An experimental analysis of fatigue behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy welded joint based on infrared thermography

The fatigue behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy welded joint during high cycle fatigue test was investigated by infrared thermography. Five stages of superficial temperature evolution were observed: an initial temperature increase, a temperature decline, a temperature equilibrium, an abrupt temperature increase and a temperature drop after the failure. The theoretical models were formulated to explain the observed temperature evolution. The mean temperature decline caused by thermoelastic effect was observed and discussed when the maximum stresses were below 30 MPa. The influence of weld reinforcement on fatigue behavior was also investigated. A good precision was achieved in fatigue strength prediction by means of infrared thermography.     

BT20钛合金激光焊接接头的断裂韧性研究

对BT20钛合金及其激光焊接接头的断裂韧性进行了研究.同时分析了合金及激光焊接接头的硬度分布及显微组织.断裂实验表明,除了一个焊接接头紧凑拉伸(CT)试样是脆性启裂外,其它CT试样均在裂纹延性启裂并缓慢扩展后,发生脆性失稳断裂.母材的断裂韧性明显高于焊接接头,轧制方向对母材断裂韧性的影响不明显.焊接热影响区的断裂韧性介于母材和焊缝金属之间.本研究采用的焊后热处理没有改善焊接接头的断裂韧性,还有进一步恶化的趋势.添加活性剂对焊缝金属的断裂韧性没有明显作用,但对延性裂纹扩展长度有所改善.     

Fracture mechanism of AZ31 magnesium alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing comparing three point bending test and tensile test

A commercial magnesium alloy, AZ31 in hot-rolled condition, has been processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) to get microstructure modified. Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted along the rolling/extrusion direction for as-received AZ31 alloy and ECAPed AZ31 alloy. Then, three point bending fracture tests were conducted for specimens with a pre-crack perpendicular to the extruded direction. Digital image correlation (DIC) technique was adopted to determine the deformation field around the crack tip. The fracture surfaces of the failed specimens after tensile tests and fracture tests were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). To explore the deformation mechanism, the microstructure and texture of different regions on the deformed specimens were examined through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results show ECAP process improves both the tensile elongation and fracture toughness of AZ31 alloy. Different from the slip dominated deformation mechanism in the tensile test, deformation twinning presents in the deformation zone adjacent to the crack tip in the three point bending fracture tests. The fracture surface is characterized by co-occurrence of dimple and cleavage features.     

Mikrostrukturelle und mechanische Eigenschaften von laserstrahlgeschweißtem Magnesiumfeinblech AZ31‐HP mit und ohne Zusatzwerkstoffe

Microstructural and mechanical properties of laser welded sheets of magnesium AZ31‐HP with and without filler wires This paper describes Nd:YAG laser beam welding experiments carried out on rolled 2.5 mm thick magnesium sheet AZ31‐HP. For the butt welds in flat position, filler wires AZ31X and AZ61A‐F were used, diameter 1.2 mm. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the different laser beam welded joints were examined and compared with one another. The obtained results show that the laser beam welding of AZ31‐HP sheet is possible without hot crack formation, both without and with filler wires. The determined tensile strength, ductility, fracture toughness and microhardness of laser beam welded joints without filler wire were not effected by AZ31X nor AZ61A‐F. By use of these filler wires loss of zinc was minimized and the shape of weldments was optimized. The values of fracture strength, yield strength and microhardness of the joints and base material are quite similar. It is found that the ductility of the joints is lower than the base materials due to the heterogeneous microstructure of the fusion zones and geometrical notches of the weld seams. Both, weld and base material of AZ31‐HP, showed stable crack propagation. Furthermore, for base material slightly lower fracture toughness values CTOD than for the joints were determined.     

