Rounded Grains Research Articles

Accelerated aging test of seed vigour for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice

Seed vigour tests enable detection of seedlots with high field emergence and storability. Here, an accelerated aging (AA) protocol is proposed as a seed vigour test for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. Seeds of 10 rice varieties, eight with intermediate bold grain type and two with short round grain type, harvested in 2017 were subjected to AA at temperatures of 40–45°C for periods of 24–120 h, or to standard seed germination at 25°C, followed by emergence testing in a rice field. AA treatments that were found to be appropriate to predict field emergence in 2017 were repeated with the same varieties harvested in 2018. Standard seed germination could not predict field emergence of tested rice varieties (r <0.2, α = 0.01). The appropriate AA treatment to predict field emergence was dependent on the grain type. AA treatment 43°C/72 h was found to be the best for predicting field emergence of wet direct-seeded rice of intermediate bold grain type (r >0.8, α = 0.01). Further studies are needed to find the best AA test for predicting field emergence of varieties of short round grain type.

Age of volcanic-sedimentary complex from Сape Svyatoi Nos (Eastern Arctic)

Geological structure and age of the volcanogenic-sedimentary complex of the Cape Svyatoi Nos (Svyatonosskaya formation) are presented. The rocks of Cape Svyatoi Nos are located on the border of the Novosibirsk-Chukotka and Verkhoyansk–Kolyma fold belts, on the coast of the Laptev and East- Siberian Seas. Field studies indicate that the rocks belong to a single volcanogenic-sedimentary complex. The maximum thickness of individual sections reaches up 700 m. Coarse-grained pyroclastic rocks with rare lava flows prevail on the north (on the coast of Laptev Sea). The proportion and dimension of volcanics and pyroclastic rocks decrease in the south, terrigenous rocks appear. In the modern structure, the rocks are deformed.Zircons of several populations were separated from the flow of basalts. Two, the most representative zircon populations are characterized by close subconcordant ages. The structure and U-Pb ages of zircons from the first population suggest their formation during magmatic crystallization with a superimposed postmagmatic thermal event. Zircons of the second population have a xenomorphic appearance, which is typical of zircons formed at the late or postmagmatic phases. The weighted average age (MSWD = 3) of the first two populations is 149.3 ± 1.2 Ma (Tithonian age). It corresponds to the age of crystallization of basalts and the superimposed (close in time) postmagmatic thermal event.The third population of zircons is represented by two rounded grains with Archean U-Pb ages. It is assumed that these grains were trapped by magmatic melt from pre-Jurassic clastic rocks.Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous radiolarians were identified from different horizons of tuff-terrigenous and terrigenous rocks. This is confirm the obtained U-Pb ages and the coeval of all the studied sections. The Titonian age of volcanic-sedimentary rocks allows us to classify them as suprasubduction complexes of the Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous, widespread in the Verkhoyansk-Chukotka Mesozoids.

СТРОЕНИЕ СНЕЖНОГО ПОКРОВА НА СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОКЕ МОСКОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

Snow stratigraphy can be considered as an integral characteristic of weather conditions of the corresponding winter season. The stratigraphic approach is convenient for a comparative analysis of the snow stratigraphy at different spatial-temporal scales, including the variability of the snow cover due to climate change. The snow stratigraphy can be sufficiently modeled on the basis of three meteorological characteristics: air temperature, wind speed and precipitation. Consequently, significant differences in the winter meteorological conditions should produce different stratigraphy.In the Moscow region winter temperatures are almost three degrees higher in the 21‑st century compared to the middle of the 20th century, though precipitation and wind speed are similar. Thus, changes in the snow stratigraphy can be expected. Comparative analysis of the results of stratigraphic studies carried out in the mid‑1950s to 1960s and 2010s indicates a slight decrease in the proportion of faceted crystal and depth hoar layers and increase in melt-freeze layers during the last decade, while the proportion of settled layers composed by rounded grains remains relatively invariable. However, the interannual variability of the winter weather produces higher variability in the snow structure compared to the expected effect of the long-term climate trends. The spatial distribution of the melt-freeze layers in the 2014–2019 was different compared to 1957/58 and 1961/62 due to the increase in the number and intensity of thaws in the winter seasons. In the 2010s, the number and thickness of ice crusts and melt-freeze layers increased in the middle part of the strata, which usually forms in January–February. Such layers composed 5 to 31% (17% in average) in 2014–2019 winters, while in 1957/58 and 1961/62 it was 7 and 10% respectively. A further increase in winter temperatures can enhance changes in snow stratigraphy and properties. It may result in thicker melt-freeze layers, weaker kinetic growth and shorter winter seasons.

