Developing high performance squeeze cast Al-Cu alloys with high Fe and Cu contents

In this paper, the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of squeeze cast Al-Cu alloys with different amounts of Cu and Fe after T7 heat treatment were investigated using various methods, including optical microstructure (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA), and tensile testing. Results show that better comprehensive mechanical properties of squeeze cast Al-Cu alloys can be achieved by designing the Fe and Cu contents. These results can be attibuted to an increase in precipitate particles in the α(Al) matrix and the formation of nano-sized iron-rich intermetallics (IRIs). Ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation (EL) of the Al-6.5Cu-0.6Mn-1.0Fe alloy were as high as 314 MPa, 293 MPa, and 6 %, respectively. These values were close to those of Al-Si alloys with high Fe content (1.0 %) under applied pressure, and this indicates the high potential for developing recycled squeeze cast Al-Cu cast alloys.     

Tensile and Fracture Properties of 15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al Composites Fabricated by Hot Isostatic Pressing and Hot Extrusion Processes

15 vol% silicon carbide particle （SiCp）-reinforced 2009A1 matrix （15 vol% SiCp/2009A1） composites were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing （HIP） and hot extrusion processes. The tensile and fracture properties of 15 vol% SiCp/ 2009Al were studied. The results showed that hot extrusion increased the ultimate tensile strength （UTS）, yield strength （YS）, elongation （EL）, reduction in area （RA）, and fracture toughness of the composites. The heat treatment resulted in the increase in UTS, YS, and fracture toughness, but a decrease in EL and RA. Both hot extrusion and heat treatment had negligible effects on elastic modulus （E）. With the increase of SiCp size, the UTS, YS, and E decreased, but the EL and RA increased. The fracture toughness increased first and then decreased with increasing SiCp size, and when the SiCp size was about 7 μm, the composites obtained the maximum fracture toughness value of 31.74 MPa m^1/2.     

固溶时效对半固态挤压SiC/AZ91D组织与性能的影响

为了获得综合力学性能良好的镁基复合材料,采用近液相线保温法制备10 μm 15％SiC/AZ91D(质量分数)半固态坯料进行半固态挤压后得到其复合材料,再经过415℃固溶处理24 h(T4)和进一步220℃时效处理8 h(T6).结果表明:随着固溶时效的进行,晶界处的层片状和点状Mg17Al12相溶解,然后在晶粒中二次...     

Tensile and Fracture Properties of 15 vol% SiCp/2009Al Composites Fabricated by Hot Isostatic Pressing and Hot Extrusion Processes

15 vol% silicon carbide particle (SiC_p)-reinforced 2009Al matrix (15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al) composites were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and hot extrusion processes. The tensile and fracture properties of 15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al were studied. The results showed that hot extrusion increased the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), elongation (EL), reduction in area (RA), and fracture toughness of the composites. The heat treatment resulted in the increase in UTS, YS, and fracture toughness, but a decrease in EL and RA. Both hot extrusion and heat treatment had negligible effects on elastic modulus (E). With the increase of SiC_p size, the UTS, YS, and E decreased, but the EL and RA increased. The fracture toughness increased first and then decreased with increasing SiC_p size, and when the SiC_p size was about 7 μm, the composites obtained the maximum fracture toughness value of 31.74 MPa m^1/2.     

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and its thixoforming

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and thixoforming was investigated by applying equal channel angularextrusion to magnesium alloy.The results show that mechanical properties of AZ91D alloy at room temperature,such as yieldstrength(YS),ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and elongation,are enhanced greatly by four-pass equal channel angularextrusion(ECAE)at 573 K and microstructure of AZ91D alloy is refined to the average grain size of 20μm.Through using ECAE asstrain induced step in SIMA and completing melt activated step by semi-solid isothermal treatment,semi-solid billet with finespheroidal grains of 25μm can be prepared successfully.Compared with common SIMA,thixoformed satellite angle framecomponents using semi-solid billet prepared by new SIMA have higher mechanical properties at room temperature and hightemperature of 373 K.     

