Improved High-Temperature Microstructural Stability and Creep Property of Novel Co-Base Single-Crystal Alloys Containing Ta and Ti

The influence of Ta and Ti additions on microstructural stability and creep behavior in novel Co-Al-W base single-crystal alloys has been investigated. Compared to the ternary alloy, the γ′ solvus temperature and γ′ volume fraction were raised by individual additions of Ta and Ti, and increased further in the quinary alloy containing both alloying additions. In contrast to ternary and quaternary alloys, an improved microstructural stability with the stable γ–γ′ two-phase microstructure and more than 60% γ′ volume fraction existed in the quinary alloy after prolonged aging treatment at 1050°C for 1000 h. The creep behavior at 900°C revealed lower creep rates and longer rupture lives in the quaternary alloys compared to the ternary alloy, whereas the quinary alloy exhibited even better creep resistance. When the creep temperature was elevated to about 1000°C, the creep resistance of the quinary alloy exceeded the previously reported Co-Al-W-base alloys and first-generation Ni-base single-crystal superalloys. The improved creep resistance at approximately 1000°C was considered to be associated with high γ′ volume fraction, γ′ directional coarsening, and dislocation substructure, which included γ–γ′ interfacial dislocation networks and the sheared γ′ precipitates containing stacking faults and anti-phase boundaries.     

Phase transformations during deformation of Fe-Ni and Fe-Mn alloys produced by mechanical alloying

Compositions of Fe_{(100 ? x)}Mn _x (x = 10 and 12 at. %) and Fe_{(100 ? y)}Ni _y (y = 18 and 20 at. %) were produced by combined mechanical alloying of pure-metal powders and annealed in the austenitic field. After annealing and cooling to room temperature, the alloys had a single-phase austenitic structure. During deformation, the γ phase partially transforms into the α ₂ phase (and/or ? phase in Fe-Mn alloys). The phase composition of the alloys after deformation depends on the amount of alloying elements and the predeformation annealing regime. The amount of martensite in the structure of a bulk alloy obtained by powder compacting grows proportionally to the degree of deformation of the sample.     

Grain refinement in small-size ingots of intermetallic alloys Ti-46Al-8Nb and Ti-46Al-8Ta with the use of a massive transformation

An estimation of the efficiency of the refinement of colonies/grains of the as-cast structure of ingots of size Ø13 × 150 mm in the Ti-46Al-8Nb and Ti-46Al-8Ta (at %) alloys with the aid of a heat treatment including massive transformation has been performed. It is shown that the initial coarse-grained as-cast structure of these alloys can be refined using massive transformation without the use of a labor-consuming procedure of hot working. The method proposed is efficient for the alloys containing alloying elements that retard diffusion in the alloys, which makes it possible to obtain massive γ _m phase at moderate cooling rates. It is shown by X-ray diffraction that the massive γ _m phase is characterized by a reduced parameter of tetragonality, which can be restored via subsequent high-temperature aging.     

Properties of the Ti<Subscript>40</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>10</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>36</Subscript>Pd<Subscript>14</Subscript> BMG Modified by Sn and Nb Additions

The results of investigation of the influence of additions of 2 and 3 at.% of Sn and simultaneously of Sn and 3 at.% Nb on microstructure and properties of the bulk metallic glasses of composition (Ti₄₀Cu_36?x Zr₁₀Pd₁₄Sn _x )_100?y Nb _y are reported. It was found that the additions of Sn increased the temperatures of glass transition (T _g), primary crystallization (T _x ), melting, and liquidus as well as supercooled liquid range (ΔT) and glass forming ability (GFA). The nanohardness and elastic modulus decreased in alloys with 2 and 3 at.% Sn additions, revealing similar values. The 3 at.% Nb addition to the Sn-containing amorphous phase decreased as well all the T _g, T _x , T _L, and T _m temperatures as ΔT and GFA; however, relatively larger values of this parameters in alloys containing larger Sn content were preserved. In difference to the previously published results, in the case of the amorphous alloys containing small Nb and Sn additions, a noticeable amount of the quenched-in crystalline phases was not confirmed, at least of the micrometric sizes. In the case of the alloys containing Sn or both Sn and Nb, two slightly different amorphous phase compositions were detected, suggesting separation in the liquid phase. Phase composition of the alloys determined after amorphous phase crystallization was similar for all compositions. The phases Cu₈Zr_3, CuTiZr, and Pd₃Zr were mainly identified in the proportions dependent on the alloy compositions.     

