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The artificial neural network was applied to predict the calcium yield during calcium treatment process. Three types of neural network models were established, and the optimal model was selected. Effects of contents and temperature of the molten steel on the calcium yield were calculated using the optimal model. The currently developed model can be used to improve the calcium yield and the stability of calcium content during the calcium treatment process.

ConspectusFractures in metallic materials such as ductile austenitic, ferritic, and dual-phase steels often occur after significant plastic deformation. The dislocation-driven plasticity enhances t...

Sequential transformation in precipitate structure from L12 → B2-NiAl precipitate has been observed for Al0.5Co1.5CrFeNi1.5 alloy with the increase in aging temperature. At 650 °C, the FCC matrix contained L12 precipitates (γ′), which were transformed into ordered B2 structure precipitate at 750 °C. A coarser and more stable B2-NiAl rich precipitate has been observed for higher aging temperature (850 °C). This transformation is attributed to the higher thermodynamic stability of B2-NiAl precipitates overcoming the nucleation barrier at higher temperatures.

In the present study, the effect of the double quenching–tempering heat treatment on the mechanical properties of the HSLA-100 steel has been investigated. In this regard, the steel studied was first subjected to two consecutive austenitization treatments at 940°C and 870°C for 45 and 30 minutes, respectively, and quenching, followed by tempering in the temperature range of 510°C to 700°C for 60 min, and finally all the samples were cooled in air. Also, to compare the results with the conventional heat treatment cycle of this steel, some samples were subjected to single quenching–tempering. Furthermore, the variations of mechanical properties of HSLA-100 steel and the resultant microstructures were investigated in terms of different tempering conditions. Accordingly, it was found that the double quenching–tempering treatment could create a substantial difference in the total elongation percentage (+24%) of the samples by making minor changes in the strength parameters.

The research on the Very High Cycle Fatigue (VHCF) response of materials is fundamental to guarantee a safe design of structural components. Researchers develop models for the fatigue life in VHCF, aiming at assessing the stress–life relation and, accordingly, the probabilistic S–N (P-S–N) curves. In the paper, the models for the stress–life relation in VHCF are comprehensively reviewed. The models are classified according to the approach followed for defining the stress–life dependency, that is, power law, probabilistic, fracture mechanics, or Paris law-based approach. The number of failure modes that can be modeled, the statistical distribution for the fatigue life, and the characteristics of the estimated P-S–N curves are also reviewed by analyzing the fitting capability of experimental datasets for each model. This review is supposed to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the currently available models and guide the future research.

In the current study, the influence of solution heat treatment and aging conditions on the strength and quality index of 354 castings was investigated. Increasing the solutionizing temperature up to 525 °C increased the strength and quality index values of 354 castings containing different levels of iron. A prolonged solutionizing time was also found to further improve the alloy mechanical properties and quality index. The addition of strontium to the 354 alloys noticeably affected the response of these castings to solution heat treatment through reducing the solutionizing time required to achieve the same level of properties as the non-modified castings. Aging treatment provided a wide range of mechanical properties and quality index values according to the aging conditions (temperatures/times) employed. Aging at 245 °C provides significant economical benefits as peak aging occurs after only 15 min of aging. However, this is accompanied by a slight reduction in tensile properties and quality index value of the alloy as compared to aging at a lower temperature of 155 °C.

The present study is the first attempt to join ultrafine-grained materials by electron beam welding. The aim of the study was to check the feasibility and effectiveness of this type of welding for thermally unstable materials. The results obtained are of high interest, while the welding did cause a decline in mechanical properties, the results were comparable to those obtained using solid-state welding, but with a significant advantage of narrower fusion- and heat-affected zones.

