Wenyun Zhang, Linhan Li, Hongyu Su, Tong Wang, Ji Zhang, Yongquan Ning, Beijiang Zhang
Increased alloying content in advanced Ni-based superalloys for large disc forgings intensifies microsegregation and promotes the formation of detrimental secondary phases, challenging the cast-and-wrought processing route. This study investigates the effects of Ta addition on the solidification and homogenization behaviors of a high-alloyed GH4065A superalloy by comparing the base alloy with a variant containing 5 wt.% Ta (5Ta alloy). As-cast and homogenized microstructures were characterized using SEM and EPMA, solidification behavior was analyzed via DSC, and homogenization kinetics were modeled. Results demonstrate that Ta addition stabilizes the η phase, increasing its solidification temperature and fraction in the as-cast microstructure, but does not alter the solidification sequence. During homogenization, Nb remained the most segregated element and governed the homogenization kinetics, whereas Ta preferentially partitioned into MC carbides and the η phase. The diffusion activation energy for Nb in the 5Ta alloy was determined, and a diffusion model was established to describe the elimination of microsegregation. Optimum homogenization parameters were determined to completely dissolve the η phase and eliminate microsegregation. The results indicate that strategic Ta addition for enhanced performance does not compromise ingot manufacturability, providing valuable guidance for the processing and composition design of advanced disc superalloys.
{"title":"Effects of Ta Addition on the Solidification and Homogenization of Ni-Based Superalloy GH4065A.","authors":"Wenyun Zhang, Linhan Li, Hongyu Su, Tong Wang, Ji Zhang, Yongquan Ning, Beijiang Zhang","doi":"10.3390/ma19051002","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increased alloying content in advanced Ni-based superalloys for large disc forgings intensifies microsegregation and promotes the formation of detrimental secondary phases, challenging the cast-and-wrought processing route. This study investigates the effects of Ta addition on the solidification and homogenization behaviors of a high-alloyed GH4065A superalloy by comparing the base alloy with a variant containing 5 wt.% Ta (5Ta alloy). As-cast and homogenized microstructures were characterized using SEM and EPMA, solidification behavior was analyzed via DSC, and homogenization kinetics were modeled. Results demonstrate that Ta addition stabilizes the η phase, increasing its solidification temperature and fraction in the as-cast microstructure, but does not alter the solidification sequence. During homogenization, Nb remained the most segregated element and governed the homogenization kinetics, whereas Ta preferentially partitioned into MC carbides and the η phase. The diffusion activation energy for Nb in the 5Ta alloy was determined, and a diffusion model was established to describe the elimination of microsegregation. Optimum homogenization parameters were determined to completely dissolve the η phase and eliminate microsegregation. The results indicate that strategic Ta addition for enhanced performance does not compromise ingot manufacturability, providing valuable guidance for the processing and composition design of advanced disc superalloys.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12986115/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nannan Sun, Chuandong Shen, Jingwen Shen, Yuzhu Wang
Recently, epoxy resin concrete (ERC) has shown significant potential in rapid repair applications, such as bridge expansion joints, owing to its early strength gain, rapid hardening, excellent adhesion, and durability. Based on the background of rapid repair scenarios for small- and medium-span bridges, this study designed a mix proportion of ERC. A systematic investigation was conducted on its mechanical properties and constitutive model under various curing temperatures (5 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) and ages. Experimental results indicate that the designed ERC cures within 2 to 6 h and achieves a compressive strength of 15 MPa at 1 day, meeting the requirement for early traffic reopening. Both material strength and elastic modulus increase significantly with age, reaching a compressive elastic modulus of 16 GPa at 90 days. Based on the measured uniaxial compressive and tensile stress-strain data, a temperature-dependent constitutive model was established. The fitting parameters exhibit a quadratic functional relationship with curing temperature. The model demonstrates high fitting accuracy under all tested conditions (R2 ≥ 0.9293). This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for the application and numerical simulation of ERC in bridge engineering.
