Development of Low and Middle Carbon Martensite Spring Steel with High Strength and Toughness for Automobile

The conventional middle and high carbon spring steels have some drawbacks in properties, production and application. In order to meet the demands of rapid development of automobile, a new low and middle carbon spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB, C0.34, Sil.66, Mn0.80, Cr0.67, V0.13, B0.001, P0.011, S0.014 wt.%, has been developed. Comparison between the new spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB and the conventional spring steel 60Si2MnA, C0.61, Si1.75, Mn0.76, P0.021,S0.018 wt.%, shows that the new spring steel has not only high strength, good ductility, good comprehensive mechanical properties, but also low decarbonization tendency, sufficient hardenability and high elastic sag resistance, etc.. The microstructure change in quenched steel caused by the decreasing of carbon contents is detected through metallographic observation, the new low and middle carbon spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB after quenching is composed of almost lath martensite with high dislocation density and only a little martensite with twin structure. It is testified that to develop low carbon spring steel with more excellent properties for automobile is feasible.     

Dislocation-Induced Precipitation and Its Strengthening of Al–Cu–Li–Mg Alloys with High Mg

Generally, the good combination of pre-deformation and aging can improve the mechanical strength of the Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys. However, the effects of pre-deformation on competitive precipitation relationship and precipitation strengthening have not been clarified in detail in Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys with high Mg. In the present study, the effects of pre-deformation level on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–2.95 Cu–1.55 Li–0.57 Mg–0.18 Zr alloy have been investigated. It is found that the introduction of dislocation by 5% pre-deformation can facilitate the precipitation of new successive composite precipitates and T _1 precipitates along the sub-grain boundaries or dislocations and inhibit the precipitation of dispersive GPB zones which is the main precipitates of the alloys without pre-deformation. The introduction of 5% pre-deformation can enhance the mechanical properties considerably. When the pre-deformation level increases from 5 to 15%, the number density of the successive composite precipitates and T _1 precipitates increases, and the aspect ratio of T _1 precipitates decreases. The decrease in T _1 precipitate aspect ratio and the increment of the successive composite precipitates result in the reduction in precipitation strengthening. Therefore, the increase in pre-deformation level from 5 to 15% does not further improve the mechanical properties of the alloys, although the dislocation strengthening increases continuously.     

High-Temperature Oxidation of Al–Mg Alloys

The effect of the atmosphere on the oxidation rates of aluminum-can alloyswas studied using thermogravimetric methods. The atmospheres included: air,Ar+1%O₂, Ar+5%O₂, and CO₂. Temperaturesranged from 450 to 800°C. The oxidation rate was influenced by thesurface condition and by the time elapsed after specimen preparation. Increasingtemperature increased the oxidation rate of both AA 3004 and 5182. Parabolickinetics were observed for AA 3004 and linear kinetics were observed forAA 5182 at 450 and 500°C. From 550 to 800°C, parabolic behavior wasobserved for AA 5182. The reduction of free oxygen in the atmosphere reducedthe rate of oxidation. The reactivity of the atmospheres decreased in thefollowing sequence: air, Ar+5%O₂, Ar+1%O₂, and CO₂.     

Fatigue Behavior of Dissimilar Al–Mg–Si/Al–Zn–Mg Aluminum Alloys Friction Stir Welding Joints

In this study, fatigue properties and fracture mechanism of dissimilar Al–Mg–Si/Al–Zn–Mg aluminum alloys friction stir welding(FSW) joints were investigated and the effect of the sheet configuration on the fatigue behavior of the FSW joints was also discussed. Results showed that the joints owned better fatigue properties when the Al–Zn–Mg aluminum alloy was placed at the advancing side(AS). At 10~7 cycles, the fatigue strengths of Al–Zn–Mg–AS and Al–Mg–Si–AS joints were, respectively, 105.6 and 90.1 MPa. All joints fractured at the heat-affected zone at the Al–Mg–Si alloy side. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that better fatigue property of the Al–Zn–Mg–AS joint was associated with the bridging effect of the bigger secondary phase particles.     

