Effect of particle size distribution on the microstructure,texture, and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy

The effect of particle size distribution on the microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si–Cu alloy was investigated on the basis of the mechanical properties, microstructure, and texture of the alloy. The results show that the particle size distribution influences the microstructure and the final mechanical properties but only slightly influences the recrystallization texture. After the pre-aging treatment and natural aging treatment (T4P treatment), in contrast to the sheet with a uniform particle size distribution, the sheet with a bimodal particle size distribution of large constituent particles and small dispersoids exhibits higher strength and a somewhat lower plastic strain ratio (r) and strain hardening exponent (n). After solution treatment, the sheet with a bimodal particle size distribution of large constituent particles and small dispersoids possesses a finer and slightly elongated grain structure compared with the sheet with a uniform particle size distribution. Additionally, they possess almost identical weak recrystallization textures, and their textures are dominated by CubeND {001}<310> and P {011}<122> orientations.     

Effect of rolling geometry on the mechanical properties,microstructure and recrystallization texture of Al–Mg–Si alloys

The effect of rolling geometry on mechanical properties, microstructure, and recrystallization texture of Al–Mg–Si alloys was studied by means of tensile tests, microstructural observations, and electron backscatter diffraction measurements. The results reveal that the elongation and the average plasticity strain ratio(r) values of the T4P(pre-aging plus natural aging)-treated alloy sheet with a rolling geometry value between 1 and 3 are somewhat higher than those of the T4P-treated sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6. The deformation and recrystallization microstructures of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 1 and 3 are more uniform than those of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6. The former also possesses somewhat higher surface quality. H {001}110 and Goss {110}001 orientations are the main recrystallization texture components for the former case, whereas the latter case only includes H{001}110 orientation. Texture gradients are present in the two alloy sheets. Shear texture component F on the surface of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6 and its higher texture gradients have revealed that non-uniform deformation occurred during cold rolling. The effects of texture on the yield strength and r value were also discussed.     

Effect of rolling geometry on the mechanical properties,microstructure and recrystallization texture of Al-Mg-Si alloys

The effect of rolling geometry on mechanical properties, microstructure, and recrystallization texture of Al-Mg-Si alloys was studied by means of tensile tests, microstructural observations, and electron backscatter diffraction measurements. The results reveal that the elongation and the average plasticity strain ratio (r) values of the T4P (pre-aging plus natural aging)-treated alloy sheet with a rolling geometry value between 1 and 3 are somewhat higher than those of the T4P-treated sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6. The deformation and recrystallization microstructures of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 1 and 3 are more uniform than those of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6. The former also possesses somewhat higher surface quality. H {001}〈110〉 and Goss {110}〈001〉 orientations are the main recrystallization texture components for the former case, whereas the latter case only includes H{001}〈110〉 orientation. Texture gradients are present in the two alloy sheets. Shear texture component F on the surface of the sheet with a rolling geometry value between 3 and 6 and its higher texture gradients have revealed that non-uniform deformation occurred during cold rolling. The effects of texture on the yield strength and r value were also discussed.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a large-sized ingot of Mg–9Gd–3Y–1.5Zn–0.5Zr(wt%) alloy after a lower-temperature homogenization treatment

In this paper,a large-sized ingot of Mg–9Gd–3Y–1.5Zn–0.5Zr(wt%) alloy with a diameter of 600 mm was successfully prepared by the semi-continuous casting method.The alloy was subsequently annealed at a relatively low temperature of 430°C for 12 h as a homogenization treatment.The microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated systematically.The results show that the as-cast alloy contained a mass of discontinuous lamellar-shaped 18 R long-period stacking ordered(LPSO) phases with a composition of Mg10 Zn Y and an α-Mg matrix,along with net-shaped Mg5(Y,Gd) eutectic compounds at the grain boundaries.Most of the eutectic compounds dissolved after the homogenization treatment.Moreover,the amount and dimensions of the lamellar-shaped LPSO phase obviously increased after the homogenization treatment.The structure of the phase transformed into 14H-type LPSO with composition Mg12Zn(Y,Gd).The mechanical properties of the heat-treated large-sized alloy ingot are uniform.The ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and tensile yield strength(TYS) of the alloy reached 207.2 MPa and 134.8 MPa,respectively,and the elongation was 3.4%.The high performances of the large-sized alloy ingot after the homogenization treatment is attributed to the strengthening of the α-Mg solid solution and to the plentiful LPSO phase distributed over the α-Mg matrix.     

