Effects of conform continuous extrusion and heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-13Si-7.5Cu-1Mg alloy

The effects of conform continuous extrusion and subsequent heat treatment on the mechanical and wear-resistance properties of high-alloying Al-13Si-7.5Cu-1Mg alloy were investigated. The microstructures of alloys before and after conform processing and aging were compared by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results reveal that the primary phases were broken and refined by intense shear deformation during conform processing. After the conform-prepared Al-13Si-7.5Cu-1Mg alloy was subjected to solid-solution treatment at 494℃ for 1.5 h and aging at 180℃ for 4 h, its hardness improved from HBS 115.8 to HBS 152.5 and its ultimate tensile strength increased from 112.6 to 486.8 MPa. Its wear resistance was also enhanced. The factors leading to the enhanced strength, hardness, and wear resistance of the alloy were discussed in detail.     

Optimization of Cutting Parameters for Face Milling Titanium Alloy Using MQL

When using MQL as a cooling technique, many parameters have to be adjusted. The Taguchi method was used in this study to investigate the cutting characteristics of face milling of titanium alloys using PVD-coated inserts. To find the optimal volume removed and surface roughness, an orthogonal array, the signal-to-noise （S/N） ratio and the analysis of variance （ANOVA） were employed. The optimum cutting parameters was obtained. Throughout this study, it was found that the feed rate is the most influencing cutting parameter in the face milling of titanium alloys.     

Corrosion damage evolution and residual strength of corroded aluminum alloys

The LY12CZ aluminum alloy specimens were corroded under the conditions of different test temperatures and exposure durations. After corrosion exposure, fatigue tests were performed. Scanning electron microscopy and optical microscope analyses on corrosion damage were carried out. The definition of surface corrosion damage ratio was provided to describe the extent of surface corrosion damage. On the basis of the measured data sets of the corrosion damage ratio, the probabilistic model of corrosion damage evolution was built. The corrosion damage decreased the fatigue life by a factor of about 1.25 to 2.38 and the prediction method of residual strength of the corroded structure was presented.     

Effect of homogenization process on the hardness of Zn–Al–Cu alloys

The effect of a homogenizing treatment on the hardness of as-cast Zn–Al–Cu alloys was investigated. Eight alloy compositions were prepared and homogenized at 350 ℃ for 180 h, and their Rockwell “B” hardness was subsequently measured. All the specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and metallographically prepared for observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the present work indicated that the hardness of both alloys (as-cast and homogenized) increased with increasing Al and Cu contents; this increased hardness is likely related to the presence of the θ and τ' phases. A regression equation was obtained to determine the hardness of the homogenized alloys as a function of their chemical composition and processing parameters, such as homogenization time and temperature, used in their preparation.     

Full-scale model tests and nonlinear analysis of prestressed concrete simply supported box girders

Full-scale model tests were carried out on a 30 m span prestressed concrete box girder and a 20 m span prestressed concrete hollow slab. Failure models were prestressed reinforcement tensile failure and crashing of roof concrete, respectively. The ductility indexes of the box girder and hollow slab were 1.99 and 1.23, respectively, according to the energy viewpoint. Based on the horizontal section hypothesis, the nonlinear computation procedure was established using the limited banding law, and it could carry out the entire performance analysis including the unloading, mainly focusing on the ways to achieve the unloading curves computation through stress-strain, moment-curvature and load-displacement curves. Through the procedure, parameters that influence on the bearing capacity, deformation performance and ductility of the structures were analyzed. Those parameters were quantity of prestressed reinforcement and tension coefficients of prestressed reinforcement. From the analysis, some useful conclusions can be obtained.     

Prediction of Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium Using the Group Solubility Parameter Model

The group solubility parameter （GSP） model was used to analyze the liquid-liquid equilibrium （LLE） of ternary and quaternary systems. The GSP parameters are divided into four dimensions representing the four major intermolecular forces. The values of the parameters were determined by regression using the nonlinear SIMPLEX optimization method to fit the LLE data of 548 ternary and 26 quaternary systems selected from the literature. LLE predictions of 8 ternary systems were then made using the fit parameters. Comparison of the results with predictions using the modified UNIFAC model shows that the GSP model has less adjustable parameters to achieve a similar accuracy and that the parameter values are easily acquired by analysis of available data.     

