2019 Vol. 26, No. 5

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Research Article
Propagation patterns of microseismic waves in rock strata during mining: an experimental study
Dong Li, Jun-fei Zhang, Cun-wen Wang, and  Fu-xing Jiang
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 531-537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1761-5
Abstract:
Microseismic monitoring has been widely used in mines for monitoring and predicting dynamic disasters such as rockbursts and waterbursts. However, to develop high-precision microseismic monitoring systems, the propagation patterns of microseismic waves under complex geological conditions must be elucidated. To achieve this aim, a simulation model of a typical coalmine was designed using similar materials according to the similarity theory to simulate the mining process. Geophones were embedded into the model to detect the propagation of elastic waves from microseisms. The results show that in an unmined solid rock mass, the wave velocity in shallow rock strata is mainly affected by geologically weak planes, whereas in deep strata it is affected mainly by the density of the rock mass. During propagation, the amplitude first decreases and then increases rapidly with increasing propagation distance from the coal layer. After mining, our results indicate that the goaf causes significant attenuation of the wave velocity. After the goaf was backfilled, the velocity attenuation is reduced to some extent but not eliminated. The results of this study can be used as guidelines for designing and applying microseismic monitoring systems in mines.
Research Article
Experimental investigation and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system prediction of copper recovery from flotation tailings by acid leaching in a batch agitated tank
Jalil Pazhoohan, Hossein Beiki, and  Morteza Esfandyari
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 538-546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1762-4
Abstract:
The potential of copper recovery from flotation tailings was experimentally investigated using a laboratory-mixing tank. The experiments were performed with solid weight percentages of 30wt%, 35wt%, 40wt% and 45wt% in water. The measurements revealed that adding sulfuric acid all at once to the tank rapidly increased the efficiency of the leaching process, which was attributed to the rapid change in the acid concentration. The rate of iron dissolution from tailings was less than when the acid was added gradually. The sample with 40wt% solid is recommended as an appropriate feed for the recovery of copper. The adaptive neural fuzzy system (ANFIS) was also used to predict the copper recovery from flotation tailings. The back-propagation algorithm and least squares method were applied for the training of ANFIS. The validation data was also applied to evaluate the performance of these models. Simulation results revealed that the testing results from these models were in good agreement with the experimental data.
Research Article
Using Hyper Coal to prepare metallurgical coal briquettes via hot-pressing
Ya-jie Wang, Hai-bin Zuo, Jun Zhao, and  Wan-long Zhang
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 547-554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1763-3
Abstract:
HyperCoal was prepared from low-rank coal via high-temperature solvent extraction with N-methylpyrrolidone as an extraction solvent and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 50 mL/g in a high-temperature and high-pressure reactor. When HyperCoal was used as a binder and pulverized coal was used as the raw material, the compressive strength of the hot-pressed briquettes (each with a diameter of 20 mm and mass of 5 g) under different conditions was studied using a hot-pressing mold and a high-temperature furnace. The compressive strength of the hot-pressed briquettes was substantially improved and reached 436 N when the holding time period was 15 min, the hot-pressing temperature was 673 K, and the HyperCoal content, was 15wt%. Changes in the carbonaceous structure, as reflected by the intensity ratio between the Raman G- and D-bands (IG/ID), strongly affected the compressive strength of hot-pressed briquettes prepared at different hot-pressing temperatures. Compared with cold-pressed briquettes, hot-pressed briquettes have many advantages, including high compressive strength, low ash content, high moisture resistance, and good thermal stability; thus, we expect that hot-pressed briquettes will have broad application prospects.
