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By Guodong Lai, Shixing Wang, Lijuan Chu, Jinhui Peng, Zebiao Zhang

"The beneficiation of poor manganese ores containing phosphate gangue is very difficult by conventional processes, because of the similarities in the physico-chemical properties of the constituent minerals. The shaking table gravity concentration process and concentrated strong acid selective intensified leaching process were used for dephosphorisation of Yunnan manganese ore. The leaching process was effective. The effects of intensified leaching time, solid-liquid ratio and particle size were investigated. The relevant leaching factors were optimized as -0.125+0.088 mm particle size with 68% nitric acid for 24 h when using a solid-liquid ratio of 1:1 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions, the P/Mn ratio was reduced from 0.0107 to 0.0056, and the grade of manganese was increased from 12.32% to 42.76%. The dissolution of manganese during leaching was negligible.IntroductionManganese and its compounds are widely used in the iron and steel industry as deoxidation and desulfurization agents and as alloying additives [1-2]. Because of the increase in demand, low grade refractory manganese ores are becoming a new source. Many Chinese manganese ores are high in phosphorus, which cannot be used directly for metallurgical purposes. This occurs because phosphorus enters into the metal phase during smelting and its presence sharply deteriorates the mechanical properties of the metal [3-4].Kanungo and Sant [3] investigated the dephosphorization of phosphorus-rich manganese ores by selective leaching with dilute hydrochloric acid. They observed that leaching with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.1-0.6M) could reduce the phosphorus contents to the specified limit of 0.12%. Ye [5] investigated dephosphorization of high-phosphorus manganese ore of the Huayuan type. Using high intensity magnetic separation, roasting and leaching with acid for dephosphorization, as used in the industry, a 40.15% manganese concentrate with a P/Mn ratio of 0.0037 was obtained. Yimin [6] investigated magnetic separation followed by inverse flotation of high-phosphorus manganese ore, and found that the P/Mn ratio could be reduced from 0.046 to 0.002."

Jan 1, 2012

By B. Balamurugan, D. J. Sellmyer, J. E. Shield, G. C. Hadjipanayis, Damien Le Ror, R. Skomski

"Rare-earth transition-metal (R-TM) alloys show superior permanent magnetic properties in the bulk, but the synthesis and application ofR-TM nanoparticles remains a challenge due to the requirement of high-temperature annealing above about 800 °C for alloy formation and subsequent crystalline ordering. Here we report a single-step method to produce highly ordered R-TM nanoparticles such as YCO5 and SmCO5, without high-temperature thermal annealing by employing a cluster-deposition system, and we investigate their structural and magnetic properties. Nanoparticles of size = 10 nm are monodispersed (s /d ~ 0.15) and have Hc values at T = 300 K of 8.0 and 4.5 kOe for YC05 and SmC05, respectively. Alignment of the easy axes is performed via a field applied to the clusters before deposition. These processing steps are highly desirable to create and assemble R-TM nanoparticle composites for future permanentmagnet applications.IntroductionMagnetic nanoparticles with high magnetocrystalline anisotropies (Ki > 1 MJ/m3) are required for permanent-magnet, recording-media, and other significant applications [1-3]. In this regard, bulk rare-earth transition metal alloys (R-TM) especially RC05 (R = Y and Sm) crystallized in the hexagonal CaCu5-type structure have shown a large Ki = 5 MJ/m3 (YC05) and 22 MJ/m3 (SmCo5) along with an appreciable saturation-magnetic polarization (Js, > 10 kG) and high curie temperatures (Tc > 1000 K) [2]. The challenges in controlling the size, sizedistribution, phase purity and crystalline ordering, however, limit the research on RCo5 nanoparticles [4,5]. The conventional arc-melting technique requires high-temperature annealing for alloy formation and subsequent crystalline ordering, which causes excess growth and thus results in nanocrystalline powders of particles sizes larger than 30 nm [6, 7]. Low-temperature wet-chemical techniques yield SmC05 nanoparticles of sizes smaller than 20 nm [5], but the control of phase purity is challenging due to the presence of surfactants and formation of other secondary phases [8]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Manuel Alvarado, David Nemir, Jan Beck