Doping effects in (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Hf0.1Ti0.9)O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics prepared via powder injection moulding using simple binder

To improve densification of the (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Hf0.1Ti0.9)O3 (BCHT) ceramics prepared via powder injection moulding, MnO2 and Li2CO3 were used as sintering aids. The BCHT ceramics doped with different Mn- and Li-amount prepared by powder injection moulding in which paraffin was used as injection binder, have rather pure perovskite structure with complicated polymorphic ferroelectric phase coexistence. Polyhedral grains combined with nearly round shape grains with increased relative density and larger gains size were obtained at appropriate doping amount, related to the formation of liquid phase during sintering and increased mobility of ions due to the generation of point defects caused by heterovalent cations doping. TheMn- and Li-doped BCHT ceramics are displacement driven ferroelectrics with apparent diffused transition characteristic at different extent, relating to the morphotropic phase boundary composition and the variation of point defects induced by doping. Comparable or surpassing electrical performance was acquired, especially the dielectric breakdown strength was increased due to the improved sinterability. With appropriate doping amount, piezoelectricity larger than 300 pC/N can be obtained in the Mn- and Li-doped BCHT ceramics poled under low electric field.

Prospects of Replacing Natural Sand with Crushed Rock Fines in the Composition of Fine-Grained Concrete


 
 
 The expediency of replacing natural quartz Sands, whose reserves are gradually exhausted, by rock screenings as part of fine-grained concretes is shown. In particular, the characteristics of granite and quartzite crushing screenings in comparison with quartz river sand are presented, as well as the results of studying the strength and abrasion of the fine-grained concrete obtained. To exclude the effect of the grain composition on the properties of concrete, aggregate samples were pre-fractionated, and the conditions for producing concrete (cement consumption, water-cement ratio, concrete mix mobility) were the same. It was found that quartz sand having rounded grains with a relatively smooth surface promotes the formation of dense particle packing and increases the strength of fine-grained concrete by 9-14%, but at the same time reduces the abrasion of similar standard samples by 20-30% compared to screenings crushing of granite and quartzite. The maximum abrasion resistance showed concrete containing quartzite screening. Quartzite – metamorphic (metasomatic) dense rock crushing which produces angular particles with a rough surface. The absence of dense packaging reduces the compressive strength of concrete samples containing quartzite aggregate compared to quartz sand. At abrasion of similar samples in a thin layer the resistance to sliding of filler particles one relative to another increases. Therefore, when choosing crushed rock fines instead of natural quartz Sands, it is important to consider the purpose of the designed fine-grained concrete.
 Keywords: crushing screenings, quartz sand, granite, quartzite, fine-grained concrete, strength, abrasion
 
 

Impact of brown foxtail millet (Setaria italica) flour on thermo‐mechanical properties of flours from different rice varieties

SummaryThe physical, functional and thermo‐mechanical properties of rice flours prepared from long, round and medium rice grain and of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) flour were investigated. The impact of foxtail millet flour addition on the thermo‐mechanical properties to the rice flours was also explored. Rice flour from long grain had higher amylose content (26.37%), while the rice flour from round grain had better hydration properties compared to the other rice flours. The dough from long grain rice flour exhibited higher starch gelatinisation temperature and cooking stability and lower starch retrogradation compared to the other investigated rice flours. Foxtail millet flour addition to the rice flours exerted a lower impact on the thermo‐mechanical properties of the dough based on rice flour from long grain compared to the other investigated rice flours. These differences might be due to the differences in terms of starch properties and proximate composition of the flour samples.

