The effect of Ni 1-2 wt.% addition on the microstructure and hardness of the aged A319 alloy were studied. Characterization analyses by x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy suggest clearly that Ni addition forms Al-Ni-Cu-Fe, Al-Cu-Ni and Al-Ni intermetallic compounds that correlates well with equilibria conditions. Analyses by transmission electron microscopy show that aging heat treatment promotes microstructural changes in morphology, size, and spatial distribution of precipitates. Vickers micro-hardness test of Ni 1 and 2 wt.% specimens have a hardness increase from that of A319 alloy of ~6-8% with mean values of 140.98 and 142.93 HV, respectively.

The effects ofBaSO4additions on the wetting of alumina by molten aluminum were studied by the sessile drop technique. To study the effect ofBaSO4decomposition(1100–1150∘C), the additions were treated at two temperatures700∘C(973 K) and1450∘C(1723 K), respectively.BaSO4additions at low and high temperatures did not improve the nonwetting character of these compositions. However, at higher firing temperature, the formation ofBA6 (BaO•6Al2O3)has a nonwetting trend with increasing its content. To address theBA6specifically a pureBaO•6Al2O3was produced and tested. It was more nonwetting than the pure alumina. After the analysis of the contact angles for theBaSO4and theBA6 (BaO•6Al2O3), it was concluded that these additions to alumina do not inhibit wetting by molten aluminum. In fact, at the addition levels common for refractories, the wetting tendency of molten aluminum is enhanced. Alternative explanations for the effectiveness ofBaSO4additions to alumina refractories are discussed.

The influence of attrition milling on the thermal decomposition of kyanite (Al2O3·SiO2) to mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2) and SiO2, and its subsequent sintering, was studied. A commercial kyanite was attrition‐milled for times up to 12 h. Dilatometry confirmed that as‐received unmilled kyanite decomposes between 1300° and 1435°C. The decomposition reaction is slow initially and accelerates during the later stages until about one‐half of the decomposition occurs in the last 35°C. For the attrition‐milled kyanite, the onset decomposition temperature decreases, the transformation temperature interval is reduced, and both the decomposition reaction and subsequent sintering are accelerated. A dense microstructure of fine equiaxed mullite grains in the 1 μm size range, evenly dispersed in a glassy matrix, is obtained by sintering the attrition‐milled kyanites. These results are explained in terms of the energy accumulated during attrition milling, a reduction of the milled kyanite particle size, and the presence of a liquid phase during sintering.

No abstract

No abstract