip of a propagating crack repeatedly deforms plastically, leaving microscopic marks on the crack surface, commonly known as fatigue striations. Counting and measuring fatigue striations is a method in estimating the number of loading cycles a component went through until fracture. Some studies suggest a one-to-one relation between the number of fatigue striations and the number of load cycles, but this relation is still debatable, given that there are many factors influencing the formation of those striations. The main purpose of this work is to analyze the influence of microstructure and mechanical strength on the formation of fatigue striations in structural steels, in order to understand how these material properties are related to the fatigue crack behavior. For such, standard Charpy-V samples were subjected to hardness, fatigue and impact testing. Metallography was performed to characterize the microstructure, and a fractographic analysis by using optical and scanning electron microscopy was carried out to investigate the fracture surface. This study shows that steels with higher ductility have a closer one-to-one relation than those with a higher tensile strength. Above a certain level of tensile strength, fatigue striations do form rarely or completely disappear.
Shear testing can contribute to a better understanding of the plastic deformation of Ni-base superalloy single crystals. In the present study, shear testing is discussed with special emphasis placed on its strengths and weaknesses. Key mechanical and microstructural results which were obtained for the high-temperature (T ≈ 1000 °C) and low-stress (τ ≈ 200 MPa) creep regime are briefly reviewed. New 3D stereo STEM images of dislocation substructures which form during shear creep deformation in this regime are presented. It is then shown which new aspects need to be considered when performing double shear creep testing at lower temperatures (T < 800 °C) and higher stresses (τ > 600 MPa). In this creep regime, the macroscopic crystallographic [11−2](111) shear system deforms significantly faster than the [01−1](111) system. This represents direct mechanical evidence for a new planar fault nucleation scenario, which was recently suggested (Wu et al. in Acta Mater 144:642–655, 2018). The double shear creep specimen geometry inspired a micro-mechanical in-situ shear test specimen. Moreover, the in-situ SEM shear specimen can be FIB micro-machined from prior dendritic and interdendritic regions. Dendritic regions, which have a lower γ′ volume fraction, show a lower critical resolved shear stress.
To increase efficiency, modern steam plants are pushing their operational regime from super-critical (600 °C/300 bar) to ultra-super-critical (740/760 °C/350 bar) stretching existing turbine materials to their limits. The focus is on new generation functional materials and technologies which complement the inherent properties of existing materials.
Current work proposes a novel High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) Deposition technology, for the first time, for deposition of a ceramic based CrN/NbN coating with a nanoscale multilayer structure (bi-layer thickness Δ = 1.9 nm) with superior adhesion (LC2 = 80 N) to protect low Chromium P92 steel widely used in steam power plants. Thermodynamic calculations predict the equilibrium phases and aggressive gaseous compounds generated by the interaction of steam with the coating. CrN/NbN coated P92 steel samples oxidised at 600 °C in a high pressure (50 bar) 100% steam atmosphere for up to 1000 h reveal the coating's superior oxidation resistance and protective mechanisms, especially against the detrimental effect of Hydrogen. High temperature (650 °C) Tensile Strength, Low Cycle Fatigue and Creep tests confirm that, unlike other state-of-the-art PVD technologies, HIPIMS is not detrimental to the mechanical properties of the substrate material. Water droplet erosion tests confirm no measurable weight loss after 2.4 X 10⁶ impacts.
Kirkendall porosity that forms during interdiffusion in a diffusion couple of nickel-base superalloy CMSX-10 with pure nickel is investigated. The diffusion experiments are conducted at a temperature of 1250 °C, where the strengthening ƴ'-phase ist partially dissolved. The porosity is studied by X-ray sub-μ tomography with a spatial resolution of about 0.35³ μm³ at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. It is found that depending on the distance from the interface the Kirkendall pores take different shapes: octahedral, rounded pyramidal, drop shaped, dendritic, pear shaped, and joint shapes. Such a variety of pore morphologies indicates a complex multistage process of porosity nucleation and growth under vacancy supersaturation of different degrees. The experimental findings are interpreted on the basis of the results of diffusion modeling. It is shown that the kinetics of porosity growth is essentially influenced by the dissolution of the ƴ'-phase.
Interdiffusion in the Face-Centered Cubic Phase of the Co-Al-W-Ta System Between 1090 and 1240 °C
(2018)
Interdiffusion of Al, W, Ta and Co in a Co-base alloy at temperatures between 1090 and 1240 °C has been investigated. The interdiffusion coefficients were found to be close to those reported for these elements in Ni-base alloys. Combining the diffusion simulation software DICTRA with the Ni-base diffusion databases TCNi5 and MobNi3, the interdiffusion profiles of Co, Al W, and Ta were modeled for Co9Al8W2Ta/Co diffusion couples annealed at different temperatures and for different times. The results show that interdiffusion in the Co-Al-W-Ta alloys can be modeled reasonably well using the available commercial databases for thermodynamics and kinetics of Ni-base systems.
