Deformation-induced point defects in NiAl single crystals

NiAl single crystals, oriented for single slip, were deformed at room temperature to a strain of 2%, and were subsequently annealed in the temperature range of 673–873 K (T/T_m=0.35–0.45). In as-deformed samples, dislocation substructures consist of jogged edge and screw dislocations, and prismatic loops. Densities of vacancy- and interstitial-type loops are about equal. Annealing causes shrinkage and disappearance of the interstitial loops and significant growth of the vacancy loops. These observations suggest that excess vacancies are present after room temperature deformation. These non-equilibrium point defects may result from non-conservative motion of jogged screw dislocations.     

Effects of rolling deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of network structured TiBw/Ti composites

TiB whiskers reinforced pure Ti (TiB_w/Ti) composites with a novel network microstructure were successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing (RHP). TiB whiskers are in situ synthesized around the large pure Ti matrix particles, and subsequently formed into TiB_w network structure. The novel TiB_w/Ti composites with a network microstructure exhibit a superior combination of mechanical properties. In order to further improve the mechanical properties and guide the subsequent plastic forming, the rolling deformation behavior of the novel composites was investigated. The results show that the strength of the novel TiB_w/Ti composites can be effectively enhanced by rolling deformation due to the matrix deformation strengthening effect, and increased with increasing the rolling reduction. The strength of 8.5%TiB_w/Ti (volume fraction) composite is significantly increased from 842 MPa to 1030 MPa by rolling deformation. It is certain that the TiB whiskers are gradually broken with increasing the rolling reduction, which is harmful to the mechanical properties of the composites.     

Effect of ultrasonic vibration on microstructural evolution of the reinforcements and degassing of in situ TiB2p/Al-12Si-4Cu composites

Some issues such as clustering of TiB₂ particles, formation of long rod-like Al₃Ti particles, as well as high porosity level usually associate with the fabrication of in situ TiB_2p/Al-alloy composites via conventional stir casting technique using Ti and B as reactants. High-intensity ultrasonic vibration was introduced in our research to solve the above issues. The process involved that the original in situ TiB_2p/Al-12Si-4Cu sample with large clusters of TiB₂ particles, large long rod-like Al₃Ti particles and high porosity was remelted at 850 °C, and then ultrasonic vibration was applied to the melt with an ultrasonic probe. The microstructural evolution of the samples treated by ultrasonic vibration with different time was examined by using SEM. After treated by ultrasonic vibration for 12 min, large clusters of TiB₂ particles were broken up effectively and TiB₂ particles were dispersed uniformly in the matrix, and long rod-like Al₃Ti particles were turned into blocky ones with the size of 10 μm due to the effect of ultrasonic stirring. In the meantime, the porosity in the composites decreased from about 6.5% to 0.86% due to the effect of ultrasonic degassing. Microhardness test suggested that a homogeneous microstructure of the composite was achieved after ultrasonic treatment. An effective approach using high-intensity ultrasonic vibration to optimize the microstructures of the particulate reinforced Al-alloy composites was proposed, and the mechanism of the effect of high-intensity ultrasonic vibration on the microstructural evolution of the reinforcements and degassing of composites was also discussed in our research.     

Characterization of hot pressed SiC whisker reinforced TiB2 based composites

TiB₂–SiC ceramic composites, with different contents of SiC whiskers (SiC_w), as a ceramic sinter-additive, were prepared by the hot pressing process at 1850 °C for 2 h under a pressure of 20 MPa. For comparison, a monolithic TiB₂ ceramic was also fabricated under the identical temperature, pressure, atmosphere, and holding time by the hot pressing process. The effects of fabrication process and SiC whiskers on microstructural features, phase evolution and mechanical properties were investigated. Hardness measurements revealed an initial increase in hardness for TiB₂–SiC compared to TiB₂. Also the improvement of the fracture toughness was attributed to the toughening and strengthening effects of SiC whiskers such as crack deflection. The results showed that promoted densification of TiB₂–SiC ceramic composites is due to addition of SiC whiskers and reduction of oxide impurities by reacting with SiC whiskers and removing them from the surface layer of TiB₂ particles. The reaction between TiB₂ particles and SiC whiskers led to in-situ formation of TiC phase in the matrix as well. In general, it is concluded that the sinterability of TiB₂-based composites was remarkably improved by introducing SiC whiskers compared to the single phase TiB₂ ceramic.     

