Cr Si Research Articles

A deep insight of re-entrant martensitic transformation mechanism in Co2Cr(Ga,Si) shape memory alloys

Co2Cr(Ga,Si) shape memory alloys have a wide application temperature range due to the unique re-entrant martensite phase transformation (RMT) behavior. Nevertheless, the microscopic mechanism of RMT remains elusive and unsystematic. The heart of this investigation lies the comprehensive exploration of phase stability, phase transformation path, and martensite slip direction during RMT from martensite (D022-PM) to austenite (L21-FM). In this work, we systematically investigate the re-entrant martensitic transformation of Co2Cr(Ga,Si) SMAs using first-principles methods for the first time. Firstly, the density of states (DOS) calculation indicates that the stability of L21-FM is higher than D022-PM. The charge density calculation further indicates that the bonding strength between Co atoms and Cr (Si) atoms in the L21-FM phase is the highest. In addition, Fermi surface calculation further reveals that phase instability is due to the Fermi surface nesting caused by electron-phonon coupling. Moreover, the minimum energy path was calculated by the G-SSNEB method for the first time, which indicates the RMT can occur. Finally, the calculation of the elastic constants indicates that RMT is caused by the crystal plane slip of the D022-PM phase along the <110> direction. Our calculations provide the electronic-level and thermodynamic mechanism for RMT of Co2Cr(Ga,Si) alloy and shed some light on the revelation of the phase transformation mechanism.

Revealing the microstructural evolution and mechanical response of repaired Fe–Cr–Si based alloy by directed energy deposition

This study investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of wear-resistant hardfacing structures fabricated on an AISI 1045 carbon steel substrate using a specially designed Fe–Cr based powder for directed energy deposition (DED). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis reveals that the texture predominantly consists of cube rotated {001}<110> and cube {001}<110> textures, in addition to weaker Brass {112}<111> texture components. These textures contribute to the random orientations of martensitic grains and facilitate the tracing of austenite reconstruction. Notably, the as-printed samples exhibited superior yield strength (999.4 ± 86.3 MPa) and ductility (9.6 ± 2.6%) along the build direction (BD), compared to conventional samples, which demonstrated a tensile strength of 790 MPa and ductility of 2%. This improvement is primarily attributed to the hardening effects associated with a low volume fraction of retained austenite and the precipitation of Cr carbides. Comprehensive mechanical response, nanoindentation hardness profile across the interface, and microstructural analyses were conducted to confirm the feasibility of using a Fe-based hardfacing alloy for DED. The findings underscore the outstanding balance of strength and ductility exhibited by as-printed hardfacing alloy, further enhanced by its high printability, highlighting its potential in producing wear-resistant structures for repair applications.

Microstructure and properties of Cu–Ni–Si–Cr alloy fabricated by vacuum-assisted die casting via direct aging

In this study, the Cu−3.18Ni−0.75Si−0.28Cr (wt.%) alloy was fabricated using vacuum-assisted die casting (VADC), and the microstructure and properties of the alloy before and after direct aging treatment were investigated. The synergistic effects of pressure and high cooling rate during the VADC process yield excellent composition uniformity within the alloy, characterized by fine-grained microstructures and the formation of a high-energy metastable supersaturated solid solution. The subsequent direct artificial aging (723 K/6 h) leads to the precipitation of nano-sized δ−Ni2Si phases, thereby enhancing both the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the VADC alloy. The alloy exhibited an impressive synergy of the ultimate tensile strength (659 ± 14 MPa), hardness (250.7 ± 3.8 HV), and elongation (21.5 ± 3.6 %), with an excellent conductivity of 32.3 ± 0.4 % IACS. With the considerable potential for industrial applications, the novel fabrication method enables high-efficiency preparation and near-net shape forming of high-performance Cu–Ni–Si–Cr alloy.

