Search

One of the challenges in the semiconductor industry is to find new barrier materials and copper (Cu) alternative solutions in interconnects. In this work, we focused to find alternative diffusion barrier materials. Different binary (CoMo, CoRu, CoTa, CoW, MoRu, RuTa, RuW) and ternary (CoMoTa, CoRuTa, MoRuTa) metal alloys were evaluated theoretically with the Miedema model to find the amorphous phase composition range. Afterward, thin films of the alloys with various compositions were deposited by magnetron sputtering and theoretical values were compared to the experimental results. From the experimental measurements, which included grazing incidence x-ray diffraction analysis and resistivity measurements, suitable binary and ternary alloys were chosen for diffusion analysis. By annealing thin film stacks at temperatures ranging from 500 to 675 ° C, diffusion was induced and detected by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiles. Seventeen alloys were evaluated by their diffusion barrier effectiveness, and five of those, which include Ru 60 Ta 40 , Ru 45 W 55 , Mo 47 Ru 53 , Mo 36 Ru 50 Ta 14 , and Co 40 Mo 35 Ta 25 , showed excellent barrier properties against copper diffusion. Furthermore, all of the stated materials have a lower resistivity than TaN. Last, the adhesion of the best performing alloys to SiCOH and Cu was evaluated by the modified edge lift-off test. Only Ru 45 W 55 had reasonable adhesion at both interfaces. The other materials showed low adhesion strength to Cu, which would make an adhesion promoter (liner), such as cobalt, necessary for the integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, Ni(40)Ti(50)Cu(x)Fe(10−x) (x = 2.5, 5, 7.5) alloys were synthesized through the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) process, employing preheating temperatures of 240 and 450 °C. To optimize thermal analysis, samples were drawn from the middle and upper sections of specimens exhibiting superior propagation results at a preheating temperature of 450 °C. Omitting additional heat treatment ensured a precise result interpretation. While the Ti50Ni40Fe2.5Cu7.5 sample displayed minimal variations in martensite and austenite transformation temperatures, others exhibited diverse transformation profiles. Apart from the B19' martensitic phase, distinct B19 martensitic phases were identified in Ti50Ni40Fe5Cu5 and Ti50Ni40Fe2.5Cu7.5 alloys, each showcasing unique transformation temperatures and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values. The inquiry unveiled that an increased Fe content prompted the segregation of Fex(Ni)Ti-based intermetallic phases from Cu-based phases, with this effect intensifying in alloys featuring higher Fe atomic ratios. This influence significantly impacted transformation temperature outcomes, overshadowing the inherent impact of the synthesis method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium-based materials are an interesting solution in terms of medical applications. Alloys that are hard to obtain via standard means may be manufactured via mechanical alloying (MA), which allows the production of materials with complex a chemical composition and non-equilibrium structures. This work aimed to investigate materials obtained by the MA process for 5, 8, 13, and 20 h in terms of their phase composition and changes during heating. The results of thermal XRD analysis were in the temperature range between 25 and 360 °C, which revealed MgZn2, PrZn11, Ca2Mg5Zn13, and Ca phases as well as α-Mg and α-Zn solid solution. The structural analysis features the powder morphology of the analyzed samples, showing cold-welding and fracturing processes leading to their homogenization, which is supported by the EDS results. The base Mg-Zn-Ca alloy was modified by different additions, but a thorough analysis of the influence of praseodymium on its thermal properties has not yet been performed. We chose to focus on Pr addition because it belongs to low-toxicity rare earth metals, which is an essential feature of biomaterials. Also, the Ca2Mg5Zn13 phase is not fully known, as there are no crystallographic data (hkl). Therefore, the investigation is important and scientifically justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AA6082 alloys play a significant role in advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) by contributing to environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social well-being. These alloys are highly recyclable and align with SDG 12 by promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste. Their application in lightweight vehicles and improving energy efficiency in construction supports SDG 9 and SDG 11, as they help reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of urban environments. While AA6082 alloys offer significant advantages, their use has limitations that can hinder their industrial applications. One key challenge is their lower formability, particularly at room temperature. Elevated-temperature deformation is frequently employed to enhance the formability of these alloys and address their limitations. Thus, a deep understanding of the constitutive analysis of these alloys under a wide range of T and ε ˙ is essential for manufacturing sound components from these alloys. Thus, this study aims to propose a new modification for the JC model (PJCM) and compare its reliability to predict the warm/hot flow behavior of AA6082 alloys with that of the original JC model (OJCM) and the modified JC model (LMJCM). By comparing the experimental results with these model results and confirming the determining correlation coefficient (R), average absolute relative error (AARE), and root mean square error (RMSE) values, it is concluded that the stresses predicted by the PMJCM closely match the experimental stresses of the LMJCM and OJCM because of the interaction between ε ˙ , ε , and T , which might be a reason for the complex nonlinear behavior of AA6082 alloys during hot deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to examine the impact of friction stir processing (FSP) treatment on an aluminum alloy, especially the AD31T alloy derived from the Al-Fe-Mg-Si system. The aim is to assess the influence of different processing techniques on the microstructure and physical and mechanical characteristics of the material, with a specific focus on structural and bulk imperfections inside the stir zone (SZ). Design/methodology/approach: The study demonstrates that augmenting the linear velocity of the tool within the 25–100 mm/min range results in significant enhancements. The enhancements include a decrease in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), a reduction in the extent of volume defects inside the SZ and a more uniform deformation. The microstructural analysis results are corroborated by data acquired from microhardness and electrical conductivity studies, confirming the beneficial influence of modifying the tool's linear velocity on the material parameters. Findings: This study provides significant observations on the changes in microstructure and the generation of flaws throughout the process of FSP of AD31T alloy. These results have practical implications for improving the characteristics of the alloy and optimizing the production conditions. Originality/value: All samples exhibit a distinct reduction in electrical conductivity within the initial third of the sample, aligning with the transitional region between the base metal (BM) and the HAZ. This underscores the importance of understanding the transitional zones during FSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of vacancies and/or pores into