Research Article
Replacement of alkali silicate solution with silica fume in metakaolin-based geopolymers
Ahmed Nmiri, Myriam Duc, Noureddine Hamdi, Oumaya Yazoghli-Marzouk, and  Ezzeddine Srasra
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 555-564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1764-2
Abstract:
A metakaolin (Mk)-based geopolymer cement from Tunisian Mk mixed with different amounts of silica fume (SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio varying between 3.61 and 4.09) and sodium hydroxide (10 M) and without any alkali silicate solution, is developed in this work. After the samples were cured at room temperature under air for 28 d, they were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, 27Al and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and compression testing to establish the relationship between microstructure and compressive strength. The XRD, FTIR, and 27Al and 29Si NMR analyses showed that the use of silica fume instead of alkali silicate solutions was feasible for manufacturing geopolymer cement. The Mk-based geopolymer with a silica fume content of 6wt% (compared with those with 2% and 10%), corresponding to an SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio of 3.84, resulted in the highest compressive strength, which was explained on the basis of its high compactness with the smallest porosity. Silica fume improved the compressive strength by filling interstitial voids of the microstructure because of its fine particle size. In addition, an increase in the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio, which is controlled by the addition of silica fume, to 4.09 led to a geopolymer with low compressive strength, accompanied by microstructures with high porosity. This high porosity, which is responsible for weaknesses in the specimen, is related to the amount of unreacted silica fume.
Research Article
Effect of CeO2 on heat transfer and crystallization behavior of rare earth alloy steel mold fluxes
Ze-yun Cai, Bo Song, Long-fei Li, Zhen Liu, and  Xiao-kang Cui
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 565-572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1765-1
Abstract:
To improve the heat transfer capability and the crystallization property of the traditional mold flux, CaF2 was replaced with B2O3. Then, the influences of CeO2 on the heat transfer and the crystallization of the CaF2-bearing mold flux and the new mold flux with 10wt% B2O3 were studied using a slag film heat flux simulator and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that the addition of CeO2 reduced the heat transfer by increasing the solid slag thickness and the crystallization of two mold fluxes. However, CeO2 had less effect on the B2O3-containing mold flux compared with the CaF2-bearing mold flux. According to the analyses, the CeO2 contents in the CaF2-bearing mold flux and the B2O3-containing mold flux should not exceed 8wt% and 12wt%, respectively. Therefore, these experimental results are beneficial to improve and develop the mold flux for casting rare earth alloy steels.
Research Article
Formation and thermodynamics of CaS-bearing inclusions during Ca treatment in oil casting steels
Xue-feng Bai, Yan-hui Sun, Rui-mei Chen, Yi-min Zhang, and  Yi-fan Cai
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 573-587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1766-0
Abstract:
Industrial experiments were carried out to investigate the formation of CaS-bearing inclusion during Ca double modification in oil casting steels using polished cross sections and electrolytic extraction. Immediately after Ca addition, the role of newly generated CaS as an intermediate reaction product, which modified the Al2O3 inclusion into a liquid calcium aluminate, was confirmed. The formation of transient CaS was attributed to the high surface segregation of S at the liquid steel-calcium vapor interface, where a simple site coverage model based upon the Langmuir adsorption equation was established. Moreover, a CaS outer layer surrounding the liquid calcium aluminate was attained mainly in the tundish, which was distributed unevenly on the surface of liquid particles according to the three-dimensional mapping results. The surface of a well-modified calcium aluminate with higher CaO activity and Al2O3 activity under bulk composition conditions in the tundish acted as a favorable site for the generation of CaS. Additionally, CaS could be precipitated directly onto existing inclusions during solidification of the steel, which led to various morphologies of CaS-bearing inclusions in slabs. Furthermore, the phase transformation of inclusions during solidification was strongly influenced both by the S content and the Ca/S ratio in the tundish via thermodynamics.
Research Article
Effects of copper content on microstructure and mechanical properties of open-cell steel foams
Hamid Sazegaran and  Milad Hojati
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 588-596. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1767-z
Abstract:
The effects of copper content on the microstructural and mechanical properties of steel foams are investigated. Spherical urea granules, used as a water-leachable space holder, were coated with a mixture of iron, ultrafine carbon, and different amounts of copper powders. After the mixture was compacted and the space holder was removed by leaching, a sintering process was performed under an atmosphere of thermally dissociated ammonia. Microstructural evaluations of the cell walls were carried out using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition, compression tests were conducted to investigate the mechanical properties of the manufactured steel foams. The results showed that the total porosity decreases from 77.2% to 71.9% with increasing copper content in the steel foams. In the foams' microstructure, copper islands are mostly distributed in pearlite and intergranular carbide phases are formed in the grain boundaries. When the copper content was increased from 0 to 4wt%, the elastic modulus, plateau stress, fracture stress, and fracture strain of manufactured steel foams improved 4.5, 6, 6.4, and 2.5 times, respectively.
