High-temperature deformation behavior of coarse- and fine-grained MoSi<Subscript>2</Subscript> with different silica contents

The elevated-temperature deformation behavior of polycrystalline molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂), in the range of 1000 °C to 1350 °C at the strain rates of 10⁻³, 5×10⁻⁴, or 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, has been studied. The yield strength, post-yield flow behavior comprising strain hardening and serrations, as well as some of the deformation microstructures of reaction-hot-pressed (RHP) MoSi₂ samples, processed by hot pressing an elemental Mo + Si powder mixture and having a grain size of 5 μm and oxygen content of 0.06 wt pct, have been compared with those of samples prepared by hot pressing of commercial-grade Starck MoSi₂ powder, with a grain size of 27 μm and oxygen content of 0.89 wt pct. While the fine-grained RHP MoSi₂ samples have shown higher yield strength at relatively lower temperatures and higher strain rates, the coarse-grained Starck MoSi₂ has a higher yield at decreasing strain rates and higher temperatures. The work-hardening or softening characteristics are dependent on grain size, temperature, and strain rate. Enhanced dislocation activity and dynamic recovery, accomplished by arrangement of dislocations in low-angle boundaries, characterize the deformation behavior of fine-grained RHP MoSi₂ at a temperature of 1200 °C and above and are responsible for increased uniform plastic strain with increasing temperature. The silica content appears to be less effective in degrading the high-temperature yield strength if the grain size is coarse, but leads to plastic-flow localization and strain softening in Starck MoSi₂. Serrated plastic flow has also been observed in a large number of samples, mostly when deformed at specific combinations of strain rates and temperatures.     

Grain coarsening in Ti-5Al-2.5Sn

Grain coarsening in a Ti-5 Al-2.5 Sn titanium alloy, deformed in tension to 13 pct uniform elongation and then heated to 1144 K (1600°F) for one h, was investigated. The influence of deformation temperature (77 to 598 K), grain size (10.7, 11.8, and 22.5 μm), and strain rate (2.67 × 10^-2, 6.67 × 10^-4, 2.67 × 10^-5 s^-1) was also studied. Critical elongation and work input values for maximum grain coarsening varied with deformation temperature. The critical elongation value increased from 9 to 12 pct as the temperature decreased from 598 to 367 K and decreased from 12 to 9 pct as temperature decreased from 367 to 77 K. The critical work energy input increased linearly with decreasing temperature.     

The effects of stress level and grain size on the ambient temperature creep deformation behavior of an alpha Ti-1.6 wt pct V alloy

Ambient (room) temperature studies have been carried out on an α-Ti-1.6 wt pct V alloy to determine the effects of stress level and grain size on ambient temperature creep behavior. Creep tests were performed at five different stress levels ranging from 75 to 95 pct of the yield stress value on specimens with an average grain size of 226 μm. It has been found that the alloy exhibits appreciable creep at stress levels far below the yield stress, with creep occurring at values as low as 75 pct of the yield stress. The extent of creep strain was found to decrease with a decrease in stress level. Creep tests were also performed on this alloy with different grain sizes ranging from 38 to 226 μm at a stress level of 90 pct of the yield stress. It was seen that the extent of creep strain decreased with a decrease in grain size. Fine slip and time-dependent twinning were found to be the creep deformation mechanisms. Based on the results of this investigation and earlier studies, it is suggested that time-dependent twinning is a major creep deformation mechanism in α-titanium alloys that contain small amounts of alloying elements. The time-dependent twinning phenomenon has been attributed to the diffusion of oxygen away from the twin-matrix interface, permitting the growth of twins.     

The grain refinement of high-purity aluminum by aluminum-transition metal alloys

In view of the continuing interest in the solidification characteristics of dilute Al-Ti alloys,¹ a recent study² of the mechanism(s) of grain refinement induced in high purity aluminum by various additions of master alloys containing Ti, B, Cr, Mo, V and Zr is reported. For alloys containing more than 0.2 wt pct Ti, TiAl₃ was shown to be commonly a nucleant, in both Al-Ti and Al-Ti-B systems. In addition, it was found that the nature of the master alloys is important in determining the degree of grain refinement a given alloying addition will produce. A “saturation” effect is reported for additions of Ti, and ti-B,i.e., further additions of titanium beyond a given level do not provide any further reduction in grain size.     

