Microstructure evolution and low temperature superplasticity of ZK40 magnesium alloy subjected to ECAP

Microstructure evolution and superplastic behaviors of ZK40 magnesium alloy were investigated in the temperature range of 473–623 K. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the microstructure changes. After the alloy had been processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for one pass through the die, significant twinning was found to have occurred, and the mean grain size was 5.6 μm. Finer grains were obtained after multi-pass ECAP, and the average grain size of the alloy ECAPed for three passes was as low as 0.8 μm; this alloy exhibited low temperature superplasticity at 473–523 K, and the elongations obtained at the initial strain rate of 1×10⁻³ s⁻¹ were 260% at 473 K and 612% at 523 K. Corresponding values for the ZK40 alloy processed by ECAP for only one pass were 124% at 473 K and 212% at 523 K. Poor superplastic behavior of the ZK40 alloy processed by ECAP for only one pass was related to the longrange stresses associated with the non-equilibrium grain boundaries within the coarse grains. The incompatibility between the fine grains and the coarse grains was thought to be unfavorable to the improvement of superplascity. This article is based on a presentation in “The 7th Korea-China Workshop on Advanced Materials” organized by the Korea-China Advanced Materials Cooperation Center and the China-Korea Advanced Materials Cooperation Center, held at Ramada Plaza Jeju Hotel, Jeju Island, Korea on August 24–27, 2003.     

往复挤压ZK60合金的低温准超塑性(英文)

通过2道次往复挤压制备细晶ZK60合金,在443~523K和初始应变速率为3.310-4~3.310-2s-1的范围内测试合金的低温超塑性。结果表明:往复挤压ZK60合金的平均晶粒尺寸约为5.0m,分布于基体内的破碎二次相颗粒和沉淀颗粒尺寸分别为不大于175nm和50nm。该合金具有低温准超塑性,在523K和3.310-4s-1应变速率下伸长率最大,为270%;在443和473K时,应变速率敏感系数m小于0.2;在523K时m为0.42。当温度不高于473K和523K时,超塑性变形激活能分别不高于63.2kJ/mol和110.6kJ/mol。当低于473K时,主要的超塑性流变机制为晶内滑移;在523K时,主要的超塑性变形机制为晶界滑移,由晶界扩散控制的位错蠕变为主要的兼容机制。     

Developing superplasticity in a magnesium alloy through a combination of extrusion and ECAP

A new processing procedure was applied to a cast Mg-9% Al alloy. This procedure involves the sequential application of extrusion and equal-channel angular pressing and is designated EX-ECAP. Experiments show that the Mg-9% Al alloy has an initial grain size of ~50 μm after casting but this is reduced to ~12 μm after extrusion and it is further reduced to ~0.7 μm when the extruded alloy is subjected to ECAP for 2 passes at 473 K. Although the cast alloy exhibits extremely limited ductility and the extruded alloy is only moderately ductile, it is demonstrated that processing by EX-ECAP produces excellent superplastic ductilities including the occurrence of both low temperature superplasticity and high strain rate superplasticity. The EX-ECAP process is less effective when the ECAP step is conducted at 573 K because, although the pressing is then very easy, there is significant grain growth at this higher temperature.     

Influence of magnesium on grain refinement and ductility in a dilute Al–Sc alloy

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of magnesium additions on grain refinement and tensile ductility in an Al–0.2% Sc alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). The experiments show ECAP reduces the average grain size to within the range of ∼0.70 to ∼0.20 μm for alloys containing from 0 to 3% Mg but the as-pressed grain size increases to ∼0.3 μm in an alloy with 5% Mg because it is then necessary to use additional annealing treatments during the pressing process. The ultrafine grains introduced by ECAP are stable to high temperatures in the alloys containing from 0 to 3% Mg: in all alloys, the average grain size is <5 μm after annealing for 1 h at temperatures up to ∼750 K. High superplastic ductilities were achieved in the alloy containing 3% Mg but alloys containing 0.5% and 1% Mg exhibited the enhanced ductilities generally associated with conventional Al–Mg alloys. The results suggest the addition of ∼3% Mg is optimum for achieving superplastic elongations at rapid strain rates in the Al–0.2% Sc alloy.     