Effects of fluidised bed quenching on heat treating characteristics of cast Al–Si–Mg and Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys

Abstract

The quench sensitivity of Al–Si–Mg (D357 unmodified and Sr modified), and Al–Si–Mg–-Cu (354 and 319 Sr modified) cast alloys was investigated using a fluidised bed (FB). The average cooling rate of castings in the fluidised bed is lower than those quenched in water; the cooling rate first increases to a certain maximum and then decreases during quenching. The change in the cooling rate during quenching in water was more drastic, where the cooling rate varied from 0 to ?80 K s^?1 in less than 8 s, as compared with those quenched in FB, where the cooling rate varied from 0 to ?14 K s^?1 in 18 s. The FB quenching resulted in the formation of several metastable phases in Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys; in contrast, no such transformation was observed during water quenching. The T4 yield strength of the FB quenched alloys was greater than water quenched alloys owing to the formation of a greater volume fraction of metastable phases in the FB quenched alloys. The tensile properties of T6 treated alloys show that Al–Si–Mg alloys (both unmodified and Sr modified) are more quench sensitive than Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys. The high quench sensitivity of the Al–Si–Mg alloys is because GP zones are not formed, whereas GP zones are formed during quenching of the Al–Si–Mg–Cu alloys as predicted by time temperature transformation and continuous cooling transformation) diagrams.     

Effect of Al on Expansion Behavior of Mg–Al Alloys During Solidification

The cooling curves and the change of contraction/expansion during solidification and cooling were tested by using a selfmade device which could achieve the one-dimensional contraction instead of three-dimensional contraction of the casting.Then, the effects of Al content(0, 1.1, 3, 5, 10, 12.9, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24 and 30 wt%) on the thermal contraction/expansion of the binary Mg-Al as-cast alloys during solidification were obtained. The results showed that expanding instead of contraction was present in Mg-Al alloys with the addition of 0-30 wt% Al during solidification. The values of expansion significantly increased at first and then decreased with the increase in Al content. And the maximum expansion ratio of 0.44%(maximum expansion value: 0.841 mm) was present in the Mg-15 wt% Al alloy. Contraction instead of expansion occurred once the temperature drops to the temperature corresponding to the expansion value in total, indicating the occurrence of a continuous expansion during the solidification process in mushy zone for the Mg alloys with Al addition of 5-30 wt%. The expansion value in total consisted of two parts: the expansions occurring in the liquid-phase zone and mushy zone. The expansion in liquid zone was present in every Mg-Al alloy, and it contributed to the most proportion of the total expansion value when the Al content in Mg-Al alloy was lower than 10 wt% or higher than 22 wt%. However, the total expansion value was mainly determined by the solidification behavior in mushy zone when the Al content was among 10-22 wt% in Mg-Al alloys.     

Model of Precipitation Hardening of Al – Mg – Si Alloys Under Aging

Metal Science and Heat Treatment - A model of precipitation hardening of an Al – Mg – Si alloy due to precipitation of several phases formed under different aging conditions is...     

Crystal structure and stability of complex precipitate phases in Al–Cu–Mg–(Si) and Al–Zn–Mg alloys

We demonstrate how first-principles total energy calculations may be used to elucidate both the crystal structures and formation enthalpies of complex precipitates in multicomponent Al alloys. For the precipitates, S(Al–Cu–Mg), η′ (Al–Zn–Mg), and Q(Al–Cu–Mg–Si), energetics were computed for each of the models of the crystal structures available in the literature allowing a critical assessment of the validity of the models. In all three systems, energetics were also calculated for solid solution phases as well as other key phases (e.g., equilibrium phases, GP zones) in each precipitation sequence. For both the S and η′ phases, we find that recently proposed structures (based on electron microscopy) produce unreasonably high energies, and thus we suggest that these models should be re-evaluated. However, for all three precipitates, we find that structures based on X-ray diffraction refinements provide both reasonable energetics and structural parameters, and therefore the first-principles results lend support to these structural refinements. Further, we predict energy-lowering site occupations and stoichiometries of the precipitate phases, where experimental information is incomplete. This work suggests that first-principles total energy calculations can be used in the future as a complementary technique with diffraction or microscopy for studying precipitate structures and stabilities.     