Hot deformation behavior of 51.1Zr–40.2Ti–4.5Al–4.2V alloy in the single β phase field

The hot deformation behavior of a newly developed 51.1Zr–40.2Ti–4.5Al–4.2 V alloy was investigated by compression tests in the deformation temperature range from 800 to 1050 ℃ and strain rate range from 10-3to 100 s-1. At low temperatures and high strain rates, the flow curves exhibited a pronounced stress drop at the very beginning of deformation, followed by a slow decrease in flow stress with increasing strain. The magnitude of the stress drop increased with decreasing deformation temperature and increasing strain rate. At high temperatures and low strain rates, the flow curves exhibited typical characteristics of dynamic recrystallization. A hyperbolic-sine Arrhenius-type equation was used to characterize the dependences of the flow stress on deformation temperature and strain rate. The activation energy for hot deformation decreased slightly with increasing strain and then tended to be a constant value. A microstructural mechanism map was presented to help visualize the microstructure of this alloy under different deformation conditions.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a hot-rolled Ti alloy

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a hot-rolled Ti-5.1 Al-2.5 Cr-0.5 Fe-4.5 Mo-1.1 Sn-1.8 Zr-2.9 Zn titanium alloy sheet along the thickness direction were investigated.The results indicated that the hotrolled titanium alloy sheet presented different microstructures along the thickness direction owing to the uneven distribution of stress and temperature during the hot rolling.The grains in central region underwent a larger deformation,leading to relative complete grain fragmentation and the formation of fine grains.During the air cooling process followed by hot rolling,the fraction of a phase precipitated in the central region was lower than that in the regions near the surface of the sheet.During hot rolling process,more deformation energy transformed to thermal energy and lower cooling rate in the central region promoted the α→β phase transformation,resulting in the increasing of the dynamic recrystallization in the β phase.By contrast,the dynamic recrystallization for a phase decreased.Distinct {0001}_α and {001}_β textures were observed,and these textures were markedly strengthened with the increasing distance from the central region.Due to the softening induced by dynamic recrystallization and the strengthening by concentrated dislocations,the surface of the sheet exhibits highest yield strength and lowest elongation.     

Effect of Al on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded Mg–1Mn alloy sheet

The effect of Al addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of hot extruded Mg–1 Mn alloy sheet was investigated. The results revealed that the dynamic recrystallization was promoted by increasing Al content. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the alloy increased with the increase of Al content. The Mg–9 Al–1 Mn alloy exhibited the highest strength, with tensile strength of 308 MPa, 307 MPa, 319 MPa, yield strength of 199 MPa, 207 MPa, 220 MPa and the elongation of 20.9%, 20.1%, 19.2% in 0°, 45°, 90°, respectively.The high strength was mainly attributed to the formation of fine dynamically recrystallized grains and large amounts of the second phase. The strengthening mechanism of the alloys was explained.     

Effect of thermal deformation parameters on the microstructure,texture, and microhardness of 5754 aluminum alloy

The evolution of the microstructure, texture, and microhardness of 5754 aluminum alloy subjected to high-temperature plastic deformation under different deformation conditions was studied on the basis of thermal simulations and electron-backscattered diffraction and Vickers microhardness experiments. The results of a misorientation angle study show that an increase in the deformation temperature and strain rate promoted the transformation of low-angle grain boundaries to high-angle grain boundaries, which contributed to dynamic recrystallization. The effect of the deformation parameters on the texture and its evolution during the recrystallization process was explored on the basis of the orientation distribution function. The results demonstrate that the deformed samples mainly exhibited the features of type A, B, and B textures. The formation and growth of the recrystallized grains clearly affected the texture evolution. The microhardness results show that the variation of the microhardness was closely related to the temperature, strain rate, and dynamic recrystallization.     

Effect of cold rolling process on microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength β titanium alloy thin sheets

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-3.5Al-5Mo-6V-3Cr-2Sn-0.5Fe high strength titanium alloy sheets prepared by unidirectional cold rolling and two-step cross cold rolling were investigated. Results showed that the β phase grains were refined significantly by cold rolling followed by solution treatment for a short time.Compared to unidirectional cold rolling, the short time solution treatment after two-step cross rolling could significantly reduce the non-uniformity of the microstructure of the alloy sheets. After aging treatment at 550 ℃,the anisotropy of the mechanical properties still existed in the unidirectional rolled sheets, and the tensile strength was highest along the rolling direction. After solution and aging treatment, the anisotropy of the mechanical properties of the two-step cross rolling process sheet was not obvious than unidirectional cold rolling,and alloy had good strength and plasticity matching.     

