Effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of a single crystal superalloy

Two experimental single crystal superalloys, the Ru-free alloy and the Ru-containing alloy with[001] orientation, were cast in a directionally solidified furnace, while other alloying element contents were kept unchanged. The effects of Ru on the microstructure and phase stability of the single crystal superalloy were investigated. γ' directional coarsening and rafting were observed in the Ru-free alloy and Ru-containing alloy after long-term aging at 1070℃ for 800 h. Needle-shaped σ topologically close packed (TCP) phases precipitated and grew along the fixed direction in both the alloys. The precipitating rate and volume fraction of TCP phases decreased significantly by adding Ru. The compositions of γ and γ' phases measured using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the addition of Ru lessened the partition ratio of TCP forming elements, Re, W and Mo, and decreased the saturation degrees of these elements in γ phase, which can enable the Ru-containing alloy to be more resistant to the formation of TCP phases. It is indicated that the addition of Ru to the Ni-based single crystal superalloy with high content of the refractory alloying element can enhance phase stability.     

Investigation on the homogenization treatment and element segregation on the microstructure of a γ/γ′-cobalt-based superalloy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of element segregation on the microstructure and γ′ phase in a γ/γ′ cobalt-based superalloy. Several samples were prepared from a cast alloy and homogenized at 1300°C for different times, with a maximum of 24 h. A microstructural study of the cast alloy using wavelength-dispersive spectroscopic analysis revealed that elements such as Al, Ti, and Ni segregated mostly within interdendritic regions, whereas W atoms were segregated within dendrite cores. With an increase in homogenization time, segregation decreased and the initial dendritic structure was eliminated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the γ′ phases in the cores and interdendritic regions of the as-cast alloy were 392 and 124 nm, respectively. The size difference of γ′ was found to be due to the different segregation behaviors of constituent elements during solidification. After homogenization, particularly after 16 h, segregation decreased; thus, the size, chemical composition, and hardness of the precipitated γ′ phase was mostly uniform throughout the samples.     

Investigation on the homogenization treatment and element segregation on the microstructure of a γ/γ'-cobalt-based superalloy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of element segregation on the microstructure and γ' phase in a γ/γ' cobalt-based superalloy. Several samples were prepared from a cast alloy and homogenized at 1300℃ for different times, with a maximum of 24 h. A microstructural study of the cast alloy using wavelength-dispersive spectroscopic analysis revealed that elements such as Al, Ti, and Ni segregated mostly within interdendritic regions, whereas W atoms were segregated within dendrite cores. With an increase in homogenization time, segregation decreased and the initial dendritic structure was eliminated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the γ' phases in the cores and interdendritic regions of the as-cast alloy were 392 and 124 nm, respectively. The size difference of γ' was found to be due to the different segregation behaviors of constituent elements during solidification. After homogenization, particularly after 16 h, segregation decreased; thus, the size, chemical composition, and hardness of the precipitated γ' phase was mostly uniform throughout the samples.     

Hot deformation behavior of a Cr-containing low carbon steel in the ferrite range

A low carbon steel with Cr addition of 0.46wt% combined with trace elements of Mn and Ti was studied. The apparent activation energy of deformation and the hot deformation equation of the steel in the ferritic range were determined by means of single hot compression tests. The hot-rolled strip of 3 mm in thickness rolled in the ferritic range was obtained using a laboratory hot rolling mill. The mechanical properties show that the values of yield strength and ultimate tensile strength are 230 and 330 MPa, respectively, and the elongation is 33%. The average r-value is 1.1. Large polygonal ferrite recrystallization grains with about 40 grn in size and the strong { 111 } recrystallization texture can be obtained in the hot-rolled strip.     

Structure and corrosion resistance of Al–Cu–Fe alloys

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of Al–Cu–Fe alloys with the atomic compositions of Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15),Al_(78)Cu_7Fe_(15)and Al_(80)Cu_5Fe_(14)Si_1have been studied.The alloys were produced by induction melting of pure elements with copper mold casting.The microstructure of the alloys was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.The formation of quasicrystalline phases in the Al–Cu–Fe alloys was confirmed.The presence of intermetallic phases was observed in the alloys after crystallization in a form of ingots and plates.The electrochemical measurements were conducted in 3.5%NaCl solution.The electronic structure of the alloys was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The post corrosion surface of the samples was checked using a scanning electron microscope equipped with the energydispersive X-ray detector.It was observed that the Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15)alloy had the highest corrosion resistance.The improved corrosion resistance parameters were noted for the plate samples rather than those in the as-cast state.And the hardness of the Al_(65)Cu_(20)Fe_(15)alloy was significantly higher than the other alloy samples.     

