Microstructure and properties of AlTiNiMnBx high entropy alloys

Abstract

AlTiNiMnB _x (x=0˙1, 0˙2, 0˙4 and 0˙5) high entropy alloys are prepared by an arc furnace. The results show that the alloys have a single bcc crystal structure. Boron additions lead to distortion of the crystal lattice and alloy strengthening. The highest hardness (779 HV) is achieved with 0˙5 at.-%B.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of nickel based honeycomb sandwich

Abstract

A nickel based superalloy honeycomb sandwich was manufactured by high temperature brazing. The microstructure evolution and the out of plate mechanical properties were investigated for honeycomb sandwiches aged at 1000&degC in the present paper. The maximum tensile stress was 28·5 MPa and the compressive yield strength was 29·6 MPa for the original specimens. These parameters decreased to 22·9 and 20·5 MPa for specimens aged for 2 h, to 18·2 and 12·2 MPa for specimens aged for 5 h and to 20·2 and 14·3 MPa for specimens aged for 10 h respectively. With increasing aging time the tensile elongation decreased, the intermetallic compounds and the eutectic structure in the brazing region disappeared, and the solid solution approaching the matrix gradually increased.     

Microstructure and properties of Nd-Fe-B magnets prepared by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Anisotropic Nd₁₅.₅Dy₁.₀Fe_BalCo₃.₀B₆.₈Al₁.₀ magnets were produced by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The effects of processing conditions on the microstructure, magnetic properties, dimensional precision and density of the magnets were studied. The magnetic properties, microstructure and constituents were investigated by means of a magnetic flux density - magnetic field strength (B-H) loopline instrument, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The density of the magnets was determined by the Archimedes method, and the dimensional precision of the magnets was measured by micrometer. It was found that the microstructure of SPS processed Nd-Fe-B magnets is unique; the grain size is fine and uniform while distribution of the neodymium rich phase is heterogeneous. The optimal magnetic properties of SPS processed Nd-Fe-B magnets obtained so far are maximum energy product of 240 kJ m^-3 and coercive force of 1260 kA m^-1. The dimensional precision of the magnets is ~ 20 μm, and the density of the magnets reaches 7.58 g cm^-3.     

Influence of post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc maraging steel weldments

Abstract

The response to post-weld heat treatment of an 18%Ni (250 grade) gas tungsten arc weld metal has been investigated. The post-weld heat treatments are (a) direct aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling, (b) solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling and (c) homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling. Metallographic characterisation of fusion zone revealed pronounced segregation of titanium and molybdenum along the interdendritic and intercellular boundaries. This led, during subsequent aging, to austenite reversion at temperatures much lower than in wrought (unwelded) material. Solutionised treatment at 815°C does not remove the segregation. Homogenisation treatment (1150°C/1 h/air cooling) succeeded in making the composition become homogenised. Mechanical properties including tensile, hardness and impact toughness were evaluated. Tensile test results showed that directly aged weldments exhibited lower strength but higher ductility than the other cases; this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite. Homogenisation at 1150°C/1 h/air cooling+solutionising at 815°C/1 h/air cooling+aging at 480°C/3 h/air cooling resulted in optimum tensile properties. A substantial increase in fusion zone toughness was observed after homogenisation+solutionising+aged condition due to a decrease in the content of austenite content compared to the directly aged condition. The reduction in microsegregation by diffusion of alloying elements from cell boundaries to the cell during homogenisation treatment is responsible for the decrease in austenite content.     

Influence of boron on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-11.6Si-0.4Mg casting alloy modified with strontium

Abstract

The influence of the addition of Al-1B master alloy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-11.6%Si-0.4%Mg alloy modified with 0.030%Sr has been investigated. The mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of the alloys as cast and after T6 heat treatment with three different melt treatments (no treatment; 0.030%Sr modifying treatment; and 0.030%Sr + 0.028%B combined melt treatment) were also compared. Al-1B master alloy has a strong action in refining the dendritic structure in near eutectic Al-Si casting alloys modified with Sr. The Sr+B combined melt treatment can improve considerably the mechanical properties of the alloys, both as cast and after T6 heat treatment. Fracture modes of the alloys with the Sr modifying treatment and the Sr+B combined melt treatment are typically ductile. However, fractographs indicate that the alloy with combined melt treatment suffered greater ductile deformation before fracture. The Sr+B combined melt treatment significantly improves the mechanical properties of near eutectic Al-Si casting alloys.     