热处理对AZ31B镁合金轧板组织和性能的影响

研究了AZ31B镁合金轧板经不同温度、时间退火后的组织和性能及其再结晶行为。结果表明,热轧板材在退火过程中主要发生再结晶;退火后,强度略有下降,但伸长率明显提高;在523K下退火,保温60min,可获得平均晶粒直径为10μm的细晶组织,其抗拉强度为258MPa,断裂伸长率为22.3%,综合性能较好。热轧态板材呈脆性准解理断裂,退火后转变为韧性断裂。     

The modified temperature term on Johnson Cook model for AZ31 magnesium alloy

The quasi‐state and dynamic mechanism of AZ31 magnesium alloy at a strain rates range of 0.001 s^‐1–2500 s^‐1 under a temperature range of 20 °C–250 °C were researched by compression tests using the electronic universal testing machine and split Hopkinson pressure bar system. The true stress‐strain curves at different strain rates and evaluated temperatures were obtained. The result shows that the thermal soften effect of AZ31 magnesium alloy is significant. By modifying the temperature term of the original Johnson Cook model of AZ31 magnesium alloy, a modified Johnson Cook model of AZ31 magnesium alloy has been proposed to reveal thermal soften effect on the deformation behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy more precisely. With the modified Johnson Cook model and fracture model, the finite element method simulation of AZ31 magnesium alloy hat shaped specimen under impacting was conducted. The numerical simulation result is consistent with the experimental result, which indicates that the modified Johnson Cook model and fracture model are greatly valid to predict the deformation and fracture behavior of the AZ31 magnesium alloy hat shaped specimen under impacting.     

AZ31镁合金的缺口冲击韧性及其断裂机理

缺口冲击韧性是金属材料应用的一个重要动态性能指标。本文针对AZ31镁合金板材,在-80~260℃范围内,进行了Charpy V型缺口冲击试验,测试了其缺口冲击韧性随温度变化的规律,试验结果表明:在120~160℃范围内,AZ31镁合金存在韧脆转变现象,根据能量标准和延性标准测得的韧脆转变温度均为140℃。并通过SEM手段对-80℃、0℃、80℃、140℃、200℃以及260℃等典型温度下的冲击断口形貌进行了比较分析,结果表明在-80~80℃范围内断口为准解理形貌;80~200℃范围内断口形貌是准解理+韧窝;200~260℃温度范围内断口是韧窝形貌。     

Research on fatigue crack propagation behaviour of 4003 ferritic stainless steel based on infrared thermography

Fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behaviour of 4003 ferritic stainless steel was investigated using infrared thermography. Four stages of superficial temperature evolution were observed during the FCP tests: an initial temperature decrease stage, a temperature equilibrium stage, a slow temperature increase stage and an abrupt temperature increase stage; a thermal model is developed to explain the observed temperature evolution. The experimental results indicate that: when the range of stress intensity factor (ΔK) is at a low level where the crack is located in slow propagation region, thermoelastic effect will be in dominant status; when the ΔK is at a high level where the crack is located in stable propagation region, the temperature rise can be used to describe FCP rate. The fatigue fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to understand the effect of the fatigue mechanisms on temperature variation.     

热输入对AZ31B镁合金/PRO500超高强钢TIG熔-钎连接特性的影响

利用TIG电弧作为热源开展了AZ31B镁合金与超高强钢PRO500熔-钎连接试验,研究了不同焊接热输入条件对接头微观结构及力学性能的影响。结果表明:利用TIG电弧能够实现AZ31B镁合金/PRO500钢的有效熔-钎连接,强度可达镁合金母材的85%,接头界面区形成由Fe-Mg-O化合物、金属间化合物AlFe_3相和基体Fe元素、熔敷金属中扩散过来的Mg元素等共同组成的过渡区;随着焊接电流的增大,AZ31B镁合金/PRO500钢熔-钎焊接头断裂模式由包含了延性断裂和准解理断裂的混合断裂模式转化为准解理断裂主导的脆性断裂模式,结合强度显著下降。     

Modeling high-temperature tensile deformation behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy considering strain effects

The hot tensile deformation behaviors of AZ31B magnesium alloy are investigated over wide ranges of forming temperature and strain rate. Considering the effects of strain on material constants, a comprehensive constitutive model is applied to describe the relationships of flow stress, strain rate and forming temperature for AZ31B magnesium alloy. The results show that: (1) The effects of forming temperature and strain rate on the flow behaviors of AZ31B magnesium alloy are significant. The true stress–true strain curves exhibit a peak stress at small strains, after which the flow stress decreases until large strain, showing an obvious dynamic softening behavior. A considerable strain hardening stage with a uniform macroscopic deformation appears under the temperatures of 523 and 573 K. The strain hardening exponent (n) increases with the increase of strain rate or the decrease of forming temperature. There are not obvious strain-hardening stages when the forming temperature is relatively high, which indicates that the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurs under the high forming temperature, and the balance of strain hardening and DRX softening is easy to obtain. (2) The predicted stress–strain values by the established model well agree with experimental results, which confirm that the established constitutive equation can give an accurate and precise estimate of the flow stress for AZ31B magnesium alloy.     