Improving magnetic properties of Fe–Si–Cr-based soft magnetic composites through precise adjustment of salt dosage based on interface engineering

Herein, the composite powder with a core–shell heterostructure (Fe–Si–Cr magnetic particles as the core and ZnSO4 as the shell) was synthesized using hydrothermal method, and Fe–Si–Cr-based soft magnetic composites (SMCs) with an insulation layer of ZnO·SiO2·Cr2O3 (ZSC) composites were successfully prepared via powder heat treatment and cold pressing. The formation mechanism of the ZSC composite insulation layer was thoroughly investigated, and the impact of varying amounts of ZnSO4 on the Fe-Si-Cr/ZSC SMCs’ microstructure and magnetic properties was analyzed. ZnSO4 released oxygen during thermal decomposition and oxidation reaction occurred at the core–shell heterogeneous interface, forming ZSC composite insulation layer. The incorporation of ZnSO4 significantly influenced the homogeneity and thickness of the composite insulation layer, effectively modulating the magnetic properties of Fe–Si–Cr/ZSC SMCs. This SMCs had the best magnetic properties after the addition of 2 wt% ZnSO4. Under 10 mT and 300 kHz, the relative permeability was 37.7, with a total loss of 248.8 kW/m3 The method proposed in this study is beneficial for facilitating the advancement of SMCs towards high frequency and further optimizing its performance.

Effect of Cr on high-temperature oxidation resistance of Cr–Si–Mn alloyed press-hardened steel during press hardening

It is of great interest to overcome the problem of high-temperature oxidation of press-hardened steels (PHS) in press hardening with a cost-effective Cr alloying strategy. Therefore, since Cr is one of the expensive metals, the effect of Cr (Cr ≤ 3 wt%) content on the oxidation resistance of Cr–Si–Mn alloyed steels was investigated. It was found that Cr–Si–Mn alloyed PHS with a Cr content of about 1.5 wt% or less cannot form a continuous Cr2O3 layer during press hardening. However, when the Cr content reaches around 2.5 wt%, the PHS shows excellent oxidation resistance due to the formation of continuous Cr2O3 and amorphous SiO2 layers, as well as an Mn-rich oxide layer. However, further addition of 0.5 wt% could not significantly improve the oxidation resistance of this PHS. Moreover, the increase in Cr content simultaneously enhances the positive role of Si and Mn in high-temperature oxidation resistance. This work provides new insights into the design of the next generation of PHSs with economical and superior performance.

New insights for composition design: A novel synergistic corrosion-resistant effect of Fe–Mn–Al–Cr–Si–Mo–C lightweight steel in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution

Nowadays, a good corrosion resistance of lightweight steel is demanded for its application. However, due to the high contents of Mn and C, which are always corrosion-susceptible elements in steels, the conventional lightweight steel is not desirable for this mission. Although Cr is widely believed to be a common alloying element to improve the corrosion resistance of most steels, it is considered to be ineligible using in the lightweight steel due to the relatively high content of C. This is because the trade-off between corrosion resistance and mechanical properties by alloying Cr. In recent years, the rapid developments of additive and coating manufacturing have provided new possibilities for both the Cr alloying and microstructural modulation to improve corrosion resistance of lightweight steel. In this case, to design a certain chemical composition using in additive and coating manufacturing, it is interesting to clarify the effects of Cr alloying on the corrosion resistance of lightweight steel. To reveal it, in the present work, the Fe–Mn–Al–Cr–Si–Mo–C lightweight steel alloyed with Cr contents of 4 wt%, 8 wt% and 12 wt% are prepared. The corrosion resistances and mechanisms of Cr-alloyed lightweight steels in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution are investigated by electrochemical and immersion tests. The present work may provide new insights for the composition design of lightweight steel, especially for the directions of additive and coating manufacturing.