Calculation of the end-rolling strength in Q235 strip steel by the alloying electron structure parameters

Combined with the phase transformations in rolling, the phase configuration, the tensile strength, and the yield strength with different terminal rolling grain sizes in Q235 strip steel have been theoretically calculated using the covalent electron number (nA) of the strongest bond in phase cells and the interface electron density difference (Ap) in alloys. The calculated results agree well with the results of real production. Therefore, the calculation method of terminal rolling tensile and yield strength in the non-quenched-tempered steel containing pearlite is given by the alloying electron structure parameters.     

Semi-solid slurry preparation and rolling of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel

The preparation and rolling of the semi-solid slurry 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel were researched. The experimental results show that when stirred for 2-3 min under the given test condition, the semi-solid slurry with about 50%-60% (volume fraction) solid and the spherical primary austenitic grains in the size of 100-200 μm can be obtained, and it is easy to be discharged from the bottom little hole of the stirring chamber. The semi-solid slurry of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel can be rolled into the given plate successfully.However, the solid phase and liquid phase are easily separated in the rolling process, so that the solid primary austenitic grains are concentrated in the center and the liquid phase is near the edge of the rolled plate. The strengths of the plate rolled in the semi-solid state are higher than that of the traditionally repeated hot-rolled plate of 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel.     

Distribution and segregation of dissolved elements in pipeline slab

The chemical composition in a cross section of a high grade pipeline slab was measured point by point (in a scale of 1 μm) using original position statistic distribution analysis (OPA). The result indicated that negative segregation strips of Si, Mn, Mo, Ni, Cr, Nb, Cu, Ti, and V exist in the two sides 24 mm away from the central line, with a width of 8-12 mm, Negative segregation inside the central line is more severe than that outside the central line, and the highest positive segregation of the elements appears closely by the inner sides of the negative segregation strips. No obvious negative segregation strip of S and P is found. Segregation of the elements in the central area is higher than that in the outer and inner arc areas. The segregation of C, Ti, S, and P is high and that of Cr, Cu, Si, and Mn is low in the slab.     

Effects of the microstructure of twin roll cast and hot rolled plates on the surface quality of presensitized plates

The effect of the microstructure of plates fabricated both in the traditional process, involving casting, hot rolling and cold rolling (HR), and in the novel twin roll casting + cold rolling (TRC) process on the surface quality of presensitized (PS) plates was analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The formation of pores on the surface of the electrolyzed HR plate could be attributed to the presence of approximately 1-μm-sized large Al-Fe precipitates in the HR plate compared to the smaller precipitates in the TRC plate. Moreover, residual graphite lubricants used during the TRC process were entrapped on the surface of the TRC plate during the subsequent rolling process. The entrapped pollutants tended to further deteriorate the formation of pores on the surface of the TRC plate, and no residual carbon was detected on the surface of the HR plate. Furthermore, the surface quality of the TRC plate can be improved by surface cleaning before the cold rolling process, which could dramatically lower the residual graphite on the surface.     

Theoretical calculation of the finishing rolling elongation in non?quenched and tempered Si-Mn steel

The finishing rolling elongation in the non?quenched and tempered Si?Mn steel is theoretically calculated using the covalent electron number nA of the strongest bond in alloying phases and the interface electron density difference Δρ. Calculations show that the finishing rolling elongation of the non?quenched and tempered Si?Mn steel can be achieved by subtracting all the elongation decrements of solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening, and interface strengthening from the elongation of the refined α?Fe matrix. The calculated results of the finishing rolling tensile strength σb, the finishing rolling yield strength σs, and the finishing elongation δ of Q345 steel and BG420CL steel agree well with the measured values.     