{"title":"Mechanical Properties and Constitutive Model of Rapid-Curing Epoxy Resin Concrete Under Different Temperature Conditions.","authors":"Nannan Sun, Chuandong Shen, Jingwen Shen, Yuzhu Wang","doi":"10.3390/ma19050996","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19050996","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recently, epoxy resin concrete (ERC) has shown significant potential in rapid repair applications, such as bridge expansion joints, owing to its early strength gain, rapid hardening, excellent adhesion, and durability. Based on the background of rapid repair scenarios for small- and medium-span bridges, this study designed a mix proportion of ERC. A systematic investigation was conducted on its mechanical properties and constitutive model under various curing temperatures (5 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) and ages. Experimental results indicate that the designed ERC cures within 2 to 6 h and achieves a compressive strength of 15 MPa at 1 day, meeting the requirement for early traffic reopening. Both material strength and elastic modulus increase significantly with age, reaching a compressive elastic modulus of 16 GPa at 90 days. Based on the measured uniaxial compressive and tensile stress-strain data, a temperature-dependent constitutive model was established. The fitting parameters exhibit a quadratic functional relationship with curing temperature. The model demonstrates high fitting accuracy under all tested conditions (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> ≥ 0.9293). This study provides a theoretical basis and data support for the application and numerical simulation of ERC in bridge engineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147457554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The balanced performance of fiber-reinforced flexible (FRF) pipes is essential for maintaining dimensional stability and structural integrity in pipelines. However, current theoretical approaches face challenges in simultaneously incorporating end effects, geometric nonlinearity, and material nonlinearity, resulting in a persistent reliance on engineering experience when determining balanced fiber winding angles. This work proposes a semi-analytical method for evaluating the balanced performance of thick-walled FRF pipes, based on the strain energy density function, with governing equations established by integrating finite deformation theory and the principle of minimum potential energy. A displacement trial function is adopted to approximate the actual displacement field, with its coefficients determined iteratively using the Newton-Raphson method. An eight-coefficient displacement trial function demonstrates effectiveness in characterizing the pipe's deformation characteristics under the maximum working internal pressure, capturing key deformation features such as radial inward expansion with outward restraint gradient, nonlinear axial deformation, and axial end warping. The proposed method is validated against both experimental results and finite element simulations, and an analysis of the fiber winding angle's influence on balanced performance is conducted, thereby establishing a theoretical basis for the design of self-balanced thick-walled FRF pipes.
{"title":"Semi-Analytical Investigation into the Balanced Performance of Thick-Walled Fiber-Reinforced Flexible Pipes.","authors":"Jingyue You, Yinglong Zhao, Ben Zhang","doi":"10.3390/ma19051007","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The balanced performance of fiber-reinforced flexible (FRF) pipes is essential for maintaining dimensional stability and structural integrity in pipelines. However, current theoretical approaches face challenges in simultaneously incorporating end effects, geometric nonlinearity, and material nonlinearity, resulting in a persistent reliance on engineering experience when determining balanced fiber winding angles. This work proposes a semi-analytical method for evaluating the balanced performance of thick-walled FRF pipes, based on the strain energy density function, with governing equations established by integrating finite deformation theory and the principle of minimum potential energy. A displacement trial function is adopted to approximate the actual displacement field, with its coefficients determined iteratively using the Newton-Raphson method. An eight-coefficient displacement trial function demonstrates effectiveness in characterizing the pipe's deformation characteristics under the maximum working internal pressure, capturing key deformation features such as radial inward expansion with outward restraint gradient, nonlinear axial deformation, and axial end warping. The proposed method is validated against both experimental results and finite element simulations, and an analysis of the fiber winding angle's influence on balanced performance is conducted, thereby establishing a theoretical basis for the design of self-balanced thick-walled FRF pipes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985808/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147457539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rapid-hardening concrete is widely used for rapid repairs but can suffer from accelerated hydration, shrinkage-related cracking, and durability concerns. This study evaluates the feasibility of replacing cement with OLED waste glass powder (0-30%) in CSA-type rapid-hardening concrete as a low-impact repair material. Mixtures were prepared at a constant binder content (400 kg/m3) and water-to-binder ratio (0.425), and fresh properties (slump, air content, setting time) and mechanical performance (compressive and bond strength) were tested from 4 h to 56 d. