Static Grain Growth Research Articles

Imaging flow focusing and isolation of aqueous fluids in synthetic quartzite: implications for permeability and retained fluid fraction in deep-seated rocks

The microstructure of realistic fluid–rock systems evolves to minimize the overall interfacial energy, enabling local variations in fluid geometry beyond ideal models. Consequently, the permeability–porosity relationship and fluid distribution in these systems may deviate from theoretical expectations. Here, we aimed to better understand the permeability development and fluid retention in deep-seated rocks at low fluid fractions by using a combined approach of high-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray computed microtomography imaging of synthesized rocks and numerical permeability computation. We first synthesized quartzite using a piston-cylinder apparatus at different fluid fractions and wetting properties (wetting and non-wetting systems with dihedral angles of 52° and 61°–71°, respectively) under conditions of efficient grain growth. Although all fluids should be connected along grain edges and tubules in the homogeneous isotropic wetting fluid–rock system enabling segregation by gravitational compaction in natural settings, the fluid connectivity rapidly decreased to ~ 0 when the total fluid fraction decreased to 0.030–0.037, as the non-ideality of quartzite, including the interfacial energy anisotropy (i.e., grain faceting), became critical. In non-wetting systems, where the minimum energy fluid fraction based solely on the dihedral angle is ~ 0.015–0.035, the isolated (disconnected) fractions was 0.048–0.062. A streamline computation in the non-wetting system revealed that with decreasing total porosity, flow focusing into fewer channels maintained permeability, allowing the effective segregation of the connected fluids. These results provide insight into how non-wetting fluids segregate from rocks and exemplify the fraction of retained fluids in non-wetting systems. Thus, the findings suggest a potential way for wetting system fluids to be transported into the deep Earth's interior, and the amount of fluids dragged down to the Earth’s interior could be higher than what was previously estimated.

Comparison of Grain-Growth Mean-Field Models Regarding Predicted Grain Size Distributions.

Mean-field models have the ability to predict the evolution of grain size distribution that occurs through thermomechanical solicitations. This article focuses on a comparison of mean-field models under grain-growth conditions. Different microstructure representations are considered and discussed, especially regarding the consideration of topology in the neighborhood construction. Experimental data obtained with a heat treatment campaign on 316L austenitic stainless steel are used for the identification of material parameters and as a reference for model comparisons. Mean-field models are also applied to both mono- and bimodal initial grain size distributions to investigate the potential benefits of introducing neighborhood topology in microstructure prediction models. This article demonstrates that improvements in the predictions can be obtained in monomodal cases for topological models. In the bimodal test, no comparison with experimental data was performed as no data were available. But relative comparisons between models indicated few differences in the predictions. Although of interest, the consideration of neighborhood topology in grain-growth mean-field models generally results in only small improvements compared to classical mean-field models, especially in terms of implementation complexity.

Исследование особенностей высокоскоростного спекания мелкозернистых сверхнизкокобальтовых твердых сплавов на основе карбида вольфрама. Часть II. Твердые сплавы WC – (0,3 – 1) масс. % Co

The features of spark plasma sintering (SPS) of plasma-chemical nanopowders WC – (0.3, 0.6, 1) wt.% Co were studied. The SPS process of ultralow-cobalt hard alloys can be sequentially represented as a change of the following stages: rearrangement of particles at lower temperatures (Stage I) → sintering of WC – Co particles due to Coble diffusion creep of cobalt, the intensity of which is determined by the grain boundary diffusion rate (Stage II ) → sintering due to diffusion creep, the rate of which is limited by the bulk diffusion in cobalt (Stage III-1) → sintering of tungsten carbide particles along the intergranular boundaries of WC/WC under conditions of intensive grain growth (Stage III-2). Samples with a high density (96.4 – 98.4 %) and high mechanical properties were obtained (for the WC – 0.3 % Co hard alloy: Hv ~ 20.5 GPa, K1C = 7.1 MPa·m1/2).