An analytical model for forecasting the temperature dependence of γ/γ' misfit in heat-resistant nickel alloys is proposed. The model accounts for the concentration dependences of the periods of crystalline lattices of the γ and γ' phases (Vegard law), thermal expansion of the γ and γ' lattices, and dissolution of the γ' phase at high temperatures. Adequacy of calculations of misfit is confirmed by comparison with the results of measurements using methods of X-ray and neutron diffraction. The model is applied for development of a nickel alloy with positive misfit.
The alloying system Co-Al-W-Ta is comprehensively investigated in the vicinity of the compositional point Co-9Al-10W-2Ta, at. pct. These investigations provided a large amount of quantitative information, which can be used for alloy development, namely, the compositional dependences of the The alloying system Co-Al-W-Ta is comprehensively investigated in the vicinity of the compositional point Co-9Al-10W-2Ta, at. pct. These investigations provided a large amount of quantitative information, which can be used for alloy development, namely, the compositional dependences of the γ‘-solvus, solidus, and liquidus temperatures; fraction of the extrinsic phases after casting; the compositional dependence of the γ/γ‘-lattice misfit; the element partitioning between γ- and γ‘-phases; and the two Phase compositional area γ/γ‘ in the Co-rich part of the Co-Al-W-Ta phase diagram at 900°C. It is shown that additions of Ta elevate the γ‘-solvus temperature and increase the γ/γ‘-lattice misfit, but adding more than about 3 at. pct Ta results in a large amount of undissolvable extrinsic phases. Additionally, two Co-Al-W-Ta alloys with lower content of W were developed and solidified as [001] single crystals for mechanical testing in a temperature range between 20 and 1200°C. These tests included measurement of the Young modulus, tensile tests with constant strain rate, and stress rupture tests. It was found that at temperatures up to about 750°C the ultimate tensile strength of Co-Al-Ta-W alloys can be at the same level or even higher than of Ni-based superalloys.
The morphology of pores partially shrunk during a half-hour HIP at temperature of 1288 °C and pressure of 103 MPa has been investigated in nickel-based superalloy CMSX-4. The investigation resulted in the following findings: surrounding the shrinking pores by a c¢-shell (Ni3Al), faceting of the pores surface by {023} and {011} planes, and formation the submicroscopic satellite pores connected by channels with the neighboring larger pores. It is assumed that the formation of the c¢-shell around the pores and the faceting of the pore surface is due to diffusion processes occurring during pore shrinkage, and therefore these findings can be considered as arguments supporting the vacancy model of pore annihilation. The submicroscopic satellite pores are expected to be the result of dividing the casting pores of a complex initial shape during their shrinking. The connecting channels are probably required for the gas to escape from the rapidly shrinking small satellite pores into the slowly shrinking large pore. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the casting pores may contain some amount of gas.
An overview of the BAM funed Focus Area Materials Project "AGIL" will be presented. AGIL focussed on the stdiy of the ageing characteristics of additively manufactured austenitic stainless steel with a "powder to mechanical failure" Approach. Recent Highlights are presented and a perspective for future studies.
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing process for materials which inherently tends to yield various degrees of metastable hierarchical microstructures, defects and high residual stresses in the as-built condition depending on the process parameters. The understanding of the evolution of these typical features during heat treatment and subsequent thermal and mechanical ageing is crucial for the wider acceptance for safety critical structures. A multi-disciplinary research project at BAM studying the development of the microstructure, defects, residual stresses typical of LPBF 316L and their evolution during thermal and mechanical ageing has led to insights into the stability of these inherent features. This presentation aims to give a broad overview of the project with a few specific cases of investigation. Firstly, the formation of residual stresses, the nature of the initial microstructure, the tensile properties and a modelling approach to understand the anisotropy will be presented. This will be followed by examples of studies of their evolution during heat treatment, long term thermal exposure, and room temperature and high temperature mechanical testing compared to a baseline of conventional wrought variant of the same alloy.
Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) are characterized by layer wise construction, which enable advancements of component design, with associated potential gains in performance and efficiency. However, high magnitude residual stresses (RS) are often a product of the rapid thermal cycles typical of the layerwise process. Therefore, a deep understanding of the formation of RS, the influence of process parameters on their magnitude and the impact on mechanical performance is crucial for widespread application. The experimental characterisation of these RS is essential for safety related engineering application and supports the development of reliable numerical models. Diffraction-based methods for RS analysis using neutrons and high energy X-rays enable non-destructive spatially resolved characterisation of both surface and bulk residual stresses in complex components. This presentation will provide an overview of recent research by the BAM at large scale facilities for the characterization of residual stresses in LPBF metallic alloys as a function of process parameters. In addition, the challenges posed by the textured and hierarchical microstructures of LPBF materials on diffraction-based RS analysis in AM materials will be discussed. This will include the question of the d0 reference lattice spacing and the appropriate choice of the diffraction elastic constants (DECs) to calculate the level of RS in LPBF manufactured alloys.
