Microscopic characterization of semi-solid aluminium alloys

The microstructural evolution and element distribution of the Al-4Cu-Mg alloy during semi-solid compression were investigated, and the precipitate behavior and dislocation morphology were discussed. The experimental results show that the microstructure, the number of CuAl₂ (θ phase) precipitates, and the dislocation density of the Al-4Cu-Mg alloy depend apparently on the process parameters. More segregation of Cu at the grain boundary happens with an increase of deformation temperature and a decrease of strain rate, leading to an increase in the number of θ phase. With an increase of height reduction, Cu segregation at the grain boundary decreases gradually. Moreover, unique dislocation morphologies including helical dislocations and dislocation loops appear at different process parameters and evolve to reduce the stored energy.     

Deformation and damage features of a Re/Ru-containing single crystal nickel base superalloy during creep at elevated temperature

The deformation and damage features of a 4.5%Re/3.0%Ru-containing single crystal nickel-based superalloy during the creep in the temperature range of 1040–1070 °C and stress range of 137–180 MPa was investigated by means of creep properties measurement and contrast analysis of dislocation configuration. The results showed that the alloy exhibited a better creep resistance in the range of the testing temperatures and stresses, the deformation mechanism of the alloy during steady state creep was dislocations climbing over the rafted γ′ phase.In the latter period of creep, the deformation mechanism of the alloy was dislocations shearing into the rafted γ′phase. It is believed that the dislocations shearing into γ′ phase may cross-slip from {111} to {100} planes for forming the K-W locks to restrain the slipping and cross-slipping of dislocations on {111} plane. As the creep goes on, the alternate slipping of dislocations results in the twisted of the rafted γ′ phase to promote the initiation and propagation of cracks along the γ/γ′ interfaces up to creep fracture, which is considered to be the damage and fracture feature of alloy during creep at high temperature.     

Hot compression deformation behavior of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel

The hot compression behavior of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel was studied at the temperatures of 950–1100℃ and the strain rates of 0.01–1 s?1 using a Baehr DIL-805 deformation dilatometer. The hot deformation equations and the relationship between hot deformation parameters were obtained. It is found that strain rate and deformation temperature significantly influence the flow stress behavior of the steel. The work hardening rate and the peak value of flow stress increase with the decrease of deformation temperature and the increase of strain rate. In addition, the activation energy of deformation (Q) is calculated as 433.343 kJ/mol. The microstructural evolution during deformation indicates that, at the temperature of 950℃ and the strain rate of 0.01 s?1, small circle-like precipitates form along grain boundaries; but at the temperatures above 950℃, the dissolution of such precipitates occurs. Energy-dispersive X-ray analyses indicate that the precipitates are complex carbides of Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Ti.     

Hot compressive deformation behaviors of Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.5Zr alloy

In this paper, the hot compressive deformation characteristics of a Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.5Zr(GW103K) alloy have been investigated by isothermal compression test at the temperature range of 350–450°C and strain rate range of 0.0001–0.1s~(-1). True stress–strain relationships at various strain rates showed the typical strain hardening and softening stage which is indicative of dynamic recrystallization during deformation. The results showed that the peak stress was obviously dependent on temperature and strain rate. A constitutive equation to describe the deformation process was established based on the hyperbolic sine function. The stress exponent n and apparent activation energy Q were determined to be 3.018 and 203.947 k J/mol, respectively. Microstructure investigation showed that dislocation slipping was the dominant deformation mechanism during the hot deformation at all conditions. However, at the temperatures lower than 400 °C and strain rates higher than 0.01 s~(-1), twinning was observed to be activated, which indicated another deformation mechanism. Dynamic recrystallization and dynamic precipitation were found to occur simultaneously under such deformation condition.     

Microstructural evolution of a recycled aluminum alloy deformed by equal channel angular pressing process

The microstructural evolution of a recycled aluminum alloy after equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) up to four passes was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Microhardness tests were performed to determine the associated changes in mechanical properties. An ultrafine-grained material has been obtained with a microstructure showing a mixture of highly strained crystallites. A high density of dislocations was achieved as a result of severe plastic deformation (SPD) through the die. Changes in mechanical behavior are also revealed after ECAP due to strain hardening. Thermal analysis and TEM micrographs obtained after annealing indicate the succession of the recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth phenomena. Moreover, the energy stored during ECAP may be related to the dislocation density introduced by SPD. We finally emphasize the role played by the precipitates in this alloy.     

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.     