3D X‐Ray Diffraction Characterization of Grain Growth and Recrystallization in Rolled Braze Clad Aluminum Sheet

Braze clad on aluminum (Al) sheets has enabled fast and convenient brazing assembly of complex heat exchangers. However, there are details in the brazing process that are not fully understood. Herein, 3D X‐ray diffraction (3DXRD) is used to investigate the grain position, size, and orientation before and after controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB). The outcomes are presented as maps of center‐of‐mass positions with relative grain size distribution and color‐coded grain orientations. The results show that, for braze clad Al sheets exposed to CAB simulation, it is possible to distinguish grains from the solidified AlSi alloy from those in the core Al alloy. It is also possible to distinguish new grains obtained through recrystallization during CAB. Hence, the study shows that stretching of the rolled Al sheet by 6% provides enough stored energy in the core material so that recrystallization occurs during CAB and, in addition, provides conditions for AlSi alloy grain growth into the core material. While the phenomenon is well known, it is poorly understood for processes in connection with brazing of mechanically formed Al alloy components in heat exchanger assemblies, and these results demonstrate the potential for gaining deeper insights through 3DXRD.

Misorientation dependent thermal condition-solute field cooperative effect on competitive grain growth in the converging case during directional solidification of a nickel-base superalloy

Nowadays, thermal condition and solute field are considered as the potential dominant factors controlling competitive grain growth during directional solidification process. However, the controlling modes and critical conditions of competitive grain growth have been drastically debated over the past two decades. In this work, thermal condition and solute field are combined to study the competitive grain growth in the converging case by experimental observation and numerical simulation of bicrystal samples. We find the competitive grain growth is controlled by the cooperative effect of thermal condition and solute field, and the controlling modes are related to the bicrystal misorientation between favorably and unfavorably oriented grains. When the unfavorably oriented grain is low misoriented, unfavorably oriented grain dominates grain selection, and the competitive grain growth performs as solute field domination. However, with the increase of unfavorably oriented grain's misorientation, the grain selection converts into favorably oriented grain domination, and the competitive grain growth changes to thermal condition domination. To explain these abnormal transformation phenomena, we propose a misorientation dependent thermal condition-solute field cooperative domination model and identify the critical conditions by a critical misorientation (θcm). According to dynamic equation of dendrite growth, we calculate the critical misorientation θcm to prove this model. The theoretical calculation results agree well with the experimental results.

Precipitation Criterion for Inhibiting Austenite Grain Coarsening during Carburization of Al-Containing 20Cr Gear Steels

AlN precipitates are frequently adopted to pin the austenite grain boundaries for the high-temperature carburization of special gear steels. For these steels, the grain coarsening criterion in the carburizing process is required when encountering the composition optimization for the crack-sensitive steels. In this work, the quantitative influence of the Al and N content on the grain size after carburization is studied through pseudocarburizing experiments based on 20Cr steel. According to the grain structure feature and the kinetic theory, the abnormal grain growth is demonstrated as the mode of austenite grain coarsening in carburization. The AlN precipitate, which provides the dominant pinning force, is ripened in this process and the particle size can be estimated by the Lifshitz−Slyosov−Wagner theory. Both the mass fraction and the pinning strength of AlN precipitate show significant influence on the grain growth behavior with the critical values indicating the grain coarsening. These criteria correspond to the conditions of abnormal grain growth when bearing the Zener pinning, which has been analyzed by the multiple phase-field simulation. Accordingly, the models to predict the austenite grain coarsening in carburization were constructed. The prediction is validated by the additional experiments, resulting in accuracies of 92% and 75% for the two models, respectively. Finally, one of the models is applied to optimize the Al and N contents of commercial steel.

Effect of initial particle size and various composition on the spark plasma sintering of binderless tungsten carbide

The results of studies of the kinetics of high-speed spark plasma sintering (SPS) of plasma-chemical nanosized and industrial micron tungsten carbide powders are described. During SPS the carburization of the surface layer of tungsten carbide samples takes place, which leads to differences in the phase composition and hardness of the surface and central regions of sintered ceramics. The process of SPS of tungsten carbide can be sequentially represented as a change of the following mechanisms: rearrangement of particles at lower temperatures (Stage I) → sintering of particles due to grain boundary diffusion (Stage II) → sintering due to diffusion in the crystal lattice (Stage III- 1) → sintering under conditions of intensive grain growth with an abnormally low diffusion activation energy (Stage III-2).

