Chen Kanghua

Effects of Ce and Ti on the microstructures and mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy

Abstract The effects of Ce and Ti additions on the microstructures and mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy have been studied. It has been shown that either Ce or Ti can decrease the as-cast grain size of the Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy, increase the nucleation ratio for Ω phase as heterogeneous nucleation centers, inhibit the growth of Ω phase during aging, and thus increase the volume fraction and decrease the spacing of Ω phase. These microstructures increase the yield strength and tensile strength. However, if both Ce and Ti are added to the alloy, they form (Ce,Ti)-contained compounds and increase the grain size during casting, but have no effects on the nucleation and the growth of Ω phase during aging. The alloy containing both Ce and Ti has a relatively lower Vicks hardness and strength compared to the alloy containing either Ce or Ti.

Reactive processing and mechanical properties of Al/SiCP composite

The reactive process for Al/SiCP composite was studied. SiC particles were in-situ coated by the exothermal reaction of SiC-Ti powder compact in Al melt bath, and easily incorporated into Al melt. The detailed study was carried out to understand the microstructures of the reacted SiC particles. During the reaction and consequent mixing, the successive processes include in-situ coating on the reacted SiC particles, coat dissolution and SiCP splitting. The tensile mechanical properties of 6013Al/SiCP composite processed by the present technology showed that the reacted SiCP considerably reinforced the 6013 matrix.

Effects of Adding Sodium and Ethanol Inhibitor on Inhibiting H2 Evolution of Lithium Anode

Abstract The inhibition performance of alloy element Na and ethanol inhibitor on lithium anode in 4 mol/L LiOH alkaline aqueous electrolytes at 30 °C was investigated using hydrogen evolution rate measurement at OCP, polarization curve, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltage-time curve. The results show that alloy element Na and ethanol have inhibition effect both on anodic and cathodic reaction, but single alloy element Na or ethanol can not play an effective inhibition role on anode; only co-adding of alloy element Na and ethanol can greatly enhance the effect of inhibiting hydrogen evolution, the inhibition efficiency exceeds 80%. In addition, the property of discharge is very unstable with only adding of alloy element Na, but this problem can be resolved by adding ethanol. XRD shows that Li and Na forms perfect solid solution.

Effects of Adding Cerium to Lithium on Properties of Lithium Anode

Abstract The effects of adding cerium to lithium on the properties of lithium anode were studied in alkaline aqueous LiOH electrolyte at 30 °C. Self-corrosion hydrogen evolution rate at open circuit potential and electrochemical experiments show that the magnitude of hydrogen evolution rate is reduced obviously by adding cerium to lithium. As the content of Ce increases to 0.08 wt%, the inhibition efficiency reaches approximately 83.3%. SEM results show that the surface of Li–Ce alloy forms more compact and less porous film than that of pure lithium after discharge. XRD examination proves the presence of Ce(OH) 3 in the lithium-cerium alloy film besides LiOH and LiOH·H 2 O. It is suggested that Ce(OH) 3 plays a key role in inhibiting the hydrogen evolution and affecting discharge potential on the surface of lithium-cerium alloy anode in aqueous alkaline LiOH electrolyte.