Entwicklung der Mikrostruktur der mechanischen Eigenschaften und der Eigenspannungen in L-PBF 316L
(2022)
Die additive Fertigung (AM) metallischer Werkstoffe mittels Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) ermöglicht einzigartige hierarchische Mikrostrukturen, die zu Verbesserungen bestimmter mechanischer Eigenschaften gegenüber konventionell hergestellten Varianten derselben Legierung führen können. Allerdings ist das L-PBF-Verfahren häufig durch das Vorhandensein hoher Eigenspannungen gekennzeichnet, die es zu verstehen und zu mindern gilt. Daher ist das Verständnis der Mikrostrukturen, der Eigenspannungen und der daraus resultierenden mechanischen Eigenschaften entscheidend für eine breite Akzeptanz bei sicherheitskritischen Anwendungen. Die BAM hat ein multidisziplinäres Forschungsprogramm gestartet, um diese Aspekte bei LPBF 316L zu untersuchen. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt einige der wichtigsten Ergebnisse vor: der Einfluss von Prozessparametern auf die Mikrostruktur, der Einfluss von Mikrostruktur und Textur auf die Festigkeit, Kriechverhalten und Schädigung und die Stabilität von Eigenspannungen und Mikrostruktur unter Wärmebehandlungsbedingungen.
Sulfur and water have a fundamental impact on the corrosion rate and potential failure of materials. It is therefore necessary to understand the mechanisms, rates, and potential means of transport, as well as the reactions of these elements with an alloy. This work investigates the effect of water vapor in the initial stages of SO2 corrosion of an ferritic model alloy containing 9 wt% Cr and 0.5 wt% Mn.
The exposure experiments were studied at 650°C in situ under laboratory conditions using energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction analysis. Two separate experiments were run, one with a 99.5% Ar + 0.5% SO2 atmosphere and one with a 69.5% Ar + 0.5% SO2 + 30% H2O atmosphere. With a wet atmosphere, the alloy formed a scale with decreasing oxygen content towards the scale–alloy interface. Sulfides were identified above and below a (Fe, Cr)3O4 layer in the inner corrosion zone. In contrast to this, the overall scale growth was slower in a dry SO2 atmosphere.
Chromia forming high alloyed ferritic-austenitic steels are being used as boiler tube materials in biomass and coal-biomass co-fired power plants. Despite thermodynamic and kinetic boundary conditions, microstructural features such as grain orientation, grain sizes or surface deformation contribute to the oxidation resistance and formation of protective chromium-rich oxide layers. This study elucidates the impact of microstructure such as the grain size and number of carbide precipitates on high temperature oxidation at 650°C in 0.5% SO2 atmosphere. Cold-rolled Fe-16Cr-0.2C material was heat-treated to obtain two additional microstructures. After exposure to hot and reactive gases for 10 h < t < 1000 h layer thicknesses and microstructure of oxide scales are observed by scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The two heat treated alloys showed reasonable oxidation resistance after 1000 h of exposure. The oxidation rate was substantially higher for the alloy with a duplex matrix after heat treatment compared to the fine-grained material.
The fundamental impact of sulfur and water on corrosion rates and potential failure of the exposed material is well known. However, the access to the related corrosion mechanism causing material degradation is often a problem to solve. This study investigates the effect of SO2 and water vapor in the initial stages of corrosion of an Fe9Cr0.5Mn model alloy at 650 °C in situ. The analysis was carried out under laboratory conditions using energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD).
Real-time observation of high- temperature gas corrosion in dry and wet SO2-containing atmosphere
(2019)
Sulfur and water have a fundamental impact on the corrosion rate and potential failure of materials. It is therefore necessary to understand the mechanisms, rates, and potential means of transport, as well as the reactions of these elements with an alloy. This paper investigates the effect of water vapor in the initial stages of SO2 corrosion of an Fe-9Cr-0.5Mn model alloy at 650°C in situ under laboratory conditions using energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction analysis. Two separate experiments were run, one with a 99.5% Ar + 0.5% SO2 atmosphere and one with a 69.5% Ar + 0.5% SO2 + 30% H2O atmosphere. With a wet atmosphere, the alloy formed a scale with decreasing oxygen content towards the scale–alloy interface. Sulfides were identified above and below a (Fe, Cr)3O4 layer in the inner corrosion zone. In contrast to this, the overall scale growth was slower in a dry SO2 atmosphere.
The impact of the microstructure of Fe-16Cr-0.2C on high-temperature oxidation – sulphidation in SO2
(2021)
This study elucidates the impact of the microstructure of Fe-16Cr-0.2C on oxide layer formation at 650 ◦C in Ar-0.5 % SO2. A cold-rolled and two heat-treated states of the alloy were exposed for up to 1000 h. The samples were characterised in detail from microstructural and chemical perspectives using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The microstructural modification of the alloy by heat-treatment was advantageous. It was found that Cr-carbides support chromia formation and reduce sulphidation when their area fraction is low and diameter is small.