Effects of quench aging treatment on microstructure and tensile properties of thixoformed ZA27 alloy

Abstract

The effects of quench aging heat treatment on microstructure and tensile properties of thixoformed ZA27 alloy were investigated. The results indicated that the microstructure of the alloy became into polygonal β phase particles after solid solution treatment at 350°C for 48 h. The β particles then decomposed into α and η phases which would coarsen during the subsequent aging at 150°C. It was observed that the Zn concentration in the β phase near the polygonal boundaries was higher than that within the β particles. As a consequence, both the decomposition speed of the former β phase and the subsequent coarsening speed were faster than those of the latter β phase. Thus, α and η phases near the boundaries were always coarser than those within the particles during aging. Owing to the coarsening, the ultimate tensile strength continuously decreased with increasing aging time. The percentage elongation increased up to 10 h, but decreased with aging time owing to bad deformation accommodation and low bonding strength between particles. Cracks initiated from some defects (e.g. inclusions and porosities) during tensile test, and the path for the cracks to propagation changed with the aging time.     

Effects of Ca combined with Sr additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy

Abstract

Weight reduction to improve automobile fuel economy has triggered renewed interest in magnesium. The effects of Ca/Sr separate and composite additions to AZ91D magnesium alloy on its microstructure and mechanical properties have been investigated. The results indicate Ca can refine both the grain and eutectic phase of AZ91D magnesium alloy. Sr hampers microstructure refinement when composite Ca/Sr additions are made. In addition, separate Ca additions to AZ91D magnesium alloy increase yield strength but decrease elongation of this alloy. By adjusting the Ca/Sr composite proportions, additions to AZ91D magnesium alloy are able to improve both microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy.     

Microstructure and electronic properties of microcrystalline silicon carbide thin films prepared by hot-wire CVD

An overview on microstructural and electronic properties of stoichiometric microcrystalline silicon carbide (μc-SiC) prepared by Hot-Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition (HWCVD) at low substrate temperatures will be given. The electronic properties are strongly dependent on crystalline phase, local bonding, strain, defects, impurities, etc. Therefore these quantities need to be carefully investigated in order to evaluate their influence and to develop strategies for material improvement. We will particularly address the validity of different experimental methods like Raman spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy to provide information on the crystalline volume fraction by comparing the results with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray diffraction data. Finally the electronic properties as derived from optical absorption and transport measurements will be related to the microstructure.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium AZ31 sheets produced by extrusion

In the last decade magnesium has regained importance for lightweight and transportation industries since it is the lightest metal for structural applications. Therefore the increasing demand of sheet-like magnesium applications required manifold forming strategies. The extrusion is an alternative solution for the production of magnesium sheets and thin flat profiles, which are produced today mainly by rolling. This study presents the influence of the process temperature and extrusion ratio on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31 extrusion sheets. The extruded sheets exhibit a coarse-grained microstructure and a pronounced mechanical anisotropy in the sheet plane caused by the extrusion texture. This texture leads to a strong dependence of deformation systems on the loading direction delivering the highest value for yielding in extrusion direction, but the lowest in transverse direction due to the easy activation of the {10-12}<10-11> extension twinning system in favorably oriented grains.     

