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By Shuqiang Guo, Gonghui Yang, Xingxing Zhang, Yuyang Bian, Song Chen, Weizhong Ding, Yinhe Liu, Lan Jiang

One of the most promising refractory materials for application is zirconia in melting superalloy. In this work, the properties and phase composition of magnesia partially stabilized zirconia ceramics (MgO-PSZ) under different sintering temperatures were systematically investigated. Commercial magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (MgO-PSZ) powders were selected as the starting materials. The magnesia partially stabilized zirconia phase composition was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the density of sintered samples was tested by vacuum density instrument, the thermal expansion were obtained by thermal dilatometer from ambient temperature up to 1450°C, and the microstructures of MgO-PSZ were characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicated that the properties of thermal expansion, densification, microstructures and phase composition were significantly affected by sintering temperature. Densification was consistent with SEM micrographs of MgO-PSZ at different sintering temperatures.

Jan 1, 2015

By K. G. Wang, M. E. Glicksman, P. Crawford

"We formulate the mathematical solution to late-stage multi particle diffusion in finite systems. The transition from finite system behavior to that for an infinite system is established. Large-scale simulations are reported regarding the dynamics of phase coarsening. Even in the case of a small volume fraction (Vv = 10-4), the particle size distribution is broader than that for the well-known Lifshitz-Slyozov limit at zero volume fraction. We also report the first simulation studies of extremely low volume fraction, for which corresponding experiments, as well as other simulations, do not exist at present for comparison. However, in the case of moderate volume fractions (Vv = 0.1), the fiucutations in the volumetric growth rate of particles are extracted from our simulations. These simulations provide additional insight into the statistical nature of diffusion interactions, including multiparticle stochastics during microstructural evolution.IntroductionPredicting microstructure evolution in alloys remains one of the cornerstones of materials science. Phase coarsening is a common process in microstrucural evolution that leads to a decrease in the excess total interfacial energy of the system. The system typically consists of separate and identifiable units, or domains, such as second-phase particles distributed in a matrix. During phase coarsening, larger particles grow at the expense of small particles. Over time, this ""competition"" results in an increase in the average size of the particle population, and in a concomitant decrease in the number of particles.Particle size and microstructure of many cast alloys depend on similar coarsening processes. Indeed, properties of these materials, such as strength, toughness, ductility, and electrical conductivity, depend on the material's average particle size and particle size distribution (PSD). Understanding and controlling microstructures in two-phase systems are clearly of widespread technological importance."

Jan 1, 2001

By S. B. Bortnikova

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the gold-silver oxidized ores at the Salair mine. West Siberia. High losses of precious metals during primary ore processing are the result of outdated technology that is not suited to treat the present ore compositions. The main mineralogical forms of gold and silver and their confinement to different grain size fractions have been determined. About 50% of gold in the slime fraction and 60% of the silver in the form of acanthite that are scattered from the secondary minerals are lost to the waste. The results of these investigations have provided the basis for the recommendation of a new technological process to upgrade the current practice of the gold extraction plant and for methods to reprocess the concentrates.

Jan 1, 1995

By Nagy El-Kaddah

"One of the emerging technologies for the production of ultra-clean metals is electromagnetic filtration. The theory and the mechanism of electromagnetic separation of inclusions from molten metal are briefly reviewed along with basic electromagnetic separation systems. This paper focuses on inclusion removal in the induced current separators, with specific reference to a new separator developed at the University of Alabama. A simple analytical model is presented for the analysis of particle separation in such a system. The role of the applied magnetic field on inclusion removal will be discussed. It is shown that particle velocity increases exponentially with increasing magnetic field strength. At moderate field strengths, the velocity of 50 to 100 u. inclusions· are an order of magnitude larger than those achieved by buoyancy. The separator developed at the University of Alabama is described together with experimental results of laboratory and large scale experiments on purification of molten aluminum. These results demonstrate the capability of the system for producing super-clean metals.IntroductionThe nature of extraction, refining and processing of metals is such that oxides and other non-metallic particles will always be present. This is due to the highly reactive nature of metals with oxygen and other non-metallic elements. The presence of these type inclusions in metals, even in minute amounts, can seriously flaw the reliability and performance of the final product. They not only reduce the strength and the stiffness of the metal/1/, they are the reason behind many of manufacturing defects such as porosity in castings, surface and internal cracks in continuously cast ingots and rolled products, etc., which act to cause premature failure of manufactured parts. In fact, for critical applications such as turbine blades, there is virtually no tolerance for inclusions above ten microns in size /2/. Therefore, removal of inclusions from the liquid metal is an essential processing step.The demand for cleaner metals has brought major changes in the technology and practice of metal refining and casting. Inclusion removal from the melt is currently achieved by passing the melt through a series of melt treatment systems, including induction stirring furnaces, argon-stirred ladle, and ceramic foam and deep-bed filters /3,4/. These systems are generally capable of removing all inclusion particles above 50 microns in diameter, which meets current cleanliness requirements for most applications. However, they may not be able to meet the projected cleanliness levels for critical applications due to kinetic and operational limitations of these systems in removing smaller particles /5/."

