Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102658
Jordan N. Figueiredo, Bassam B. Dally, Deanna A. Lacoste
This study demonstrates in-flight reduction using a stable, elongated-arc hydrogen plasma for three iron-bearing feedstocks: pure hematite, combusted iron from the MC burner in TuE Eindhoven, and goethite. Despite not being designed for process performance, a high absolute reduction degree was achieved (71%–76% for hematite/combusted iron; 42% for aluminum-bearing goethite) at short residence times (18-30 ms) with an efficiency of 26.8 g/kWh. SEM shows that in-flight melting modifies combustion-induced morphological defects in combusted iron particles (e.g., cracks and hollow-sphere structures), confirming technical feasibility for iron production and the iron-power cycle. Goethite-rich feed benefits from rapid dehydroxylation. However, even small gangue fractions, especially aluminum phases, promote iron–aluminum spinel formation that impedes fast reduction. Because gangues are not removed by this route, they must be managed separately. These results indicate clear paths towards practical application: enclosing the plasma–particle interaction zone, extending residence time, and systematically testing lower-grade ores with spinel formation mitigation strategies.
{"title":"In-flight reduction of iron oxides from various sources by hydrogen plasma","authors":"Jordan N. Figueiredo, Bassam B. Dally, Deanna A. Lacoste","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study demonstrates in-flight reduction using a stable, elongated-arc hydrogen plasma for three iron-bearing feedstocks: pure hematite, combusted iron from the MC<span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></math></span> burner in TuE Eindhoven, and goethite. Despite not being designed for process performance, a high absolute reduction degree was achieved (71%–76% for hematite/combusted iron; 42% for aluminum-bearing goethite) at short residence times (18-30<!--> <!-->ms) with an efficiency of 26.8<!--> <!-->g<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>i</mi><mi>r</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>n</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>/kWh. SEM shows that in-flight melting modifies combustion-induced morphological defects in combusted iron particles (e.g., cracks and hollow-sphere structures), confirming technical feasibility for iron production and the iron-power cycle. Goethite-rich feed benefits from rapid dehydroxylation. However, even small gangue fractions, especially aluminum phases, promote iron–aluminum spinel formation that impedes fast reduction. Because gangues are not removed by this route, they must be managed separately. These results indicate clear paths towards practical application: enclosing the plasma–particle interaction zone, extending residence time, and systematically testing lower-grade ores with spinel formation mitigation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102666
Tong Wang , Xinfu Gu , Ping Yang , Mengqi Yan , Fuzhi Dai
Crystal defects are critical in the microstructure control of titanium alloys, as they determine the precipitation characteristics of α phase. In this study, the decomposition of stress-induced martensite in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al is investigated to understand the effect of martensite on α precipitation. The crystallography between α and β phases is analyzed using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). During decomposition, the martensite is first transformed into α, and then to βT, with a misorientation of 50°/<110> with matrix βM. During further aging, α begins to precipitate at the βM-βT boundaries, and α phase exhibits two types of orientation relationships with β phase, i.e. Type I: one involving a double Burgers orientation relationship (BOR) and Type II: the other involving a single-sided BOR with βT while the other side follows with βM. As for Type I, the selection of single α variant is due to the constraint of the β grains, and are parallel to and respectively and its habit plane {334} is close to βM-βT boundary. In Type II, the selected α variant, which has a {334} habit plane, also lies close to the βM-βT boundary. This finding indicates that the variant selection rule of the habit plane governs α precipitation during martensite decomposition.
