Effect of equal channel angular pressing on aging treatment of Al-7075 alloy

The effect of aging treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of equal channel angular pressed Al-7075 alloy was examined.Commercial Al-7075 alloy in the solid solution heat-treated condition was processed by equal channel angular pressing through route BCat both the room temperature and 120 1C. Only three passes of equal channel angular pressing was possible due to the low ductility of the alloy at both temperatures. Followed by equal channel angular pressing, the specimens have been aged at 120 1C for different aging times. Mechanical properties were measured by Vickers microhardness and tensile tests and microstructural observations were undertaken using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer as well as optical microscopy. Microstructural investigations showed that ultrafine-grained materials with grain size in the range of 200–350 nm and 300–500 nm could be obtained after three passes of equal channel angular pressing at room temperature and 120 1C, respectively. Equal channel angular pressing of solid solution heat-treated Al-7075 alloy accelerates precipitation rate and subsequently leads to a significant decrease in aging time to attain maximum mechanical properties. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve maximum mechanical properties during equal channel angular pressing at 120 1C as a result of dynamic aging and formation of small η′ phase.     

DSC analyses of static and dynamic precipitation of an Al–Mg–Si–Cu aluminum alloy

In the present investigation, both static and dynamic precipitations of an Al–Mg–Si–Cu aluminum alloy after solid-solution treatment(SST)were comparatively analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). Dynamic aging was performed in the SST alloy through equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) at different temperatures of room temperature, 110, 170, 191 and 300 1C. For comparison, static artificial aging was conducted in the SST alloy at 191 1C with two aging times of 4 and 10 h. The DSC analyses reveal that the dynamic precipitation has occurred in the ECAPed samples, while the activation energies associated with the strengthening precipitates in the dynamic samples are considerably higher than the energies in the SST and static aged samples. The higher activation energies are probably attributed to the smaller grains and higher dislocation density developed after ECAP. The results in the present investigation allow the prediction of the type of the dynamic precipitates to influence the strength of the ultrafine grained alloy during ECAP at various temperatures.     

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure of a Ni–Fe based superalloy for advanced ultra-supercritical power plant applications

The effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and microhardness of a Ni–Fe based superalloy for700 °C advanced ultra-supercritical coalfi red power plants was investigated. Results showed that the main phases in the alloy were γ, γ′, MC and M_23C_6, and no harmful phase was observed in the alloy.M_23C_6-type carbides discretely distributed nearby grain boundaries as the alloy was aged at above840 °C. The microhardness decreased with increasing aging temperature. The coarsening of γ′ led to the increment of microhardness at 780 °C and 810 °C for a short aging time, and a signi fi cant decrease in microhardness after aging at 840 °C. The aging temperature had more signi fi cant role on the microstructure than holding time. Therefore, to obtain optimum strengthening effect for this alloy, the aging temperature should not exceed 810 °C.     

Preparation of high-strength Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Fe alloy via heat treatment and rolling

An Al-Mg-Si-Cu-Fe alloy was solid-solution treated at 560°C for 3 h and then cooled by water quenching or furnace cooling. The alloy samples which underwent cooling by these two methods were rolled at different temperatures. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the rolled alloys were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and tensile testing. For the water-quenched alloys, the peak tensile strength and elongation occurred at a rolling temperature of 180°C. For the furnace-cooled alloys, the tensile strength decreased initially, until the rolling temperature of 420°C, and then increased; the elongation increased consistently with increasing rolling temperature. The effects of grain boundary hardening and dislocation hardening on the mechanical properties of these rolled alloys decreased with increases in rolling temperature. The mechanical properties of the 180°C rolling water-quenched alloy were also improved by the presence of β″ phase. Above 420°C, the effect of solid-solution hardening on the mechanical properties of the rolled alloys increased with increases in rolling temperature.     