"Thermoelectric generation using special N-doped and P-doped semiconductors is well known as a means for direct heat energy to electrical energy conversion without the need for moving parts. The technology is used today in niche markets for low level electricity production and has been proposed as a scalable means for capturing large scale energy from waste heat streams. The choice of geometry of the thermoelements and conductors is critical to the successful implementation of a waste heat recovery system in order to manage losses due to Joule heating and diffusive heat flows. This paper describes a simulation study to define the performance impact of different aspect ratios for the active thermoelements and the electrical interconnect. The use of a finite element model that incorporates the intercoupled heat and electrical energy flows highlights some of the issues impacting scalability.IntroductionThermoelectric phenomena arise out of the intercoupled electrical and thermal currents in a material. A two-element thermoelectric generator is depicted in Figure 1. It is constructed by connecting an N-type thermoelement and a P-type thermoelement in electrical series, with both elements in thermal parallel between a heat source and a heat sink. The electrical series connection is made by attaching conductors as shown. Ideally, these series connection elements will be both good thermal conductors and good electrical conductors.The two element generator in Figure 1 is disposed between two thermal reservoirs: the heat source, which furnishes heat energy; and the heat sink, which absorbs heat energy. Heat energy flux Q, flows from the heat source to the heat sink, driven by the temperature difference between the source and the sink. As depicted in Figure 1, when a resistive load, R, is attached, electrical current, I, may be extracted from the thermoelectric generator and furnished to the load. The N-type and P-type thermoelements, are the active portions that do the actual conversion of heat energy to electrical energy. Although thermoelements may be built using conductors such as bismuth and antimony, higher efficiency thermoelectrics are built using heavily doped semiconductors. Thermoelectric devices are generally formed by connecting many pairs (couples) of N and P type thermoelements in electrical series and in thermal parallel. A commercially available module having 127 couples (254 elements) is shown in Figure 2."

Jan 1, 2011

By Jie Ma, Bo Wang, Jieyu Zhang, Jian Zhao, Zheng Chen

"In this paper, solidification process of steel ingot was simulated by ProCAST software, based on cellular automaton-finite element (CAFE) model. A 22 t steel ingot was divided into continuous small zones (100x150x180 mm) in radial direction, then the temperature field, shrinkage cavity and porosity, particularly, the microstructure were simulated. The results show that: there was a columnar-to-equiaxed transition in microstructure on radial direction. Zones, closing to the center of the ingot, had a more developed and fined equiaxed zone, while zones closing to the periphery of the ingot had a more developed columnar zone. It indicated that temperature gradient has a great influence on microstructural morphology. Thus, the simulation results were highly agree with the experimental results, verifying the feasibility of this simulation method. It significantly reduces the time of simulation, and has important significance for predicting the microstructure of large steel ingot.IntroductionSolidification microstructure of steel ingot have a significant effect on the quality of the final steel products. Although many experimental works have been carried out in order to obtain the optimum condition for solidification process of continuous casting, it is also very desirable to establish mathematical models to simulate the evolution of solidification structure. The simulation methods can be divided into deterministic models and stochastic models, which have been developed rapidly over the last couple of decades. Cellular automaton method is one of the stochastic models. Rappaz and Gandin [1, 2], Nasatac and Stefanescu [3, 4] are the earliest researchers engaged in the this field. Moreover, Rappaz and Gandin simulated the solidification structure and CET (columnar grain to equiaxed grain transition) of metals using the CAFE method (cellular automaton-finite element method) for the first time [1, 2]. Recently, the CA (cellular automaton) model also considered the effects of fluid flow on the solidification process. Zhu, et al. [5-11] improved method of CA , they used the KGT model to describe the undercooling needed during the growth of the dendrite tip."

