Advanced Engineering Materials

The ZrO₂–MgO phase diagram is experimentally studied using XRD, SEM-EDX, and DTA. The ZrO₂-based solutions are modeled as ionic solutions using compound energy formalism. The thermodynamic parameters are optimized using own and literature experimental data. The calculated ZrO₂–MgO phase diagram is used to interpret the microstructure and phase transformations observed in the industrial Mg-PSZ material in as-received and heat treated states.

CVD diamond electrodes have been extensively studied in recent years, from the point of view of fundamental electrochemical properties as well as that of applications. Diamond electrodes are found to be attractive for electrochemical applications due to their physical, chemical, and electronic properties, e.g. high thermal conductivity; high hardness, and chemical inertness; a wide electrochemical potential window in aqueous and non-aqueous media; a very low capacitance and a very high electrochemical stability.

A novel micro- and nanoweaving method based on the electroactuation properties of microfibers is developed. Poly(vinyl alcohol) microfibers are bent using electrical stimuli, with high electrosensitivity. The generated actuation force guide the fiber (monofilament) up or down by more than 5 mm, to provide a shedding motion for weaving ultrathin, uniform micro- or nanofabrics.

The microstructure evolution during deformation and the mechanical behavior of an austenitic Cr–Mn–Ni as cast steel are investigated at various temperatures. The deformation-induced twinning and ε/α′-martensite formation – the TWIP and TRIP effects – occur in the investigate steel depending on the deformation temperature. For characterization and illustration of the TRIP/TWIP effects the STT and DTT diagrams are developed. Finally, the α′-martensite nucleation threshold is determined, and an equation is proposed to describe the volume fraction of strain-induced α′-martensite as a function of the total driving force.

Despite their high silicon content up to 17–25 ma% spray-formed Al alloys are well nitridable. The present paper deals with the influence of the chemical composition, initial surface roughness and the nitriding parameters on the nitriding behavior, especially the surface coverage with aluminum nitride. Furthermore, the hardness and wear behavior are investigated both after the single plasma nitriding treatment as well as an additional subsequent heat treatment (age hardening).