Influence of mechanical milling on microstructure of 49Fe-49Co-2V soft magnetic alloy

49Fe-49Co-2V pre-alloyed powder was mechanically milled in Methanol for 60 hours. The morphology and microstructure of the as-received and milled powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermal analysis. Plastic deformation of about 440% was achieved in the powders milled for 60 hours. The average grain size was found to be 35 nm after milling of 20 hours and it kept essentially constant on further milling up to 60 hours. On the basis of the observations of particle size and morphology, it is suggested that the mixing, caused by overlapping, cold welding and fracturing among particles, did not play an important role in the milling of 49Fe-49Co-2V powder. No new phases were formed during milling process, however, milling enhanced the 550°C anomaly.     

The effect of force fitting on the magnetic properties of iron-cobalt alloy ring samples

Ring samples of annealed iron-27% cobalt (Fe-27 Co) and iron-cobalt-2% vanadium (FeCo-2V) alloys were subjected to a number of force fitted conditions where the maximum tensile and compressive hoop stresses were varied from 0 to 50 MPa. Various dc and 400 Hz ac magnetic characteristics were determined at each stress level. The dc and 400 Hz ac characteristics of both alloys changed in the force fitted condition, with the compressive hoop stress having more of an effect than the tensile hoop stress on most of the magnetic properties. The most drastic changes were observed in the 400 Hz exciting characteristics at 2.0 T in the FeCo-2V alloy, where the unstressed value of 111 VA/kg was increased to 1700 VA/kg at a calculated maximum compressive hoop stress of -49 MPa. The Fe-27 Co alloy, although having poorer exciting characteristics at the same induction level, changed from 880 VA/kg to 1500 VA/kg at -50 MPa, the conclusion being that the Fe-27 Co alloy is less stress sensitive than the magnetically superior FeCo-2V.     

Effect of thermomechanical treatment on the properties of Fe-11Al and Fe-14Al alloys

Fe-Al alloys have the potential to be relatively inexpensive soft magnetic materials if their formability could be improved. An investigation has been made on the effect of thermomechanical treatment on the properties of Fe-11 wt%Al and Fe-14 wt%Al alloys (designated Fe-11Al and Fe-14Al respectively). For the former the room temperature mechanical properties were found to be determined principally by the recrystallised grain size. A good combination of properties for Fe-11Al, i.e. high strength and ductility, was obtained when the grain size was less than about 100 m. The small grain size was produced by warm rolling at 600°C followed by 1 hour annealing at 600–700°C. On the other hand hot rolling followed by annealing resulted in large grain size, hence rendered the alloy brittle. The cold formability also exhibited a grain size dependence, with the Fe-11Al alloy with a fine recrystallised grain size having good cold rollability. In contrast Fe-14Al was brittle irrespective of the treatment given; ductility of less than 1% was observed in all cases and the cold rollability was limited. Ordering was not seen to be a factor affecting the observed mechanical properties and rollability of either alloy as all the thermomechanical treatments, other than an ordering treatment of 500 hours at 400°C, resulted in a disordered structure. The stress required to work these alloys at elevated temperatures were estimated from compression tests and it is apparent that for Fe-11Al the stress is greatly reduced (50%) from the room temperature value at 600°C and that at 750°C both alloys required a similar stress which was about 15% of the room temperature value. The magnetic properties of Fe-11Al compared favourably with Fe-14Al; the former has a higher saturation induction, a similar coercive force but a lower permeability than Fe-14Al.     

Simulation of effects of particle size and volume fraction on Al alloy strength,elongation, and toughness by using strain gradient plasticity concept

By using the constitutive equation based on the mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity with finite element software, the yield strength, uniform elongation, and toughness of aluminum alloy 6063 with different grain sizes, different particle diameters and volume fractions were studied numerically. The toughness is defined as the product of yield strength and uniform elongation. The calculation results indicate that the grain refinement and particle refinement cannot substantially improve the uniform elongation but can increase the yield strength of Al alloy when the grain size is on the order of the micron and submicron scale. When the grain size less than 2 μm, Al alloys usually exhibit high strength and low uniform elongation, and when the grain size greater than 5 μm, the materials exhibit low strength and high elongation; in either case the toughness is low. However, in the grain size of several micrometers, the toughness of Al alloy is the highest.     