Effect of austenitization temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of low-carbon-equivalent carbidic austempered ductile iron

The wear resistances of austempered ductile iron (ADI) were improved through introduction of a new phase (carbide) into the matrix by addition of chromium. In the present investigation, low-carbon-equivalent ductile iron (LCEDI) (CE=3.06%, and CE represents carbon-equivalent) with 2.42% chromium was selected. LCEDI was austenitized at two different temperatures (900 and 975℃) and soaked for 1 h and then quenched in a salt bath at 325℃ for 0 to 10 h. Samples were analyzed using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Wear tests were carried out on a pin-on-disk-type machine. The effect of austenization temperature on the wear resistance, impact strength, and the microstructure was evaluated. A structure–property correlation based on the observations is established.     

Electromagnetic modification of faceted-faceted Ni<Subscript>31</Subscript>Si<Subscript>12</Subscript>-Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si eutectic alloy

In an electromagnetic field, the morphology of a binary faceted-faceted (FF) Ni31Si12-Ni2Si eutectic microstructure and the alloy’s mechanical properties were investigated. Hardness experiments demonstrated that the solidified ingots were significantly strengthened, and the hardness was improved to 63.1 and 786.6 on the Rockwell hardness C and Vickers hardness scales, respectively. Tests of friction and wear in stirred FF eutectic alloys showed excellent anti-fatigue and anti-adhesion wear performance. Alloy changed from an anomalous microstructure to a refined quasi-regular structure, and there was an increase in the lamellar microstructure fraction. The formation process of the refined quasi-regular microstructure and the resulting mechanical properties were investigated.     

粉末冶金制备的AISI 8620钢渗碳后的磨损和力学性能

The effect of carburization on the tensile strength and wear resistance of AISI 8620 steel produced via powder metallurgy was investigated. Alloys 1 and 2 (with 0.2wt% C and 0.25wt% C, respectively) were first pressed at 700 MPa and then sintered at 1300, 1400, or 1500°C for 1 h. The ideal sintering temperature of 1400°C was determined. Afterward, Alloys 1 and 2 sintered at 1400°C were carburized at 925°C for 4 h. The microstructure characterization of alloys was performed via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical and wear behavior of carburized and noncarburized alloys were investigated via hardness, tensile, and wear tests. After carburization, the ultimate tensile strength of Alloys 1 and 2 increased to 134.4% and 138.1%, respectively. However, the elongation rate of Alloys 1 and 2 decreased to 62.6% and 64.7%, respectively. The wear depth values of Alloy 2 under noncarburized and carburized conditions and a load of 30 N were 231.2 and 100.1 μm, respectively. Oxidative wear changed to abrasive wear when the load transitioned from 15 to 30 N.     

Wear and mechanical properties of carburized AISI 8620 steel produced by powder metallurgy

The effect of carburization on the tensile strength and wear resistance of AISI 8620 steel produced via powder metallurgy was investigated. Alloys 1 and 2(with 0.2 wt% C and 0.25 wt% C, respectively) were first pressed at 700 MPa and then sintered at 1300, 1400, or1500°C for 1 h. The ideal sintering temperature of 1400°C was determined. Afterward, Alloys 1 and 2 sintered at 1400°C were carburized at 925°C for 4 h. The microstructure characterization of alloys was performed via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical and wear behavior of carburized and noncarburized alloys were investigated via hardness, tensile, and wear tests. After carburization, the ultimate tensile strength of Alloys 1 and 2 increased to 134.4% and 138.1%, respectively. However, the elongation rate of Alloys 1 and 2 decreased to 62.6% and 64.7%, respectively. The wear depth values of Alloy 2 under noncarburized and carburized conditions and a load of30 N were 231.2 and 100.1 μm, respectively. Oxidative wear changed to abrasive wear when the load transitioned from 15 to 30 N.     