Effect of Cooling Rate on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Sand-Casted Al-5.0Mg-0.6Mn-0.25Ce Alloy

This study examines the relationship among cooling rate, microstructure and mechanical properties of a sand-casted Al-5.0Mg-0.6Mn-0.25Ce (wt%) alloy subjected to T4 heat treatment (430 °C × 12 h + natural aging for 5 days), and the tested alloys with wall thickness varying from 5 to 50 mm were prepared. The results show that as the cooling rate increases from 0.22 to 7.65 K/s, the average secondary dendritic arm spacing (SDAS, λ₂) decreases from 94.8 to 27.3 μm. The relation between SDAS and cooling rate can be expressed by an equation: $\lambda_{2} = 53.0R_{\text{c}}^{ - 0.345}$. Additionally, an increase in cooling rate was shown not only to reduce the amount of the secondary phases, but also to promote the transition from Al₁₀Mn₂Ce to α-Al₂₄(Mn,Fe)₆Si₂ phase. Tensile tests show that as the cooling rate increases from 0.22 to 7.65 K/s, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases from 146.3 to 241.0 MPa and the elongation (EL) increases sharply from 4.4 to 12.2% for the as-cast alloys. Relations of UTS and EL with SDAS were determined, and both the UTS and EL increase linearly with (1/λ₂)^0.5 and that these changes can be explained by strengthening mechanisms. Most eutectic Al₃Mg₂ phases were dissolved during T4 treatment, which in turn further improve the YS, UTS and EL. However, the increment percent of YS, UTS and EL is affected by the cooling rate.     

碳纤维-FeCoCrNiAl高熵合金颗粒混杂增强7075铝基复合材料的力学性能及断裂行为

为探究双相增强体对铝基复合材料拉伸性能和断裂行为的影响,采用真空热压烧结工艺在580 ℃,30 MPa条件下保温10 min制备了FeCoCrNiAl高熵合金颗粒增强7075铝基复合材料（HEA_p/Al）,Ni-Co-P镀层修饰碳纤维增强7075铝基复合材料（CF/Al）和FeCoCrNiAl高熵合金颗粒及Ni-Co-P镀层修饰碳纤维混杂增强铝基复合材料（CF-HEA_p/Al）。并对不同复合材料微观结构及拉伸性能进行分析表征及比较。结果表明：CF-HEA_p/Al复合材料的屈服强度（YS）与极限拉伸强度（UTS）随纤维含量的升高（体积分数由0至40%）呈现先增大后降低的变化,延伸率则逐渐降低。鉴于Ni-Co-P镀层修饰碳纤维与FeCoNiCrAl高熵合金颗粒的混杂强化效应, CF-HEA_p/Al复合材料的YS和UTS较HEA_p/Al与CF/Al复合材料明显提高,且其断口表现出基体韧性断裂及纤维拔出与断裂的多种失效特征。     

Strengthening Mechanism and Microstructure of Deformable Ti Particles Reinforced AZ91 Composite

In this study, the deformable titanium (Ti) particles reinforced AZ91 composite was successfully prepared by powder metallurgy and subsequent extrusion. The mechanical properties and microstructural evolution of pure AZ91 and 5Ti/AZ91 composite were studied. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of 5Ti/AZ91 composite are measured to be 212 MPa, 323 MPa, and 10.1%, respectively. Microstructure analysis revealed that Ti particles are elongated along the extrusion direction, forming a discontinuous strip Ti particles, fine precipitated Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase inhibits dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior through Zener pinning effect and hinders the growth of matrix grains, resulting in refiner grains of 5Ti/AZ91 composite. Heterogeneous deformed Ti particles and magnesium (Mg) matrix to generate additional heterogeneous deformation-induced (HDI) strengthening. Heterogeneous deformation-induced strengthening mainly contributed to the increment of yield strength for 5Ti/AZ91 composite.     

Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and properties of semi-solid squeeze casting AZ91D

Semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy billets were prepared by near-liquidus heat holding. Semi-solid squeeze casting was conducted at 575, 585 and 595 ℃, respectively, with 1 mm·s~(-1) squeeze speed. The semisolid squeeze casting AZ91D samples were heat treated by T4(solution at 415 ℃ for 24 h) and T6(solution at 415 ℃ for 24 h + 220 ℃ for 8 h) processes, respectively. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy in different states were investigated by means of OM, SEM and tensile testing machine. The results show that compared to as-cast alloy, the grain size of the semi-solid squeezed AZ91D decreased significantly, and with the increase of semi-solid squeeze temperature, the grain size of AZ91D increased. The grains of the alloy were refined by T4 treatment, and further refined by T6 treatment. T6 treatment greatly improved the tensile strength, elongation, and hardness, but did not significantly improve yield strength. After 575 ℃ squeeze casting and T6 treatment, the ultimate tensile strength(UTS) reached 285 MPa, the elongation reached 13.36%, and the hardness also reached the maximum(106.8 HV), but the yield strength(YS) was only 180 MPa. During the process of semi-solid squeeze casting and heat treatment, the matrix grain was refined and a large number of precipitated and secondary precipitated phases of Mg_(17)Al_(12) appeared. Both the average size of matrix grain and secondary precipitated phase decreased, while the volume fraction of secondary precipitated phase increased. All these resulted in high tensile strength, elongation and hardness.     