Effect of powder composition, PTAW parameters on dilution, microstructure and hardness of Ni–Cr–Si–B alloy deposition: Experimental investigation and prediction using machine learning technique

The implementation of hard-facing alloy on the existing materials caters the need for high-performance surfaces in terms of wear and high temperatures. The present research explore the effect of Plasma Transferred Arc Welding (PTAW) parameters and powder composition on dilution, microstructure and hardness of the commonly used hard-facing alloy Ni–Cr–Si–B powder. The hard-facing alloy was deposited with three weight proportions of boron (2.5 %, 3 % and 3.5 %). The statistical-based Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) followed by a Machine Learning Algorithm (MLA) was implemented to identify the ideal parameters and degree of significance of each parameter and for the prediction of the responses. The dilution percentage, microstructure analysis, and phase detection were estimated through elemental analysis, Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) respectively. The experimental and modelling results revealed that 400 mm/min of scanning speed, 8 gm/min of powder delivery, 14 mm of stand-off distance, and 120 A of current were the optimal parameters along with 3.5 wt% of boron powder composition to yield a better dilution, microstructure and hardness.

Parameter-determined interface morphologies and properties of explosively-welded Cu–Ni–Si–Cr alloy composites

Six Cu–Ni–Si–Cr alloy composites are prepared by explosive welding with the designed parameters. Wavy interface containing the melted pockets and shrinkage cracks is always observed, refining the grains to just several micrometers with the localized deformation. Resultantly, the interface regions show higher hardness and yield strength than elsewhere, reaching HV 190 and over 400 MPa, respectively, but their plasticity is less than half that of the base-plate parts. Theoretical analysis successfully relates the area of the total disrupted regions including the interfacial molten and wavy zones in the composites linearly to the flyer-plate thickness (hf) and collision angle (β) as (hfsin2β2)2. For the composite fabricated at an impact velocity and angle of 310 m/s and 8.0°, respectively, strengthening mechanism calculation for its interface part reveals that grain boundary, dislocation and solid solution hardening are most effective and contribute 68 MPa, 370 MPa and 39 MPa individually, making the dislocation hardening dominant for the enhanced strength.

A systematic through-process rolling and extrusion study of four experimental high-strength Al-Mg-Si alloys

Al-Mg-Si alloys are an important class of Al wrought alloys. Further increasing their strength has significant economic potential. Previous approaches were focusing on increasing the amount of the main hardening elements Mg and Si, adding Cu and Zn for additional hardening potential, and adding dispersoid-forming elements such as Cr and Zr. In terms of processing, multi-step heat treatments and interrupted quenching have been pursued. Despite recent advances in the field, data points from the literature are difficult to compare due to widely varying alloy compositions and processing conditions. Here we present a comprehensive through-process rolling and extrusion study on four experimental high-strength Al-Mg-Si alloys (named A1–A4) with a particular focus on comparability of the results between our alloys and with the literature. Mechanical testing after artificial aging and in-depth microstructural investigations at various steps of the processing chain were employed, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We found that Cr addition leads to a strong increase in dispersoids and thus has a strong influence on hot workability, whereas the effect of increasing Mg and Si levels was negligible within the studied composition range. Al3Zr dispersoids were found to coexist with Al(Fe,Mn,Cr)Si dispersoids. Overall, the strength of the rolled sheets was slightly higher than that of the profiles. After 8 h of artificial aging at 180 °C, 2 mm thick sheet made of alloy A4, falling within the specification of AA6086, showed a notable yield strength of 393 MPa, due to nanoscale hardening phases that were smaller and appeared more numerous than in a commercial alloy (AA6082-T6).

Protective layers of zirconium alloys used for claddings to improve the corrosion resistance