Strengthening mechanisms based on reinforcement distribution uniformity for particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites

A modified mixed strengthening model was proposed for describing the yield strength of particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The strengthening mechanisms of the composites were analyzed based on the microstructures and compression mechanical properties. The distribution uniformity of reinforcements and cooperation relationship among dislocation mechanisms were considered in the modified mixed strengthening model by introducing a distribution uniformity factor u and a cooperation coefficient f_c, respectively. The results show that the modified mixed strengthening model can accurately describe the yield strengths of Al₃Ti/2024 Al composites with a relative deviation less than 1.2%, which is much more accurate than other strengthening models. The modified mixed model can also be used to predict the yield strength of Al₃Ti/2024 Al composites with different fractions of reinforcements.     

Creep behaviour of Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo: II. Mechanisms of deformation

Constant load creep tests are performed in Ti-6242(Si) alloy with a lath microstructure, at temperatures of 538 and 565 °C. A change in the stress exponent values from ˜1 at low stresses to between 5 and 7 at high stresses, is indicative of a change in creep mechanism. TEM analysis indicates that the deformation is dominated by a-type dislocations in the phase, with little evidence of dislocation activity in the β laths. At higher stress (310 MPa), the a-type dislocations are pinned frequently along their screw direction by tall jogs. A creep model is proposed based on the premise that movement of these jogged screw dislocations may control the creep rate. In contrast, at low stress (172 MPa), the a-type dislocations have long straight screw segments with no apparent pinning points. The near-edge segments are in climb configurations. The creep rates here are close to those predicted, based on Harper–Dorn creep, although the dislocation density is larger than that normally associated with this regime.     

Creep behaviour of a cast TiAl-based alloy for industrial applications

The creep behaviour of a cast TiAl-based alloy with nominal chemical composition Ti–46Al–2W–0.5Si (at.%) was investigated. Constant load tensile creep tests were performed in the temperature range 973–1073 K and at applied stresses ranging from 200 to 390 MPa. The minimum creep rate is found to depend strongly on the applied stress and temperature. The power law stress exponent n is determined to be 7.3 and true activation energy for creep Q is calculated to be 405 kJ/mol. The initial microstructure of the alloy is unstable during creep exposure. The transformation of the α₂(Ti₃Al)-phase to the γ(TiAl)-phase, needle-like B2 particles and fine Ti₅Si₃ precipitates and particle coarsening are observed. Ordinary dislocations in the γ-matrix dominate the deformation microstructures at creep strains lower than 1.5%. The dislocations are elongated in the screw orientation and form local cusps, which are frequently associated with the jogs on the screw segments of dislocations. Fine B2 and Ti₅Si₃ precipitates act as effective obstacles to dislocation motion. The kinetics of the creep deformation within the studied temperature range and applied stresses is proposed to be controlled by non-conservative motion of dislocations.     

Densification and compressive strength ofin-situ processed Ti/TiB composites by powder metallurgy