Impact strength properties of nickel-based refractory superalloys at normal and elevated temperatures

The dynamic yield and fracture stress of two refractory alloys were measured under shock-wave loading at normal and elevated (up to 680°C) temperatures. The tested materials were polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy Inconel IN738LC and PWA 1483 Ni–Co–Fe alloy in quasi-monocrystalline state. Both alloys are used as turbine blade materials for the hot first stages of gas turbines. The alloys exhibit non-monotonous dependence of the dynamic yield strength upon temperature with an abrupt increase in the temperature interval of 550–600°C. The dynamic tensile strength, in general, is less sensitive to temperature and shows less pronounced increase in the vicinity of 570°C. The observed anomalies of the dynamic strength properties correlate with anomalies in the heat capacity which are associated with the equilibrating of the short-range order in the γ-matrix of the alloys.     

Recovery and recrystallization processes in binary Fe3Al based alloys

Three binary alloys of composition Fe-24Al, Fe-28Al and Fe-34Al were prepared to study the recovery, recrystallization and grain growth processes in Fe₃Al based alloys. These alloys were rolled and annealed at temperatures in the range 873 K to 1273 K for two hours. Grain size measurements were performed as a function of composition, annealing temperature and time. Transmission electron microscopy showed recovered and recrystallized grains after annealing at 873 K. The mechanisms of recovery processes was found to be by the migration of single dislocations towards each other to form linear arrays which can subsequently form square or hexagonal dislocation networks. Recrystallization can take place either by the enclosure of dislocation free regions by dislocation networks or by the preferential growth of subgrains. The composition dependence of the recovery and recrystallization processes is weak.     

Co-Ce合金的高温氧化行为

研究了纯Co、Co-2Ce及Co-5Ce合金在600～800℃(的温度下在)空气中的氧化行为.纯Co的氧化基本符合抛物线规律.Co-Ce合金的氧化过程近似由二个抛物线阶段组成.Co-Ce合金表面的氧化膜由Co的氧化物和CeO2组成.含Ce氧化物继承了原始合金中的金属间化合物相Co17Ce2的分布形貌.Co-5Ce合金的氧化比Co-2Ce合金快.合金内氧化严重.还讨论了Co-Ce合金的氧化机制.     

VC/Cr3C2添加剂与烧结温度对超细WC-12Co硬质合金的影响

为了有效控制烧结过程中WC晶粒的长大,获得高强度高硬度的超细硬质合金,采用扫描电镜、拉伸机和洛氏硬度仪研究了不同质量分数及配比的VC/Cr3C2晶粒长大抑制剂和烧结温度对超细WC-12Co硬质合金的显微组织及力学性能的影响,并结合试验结果分析了超细硬质合金中VC/Cr3C2晶粒长大抑制剂的作用机理.结果表明,添加适量VC/Cr3C2晶粒长大抑制剂的超细硬质合金中WC晶粒尺寸分布集中,不存在明显的组织缺陷,合金具有细而均匀的微观组织及优异的力学性能.当晶粒长大抑制剂(质量分数)为0.2%VC/0.5%Cr3C2,1450℃烧结制备WC-12Co超细硬质合金的抗弯强度为3710MPa,硬度(HRA)为91.5.VC/Cr3C2晶粒长大抑制剂的作用机理为:VC主要与WC反应生成(W,V)C固溶体聚集在WC/Co界面,降低WC/Co界面能,Cr3C2主要固溶在粘结相中,导致WC在粘结相中的溶解度降低,二者的综合作用减缓了粘结相中WC溶解-析出过程,从而抑制烧结过程中WC晶粒的长大.     

