Microstructure evolution and properties of Mg-3Sn-1Mn (wt%) alloy strip processed by semisolid rheo-rolling

The high cooling rate caused by the sloping plate and stirring action caused by the vibration and metal flow lead to a high nucleation rate as well as two primary grain growth patterns, direct globular growth as well as dendrite growth and subsequent breakage, which causes the formation of fine spherical or rosette primary grains. The change of the primary grain shape is not obvious in the roll gap. However, solid fraction increases from the entrance to the exit of the roll gap. The spherical or rosette grains were remained eventually. When the casting temperature is 670 °C, and the vibrating amplitude is 1.5 mm, the strip with a cross section of 4 mm×160 mm was produced. Homogeneous microstructure was obtained. Mechanical properties of the present product were higher than that of Mg-3Sn-1Mn (wt%) alloy casting with the addition of 0.87 wt% Ce.     

Cast-rolling force model in solid−liquid cast-rolling bonding (SLCRB) process for fabricating bimetal clad strips

Based on twin-roll casting, a cast-rolling force model was proposed to predict the rolling force in the bimetal solid?liquid cast-rolling bonding (SLCRB) process. The solid?liquid bonding zone was assumed to be below the kiss point (KP). The deformation resistance of the liquid zone was ignored. Then, the calculation model was derived. A 2D thermal?flow coupled simulation was established to provide a basis for the parameters in the model, and then the rolling forces of the Cu/Al clad strip at different rolling speeds were calculated. Meanwhile, through measurement experiments, the accuracy of the model was verified. The influence of the rolling speed, the substrate strip thickness, and the material on the rolling force was obtained. The results indicate that the rolling force decreases with the increase of the rolling speed and increases with the increase of the thickness and thermal conductivity of the substrate strip. The rolling force is closely related to the KP height. Therefore, the formulation of reasonable process parameters to control the KP height is of great significance to the stability of cast-rolling forming.     

Cu/Al复合板双辊铸轧复合界面压力分布与结合特性（英文）

双辊铸轧工艺制备双金属层复合板的力学性能和产品厚度规格与结合界面相互作用力学行为密切相关。以铸轧速度为变量,建立热流耦合模拟与界面压力分布计算模型。结果表明,随着铸轧速度的降低,界面温度降低,界面压力与出口铝侧厚度占比增大。铜带减薄主要发生在后滑移区。较高的界面压力和较长的固体/半固体接触时间使结合面充分浸润,为原子扩散提供有利条件。当铸轧速度为2.4 m/min时,扩散层宽度为4.9μm,剥离后铜侧表面被铝覆盖,铝侧发生韧性断裂,有效防止界面分层及裂纹扩展。同时,高界面压力及塑性应变下的剪切作用更显著,铝侧显微组织为细长柱状晶体。因此,结合界面实现冶金结合并细化铝侧晶粒可以使复合板获得较高的结合强度和拉伸性能。     

Aluminum alloy pistons reinforced with SiC fabricated by centrifugal casting

Hypereutectic Al-Si alloy-based composite pistons reinforced with SiC particles locally at the head were fabricated by centrifugal casting. The effects of various technique parameters, i.e., the slurry temperature of the alloy, the mold temperature and the rotation speed of the mold, on the particle segregation were investigated, and the macromorphologies and microstructures of pistons were observed. The mechanical properties, such as hardness and wear resistance along the axis of the piston and the thermal expansion coefficient at the piston head, were measured. The results showed that, (1) centrifugal casting can be used as a new and effective method in manufacturing pistons, and reasonable parameters were 850 °C, 600 °C and 800 rpm for the slurry temperature of the alloy, the mold temperature and the rotation speed of the mold, respectively; (2) the hardness values of pistons fabricated by centrifugal casting gradually increased from the piston skirt to the piston head, and the average hardness value in piston heads was improved by 23.7HRB over that of pistons fabricated by gravity permanent mold casting; (3) the piston heads showed excellent wear resistance, and the wear rate of piston heads decreased by 70.3% over that of the piston fabricated by gravity permanent mold casting; and (4) the average linear expansion coefficient of the piston head was 15.3 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and decreased by 23.1% over that of pistons fabricated by gravity permanent mold casting.     

