Obtaining Ultra-High Strength and Ductility in a Mg–Gd–Er–Zn–Zr Alloy via Extrusion,Pre-deformation and Two-Stage Aging

The Mg–12Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.9 Zr(wt%) alloy with ultra-high strength and ductility was developed via hot extrusion combined with pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment.The age-hardening behavior and microstructure evolution were investigated.Pre-deformation introduced a large number of dislocations,resulting in strain hardening and higher precipitation strengthening in the subsequent two-stage aging.As a result,the alloy showed a superior strength–ductility balance with a yield strength of 506 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 549 MPa and an elongation of 8.2% at room temperature.The finer and denser β' precipitates significantly enhanced the strength,and the bimodal structure,small β-Mg_5RE phase as well as dense γ' precipitates ensured the good ductility of the alloy.It is suggested that the combination of pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment is an eff ective method to further improve the mechanical properties of wrought Mg alloys.     

双级时效对等温多向锻造近β钛合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

利用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜研究新型近 βTi?4Al?1Sn?2Zr?5Mo?8V?2.5Cr(质量分数,％)合金经α+β区退火处理(ST)后进行单级时效(SA)或双级时效(DA)对显微组织演变和力学性能的影响.结果表明,与SA相比,合金经过DA处理后析出的次生α相更加细小,其主要机制为300℃预时...     

In situ thermomechanical processing to avoid grain boundary precipitation and strength-ductility loss of age hardening alloys

To avoid grain boundary (GB) precipitation during aging, a new strategy of in situ thermomechanical processing for age hardening alloys was proposed. Specifically, high-density nanoscale precipitates were introduced into ultrafine grain (UFG) interiors of 7075Al alloy by equal-channel-angular (ECAP) processing at 250 °C for 8 passes, thus avoiding GB precipitation. Tensile test results indicated that the UFG 7075Al alloy exhibits superior mechanical properties (yield strength of 350 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 500 MPa, uniform elongation of 18% and tensile ductility of 19%) compared with the UFG 1050Al counterpart (yield strength of 170 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 180 MPa, uniform elongation of 2.5% and tensile ductility of 7%). Fracture surface morphology studies revealed numerous homogeneous micro shear bands in necking shrinkage areas of both UFG 7075Al and 1050Al alloys, which are controlled by cooperative GB sliding. Moreover, the introduction of nanoscale precipitates in UFG 7075Al matrix weakened the tendency of shear fracture, resulting in a higher tensile ductility and more homogeneous deformation. Different from the GB precipitation during postmortem aging, in situ thermomechanical treatment dynamically formed GBs after precipitation, thus avoiding precipitation on GBs.     

Dislocation-Induced Precipitation and Its Strengthening of Al–Cu–Li–Mg Alloys with High Mg

Generally, the good combination of pre-deformation and aging can improve the mechanical strength of the Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys. However, the effects of pre-deformation on competitive precipitation relationship and precipitation strengthening have not been clarified in detail in Al–Cu–Li–Mg alloys with high Mg. In the present study, the effects of pre-deformation level on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–2.95 Cu–1.55 Li–0.57 Mg–0.18 Zr alloy have been investigated. It is found that the introduction of dislocation by 5% pre-deformation can facilitate the precipitation of new successive composite precipitates and T _1 precipitates along the sub-grain boundaries or dislocations and inhibit the precipitation of dispersive GPB zones which is the main precipitates of the alloys without pre-deformation. The introduction of 5% pre-deformation can enhance the mechanical properties considerably. When the pre-deformation level increases from 5 to 15%, the number density of the successive composite precipitates and T _1 precipitates increases, and the aspect ratio of T _1 precipitates decreases. The decrease in T _1 precipitate aspect ratio and the increment of the successive composite precipitates result in the reduction in precipitation strengthening. Therefore, the increase in pre-deformation level from 5 to 15% does not further improve the mechanical properties of the alloys, although the dislocation strengthening increases continuously.     

