2013 Vol. 20, No. 8

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Microbial leaching of chromite overburden from Sukinda mines, Orissa, India using Aspergillus niger
Supratim Biswas, Saikat Samanta, Rajib Dey, Siddhartha Mukherjee, and  Pataki C. Banerjee
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 705-712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0787-3
Abstract:
Leaching of nickel and cobalt from two physical grades (S1, 125–190 μm, coarser and S3, 53–75 μm, finer) of chromite overburden was achieved by treating the overburden (2% pulp density) with 21-d culture filtrate of an Aspergillus niger strain grown in sucrose medium. Metal dissolution increases with ore roasting at 600℃ and decreasing particle size due to the alteration of microstructural properties involving the conversion of goethite to hematite and the increase in surface area and porosity as evident from X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (DT-TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). About 65% Ni and 59% Co were recovered from the roasted S3 ore employing bioleaching against 26.87% Ni and 31.3% Co using an equivalent amount of synthetic oxalic acid under identical conditions. The results suggest that other fungal metabolites in the culture filtrate played a positive role in the bioleaching process, making it an efficient green approach in Ni and Co recovery from lateritic chromite overburden.
Solvent extraction and recovery of Y(III) and Yb(III) from fluorspar mineral
Y. A. El-Nadi, N. E. El-Hefny, and  H. F. Aly
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 713-719. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0788-2
Abstract:
Yttrium and ytterbium were extracted from sulfuric acid medium using triphenylarsine (TPAs) dissolved in kerosene. The influence of different factors, such as shaking time, extractants, metal ions, sulfate ion concentrations, as well as temperature, was studied in detail. From the slope analysis method and IR measurements, the structure of the extracted species was suggested as MSO4(HSO4)·TPAs, where M refers to Y(III) or Yb(III). The equilibrium constants (Kex) and thermodynamic parameters, such as the change in enthalpy (ΔH), free energy (ΔG), and entropy (ΔS), were calculated. The method of extraction and stripping was applied to obtain the aforementioned metals from a sample of fluorspar mineral giving a recovery yield of 88.2% and 83.5% for yttrium and ytterbium, respectively.
Surface decarburization characteristics and relation between decarburized types and heating temperature of spring steel 60Si2MnA
Chao-lei Zhang, Le-yu Zhou, and  Ya-zheng Liu
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 720-724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0789-1
Abstract:
The characteristics of complete and partial decarburizations in spring steel 60Si2MnA were systematically investigated, including the microstructure, the hardness gradient, and the formation mechanism. The relation between decarburized types and heating temperature of the steel was comprehensively discussed. It is found that heating temperature has an important influence on the decarburized types. With the rise of heating temperature, the decarburized types change from no decarburization to complete decarburization, complete and partial decarburizations, partial decarburization, and no decarburization.
Photocatalytic activity of ferric oxide/titanium dioxide nanocomposite films on stainless steel fabricated by anodization and ion implantation
Wei-ting Zhan, Hong-wei Ni, Rong-sheng Chen, Gao Yue, Jun-kai Tai, and  Zi-yang Wang
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 725-732. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0790-8
Abstract:
A simple surface treatment was used to develop photocatalytic activity for stainless steel. AISI 304 stainless steel specimens after anodization were implanted by Ti ions at an extracting voltage of 50 kV with an implantation dose of 3 × 1015 atoms·cm−2 and then annealed in air at 450℃ for 2 h. The morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue solution was carried out under ultraviolet light. The corrosion resistance of the stainless steel was evaluated in NaCl solution (3.5 wt%) by electrochemical polarization curves. It is found that the Ti ions depth profile resembles a Gaussian distribution in the implanted layer. The nanostructured Fe2O3/TiO2 composite film exhibits a remarkable enhancement in photocatalytic activity referenced to the mechanically polished specimen and anodized specimen. Meanwhile, the annealed Ti-implanted specimen remains good corrosion resistance.
Design of a low-alloy high-strength and high-toughness martensitic steel
Yan-jun Zhao, Xue-ping Ren, Wen-chao Yang, and  Yue Zang
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 733-740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0791-7
Abstract:
To develop a high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel with high strength and high toughness, a series of martensitic steels were studied through alloying with various elements and thermodynamic simulation. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the designed steel were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing and Charpy impact test. The results show that cementite exists between 500℃ and 700℃, M7C3 exits below 720℃, and they are much lower than the austenitizing temperature of the designed steel. Furthermore, the Ti(C,N) precipitate exists until 1280℃, which refines the microstructure and increases the strength and toughness. The optimal alloying components are 0.19% C, 1.19% Si, 2.83% Mn, 1.24% Ni, and 0.049% Ti; the tensile strength and the V notch impact toughness of the designed steel are more than 1500 MPa and 100 J, respectively.