Effect of Mo content on the thermal stability of Ti–Mo-bearing ferritic steel

The effects of tempering holding time at 700°C on the morphology, mechanical properties, and behavior of nanoparticles in Ti–Mo ferritic steel with different Mo contents were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The equilibrium solid solution amounts of Mo, Ti, and C in ferritic steel at various temperatures were calculated, and changes in the sizes of nanoparticles over time at different Mo contents were analyzed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations were in good agreement with each other and showed that the size of nanoparticles in middle Mo content nano-ferrite(MNF) steel changed the least during aging. High Mo contents inhibited the maturation and growth of nanoparticles, but no obvious inhibitory effect was observed when the Mo content exceeded 0.37 wt%.The tensile strength and yield strength continuously decreased with the tempering time. Analysis of the strengthening and toughening mechanisms showed that the different mechanical properties among the three different Mo content experiment steels were mainly determined by grain refinement strengthening(the difference range was 30–40 MPa) and precipitation strengthening(the difference range was 78–127 MPa). MNF steel displayed an ideal chemical ratio and the highest thermodynamic stability, whereas low Mo content nano-ferrite(LNF) steel and high Mo content nano-ferrite(HNF) steel displayed relatively similar thermodynamic stabilities.     

Mo含量对Ti–Mo系铁素体钢热稳定性影响

The effects of tempering holding time at 700°C on the morphology, mechanical properties, and behavior of nanoparticles in Ti–Mo ferritic steel with different Mo contents were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The equilibrium solid solution amounts of Mo, Ti, and C in ferritic steel at various temperatures were calculated, and changes in the sizes of nanoparticles over time at different Mo contents were analyzed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations were in good agreement with each other and showed that the size of nanoparticles in middle Mo content nano-ferrite (MNF) steel changed the least during aging. High Mo contents inhibited the maturation and growth of nanoparticles, but no obvious inhibitory effect was observed when the Mo content exceeded 0.37wt%. The tensile strength and yield strength continuously decreased with the tempering time. Analysis of the strengthening and toughening mechanisms showed that the different mechanical properties among the three different Mo content experiment steels were mainly determined by grain refinement strengthening (the difference range was 30–40 MPa) and precipitation strengthening (the difference range was 78–127 MPa). MNF steel displayed an ideal chemical ratio and the highest thermodynamic stability, whereas low Mo content nano-ferrite (LNF) steel and high Mo content nano-ferrite (HNF) steel displayed relatively similar thermodynamic stabilities.     

High temperature tensile properties,fracture behaviors and nanoscale precipitate variation of an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

In order to assess Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys as potential high temperature structural materials,the hardness,tensile properties and fracture behaviors of 7085 Al alloy were investigated at various temperatures from room temperature to 175℃.High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the evolutions of precipitates at different temperatures,particularly on the relationship between microstructural evolution and tensile strength.The results reveal that both the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy are quite sensitive to the environmental temperature.As the temperature increases,the hardness and strength decrease while the elongation and reduction of area increase.As tensile testing temperature rises,the strain hardening exponent(n) decreases due to the thermal softening effect.The fracture mode of the alloy transforms from mixture of intergranular and transgranular fracture to completely transgranular dimples when tensile testing temperature reaches 150℃.The precipitate sequence during high temperature tests is coincident with that of aging.With the increase of tensile testing temperature,the mean precipitate radius grows larger,and the distribution of grain boundary precipitates transforms from continuous to discontinuous.     

Effects of solidification parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of continuous columnar-grained Cu–Al–Ni alloy

Effects of melt temperature and casting speed on microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-14%Al-3.8%Ni(mass fraction) alloy wires fabricated by continuous unidirectional solidification technology were investigated.It was found that the average size of columnar grain in the alloy decreased and grain boundary turned clear and straight with increasing the casting speed at a given melt temperature.When the melt temperature was up to 1 280℃,theβ_1 phase gradually transformed into lozenged and lanciformγ...     

机械合金化法制备的Cu/SiC纳米复合材料的组织、热性能和力学性能评估

Nano-sized silicon carbide (SiC: 0wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, 4wt%, and 8wt%) reinforced copper (Cu) matrix nanocomposites were manufactured, pressed, and sintered at 775 and 875°C in an argon atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy were performed to characterize the microstructural evolution. The density, thermal expansion, mechanical, and electrical properties were studied. XRD analyses showed that with increasing SiC content, the microstrain and dislocation density increased, while the crystal size decreased. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the nanocomposites was less than that of the Cu matrix. The improvement in the CTE with increasing sintering temperature may be because of densification of the microstructure. Moreover, the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites showed noticeable enhancements with the addition of SiC and sintering temperatures, where the microhardness and apparent strengthening efficiency of nanocomposites containing 8wt% SiC and sintered at 875°C were 958.7 MPa and 1.07 vol%?1, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the sample slightly decreased with additional SiC and increased with sintering temperature. The prepared Cu/SiC nanocomposites possessed good electrical conductivity, high thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties.     