The dissolution behaviors of various minerals in the tellurium–bismuth ore during oxidic–acidic leaching were investigated systematically in this work. The Te–Bi phase in the ore distributes in network shape, triangular shape, tree shape, strip shape, bulk shape, sparse granule, flake shape, crescent, etc., which are closely intercalated with FeS, FeS2, and CaCO3·(Mg,Fe,Mn)CO3. Under suitable conditions, 95.61% Te and 95.77% Bi can be recovered. Within 20 min of the initial leaching, most of dolomite and Te–Bi phase dissolve rapidly. With the extension of leaching time, a large amount of rod-shape CaSO4 particles form, attach on the surface of the tellurium–bismuth ore particles, and then grow and coarsen. The (Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)Ox(OH)y phase dissolves mainly within 60 min. Fe–S phase can be corroded but cannot dissolve completely. SiO2 cannot dissolve at all. Besides, H2SO4 and Fe3+ play a significant role on the dissolution of various minerals in the ore. Without Fe3+ or H2SO4 in immersion liquid, Te and Bi are difficult to be leached into the lixivium from the tellurium–bismuth ore. As H2SO4 concentration and Fe3+ concentration increase, Te–Bi phase and Fe–Mg–Al–Si–O phase gradually dissolve, the Fe–S phase can be corroded obviously but cannot dissolve, and the Si–O phase has no change. The dissolution of dolomite is mainly controlled by H2SO4. The dissolution behaviors of various minerals in the tellurium–bismuth ore during oxidic–acidic leaching were investigated systematically. Most of dolomite and Te–Bi phase dissolve rapidly. A large amount of rod-shape CaSO4 particles form, attach on the surface of the tellurium–bismuth ore particles, and then grow and coarsen. H2SO4 and Fe3+ play a significant role on the dissolution of various minerals in the ore.

This work studies the solidification processes and microstructures of Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 (at. pct) and Cu64Zr36 (at. pct) amorphous alloy sheets fabricated by twin-roll strip casting. A largely excessive volume was frozen in the alloy during the twin-roll strip-casting process, resulting in many soft regions and the inhomogeneity of the microstructure in the amorphous alloy sheet. The results provide insights into the solidification process of amorphous alloys and guidelines for adjusting their microstructure.

本文通过磁控溅射技术制备了Al0.2CoCrFeNi高熵合金薄膜, 研究了其组织结构并与Al0.2CoCrFeNi高熵合金块体材料以及G115合金的腐蚀性能进行对比。结果表明, Al0.2CoCrFeNi高熵合金薄膜为纳米晶结构, 薄膜内含单一的FCC相。Al0.2CoCrFeNi高熵合金薄膜和块体材料的电化学腐蚀能力均高于G115合金。薄膜在超临界环境 (650 °C, 25 MPa) 下腐蚀12 h后的氧化物由外层的NiO和内层的NiFe2O4组成。NiFe2O4连续致密, 能够有阻止氧扩散, 提高合金抗氧化腐蚀性能。

The presence of iron sulfide minerals and the lack of dissolution of iron in these minerals in hydrochloric acid causes the titration results to be not accurate, and consequently, the obtained Fe grades to be less than the actual amount. In the proposed method, Fe–S bonds are broken in nitric acid and then iron is dissolved using hydrochloric acid. Increased safety and reduced analysis time are some of the advantages of this method.

Efficiency plays a major role in many areas of the mechanical processing of metals. Especially in basic provision of raw material, for example by cutting components to length during sawing, high penetration and thus efficiency as well as high robustness of the process is required. Here, the sawing tool and its durability is the decisive component in the process. In today's state of the art, at least in modern sawing machines, the condition is recorded via the sawing tool course or also via the motor current. This gives the operator an initial indication of the tool condition. In current machines an extensive sensory recording for e.g., accelerations as a characteristic for the tool condition is not used. The aim of the investigations described in the paper was to use measurement data from various internal and external sensors to record the state of the sawing tool wear and to analyse it using machine learning approaches. For this purpose, cutting tests were carried out on a modern sawing centre and the acquired measurement data were an-alysed using a convolutional neural network (CNN). During the tests, the internal and external sensors were compared to show which of the sensors used provides the best results in detecting wear on sawing tools. The investigations show that the CNN is suitable for detecting tool wear by means of the sensors used, which can be used for on-line monitoring. Finally, an outlook is given, and it is shown how the CNN can be used for active control in the sawing process.

Pipeline welds are subjected to pre-straining based on designs for the installations. So, the present work deals with the effects of hydrogen and pre-straining on the mechanical properties of weld metal. According to the results, the weld metal microstructure was mainly comprised of acicular ferrite. Expectedly, the highest diffusible hydrogen belonged to the 33.6% pre-strained specimen which was equal to 5.1E-06 mol cm−3. Due to increase in hydrogen traps, the diffusible hydrogen content elevated at higher pre-straining. The largest variations in hydrogen blistering were observed in the 33.6% pre-strained specimen. The number of hydrogen cracks was increased by 18–23 percent with the most variations in the 33.6% pre-strained specimen. The hardness of weld metal specimen was increased by 5–10 percent at higher pre-straining in the presence of hydrogen. Hence, it could be concluded that the concurrent presence of hydrogen and pre-straining led to increase in the hardness and hydrogen defects into the weld metal.