Phase Equilibria of the Ternary Al-Cu-Zn Alloys on Al-Zn Rich Side

Phase equilibria of the Al-Cu-Zn system on Al-Zn rich side was experimentally determined with 16 alloys annealed at 360 °C. The annealed alloys were examined by means of x-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Five single-phase regions and seven two-phase regions as well as three three-phase regions, i.e. α-(Al)?+?θ-Al₂Cu?+?τ′-Al₄Cu₃Zn, α-(Al)?+?τ′-Al₄Cu₃Zn?+?ε-CuZn₄ and α-(Al)?+?ε-CuZn₄?+?(Zn), were determined. The partial isothermal section of the Al-Cu-Zn system on Al-Zn rich side at 360 °C was constructed based on the obtained experimental data in this work. It was observed that the solid solution phase α-(Al) would easily decompose into ε-CuZn₄, (Zn) and α′-(Al) at the ambient temperature in the early stages. The ternary phase τ′-Al₄Cu₃Zn would form and ε-CuZn₄ would disappear gradually along with the extension of aging time.     

Microstructure,Phase Occurrence,and Corrosion Behavior of As-Solidified and As-Annealed Al-Pd Alloys

In the present work, we studied the microstructure, phase constitution, and corrosion performance of Al₈₈Pd₁₂, Al₇₇Pd₂₃, Al₇₂Pd₂₈, and Al₆₇Pd₃₃ alloys (metal concentrations are given in at.%). The alloys were prepared by repeated arc melting of Al and Pd granules in argon atmosphere. The as-solidified samples were further annealed at 700 °C for 500 h. The microstructure and phase constitution of the as-solidified and as-annealed alloys were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The alloys were found to consist of (Al), ε _n (~ Al₃Pd), and δ (Al₃Pd₂) in various fractions. The corrosion testing of the alloys was performed in aqueous NaCl (0.6 M) using a standard 3-electrode cell monitored by potentiostat. The corrosion current densities and corrosion potentials were determined by Tafel extrapolation. The corrosion potentials of the alloys were found between ? 763 and ? 841 mV versus Ag/AgCl. An active alloy dissolution has been observed, and it has been found that (Al) was excavated, whereas Al in ε _n was de-alloyed. The effects of bulk chemical composition, phase occurrence and microstructure on the corrosion behavior are evaluated. The local nobilities of ε _n and δ are discussed. Finally, the conclusions about the alloy’s corrosion resistance in saline solutions are provided.     

Phase Equilibria of the Co-Mo-Zr Ternary System at 1000 °C

The isothermal section of the Co-Mo-Zr ternary system at 1000 °C was investigated by using 29 alloys. The annealed alloys were examined by means of x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. It was confirmed that three ternary phases, λ₁ (Co_0.5-1.5Mo_1.5-0.5Zr, hP12-MgZn₂), ω (CoMoZr₄) and κ (CoMo₄Zr₉, hP28-Hf₉Mo₄B), exist in the Co-Mo-Zr ternary system at 1000 °C. And the experimental results also indicated that there are sixteen three-phase regions at 1000 °C. Thirteen of them were well determined in the present work: (1) (γCo)?+?Co₁₁Zr₂?+?Co₂₃Zr₆, (2) (γCo)?+?Co₂₃Zr₆?+?ε-Co₃Mo, (3) Co₂₃Zr₆?+?ε-Co₃Mo?+?μ-Co₇Mo₆, (4) (Mo)?+?μ-Co₇Mo₆?+?Co₂Zr, (5) (Mo)?+?Co₂Zr?+?λ₁, (6) (Mo)?+?Mo₂Zr?+?λ₁, (7) λ₁?+?Mo₂Zr?+?CoZr, (8) Co₂Zr?+?CoZr?+?λ₁, (9) Mo₂Zr?+?CoZr₂?+?ω, (10) κ?+?Mo₂Zr?+?ω, (11) CoZr₂?+?liquid?+?ω, (12) (βZr)?+?liquid?+?ω and (13) (βZr)?+?κ?+?ω. The homogeneity of λ₁ spans in the range of 28.66-50.77 at.% Co and 15.71-37.03 at.% Mo, and that for ω is within the range of 18.66-23.64 at.% Co and 8.53-14.68 at.% Mo. The homogeneity range for κ is from 8.09 at.% to 9.94 at.% Co and 23.13 at.% to 25.58 at.% Mo. The maximum solubility of Zr in μ-Co₇Mo₆ phase, Mo in Co₂Zr phase and Co in Mo₂Zr phase were determined to be 6.17, 11.27 and 9.14 at.%, respectively. While the solubility of Zr in ε-Co₃Mo and (γCo) phases, Mo in Co₁₁Zr₂ and CoZr phases were detected to be extremely small. According to this work, the Co₂₃Zr₆ phase contained 15.61 at.% Mo and 12.7 at.% Zr. In addition, the maximum solubility of Co and Zr in (Mo) phase and Mo in (γCo) phase were measured to be 3.50, 5.44 and 7.40 at.%, respectively.     