Microstructural characteristics and deformation of magnesium alloy AZ31 produced by continuous variable cross-section direct extrusion

Magnesium(Mg) alloy AZ31 was produced by continuous variable cross-section direct extrusion(CVCDE)to study its deformation behavior. Metallographic microscopy(OM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) were used to observe the variations in microstructure and fracture morphology of Mg alloy AZ31 as a function of processing methods. The results reveal that grains of Mg alloy AZ31 were refined and their microstructure was homogenized by CVCDE. The recrystallization in Mg alloy AZ31 produced by CVCDE with 2 interim dies was more complete than that produced by conventional extrusion(CE) and CVCDE with 1 interim die, and the grains were finer and more uniform.Plasticity of the AZ31 alloy was improved. Fracture mode was evolved from a combination of ductility and brittleness to a sole ductile form. In summary, a CVCDE mold structure with 2 interim dies can improve microstructure, plasticity, and toughness of Mg alloy AZ31.     

Rapid determination for fatigue parameters of AZ31B magnesium alloy based on evolution of temperature under high cyclic fatigue

Abstract

Based on the infrared thermography method, experiments are carried out to investigate the evolution of temperature field of the extruded AZ31B magnesium alloy specimens under high cyclic fatigue load. The experimental results show that the superficial temperature of specimen under cyclic fatigue load changes with the number of cycles. According to the characteristics of surface temperature change, we propose a formula to calculate the residual fatigue life using energy approach. The proposed formula to assess the fatigue parameters (fatigue limit, residual fatigue life, fatigue life and S–N curve) achieves good results for AZ31B magnesium alloy. Furthermore, the fatigue limits (Δσ_eSN?=?90·3 MPa) derived from the traditional method through 10⁷ cycles were compared with the values predicted by the infrared thermographic method (Δσ_eTM?=?87·3 MPa) and the energy approach (Δσ_eΦ?=?86·2 MPa), and the comparison results of percentage differences are 3·3 and 4·5% respectively.     

The effect of load ratio on fatigue life and crack propagation behavior of an extruded magnesium alloy

Fatigue experiments were carried out in laboratory air using an extruded magnesium alloy, AZ31, to investigate the effect of load ratio on the fatigue life and crack propagation behavior. The crack propagation behavior was analyzed using a modified linear elastic fracture mechanics parameter, M. The relation crack propagation rate vs. M parameter was found to be useful in predicting fatigue lives at different R ratios. Good agreement between the estimated and the experimental results at each stress ratio was obtained.     

异步轧制AZ31镁合金板材的超塑性工艺及变形机制

经过异步轧制工艺获得AZ31镁合金薄板。在300~450℃范围内,分别通过5×10-3,1×10-3s-1和5×10-4s-1不同应变速率进行高温拉伸实验研究其超塑性变形行为,计算应变速率敏感指数m值、超塑性变形激活能Q及门槛应力σ0值。通过EBSD分析和扫描电镜观察拉伸断裂后的断口形貌,分析AZ31镁合金的超塑性变形机制。结果表明:AZ31镁合金的塑性变形能力随着变形温度的升高及应变速率的降低而增强。当拉伸温度为400℃、m=0.72、应变速率为5×10-4s-1时,AZ31具有良好的超塑性,伸长率最大为206%。温度为400℃时,异步轧制AZ31镁合金的超塑性变形是以晶格扩散控制的晶界滑移和基面滑移共同完成的。     

Effect of extrusion ratio on mechanical and corrosion properties of AZ31B alloys prepared by a solid recycling process

Some AZ31B magnesium alloy bars were prepared by a solid recycling process with different extrusion ratios. A reference specimen was processed by extruding an as-received AZ31 ingot. The microstructures, mechanical and corrosion properties of AZ31B magnesium recycled specimens were investigated. With increasing extrusion ratio, the yield strength, tensile strength and yield ratio increases. The reliability of the recycled alloy is poorer than the reference specimen. The corrosion rates of recycled AZ31B magnesium specimens increase immersed in both alkaline and neutral 4% NaCl solution with a decrease extrusion ratio. The corrosion resistance of recycled AZ31B magnesium specimens is improved with increasing pH of immersed solution. The recycled specimens show superior corrosion resistance than reference specimen.     