Jan 1, 1996

By Baokuan Li, Qiang Wang, Zhu He

"A mathematical model has been developed to investigate the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), thermal, and solidified behavior in electroslag remelting process. Based on the finite volume method, a multiphase coupling MHD approach is employed to investigate the droplet formation as well as movement in molten slag under the action of an alternating current. The VOF formulation is adopted for interface tracking. The electrical potential method is adopted for the electric current and magnetic field. The Electromagnetic force and Joule heating are recalculated at each time step and then is implemented in the momentum and energy equations as a source term, respectively. Moreover, solidification of the metal is described by an enthalpy-based formulation, while the mushy zone is treated as a porous medium with porosity equal to the liquid fraction. The model is used to investigate the effect of electrode tip shape on MHD, thermal, and solidified behavior and provide valuable information.IntroductionElectroslag remelting (ESR) process has been used widely to produce high-performance alloys dedicated to critical application, such as hot work tool steels, nickel base alloys, the manufacture of components in aerospace and landbased turbines, etc. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of ESR process including a consumable electrode, a molten slag pool, a liquid metal pool, a solidified ingot, and a water-cooled mold. Alternating or direct current flows from the electrode to the water-cooled baseplate through the high resistivity calcium-fluoride-based molten slag which result in Joule heating and Electromagnetic force (EMF). Part of the Joule heating melts the electrode and the droplets travel through the slag and accumulate the liquid metal pool. The electrode is continuously advanced into the slag as it melts to build up an ingot of improved structure and composition by controlled solidification and chemical refinement. The metallurgical properties of the remelted ingot are really related to the solidification structure, which strongly depends on magnetohydrodynamic, thermal, and solidified behavior in the molten slag, liquid metal pool, and mushy zone."

Jan 1, 2014

By K. Sarveswara Rao

The present paper firstly describes some recent trends from literature on energy management via process intensification to arrive at sustainable technologies for aqueous processing of minerals, metals and materials. Secondly, the energy saving measures practiced in leaching, solid-solution separation, solution purification, metal and material winning and environmental aspects have been discussed. The emerging importance of interdisciplinary nature of hydrometallurgy for practical applications is also highlighted. With the above background, the present paper describes an overview of energy conservation and autoclave processes with a special reference to hydrometallurgical research activities of our Laboratory.

Jan 1, 2008

By Yong Hack Lee

Nonferrous smelting processes have been through a rapid transformation since the beginning of 1980. The copper smelting technology has changed from the conventional Blast Furnace process to the Flash Smelting and MIB process. In the field of lead smelting, the technology has changed from the Blast Furnace Smelting to the Direct Smelting such as QSL and KIVCET. In 1992, Onsan Refinery successfully commissioned Direct Smelting QSL technology for lead. The QSL could produce more than 160,000 ton per year of lead bullion from lead concentrate and various residues. Moreover, since the year 2000, the TSL (Top Submerged Lance) Technology utilizing the same Direct Smelting process has been successfully commissioned to treat lead concentrate as well as lead sulfate residue produced from a hydrometallurgical zinc plant. This paper presents and compares the energy flows of lead smelting processes such as a conventional process and the Direct Smelting Processes plotted on the Pb-O-S phase diagram. The oxygen potential diagram suggests how to control the oxygen potential in the fum ace. Also, it describes the recent operational experience in the TSL plant of Onsan Refinery with necessary mass balance of key elements.

Jan 1, 2003

By Linfeng Zhou, Rong Sun, Guanghui Li, Zhiwei Peng, Tao Jiang

The effects of microwave roasting on separation of rhenium (Re) and molybdenum (Mo) from a molybdenite concentrate have been investigated based on evaluation of the heating characteristics of the concentrate in the microwave field. The results show that a variety of operating variables, namely microwave power, sample weight, sample geometry, roasting temperature, roasting time and atmosphere significantly impact on the volatilization rates of Re and Mo. The optimum conditions for Re-Mo separation are microwave power 1300 W, sample weight 20 g, sample geometry pellets, temperature 600 oC, time 1.5 h, and atmosphere 20%O2. Under these experimental conditions, the volatilization rate of Re reaches 88.12%, while that of Mo is just 5.15%. Microwave-assisted roasting provides an alternative route to separating Re and Mo from molybdenite concentrate.