晶体缺陷决定了钛合金α相的析出特性,是钛合金微观组织控制的关键。本研究研究了应力诱导马氏体在Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al中的分解,以了解马氏体对α析出的影响。利用电子背散射衍射(EBSD)和透射电镜(TEM)分析了α和β相之间的晶体学。在分解过程中,马氏体首先转变为α,然后转变为βT,与基体βM的取向偏差为50°/<;110>;在进一步时效过程中,α在β m -βT晶界处开始析出,α相与β相表现出两种取向关系,即ⅰ型为双Burgers取向关系(BOR),ⅱ型为单侧BOR与β t取向关系,另一侧为(1¯10)β m ~(1¯21¯3)α[1¯1¯1]β m ~[1¯010]α与β m取向关系。对于I型,单个α变体的选择是由于β晶粒的约束,<11¯1>;β t和<;11¯1¯>;β m分别平行于[1¯21¯0]α和[11¯20]α,其习惯面{334}靠近β m -βT边界。在II型中,选择的α变异体也位于βM-βT边界附近,具有{334}习惯面。这一发现表明马氏体分解过程中习惯面的变异选择规律支配着α的析出。
{"title":"The decomposing crystallography of sandwich-like microstructure from deformed martensite in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al alloy","authors":"Tong Wang , Xinfu Gu , Ping Yang , Mengqi Yan , Fuzhi Dai","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Crystal defects are critical in the microstructure control of titanium alloys, as they determine the precipitation characteristics of α phase. In this study, the decomposition of stress-induced martensite in Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al is investigated to understand the effect of martensite on α precipitation. The crystallography between α and β phases is analyzed using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). During decomposition, the martensite is first transformed into α, and then to β<sub>T</sub>, with a misorientation of 50°/<110> with matrix β<sub>M</sub>. During further aging, α begins to precipitate at the β<sub>M</sub>-β<sub>T</sub> boundaries, and α phase exhibits two types of orientation relationships with β phase, i.e. Type I: one involving a double Burgers orientation relationship (BOR) and Type II: the other involving a single-sided BOR with β<sub>T</sub> while the other side follows <span><math><mrow><mrow><mo>(</mo><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>10</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mi>β</mi><mi>M</mi><mo>∼</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>2</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>3</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mi>α</mi><mspace></mspace><mrow><mo>[</mo><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>1</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow><mi>β</mi><mi>M</mi><mo>∼</mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>010</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow><mi>α</mi></mrow></math></span> with β<sub>M</sub>. As for Type I, the selection of single α variant is due to the constraint of the β grains, <span><math><mrow><mrow><mo><</mo><mn>1</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>1</mn></mrow><msub><mo>></mo><mrow><mi>β</mi><mi>T</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> and <span><math><mrow><mrow><mo><</mo><mn>1</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover></mrow><msub><mo>></mo><mrow><mi>β</mi><mi>M</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> are parallel to <span><math><msub><mrow><mo>[</mo><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>2</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>0</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow><mi>α</mi></msub></math></span> and <span><math><msub><mrow><mo>[</mo><mover><mrow><mn>11</mn></mrow><mo>‾</mo></mover><mrow><mn>20</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow></mrow><mi>α</mi></msub></math></span> respectively and its habit plane {334} is close to β<sub>M</sub>-β<sub>T</sub> boundary. In Type II, the selected α variant, which has a {334} habit plane, also lies close to the β<sub>M</sub>-β<sub>T</sub> boundary. This finding indicates that the variant selection rule of the habit plane governs α precipitation during martensite decomposition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102666"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102657
Jijo Christudasjustus , Kayla Yano , Minju Choi , Mark Bowden , Tanvi Ajantiwalay , Vaithiyalingam Shutthanandan , Danny J. Edwards , Peter Hosemann , Daniel Schreiber , Tiffany C. Kaspar
Irradiation-induced damage in fusion and fission environments drives complex microstructural changes in structural materials, critically influencing their performance under extreme conditions. Our approach to investigate irradiation-induced microstructural evolution employs a well-defined material structure that allows for a precise assessment of He-induced bubbles and defects. In this study, a 100 nm Fe-8Cr epitaxial film was synthesized on MgO (001) substrate using molecular beam epitaxy, resulting in a grain boundary-free microstructure. The Fe-8Cr alloy film was subsequently irradiated at room temperature with 30 keV He+ at fluences of 1.7 × 1016 and 1.7 × 1017 ions/cm2, corresponding to peak-damages of 0.5 and 5 displacements per atom (dpa), respectively. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed swelling of 2.7% for 0.5 dpa and 8.1% for 5 dpa. The defect morphology evolved from isolated dislocation loops primarily oriented along <111> at low fluence to complex dislocation structures at high fluence. Notably, smaller bubbles with low number density were observed at lower fluence, whereas larger bubbles with higher number density developed at higher fluence, coinciding with the formation of an extensive dislocation network. These results provide fundamental insights into the dose-dependent microstructural evolution of Fe-8Cr alloys under irradiation, offering a foundation for understanding defect interactions in model ferritic systems.