Using ECAP to achieve grain refinement, precipitate fragmentation and high strain rate superplasticity in a spray-cast aluminum alloy

An aluminum 7034 alloy, produced by spray casting and with an initial grain size of ˜2.1 μm, was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 473 K to produce an ultrafine grain size of ˜0.3 μm. It is shown that the rod-like MgZn₂ precipitates present in the as-received alloy are broken into very small spherical particles during ECAP and these particles become distributed reasonably uniformly throughout the material. The presence of these fine MgZn₂ particles, combined with a distribution of fine Al₃Zr precipitates, is very effective in restricting grain growth so that submicrometer grains are retained at elevated temperatures up to at least ˜670 K. Tensile testing of the pressed material revealed high elongations to failure, including elongations of >1000% when testing at a temperature of 673 K at initial strain rates at and above 10⁻² s⁻¹. These results confirm the occurrence of high strain rate superplasticity in the spray-cast alloy.     

Low temperature superplasticity of a fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy processed by equal-channel-angular extrusion

Fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy with the grain size of 1.4 μm was processed by equal-channel-angular extrusion. The material exhibited low temperature superplasticity. The normalized plot suggested that the present material had equilibrium grain boundaries at the superplastic temperature in contrast to typical materials processed by severe plastic deformation.     

Low temperature diffusion bonding in a superplastic AZ31 magnesium alloy

Diffusion bonding behavior of fine-grained magnesium alloy with the average grain size of 8.5 μm, that was processed by hot rolling, was examined. The material behaved in a superplastic manner at temperatures of 523 and 573 K, and successfully diffusion bonded at these temperatures.     

Er、Zr微合金化5083铝合金的超塑性

针对5E83合金(Er、Zr微合金化5083合金),采用超塑性拉伸试验、扫描电镜(SEM)、电子背散射衍射(EBSD)和透射电镜(TEM),探究了Er、Zr微合金元素、晶粒尺寸、变形温度、应变速率对合金超塑性的影响。通过再结晶退火、空冷和水冷的搅拌摩擦加工(FSP),分别获得了晶粒尺寸为7.4、5.2、3.4μm的完全再结晶组织,作为初始状态进行超塑性拉伸。结果表明,初始晶粒尺寸越细小,超塑性伸长率越高。当晶粒尺寸>5μm时,超塑性变形过程晶粒粗化缓慢,细化初始晶粒可显著提高超塑性;而当晶粒尺寸<5μm时,超塑性变形过程晶粒粗化严重,进一步细化初始晶粒对超塑性的提高有限。不同变形温度、应变速率的超塑性拉伸结果显示在变形温度为450～540℃、应变速率为1.67×10^-4～1.67×10^-1 s^-1,超塑性伸长率随变形温度和应变速率的提高呈现先上升后下降再上升的趋势;变形温度为520℃、应变速率为1.67×10^-3 s^-1条件下,水冷FSP态合金获得最大伸长率330%...     

等通道转角挤压变形Mg-1.5Mn-0.3Ce镁合金的组织、织构与力学性能

采用等通道转角挤压(ECAP)工艺以Bc路径在623K温度下对Mg-1.5Mn-0.3Ce镁合金进行变形,观察显微组织与织构,测试了力学性能。显微组织分析表明,镁合金经ECAP变形晶粒尺寸明显得到细化,经6道次ECAP变形后晶粒尺寸由原轧制态的约26.1μm细化至约1.2μm,且细小的第二相粒子Mg12Ce弥散分布于晶内及晶界处;同时经ECAP变形后,原始轧制织构随变形道次的增加不断减小,并开始转变为ECAP织构,织构强度不断增强;力学性能结果表明,由于晶粒细化作用大于织构软化作用,前3道次ECAP变形镁合金强度随道次的增加不断提高,与Hall?Petch关系相符,在第3道次时其抗拉强度和屈服强度达到最大值,分别为272.2和263.7MPa;在4道次之后形成较强的非基面织构,镁合金强度下降,与Hall?Petch呈相悖关系。断口分析表明,轧制态与ECAP变形镁合金的断裂方式都是沿晶断裂,由于6道次变形镁合金晶粒细化,存在更多的韧窝并获得16.8%最大室温伸长率。     

Microstructure and superplasticity of AZ31 sheet fabricated by differential speed rolling

Microstructure evolution and superplasticity in AZ31 alloy by differential speed rolling (DSR) with a high-speed ratio (=3) between the upper and lower rolls was examined. With increase in thickness reduction by DSR at 473 K, degree of grain refinement and microstructure homogeneity increased. The microstructure obtained by a single rolling pass for a 70% reduction in thickness consisted of recrystallized grains with a mean size of 2 μm, and fraction of HAGBs and average misorientation angle determined by the EBSD analysis were 0.47 and 23.21°, respectively. The DSR AZ31 alloy exhibited enhanced superplasticity as compared with the conventionally processed AZ31. A maximum elongation of 830% was obtained at 2 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 673 K. The strain hardening exponent measured at 2 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 673 K was as high as 0.71, which could be related to accelerated grain growth in the highly refined microstructure during superplastic flow.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrafine grained Mg97Y2Zn1 alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