Cu-Zn-Al2O3 nanocomposites:study of microstructure,corrosion,and wear properties

Alumina nanoparticles were added to a Cu-Zn alloy to investigate their effect on the microstructural, tribological, and corrosion properties of the prepared alloys. Alloying was performed using a mixture of copper and zinc powders with 0vol% and 5vol% of α-Al nanopowder in a satellite ball mill. The results showed that the Cu-Zn solid solution formed after 18 h of mechanical alloying. The mechanically alloyed powder was compacted followed by sintering of the obtained green compacts at 750℃ for 30 min. Alumina nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the matrix of the Cu-Zn alloy. The tribological properties were evaluated by pin-on-disk wear tests, which revealed that, upon the addition of alumina nanoparticles, the coefficient of friction and the wear rate were reduced to 20% and 40%, respectively. The corrosion properties of the samples exposed to a 3.5wt% NaCl solution were studied using the immersion and potentiodynamic polarization methods, which revealed that the addition of alumina nanoparticles reduced the corrosion current of the nanocomposite by 90%.     

Effects of high-pressure rheo-squeeze casting on the Fe-rich phases and mechanical properties of Al-17Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys

The effects of high pressure rheo-squeeze casting (HPRC) on the Fe-rich phases (FRPs) and mechanical properties of Al-17Si-(1,1.5)Fe alloys were investigated. The alloy melts were first treated by ultrasonic vibration (UV) and then formed by high-pressure squeeze casting (HPSC). The FRPs in the as-cast HPSC Al-17Si-1Fe alloys only contained a long, needle-shaped β-Al₅FeSi phase at 0 MPa. In addition to the β-Al₅FeSi phase, the HPSC Al-17Si-1.5Fe alloy also contained the plate-shaped δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase. A fine, block-shaped δ-Al₄FeSi₂ phase was formed in the Al-17Si-1Fe alloy treated by UV. The size of FRPs decreased with increasing pressure. After UV treatment, solidification under pressure led to further refinement of the FRPs. Considering alloy samples of the same composition, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the HPRC samples was higher than that of the HPSC samples, and the UTS increased with increasing pressure. The UTS of the Al-17Si-1Fe alloy formed by HPSC exceeded that of the Al-17Si-1.5Fe alloy formed in the same manner under the same pressure. Conversely, the UTS of the Al-17Si-1Fe alloy formed by HPRC decreased to a value lower than that of the Al-17Si-1.5Fe alloy formed in the same manner.     

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.     

Mg-8Zn-4Al-(0～1)Sr镁合金铸态组织中的第二相研究

通过扫描电镜观察(SEM)、能谱分析(EDS)、X射线衍射分析(XRD)以及差热分析(DSC)等实验手段,系统地研究了添加微量Sr元素(质量分数0～1%)对铸态Mg-8Zn-4Al(ZA84)镁合金组织中的第二相种类的影响,并阐明了第二相形成与演变的内在机理。实验结果表明:未添加Sr元素的铸态Mg-8Zn-4Al合金组织由Q准晶相和少量Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49)相组成。添加Sr元素后,合金铸态组织中均存在Al_4Sr和Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49)相;其中Al_4Sr相随Sr含量增加而增加,Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49)相随Sr含量增加而减少。在Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49)相中Sr元素以未固溶和固溶两种形式存在,其中未固溶Sr元素的Mg_(32)(Al, Zn)_(49)相具有相对较高的Zn原子浓度和较低的Al原子浓度。相关结果将为第二相析出强化型Mg-8Zn-4Al合金的高强化与耐热化设计提供必要的理论支撑。     

成型方法和热处理对Cu-Zn-Al合金阻尼性能的影响

论述了获得高机械性能和高阻尼性能的阻尼合金的工艺方法．从ＣｕＺｎＡｌ合金系中选择一种机械性能较好的阻尼合金进行试验,并分析成型方法和热处理工艺对合金阻尼性影响,结果是适当的成型方法和热处理工艺使合金同时具有高的机械性能和阻尼性能．     

机械合金化制备的Al基轴承合金的结构与性能

采用机械合金化方法制备Al-Pb和Al-Sn基合金粉末,然后通过烧结将之制备成合金.采用XRD、SEM、TEM分析技术对合金的微观结构进行表征,结果表明在适当机械合金化和烧结工艺条件下,可得到Al基体上均匀分布尺寸约为100nm的软相Pb或Sn的合金.摩擦摩损性能测试表明,这种组织结构的Al基轴承合金具有优良的性能.对Pb相粗化的研究表明,这种纳米复合结构具有较好的稳定性,其第二相的长大仍然满足关于粗化的经典理论——LSW理论.研究中还特别关注了机械合金化过程中的污染对Al基轴承合金组织结构的影响,发现铁污染会导致Al7Cu2Fe相的生成,氧污染则导致Pb颗粒上有Al2O3附着.     