Microstructure and Room-Temperature Mechanical Properties of FeCrMoVTi<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> High-Entropy Alloys

FeCrMoVTi _x (x values represent the molar ratio, where x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) high-entropy alloys were prepared by a vacuum arc melting method. The effects of Ti element on the microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the as-cast FeCrMoVTi _x alloys were investigated. The results show that the prepared alloys exhibited typical dendritic microstructure and the size of the microstructure became fine with increasing Ti content. The FeCrMoV alloy exhibited a single body-centered cubic structure (BCC1) and the alloys prepared with Ti element exhibited BCC1 + BCC2 mixed structure. The new BCC2 phase is considered as (Fe, Ti)-rich phase and was distributed in the dendrite region. With the increase of Ti content, the volume fraction of the BCC2 phase increased and its shape changed from a long strip to a network. For the FeCrMoV alloy, the fracture strength, plastic strain, and hardness reached as high as 2231 MPa, 28.2%, and 720 HV, respectively. The maximum hardness of 887 HV was obtained in the FeCrMoVTi alloy. However, the fracture strength, yield stress, and plastic strain of the alloys decreased continuously as Ti content increased. In the room-temperature compressive test, the alloys showed typical brittle fracture characteristics.     

Phases and microstructures of high Zn-containing Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys

Phases and microstructures of three high Zncontaining Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys were investigated by means of thermodynamic calculation method, optica microscopy(OM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM)energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) analysis. The results indicate that similar dendritic network morphologies are found in these three Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys. The as-cast 7056 aluminum alloy consists of aluminum solid solution, coarse Al/Mg(Cu, Zn, Al)_2 eutectic phases, and fine intermetallic compounds g(MgZn_2). Both of as-cast 7095 and 7136 aluminum alloys involve a(Al)eutectic Al/Mg(Cu, Zn, Al)_2, intermetallic g(MgZn_2), and h(Al_2Cu). During homogenization at 450 °C, fine g(MgZn_2) can dissolve into matrix absolutely. After homogenization at 450 °C for 24 h, Mg(Cu, Zn, Al)_2 phase in 7136 alloy transforms into S(Al_2Cu Mg) while no change is found in 7056 and 7095 alloys. The thermodynamic calculation can be used to predict the phases in high Zncontaining Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys.     

Phase Equilibria in the Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>–InSb System

The phase diagram of the (Sb₂Te₃)_100?x –InSb _x system was determined based on x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), and microhardness and density measurements. An intermediate compound with composition Sb₂Te₃·2InSb was formed as a result of syntectic reaction, melting incongruently at 553 °C. This compound has tetragonal lattice with unit cell parameters of a = 4.3937 Å, b = 4.2035 Å, c = 3.5433 Å, α = 93.354°, and β = γ = 90°. Sb₂Te₃·(2 + δ)InSb (?1 ≤ δ ≤ +1) and (Sb₂Te₃)_100?x (InSb) _x (90 ≤ x ≤ 100) solid solutions exist in the investigated system, based on the intermediate compound Sb₂Te₃·2InSb and on InSb, respectively. Also, two invariant equilibria exist in the system, with eutectic point coordinates at compositions of x = 60 and x ≈ 85 mol% InSb and eutectic temperatures of T _E = 541 and T _E ≈ 501 °C, respectively.     