Effect of stress-induced grain growth during room temperature tensile deformation on ductility in nanocrystalline metals

In the present study defect-free nanocrystalline (nc) Ni-Co alloys with the Co content ranging from 2.4–59.3% (wt.%) were prepared by pulse electrodeposition. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that only a single face-centred cubic solid solution is formed for each alloy and that the grain size reduces monotonically with increasing Co content, which is consistent with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. In the nc Ni-Co alloys, both the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation to failure increase as the Co content increases. The TEM observations reveal that stress-induced grain growth during tensile deformation is significantly suppressed for the nc Ni-Co alloys rich in Co in sharp contrast to those poor in Co. We believe that sufficient solutes could effectively pin grain boundaries making grain boundary motions (e.g. grain boundary migration and/or grain rotation) during deformation more difficult. Thus, stress-induced grain growth is greatly suppressed. At the same time, shear banding plasticity instability is correspondingly delayed leading to the enhanced ductility.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ formed TiC-reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites

Carbon nanotubes were blended into a Ti–6Al–4V matrix to synthesize titanium carbide (TiC) in situ, via spark plasma sintering. The microstructure and mechanical properties of both the monolithic Ti–6Al–4V alloys and the TiC/Ti–6Al–4V composites were studied to evaluate the strengthening effects of TiC on the Ti–6Al–4V matrix. The morphologies obtained by scanning electronic microscopy and optical microscopy indicated that the grain size of both the Ti–6Al–4V alloy and the TiC/Ti–6Al–4V composite decreased with increasing planetary ball-milling (PBM) speed, leading to an increase in the hardness of the investigated materials. The compressive yield strength of the monolithic Ti–6Al–4V alloys and the TiC/Ti–6Al–4V composites initially increased and then decreased with increasing PBM speed. The strengthening and fracture mechanisms were studied.     

Grain refinement of biomedical Co-27Cr-5Mo-0.16N alloy by reverse transformation

Advanced grain refinement of a biomedical Ni-free Co-27Cr-5Mo-0.16N alloy without hot or cold plastic deformation was successfully achieved by a reverse transformation from a lamellar (hcp + Cr₂N) phase to an fcc phase. The technique consisted of a two-step heat treatment. First, the solution-treated specimen was subjected to isothermal aging at 1073 K for 90 ks, forming a lamellar structure of hcp and Cr₂N phases. Then, the aged specimen having a completely lamellar microstructure was reverse-treated at temperatures from 1273 to 1473 K, where the fcc phase is stable. The resultant grains were approximately 1/10 of their initial size. Moreover, tensile testing after reverse transformation showed excellent strength with good ductility compared to samples examined before the reverse transformation. Our results will contribute to the development of biomedical Ni-free Co-Cr-Mo-N alloys with refined grain size and good mechanical properties, without requiring any hot workings.     

Effects of Mo and Zr on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Resistance of Fe-Al Based Alloys

In this work the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of Fe-Al based alloys with various alloying elements were studied. The microstructures were examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope （EDS）. Two types of alloys were prepared by vacuum arc melting. One is Fe-28Al based alloys （D03 structured） with and without alloying elements such as Mo and Zr. The other one is Fe-35Al based alloys （B2 structured） produced with the same manner. For both types of alloys, Mo addition had found to exhibit an equiaxed microstructure, while dendritic structure was observed to show the effect of Zr addition. These microstructural features were more evinced with increasing content of alloying element. Concerning the mechanical properties and wear resistance, Fe-35Al based alloys were superior to Fe-28Al based alloys over the whole temperature range investigated.     

Extrusion processing of FeCo

Ingots of three FeCo alloys, Fe-70 at % Co, e-50 at % Co and Fe-30% Co, were successfully extruded at 1000°C, then re-extruded at 750°C in order to produce fine-grained material. The resulting microstructures were examined both optically and by transmission electron microscopy. It was found that increasing the Fe: Co ratio produces less complete recrystallization: Fe-70 at % Co was completely recrystallized even after both the 1000 and 750°C extrusions, whilst Fe-30 at % Co was partially recrstallized after the 1000 °C extrusion. Single dislocations were present in the extruded alloys except single-extruded Fe-30 at % Co, in which dislocation pairs were observed.     

