2018 Vol. 25, No. 5

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Research Article
Slime coating of kaolinite on chalcopyrite in saline water flotation
Zhi-li Li, Feng Rao, Shao-xian Song, Yan-mei Li, and  Wen-biao Liu
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 481-488. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1594-7
Abstract:
In saline water flotation, the salinity can cause a distinguishable slime coating of clay minerals on chalcopyrite particles through its effect on their electrical double layers in aqueous solutions. In this work, kaolinite was used as a representative clay mineral for studying slime coating during chalcopyrite flotation. The flotation of chalcopyrite in the presence and absence of kaolinite in tap water, seawater, and gypsum-saturated water and the stability of chalcopyrite and kaolinite particles in slurries are presented. Zeta-potential distributions and scanning electron microscopy images were used to characterize and explain the different slime coating degrees and the different flotation performances. Kaolinite particles induced slime coating on chalcopyrite surfaces and reduced chalcopyrite floatability to the greatest extent when the pH value was in the alkaline range. At 0.24wt% of kaolinite, the chalcopyrite floatability was depressed by more than 10% at alkaline pH levels in tap water. Salinity in seawater and gypsum-saturated water compressed the electrical double layers and resulted in extensive slime coating.
Research Article
Selective depression mechanism of ferric chromium lignin sulfonate for chalcopyrite–galena flotation separation
Jin-sheng Yu, Run-qing Liu, Li Wang, Wei Sun, Hong Peng, and  Yue-hua Hu
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 489-497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1595-6
Abstract:
Selective recovery of chalcopyrite–galena ore by flotation remains a challenging issue. The development of highly efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly depressants for this flotation is necessary because most of available reagents (e.g., K2Cr2O4) are expensive and adversely affect the environment. In this study, ferric chromium lignin sulfonate (FCLS), which is a waste-product from the paper and pulp industry, was introduced as a selective depressant for galena with butyl xanthate (BX) as a collector. Results show that the residue recovery of Pb in Cu concentrate was substantially reduced to 4.73% using FCLS compared with 10.71% using the common depressant K2Cr2O4. The underlying mechanisms were revealed using zeta-potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Zeta-potential measurements revealed that FCLS was more efficiently absorbed onto galena than onto chalcopyrite. XPS measurements further suggested that FCLS enhanced the surface oxidation of galena but prevented that of chalcopyrite. Thus, FCLS could be a potential candidate as a depressant for chalcopyrite–galena flotation because of its low cost and its lack of detrimental effects on the environment.
Research Article
Comparison of selective flocculation of low grade goethitic iron ore fines using natural and synthetic polymers and a graft copolymer
Kichakeswari Tudu, Sagar Pal, and  N. R. Mandre
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 498-504. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1596-5
Abstract:
This study aims to beneficiate low grade goethitic iron ore fines using a selective flocculation process. Selective flocculation studies were conducted using different polymers such as starch amylopectin (AP), poly acrylic acid (PAA), and a graft copolymer (AP-g-PAA). The obtained results were analyzed; they indicate the enhancement of the iron ore grade from 58.49% to 67.52% using AP-g-PAA with a recovery of 95.08%. In addition, 64.45% Fe with a recovery of 88.79% was obtained using AP. Similarly, using PAA, the grade increased to 63.46% Fe with a recovery of 82.10%. The findings are also supported by characterizing concentrates using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques.
Research Article
Mineral structure and crystal morphologies of high-iron hydrargillite
Hui-bin Yang, Feng-qin Liu, and  Xiao-lin Pan
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 505-514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1597-4
Abstract:
Various characterization methods, including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface-area measurements, thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy, were used to study the mineral structure and surface characteristics of high-iron hydrargillite. Gibbsite, goethite, and hematite were found to be the main mineral components of hydrargillite, whereas the goethite and hematite were closely clad to the surface of the multilayer gibbsite crystals. Compared with the synthetic gibbsite, the hydrargillite contained more structural micropores generated by the mineral evolution during the mineralization process. The gibbsite in hydrargillite contained less crystal water compared with the synthetic gibbsite, and it was a typical polymorphic structure. The isomorphous substitution of Al and Fe was observed in goethite. The dissolution-controlling step of hydrargillite was the ionic diffusion speed because of the goethite and hematite that closely covered and encapsulated the gibbsite crystals.