For the first time, structure−electrochemical relationships of thin films of a plasma-polymerized acrylic acid/carbon dioxide AA/CO2 (75/25%) copolymer modified by implanted silver nanoparticles are discussed. The pulsed plasma polymerization of AA/CO2 was utilized and adjusted to obtain a maximal amount of COOH Groups forming an almost uncross-linked polymer structure. The prepared polymer layer is rinsed by a silver nitrate solution to impregnate Ag+ ions. This step is followed by its reduction of Ag+ with NaBH4 as a chemical route in comparison to the reduction by sunlight as an ecofriendly photoreduction method. The chemical composition and morphology of the topmost surface layer of the AA/CO2 polymer thin film were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Moreover, the molecular mobility, conductivity, and thermal stability of the polymer layer were analyzed using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of the AA/
CO2 polymer thin film were studied in the presence of Ag+ ions or Ag0. It was found that a cross-linked polymer layer with a smooth surface and high conductivity was obtained in the presence of Ag+/ Ag0.
Unlike conventional alloys, high entropy alloys are characterized by one or more solid solution phase(s) without a clearly defined solvent, all element contribute to the matrix in a way that is still not entirely understood. In addition, it is not known to what extent classic thermodynamic rules can be applied to these multi-element alloys, especially concerning the question about what factor incites the matrix to undergo a phase transformation.
This work tackles directly some of these aspects on a chosen alloy, Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33 (at.%), which presents a high temperature single-phase γ state and a two-phase state with γ′ precipitates, above and below 900 ◦C, respectively. A combined investigation via microstructural observations, hardness testing, X-ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopy was carried out above the γ′ formation temperature. Hardness values are independent of the annealing temperatures, microstructural analysis shows no phase formation and X-ray absorption spectroscopy does not reveal observable changes in neither local atomic nor electronic structure, indicating that approaching γ′ formation temperature is not influenced by atomic or electronic rearrangements.
Interestingly, short-range chemical order remains quantitatively compatible at any annealing temperature in the single-phase γ state, and the observed preferred pairs Al–Cu and Al–Ni in the γ state match with the γ’ precipitates composition below 900 ◦C.
A systematic study on a face‐centered cubic‐based compositionally complex alloy system Al–Co–Cr–Cu–Fe–Ni in its single‐phase state is carried out, where a mother senary compound Al₈Co₁₇Cr₁₇Cu₈Fe₁₇Ni₃₃ and five of its suballoys, obtained by removing one element at a time, are investigated and exhaustively analyzed determining the contribution of each alloying element in the solid solution. The senary and the quinaries are compared using experimental techniques including X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and first principles hybrid Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics simulations. Chemical short‐range order and bond length distances have been determined both at the experimental and computational level. Electronic structure and local atomic distortions up to 5.2 Å have been correlated to the microhardness values. A linear regression model connecting hardness with local lattice distortions is presented.
Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) conducted on an equiatomic MoNbTaW bcc medium-entropy alloy that was annealed at 2273 K reveals unexpectedly small 1st and 2nd shell element-specific lattice distortions. An experimental size-mismatch parameter, δexp, is determined to be ca. 50% lower than the corresponding calculated value. Around W, short-range order (SRO) preferring 4d elements in the 1st and 2nd shells persists. A Nb-W ordering is found, which is reminiscent of ordering emerging at lower temperatures in the B2(Mo,W;Ta,Nb)- and B32(Nb,W)-phases. With high-temperature ordering preferences in fcc also foreshadowing low-temperature phase, these findings suggest a general feature of high-temperature SRO.
This work presents an X-ray absorption spectroscopy study on a single-phase state of the Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33 compositionally complex alloy, focused on the local crystal structure around each alloying element. The comparison of 1st shell bond lengths, obtained by the analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measured at the K-edges of each alloying element, indicates that Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33 crystallizes in a distorted arrangement of an fcc lattice. A modest bond length dependence of the alloying elements with increasing atomic number is observed, with minima and maxima at Cr/Co, and Al/Cu, respectively. 1st shell bond lengths spread over ~0.03 Å; consequently, such variations cannot result in lattice distortions greater than ~0.04 Å. EXAFS results clearly indicate short-range order in the alloy: pairing of Al with Ni and Cu is favored, correlating well with a g’ precipitate composition (Al-Ni-Cu rich) reported in previous work, while Al-Cr bonding is unfavored and no Al-Al pairs are observed. Electronic structure information was obtained through comparison between near-edge regions of alloying Elements and corresponding pure metals. Intensity comparison of K-edge features agree with a charge variation of p states in Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33, where Ni and Cu act as p states electron acceptors, suggesting an orbital hybridization with Al, responsible for a shrinkage in Al metallic radius in the alloy by 0.17 Å.