Separation occurring during the drop weight tear test of thick-walled X80 pipeline steels
Qing-yun Sha, Da-hang Li, Guo-jian Huang, and  Ju Guan
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 741-747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0792-6
Abstract:
A separation phenomenon occurring during the drop weight tear test of commercial thick-walled API (American Petroleum Institute) X80 strip steel was investigated in this work. Microstructural analysis showed that the band structure of bainite elongated along the rolling direction works as the initiation sites of separation. The propagation of separation can be promoted not only by the occurrence of the band structure of martensite/austenite constituent, prior austenite grain boundaries, and elongated bainite, but also by fine acicular ferrite and bainite. Wide separation formed in the former case, while the narrow one appeared in the latter case. Some methods were proposed to obtain fine and homogeneous acicular ferrite in thick-walled X80 pipeline steel in order to minimize the occurrence of separation.
Liquid-solid interface control of BFe10-1-1 cupronickel alloy tubes during HCCM horizontal continuous casting and its effect on the microstructure and properties
Jun Mei, Xin-hua Liu, Yan-bin Jiang, Song Chen, and  Jian-xin Xie
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 748-758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0793-5
Abstract:
Based on horizontal continuous casting with a heating-cooling combined mold (HCCM) technology, this article investigated the effects of processing parameters on the liquid-solid interface (LSI) position and the influence of LSI position on the surface quality, microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of a BFe10-1-1 tube (ϕ50 mm × 5 mm). HCCM efficiently improves the temperature gradient in front of the LSI. Through controlling the LSI position, the radial columnar-grained microstructure that is commonly generated by cooling mold casting can be eliminated, and the axial columnar-grained microstructure can be obtained. Under the condition of 1250℃ melting and holding temperature, 1200–1250℃ mold heating temperature, 50–80 mm/min mean drawing speed, and 500–700 L/h cooling water flow rate, the LSI position is located at the middle of the transition zone or near the entrance of the cooling section, and the as-cast tube not only has a strong axial columnar-grained microstructure \((\{ hkl\} < 6\bar 21 > , \{ hkl\} < 2\bar 21 > )\) due to strong axial heating conduction during solidification but also has smooth internal and external surfaces without cracks, scratches, and other macroscopic defects due to short solidified shell length and short contact length between the tube and the mold at high temperature. The elongation and tensile strength of the tube are 46.0%–47.2% and 210–221 MPa, respectively, which can be directly used for the subsequent cold-large-strain processing.
Microstructures and impact toughness behavior of Al 5083 alloy processed by cryorolling and afterwards annealing
Dharmendra Singh, P. Nageswara Rao, and  R. Jayaganthan
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 759-769. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0794-4
Abstract:
The influence of rolling at liquid nitrogen temperature and annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al 5083 alloy was studied in this paper. Cryorolled samples of Al 5083 show significant improvements in strength and hardness. The ultimate tensile strength increases up to 340 MPa and 390 MPa for the 30% and 50% cryorolled samples, respectively. The cryorolled samples, with 30% and 50% reduction, were subjected to Charpy impact testing at various temperatures from −190℃ to 100℃. It is observed that increasing the percentage of reduction of samples during cryorolling has significant effect on decreasing impact toughness at all temperatures by increasing yield strength and decreasing ductility. Annealing of samples after cryorolling shows remarkable increment in impact toughness through recovery and recrystallization. The average grain size of the 50% cryorolled sample (14 μm) after annealing at 350℃ for 1 h is found to be finer than that of the 30% cryorolled sample (25 μm). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of fractured surfaces shows a large-size dimpled morphology, resembling the ductile fracture mechanism in the starting material and fibrous structure with very fine dimples in cryorolled samples corresponding to the brittle fracture mechanism.
Microstructure and properties of A2017 alloy strips processed by a novel process by combining semisolid rolling, deep rolling, and heat treatment
Ren-guo Guan, Xiang Wang, Zhan-yong Zhao, Wei-wei Wang, Fu-rong Cao, and  Chun-ming Liu
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 770-778. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0795-3
Abstract:
A novel short process for producing A2017 alloy strips with notable features of near net shape, saving energy, low cost, and high product performance was developed by combining semisolid rolling, deep rolling, and heat treatment. The microstructure and properties of the A2017 alloy strips were investigated by metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, tensile testing, and hardness measurement. The cross-sectional microstructure of the A2017 alloy strips is mainly composed of near-spherical primary grains. Many eutectic phases CuAl2 formed along primary grain boundaries during semisolid rolling are crushed and broken into small particles. After solution treatment at 495℃ for 2 h the eutectic phases at grain boundaries have almost dissolved into the matrix. When the solution treatment time exceeds 2 h, grain coarsening happens. More and more grain interior phases precipitate with the aging time prolonging to 8 h. The precipitated particles are very small and distribute homogenously, and the tensile strength reaches its peak value. When the aging time is prolonged to 12 h, there is no obvious variation in the amount of precipitated phases, but the size and spacing of precipitated phases increase. The tensile strength of the A2017 alloy strips produced by the present method can reach 362.78 MPa, which is higher than that of the strips in the national standard of China.