Pre-precipitate clusters and precipitation processes in Al–Mg–Si alloys

The solute clusters and the metastable precipitates in aged Al–Mg–Si alloys have been characterized by a three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After long-term natural aging, Mg–Si co-clusters have been detected in addition to separate Si and Mg atom clusters. The particle density of β″ after 10 h artificial aging at 175°C varies depending on pre-aging conditions, i.e. pre-aging at 70°C increases the number density of the β″ precipitates, whereas natural aging reduces it. This suggests that the spherical GP zones formed at 70°C serve as nucleation sites for the β″ in the subsequent artificial aging, whereas co-clusters formed at room temperature do not. Atom probe analysis results have revealed that the Mg:Si ratios of the GP zones and the β″ precipitates in the alloy with excess amount of Si are 1:1, whereas those in the Al–Mg₂Si quasi-binary alloy are 2:1. Based on these results, the characteristic two-step age-hardening behavior in Al–Mg–Si alloys is discussed.     

Revisiting the Hierarchical Microstructures of an Al-Zn-Mg Alloy Fabricated by Pre-deformation and Aging

Pre-deformation before aging has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on the mechanical strength of the 7N01 alloy in our previous study, which is rather different from the general negative effects of pre-deformation on high-strength 7XXX aluminum alloys. In order to explain the strengthening mechanism relating to the positive effect, in the present study, the microstructure of the aged 7N01 alloy with different degrees of pre-deformation was investigated in detail using advanced electron microscopy techniques. Our results show that, without pre-deformation, the aged alloy is strengthened mainly by the η′ type of hardening precipitates. In contrast, with pre-deformation, the aged alloy is strengthened by the hierarchical microstructure consisting of the GP-η′ type of precipitates formed inside sub-grains, the η_p type of precipitates formed at small-angle boundaries, and the dislocation introduced by pre-deformation (residual work-hardening effect). By visualizing the distribution of the η_p precipitates through three-dimensional electron tomography, the 3D microstructures of dislocation cells are clearly revealed. Proper combinations of η_p precipitates, GP-η′ precipitates and residual dislocations in the alloy are responsible for the positive effect of pre-deformation on its mechanical properties.     

AA 7055铝合金时效析出强化模型

利用小角度X射线散射技术获得的系列定量信息,综合运用时效析出动力学理论和析出相切过、绕过强化机制,研究了AA 7055铝合金在120和160℃时效过程中的屈服强度演变模型。结果表明,在时效早期盘状析出相的盘面半径和半厚度均与t^1/2(t为时效时间)成线性关系;在时效后期,析出相尺寸则与t^1/3成线性关系。时效过程中析出相体积分数与t的变化关系遵循JMA (Johnson-Mehl-Avrami)型表达式。综合考虑了GPI区和η’相2类析出相对合金强度的贡献,并且分别考察了这2类析出相的模量强化机制和共格应变强化机制,最终建立了AA 7055铝合金在120和160℃时效过程中的屈服强度变化模型,确定了该合金时效过程中析出相与屈服强度之间的定量关系。     

强变形工艺对2519A铝合金组织与性能的影响

通过硬度测试、拉伸性能测试、透射电镜观察等分析手段研究了不同强变形工艺下2519A铝合金的力学性能与微观组织。结果表明,经50%的冷轧变形和165 ℃人工时效后,2519A合金的力学性能明显提高,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为522 MPa、468 MPa和8.5%。而在冷变形前添加165 ℃×2 h预时效处理,合金的力学性能进一步提高,其抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别达到535 MPa、497 MPa和8%。预时效处理可以提高合金中θ′相的密度,使析出相分布更加均匀,有助于提高合金的力学性能。     