Jan 1, 2014

By Miguel Olivas-Martínez

A two-dimensional computational model for the hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) process to produce diamond films is presented. The model incorporates the transport of momentum, energy, and mass inside the reaction chamber of a HFCVD reactor. The gas-phase homogeneous reactions were represented by a simplified reaction mechanism. The gas-phase transport equations were coupled to the kinetic expressions representing the catalytic dissociation of the molecular hydrogen at the filament surface and the deposition rate of the diamond film on the substrate. The computational model was solved numerically by means of a commercial software. The model predictions showed good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature in terms of both temperature and methyl concentration profiles along the filament-substrate center distance. Examples of the potential applications of the present formulation for the design and further optimization of the HFCVD reactor are discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Laihua Wang, Peter Hayes, Hae-Geon Lee

"This paper introduces a new process for the efficient removal of dissolved gases and inclusions from liquid metals. This process involves the creation and dispersion of fine bubbles in molten metals by introducing inert or reactive gas into a region of turbulent flow. The highly turbulent metal flow splits the gas into fine bubbles and results in good mixing between the gas and molten metal phases. These conditions are ideal for contacting inclusions in the metal with the bubbles and subsequent flotation of the inclusions to the metal-slag interface where the inclusions are then absorbed by the covering slag layer. Dissolved gases, such as [H], [0], [N] in the metals are also transferred to the gas bubbles and removed from solution.The process concept has been previously demonstrated using a full-scale air/water model to simulate the ladle-to-tundish system of continuous casting of steel. The present cold modelling work has further demonstrated the ability of the process to remove gas solutes. The results indicate that the efficiency of new process is several hundred times greater than that of conventional high speed rotating injectors which are currently applied in the treatment of liquid light metals.IntroductionDuring metal smelting, refining and alloying processes, unwanted gas and second phase liquid or solid impurities are incorporated into liquid metals. In the case of steelmaking, the gas-forming impurities include [0], [H] and [N], and the solid impurities as a result of deoxidation include Ah03, Si02 inclusions. Common impurities in liquid aluminium are dissolved hydrogen and solid Ah03. To avoid subsequent problems during processing and to improve the physical properties of the metal products it is necessary to significantly reduce the level of impurities."

Jan 1, 1996

By Toru H. Okabe

As part of a systematic study on the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides, phase equilibria of the system Li-M-N (M Mg, AI, Ga) at 900 K were investigated. An attempt to determine the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides was made by using the galvanic cell method, which utilizes LiMgN as an electrolyte under nitrogen atmosphere. The electromotive force (Emf) of ilie cell at temperatures between 800 and 1100 K was measured. Whilc the Emf of the cell at 900 K was measured to be 0.137 V, data discrepancies of ±0.03V were found. It was difficult to determine temperature dependence of ilie Emf. The Gibbs energy change for the reaction, 113 LbN (s) + 1/3 Mg3N2 (s) = LiMgN (s), at 900 K was determined to be tJ.Gor (LiMgN) -13.2 (±2.9) kJ/mol. Using thermodynamic information on ilie binary nitride from literature, the standard Gibbs energy of LiMgN was derived to be AGO f (LiMgN)= - 121 kJ at 900 K. The thermodynamic stability range of nitride was discussed by constructing isothermal chemical potential diagrams that provide a better understanding of ilie stability region of the LiMgN phase. The diagram was found to be in good agreement with the isoiliermal phase diagram determined by ilie alloy equilibration meiliod. Although the obtained data includes large uncertainties, the results provide a better understanding of the iliermodynamic stability of nitrides. The potential application of this complex nitride to nitrogen chemical sensors or a medium for controlling nitrogen potential is also shown.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ray Y. Lin, Sunil G. Warrier

