2005 Vol. 12, No. 2

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Mineral
Sulfide assemblages in granulite xenoliths from Hannuoba Basalt, Hebei Province, China
Jiuhua Xu, Yuling Xie, Xuelei Chu, Jianming Liu, and  Qian Mao
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 97-101.
Abstract:
Granulite xenoliths are important samples for understanding the forming and evolution of the crust. The granulite xenoliths enclosed in Cenozoic basalt of Hannuoba, Hebei Province, China, contain four types of sulfide assemblages: isolate rotundity enclosed sulfides, intergranular sulfides between minerals, secondary sulfide inclusions ranging in linear, and fissure-filling sulfides. Electron microprobe analysis shows that the components of sulfides are Ni-poor pyrrhotite with the molar ratios of (Ni+Co+Cu)/Fe less than 0.2. The molar ratios of (Fe+Cu+Co+Ni)/S are less than 0.875 of normal pyrrhotite, and are less than those of mantle xenoliths, reflecting a sulfur-saturated environment. Pyrrhotite in various occurrences contains some Au and Ag, with the averages of 0.19wt%-0.22wt% Au and 0.01wt%-0.02wt% Ag, showing the gold mineralization related to the granulitization of low crust. Ni, Co and Cu have a normal correlation with S in pyrrhotite, indicating that heavy metal elements have a same source similar to sulfur because of the degasification of upper mantle.
Mineral
Experimental investigation on friction and squeezing of roof structure key blocks corner upon long-wall face
Qingxiang Huang
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 102-105.
Abstract:
The coefficients of friction and squeezing of the key blocks comer in the roof structure of underground coalface are key factors to roof structure stability quantitative analysis. In this paper, through the special test of three-type corner friction and squeezing of real rock specimens, and physical simulation test on the roof key blocks of roof structure as well as the finite element calculation of the corner stress distribution and failure mechanism, the characteristics of friction and squeezing of the roof key blocks comer are revealed. It is found that the friction angle of the roof key blocks corner is the residual friction angle, and the frictional angle of the roof key blocks is 22-32° (average 27°), so the friction coefficient is determined as 0.5. It also found the squeezing strength is less than the uniaxial strength, and the squeezing coefficient of the roof blocks corner is determined as 0.4. Based on the results, the ground control theory can be updated from qualitative analysis to quantitative analysis.
Mineral
Collecting property of diphosphonic acid for niobite
Hao Ren, Feifei ji, Guilan Song, and  Shuxiang Zhang
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 106-110.
Abstract:
The effect of several collectors on the niobite synthetized under the condition of varying pH values and dosages were studied. The collecting property of several representative collectors was also investigated. The experimental result shows that diphosphonic acid is a good collector for niobite. Its recovery is about 84.24%-91.17% when the pH value of the pulp is less than 5.0 and the dosage of diphosphonic acid is 140 mg/L. The sequences of the selectivity and collecting capacity of the collectors were compared. Infrared absorption spectrum (IAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to detect and analyze the adsorption mechanism of diphosphonic acid on the surface of niobite. The IAS result indicates that diphosphonic acid is indeed adsorbed on the surface of niobite, and the XPS result shows that the binding energy of P2p peak of niobite treated by diphosphonic acid has changed 2.85 eV. It confirms that the adsorption belongs to a chemisorption type.
Mineral
Dynamic modeling and analysis of the closed-circuit grinding-classification process
Yunfei Chu, Wenli Xu, and  Weihan Wan
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 111-115.
Abstract:
Mathematical models of the grinding process are the basis of analysis, simulation and control. Most existent models including theoretical models and identification models are, however, inconvenient for direct analysis. In addition, many models pay much attention to the local details in the closed-circuit grinding process while overlooking the systematic behavior of the process as a whole. From the systematic perspective, the dynamic behavior of the whole closed-circuit grinding-classification process is considered and a first-order transfer function model describing the dynamic relation between the raw material and the product is established. The model proves that the time constant of the closed-circuit process is lager than that of the open-circuit process and reveals how physical parameters affect the process dynamic behavior. These are very helpful to understand, design and control the closed-circuit grinding-classification process.
Metallurgy
Validation of the numerical simulation of fluid flow in the continuous casting tundish
Lifeng Zhang
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 116-122.