In the present study, the densification of Ti/TiB composites, the growth behavior ofin-situ formed TiB reinforcement, the effects of processing variables — such as reactant powder (TiB₂, B₄C), sintering temperature and time — on the microstructures and the mechanical properties ofin-situ processed Ti/TiB composites have been investigated. Mixtures of TiB₂ or B₄C powder with pure titanium powder were compacted and presintered at 700°C for 1 hr followed by sintering at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300°C, respectively, for 3hrs. Some specimens were sintered at 1000°C for various times in order to study the formation behavior of TiB reinforcementin-situ formed within the pure Ti matrix. TiB reinforcements were formed through different mechanisms, such as the formation of fine TiB and the formation of coarse TiB by Ostwald ripening or the coalescence of fine TiB. There was no crystallographic relationship between TiB reinforcement and the matrix. There were voids at the interface between the TiB reinforcement and the Ti matrix due to the preferential growth of coarse TiB without a particular crystallographic relationship with pure Ti matrix and the surface energy between the Ti matrix and TiB reinforcements. Therefore, the densification of Ti/TiB₂ compacts was hindered by the preferential growth of coarse TiB reinforcements. The mechanical properties ofin-situ processed composites were evaluated by measuring the compressive yield strength at ambient and high temperatures. The compressive yield strength of thein situ processed composites was higher than that of the Ti-6A1-4V alloy. It was also found that the compressive yield strength of the composite made from TiB₂ reactant powder was higher than that of the composite made from B₄C at the same volume fraction of reinforcement. A crack path examination suggested that the bonding nature of interface between matrix and reinforcement made from TiB₂ reactant powder was better than that made from B₄C.     

High-temperature mechanical properties of aluminium alloys reinforced with titanium diboride （TiB2） particles

The physical and mechanical properties of metal matrix composites were improved by the addition of reinforcements.The mechanical properties of particulate-reinforced metal-matrix composites based on aluminium alloys (6061 and 7015) at high temperatures were studied.Titanium diboride (TiB2) particles were used as the reinforcement.All the composites were produced by hot extrusion.The tensile properties and fracture characteristics of these materials were investigated at room temperature and at high temperatures to determine their ultimate strength and strain to failure.The fracture surface was analysed by scanning electron microscopy.TiB2 particles provide high stability of the aluminium alloys (6061 and 7015) in the fabrication process.An improvement in the mechanical behaviour was achieved by adding TiB2 particles as reinforcement in both the aluminium alloys.Adding TiB2 particles reduces the ductility of the aluminium alloys but does not change the microscopic mode of failure,and the fracture surface exhibits a ductile appearance with dimples formed by coalescence.     

激光焊接颗粒增强铝基复合材料中TiB2颗粒的演变行为（英文）

研究大功率激光器焊接TiB2颗粒增强铝基复合材料时TiB2粒子的演变行为。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)及能谱(EDS)分析焊缝内粒子的物相、热力学过程及形貌特征;同时对TiB2和铝基体的界面反应进行讨论。结果表明:当TiB2团簇尺寸大于激光光斑直径时,焊缝中部的TiB2粒子会熔融在一起,较大尺寸的TiB2会发生断裂;当与铝熔体接触后,熔化后的TiB2粒子会与Al发生反应生成Al3Ti和AlB12,并且焊缝中部的界面反应比焊缝边缘的剧烈。     

Effects of degree of deformation on the microstructure,mechanical properties and texture of hybrid-reinforced titanium matrix composites

Titanium matrix composites reinforced by TiB whiskers and La₂O₃ particles are synthesized in a consumable vacuum arc remelting furnace by an in situ technique based on the reaction between Ti, LaB₆ and oxygen in the raw material. The titanium matrix composites are hot rolled with degrees of deformation of 60%, 80%, 90% and 95%. The effects of the hot rolling degree of deformation on the mechanical properties of the composites are investigated by experiment and modeling. In particular, the variation in the inclination of the TiB whiskers during rolling is quantified in the model. The results show that, with increasing degree of deformation, the mechanical properties of composites are improved. Modeling of the mechanical properties reveals that grain refinement and TiB whisker rotation during rolling contribute to the improvement in the yield strength of the titanium matrix composites. Electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy observations are used to study the texture of the composites. It is found that the orientation relationships between Ti matrix and TiB whiskers are [1 1 ?2 0]_Ti || [0 1 0]_TiB, (0 0 0 1)_Ti || (0 0 1)_TiB and (1 ?1 0 0)_Ti || (1 0 0)_TiB. TiB whiskers rotate in the rolling direction (RD) with increasing degree of deformation, which results in a higher intensity [1 1 ?2 0]_Ti || RD fiber due to the special orientation relationship between TiB and the Ti matrix.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites

The microstructures and interface structures of basalt particle reinforced 7A04 Al matrix composites (BP/7A04 Al) were analyzed by using OM, TEM, SEM and EDS, and the mechanical properties of 7A04 Al alloy were compared with those of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites. The results show that the basalt particles are dispersed in the Al matrix and form a strong bonding interface with the Al matrix. SiO₂ at the edge of the basalt particles is continuously replaced by Al₂O₃ formed in the reaction, forming a high-temperature reaction layer with a thickness of several tens of nanometers, and Al₂O₃ strengthens the bonding interface between basalt particles and Al matrix. The dispersed basalt particles promote the dislocation multiplication, vacancy formation and precipitation of the matrix, and the precipitated phases mainly consist of plate-like η (MgZn₂) phase and bright white band-shaped or ellipsoidal T (Al₂Mg₃Zn₃) phase. The bonding interface, high dislocation density and dispersion strengthening phase significantly improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites are up to 665 and 699 MPa, which increase by 11.4% and 10.9% respectively compared with 7A04 Al alloy without basalt particles.     

The effects of iron on the creep properties of NiAl

A comparative study has been made of the creep behaviour of stoichiometric Ni₅₀Al₅₀ and (Ni₄₀Fe₁₀)Al₅₀ over the temperature range 600–750 °C. It is confirmed that the addition of Fe improves the creep resistance of NiAl, decreasing appreciably its steady state creep rate. The rate controlling process is dislocation climb in Ni₅₀Al₅₀, which gives rise to a well developed subgrain substructure while dislocation glide appears to control the creep in (Ni₄₀Fe₁₀)Al₅₀. Almost, all the dislocations have Burgers vectors with b=〈100〉, except for a few short segments with b=〈110〉 found in the dislocation networks. In addition, numerous prismatic dislocation loops are observed in crept NiAl; they may be associated with a supersaturation of vacancies and the precipitation of impurity particles at intermediate temperatures. Lastly, it is found that the strengthening mechanisms are solid solution hardening as proved by transient compressive test results and the decrease of the diffusion coefficient by Fe additions according to the evidence provided in the literature.     

原位生成铝基复合材料的激光焊接

采用大功率激光器研究新型铝基复合材料TiB2/ZL101的焊接性能,TiB2粒子的存在增加了焊缝熔池粘度降低了熔池流动性,影响了焊缝成形,增加了气孔敏感性.焊缝中气孔主要来源于氢和复合材料中的残留盐.激光焊接过程中较大的冷却速度使得焊缝晶粒非常细小,TiB2粒子在焊缝中分布更均匀,没有出现粒子偏析,主要是因为TiB2粒子是属于纳米级,在凝固过程中被凝固界面前沿所捕获而没有被推移.TiB2粒子没有与铝基体发生界面反应生成脆性相Al3Ti及AlB2,TiB2粒子与Al基体界面结合较好.结果表明,激光焊接后没有破坏TiB2粒子的增强效果.     

Effect of Mg on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al0.3Sc0.15Zr-TiB2 Composite

Al-0.3Sc-0.15Zr-TiB₂ composites with varying additions of Mg were cast through a novel processing technique using oil Quenched Investment Casting (QIC). Addition of Mg resulted in grain refinement of the composite. Al₃(Sc, Zr) primary particles and TiB₂ are responsible for grain refinement in these composites. Presence of fine nanosized uniformly distributed precipitates of Al₃(Sc, Zr) at the peak age condition together with TiB₂ particles increase the strength and ductility of the composites. The presence of Sc and Zr reduces the size of TiB₂ particles down to 10 nm. The optimum magnesium content in the composites studied lies between 3.5 and 6%.     