Genetic Analysis of Anthocyanin Pigmentation in Sterile Lemma and Apiculus in Rice

Genetic analysis of genes that regulate the color pigmentation of sterile lemma and apiculus has been conducted. “Josaengjado” has small and round grains with purple leaf, sterile lemma and apiculus. In the F2 population from a cross between Josaengjado and Daeribbyeo 1, 246 and 182 plants exhibited purple and straw-white sterile lemma, respectively. It fitted a 9:7 segregation ratio indicating that two complementary genes control the pigmentation in sterile lemma and apiculus. Genetic analysis was performed using the F2:3 and KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) markers. Genes for the coloration of leaf sheath, ligule, sterile lemma, and apiculus were detected on chromosomes 1 and 6. Sequence comparison showed a single nucleotide substitution C (Josaengjado) to A (Daeribbyeo 1) in the second exon of the Rd gene on chromosome 1 leading to a premature stop in Daeribbyeo 1. In C1, a 3-bp deletion in the second exon was detected in Daeribbyeo 1. Haplotype analysis was performed in the Rd and C1 genes of the 78 rice accessions. 78 accessions were divided into 14 groups. A total of 11 and 1 mutation sites were detected in OsC1 and Rd, respectively. The haplotype analysis also confirmed that two complementary genes, Rd and OsC1 are necessary to express anthocyanin pigmentation in sterile lemma and apiculus. To our knowledge, this is the first report to identify genes for the coloration of sterile lemma in rice.

3D DEM simulations of basic geotechnical tests with early detection of shear localization

Abstract This paper deals with elementary geotechnical tests: triaxial and direct shear of cohesionless sand using the discrete element method (DEM). The capabilities of the numerical DEM code are shown, with a special focus on the early phenomena appearance in localization zones. The numerical tests were performed in 3D conditions with spherical grains. Contact moments law was introduced due to simulate not perfectly round sand grains. The influence of different physical parameters was studied, e.g. initial density or confining pressure. The sieve curve corresponded to the Karlsruhe sand [1]; however, in some tests, it was linearly scaled. Special attention was laid on the behaviour of the sand grains inside localization, e.g. rotation, porosity, fluctuations, etc. and forces redistribution. Emphasis was given on the pre-failure regime and early localization predictors.

Heat Treatment of Nanostructured Powders Obtained by Spark Erosion of WC-8Co Cemented Carbide in Oil

Spark erosion of WC-8Co carbide pieces in oil resulted in a powder consisting of nanostructured spherical microparticles formed by rapid crystallization of the melt. These particles consist of rounded WC grains with an average diameter of about 0.18 μm, surrounded by cobalt. The process productivity, specific energy consumption, microstructure, particle size distribution, chemical and phase compositions of the obtained powder are determined. It was found that as a result of oil pyrolysis, free carbon is formed (3.4 %), which makes this powder unsuitable for the production of carbide products from it. A technique has been developed and the process of controlled removal of excess carbon by annealing the obtained powder in a CO2 atmosphere at a temperature of 1000 °C has been studied. As a result of annealing for 120 minutes, the carbon content decreases to the required value (5.6 %). Studies of the phase composition and microstructure showed that the obtained particles consist of elongated WC grains, the average diameter of which increased to 0.43 μm.

A case study of freshwater discharge in porous calcarenite formation in coastal terrace at Manapad, South India

The focus of this study is the discharge of freshwater from coastal terraces to coastal areas. A large amount of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) flow moves toward the sea. The study to determine the flux rate uses geology, grain size, magneto telluric, resistivity and water geochemistry for quality analysis. The research is on the structure of calcite and sandstone composed of high-porosity rocks in the entire terrace. The height of the platform is 45 m, and the high gradient of SGD flows through the porous medium. Rock types and grain studies are used to distinguish estuarine, beach and shallow sea environments. Round quartz grains were found at the top of the terrace in the form of nodules, which is evidence of the uplift of coastal landforms. In the microscopic study, the carbonate rock in the terrace contains calcium and other substances. The calcium substance has fine, medium, coarse grain and ionic properties. Resistivity sounding, 2D resistivity imaging, and magneto telluric technology are to use resistivity changes to determine the connectivity of permeable calcarinite rock and SGD in land and ocean underground discharges. Geochemical phase evolution maps are used to support freshwater and seawater intrusions in research areas. Water flow is calculated using 2D ERI and MT images. Due to the porosity and permeability of the rock, five open-hole wells in the Saint Xavier Cave were discovered, forming a calcarenite structure with a high water flow gradient. This is a useful case study for the purpose of drinking water for coastal people in the system of seepage aquifers.

