The effect of substitution of Nb by Mo in Nb₄₀Ti₃₀Ni₃₀was investigated with respect to microstructural features and hydrogen dissolution, diffusion and permeation. As-cast Nb_40−xMo_xTi₃₀Ni₃₀(x = 0, 5, 10) alloys consist of primary bcc-Nb phase and binary eutectic (bcc-Nb + B2-TiNi). The substitution of Nb by Mo reduces the hydrogen solubility in alloys, but may increase (x = 5) or decrease (x = 10) the apparent hydrogen diffusivity and permeability. As-cast Nb₃₅Mo₅Ti₃₀Ni₃₀exhibits a combined enhancement of hydrogen permeability and embrittlement resistance as compared to Nb₄₀Ti₃₀Ni₃₀. This work confirms that Mo is a desirable alloying element in Nb that can contribute to a reduction in hydrogen absorption and an increase in intrinsic hydrogen diffusion, thus improving embrittlement resistance with minimal permeability penalty.

The mechanical properties of Al-Si-Mg-Cu cast alloys are heavily determined by Cu content due to the precipitation of relating strengthening precipitates during the aging treatment. In this study, the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-9Si-0.5Mg-xCu (x = 0, 0.9, 1.5, and 2.1 wt.%) alloys were investigated to elucidate the effect of Cu content on the evolution of their mechanical properties. After T6 (480 °C + 6 h − 530 °C + 4 h, 175 °C + 10 h) treatment, Mg-rich and Cu-rich phases were dissolved in the matrix; the main aging-precipitates of the alloys change from the needle-like β″ phases in the base alloy to the granular Q′ phases in the 0.9Cu alloy, the granular Q′ phase in the 1.5Cu alloy, the granular Q′ phase, and θ′ platelets in the 2.1Cu alloy. The increase of Cu level results in difference of the type, number density, and morphology of the nanoscale precipitated phase. Because of precipitation strength, the yield strength was increased by 103–130 MPa depending on the Cu contents. The precipitation strengthening effect of the precipitates was quantitatively evaluated by the Orowan mechanism. The aging-treated Al-9Si-0.5Mg-2Cu alloy shows the good strength and ductility: yield strength 351 MPa, ultimate tensile strength 442 MPa, and elongation 8.4%. The morphologies of fracture surfaces of the alloys also were observed.