原位合成TiC和TiB增强钛基复合材料的微观结构与力学性能

利用钛与Ｂ４Ｃ之间的自蔓延高温合成反应经普通的熔钐工艺原位合成制备了ＴｉＣ、ＴｉＢ增强的钛基复合材料。光学金相、ＥＰＭＡ、ＴＥＭ和Ｘ射线衍射的研究结果表明：存在匠两种不同形状的增强体,即短纤维状ＴｉＢ晶须和等轴、近似等轴状ＴｉＣ粒子。ＴｉＢ、Ｔｉ基体界面洁净,没有明显的界面反应,而ＴｉＣ、Ｔｉ基体界面有非化学配比的ＴｉＣ过度层存在。由于增强体承受载荷,基体合金晶粒细化以及高密度位错的存在,制备钛基     

Formation and microstructure of an in situ aluminum composite by oxygen spray technique

In situ particulate-reinforced Al and Al-Mg matrix composites were successfully fabricated by an oxygen spray technique. The results indicate that Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ particles directly nucleate and grow via gas-liquid oxidation reaction. The Al₂O₃ particles with the size of 0.1 to 0.5 μm are formed into the Al melt, according to an appropriate system and processing parameters. The reinforcements show a good wettability with the matrix. The hot-rolling process results in an improvement of the uniformity of the particle distribution in the matrix and an increase in the hardness of the composites.     

TEM investigations of the superdislocations and their interaction with particles in dispersion strengthened intermetallics

The strategy of oxide-dispersion strengthening has recently been applied to intermetallic compounds in order to improve their creep resistance at high temperatures. In this paper, we describe selected results of an extensive transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the dislocation structures and the particle/dislocation configurations in Oxide-dispersion strengthed (ODS) NiAl, Ni₃Al and FeAl. High-resolution TEM was employed to characterise the particle/matrix interfaces, and in situ high-temperature deformation in a high-voltage TEM provided insight into the dynamic processes of dislocation detachment from particles. The dissociation of the lattice dislocations into superpartials in FeAl and Ni₃Al has important consequences for the particle/dislocation interactions: the superpartials are observed to surmount, and sometimes detach from, the particles separately, which points to a cooperative effect between the partials. The in situ experiments show, in addition, that the climb step is rapid compared with dislocation detachment from the particle. These observations are discussed in the light of our recent theoretical model of creep strength in ordered ODS materials.     

Electrochemical corrosion behavior of Al–Si alloy composites reinforced with in situ TiB2 particulate

Understanding the corrosion behavior of TiB_2p‐reinforced aluminum matrix composites is crucial for their development as effective composites. In this work, corrosion characteristics of in situ TiB₂ particulate reinforced Al–Si alloy (A356) composite after T6 treatment are investigated by electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals that the protection of nature film for the composites is worse than that for A356 alloy. Polarization experiments testify that the composites are susceptible to corrosion compared with their matrix alloys. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of the composites markedly decreases with increase in the TiB₂ content. The observations of the corrosion morphologies after polarization test show that the corrosion primarily occurs at the interdendritic sites with a large amount of TiB₂ particulates. Corrosion progress continues into the composite inner along the regions of α‐Al dendrite. The poor corrosion resistant properties of the composites are considered primarily due to the galvanic corrosion between noble TiB₂ reinforcements and more active aluminum matrix, as well as the weak protection of the defective nature film on the composite.     

In Situ Synthesis Aluminum Borate Whiskers Reinforced TiB2 Matrix Composites for Application in Aluminum Reduction Cells

The TiB₂ matrix ceramics reinforced by aluminum borate whiskers (Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ w) had been prepared by the pressureless sintering method. The mechanical properties and densification behavior of the TiB₂ matrix ceramics were investigated. The results showed that Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ w was in situ synthesized by the reaction of boehmite (AlOOH) and TiB₂ powders during the sintering process. Increasing the sintering temperature had benefited for densification of the TiB₂ matrix ceramics. Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ w could increase the flexural strength and Vicker’s hardness. It is obtained that the maximum value Vicker’s hardness with 1.81 GPa and flexural strength with 82 MPa for samples sintered at 1600°C.