"Low cost processing of metal matrix composites is an essential requirement for this class of materials to be acceptable in commercial application. In an effort to reduce the cost of processing of metal matrix composites, an infrared pressureless liquid infiltration technique has been developed. The salient features of infrared infiltration are that it is rapid, simple and a low cost process. The rapid processing capability causes very little oxide formation on the alloy resulting in both improved wetting and flow characteristics and reduced oxygen contamination in the composite. Thus, vacuum is normally not required. Using infrared inflltration, aluminum and titanium matrix composites have been prepared under an ambient argon atmosphere. Reinforcements in these composites include carbon fibers, silicon carbide Nicalon fibers and Textron's SCS fibers. Microstructural and mechanical test results indicate that completely consolidated composites with good fiber distribution, limited interfacial reaction and high mechanical properties can be manufactured by this process. IntroductionAluminum and titanium matrix composites reinforced with ceramic reinforcements are strong candidates for numerous applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. Aluminum matrix composites are commonly fabricated by either solid state vacuum hot pressing, liquid state pressure infiltration or squeeze casting [1]. Although liquid state pressure infiltration and squeeze casting has significant advantages over solid state processes, the requirement for pressure makes these composites uneconomical for large scale industrial application. Titanium matrix composites are primarily fabricated by solid state diffusion bonding [2]. Pressureless liquid infiltration can significantly reduce the cost of fabrication in both the composite systems. However, during pressureless infiltration processes, several complications concerning the wetting characteristics and chemical compatibility arise."

Jan 1, 1994

By Toru H. Okabe

As part of a systematic study on the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides, phase equilibria of the system Li-M-N (M Mg, AI, Ga) at 900 K were investigated. An attempt to determine the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides was made by using the galvanic cell method, which utilizes LiMgN as an electrolyte under nitrogen atmosphere. The electromotive force (Emf) of the cell at temperatures between 800 and 1100 K was measured. While the Emf of the cell at 900 K was measured to be 0.137 V, data discrepancies of ±0.03 V were found. It was difficult to determine temperature dependence of the Emf. The Gibbs energy change for the reaction, 113 Li3N (s) + 1/3 Mg3N2 (s) = LiMgN (s), at 900 K was determined to be !'J.Go, (LiMgN) = -13.2 (±2.9) kJ/mol. Using thermodynamic information on the binary nitride from literature, the standard Gibbs energy of LiMgN was derived to be !'J.Go f (LiMgN)= - 121 kJ at 900 K. The thermodynamic stability range of nitride was discussed by constructing isothermal chemical potential diagrams that provide a better understanding of the stability region of the LiMgN phase. The diagram was found to be in good agreement with the isothermal phase diagram determined by the alloy equilibration method. Although the obtained data includes large uncertainties, the results provide a better understanding of the thermodynamic stability of nitrides. The potential application of this complex nitride to nitrogen chemical sensors or a medium for controlling nitrogen potential is also shown.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ahmad Umar

A variety of ZnO nanostructures such as sea-urchin-like structures composed of nanowires and nanorods, nanocombs, nano/micro spheres and cages, star-shaped ZnO nanostructures, flower-shaped nanostructures, needle-like nanostructures etc. have been synthesized applying two different fabrication techniques i.e. thermal evaporation and cyclic feeding chemical vapor deposition techniques at different reaction parameters such as reaction temperature, growth period, reactant concentrations, types of source material and substrates etc. It was observed from the experiments that the morphologies of the grown structures were highly influenced by the reaction parameters and fabrication techniques and specific morphology can be obtained at particular reaction parameters in a specific synthetic procedure. Extensive morphological investigations of the obtained products demonstrate that the grown structures are single crystalline and having a wurtzite hexagonal phase. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of all the deposited products exhibited good optical properties. Finally, the growth process of the fabricated structures were proposed and discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. Allaine

Carbochlorination kinetics of pure MoO3, Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and V2O5, by Cl2+CO+N2 gas mixtures was investigated between 380 and 1000 °C. Standard free energy of carhochlorination reactions and phase stability diagrams of these refractory metal compounds were calculated. The influence of total gas flow rate, temperature, reactants partial pressures on the reactivity of these oxides were investigated. The apparent activation energies were found to be about 83, 75, 110 and 100 kJ/mole below 650°C for MoO3, Nb2O5, Ta2O5 and V2O5, respectively. Above this temperature, the Arrhenius plots exhibit a rate anomaly attributed to thermal decomposition of COCl2 and/or structural changes of these refractory metal oxides. The apparent reaction order of carbochlorination of these oxides with respect to Cl2+CO was determined. For these refractory metal oxides, the reaction rate was maximum for a Cl2/CO ratio of about 1 in the chlorinating gas mixture. Results of carbochlorination of these oxides are compared and discussed.