Influence of Zinc on Coarsening of δ-Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si Particles,Aging Behavior and Hardness in a Cu-Ni-Si Alloy

In the present paper, the aging precipitation and coarsening of disk-like δ-Ni₂Si particles in Cu and Cu-10Zn alloys aged at 450 °C have been investigated by hardness, electric resistivity measurement and transmission electron microscopy observation. The coarsening dynamics of the average diameter of the δ-Ni₂Si particles coincides with the t ^1/3 time law for both alloys. The coarsening of the diminution of supersaturation related to aging time t coincides with the t ^?1/3 time rule. Adding Zn to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy increases the growth and coarsening rate of the particles mainly because of the increased diffusivity D of the δ-Ni₂Si particles in the matrix. The value of D of the δ-Ni₂Si particles in the Cu-xZn (x = 0, 10 wt.%) matrix and the Cu/δ-Ni₂Si interfacial energy γ are independently calculated by using the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory which was extended to include disk-like particles by Boyd and Nicholson. The values of D and γ increase from 0.77 × 10^?19 to 2.21 × 10^?19 m²/s and 0.19 to 0.63 J/m², respectively, when Zn is added to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy. These calculations and the analysis show that the properties of Cu-Ni-Si-Zn alloy can significantly be enhanced by reducing the aging temperature.     

Changes in the temperatures of phase transformations of the Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnGa alloy upon substitution of nickel for manganese

Temperatures of phase transformations of a number of Ni₂MnGa-based alloys (four compositions), which are characterized by substitution of nickel for manganese at an unchanged gallium content (25 at %), have been determined. As the nickel concentration increases with respect to the stoichiometric composition (or the electron concentration e/a increases), the liquidus (T _liq), solidus (T _sol), and martensitic transformation (T _mart) temperatures increase, whereas the magnetic transformation temperature (T _C) decreases slightly.     

Transformation kinetics and mechanical properties of Zr-Mo alloys

Alloys containing 1.3, 3.3, 5.4, and 7.5 pct Mo were prepared using high purity molybdenum and sponge zirconium. Time-temperature-transformation curves were established for these alloys based on the resistivity vs time of anneal curves of isothermally quenched rods. Tensile and impact bars of each alloy were heat treated by isothermal quench techniques as well as by quench and reheat treatments. These bars were then machined, tested, and the properties compared. Optimum properties could be developed in the 1.3 pct Mo alloy using the isothermal quench technique. The 3.3, 5.4, and 7.5 pct Mo alloys exhibited a brittle behavior irrespective of type of heat treatment. An ω or transition phase in the β → α transformation was discovered which undoubtedly accounts for most of the brittleness observed. The ω phase has been tentatively indexed as tetragonal, c/a= 1.45. Mechanical properties of unalloyed sponge zirconium are presented for comparison.     

Analysis of Plastic Flow Instability During Superplastic Deformation of the Zn-Al Eutectoid Alloy Modified with 2 wt.% Cu

The aim of this work is to analyze the plastic flow instability in Zn-21Al-2Cu alloy deformed under 10^?3 s^?1 and 513 K, which are optimum conditions for inducing superplastic behavior in this alloy. An evaluation using the Hart and Wilkinson–Caceres criteria showed that the limited stability of plastic flow observed in this alloy is related to low values of the strain-rate sensitivity index (m) and the strain-hardening coefficient (γ), combined with the tendency of these parameters to decrease depending on true strain (ε). The reduction in m and γ values could be associated with the early onset of plastic instability and with microstructural changes observed as function of the strain. Grain growth induced by deformation seems to be important during the first stage of deformation of this alloy. However, when ε > 0.4 this growth is accompanied by other microstructural rearrangements. These results suggest that in this alloy, a grain boundary sliding mechanism acts to allow a steady superplastic flow only for ε < 0.4. For ε values between 0.4 and 0.7, observed occurrences of microstructural changes and severe neck formation lead to the supposition that there is a transition in the deformation mechanism. These changes are more evident when ε > 0.7 as another mechanism is thought to take over.     