Effect of cobalt additions on the age hardening of Cu-4.5Ti alloy

The effects of 0.9 and 1.8 wt% cobalt additions on the age hardening behaviour of Cu-4.5Ti alloy have been investigated. It has been observed that though Co addition results in the refinement of grain size and the Cu-Ti-Co alloys exhibit age hardening (giving rise to peak hardness on aging at 400°C for 16 hours), the peak hardness as well as the corresponding yield and tensile strengths were found to decrease with increasing cobalt content. The electrical conductivities of 0.9 and 1.8 wt% Co alloys were found to be 6% and 10% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) and 7% and 14% IACS in solution treated and peak aged conditions, respectively. Like in the binary Cu-Ti alloys, precipitation of ordered, metastable and coherent Cu₄Ti(¹) precipitate was found to be responsible for maximum strengthening in these alloys. In addition, coarse intermetallic phases of Ti and Co, viz. Ti₂Co and TiCo particles have been observed in all the conditions studied. The inferior mechanical properties of Cu-Ti-Co alloys compared with those of the binary Cu-Ti alloys are attributed to the depletion of Ti from matrix, which is consumed to form Ti₂Co and TiCo phases.     

Mg-Al-Ca-Mn-Zn变形镁合金的组织和力学性能

将Mg-1Al-0.4Ca-0.5Mn-0.2Zn(质量分数,%)合金在不同温度挤压,研究其微观组织和力学性能。结果表明：在260℃和290℃挤压的合金均发生不完全动态再结晶,再结晶晶粒尺寸分别为0.75 μm和1.2 μm。二者均具有高密度的G.P.区和球状纳米析出相,能抑制位错运动并为动态再结晶提供丰富的形核位点。沿晶界析出的纳米相能抑制晶界的运动和限制再结晶晶粒的生长,从而生成尺寸为0.75 μm的超细晶粒。随着挤压温度从260℃提高到290℃,合金的屈服强度从322 MPa提高到343 MPa,伸长率分别为13.4%和13%,没有明显的变化。挤压温度的提高促进了动态析出和动态回复,使合金中积累了高密度纳米盘状相和球状相,大量位错通过动态回复转变成小角度晶界,将未再结晶区域细分成密集的层状亚晶粒,二者均能抑制新位错的运动。这些因素,是在290℃挤压后的合金仍具有较高屈服强度和塑性没有明显变化的主要原因。纳米相对位错的钉扎在一定程度上限制了动态回复的发生,使合金中仍存在较高数量的残余位错,也有利于提高其屈服强度。     

Grain size dependence of tensile behavior in nanocrystalline Ni–Fe alloys

The tensile behaviors of FCC Ni–Fe alloys were investigated within three grain size regimes: >100 nm, 15–100 nm, and <15 nm. The results show that the nanocrystalline metals demonstrated large strain hardening rates, which increase with decreasing the grain size. With the similar grain size, lowing the stacking-fault energy (SFE) by addition of alloying element increases the yield strength and strain hardening ability. The “low” tensile elongation of nanocrystalline metals is due to the basic tradeoff between the strength and tensile elongation, i.e. nanostructured metals are not inherently brittle. Both the tensile results and fracture surface observations suggest that the tensile ductility increases with increasing the grain size. Furthermore, within the large grain size regime, the fracture surface exhibited the real void structure; while the fracture surface showed the concave and convex features when the grain size is less than the critical value.     

时效态Fe-Mn-Al-C钢的性能和变形机制

采用OM、SEM、XRD、EBSD以及TEM等手段分析时效温度对Fe-30Mn-9Al-0.9C-0.45Mo钢中奥氏体的晶粒尺寸和力学性能的影响.结果 表明:时效处理对Fe-30Mn-9Al-0.9C-0.45Mo钢的组织和性能有较大的影响.在450℃时效的实验钢其抗拉强度为863 MPa、断后伸长率为56.1％、强...     