This study provides an effective determination process of the interface microstructural parameters in the numerical modelling of the mechanical interaction between two different geomaterials involved with frictional-bonded interfaces, such as the interaction between backfill columns and the surrounding rocks, or the soil-structure interaction, by using the coupled finite-difference and discrete-element (FD-DE) method. Three-dimensional numerical direct shear tests were conducted on the coupled FD-DE model of the combined rock-cemented rockfill (R-CRF) specimens with the frictional-bonded interface. With the microstructural parameters determined, the macro-mechanical properties of the interface of the coupled model were calibrated to well fit with the theoretical values of the combined specimen under the direct shear condition assumed according to the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion. Evident elastoplastic shear behaviour was observed on the interfaces, and excellent agreement was attained between the shapes of the theoretical and simulated shear stress-displacement curves of the coupled models at different servo-controlled normal stresses. Particulate-scale force chains inside the DE model of the CRF specimen were highly consistent with the force contour on the FD model of the rock specimen, demonstrating the shear stress evolution of the coupled model at different shear displacements. Parametric studies verified the effects of the deformation properties of the interface parallel bonds on the shape of shear stress-displacement curves of the coupled models. The test results validated the feasibility and rationality of the coupled FD-DE method for modelling the combined specimens with frictional-bonded interfaces or joints. Furthermore, this study provides valuable numerical modelling experience for investigating the shear behaviour at the interface between cemented backfill columns and surrounding walls by using the coupled FD-DE method.

A novel three-dimensional hierarchical WO3 photoelectrode was prepared by solvothermal method, and ZnO was deposited on its surface by electrochemical method. The WO3/ZnWO4/ZnO multiphase-heterojunction photoelectrode was prepared by further annealing treatment to explore the photoinduced cathodic protection (CP) performance. Compared with WO3 and ZnO, the photoinduced CP and electron storage capacity performance of WO3/ZnWO4/ZnO is significantly improved in 3.5% NaCl solution without adding any hole scavenger. The electron storage capacity of the WO3/ZnWO4/ZnO heterojunction makes it possible to continuously protect metallic materials in the dark after switching off the light, which can realize long-term and effective photoinduced CP.

New methods for compacting graphite fiber powder composites developed by the authors are described. These methods help to remove considerable amounts of gases and liquid vapors from powder loaded into the punch-and-die set and from the compact prior to the main compacting operation.

Acoustic signals generated during industrial processes have potential to monitor and provide information about the process parameters. The effect of build-up on the ladle wall on the sound signal was studied on a cold model gas-stirred ladle using an array of four microphones. Power spectrum analysis of the recorded sound showed 2200 to 3200 Hz to be an effective frequency range to detect the presence of build-up on the ladle wall. The amplitude difference in the signals of microphones 2 and 4 (located near and far from the build-up, respectively) was observed to be greater at thin oil levels. Thick oil levels were observed to limit the detection of the build-ups in the ladle. A peak shift in the frequency range 800 to 900 Hz were observed to provide the information about the variations in the oil layer heights in the ladle. The experiments demonstrated that multiple microphones can detect the presence of build-up on the ladle wall more effectively than a single microphone. This technique can potentially help operators to detect amount of stirring as well as the build-ups on ladle wall.

Additive manufacturing (AM) especially laser additive manufacturing (LAM), a novel manufacturing technique of layer-by-layer forming according to geometric model, provides a decent option for materials processing. It owns advantages of rapid prototyping, customization, high material utilization, and the ability to form complicated structures. This paper reviews popular LAM techniques of selective laser sintering/melting, laser metal deposition and laser direct writing. The development status of metallic materials including pure metal, steel, superalloy, titanium and aluminum alloy is presented. The challenges and application limitations of LAM are involved and the development trend in the future is forecasted. In summary, this paper gives an overview of metal LAM expecting to made helpful suggestions on future research and development.

