Grain growth in ultrafine grained aluminium processed by hydrostatic extrusion

Ultrafine grained materials can be produced by a number of techniques among which one can distinguish hydrostatic extrusion. In aluminium, this method can be used to obtain a structure with the grain size of 300 nm and high fraction of HAGBs (more than 70%). During annealing this structure undergoes significant changes which were evaluated quantitatively. Annealing for 1 h at temperatures up to 200 °C results in normal grain growth whereas at higher temperatures or for longer annealing times a transition from normal to abnormal growth is observed. The activation energy for low temperature regime is 43 kJ/mol whereas for high temperature annealing—128 kJ/mol. The former corresponds to grain boundary diffusion whereas the latter is close to activation energy of self diffusion in aluminium. The change in activation energy well corresponds to the transition in grain growth mechanism from normal to abnormal.     

Electrical Properties and Grain Growth Kinetics of PZN-based Ceramics Using Microwave Sintering

Effectiveness of microwave sintering process through investigation of microstructural characteristics and electricalrproperties of x（0.94PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3 ＋ 0.06BaTiO3 ） ＋ （1 - x）PbZryTi1-xO3 （PBZNZT） ceramics with x = 0.6 and y = 0.52 was evaluated. The relative density of 95% was achieved with sintering at 800℃for 2 h. The small grain growth exponents indicate how easy the grain growth in these materials sintered using microwave radiation. Grain growth rate increases abruptly and is higher than that of conventional sintering at a temperature higher than 1050℃. This is attributed to the lower activation energy and higher grain boundary mobility. The activation energy required for the grain growth is found to be 132kJ/mol. Higher remanent polarization （Pr = 50. ltLC/cm2） and increase in remanent polarization with sintering temperature are observed in microwave sintering process when compared to that of conventional sintering process, due to fast increase in grain growth rate and homogeneity in the specimen. The results indicate lower sintering energy and reduction of PbO pollution in the working environment by microwave sintering process.     

Thermomechanical Processing and Superplasticity of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The effect of extrusion on grain refinement has been studied in the AZ91 cast ingots. It is found that grain sizesmaller than 10μm can be obtained by the extrusion processing. Vickers hardness measurements were also carriedout to evaluate the effect of these processes on the room temperature mechanical properties. The experimentalresults of high temperature tensile tests revealed that the stress was inversely proportional to the square of the grainsize and that the activation energy for superplastic flow was higher than that for grain boundary diffusion.     

Mechanical properties of Co3Ti containing boron,carbon and beryllium

The mechanical properties of the recrystallized Co₃Ti alloys doped with boron, carbon and beryllium were investigated by tensile testing. The addition of boron significantly improved the strength of the Co₃Ti alloys below the peak temperature of yield stress whereas the addition of carbon or beryllium was not so effective. The yield stresses obtained were evaluated as a sum of three temperature-dependent terms. The addition of boron and beryllium reduced the activation energy for the thermal stress to promote the anomalous positive temperature dependence whereas the addition of carbon enhanced this energy. The addition of boron to Co₃Ti alloys reduced the elongation values at all temperatures while the addition of beryllium increased the values at 700 to 800 K and also at room temperature. The addition of carbon did not affect the elongation values. The fracture patterns correlated well with the levels of elongation, depending on the alloys and testing temperatures. The higher the elongation values, the more fractional area of the transgranular fracture modes increased.     

Effect of warm forming conditions on AZ31B flow behaviour and microstructural characteristics

The paper presents the mechanical and microstructural characterization of the magnesium alloy AZ31B through tests conducted at elevated temperature on a dedicated uni-axial tensile set-up. The samples are heated in-situ through induction heating and their actual deformation is recorded in-line through the Aramis? system. Results from the tests in terms of flow stress, plastic properties and anisotropic coefficients are presented and commented. Additionally, the microstructural analysis on deformed samples in terms of grain size and recrystallized fraction is shown, in order to identify the fundamental mechanisms of dynamic recrystallization and grain growth and to correlate them with the testing parameters. The study provides the best combination of process parameters that can assure, at the same time, good formability and sound microstructure in the warm forming temperature range.     