Effect of Mo content on the thermal stability of Ti-Mo-bearing ferritic steel

The effects of tempering holding time at 700℃on the morphology,mechanical properties,and behavior of nanoparticles in Ti-Mo ferritic steel with different Mo contents were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The equilibrium solid solution amounts of Mo,Ti,and C in ferritic steel at various temperatures were calculated,and changes in the sizes of nanoparticles over time at different Mo contents were analyzed.The experimental results and theoretical calculations were in good agreement with each other and showed that the size of nanoparticles in middle Mo content nano-ferrite(MNF)steel changed the least during aging.High Mo contents inhibited the maturation and growth of nanoparticles,but no obvious inhibitory effect was observed when the Mo content exceeded 0.37wt%.The tensile strength and yield strength continuously decreased with the tempering time.Analysis of the strengthening and toughening mechanisms showed that the different mechanical properties among the three different Mo content experiment steels were mainly determined by grain refinement strengthening(the difference range was 30-40 MPa)and precipitation strengthening(the difference range was 78-127 MPa).MNF steel displayed an ideal chemical ratio and the highest thermodynamic stability,whereas low Mo content nano-ferrite(LNF)steel and high Mo content nano-ferrite(HNF)steel displayed relatively similar thermodynamic stabilities.     

Microwave sintering effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–51at%Ni shape memory alloys

Ti–51at%Ni shape memory alloys(SMAs) were successfully produced via a powder metallurgy and microwave sintering technique.The influence of sintering parameters on porosity reduction,microstructure,phase transformation temperatures,and mechanical properties were investigated by optical microscopy,field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),compression tests,and microhardness tests.Varying the microwave temperature and holding time was found to strongly affect the density of porosity,presence of precipitates,transformation temperatures,and mechanical properties.The lowest density and smallest pore size were observed in the Ti–51at%Ni samples sintered at 900°C for 5 min or at 900°C for 30 min.The predominant martensite phases of β2 and β19′ were observed in the microstructure of Ti–51at%Ni,and their existence varied in accordance with the sintering temperature and the holding time.In the DSC thermograms,multi-transformation peaks were observed during heating,whereas a single peak was observed during cooling;these peaks correspond to the presence of the β2,R,and β19′ phases.The maximum strength and strain among the Ti–51at%Ni SMAs were 1376 MPa and 29%,respectively,for the sample sintered at 900°C for 30 min because of this sample's minimal porosity.     

Effect of solution cooling rate on the γ′ precipitation behaviors of a Ni-base P/M superalloy

The effect of cooling rate on the cooling γ' precipitation behaviors was investigated in a Ni-base powder/metallurgy (P/M) superalloy (FGH4096). The empirical equations were established between the cooling rate and the average sizes of secondary and tertiary γ' precipitates within grains and tertiary γ' precipitates at grain boundaries, as well as the apparent width of grain boundaries. The results show that the average sizes of secondary or tertiary γ' precipitates are inversely correlated with the cooling rate. The shape of secondary γ' precipitates within grains changes from butterfly-like to spherical with the increase of cooling rate, but all the tertiaryγ' precipitates formed are spherical in shape. It is also found that tertiary γ' may be precipitated in the latter part of the cooling cycle only if the cooling rate is not faster than 4.3℃/s, and the apparent width of grain boundaries decreases linearly with the increase of cooling rate.     

Improved cold rolling workability of warm rolled Fe?6.5wt%Si electrical steel with columnar grains by annealing