To predict the damage to and response of aircraft structures during wheel-up crash landing, numerical simulations were performed using a constitutive and damage model for ductile metallic materials developed in the ABAQUS/Explicit environment. The model of an entire aircraft and detailed submodels were established. The Johnson–Cook and Gurson material constitutive models were validated by conducting Hopkinson’s bar test. A drop hammer test and a static test of the fuse pins were performed to determine and verify the response and strength of the structure. The experimental and analytical results indicate that the stain rate and damage parameters significantly influence the emergency separation load, fuse pin strength, and separation sequence. The analysis results were compared with the test results, and a close agreement was found in terms of the maximum load and deformation.

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are recognized as one of the promising candidates for future energy storage devices due to their merits of cost-effectiveness, high voltage, and high-power operation. Many efforts have been devoted to the development of cathode materials, and the progress has been well summarized in this review paper. Moreover, in addition to materials, the intercalation mechanism also plays a key role in determining cell performance. Here, the research progress of cathode materials and corresponding ion intercalation mechanism in AIBs are summarized, including intercalation of AlCl4−, intercalation of Al3+, and coordination of AlCl2+/AlCl2+. This minireview provides comprehensive guidance on the design of cathode materials for the development of high-performance AIBs.

The phase relationships at 950 °C and 1100 °C in the whole composition range of the Ni–Hf–Ta system were critically investigated using equilibrated alloys by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction techniques. A ternary phase τ with Hf2Rh-structure was found in the annealed alloys, and the composition ranges of Ta were measured to be ~ 8.2 to 20.1 at. pct at 950 °C and ~ 7.1 to 20.7 at. pct at 1100 °C. The solid solubilities of Ta in the Ni–Hf binary compounds and Hf in the Ni–Ta binary compounds were determined. Two entire isothermal sections at 950 °C and 1100 °C in the Ni–Hf–Ta system were constructed, and 15 and 16 three-phase regions were determined, respectively.

In injection molding, the thermomechanical condition of the solidifying part inside the cavity determines the morphology developed during cooling and thus the final properties of the component. This condition is significantly affected by the thermal contact resistance (TCR) at the polymer/mold interface. TCR is one of the most significant heat transfer characteristics that affect the quality of injection-molded components. TCR values significantly influence the simulated temperature distribution of the solidifying part inside the cavity. Using incorrect TCR values affect the accuracy of the simulated results leading to defects in the molded components. Further, the overall heat transfer during injection molding is influenced by the coolant characteristics and the thermophysical properties of the mold material. This paper gives an insight into the role of thermal transport phenomenon in the injection molding process, and particularly the importance of TCR during simulation of injection molding.

The microstructure, aging behavior and mechanical properties of cast Mg–3Nd–3Gd–xZn–0.5Zr (x = 0, 0.5, 0.8, 1 wt%) alloys are investigated in this work. Zn–Zr particles with different morphologies form during solution treatment due to the additions of Zn. As the Zn content increases, the number density of Zn–Zr particles also increases. Microstructural comparisons of peak-aged studied alloys indicate that varying Zn additions could profoundly influence the competitive precipitation behavior. In the peak-aged Zn-free alloy, β′′ phases are the key strengthening precipitates. When 0.5 wt% Zn is added, besides β′′ precipitates, additional fine β1 precipitates form. With the addition of 0.8 wt% Zn, the peak-aged 0.8Zn alloy is characterized by predominantly prismatic β1 and scanty basal precipitate distributions. The enhanced precipitation of β1 should be primarily attributable to the presence of increased Zn–Zr dispersoids. When Zn content further increases to 1 wt%, the precipitation of basal precipitates is markedly enhanced. Basal precipitates and β1 phases are the key strengthening precipitates in the peak-aged 1Zn alloy. Tensile tests reveal that the relatively best tensile properties are achieved in the peak-aged alloy with 0.5 wt% Zn addition, whose yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 179 MPa, 301 MPa and 5.3%, respectively.

The activation energy of creep rupture is determined based on a new tensile creep rupture model and then applied to rationalize the creep rupture data measured over a wide range of stresses and temperatures, which enabled the predictions of 100,000 hours and 200,000 hours creep rupture strengths to be made at different temperatures in the range of 650 °C to 875 °C for alloy Inconel 740/740H. The reliability of such long-term predictions is also analyzed.

