Based on a thermodynamic foundation, a phase field model is developed for describing eutectic composites. The inherent complexity of NiAl–Cr microstructure is rationalized by modeling eutectic solidification that precedes conditional spinodal decomposition.

This review illustrates how current sterilization methods affect the hydrogel structure and properties and highlights future directions focusing on precision, efficiency, mildness, intelligence, and standardization.

In order to discern the effect of rare earth element Er addition on grain refinement of the most widely used titanium alloy Ti6Al4V, new erbium modified Ti6Al4V alloys with compositions of Ti6Al4V-xEr (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 wt %) were developed and investigated for their microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties in comparison with their unmodified baseline alloy. Microstructural examinations revealed that, by adding Er, (1) the microstructure primarily retained a two-phase structure consisting of α and β, (2) remarkable grain refining occurred, and (3) some Er₂O₃ and Al₂Er disperses were formed largely around the β phase and near the grain boundaries. Mechanical property measurements evidenced an overall enhancement under tension and hardness tests. An increase in both strength and plasticity with increasing Er content was obtained but followed by a drop, while a gradual monotonous improvement in hardness was achieved. The Ti6Al4V-0.2Er alloy exhibits optimal mechanical properties.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed Fe-microalloyed Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy were investigated after different heat treatments. The volume fraction and the morphological features of the lamellar α phase had significant effects on the alloy’s mechanical performance. A dataset showing the relationship between microstructural features and tensile strength, elongation, and fracture toughness was developed. A high aging temperature resulted in high plasticity and fracture toughness, but relatively low strength. The high strength favored the fine α and the slender β. The high aspect ratio of lamellar α led to high strength but low fracture toughness. The alloy with ~84 vol % α exhibited the highest strength and lowest fracture toughness because the area of its α/β-phase interface was the highest. Optimal comprehensive mechanical performance and heat-treatment procedures were thus obtained from the dataset. Optimal tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and fracture toughness were 999 and 919 MPa, 10.4%, and 94.4 MPa·m^1/2, respectively.