Abstract Zirconium alloys are used as a cladding material for fuel elements in nuclear reactors. In the case of severe accident conditions, the possible rapid oxidation of zirconium in steam or/and air may result in intense hydrogen generation and hydrogen–oxide mixture explosion. Advanced technologies for increasing the corrosion resistance of claddings are being investigated in two directions: (a) protective coatings on Zr alloys and (b) the use of new materials for claddings. Coatings with silicon may provide a more protective barrier than the ZrO2 films formed on an alloy cladding during nuclear plant operations. These coatings may also serve as a protective barrier during high-temperature accidents. The current work aimed at developing protective coatings with silicon on zirconium alloys. Multielemental Zr–Si–Cr coatings were formed on Zry-2 alloy using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Long-term oxidation tests were carried out under the following conditions: 360°C/195 bar/63 days/water-simulating PWR water. Obtained results show the protective character of formed layers. The material in the form of silicon carbide grains covered with yttrium–aluminum garnet (SiC + YAG) was prepared using the sol–gel method. The formed powder is the main component for coating formation on Zr–1Nb alloy using the method of suspension plasma spraying (SPS).

The shape recovery behavior of compressively deformed Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni alloys

Cylindrical alloys fabricated from shape memory Fe–xMn–5Si–5Ni–yCr were produced by utilizing diverse solid volume fractions through the use of the powder metallurgy and sintering technique. The shape recovery due to compressive force was analyzed and correlated with the volume fractions. A higher concentration of manganese (Mn) will result in a decrease in shape recovery as a result of the formation of oxides, precipitates and unintended intermetallics during the furnace cooling process. The dislocation occurring within and around the grain boundary is another significant factor contributing to the reduction in shape recovery. The increase in chromium (Cr) content reduces the likelihood of dislocation around the grain boundary. The effectiveness of compressive deformation was examined and correlated.

Thermodynamic assessment of the Cr–Si binary system

A thermodynamic evaluation of the Cr–Si system was performed concerning the latest experimental phase diagram and with the aid of first-principles calculations. The thermodynamic parameters for the Gibbs energy of pure Cr were modified based on the new experimental value of 1861 °C for the melting point of pure Cr, which was previously reported as 1907 °C in the SGTE database. The Gibbs energy descriptions of the Cr3Si and Cr5Si3 phases were revised using Cr3(Cr,Si)- and (Cr,Si)5Si3-type two-sublattice models to reproduce the latest experimental results of their solubility composition ranges, that is, Cr3Si extending toward the Cr-rich side and Cr5Si3 extending toward the Si-rich side from the stoichiometry. The CrSi and CrSi2 phases were considered line compounds with no solubility range, and the solubility of Cr in the Si phase was ignored. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters for the Cr–Si system was obtained using the CALPHAD technique. The phase diagrams calculated using the optimized parameters showed reasonable agreement with the latest phase equilibrium data and thermodynamic property data in the literature, including the enthalpy of mixing, formation enthalpy, and chemical potential diagrams of Cr and Si in the equilibrium phases.

Unveiling the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties in a gas tungsten arc-welded Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni shape memory alloy

Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni shape memory alloys (SMAs) are unique low-cost materials with shape memory properties that grant them the ability to be used in both functional and structural applications. Such SMAs are especially sought in the construction sector for the creation of new components and/or the reinforcement of damaged ones. In this study, a Fe–17Mn–5Si–10Cr–4Ni–1(V, C) wt% SMA was gas tungsten arc welded, with the objective to investigate the microstructure and mechanical performance changes occurring after welding. A comprehensive assessment of processing, microstructure and properties relationships was established combining microscopy (optical and electron), synchrotron X-ray diffraction, microhardness mapping and tensile testing including cycling assessment of the joint’s functional performance. It is shown that the present SMA has good weldability, with the joints reaching nearly 883 MPa at fracture strain of 23.6 ± 2.1%. Alongside this, several microstructure differences were encountered between the as-received and as-welded condition, including the formation of ferrite and Fe5Ni3Si2 P213 cubic precipitates amidst the fusion zone in the latter region.Graphical abstract

Investigating the Effect of Carbonyl Iron Powder Doping on the Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Soft Magnetic Composites