预时效处理对 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu 合金硬化响应及微观组织的影响

研究了预时效处理对Al-Zn-Mg-Cu铝合金薄板力学性能和微观组织的影响,测试了显微硬度和力学性能,表征了TEM微观精细组织。结果表明:固溶处理后在180 ℃立即进行人工时效处理,可获得Al-Zn-Mg-Cu合金的显著时效硬化效果,且在8 h后达到峰值硬度195 HV0.5,与基体呈共格关系的η′相为主要强化相;120 ℃×10 min为最佳的预时效处理制度,经14天的室温停滞后,相比于固溶+自然时效态,硬度降低了13 HV0.5,降幅达到10.7%,具有明显的抑制自然时效作用;预时效+自然时效态试样,经烘烤硬化处理后,屈服强度和抗拉强度分别达到了465和545 MPa,强度增量分别达到170和95 MPa,同时伸长率达到12.5%。     

高强可焊7A62铝合金的成分设计与跨尺度相强化作用

基于7A62铝合金的成分设计,研究Zn含量和Zn/Mg质量比对Al-Zn-Mg合金强度的影响。采用透射电镜(TEM和HREM)详细地研究7A62铝合金峰值时效的析出相,从多个晶体学方向观察了强化析出相的形貌及其与基体的关系。结果表明:Zn/Mg质量比为2~3、Zn含量增加至6.84%(质量分数)时,7A62合金的强度明显增加。峰值时效后,7A62合金基体形成了体积分数约60%、尺寸小于10 nm的沉淀强化相和体积分数约10%、尺寸为100~200 nm的弥散强化相。基体主要强化析出相是高密度均匀分布的η′相,与基体呈现半共格和晶体取向关系,形成较高晶格错配度;跨尺度位错缠结的弥散强化相是由Al、Zn、Mg、Mn元素组成的平衡相。7A62合金的化学成分和微结构特征使其成为高强可焊的铝合金。     

自然时效效应及预时效处理对7A20铝合金组织性能的影响

研究了中强度7A20铝合金的自然时效硬化效应及预时效处理对组织和性能的影响。采用光学显微镜和透射电镜表征了其微观组织结构,采用维氏硬度计和万能拉伸试验机测试了其硬度和力学性能。结果表明:固溶态7A20试验铝合金的自然时效硬化效应明显,12天后硬度由56 HV0.5提高到122 HV0.5,提高了117.86%。经120 ℃×10 min预时效处理后,自然时效硬化增量最低,相比于固溶态降低了16 HV0.5,有效抑制自然时效硬化效应;同时,预时效处理提升了烘烤硬化效应,烘烤硬化后屈服强度提升了166 MPa,抗拉强度提高了51 MPa,伸长率降低了7%。烘烤处理前,其晶内的强化主要来自于与基体共格的GP区,烘烤处理后为尺寸小于5 nm、弥散分布的η′强化相。     

Microstructure and Precipitate's Characterization of the Cu-Ni-Si-P Alloy

Microstructure of the Cu-Ni-Si-P alloy was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The alloy had 551 MPa tensile strength, 226 HV hardness, and 36% IACS electrical conductivity after 80% cold rolling and aging at 450 °C for 2 h. Under the same aging conditions, but without the cold rolling, the strength, hardness, and electrical conductivity were 379 MPa, 216 HV, and 32% IACS, respectively. The precipitates identified by TEM characterization were δ-Ni₂Si. Some semi-coherent spherical precipitates with a typical coffee bean contrast were found after aging for 48 h at 450 °C. The average diameter of the observed semi-coherent precipitates is about 5 nm. The morphology of the fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy. All samples showed typical ductile fracture. The addition of P refined the grain size and increased the nucleation rate of the precipitates. The precipitated phase coarsening was inhibited by the small additions of P. After aging, the Cu-Ni-Si-P alloy can gain excellent mechanical properties with 804 MPa strength and 49% IACS conductivity. This study aimed to optimize processing conditions of the Cu-Ni-Si-P alloys.     