Friction stir welding (FSW) was developed initially for welding aluminium alloys which were difficult to weld using conventional welding techniques, and a remarkable success was accomplished in these alloys and other wide range of metals. Then, this technique has been applied without any modifications for welding polymeric materials. As a result, conventional FSW of polymeric materials did not achieve satisfactory joint strength due to the huge differences between the properties of metals and thermoplastic materials. As a consequence, several modifications, developments and patents have been introduced to harmonise this technique with thermoplastic materials. This work aims to present the problems associated with the application of conventional FSW of polymers and the methods that have been developed to overcome these issues and make comparisons between them.

Synergetic strengthening by designing of gradient nanostructures is a novel method to enhance strength in metals and alloys. Herein, we realize synergetic strengthening in strain-softening Zn alloy with gradient nanostructures. The results show that synergetic strengthening accounts for at least 25.5 pct of the yield strength of the strain-softening Zn alloy. The synergetic strengthening is induced by the microstructural gradient and the resultant strength gradient regardless of specific hardening or softening of the refined microstructures.

Dislocations profoundly impact the mechanical behavior of materials. High dislocation density induced strengthening is easily achieved in metallic materials, but it is a challenge in ceramics. Here...

Porous metals are a class of cellular materials with lightweight and unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, physical and acoustic characteristics. Magnesium and magnesium alloy foams have exhibited excellent advantages. In particular, open-cell Mg-based foams (porous Mg/Mg alloy foams) have been used for bioresorbable implants, CO2 trapping systems, filters, heat exchangers, absorbent panels and many other applications. While significant progress has been taken in producing porous Mg-based foams with good structure–property relations, but with a large number of different processing parameters, different mechanical properties and pore morphologies of each porous Mg-based foam, it is essential to understand the individual effects of each aspect of the parameters. Therefore, the present article summarized the effects of available processing parameters on the structure and mechanical properties of the porous Mg-based foams. Finally, the future perspectives to enhance the structure and properties of porous Mg/Mg alloy foams were discussed.

Pitting initiation and stable propagation behaviors of 2205 duplex stainless steel were investigated in the hot concentrated seawater under vacuum pressures by potentiostatic polarization. Both applied potentials and vacuum pressures greatly influence the pitting corrosion. Higher potentials lead to much faster stable pitting initiation and growth rates in both static (101.3 kPa) and dynamic (28.4 kPa) solutions. The pressure reduction can also accelerate the pitting initiation rate. However, the boiling of solution can influence the pitting propagation mechanism. The dynamic actions of boiling bubbles are unfavorable to the pit propagation and result in the formation of relatively smooth pit bottom without secondary pits.

Oriented materials are of great importance, but their formation is rarely described. Here, nine Al/Al2O3 systems were designed to identify the dominant factors. Electron back-scattered diffraction indicates that the new Al crystal(s) with one or multiple orientation(s) can be stimulated by one single-crystal Al2O3 substrates. Synchrotron radiation diffraction shows that the preferred orientation(s) is/are determined based on the initial stage of the liquid–solid transition. The nonpreferred orientation can be suppressed through competition.

Electron microscopy revealed continuous and discontinuous precipitation of κ-Co3AlC0.5 in a Co-10Al-3Cu-1C (at. pct) alloy during aging at 500 °C, 850 °C, and 900 °C. The kinetics of the discontinuous reaction at 500 °C are sluggish. Increasing the temperature increases the kinetics significantly, due to the exponential increase in the Al grain boundary diffusivity. However, the kinetics at 900 °C are slower than those at 850 °C, due to a significant decrease in the driving force.

O interesse do material anfórico e metálico proveniente dos primeiros trabalhos de campo realizados em Chibanes e publicados em O Arqueólogo Português, por António Inácio Marques da Costa, na primeira década do século XX, suscitou a revisão da totalidade da coleção, depositada no Museu Nacional de Arqueologia. Procede-se à análise da história da investigação dessa particular coleção, quando está em preparação um volume dedicado aos últimos vinte anos do projeto de investigação levado a efeito em Chibanes pelo Museu de Arqueologia e Etnografia do Distrito de Setúbal (MAEDS)/AMRS. Alia-se ao compromisso de fazer perdurar a memória do pioneirismo arqueológico regional, o conhecimento de alguns artefactos de inegável qualidade e pertinência tipológica e funcional., The major interest on amphorae and metallic materials from the ancient fieldwork carried out in Chibanes and published in O Arqueólogo Português by António Inácio Marques da Costa in the first decade of the 20th century led to the revision of the entire collection deposited in the National Museum of Archaeology. The history of the investigation on this particular collection is analyzed in the course of the preparation of a volume dedicated to the last twenty years of the research project developed on Chibanes by the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Setubal District (MAEDS) / AMRS. There is a commitment to keep the memory of the pioneer archaeologist, A. I. Marques da Costa, in our region and the aim to get some artifacts with undeniable quality and typological relevance acquainted.