Исследование особенностей высокоскоростного спекания мелкозернистых сверхнизкокобальтовых твердых сплавов на основе карбида вольфрама. Часть I. Керамики на основе карбида вольфрама

The results of studies of the kinetics of high-speed spark plasma sintering (SPS) of plasma-chemical nanosized and industrial micron tungsten carbide powders are described. During SPS the carburization of the surface layer of tungsten carbide samples takes place, which leads to differences in the phase composition and hardness of the surface and central regions of sintered ceramics. The process of SPS of tungsten carbide can be sequentially represented as a change of the following mechanisms: rearrangement of particles at lower temperatures (Stage I) → sintering of particles due to grain boundary diffusion (Stage II) → sintering due to diffusion in the crystal lattice (Stage III- 1) → sintering under conditions of intensive grain growth with an abnormally low diffusion activation energy (Stage III-2).

Ultralow-cobalt hard alloys obtained by spark plasma sintering

The features of spark plasma sintering (SPS) of plasma-chemical nanopowders WC-(0.3, 0.6, 1) wt.% Co were studied. The SPS process of ultralow-cobalt hard alloys can be sequentially represented as a change of the following mechanisms: rearrangement of particles at lower temperatures (Stage I) → sintering of WC-Co particles due to Coble diffusion creep of cobalt, the intensity of which is determined by the grain boundary diffusion rate (Stage II ) → sintering due to diffusion creep, the rate of which is limited by the bulk diffusion in cobalt (Stage III-1) → sintering of tungsten carbide particles along the intergranular boundaries of WC / WC under conditions of intensive grain growth (Stage III-2). Samples with a high density (96.4-98.4%) and high mechanical properties were obtained (for the WC-0.3% Co hard alloy: Hv ∼ 20.5 GPa, KIC = 7.1 MPa · m1/2).

Microstructure and mechanical properties of bimetallic copper/brass laminates fabricated via accumulative press bonding

Abstract An accumulative press bonding (APB) process up to three cycles was used to fabricate copper/brass multi-layered composites. The resulting composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. Three cycles of the APB process yielded mean grain sizes of 3.1 and 1.5 μm for the press-bonded copper and brass layers, respectively. A detailed EBSD study of the microstructure comprising the copper layer revealed a bimodal grain structure where a coarse-grained region was sandwiched between fine-grained areas. The adiabatic heat generated by the severe plastic deformation may have provided the conditions for grain growth in the coarse-grained part. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the composite improved continually with strain reaching values of 401 and 523 MPa, respectively, after three cycles of the APB process. The values were about ~2.3 and 6.0 times higher than the corresponding values of initial pure copper material.

Investigation into the Selenization Mechanisms of Wurtzite CZTS Nanorods.

Here, we report the first detailed investigation into the selenization mechanism of thin films of wurtzite copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) nanorods (NRs), giving particular emphasis to the role of the long-chain organic ligands surrounding each NR. During selenization, the NRs undergo a selenium-mediated phase change from wurtzite to kesterite, concurrent with the replacement of sulfur with selenium in the lattice and in situ grain growth, along with the recrystallization of larger copper zinc tin selenide kesterite grains on top of the existing film. By utilizing a facile ligand removal technique, we demonstrate that the formation of a large-grain overlayer is achievable without the presence of ligands. In addition, we demonstrate an elegant ligand-exchange-based method for controlling the thickness of the fine-grain layer. This report emphasizes the key role played by ligands in determining the structural evolution of CZTS nanocrystal films during selenization, necessitating the identification of optimal ligand chemistries and processing conditions for desirable grain growth.