Effect of vapour phase hydrogen peroxide,as a decontaminant for civil aviation applications,on microstructure,tensile properties and corrosion resistance of 2024 and 7075 age hardenable aluminium alloys and 304 austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

A response to the chemical or biological contamination of aircraft requires the use of a suitable decontaminant. Among possible chemical decontaminants, vapour phase hydrogen peroxide appears to be a likely candidate in terms of a combination of efficacy, low environmental impact and potential for materials compatibility. The present paper examines the effect of hydrogen peroxide, both in the vapour phase and as a liquid concentrate on two common structural materials used in aviation, namely 2024 and 7075 age hardenable aluminium alloys and on 304 austenitic stainless steel, the latter as employed in galley and lavatory surfaces. The present paper characterises both the effects of hydrogen peroxide on the microstructure of the materials and the impact that decontamination has on the tensile properties and corrosion resistance of these materials. Microstructural effects are both relatively small in magnitude and confined to a region immediately beside the exposed surface. No systematic effect is found on either the tensile properties or the post-exposure corrosion resistance of the three alloys examined. These observations are encouraging in terms of the use of vapour phase hydrogen peroxide for decontamination applications.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of zinc ferrite thin films produced by pulsed laser deposition

Zinc ferrite thin films were deposited from a target of zinc ferrite onto a MgO substrate using XeCl excimer laser operating at 308 nm and frequency of 30 Hz. The crystallographic characterizations of the films were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructure, surface morphology, chemical composition and grain size, as well as surface roughness were obtained from scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The magnetic properties of the thin films were studied in the temperature range 5–300 K and in fields of up to 5 T using SQUID magnetometry. Data on temperature and field dependence of magnetization provide a strong evidence for superparamagnetism. Paper presented at 8 AGM of MRSI, BARC, Mumbai, 1997.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of rare earth Nd-Fe system alloys produced by containerless processing

Nd_xFe_100?1.5xB_0.5x alloys (x=10, 11.8, and 14) were solidified from the undercooled melts by drop tube processing. The samples contained a large amount of the metastable phase with the composition near to their bulk composition in each alloy. The volume fraction of the metastable phase increased as the sample diameter decreased. The metastable phase was partially decomposed into very fine lamellar grains of the Nd₂Fe₁₄B and α-Fe or Nd₂Fe₁₄B and some Nd-rich phase by solid-state reaction in the samples with a diameter of 1200μm. The solidification behavior of the metastable phase was explained in terms of a hypothetic scheme of the pseudobinary Nd-Fe-B phase diagram     

Microstructure and properties of ceramic coatings produced on 2024 aluminum alloy by microarc oxidation

The microstructures of the microarc oxidation coatings and 2024 aluminum alloy substrate were observed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the phase composition of the coatings was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the profiles of the nanohardness, H, and elastic modulus, E, along the coating depth were first determined using the mechanical properties microprobe. The microarc oxidation coatings consist of two layers—a loose layer and a compact layer. The H and E in the compact layer are about 18–32 GPa, 280–390 GPa, respectively. The H and E profiles are similar, and both of them exhibit a maximum value at a same depth of the coatings. The distribution of -Al₂O₃ phase content determines the H and E profiles in the coatings. The changes of -Al₂O₃ and -Al₂O₃ contents result from the different cooling rates of the molten alumina in the microarc discharge channel at the different depths of the coatings. After the microarc oxidation treatment, the microstructure of the alloy substrate, even near the Al/Al₂O₃ interface, has not been changed.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu and Cu-Zn alloys produced by equal channel angular pressing

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) Cu and Cu-Zn alloy were prepared using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) to investigate the effects of stacking fault energy (SFE) on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties. Combining with the previous researches, the grain refinement process of ECAP is divided into three stages based on the variation of tensile strength and plasticity. According to the influences of defects on strength and ductility during plastic deformation, the three stages are discussed in detail by considering the dislocation density, grain and twin boundaries. Besides, the impact of SFE on the strength and ductility of the UFG Cu-Zn alloys are evaluated, indicating that these two mechanical properties can be improved simultaneously in the whole ECAP process either through slightly or widely adjusting the SFE. This significant effect of SFE reflects in two aspects, one is in the microstructure evolution during ECAP processing and the other is in the subsequent tensile plastic deformation, both of which can be achieved through regulating the dislocation motion via changing the SFE.     