Jan 1, 2016

By D. I. Davidov, D. A. Shishkin, M. B. Rigmant, E. P. Romanov, N. N. Stepanova, N. V. Kazantseva

The Co-19 at.%Al-6 at.%W alloy was prepared by two methods of casting. We used arc melting under an argon atmosphere with casting into a copper water-cooled casting mold and induction melting furnace with casting into a ceramic Al2O3 mold. According to the X-ray and SEM analyses, phase compositions depend on the cooling rate of the ingot after melting. After arc melting, the cast alloy has a three-phase structure, consisting of  cobalt (FCC), intermetallic phases CoAl (B2) type, and Co3W (DO19) type. After the induction melting, the alloy has a three-phase structure, consisting of  cobalt (FCC), intermetallic phases CoAl (B2) type, and Co7W6 () type. All phases in the investigated ternary alloy at the room temperature are ferromagnetic. Curie temperatures of all obtained phases were defined. It is shown that the magnetic properties of the studied alloy are typical for soft magnetic materials.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. Rawat

The removal of oxyanions of arsenic present in mine process water and drinking water to a regulatory level is a challenging problem. Recently a patented adsorbent lanthanum oxide has been developed which has shown strong specificity for the anions of arsenic. In this paper the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of arsenic adsorption on to lanthanum oxide are discussed. Adsorption tests were performed at different temperatures using synthetic solutions of arsenic of varying concentrations. From the kinetic data and adsorption isotherms thermodynamic properties such as Gibb's free energy, standard enthalpy of adsorption, standard entropy, isosteric heat of adsorption and activation energy were determined. The results showed that temperature had a positive effect on the rate and degree of adsorption:The activation energy decreased with increase in the initial concentration thus indicating solute-solute interactions in the system. Also, the isosteric heat was found to decrease with increase in the adsorption density implying a heterogeneous adsorbent surface.

Jan 1, 1998

By Carla Lupi

Zinc electrowinning from sulfate solutions is the traditional industrial method to produce SHG zinc. Over the past few years several efforts have been done to improve process efficiency in order to reach high productivity with low energy requirement. The latter aim can be pursued both by means of a hard purification of the electrolyte and reducing the anodic voltage. This work is a comparative study of the results obtained in several previous researches on zinc electrowinning from both sulfate and chloride solutions. Zinc electrowinning tests on industrial sulfate solution have been carried out by using Pb alloy anodes and by adding organic depolarizers such as ethanol, acetic acid or ethylene glycol. Experiments on chloride solutions, obtained by purification of zinc exhausted electrolyte, have been performed by using DSA anodes and by testing the effect of additives such as TEACI and TBAC\. Comparing the best results obtained with the two methods it can be highlighted that a high quality zinc is electrowon in both cases with comparable energy requirements.

Jan 1, 2000

By Thomas M. Harris

To avoid the escalating cost of disposal of metals-containing wastewater and residues, new wastewater treatments will focus on the recovery of the metals. A combination of ion exchange and electrowinning can produce water suitable for discharge and relatively pure metals. The use of a chelating resin can enhance the selectivity of both the removal process and the elution of metals from the resin. A new, simple method of preparing a variety of chelating resins is being developed. The materials produced by this method exhibit interesting, as well as potentially useful, elution behavior. The performance of one test resin is described.

Jan 1, 1992

By I. D. Reznik

Results of thermodynamic computations have been presented for reactions occurring in the process of segregation roasting of oxide nickel ores to describe more accurately the mechanism of the process. Under conditions of laboratory-scale roasting in combination with close-circuit flotation flow-sheets and magnetic separation, a recovery of 80-82% of nickel into 8 to 10% Ni concentrate and a recovery of up to 66% of cobalt was achieved. Process conditions have been selected for processing of both high-iron and high-magnesium ores. The feasibility of conversion of 94-98% of nickel and cobalt into solution by oxidizing pressure leaching with sulfuric acid has been demonstrated. It has been substantiated that it is reasonable to introduce double-stage segregation roasting.