Research Article
Hot deformation behaviors of a 9Cr oxide dispersion-strengthened steel and its microstructure characterization
Yu Shao, Li-ming Yu, Yong-chang Liu, Zong-qing Ma, Hui-jun Li, and  Jie-feng Wu
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 597-610. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1768-y
Abstract:
The hot deformation behaviors of a 9Cr oxide dispersion-strengthened (9Cr-ODS) steel fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) were investigated. Hot compression deformation experiments were conducted on a Gleeble 3500 simulator in a temperature range of 950-1100℃ and strain rate range of 0.001-1 s-1. The constitutive equation that can accurately describe the relationship between the rheological stress and the strain rate of the 9Cr-ODS steel was established, and the deformation activation energy was calculated as 780.817 kJ/mol according to the data obtained. The processing maps of 9Cr-ODS in the strain range of 0.1-0.6 were also developed. The results show that the region with high power dissipation efficiency corresponds to a completely recrystallized structure. The optimal processing conditions were determined as a temperature range of 1000-1050℃ with strain rate between 0.003 and 0.01 s-1.
Research Article
Effect of electroslag remelting and homogenization on hydrogen flaking in AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steels
Shivraj Singh Kasana and  O. P. Pandey
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 611-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1769-x
Abstract:
Hydrogen flakes and elemental segregation are the main causes of steel rejection. To eliminate hydrogen flaking, the present study focuses on the manufacture of AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel through an alternate route. AMS-4340 was prepared using three different processing routes. The primary processing route consisted of melting in an electric arc furnace, refining in a ladle refining furnace, and vacuum degassing. After primary processing, the heat processes (D1, D2, and D3) were cast into cylindrical electrodes. For secondary processing, electroslag remelting (ESR) was carried out on the primary heats to obtain four secondary heats:E1, E2, E3, and E4. Homogenization of ingots E1, E2, E3, and E4 was carried out at 1220℃ for 14, 12, 12, and 30 h, respectively, followed by an antiflaking treatment at 680℃ and air cooling. In addition, the semi-finished ESR ingot E4 was again homogenized at 1220℃ for 6-8 h and a second antiflaking treatment was performed at 680℃ for 130 h followed by air cooling. The chemical segregation of each heat was monitored through a spectroscopy technique. The least segregation was observed for heat E4. Macrostructure examination revealed the presence of hydrogen flakes in heats E1, E2, and E3, whereas no hydrogen flakes were observed in heat E4. Ultrasonic testing revealed no internal defects in heat E4, whereas internal defects were observed in the other heats. A grain size investigation revealed a finer grain size for E4 compared with those for the other heats. Steel produced in heat E4 also exhibited superior mechanical properties. Therefore, the processing route used for heat E4 can be used to manufacture an AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel with superior properties compared with those of AMS-4340 prepared by the other investigated routes.
Research Article
Friction-stir-welded overaged 7020-T6 alloy joint: an investigation on the effect of rotational speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties
M. Alipour Behzadi, Khalil Ranjbar, R. Dehmolaei, and  E. Bagherpour
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 622-633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1770-4
Abstract:
Commercial A7020-T6 plates in the overaged state were subjected to friction stir welding with four different tool rotational speeds of 500, 710, 1000, and 1400 r/min and a single traverse feed rate of 40 mm/min. The resultant changes in the welding heat input, microstructure, and the mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. The changes were related to the processes of growth, dissolution, and re-formation of precipitates. The precipitate evolution was examined by differential scanning calorimetry, and the microstructural analysis was conducted using optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes. The results showed that the grain size in the stirred zone (SZ) decreased substantially compared with the base metal, but increased with tool rotational speed because of the rise in temperature. We found that the width of the heat-affected zone increased with tool rotational speed. The hardness and the tensile strength in the SZ increased with increasing heat input compared with the base metal in the overaged condition. This recovery in mechanical properties of the joints can be attributed to the dissolution and re-formation of precipitates in the SZ and the thermomechanically affected zone. This process is referred to as an "auto-aging treatment".
