Probabilistic prediction of minimum fatigue life behaviour in α + β titanium alloys

The objective of this work was to develop and demonstrate a probabilistic life prediction method for the prediction of minimum fatigue lives that are typically used in the design of fracture critical rotating turbine engine components. A Monte Carlo analysis was used to predict the variability in fatigue lives based on the distribution of microstructural features that lead to early crack initiation as well as the variability in small fatigue crack growth rates. Two titanium alloys, both with bimodal microstructures, were tested and analysed in this study. The distribution of critical microstructural features was calibrated based on test results and understanding of microstructure neighbourhood effects. Testing was conducted on both alloys and included both smooth and notched specimens. The predictions are presented and compared with the data for smooth and notch geometries for the various loading conditions. A parametric study was performed to identify the importance of several model inputs and to identify areas for future improvement.     

On the giga cycle fatigue behaviour of two-phase (α2+γ) TiAl alloy

Fatigue crack initiation behaviour is investigated at room temperature in the (α₂-Ti₃Al and γ-TiAl) alloy. High cycle fatigue tests ranging up to 10¹⁰ cycles are carried out on the powder metallurgy (P/M) bar specimens under different loading conditions with a stress ratio of R=0.1 and R=0.5. Microstructural characterization and fracture surface analysis are also investigated by optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ti–Al alloy studied here shows two phases in microstructure (nearly refined lamellar thickness) composed of α₂-Ti₃Al and γ-TiAl (hereafter called γ+α₂ alloys) and fracture mechanism is explained with different plastic incompatibilities between the two phases.     

In situ diffraction measurements of lattice response due to shock loading, including direct observation of the α–ε phase transition in iron

In situ diffraction is a technique to probe directly the lattice response of materials during the shock loading process. It is used to record diffraction patterns from multiple lattice planes simultaneously. The application of this technique is described for laser-based shock experiments. The approach to analyze in situ wide-angle diffraction data is discussed. This is presented in the context of single crystal [001] iron shock experiments where uniaxial compression of the bcc lattice by up to 6% was observed. Above the α–ε transition pressure, the lattice showed a collapse along the [001] direction by 15–18%. Additional diffraction lines appear that confirm the transformation of the iron crystal from the initial bcc phase to the hcp phase.     

Heterophase structures and their quantitative characteristics in (1 − x)Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 − xPbTiO3 near the morphotropic phase boundary

Features of phase coexistence in solid solutions of (1 − x)Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ − xPbTiO₃ with the perovskite-type structure are studied at 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.08. The role of elastic matching of the tetragonal P4mm and monoclinic Cm phases of the ferroelectric nature is considered near the morphotropic phase boundary. Model concepts on the stress relief in heterophase structures are developed and applied to interpret the phase content in (1 − x)Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ − xPbTiO₃. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental dependences of the volume fraction of the tetragonal phase on x is observed. It is shown that the studied phase coexistence under conditions for the complete stress relief can take place at elastic matching of the single-domain monoclinic phase and the tetragonal phase split into two types of 90° domains.     

Phase relations, lattice thermal expansion in Ce1−xEuxO2−x/2 and Ce1−xSmxO2−x/2 systems and stabilization of cubic RE2O3 (RE: Eu, Sm)

The phase relations in CeO₂–Eu₂O₃ and CeO₂–Sm₂O₃ systems have been established under slow-cooled conditions from 1400 °C. The two-phase relations differ as the CeO₂–Eu₂O₃ system showed only two monophasic phase fields, namely F-type cubic and C-type cubic, whereas CeO₂–Sm₂O₃ system showed three phase fields namely F-type cubic, C-type cubic and a biphasic field comprising of C-type cubic and monoclinic phase. An interesting observation of this investigation is the stabilization of C-type rare-earth oxide after Ce⁴⁺ substitution, which is attributed to decrease in average cationic size on Ce⁴⁺ substitution at RE³⁺ site. The lattice thermal expansion behavior of F-type solid solution and C-type solid solution in CeO₂–Eu₂O₃ system was investigated by high-temperature XRD.     