Three dimensional simulation of microstructure evolution for ceramic tool materials

The observation and scientific quantitative characterization of three dimensional microstructure evolution during sintering process of ceramic tool materials is important to investigate the influence of nano-particles on mechanical properties. The relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic tool materials can be established to direct the development of nano-composite ceramic tool materials by the research of the grain growth, grain boundary migration, distribution of nano-particles and microstructure densification at the different sintering temperature and pressure. In this paper, a 3D Monte Carlo model of three-phase nano-composite ceramic tool material is built and applied to simulate the microstructure evolution during sintering process. In this model, the grain boundary energy of each phase and interfacial energy between two phases are taken into consideration as the driving forces for grain growth. The sintering temperature and pressure are successfully coupled into the Monte Carlo simulation model. The microstructure evolution of defect free three-phase nano-composite ceramic tool materials is successfully simulated at different sintering temperature and pressure. The simulation results show that the higher the sintering temperature is, the faster the grain growth. However, the sintering pressure has little effect on the grain growth.     

Microstructure,grain growth,and hardness during annealing of nanocrystalline Cu powders synthesized via high energy mechanical milling

In this paper, the microstructure and hardness evolutions of commercially pure Cu subjected to high energy mechanical milling and subsequent annealing treatments in the temperature range of 400–700 °C are investigated. The results demonstrated the simultaneous occurrence of recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth during annealing of the nanocrystalline Cu. The volume fraction of the recrystallized grains estimated using the grain orientation spread exhibits lower values as a result of its dynamic recovery at higher temperatures. The normal grain growth in the range of 400–600 °C and significant abnormal grain growth at higher temperatures are observed during annealing. As a result of the abnormal grain growth, the microhardness value rapidly decreases for the sample annealed at 700 °C. An analysis of the grain growth kinetics using the parabolic equation in the temperature range of 400–600 °C reveals a time exponent of n ≈ 2.7 and an activation energy of 72.93 kJ/mol. The calculated activation energy for the grain growth in the nanocrystalline Cu is slightly less than the activation energy required for the lattice diffusion. This low activation energy results from the high microstrain as well as the Zener-pinning mechanism that arises from the finely dispersed impurities drag effect.     

Deformation-mechanism map for nanocrystalline metals by molecular-dynamics simulation

Molecular-dynamics simulations have recently been used to elucidate the transition with decreasing grain size from a dislocation-based to a grain-boundary-based deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline f.c.c. metals. This transition in the deformation mechanism results in a maximum yield strength at a grain size (the 'strongest size') that depends strongly on the stacking-fault energy, the elastic properties of the metal, and the magnitude of the applied stress. Here, by exploring the role of the stacking-fault energy in this crossover, we elucidate how the size of the extended dislocations nucleated from the grain boundaries affects the mechanical behaviour. Building on the fundamental physics of deformation as exposed by these simulations, we propose a two-dimensional stress-grain size deformation-mechanism map for the mechanical behaviour of nanocrystalline f.c.c. metals at low temperature. The map captures this transition in both the deformation mechanism and the related mechanical behaviour with decreasing grain size, as well as its dependence on the stacking-fault energy, the elastic properties of the material, and the applied stress level.     

ZK60镁合金的热压缩变形行为

采用Gleeble-1500热模拟机在温度250～400℃、应变速率0.001～1s-1、最大变形程度105%的条件下对ZK60镁合金进行了高温压缩模拟实验研究。分析了实验合金在高温变形时的流变应力和应变速率及变形温度之间的关系,计算了变形激活能和应力指数,并观察了热压缩变形过程中组织的变化。结果表明,合金的峰值流变应力随应变速率的增大而增加,随温度的升高而减小;在给定的变形条件下,计算出合金的变形激活能为63～130kJ/mol,应力指数为2.78～3.79;降低变形温度和提高应变速率可使再结晶晶粒的平均尺寸减小。     