Hydrogen storage performance of LaNi3.95Al0.75Co0.3 alloy with different preparation methods

Rare-earth AB₅-type La–Ni–Al hydrogen storage alloys are widely studied due to their extensive application potentials in hydrogen isotope storage, hydrogen isotope isolation and hydrogen compressors, etc. Good hydriding/dehydriding kinetics, easily activation, high reversibility are important factors for their practical application. However, their overall hydrogen storage performance, especially plateau pressure and hydrogen absorption/desorption durability need to be further optimized. In this study, the microstructures and the hydrogen storage properties of as-cast, annealed, and melt-spun LaNi_3.95Al_0.75Co_0.3 alloys were investigated. The experimental results of XRD and SEM showed that all alloys contained a pure CaCu₅ type hexagonal structure LaNi₄Al phase. The cell volume increased in an order of annealed ?> ?melt-spun ?> ?as-cast, resulting in a lower hydrogen absorption/desorption plateau pressure and a more stable hydride phase. The hydrogen storage capacity of three alloys was almost the same. The slope factor of the annealed and melt-spun alloys is smaller than the as-cast alloy, indicating that heat-treatment process can make the alloys more uniform. For the cycle stability of the alloys, the hydrogen absorption rate of the annealed alloy and melt-spun alloy was much faster than that of the as-cast alloy after 500 cycles. The melt-spun alloy showed high pulverization resistance during hydrogen absorption/desorption, and exhibited an excellent cycling retention of 99% after 500 cycles, suggesting that melt-spinning process can enhance the cycle stability and improve the cycle life of the alloy.     

Synergistic effect of Al and Gd on enhancement of mechanical properties of magnesium alloys

The effect of Gd/Al ratio on the properties of as-cast Mg-Gd-Al-Zn alloys was investigated by changing the chemical composition from that of AZ61 to GZ61. At the ratio of 1, the Al2Gd phase becomes predominant and Mg17Al12 is hardly seen in the microstructure. As a potent inoculant, the Al2Gd phase resulted in intense grain refinement and enhancement of strength, ductility and toughness. For instance, the tensile strength and elongation to failure of Mg-3Gd-3Al-1Zn alloy were enhanced by ~4% and 180% compared with those of AZ61 alloy, respectively. However, at high Gd/Al ratios, the Al2Gd phase was replaced by (Mg,Al)3Gd and Mg5Gd phases and very large grain sizes were achieved, which led to poor tensile properties and the appearance of cleavage facets on the fracture surfaces. Therefore, it can be deduced that the presence of Gd and Al, in appropriate amounts to reach Gd/Al ratio of ~ 1, is required for the achievement of grain refinement, good ductility, high strength, and the appearance of ductile fracture surfaces in the Mg-Gd-Al-Zn system. Conclusively, the Mg-Gd-Al-Zn alloys can be considered as a new class of structural magnesium alloy and it is superior to both AZ (Mg-Al-Zn) and GZ (Mg-Gd-Zn) series of alloys.     

Microstructural characterization of as-cast and homogenized 2D70 aluminum alloy

The microstructure of the as-cast 2D70 aluminum alloy and its evolution during homogenization were investigated by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The results indicate that the microstructure of the as-cast 2D70 aluminum alloy mainly consists of the dendritic network of aluminum solid solution and intermetallic compounds (Al₂CuMg, Al₂Cu, Al₉FeNi, Cu₂FeAl₇, and Al₇Cu₄Ni). After conventional homogenization, Al/Al₂CuMg eutectic phases are dissolved into the matrix, and a small amount of high melting-point eutectic Al/Al₂Cu phases exist in the matrix, resulting in an increase in the starting melting temperature. Under double homogenization, the high melting point Al/Al₂Cu phases are dissolved, and no obvious change is observed for the size and morphology of Al₉FeNi, Cu₂FeAl₇, and Al₇CuaNi compounds.