two‐dimensional materials, like graphene and MXenes, has shown to increase their performance for sustainable applications. However, a simple and affordable method with controlled and tailorable vacancy concentration and/or pores size remains challenging. Herein, a simple and reproducible method is presented for controlled synthesis of Mo1.74CTz MXene with randomly distributed vacancies and pores, obtained from selective etching of both Ga and Cr in the Cr‐alloyed MAX‐phase like precursor Mo1.74Cr0.26Ga2C. Structural and compositional analysis of the 3D alloy show ≈13% Cr on the metal site, homogeneously distributed between different particles and within the atomic structure. After etching, it translates to Mo1.74CTz MXene, exhibiting defect‐rich sheets. Notably, the incorporation of Cr facilitates a shorter etching time with an improved yield compared to Mo2CTz. The Mo1.74CTz MXene displays excellent electrochemical properties, almost doubling the capacitance values (1152 F cm−3 and 297 F g−1 at 2 mV s−1 scan rate), compared to its pristine counterpart Mo2CTz. The presented method and obtained results suggest defect engineering of MXenes through precursor alloying as a pathway that can be generalized to other phases, to further improve their properties for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted molding process research on castings of complex engine blocks with a new Al–Si–Cu aluminum alloy material. Numerical simulation and experimental validation were used to investigate the effects of different pouring system design schemes on the casting performance, defect formation and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy castings. Based on the casting structure and alloy casting properties, three types of casting systems (i.e., A, B, and C) were designed and analyzed by numerical simulation and testing. The study shows that the molding process of casting system scheme C is more optimal, the numerically simulated porosity is reduced by 4.13 and 1.9% compared with those of schemes A and B, respectively, the defect volume is reduced by 205.87 and 94.7 cm3 compared with those of schemes A and B, respectively, and the average cooling rate is improved by 47.6 and 26.5% compared with those of schemes A and B, respectively. After experimental verification, casting system C exhibited optimal mechanical properties, good CT scan and the microstructure of aluminum alloy analysis results, and numerical simulation results consistent with the actual trial production results, providing guidance for relevant theoretical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium alloys have attracted significant research attention due to their impressive mechanical properties, such as machinability, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and low density compared to aluminium and steel. Due to the above properties, Mg alloys have a wide range of applications in the field of biomedical applications such as vascular stents and fixatives, aircraft fuselage, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and automotive industries. The current work focused on the performance of uncoated and AlTiN-coated micro end-mill cutters having a diameter of 0.5 mm and two flutes in the development of machined surface morphology of AZ31B magnesium alloy and the analysis of cutting forces under the varying spindle speeds of 20,000, 40,000, and 65,000 rpm and feeds of 0.5, 2, and 4 µm/tooth. In general, the results indicated that the uncoated tools consistently resulted in lower values of cutting forces (Fx, Fy and Fz), and surface roughness than with AlTiN-coated tools under all conditions of machining. This could be attributed to the increase in cutting edge radius due to the deposition of the coating resulting in rubbing and ploughing to become predominant. Adhesion of work materials during machining using the AlTiN-coated tool was explained by the chemical affinity of aluminium of the coating towards Mg alloys. After careful analysis of the results, relatively low cutting forces were noticed, and due to the absence of tool wear, there was no significant variation in surface roughness with an increase in cutting length up to 60 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of aluminum alloys can be affected by the element of magnesium. Therefore, it is necessary to realize fast and accurate quantitative analysis of magnesium in aluminum alloys. Herein, high repetition rate spark discharge assisted laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy based on microchip lasers (HRR SD-LIBS) was applied to quantitatively analyze magnesium elements in aluminum alloys. Baseline correction was performed using the moving median method to obtain the net spectral data. Multivariate calibration models such as back-propagation neural network (BP), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) were established, respectively. Compared with the conventional univariate calibration model, the correlation coefficients (RP²) of BP,SVM and RF models increased from 0. 810 to 0.985, 0.997 and 0.994, while the root mean square error (RMSEP) decreased from 0.283 to 0.059 8, 0.041 0 and 0.054 2, the average relative error decreased from 26.62% to 3.13%, 2.82%, and 3.61%. It indicated that machine earning combined microchip laser-based HRR SD-LIBS significantly improved the quantitative analysis ability of LIBS. In conclusion, it is promising to achieve portable, fast, and accurate quantitative elemental analysis of alloy sample and other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A titanium alloy collision friction ignition device was used to conduct collision and continuous friction between TC4 titanium alloy rotating rod and TA7 and other titanium alloy collision samples. Combined with SEM and other microscopic analysis, the anti-ignition performance and products of TA7 and TC11 titanium alloys were studied, and the experimental results under this special friction condition were obtained. The research results show that the friction contact pressure Puff and the combustion chamber pressure P can be effective test parameters to evaluate the titanium alloy impact ignition process. The critical ignition curves of the three titanium alloys drawn based on Pf-P are all linear laws, and the anti-ignition performance is: TC11 > TA11 > TA7. Microscopic analysis of the titanium alloy after impact ignition shows that the combustion reaction zone of the titanium alloy consists of four regions: the combustion product zone (CPZ), the oxide zone (OZ), the heat-affected zone (HAZ), and the friction product zone (FPZ) in total. The multi-layer structure of Al2O3 formed by TC11 after ignition is conducive to blocking the mutual diffusion of Ti, O and other elements, which is the main reason for its superior anti-impact ignition performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on optimizing the process of CNC machining to enhance productivity and product quality of surface finish Ra via the process parameters of the cutting speed (vc), feed rate (vf), and cutting depth (doc). Experimentation was performed on workpieces of AA-6061 to investigate the response Ra through variation of the process parameters to analyze their best fit using RSM with 2³ full factorial designs L-8 of DOE. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then used to find the major contributors among them that were responsible for the Ra. Based on the result, better Ra was obtained at 0.103 µm using the best fit of vf (150 mm/min), vc (220 m/min), and doc (0.1 mm). ANOVA shows vf contributed better Ra followed by vc and doc respectively. In addition, the level of Ra's was analyzed through contour plots represented by different colours. It continued to analyze the effect of the process parameters via the main effects plot, Pareto chart, and the contour plot in the predictive desirability model, which indicated that the plots and chart confirmed the vf had more influence compared to others. The study confirmed that the low-level parameters provided better Ra to be used for polishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a facile and reliable operando X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) system for the characterization of the chemical state and electronic structure during Li‐plating/stripping in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). The measurement conditions (including manufacturing an in situ sample holder) and experimental parameters have been optimized through experimentation. The proposed system accurately defines the status of every metal interlayer component during real‐time battery operation (with simultaneous Li+‐ion in/out migration) under a repeating Li‐plating/stripping process. Moreover, it enables elucidation of ambiguous reaction mechanisms depending on the battery performance, such as the interlayer‐material effect on the efficiency and reversibility of the Li‐plating/stripping process, and changes in the oxygen‐containing bonds due to reaction with Li. The significance of the developed system is further validated by the usefulness and reliability of the valence band structure as a criterion for the analysis of lithium‐metal alloy formation and the progress of de‐alloying reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal microstructures of Ni–P-plated Al–Zn–Mg-based alloys were investigated using synchrotron X-ray computed tomography, together with various analytical methods for hydrogen detection. We clarified that hydrogen-induced pores were generated and segregated near the top and bottom surfaces of a rolled sheet of a commercial-purity Al–Zn–Mg-based alloy with Ni–P plating. In contrast, such segregation of hydrogen micropores was not observed in the high-purity-grade Al–Zn–Mg alloys with Ni–P plating. This result suggests that hydrogen enters the Ni–P plating layer during the plating operation and generates pores in the surface region owing to surface inclusions. Additionally, the hydrogen-induced defects deteriorated the tensile properties such as tensile strength and elongation of the commercial-purity Al–Zn–Mg-based alloys containing higher levels of impurities such as Fe and Si with Ni–P plating. [Display omitted] • Internal microstructures of Ni–P-plated Al–Zn–Mg-based alloys investigated. • Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography and hydrogen detection methods were employed. • H enters plating layer and generates surface micropores due to surface inclusions. • H-induced defects deteriorate the tensile properties of the plated pure alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ni20Ti50Sn30 (atomic %) sample was prepared using the arc melting method. Some thermodynamic parameters (phase transformation temperatures, PTT; enthalpy, ΔH; and phase transformation hysteresis, H) obtained from the phase transformations of the alloy were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The sample exhibited high-temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) properties. X-ray (XRD) analysis was performed to determine the crystal structure properties at the alloy. The presence of B2, B19′, Ti2Ni, β-Ti, Ni3Sn4, TiNiSn and Ti3Sn phases was identified through X-ray analysis of the alloy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the pre- and post-corrosion surface morphologies of the sample, with EDX analysis being performed to reveal chemical structure determinations (matrix phases, precipitates and weathering zones). The presence of dendritic arms was observed, while martensite plates were absent in all SEM images. Particularly in the SEM image taken after corrosion, it was noted that the TiO2 layer placed on the surface of the matrix rich in Ti elements altered the surface morphology of the alloy. The presence of Ti and O elements in the post-corrosion EDX analysis confirmed the existence of this layer. Biocompatibility studies of the alloy were conducted using potentiodynamic corrosion tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. It was determined that the NiTiSn sample was in the excellent stability class according to corrosion standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempted to optimize the process-based parameters during friction stir welding of AZ80A - AZ31B Mg alloys with the objective of enhancing the mechanical properties of the fabricated joints. A response surface method based grey relational analysis was employed using three factors and three distinctive levels. A central composite design based multi-objective numerical model using the technique of grey relational analysis was formulated for optimizing the tool dependent parameters, namely tool's rotational speed, its speed of traverse and geometry of the pin. Grey relational grade was determined for all the responses: tensile strength and elongation percentage. Analysis of variance was employed for attaining grey relational grade to determine the most influential parameter of the FSW process. It was observed that the geometry of the tool pin had a greater impact in ascertaining the quality of the fabricated Mg alloy joints, and the tool possessing tapered cylindrical pin geometry exhibited larger values of grey relational grade. Optimized process parameter settings based on the attained GRG values were recorded to be 1100 rpm rotational speed, speed of traverse of 1.5 mm/sec and a tool with taper cylindrical pin geometry. The anticipated values were validated through confirmation investigational runs performed during employment of optimized parameter combinations, which exhibited a perfect agreement with the investigational run values and the confirmatory joint exhibited a tensile strength of 260.42 MPa and elongation percentage of 6.53. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporary metal implants, made from materials like titanium (Ti) or stainless steel, can cause metabolic issues, raise toxicity levels within the body, and negatively impact the patient's long-term health. This necessitates a subsequent operation to extract these implants once the healing process is complete or when they are outgrown by the patient. In contrast, medical devices fabricated from absorbable alloys have the advantage of being biodegradable, allowing them to be naturally absorbed by the body once they have fulfilled their role in facilitating tissue healing. Among the various absorbable alloy systems studied, magnesium (Mg) alloys stand out due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior. The existing literature on absorbable Mg alloys highlights the effectiveness of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) additions in improving mechanical properties and controlling corrosion susceptibility; however, there is a lack of comprehensive quantitative morphological analysis of the intermetallic phases within these alloy systems. The quantification of the complex morphology of intermetallic particles is a challenging task and has significant implications for the micromechanical properties of the alloys. This study, therefore, aims to introduce a robust set of morphometric parameters for evaluating the morphology of intermetallic phases within two as-cast Mg alloys with Si and Zn additions. X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) was used to capture the 3D tomographic data of the alloys, and a novel pair of morphological parameters (ratio of convex hull to particle volume and convex hull sphericity) was applied to the 3D tomographic data to assess the MgZn phase formed in the two alloys. In addition to the impact of composition, the effect of solidification rate on the morphological parameters was also studied. Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to gather detailed 2D microstructural and compositional information on the intermetallics. The comprehensive characterization reveals that the morphological complexity and size distribution of the MgZn phase are influenced by both compositional changes and the solidification rate. However, the change in MgZn intermetallic particle morphology with size was found to follow a predictable trend, which was relatively agnostic of the chosen casting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium alloys are increasingly valued for biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility. This study investigates Mg-AZ31B alloy samples treated with quartz and alumina grits (< 200 µm) at varied pressures, followed by anodization in an eco-friendly alkaline electrolyte. The results show that increased blasting pressure produces a rougher surface. Anodization time significantly affects the thickness of the anodic film, leading to a transition in surface morphology from fine to coarse structures with complete film coverage. Characterization by XRD reveals that the anodic film mainly comprises magnesium oxide and hydroxide phases. Open Circuit Potential (OCP) measurements demonstrate enhanced corrosion resistance post-anodization, particularly notable at 40 minutes on alumina-blasted samples. ANOVA confirms that both blasting pressure and anodization time significantly influence coating thickness and OCP, indicating the formation of a dense anodized layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We briefly describe the design of a handheld metal detection instrument based on microjoule high repetition frequency laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The instrument uses a Raspberry Pi as the control core and a laser with a frequency of 10 kHz and a single pulse energy of 100 µJ as the excitation source. In addition, a mini-putter is built into the instrument to move the laser, allowing the ablation of the sample surface line area without external auxiliary equipment. The excitation-generated plasma radiation is collected by a simple optical path and transmitted directly to the spectrometer. We also constructed and trained a Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network (BP-ANN) model based on 12 different grades of alloys and transplanted the feedback process of the BP-ANN to the Raspberry Pi, which realized the rapid classification of the 12 alloys with > 95% classification accuracy on the handheld instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu–Be alloys are renowned for their exceptional mechanical and electrical properties, making them highly sought after for various industrial applications. This study presents a comprehensive approach to predicting the compositions of various types of Cu–Be alloys, integrating a Random Forest Regressor within a machine learning (ML) framework to analyze an extensive dataset of chemical and thermo-mechanical parameters. The research process incorporated data preprocessing, model training and validation, and robust analysis to discern feature significance. Cluster analysis was also conducted to illuminate the data's intrinsic groupings and to identify underlying metallurgical patterns. The model's predictive power was confirmed by high R2 values, indicative of its capability to capture and explain the variance in the dataset for both testing (R2 = 0.99375) and training (R2 = 0.99858). Distinct groupings within the alloy data were uncovered, revealing significant correlations between composition, processing conditions, and alloy properties. The findings underscore the potential of ML techniques in advancing the material design and optimization of Cu–Be alloys, providing valuable insights for the field of material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural properties of CVD-grown (Si)GeSn heterostructures were assessed thanks to scanning transmission electron microscopy at the nanometer scale. Quantitative energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy together with precession electron diffraction and geometrical phase analysis (GPA) were performed to probe the chemical and structural properties of the different layers. Results presented in this paper demonstrated the advantages of a multilayer structure, with successive layers grown at decreasing temperatures in order to gradually accommodate the in-plane lattice parameter and incorporate more and more Sn into the stack. It was shown how the GeSn emissive layer could be manufactured with low plastic deformation and a high relaxation rate, necessary for better light emission performances. SiGeSn alloys used as confinement barriers around the emissive layer were also investigated. For such thin layers, we showed the importance of the starting lattice parameter (SLP) prior to the growth on their composition. Indeed, higher SLPs resulted, for the very same process conditions, into higher Sn contents and lower Si contents. The interest in combining EDX, which was accurate enough to detect slight chemical concentration variations, and GPA, for local strain analyses, was clearly demonstrated. Present results will be very useful to predict and control the bandgap and structural quality of (Si)GeSn materials and, in turn, device properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cap geometry and formation mechanism play a key role in influencing the hole-making quality on the bore exit side and must be the focus of research in orbital drilling of aeronautical metal materials. For a "bowl shape" cap geometry formed in orbital drilling process, the corresponding undeformed cap periphery geometry, generated by the cap periphery cutting edges, is simulated and given the parametric description. Especially, the cap periphery is simplified as a simply supported annular plate under uniform load with arbitrary loading radius based on the characteristics of the cap periphery shape and mechanical analysis of processing. Then its unified plastic limit analysis is developed. The ultimate load, stress field, and plastic deformation at the periphery of the cap are derived from the unified strength theory. Furthermore, the numerical solutions are obtained in terms of the Tresca yield, Huber–von Mises, and twin-shear yield criteria. The conclusions enabled an in-depth understanding of the cap periphery formation mechanism in the orbital drilling of holes from the unified plastic limit analysis perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the thermal properties of a bulk Ni 55 Fe 19 Ga 26 Heusler alloy in a conduction calorimeter. At slow heating and cooling rates ( ∼ 1 K h - 1 ), we compare as-cast and annealed samples. We report a smaller thermal hysteresis after the thermal treatment due to the stabilization of the 14 M modulated structure in the martensite phase. In ultraslow experiments ( 40 mK h - 1 ), we detect and analyze the calorimetric avalanches associated with the direct and reverse martensitic transformation from cubic to 14 M phase. This reveals a distribution of events characterized by a power law with exponential cutoff p (u) ∝ u - ε exp (- u / ξ) where ε ∼ 2 and damping energies ξ = 370 μ J (direct) and ξ = 27 μ J (reverse) that characterize the asymmetry of the transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental and numerical simulation analysis