Effect of acicular ferrite on banded structures in low-carbon microalloyed steel

The effect of acicular ferrite (AF) on banded structures in low-carbon microalloyed steel with Mn segregation during both isothermal transformation and continuous cooling processes was studied by dilatometry and microscopic observation. With respect to the isothermal transformation process, the specimen isothermed at 550°C consisted of AF in Mn-poor bands and martensite in Mn-rich bands, whereas the specimen isothermed at 450°C exhibited two different morphologies of AF that appeared as bands. At a continuous cooling rate in the range of 4 to 50°C/s, a mixture of AF and martensite formed in both segregated bands, and the volume fraction of martensite in Mn-rich bands was always higher than that in Mn-poor bands. An increased cooling rate resulted in a decrease in the difference of martensite volume fraction between Mn-rich and Mn-poor bands and thereby leaded to less distinct microstructural banding. The results show that Mn segregation and cooling rate strongly affect the formation of AF-containing banded structures. The formation mechanism of microstructural banding was also discussed.     

Electron theory study on mechanism of action of cobalt in Fe-Co-Cr based high-alloy steel

The valence electron structure of martensite in Fe-Co-Cr based high-alloy steel is calculated using the empirical electron theory of solids and molecules(EET).The results show that the incorporation of cobalt leads to a rise in nA from 0.3835 to 0.4684,which enhances the bonding forces between atoms in α-Fe matrix.Meanwhile,the incorporation of Co changes the valence electron structure of segregated structure units formed by C and other alloying elements,and increases nA for the segregated units containing C-Me significantly,resulting in changing the precipitation behavior of the secondary phases during tempering and strengthening the resistance to tempering.     

Densification behavior of mechanically milled Cu–8 at% Cr alloy and its mechanical and electrical properties

Synthesis and consolidation behavior of Cu–8 at%Cr alloy powders made by mechanical alloying with elemental Cu and Cr powders,and subsequently,compressive and electrical properties of the consolidated alloys were studied.Solid solubility of Cr in Cu during milling,and subsequent phase transformations during sintering and heat treatment of sintered components were analyzed using X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The milled powders were compacted applying three different pressures(200 MPa,400 MPa and 600 MPa)and sintered in H2atmosphere at 900 1C for 30 min and at 1000 1C for 1 h and 2 h.The maximum densification(92.8%)was achieved for the sample compacted at 600 MPa and sintered for 1000 1C for 2 h.Hardness and densification behavior further increased for the compacts sintered at 900 1C for 30 min after rolling and annealing process.TEM investigation of the sintered compacts revealed the bimodal distribution of Cu grains with nano-sized Cr and Cr2O3precipitation along the grain boundary as well as in grain interior.Pinning of grain boundaries by the precipitates stabilized the fine grain structure in bimodal distribution.     

First-principles investigation of the alloying effect of Ta and W on γ -TiAl

The alloying effect of the refractory elements Ta and W on the electronic structure of y-T\A\ is investigated by using the first-principles discrete variational method within the framework of density functional theory. The impurity formation energy result indicates that Ta and W can stay steadily in the TiAl system by way of substitution. The Mulliken population, density of states and charge density difference results show that Ta and W both give rise to the strong interaction between themselves and the neighboring host atoms. The alloying effect of the two elements onγ-TiAl is the same.     

Effect of Ce on the cleanliness,microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength low alloy steel Q690E in industrial production process

In order to improve the strength and toughness of Q690E steel sheets, the effect of rare earth element Ce on the strength and toughness of Q690E steel was studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and metallographic microscope. The results showed that the addition of Ce in steel limited the combination of S with Mn and Ca, transformed Al₂O₃ inclusion into spherical CeAlO₃ inclusion, and modified the precipitate form of some composite inclusions of TiN and sulfide oxides into TiN precipitation alone. The inclusions were spheroidizing. The size of inclusions was decreased from 3-5 μm to 1-2 μm, and the distribution was dispersed. Ce played a role in purifying molten steel through desulphurization and deoxidization. Meanwhile, the addition of Ce in steel effectively increased the nucleation particles in the liquid phase, improved the nucleation rate, enlarged the equiaxed grain refinement area, and limited the development of columnar crystals. The average grain size of slab decreased from 45.76 to 35.25 μm, and the proportion of large grain size (> 50 μm) decreased from 40.41% to 23.74%. The macrostructural examination of slab was improved from B0.5 to C2.0, which realized the refinement of the solidified structure and reduced the banded structure of hot rolled plate. In addition, due to the inheritance of refined structure in the upstream, the recrystallization of deformed austenite and the growth of grain after recrystallization were restrained, and a refined tempered sorbite structure was obtained. When rare earth element Ce was added, the width of the martensite lath bundle was narrowed from about 500 nm to about 200 nm, which realized a remarkable grain refinement strengthening and toughening effect. Mechanical properties such as tensile, yield, and low-temperature impact toughness were significantly improved.     