In this work we instigated the fragmentation of Au microparticles supported on a thin amorphous carbon film by irradiating them with a gradually convergent electron beam inside the Transmission Electron Microscope. This phenomenon has been generically labeled as ‘‘electron beam-induced fragmentation’’ or EBIF and its physical origin remains contested. On the one hand, EBIF has been primarily characterized as a consequence of beam-induced heating. On the other, EBIF has been attributed to beam-induced charging eventually leading to Coulomb explosion. To test the feasibility of the charging framework for EBIF, we instigated the fragmentation of Au particles under two different experimental conditions. First, with the magnetic objective lens of the microscope operating at full capacity, i.e. background magnetic field 𝐵 = 2 T, and with the magnetic objective lens switched off (Lorenz mode), i.e. 𝐵 = 0 T. We observe that the presence or absence of the magnetic field noticeably affects the critical current density at which EBIF occurs. This strongly suggests that magnetic field effects play a crucial role in instigating EBIF on the microparticles. The dependence of the value of the critical current density on the absence or presence of an ambient magnetic field cannot be accounted for by the beam-induced heating model. Consequently, this work presents robust experimental evidence suggesting that Coulomb explosion driven by electrostatic charging is the root cause of EBIF.
In this work we instigated the fragmentation of Au microparticles supported on a thin amorphous carbon film by irradiating them with a gradually convergent electron beam inside the Transmission Electron Microscope. This phenomenon has been generically labeled as “electron beam-induced fragmentation” or EBIF and its physical origin remains contested. On the one hand, EBIF has been primarily characterized as a consequence of beam-induced heating. On the other, EBIF has been attributed to beam-induced charging eventually leading to Coulomb explosion. To test the feasibility of the charging framework for EBIF, we instigated the fragmentation of Au particles under two different experimental conditions. First, with the magnetic objective lens of the microscope operating at full capacity, i.e. background magnetic field B = 2 T, and with the magnetic objective lens switched off (Lorenz mode), i.e. B = 0 T. We observe that the presence or absence of the magnetic field noticeably affects the critical current density at which EBIF occurs. This strongly suggests that magnetic field effects play a crucial role in instigating EBIF on the microparticles. The dependence of the value of the critical current density on the absence or presence of an ambient magnetic field cannot be accounted for by the beam-induced heating model. Consequently, this work presents robust experimental evidence suggesting that Coulomb explosion driven by electrostatic charging is the root cause of EBIF.
Inconel 718 (IN718) is a traditional age-hardenable nickel-based alloy that has been increasingly processed by additive manufacturing (AM) in recent years. In the as-solidified condition, IN718 exhibits chemical segregation and the undesired Laves phase, requiring a solution annealing (SA) prior to aging. The material produced by AM does not respond to the established thermal routines in the same way as conventionally produced IN718, and there is still no consensus on which routine yields optimal results. This work aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the heat treatment (HT) response by continuously monitoring the microstructural evolution during SA via time-resolved synchrotron x-ray diffraction, complemented by ex-situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples were produced by laser powder bed fusion to a geometry of 10x20x90 mm³, from which Ø1x5 mm³ cylindric specimens were extracted. Two different scanning strategies – incremental 67° rotations, Rot, and alternating 0°/67° tracks, Alt – were used, leading to two different as-built conditions. 1-hour SAs were carried out in the beamline ID22 of the ESRF at 50 KeV. Two SA temperatures, SA1 = 1020 °C, and SA2 = 1080 °C were tested for each scanning strategy. Data were processed using the software PDIndexer. In the as-built state, all samples showed typical subgrain columnar cell structures with predominant Nb/Mo segregation and Laves phase at the cell walls, as seen by SEM. The Alt scan induced higher intensity on the Laves peaks than the Rot scan, suggesting a greater content of Laves. Chemical homogenization in the SA was largely achieved during the heating ramp (Fig. 1). SA2 eliminated the Laves peaks just before reaching 1080 °C, and mitigated differences between Rot and Alt samples. On the other hand, SA1 induced the precipitation of the generally detrimental δ phase, also observed by SEM. Furthermore, the Rot scan showed higher δ peak intensities than the Alt scan, indicating a higher content of δ in the latter. No signs of recrystallization were observed in any of the investigated SAs.
The determination of residual stresses becomes more complicated with increasing complexity of the structures investigated. Additive manufacturing techniques generally allow the production of ‘lattice structures’ without any additional manufacturing step. These lattice structures consist of thin struts and are thus susceptible to internal stress-induced distortion and even cracks. In most cases, internal stresses remain locked in the structures as residual stress.
The determination of the residual stress in lattice structures through nondestructive neutron diffraction is described in this work. It is shown how two difficulties can be overcome: (a) the correct alignment of the lattice structures within the neutron beam and (b) the correct determination of the residual stress field in a representative part of the structure. The magnitude and the direction of residual stress are discussed. The residual stress in the strut was found to be uniaxial and to follow the orientation of the strut, while the residual stress in the knots was more hydrostatic. Additionally, it is shown that strain measurements in at least seven independent directions are necessary for the estimation of the principal stress directions. The measurement directions should be chosen according to the sample geometry and an informed choice on the possible strain field. If the most prominent direction is not measured, the error in the calculated stress magnitude increases considerably.