As reported in previous studies, the processing of Mo–Si–B alloys using additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, like directed energy deposition (DED) shows a high technical feasibility. The present work investigates the cyclic oxidation performance of an AM DED Mo–9Si–8B alloy. Depending on the temperature (800 °C, 1100 °C, 1300 °C), the oxidation mechanisms vary, which is due to different reactions at the surface of the alloys accompanied with mass changes of samples. These mass changes can be explained on the basis of microstructural investigations. However, compared to a powder metallurgically processed Mo–9Si–8B alloy, the AM-DED alloy shows competitive oxidation performance at potential application temperatures of 1100 °C and 1300 °C, while a catastrophic materials degradation occurs at 800 °C as also observed in other Mo-rich Mo–Si–B alloys.

The scheelite concentrate was leached with a mixture of sulfuric and oxalic acids. Chemical compositions, mineral phases, and morphology were characterized by XRF, XRD, and SEM–EDS. Based on the results of the single-factor experiments, the response surface methodology (RSM) was chosen to optimize the leaching parameters: temperature, time, and concentrations of sulfuric and oxalic acids. The RSM results indicate that the optimum values for those parameters are as follows: temperature 72 ℃, sulfuric acid concentration 1.48 mol/L, oxalic acid concentration 0.96 mol/L, and reaction time 2 h. Under the optimal leaching conditions, the model predicts a maximum leaching yield of 99.5%, compared to the value of 99.1% obtained experimentally, that is, a discrepancy of only 0.04%. This good correlation shows that the quadratic polynomial equation obtained by the RSM optimization is reliable. The importance on leaching parameters of scheelite is, in decreasing order, temperature, time, sulfuric acid concentration, and oxalic acid concentration.

Welding fumes have been found to be carcinogenic and stainless steel welders may be at higher risk due to increased formation of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The slag-shielded methods, identified to generate most airborne particles and Cr(VI), would potentially be most harmful. With ever-stricter limits set to protect workers, measures to minimize human exposure become crucial. Austenitic stainless steel flux-cored wires of 316L type have been developed with the aim to reduce the toxicity of the welding fume without compromised usability. Collected particles were compared with fumes formed using solid, metal-cored, and standard flux-cored wires. In part 1, the new wires were concluded to have improved weldability, to generate even less Cr(VI) in wt.-% than with solid wire and to be less acute toxic in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells as compared to standard flux-cored wires. In part 2, two additional institutes created fume emission datasheets for the same wires for correlation with the fume data obtained in part 1. The reported values showed large variations between the three laboratories, having a significant effect on the standard deviation. This is suggested to be the result of different welding parameters and various ways to collect and analyze the fume. More stringent specifications on parameter settings and fume collection would be required to increase the accuracy. This means that at present, it may not be possible to compare fume data on datasheets from two different wire producers and care should be taken in interpretation of values given in the available literature. Nevertheless, the laboratories confirmed the same trends for Cr(VI) as presented in part 1.

Metallurgical Transactions—and its subsequent MMTA and MMTB—has been a home for numerous contributions related to electrochemistry as it applies to solid, but also liquid materials. Herein, a perspective is presented to highlight the utility of electrochemical methods as applied to the study of liquid metals. The review of a subset of papers shows the diversity of experimental options available to investigate the thermodynamic properties of liquid metals, as well as certain limitations. A specific set of results covering the entire range of two liquid binary systems is reviewed as an illustration of the static electrochemical potential difference method. More recent developments offered by dynamic electrochemical potential methods, using direct and alternating currents or containerless configurations, are reviewed. Advances in electrochemical studies of liquid metals bring the prospect of simultaneous thermodynamic and transport properties measurements closer to reality.

