The phase diagram of the Ni–Cr–Al–Y system can provide theoretical guidance for the composition design of NiCrAlY alloy coated on the surface of Ni-based superalloy, and as Ni–Cr–Y is a sub-ternary system of Ni–Al–Cr–Y, its phase relationship is the basis in establishing the thermodynamic database of Ni–Al–Cr–Y system. In the present work, the isothermal section of the Ni–Cr–Y ternary system at 900 °C is experimentally determined using the equilibrated alloys method combined with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Eight three-phase regions are confirmed and one three-phase region can be deduced in the isothermal section, and no new ternary compound is found.

Attractive features of soft magnetic composites (SMCs) are high resistivity, isotropic three-dimensional flux behavior, and easy compression into the complicated shapes required in electromagnetic devices. Comprehensive understanding of the materials will help optimize design of electromagnetic devices. This paper presents the magnetization processes in a SMC sample in micron scale by means of the magneto-optical imaging technique. The sample was magnetized by magnetic fields tangential or perpendicular to the observation surface. It is observed that the flux density is higher at the particle region but lower at the interparticle space. When a tangential field is applied, the stray fields change polarization at the particle boundaries. Both results suggest that the magnetized sample behaves as a collection of individual magnetized particles rather than as a uniform and continuous magnetic substance such as soft iron although there are some interactions between neighboring particles.

In this work, the isothermal sections of the Ni–Al–Pd and Ni–Cr–Pd ternary and the Ni–Al–Cr–Pd quaternary systems at 1423 K, with Ni fixed at 53 at.%, were experimentally determined by scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Three three-phase regions were confirmed and one three-phase region was deduced in the isothermal section of the Ni–Al–Pd system at 1423 K. No three-phase regions existed in the isothermal section of the Ni–Cr–Pd system at 1423 K. Three three-phase regions were determined in the 1423 K isothermal section of the Ni–Al–Cr–Pd quaternary, with Ni fixed at 53 at.%, and two four-phase regions were deduced.

More and more research has been focused on the improvement of the mechanical properties and the optimal design of the new excellent Mg-based alloys. In spite of many experimental investigations, the theoretical studies of the mechanical properties are very scarce. First-principle calculations of the elastic constants and mechanical properties of typical Mg-based alloys become necessary to understand the fundamental mechanism governing the observed mechanical properties. In this paper, the single-crystal elastic constants Cijs of the typical fcc and hexagonal structured Mg-based alloys (Mg3Zn3Y2 and CaMg2) were calculated, using density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. Then the bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E, Poisson’s ratio ν and anisotropy value A were derived from single-crystal elastic constants. The mechanical properties such as the ductility and stiffiness of the alloys are analyzed and discussed in comparison with experimental observations.