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In the present paper we present the approach for modeling of the elastic behavior of open-cell metallic foams concerning non-uniform pore size distribution. This approach combines design of foam structures and numerical simulations of compression tests using finite element method (FEM). In the design stage, Laguerre-Voronoi tessellations (LVT) were performed on several sets of packed spheres with defined variation of radii, bringing about a set of foam structures with porosity ranging from 74 to 98% and different pore size variation quantified by the coefficient of pore volume variation, CV(V), from 0.5 to 2.1. Each structure was numerically subjected to uni-axial compression test along three directions within the elastic region. Basing on the numerical response, the effective Young’s modulus, Eeff, was calculated for each structure. It is shown that the Eeff is not only dependent on the porosity but also on the pore size variation.

The aim of the present paper was to investigate microstructure and texture evolution of two single crystals and polycrystal of Cu-8.5%at.Al material. All of mentioned samples were deformed by HE to achieve true strain ε = 1.17. For microstructure analyzes observations by transmission electron microscope (STEM) were done. Crystalline size for samples after SPD were determine using XRD method. The global texture measurements were done using Bruker D8 Discover diffractometer equipped in Cr radiation. Microstructure investigations revealed nanocrystalline structure in single crystals with initial orientations and and polycrystalline Cu-8.5%at.Al material after SPD. The global texture measurements have shown the stability of initial orientation of Cu-8.5%at.Al single crystal after HE, whereas the same SPD process strongly brakes up the orientation Cu-8.5%at. Al single crystal.

The influence of different types of precipitation on the corrosion behavior was investigated in three aluminum-siliconmagnesium alloys. The microstructures of the alloys were studied through optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structures consisted of an α-Al solid solution matrix, Si eutectic crystals, secondary phases AlFeSi and AlMgFeSi (Chinese script), as well as Mg2Si. The corrosion behavior was examined with the use of a potentiodynamic polarization test followed by a SEM surface analysis. The results indicate that all the analyzed samples were in the passive state and AlSi10Mg was less reactive in the corrosive environment.

The study investigated the properties of selected certified mixtures used to make wax patterns for the production of precision castings for the aerospace industry. In addition, an assessment of the recycled mixtures consisting of certified wax materials recovered during autoclaving was carried out. Hardness was tested via a proposed method based on penetration, creep related deformation, bending strength and linear contraction. The hardness was studied on laboratory specimens and patterns made with the use of injection molding equipment. For these patterns, linear contraction was estimated at variable pressure and for different temperature injection parameters. Deformations connected with creep and resistance were evaluated on cylindrical specimens. Differences in creep resistance in relation to the hardness were observed depending on the type of pattern mixtures. Recycled mixture has a greater resistance and smaller linear contraction than certified mixtures used for making sprue, raisers and other parts of filler system.

In this work technological properties of ceramic slurries based on silicon carbide were characterized. Silicon carbide and poly(vinyl alcohol) in an amount 6%, 10% and 15 wt. % as a solution were added to prepare the ceramic slurries. Solid phase content in ceramic slurries was 62, 5 wt.%. Plate weight test, pH, density, viscosity (measured by the Zhan 4# cup) and dynamic viscosity were investigated. Dipping test on wax model was done to measure adhesive properties. Characterization of SiC fillers powder was made by determination of grain size, density, chemical composition, Zeta potential and by use of scanning electron microscopy. Obtained results of ceramic slurries based on SiC meet standard specification in industrial investment casting and its properties are very promising for future application in investment casting of superalloys.

β-Fesi2 with the addition of b4C nanoparticles was manufactured by sintering mechanically alloyed Fe and si powders with Mn, Co, Al, p as p and n-type dopants. The consolidated samples were subsequently annealed at 1123 k for 36 ks. XRD analysis of sinters after annealing confirmed nearly full transformation from α and ε into thermoelectric β-Fesi2 phase. sem observations of samples surface were compliant with the diffraction curves. Tem observations allowed to depict evenly distributed b4C nanoparticles thorough material, with no visible aggregates and establish grain size parameter d2 < 500 nm. all dopants contributed to lower thermal conductivity and seebeck coefficient, with Co having strongest influence on increasing electrical conductivity in relation to reference FeSi2. Combination of the addition of Co as dopant and b4C nanoparticles as phonon scatterer resulted in dimensionless figure of merit ZT reaching 7.6 x 10-2 at 773 k for Fe0.97Co0.03 compound. Comparison of the thermoelectric properties of examined sinters to the previously manufactured of the same stoichiometry but without B4C nanoparticles revealed theirs overall negative influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revised Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof screened hybrid functional (HSE06) is used for calculating the formation and migration energies of the vacancy in Ge, and the results are compared with those previously obtained using the local density approximation with the on-site Coulomb interaction U (LDA+U) approach and with other published results. It is demonstrated that using HSE06 gives a much more accurate electronic description of the vacancy and yields an excellent estimate of the activation energy of self-diffusion in Ge consistent with experimental data. The migration energies of the vacancy in different charge states calculated with the HSE06 approach agree well with the results of low-temperature infrared-absorption measurements. In contrast to previous results, the HSE06 calculations suggest that vacancies in Ge are multiple-level acceptors with levels located in the upper half of the bandgap. This can explain the observed high density of acceptor-like interface traps near the conduction band, pinning the Fermi level and inhibiting the formation of an inversion layer in n-channel devices in Ge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory with local density approximation including on-site Coulomb interaction has been used to calculate the formation energy of the neutral and charged vacancy in germanium as a function of the Fermi level. The calculations suggest that vacancies in germanium are multiple-level acceptors with a first level at 0.02 eV and a second level at 0.26 eV above the valence band maximum in agreement with published experimental data. The formation energies of the neutral and charged vacancies line up well with the experimental values estimated from quenching experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]