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The difference in microstructure leads to the diversity of shale mechanical properties and bedding fractures distribution patterns. In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Longmaxi marine shale and Qingshankou continental shale were studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) with mineral analysis system, and nanoindentation. Additionally, the typical bedding layers area was properly stratified using Focused Ion Beam (FIB), and the effects of microstructure and mechanical properties on the distribution patterns of bedding fractures were analyzed. The results show that the Longmaxi marine shale sample contains more clay mineral grains, while the Qingshankou continental shale sample contains more hard brittle mineral grains such as feldspar. For Longmaxi marine shale sample, hard brittle minerals with grain sizes larger than 20 mm is 18.24% and those with grain sizes smaller than 20 mm is 16.22%. For Qingshankou continental shale sample, hard brittle minerals with grain sizes larger than 20 mm is 40.7% and those with grain sizes smaller than 20 mm is 11.82%. In comparison to the Qingshankou continental shale sample, the Longmaxi marine shale sample has a lower modulus, hardness, and heterogeneity. Laminated shales are formed by alternating coarse-grained and fine-grained layers during deposition. The average single-layer thickness of Longmaxi marine shale sample is greater than Qingshankou continental shale sample. The two types of shale have similar bedding fractures distribution patterns and fractures tend to occur in the transition zone from coarse-grained to fine-grained deposition. The orientation of the fracture is usually parallel to the bedding plane and detour occurs in the presence of hard brittle grains. The fracture distribution density of the Longmaxi marine shale sample is lower than that of the Qingshankou continental shale sample due to the strong heterogeneity of the Qingshankou continental shale. The current research provides guidelines for the effective development of shale reservoirs in various sedimentary environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are becoming popular in lightweight manufacturing due to their low density and high specific strength. However, insufficient slip systems result in poor plasticity of Mg alloys at room temperature. Therefore, an ultrasonic energy field combined with thermal field is introduced to assist the deformation of AZ31 Mg alloy to improve its plasticity. Firstly, ultrasonic vibration (UV)-assisted tensile tests at different temperatures (130e150 °C) are conducted to investigate the effect of UV on material behaviour and the activation of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). Then, the influences of UV on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the material at 150 °C are investigated by varying the parameters of ultrasound amplitude, strain rate, and vibration interval. The results reveal that applying UV can activate DRX at a relatively lower temperature compared with that without UV. Superimposing a certain amount of ultrasonic energy on this material at warm conditions reduces flow stress and increases elongation. In the intermittent ultrasonic vibration (IUV) tests, the DRX percentage and elongation first increase and then decrease as the vibration interval increases. The elongation of specimens with appropriate vibration intervals even exceeds that of specimens with continuous ultrasonic vibration (CUV). However, CUV is more effective than IUV in reducing ultimate tensile strength at different amplitudes or strain rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of scanning strategy on the microstructure and properties of GH3536 Ni-based superalloy prepared by Laser Powder Bed Fusion was investigated, for the purpose of building high quality hydrocyclone part. The results show that the strength of Z67° (a zone with 67° hatch angle strategy) specimen is the highest among the four scanning strategies (0°, 67°, 90°and Z67°), with yield strength and tensile strength of 681 ​MPa and 837 ​MPa, respectively. Selective orientation of crystals occurs during the forming process because the longitudinal section of the specimen exhibits a high texture strength in (001). As the stretching proceeds, the plastic deformation mechanism of the specimen gradually changes from slip to twin-dominated, a substantial amount of twinning is observed in the region where the deformation of the specimen reaches 80%. The additive manufacturing simulation suite: Ansys Additive is used to simulate the stress and deformation of the part during the process, and the displacement results are consistent with the experimental phenomena. According to the simulation results, the structure design is optimized and the surface quality of the part is improved. The results show that the support of the part is more reasonable when the overhang angle is 45°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]