{"title":"Dose-dependent evolution of dislocation structures and bubble formation in He irradiated Fe-Cr epitaxial film","authors":"Jijo Christudasjustus , Kayla Yano , Minju Choi , Mark Bowden , Tanvi Ajantiwalay , Vaithiyalingam Shutthanandan , Danny J. Edwards , Peter Hosemann , Daniel Schreiber , Tiffany C. Kaspar","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Irradiation-induced damage in fusion and fission environments drives complex microstructural changes in structural materials, critically influencing their performance under extreme conditions. Our approach to investigate irradiation-induced microstructural evolution employs a well-defined material structure that allows for a precise assessment of He-induced bubbles and defects. In this study, a 100 nm Fe-8Cr epitaxial film was synthesized on MgO (001) substrate using molecular beam epitaxy, resulting in a grain boundary-free microstructure. The Fe-8Cr alloy film was subsequently irradiated at room temperature with 30 keV He<sup>+</sup> at fluences of 1.7 × 10<sup>16</sup> and 1.7 × 10<sup>17</sup> ions/cm<sup>2</sup>, corresponding to peak-damages of 0.5 and 5 displacements per atom (dpa), respectively. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed swelling of 2.7% for 0.5 dpa and 8.1% for 5 dpa. The defect morphology evolved from isolated dislocation loops primarily oriented along <111> at low fluence to complex dislocation structures at high fluence. Notably, smaller bubbles with low number density were observed at lower fluence, whereas larger bubbles with higher number density developed at higher fluence, coinciding with the formation of an extensive dislocation network. These results provide fundamental insights into the dose-dependent microstructural evolution of Fe-8Cr alloys under irradiation, offering a foundation for understanding defect interactions in model ferritic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102656
JiaLan Ma , YaChao Wang , JiangPing Zhao , HongGang Yang
Chinese fir, commonly used in ancient Chinese architecture, is prone to aging due to prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and salt spray. This aging process not only alters its microstructure but also significantly weakens its fire resistance, potentially compromising the safety of cultural heritage. To investigate the specific impact of environmental aging on the deterioration of fire resistance in Chinese fir, accelerated aging experiments involving UV aging, high-low temperature cycling, and salt spray erosion are conducted. The results indicate that UV radiation induces lignin degradation in the wood, resulting in an increased heat release rate (HRR) peak to 171 kW/m2. High-low temperature cycling results in the formation of microcracks in the wood, causing the peak smoke temperature to reach 88.6 kW/m2. During salt spray erosion, the catalytic effect of Cl- promotes polysaccharide hydrolysis, which facilitates the formation of dense carbon, reducing the HRR peak to 112 kW/m2. Additionally, the three-level correlation model is established to link environmental stresses, microscopic damage, and combustion reactions. This model reveals the cross-scale causal chain of Chinese Fir, from macro-environmental factors to microscopic damage, and finally to its combustion behavior. This analysis provides an in-depth examination of how various environmental factors influence the fire resistance properties of wood by altering its microstructure, offering a theoretical framework for investigating the aging process of wood materials and enhancing fire resistance performance. It is especially applicable to the preservation and safety assessment of ancient architecture's wooden materials.