Deformation mechanisms of a rapidly solidified Al-8.8Fe-3.7Ce alloy

The mechanisms of deformation of a rapidly solidified and compacted Al-8.8Fe-3.7Ce (wt pct) alloy were investigated in the stress range 20 to 115 MPa and temperature range 523 to 623 K. The stress dependence of the steady state strain rates indicated a transition from diffusional creep to power law creep, the transition stress decreasing with increasing temperature from 70 MPa (σ/G = 3.1 × 10^-3) at 523 K to 40 MPa (σ/G = 1.9 × 10^-3) at 623 K. The activation energy in the power law creep regime was close to that of bulk self-diffusion in aluminum, while the activation energy in the diffusional creep regime was close to that of grain boundary self-diffusion in Al. The creep strain rates in the power law creep regime were found to be predicted much better by the substructure-invariant creep law (Sherby, 1981) than by the semi-empirical Dorn equation for Al, with the inclusion of a “threshold” stress. In the Coble creep regime, it was found that the cell/subgrain boundaries are inefficient vacancy sources/sinks and that their contribution to Coble creep is totally suppressed in this alloy. The Coble creep rates could be explained by using the average diameter of the powder particles as the effective grain size in the Coble creep equation.     

Preparation and properties of fine grain β- CuAlNi strain- memory alloys

A method has been developed to produce grain sizes as small as 5 μm in alloys of β-CuAlNi. The alloys were of eutectoid composition and a procedure was developed for determining the composition of a eutectoid alloy having any required value for transition temperature (M _s ). The thermo-mechanical treatment involved two sequential stages of warm rolling followed by recrystallization. The alloys produced were single phase β-type with no second phase being present. Characteristic two-stage stress-strain curves were obtained for most of the specimens. It was generally found that the tensile strength and strain to failure increased with decreasing grain size according to a Hall-Petch type relationship down to a grain size of 5 μm. A fracture strength of 1200 MPa and a fracture strain of 10 pct were obtained in the best alloy. It was found that the major recovery mode, whether pseudoelastic or strain-memory, did not have any significant effect on the total recovery obtained. Recovery properties were not affected significantly by decreasing grain size, and 86 pct recovery could still be obtained at a grain size of around 10 μm. Grain refinement improved the fatigue life considerably, possibly due to the high ultimate fracture stress and ductile fracture mode. A fatigue life of 275,000 cycles could be obtained for an applied stress of 330 MPa and a steady state strain of 0.7 pct. At fine-grain sizes most of the fractures were due to transgranular-type brittle fracture and micro void-type ductile fracture, depending on the alloy composition. It was suggested that the difference between the alloys was due to differences in oxygen segregation at the grain boundaries.     

The strength,hardness and ductility of Ni3Al with and without boron

Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of grain size (2–1100 μm) and temperature (77–1023 K) on the strength, hardness and ductility of stoichiometric Ni₃Al with (0.35 at.%) and without boron. The results show that grain refinement strengthens and hardens the alloys at low temperatures (< 873 K), but weakens them at high temperatures; lowers the magnitude of the anomalous thermal strengthening, leading to thermal weakening; and effects a “ductile to more ductile” transition in Ni₃ Al + B at room temperature and a brittle to ductile transition in both alloys at elevated temperatures (⩾ 673 K). Grain refinement has little effect on the room-temperature ductility of Ni₃ Al and on the work hardening rate. The addition of boron hardens coarse-grained material but softens fine-grained aggregates. These results are explained in terms of deformation and fracture mechanisms.     

Preparation of fine copper powders from organic media by reaction with hydrogen under pressure: Part I. Experimental study

In this work, a novel method of preparing copper powder having the required properties for thick film applications was investigated. This method involves the precipitation of copper powder by hydrogen reduction under pressure from Kelex 100-decanol-Versatic 10-kerosene media. The parameters studied were temperature (453 to 573 K), hydrogen pressure (1.03 to 3.79 MPa) time, use of additives, solvent composition,etc. Powders with the following excellent properties were produced:d ₅₀ = 1 μm; 80 pct spread ?1.3 + 0.7 μm; specific surface area = 1 ±0.2 m²/g, spheroidal shape; and 0.056 wt pct oxygen content.     

Structural superplasticity at higher strain rates of hypereutectoid Fe-5.5Al-1Sn-1Cr-1.3C steel

A fine-grained ultra-high-carbon steel—UHC steel—containing 1.35 wt pct carbon, 5.5 wt pct aluminum, 1 wt pct tin, and 1 wt pct chromium exhibits fine-structure superplasticity in the temperature regime between 775 °C and 900 °C at higher strain rates up to 10⁻² s⁻¹. Thermomechanical processing was performed in order to achieve a fine-grained equiaxed microstructure consisting of κ-carbides of about 0.7 to 2.5 μm in size finely distributed within the ferritic Fe(Al, Sn, Cr) solid solution matrix with a linear intercept grain size of 3 to 5 μm. Superplasticity occurred in the strain rate regime of 10⁻⁴<- ≤10⁻² s⁻¹ with m values of 0.5 to 0.6 (stress exponent n=1.6 to 2). Tensile elongations of more than 900 pct were recorded. From thermal activation analysis, activation energies of Q=230 to 243 kJ/mole were determined, which clearly reveal a contribution of the alloying elements Al and Sn to the lattice diffusion of iron. The governing deformation mechanism is grain boundary sliding accommodated by dislocation climb controlled by lattice diffusion sustained by chemical diffusion. At very high strain rates of ≳2 · 10⁻² s⁻¹, the strain-rate-sensitivity exponent decreases to about 0.2≤m≤0.27, which indicates class II solid solution behavior of this material.     