原位反应自发渗透法TiC／AZ91D镁基复合材料及AZ91D镁合金的拉伸变形与断裂行为

利用原位反应自发渗透技术合成了47．5％碳化钛TiC（体积分数，下同）增强AZ91D镁基复合材料，对比研究了该复合材料与铸态镁合金AZ91D基体的室温与高温拉伸变形行为，观察了拉伸断口微观组织形貌，并分析了这两种材料的断裂特征。结果表明，TiC／Mg复合材料具有良好的高温力学性能，在拉伸变形速率为0．001s^-1以及温度为723K，时其拉伸强度可达91．1MPa，而此时相同变形条件下的铸态AZ91D镁合金拉伸断裂强度只有41．1MPa，增幅达120％。而在室温下，镁基复合材料的拉伸断裂强度仅高出基体铸态镁合金23．4％。镁基复合材料的断裂应变较低，高低温时均表现为脆性断裂；而镁合金则由室温下的脆性断裂向高温下的韧性断裂过渡。     

CNTs/AZ91D镁基纳米复合材料的热处理及其力学性能

采用高能超声分散技术和金属型重力铸造工艺制备了CNTs/AZ91D镁基纳米复合材料,并对复合材料进行了固溶T4热处理和固溶时效T6热处理。T4态1.0CNTs/AZ91D复合材料的抗拉强度、伸长率分别为285 MPa、17.3%,与铸态复合材料的抗拉强度(196MPa)和伸长率(4.1%)相比,分别提高了45%、322%。T6态的抗拉强度进一步提高到296MPa,特别是屈服强度显著提高到155MPa,伸长率有所降低,但仍有5.5%。利用OM、SEM、TEM观察1.0CNTs/AZ91D复合材料的显微组织。结果表明,碳纳米管具有细化晶粒、促进滑移和孪生、载荷转移等作用,从而能够明显提高CNTs/AZ91D复合材料的综合力学性能。     

Correlation Between Tensile Strength and Hardness of Electron Beam Welded TC4-DT Joints

Correlation between tensile strength and hardness for damage-tolerant Ti-6Al-4V (TC4-DT) alloy and its electron beam welded joints was investigated. Yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and strain hardening coefficient of base metal and weld metal were obtained using uniaxial tensile tests. Microhardness of the base metal, heat affected zone, and weld metal was measured. Then, the linear correlations among the yield strength, tensile strength, and hardness were proposed. Moreover, correlation between strain hardening coefficient and the ratio of YS to UTS (YS/UTS) was established. The results indicate that microhardness can be used to predict the YS and UTS of the TC4-DT welded joint successfully. In addition, the strain hardening coefficient can be predicted by the YS/UTS. The prediction of strength and strain hardening coefficient is in agreement with the experiments. The correlations are applicable and valuable for the strength prediction of narrow welded fusion zone and heat affected zone based on the microhardness measurement.     

浇注温度对连续碳纤维增强Al-10Mg基复合材料组织和力学性能的影响

通过双辊铸轧工艺制备了连续碳纤维增强的铝镁（10% Mg,质量分数）基复合材料,其中碳纤维的体积分数是6.8%。对不同浇注温度（943、963、983和1003 K）下获得的复合材料的组织和力学性能进行了研究。通过在碳纤维表面上电镀镍涂层以抑制脆性相Al₄C₃的形成。结果表明：碳纤维与铝镁基体具有相对较好的浸润性,并且没有形成Al₄C₃脆性相。随着浇注温度的升高,复合材料的抗拉伸强度（UTS）先升高后降低。当浇注温度为963 K时,复合材料的抗拉伸强度达到了185 MPa,比基体材料（131 MPa）提高了41.2%。此外,对复合材料的拉伸断面进行研究,进一步证实了碳纤维与铝镁基体之间良好的界面结合。双辊铸造法是制备碳纤维增强铝镁基复合材料的有效方法,且具有良好的研究前景。     

Development of Ti–V–Mo Complex Microalloyed Hot-Rolled 900-MPa-Grade High-Strength Steel