20vol%体积分数纳米Al2O3颗粒增强铝基复合材料的高温压缩性能

为提高铝基材料的高温力学性能以满足其在573 K以上用于航空航天装备结构件的性能需求,采用高能球磨结合真空热压烧结工艺制备了体积分数高达20vol%的纳米Al₂O₃颗粒(146 nm)增强铝基复合材料,对其微观结构和高温压缩性能进行了研究。结果表明：纳米Al₂O₃颗粒均匀分散于超细晶铝基体中,且复合材料完全致密;该复合材料具有优异的高温压缩性能：应变速率为0.001/s时,473 K时压缩强度高达380 MPa,即使673 K时依然高达250 MPa,比其他传统铝基材料提高至少1倍;通过对其流变应力进行基于热激活的本构模型拟合可以发现,该复合材料具有高的应力指数(30)和表观激活能(204.02 kJ/mol)。这是由于高体积分数纳米颗粒能够有效钉扎晶界,并与铝基体形成热稳定的界面结合,显著提高复合材料的组织热稳定性,而且在变形过程中与晶界有效阻碍位错运动,显著提高复合材料的热变形门槛应力(在473～673 K时为190.6～328.4 MPa),其热变形过程可以由亚结构不变模型进行解释。     

Origins of saccharin-induced stress reduction based on observed fracture behavior of electrodeposited Ni films

This research presents experimental results of an investigation aimed at understanding grain size driven mechanical processes in electrodeposited Ni thin films where saccharine additions are commonly used to improve mechanical properties. Ni films were fabricated using salfamate-based electro chemical baths, where it is empirically known that mmol/l concentrations of saccharine will reduce the observed tensile stress in addition to lowering the grain size up to a few nanometer scales. Some previous observations and several theoretical models suggest that saccharine incorporation results in sulfur segregation at grain boundaries. Since grain boundary formation is also associated with tensile stress evolution, a plausible hypothesis is that saccharine additions are directly altering grain boundary energetics. This suggests that saccharine additions should also have an observable effect on intergranular fracture in these films. To test this prediction, in situ stress measurements during film growth and fracture testing of these same films were compared. Lithographically patterned substrates were used to produce films with ordered arrays of uniform islands, which demonstrated island size effects on stress evolution, and enabled a well-defined notch geometry along one of the island boundaries to facilitate fracture experiments. In situ uniaxial tensile testing under in a scanning electron microscope was then used to obtain the fracture strength of such specimens. This technique provided real time recording of microscopic deformation during uniaxial tensile loading. The observed relationships among residual stress, grain size, and fracture strength were then analyzed with detailed models of both film growth and fracture.     

Structural evolution and grain growth kinetics of the mechanically alloyed Fe50Al50 during heat treatment

Nanocrystalline FeAl powder is synthesized by subsequent heat treating the Fe50Al50 (at.%) alloy prepared by mechanical alloying. During annealing the milled FeAl powder, the grain growth of B2-FeAl occurs with the order transformation from Fe(Al) to B2-FeAl. The activation energy for the nanocrystalline FeAl growth is calculated to be 534.9 kJ/mol, according to the kinetics theory of nanocrystalline growth. The grain growth of FeAl is significantly inhibited especially at elevated temperature.     