Evidence for Local Shock Melting in Seymchan Meteorite

Pallasite Seymchan contains three morphological types of olivine grains, which occur in a FeNi matrix and have rounded, angular, and fragmental shape. Sometimes the rounded grains form clusters. The texture and mineralogical features of the olivine cluster in pallasite Seymchan were studied by optical microscopy, EMPA, and SEM. The data obtained indicate an imposed impact event in the Seymchan history, which led to local melting and rounding of initially angular olivine grains, as well as to melting of adjacent regions of the host FeNi metal. Local impact melting reasonably explains the observed textures and the coexistence of three morphological types of olivine in the pallasite Seymchan. Configuration of the intergranular boundaries in the olivine cluster indicates the phenomenon of coalescence. The phosphate–metal–sulfide films decorating the intergranular boundaries in the cluster represent the binding medium necessary for the coalescence of the olivine melt drops in the FeNi melt. The texture of the films demonstrates a liquid immiscibility in phosphate–metal–troilite melt. The metal–troilite assemblage in the films differs in texture and chemical composition from that of ordinary chondrites.

Production of ultrafine-grained spherical β-WC-W2C-Co microparticles by electro discharge erosion of WC-15Co alloy in glycerol and their solutions

The present work is devoted to the study of the production of ultrafine-grained (UFG) spherical microparticles by electro discharge erosion (EDE) of the WC-15Co cemented carbide in glycerol, distilled water, and their solutions. Energy costs, productivity, particle size distribution, and morphological and chemical compositions of the obtained powders were studied. It was found that energy cost is reduced by 2.2 times when glycerol was used instead of water. The use of water reduces carbon content from 5.2% to 1.4%. The use of glycerol and its aqueous solutions reduces carbon loss and increases its content in the obtained powders from 3.2% to 6.1%. During SE, cobalt, carbon, and tungsten evaporate from spherical particles and crystallize in the form of ultrafine particles, which subsequently remain in suspension after sedimentation of spherical particles. Mass fractions of sedimented spherical particle fractions ranged from 75% to 82%. Cobalt and carbon content in the spherical particles obtained in glycerol decrease from 15% to 10% and from 5.2% t to 3.1% respectively. The particles consist of rounded carbide grains (β-WC and W2C) with a diameter of up to 500 nm, the space between which is filled with cobalt. Microhardness of the particles increased from 12.1 GPa (initial alloy) to 15.6 (EDE in water)—23.7 GPa (EDE in glycerol).

Effect of isothermal process parameters on semi-solid microstructure of chip-based Al–Cu–Mn–Ti alloy prepared by SIMA method

A typical Al–Cu–Mn–Ti aluminum alloy chip was adopted to prepare semi-solid billets by a Strain-Induced Melt Activation (SIMA) method, and the effects of isothermal process parameters on the semi-solid microstructure evolution of the alloy were investigated in this work. The result showed that semi-solid billets with highly spheroidal and homogeneous fine grains could be prepared from chips by the SIMA method. With the increase of isothermal temperature, the finer and near-spherical grains are obtained, the grains coarsen and became ellipse at 903 K because of the coarsening mechanisms of coalescence and Ostwald ripening. The relationship of isothermal holding time and grains size followed the LSW theory well, and more spherical microstructure can be brought by prolonging the holding time until 3000 s. Thus, the optimal isothermal treatment temperature is 893 K and holding time is 3000 s, the corresponding average size and roundness of grains are 137 [Formula: see text]m and 1.108, respectively.

Compressive creep of coarse-grain WC–Co and WC–TaC–Co hardmetals with uniform microstructure comprising rounded WC grains

The creep process of coarse-grain WC-6%Co hardmetals with uniform microstructure comprising rounded WC grains undoped and doped with 0.2 wt% TaC was studied under uniaxial compressive loads in two temperature ranges of 300–500 K and 600–970 K. The amount of TaC added to WC–Co was below its solubility limit, so that the microstructure of the hardmetal doped with TaC did not contain grains of the second carbide phase (Ta,W)C of the order several microns in size. The creep activation energy in the medium-low temperature range (T = 300 … 500 K) is quite low and lies between 13 kJ/mol and 25 kJ/mol. The activation energy noticeably increases at higher temperatures and varies from 50 kJ/mol to 90 kJ/mol in the temperature range of 600–970 K. As a result of doping the WC-6%Co hardmetal with tantalum carbide the creep resistance significantly increases. In the temperature range of 600–900 K the doping leads to reducing creep rates by a factor of up to nine.