Hydrogen chemisorption on the Si(1 1 1)√3 × √3R30 °-Al, -Ga, -B surfaces: An ab initio HF/DFT molecular orbital modelling using atomic clusters

A comprehensive study of atomic hydrogen chemisorption on the Si(1 1 1) √3 × √3R30 ° -Al, -Ga and -B cluster modelled surfaces is presented using Hartree-Fock/density functional theory methods. Extrapolation of the results to the extended (1 1 1) silicon surface is also discussed. It is found that the chemisorption of hydrogen on the Al and Ga terminated surfaces induces a transition from the √3 × √3 structure to a local 1 × 1: H-like reconstruction with a stable SiAl (or SiGa) sites. The subsurface boron induced √3 × √3 reconstruction is also lifted by hydrogen chemisorption but, in this case, boron adatoms are likely to be segregated on the surface, predominantly as BH or/and BH₂.     

Polar nanodomains and relaxor behaviour in (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–xPbTiO3 crystals with x = 0.3–0.5

Phase transitions and dielectric properties of the (1 − x)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–xPbTiO₃ crystals with x = 0.3–0.5 are studied. The solid solutions in this composition range are shown to be relaxor ferroelectrics. The crystals with low x demonstrate a diffused maximum in the temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity at T_m. T_m varies with frequency according to the Vogel–Fulcher law. The polarizing microscopy investigations reveal a first-order phase transition from the relaxor phase to the low-temperature ferroelectric phase at T_C, which is several degrees below T_m. The permittivity peak in the crystals with x = 0.5 is sharp, and T_m is equal to T_C and does not depend on frequency, as is typical of the transition from a ferroelectric to an ordinary paraelectric phase. Nevertheless, the relaxor, but not the paraelectric, phase is observed at T > T_m. This conclusion is confirmed by the observation of the temperature behaviour of complex dielectric permittivity at T > T_m, which is typical of relaxors and related to the existence of polar nanodomains.     

Comparative determination of the α/β phase fraction in α+β-titanium alloys using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy

A comparison is made between the measured α/β phase fractions in Ti-6246 using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy. Image analysis of SEM and TEM images was compared to the phase fraction estimate obtained using electron backscattered diffraction, lab and high-energy synchrotron XRD. There was a good agreement between the electron microscopic and diffraction techniques, provided that the microstructural parameters of grain size and texture are estimated correctly when using quantitative Rietveld refinement.     

Phase evolution, bond valence and microwave characterization of (Zn1 − xNix)Ta2O6 ceramics

(Zn_1 − xNi_x)Ta₂O₆ ceramics have been prepared via conventional mixed oxide route. The phase evolution and microstructure of (Zn_1 − xNi_x)Ta₂O₆ ceramics were investigated. The Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm the minor phase formation. The bond valence of (Zn_1 − xNi_x)Ta₂O₆ ceramics was calculated to evaluate the relation between bond valence and the microwave properties. The effects of Ni²⁺ ionic substitution on microwave dielectric properties of (Zn_1 − xNi_x)Ta₂O₆ ceramics were discussed. The dielectric constant and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of (Zn_1 − xNi_x)Ta₂O₆ ceramics were depended upon phase composition and bond valence. The Q × ? was not significantly different for all levels of Ni²⁺ ionic concentration.     

High pressure structural (B1–B2) phase transition and elastic properties of II–VI semiconducting Sr chalcogens

We evolve an effective interionic interaction potential (EIoIP) with long-range Coulomb interactions and the Hafemeister and Flygare type short-range overlap repulsion extended up to the second neighbor ions and the van der Waals (vdW) interaction to discuss the pressure induced structural aspects of NaCl-type (B1) to CsCl-type (B2) structure in alkaline earth chalcogenides (SrX; X = S, Se and Te). Particular attention is devoted to evaluate the vdW coefficients following the Slater–Kirkwood variational method, as both the ions are polarizable. The present calculations have revealed reasonably good agreement with the available experimental data on the phase transition pressures (P_t = 17.5, 14.5, 12.5 GPa) and the elastic properties. The calculated values of the volume collapses [ΔV(P)/V(0)] are also closer to their observed data. Further, the variations of the second- and third-order elastic constants with pressure have followed a systematic trend, which are almost identical to those exhibited by the observed data measured for other semiconducting compounds with rocksalt (B1) type crystal structure. Also the Born and relative stability criteria is valid in strontium monochalcogenides.     