The Mg₉₇Y₂Zn₁ alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) has been investigated. It was found that the blocks of secondary phase were broken into uniform distributed sections after ECAP. The Mg₉₇Y₂Zn₁ alloy processed by ECAP obtained ultrafine grains and exhibits excellent mechanical properties. The average grain size of about 330 nm, yield strength (YS) of 400.3 MPa and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 450.0 MPa were obtained by two-step ECAP of 4 passes at 623 K and 2 passes at 603 K. The long-period stacking (LPS) structures contribute to the formation of ultrafine grains in ECAP processed Mg₉₇Y₂Zn₁ alloy. The results demonstrate that ECAP instead of rapid solidified powder metallurgy (RS/PM) can refine grain size and enhance the strength of Mg₉₇Y₂Zn₁ alloy. It was also found that the elongation of alloy is decreased with increasing pass number. It was found that cracks were preferentially initiated and propagated in the interior of X-phase during the process of ECAP.     

Using equal-channel angular pressing for the production of superplastic aluminum and magnesium alloys

Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) is a useful tool for achieving exceptional grain refinement in bulk metallic alloys. Typically, the grain sizes produced through ECAP are in the submicrometer range, and thus they are smaller by up to an order of magnitude than the grain sizes attained through typical thermomechanical treatments. As a consequence of these ultrafine grains, the as-pressed alloys may exhibit superplastic ductilities at faster strain rates than in conventional superplastic alloys. This work initially describes the application of ECAP to two different alloys. First, results are presented for a commercial Al-2024 alloy where this alloy was selected because it contains no minor additions of either zirconium or scandium to assist in restricting grain growth. The results show that superplasticity is achieved through the use of ECAP. Second, results are described for a Mg-0.6%Zr alloy where this alloy was selected because it is the optimum composition for achieving a high damping capacity. Again, processing by ECAP produces superplastic ductilities not attained in the cast alloy. The second part of this work demonstrates that processing by ECAP may be extended from conventional rod or bar samples to samples in the form of plates. This is a very attractive feature for industrial superplastic forming applications. This paper was presented at the International Symposium on Superplasticity and Superplastic Forming, sponsored by the Manufacturing Critical Sector at the ASM International AeroMat 2004 Conference and Exposition, June 8–9, 2004, in Seattle, WA. The symposium was organized by Daniel G. Sanders, The Boeing Company.     

Microstructural development in equal-channel angular pressing using a 60° die

Billets of pure aluminum and an Al–1%Mg–0.2%Sc alloy were successfully processed using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) with a die having an internal channel angle of 60°. Careful inspection of the microstructures after ECAP revealed excellent agreement, at both the macroscopic and the microscopic levels, with the theoretical predictions for shearing using a 60° die. The grain sizes introduced with the 60° die were slightly smaller than with a conventional 90° die; thus, the values with these two dies were ∼1.1 and ∼1.2 μm in pure Al and ∼0.30 and ∼0.36 μm in the Al–Mg–Sc alloy, respectively. Tensile testing of the pure aluminum at room temperature revealed similar strengthening after processing using either a 60° or a 90° die. In tests conducted at 673 K, the Al–Mg–Sc alloy processed with the 60° die exhibited significantly higher elongations to failure due primarily to the larger strain imposed with this die. It is shown using orientation imaging microscopy that superplastic flow in the Al–Mg–Sc alloy produces an essentially random texture and a distribution of boundary misorientations that approximates to the theoretical distribution for an array of randomly oriented grains.     

变形工艺对TC11钛合金超塑性的影响

为了研究TC11(Ti-6.5Al-3.5Mo-1.5Zr-0.3Si)钛合金的超塑性变形行为,采用两种改锻工艺细化坯料原始组织,然后在电子拉伸试验机上分别以恒速、恒应变速率和最大m值法进行拉伸实验.结果表明,TC11钛合金在α+β区通过三维镦拔改锻工艺,可以获得晶粒度为6μm的细晶等轴组织,而在β区拔长改锻的组织为粗大的魏氏组织.在变形温度为900℃的条件下,TC11钛合金通过最大m值超塑变形方式获得了异常高的超塑性,最大伸长率达到2300%;而采用常规的恒应变速率和恒速超塑变形,伸长率分别为1147%和1100%.说明TC11钛合金在α+β区通过三维镦拔改锻细化晶粒后,以最大m值超塑变形是获得较好超塑性的有效方法.     