Abstract:
The 3-dimensional fluid flow in a water model of the continuous casting tundish is simulated with the k-ε two-equation turbulence model. The methods to decide the size of wall-adjacent grids and the effects of residuals and mesh size on the simulation accuracy are discussed. The current investigation concludes that the following condition should be satisfied to get accurate enough simulation results: (1) If the dimension of the domain is in the order of cubic meters, the average size of cells in the mesh system should be at least smaller than 30 mm; (2) The normalized non-scaled residual should be reached at least smaller than 10-4.
Metallurgy
Software sensor for slab reheating furnace
Zhihua Xiong, Guohong Huang, and  Huihe Shao
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 123-127.
Abstract:
It has long been thought that a reheating furnace, with its inherent measurement difficulties and complex dynamics, posed almost insurmountable problems to engineers in steel plants. A novel software sensor is proposed to make more effective use of those measurements that are already available, which has great importance both to slab quality and energy saving. The proposed method is based on the mixtures of Gaussian processes (GP) with the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm employed for parameter estimation of the mixture of models. The mixture model can alleviate the computational complexity of GP and also accords with the changes of operating condition in practical processes. It is demonstrated by on-line estimation of the furnace gas temperature in 1580 reheating furnace in Baosteel Corporation (Group).
Materials
Relationships between the precipitation of α2 ordered phase and alloying elements/electron concentration in α+α2 titanium alloys
Jun Zhang, Yu Zhang, Li Li, Chunli Wang, Qingjiang Wang, and  Yuyin Liu
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 128-133.
Abstract:
Some experimental α+α2 alloys were prepared by the addition of tin or aluminum elements into Ti-55 alloy. These alloys were designed with varied electron concentration values and named as Sn-rich alloys and Al-rich alloys, respectively. The precipitation and growth of α2 ordered phase in the tested alloys under various heat treatment conditions were investigated. Some comparisons among the experimental results were performed and discussed in detail. Stronger precipitation and growth of α2 ordered phase were caused in Al-rich alloys but relatively weak change in Sn-rich alloys with increasing the electron concentration. The precipitation of α2 ordered phase in Al-rich alloys is stronger than that in Sn-rich alloys when the electron concentration value is the same for the two alloys.
Materials
Solidification structures of high niobium containing TiAl alloys
Jingwen Xu, Junpin Lin, Yanli Wang, Zhi Lin, and  Guoliang Chen
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 134-138.
Abstract:
To understand the effect of alloy stoichiometry on the microstructural development and mechanical behavior of γ-TiAl-based materials, it is necessary to have a determination of the phase relationships for the TiAl alloy system near the γ phase field. Cast structures and phases of Ti-(43-47)Al-8Nb-(1-2)Mn (at%) alloys have been studied by using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Their solidification path and microstructure development during the solidification were analyzed. The experimental results show that the alloys with different Al contents form different macrostructures and microstructural morphologies. This indi-cates that the solidification paths are different with different Al contents. The alloy with 43Al forms equiaxed grain structure, and the solidification path is as follows:L→L+β→β→α+β→α+β cores→α2+γ+B2 cores. Whereas the alloy with 47Al forms colum-nar grain structure, and the solidification path is as follows:L→L+β→α+β+L→α+γ+β cores→tXj+γ+BZ cores. The p phase is their primary solid phase and can be retained to ambient temperature. The alloy with 43Al solidifies completely into β phase. The peritectic reactions L+P→α and L+α→γ appear when the Al content increases to 47Al.
Materials
Microstructural morphology of the semi-solid high carbon steel T12 before and after rheo-rolling
Jiguang Li, Yonglin Kang, Aimin Zhao, Yi Sun, and  Man Cheng
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 139-142.
Abstract:
The semi-solid high carbon steel T12 was rolled in a closed box groove under a certain condition by the rheo-rolling equipment, and the microstructural morphology of the semi-solid T12 before and after deformation was investigated by optical microscope to analyze and summarize the microstructure evolution law of T12 deformed in semi-solid state. The experiment results show that the grain shape before deformation of the semi-solid T12 steel displays globule or ellipse by the electromagnetic stirring, the distribution of solid and liquid phases is homogeneous. But the microstructure of semi-solid product after rheo-rolling exhibits macrosegregation that the distribution of liquid and solid phases changes, the liquid phases divorce from the solid phases. In the transverse section, most of the solid phases get together in the center of the specimen, the liquid phases flow to the surface or the edge of the specimen, and the grains occur plastic deformation while reduction increased. In longitudinal section, the middle microstructure of the specimen is more homogeneous than that at the head or tail, the head microstructure is similar to the tail and the size of the grains is not homogeneous.