The effects of annealing temperature(with the annealing time being constant at 1 h) on the microstructure, ordering, residual stress, mechanical properties, and subsequent cold rolling workability of Fe?6.5wt%Si electrical steel with columnar grains were investigated, where the steel was warm rolled at 500°C with a reduction of 95%. The results show that recrystallization began to occur in the sample annealed at 575°C and that full recrystallization occurred in the sample annealed at 625°C. When the annealing temperature was 500°C or greater, the extent of reordering in the sample was high, which reduced the room-temperature plasticity. However, annealing at temperatures below 300°C did not significantly reduce the residual tensile stress on the edge of the warm rolled samples. Considering the comprehensive effects of annealing temperature on the recrystallization, reordering, residual stress, and mechanical properties of the warm rolled Fe?6.5wt%Si electrical steel with columnar grains, the appropriate annealing temperature range is 300°C?400°C. Unlike the serious edge cracks that appeared in the sample after direct cold rolling, the annealed samples could be cold rolled to a total reduction of more than 71.4% without the formation of obvious edge cracks, and bright-surface Fe?6.5wt%Si electrical steel strips with a thickness less than 0.1 mm could be fabricated by cold rolling.     

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.     

超细贝氏体钢在低温等温淬火下的力学性能和耐磨性

The mechanical properties and wear resistance of the ultrafine bainitic steel austempered at various temperatures were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the microstructure. The worn surfaces were observed via laser scanning confocal microscopy and SEM. Results indicated that, under low austempering temperatures, the mechanical properties differed, and the wear resistance remained basically unchanged. The tensile strength of the samples was above 1800 MPa, but only one sample austempered at 230°C had an elongation of more than 10%. The weight loss of samples was approximately linear with the cycles of wear and nonlinear with the loads. The samples showed little difference in wear resistance at different isothermal temperatures, whereas the thickness of their deformed layers varied greatly. The results are related to the initial hardness of the sample and the stability of the retained austenite. Meanwhile, the experimental results showed that the effect of austempering temperature on the wear resistance of ultrafine bainitic steel can be neglected under low applied loads and low austempering temperature.     

Mechanical properties and wear resistance of ultrafine bainitic steel under low austempering temperature

The mechanical properties and wear resistance of the ultrafine bainitic steel austempered at various temperatures were investigated.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the microstructure. The worn surfaces were observed via laser scanning confocal microscopy and SEM. Results indicated that, under low austempering temperatures, the mechanical properties differed, and the wear resistance remained basically unchanged. The tensile strength of the samples was above 1800 MPa, but only one sample austempered at 230°C had an elongation of more than 10%. The weight loss of samples was approximately linear with the cycles of wear and nonlinear with the loads. The samples showed little difference in wear resistance at different isothermal temperatures, whereas the thickness of their deformed layers varied greatly. The results are related to the initial hardness of the sample and the stability of the retained austenite. Meanwhile, the experimental results showed that the effect of austempering temperature on the wear resistance of ultrafine bainitic steel can be neglected under low applied loads and low austempering temperature.     

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.     

Effect of continuous annealing temperature on microstructure and properties of ferritic rolled interstitial-free steel

In this report, the microstructure, mechanical properties, and textures of warm rolled interstitial-free steel annealed at four different temperatures (730, 760, 790, and 820℃) were studied. The overall structural features of specimens were investigated by optical microscopy, and the textures were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nano-sized precipitates were then observed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) on carbon extraction replicas. According to the results, with increased annealing temperatures, the ferrite grains grew; in addition, the sizes of Ti₄C₂S₂ and TiC precipitates also increased. Additionally, the sizes of TiN and TiS precipitates slightly changed. When the annealing temperature increased from 730 to 820℃, the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) showed a decreasing trend. Meanwhile, elongation and the strain harden exponent (n value) increased to 49.6% and 0.34, respectively. By comparing textures annealed at different temperatures, the intensity of {111} texture annealed at 820℃ was the largest, while the difference between the intensity of {111}<110> and {111}<112> was the smallest when the annealing temperature was 820℃. Therefore, the plastic strain ratio (r value) annealed at 820℃ was the highest.     

Effects of annealing temperature on the microstructure and properties of the 25Mn-3Si-3Al TWIP steel

Microstructures and mechanical properties of the 25Mn twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel at different annealing temperatures were investigated. The results indicated that when the annealing temperature was 1000℃, the 25Mn steel showed excellent comprehensive mechanical properties, the tensile strength was about 640 MPa, the yield strength was higher than 255 MPa, and the elongation was above 82%. The microstructure was analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Before deformation the microstructure was composed of austenitic matrix and annealing twins at room temperature; at the same time, a significant amount of annealing twins and stacking faults were observed by TEM. Mechanical twins played a dominant role in deformation and as a result the mechanical properties were found to be excellent.