Microstructural Characterization of a High-Strength Aluminum Alloy Subjected to High Strain-Rate Impact

The deformation and damage modes associated with the high strain-rate behavior of a high-strength aluminum alloy Al 2139 were analyzed. The microstructure was characterized at different physical scales to determine how the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the alloy can inhibit and resist failure modes, such as shear localization and bending tensile failure, which occur due to high strain-rate impact. Grain morphology, precipitates (Ω and θ′), and Mn-bearing dispersed particles and inclusions were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), orientation imaging microscopy (OIM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy/high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), selected area diffraction (SAD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations of a 38-mm plate impacted by 4340 steel projectiles. Large grain sizes reduce grain boundary (GB) area and allow for more precipitation in the matrix, and these precipitates are shown to play a critical role in the toughening and strengthening of the alloy. Dispersed particles are associated with ductile failure, and inclusions are associated with ductile failure and shear failure. Different deformation modes were observed for the nanoscale precipitates, which affected overall behavior at size scales spanning the nano to the macro.     

Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of a Hot-Rolled High-Manganese Dual-Phase Transformation-Induced Plasticity/Twinning-Induced Plasticity Steel

The microstructures and deformation behavior were studied in a high-temperature annealed high-manganese dual-phase (28 vol pct δ-ferrite and 72 vol pct γ-austenite) transformation-induced plasticity/twinning-induced plasticity (TRIP/TWIP) steel. The results showed that the steel exhibits a special Lüders-like yielding phenomenon at room temperature (RT) and 348 K (75 °C), while it shows continuous yielding at 423 K, 573 K and 673 K (150 °C, 300 °C and 400 °C) deformation. A significant TRIP effect takes place during Lüders-like deformation at RT and 348 K (75 °C) temperatures. Semiquantitative analysis of the TRIP effect on the Lüders-like yield phenomenon proves that a softening effect of the strain energy consumption of strain-induced transformation is mainly responsible for this Lüders-like phenomenon. The TWIP mechanism dominates the 423 K (150 °C) deformation process, while the dislocation glide controls the plasticity at 573 K (300 °C) deformation. The delta-ferrite, as a hard phase in annealed dual-phase steel, greatly affects the mechanical stability of austenite due to the heterogeneous strain distribution between the two phases during deformation. A delta-ferrite-aided TRIP effect, i.e., martensite transformation induced by localized strain concentration of the hard delta-ferrite, is proposed to explain this kind of Lüders-like phenomenon. Moreover, the tensile curve at RT exhibits an upward curved behavior in the middle deformation stage, which is principally attributed to the deformation twinning of austenite retained after Lüders-like deformation. The combination of the TRIP effect during Lüders-like deformation and the subsequent TWIP effect greatly enhances the ductility in this annealed high-manganese dual-phase TRIP/TWIP steel.     

Austenite Stability Effects on Tensile Behavior of Manganese-Enriched-Austenite Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel

Manganese enrichment of austenite during prolonged intercritical annealing was used to produce a family of transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels with varying retained austenite contents. Cold-rolled 0.1C-7.1Mn steel was annealed at incremental temperatures between 848 K and 948 K (575 °C and 675 °C) for 1 week to enrich austenite in manganese. The resulting microstructures are comprised of varying fractions of intercritical ferrite, martensite, and retained austenite. Tensile behavior is dependent on annealing temperature and ranged from a low strain-hardening “flat” curve to high strength and ductility conditions that display positive strain hardening over a range of strain levels. The mechanical stability of austenite was measured using in-situ neutron diffraction and was shown to depend significantly on annealing temperature. Variations in austenite stability between annealing conditions help explain the observed strain hardening behaviors.     

Influence of Al on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Cr-Containing Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel

Chromium in transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel is known to have a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties by increasing the hardenability of austenite introduced during intercritical heat treatment. In this study, it is suggested that an Al addition can counterbalance the effect of Cr by encouraging ferrite formation during fast cooling and austempering. This contributes to securing the thermal stability of austenite and to retrieving the excellent mechanical properties of TRIP steel even with the addition of Cr.     

Tetragonality of bcc Phases in a Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel

In a low-alloyed multi-phase transformation-induced plasticity steel, solute carbon content in polygonal ferrite, bainitic ferrite, and martensite was characterized using site-specific atom probe tomography. Selected area diffraction patterns were obtained using transmission electron microscopy, and the geometric distortion thereof was determined. The results showed that the lattice distortion increased in a sequence of polygonal ferrite, lath-like bainitic ferrite, and martensite. This increasing distortion corresponded to an increase in carbon content of the phase.     

Study of Solidification Cracking in a Transformation-Induced Plasticity-Aided Steel

In situ high-temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy is applied to study solidification cracking in a TRIP steel. Solidification cracking was observed in the interdendritic region during the last stage of solidification. Atom probe tomography revealed notable enrichment of phosphorus in the last remaining liquid. Phase field simulations also confirm phosphorus enrichment leading to severe undercooling of more than 160 K in the interdendritic region. In the presence of tensile stress, an opening at the interdendritic region is difficult to fill with the remaining liquid due to low permeability and high viscosity, resulting in solidification cracking.     

