Atomic-scale dissecting the formation mechanism of gradient nanostructured layer on Mg alloy processed by a novel high-speed machining technique

Severe plastic deformation(SPD)-induced gradient nanostructured(GNS)metallic materials exhibit supe-rior mechanical performance,especially the high strength and good ductility.In this study,a novel high-speed machining SPD technique,namely single point diamond turning(SPDT),was developed to produce effectively the GNS layer on the hexagonal close-packed(HCP)structural Mg alloy.The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations and atomistic molecular dynamics sim-ulations were mainly performed to atomic-scale dissect the grain refinement process and corresponding plastic deformation mechanisms of the GNS layer.It was found that the grain refinement process for the formation of the GNS Mg alloy layer consists of elongated coarse grains,lamellar fine grains with deformation-induced-tension twins and contraction twins,ultrafine grains,and nanograins with the grain size of～70 nm along the direction from the inner matrix to surface.Specifically,experiment results and atomistic simulations reveal that these deformation twins are formed by gliding twinning partial dis-locations that are dissociated from the lattice dislocations piled up at grain boundaries.The corresponding deformation mechanisms were evidenced to transit from the deformation twinning to dislocation slip when the grain size was below 2.45 μm.Moreover,the Hall-Petch relationship plot and the surface equivalent stress along the gradient direction estimated by finite element analysis for the SPDT process were incorporated to quantitatively elucidate the transition of deformation mechanisms during the grain refinement process.Our findings have implications for the development of the facile SPD technique to construct high strength-ductility heterogeneous GNS metals,especially for the HCP metals.     

Effects of grain size on compressive behaviour in ultrafine grained pure Mg processed by equal channel angular pressing at room temperature

Ultrafine-grained pure magnesium with an average grain size of 0.8 μm was produced by refining coarse-grained (980 μm) ingot by multi-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature with the application of a back pressure. The compressive deformation behaviour at room temperature depended on grain size, with deformation twinning and associated work hardening observed in coarse-grained Mg, but absent in the ultrafine grained material as decreasing grain size raised the stress for twinning above that for dislocation slip. The ultrafine grained Mg showed good plasticity with prolonged constant stress after some initial strain hardening.     

镁合金的塑性变形机制和孪生变形研究

概述了镁合金的塑性变形机制,介绍了镁合金的主要孪生系及其表征技术,详细分析了变形温度、变形速率、受力方向和晶粒尺寸等对镁合金孪生变形的影响,讨论了孪生变形对镁合金塑性变形、动态再结晶、力学性能与断裂的影响。孪生通常发生在粗大晶粒中,晶粒细化可以激活镁合金中的非基面滑移,抑制孪生变形和降低镁合金的各向异性,指出细晶镁合金的研制和工业化生产是变形镁合金发展的重要方向。     

Nanoscale deformation of multiaxially forged ultrafine-grained Mg-2Zn-2Gd alloy with high strength-high ductility combination and comparison with the coarse-grained counterpart

Cold processing of magnesium(Mg) alloys is a challenge because Mg has a hexagonal close-packed(HCP)lattice with limited slip systems, which makes it difficult to plastically deform at low temperature. To address this challenge, a combination of annealing of as-cast alloy and multi-axial forging was adopted to obtain isotropic ultrafine-grained(UFG) structure in a lean Mg-2Zn-2Gd alloy with high strength(yield strength: ~227 MPa)-high ductility(% elongation: ~30%) combination. This combination of strength and ductility is excellent for the lean alloy, enabling an understanding of deformation processes in a formable high strength Mg-rare earth alloy. The nanoscale deformation behavior was studied via nanoindentation and electron microscopy, and the behavior was compared with its low strength(yield strength: ~46 MPa)-low ductility(% elongation: ~7%) coarse-grained(CG) counterpart. In the UFG alloy, extensive dislocation slip was an active deformation mechanism, while in the CG alloy, mechanical twinning occurred.The differences in the deformation mechanisms of UFG and CG alloys were reflected in the discrete burst in the load-displacement plots. The deformation of Mg-2Zn-2Gd alloys was significantly influenced by the grain structure, such that there was change in the deformation mechanism from dislocation slip(non-basal slip) to nanoscale twins in the CG structure. The high plasticity of UFG Mg alloy involved high dislocation activity and change in activation volume.     