Deformation mechanisms in commercial TI-5Al-2.5 Sn (0.5 At. pct Oeq) alloy at intermediate and high temperatures (0.3-0.6 tm)

The plastic flow of the commercial α-alloy Ti 5A1-2.5 Sn (0.5 at. pct Oeq) of 11 to 19 μm grain size was investigated in tension over the temperature range of 600 to 117.3 K (CPH structure) and strain rates of 3x10^-5 to 3 per s employing both constant strain rate and strain rate cycling tests. Dynamic strain aging (due to substitutional solutes) occurred in the temperature range of 600 to 850 K (0.31 to 0.44T _m)with an activation energy of 22.5 KcalJmole (94.1 KjJmol) derived from the start of serrations in the stress-strain curves. At temperatures above 850 K (0.46 to 0.60T _m), the deformation could be described by Dorn’s general equation for diffusion controlled mechanisms with an activation energy of 50 KcalJmole (209 KJJmol).     

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Powder Metallurgy Mg98.5Gd1Zn0.5 Alloy

The Mg_98.5Gd₁Zn_0.5 alloy produced by a powder metallurgy route was studied and compared with the same alloy produced by extrusion of ingots. Atomized powders were cold compacted and extruded at 623 K and 673 K (350 °C and 400 °C). The microstructure of extruded materials was characterized by α-Mg grains, and Mg₃Gd and 14H-LPSO particles located at grain boundaries. Grain size decreased from 6.8 μm in the extruded ingot, down to 1.6 μm for powders extruded at 623 K (350 °C). Grain refinement resulted in an increase in mechanical properties at room and high temperatures. Moreover, at high temperatures the PM alloy showed superplasticity at high strain rates, with elongations to failure up to 700 pct.     

Microstructural Characterization and Properties Evaluation of Ni-Based Hardfaced Coating on AISI 304 Stainless Steel by High Velocity Oxyfuel Coating Technique

The present study concerns a detailed investigation of microstructural evolution of nickel based hardfaced coating on AISI 304 stainless steel by high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) deposition technique. The work has also been extended to study the effect of coating on microhardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the surface. Deposition has been conducted on sand blasted AISI 304 stainless steel by HVOF spraying technique using nickel (Ni)-based alloy [Ni: 68.4 wt pct, chromium (Cr): 17 wt pct, boron (B): 3.9 wt pct, silicon (Si): 4.9 wt pct and iron (Fe): 5.8 wt pct] of particle size 45 to 60 ??m as precursor powder. Under the optimum process parameters, deposition leads to development of nano-borides (of chromium, Cr₂B and nickel, Ni₃B) dispersion in metastable and partly amorphous gamma nickel (??-Ni) matrix. The microhardness of the coating was significantly enhanced to 935 VHN as compared to 215 VHN of as-received substrate due to dispersion of nano-borides in grain refined and partly amorphous nickel matrix. Wear resistance property under fretting wear condition against WC indenter was improved in as-deposited layer (wear rate of 4.65 × 10^?7 mm³/mm) as compared to as-received substrate (wear rate of 20.81 × 10^?7 mm³/mm). The corrosion resistance property in a 3.56 wt pct NaCl solution was also improved.     

The Elastic Modulus and Flow Stress of Nb3Sn at Elevated Temperatures

The plastic deformation of Nb₃Sn has been the subject of a number of investigations, and the hot deformation of Nb₃Sn polycrystals has been extensively studied in the 1150 to 1650 °C range.^[1–4] The hot deformation stress-strain rate-temperature relationships are largely those of “power law creep”, with activation energies for creep roughly in the 400 to 500 kJ/mol range.^[2,3] Grain size refinement increases flow stress in the power law creep regime.^[3] Hot deformed Nb₃Sn displays polygonized dislocation structure.^[5]     

Solidification parameters,microstructures, and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified iron-based alloys