This study proposes the thermal decomposition of salt compounds and doping of carbonyl iron powders (CIPs) to optimize the preparation of an insulating layer through the solid-phase interface reaction. First, (Fe–Si–Cr + CIPs)/ZnSO4 composite powders were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and (Fe–Si–Cr + CIPs)/ZnO·SiO2·Cr2O3 SMCs with a ZnO·SiO2·Cr2O3 composite insulation layer were prepared through heat treatment and cold pressing. The effect of the CIP doping content on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the (Fe–Si–Cr + CIPs)/ZnO·SiO2·Cr2O3 SMCs were then investigated. During the heat treatment, ZnSO4 decomposed into solid ZnO and gaseous SO2 and O2. The O2 drives the solid-phase reaction, prompting the migration of nonmagnetic Si and Cr atoms from the interior of the Fe–Si–Cr soft magnetic powder to the surface insulation layer, finally forming the ZnO·SiO2·Cr2O3 insulation layer. The doped CIPs also show good plasticity during the coating process, combining with the coating layer to fill the internal pores of SMCs. Moreover, as the particles are small with a high surface area, they increase the number of reaction sites for ZnSO4 decomposition and facilitate the growth of the composite insulation layer, promoting its uniform distribution on the surfaces of the soft magnetic powders and CIPs. The lattice mismatch between the insulation layer and soft magnetic powder is reduced while the magnetic-phase content is increased, allowing the effective doping of CIPs sin the insulation layer. The magnetic properties of SMCs can be precisely regulated by changing the doping amount of CIPs. Unlike other insulating layer–preparation strategies based on the interfacial solid-phase reaction, the proposed method exploits the high plasticity and specific surface area of CIPs and removes the lattice mismatch between the insulation layer and soft magnetic powder.

Enhancing growth speed of 3C–SiC using solution growth method by a new low temperature Mn-based cosolvent

Solution growth is a promising method for rapidly and stably preparing high-quality silicon carbide (SiC) single crystals. However, the coexistence of polycrystalline parasitism and solid inclusions during the growth of SiC in high-temperature solutions above 1800 °C still poses a serious threat to the quality of single crystals. Herein, we introduce an innovative Mn-based cosolvent for controlling the stable and fast growth of cubic-type silicon carbide (3C–SiC) single crystals at low temperatures. Firstly, our thermodynamic analysis reveals that SiC is the only stable solid compound in the low-temperature solution (1500–1600 °C) of the Si–Mn–C system, which is an important condition for the stable growth of crystals. Compared to typical solvents like Si–Cr, Si–Ti, and Si–Fe, the Si–Mn solvent exhibits the highest solubility and supersaturation for carbon. Secondly, our solubility calculations of SiC in the solvent show that the Mn-rich solvent can significantly increase the solubility of SiC. Thirdly, we successfully grew 3C–SiC single crystals from Si–Mn solution at 1500 °C without other SiC polymorphs produced. Rapid growth of SiC crystals in Mn-rich solution was achieved by modulating the content of Mn. Our work highlights the superiority of Si–Mn cosolvents in facilitating rapid growth of 3C–SiC single crystals at low temperatures. It introduces a novel approach by applying phase diagram calculation techniques to design suitable solvent systems for the solution growth of SiC single crystals.

Interdiffusion of Solute Elements in the &lt;i&gt;α&lt;/i&gt;-Fe Phase of the Fe–Cr–Mo and Fe–Cr–Si Ternary Systems

Interdiffusion of Solute Elements in the &lt;i&gt;α&lt;/i&gt;-Fe Phase of the Fe–Cr–Mo and Fe–Cr–Si Ternary Systems

Augmenting magnetic properties: Ectopic reconstruction of insulation layer in soft magnetic composites via coating-doping method