The main deference between high entropy alloys and conventional alloys is the solid solution strengthening effect, which moves from a single element to a multi-element matrix. Little is known about the effectiveness of this effect at high temperatures. Investigation of temperature dependent solid solution strengthening in single phase multicomponent alloys with medium and high entropy using creep testing was performed. Creep tests carried out on single phase SX CrCoNi , CrMnFeCoNi and pure Ni from 700 to 1200 °C excluding oxidation, grain boundaries and multiphase effects. It was found that the influence of solid solution strengthening of CrCoNi and CrMnFeCoNi increases by decreasing temperature (1200 to 700 °C), and dislocation forests occur in CrCoNi and CrMnFeCoNi in comparison to pure Ni.
Compared to mechanisms like solid solution strengthening, the stacking fault energy (SFE) should be considered as a further factor that influences the material properties. The effect of SFE of alloys or individual elements on strength and resistance can vary considerably. In the high-temperature regime above 700 ◦C, there are still significant gaps in the knowledge about the effect of the SFE on the mechanical properties of single-phase alloys. The effect of SFE on creep resistance of two face-entered cubic equiatomic medium and high entropy alloys, CrCoNi and CrMnFeCoNi, respectively, is evaluated to fill parts of these gaps. Using the Bridgman solidification process, the alloys were produced as single crystals and crept under vacuum at 700 ◦C up to 1100 ◦C. This work shows a significant impact of the lower SFE of CrCoNi on the creep behavior compared to the results of previous investigations of CrMnFeCoNi. The creep resistance of the former is higher over the complete temperature range. At very high temperatures, the strengthening effect of the stacking faults is significantly present. The formation of tetragonal stacking faults and extended dislocation nodes can be identified as the reason for this effect.
The main difference between high entropy alloys and conventional alloys is the solid solution strengthening effect, which shifts from a single element to a multi-element matrix. Little is known about the effectiveness of this effect at high temperatures. Face-centered cubic, equiatomic, and single crystalline high entropy alloy CrMnFeCoNi was pre-alloyed by arc-melting and cast as a single Crystal using the Bridgman process. Mechanical characterization by creep testing were performed at temperatures of 700, 980, 1100, and 1200°C at different loads under vacuum and compared to single-crystalline pure nickel. The results allow a direct assessment of the influence of the chemical composition without any disturbance by grain boundary sliding or diffusion. The results indicate different behaviors of single crystalline pure nickel and CrMnFeCoNi. At 700°C CrMnFeCoNi is more creep-resistant than Ni, but at 980°C both alloys show a nearly similar creep strength. Above 980°C the creep behavior is identical and the solid solution strengthening effect of the CrMnFeCoNi alloy disappears.
Understanding the interaction between boehmite and epoxy and the formation of their interphases with different mechanical and chemical structures is crucial to predict and optimize the properties of epoxy-boehmite nanocomposites. Probing the interfacial properties with atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methods, especially particle-matrix long-range interactions, is challenging. This is due to size limitations of various analytical methods in resolving nanoparticles and their interphases, the overlap of interphases, and the effect of buried particles that prevent the accurate interphase property measurement. Here, we develop a layered model system in which the epoxy is cured in contact with a thin layer of hydrothermally synthesized boehmite. Different microscopy methods are employed to evaluate the interfacial properties. With intermodulation atomic force microscopy (ImAFM) and amplitude dependence force spectroscopy (ADFS), which contain information about stiffness, electrostatic, and van der Waals forces, a soft interphase was detected between the epoxy and boehmite. Surface potential maps obtained by scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) revealed another interphase about one order of magnitude larger than the mechanical interphase. The AFM-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) technique reveals that the soft interphase consists of unreacted curing agent. The long-range electrical interphase is attributed to the chemical alteration of the bulk epoxy and the formation of new absorption bands.
Since the TEM has the capacity to observe the atomic structure of materials, in-situ TEM synthesis methods are uniquely suited to advance our fundamental understanding of the bottom-up dynamics that drive the formation of nanostructures. E-beam induced fragmentation (potentially identified as a manifestation of Coulomb explosion) and electron stimulated desorption (ESD) are phenomena that have received attention because they trigger chemical and physical reactions that can lead to the production of various nanostructures. Here we report a simple TEM protocol implemented on WO2.9 microparticles supported on thin amorphous carbon substrates. The method produces various nanostructures such as WC nanoparticles, WC supported films and others. Nevertheless, we focus on the gradual graphitization and gasification of the C substrate as it interacts with the material expelled from the WO2.9 microparticles. The progressive gasification transforms the substrate from amorphous C down to hybrid graphitic nanoribbons incorporating W nanoparticles. We think these observations open interesting possibilities for the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials in the TEM.