等通道挤压对AZ80镁合金的组织和织构的影响

研究了AZ80镁合金在300℃下经A路径等通道挤压后显微组织和织构的演变规律,揭示了该应变路径下织构特征形成的内在机制,并讨论了ECAP对第二相析出的影响。结果表明:材料经ECAP后最终获得3~4μm的等轴晶,并显著促进了粒状Mg17Al12相的连续析出,但增加挤压道次晶粒细化效果减弱,粒子粗化;挤压初始可获得基面法线向挤压方向偏转的倾斜织构与基面织构共存的织构特征,在剪切面倾斜度效应和通道间隙的影响下,随着挤压道次的增加,倾斜织构的偏转程度减小,最终获得单一的基面织构。     

工业纯钛在120°模具中的多道次ECAP室温变形组织与性能

在室温,采用通道夹角为120°的变形模具对工业纯钛(Commemial Pure Titanium,CP-Ti)以Bc方式实施四道次ECAP(EqualChannel Angular Pressing)挤压变形,成功获得表面光滑无裂纹的变形试样.文中主要研究了工业纯钛在室温下进行ECAP多道次变形的组织结构演变,并测试了变形试样的力学性能.微观结构显示工业纯钛在室温下进行多道次ECAP变形时,只在前两道次产生了大量的变形孪晶,且随道次增加变形孪晶逐渐消失.最终获得的试样晶粒平均尺寸由最初的约28μm细化到约250 nm,试样断裂强度和显微硬度分别提高到773和2486 MPa,而试样仍保持较好的延伸率(可达16.8%).     

Effects of die angle on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

1　INTRODUCTIONMagnesiumalloysarethelightestmetallicstruc turalmaterialsandhencetheyprovidegreatpotentialintheweightsavingofautomotiveandaerospacecomponents ,materialhandlingequipment ,portabletoolsandevensportinggoods[1,2 ] .Duetotheirhexago nalclose packed (HCP)crystalstructure ,magnesiumalloysperform poorformabilityandlimitedductilityatroomtemperature ,thustheirproductsaremainlyfabricatedbycasting ,inparticular ,die casting ,andtheapplicationsofwroughtmagnesiumalloysarelim ited .Nowit…     

搅拌摩擦加工AZ31镁合金的超塑性

对搅拌摩擦加工AZ31镁合金的微观组织和拉伸力学行为进行了研究。结果表明,通过搅拌摩擦加工,热轧AZ31板材的平均晶粒尺寸由92.0μm细化到11.4μm。搅拌摩擦加工板材在高温下具有优异的塑性,伸长率在温度为723K和应变速率为5×10-4s-1的条件下达到1050%。该材料还具有高应变速率超塑性,在723K和1×10-2s-1的条件下伸长率达到268%。在相同实验条件下,母材由于晶粒尺寸粗大,没有显示出超塑性。     

Principles of ECAP–Conform as a continuous process for achieving grain refinement: Application to an aluminum alloy

Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) combined with the Conform process provides a solution for the continuous production of ultrafine-grained materials. Rods of a commercial Al-6061 alloy were processed by ECAP–Conform at room temperature for up to a total of four passes. Microstructural observations showed significant grain refinement but with elongated grains after four passes with average widths of ～150 nm and lengths of ～1.2 μm when viewed on the longitudinal planes. Microhardness measurements after a single pass revealed inhomogeneities both on the cross-sectional planes and along the rod. After processing through four passes there was reasonable homogeneity throughout the rod. Measurements of the shear strengths in two orthogonal directions perpendicular to the extrusion axis showed significant strengthening after ECAP–Conform and there was no evidence for any plastic anisotropy after processing through four passes.     

Effect of second phase particles on grain refinement during equal-channel angular pressing of an Al-Mg-Mn alloy

The process of grain refinement under severe plastic deformation was examined in an Al-5.4% Mg-0.5% Mn-0.1% Zr alloy, which was subjected to equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) in the strain interval from 1 to 12 at a temperature of ∼300 °C. It was shown that the size and distribution of the second phase particles precipitated under homogenization annealing strongly affect grain refinement. Extensive grain refinement under ECAP was provided by a dispersion of Al₆Mn particles with an average size of ∼25 nm that precipitated during the homogenization annealing at an intermediate temperature. The fully recrystallized structure with an average crystallite size of ∼0.55 μm evolves through continuous dynamic recrystallization. In contrast, homogenization annealing at a high temperature leads to the formation of coarse Al₆Mn particles with a plate-like shape. Under further ECAP, the formation of coarse recrystallized grains takes place in this material due to the discontinuous growth of recrystallized grains during the inter-pass annealing between the ECAP passes. The role of second phases in grain refinement is discussed in terms of pinning and driving forces for recrystallization.