Microstructure and texture evolution of Mg–3Zn–1Al magnesium alloy during large-strain electroplastic rolling

Large-strain deformation by single electroplastic rolling(EPR) was imposed on AZ31 magnesium alloy strips. During EPR at low temperature(150–250°C), numerous twins formed in the alloy. After EPR at a high temperature(350°C), the number of twins reduced and some dynamic recrystallization(DRX) grains formed at grain boundaries and twinned regions. The synergic thermal and athermal effects generated by electropulsing, which promoted dislocation motion, induced a few small DRX grains, and ductile bandings were mainly responsible for large-strain deformation during EPR. The inclination angle of the basal pole stemmed from the counterbalance of the inclination direction of the basal pole between the DRX grains and deformed coarse grains.     

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 ECAP temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

The effect of equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) at different temperatures(room temperature, 120,150 and 180 °C) on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-7075 solid solution alloy was investigated. Microstructure of the specimens was examined using orientation imaging microscopy,transmission electron microscopy as well as X-ray diffractometer, and mechanical properties were measured by Vickers microhardness and tensile tests. Microstructural investigations showed that after3 or 4 passes of ECAP, fi ne grains with average grain sizes in range of 300–1000 nm could be obtained at different ECAP temperatures. Increasing ECAP temperature from 120 to 180 °C caused a decrease in mechanical properties as a result of increasing grains and precipitates sizes, decreasing fraction of high angle boundaries and also transformation of η′ into η phase, while increasing ECAP temperature from RT to 120 °C leads to an increase in mechanical properties due to the formation of small η′ precipitates. So it can be concluded that ECAP process at 120 °C is the optimum process for attaining maximum mechanical properties. Quantitative estimates of various strengthening mechanisms revealed that the improvement of mechanical properties was mainly attributed to grain re fi nement strengthening, precipitation strengthening and dislocation strengthening.     

Strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels:A review

This review summarizes the strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic(RAFM) steels. High-angle grain boundaries, subgrain boundaries, nano-sized M_(23)C_6, and MX carbide precipitates effectively hinder dislocation motion and increase high-temperature strength. M_(23)C_6 carbides are easily coarsened under high temperatures, thereby weakening their ability to block dislocations. Creep properties are improved through the reduction of M_(23)C_6 carbides. Thus, the loss of strength must be compensated by other strengthening mechanisms. This review also outlines the recent progress in the development of RAFM steels. Oxide dispersion-strengthened steels prevent M_(23)C_6 precipitation by reducing C content to increase creep life and introduce a high density of nano-sized oxide precipitates to offset the reduced strength. Severe plastic deformation methods can substantially refine subgrains and MX carbides in the steel. The thermal deformation strengthening of RAFM steels mainly relies on thermo-mechanical treatment to increase the MX carbide and subgrain boundaries. This procedure increases the creep life of TMT(thermo-mechanical treatment) 9 Cr–1 W–0.06 Ta steel by ～20 times compared with those of F82 H and Eurofer 97 steels under 550°C/260 MPa.     

Effects of temperature and stress on the creep behavior of a Ni3Al base single crystal alloy

The creep behavior and microstructure of a Ni3Al base single crystal alloy IC6SX with [001] orientation under the testing conditions of 760 ℃/593 MPa, 980 ℃/205 MPa, and 1100 ℃/75 MPa were investigated. The experimental results showed that Alloy IC6SX had good creep resistance and its creep resistance at elevated temperatures was similar to the second generation nickel-base single crystal alloy containing Re. TEM analysis indicated that the dislocation configuration and movement pattern were different under different temperature and stress conditions. It has been found that under the test condition of 1070 ℃/137 MPa the dislocations moved within the γ channel during the primary creep stage, and the motion of dislocations were prevented by the matrix of γ′ phase, which reduced the creep rate of the alloy. In the secondary creep stage, dislocations cut into the γ′ phase from the γ/γ′ interface. However in the third creep stage, the dislocation pileups were observed in both γ and γ′ phase, and dislocation multiplication occurred when the dislocations with different Burgers vector met and reacted each other.     