Due to its matrix/γ′ structure, the compositionally complex alloy (CCA) Al10Co25Cr8Fe15Ni36Ti6 has excellent properties that fulfill the requirements for a high-temperature material. This base alloy is alloyed with small amounts of high melting elements to a further improvement of its properties, which results in different shapes, fractions and sizes of the two phases γ′ and Heusler after various homogenization and annealing steps. By correlating this microstructure with time independent and dependent mechanical properties, conclusions can be drawn about the effects of the individual phases. The needle-shaped Heusler-phase leads to bad mechanical behavior if its phase fraction is too high. A fraction below 3 vol% is not critical in tensile tests, but it reduces the creep resistance compared to a purely two-phase matrix/γ′-alloy. Sharp-edged cubic γ′-particles and a coarse Heusler-phase without sharp edges in case of the base alloy with 0.5 at.% hafnium lead to the best tensile and creep properties in the high temperature range. At 750 °C, the Hf-containing alloy clearly outperforms two commercially used alloys in the targeted area of application when it comes to creep resistance.
Fatigue tests were performed on the forged aluminum alloy EN AW-2618A in the T61 state. Different stress ratios (R = -1, R = 0.1) were selected to study the influence of mean stress on fatigue life. Two overaged states (10 h/230 ◦C, 1000 h/230 ◦C) were also tested to investigate the influence of overaging on fatigue life. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the precipitates (S-phase), which are mainly responsible for the strength of the alloy. A fractographic analysis was also performed to determine the failure mode. Overaging reduces the fatigue life compared to the T61 state. The longer the aging time, the lower the fatigue resistance. The reason is the decrease in (yield) strength, which correlates with the radius of the S-phase: the precipitate radius increases by a factor of approximately two for the overaged states compared to the initial state. The analysis of the fracture surfaces showed crack initiation occurs predominantly on the outer surface and is
associated with the primary phases.
Die Abbildung von Bruchflächen im REM liefert hochaufgelöste Bilddaten, die für die mikrofraktografische Bewertung von Bruchmechanismen unerlässlich sind. Durch den Abbildungsprozess im REM gehen räumliche Informationen im Normalfall größtenteils verloren. Mit der Verwendung eines segmentierten Rückstreudetektors ist dagegen die Erzeugung eines 3D-Oberflächenmodells während der Bildaufnahme praktisch in Echtzeit möglich. Die hier beschriebene Untersuchung soll die Anwendbarkeit des Verfahrens auf Bruchflächen zeigen. Zukünftig können Topografiedaten dazu beitragen, Bruchflächen besser zu interpretieren.
The aim of a fractographic investigation is the evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic fracture surface characteristics and, as a result, the determination of the fracture mechanism of a component from a failure case. The basis for such evaluations of fracture characteristics comes from actual comparative mechanical testing and from the literature. A fractographic analysis can be very complex and, in any case, requires considerable experience.
Machine learning methods enables the quantitative determination of fracture characteristics and fracture mechanisms utilizing digitized expert knowledge [1]. Although the application of SE images provides promising results, additional information is required to obtain reliable solutions. As expected, BSE and 3D information helps to improve the classification (Fig. 1). But only a fast, widely integrated, and automated topography measurement can provide the required amount of referenced surface data for the application of machine learning methods.
To fulfil these requirements, topographical data are obtained from a BSE detector with four symmetric segments (4Q-BSE) using shape-from-shading technology [2]. Surface height calculation is performed live during image acquisition and provides immediate feedback in three dimensions. All available signals (SE, BSE and more if applicable) are recorded simultaneously together with the surface topography and stored in a multichannel data file. This guaranties the same geometrical reference for all data, which is required for further analysis (Fig. 2).
When applying machine learning methods to topographic data together with SEM images, topographic information must be provided as depth image. Consequently, a unique height scale is required for all applied data with different magnifications. This requires a calibrated height measurement, which is ensured with the integrated 3D calibration of the topographic acquisition and a dedicated calibration sample. Thus, a large number of data sets from different fracture samples was generated and used as training data for machine learning.
Die Abbildung von Bruchflächen im Rasterelektronenmikroskop (REM) liefert hochaufgelöste Bilddaten, die für die mikrofraktografische Bewertung von Bruchmechanismen unerlässlich sind. Die Ermittlung von Bruchmechanismen ist oft ein wichtiger Teil von Schadensanalysen zur Ermittlung der Bruchursache. Durch den Abbildungsprozess im REM gehen räumliche Informationen im Normalfall größtenteils verloren und können daher nicht zur Präzisierung des Bruchmechanismus herangezogen werden.