Punching of ultra-high strength steel sheets using local resistance heating of shearing zone

A punching process using local resistance heating of a shearing zone was developed to shear ultra-high strength steel sheets. The shearing zone was heated by passing electric current between the sheet holder and the knockout in order to decrease the flow stress in the shearing, and the heating of the die and punch was prevented by no contact with the sheet during the heating. Electrode pins having an individual spring were employed to attain uniform heating of the shearing zone. The welding resistance of the heads of the electrode pins to the sheet by the heating was examined for Ag-W, Cu-W, Ag + WC and W. The Cu-W pins having the highest welding resistance were employed in a punching experiment of 980 MPa level ultra-high strength steel sheets. The punching load was considerably reduced by the heating, e.g., about 1/5 of the cold punching load at 800 °C. As the heating temperature increased, the depth of the shiny burnished surface on the sheared edge increased and that of the rough fracture surface decreased.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-Mn-Ca alloy sheet produced by twin roll casting and sequential warm rolling

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of twin roll cast (TRC) Mg-3.3 wt.%Al-0.8 wt.%Mn-0.2 wt.%Ca (AM31 + 0.2Ca) alloy strip during warm rolling and subsequent annealing were investigated in this paper. The as-TRC alloy strip shows columnar dendrites in surface and equiaxed dendrites in center regions, as well as finely dispersed primary Al₈Mn₅ particles on interdendritic boundaries which result in the beneficial effect on microstructural refinement of strip casting. The warm rolled sheets show intensively deformed band or shear band structures, as well as finely and homogeneously dispersed Al-Mn particles. No evident dynamic recrystallization (DRX) takes place during warm rolling process, which is more likely attributed to the finely dispersed particle and high solid solution of Al and Mn atoms in α-Mg matrix. After annealing at 350 °C for 1 h, the warm rolled TRC sheets show fine equiaxed grains around 7.8 μm in average size. It has been shown that the present TRC alloy sheet has superior tensile strength and comparative elongation compared to commercial ingot cast (IC) one, suggesting the possibility of the development of wrought magnesium alloy sheets by twin roll strip casting processing. The microstructural evolution during warm rolling and subsequent annealing as well as the resulting tensile properties were analyzed and discussed.     

Processing map for hot working of Inconel 718 alloy

Cylindrical specimens of Inconel 718 alloy with grain size of 90 μm were used in the compression tests and processing maps at the strains of 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 were developed at 950-1150 °C in the strain rate range 0.001-100 s⁻¹. Only one unstable region for adiabatic shear bands and one small dynamic recrystallization zone in the stable region are exhibited in the processing map at 0.1 strain. As the strain is beyond 0.3, there exist three unstable regions in the processing maps where one is for adiabatic shear bands and the other two are for intergranular cracking. At the same time, the zone of dynamic recrystallization with a peak efficiency of 0.39 at about 950 °C and 0.001 s⁻¹ in the stable region is enlarged and the distribution of which is from lower temperature and lower strain rate to higher ones. Optical micrographs of the specimens compressed to 0.7 strain show good agreement with the processing maps and main hot working schedules have been designed. Influence of initial grain size from 10 μm to 90 μm on the occurrence temperature of adiabatic shear bands and intergranular cracking has been analyzed at a strain rate of 100 s⁻¹ and in the temperature range 900-1200 °C.     