{"title":"Mechanisms of fire resistance deterioration in chinese fir induced by environmental aging","authors":"JiaLan Ma , YaChao Wang , JiangPing Zhao , HongGang Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chinese fir, commonly used in ancient Chinese architecture, is prone to aging due to prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and salt spray. This aging process not only alters its microstructure but also significantly weakens its fire resistance, potentially compromising the safety of cultural heritage. To investigate the specific impact of environmental aging on the deterioration of fire resistance in Chinese fir, accelerated aging experiments involving UV aging, high-low temperature cycling, and salt spray erosion are conducted. The results indicate that UV radiation induces lignin degradation in the wood, resulting in an increased heat release rate (HRR) peak to 171 kW/m<sup>2</sup>. High-low temperature cycling results in the formation of microcracks in the wood, causing the peak smoke temperature to reach 88.6 kW/m<sup>2</sup>. During salt spray erosion, the catalytic effect of Cl<sup>-</sup> promotes polysaccharide hydrolysis, which facilitates the formation of dense carbon, reducing the HRR peak to 112 kW/m<sup>2</sup>. Additionally, the three-level correlation model is established to link environmental stresses, microscopic damage, and combustion reactions. This model reveals the cross-scale causal chain of Chinese Fir, from macro-environmental factors to microscopic damage, and finally to its combustion behavior. This analysis provides an in-depth examination of how various environmental factors influence the fire resistance properties of wood by altering its microstructure, offering a theoretical framework for investigating the aging process of wood materials and enhancing fire resistance performance. It is especially applicable to the preservation and safety assessment of ancient architecture's wooden materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102654
Jing Xing, Yilong Ouyang, Haitao Ma, Ning Zhao
Interfacial spallation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in Ni-based diffusion barrier layers is a critical reliability concern in lead-free solder joints, yet its governing mechanism remains controversial. In this study, electroless Ni–P diffusion barriers with distinct smooth and cellular surface morphologies were fabricated and reacted with SAC305 solder to elucidate the role of barrier morphology in IMC spallation behavior and joint reliability. Wetting angles were measured to evaluate interfacial energy, while barrier layer consumption kinetics were analyzed to assess atomic diffusion behavior across the interface. Although similar interfacial reaction products form in both systems, pronounced IMC spallation is observed only at cellular Ni–P/SAC305 interfaces. Smooth Ni–P coatings exhibit a lower interfacial energy and a significantly reduced interfacial reaction rate (k = 0.46) compared with cellular Ni–P coatings (k = 0.97), effectively suppressing IMC growth, coarsening, and subsequent detachment. In contrast, the protruding cellular morphology and abundant diffusion pathways in cellular Ni–P promote accelerated atomic diffusion, leading to enhanced IMC maturation and severe spallation. Mechanical shear testing further confirms that smooth Ni–P/SAC305 joints achieve a substantially higher average shear strength (34.32 MPa) than their cellular counterparts (20.24 MPa). These results demonstrate that IMC spallation is governed by a synergistic interplay between interfacial energy and diffusion kinetics. Establishing a thermodynamic–kinetic framework provides new insight into interfacial stability at Ni–P/solder interfaces and identifies surface morphology tailoring of Ni–P diffusion barriers as an effective strategy to mitigate IMC spallation and enhance solder joint reliability.
{"title":"Suppression of interfacial IMCs spallation in Ni-P/SAC305 joints via barrier layer morphology control","authors":"Jing Xing, Yilong Ouyang, Haitao Ma, Ning Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102654","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102654","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interfacial spallation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in Ni-based diffusion barrier layers is a critical reliability concern in lead-free solder joints, yet its governing mechanism remains controversial. In this study, electroless Ni–P diffusion barriers with distinct smooth and cellular surface morphologies were fabricated and reacted with SAC305 solder to elucidate the role of barrier morphology in IMC spallation behavior and joint reliability. Wetting angles were measured to evaluate interfacial energy, while barrier layer consumption kinetics were analyzed to assess atomic diffusion behavior across the interface. Although similar interfacial reaction products form in both systems, pronounced IMC spallation is observed only at cellular