PHOTOPHORETIC LEVITATION AND TRAPPING OF DUST IN THE INNER REGIONS OF PROTOPLANETARY DISKS

ABSTRACT In protoplanetary disks, the differential gravity-driven settling of dust grains with respect to gas and with respect to grains of varying sizes determines the observability of grains, and sets the conditions for grain growth and eventually planet formation. In this work, we explore the effect of photophoresis on the settling of large dust grains in the inner regions of actively accreting protoplanetary disks. Photophoretic forces on dust grains result from the collision of gas molecules with differentially heated grains. We undertake one-dimensional dust settling calculations to determine the equilibrium vertical distribution of dust grains in each column of the disk. In the process we introduce a new treatment of the photophoresis force which is consistent at all optical depths with the representation of the radiative intensity field in a two-stream radiative transfer approximation. The levitation of large dust grains creates a photophoretic dust trap several scale heights above the mid-plane in the inner regions of the disk where the dissipation of accretion energy is significant. We find that differential settling of dust grains is radically altered in these regions of the disk, with large dust grains trapped in a layer below the stellar irradiation surface, where the dust to gas mass ratio can be enhanced by a factor of a hundred for the relevant particles. The photophoretic trapping effect has a strong dependence on particle size and porosity.

Sparking plasma sintering of tungsten carbide nanopowders

Spark Plasma Sintering studies of the high-speed consolidation of pure tungsten carbide WC nanopowders have been carried out. The influence of the initial size of the WC nanoparticles and modes of their receiption the density, structural parameters, and mechanical properties of tungsten carbide are studied. Samples of high-density nanostructured tungsten carbide with high hardness (up to 31–34 GPa) and an increased crack resistance (4.3–5.2 MPa m1/2) are obtained. It is found that the effect of accelerating tungsten carbide nanopowder sintering under conditions of high-speed heating is associated with the acceleration of diffusion along grain boundaries in the sintered material. It is shown that the nonmonotonic dependence of the optimal sintering temperature on the initial grain size is caused by a change in grain-boundary diffusion coefficient in conditions of abnormal grain growth. It is found that the size of abnormally large grains in spark plasma sintering depends on the volume fraction of particles of the nonstoichiometric phase.

Exploring wind-driving dust species in cool luminous giants

Stellar winds observed in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are usually attributed to a combination of stellar pulsations and radiation pressure on dust. Shock waves triggered by pulsations propagate through the atmosphere, compressing the gas and lifting it to cooler regions, which create favourable conditions for grain growth. If sufficient radiative acceleration is exerted on the newly formed grains through absorption or scattering of stellar photons, an outflow can be triggered. Strong candidates for wind-driving dust species in M-type AGB stars are magnesium silicates (Mg$_2$SiO$_4$ and MgSiO$_3$). Such grains can form close to the stellar surface, they consist of abundant materials and, if they grow to sizes comparable to the wavelength of the stellar flux maximum, they experience strong acceleration by photon scattering. We use a frequency-dependent radiation-hydrodynamics code with a detailed description for the growth of Mg$_2$SiO$_4$ grains to calculate the first extensive set of time-dependent wind models for M-type AGB stars. The resulting wind properties, visual and near-IR photometry and mid-IR spectra are compared with observations.We show that the models can produce outflows for a wide range of stellar parameters. We also demonstrate that they reproduce observed mass-loss rates and wind velocities, as well as visual and near-IR photometry. However, the current models do not show the characteristic silicate features at 10 and 18 $\mu$m as a result of the cool temperature of Mg$_2$SiO$_4$ grains in the wind. Including a small amount of Fe in the grains further out in the circumstellar envelope will increase the grain temperature and result in pronounced silicate features, without significantly affecting the photometry in the visual and near-IR wavelength regions.

Microstructure evolution and microhardness of friction stir welded cast aluminum bronze

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of a friction stir welded cast aluminum bronze (Cu–9Al–1Fe), produced by a sand casting method, have been investigated at tool rotation of 850–1500rpm and traverse speed of 50–100mm/min. Refinement of the primary coarse cast microstructure in the base metal was seen after friction stir welding. Microstructure of the stir zone was characterized in four distinct areas of non-isometric fine grains while a significant grain growth was noticed in some of the areas. Conditions of grain growth are defined with high heat input intensity and low heat transfer capability. The grain size was observed to decrease after FSW, resulting in a greater microhardness across the welded region from about 100 HV in the base metal to about 150 HV at the center of the stir zone. The increased hardness in the stir zone may have stemmed from the locally refined grain size according to Hall–Petch relation.

