Microstructural Characterization of Nb/Inconel 601 Interface Obtained in the Explosive Welding Process.

This work presents the microstructure of the cross-section of a newly developed Nb/Inconel 601 weld with particular attention paid to the continuity, morphology of the interface, and the microstructural changes within its vicinity. Both scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy techniques are excellent tools to analyze the microstructure that affects both mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of the obtained product. Grain size examination and their orientation together with the character of grain boundaries by the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique were performed followed by chemical composition determination across the interface with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in SEM. Then, the microstructure observations of the mixed region located at the Nb/Inconel 601 interface using the TEM technique allowed its chemical and phase composition to be revealed.

Indenting soft samples (hydrogels and cells) with cantilevers possessing various shapes of probing tip.

The identification of cancer-related changes in cells and tissues based on the measurements of elastic properties using atomic force microscopy (AFM) seems to be approaching clinical application. Several limiting aspects have already been discussed; however, still, no data have shown how specific AFM probe geometries are related to the biomechanical evaluation of cancer cells. Here, we analyze and compare the nanomechanical results of mechanically homogenous polyacrylamide gels and heterogeneous bladder cancer cells measured using AFM probes of various tip geometry, including symmetric and non-symmetric pyramids and a sphere. Our observations show large modulus variability aligned with both types of AFM probes used and with the internal structure of the cells. Altogether, these results demonstrate that it is possible to differentiate between compliant and rigid samples of kPa elasticity; however, simultaneously, they highlight the strong need for standardized protocols for AFM-based elasticity measurements if applied in clinical practice including the use of a single type of AFM cantilever.

Biophysical and Biochemical Characteristics as Complementary Indicators of Melanoma Progression.

The multistep character of cancer progression makes it difficult to define a unique biomarker of the disease. Interdisciplinary approaches, combining various complementary techniques, especially those operating at a nanoscale level, potentially accelerate characterization of cancer cells or tissue properties. Here, we study a relation between the surface and biomechanical properties of melanoma cells, measured by mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In total, seven cell lines have been studied. Six of them were melanoma cells derived from various stages of tumor progression: (1) WM115 cells derived from a 55 year old female skin melanoma at a vertical growth phase (VGP) in the primary melanoma site, (2) WM793 cells established from the vertical growth phase (VGP) of a primary skin melanoma lesion, (3) WM266-4 cells established from a cutaneous skin metastasis detected in the same patient as WM115 cells, (4) WM239 cells derived from a cutaneous skin metastasis, (5) 1205Lu cells originated from a lung metastasis diagnosed in the same patient as WM793 cells, and (6) A375P-cells were derived from a solid malignant tumor located in the lung. As a reference cell line, human epidermal melanocytes from adult skin (primary cell line HEMa-LP) were used. Results reveal low, medium, and large deformability of melanoma cells originating from vertical growth phase (VGP), and skin and lung metastasis, respectively. These changes were accompanied by distinct outcome from principal component analysis (PCA). In relation to VGP melanoma cells, cells from skin and lung metastasis reveal similar or significantly different surface properties. The largest deformability difference observed for cells from VGP and lung metastasis was accompanied by the largest separation of unspecific changes in their surface properties. In this way, we show the evidence that biomechanical and surface biochemical properties of cells change in parallel, indicating a potential of being used as nanobiophysical fingerprints of melanoma progression.

Estimation of systematic errors of discrete line approximation by triangular tessellation and marching squares algorithm.

This paper presents methods to calculate the length overestimation errors which are being made when approximating a discrete line by edges of triangular tessellation and marching squares algorithm. The maximum error and its average value are 15.47 % and 10.27 % for the triangular tessellation, while for the marching squares approach they are 8.24 % and 5.49 %, respectively. Mathematical calculations were compared with experimental results obtained by the Electron Backscatter Diffraction technique showing their usefulness as correction coefficients to obtain more accurate boundary length estimates.

On the Disintegration of A1050/Ni201 Explosively Welded Clads Induced by Long-Term Annealing.

The paper presents the microstructure and phase composition of the interface zone formed in the explosive welding process between technically pure aluminum and nickel. Low and high detonation velocities of 2000 and 2800 m/s were applied to expose the differences of the welded zone directly after the joining as well as subsequent long-term annealing. The large amount of the melted areas was observed composed of a variety of Al-Ni type intermetallics; however, the morphology varied from nearly flat to wavy with increasing detonation velocity. The applied heat treatment at 500 °C has resulted in the formation of Al3Ni and Al3Ni2 layers, which in the first stages of growth preserved the initial interface morphology. Due to the large differences in Al and Ni diffusivities, the porosity formation occurred for both types of clads. Faster consumption of Al3Ni phase at the expense of the growing Al3Ni2 phase, characterized by strong crystallographic texture, has been observed only for the weld obtained at low detonation velocity. As a result of the extended annealing time, the disintegration of the bond occurred due to crack propagation located at the A1050/Al3Ni2 interface.