Ni–P/SAC305 interfaces. Smooth Ni–P coatings exhibit a lower interfacial energy and a significantly reduced interfacial reaction rate (<em>k</em> = 0.46) compared with cellular Ni–P coatings (<em>k</em> = 0.97), effectively suppressing IMC growth, coarsening, and subsequent detachment. In contrast, the protruding cellular morphology and abundant diffusion pathways in cellular Ni–P promote accelerated atomic diffusion, leading to enhanced IMC maturation and severe spallation. Mechanical shear testing further confirms that smooth Ni–P/SAC305 joints achieve a substantially higher average shear strength (34.32 MPa) than their cellular counterparts (20.24 MPa). These results demonstrate that IMC spallation is governed by a synergistic interplay between interfacial energy and diffusion kinetics. Establishing a thermodynamic–kinetic framework provides new insight into interfacial stability at Ni–P/solder interfaces and identifies surface morphology tailoring of Ni–P diffusion barriers as an effective strategy to mitigate IMC spallation and enhance solder joint reliability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102654"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102653
Mostafa M.A. Mohamed , Mohamed H. Hamza , Laurence A.J. Garvie , M.F. Rabbi , Desireé Cotto-Figueroa , Erik Asphaug , Aditi Chattopadhyay
The mechanical behavior and fracture evolution of the Viñales meteorite were investigated through combined microstructural characterization and quasi-static compression experiments. Elemental mapping and electron imaging reveal a material dominated by a heterogeneous distribution of silicate minerals, with embedded Fe–Ni metal and troilite grains, which, as a whole, is penetrated by pervasive shock-melt veins. Compression tests with digital image correlation show brittle stress–strain responses and highly localized deformation that evolve into complex fracture networks, producing both single and multiple axial splits. X-ray computed tomography shows that cracks preferentially propagate through the brittle phases, i.e., troilite and silicates, whereas the ductile Fe–Ni metal grains deflect or arrest their growth. These results highlight the strong influence of microstructural heterogeneity on fragmentation processes in meteorites. The findings provide new insights into fracture mechanisms in stony astromaterials, with implications for asteroid disruption, regolith formation, and predictive modeling of failure in meteoritic materials.
{"title":"Mechanical and failure behavior of the viñales (L6) ordinary chondrite: linking microstructure to axial splitting fractures","authors":"Mostafa M.A. Mohamed , Mohamed H. Hamza , Laurence A.J. Garvie , M.F. Rabbi , Desireé Cotto-Figueroa , Erik Asphaug , Aditi Chattopadhyay","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mechanical behavior and fracture evolution of the Viñales meteorite were investigated through combined microstructural characterization and quasi-static compression experiments. Elemental mapping and electron imaging reveal a material dominated by a heterogeneous distribution of silicate minerals, with embedded Fe–Ni metal and troilite grains, which, as a whole, is penetrated by pervasive shock-melt veins. Compression tests with digital image correlation show brittle stress–strain responses and highly localized deformation that evolve into complex fracture networks, producing both single and multiple axial splits. X-ray computed tomography shows that cracks preferentially propagate through the brittle phases, i.e., troilite and silicates, whereas the ductile Fe–Ni metal grains deflect or arrest their growth. These results highlight the strong influence of microstructural heterogeneity on fragmentation processes in meteorites. The findings provide new insights into fracture mechanisms in stony astromaterials, with implications for asteroid disruption, regolith formation, and predictive modeling of failure in meteoritic materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102649
Limeng Yin , Zilong Su , Hong Jiang , Yaoning Sun , Long Zhang , Yong Yin , Yuhua Chen , Wei Feng , Danni Song
Cu/Sn/Cu sandwich structure with asymmetric double interfaces was fabricated via electromagnetic pulse welding technology. The interface waveform formation is attributed to the coupling mechanism of fluid dynamics, material plastic instability, and energy dissipation. At the Cu flyer/Sn interface, localized melting induced by rapid local heating, followed by ultrafast cooling, facilitated efficient liquid-phase diffusion. This promoted the formation of a two-phase mixed intermetallic compound layer (Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn), confirming metallurgical bonding. Conversely, at the Cu substrate/Sn interface, energy dissipation constrains kinetic/thermal energy input and limits the diffusion to the solid-state regime, which is dominated by short-range diffusion at the grain boundary. Consequently, only steady-state Cu3Sn developed under high-pressure conditions.