Fatigue behaviour and crack growth rate of cryorolled Al 7075 alloy

The effects of cryorolling (CR) on high cycle fatigue (HCF) and fatigue crack growth rate behaviour of Al 7075 alloy have been investigated in the present work. The Al 7075 alloy was rolled for different thickness reductions (40% and 70%) at cryogenic (liquid nitrogen) temperature and its tensile strength, fatigue life, and fatigue crack growth mechanism were studied by using tensile testing, constant amplitude stress controlled fatigue testing, and fatigue crack growth rate testing using load shedding (decreasing ΔK) technique. The microstructural characterization of the alloy was carried out by using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The cryorolled Al alloy after 70% thickness reduction exhibits ultrafine grain (ufg) structure as observed from its FESEM micrographs. The cryorolled Al 7075 alloys showed improved mechanical properties (Y.S, U.T.S, Impact energy and Fracture toughness are 430 Mpa, 530 Mpa, 21 J, 24 Mpa m^1/2 for 40CR alloy) as compared to the bulk 7075 Al alloy. It is due to suppression of dynamic recovery and accumulation of higher dislocations density in the cryorolled Al alloys. The cryorolled Al alloy investigated under HCF regime of intermediate to low plastic strain amplitudes has shown the significant enhancement in fatigue strength as compared to the coarse grained (CG) bulk alloy due to effective grain refinement. Fatigue crack growth (FCGR) resistance of the ufg Al alloy has been found be higher, especially at higher values of applied stress intensity factor ΔK The reasons behind such crack growth retardation is due to diffused crack branching mechanism, interaction between a propagating crack and the increased amount of grain boundaries (GB), and steps developed on the crack plane during crack-precipitate interaction at the GB due to ultrafine grain formation.     

纳米Y-TZP材料烧结过程晶粒生长的分析

分析了无压烧结、热压烧结及SPS烧结过程中晶粒生长的行为及表现活化能．结果表明：在1100～1300℃之间,纳米Y-TZP材料在以上几种烧结条件下的晶粒生长行为不同．无压烧结时晶粒生长较慢,而热压烧结和SPS烧结时晶粒生长较快．对晶粒生长的活化能分析可在一定程度上解释以上现象．分析结果显示：无压烧结的表观活化能为281kJ／mol与纳米Y－TZP材料的晶界扩散活化能相近;热压烧结过程中,由于外压对扩散的促进作用,活化能比无压烧结时略有降低;在SPS烧结过程中,由于外加的脉冲电流能使晶粒表面大大活化,所以活化能与无压烧结相比大幅度下降．     

Strain rate-dependant mechanical properties of OFHC copper

The mechanical properties of high purity copper have been extensively studied in the literature, with yield and flow stresses measured as a function of strain rate, grain size, and temperature. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the strain rate and grain size dependence of the mechanical properties of OFHC copper, including an investigation of the previously observed upturn in rate dependence of flow stress at high rates of strain (≥500 s^?1). As well as a comprehensive review of the literature, an experimental study is presented investigating the mechanical properties of OFHC copper across a range of strain rates from 10^?3 to 10⁵ s^?1, in which the copper samples were designed to minimize the effects of inertia in the testing. The experimental data from this study are compared with multiple sources from the literature varying strain rate and grain size to understand the differences between experimental results on nominally the same material. It is observed that the OFHC copper in this study showed a similar increase in flow stress with strain rate seen by other researchers at high strain rates. The major contribution to the variation between experimental results from different studies is most likely the starting internal structure for the materials, which is dependent on cold working, annealing temperature, and annealing time. In addition, the experimental variation within a particular study at a given strain rate may be due to small variations in the internal structure and the strain rate history.     

微量磷(P)对等原子比NiAl的微观组织与力学性能的影响

研究了微量P对挤压态等原子比NiAl的微观组织与高温力学性能的影响.结果表明:微量P的添加对NiAl的晶格常数有一定的影响,P偏聚于NiAl晶界处;并对其高温延伸率有重要影响.P偏聚于晶界阻碍了合金变形过程中的动态回复和再结晶,加剧了晶界处孔洞的形成,造成了NiAl-P合金与二元NiAl合金高温力学性能的显著差异,主要表现在:应力-应变曲线经历了较长的加工硬化阶段;最大延伸率明显下降;变形激活能升高,应变速率敏感指数下降.NiAl-P合金的高温变形机制为变形过程中位错的滑移与攀移共同作用.     