of a TiAl alloy by laser metal deposition technology is presented in this paper. The research examines the macroscopic morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties of samples as laser power varies. It also delves into how the temperature field and residual stress evolve under different laser powers. The results reveal that the microstructure of samples is mainly composed of α2-Ti3Al phase and a γ-TiAl phase and that the details of the microstructure are significantly affected by laser power. As laser power increases, coarse lamellar structure content increases, corresponding to a decrease in α2 phase content. The deposited layer hardness ranges from 550 HV to 600 HV, and the average deposition layer hardness decreases with increased laser power. Simulation results predict the molten pool's size, temperature, and residual stresses. A significant increase in the molten pool size is observed when the laser power exceeds 1000 W, and the measured molten pool depths correspond closely to simulation predictions. However, significant tensile stresses are generated in the deposition layer due to high cooling rates, mainly in the x direction. Cracks are observed on the surface of the deposition layer at all laser powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femtosecond laser-ablation spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs-LA-SIBS) and out-of-bag random forest regression (OOB-RFR) were developed for accurate quantitative analysis of the elements manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in steel alloys. A femtosecond laser operating at 1 kHZ was used as the laser ablation source and a spark discharge unit was utilized to enhance the peak intensity of atomic emission. The characteristic lines of Mn, Cr, and Ni elements in steel alloys were determined using the NIST database. The two hyperparameters ntree and mtry of RFR were optimized through OOB error, and the OOB-RFR model was obtained. In the experiment, the predictive performance of OOB-RFR, support vector machine (SVM) regression, and partial least squares regression (PLS) on steel alloy spectral data was compared and analyzed. The results indicate that the OOB-RFR model exhibits lower computational iterations and higher performance than other models in regression prediction of Mn, Cr, and Ni elements. In the OOB-RFR model, the root mean square error (RMSE), the average relative error (MRE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) of Mn, Cr, and Ni elements in the training samples were 0.0051, 0.0018 and 0.9976, respectively, and the RMSE, MRE and R2 of the three elements in testing samples were 0.0018, 0.0009 and 0.9369, respectively. Therefore, the combination of the fs-LA-SIBS technique and OOB-RFR has great potential in the rapid determination of elements in steel and even in the metallurgical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Ti-Fe-Si-Cr-Nb alloy was fabricated using laser metal deposition (LMD) technique. The laser power and scanning speed were varied during fabrication to optimize the processing parameters. The thermal behavior during LMD processing was modeled and simulated by means of COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 software. The samples produced were characterized using an optical microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microhardness and wear behavior of the alloy were tested using a diamond indenter and ball-on-disk wear machine. The results obtained showed that the alloys exhibited similar dendritic microstructure for all processing parameters. The formation of cracks and pores were evident mainly in samples that were produced at high scanning speed and low laser power. A decrease in microhardness was noticed when the laser power was increased, while an increase in scanning speed yielded samples with high microhardness values. The alloy showed good tribological behavior, but no clear relationship between the wear resistance of the alloy and the variation of the laser processing parameters could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the evolution of mechanical properties of binary Al–Li alloys with four approximately equal gradient Li contents (0.91–3.98 wt.%) under aging conditions is thoroughly investigated. The alloys undergo aging treatments at 175 °C for x hours (x = 0–120 h), and the peak-aged times of the four alloys are 6 h, 12 h, 48 h and 48 h, respectively, as the Li concentration increases. Both in the solution-treated and peak-aged states, the elastic modulus of binary Al–Li alloys exhibits an approximately linear increase with increasing Li content, consistent with trends predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Due to the presence of Al3Li precipitates, the modulus of higher-Li-concentration alloys in the peak-aged state increases by approximately 1.4–2.5% compared with that of alloys in the solution-treated state. Additionally, the study finds that increasing Li content significantly enhances the tensile strength and yield strength of the alloy but decreases its ductility, leading to a transition in fracture mode from ductile to brittle, as evidenced by a microscopic analysis of fracture surfaces. Under peak-aged (175 °C/48 h), the alloy with the highest Li content exhibits the maximum tensile strength of 341 MPa and a yield strength of 296 MPa, while its elongation is the lowest at 2.1%. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the effects of aging precipitates on the mechanical properties of Al–Li alloys, providing fundamental guidance for the design of future generations of Al–Li alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation and tribological behavior of the titanium metal matrix (Ti- 6Al-4V) composite reinforced with tungsten carbide (WCp) and graphite (Grp) particles were investigated in this study. The stir casting procedure was used to fabricate the titanium metal matrix composites (TMMCs), which had 8 weight percent of WCp and Grp. The tribological studies were designed using Taguchi's L27 orthogonal array technique and were carried out as wear tests using a pinon-disc device. According to Taguchi's analysis and ANOVA, the most significant factors that affect wear rate are load and distance, followed by velocity. The wear process was ascertained by scanning electron microscopy investigation of the worn surfaces of the composite specimens. Pearson's heatmap and Feature importance (F-test) were plotted for data analysis to study the significance of input parameters on wear. Machine learning classification algorithms such as knearest neighbors, support vector machine, and XGBoost algorithms accurately classified the wear rate data, giving an accuracy value of 71.25%, 65%, and 56.25%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reformer heater tubes operate in a complex environment involving high temperatures, pressure, and corrosive atmospheres. Depending on the operating conditions, several mechanisms can occur, such as creep, oxidation, high-temperature hydrogen attack, and carburization. This paper aims to evaluate the degradation degree of catalytic reformer heater tubes made of ferritic alloy-steel A 335 grade P22 based on a combination of inspection techniques, including visual inspection, microstructure observation, metallographic analysis, and mechanical properties testing. The results show severe oxidation and scaling occurring on the outer surface of the heater tube due to operating the tubes above recommended levels. Several recommendations are suggested to reduce the risk of thermal oxidation and prevent similar damages from reoccurring in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailor-welded