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and TG/DTG were additionally used to interpret changes in pore structure and hydration-related thermal indices. Increasing glass powder replacement improved workability but delayed setting. A 10% replacement (O-GP10) maintained 4 h compressive strength and showed slightly higher long-term strength and consistently higher long-term bond strength than the control, whereas 20-30% replacement caused pronounced strength loss due to dilution. MIP results indicated that O-GP10 suppressed large pores (>0.1 μm) and promoted a refined pore structure dominated by finer pores. TG/DTG trends were interpreted using temperature windows as comparative indicators, suggesting age-dependent bound-water development and a reduced apparent contribution in the Al-bearing-hydrate-related region for O-GP10. Overall, roughly 10% OLED waste glass powder is suggested for CSA rapid-hardening concrete to ensure early functioning while enhancing long-term bonding and microstructural stability.
{"title":"Effect of OLED Waste Glass Powder on Early Strength Performance of Rapid-Hardening Concrete.","authors":"Ngan Thanh Vu, Seong-Kyum Kim, Jae-Min Lee","doi":"10.3390/ma19051004","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid-hardening concrete is widely used for rapid repairs but can suffer from accelerated hydration, shrinkage-related cracking, and durability concerns. This study evaluates the feasibility of replacing cement with OLED waste glass powder (0-30%) in CSA-type rapid-hardening concrete as a low-impact repair material. Mixtures were prepared at a constant binder content (400 kg/m<sup>3</sup>) and water-to-binder ratio (0.425), and fresh properties (slump, air content, setting time) and mechanical performance (compressive and bond strength) were tested from 4 h to 56 d. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and TG/DTG were additionally used to interpret changes in pore structure and hydration-related thermal indices. Increasing glass powder replacement improved workability but delayed setting. A 10% replacement (O-GP10) maintained 4 h compressive strength and showed slightly higher long-term strength and consistently higher long-term bond strength than the control, whereas 20-30% replacement caused pronounced strength loss due to dilution. MIP results indicated that O-GP10 suppressed large pores (>0.1 μm) and promoted a refined pore structure dominated by finer pores. TG/DTG trends were interpreted using temperature windows as comparative indicators, suggesting age-dependent bound-water development and a reduced apparent contribution in the Al-bearing-hydrate-related region for O-GP10. Overall, roughly 10% OLED waste glass powder is suggested for CSA rapid-hardening concrete to ensure early functioning while enhancing long-term bonding and microstructural stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Porous scaffolds fabricated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) are promising for bone tissue engineering, but their mechanical performance and geometric fidelity are governed by complex interactions between process parameters and architectural design. This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework for poly (lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds based on three triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) topologies-Gyroid, Primitive, and Diamond. A Box-Behnken design combined with response surface methodology was used to model compressive strength, elastic modulus, yield strength, energy absorption density, and discrepancies in volume and porosity as functions of layer thickness (0.05-0.15 mm), extrusion temperature (210-220 °C), and target porosity (50-70%). The resulting quadratic models exhibited strong predictive capability (R2 > 77%, with most >90%) and were validated experimentally at extreme parameter combinations, yielding relative errors below 10% for 83% of measurements. Multi-objective optimization using NSGA-II, coupled with principal component analysis and correlation-based objective reduction, revealed that the six original objectives collapse to topology-specific essential pairs: absorbed energy density and porosity discrepancy for Gyroid; Young's modulus and volume discrepancy for Primitive; and Young's modulus and porosity discrepancy for Diamond. The generated Pareto fronts quantify the inherent trade-off between mechanical performance and geometric fidelity for each topology, providing designers with explicit decision maps. This framework enables rational, application-driven selection of printing parameters and scaffold architecture, advancing the clinical translation of patient-specific FDM-printed bone scaffolds.