Jan 1, 2003

By Gus Van Weert

Hydrometallurgical oxidation of sulphides is capital and energy intensive, with autoclave and bio-technology competing for lowest overall cost status. The use of surface aerators instead of stirred tank reactors could provide lower costs for bio-oxidation of concentrates. With this in mind, the Delft Inclined Plate reactor was designed with inclined plates above a settler shaped reactor to continuously return slurry from the lowest point in the settler to the surface of the liquid. The multiplate superstructure overcomes the scale-up restriction of the standard circular surface aeration patterns. DIP aerator energy and volume requirements for oxygen transfer from air will be presented in terms of kg O2/kWh and kg O2/m3/h transferred as a function of wt % sand in the slurry and compared to stirred tank performance. Scale up from the 4 m3 pilot unit will be discussed.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Ide, K. Takemura, S. Taenaka, K. Shinzawa

"The laser characteristic is strongry dependent upon the stoichometry of forsterite (Mg2Si04) and YSO (Y2Si05) single crystals, because of change in the valency and occupied sites of doped Cr in the lattice so that mole ratios of Mg0/Si02 and Y203/Si02 in the above single crystals must be precisely analyzed. In this study ICP-AES was applied for analyzing the mole ratios. Emission intensities corresponding to Si and Mg or Si and Y were measured at the same time with internal standard method. Preparation of sample solutions, measurement conditions of ICP-AES and interferences by coexisting components were discussed, resulting in excellently precise detennination of stoichometry of the above single crystals.IntroductionIn conventional stoichiometric analysis of single crystals, the stoichiometry is detennined by analyzing each component separately with titrimetry and gravimetry techniques. On the other hand, by stoichiometric analyses using ICP-AES, emission intensities corresponding to components are measured at the same time with internal standard method. Consequently erros caused by variation of analytical condition are canceled out.Cr-doped Mg2Si04 and Y2Si05 syngle crystals are known as laser materials. The change of valency and occupied sites of doped Cr affect the characteristic of single crystal as aleser materials. The change of state of doped Cr.Stoichometric composition of Mg2Si04 is constructed by 2mole of MgO and 1mole of Si02, and Y2Si05 is constructed by 1mole of Y203 and 1mole of Si02. In this study, required analytical precision in component mole ratio is within an error of 0.0010 for Mg2Si04 (CV=0.05wt%), and within an error of 0.0030 for Y2Si05 (CV=0.05wt%) (Table I )."

Jan 1, 1998

By Gerhard Bayer

X-ray and thermoanalytical studies were carried out on the formation and stability of Ca-, Mg-and Mn-tungstate, and of the corresponding minerals scheelite and wolframite. The tungstates were synthesized by different methods: precipitation from solution, solid state reactions, displacement reactions with solutions and in the solid state. The reactivity of natural scheelite and wolframite with different salt solutions and in mixtures with other minerals was investigated.

Jan 1, 1989

By M. Vondersaar, B. Bulnes

Quemetco, Inc.,. as a subsidiary of RSR Corporation, operates one of RSR's three secondary lead smelters in the City of Industry, California, next to a residential area within Los Angeles County. The Reverberatory furnace serves as the main reactor for melting lead grid and paste recovered by the battery crushing system. Feed material is introduced via screw conveyor after drying in an upstream rotary kiln. Slag produced by the Reverb flows directly to an electric arc furnace. Products from this one-pass furnace system consist of soft lead bullion from the reverb, hard lead bullion from the arc furnace, and a non-hazardous slag from the arc furnace. Furnace bullion is processed into finished product in a six-kettle refinery. An overview ·of plant operations is presented. Where applicable, references will be made to changes that have taken place during the last decade.

Jan 1, 2000

By Guo Chang Jiang

In order to improve the IIAZ toughness of X-60 pipe steel, the intragranular ferrite plate (IFP) technology was used. The characteristics of IFP is claimed to be much fine ferrite plates appear inside the original austenite grains. By means of suitable Re, Zr, Ti additions in a bath with a higher initial oxygen potential, a good control of the peak temperature and the cooling rate during welding simulation, one can get a %IFP in volume over 50%, and the toughness gets up from 55 J to 160 J. It was found that the inclusions most effective in nucleating IFP are some deformable complex silicates which either entrap Re, Zr, Ti oxides or contain these elements. The greater the number of the evenly distributed and effectively nucleating inclusions, the more the %IFP in volume, and the finer the microstructure of the HAZ, so the better the relevant toughness. Generally, these silicates bahave as fine spheres along a line. The present authors revealed that these fine spheres result from the remelting of the shuttle- like silicates due to heating in the process of welding simulation. These silicates used to get a higher sulphur capacity, so MnS deposits might be observed on the periphery of the silicates. IFP was proved to be directly rooted in the [Mn] depleting zone which locates beside MnS deposits.