Interface structure and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermet and 17-4PH stainless steel joint brazed with nickel-base filler metal BNi-2

The effects of brazing temperature on microstructure and bonding strength of vacuum brazed joints of Ti(C,N)-based cermet and 17-4 PH stainless steel, using filler metal BNi-2, were investigated. At a lower brazing temperature of 1050 °C, the distribution of melting point depressants (MPD) concentrated on the diffusion affected zone (DAZ) and the brazing seam near the Ti(C,N)-based cermet, the generation of brittle phases in the brazing seam was unavoidable. The uniform distribution of the MPD and full solid solution of γ-nickel occurred in the brazing seam at a higher brazing temperature of 1150 °C. A maximum shear strength of 690 MPa was achieved at a brazing temperature of 1150 °C.     

The aluminothermic reduction of boric acid

The effect of metallic aluminium powder on the production of boron carbide–alumina composite was studied. Boric acid, carbon and aluminium powders were mixed in stoichiometric ratio, ball milled and heat treated at temperatures between 1300 and 1650 °C for 1–5 h in the presence of argon flow. Depending on the ratio of boron oxide to carbon, the formation of boron carbide by the carbothermal reduction, was possible at a temperature of around 1500 °C, but with the addition of metallic aluminium to the mixture of boric acid and carbon, the carbide formation temperature was reduced at least 300 °C. At 1300 °C, B₄C was the major phase with alumina in the reaction products. The liquid–solid reaction mechanism, which occurred during the aluminothermic process, had a specific influence on the formation of boron carbide.     

Analysis of the non-uniform thermal behavior in slab continuous casting mold based on the inverse finite-element model

A full finite-element model of a mold, including four copper plates, nickel layer and water slots of different depths, was developed to reveal the complex thermal behavior of molds in slab continuous casting. An inverse algorithm was applied to calculate the heat flux and combined with the temperatures measured using thermocouples that were buried in different positions of the mold. The temperature distributions of the four copper plates are not symmetric, reflecting the non-uniform nature of heat transfer and the necessity of building a full model. The maximum hot surface temperature of the mold occurs in the region 70–100 mm below the meniscus. At heights 100 mm below the meniscus, the average temperature of the deep water slot root is higher than that of the shallow water slot by approximately 10 °C. In the off-corner regions, the hot surface temperature differences between the narrow face and wide face near the corners are approximately 20–30 °C 100 mm below the meniscus. It will provide a helpful tool for further improving the casting parameters and operations.     

Direct preparation of LiBH4 from pre-treated LiH + B mixture at high pressure

LiBH₄ was prepared from LiH + B mixture at 300-500 °C with a hydrogen pressure of 35 MPa. The LiH + B mixture was pretreated by ball milling under 10 MPa hydrogen pressure for 10 h. The results showed that ball-milling treatment is favorable for the formation of LiBH₄, which could reduce the reaction temperature for about 200 °C. A small quantity of LiBH₄ could be found in the pre-treated sample. The formation of LiBH₄ from LiH + B mixture is a kinetically hindered progress and a diffusion-control reaction. LiBH₄ formed at 400 °C could release 6.59 wt.% H₂ when it was heated from room temperature to 500 °C. The yield of LiBH₄ is about 59.4%.     

On surface temperatures during high power pulsed magnetron sputtering using a hot target

A study of temperature of a magnetron target was performed for the case of high power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) of titanium thin films, using a water-cooled target and a hot target. Temporal evolution and spatial distribution of surface temperature were investigated. Temperature measurements were made by an infrared camera for target diameter of 100 mm, pulse repetition frequencies of 1 and 10 kHz, and discharge average pulse currents of from 2.5 to 35 A. For the case of hot target, surface temperature of the erosion zone increased up to 1750 °C and melting occurred. Temporal evolution of temperature after the end of deposition revealed phase change in solid-state from β-Ti to α-Ti at 882 °C and, for the case of high average pulse currents, also solidification at 1670 °C. The solid state phase transformation plateau was used to determine an emissivity of Ti target for the present case, and therefore precisely calibrate infrared camera measurements. The target melting was analysed in detail. The dependencies of maximum temperature on average pulse current and on average target power density for the case of hot target revealed the existence of heat losses other than radiation (i.e. enhanced sputtering, sublimation, electron emission and evaporation) at temperatures above 1500 °C, which correlates with higher erosion and deposition rates shown in another work.     