Jan 1, 1995

By Kuiting Wang, Jinshan Liu, Ninglei Sun, Aiguo Dong, Yeda Lu

"Eliminating the environmental threat caused by waste effluent containing magnesium sulfate derived from the process of nickel laterite sulfuric acid leaching and subsequent nickel precipitation is always a focus in the metallurgy field. A new flowsheet whose procedures include vaporization, crystallization, two stages precipitation of magnesium, causticizing treatment of filtrate and ammonia recycle was investigated. Both the details of the flowsheet and its application are described in this article. It is confirmed to be an effective and economical method to prevent the pollution by the waste effluent, simultaneity, a series of magnesium products recovered during the process own good economic returns.IntroductionSulfuric acid leaching is the conventional procedure of extraction valuable metals from ores in hydrometallurgy field. During the process of nickel laterite sulfuric acid leaching, several metals, including Ni, Co, Al Mn, Fe, Mg etc., migrate into the leachate in the form of soluble metal sulfate. After subsequent procedure of purification, precipitation of Ni and Co and neutralization, an enormous stream of waste effluent which contains a concentration of approx. 15-40g/L Mg is exhausted. Such solution containing magnesium sulfate is toxic, which causes diarrhea for both human and animals. On the other hand, large amount of sulfate acid was consumed during the process of leaching by the compound of Mg, which increases cost of a hydro nickel plant.In arid areas, the waste effluent mentioned above is treated via evaporate pond owning large acreage, which needs not only the appropriate meteorologic condition, but occupies much land. In coastal areas, it is directly discharged to the sea, which probably deteriorates ecological system of offshore strip. The most widespread method to treat with the waste effluent is neutralization by lime cream, the residues of which containing magnesium hydroxide and gypsum are transported to residues pool. Neutralization is a simple process, but it never recycles the Mg and sulfate anion into new application, meanwhile, the residues are potential threat to the environment."

Jan 1, 2012

By Sung-Mo Jung

Experiments were carried out on a system with artificially prepared slags in a graphite crucible, in order to examine the possibility of recycling BOF slags produced in the steelmaking process. More than 80% of FeO and P2O5 was reduced within 20 minutes and the FeO reduction rate was greater than that of P2O5. P2O5 reduction began after more than 60% of FeO was reduced. Increasing slag basicity enhanced the reduction of FeO and P2O5. Temperature also improved slag reduction. The overall reduction rate was controlled by the chemical reaction at the slag/carbon interface. The reduction rates of FeO and P2O5 were second and first order with respect to their respective contents. Most of the reduced phosphorous is believed to vaporize in the form of P2 gas.

Jan 1, 2006

By Cesimiro Fabian

The crystallite size of copper electrodeposits was determined by X-Ray powder diffraction analysis using a General Area Detector Diffraction Solution (GADDS) diffractometer. Crystallite size was calculated for copper thin films which were deposited on a 316 stainless steel rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) in the presence and absence of additive ?A?. The crystallite size was calculated from a corrected full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the [110] peak profile using the Scherrer equation. The test of significant difference on crystallite size was derived using Kruskal-Wallis method. It was found that in the absence of the additive the median crystallite size was 426, which decreased to 364 in the presence of the additive. As the additive degraded, the crystallite size increased to a size similar to that observed in the absence of additive.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ying Li, Xuling Chen, Xiaohui Fan

