Effect of Diffusivity on the Pseudospinodal Decomposition of the γ′ Phase in a Ni-Al Alloy

The effect of diffusivity on pseudospinodal decomposition of γ′ (Ni₃Al) phase precipitation was investigated in a Ni-Al alloy using the diffuse interface phase field model. The γ′ phase microstructure, coarsening dynamics and interfacial composition width between the γ and γ′ phases were studied as a function of the diffusivity magnitude. Increasing the diffusivity results in a reduced number of γ′ nuclei, and accelerated growth and coarsening of the γ′ phase. The cube of the γ′ average radius versus time shows a linear relation during coarsening, and the Al concentration in the γ matrix follow the relations \(\Delta c_{\text{Al}}^{\gamma } \sim t^{ - 1/ 3}\) regardless of the diffusivity magnitude. The γ/γ′ interfacial composition width decreases with increased diffusivity and average radius. An obvious Al concentration depleted region is present at the γ/γ′ interface during the nucleation and growth stage of γ′ phase indicates that growth occurs by down-hill diffusion in the matrix γ phase. That combined with the gradual increase in γ′ composition demonstrates that pseudospinodal decomposition is the transformation mechanism.     

Coarsening kinetics of γ′ precipitates in cobalt-base alloys

The expeditious development of novel cobalt-base γ–γ′ alloys as possible next generation superalloys critically depends on achieving a comprehensive understanding of the coarsening kinetics of ordered γ′ precipitates. This paper discusses the coarsening of L1₂ ordered Co₃(W, Al) precipitates in a model ternary Co–10Al–10W (at.%) alloy during isothermal annealing at 800 and 900 °C. The experimentally determined temporal evolution of average size of the γ′ precipitates suggests classical matrix diffusion limited Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner coarsening at both temperatures. The γ′ coarsening rate constants have been determined using a modified coarsening rate equation for non-dilute solutions. Furthermore, using the Cahn–Hilliard formulation for interfacial energy, the γ/γ′ interfacial energies at the respective annealing temperatures have been correlated to the concentration profile across the interface that has been experimentally determined using atom probe tomography. The calculated interfacial energies are in comparable range with those observed in nickel-base superalloys. Additionally, this analysis has permitted, for the first time, the determination of the gradient energy coefficient for γ/γ′ interfaces in Co-base alloys, a critical input for phase-field and other simulation models for microstructural evolution.     

Matrix-Diffusion-Controlled Coarsening of the γ′ Phase in Waspaloy

Metals and Materials International - This paper discussed the coarsening behavior of the γ′ phase in Waspaloy during heat treatment at different aging times under the temperatures of...     

Effect of Interactions Among Elements on Diffusion Process Associated with γ′ Coarsening in a Ni-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy

Coarsening of cuboidal γ' precipitates and relevant diffusion process in Ni-based single-crystal superalloy CMSX-4 were investigated at 1000,1020 and 1040℃ for specific times.The y' coarsening kinetics followed a cubic rate law with time and was presumably controlled by bulk diffusion of elements in y matrix.The associated diffusion activation energy was experimentally determined to be about 300 kJ/mol when it is considered the temperature-dependent thermo-physical parameters in modified Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory.The influence of temperature on γ/γ' microstructure is briefly discussed based on pseudo-binary [Ni]-[Al] phase diagram.Interactions among elements can effectively raise the local vacancy formation and vacancy-atom exchange barriers close to γ-and γ'-partitioning elements,respectively.Thus,it can significantly reduce the inter-coupling migrations of atoms during the macroscopic cross-diffusion process associated with γ' coarsening of Ni-based superalloys.     

Coarsening behavior of γ′ particles in a nickel-base superalloy

The coarsening behavior of γ′ particles in a nickel-base superalloy FGH95 was investigated by means of experimental observations and growth kinetics calculations. The results show that when aging at 1000, 1080 and 1140°C for different times, the relation of average particle size to time obeys the cube law (ā/2)³ = kt, where k is 15.49 × 10³, 77.5 × 10³ and 230.04 × 10³ nm³/min, respectively. The particle size distributions are better fit to the LSW theoretical distributions when aging at 1000°C within 1440 min. The activation energy for γ′ particles coarsening is determined to be 288.20±1.79 kJ/mol, which correlates well to the diffusion activation energies of Al, Ti, and Nb in the nickel matrix. This indicates that the coarsening of γ′ particles is controlled by the diffusion of Al, Ti, and Nb in the nickel matrix. The coarsening kinetics of γ′ particles in FGH95 is predicted as _t ³ = 1.04×10¹⁶ t exp[−(288200±1790)/RT]     