{"title":"Multi-Objective Optimization of Mechanical and Geometric Properties of 3D-Printed PLA Porous Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications.","authors":"Alejandro González González, Patricia C Zambrano-Robledo, Deivis Avila, Marcelino Rivas, Ramón Quiza","doi":"10.3390/ma19051008","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Porous scaffolds fabricated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) are promising for bone tissue engineering, but their mechanical performance and geometric fidelity are governed by complex interactions between process parameters and architectural design. This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework for poly (lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds based on three triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) topologies-Gyroid, Primitive, and Diamond. A Box-Behnken design combined with response surface methodology was used to model compressive strength, elastic modulus, yield strength, energy absorption density, and discrepancies in volume and porosity as functions of layer thickness (0.05-0.15 mm), extrusion temperature (210-220 °C), and target porosity (50-70%). The resulting quadratic models exhibited strong predictive capability (R<sup>2</sup> > 77%, with most >90%) and were validated experimentally at extreme parameter combinations, yielding relative errors below 10% for 83% of measurements. Multi-objective optimization using NSGA-II, coupled with principal component analysis and correlation-based objective reduction, revealed that the six original objectives collapse to topology-specific essential pairs: absorbed energy density and porosity discrepancy for Gyroid; Young's modulus and volume discrepancy for Primitive; and Young's modulus and porosity discrepancy for Diamond. The generated Pareto fronts quantify the inherent trade-off between mechanical performance and geometric fidelity for each topology, providing designers with explicit decision maps. This framework enables rational, application-driven selection of printing parameters and scaffold architecture, advancing the clinical translation of patient-specific FDM-printed bone scaffolds.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12986510/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pitting corrosion is a prevalent and highly detrimental form of localized corrosion, which can severely compromise the local load-bearing capacity of metallic materials and, in extreme cases, trigger structural failure. In response to the pronounced susceptibility of Q235 galvanized steel plates to localized pitting under the extreme service conditions of the South China Sea-characterized by high temperature, high salinity, high humidity, and coupled chemical corrosive effects-this study conducts a systematic investigation combining experimental characterization and numerical simulation. First, a novel accelerated pitting corrosion apparatus was designed and developed, and chloride ion cyclic corrosion (CICC) tests were performed on Q235 galvanized steel plates. The morphology and temporal evolution of pitting damage were comprehensively characterized. Subsequently, based on a coupled Cellular Automata (CA) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) framework, a corrosion evolution model termed CAFE (Cellular Automata-Finite Element) was established. This model elucidates the initiation, growth, and corrosion product evolution of pitting pits under varying temperature and salinity conditions and further quantifies the spatial distributions of stress and temperature fields in the vicinity of pitting sites. Finally, experimental results were employed to validate the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed electro-thermo-mechanical-chemical (ETMC) multi-field coupling model. The results demonstrate that temperature and salinity are the dominant environmental parameters governing the evolution of localized pitting corrosion rates. A strong agreement between numerical predictions and experimental observations is achieved in both qualitative trends and quantitative metrics. Notably, the model reveals that under elevated current-driving conditions, localized plastic deformation plays a critical role in promoting pit propagation and accelerating the pitting corrosion process.
