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The significant influence of the welding heat input on the microstructural evolution, precipitation behavior and resultant properties of the coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) in low carbon Nb-V-Ti-N quaternary microalloyed steel was comparatively studied on a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator. Metallographic investigations revealed that the dominant microstructure transformed from lath bainite (LB) at heat input of 50 kJ/cm to intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF) at 100 kJ/cm, to IAF and intragranular polygonal ferrite (IPF) at 150 kJ/cm and to IPF, IAF and grain boundary ferrite (GBF) at 200 kJ/cm. In addition, Ti- and Nb-enriched submicron-scale precipitates promoted IAF and IPF nucleation with an orientation relationship 01 1 − MC / / 1 − 11 Ferrite and effectively pinned grain boundaries; V-enriched nanoscale precipitates acted as obstacles for dislocation movement, consequently improving CGHAZ performance. Moreover, the impact absorbed energy at 20 °C and −20 °C first increased from 216 ± 4.3J and 58 ± 2.7J to 219 ± 3.7J and 64 ± 3.0J, respectively, and then decreased to 184 ± 7.5J and 45 ± 2.1J, respectively, when the heat input increased from 50 kJ/cm to 200 kJ/cm. The maximum value was obtained at heat input of 100 kJ/cm, which was primarily attributed to the largest amount of high angle grain boundaries originating from IAF. The microhardness slightly reduced as heat input increased from 50 kJ/cm to 100 kJ/cm and did not obviously decrease as heat input varied from 100 to 200 kJ/cm, which was directly related to the microstructure constituents and nanoscale precipitates. Furthermore, the optimal heat input to obtain a good combination of strength and toughness was 100 kJ/cm, and Nb-V-Ti-N microalloyed steel was suitable for high heat input welding. • The low carbon Nb-V-Ti-N microalloyed steel is suitable for high heat input welding. • The optimum welding heat input is 100 kJ/cm to obtain a strengthened and toughened CGHAZ. • The submicron Nb- and Ti-enriched particles promote intragranular ferrite nucleation and pin grain boundary. • The orientation relationship between nucleation site and the induced ferrite grain is 01 1 − MC / / 1 − 11 Ferrite. • The nanoscale V-enriched precipitates act as obstacles for dislocation movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to depress the embrittlement induced by grain boundary segregation of arsenic in steel, the effect of Ce addition on the formation of arsenious inclusions and arsenic concentration at grain boundaries were systematically investigated in iron melts. The results showed that different types of arsenious rare earth inclusions were formed with different Ce content. As Ce content increased from 0.037 to 0.095wt%, the dominant inclusion in the melt was changed from the Ce-S-O inclusion fully coated by Ce-S-As inclusion to the Ce-S-As inclusion completely covered by Ce-As inclusion. Simultaneously, the single Ce-S-As and Ce-As inclusions were also detected when Ce content was more than 0.055 wt%. The amount and average size of inclusions increased with increasing Ce content. Transmission electron microscope analysis indicated that the Ce-As inclusion was the CeAs phase, which was formed during solidification process. Furthermore, concentration of arsenic on grain boundaries after adding Ce was decreased to the level of the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of welding heat input characterized by the cooling time taken from 800 °C to 500 °C (t 8/5) on the microstructural evolution, V(C,N) precipitation and resultant mechanical properties of the simulated CGHAZ in high-N V-alloyed steel was comparatively investigated using a Gleeble-1500D thermomechanical simulator. Metallographic analysis indicated that the dominant microstructure transformed from lath bainite to granular bainite when t 8/5 increased from 30 s to 90 s and then changed to intragranular ferrite at t 8/5 of 180 s. The nanoscale V(C,N) precipitates were coarsened as t 8/5 increased, coupled with a slightly increased number density. Furthermore, the orientation relationship [001] α // 1 1 ¯ 0 V(C,N) reduced the interfacial structural energy (MC/α) and enhanced the V(C,N) precipitation in the ferrite matrix. Moreover, the microhardness progressively decreased due to the combined effect of microconstituents, precipitates and grain boundaries. The impact toughness first decreased and then increased, and the optimal value was obtained at t 8/5 of 180 s. Furthermore, the formation of intragranular ferrite, especially acicular ferrite, and the increased fraction of high angle grain boundaries could completely remedy the detrimental effect caused by the increased content of grain boundary ferrite and the coarsened effective grain size and precipitates. In addition, the high nitrogen content of 240 ppm accelerated V(C,N) precipitation in the austenite region, and the submicron V(C,N) precipitates could promote the formation of intragranular ferrite by providing heterogeneous nucleation sites, in combination with the larger prior austenite grain size caused by higher welding heat input. Unlabelled Image • Microalloying of nitrogen (0.024 wt%) for V contained base metal was beneficial for simulated CGHAZ. • Acicular ferrite and high angle grain boundaries are more crucial in toughness than precipitates and effective grain size. • HRTEM observation showed that the orientation relationship [001] α // 1 1 ¯ 0 V(C,N) enhanced V(C,N) precipitation in the ferrite matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current methods for detecting myelin changes in ischemic stroke are indirect and cannot accurately reflect their status. This study aimed to develop a novel fluorescent-magnetic resonance dual-modal molecular imaging probe for direct imaging of myelin. Compounds 7a and 7b were synthesized by linking the MeDAS group and Gadolinium (III) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate. Compound 7a was selected for characterization and further study. Cell uptake, cytotoxicity, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on cells. In vitro experiments on frozen brain sections from 7-day-old, 8-week-old, and ischemic stroke rats were compared with commercially available Luxol Fast Blue staining. After HPLC and MR scanning, brain tissue was soaked in 7a and scanned using T 1 WI and T 1 maps sequences. Spectrophotometer results showed that compounds 7a and 7b had fluorescent properties. MR scans indicated that the compounds had contrast agent properties. Cells could uptake 7a and exhibited high signals in imaging scans. Compound 7a brain tissue staining showed more fluorescence in myelin-rich regions and identified injury sites in ischemic stroke rats. MR scanning of brain sections provided clear myelin contrast. A novel fluorescent-magnetic resonance dual-modal molecular imaging probe for direct imaging of myelin was successfully developed and tested in rats with ischemic stroke. These findings provide new insights for the clinical diagnosis of demyelinating diseases. • Compounds 7a and 7b have fluorescent properties from spectrophotometer results. • Compounds 7a and 7b have MRI contrast agent properties. • Our novel dual-mode probes effectively visualized the rat infarction model. • Our study may provide new ideas for diagnosing demyelinating diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]