Flow behaviour and microstructural evolution in cold worked 70∶30 α-brass

Abstract

Deformation behaviour and microstructures at failure were investigated in a mill cold worked 70∶30 α-brass over the test temperature range of 298–973 K and strain rate range of 10^?5–5×10^?3 s^?1. Tensile properties as a function of temperature revealed three distinct regions, with their temperature sensitivity being maximum at intermediate temperatures (553–673 K) and much less towards the lower and higher temperature ranges. Two values of activation energy for high temperature deformation Q were obtained to be 117·5 kJ mol^?1 below 623 K and 196·4 kJ mol^?1 above this critical temperature. In the respective temperature range the values of stress exponent n were 5·6 and 3·8. Based on the values of Q and n, the deformation mechanism was suggested to be dislocation climb creep with a probable contribution from dislocation pipe diffusion on lowering the temperature. Both grain size and cavity size were found to increase with increasing test temperature, suggesting them to be interrelated and act as an alternative steps for accommodating grain boundary sliding. Static grain growth study, over the temperature range of 773 to 1073 K, led to activation energy for grain growth to be 71 kJ mol^?1, with the time exponent of 0·37.     

超塑性Y-TZP的压缩塑性形变

通过恒定横梁速度和恒定载荷压缩试验,对超塑性3mol％Y₂O₃稳定四方ZrO₂多晶体的压缩塑性形变进行了研究．测定了平均晶粒尺寸从0．30～1．33μm的3Y－TZP材料的塑性流动应力,应力指数和蠕交活化能;用扫描和透射电镜观察了试样的显微结构．结果表明,3Y－TZP材料塑性形变的机理为扩散适应的晶界滑移．随着晶粒尺寸由0．30μm增大至1.33μm,应力指数从3．2减小至1．4,活化能从580kJ／mol减小至500kJ／mol．形变机理随晶粒大小发生变化．对于晶粒较粗的3Y－TZP材料,当应变速率较高时,形变过程中在材料内产生晶间孔穴．     

Effect of boron addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of K4750 nickel-based superalloy

The effect of boron addition at 0,0.007 wt.% and 0.010 wt.% on the microstructure and mechanical properties of K4750 nickel-based superalloy was studied.The microstructure of the as-cast and heat-treated alloys was analyzed by SEM,EPMA,SIMS and TEM.Lamellar M₅ B₃-type borides were observed in boroncontaining as-cast alloys.After the full heat treatment,boron atoms released from the decomposition of M₅ B₃ borides were segregated at grain boundaries,which inhibited the growth and agglomeration of M₂₃C₆ carbides.Therefore,the M₂₃C₆ carbides along grain boundaries were granular in boron-containing alloys,while those were continuous in boron-free alloys.The mechanical prope rty analysis indicated that the addition of bo ron significantly improved the tensile ductility at room tempe rature and stress rupture properties at 750℃/430 MPa of K4750 alloy.The low tensile ductility at room temperature of 0 B alloy was attributed to continuous M₂₃C₆ carbides leaded to stress concentration,which provided a favorable location for crack nucleation and propagation.The improvement of the stress rupture properties of boron-containing alloys was the result of the combination of boron segregation increased the cohesion of grain boundaries and granular M₂₃C₆ carbides suppressed the link-up and extension of micro-cracks.     

Microstructure,tensile properties and creep behavior of Al-12Si-3.5Cu-2Ni-0.8Mg alloy produced by different casting technologies

The relationship between the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al-12Si-3.5Cu-2Ni-0.8Mg alloys produced by permanent mold casting (PMC) and high pressure die casting (HPDC) is investigated. The alloys in both PMC and HPDC consist of Al, Si, Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₆, Al₃CuNi, and Al₇Cu₄Ni phase. However, the microstructure of the HPDC alloy is significantly refined. Compared to the PMC alloy, the ultimate tensile strength of the HPDC alloy is significantly increased from 244 MPa to 310 MPa, while the elongation shows a reverse trend at room temperature. At low stress and temperature range, slight variations of stress exponent and activation energy indicate that the minimum creep rate is controlled by the grain boundary creep. Then the minimum creep rate is higher for the specimen with the smaller grain size, where grain boundary creep is the dominant creep mechanism. At high stress region, the stress exponent for the PMC alloy and HPDC alloy is 5.18 and 3.07, respectively. The different stress exponents and activation energies measured at high stress and high temperature range indicates that the creep mechanism varies with the casting technologies.