Grain size effect on deformation twinning and detwinning

This article systematically overviews the grain size effect on deformation twinning and detwinning in face-centered cubic (fcc) metals. With decreasing grain size, coarse-grained fcc metals become more difficult to deform by twinning, whereas nanocrystalline (nc) fcc metals first become easier to deform by twinning and then become more difficult, exhibiting an optimum grain size for twinning. The transition in twinning behavior from coarse-grained to nc fcc metals is caused by the change in deformation mechanisms. An analytical model based on observed deformation physics in nc metals, i.e., grain boundary emission of dislocations, provides an explanation of the observed optimum grain size for twinning in nc fcc metals. The detwinning process is caused by the interaction between dislocations and twin boundaries. Under a certain deformation condition, there exists a grain size range where the twinning process dominates over the detwinning process to produce the highest density of twins.     

Grain size effect on deformation twinning in Mg–Al–Zn alloy

Abstract

Specimens of Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy with a wide range of grain size distribution were compressed along different directions. The compressed microstructure was examined to clarify the grain size effect on deformation twinning in magnesium alloys. Small strains were used to reveal the twinning behaviour. The results show that the grain size affects the formation of deformation twins in an Mg–Al–Zn alloy. The reason for a different result being previously reported is given. This study also reports the different deformation microstructures in specimens compressed along different directions.     

Grain size altering yielding mechanisms in ultrafine grained high-Mn austenitic steel:Advanced TEM investigations

The underlying mechanism of discontinuous yielding behavior in an ultrafine-grained(UFG)Fe-31Mn-3Al-3Si(wt.％)austenitic TWIP steel was investigated by the use of advanced TEM technique with taking the plastic deformation mechanisms and their correlation with grains size near the macroscopic yield point into account.Typical yield drop mechanisms such as the dislocation locking by the Cottrell atmo-sphere due to the presence of interstitial impurities cannot explain the origin of this phenomenon in the UFG high-Mn austenitic TWIP steel.Here,we experimentally revealed that the plastic deformation mechanisms in the early stage of deformation,around the macroscopic yield point,show an obvious association with grain size.More specifically,the main mechanism shifts from the conventional slip in grain interior to twinning nucleated from grain boundaries with decreasing the grain size down to less than 1 μm.Our observation indicates that the grain size dependent deformation mechanisms transition is also deeply associated with the discontinuous yielding behavior as it could govern the changes in the grain interior dislocation density of mobile dislocations around the macroscopic yield point.     

Grain size effects on the tensile properties and deformation mechanisms of a magnesium alloy, AZ31B, sheet

The grain size dependence of the tensile properties and the deformation mechanisms responsible for those properties are examined for Mg alloy, AZ31B, sheet. Specifically, the Hall–Petch effect and strain anisotropy (r-value) are characterized experimentally, and interpreted using polycrystal plasticity modeling. {1 0 . 2} extension twins, {1 0 . 1} contraction twins, and so-called “double-twins” are observed via microscopy and diffraction-based techniques, and the amount of twinning is found to increase with increasing grain size. For the sheet texture and tensile loading condition examined, {1 0 . 2} extension twinning is not expected, yet the polycrystal plasticity model predicts the observed behavior, including this ‘anomalous’ tensile twinning. The analysis shows that the Hall–Petch strength dependence, of the polycrystal as a whole, is primarily determined by the grain size dependence of the strength of the prismatic slip systems.     