一种高强度微合金钢的高温流变和软化行为

利用Gleeble2000热模拟试验机对一种屈服强度为800MPa的高强度微合金钢的高温变形行为进行了研究.对不同变形条件下的流变应力-应变关系进行了分析,并利用Roberts提出的思想,用扩展了的蠕变方程建立了实验钢的流变应力模型,对不同变形条件下的流变应力进行了预测.利用双道次变形试验,得出了试验钢在高温变形保持时间内的软化率曲线,并对曲线进行了分析.     

Solidification Behavior of Intensively Sheared Hypoeutectic Al-Si Alloy Liquid

The effect of the processing temperature on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-Si (hypoeutectic) alloy solidified from intensively sheared liquid metal has been investigated systematically. Intensive shearing gives a significant refinement in grain size and intermetallic particle size. It also is observed that the morphology of intermetallics, defect bands, and microscopic defects in high-pressure die cast components are affected by intensive shearing the liquid metal. We attempt to discuss the possible mechanism for these effects.     

Simultaneous Increase of Both Strength and Ductility of Medium Mn Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel by Vanadium Alloying

In general, microalloying such as vanadium (V) is considered to deteriorate the mechanical stability of austenite grains in medium Mn steel due to the consumption of C content. In this paper, we show that the mechanical stability of austenite grains could be optimized by V-alloying. This is because the V-alloying will refine the austenite grain size and tends to stabilize the austenite grains. The competition between the grain refinement and the reduced C content results in proper mechanical stability of austenite grains, providing continuous transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect. In addition, the V-alloying suppresses the formation of intergranular cracks, leading to a ductile fracture morphology and a large non-uniform elongation.     

高合金钢Vanadis4凝固过程及组织

通过激光扫描共焦显微镜、X射线衍射、扫描电镜、电子探针、微区成分能谱分析和差示扫描量热法,研究了高合金Vanadis4(V4)模具钢(%:1.5C、8.0Cr、1.5Mo、4.0V)的凝固过程及其微观组织。结果表明,V4钢基体为马氏体和残余奥氏体,基体中碳化物主要为MC与M₇C₃型。杆状、棒状或团块状VC分布在晶界。该钢在凝固时,首先发生结晶过程L→γ从液相中析出初生γ相,随着γ相不断析出,剩余液相中合金元素含量不断富集,达到共晶成分后将先后发生L→γ+MC与L→γ+M₇C₃共晶反应。     

Investigation of Intermetallic Compound Formed from Rapid Solidification of Al- Ti-RE Alloy

Al-Ti alloy containing rare earth elements can produce fine, uniform dispersion intermetallic phasethrough rapid solidification (RS) technology. RS Al-Ti-RE alloy can be designed for applications at elevated-temperature since the intermetallic compound has good thermal stability. A transmission electron microscopy investigation shows the intermetallic phase has a diamond cubic structure (a=1.47736nm), with space group Fd3m. The chemical stoichiometry is Al20 Ti2La. The particle is formed from the melting directly, prior to other phases, and the nucleus is formed from icosahedrons composed with twenty tetrahedrons. Twin crystal structure plays an important role in the nucleation stage.     

Microstructural Evolution and Solidification Behavior of Al-Mg-Si Alloy in High-Pressure Die Casting

Microstructural evolution and solidification behavior of Al-5 wt pct Mg-1.5 wt pct Si-0.6 wt pct Mn-0.2 wt pct Ti alloy have been investigated using high-pressure die casting. Solidification commences with the formation of primary α-Al phase in the shot sleeve and is completed in the die cavity. The average size of dendrites and fragmented dendrites of the primary α-Al phase formed in the shot sleeve is 43 μm, and the globular primary α-Al grains formed inside the die cavity is at a size of 7.5 μm. Solidification inside the die cavity also forms the lamellar Al-Mg₂Si eutectic phase and the Fe-rich intermetallics. The size of the eutectic cells is about 10 μm, in which the lamellar α-Al phase is 0.41 μm thick. The Fe-rich intermetallic compound exhibits a compact morphology and is less than 2 μm with a composition of 1.62 at. pct Si, 3.94 at. pct Fe, and 2.31 at. pct Mn. A solute-enriched circular band is always observed parallel to the surface of the casting. The band zone separates the outer skin region from the central region of the casting. The solute concentration is consistent in the skin region and shows a general drop toward the center inside the band for Mg and Si. The peak of the solute enrichment in the band zone is much higher than the nominal composition of the alloy. The die casting exhibits a combination of brittle and ductile fracture. There is no significant difference on the fracture morphology in the three regions. The band zone is not significantly detrimental in terms of the fracture mechanism in the die casting. Calculations using the Mullins and Sekerka stability criterion reveal that the solidification of the primary α-Al phase inside the die cavity has been completed before the spherical α-Al globules begin to lose their stability, but the α-Al grains formed in the shot sleeve exceed the limit of spherical growth and therefore exhibit a dendritic morphology.     

Effect of Rolling Process on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of High Strain-Rate Rolled ZK60 Magnesium Alloy

Russian Journal of Non-Ferrous Metals - A high strain-rate rolling (HSRR) process was successfully used to produce a ZK60 magnesium alloy sheet with a strength-toughness balance. In one-pass...