The doping of carbonyl iron powders (CIPs) with small particle sizes and high ferromagnetism can effectively enhance the magnetic conductivity of soft magnetic composites (SMCs). However, the poor fluidity and the direct contact between CIPs will increase the effective eddy current size, resulting in increased core loss. To address the negative effects, the ectopic reconstruction of CaCO3 insulation layer in CIPs was realized by heat treatment. A composite powder of Fe–Si–Cr matrix/CaCO3 insulation layer + CIPs was fabricated, exhibiting a unique core–shell heterostructure. Furthermore, the effect of the doping amount of CIPs on the permeability optimisation and core-loss reduction in the SMCs was investigated. Findings demonstrated that simultaneous execution of insulation coating and CIPs doping can promote the ectopic reconstruction and nucleation of the CaCO3 insulation layer on CIPs surfaces during heat treatment. This coating-doping method is expected to prevent the direct contact between different magnetic powder particles, potentially mitigating the magnetic dilution effect caused by the non-magnetic phase. The SMCs exhibited best soft magnetic performance at 15 wt% doping level, where the saturation magnetisation peaked at 185.4 emu/g, permeability increased to 38.6 and the core loss was minimised to 466.0 kW/m3 (at 30 mT and 200 kHz). Compared with conventional doping techniques, the proposed method enables CIPs doping within the insulation layer and enhances the intergranular insulation between the Fe–Si–Cr soft magnetic powders and CIPs, improving the SMCs performance.

The adsorption-diffusion model and biomimetic simulation reveal the switchable roles of silicon in regulating toxic metal uptake in rice roots

Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a serious threat to global food security. The application of silicon (Si)-based materials is a simple and economical method for producing safe crops in contaminated soil. However, the impact of silicon on the heavy-metal concentration in plant roots, which are the first line in the chain of heavy-metal entering plants and causing stress and the main site of heavy-metal deposition in plants, remains puzzling. We proposed a process-based model (adsorption-diffusion model) to explain the results of a collection of 28 experiments on alleviating toxic metal stress in plants by Si. Then we evaluated the applicability of the model in Si-mitigated trivalent chromium (Cr[III]) stress in rice, taking into account variations in experimental conditions such as Cr(III) concentration, stress duration, and Si concentration. It was found that the adsorption-diffusion model fitted the experimental data well (R2 > 0.9). We also verified the binding interaction between Si and Cr in the cell wall using SEM-EDS and XPS. In addition, we designed a simplified biomimetic device that simulated the Si in cell wall to analyze the dual-action switch of Si from increasing Cr(III) adsorption to blocking Cr(III) diffusion. We found that the adsorption of Cr(III) by Si decreased from 58% to 7% as the total amount of Cr(III) increased, and finally the diffusion blocking effect of Si dominated. This study deepens our understanding of the role of Si in mitigating toxic metal stress in plants and is instructive for the research and use of Si-based materials to improve food security.

Suppression of SiC Inclusions in 4H-SiC Crystals Grown from Si–Cr–C-Based Solution Saturated with SiC

Suppression of SiC Inclusions in 4H-SiC Crystals Grown from Si–Cr–C-Based Solution Saturated with SiC

Uncommon Cold-Rolling Faults in an Fe–Mn–Si–Cr Shape-Memory Alloy

The paper analyzes the occurrence of evenly spaced cracks on the surface of lamellar specimens of Fe-28Mn-6Si-5Cr (mass %) shape-memory alloy (SMA), during cold rolling. The specimens were hot rolled and normalized and developed cold rolling cracks with an approximate spacing of about 1.3 mm and a depth that increased with the thickness-reduction degree. At normalized specimens, X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the presence of multiple crystallographic variants of brittle α′ body-bcc martensite, which could be the cause of cold-rolling cracking. Both normalized and cold-rolled specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy SEM. SEM micrographs revealed the presence of several crystallographic variants of α′-body-centered cubic (bcc) and ε hexagonal close-packed (hcp) martensite plates within a γ-face-centered cubic (fcc) austenite matrix in a normalized state. High-resolution SEM, recorded after 25% thickness reduction by cold-rolling, emphasized the ductile character of the cracks by means of an array of multiple dimples. After additional 33% cold-rolling thickness reduction, the surface of crack walls became acicular, thus revealing the fragile character of failure. It has been argued that the specimens cracked in the neutral point but preserved their integrity owing to the ductile character of γ-fcc austenite matrix.