A new Ti–V–Mo complex microalloyed hot-rolled high-strength steel sheet was developed by controlling a thermo-mechanical controlled processing(TMCP) schedule, in particular with variants in coiling temperature. The effects of coiling temperature(CT) on various hardening mechanisms and mechanical properties of Ti–V–Mo complex microalloyed high-strength low-alloy steels were investigated. The results revealed that the steels are mainly strengthened by a combined effect of ferrite grain refinement hardening and precipitation hardening. The variation in simulated coiling temperature causes a significant difference in strength, which is mainly attributed to different precipitation hardening increment contributions. When the CT is 600 C, the experimental steel has the best mechanical properties: ultimate tensile strength(UTS) 1000 MPa, yield strength(YS) 955 MPa and elongation(EL) 17%. Moreover, about 82 wt% of the total precipitates are nano-sized carbide particles with diameter of 1–10 nm, which is randomly dispersed in the ferrite matrix.The nano-sized carbide particles led to a strong precipitation hardening increment up to 310 MPa.     

原位自生TiB2/Al复合材料的组织与力学性能

采用钛盐与硼盐反应法成功制备原位自生TiB2/纯Al复合材料。利用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和拉伸试验机研究不同粒子含量(质量分数为1%、2%和3%)对复合材料组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:原位生成的TiB2粒子有矩形、近圆形和六边形三种形貌,尺寸为200~500 nm;粒子与Al基体界面洁净无反应层。随着粒子含量的增加,复合材料的强度随之升高,而伸长率则随之降低;当TiB2含量为3%时,屈服强度和抗拉强度分别达到78.1 MPa和102 MPa,相比于纯Al分别提高58%和43%,而伸长率降至32.5%,下降了24%。断口分析表明:随着TiB2粒子含量的增加,粒子团聚机率增加,在拉伸过程中,裂纹在粒子团聚处萌生并扩展,导致材料的塑性降低。     

Enhanced mechanical properties in Al/diamond composites by Si addition

Diamond particles reinforced aluminum–silicon matrix composites,abbreviated as Al(Si)/diamond composites,were fabricated by squeeze casting.The effect of Si content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated.The mechanical properties are found to increase monotonically with Si content increasing up to 7.0 wt%.The Al-7.0 wt% Si/diamond composite exhibits tensile strength of 78 MPa,bending strength of 230 MPa,and compressive strength of426 MPa.Al–Si eutectic phases are shown to connect with Al matrix and diamond particles tightly,which is responsible for the enhancement of mechanical properties in the Al(Si)/diamond composites.     

Microstructure and properties of rheo-HPDC Al-8Si alloy prepared by air-cooled stirring rod process

A new and effective semisolid slurry preparation process with air-cooled stirring rod (ACSR) is reported, in which the compressed air is constantly injected into the inner cavity of a stirring rod to cool the melt. The slurry of a newly developed high thermal conductivity Al-8Si alloy was prepared, and thin-wall heat dissipation shells were produced by the ACSR process combined with a HPDC machine. The effects of the air flow on the morphology of α₁-Al particles, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of rheo-HPDC samples were studied. The results show that the excellent slurry of the alloy could be obtained with the air flow exceeding 3 L/s. Rheo-HPDC samples that were produced with the air flow of 5 L/s had the maximum UTS, YS, elongation, hardness and thermal conductivity of 261 MPa, 124 MPa, 4.9%, HV 99 and 153 W/(m·K), respectively. Rheo-HPDC samples show improved properties compared to those formed by HPDC, and the increasing rates of UTS, YS, elongation, hardness and thermal conductivity were 20%, 15%, 88%, 13% and 10%, respectively.     

不同纳米碳材料增强镁基复合材料的显微组织与力学性能

以AZ91合金为基体,采用液态分散技术+粉末冶金工艺+热处理工艺制备了四种纳米碳材料(碳纳米管、包覆氧化镁碳纳米管、石墨烯纳米片和氧化石墨烯)增强的镁基复合材料;测试了复合材料的力学性能,并利用光学显微镜、X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜等对复合材料微观组织、界面结构和断口形貌进行了表征及分析.结果表明:制...     

7075铝合金对AZ91镁合金组织和性能的影响

为了研究7075铝合金对AZ91镁合金组织与性能的影响,采用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X 射线衍射仪、万能材料试验机研究了AZ91镁合金的显微组织与力学性能。结果表明：向AZ91镁合金中加入7075铝合金可使该合金的铸态组织明显细化,当7075铝合金含量超过4%（质量分数,下同）时,AZ91镁合金铸态组织中Mg17Al12相数量明显减少,并且组织中生成了Al6Mn新相。合金抗拉强度与延伸率随着7075铝合金加入量的增加而提高,当7075铝合金的加入达到4%,其抗拉强度与延伸率达到最大值,分别为186 MPa和8.2%