Z.D. Zou

Bio: Z.D. Zou is an academic researcher from Shandong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Microstructure & Ferrotitanium. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 21 publications receiving 372 citations.

Microstructure and wear properties of TiC/FeCrBSi surface composite coating prepared by laser cladding

Abstract: Titanium carbide particles reinforced Fe-based surface composite coatings were fabricated by laser cladding using a 5 kW CO2 laser. The microstructure, phase structure and wear properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as dry sliding wear test. The results showed that TiC carbides were formed via in situ reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite in the molten pool during the laser-clad process. The morphology of TiC is mainly cubic and dendritic form; and the TiC carbides were distributed uniformly in the composite coating. The TiC/matrix interface was found to be free from cracks and deleterious phases. The coatings reinforced by TiC particles revealed higher wear resistance and lower friction coefficient than that of the substrate and FeCrBSi laser-clad coating.

Transferring mechanism of the coating rod in friction surfacing

Abstract: A coating rod of 1Cr18Ni9Ti (321) was deposited on the substrate of mild steel 1020 to be able to perform a friction surfacing experiment. The temperature changes of special points on the coating rod were measured using a thermocouple. The results show that the temperature increase rate at the friction interface reached a high level at first. Then the rate decreased to a low level once the friction system became quasi-steady and the temperature became approximately stable near the melting point of the coating rod. The theory of contact melting was used to build the physical model for the quasi-liquid layer. Subsequently, the corresponding calculations were carried out. The computer simulation results are found to be consistent with the experiment results, and as such, the present study demonstrates the feasibility of applying contact melting theory to the study of friction surfacing. Likewise, this study reveals that the material at the top of the coating rod is plastic, and that it behaves as a quasi-liquid in the friction surfacing process. The study establishes the theory basis for the study of the mechanism of friction surfacing, and provides a new method for investigating other friction-welding techniques.

Effect of molybdenum on the microstructure and wear resistance of Fe-based hardfacing coatings

Abstract: Fe-based hardfacing alloys containing molybdenum compound have been deposited on AISI 1020 steel substrates by shield manual arc welding (SMAW) process. The effect of Mo on the microstructure and wear resistance of the Fe-based hardfacing alloys were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis, as well as wear test. The results indicated that cuboidal and rod-type complex carbides were synthesized in the lath martensite matrix. The fraction of carbides in hardfacing layer increased with an increasing of Mo content. The hardfacing layer with good cracking resistance and wear resistance could be obtained when the amounts of Fe–Mo was controlled within a range of 3–4 wt.%. The improvement of hardness and wear resistance of the hardfacing layers attributed to the formation of Mo 2 C carbide and the solution strengthening of Mo.

In situ production of Fe–TiC surface composite coatings by tungsten-inert gas heat source

Abstract: In the present study, AISI 1045 steel surfaces were alloyed with pre-placed graphite, ferrotitanium and Fe–Cr–B–Si powders by using a tungsten-inert gas (TIG) heat source. The effects of welding parameters and thickness of the pre-placed powder layers on the microstructure and properties of the coatings were also investigated. The results indicated that TiC particles can be obtained by direct metallurgical reaction between ferrotitanium and graphite during the TIG welding process. Most of TiC particles were uniformly distributed in the surface coating. The microhardness showed a gradient variation from the molten boundary to the top surface of the coatings, and it was influenced by the thickness of the pre-placed powder layer and the welding parameters. The surface composite coating exhibited a higher hardness and lower wear rate than that of the substrate due to the formation of TiC carbides.

The Current Status of Hydrogen Storage Alloy Development for Electrochemical Applications

Abstract: In this review article, the fundamentals of electrochemical reactions involving metal hydrides are explained, followed by a report of recent progress in hydrogen storage alloys for electrochemical applications. The status of various alloy systems, including AB₅, AB₂, A₂B₇-type, Ti-Ni-based, Mg-Ni-based, BCC, and Zr-Ni-based metal hydride alloys, for their most important electrochemical application, the nickel metal hydride battery, is summarized. Other electrochemical applications, such as Ni-hydrogen, fuel cell, Li-ion battery, air-metal hydride, and hybrid battery systems, also have been mentioned.

Laser surface cladding: The state of the art and challenges

Abstract: Laser cladding is a process whereby a new layer of material is deposited on a substrate by laser fusion of blown powders or pre-placed powder coatings. Multiple layers can be deposited to form shapes with complex geometry. This manufacturing process has been used for material surface property modification and for the repair and manufacture of three-dimensional components. Laser cladding has attracted extensive research over the past 30 years. Over 2000 research papers have been published in journals and international conferences. Research in laser cladding covers many scientific issues, including processing techniques, physical and chemical properties of deposited materials and clad—substrate interfaces, microstructure and phases, rapid solidification phenomena, modelling and simulation, and systems engineering and applications. This article, focusing on the rapid heating/cooling processes and material response, summarizes the state of the art on two fundamental scientific aspects: rapid solidific...