{"title":"Study on Pitting Corrosion Simulation of Steel Plates Based on Cellular Automaton-Finite Element Coupling.","authors":"Shizhong Liu, Wei Zhang","doi":"10.3390/ma19051001","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pitting corrosion is a prevalent and highly detrimental form of localized corrosion, which can severely compromise the local load-bearing capacity of metallic materials and, in extreme cases, trigger structural failure. In response to the pronounced susceptibility of Q235 galvanized steel plates to localized pitting under the extreme service conditions of the South China Sea-characterized by high temperature, high salinity, high humidity, and coupled chemical corrosive effects-this study conducts a systematic investigation combining experimental characterization and numerical simulation. First, a novel accelerated pitting corrosion apparatus was designed and developed, and chloride ion cyclic corrosion (CICC) tests were performed on Q235 galvanized steel plates. The morphology and temporal evolution of pitting damage were comprehensively characterized. Subsequently, based on a coupled Cellular Automata (CA) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) framework, a corrosion evolution model termed CAFE (Cellular Automata-Finite Element) was established. This model elucidates the initiation, growth, and corrosion product evolution of pitting pits under varying temperature and salinity conditions and further quantifies the spatial distributions of stress and temperature fields in the vicinity of pitting sites. Finally, experimental results were employed to validate the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed electro-thermo-mechanical-chemical (ETMC) multi-field coupling model. The results demonstrate that temperature and salinity are the dominant environmental parameters governing the evolution of localized pitting corrosion rates. A strong agreement between numerical predictions and experimental observations is achieved in both qualitative trends and quantitative metrics. Notably, the model reveals that under elevated current-driving conditions, localized plastic deformation plays a critical role in promoting pit propagation and accelerating the pitting corrosion process.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12986447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The rational utilization of industrial solid waste is an effective way to reduce environmental pollution. This study investigated the potential application of fluorogypsum (FG), flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD), phosphogypsum (PG), and titanium gypsum (TG) in the production of excess-sulfated slag cement (ESSC). It further investigated the effects of different types of gypsum on the performance and hydration process of ESSC through a wet grinding process. The results showed that as the pH value of the gypsum increased, the setting time of ESSC decreased, and hydration heat release occurred earlier. Phase analysis and microstructural characterization indicated that the type of gypsum affected the hydration rate, microstructure, and quantity of hydration products of ESSC, thereby influencing its compressive strength. To further improve the performance of ESSC, a wet grinding process was employed to enhance particle activity and promote hydration reactions. PG, due to its high solubility, demonstrated a better activation effect; after wet grinding, the 28 d compressive strength reached 40.03 MPa. Meanwhile, ESSC pastes prepared with high-pH FG exhibited not only good early strength (3-day strength of 21.93 MPa) after wet grinding but also excellent water resistance, with a softening coefficient of 0.96. This study clarifies the impact of gypsum type on ESSC performance and provides valuable insights for enhancing its properties.
{"title":"Influence of Industrial Waste Gypsums in Excess-Sulfated Slag Cement: The Role of Wet Grinding.","authors":"Pei Tang, Hai Yang, Shuai Zhou","doi":"10.3390/ma19050999","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19050999","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The rational utilization of industrial solid waste is an effective way to reduce environmental pollution. This study investigated the potential application of fluorogypsum (FG), flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD), phosphogypsum (PG), and titanium gypsum (TG) in the production of excess-sulfated slag cement (ESSC). It further investigated the effects of different types of gypsum on the performance and hydration process of ESSC through a wet grinding process. The results showed that as the pH value of the gypsum increased, the setting time of ESSC decreased, and hydration heat release occurred earlier. Phase analysis and microstructural characterization indicated that the type of gypsum affected the hydration rate, microstructure, and quantity of hydration products of ESSC, thereby influencing its compressive strength. To further improve the performance of ESSC, a wet grinding process was employed to enhance particle activity and promote hydration reactions. PG, due to its high solubility, demonstrated a better activation effect; after wet grinding, the 28 d compressive strength reached 40.03 MPa. Meanwhile, ESSC pastes prepared with high-pH FG exhibited not only good early strength (3-day strength of 21.93 MPa) after wet grinding but also excellent water resistance, with a softening coefficient of 0.96. This study clarifies the impact of gypsum type on ESSC performance and provides valuable insights for enhancing its properties.