Processing of nanocrystalline FeAlX (X = Ni, Mn) intermetallics using a mechanical alloying and hot pressing techniques

Fe-40Al-40Ni-20 and Fe-40Al-40Mn-20 (all in at.%) intermetallics were mechanically alloyed for 40 h and followed by hot-pressing at 650°C under 450 MPa for 1 h. As resulted from the X-ray diffraction studies, the ordered B2 structure was formed in the Fe-40Al-40Ni-20 alloy while in the case of Fe-40Al-40Mn-20 alloy, the disordered Fe(Al) solid solution was observed. The chemically homogenous rounded particles of size of about 5 μm were identified using scanning analytical electron microscopy in alloys after 40 h of milling. TEM studies of milled powders revealed a nanostructure in both alloys with grain size of about 20 nm. The hot pressing process of milled powders allowed to obtain compacts with the density of about 87 and 89% of the theoretical one for Fe-40Al-40Mn-20 and Fe-40Al-40Ni-20 alloys, respectively. The micro-hardness measurements have shown that the alloy with the Ni addition possesses the hardness of about 1200 HV₂₀, whereas in the alloy with the Mn addition it is 1100 HV₂₀. The TEM investigations allowed to identify a nanocrystalline structure of compacts with a mean grain size below 50 nm, with B2 ordered structure in both alloys.     

Superior mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms of lightweight AlxCrNbVMo refractory high-entropy alloys(x = 0, 0.5,1.0) fabricated by the powder metallurgy process

Light and strong AlxCrNbVMo(x=0,0.5,and 1.0) refractory high-entropy alloys(RHEAs) were designed and fabricated via a the powder metallurgical process.The microstructure of the AlxCrNbVMo alloys consisted of a single BCC crystalline structure with a sub-micron grain size of 2-3 μm,and small amounts(4 vol.%) of fine oxide dispersoids.This homogeneous microstructure,without chemical segregation or micropores was achieved via high-energy ball milling and spark-plasma sintering.The alloys exhibited superior mechanical properties at 25 and 1000℃ compared to those of other RHEAs.Here,CrNbVMo alloy showed a yield strength of 2743 MPa at room temperature.Surprisingly,the yield strength of the CrNbVMo alloy at 1000℃ was 1513 MPa.The specific yield strength of the CrNbVMo alloy was increased by 27 % and 87 % at 25 and 1000℃,respectively,compared to the AlMo_(0.5) NbTa_(0.5)TiZr RHEA,which exhibited so far the highest specific yield strength among the cast RHEAs.The addition of Al to CrNbVMo alloy was advantageous in reducing its reduce density to below 8.0 g/cm~3,while the elastic modulus decreased due to the much lower elastic modulus of Al compared to that of the CrNbVMo alloy.Quantitative analysis of the strengthening contributions,showed that the solid solution strengthening,arising from a large misfit effect due to the size and modulus,and the high shear modulus of matrix,was revealed to predominant strengthening mechanism,accounting for over 50 % of the yield strength of the AlxCrNbVMo RHEAs.     

Tensile and fatigue properties of Fe-Mn-Al-C alloys

The tensile properties and fatigue behaviour of three solution-treated Fe-29 Mn-9 Al-C (wt%) alloys having various carbon contents leading to different volume fractions of austenite and ferrite phases were investigated. The carbon contents were 1.06%, 0.60% and 0.26%, respectively and the corresponding volume fractions of austenite were 100%, 90% and 45%, respectively. The alloy having 1.06% carbon possessed the best tensile properties but its fatigue behaviour was only comparable to the other two alloys with lower carbon contents. The alloy having 0.60% carbon possessed the lowest yield strength, but its fatigue life was slightly better than other two alloys. The alloy having 0.26% C possessed lowest elongation and medium strength, and its fatigue life was comparable to the other two alloys. Their tensile properties and fatigue behaviour were explained in terms of crack initiation, crack propagation, grain size, constituent arrangement and constituent fraction.