blanks (TWB) facilitate strategic material placement, ensuring desired materials are positioned appropriately, while single-point incremental forming (SPIF) enables versatile shape manufacturing with minimal tooling. Despite both methods offering customization benefits, their combined potential remains largely unexplored. This study utilized friction stir welding to create one-millimeter-thick similar and tailor-welded blanks from AA6061 and AA6003. The weld quality was ensured through metallurgical analysis and mechanical testing. SPIF of welded blanks exhibited formability comparable to parent materials, free from weld-line movement or fractures in the weld zone during forming. However, TWBs demonstrated formability between their constituting parent materials. Fractures occurred in almost all blanks due to bi-axial stretching in the corner of the D-shape. Investigation into the effect of tool size and geometry revealed that too small tool diameters induced localized deformation, contributing to failure. While flat-bottomed tools exhibited higher material thinning than hemispherical tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular interaction volume model (MIVM) was employed to estimate the activity of each component in Zinc–Copper–Tin–Indium (Zn–Cu–Sn–In) quaternary liquid alloys at 1023 K, keeping indium content constant, i.e. xIn = 0.1, and varying molar ratios of Cu and Sn (xCu/xSn). Furthermore, the model has been used to determine the activity of each component of all sub-binary systems, namely Cu–Zn at 1200 K, Sn–Zn at 750 K, In–Zn at 700 K, Cu–Sn at 1400 K, Cu–In at 1073 K, In–Sn at 700 K, and Zn–Cu–In liquid ternary alloys at 1023 K for three molar ratios of Cu and In, i.e. xCu/xIn = 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. We found that the activity deviations of Zn from Raoult's law transform from positive to negative as the xCu/xIn ratio changes from 1:2 to 2:1. The estimated values were analyzed with the correspondent experimental results in the case of ternary and all the binary liquid alloys. There is a notable agreement observed between theoretical forecasts and practical findings in both binary and ternary systems. This work provides a thorough thermodynamic study of the Zn, Cu, Sn, and In quaternary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bronze mou was an important artifact commonly used in the Ba-Shu region (now in Chongqing and Sichuan Province) during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Han Dynasty. Although extensive archaeological study of the bronze mou has been conducted, scientific analysis of the bronze mou has been limited, and no organic residue analysis has been performed on the bronze mou. In this study, four bronze mous dated to the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) with organic residues unearthed in three archaeological sites in Wushan, Chongqing, were selected for analysis by portable X-ray fluorescent spectrometer (P-XRF) and liquid chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The results of the alloy composition indicated that all the samples are copper-tin-lead ternary alloys. The proteomic analysis results confirmed that the bronze mou had been used as cooking utensils or containers. At the Tuchengpo Cemetery, soybeans were found in both bronze mou M32:27 and M38:39, and vigna was discovered in M32:27. No useful protein was discovered in the bronze mou from the Shennvmiao Cemetery. Proteins of ginkgo and chicken were found in M16:12 at the Gaotangguan Cemetery. The discovery indicated that residents in Wushan, Chongqing, had access to a diverse range of food sources around 2000 years ago. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that proteomic analysis is highly effective in studying archaeological organic residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide reduction is a major step toward building a cleaner and safer environment. There is a surge of interest in exploring high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as active catalysts for CO2 reduction; however, so far, it is mainly limited to quinary HEAs. Inspired by the successful synthesis of octonary and denary HEAs, herein, the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) performance of an HEA composed of Ag, Au, Cu, Pd, Pt, Co, Ga, Ni, and Zn is studied by developing a high-fidelity graph neural network (GNN) framework. Within this framework, the adsorption site geometry and physics are employed through the featurization of elements. Particularly, featurization is performed using various intrinsic properties, such as electronegativity and atomic radius, to enable not only the supervised learning of CO2RR performance descriptors, namely, CO and H adsorption energies, but also the learning of adsorption physics and generalization to unseen metals and alloys. The developed model evaluates the adsorption strength of ∼ 3.5 and ∼ 0.4 billion possible sites for CO and H, respectively. Despite the enormous space of the AgAuCuPdPtCoGaNiZn alloy and the rather small size of the training data, the GNN framework demonstrated high accuracy and good robustness. This study paves the way for the rapid screening and intelligent synthesis of CO2RR-active and selective HEAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for better compositions in high entropy alloys is a formidable challenge in materials science. Here, we demonstrate a systematic Bayesian optimization method to enhance the mechanical properties of the paradigmatic five-element Cantor alloy in silico. This method utilizes an automated loop with an online database, a Bayesian optimization algorithm, thermodynamic modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations. Starting from the equiatomic Cantor composition, our approach optimizes the relative fractions of its constituent elements, searching for better compositions while maintaining the thermodynamic phase stability. With 24 steps, we find Fe21Cr20Mn5Co20Ni34 with a yield stress improvement of 58%, and with 72 steps, we find Fe6Cr22Mn5Co32Ni35 where the yield stress has improved by 74%. These optimized compositions correspond to Ni-rich medium entropy alloys with enhanced mechanical properties and superior face-centered-cubic phase stability compared to the traditional equiatomic Cantor alloy. The automatic approach devised here paves the way for designing high entropy alloys with tailored properties, opening avenues for numerous potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valence electron concentration (VEC) analysis of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) has been extended to a scheme using a two-parameter plot by introducing the period of the periodic table as the second variable. The extension aimed to include HEAs with a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure comprehensively in the framework of VEC analysis, along with other HEAs with body- and face-centered cubic (bcc and fcc) structures. A statistical analysis using a VEC–period chart was performed for 261 single-phase exact- and near-equiatomic HEAs with bcc, hcp, or fcc structure acquired from the literature. Supplemental experiments were conducted in the present study for an hcp-Co35Cr20Fe15Ru20V10 alloy (Ru20 alloy) predicted by Thermo-Calc software and the TCHEA6 database. The experiments revealed that the water-quenched Ru20 alloy annealed at 1600 K for 1 h exhibited a single hcp structure. The formation of the hcp-Ru20 HEA was attributed to the inclusion of a minimum amount of 20 at%Ru, as an hcp forming element, from a 4d-transition metal (TM). The Ru20 alloy with (VEC, Period) = (7.65, 3.2) was located immediately