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985964/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper presents an evaluation of two new approaches to improve the surface quality and the mechanical properties of ceramic parts printed by fused deposition of ceramic (FDC). Dip-coating and aerosol-treatment are performed in order to reduce the staircase effect in the vertical printing direction, which typically represents the weakest orientation in most additive manufacturing processes, particularly in fused filament fabrication (FFF). The post-treatments are applied on two highly filled alumina feedstocks. A commercial aerosol-treatment machine for fused deposition modeling is used with ethanol as solvent. A suspension composition for dip-coating is developed to reduce the surface roughness without compromising the printing resolution. The influence of these post-processing steps on the mechanical properties and surface roughness of the green and sintered parts is investigated using perthometer measurements and four-point bending tests in the vertical build direction on as-processed, aerosol-treated, and dip-coated samples. The mechanical results are compared to extruded strand samples. An improvement in surface quality is achievable by dip-coating despite reduction in the parts strength, with a reduction of 65% of the Rz values in the sintered state compared to untreated samples. Aerosol-treatment neither improves the surface quality nor the mechanical properties of the parts. The feedstock and post-processing steps developed in this research aim at printing dense ceramic parts with high surface quality, serving as a basis for developing ceramic parts with higher strength. This advancement will facilitate the utilization of FDC in structural and aesthetic design applications.
{"title":"Influence of the Post-Processing on the Surface Quality and the Mechanical Properties of Alumina Parts Processed by Ceramic Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing.","authors":"Thomas Heim, Frank Kern","doi":"10.3390/ma19050998","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19050998","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper presents an evaluation of two new approaches to improve the surface quality and the mechanical properties of ceramic parts printed by fused deposition of ceramic (FDC). Dip-coating and aerosol-treatment are performed in order to reduce the staircase effect in the vertical printing direction, which typically represents the weakest orientation in most additive manufacturing processes, particularly in fused filament fabrication (FFF). The post-treatments are applied on two highly filled alumina feedstocks. A commercial aerosol-treatment machine for fused deposition modeling is used with ethanol as solvent. A suspension composition for dip-coating is developed to reduce the surface roughness without compromising the printing resolution. The influence of these post-processing steps on the mechanical properties and surface roughness of the green and sintered parts is investigated using perthometer measurements and four-point bending tests in the vertical build direction on as-processed, aerosol-treated, and dip-coated samples. The mechanical results are compared to extruded strand samples. An improvement in surface quality is achievable by dip-coating despite reduction in the parts strength, with a reduction of 65% of the R<sub>z</sub> values in the sintered state compared to untreated samples. Aerosol-treatment neither improves the surface quality nor the mechanical properties of the parts. The feedstock and post-processing steps developed in this research aim at printing dense ceramic parts with high surface quality, serving as a basis for developing ceramic parts with higher strength. This advancement will facilitate the utilization of FDC in structural and aesthetic design applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985652/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shahid Ali, Zahid Hussain, Abdalelah H Balal, Yuefei Jia, Naeem Ul Haq Tariq, Aiman Mukhtar, Gang Wang
High-entropy amorphous materials are attracting increasing attention due to their excellent corrosion resistance and radiation tolerance in nuclear environments. In this study, novel Al2Cr16Fe50V20Ti12 high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings with thicknesses of 900 nm and 1400 nm were synthesized via magnetron sputtering and systematically evaluated for their structural, electrochemical, and mechanical performance. X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous nature of the coatings, while scanning electron microscopy revealed a denser, defect-free, and more uniform morphology in the thicker coating. Electrochemical testing in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution demonstrated a tenfold reduction in corrosion current density and nearly a twofold increase in charge transfer resistance for the 1400 nm coating, attributed to its improved passive film stability. Finite element modeling validated the experimental load-displacement behavior and revealed well-confined and uniformly distributed stress and strain fields within the coating. These findings establish the 1400 nm Al2Cr16Fe50V20Ti12 coating as a promising candidate for protective applications in chloride-rich and radiation-intense nuclear systems.