Aging Behavior of Cu-Cr-Zr-Ce Alloy

The aging properties of Cu-0.35Cr-0.038Zr-0.055Ce alloy are studied. The results show that can obtain higher electrical conductivity and microhardness after solutioned at 920℃ for lh, and aged at 500℃. The process of precipitation of the secondary phase can be accelerated with cold deformation before aging, so properties of the alloy are improved.Upon aging at 500℃ for 30 minutes after 60% cold deformation, the values of electrical conductivity and microhardness are 69.0%IACS and 152HV respectively, but they are only 66.2%IACS and 136HV upon directly aging after solution. With the addition of a trace of rare earth element Ce, the value of microhardness of Cu-0.35Cr-0.038Zr alloy increases 18～25HV,while the value of electrical conductivity drops a little.     

Effect of Aging Treatment on Precipitation Behavior and Mechanical Properties of a Novel Aluminum–Lithium Alloy

In this work, the microstructure and precipitation phases were primarily characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile and tear test. The results indicated that the samples aged at 145 °C for 45 h or 155 °C for 30 h possessed a preferable combination of strength and plasticity, owing to the precipitation of well-dispersed T1(Al2Cu Li) phases(diameter \ 150 nm). However, aging at more than 165 °C caused an obvious size growth of T1 plates, leading to the quick reduction in plasticity and toughness. Furthermore, the high Cu/Li ratio resulted in distinct precipitation features, including a shorter incubation time of T1 phase and the aggravated precipitate-free zones.     

Coarsening of γ′ in Ni-Al alloys aged under uniaxial compression: III. Characterization of the morphology

The morphological evolution of γ′ precipitates during coarsening at 640 °C under applied compressive stress in the range 0–150 MPa was investigated in a monocrystalline Ni-Al alloy containing nominally 13.36 at. % Al. The strain was primarily elastic. The microstructures were examined by transmission electron microscopy, primarily in the section (100) perpendicular to the applied stress. The aspect ratio of a γ′ precipitate, as well as a shape parameter which provides a measure of how cuboidal it is, were used to characterize the γ′ morphology. As the stress increases precipitates of a given size generally tend to become more non-equiaxed and their interfaces are more planar, though this depends on the γ′ volume fraction. The applied compressive stress also promotes the coalescence of γ′ precipitates. This tendency is more pronounced the higher the γ′ volume fraction and appears to be its main influence on directional coarsening during elastic deformation.     

Influence of Zinc on Coarsening of δ-Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si Particles,Aging Behavior and Hardness in a Cu-Ni-Si Alloy

In the present paper, the aging precipitation and coarsening of disk-like δ-Ni₂Si particles in Cu and Cu-10Zn alloys aged at 450 °C have been investigated by hardness, electric resistivity measurement and transmission electron microscopy observation. The coarsening dynamics of the average diameter of the δ-Ni₂Si particles coincides with the t ^1/3 time law for both alloys. The coarsening of the diminution of supersaturation related to aging time t coincides with the t ^?1/3 time rule. Adding Zn to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy increases the growth and coarsening rate of the particles mainly because of the increased diffusivity D of the δ-Ni₂Si particles in the matrix. The value of D of the δ-Ni₂Si particles in the Cu-xZn (x = 0, 10 wt.%) matrix and the Cu/δ-Ni₂Si interfacial energy γ are independently calculated by using the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory which was extended to include disk-like particles by Boyd and Nicholson. The values of D and γ increase from 0.77 × 10^?19 to 2.21 × 10^?19 m²/s and 0.19 to 0.63 J/m², respectively, when Zn is added to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy. These calculations and the analysis show that the properties of Cu-Ni-Si-Zn alloy can significantly be enhanced by reducing the aging temperature.     