Research Article
Roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium in calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag
Jing Wen, Tao Jiang, Mi Zhou, Hui-yang Gao, Jia-yi Liu, and  Xiang-xin Xue
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 515-526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1598-3
Abstract:
Calcification roasting–acid leaching of high-chromium vanadium slag (HCVS) was conducted to elucidate the roasting and leaching behaviors of vanadium and chromium. The effects of the purity of CaO, molar ratio between CaO and V2O5 (n(CaO)/n(V2O5)), roasting temperature, holding time, and the heating rate used in the oxidation–calcification processes were investigated. The roasting process and mechanism were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry (TG–DSC). The results show that most of vanadium reacted with CaO to generate calcium vanadates and transferred into the leaching liquid, whereas almost all of the chromium remained in the leaching residue in the form of (Fe0.6Cr0.4)2O3. Variation trends of the vanadium and chromium leaching ratios were always opposite because of the competitive reactions of oxidation and calcification between vanadium and chromium with CaO. Moreover, CaO was more likely to combine with vanadium, as further confirmed by thermodynamic analysis. When the HCVS with CaO added in an n(CaO)/n(V2O5) ratio of 0.5 was roasted in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10℃/min from room temperature to 950℃ and maintained at this temperature for 60 min, the leaching ratios of vanadium and chromium reached 91.14% and 0.49%, respectively; thus, efficient extraction of vanadium from HCVS was achieved and the leaching residue could be used as a new raw material for the extraction of chromium. Furthermore, the oxidation and calcification reactions of the spinel phases occurred at 592 and 630℃ for n(CaO)/n(V2O5) ratios of 0.5 and 5, respectively.
Research Article
Corrosion behavior of high-strength spring steel for high-speed railway
Gang Niu, Yin-li Chen, Hui-bin Wu, Xuan Wang, and  Di Tang
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 527-535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1599-2
Abstract:
The corrosion resistance and evolution of corrosion products in medium-carbon high-strength spring steels were investigated in a neutral salt spray (5wt% NaCl solution). A formation model of γ-FeOOH and a transformation model describing the conversion of γ-FeOOH to α-FeOOH were constructed. The results indicated that, at the initial corrosion stage, the corrosion resistance was gradually improved with the addition of Cr; however, with the addition of alloying element V, the corrosion resistance decreased. These results were attributed mainly to the initial corrosion stage being closely related to the matrix microstructure parameters such as grain-boundary character and dislocation density. After the rust layer was formed at a later corrosion stage, the corrosion resistance was reinforced with the addition of Cr and V because Cr strongly influenced the composition, structure, and morphology of the corrosion products. The results presented herein show that Cr was conducive to the transformation of γ-FeOOH into α-FeOOH. Moreover, V and Cr exhibited obvious synergy and were enriched in the inner layer of the corrosion products.
Research Article
Effect of continuous annealing temperature on microstructure and properties of ferritic rolled interstitial-free steel
Chen-yang Qiu, Lang Li, Lei-lei Hao, Jian-gong Wang, Xun Zhou, and  Yong-lin Kang
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 536-546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1600-0
Abstract:
In this report, the microstructure, mechanical properties, and textures of warm rolled interstitial-free steel annealed at four different temperatures (730, 760, 790, and 820℃) were studied. The overall structural features of specimens were investigated by optical microscopy, and the textures were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nano-sized precipitates were then observed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) on carbon extraction replicas. According to the results, with increased annealing temperatures, the ferrite grains grew; in addition, the sizes of Ti4C2S2 and TiC precipitates also increased. Additionally, the sizes of TiN and TiS precipitates slightly changed. When the annealing temperature increased from 730 to 820℃, the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) showed a decreasing trend. Meanwhile, elongation and the strain harden exponent (n value) increased to 49.6% and 0.34, respectively. By comparing textures annealed at different temperatures, the intensity of {111} texture annealed at 820℃ was the largest, while the difference between the intensity of {111}<110> and {111}<112> was the smallest when the annealing temperature was 820℃. Therefore, the plastic strain ratio (r value) annealed at 820℃ was the highest.
Research Article
Excellent mechanical properties and resistance to cavitation erosion for an ultra-low carbon CrMnN stainless steel through quenching and partitioning treatment
Ze-an Zhou, Wan-tang Fu, Zhe Zhu, Bin Li, Zhong-ping Shi, and  Shu-hua Sun
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 547-553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1601-z
Abstract:
The retained austenite content (RAC), the mechanical properties, and the resistance to cavitation erosion (CE) of the 00Cr13Mn8MoN steel after quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing were investigated. The results show that the Q&P process affected the RAC, which reached the maximum value after partitioning at 400℃ for 10 min. The tensile strength of the steel slightly decreased with increasing partitioning temperature and time. However, the elongation and product of strength and elongation first increased and then decreased. The sample partitioned at 400℃ for 10 min exhibited the optimal property: a strength-ductility of 23.8 GPa·%. The resistance to CE for the 00Cr13Mn8MoN steel treated by the Q&P process was improved due to work hardening, spalling, and cavitation-induced martensitic transformation of the retained austenite.