Cooling rate measurements were carried out using a computer controlled melt spinning unit for the production of rapidly solidified Fe 6.3 wt.% Si and Fe 3.2 wt.% C melt spun ribbons employing a wide range of process parameters. The cooling rates are mainly a function of the ribbon thickness, and are independent of the alloy composition and wheel material. The resulting microstructures have been characterized by light optical and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) investigations and were found to be influenced by the cooling conditions during and after solidification. Grain sizes and secondary dendrite arm spacings are related to the cooling rates by means of exponential relationships. In addition to this, rapidly solidified eutectic Fe 4.2 wt. %C alloy powder was produced by argon melt-atomization. Powder particles of 20 μm to 80 μm size solidified microcrystalline and exhibit cementite, metastable γ-phase, and martensite. The cementite matrix is of dendritic structure. After consolidating the powder by hot pressing below A, the microstructure changes to the fine equiaxed grains containing about 66 Vol.% Fe₃C and a dispersoid of ferrite ≤1 μm within the cementite matrix. This material exhibits high tensile strength and wear resistance at room temperature. At elevated temperatures in the region between 650°C and 750°C, and at strain rates of ε ? 10^?4s^?1 the fine grained ceramic-like material reveals superplastic behaviour.     

Grain Refinement of an Extruded Mg Alloy via Na Microalloying

The effect of 0.3 wt pct Na on the microstructure of extruded alloy Mg-2Sn-1Zn is examined. We report that Na stabilizes the Mg₂Sn phase, resulting in its precipitation during extrusion under conditions where a solid solution is otherwise expected. This effect appears to be thermodynamic in nature and is different from the kinetic enhancement of low- temperature aging reported by Mendis et al. [Phil. Mag. Letters, 86 (2006), 443]. The precipitates of the current study enable useful refinement of the grain size.     

Microstructural Evolution of Al-1Fe (Weight Percent) Alloy During Accumulative Continuous Extrusion Forming

As a new microstructure refining method, accumulative continuous extrusion forming (ACEF) cannot only refine metal matrix but also refine the phases that exist in it. In order to detect the refinements of grain and second phase during the process, Al-1Fe (wt pct) alloy was processed by ACEF, and the microstructural evolution was analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results revealed that the average grain size of Al-1Fe (wt pct) alloy decreased from 13 to 1.2 μm, and blocky Al₃Fe phase with an average length of 300 nm was granulated to Al₃Fe particle with an average diameter of 200 nm, after one pass of ACEF. Refinement of grain was attributed to continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX), and the granulation of Al₃Fe phase included the spheroidization resulting from deformation heat and the fragmentation caused by the coupling effects of strain and thermal effect. The spheroidization worked in almost the entire deformation process, while the fragmentation required strain accumulation. However, fragmentation contributed more than spheroidization. Al₃Fe particle stimulated the formation of substructure and retarded the migration of recrystallized grain boundary, but the effect of Al₃Fe phase on refinement of grain could only be determined by the contrastive investigation of Al-1Fe (wt pct) alloy and pure Al.     

The creep behavior of W-5 re

Polycrystalline W-5 wt pct Re was creep-tested in tension from 1500° to 1900°C at stresses from 2500 to 10,000 psi in a vacuum of 10^?8 torr. The steady-state strain rate was directly proportional to stress to the 5.5 power, and the apparent activation energy for creep was 104 kcal per mole. Dislocation substructure that developed during high-temperature deformation was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The total dislocation density was dependent on stress to the 2.1 power and was insensitive to temperature and strain. No subgrains were found in creep tested specimens. The rate-controlling deformation mechanism was ascribed to dislocation climb where the governing diffusion process was dislocation core diffusion. Comparison of creep data for tungsten, W-5 wt pct Re, and W-25 wt pct Re showed that W-5 wt pct Re alloy has significantly better creep properties than the other two materials.     

Structure and properties of rapidly solidified 7075 P/M aluminum alloy modified with nickel and zirconium

Aluminum alloy 7075 was modified by additions of 1.1 wt pct nickel and 0.8 wt pct zirconium, rapidly solidified by ultrasonic gas atomization, canned, cold compacted, hot extruded, and evaluated in terms of structure and properties. Significant improvements in tensile strength (627 MPa YS and 680 MPa UTS) and crack growth rates were realized, along with a decrease in fracture toughness (23.7 MPa√m) while maintaining ductility (10 pct elong.) as compared to nominal I/M 7075 behavior. The stress for 10⁷ cycles fatigue life was greater than 275 MPa, which represents a 73 pct increase over that of I/M 7075. A variety of experiments was performed to evaluate effects on strength, ductility, and on structure. The variables were: powder size distribution, extrusion ratio, extrusion profile, different size fractions from the same lot of powder, and different locations of test bars in the several extrusions. Tensile properties, toughness, and fatigue properties were not importantly influenced by the location of test bars in the cross section or length of rectangular extruded bars. A comparison of mechanical properties from extruded bars prepared from ?53 μm powdersvs 53 to 250 μm powders showed a small loss of ductility and fatigue stress for 10⁷ cycles for the fine powder product. Higher extrusion ratios were beneficial for mechanical properties.