Effect of nano Al (Scx−1Zrx) precipitates on the mechanical and corrosion behavior of Al‐2.5 Mg alloys

Microanalytical, mechanical, and corrosion studies were undertaken to investigate the effect of nano‐precipitates of Al(Sc_x−1Zr_x) on the mechanical and corrosion characteristics of Al 2.5 alloy containing 0, 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt% of Sc with 0.15 wt% Zr. Addition of 0.3% Sc significantly increased the yield strength due to small precipitates sizes (5–19 nm) and the high coherency of the nano‐particles. Largest contributor to the strength was grain boundary strengthening caused by pinning of grain boundary precipitates. The alloys showed a good resistance to corrosion in 3.5 wt% neutral chloride solution. The alloy offered a high passivation tendency because of homogeneous coherent nano Al(Sc_x−1Zr_x) precipitates. The nano precipitates interfaces and homogeneously distributed Al₃Sc precipitates offer a high degree of corrosion resistance to Al 2.5 Mg Sc alloys compared to conventional aluminum alloys, such as Al 6061 and Al6013.     

预变形对Zr-Sn-Nb合金淬火时效晶粒及析出相的影响

采用SEM附带的背散射电子通道衬度（ECC）像、二次电子（SE）像及能谱（EDS）分析技术,研究了β相水淬后预变形处理对Zr-Sn-Nb合金在时效过程中再结晶和第二相析出的影响规律.结果表明,未引入预变形直接时效时所得组织中再结晶晶粒尺寸粗大且形状不规则,第二相粒子尺寸差异也较大,其中尺寸大的第二相粒子为含Cu的Zr₃Fe,主要沿原β晶界分布;预变形后再时效的组织中再结晶晶粒显著细化且尺寸均匀,第二相粒子尺寸差异减小,大尺寸的Zr₃Fe粒子主要沿α再结晶晶界分布.无论有无预变形或时效时间长短,晶粒内部析出相均为弥散分布的小尺寸Zr（Fe,Cr,Nb）₂粒子.引入预变形会减弱沉淀相沿晶界析出和急剧长大的倾向,使锆合金的微观组织和第二相分布特征改变.     

时效时间对7150铝合金组织和性能的影响

通过维氏硬度测试、电导率测试和拉伸、晶间腐蚀等测试方法,研究了预时效、回归及再时效三个阶段中的时效时间对7150铝合金组织和性能的影响,借助透射电镜观察时效处理各阶段合金的微观组织演变。结果表明:120℃×20 h欠时效作为预时效工艺,比120℃×24 h峰时效的晶内析出相更细小,高温回归时更利于回溶。在190℃短时回归5、15和30 min中,15 min回溶效果最好,硬度最低,再经120℃×24 h再时效后合金抗拉强度Rm、屈服强度RP0.2、伸长率A分别为622 MPa、573 MPa、10.8%,显微硬度为204 HV,力学性能与120℃×24 h单级峰时效时相近。经120℃×20 h+190℃×15 min+120℃×24 h处理后7150铝合金综合性能好,耐晶间腐蚀性能佳。     

预时效对车身用6016铝合金烘烤硬化性能的影响

采用硬度测试、拉伸试验和透射电镜等手段研究了不同预时效处理对6016铝合金烘烤前后微观组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:6016铝合金具有较强的自然时效硬化能力,自然时效24 h的6016铝硬度比固溶态合金硬度增加了45.6%。自然时效超过24 h以后,合金硬度值变化不大。通过预时效处理可以显著提高6016铝合金的烘烤硬化效果。经550 ℃×30 min固溶+160 ℃×10 min预时效处理后,6016铝合金规定塑性延伸强度为131.4 MPa,伸长率为24.7%。再经175 ℃×30 min烘烤后合金规定塑性延伸强度达到199.5 MPa,烘烤硬化值(BH)为68.1 MPa,此工艺为6016铝合金车身板最佳的热处理工艺。     