Research Article
Effect of Ce addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of A380 aluminum alloy prepared by squeeze-casting
Xiao-hui Ao, Shu-ming Xing, Bai-shui Yu, and  Qing-you Han
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 554-563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1602-y
Abstract:
The effect of cerium (Ce) addition on the eutectic Si, β-Al5FeSi phase, and the tensile properties of A380 alloy specimens prepared by squeeze-casting were studied by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results showed that Ce more effectively modified the eutectic Si and refined the β-Al5FeSi. The refinement effect significantly increased under a specific pressure of 100 MPa with the addition of Ce from 0.1wt% to 0.9wt%. In contrast, the average length and the aspect ratio of the eutectic Si and β-Al5FeSi exhibited their optimal values when the content of the added Ce was greater than 0.5wt%. Needle-like Al8Cu4Ce was precipitated with the addition of excessive Ce; hence, the mechanical properties of A380 gradually decreased with increasing Ce content in the range from 0.3wt% to 0.9wt%.
Research Article
Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu/Mg laminated composite sheets produced by the ARB proces
Davood Rahmatabadi, Moslem Tayyebi, Ramin Hashemi, and  Ghader Faraji
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 564-572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1603-x
Abstract:
In the present study, an Al/Cu/Mg multi-layered composite was produced by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) through seven passes, and its microstructure and mechanical properties were evaluated. The microstructure investigations show that plastic instability occurred in both the copper and magnesium reinforcements in the primary sandwich. In addition, a composite with a perfectly uniform distribution of copper and magnesium reinforcing layers was produced during the last pass. By increasing the number of ARB cycles, the microhardness of the layers including aluminum, copper, and magnesium was significantly increased. The ultimate tensile strength of the sandwich was enhanced continually and reached a maximum value of 355.5 MPa. This strength value was about 3.2, 2, and 2.1 times higher than the initial strength values for the aluminum, copper, and magnesium sheets, respectively. Investigation of tensile fracture surfaces during the ARB process indicated that the fracture mechanism changed to shear ductile at the seventh pass.
Research Article
Effects of intermediate Ni layer on mechanical properties of Al–Cu layered composites fabricated through cold roll bonding
Ali Shabani, Mohammad Reza Toroghinejad, and  Alireza Bagheri
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 573-583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1604-9
Abstract:
Layered composites have attracted considerable interest in the recent literature on metal composites. Their mechanical properties depend on the quality of the bonding provided by the intermediate layers. In this study, we analyzed the mechanical properties and bond strengths provided by the nickel layer with respect to its thickness and nature (either powder or coating). The results suggest that bond strength decreases with an increase in the content of nickel powder. At 0.3vol% of nickel coating, we found the nature of nickel to be less efficient in terms of bond strength. A different picture arose when the content of nickel was increased and the bond strength increased in nickel coated samples. In addition, the results demonstrate that mechanical properties such as bend strength are strongly dependent on bond strength.
Research Article
Microstructure and phase composition of hypoeutectic Te–Bi alloy as evaporation source for photoelectric cathode
Bao-guang Wang, Wen-hui Yang, Hong-ye Gao, and  Wen-huai Tian
2018, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 584-590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1605-8
Abstract:
A hypoeutectic 60Te–40Bi alloy in mass percent was designed as a tellurium atom evaporation source instead of pure tellurium for an ultraviolet detection photocathode. The alloy was prepared by slow solidification at about 10-2 K·s-1. The microstructure, crystal structure, chemical composition, and crystallographic orientation of each phase in the as-prepared alloy were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results suggest that the as-prepared 60Te–40Bi alloy consists of primary Bi2Te3 and eutectic Bi2Te3/Te phases. The primary Bi2Te3 phase has the characteristics of faceted growth. The eutectic Bi2Te3 phase is encased by the eutectic Te phase in the eutectic structure. The purity of the eutectic Te phase reaches 100wt% owing to the slow solidification. In the eutectic phases, the crystallographic orientation relationship between Bi2Te3 and Te is confirmed as [0001]Bi2Te3//[1213]Te and the direction of Te phase parallel to [1120]Bi2Te3 is deviated by 18° from N(2111)Te.