Effects of process parameters on warm and electromagnetic hybrid forming of magnesium alloy sheets

As the lightest structural metal, magnesium (Mg) is attracting increasing interest from both the industrial and academic fields. Magnesium alloy parts are mainly processed by die casting due to their poor sheet formability at room temperature. Warm forming is a popular method of forming; Mg alloy sheets produced in this manner show excellent formability around 200-400 °C. Electromagnetic forming (EMF) can improve the formability of metal sheets without the need for lubricants. In this paper, a new approach, called warm and electromagnetic hybrid forming (WEMF), is presented. The effects of voltage, capacity, and temperature on the bulging height of Mg alloy sheets are investigated. Results show that the bulging height of Mg sheets increases with moderate discharging energies. Enhancing the discharging voltage is also a more efficient method for increasing bulging height compared to simply increasing the capacity. When the discharging energy is kept constant, the bulging height first decreases (<150 °C) and then increases (>150 °C) from room temperature to 230 °C. The formability of Mg alloy sheets improves with increasing temperature, while the forming efficiency of WEMF decreases under similar conditions.     

Thixoforming of EN AW-2014 alloy at high solid fraction

EN AW-2014 extruded alloy slugs were thixoformed at 615 °C where the solid fraction is estimated to be 80%. The recrystallization process occurred during heating to the thixoforming temperature, between 550 °C and 600 °C, well above the solidus temperature owing to the pinning of grain boundaries by Al₂Cu precipitates. The equiaxed polygonal grains thus obtained have become increasingly globular upon soaking. Si was enriched in the grain boundaries during soaking while the solid solution matrix was gradually depleted off Cu. The grain boundary composition has moved closer to that of the Al-Cu-Si ternary eutectic with a lower melting point than the binary Al-Cu eutectic, facilitating grain boundary melting. The liquid phase has then penetrated between the grains, forming a more or less continous intergranular network. Microstructural features essential for forming in the semi-solid state were obtained after about 10 min at 615 °C. The subsequent forming process has occurred in the semi-solid state with no evidence of grain deformation. The thixoformed EN AW-2014 part was solutionized at 500 °C for 2 h and was subsequently quenched in water. Artificial ageing at 160 °C has produced hardness values as high as 160 HV after only 8 h. It is concluded that the high strength wrought EN AW-2014 alloy feedstock processed by the RAP route respond to a thixoforming operation in a very favorable fashion.     

The bending strength temperature dependence of the directionally solidified eutectic LaB6-ZrB2 composite

A directionally solidified LaB₆-ZrB₂ eutectic was prepared by the floating zone method based on the crucible-free zone melting of compacted powders. ZrB₂ and LaB₆ powders were used as the initial materials. The bending strength of the composite was evaluated in the temperature range of 25-1600 °C and reached 950 MPa at 1600 °C. Using a residual stress analysis, fracture toughness, and SEM and TEM fracture investigations, the toughening mechanisms under different conditions were studied. We speculate that the strength of the LaB₆-ZrB₂ eutectic at 25-1200 °C is mainly associated with crack deflection, bridge toughening mechanisms and increasing plasticity of the ZrB₂ phase; and at 1200-1600 °C, with the increasing plasticity of the matrix and fibers. By analyzing the dislocation structure of the fibers, the occurrence of strain hardening in the single crystalline ZrB₂ during high-temperature deformation was revealed. The change from the brittle to ductile fracture mode for the directionally solidified LaB₆-ZrB₂ eutectic at near 1600 °C was determined.     