Cement Render and Mortar and Their Damages Due to Salt Crystallization in the Holy Trinity Church, Dominicans Monastery in Cracow, Poland

The investigations focused on the façade of the 17th-century Myszkowskis chapel at the 13th-century Church of the Holy Trinity in Cracow, Poland. Most of the chapel’s façade is made of rusticated limestone blocks, but its lower part is covered with cement render, and the basement consists of irregular pieces of limestone and sandstone, bound and partly replaced with cement mortar. The façade exhibited clearly visible damages: gray soiling of the surface, cracks, scaling, and efflorescence. The study presents characteristics of the cement render and mortar used for stone repair and/or substitution, as well as efflorescence from the lower part of the Myszkowskis chapel façade. The materials were analyzed with optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman microspectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRPD), and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The analyses demonstrated that the render covering some of the decayed limestone blocks was prepared using Portland cement (residual clinker grains represent alite and belite) as a binding agent, mixed with crushed stone as an aggregate. The cement mortar consisted of rounded quartz grains, rock fragments, and feldspars in very fine-grained masses of calcite and gypsum, also containing relics of cement clinker (alite, belite, ferrite, and aluminate). All these components point out the use of the ordinary Portland cement. Analyses of the efflorescence allowed us to distinguish several secondary salts, among others, thenardite, aphthitalite, and darapskite. The appearance of these phases is related to the composition and physicochemical properties of the building materials, atmospheric alteration agents, air pollution, and some other anthropogenic factors.

Niasite and johanngeorgenstadtite, Ni<sup>2+</sup><sub>4.5</sub>(AsO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> dimorphs from Johanngeorgenstadt, Germany

Abstract. Niasite (IMA2019-105) and johanngeorgenstadtite (IMA2019-122) are Ni4.52+(AsO4)3 dimorphs from Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. The two new minerals occur in association with one another and with aerugite, bunsenite, quartz, rooseveltite and xanthiosite. This mineral assemblage is apparently secondary in origin and most likely formed from the breakdown of primary nickeline under dry (low relative humidity) and oxidizing (high oxygen fugacity) conditions. Both minerals are found in sugary aggregates of irregular, rounded grains or short prisms. Niasite properties are as follows: colour violet-red to red-orange; streak pale pink; transparent; resinous to subadamantine lustre; brittle tenacity; no cleavage; conchoidal fracture; Mohs hardness ∼4; densitycalc 5.222 g cm−3; optically uniaxial (–), ω 1.925(5) and ε 1.855(5) (white light), pleochroism O beige, E deep pink (O<E). Johanngeorgenstadtite properties are as follows: colour pink-orange; streak pale pink; transparent; resinous to subadamantine lustre; brittle tenacity; {010}, {110} and {1−10} cleavage; curved and stepped fracture; Mohs hardness ∼5; densitycalc 4.801 g cm−3; optically biaxial (–), α 1.83(1), β 1.86(1), γ 1.88(1) (white light), 2Vmeas 78(1)∘, pleochroism X violet, Y light olive, Z yellow (X>Y>Z). Raman spectra of both minerals are dominated by the stretching vibrations of AsO4 tetrahedra and confirm that both minerals are anhydrous. Electron microprobe analyses give the empirical formulas (Ni3.692+Co0.662+Fe0.032+Al0.02Na0.02Cu0.012+)Σ4.43As3.03O12 and (Ni3.562+Co0.752+Cu0.132+)Σ4.44As3.02O12 for niasite and johanngeorgenstadtite, respectively. Niasite is tetragonal, I4¯2d, with a=6.8046(8), c=18.6190(13) Å, V=862.1(2) Å3 and Z=4. Johanngeorgenstadtite is monoclinic, C2∕c, with a=11.933(3), b=12.753(3), c=6.6956(17) Å, β=113.302(8)∘, V=935.9(4) Å3 and Z=4. The structure of niasite (R1=0.0226 for 471 Io>2σI reflections) is the same as that of jeffbenite, as well as those of several garnet-like synthetic phases. Johanngeorgenstadtite (R1=0.0375 for 355 Io>2σI reflections) has an unprotonated alluaudite structure.