{"title":"Double interface bonding mechanism of Cu/Sn/Cu sandwich structure by electromagnetic pulse welding","authors":"Limeng Yin , Zilong Su , Hong Jiang , Yaoning Sun , Long Zhang , Yong Yin , Yuhua Chen , Wei Feng , Danni Song","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102649","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102649","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cu/Sn/Cu sandwich structure with asymmetric double interfaces was fabricated via electromagnetic pulse welding technology. The interface waveform formation is attributed to the coupling mechanism of fluid dynamics, material plastic instability, and energy dissipation. At the Cu flyer/Sn interface, localized melting induced by rapid local heating, followed by ultrafast cooling, facilitated efficient liquid-phase diffusion. This promoted the formation of a two-phase mixed intermetallic compound layer (Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> and Cu<sub>3</sub>Sn), confirming metallurgical bonding. Conversely, at the Cu substrate/Sn interface, energy dissipation constrains kinetic/thermal energy input and limits the diffusion to the solid-state regime, which is dominated by short-range diffusion at the grain boundary. Consequently, only steady-state Cu<sub>3</sub>Sn developed under high-pressure conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102649"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102651
Stephen D. Funni , Peter Ercius , Sebastian Calderon , Elizabeth C. Dickey
Many members of the tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) family of oxides display an incommensurate periodic lattice distortion, the nature of which has been the subject of some controversy. Here we present a study of this structural modulation in the relaxor ferroelectric Ba5SmSn3Nb7O30 (BSSN) by quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We characterize the modulation in BSSN by employing a fast, pixelated direct electron detector to perform high resolution phase contrast STEM imaging of the crystalline lattice. By quantitatively analyzing the images, we visualize the atomic structural correlations present in the material on both the cation and anion sublattices. This analysis reveals the incommensurate structure to have an octahedral tilting pattern and cooperative A2 site cation displacements, analogous to an Ama2 commensurate cell. Finally, we show that the modulation is composed of a structural motif with a period of 3 x and modified by discommensurations, likely arise from frustrated octahedral tilting in the odd-valued periodicity.
四方钨青铜(TTB)氧化物家族的许多成员表现出不相称的周期性晶格畸变,其性质一直是一些争议的主题。本文用定量扫描透射电子显微镜(STEM)研究了弛豫铁电体Ba5SmSn3Nb7O30 (BSSN)的这种结构调制。我们通过采用快速、像素化的直接电子探测器对晶格进行高分辨率相对比STEM成像来表征BSSN中的调制。通过定量分析图像,我们可视化了材料中正离子和阴离子亚晶格上存在的原子结构相关性。这种分析揭示了不相称的结构具有八面体倾斜模式和协同A2位点阳离子位移,类似于Ama2相称细胞。最后,我们证明了调制是由一个周期为3 x d11¯0的结构基元组成的,并被可能由奇值周期中受挫的八面体倾斜引起的失调所修正。
{"title":"The incommensurate modulation of tetragonal tungsten bronze quantified by high resolution 4D STEM","authors":"Stephen D. Funni , Peter Ercius , Sebastian Calderon , Elizabeth C. Dickey","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many members of the tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) family of oxides display an incommensurate periodic lattice distortion, the nature of which has been the subject of some controversy. Here we present a study of this structural modulation in the relaxor ferroelectric Ba<sub>5</sub>SmSn<sub>3</sub>Nb<sub>7</sub>O<sub>30</sub> (BSSN) by quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). We characterize the modulation in BSSN by employing a fast, pixelated direct electron detector to perform high resolution phase contrast STEM imaging of the crystalline lattice. By quantitatively analyzing the images, we visualize the atomic structural correlations present in the material on both the cation and anion sublattices. This analysis reveals the incommensurate structure to have an octahedral tilting pattern and cooperative A2 site cation displacements, analogous to an <em>Ama2</em> commensurate cell. Finally, we show that the modulation is composed of a structural motif with a period of 3 x <span><math><msub><mi>d</mi><mrow><mn>1</mn><mover><mn>1</mn><mo>¯</mo></mover><mn>0</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> and modified by discommensurations, likely arise from frustrated octahedral tilting in the odd-valued periodicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102651"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102652
Kaichi Saito , Yuga Okamoto , Yuichiro Hayasaka
The development of high-performance Cu–Ti alloys like Cu–4 at.% Ti has been hindered because their discontinuous precipitation (DP) mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the isothermal aging behaviors of three Cu–Ti alloys, including two where Zr was partially substituted for Ti, were compared. The precipitation behavior characteristics of Zr-containing alloys were determined using advanced electron microscopy. At 450 °C, the age-hardening behaviors of the supersaturated solid solution alloys with or without Zr were initially similar, with peaks at ∼10 h. Thereafter, the Zr-containing alloys exhibited reduced age-softening behaviors. Unlike binary Cu–4Ti, ternary Cu–3.9Ti–0.1Zr exhibited no DP up to 100 h and retained high tensile strength and fracture elongation comparable to those at 10 h. Atomic-scale scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the ternary alloy had its grain boundaries decorated by the preferentially segregated Zr solutes, leading to an amorphous local atomic structure. The effects of Zr-doping on the microstructural evolution of Cu–Ti alloys were elucidated, and the local structural environment responsible for the enhanced mechanical performance was clarified.