Temperature and dew point dependent segregation of phosphorus and sulfur in Fe-Mn-P-S model alloy

The dependence of surface segregation of P and S, on temperature and dew point of the annealing atmosphere was studied for an Fe-1Mn-0.02P-0.008S (all in wt.%) model alloy. The specimens were annealed for 1 min within a temperature window of 400 to 800 °C, in N₂-5%H₂ gas atmospheres with a wide range of dew points − 80 to 0 °C. Surface analyses were carried out by using XPS and FE-SEM. At the dew points − 80 and − 40 °C segregation of P was observed at 400 and 600 °C but S segregation occurred only at 800 °C. Phosphorus accumulation increases significantly with increase of dew point and, moreover, at the higher dew point, P replaces S at 800 °C.     

Protective coatings for induction casting of titanium

Commercially pure titanium is among the most biocompatible metals available for dental uses: it combines good mechanical properties with high corrosion resistance in simulated body fluids. However, titanium casting shows some problems mainly related to its high melting temperature and chemical reactivity with oxygen at T > 600 °C; as a consequence, molten titanium reacts with crucibles and mould components during casting. In this research, new Y₂O₃-based slurry was used to produce yttria coated mullitic crucibles and wax pattern coatings for induction melting of titanium; furthermore, a detailed comparison among 4 different investment materials (one silica-based, one ZrSiO₄-based and two MgO-based) was performed. The titanium surface after casting was investigated with optical and electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). A reaction zone was observed on Ti when cast in an uncoated crucible, while a clean, pure Ti surface was obtained by using yttria coated crucibles and yttria coated wax patterns before investing with silica-based and zircon-based investment.     

Study of the corrosion and microstructure with annealing conditions of a β-quenched HANA-4 alloy

The variation of microstructure and corrosion characteristics with the applied annealing conditions of a HANA-4 (Zr-1.5Nb-0.4Sn-0.2Fe-0.1Cr) alloy were studied by utilizing transmission electron microscopy and a corrosion test at 360 °C in a water environment. The samples were annealed at temperature ranges from 540 to 660 °C up to 16 h after β quenching at 1050 °C. The corrosion behaviour with the annealing conditions was divided into two groups following the second phase characteristics. The suitable annealing temperature to obtain good corrosion resistance in the HANA-4 alloy ranged from 570 to 600 °C.     

Effect of thermal annealing on the corrosion protection of stainless steel by poly(3-octyl thiophene)

Poly(3-octyl thiophene) (P3OT) coatings have been chemically deposited by drop casting onto 304-type stainless steel. P3OT films were thermally annealed at 55, 80 and 100 °C in air during 30 h and their corrosion resistance was estimated by using polarization curves, linear polarization resistance (LPR), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, EIS. P3OT films decreased the corrosion rate of the substrate by at least one order of magnitude, although the best corrosion protection was given by annealing it at 100 °C whereas the worst corrosion protection was given by annealing the coating at 80 °C.     

A double control forming technology combining die casting and forging for the production of Mg alloy components with enhanced properties

A double control forming technology combining the die casting and forging was firstly proposed for the production of Mg alloy components with enhanced properties. In this technology, high-speed filling of liquid melt and high-pressure forging of partially solidified melt were performed by using injection and forging systems of a double control forming device. Some Mg alloy motorcycle wheel components were produced by die casting and double control forming to verify the improvement of the mechanical properties of components formed by double control forming. The results showed that double control forming was an alternative technology for producing the complex Mg alloy components with enhanced properties. Average tensile strength and elongation of Mg alloy components produced by double control forming were greatly improved in comparison with die casting. The average tensile strength was enhanced from 126.8 MPa to 213 MPa and elongation was improved from 3.5% to 7.2%. The optimal process parameters were obtained according to the results of orthogonal experiments, which involved pouring temperature of 675 °C, injection speed of 2 m/s and die temperature of 210 °C. The improved nucleation frequency in the melt caused by the forging pressure led to successful grain refinement of the microstructure of the component produced by double control forming. The defects were removed from the microstructure due to plastic deformation caused by the forging pressure. A refined and densified microstructure led to an enhancement of mechanical properties of Mg alloy component produced by double control forming.