Temperature distribution study during the friction stir welding process of Al2024-T3 aluminum alloy
Y. H. Yau, A. Hussain, R. K. Lalwani, H. K. Chan, and  N. Hakimi
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 779-787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0796-2
Abstract:
Heat flux characteristics are critical to good quality welding obtained in the important engineering alloy Al2024-T3 by the friction stir welding (FSW) process. In the present study, thermocouples in three different configurations were affixed on the welding samples to measure the temperatures: in the first configuration, four thermocouples were placed at equivalent positions along one side of the welding direction; the second configuration involved two equivalent thermocouple locations on either side of the welding path; while the third configuration had all the thermocouples on one side of the layout but with unequal gaps from the welding line. A three-dimensional, non-linear ANSYS computational model, based on an approach applied to Al2024-T3 for the first time, was used to simulate the welding temperature profiles obtained experimentally. The experimental thermal profiles on the whole were found to be in agreement with those calculated by the ANSYS model. The broad agreement between the two kinds of profiles validates the basis for derivation of the simulation model and provides an approach for the FSW simulation in Al2024-T3 and is potentially more useful than models derived previously.
Surface modification of titanium using steel slag ball and shot blasting treatment for biomedical implant applications
Budi Arifvianto, Suyitno, and  Muslim Mahardika
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 788-795. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0797-1
Abstract:
Surface modification is often performed using grit or shot blasting treatment for improving the performances of biomedical implants. The effects of blasting treatments using steel slag balls and spherical shots on the surface and subsurface of titanium were studied in this paper. The treatments were conducted for 60–300 s using 2–5 mm steel slag balls and 3.18 mm spherical shots. The surface morphology, roughness, and elemental composition of titanium specimens were examined prior to and after the treatments. Irregular and rough titanium surfaces were formed after the treatment with the steel slag balls instead of the spherical shots. The former treatment also introduced some bioactive elements on the titanium surface, but the latter one yielded a harder surface layer. In conclusion, both steel slag ball and shot blasting treatment have their own specialization in modifying the surface of metallic biomaterials. Steel slag ball blasting is potential for improving the osseointegration quality of implants; but the shot blasting is more appropriate for improving the mechanical properties of temporary and load bearing implants, such as osteosynthesis plates.
Exploration of Al-based matrix composites reinforced by hierarchically spherical agents
Li Zhang, Bao-lin Wu, Yu-hua Zhao, and  Xing-hao Du
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 796-801. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0798-0
Abstract:
Al-based composites reinforced with Al-Ti intermetallic compounds/Ti metal hierarchically spherical agents were successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy. This kind of structure produces strongly bonded interfaces as well as soft/hard/soft transition regions between the matrix and reinforced agents, which are beneficial to load transfer during deformation. As expected, the resultant composites exhibit promising mechanical properties at ambient temperature. The underlying mechanism was also discussed in this paper.
Ohmic contact properties of p-type surface conductive layer on H-terminated diamond films prepared by DC arc jet CVD
Jin-long Liu, Cheng-ming Li, Rui-hua Zhu, Liang-xian Chen, Jing-jing Wang, and  Zhi-hong Feng
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 802-807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0799-z
Abstract:
With the advantages of high deposition rate and large deposition area, polycrystalline diamond films prepared by direct current (DC) arc jet chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are considered to be one of the most promising materials for high-frequency and high-power electronic devices. In this paper, high-quality self-standing polycrystalline diamond films with the diameter of 100 mm were prepared by DC arc jet CVD, and then, the p-type surface conductive layer with the sheet carrier density of 1011-1013 cm−2 on the H-terminated diamond film was obtained by micro-wave hydrogen plasma treatment for 40 min. Ti/Au and Au films were deposited on the H-terminated diamond surface as the ohmic contact electrode, respectively, afterwards, they were treated by rapid vacuum annealing at different temperatures. The properties of these two types of ohmic contacts were investigated by measuring the specific contact resistance using the transmission line method (TLM). Due to the formation of Ti-related carbide at high temperature, the specific contact resistance of Ti/Au contact gradually decreases to 9.95 × 10−5 Ω·cm2 as the temperature increases to 820℃. However, when the annealing temperature reaches 850℃, the ohmic contact for Ti/Au is degraded significantly due to the strong diffusion and reaction between Ti and Au. As for the as-deposited Au contact, it shows an ohmic contact. After annealing treatment at 550℃, low specific contact resistance was detected for Au contact, which is derived from the enhancement of interdiffusion between Au and diamond films.
Strength, porosity, and chloride resistance of mortar using the combination of two kinds of pozzolanic materials
Sumrerng Rukzon and  Prinya Chindaprasirt
2013, vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 808-814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0800-x
Abstract:
This article presents a study on the resistance to chloride penetration, corrosion, porosity, and strength of mortar containing fine fly ash (FA), ground rice husk-bark ash (RB), and ground bagasse ash (BA). Ordinary Portland cement (CT) was blended with a single pozzolan and two pozzolans. Strength, porosity, rapid chloride penetration, immersion, and corrosion tests were performed to characterize the mortar. Test results showed that the use of ternary blends of CT, FA, and RB or BA decreased the porosity of the mortar, as compared with binary blended mortar containing CT and RB or BA. The resistance to chloride penetration of the mortar improved substantially with partial replacement of CT with FA, RB, and BA. The use of ternary blends of CT, FA and RB or BA produced the mortar with good strength and resistance to chloride penetration. The resistance to chloride penetration was higher with an increase in the replacement level due to the reduced calcium hydroxide.