The effect of the cold plastic deformation rate on intermetallics dissolution intensity in austenitic Fe-Ni-Me (Me = Ti, Al, Zr, Si) alloys

A Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis showed that deformation-induced dissolution of particles of intermetallic Ni₃Me (Me = Al, Ti, Zr, Si) phases in matrices of aged austenitic Fe-Ni-Me alloys accelerated with growing rate of compression-shear cold deformation in Bridgman anvils. An increase in the deformation rate and a curtailment of the deformation time was followed by an increase in the slope of the curve showing the deformation dissolution of intermetallics since the alternative process of the intermetallics precipitation was impeded. It was shown that a decrease in the deformation rate caused an increase in the incubation period of deformation required for dissolution of the particles to begin.     

Bimodal Size Distribution and Shape Anisotropy in Ball-Milled Nano-Sized α-Al2O3

-Al₂O₃ prepared by combustion technique was ball-billed in a planetary mill in toluene medium at 300 rpm in ZrO₂ pot with a ball to powder ratio 10:1 for 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 hours. X-ray diffraction pattern from the milled materials showed super-Lorentzian peak shapes for -Al₂O₃ peak profiles. The super-Lorentzian peak shape has been attributed to the bimodal size distribution of the -Al₂O₃ particles. Rietveld analysis using two different phase fractions of -Al₂O₃ with different microstructural features yielded a low goodness-of-fit of the x-ray data indicating the suitability of the assumed model. The phase fraction of -Al₂O₃ particles with smaller size increases with the milling time. Further the particles shapes were observed to be cylindrical in this case with the cylinder axis along the crystallographic c-axis. The cylinder diameter and the length were obtained to be 86  and 140  respectively after 20 hrs of milling. The -Al₂O₃ particles of larger size are isotropic. It is, thus, proposed that milling induces bimodal size distribution in the initial hours of milling.     

Modeling the transformation texture of Ti-64 sheets after rolling in the β-field

The variant selection occurring in the β- phase transformation of Ti-64 material after rolling in the β-field was investigated by using texture transformation modelings. In a previous work published in this journal, we observed that the variant selection was very sensitive to the deformation degree imposed at high temperature prior to the transformation. In this contribution, we assumed that crystal defects formed during glides on the 110111 and 112111 β slip systems could favor the growth of plates corresponding to specific variants. Moreover, a detailed study of the β → phase transformation suggested a link between the selected variants and the slip systems activated at high temperature. Therefore, we developed a texture transformation modeling, assuming that a variant is selected if its corresponding slip system was sufficiently activated in the last step of the hot deformation. The activity of the slip systems was evaluated by a rate sensitive Taylor model. The modeling was applied to a Ti-64 material 75% rolled at 1050°C and the simulated texture was in good agreement with the experimental one.     

Investigation of α platelet boundaries in a near-α titanium alloy

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of a bimodal near-α titanium alloy revealed the existence of retained β phase layers and silicide precipitates at the α platelet boundaries inside transformed β grains. The β to α phase transformation accompanied by the precipitation of silicide resulted in the formation of a large number of dislocations at α platelet boundaries. Orientation relationships between silicide, β phase and α phase were also identified. However high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) revealed crystal mismatches between these phases generating high strains at α platelet boundaries. The strengthening effects of the platelet boundaries are discussed in terms of dislocations slip across the boundaries. The mechanism that governs the β to α phase transformation is also discussed.     

Study of autoabsorption for total α and β counting

The RaMsEs Group (Radioprotection et Mesures Environnementales) of the IPHC performs research and offers services mainly in the field of radioactivity measurements and sample analysis. This report will describe some of our recent experience using a semiautomatic evaporation system to prepare large area thin deposits for total α and β counting and gives experimental and simulated results for the autoabsorption coefficients.     

3/2-Al_6Si_2O_(13)/蒙脱土∶Eu,Al复相发光材料的制备及性能

采用高温固相法合成了3/2-Al6Si2O13/蒙脱土∶Eu,Al复相基质蓝色发光材料。探讨基质中Al6Si2O13与蒙脱土比例、激活剂Eu浓度以及Al掺杂浓度对发光性能的影响。实验结果表明,相对于Al6Si2O13单一体系,复相体系的发射光谱产生红移,Stokes位移和FWHM均变大,发光强度显著增强,Eu的最佳含量为8mol%。在350nm激发下,样品的发射光谱为主峰位于450nm及位于483nm的肩峰组成的宽带峰,对应于Eu2+的4f65d→4f7宽带发射。Eu2+-Eu2+之间出现能量传递,能量传递临界距离Rc为1.75nm,传递方式为电多级相互作用。Al可增加基质禁带宽度,掺杂Al的量为5mol%的样品发光性能最好。