Crystal structure of the Al20Mn5.37Ni1.31 phase in the Al–Mn–Ni system

The intermetallic phase with composition Al20Mn5.37Ni1.31 (icosaaluminium pentamanganese nickel) was synthesized by high-temperature sintering of a mixture with initial chemical composition Al60Mn7Ni3. Al20Mn5.37Ni1.31 adopts the Co2Al5 structure type in space-group type P63/mmc, replacing the Co atoms with the transition-metal atoms Mn and Ni. Structure analysis revealed that one of the two transition-metal sites is partially occupied by Ni [refined occupancy 0.342 (2)] and the other is co-occupied by Mn and Ni with a ratio of 0.895 (14):0.105 (14). The present refined chemical composition is supported by complementary energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX) analysis and is in agreement with the previously determined Al–Mn–Ni phase diagram [Balanetskyy et al. (2011). J. Alloys Compd, 509, 3795–3805].

Contrasting responses of DOM leachates to photodegradation observed in plant species collected along an estuarine salinity gradient

A series of abiotic processes affected by salinity changes involve light-mediated reactions and different degradation pathways of organic compounds, including altered photo-oxidation, photo-degradation, and photolysis of organic matter (OM). Sunlight is known to degrade, oxidize, or mineralize dissolved organic matter (DOM) in waterways, creating large changes in compositional structure of DOM near the water surface and ultimately in the mixed layer. DOM derived from various vegetation types has differing levels of susceptibility to photolytic degradation depending on initial chemical composition and in what matrix degradation takes place (e.g., salinity). The effect of sunlight and salinity on degradation of leached DOM derived from three dominant vegetative species, Avicennia germinans, Juncus romerianus, and Taxodium distichum, along a riverine continuum in northeast Florida was determined. Leachates from these three sources in a deionized or seawater matrix were irradiated in a continuous flow-through photolytic system over the course of 20 h. Avicennia germinans and Juncus roemerinaus DOM readily degraded as indicated by decreases in absorbance across all wavelengths during the irradiation period, while Taxodium distichum DOM was found to increase in absorbance across all wavelengths in the freshwater matrix, but not in seawater. PARAFAC analysis indicated differences in photochemical components and % change of absorbance and fluorescence over time indicate the importance and variability of individual contributions to the DOM pool across an estuarine continuum. This work characterizes the photochemical properties of three individual DOM sources, exhibits the need for further research on this topic, and explores the salinity effect on photo-degradation of DOM from unique plant-derived DOM.

Thermodynamics of the Vapor–Liquid–Solid Growth of Ternary III–V Nanowires in the Presence of Silicon

Based on a thermodynamic model, we quantify the impact of adding silicon atoms to a catalyst droplet on the nucleation and growth of ternary III–V nanowires grown via the self-catalyzed vapor–liquid–solid process. Three technologically relevant ternaries are studied: InGaAs, AlGaAs and InGaN. For As-based alloys, it is shown that adding silicon atoms to the droplet increases the nanowire nucleation probability, which can increase by several orders magnitude depending on the initial chemical composition of the catalyst. Conversely, silicon atoms are found to suppress the nucleation rate of InGaN nanowires of different compositions. These results can be useful for understanding and controlling the vapor–liquid–solid growth of ternary III–V nanowires on silicon substrates as well as their intentional doping with Si.

Stability of permanent connection of deformable high-temperature nickel based and cast intermetallic alloys obtained under superplasticity conditions

The paper presents a study of welded joints of cast intermetallic single-crystal rhenium containing VKNA-25 alloy with crystallographic orientation [001] and deformable high-temperature disk nickel alloy EP975, depending on the parameters (temperature and degree of deformation) of pressure welding under superplasticity conditions. Comparison of samples before and after heat treatment is presented. The results of X-ray micro-spectral analysis of a solid-phase joint in the welding zone and at distances of up to 140 μm are presented in comparison with the initial chemical composition of the alloys, indicating an intense course of diffusion processes. The results obtained are analyzed from the point of view of maintaining the balance of alloying, calculated by the method of G.I. Morozova (calculating the number of valence electrons per unit atomic mass of the composition), the change in the atomic mass and average electron concentration of solid-phase compounds before and after heat treatment in the welded joint zone and at distances up to 140 μm was calculated. It is shown that the alloy compositions calculated taking into account the alloying balance make it possible to obtain a high-quality one-piece connection of a disk and a blade for blisk-type structures, performed under superplasticity on an installation for high-temperature pressure welding.