Simulation of the Dendrite Morphology and Microsegregation in Solidification of Al–Cu–Mg Aluminum Alloys

Since most typical alloys in industrial applications are multicomponent with three or more components, and various CA models proposed in the past mainly focus on the binary alloys, a two-dimensional modified cellular automaton model allowing for the quantitatively predicting dendrite growth of multicomponent alloys in the low Pe′clet number regime is presented. The elimination of the mesh-induced anisotropy is achieved by adopting a modified virtual front tracking method. A new efficient method based on the lever rule is applied to calculate the solid fraction increment of the interfacial cells. The thermodynamic data such as liquidus temperature, the partition coefficients, and the slope of liquidus surface, needed for determining the dynamics of dendrite growth, are obtained by coupling with Pan Engine. This model is applied to simulate the dendrite morphology and microsegregation of Al–Cu–Mg ternary alloy both for single and multidendrites growth. The simulated results demonstrate that the difference of the concentration distribution profiles ahead of the dendrite tip for each alloying element mainly results from the different partition coefficients and solute diffusion coefficients. Comparison with the prediction of analytical model is carried out and it reveals the correctness of the model.Consequently, the difference in interdendritic microsegregation behavior of different components is analyzed.     

高强度高韧性球铁曲轴的生产

研究了合金化，二次孕育，热处理工艺及圆角滚压对球铁曲轴性能的影响，经实际生产验证，此工艺可使抗拉强度超过800MPa，伸长率超过5％。     

Effects of Chromium on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 Eutectic High Entropy Alloys

In the present study,a series of AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 (x=0,0.25,0.5,0.75,1.0) eutectic high entropy alloys (EHEAs) have been designed and prepared.And the effect of Cr content on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 alloys was systematically investigated.The results indicate that the AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 (x ＞ 0) alloys exhibit almost complete lamellar eutectic microstructures with a mixture structure of FCC and B2 phases.And the AlCoFeNi2.1 alloy without Cr element exhibited a hypoeutectic microstructure with a primary B2 phase.In addition,the eutectic microstructures for AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 eutectic alloys do not change significantly.The room temperature compressive tests results show that with an increase in Cr content (from x =0 to x =1.0),the yield strength will first decrease,and thereafter increase.The trend is the opposite with the fracture strength and plastic strain.They show an increase trend at first,and then decrease.The AlCoCr0.5FeNi2.1 (Cr0.5) alloy shows the best comprehensive mechanical properties.The tensile yield strength,fracture strength,and elongation are 536.5 MPa,1062 MPa,and 13.8％,respectively.Furthermore,the Cr0.5 alloy also displays a high strength with a yield strength of 362 MPa at 700 ℃.In summary,by changing the Cr content,AlCoCrxFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloys with excellent comprehensive mechanical properties were obtained and prepared.     

高强韧铸造铝合金

本文探讨了Ｍｎ、Ｔｉ、Ｖ、Ｚｒ等合金元素对合金冲击韧性的影响规律,初步讨论了冲击韧性与强度、伸长率间的关系。以Ａｌ－Ｃｕ、ｍｎ合金为基,用Ｔｉ、Ｚｒ、Ｖ、Ｂ等微量合金化元素对其强化,并调整热处理制度,制成一种高强度、高韧性韧性的铸造铝合金。通过系统试验。确定该高强韧铸造铝合金的成分（质量分数,％）如下：４．６～～５．３Ｃｕ,０．３～０．５Ｍｎ,０．０５～０．２５Ｔｉ０．０５～０．２５Ｚｒ,０．、～     