{"title":"Electrochemical and Mechanical Performance of Magnetron-Sputtered AlCrFeVTi High-Entropy Alloy Coatings for Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors.","authors":"Shahid Ali, Zahid Hussain, Abdalelah H Balal, Yuefei Jia, Naeem Ul Haq Tariq, Aiman Mukhtar, Gang Wang","doi":"10.3390/ma19051006","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High-entropy amorphous materials are attracting increasing attention due to their excellent corrosion resistance and radiation tolerance in nuclear environments. In this study, novel Al<sub>2</sub>Cr<sub>16</sub>Fe<sub>50</sub>V<sub>20</sub>Ti<sub>12</sub> high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings with thicknesses of 900 nm and 1400 nm were synthesized via magnetron sputtering and systematically evaluated for their structural, electrochemical, and mechanical performance. X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous nature of the coatings, while scanning electron microscopy revealed a denser, defect-free, and more uniform morphology in the thicker coating. Electrochemical testing in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution demonstrated a tenfold reduction in corrosion current density and nearly a twofold increase in charge transfer resistance for the 1400 nm coating, attributed to its improved passive film stability. Finite element modeling validated the experimental load-displacement behavior and revealed well-confined and uniformly distributed stress and strain fields within the coating. These findings establish the 1400 nm Al<sub>2</sub>Cr<sub>16</sub>Fe<sub>50</sub>V<sub>20</sub>Ti<sub>12</sub> coating as a promising candidate for protective applications in chloride-rich and radiation-intense nuclear systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985906/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147457702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have emerged as a research hotspot due to their advantages of safety, environmental friendliness, low cost, and high capacity. At the same time, there are some problems with anode materials, such as zinc dendrite growth and corrosion reactions. In this work, silica fume, a byproduct of industrial silicon smelting, was selected as a coating material for the Zn anode (SF@Zn). This material is not only cost-effective and widely available but also exhibits superior hydrophilicity, enhancing the electrolyte's wettability on the anode. Additionally, it serves as an ion shunt, preventing uneven deposition of Zn2+, and it was demonstrated that the symmetrical cell achieved a cycle life of up to 1800 h at 0.5 mA·cm-2. The full cell delivered a capacity of 246.2 mAh·g-1 at 1 mA·cm-2 and retained a capacity of 100.4 mAh·g-1 after 1800 cycles.
{"title":"A Cost-Effective Silica Fume Coating Layer for Stable Zn Metal Anodes.","authors":"Yuxing Zhang, Jiaxuan Cheng, Pan Chen, Yuxin Zhao, Yuhan Wang, Yuanming Shi, Jihua Zhai","doi":"10.3390/ma19051000","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ma19051000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have emerged as a research hotspot due to their advantages of safety, environmental friendliness, low cost, and high capacity. At the same time, there are some problems with anode materials, such as zinc dendrite growth and corrosion reactions. In this work, silica fume, a byproduct of industrial silicon smelting, was selected as a coating material for the Zn anode (SF@Zn). This material is not only cost-effective and widely available but also exhibits superior hydrophilicity, enhancing the electrolyte's wettability on the anode. Additionally, it serves as an ion shunt, preventing uneven deposition of Zn<sup>2+</sup>, and it was demonstrated that the symmetrical cell achieved a cycle life of up to 1800 h at 0.5 mA·cm<sup>-2</sup>. The full cell delivered a capacity of 246.2 mAh·g<sup>-1</sup> at 1 mA·cm<sup>-2</sup> and retained a capacity of 100.4 mAh·g<sup>-1</sup> after 1800 cycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":18281,"journal":{"name":"Materials","volume":"19 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12986490/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147458337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}