Formation of porous SiC ceramics via recrystallization

In this study, porous SiC ceramics with interconnected huge plate-like grains were fabricated from oxidized β-SiC powder with 1 wt% B4C. When the β–α SiC phase transformation occurred at 2100 °C, rapid grain growth of α-SiC consumed the unstable β-SiC matrix resulting in an interconnected network structure with huge plate-like grains. The oxidation of β-SiC powder and the addition of B4C are necessary conditions for rapid grain growth. The observed results are discussed based on thermodynamic considerations. The measured porosity of the specimens sintered at 2100 °C for 30 min was 47% and the mean pore size was 6–7 μm. The strength of the sintered specimen was 45 ± 5 MPa.

Relaxation of protostellar accretion shocks using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics

AbstractIt is believed that protostellar accretion disks are formed from nearly ballistic infall of molecular matter in rotating core collapse. Collisions of this infalling matter leads to formation of strong supersonic shocks, which if they cool rapidly, result in accumulation of that material in a thin structure in the equatorial plane. Here, we investigate the relaxation time of the protostellar accretion post‐shock gas using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). For this purpose, a one‐dimensional head‐on collision of two molecular sheets is considered, and the time evolution of the temperature and density of the post‐shock region simulated. The results show that in strong supersonic shocks, the temperature of the post‐shock gas quickly increases proportional to square of the Mach number, and then gradually decreases according to the cooling processes. Using a suitable cooling function shows that in appropriate time‐scale, the center of the collision, which is at the equatorial plane of the core, is converted to a thin dense molecular disk, together with atomic and ionized gases around it. This structure for accretion disks may justify the suitable conditions for grain growth and formation of proto‐planetary entities (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Formation conditions of coarse columnar austenite grain structure in peritectic carbon steels by the discontinuous grain growth mechanism

The discontinuous grain growth leading to a coarse columnar austenite grain (CCG) structure in as-cast peritectic carbon steels is analyzed by means of two- and three-dimensional phase field simulations. On the basis of the theory of grain growth, the conditions for discontinuous grain growth to occur are elucidated in terms of cooling conditions and material properties. The theoretical analysis explains the results of the phase field simulations well and should be useful in predicting the formation of CCG structure in continuously cast slabs.

The Effect of Nb on the Recrystallization and Grain Growth of Ultra-High-Purity α-Fe: A Combinatorial Approach

A combinatorial approach to the problem of the effect of Nb in solid solution on the conditions for recrystallization and grain growth in ultra-high-purity (UHP) α-Fe is presented. It is shown to be an efficient means for estimating parameters such as the binding energy of solute to grain boundaries, the transboundary solute diffusivity, and the intrinsic mobility of grain boundaries, crucial for practical applications of existing solute drag theories to questions related to alloy design. Using a Fe-Nb diffusion couple (Nb contents ranging from 0 to 0.095 wt pct) transformed within a temperature gradient (RT-850 °C), the boundary between the recrystallized and unrecrystallized regions and the grain growth behavior as a function of Nb content and temperature could be quantitatively rationalized using the slow branch of Cahn’s solution to the solute drag problem.

Structural and electrochemical characterization of Ni nanostructure films on steels with brush plating and sputter deposition

Abstract Layers of nickel were coated on low carbon steel substrates applying both brush plating and DC magnetron sputtering techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a preferential orientation along (1 1 1) for both sputter deposited and brush plated Ni nanostructure coatings. The sputtered Ni film showed better crystallinity as observed from XRD compared to brush plated Ni film on steel on account of the favorable conditions for grain growth in sputtering. SEM analysis indicated that the coatings are very regular without pores, with columnar structure for the sputter deposited Ni coatings. AFM was also applied for surface topography examination. Microhardness value was found to be higher for sputtered Ni film. Corrosion performance of these nanostructured Ni coatings were evaluated using electrochemical techniques and observed that the corrosion resistance of brush plated Ni film sample was significantly higher than that of the sputtered Ni film.