Estimation of systematic errors committed when approximating length of grain boundaries using edges of rectangular or hexagonal grids of EBSD maps.

A method for calculating the overestimation error of grain boundary (GB) length committed when approximating a straight segment of a GB using edges of rectangular or hexagonal grid was given. The relative errors range from 0 % to 41.42 % and from 15.47 % to 33.33 %, for the square and hex grids, respectively. The average error values for both kinds of meshes are the same, namely, 27.32 %. Comparison of the mathematical calculations with experimental results obtained from Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) data, indicated that the values of the average overestimation errors may be utilized as correction coefficients to adjust experimental data towards more accurate numbers.

Superelastic Behavior of Ti-Nb Alloys Obtained by the Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) Technique.

The effect of Nb content on microstructure, mechanical properties and superelasticity was investigated for a series of Ti-xNb alloys, fabricated by the laser engineered net shaping method, using elemental Ti and Nb powders. The microstructure of as-deposited materials consisted of columnar ß-phase grains, elongated in the built direction. However, due to the presence of undissolved Nb particles during the deposition process, an additional heat treatment was necessary. The observed changes in mechanical properties were explained in relation to the phase constituents and deformation mechanisms. Due to the elevated oxygen content in the investigated materials (2 at.%), the specific deformation mechanisms were observed at lower Nb content in comparison to the conventionally fabricated materials. This made it possible to conclude that oxygen increases the stability of the ß phase in ß-Ti alloys. For the first time, superelasticity was observed in Ti-Nb-based alloys fabricated by the additive manufacturing method. The highest recoverable strain of 3% was observed in Ti-19Nb alloy as a result of high elasticity and reverse martensitic transformation stress-induced during the loading.

Growth Kinetics of the Selected Intermetallic Phases in Ni/Al/Ni System with Various Nickel Substrate Microstructure.

Reactivity in nickel⁻aluminum system was examined for two variants of nickel substrates in terms of the size and shape of Ni grains. The microstructure transformation aroused due to the annealing at 720 °C for different annealing times (0.25 to 72 h) was consequently followed. The sequence of formation of the particular intermetallic phases was given. The interconnection zones were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy supported with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron backscattered diffraction techniques as well as by the transmission electron microscopy. The growth kinetics data for AlNi, AlNiNi-rich and AlNi3 phases for both variants of substrates was given, indicating the differences obtained in previous works on this subject.

Computationally-driven engineering of sublattice ordering in a hexagonal AlHfScTiZr high entropy alloy.

Multi-principle element alloys have enormous potential, but their exploration suffers from the tremendously large range of configurations. In the last decade such alloys have been designed with a focus on random solid solutions. Here we apply an experimentally verified, combined thermodynamic and first-principles design strategy to reverse the traditional approach and to generate a new type of hcp Al-Hf-Sc-Ti-Zr high entropy alloy with a hitherto unique structure. A phase diagram analysis narrows down the large compositional space to a well-defined set of candidates. First-principles calculations demonstrate the energetic preference of an ordered superstructure over the competing disordered solid solutions. The chief ingredient is the Al concentration, which can be tuned to achieve a D019 ordering on the hexagonal lattice. The computationally designed D019 superstructure is experimentally confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray studies. Our scheme enables the exploration of a new class of high entropy alloys.

Three-dimensional microstructural characterization of porous cubic zirconia.

A set of cubic zirconia samples were investigated using 3-dimensional electron backscatter diffraction (3D EBSD) to analyze the grain structure, grain boundary networks and pore morphology. 3D EBSD is a variation of conventional EBSD, whereby a focused ion beam (FIB) is used in a dual beam scanning electron microscope (SEM) i.e. FIB-SEM to mill away material and to create 'serial sections' through the material being analyzed. Each new surface revealed is subject to an EBSD scan, which continues sequentially until a desired volume of material has been removed. In this manner, many consecutive 2D EBSD scans can be rendered in 3D to gain a greater insight of microstructural features and parameters. The three samples were examined in order to determine the effect of differences in the manufacturing process used for each. For each sample, a volume of ca. 15,000 µm(3) was studied. The analysis of several microstructure parameters revealed a strong dependence on manufacturing conditions. Subsequently, the results of 3D EBSD analysis were compared to conventional 2D EBSD. Significant differences between the values of microstructure parameters determined by 2D and 3D EBSD were observed.