In vitro corrosion of Mg–1.21Li –1.12Ca –1Y alloy

The influence of the microstructure on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy was investigated using OM, SEM, XRD, EPMA, EDS, tensile tests and corrosion measurements. The results demonstrated that the microstructure of the Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy was characterized by α-Mg substrate and intermetallic compounds Mg2 Ca and Mg24Y5. Most of the fine Mg2 Ca particles for the as-cast alloy were distributed along the grain boundaries, while for the as-extruded along the extrusion direction. The Mg24Y5 particles with a larger size than the Mg2 Ca particles were positioned inside the grains. The mechanical properties of Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy were improved by the grain refinement and dispersion strengthening. Corrosion pits initiated at the α-Mg matrix neighboring the Mg2 Ca particles and subsequently the alloy exhibited general corrosion and filiform corrosion as the corrosion product layer of Mg(OH)2and Mg CO3 became compact and thick.     

Evaluation of the microstructure,secondary dendrite arm spacing,and mechanical properties of Al–Si alloy castings made in sand and Fe–Cr slag molds

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast A356(Al–Si) alloy castings were investigated. A356 alloy was cast into three different molds composed of sand, ferrochrome(Fe–Cr) slag, and a mixture of sand and Fe–Cr. A sodium silicate–CO_2 process was used to make the necessary molds. Cylindrical-shaped castings were prepared. Cast products with no porosity and a good surface finish were achieved in all of the molds. These castings were evaluated for their metallography, secondary dendrite arm spacing(SDAS), and mechanical properties, including hardness, compression, tensile, and impact properties. Furthermore, the tensile and impact samples were analyzed by fractography. The results show that faster heat transfer in the Fe–Cr slag molds than in either the silica sand or mixed molds led to lower SDAS values with a refined microstructure in the products cast in Fe–Cr slag molds. Consistent and enhanced mechanical properties were observed in the slag mold products than in the castings obtained from either sand or mixed molds. The fracture surface of the slag mold castings shows a dimple fracture morphology with a transgranular fracture nature. However, the fracture surfaces of the sand mold castings display brittle fracture. In conclusion, products cast in Fe–Cr slag molds exhibit an improved surface finish and enhanced mechanical properties compared to those of products cast in sand and mixed molds.     

Influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys

The influences of 2.5wt% Mn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cu-11.9wt%Al-3.8wt%Ni shape memory alloy (SMA) were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The experimental results show that Mn addition influences considerably the austenite-martensite transformation temperatures and the kind of martensite in the Cu-Al-Ni alloy. The martensitic transformation changes from a mixed xed β₁→β'₁+γ'₁ transformation to a single β₁→β'₁ martensite transformation together with a decrease in transformation temperatures. In addition, the observations reveal that the grain size of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy can be controlled with the addition of 2.5wt% Mn and thus its mechanical properties can be enhanced. The Cu-Al-Ni-Mn alloy exhibits better mechanical properties with the high ultimate compression strength and ductility of 952 MPa and 15%, respectively. These improvements are attributed to a decrease in grain size. However, the hardness decreases from Hv 230 to Hv 140 with the Mn addition.     

Effect of Zn addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–Mg–Si alloy

In the present work, an Al–0.66Mg–0.85Si–0.2Cu alloy with Zn addition was investigated by electron back scattering diffraction(EBSD), high resolution electron microscopy(HREM), tensile and Erichsen tests. The mechanical properties of the alloy after pre-aging met the standards of sheet forming. After paint baking, the yield strength of the alloy was improved apparently. GP(Ⅱ) zones and η’phases were formed during aging process due to Zn addition. With the precipitation of GP zones, β″ phases, GP(Ⅱ) zones and η’phases, the alloys displayed excellent mechanical properties.     

Texture of deformed Cu-Cr-Zr alloys

The influences of plastic deformation, aging treatment, and alloying elements on the texture of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys were ex- plored. The texture component and intensity of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys under various working conditions after aging treatment were characterized using the orientation distributing function (ODF). The influence of Zr content on the texture of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys was also analyzed. The reduction pass and deformation level were primary factors influencing the texture. Rolling texture appeared in a rolled plate and the fibrous textures of {111} and {001} were detected after 80% deformation. Fibrous texture with a main constituent of {111} improved the tensile strength of the alloy wire. The texture contents of {110}〈331〉 and {110}〈112〉 were predominated, whereas, those of {113}〈332〉 and {112}〈111〉 were in the minority in the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy with a higher Zr content (〉0.5wt%). However, in the samples with a lower Zr content (〈0.1wt%), the texture contents of {113}〈332〉, {112}〈111〉, and {111}〈110〉 were in the majority.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a large-sized ingot of Mg-9Gd-3Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy after a lower-temperature homogenization treatment