RRA过程中预时效时间对7A85铝合金组织性能的影响

系统研究了RRA处理过程预时效时间对7A85铝合金微观组织演变和性能的影响。利用Jmat-Pro软件计算了相变规律和TTT图,测试了硬度和拉伸性能指标,利用TEM表征了微观组织。结果表明,热力学平衡状态下,410 ℃开始析出MgZn₂相,体积分数达到9.5%左右;等温过程最先析出GP区,析出温度为室温~175 ℃,鼻尖温度在150 ℃左右;随着预时效时间的延长,硬度先升高后降低,20 h时达到峰值硬度192 HV;RRA处理过程,预时效时间为12 h时,屈服强度和抗拉强度达到峰值,分别为625 MPa和675 MPa;120 ℃保温20 h峰值时效状态下,η′-MgZn析出相尺寸在5~10 nm;预时效时间为12 h时,RRA处理后晶界处的Al-Zn-Mg-Cu四元相粒子呈不连续分布,尺寸在50~125 nm范围。     

Fatigue strength and microstructure evaluation of Al 7050 alloy wires recycled by spray forming,extrusion and rotary swaging

Recycled high-strength aluminum alloys have limited use as structural materials due to poor mechanical properties. Spray forming remelting followed by hot extrusion is a promising route for reprocessing 7xxx alloys. The 7050 alloy machining chips were spray formed, hot extruded, rotary swaged and heat-treated in order to improve mechanical properties. Microstructures, tensile properties and fatigue strength results for a 2.7 mm-diameter recycled wire are presented. Secondary phases and precipitates were investigated by XRD, SEM, EBSD, TEM and DSC. As-swaged and heat-treated (solution and aging) conditions were evaluated. Mechanical properties of both conditions outperformed AA7050 aerospace specification. Substantial grain refinement resulted from the extensive plastic deformation imposed by rotary swaging. Refined micrometric and sub-micrometric Al grains, as well as coarse and fine intermetallic precipitates were observed. Subsequent solution treatment resulted in a homogeneous, recrystallized and equiaxed microstructure with grain size of 9 μm. Nanoscale GP(I) zones and η′ phase precipitates formed after aging at 120 °C, imparting higher tensile (586 MPa) and fatigue (198 MPa) strengths.     

Al-Sc二元合金中次生Al_3Sc的析出和长大行为

研究了温度、时间等因素对Al-0.4Sc合金时效过程中次生Al3Sc粒子的析出和长大规律及其对合金性能的影响。指出在350、400和450℃下时效,次生Al3Sc粒子长大行为基本符合Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner(LSW)理论预测;在500℃下时效1h,粒子长大行为接近LSW理论预测值,1h以上,粒子长大速度变慢,与LSW理论偏差较大。当Al3Sc粒子半径在4～40nm的范围内,Al-0.4Sc合金硬度值随着粒子尺寸上升而下降;当Al3Sc半径为4～7.5nm时,硬度为750～850MPa,大约是热处理前的硬度值(200MPa)的3.75～4.25倍,析出强化作用显著;当Al3Sc半径达到40nm时,合金硬度下降到300MPa。     

Modeling of precipitation hardening in pre-aged AlMgSi(Cu) alloys

A new analytical method to estimate the evolution of the relative volume fraction of precipitates during artificial aging of pre-aged AlMgSi(Cu) alloys in the underaged regime is introduced. The analytical results demonstrate that the precipitation processes in AlMgSi(Cu) alloys are isokinetic in commercially relevant temperature ranges. The theory of transformations is used to model isothermal and non-isothermal aging kinetics in isokinetic systems where the precipitate nuclei pre-exist at the start of aging and definite precipitate contents are reached at the end of transformation. A simple physically based model is also developed for the prediction of the average size of precipitates during artificial aging of pre-aged alloys, when “growth” is the controlling mechanism of precipitation. The microstructural models are combined with a previously developed yield strength model and the evolution of yield strengths during isothermal and non-isothermal aging of AlMgSi(Cu) alloys, with various pre-aging histories, are modeled. The analytical method and the microstructural and yield strength models are validated using experimental results.