Deformation twinning in nanocrystalline materials

Nanocrystalline (nc) materials can be defined as solids with grain sizes in the range of 1-100 nm. Contrary to coarse-grained metals, which become more difficult to twin with decreasing grain size, nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (fcc) metals become easier to twin with decreasing grain size, reaching a maximum twinning probability, and then become more difficult to twin when the grain size decreases further, i.e. exhibiting an inverse grain-size effect on twinning. Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental observations have revealed that the mechanisms of deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals are different from those in their coarse-grained counterparts. Consequently, there are several types of deformation twins that are observed in nanocrystalline materials, but not in coarse-grained metals. It has also been reported that deformation twinning can be utilized to enhance the strength and ductility of nanocrystalline materials. This paper reviews all aspects of deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals, including deformation twins observed by molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, twinning mechanisms, factors affecting the twinning, analytical models on the nucleation and growth of deformation twins, interactions between twins and dislocations, and the effects of twins on mechanical and other properties. It is the authors’ intention for this review paper to serve not only as a valuable reference for researchers in the field of nanocrystalline metals and alloys, but also as a textbook for the education of graduate students.     

Texture and microstructure development during hot deformation of ME20 magnesium alloy: Experiments and simulations

The influence of deformation conditions and starting texture on the microstructure and texture evolution during hot deformation of a commercial rare earth (RE)-containing magnesium alloy sheet ME20 was investigated and compared with a conventional Mg sheet alloy AZ31. For all the investigated conditions, the two alloys revealed obvious distinctions in the flow behavior and the development of texture and microstructure, which was primarily attributed to the different chemistry of the two alloys. The presence of precipitates in the fine microstructure of the ME20 sheet considerably increased the recrystallization temperature and suppressed tensile twinning. This gave rise to an uncommon Mg texture development during deformation. Texture simulation using an advanced cluster-type Taylor approach with consideration of grain interaction was employed to correlate the unique texture development in the ME20 alloy with the activation scenarios of different deformation modes.     

Deforming Nanocrystalline Metals: New Insights,New Puzzles

Recent experiments have brought new insights into the mechanisms which govern the plasticity of nanocrystalline metals. In particular, new opportunities have arisen from the finding that bulk nanocrystalline samples with extremely small grain size, prepared by the inert gas condensation technique, can be deformed to large true strain. The findings elucidate the roles of creep, partial dislocation activity along with its consequences, faulting and twinning, as well as grain boundary sliding and grain rotation. However, they also rise intriguing new questions, specifically with respect to the mechanisms of dislocation nucleation at grain boundaries, and with respect to slip system selection and alignment in twinned grains. An emerging insight is that there is not ‘the’ deformation mechanism at small grain size; instead, deformation mechanism maps in, for instance, the parameter space spanned by the strain rate and the grain size, are more appropriate representations of the various processes that control the materials behavior.     

AZ31镁合金室温拉伸微观变形机制EBSD原位跟踪研究

利用电子背散射衍射(EBSD)技术,原位跟踪AZ31镁合金轧制板材室温下沿轧向拉伸时的晶粒取向变化。对变形过程的滑移系和孪晶启动机进行分析。结果表明:变形过程主要由〈a〉基面和柱面滑移系开动而实现,晶粒取向无明显变化,大量〈a〉位错滑移的产生,使得变形后小角度晶界增加明显。晶粒中拉伸孪晶是试样在拉伸变形过程中产生的,而非在试样拉伸后的卸载过程中产生。     

Effect of rare earth elements on deformation behavior of an extruded Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.5Zr alloy during compression

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of rare-earth (RE) elements on the strain hardening behavior in an extruded Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.5Zr magnesium alloy via compression in the extrusion direction at room temperature. The plastic deformation behavior of this RE-containing alloy was characterized by a rapidly decreasing strain hardening rate up to a strain level of about 4% (stage A), followed by a fairly flat linear strain hardening rate over an extended strain range from ∼4% to ∼18% (stage B). Stage C was represented by a decreasing strain hardening rate just before failure. The extent of twinning in this alloy was observed to be considerably less extensive than that in the RE-free extruded Mg alloys. The weaker crystallographic texture, refined grain size, and second-phase particles arising from the addition of RE elements were responsible for the much higher strain hardening rate in stage A due to the increased difficulty on the formation of twins and the slip of dislocations at lower strains, and for the occurrence of quite flat linear strain hardening in stage B at higher strains which was likely related to the dislocation debris and twin debris (or residual twins) stemming from dislocation–twin interactions as well as the interactions between dislocations/twins and second-phase particles and grain boundaries.     