The growth characteristic of primary faceted Al2Cu intermetallic compounds (IMCs) during solidification was observed directly by synchrotron radiography. The formation and transition mechanisms of Al2Cu IMCs with diverse morphologies were elucidated by first-principle calculations combined with electron backscatter diffraction analysis. The Al2Cu crystals preferred to grow along the [001] direction and were bounded by {110} planes with the lowest surface energy. The faceted Al2Cu rod-like clusters consisted of multiple crystals with complete rod, hollowness and partial sides, which was attributed to the increase in strain energy and solute redistribution during solidification. The faceted Al2Cu with branches was characteristic with the perpendicular relationship between the main branches and side steps and partial coalescence at the junction, which was ascribed to the continuous propagation and growth of newly formed crystals along the diagonal direction.

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted extensive attention from researchers for their unique structures and electrical properties. 2D materials have been widely applied in field effect transistors, sensors, and photodetectors. Integration is extremely important for practical applications in devices, which requires both minimal crosstalk and high performance. The fabrication of patterned arrays of 2D materials can realize high-density fabrication. In addition, the properties of 2D materials can be also adjusted by the patterned nanostructures. In this review, we summarize the emerging researches related to 2D materials and arrays. Firstly, the preparation strategies of different arrays have been introduced. Then, the applications of arrays have been investigated, such as physical unclonable functions, sensors, energy consumption, photoluminescence enhancement, quantum emitters and photodetectors. Finally, the prospects and existing challenges have been proposed.

The effect of axial static magnetic field (ASMF) on inclusion removal during the magnetically controlled electroslag remelting M2 high-speed-steel was investigated. The results showed that the application of ASMF can significantly increase the inclusion removal efficiency, especially for the inclusions larger than 20 μm. The reason for the accelerated removal of inclusions was attributed to the alternating Lorentz force and the magnetically controlled spin-vibration induced in the liquid melt film after the application of ASMF.

The structural-phase transformations that occur in various sections of a wire rod made of austenitic–martensitic VNS9-Sh (23Kh15N6AM3-Sh) TRIP steel at various stages of cold drawing are discussed. The structure of the near-surface layers of a wire 0.36 mm in diameter is found to be completely austenitic. The results of computer simulation of the stress distribution over the cross section of the wire are used to make an assumption about the nature of the structure formation.

Composites with a layered structure are fabricated by a solid-phase technology using diffusion welding of stacks made of molybdenum foils with single- and double-sided (Si–C) coatings at a pressure of 10–14 MPa and a temperature of 1500°C. The structure of the composites is studied. The strength of the composites is 300 MPa at 1450°C, and the fracture toughness is 21 MPa m1/2 at room temperature.

The motion of single triple junctions with the [10 $$\bar {1}$$ 0] and [11 $$\bar {2}$$ 0] tilt boundaries is studied. The temperature dependence of the mobility of these triple junctions is found to deviate from the Arrhenius dependence. This behavior is interpreted as the manifestation of a kinetic transition of the junction motion from junction to grain-boundary kinetics. A hysteresis of grain-boundary mobility is observed when a triple junction moves according to the grain-boundary kinetics. When a triple junction moves according to the junction kinetics, no hysteresis of the junction mobility is experimentally detected.

The effect of the conditions and temperature of static tensile deformation on the mechanical properties and structure of a high-temperature KKh28M6 cobalt alloy (Co–Cr–Mo system) prepared by selective laser melting is studied. An effect of the loading conditions at temperatures of 900–1100°C on the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy is revealed.

A composite material based on a AK12 aluminum cast alloy (Al–Si–Mg system) reinforced by SiC particles is suggested as a material for the supporting bush in circular shears of a cutting system, and conditions for machining blanks of this material are selected. The composite material containing 10 wt % SiC exhibits the best hardness and wear resistance characteristics under dry sliding friction conditions. The application of bushes manufactured from the developed material allowed us to ensure a more prolonged time of uninterrupted operation of the cutting system under the operating pilot production conditions.

The parameter hmax/t (where hmax is the maximum depth of the plastic zone under the fracture surface, t is the specimen or part thickness) estimated by X-ray diffraction is shown to be used as a general criterion for the local state of stress of the material at the crack tip during static, impact, and cyclic loading of coarse-grained and ultrafine-grained materials.

A finite-element mathematical model is developed to describe the transformation of the surface cracks of continuously cast slabs made of low-alloy pipe steels into sheet defects during hot rolling. The transformation of axial, edge, rib, and side cracks of a slab is investigated. It is found that, depending on the deformation conditions, surface cracks on rolling a slab into a thick sheet can close in the first passages under compressive stresses, come to the surface, form folds, twist toward the edge, or completely rolled out.