In this paper, a large-sized ingot of Mg-9Gd-3Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy with a diameter of 600 mm was successfully prepared by the semi-continuous casting method. The alloy was subsequently annealed at a relatively low temperature of 430℃ for 12 h as a homogenization treatment. The microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated systematically. The results show that the as-cast alloy contained a mass of discontinuous lamellar-shaped 18R long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases with a composition of Mg₁₀ZnY and an α-Mg matrix, along with net-shaped Mg₅(Y,Gd) eutectic compounds at the grain boundaries. Most of the eutectic compounds dissolved after the homogenization treatment. Moreover, the amount and dimensions of the lamellar-shaped LPSO phase obviously increased after the homogenization treatment. The structure of the phase transformed into 14H-type LPSO with composition Mg₁₂Zn(Y,Gd). The mechanical properties of the heat-treated large-sized alloy ingot are uniform. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and tensile yield strength (TYS) of the alloy reached 207.2 MPa and 134.8 MPa, respectively, and the elongation was 3.4%. The high performances of the large-sized alloy ingot after the homogenization treatment is attributed to the strengthening of the α-Mg solid solution and to the plentiful LPSO phase distributed over the α-Mg matrix.     

Effect of pre-annealing treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy bars

Taking extruded Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy (7A04 alloy) bars as the research object, the effect and mechanism of pre-annealing treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the aged alloy bars were investigated. The results show that a pre-annealing treatment at 350℃ for 15 h before a T6 treatment substantially reduced the sensitivity of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the extruded 7A04 aluminum alloy specimens toward the extrusion temperature. The average grain sizes of the specimens extruded at 390 and 430℃ after T6 treatment were 3.4 and 8.1 μm, respectively, and their elongations to failure were 7.0% and 9.2%, respectively. However, after pre-annealing + T6 treatment, the differences in both the grain sizes and the elongations of the specimens became small, i.e., their average grain sizes were 3.2 and 3.8 μm and their elongations were 12.0% and 13.3%, respectively. For the specimens extruded at the same temperature, pre-annealing treatment obviously improved the plasticity of the alloy, which is attributed to an increase in soft texture or to grain refinement in the specimens as a result of the pre-annealing + T6 treatment.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline NiCrC alloy feedstock powders for thermal spraying by cryogenic ball milling

Nanocrystalline NiCrC alloy powders with a qualified particle size distribution for thermal spraying were synthesized using the cryogenic ball milling (cryomilling) method. The morphology, microstructure, size distribution, and phase transformation of the powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scattering for particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After cryomilling for 20 h, the average grain size of the as-milled powders approached a constant value of 30 nm by XRD measurement. The average particle size slightly increased from 17.5 to 20.3 μm during the 20-h milling. About 90vol% of the powders satisfied the requirement for thermal spraying with the particle dimension of 10-50 μm, and most of the powders exhibited spherical morphology, which were expected to have good fluidity during thermal spraying. The Cr₂O₃ phase formed during the cryornilling process as revealed in the XRD spectra, which was expected to enhance the thermal stability of the as-milled powders during the followed thermal spraying or other heat treatment.     

Simulation of annealing process effect on texture evolution of deep-drawing sheet Stl5

A two-dimensional cellular automaton method was used to simulate grain growth during the recrystallization annealing of deep-drawing sheet Stl5, taking the simulated result of recrystallization and the experimental result of the annealing texture of deepdrawing sheet St15 as the initial condition and reference. By means of computer simulation, the microstructures and textures of different periods of grain growth were predicted. It is achieved that the grain size, shape and texture become stable after the grain growth at a constant temperature of 700°C for 10 h, and the advantaged texture components {111 }<110> and {111 }<112> are dominant.     

Microstructure,mechanical, and corrosion properties of extruded low-alloyed Mg–xZn–0.2Ca alloys

The microstructure, mechanical, and corrosion properties of extruded low-alloyed Mg-xZn-0.2Ca (x=0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) alloys were investigated in this study. Findings from scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results indicate that the amount of ternary Ca₂Mg₆Zn₃ phase, as the only secondary phase in 1.0Zn, 2.0Zn, and 3.0Zn alloys, gradually increases with the addition of Zn, while the Mg₂Ca phase was observed in the Mg-0.2Ca alloy only. Zn has a strong effect on the orientation and intensity of textures, which also influence mechanical behaviors, as revealed by electron back-scatter diffraction. Among all the alloys, the Mg-2.0Zn-0.2Ca alloy obtains the maximum tensile strength (278 MPa) and yield strength (230 MPa). Moreover, Zn addition has an evident influence on the corrosion properties of Mg-xZn-0.2Ca alloy, and Mg-1.0Zn-0.2Ca alloy exhibits the minimum corrosion rate. This paper provides a novel low-alloyed magnesium alloy as a potential biodegradable material.