EBSD Characterization of the Laser Remelted Surface Layers in a Commercially Pure Mg

Laser surface melting has been applied on a commercially pure Mg. The microstructure and texture modifications encountered in the surface layers were carefully investigated by using electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD） technique. Due to the melting followed by rapid solidification and cooling, a layer having graded microstructures and texture formed. At the bottom of the melted layer, the solidified Mg grains have an elongated shape with a 〈0001 〉 basal fibre texture nearly parallel to sample normal direction, while equiaxed grains were observed in the top melted layer having a much weaker basal fibre texture. Solidification twinning and deformation twinning were found in the vicinity of the melt/substrate interface where the Mg grains grow larger due to the heating. In addition, no epitaxial type grain growth was observed at the melt/substrate interface.     

Promotion of texture weakening in magnesium by alloying and thermomechanical processing: (I) alloying

The recrystallization and texture evolution of four Mg–Zn–Ce sheets with a warm-rolled microstructure obtained through two stages that can be characterised as rough rolling and finish rolling were investigated at different stages of post-rolling annealing. On annealing, the same regions of the microstructure, located by hardness indentations, were examined and tracked by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Furthermore, intragranular misorientation axes (IGMA) analysis was used to investigate the associated deformation mechanisms in the as-deformed material. By combining these two methods, the development of the recrystallization microstructure was investigated and important aspects, such as preferential nucleation sites, correlation between activated deformation mechanism and initial orientation of the recrystallized grains, were studied. The results showed that the Mg–1Zn–1Ce alloy, which had the highest Ce/Zn ratio, showed the weakest as-rolled texture and the most homogenous distribution of shear banding/twinning. The IGMA analysis also showed that in Mg–1Zn–1Ce, other types of dislocations rather than basal 〈a〉 were activated; in particular, prismatic 〈a〉 type was activated during deformation. Therefore, the weakening of recrystallization texture during rolling resulting from the addition of RE elements was linked with a change in dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behaviour. Since the Mg–1Zn–1Ce alloy corresponds to the highest level of Ce in solid solution, the observed texture weakening was possibly due to decreasing grain boundary mobility as a result of solute partitioning of RE elements to dislocations and grain boundaries.     

Dependence of deformation mechanisms on grain orientations and their changes calculated based on Sachs model in magnesium alloy AZ31

During deformation, the orientation of a grain influences not only the deformation mechanisms (slip or twinning) and the specific selection of activated slip or twinning systems for that grain, but also the kinetics of different types of transformation. Schmid factor analysis was applied to determine the orientation dependency of deformation mechanisms in magnesium alloys AZ31 in this work. The orientation changes after the operation of the specific deformation mechanisms were also calculated based on Sachs model. It was found that different deformation mechanisms proceeded differently according to theoretical predictions. Basal slip occurred when basal planes of grains were tilted toward ND around TD. Prismatic slip dominated when basal planes were approximately perpendicular to TD. Calculation results also indicated that the operating of pyramidal 〈a〉 slip can not be neglected. {10 2} twinning was favorable when basal planes were approximately normal to RD and {10 1} twinning was analyzed to be related to the grains with basal orientations. The operating of 〈a + c〉 slip could greatly suppress the activating of twinning by our Schmid factor analysis. Basal orientations with TD and RD scattering can favor basal slip and tension twinning, respectively, after the operation of compression twinning based on the Schmid factor calculations.     