Effect of Two-times Annealing on Characteristics of TiNi Shapc-memory Alloy

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Effect of Ultrasound on Heterogeneous Nucleation in TIG Welding of Al–Li Alloy

The effect of ultrasound on heterogeneous nucleation in a tungsten inert gas(TIG) weld pool of 2195 Al–Li alloy has been investigated by a series of experiments. An ultrasonic vibration was imposed on the surface of base material before turning off the welding arc during the TIG welding implemented at a fixed point. The results suggest that ultrasound could promote heterogeneous nucleation in the TIG weld pool of 2195 Al–Li alloy. The grain around the fusion zone is changed from a column grain to an equiaxed grain after applying the ultrasonic treatment. To study the influencing mechanism of ultrasound on heterogeneous nucleation, further investigations were implemented where the welding arc was turned off after turning off the ultrasonic power. The results show that the equiaxed grain around the fusion zone disappeared gradually with an increase in heat input after turning off the ultrasonic power. It suggests that ultrasound could promote the heterogeneous nucleation particle to nucleate in advance before turning off the welding arc and the crystal nucleus could again be melted with an increase in heat input after turning off the ultrasonic power. Moreover, the effects of the welding current and ultrasonic amplitude on heterogeneous nucleation in the weld pool of 2195 Al–Li alloy were also investigated. Possible influencing mechanism of the welding current and ultrasonic amplitude on heterogeneous nucleation was discussed.     

Effect of Microstructure on Corrosion Behavior of Mg–Sr Alloy in Hank's Solution

Mg–Sr alloy has been studied as a potential biodegradable material with excellent bioactivity to promote the bone formation. However, its degradation behavior needs to be well controlled to avoid the negative effect, which is important for future application. Therefore in this study, the microstructure and its effect on corrosion behavior of an Mg–1.5 Sr alloy were investigated. The microstructures of the alloy under different processing procedures were characterized by both optical and scanning electron microscopes. The corrosion performance was studied in Hank's solution using immersion,potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) tests. The results showed that the grain size and the amount and distribution of b-Mg_(17)Sr_2 had obvious effects on the corrosion behavior of Mg–Sr alloy. The smaller the grain size was, the more the protective surface layer formed on Mg–Sr alloy, and the higher the corrosion resistance was. For the as-cast Mg–Sr alloy, the network-like second phases precipitated along the grain boundaries could not hinder the corrosion due to their own corrosion cracking accelerating the intergranular corrosion. However, the refinement of second phases increased the corrosion resistance of the as-extruded alloy. After solution treatment at 450 °C for 5 h, the grains in the alloy did not grow much and b-Mg_(17)Sr_2 phases homogenously distributed in the alloy, resulting in the increase in corrosion resistance. However, after aging treatment, large amount of precipitated second phases increased the galvanic corrosion of the alloy, accelerating the development of corrosion.     

Coarsening of γ′ in Ni–Al alloys aged under uniaxial compression: I. Early-stage kinetics

The kinetics of coarsening of γ′ precipitates under applied compressive stress were investigated in monocrystalline Ni–Al alloys (nominal composition 13.36 at.% Al) aged at 640 °C. The specimens tested were doubly tapered cylinders or right circular cylinders. The maximum stress used was ~150 MPa; plastic deformation was less than 4% at the longest aging time (1021 h). The scatter in the data was large and is attributed to experimental factors discussed in the text. We find that compressive stress retards the kinetics of coarsening by 20–25% at 150 MPa. The particle size distributions become broader as the stress increases. We attribute the slower kinetics under compressive stress to its effect on the coefficient of diffusion of Al. A semiquantitative model in support of this idea is the subject of a companion paper.     

Influence of Ce on the Extrinsic Strengthening Effect of Al-Li Alloy

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Evolution of γ' Particles in Ni-Based Superalloy Weld Joint and Its Effect on Impact Toughness During Long-Term Thermal Exposure

Effects of long-term thermal exposure on γ' particles evolution and impact toughness in the weld joint of Nimonic 263(N263)superalloy were deeply studied at 750℃.Results showed that the precipitates in the weld metal were mainly composed of fine γ' particles,bulky MC carbides,and small M_(23)C_6 carbides.With the thermal exposure time increasing from o to 3000 h,γ' particles in the weld metal grew up from 19.7 nm to 90.1 nm at an extremely slow rate.After being exposed for 1000 h,γ' particles coarsened and some of them transformed into acicular η phase.At the same time,MC carbides decomposed to form η phase and γ' particles.This dynamic transition ensured the slight reduction in impact toughness of the weld metal after the thermal exposure,which indicated the stable serving performance of N263 weld joint.