Microstructure heterogeneity and creep damage of DZ125 nickel-based superalloy

The creep behavior of the DZ125 superalloy at high temperatures has been investigated based on the creep properties measurement and microstructure observations. The experimental results show that, after full heat treatment, the fine and coarser cuboidal γ0precipitates distributed in the dendrite arm and inter-dendrite regions, respectively, the boundaries with various configurations located in the inter-dendrite regions. In the primary creep stage, the cuboidal γ0phase in the alloy transformed into the rafted structure along the direction vertical to the stress axis.The dislocations slipping and climbing over the rafted γ0phase are attributed the deformation mechanism of the alloy during steady-state creep.The(1/2)?1 1 0? dislocations slipping in the γ matrix and ?1 1 0? super-dislocations shearing into the γ0phase are the deformation mechanisms of the alloy in the latter stage of creep. And then the alternate slipping of dislocations results in the initiation and propagation of the micro-cracks along the boundaries until the occurrence of the creep fracture. Since the grain boundaries with various angles relative to the stress axis distribute in the different regions, the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks along the boundaries display the various features.& 2014 Chinese Materials Research Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.     

Low cycle fatigue properties and microstructure evolution at 760℃ of a single crystal superalloy

Low cycle fatigue(LCF) behavior of a single crystal superalloy was investigated at 760 ℃. Microstructure evolution and fracture mechanism were studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM), respectively. The results show that the fatigue data fluctuation was small and the fatigue parameters of the alloy had been determined. On increasing the cyclic number, the alloy initially showed slight cyclic softening at the early two or three cycles and slowly hardened to some extent afterwards, then kept stable for the most of the remaining fatigue life. The LCF of the alloy at 760 ℃ can be attributed to the main elastic damage in fatigue processing. The initiation site of fatigue crack was at or near the surface of the samples. Crack propagated perpendicularly to the loading direction at first and then along {111}octahedral slip planes. The fatigue fracture mechanism was quasi-cleavage fracture. The γ'phase morphology still maintained cubic shape after fracture. There were a number of slip bands shear the γ'precipitates and γ matrix near the fracture surface of the specimen. The inhomogeneous deformation microstructure was developed by dislocation motion of cross-slip and a limited γ'precipitate shearing by slip band, stacking faults or single dislocation was observed.     

Microstructure and texture evolution of Mg-3Zn-1Al magnesium alloy during large-strain electroplastic rolling

Large-strain deformation by single electroplastic rolling (EPR) was imposed on AZ31 magnesium alloy strips. During EPR at low temperature (150-250℃), numerous twins formed in the alloy. After EPR at a high temperature (350℃), the number of twins reduced and some dynamic recrystallization (DRX) grains formed at grain boundaries and twinned regions. The synergic thermal and athermal effects generated by electropulsing, which promoted dislocation motion, induced a few small DRX grains, and ductile bandings were mainly responsible for large-strain deformation during EPR. The inclination angle of the basal pole stemmed from the counterbalance of the inclination direction of the basal pole between the DRX grains and deformed coarse grains.     

Hot deformation behavior and the processing map of Zr–1.0Be alloy in single α phase

The hot deformation behavior,hot workability and dynamic recrystallization evolution of Zr-1.0(wt%) Be alloy in single a phase were investigated by conducting hot compression tests.The strain rates ranging from 10~(-3) s~(-1) to 10° s~(-1) and testing temperatures varying from 650 ℃to 850℃ were used.Flow stress was found to increase with increasing strain rate and decrease with the increment of the deformation temperature.A constitutive equation of flow behavior was established to describe the dependence of flow stress on strain rate and deformation temperature.The activation energy for deformation of Zr-1.0Be alloy was determined to be Q= 301 kJ/mol.The processing map of Zr-1.0Be alloy was constructed at strain rates ranging from 10~(-3) s~(-1) to 10° s~(-1) and deformation temperatures varying from 650 ℃ to 850 ℃ at the true strain of 0.7.A processing map was used to identify the best domains of thermal processing,including a domain at a temperature of 650 ℃ and strain rate of 10~(-3) s~(-1) as well as another domain at deformation temperatures ranging from 800 ℃ to 850 ℃ and strain rates varying from 10~(-3) s~-~(-1) to 10~(-1) s~(-1).Microscopic analysis of Zr-l.OBe alloy showed that the flow instability and kink were very obvious at low temperatures and high strain rates.At high temperatures and low strain rates,the dynamic recrystallization became the main softening mechanism during hot working.     

Subgrains and boron distribution of low carbon bainitic steels

The structure variation of deformed austenite during the relaxation stage after deformation at various temperatures in an Nb-B ultra low carbon bainitic steel and Fe-Ni alloy was studied by the thermo-simulation. Optical microscope and TEM were applied to analyze the microstructure after RPC (Relaxation-precipitation-controlling phase transformation technique) and the evolution of dislocation configuration. The particle tracking autoradiography (PTA) technique, revealing the distribution of boron, was employed to show the change of boron segregation after different relaxation times. The results indicate that during the relaxation stage the recovery occurs in the deformed austenite, the dislocations rearrange and subgrains form. During the subsequent cooling the boron will segregate at the boundaries of subgrains.     