Fracture behavior of notched specimens of TiAl alloys

Fracture behavior of a two-phase TiAl alloy was investigated using notched specimens. Fracture surfaces and metallographic sections of surviving notch in double notched specimens are observed. The fracture process of notched specimens of TiAl alloys was described as that several inter-lamellar cracks initiate and extend directly from the notch root and propagate preferentially along the interfaces between lamellae and stop at various obstacles. With increasing applied load, cracks connect with each other and propagate further by translamellar cracks. The toughening mechanisms, which make the main crack difficult to propagate or cause it to be stopped, could be reducing the driving force for crack propagation. The higher toughness of near fully lamellar microstructure than that of finer duplex microstructure is attributed to the path of crack propagation. On the fracture surfaces of the finer duplex microstructure, more low-energy-spending interlamellar fracture facets are observed, which means that it is easier for crack to bypass a fine duplex lamellar grain with lamellae perpendicular to the main crack and to take a interlamellar path.     

Fracture behaviour of a magnesium–aluminium alloy treated by selective laser surface melting treatment

Fracture behaviour of AZ91D magnesium alloy is dominated by the brittle fracture of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase so its modification is required to improve the toughness of this alloy. The novel laser treatment named as Selective Laser Surface Melting (SLSM) is characterized by the microstructural modification of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase without altering the α-Mg matrix. We have studied the effect of the selected microstructural modification induced by the laser treatment in the fracture behaviour of the alloy has been studied using in situ Scanning Electron Microscopy bending test. This test configuration allows the in situ observation of the crack progression and the record of the load–displacement curve. It has been observed that the microstructural modification introduced by SLSM causes an increase of 40% of the fracture toughness of the treated specimen. This phenomenon can be related with the transition from brittle to ductile fracture behaviour of the laser modified β-phase.     

AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头断裂机制

对AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头进行力学性能实验.拉伸、疲劳实验结果显示,AZ31镁合金搅拌摩擦焊接头抗拉强度可以达到母材强度的92.9%,断裂位置在前进面的机械热影响区,认为是前进面机械热影响区不均匀的层状组织和应力集中作用的结果.扫描电镜显示:断口有明显的撕裂纹和纤维状组织.     

Effects of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91magnesium alloy

The effects of Ca addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 magnesium alloy have been studied. The results show that the Ca addition can refine the microstructure, reduce the quantity of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase, and form new Al₂Ca phase in AZ91 magnesium alloy. With the Ca addition, the tensile strength and elongation of AZ91magnesium alloy at ambient temperature are reduced, whereas Ca addition confers elevated temperature strengthening on AZ91 magnesium alloy. The tensile strength at 150°C increases with increasing Ca content. The impact toughness of AZ91magnesium alloy increases, and then declines as the Ca content increases. The tensile and impact fractographs exhibit intergranular fracture features, Ca addition changes the pattern and quantity of tearing ridge, with radial or parallel tearing ridge increasing, tensile strength, elongation and impact toughness reduce.     

Localized deform behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy by numerical simulation

The dynamic compression behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy with hat shaped specimen was investigated at high strain rate in this paper. Based on the Johnson‐cook constitutive model and fracture model, the interaction of temperature, stress and strain fields of AZ31B magnesium alloy with hat shaped specimen were numerically simulated by using ANSYS/LS‐DYNA software under different strain rates, which was validated by experiment. It is found that the plastic strain is highly concentrated on the corner of the hat shaped specimen, which leads to large localized deformation. The voids are nucleated and extended by compression stress. Work harden effect is caused by remained plastic strain, which is located around adiabatic shear band. The stress collapse is discovered in gauge section, which is also discovered in experiment. Thermal soften effect is suppressed with the strain rate increased.