喷射轧制Fe-4.5%Si硅钢片的组织和性能

采用喷射成形和轧制工艺制备了厚度为0.5mm的Fe-4.5%Si高硅钢片，并对其密度、显微组织和电磁性能进行了测试分析，研究结果表明：在最佳的喷射成形和轧制工艺条件下，所制备硅钢片的磁感应强度B25为1.544T、B50为1.641T；铁损P1050为1.437W/kg、P1550为3.43W/kg，说明喷射成形轧制技术可以制备出高磁感应强度、低铁损的高硅钢片。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 780 MPa high strength steels produced by direct-quenching and tempering process

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 780 MPa grade steel plate manufactured by conventional reheat-quenching and tempering (RQ-T) and direct-quenching and tempering (DQ-T) processes were investigated. The DQ process was found to enhance the hardenability of steel effectively so that tensile strengths of a range from 780 to 860 MPa have been achieved using DQ-T process, while tensile strength of about 770 MPa has been obtained from the RQ-T sample. In contrast, low temperature toughness of DQ-T samples was generally inferior to that of RQ-T sample, unless hot rolling and cooling processes were optimized in a controlled manner. For example, fracture appearance transition temperature (FATT) of DQ-T samples was varied in a range from –50°C to –120°C, while RQ-T specimens exhibited nearly constant FATT of about –80°C. The finish-rolling temperature (FRT) was one of potential process parameters to determine strength/toughness balance of the steel manufactured by DQ process, while the effect of FRT was closely associated with the cooling rate applied in the process. It has been demonstrated that, for the specimens quenched with a cooling rate higher than 20°C/sec, it may seem to be appropriate to adjust the FRT as low as possible in the non-recrystallization region. In contrast, for the specimens quenched with a low cooling rate of less than 10°C/sec, it may seem to be proper to apply higher FRT to obtain excellent strength/toughness balance of the steel.     

Microstructure and properties of in‐situ vanadium carbide phase reinforced nickel based coating by laser cladding

Laser cladding has been applied to fabricate in‐situ vanadium carbide phase on the surface of C45E (according to ISO 683‐1:2016 (E)) using a preplaced powder consisting of 55 wt.% Ni35 and 45 wt.% (FeV50 + graphite), meanwhile, pure Ni35 has also been cladded for comparison. The microstructure and phases analysis were carried out by means of optical microscope, X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. The microhardness and wear resistance were tested through the microhardness tester and ring‐on‐block wear tester respectively. The results show that there are many kinds of microstructure such as cellular and columnar crystals for the pure Ni35 cladding coating, and lots of cellular or dendritic vanadium carbide and reticular Cr₂Fe₁₄C₃ phases distribute over the Fe₃Ni₂ matrix in the coating cladded with 55 wt.% Ni35 and 45 wt.% (FeV50 + graphite). Vanadium carbide phase is uniformly distributed and bonded metallurgically to the matrix very well, which increases the hardness and wear resistance. The wear resistance of coating cladded with 55 wt. % Ni35 and 45 wt. % (FeV50 + graphite) alloy powder is 5.16 times as high as C45E, and is higher 139.7% than that of the pure Ni35 clad layer.     

SCP热轧1.0mm超薄规格低碳钢板的组织及性能

采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜和拉伸实验等方法研究了CSP线轧制工艺与薄规格低碳钢板显微组织、力学性能特征之间的关系。显微组织观察和力学性能实测结果表明：CSP线生产的低碳钢连铸坯铸态组织比较均匀，靠近表面层的枝晶宽度与心部区域差别很小，皆为较细的树枝晶，枝晶宽度在几微米至30μm之间；成品1.0mm低岩石钢玺板的组织很细，约为5μm，但轧向与横向组织中的铁素体晶粒形貌和尺寸存在差异；由于晶粒组织细小且钢中有害元素、夹杂物的含量低，故板的强度和延伸率高。