"In the sintering process, the behavior and performance of iron ores is extremely complex. Different minerals have different sintering properties. In order to use iron ores rationally and effectively, multilevel fuzzy evaluation method is used to establish the comprehensive evaluation model of iron ores. Because of the relative independent characters of iron ores in sintering process, the characters can be divided into physical and chemical properties, granulation performance, and sintering properties, are divided, and together with iron ores prices as the first level index for judging, which are used as the second level index for judging. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weight of each index, which is used as the second level index. The relative membership matrix is determined by triangular membership function, the comprehensive evaluation model is established.IntroductionIn China, sintering is the main method for iron ores agglomeration. Sinter accounts for more than 80% of the blast furnace. Sinter production in the iron and steel enterprises in China plays an important role[l-2]. As the main raw material of iron ores sintering, the objectivity and integration of iron ores evaluation is essential. The iron ores evaluation methods include of metric ton price evaluation method, iron grade of a single iron ores sintering, acid-base balance method, composition assessment method and other methods which are based on the chemical composition and physical properties of iron ores to measure the quality of iron ores[3]. The high-temperature mineralization is an important process in sintering process, which affects the structure and mineral composition of the sinter, and has a close relationship with the quality of the sinter[ 4]. Therefore, in consideration of the physical and chemical properties, granulation properties, mineralization performance and sintering properties, the iron ores are evaluated by multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method makes a comprehensive evaluation, applying fuzzy transform principle and maximum membership degree principle, considering a number of factors related to the things which are evaluated. The method has lower requirements for the amount of data, and which integrates qualitative with quantitative judgment. It has a unique advantage to make up for the deficiencies of traditional evaluation methods. It also can comprehensively evaluate the iron ores in a relatively short period, reduce a lot of experiments, improve efficiency and guide the sinter production[5-6]."

Jan 1, 2013

By Onuralp Yücel, Mehmet Bugdayc, Murat Alkan

"In this study, iron based alloys (Fe-Mo, Fe-Cr-Ni, etc.) were produced by using aluminothermic methods starting from Mill Scales obtained continuous casting processes. Mill scales are an oxidised layer of steel alloys containing iron oxide, which includes + 2, + 3 values, on the surface of slabs and billets occurring during annealing in heating furnace at integrated iron and steel milling plant, and continuous casting unit. In the metallothermic experiments, different ratios of starting mixtures and addition of the oxide powders (Alz03, Si02, CaO, MgO) were examined, and their effects on the metal recovery and alloy compositions were carried out. The samples were characterized by using chemical analysis (AAS), XRD, XRF and SEM/EDS techniques.IntroductionSelf Propagating High Temperature Synthesis process (SHS) has many favour compared to the furnace applications, such as low energy requirement, low cost, very short processing time and simple operation, [l, 2]. In a SHS process, the ignition starts the combustion and propagates throughout the reactant mixture yielding the desired product. However, the disadvantages of the process such as inhomogeneous or unreacted products due to undesirable reaction rates needs to be overcome by changing some parameters such as ignition temperature, particle size, additive, atmosphere etc. [3, 4]. Mill scale is a layer of iron oxide which forms on ferrous materials cooling after being processed in hot rolling or continuous casting plants. Mill scale contains iron (II) and iron (III) oxides, which result in a 70% total iron content in oxide form. Not being able to reuse this material will prevent the raw material entering the production plant from being fully utilized [5]. This study aimed to produce Fe-based alloys via SHS (Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis) metallurgy which is attractive process technique regarding fast and low-cost production ability of cast alloys by using high metallic iron content by reducing continuous casting mill scale."