Dependence of deformation mechanisms on grain orientations and their changes calculated based on Sachs model in magnesium alloy AZ31

During deformation, the orientation of a grain influences not only the deformation mechanisms (slip or twinning) and the specific selection of activated slip or twinning systems for that grain, but also the kinetics of different types of transformation. Schmid factor analysis was applied to determine the orientation dependency of deformation mechanisms in magnesium alloys AZ31 in this work. The orientation changes after the operation of the specific deformation mechanisms were also calculated based on Sachs model. It was found that different deformation mechanisms proceeded differently according to theoretical predictions. Basal slip occurred when basal planes of grains were tilted toward ND around TD. Prismatic slip dominated when basal planes were approximately perpendicular to TD. Calculation results also indicated that the operating of pyramidal 〈a〉 slip can not be neglected. 相似文献   

基于分子动力学镁合金塑性变形机制的研究进展

基于分子动力学方法的计算材料科学是研究微纳米尺度变形机理的重要途径,有助于理清镁合金不同塑性变形机制间的详细竞争关系。本文概述了镁合金中滑移、孪生和晶界滑移变形机制的作用机理;简要介绍了分子动力学基本原理和适用于密排六方结构金属的常用势函数;详细阐述了基于分子动力学方法镁合金塑性变形机制的研究进展。在综述目前研究存在问题的基础上,指出开发适用于镁合金多元体系的高精度势函数以及如何实现多个尺度的衔接等方面是今后研究的重要方向。     

Microstructure evolution of Mg-Zn-Zr magnesium alloy against soft steel core projectile

The study aimed to shed light on the post deformation and damage behavior of an extruded Mg-Zn-Zr alloy under a ballistic impact.The results revealed that the initial microstructure consisted of both{0001} basal and {10(1)0} prismatic fiber texture.After impact,adiabatic shear bands,pronounce dif-ferent twinning in big grains,,,and types of dislocations,and grain refinement through twinning induce recrystallization accommodated the strain,and absorbed ～65.7 ％ of the energy during impact carried by a soft steel projectile.Interestingly,the deformation behavior at the top broad sides of the crater was entirely different.The weak basal texture was changed to a strong prismatic texture,which was further proved by typical sigmoidal compressive stress-strain curves.A revised model for the development of the ultra-fine grains adjacent to the crater has been proposed.The microhardness and yield strength was ～33 ％ and ～40 ％ higher and chiefly ascribed to strain hardening in ultra-fine grained near the surface of the perforation path.The exit of the perforation path was severely damaged and forms onion-shaped concentric rings which were comprised of melted zones,dimples,and cracks.Based on the all interesting findings,this study can be a clue for the development of the lightweight Mg alloy for military and aerospace applications.     

Low cycle fatigue of an extruded Mg–3Nd–0.2Zn–0.5Zr magnesium alloy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate strain-controlled cyclic deformation behavior of an extruded Mg–3Nd–0.2Zn–0.5Zr (NZ30K) magnesium alloy. The microstructure of this alloy consisted of a bimodal microstructure with equiaxed recrystallized grains and unrecrystallized coarse grains along with a large number of smaller second-phase particles present inside the grains and larger particles along the grain boundaries alongside a characteristic precipitate free zone (PFZ). The average grain size was about approximately 5–7 μm. It was observed that unlike the higher RE-containing Mg–10Gd–3Y–0.5Zr (GW103K) magnesium alloy, the NZ30K alloy exhibited asymmetrical hysteresis loops in tension and compression in the fully reversed strain-control tests at a strain ratio of R_ε = −1. This was mainly due to the presence of relatively stronger crystallographic texture, PFZ, and the resultant twinning–detwinning activities during cyclic deformation. While this alloy exhibited cyclic softening at lower strain amplitudes and cyclic hardening at higher strain amplitudes, it had an equivalent fatigue life to that of other extruded Mg alloys. Fatigue crack was observed to initiate from the specimen surface with some isolated facets of the cleavage-like planes near the initiation site. Crack propagation was basically characterized by serrated fatigue striations.