[en] A superconductor with a superconducting intermetallic compound consisting of at least two elements can be manufactured by producing a conductor preproduct with a first component containing one element of the compound and a second component consisting of a carrier metal and the remaining element or elements of the alloy containing the compound, and by heat treating the conductor preproduct, so that the compound is formed by the reaction of the element of the first compound with the remaining element or elements of the second compound. In such a superconductor, one tries to increase the effective current density and critical current. The invention states that the heat treatment should be carried out in a hydrogen atmosphere. Superconductors produced by this process can be used for superconductor devices whose magnetic fields have a flux density above 10 Tesla. (orig.)

[en] A superconductor with a superconducting intermetallic compound consisting of at least two elements can be manufactured by producing a conductor preproduct with a first component containing one element of the compound and a second component consisting of a carrier metal and the remaining element or elements of the alloy containing the compound and by heat treating the conductor preproduct, so that the compound is formed by the reaction of the element of the first compound with the remaining element or elements of the second compound. In such a superconductor, one tries to increase the effective current density and critical current. The invention states that the heat treatment to produce the superconducting compound should be carried out in a hydrogen atmosphere. Superconductors produced by this process can be used for superconducting devices, whose magnetic fields have flux densities above 10 Tesla. (orig.)

[en] Mechanical properties of materials are strongly dependent of their atomic arrangement as well as the sample dimension, particularly at the micrometer length scale. In this study, we investigated the small-scale mechanical properties of single-crystalline YCd₆, which is a rational approximant of the icosahedral Y-Cd quasicrystal. In situ microcompression tests revealed that shear localization always occurs on {101} planes, but the shear direction is not constrained to any particular crystallographic directions. Furthermore, the yield strengths show the size dependence with a power law exponent of 0.4. Shear localization on {101} planes and size-dependent yield strength are explained in terms of a large interplanar spacing between {101} planes and the energetics of shear localization process, respectively. The mechanical behavior of the icosahedral Y-Cd quasicrystal is also compared to understand the influence of translational symmetry on the shear localization process in both YCd₆ and Y-Cd quasicrystal micropillars. The results of this study will provide an important insight in a fundamental understanding of shear localization process in novel complex intermetallic compounds.

[en] Highlights: • Diffuse electron systems. • Vertical ionization energy. • Basis set effect. • Electron correlation (MP2, CC). Present investigation reveals that diffuse electron compounds M₂X predict large (10⁶ a.u.) γ_av value. The basis set dependence of γ_av showed that the quality of basis function rather than its size is more important. Sadlej’s Pol basis set which is nearly four times less in size than aug-cc-pVQZ can give reliable estimate of γ_av. MP2 method in conjunction with large basis sets can give comparable results of γ_av that could be obtained from CCSD or CCSD(T). Higher order energy correction to MP2 leads to oscillatory behavior but inclusion of triple excitations to CCSD improves the magnitude of γ_av.

[en] Short communication

[en] In this study, overlap welding of AA5754 and galvanized steel sheets was carried out by cold metal transfer (CMT) method using ER4043 (AlSi5 ) filler wire. The effect of heat input on the formation of intermetallic compound (IMC) layer between steel and aluminum was investigated. Mechanical properties of the joints were determined by tensile and hardness tests and also applying nano indentation test to intermetallic layer. Chemical compositions of IMC were analyzed by EDX and the formation of Al7.2Fe1.8Si and Fe2Al5 phases was detected. Formation of Fe2Al5 phase was found detrimental for reliability of joint, although it’s superior mechanical strength

[en] Highlights: •Sn–9 wt%Zn-xCu alloys reacted with Au substrate was first systematically investigated. •IMC formation in the SZ–xCu/Au systems is very sensitive to the Cu concentration and the aging time. •This information is very interesting and valuable for soldering community. -- Abstract: Aging and Cu concentration effects on the interfacial reactions between Sn–9 wt%Zn–x wt%Cu (SZ–xCu) alloys and the Au substrate were investigated in this study. The Au₃Zn₇/AuZn₂/AuZn and Au₃Zn₇/AuZn phases were formed in the SZ/Au and SZ–1Cu/Au couples aged at 160 °C for 24 h. Only the AuSn phase was found in the SZ–4Cu/Au couple aged at 160 °C for 24 h. When the aging time was extended to 800 h the Sn atoms became the dominant diffusion element. Binary Au–Sn phases and the metastable Au–Zn–Sn ternary phase were formed at the interface in the SZ–xCu couples when the Cu content was 1–4 wt%. When the Cu content was increased to 7–10 wt% AuSn and (Cu, Au)Sn phases were observed at the alloy/Au interface aged at 160 °C for 24 h. After 800-h heat treatment the SZ–xCu systems were transformed completely into the Cu–Sn/Au systems. The (Cu, Au)SnAuSn and Cu₆Sn₅/AuSn were formed in the SZ–7Cu/Au and SZ–10Cu/Au couples. The results indicate that the evolution of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) was very sensitive to the Cu concentration in the SZ solders and the heat treatment period

[en] Highlights: • A timely review based on the dealloying-enabled hierarchical porous metals. • A comprehensive summary of principles for hierarchical porous metals by dealloying. • We emphasise the integration of other manufacturing methods with dealloying. • The outstanding performances of dealloying-enabled hierarchical porous metals. - Abstract: Hierarchical porous materials exist widely in nature as a result of the survival rules of nature. Inspired by the unique properties of these native hierarchical porous materials, researchers have long endeavoured to develop hierarchical porous metal materials for specific industrial needs. This review discusses the developments to date in hierarchical porous metallic materials by focusing on dealloying-enabled hierarchical porous structures, with or without the combination of other manufacturing processes, and their distinctive properties and industrial applications. It is shown that the dealloying method opens up new avenues in the creation of functional hierarchical porous metals for a wide variety of promising applications.

[en] Abstract only

[en] Here, using first-principles calculations, based on disordered local moment theory, combined with the self-interaction corrected local spin density approximation, we study magnetic interactions in GdX intermetallics for X = Cu, Zn, Ga, Cd, and Mg. Our predicted magnetic orders and ordering temperatures both at zero and other pressures agree well with experiments including the large increase in the Curie temperature of GdCd under pressure that is shown by our own experimental measurements. From our results it emerges that the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction on its own can not explain the observed behaviour under pressure, and that the magnetic ordering mechanism is strongly influenced by the occupations of both Gd and anion d-bands.