Um räumliche Informationen von Probenoberflächen im REM zu erfassen, gibt es verschiedene Methoden. Die für die Ermittlung der 3D-Topografie bereits länger eingeführten Verfahren mittels Proben- oder Strahlkippung können die Berechnung des Oberflächenmodells erst nach der seriellen Aufnahme mehrerer Bilder vornehmen. Mit der Verwendung eines segmentierten Rückstreudetektors ist dagegen die Erzeugung eines 3D-Oberflächenmodells während der Bildaufnahme praktisch in Echtzeit möglich. Die Probentopografie wird gleichzeitig mit dem Bildeinzug dargestellt und gespeichert.
In many late-breaking research fields as in photovoltaics, microelectronics, nuclear waste glasses or at least mirror glasses silver diffusion in glasses is relevant to the issues of high-level functionality and recycling. The present study is focused on silver diffusion in innovative, low-melting alkali zinc borate glasses (X2O-ZnO-B2O3, X = Li, Na, K, Rb) potentially usable for silver metallization-pastes in solar cells. The glasses were coated with a thin metallic silver layer and heat treatments in air and nitrogen close to Tg at 470 °C for 2 h were performed. After heat treatment under air and nitrogen atmospheres the coating thickness, measured by a white light interferometer, was about 1.8 µm thick. Silver depth profiles determined by means of secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) indicate the fastest silver diffusion to a depth of 3.5 µm for Li2O-ZnO-B2O3 (LZB) glass. Nevertheless, the influence of the different alkali ions on the silver diffusion is small. The oxygen availability determines the silver diffusion into the glasses. The oxygen promotes the oxidation of the silver layer enabling Ag+ to diffuse into the glass and to precipitate as Ag0. Both species were detected by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The precipitated metallic silver particles in Na2O-ZnO-B2O3 (NZB) glass have a mean size of 5.9 nm ± 1.2 nm diameter, which was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Phase separation in zinc-rich and zinc-poor phases with a mean diameter of 75 nm ± 20 nm occurred in NZB glass after heat treatment. Ion diffusion of the glasses into the silver layer was suggested by EDX-line scans.
Substitution of lead oxide in low-melting glasses, e.g., for application in silver metallization pastes, is a current research goal. This work is focused on the investigation of silver diffusion in alkali zinc borate glasses (X2O-ZnO-B2O3, X = Li, Na, K, Rb). In addition, the redox state of silver (Ag) and thus the type of diffusing silver species were studied. For this purpose, a metallic silver coating was applied on glass cubes by means of sputtering. Heat treatment of the samples was performed close to the glass transition temperatures at 470 °C for 2 h under air and nitrogen atmosphere. Coating thickness was 1.8 µm after heat treatment, measured by a white light interferometer.
Silver diffusion profiles were measured by means of secondary neutral mass spectrometry. The silver diffusion coefficients are in the range of ~10-14 cm2/s and indicate no significant differences depending on the type of alkali ions in the glass. Dissolved Ag+-ions and [Agm]n+-clusters in the glasses were differentiated using fluorescence spectroscopy.
Precipitated metallic silver particles in the sodium containing glass were observed by means of transmission electron microcopy. Their mean particle diameter was ~6 nm.
A gray cast iron disc, which had been submitted to a heavy duty automotive brake test, was examined with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy. A graphite flake in a convenient angular position showed the shear interaction of graphite layers with the iron matrix in nano-scale resolution. Atomic layers of graphite were wedged into the ferritic bulk, allowing the entrance of oxygen and the subsequent formation of magnetite. The exfoliated few-layer graphene batches deformed heavily when forced into the matrix. When Raman spectra from the disc surface, which show distinctive carbonaceous bands, were compared with Raman spectra from graphite subjected to deformation in a shaker mill with different milling times, it could be seen that the shear stress on the brake surface was much more effective to induce disorder than the milling, where compressive and impact forces had been additionally exerted on the sample. During shear load the high anisotropy of elastic modulus in the graphite crystalline structure and the low adhesion between graphite basal planes allowed the exfoliation of wrinkled few-layer grapheme batches, causing the formation of more defect related Raman bands than the mechanical stress during high-energy milling.
A femto-second pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) procedure for the generation of titanium oxide nanoparticles (NP) is reported with the purpose of understanding morphology and structure of the newly generated NPs. Ablation duration was varied for optimization of NP generation processes between 10 and 90 min. Surface morphology of NPs as well as their size and shape (distribution) were analysed by various complementary electron microscopy techniques, i.e. SEM, TSEM and TEM. The crystalline structure of titanium oxide particles was investigated by XRD and HR-TEM. Concentration of generated titanium oxide NPs in liquid was analysed by ICP-MS. A mix of crystalline (mainly anatase), partly crystalline and amorphous spherical titanium oxide NPs can be reported having a mean size between 10 and 20 nm, which is rather independent of the laser ablation (LA) duration. A second component consisting of irregularly shaped, but crystalline titanium oxide nanostructures is co-generated in the LA water, with more pronounced occurrence at longer LA times. The provenance of this component is assigned to those spherical particles generated in suspension and passing through the converging laser beam, being hence subject to secondary irradiation effects, e. g. fragmentation.