Effect of cooling rate during quenching on the microstructure and creep property of nickel-based superalloy FGH96

The effect of cooling rate during quenching on the microstructure and creep property of nickel-based superalloy FGH96 was investigated. Three groups of samples were quenched continuously with three fixed cooling rates, respectively, then subjected to a creep test under a constant load of 690 MPa at 700℃. Clear differences in size of secondary γ′ precipitates, creep properties and substructure of creep-tested samples were observed. The quantitative relationship among cooling rate, the size of secondary γ′ precipitates, and steady creep rate was constructed. It was found that with increasing cooling rate, the size of secondary γ′ precipitates decreases gradually, showing that the relationship between the size of secondary γ′ precipitates and the cooling rate obeys a power law, with an exponent of about –0.6, and the creep rate of steady state follows a good parabola relationship with cooling γ′ precipitate size. For 235℃/min, FGH96 alloy exhibited very small steady creep rate. The density of dislocation was low, and the isolated stacking fault was the dominant deformation mechanism. With decreasing cooling rates, the density of dislocation increased remarkably, and deformation microtwinning was the dominant deformation process. Detailed mechanisms for different cooling rate were discussed.     

低活化铁素体/马氏体钢的增强机理研究进展

This review summarizes the strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels. High-angle grain boundaries, subgrain boundaries, nano-sized M₂₃C₆, and MX carbide precipitates effectively hinder dislocation motion and increase high-temperature strength. M₂₃C₆ carbides are easily coarsened under high temperatures, thereby weakening their ability to block dislocations. Creep properties are improved through the reduction of M₂₃C₆ carbides. Thus, the loss of strength must be compensated by other strengthening mechanisms. This review also outlines the recent progress in the development of RAFM steels. Oxide dispersion-strengthened steels prevent M₂₃C₆ precipitation by reducing C content to increase creep life and introduce a high density of nano-sized oxide precipitates to offset the reduced strength. Severe plastic deformation methods can substantially refine subgrains and MX carbides in the steel. The thermal deformation strengthening of RAFM steels mainly relies on thermo-mechanical treatment to increase the MX carbide and subgrain boundaries. This procedure increases the creep life of TMT(thermo-mechanical treatment) 9Cr–1W–0.06Ta steel by ~20 times compared with those of F82H and Eurofer 97 steels under 550°C/260 MPa.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure changes after long-term aging at 700℃ for a nickel-base superalloy

Mechanical properties and microstructure changes have been investigated on a new nickel-base superalloy after long-term aging at 700℃. It is found that the major precipitates of the tested alloy are MC, M₂₃C₆, M₆C and γ' in the course of long-term aging at 700℃. The carbides maintain good thermal stability with the aging time up to 5008 h. The growth rate of gamma prime precipitates is relatively high in the early aging period and then slows down. The coarsening behavior of gamma prime follows a diffusion-controlled growth procedure. The room temperature Rockwell hardness of the alloy aged at 700℃ increases slightly at the initial stage of aging, but it decreases with the prolonged time. It mainly depends on the size of gamma prime. In comparison with Nimonic lloy 263, the new alloy characterizes with higher tensile and stress-rupture strengths at high temperatures. The new nickel-base superalloy offers a combination of microstructure stability, strength, ductility and toughness at 700℃.     

High-temperature mechanical properties and deformation behavior of high Nb containing TiAl alloys fabricated by spark plasma sintering

A high Nb containing TiAl alloy was prepared from the pre-alloyed powder of Ti-45Al-8.5Nb-0.2B-0.2W-0.02Y (at%) by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Its high-temperature mechanical properties and compressive deformation behavior were investigated in a temperature range of 700 to 1050℃ and a strain rate range of 0.002 to 0.2 s-1. The results show that the high-temperature mechanical properties of the high Nb containing TiAl alloy are sensitive to deformation temperature and strain rate, and the sensitivity to strain rate tends to rise with the deformation temperature increasing. The hot workability of the alloy is good at temperatures higher than 900℃, while fracture occurs at lower temperatures. The flow curves of the samples compressed at or above 900℃ exhibit obvious flow softening after the peak stress. Under the deformation condition of 900-1050℃ and 0.002-0.2 s-1, the interrelations of peak flow stress, strain rate, and deformation temperature follow the Arrhenius' equation modified by a hyperbolic sine function with a stress exponent of 5.99 and an apparent activation energy of 441.2 kJ·mol-1.