Microstructure Characteristics of Super-Eutectic Zn-Al Alloy Plate Joints Welded by Pulse Fiber Laser

In this study, we present the experimental laser welding of super-eutectic Zn-Al(ZA) alloy. Microstructure characteristics of the ZA alloy's bond area welded by pulsed laser were investigated using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy diffraction spectrum and X-Ray diffraction. The results showed that the microstructures in the weld mainly consisted of threadlike columnar crystals, coarse dendrites and fine equiaxed grains. Secondary particles were produced in the interdendritic zones due to the composition segregation. A poor Al area was formed in η grain inside while a rich Al area took shape outside the η grain. The occurrence of the composition segregation increased the grain boundary cracking tendency. The existence of a large number of η phases greatly increased the brittle of this material. The presence of many cleavage steps in the fractograph principally depended on the secondary cleavage effect between two cleavage cracks in different planes. The evolution of cracks along the twinning plane was the result of the secondary cleavage substituting for the twinning deformation in the vicinity of the crack tip.     

Microstructure evolution of T91 heat-resistant steels after long-time aging

To investigate the evolution of microstructure damage degree and the precipitated phases of heat-resistant metal in power plant under high temperature and stress environment, the high-temperature aging tests were conducted to investigate the aging behavior of T91 steel at different temperatures and stress. The optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the structure and precipitated phases, the results showed that the orientation characteristics of tempered martensite was dispersed, and the grain size is obviously increased. The density of dislocation decreased with increasing temperature and stress. The important strengthening phase of M23C6 (M=Fe, Cr) was coarsened by the diffusion of main alloying elements Cr, while the smaller size MX (M=Nb,V; X=C, N) phase distributed in the grain is relatively stable in the aging.     

Microstructure and property of the Ti-24Al-15Nb-1.5Mo/TC11 joint welded by electron beam welding

The Ti-24Al-15Nb-1.5Mo alloy, in the as-forged and heat-treated states, was joined to the as-forged TC 11 titanium alloy by electron beam welding with the heat inputs of 135 and 150 kJ/m. Then the microstructure and property of the Ti-24Al-15Nb-1.5Mo/TC 11 welding interface were investigated. The results show that the phase constitution of the weld is not related to the heat input, and is mainly composed of α' phase. Moreover, the intermetallic phases of TiEAlNb, MoNb, Nb₃Al, and TiAl₃ are formed in the weld zone. Therefore, the microhardness value of the weld zone is higher than that of the other portions in the same sample. The profile of the weld is asymmetrically fimnel-like. The grain sizes of the weld and its heat-affected zones are increased with increasing heat input. There is an obvious difference in the element content of the welding interface; only the alloying elements in the fusion zone reach a new balance during solidification.     

Radiation Induced Segregation of Fe-Cr-Mn(W,V) Alloy under Electron/Helium Dual-beam Irradiation

The radiation induced segregation (RIS) was studied by electron/helium dual-beam irradiation. Within a grain, the content of Cr and Mn were higher in the center than at the margin of the irradiated areas. In the contrary, withim the irradiated areas included grain boundaries the contents of Cr and Mn decreased at the grain boundaries. RIS was weaker under dual-beam irradiation than that under electron single-beam irradiation, which was because of the increases of dislocation density and sink strength of voids when helium existed.     

Effects of welding wire composition and welding process on the weld metal toughness of submerged arc welded pipeline steel

The effects of alloying elements in welding wires and submerged arc welding process on the microstructures and low-temperature impact toughness of weld metals have been investigated. The results indicate that the optimal contents of alloying elements in welding wires can improve the low-temperature impact toughness of weld metals because the proeutectoid ferrite and bainite formations can be suppressed, and the fraction of acicular ferrite increases. However, the contents of alloying elements need to vary along with the welding heat input. With the increase in welding heat input, the contents of alloying elements in welding wires need to be increased accordingly. The microstructures mainly consisting of acicular ferrite can be obtained in weld metals after four-wire submerged arc welding using the wires with a low carbon content and appropriate contents of Mn, Mo, Ti-B, Cu, Ni, and RE, resulting in the high low-temperature impact toughness of weld metals.