below the conventional fcc-HEAs plotted along the segment of (VEC, Period) = (8–9.5, 3). The VEC-period chart revealed a strict boundary of the hcp/fcc regions in the VEC–period chart between the Ru20 alloy and fcc-HEAs. It is practically difficult to prepare hcp-HEAs comprising 3d-TM only through conventional solidification from a melt and subsequent annealing, as required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influencing factors of process parameters on the wall thickness deviation and internal warpage deviation of the workpiece in magnesium alloy wheel hub spin molding, a two-pass heterogeneous spin molding model is proposed. To ensure the accuracy of the simulation results, the stress–strain data of AZ31 magnesium alloy at different temperatures and different strain rates were obtained through tests. Wall thickness deviation and internal warp deviation after molding were used as evaluation indexes of workpiece molding quality. ABAQUS software facilitated the numerical simulation and analysis of the magnesium alloy wheel hub spinning process. Gray relational degree analysis optimized the first-pass process parameters, elucidating the impact of the axial offset, the thinning ratio, and the feed ratio on forming quality. The application of optimized parameters in the hub spinning simulation resulted in a substantial 28.84% reduction in wall thickness deviation and a 4.88% reduction in inner diameter deviation. This study underscores the efficacy of employing Gray Relational Analysis for comprehensive parameter optimization, ensuring wheel hub quality. Moreover, it provides a theoretical foundation for enterprises to expedite research and development cycles and minimize associated costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot tearing susceptibility (HTS) of Mg-xGd-(4-x)Y-2Ni-0.5Zr (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, wt%) alloys was evaluated using a T-shape mold method. When the Gd element increased and the Y element decreased, the HTS of the alloys decreases gradually. The Mg-4Y-2Ni-0.5Zr has the highest while Mg-4Gd-2Ni-0.5Zr has the lowest HTS value. Microstructure observation reveals that the grains of the magnesium alloy were refined to a certain extent when the Gd element increased and the Y element decreased. The 'pinning' effect of the LPSO phase precipitated along the grain boundary effectively increases the solid skeleton strength of the alloy and reduces the HTS of the magnesium alloy to a certain extent. The thin and uniform liquid film at the fracture can disperse the solidification shrinkage stress. In addition, the binary phase precipitated in the alloy forms a fast channel of residual liquid phase feeding on the liquid film, which is beneficial to feeding hot cracks. Solidification behavior of the alloys by thermal analysis showed that with the increase of the Gd element and the decrease of the Y element, the dendrite coherency temperature of the dendrites of the alloy decreases, and the residual liquid phase feeding is easier. The solid fraction of dendrite coherency increases, the skeleton strength of the alloy increases, and the HTS of the alloy decrease. In Mg-xGd-(4-x)Y-2Ni-0.5Zr (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, wt%) alloys, when x is 1, 2, 3, 4, the HTS of the alloy is reduced by 25%, 49%, 63%, 81%, respectively compared with that when x is 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a detailed review of the types of magnesium wheels available in the industry and the current methods of the wheels' production. The past several years have seen a significant development of magnesium-based lightweight alloys employed as a structural material for modern light vehicles. Magnesium alloys are characterized by their low density while maintaining good mechanical properties. The use of these alloys in the industry enables vehicles' weight reduction while increasing their technical parameters. The first part of the article presents the unique properties of magnesium alloys that determine the application of this material for lightweight vehicle wheels. The advantages of using magnesium wheels over aluminum wheels are also presented. Next, a classification of the types of magnesium wheels was made in regard to their construction, applications, and manufacturing methods. At present, magnesium wheels by construction can be classified according to their geometry as single parts or assembled parts. In reference to geometry, wheels can have different shapes: classic, multi-spoke, with holes, or with frames. Depending on the geometry used, magnesium wheels can have different parameters, such as their mounting hole spacing, wheel diameters, or rim width. Considering the applications in various industries, main distinctions can be made between magnesium wheels for automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and wheelchairs. Magnesium wheels can also be categorized in regards to the manufacturing methods: casting, machining, forging, and hybrid manufacturing. The second part of the article focuses on the analysis of magnesium alloy wheel-manufacturing technologies used in the industry and developed by research centers. This article discusses these manufacturing technologies in detail and indicates prospective directions for further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of the laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) method in additive manufacturing experiments has revealed the intriguing potential to induce morphological evolutions within the solidification microstructure by manipulating the thermal conditions. Transitions of this nature can have a substantial impact on the ultimate texture and material properties of the product. This study utilizes numerical investigations to examine the microstructure evolution of the AlSi10Mg alloy, which is fabricated using the L-PBF process, under different thermal conditions. In order to investigate the changes in the microstructure, we employ a parameter phase-field (PF) model. This model effectively replicates the natural development of nuclei from inoculant particles and accurately simulates the transitions in the morphology. The PF model's validity is determined through the numerical investigation of morphological transitions during directional solidification of the AlSi10Mg alloy. The model's predictions are then compared to the analytical Hunt model. The formation of a columnar microstructure with a significantly reduced secondary dendrite arm spacing is observed when the ratio of the temperature gradient (G) to the solidification rate (R) is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Getter alloy has the advantages of low cost and high hydrogen purity in small and medium-scale hydrogen purification. However, the commonly used ZrMnFe alloy is reactive to various impurities in hydrogen, and requires a temperature above 600 °C to remove methane. To improve reactivity with methane and ensure a high hydrogen adsorption platform pressure, partial substitution of Fe with Ni, which has a smaller bonding energy with methane ligand, is beneficial. In this work, we prepared ZrMnFeNi alloys with different Ni stoichiometric ratios by suspension induction melting and investigated their performance in purifying hydrogen containing trace amounts of methane. All alloys maintain C14 Laves phase, and the interplanar spacing of the (103) crystal planes decreases with the replacement of Ni. It is proved that ZrMnFeNi alloys can significantly improve the absorb efficiency of methane in hydrogen and reduce the removal temperature. At 450 °C, ZrMnFe 0.7 Ni 0.3 can remove 10 ppm methane to 0.124 ppm. The