Ti underlayer effect on the ordering of CoPt in (Co/Pt)4 multilayer thin films on Si/SiO2 substrates

L12-ordered CoPt3 and L10-ordered CoPt are formed in electron-beam-deposited (Co/Pt)4 multilayer thin films with and without a Ti underlayer, respectively, on Si/SiO2 substrates by rapid thermal annealing. The crystal structures, magnetic properties, and surface morphologies of the films are investigated by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. In the film without a Ti underlayer, L10-ordered CoPt with an isolated round grain structure is confirmed, showing an in-plane coercivity of 2.7 kOe. In contrast, in the film with a Ti underlayer, L12-ordered CoPt3 is confirmed together with Co-rich A1-disordered CoPt, showing an in-plane coercivity of 500 Oe, which exhibits an angular-outlined continuous film structure. The three sets of experimental results from GI-XRD, VSM, and SEM coincide well with each other.

A new method to determine specific surface area and shape coefficient of a cohesionless granular medium

The specific surface area of soil grains (SSA) influences the physical and chemical properties of soil. Despite the widespread application of the SSA, it is often determined by analytical equations or estimated using empirical relationships and visual comparisons. On the other hand, little attention has been paid, especially to three-dimensional and precise measurements. In this study, the precise SSA and shape coefficient was measured in a group of aggregate with different sizes and shapes using a novel method. Geometrical properties such as volume and surface area were measured for each particle using X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) images and image processing. The particle shape coefficient was obtained from the specific surface area and effective diameter. Further, the particle shapes were measured in three distinct characteristics, sphericity, roundness, and roughness. Particle's roundness was measured by Wadell’s formula in the plan outline, which did not show an agreement with the shape coefficient. Nevertheless, as the particle sphericity decreases and roughness increases, the shape coefficient is increased. Hence, the shape coefficient of grains was classified based on the sphericity and the surface roughness. The measured SSA and shape coefficient, for 12 gradations with the three different particle size distribution and four different particle shapes, indicated good agreement with predictive analytical relations for rounded and crushed grains and more dissimilarity for flaky and elongated grains. This novel method can provide the quantitative/qualitative classification for non-spherical particles and also improve our understanding on the properties of granular media.

Microstructures refinement and mechanical properties enhancement of aluminum and magnesium alloys by combining distributary-confluence channel process for semisolid slurry preparation with high pressure die-casting

Abstract A simple and efficient semisolid slurry preparation technique, called distributary-confluence channel (DCC), was developed to prepare high-quality semisolid slurries of aluminum and magnesium alloys. The DCC process was coupled with the use of a high pressure die-casting (HPDC) machine to successfully achieve near-net forming and implement production applications with rheological high pressure die-casting (Rheo-HPDC) for various Al and Mg alloy castings. The changes in the flow state and in the physical field of the melt during the slurry preparation via the DCC technique were investigated by numerical simulations. The nucleation mechanism and the growth law of the primary grain during the DCC process were discussed. The microstructures, porosities, and mechanical properties of the aluminum and magnesium alloys prepared via DCC Rheo-HPDC were studied. The results show that semisolid slurries containing a large amount of primary grains with an average size 0.8, and uniformly dispersed in the liquid matrix can be prepared via DCC. The simulation results indicate that the melt exhibits opposite velocity vectors on the upper part and on the lower part of the DCC. Moreover, it encounters and collides at the confluence to generate convection, which is beneficial to obtain uniform melt temperature, composition fields, nuclei exfoliation, and spherical growth. The random particle tracking simulation results show that the DCC process improves the composition field of the slurry. The DCC process facilitates the melt nucleation by using multi-channel chilling and increasing the nucleation area. The self-stirring generated during the flow of the melt produces a large amount of free nuclei inside the melt. There exist two main mechanisms behind the formation of the spherical primary grains. The one is the mechanism of explosive nucleation and spheroidal growth, the other is the dendrite arm necking, fusing, grain ripening, and rounding. Furthermore, by comparing identical alloy castings produced via traditional HPDC and other Rheo-HPDC processes, the DCC Rheo-HPDC castings present finer and rounder grains, a lower porosity, and more performant mechanical properties.

Studying the Microstructure of Al-Ti Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy using Three Different Percentages of Ti

The effect of different Ti additions on the microstructure of Al-Ti alloy prepared by powder metallurgy was investigated. A certain amount of Ti (10wt%, 15wt%, and 20wt%) were added to aluminium and the tests like microhardness, density, scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope (OM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were conducted to determine the influence of different Ti additives on the Al-Ti alloy properties and microstructure. The results show that the grains of α-Al changed from large grains to roughly spherical and then to small rounded grains with increasing Ti content, the micro-hardness of the alloy increases with increasing Ti, and XRD results confirm the formation of TiAl3 intermetallic compound during sintering.