7050高强铝合金断裂韧性及其影响因素研究

针对国产7050高强铝合金紧凑拉伸(compact tension,CT)试验中出现宏观开裂角过大、试验成功率偏低、断裂韧性不达标的问题,基于CT试验结果,提出了改进工艺对坯料进行锻造,并与传统制坯方法进行对比分析.结果显示,改进工艺降低了7050高强铝合金的各向异性,提高了其断裂韧性水平以及CT试验成功率;同时发现,造成CT试验成功率低的因素包括材料各向异性和试样预制裂纹长度两个方面,降低各向异性和适度提高预制裂纹长度,可有效降低试样宏观开裂角,并给出了参考的预制裂纹长度的范围.     

低合金高强韧稀土铸钢的研究

我国一般工程结构碳钢和低合金钢(含稀土钢)由于成分设计及冶金工艺的局限,其屈服强度均未超过637MPa,且综合性能较差。为了满足产品的特殊需要,提高综合性能,研制了低合金高强韧稀土铸钢。从成分优化设计、炉外喂稀土硅钙线、钢包底吹氩等精炼方面进行工艺控制,有效提高钢的纯净度,冶金效果良好,力学性能达到了115-95、135-125牌号高强韧的要求,其铸造性、可焊性、低温韧性等综合性能良好,适应性强,有广泛的应用前景。     

提高Al-Mg-Si系合金强度的途径分析

本文研究了晶粒细化、稀土元素Sc、合金元素Si以及时效制度对Al-Mg-Si系常用材料6063铝合金强度的影响,并从内部结构上分析了作用机理。结果表明,细化剂与电磁搅拌的联合作用能显著细化铸态组织,适量Sc元素的加入能大幅度提高材料强度,合理调整Si元素含量以及适宜的时效处理制度均有助于材料抗拉强度的改善。     

211Z高强韧耐热铝合金的淬透性研究

采用类端淬设备、电导率计、差示热扫描分析仪和透射电镜等并结合数字模拟研究了211Z型铝合金的淬透性能。结果表明:试样在≤40℃水温淬火的过饱和固溶程度、时效后的硬度均高于水温较高(50~60℃)时淬火的相应值,但淬透深度相反;试样时效处理后的硬度值受淬火敏感温度区间(140~380℃)的平均冷却速度影响,超过临界值后,硬度值基本保持不变,小于临界值,则随平均冷却速度的增加而增大。     

高强钛合金抗拉强度的理论计算

利用高强钛合金相及相界面电子结构参数的统计值、结合制备工艺及相变,提出高强钛合金抗拉强度理论计算公式,即高强钛合金的抗拉强度应为基体b-Ti的强度与合金元素的固溶强化、界面强化（涵盖析出强化）产生的强化强度增量之和。以西北有色金属研究院设计的高强亚稳b钛合金Ti-B20的实验研究为基础,分别计算Ti-B20合金在b相区固溶处理、a+b相区固溶处理及780 ℃固溶+时效处理后的抗拉强度,计算结果与实验研究符合较好。     

超高强铝合金强韧化的发展过程及方向

全面评述了国内外近几十年来在超高强铝合金强韧化方面的研究和发展过程,以及为提高超高强铝合金性能而开发的各种新技术。简要介绍了超高强铝合金的发展方向,并提出在国内应将超高强铝合金的研究和开发作为重大科研和技术攻关项目,应引起足够的重视。     

钛合金断裂韧性与屈强差的关系初探

研究了近α型TA15，α β型Ti6Al4V及亚稳定β型TB83种钛合金断裂韧性与屈服强度、强度极限的关系，提出了屈强差的概念。结果表明：屈强差增大，断裂韧性增加，且对Ti6Al4V和TB8两者之间有线性关系；β热变形或β热处理是提高屈强差和断裂韧性的有效方法。