Materials
Observation and computer simulation of multicomponent chemical short-range order (MCSRO) for the bulk metallic glasses
Guoliang Chen, Xidong Hui, Kefu Yao, Huaiyu Hou, Xiongjun Liu, Meiling Wang, and  Guang Chen
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 143-150.
Abstract:
The atomic configuration of chemical short-range order (CSRO) for the Zr-base metallic glasses was investigated by using nano-diffraction and high resolution transmission electronic microscopy (HRTEM) technology with a beam size of 0.5 nm. It is illustrated that the pattern of atomic configuration of CSRO might have various compound counterparts because of the chemical interaction of bonding atoms. Some atomic configuration of MCSRO is similar to the icosahedral structure with 10-fold symmetry of very weak spots. In deed, the nano-beam technology could clearly detect the evolution of atomic configuration in nanometer scale during the transformation from the metallic melt to the primary crystallization. The local atomic configuration of CSRO is also investigated by molecular dynamics simulation (MD) for the Zr2Ni compound in a wider temperature range. The CSRO in the melt could be pictorially demonstrated as distorted coordination polyhedron of the compound structure and/or the structure similar to cubo-octahedron analogs. The MD simulation illustrates that the atomic packing of long-range order disappears just above the melting point, but the chemical interaction of bonding atoms still exists that leads to form the various CSRO with the atomic configuration similar to stable or metastable unit cell of Zr2Ni compound. The icosahedral polyhedron became more abundance as the overheating temperature was raised.
Materials
Determination of plastic equation of state by indentation method on 304 stainless steel
Yanli Wang, Zhi Lin, Junpin Lin, Xinfa Cui, and  Guoliang Chen
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 151-154.
Abstract:
An indentation method for determining the plastic mechanical equation of state (PES) was studied. The constant loading rate and constant loading rate/load indentation tests were carried out. The method for determining the work-hardening coefficient and the strain rate sensitivity coefficient of PES were discussed in detail. 304 stainless steel hot-treated at 1100°C was used to verify the method. The work-hardening coefficient and strain rate sensitivity coefficient of 304 stainless steel were respectively determined as 0.30 and 0.015. These values are very close to those achieved by tensile tests. From the establishment of the PES of 304 stainless steel it is shown that the PES obtained by the indentation method is easier than that by the tensile test.
Materials
Effect of electric field on the activity and quenching structure of liquid Cu-Al alloys
Fajun Guo, Lingzhen Li, Yanbing Zong, Daqiang Cang, Wen Pan, and  Jun Zhang
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 155-159.
Abstract:
The activity coefficient of Al in molten Cu decreases with the increasing of electric current applied to the liquid alloy of Cu-0.2wt%Al. To investigate the mechanism, the quenching experimental results of the liquid Al-Cu alloy show that there is a remarkable change in structure, in which the solute congregates along the current direction especially for DC current. The mechanism of the activity coefficient change of Al in molten Cu-0.2wt%Al alloy treated by electrical field was discussed. Further, the results also provide an evidence for the short-range-ordered liquid metal.
Materials
Effect of ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating thickness on the electronic conductivity of Mg-PSZ oxygen sensors
Changhe Gao, Hailei Zhao, Qingguo Liu, Weijiang Wu, and  Weihua Qiu
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 160-165.
Abstract:
The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating was prepared evenly on the surface of MgO partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) tube (oxygen sensor probe) by dipping the green Mg-PSZ tube in a ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) slurry and then co-firing at 1750°C for 8 h. The double-cell method was employed to measure the electronic conductivity parameter and exam the reproducibility of the coated Mg-PSZ tube. The experimental results indicate that the good thermal shock resistance of the Mg-PSZ tube can be retained when the coating thickness is not more than 3.4 μm. The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating reduces the electronic conductivity parameter remarkably, probably due to the lower electronic conductivity of Y2O,-stabilized ZrO2 than that of MgO-stabilized ZrO2. Moreover, the ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating can improve the reproducibility and accuracy of the Mg-PSZ tube significantly in the low oxygen measurement. The smooth surface feature and lower electronic conductivity of the coated Mg-PSZ tube should be responsible for this improvement.