INTERGLACIAL MARKERS FOUND IN USVINSKAYA-1 СAVE (MIDDLE URALS)

Mineral formation due to water freezing in caves causes supersaturation of the unfrozen part of the solution and deposition of some dissolved compounds in the form of minerals. Evaporation of water and degassing of the solution are associated processes in deposition of minerals. Cryogenic minerals of caves differ in morphology and isotopic composition from similar mineral cave formations not subject to glaciation. The morphology and mineralogy of cryogenic cave minerals depend on the initial chemical composition of karst water, the thickness of the freezing layer of water, and also on the freezing rate. Slow freezing of cave waters at 0°C in permafrost conditions leads to the formation of coarse cryogenic calcite. These carbonates can be used as indicators of permafrost thawing during interglacial periods. Morphological and isotopic study of samples from Usvinskaya-1 Cave (Middle Urals), as well as their 230Th / 234U dating, made it possible to conclude that the calcite is cryogenic. The calcite is represented by aggregates (up to 5 cm in size) of split crystals and spherulites from milky brown to black in color. This calcite, formed during the interglacial periods, indicates the existence of several periods of degrading permafrost in the Middle Urals, namely in the periods MIS9 (295.7 thousand years ago), MIS7 (205.1 thousand years ago), GI23 (approx. 102-104 thousand years ago) and GI22 (89.4-90.0 thousand years ago).

Modelling the solar twin 18 Scorpii

Context. Solar twins are objects of great interest in that they allow us to understand better how stellar evolution and structure are affected by variations of the stellar mass, age and chemical composition in the vicinity of the commonly accepted solar values. Aims. We aim to use the existing spectrophotometric, interferometric and asteroseismic data for the solar twin 18 Sco to constrain stellar evolution models. 18 Sco is the brightest solar twin and is a good benchmark for the study of solar twins. The goal is to obtain realistic estimates of its physical characteristics (mass, age, initial chemical composition, mixing-length parameter) and realistic associated uncertainties using stellar models. Methods. We set up a Bayesian model that relates the statistical properties of the data to the probability density of the stellar parameters. Special care is given to the modelling of the likelihood for the seismic data, using Gaussian mixture models. The probability densities of the stellar parameters are approximated numerically using an adaptive MCMC algorithm. From these approximate distributions we proceeded to a statistical analysis. We also performed the same exercise using local optimisation. Results. The precision on the mass is approximately 6%. The precision reached on X0 and Z0 and the mixing-length parameter are respectively 6%, 9%, and 35%. The posterior density for the age is bimodal, with modes at 4.67 Gyr and 6.95 Gyr, the first one being slightly more likely. We show that this bimodality is directly related to the structure of the seismic data. When asteroseismic data or interferometric data are excluded, we find significant losses of precision for the mass and the initial hydrogen-mass fraction. Our final estimates of the uncertainties from the Bayesian analysis are significantly larger than values inferred from local optimization. This also holds true for several estimates of the age encountered in the literature.

The Althoff-Radtke Test Adapted for High Chromium Cast Iron

The paper presents results of the possibility of adapting the Althoff-Radtke test for High Chromium Cast Iron. The Althoff-Radtke test is a clump attempt used for steel. The Althoff-Radtke test has four different lengths of clamp which qualifies it as a test to quantitatively take into account different kinds of shrinkage ΔL. The length of the slot of the cracked corner and the length of each staple (50 - 350 mm) are the parameters tendency to cast cracks. Castings of white cast iron have a high tendency to hot cracking due to the large range of solidification temperatures, unfavorable kinetics parameters of shrinkage, and especially a lack of expansion before shrinkage. Shrinkage of high chromium white cast iron is similar to the shrinkage of cast steel, and is approximately 2%. Therefore it is important to test susceptibility to hot cracks. Research was carried out under industrial conditions. Four melts were performed, one of the initial chemical composition and the other three modified by different amounts of Fe-Ti, respectively, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% Fe-Ti. The propensity for hot cracking was based on the observation of the dark surface in the corner of the sample. The study shows that the Althoff-Radtke test can be adapted to determine the tendency for hot cracking of high chromium cast iron. It should however be noted that the test results cannot be compared with those for other alloys.