Interface Characterization of Ultrasonic Spot-Welded Mg Alloy Interlayered with Cu Coating

The effect of Cu coating metallic interlayer on the weldability, joint strength, and interfacial microstructure during high-power ultrasonic spot welding (HP-USW) of AZ31B Mg alloy has been studied. Interlayered samples exhibited good weldability and they resulted in strong sound joints with nearly the same strength as joints without interlayer, with the distinction of lower energy being required. The Cu interlayer affected the thermal and vibrational properties of the interface, as the maximum interface temperature decreased and approached better uniformity across the weld nugget. The base metal grain structure changed to equiaxed larger grains after ultrasonic welding and a chain of parent metal small grains were observed around the interface. A binary intermetallic compound product of Mg-Cu, which was rich in Mg, has been found around the interface that was diffused toward base metal. According to the electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) results, alongside temperature measurements and hardness data, the formation of Mg2Cu is suggested in this region. At the interface centerline, a narrow region was identified that was composed of Mg, Cu, and Al. Complementary transmission electron microscopy analysis estimated that Al-containing reaction product is a ternary alloy of the MgCuxAly type. The dispersion of fine grain intermetallic compounds as discrete particles inside Mg substrate in both interfacial regions formed a composite like structure that could participate in joint strengthening

Microstructures of 50-nm Cu Interconnects along the Longitudinal Direction

Grain size distributions and average grain sizes in the longitudinal direction of the Cu interconnect in 50-, 70- and 80-nm-wide Cu interconnects were evaluated and compared with the resistivities of each interconnect. After annealing, the standard deviation of grain sizes for 50-nm Cu interconnect increased to 27.5, and the average grain size microstructure grew to larger than that of as-deposited 50-nm Cu interconnects. The value of standard deviation of grain sizes in the normal distribution histogram for a 50-nm wire was found to be much smaller than those for 70- and 80-nm Cu wires after annealing. This implies that adequate grain growth should not be expected in the very narrow Cu interconnects (less than 50-nm) of the future if they are made with the conventional annealing process. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MRA2007611

A comprehensive expression analysis of mucins in appendiceal carcinoma in a multicenter study: MUC3 is a novel prognostic factor.

Mucins are implicated in survival in various cancers, but there have been no report addressed on survival in appendiceal carcinoma, an uncommon disease with different clinical and pathological features from those of other colon cancers. We aimed to investigate the clinical implications of expression of mucins in appendiceal carcinoma.Expression profiles of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC6, MUC16 and MUC17 in cancer tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry in 108 cases of surgically resected appendiceal carcinoma.The following relationships of mucins with clinicopathologic factors were identified: MUC1 with positive lymphatic invasion (p = 0.036); MUC2 with histological type (mucinous carcinoma, p<0.001), superficial invasion depth (p = 0.007), negative venous invasion (p = 0.003), and curative resection (p = 0.019); MUC3 with non-curative resection (p = 0.017); MUC5AC with histological type (mucinous carcinoma, p = 0.002), negative lymphatic invasion (p = 0.021), and negative venous invasion (p = 0.022); and MUC16 with positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.035), positive venous invasion (p<0.05), and non-curative resection (p = 0.035). A poor prognosis was related to positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.04), positive lymphatic invasion (p = 0.02), positive venous invasion (p<0.001), non-curative resection (p<0.001), and positive expression of MUC3 (p = 0.004). In multivariate analysis, positive venous invasion (HR: 6.93, 95% CI: 1.93-24.96, p = 0.003), non-curative resection (HR: 10.19, 95% CI: 3.05-34.07, p<0.001) and positive MUC3 expression (HR: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.13-10.03, p = 0.03) were identified as significant independent prognostic factors in patients with appendiceal carcinoma.Expression of MUC3 in appendiceal carcinoma is an independent factor for poor prognosis and a useful predictor of outcome in patients with appendiceal carcinoma after surgery