Jan 1, 1997

By Raghavan Srinivasan, Y. V. R. K. Prasad, William G. Frazier, Steve C. Medeiros

"Aerospace gas turbine disks operate in an environment of relatively high stresses caused by centrifugal forces and elevated temperatures. These severe conditions necessitate the need for materials with good high temperature strength and low cycle fatigue resistance. One class of alloys used for this task is the nickel base superalloys, out of which, lN 718 is the most widely used in the aerospace industry [I]. The properties of IN 718 are attributed to the combined effects of the chemistry, heat treatment, and microstructure. The chemistry is tailored not only for solid solution strengthening but also for precipitation hardening developed during heat treatment, which combined with a fine grained microstructure lead to excellent mechanical properties such as low cycle fatigue resistance and elevated temperature strength. The properties of a gas turbine disk are sensitive to the microstructure, in particular the grain size, which is dependent on the processing history. The ability to precisely control the microstructural development during forging is dependent on controlling the process so that the workpiece is deformed within a ""safe"" region where no microstructural damage or flow instabilities occur. The microstructural mechanisms during deformation may themselves vary within the ""safe"" region and it is desirable to determine them within the range of parameters that are commonly used in industrial processing. The objective of this work is to establish a relationship between the grain size and the process control parameters i.e., temperature and strain rate, in the hot working of IN 178.BackgroundIN 718 belongs to a class of nickel-iron base superalloys with a face-centered cubic (FCC) austenitic matrix strengthened by precipitation of ordered intermetallic or carbide precipitates and is a nickel-rich alloy strengthened by ordered body centered tetragonal (BCT) precipitates, Y"". The alloying of nickel and iron results in the formation of the austenitic matrix, y, while the addition of chromium and molybdenum cause solid solution strengthening. Also, alloying with niobium causes precipitation of the metastable hardening constituent Y"" (Ni3(Nb,Ti)). Extended aging treatments in the temperature range 650 °C - 980 °C allow the more stable orthorhombic 8 phase (Ni3Nb) to form. Trace amounts of boron are also added to serve as grain boundary strengtheners for high temperature creep resistance. Hot deformation of IN 718 is performed between the Y"" and 8 solvus temperatures to facilitate recrystallization and to control grain growth. While deformation below the Y"" solvus (""""962°C) produces no change in grain size, deformation above the Y"" solvus but below the 8 solvus will lead to a dynamically recrystallized microstructure. The presence of the 8 precipitates will pin the grain boundaries after recrystallization and restrict grain growth so that a fine grain microstructure is obtained. Deformation above the 8 solvus ("""" 1038°C) will lead to a microstructure which has undergone grain growth during deformation."

Jan 1, 2000

By Desmond Cook, Cynthia P. Dogan, Dale Govier, Gary Korth, James C. Rawers

"The microstructural and mechanical properties of iron powders processed in an attrition mill are highly dependent upon the processing environment. Extended high-energy ball milling in argon resulted in nanocrystalline bcc-Fe microstructure, while processing in nitrogen or alloying with carbon resulted in both nanocrystalline bcc-Fe and bct-Fe microstructures. In this U.S. Bureau of Mines study, both X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer analysis were used to show that the infused carbon and nitrogen concentrations were predominantly on the grain boundaries. Explosive consolidation resulted in a fully dense product with microstructure similar to the microstructure of the mechanically processed powder. Hardness values of the compacts correlated highly with grain size, independent of the processing conditions.IntroductionNanocrystalline materials have been theorized and shown to have unique properties that make them interesting for material scientists and promising for material engineering applications. Several conferences have been devoted solely to the techniques of preparing nanostructured materials have been held(l,2,3.). To date, most techniques used to generate nanocrystalline materials produce only a few grams of particles(1). High-energy ball-milling, however, is an efficient and effective technique that can produce substantial quantities of nanocrystalline materials with homogenous chemical composition that cannot be produced by conventional processing techniques(3).Applications and material evaluations of nanocrystalline materials require several grams of solid samples. Because nanocrystalline microstructures' are thermodynamically unstable, producing consolidated macro structures of nanocrystalline material has proved to be very difficult(2,3). In particular, retention of the nanocrystalline microstructure during consolidation of nanocrystalline particles has proven to be a problem. In contrast to many consolidation techniques that require elevated temperatures, explosive compaction uses a shock wave for consolidation( 4,5)."

Jan 1, 1994