{"title":"Inhibitory effect of Zr-doping on discontinuous precipitation in an age-hardenable Cu–Ti alloy","authors":"Kaichi Saito , Yuga Okamoto , Yuichiro Hayasaka","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of high-performance Cu–Ti alloys like Cu–4 at.% Ti has been hindered because their discontinuous precipitation (DP) mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the isothermal aging behaviors of three Cu–Ti alloys, including two where Zr was partially substituted for Ti, were compared. The precipitation behavior characteristics of Zr-containing alloys were determined using advanced electron microscopy. At 450 °C, the age-hardening behaviors of the supersaturated solid solution alloys with or without Zr were initially similar, with peaks at ∼10 h. Thereafter, the Zr-containing alloys exhibited reduced age-softening behaviors. Unlike binary Cu–4Ti, ternary Cu–3.9Ti–0.1Zr exhibited no DP up to 100 h and retained high tensile strength and fracture elongation comparable to those at 10 h. Atomic-scale scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the ternary alloy had its grain boundaries decorated by the preferentially segregated Zr solutes, leading to an amorphous local atomic structure. The effects of Zr-doping on the microstructural evolution of Cu–Ti alloys were elucidated, and the local structural environment responsible for the enhanced mechanical performance was clarified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102650
Muhammad Akmal, Jenniffer Bustillos, Mahya Azizi, Atieh Moridi
Additive manufacturing (AM) can enable novel alloy design by merging multiple commercial alloys into a single build, a concept we term alloy amalgamation. Here, we demonstrate how directed energy deposition (DED) of Ti-5553 and Ti-6Al-4V in equal proportions produces a chemically and structurally heterogeneous microstructure comprising both arguably hard (α, α′) and ductile (metastable β, α″) phases, all derived from the high-temperature β phase. Regions associated with metastable β and α″ underwent transformation and twinning under stress, respectively, consequently showing enhanced strain hardening. Phase analysis of samples under tensile testing revealed martensite and nano-domain (O’ and O’’) formation in β regions, followed by twinning and slip in harder phases at higher stresses. These cooperative mechanisms yielded a synergistic strength–ductility balance, with ultimate tensile strength comparable to Ti-6Al-4V and elongation approaching Ti-5553. Such exclusive trait combinations arose from localized compositional gradients and multiphase stabilization enabled by AM
{"title":"Alloy amalgamation via additive manufacturing for phase and deformation engineering in titanium alloys","authors":"Muhammad Akmal, Jenniffer Bustillos, Mahya Azizi, Atieh Moridi","doi":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtla.2026.102650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Additive manufacturing (AM) can enable novel alloy design by merging multiple commercial alloys into a single build, a concept we term alloy amalgamation. Here, we demonstrate how directed energy deposition (DED) of Ti-5553 and Ti-6Al-4V in equal proportions produces a chemically and structurally heterogeneous microstructure comprising both arguably hard (α, α′) and ductile (metastable β, α″) phases, all derived from the high-temperature β phase. Regions associated with metastable β and α″ underwent transformation and twinning under stress, respectively, consequently showing enhanced strain hardening. Phase analysis of samples under tensile testing revealed martensite and nano-domain (O’ and O’’) formation in β regions, followed by twinning and slip in harder phases at higher stresses. These cooperative mechanisms yielded a synergistic strength–ductility balance, with ultimate tensile strength comparable to Ti-6Al-4V and elongation approaching Ti-5553. Such exclusive trait combinations arose from localized compositional gradients and multiphase stabilization enabled by AM</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47623,"journal":{"name":"Materialia","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 102650"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}