Research Article
Microstructural evaluation and nanohardness of an AlCoCuCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy
C. D. Gómez-Esparza, R. Peréz-Bustamante, J. M. Alvarado-Orozco, J. Muñoz-Saldaña, R. Martínez-Sánchez, J. M. Olivares-Ramírez, and  A. Duarte-Moller
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 634-641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1771-3
Abstract:
An AlCoCuCrFeNiTi high-entropy alloy (HEA) was prepared by mechanical alloying and sintering to study the effect of Ti addition to the widely studied AlCoCuCrFeNi system. The structural and microstructural characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The formation of four micrometric phases was detected:a Cu-rich phase with a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure, a body-centered cubic (bcc) solid solution with Cu-rich plate-like precipitates (fcc), an ordered bcc phase, and a tetragonal structure. The XRD patterns corroborate the presence of a mixture of bcc-, fcc-, and tetragonal-structured phases. The Vickers hardness of the alloy under study was more than twice that of the AlCoCuCrFeNi alloy. Nanoindentation tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical response of the individual phases to elucidate the relationship between chemical composition, crystal structure, and mechanical performance of the multiphase microstructure of the AlCoCuCrFeNiTi HEA.
Research Article
Synthesis and properties of SrFe12O19 obtained by solid waste recycling of oily cold rolling mill sludge
Bo Liu, Shen-gen Zhang, Britt-Marie Steenari, and  Christian Ekberg
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 642-648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1772-2
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to develop a new approach for the preparation of environmentally friendly, high-value products from oily cold rolling mill (CRM) sludge. Utilizing oily CRM sludge as a source of iron, strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) powders were prepared by multi-step processes involving acid leaching, chemical conversion treatment, and synthesis by a citrate precursor. The influences of citric acid dosage and the pH of the sol system on the formation, crystallite size, and magnetic properties of the obtained SrFe12O19 powders were investigated. High saturation magnetization (74.8 mA·m2·g-1) and intrinsic coercivities (614.46 mT) were achieved for pH 7.0 of the sol system, for which the molar ratio of citric acid dosage to the total dosage of Fe3+ and Sr2+ was 1.5. This study presents a new approach to utilizing oily CRM sludge, and even refractory iron-containing solid waste.
Research Article
Nanoscale electropolishing of high-purity nickel with an ionic liquid
Jon Derek Loftis and  Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 649-656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1773-1
Abstract:
High purity (>99.9% composition) nickel metal specimens were used in electropolishing treatments with an acid-free ionic liquid electrolyte prepared from quaternary ammonium salts as a green polishing solution. Voltammetry and chronoamperometry tests were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for electrochemical polishing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed nanoscale effectiveness of each polishing treatment. Atomic force microscopy provided an overall observation of the material interface between the treated and unpolished regions. Surface morphology comparisons summarized electrochemical polishing efficiency by providing root-mean-square roughness averages before and after electrochemical polishing to reveal a mirror finish six times smoother than the same nickel metal surface prior to electropolishing. This transition manifested in a marked change in root-mean-squared roughness from 112.58 nm to 18.64 nm and producing a smooth mirror finish. Finally, the mechanism of the ionic liquid during electropolishing revealed decomposition of choline in the form of a transient choline radical by acceptance of an electron from the nickel-working electrode to decompose to trimethylamine and ethanol.
Research Article
Study on the thermal deformation behavior and microstructure of FGH96 heat extrusion alloy during two-pass hot deformation
Bin Fang, Gao-feng Tian, Zhen Ji, Meng-ya Wang, Cheng-chang Jia, and  Shan-wu Yang
2019, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 657-663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1774-0
Abstract:
The change rules associated with hot deformation of FGH96 alloy were investigated by isothermal two-pass hot deformation tests in the temperature range 1050-1125℃ and at strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 s-1 on a Gleeble 3500 thermo-simulation machine. The results showed that the softening degree of the alloy between passes decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rates. The critical strain of the first-pass is greater than that of the second-pass. The true stress-true strain curves showed that single-peak dynamic recrystallization, multi- peak dynamic recrystallization, and dynamic response occur when the strain rate is 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 s-1, respectively. The alloy contains three different grain structures after hot deformation:partially recrystallized tissue, completely fine recrystallized tissue, coarse-grained grains. The small-angle grain boundaries increase with increasing temperature. Increasing strain rates cause the small-angle grain boundaries to first increase and then decrease.