purification efficiency of hydrogen at 450 °C can reach 96.94%, while the purification efficiency of ZrMnFe alloy is only 27.12%. The ZrMnFe 0.7 Ni 0.3 alloy decomposes methane into carbon and hydrogen during purification, and the carbon diffuses into the alloy at high temperature to form a metal carbide with zirconium. The XPS results show that the electron-rich state of Ni is more beneficial for activating the C–H bond breaking of methane. • Ni contents is optimized for the best hydrogen purification performance. • Purification temperature reduction and efficiency improvement attributed to Ni doping. • The ZrMnFe 0.7 Ni 0.3 can remove 10 ppm methane in hydrogen to 0.124 ppm at 450 °C. • Electron-rich Ni may be more conducive to the activation of C–H bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INCONEL® machining poses great challenges in predicting its behaviour, and exhaustive experimental evaluation of its machinability is expensive and unsustainable. Design of Experiments (DOE) can be performed without destroying components via Finite Element Analysis (FEA). However, it is paramount to establish if numerical modelling and the constitutive models can cope with an accurate predictability of INCONEL® machining. Hence, a broad review of FEA strategies will be given to systematically summarise and analyse the progress taken on INCONEL® machining predictability through FEA from 2013 to 2023 and present the most recent researchers' digital solutions, prospects, and limitations. Thanks to articles and books, this paper was conceived. The main keywords used in searching information were: "INCONEL® 718", "INCONEL® 625", "FEA", "Traditional Machining Modelling", "Johnson-Cook criteria", "ABAQUS™", "ANSYS®" and "DEFORM®". Combining these keywords was crucial to filter the current information about the evolution of INCONEL® alloy machining predictability through FEA. INCONEL® alloys FEA machining can nowadays effectively provide good quality and accurate results regarding the counterpart experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arm of the large-scale bronze statue presented in the current research was handed over in 1951 to the Ephorate of Antiquities in Aigio of Achaia and constitutes a typical yet exquisite example of Peloponnesian oversized statuary in bronze. The area where the arm was found coincides with the location of the ancient agora, as well as, according to previous excavation works, the place where the temenos of Zeus Soter, patron deity of the ancient polis of Aigion, is located. Based on the surviving fragment/limb, several issues regarding statue typology are further discussed, while its posture is suggested as 'standing in grandeur'. The identification of a divine figure, probably that of Zeus, is supported by the location of discovery and the object it was supposedly holding, combined with the numismatic issues of Aigion depicting the same type of statuary of the supreme god. The dating of the statue in mid Hellenistic years onwards agrees with the scientific analysis of the alloy, carried out in the laboratories of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates physical, mechanical, and sliding wear assessment of chromium (0–2 wt% @ step of 0.5 %)-reinforced AA7075 alloy composites (i.e., five composites, namely ACR-0, ACR-0.5, ACR-1, ACR-1.5, and ACR-2). The composition design was fabricated using the stir-casting route. The sample preparation was as per the test standards. Taguchi's approach has been used to design experimental trials and parameter optimization. This follows ANOVA helping in knowing the order of significant factors affecting sliding wear response. The wear sample morphology was studied to understand wear mechanisms. Microstructure studies and X-ray diffraction studies have been reported. It is observed that chromium reinforcement tends to enhance the strength, hardness, and wear performance of the alloy. The voids presence has been successfully arrested. The performance data were analyzed using a hybrid ENTROPY-VIKOR decision-making method. It is observed that the outcome of the decision-making method is in line with the subjective analysis. Thus, ACR-2 alloy composites were observed to optimize the overall performance and hence recommended for structural and tribological applications like gears, slideways, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, aluminum alloy (AA2024) composite reinforced with ceramic particulates, namely alumina (Al2O3) and aluminum nitride (AlN), were designed and fabricated through a semi-automatic stir casting route. The ceramics are added complementary (0–4 wt% @ step of 1%), resulting in five composite specimens, namely ON04, ON13, ON22, ON31, and ON40. The composite specimens are then analyzed for their densities, mechanical, and tribological behavior (steady-state sliding wear analysis), adopting ASTM standards. The Taguchi design of experiment technique was adopted for planning test preliminaries and input sliding wear operating parameters (like sliding velocity, sliding distance, normal load, composition, and environment temperature) optimization using ANOVA. Worn surface morphology studies were reported using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to understand prevalent wear mechanisms in real time. Additionally, a decision-making technique such as the preference selection index (PSI) system was used to analyze the alloy composites ranking. The theoretical densities vary 2.784–2.798 g/cc, while actual densities vary 2.539–2.546 g/cc, and voids fraction vary within the 0.5–9.3 % range. The hardness varies 71.6–85.4 HRB, impact strength varies 54–170 J, and tensile strength varies 190–265 MPa. The ranking orders of the significance of input operating factors are environment temperature > normal load > sliding velocity > reinforcement content > sliding distance. It has been found that the alloy composite sample ON22 with an equal presence of both ceramics exhibits overall optimum mechanical properties as well as superior steady-state behavior, which was consistent with the results of the PSI ranking method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Presence of MgO inclusions accelerates corrosion of AM Mg alloys. • DFT calculation reveal overlapping electronic states at Mg/MgO interface. • Charge density variations at Mg/MgO interface impact ∆G H of H ads at interface. • Mg/MgO interface acts as an effective cathode for hydrogen evolution reaction. The corrosion rates of additive-manufactured Mg alloys are higher than their as-cast counterparts, possibly due to increased kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction on secondary phases, which may include oxide inclusions. Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy demonstrated that MgO inclusions could act as cathodes for Mg corrosion, but their low conductivity likely precludes this. However, the density of state calculations through density functional theory using hybrid HSE06 functional revealed overlapping electronic states at the Mg/MgO interface, which facilitates electron transfers and participates in redox reactions. Subsequent determination of the hydrogen absorption energy at the Mg/MgO interface reveals it to be an excellent catalytic site, with HER being found to be a factor of 23x more efficient at the interface than on metallic Mg. The results not only support the plausibility of the Mg/MgO interface being an effective cathode to the adjacent anodic Mg matrix during corrosion but also contribute to the understanding of the enhanced cathodic activities observed during the anodic dissolution of magnesium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]