Jan 1, 2013

By I. Mc Dougall

"The matte/slag tidal zone in a platinum smelting furnace is subject to severe process conditions which can often lead to premature failure of the lining. The MgO-FeO-Si02 slag is aggressive to refractory bricks, whilst the Ni-Cu-Fe-S matte is aggressive to water-cooled copper cooling elements, and can penetrate and sulphidize refractory bricks, particularly at the high matte temperatures often experienced in the PGM industry. A novel approach to the lining design was taken at Lonmin's new 10MW Furnace 2. An indirectly-cooled graphite ring was applied in the matte/slag tidal zone, with refractory bricks on the hot face. Thermal Finite Element modeling was conducted to determine the optimal lining design in this region of the furnace. The resistance of two graphite grades to damage by slag and matte was evaluated experimentally. The graphite lining is not wet by the matte, and is resistant to slag attack at operating temperatures. In comparison to water-cooled copper in various configurations, cooled graphite shows promise as an indirect refractory cooling system in the tidal zone area of furnaces.IntroductionIn South African Platinum Group Metals (PGM) smelting operations, the PGMs are associated with nickel-copper sulphides in magmatic rocks. After ore is mined, it is concentrated by means of a flotation process prior to smelting. Both rectangular 6-in-line and circular 3 electrode AC submerged arc furnaces are used for this purpose. A new 10 MW round furnace is currently under construction by Tenova Pyromet at Lonmin's Marikana Smelter Division. An overview of Lonmin's smelting operations and Lonmin's approach to smelting high chromite containing PGM concentrates is given by Eksteen et al. [1]"

Jan 1, 2012

By Toshihiro Tanaka

The information on viscosity and surface tension of molten slag is indispensable to design new refining procedures in ferrous and non-ferrous processes. For example, the authors have tried to develop "Capillary Refining" to remove impurities in liquid metals by applying capillary absorption of molten slag with those impurities into solid fluxes which have a lot of small capillary tubes. It is necessary to adjust the above physico-chemical properties to adequate conditions on the capillary penetration. In the present paper, we discuss our recent trial to predict surface tension and viscosity of molten slag in multi-component systems. We have derived a thermodynamic model to predict the surface tension of molten slag by using ionic size, molar volume and surface tension of pure components. In addition, we have applied neural network computation to evaluate the viscosity of molten slag. We found good agreement of the calculated results with experimental values of the surface tension as well as the viscosity in various slag systems.

Jan 1, 2006

By Yonghua Li, Fanling Meng, Weitao Zheng, Xiaodong Wang

The NiTi thin films were deposited onto copper substrates by magnetron sputtering. Tensile tests were carried out on CSS-44100 electron universal test-machine. X-ray diffraction profile Fourier analysis method has been used to study the mechanical properties of deformation NiTi thin films. The surface micrographs of the NiTi thin film were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It has been found that the dislocation density and the deformation storage energy density increased with elongation increased. Microhardness was calculated from the dislocation data. The results showed that the microhardness values were not in a good agreement between calculated values and measured values. The oxide layer on the surface of NiTi thin film affects the measured values of microhardness. The Vickers hardness measured values are larger than the calculated values. The experimental results showed that a series of parallel cracks grew in a concerted fashion across the thin film and the cracks were equally spaced.

Jan 1, 2015

By S. Bagchi

The LaNi5-xMnx-hydrides have potential applications in cryocooling devices for non-mechanical method to compress hydrogen gas. Thermal aging behavior of LaNi5-xMnx-hydrides of compositions x=0.4 and x=1.5 has been investigated. The hydriding properties of the La1.02Ni4.6Mno.4 alloy do not change significantly after thermal aging at 453K for 260 hours. X-ray diffraction analyses of this aged alloy do not reveal the presence of any new phases but the Bragg peaks become broader. Line profile analyses show anisotropic microstrains with an average <e2>1/2 value of -5x103. Thermal aging of the other hydride, LaNi3.5Mn1.5 hydride, at 623K for 280 hours, showed significant disproportionation; the hydrogen capacity reduced significantly from an H/M value of 0.75 in the activated condition to -0.15 after aging. X-ray diffraction analyses showed disproportionated lanthanum dihydride, metallic Ni, and Mn phases. The Bragg peaks were very broad indicative of microstrains or small crystalline domains.

Jan 1, 1997