Ya Xu

A SMA/CFRP hybrid composite with damage suppression effect at ambient temperature

The shape memory characteristics of cold-worked TiNiNb alloys were investigated for developing shape memory alloy/carbon fiber reinforced plastics hybrid composites for damage suppression even at ambient temperature. An alloy with very wide transformation temperature hysteresis (Ms 130 C) was developed, and the above composites were fabricated using it.

Catalytic Properties of Ni-Al Intermetallic Nanoparticles Fabricated by Thermal Plasma Process

The catalytic activity of Ni-Al (Ni25Al) nanoparticles fabricated by thermal plasma evaporation was examined for methanol decomposition and CO oxidation. The nanoparticles exhibited high activity for both reactions. Characterization of the nanoparticles revealed that the fabricated nanoparticles were mainly comprised of Ni and Ni3Al phases. During CO oxidation, the Ni phase was oxidized to NiO, while the Ni3Al phase remained unchanged. The NiO phase is supposed to serve as the active sites for CO oxidation. In contrast, during methanol decomposition, no obvious oxidation was observed for both Ni and Ni3Al phases. The Ni and Ni3Al phases are supposed to contribute to the high activity for methanol decomposition.

Evolution of Surface Morphology in Ni(γ)/Ni3Al(γ´) Two-Phase Foil during Electrochemical Etching

Evolution of surface morphology in Ni(γ)/Ni3Al(γ´) two-phase foil of binary Ni-18 at.%Al was examined during the electrochemically selective etching in the electrolyte of distilled water including 1 wt.% (NH4)2SO4 and 1 wt.% citric acid. In the early stage (0.5 h), only the γ matrix was etched and the outmost γ´ particles were protected by a preexisting surface product. As the γ matrix was etched more, the side surfaces of the outmost γ´ particles and the γ´ particles that were located inside were exposed in the electrolyte. They were dissolved, and had a high density of fine dimples. However, the dissolution rate of the γ´ particles was slower than that of the γ matrix and thus the selective etching was retained in this stage. Finally, at 5h, more γ´ particles were exposed and the flat and smooth surfaces of the outmost γ´ particles were completely eliminated by the dissolution on the side surfaces. From these observations plus the saturation of the current density observed in the electrochemical test, we concluded that the change in the surface morphology was finished at this stage. Thus, the surface became more rough and irregular, which resulted from the original two-phase microstructure and the fine dimple structure by transpassivation.