Materials
High temperature oxidation behavior of high speed steel for hot rolls material
Li Zhou, Fang Liu, Changsheng Liu, Dale Sun, and  Lisong Yao
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 166-171.
Abstract:
The oxidation characteristics of high speed steel (HSS) were studied at 500 to 800°C. The non-isothermal oxidation and isothermal oxidation (500, 575, 650, 725, 800°C) of HSS were investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The microstructure, morphology and oxide scale thickness of the isothermal oxidation samples were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicate that the oxidation rate of HSS is very slow at 500 to 650°C, increasing gradually at 650 to 750°C, and drastically at 750 to 800°C, because the phase transformation happens at about 750°C.
Materials
Failure analysis of corrosion cracking and simulated testing for a fluid catalytic cracking unit
Hua Chen, Xiaogang Li, Chaofang Dong, Ming Li, and  Jinwen Yang
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 172-177.
Abstract:
The failure of a fluid catalysis and cracking unit (FCCU) in a Chinese refinery was investigated by using nondestructive detection methods, fracture surface examination, hardness measurement, chemical composition and corrosion products analysis. The results showed that the failure was caused by the dew point nitrate stress corrosion cracking. For a long operation period, the wall temperature of the regenerator in the FCCU was below the fume dew point. As a result, an acid fume NOx-SOx-H2O medium presented on the surface, resulting in stress corrosion cracking of the component with high residual stress. In order to confirm the relative conclusion, simulated testing was conducted in laboratory, and the results showed similar cracking characteristics. Finally, some suggestions have been made to prevent the stress corrosion cracking of an FCCU from re-occurring in the future.
Materials
Impact of high dose Kr+ ion irradiation on the corrosion behavior and microstructure of Zircaloy-4
Qian Wan, Xinde Bai, and  Xiaoyang Liu
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 178-181.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the ion irradiation effect on the corrosion behavior and microstructure of Zircaloy-4, the Zircaloy-4 film were prepared by electron beam deposition on the Zircaloy-4 specimen surface and irradiated by Kr ions using an accelerator at an energy of 300 keV with the dose from 1×1015 to 3×1016 ions/cm2. The post-irradiation corrosion tests were conducted to rank the corrosion resistance of the resulting specimens by potentiodynamic polarization curve measurements in a 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 water solution at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to examine the microstructural change in the surface. The potentiodynamic tests show that with the irradiation dose increasing, the passive current density, closely related to the surface corrosion resistance, decreases firstly and increases subsequently. The mechanism of the corrosion behavior transformation is due to the amorphous phase formation firstly and the amorphous phase destruction and the polycrystalline structure formation in the irradiated surface subsequently.
Materials
Design of an age hardening Mg-Li alloy and its aging behavior
Hao Thong, Peiying Liu, Tietao Zhou, and  Huanxi Li
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 182-186.
Abstract:
An effort was made to design an age hardening Mg-Li alloy based on the phase diagrams calculated by means of "THERMO-CALC"—a thermodynamic software. Experiments were carried out to verify the calculated results by melting the alloy and examining its structure and aging behavior. The results show that the alloy possesses a structure constituent as expected, besides, the alloy has apparent aging behavior and over aging happens even at lower temperature. Metastable (Mg, Li, Al, Zn) phase has been identified when the hardness reaches the aging peak. With the increase of the aging time, (Mg, Li, Al, Zn) phase transforms to stable α phase and over aging happens.
Materials
Heat regulating strategy in numerical control end milling for hard metal machining
Ying Tang and  Yoshiaki Kakino
2005, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 187-191.
Abstract:
The trend in die/mold manufacturing at present is towards the hard machining at high speed to replace the electron discharge machining. Failure forms of the AlTiN-coated micro-grain carbide endmill when used for the machining of JIS SKD61 (HRC 53), a widely used material in die/mold manufacturing, are investigated. The endmill shows a characteristic that tool life decreases greatly due to the chipping when overload occurs or the rapid increase of wear when over-heat accumulation in cutting edges. As a consequence of the investigation, a strategy to regulate heat generation in the end milling process is proposed. This is accomplished by controlling the cutting arc length, i.e. the length of each flute engaging workpiece in a cutting cycle. Case studies on the slot end milling and comer rounding are conducted. The results show that the proposed strategy suggests the optimal tool path as well as the optimal pitch between successive tool paths under the cutting time criterion.