Prediction of Martensite Start Temperature for Lightweight Fe-Mn-Al-C Steels

A tailor-made thermodynamic database of the Fe-Mn-Al-C system was developed using the CALPHAD approach. The database enables predicting phase equilibria and thereby assessing the resulting microstructures of Fe-Mn-Al-C alloys. Available information on the martensite start (M_s) temperature was reviewed. By employing the M_s property model in the Thermo-Calc software together with the new thermodynamic database and experimental M_s temperatures, a set of model parameters for the Fe-Mn-Al-C system in the M_s model was optimised. Employing the newly evaluated parameters, the calculated M_s temperatures of the alloys in the Fe-Mn-Al-C system were compared with the available measured M_s temperatures. Predictions of M_s temperatures were performed for the alloys, Fe-10, 15 and 20 wt.% Mn-xAl-yC. The predictability of the M_s model can be further validated when new experimental M_s temperatures of the Fe-Mn-Al-C system are available.     

A Study of Tensile Flow and Work-Hardening Behavior of Alloy 617

The simple power relationship σ?=?Κε _p ⁿ satisfactorily expresses the tensile flow behavior of many metals and alloys in their uniform plastic strain regime. However, many FCC materials with low stacking fault energy have opposed such power law relationship. Alloy 617, an age-hardenable Ni-based superalloy is also observed not to obey the simple power law relationship neither in its solution-treated nor in its aged conditions. Various flow relationships were used to obtain the best fit for the tensile data, and different relationships were identified for the different aged conditions. The work-hardening rate (θ) demonstrates three distinct regions for all aged conditions, and there is an obvious change in the trend of θ versus σ. In the initial portion, θ decreases rapidly followed by a gradual increase in the second stage and again a decrease in its third stage is perceived in the Alloy 617. These three-stage characteristics are attributed to a commonly known precipitate, γ′: Ni₃(Ti, Al) which evolves during aging treatment and well recognized under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. TEM results also reveal a slight degree of coarsening in γ′ over aging. The tensile flow and the work-hardening behavior are well correlated with other microstructural evolution during the aging treatments.     

Experimental Determination of the Phase Equilibria of the La-Zn-Si System at 600 °C

The isothermal section at 600 °C of the La-Zn-Si system was established by using equilibrated alloys and the diffusion couple technique. Microstructural observation and phase identification were performed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and a wave dispersive x-ray spectrometer, and x-ray powder diffraction. Seven ternary compounds were identified in this ternary system, and temporally designated as τ ₁, τ ₂, τ ₃, τ ₄, τ ₅, τ ₆ and τ ₇. Two previously reported ternary compounds, viz. τ ₁ and τ ₂, were found to exist at 600 °C. EDS analysis revealed that the τ ₁ phase contained Si from 2.4 to 6.1 at.% and La from 22.3 to 23.3 at.%. The compositional region of the τ ₂ single-phase ranged from 28.3 to 40.7 at.% for Si and from 31.5 to 33.1 at.% for La. Two new ternary phases, τ ₅ and τ ₆, were identified. The τ ₅ phase with the CeNiSi₂-type was determined to have a composition range of 36.9-39.2 at.% Si for about 24 at.% La. The τ ₆ phase with the ThCr₂Si₂-type was found to have a composition range of 18.9-19.7 at.% La and 27.4-30.6 at.% Si. The crystal structures of τ ₃, τ ₄, and τ ₇ were not determined. The solubility of Si in LaZn₁₃, LaZn₁₁, La₂Zn₁₇, La₃Zn₂₂, and LaZn₅ was negligible, and that of Si in LaZn₄, LaZn₂ and Zn in LaSi₂, La₃Si₂ was determined as 5.1, 2.3, 16.2 and 3.8 at.%, respectively.     

Microstructures,Martensitic Transformation,and Mechanical Behavior of Rapidly Solidified Ti-Ni-Hf and Ti-Ni-Si Shape Memory Alloys

In this work, the microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Ti_50?x/2Ni_50?x/2Hf _x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 at.%) and Ti_50?y/2Ni_50?y/2Si _y (y = 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 at.%) shape memory alloys (SMAs) were investigated. The sequence of the phase formation and transformations in dependence on the chemical composition is established. Rapidly solidified Ti-Ni-Hf or Ti-Ni-Si SMAs are found to show relatively high yield strength and large ductility for specific Hf or Si concentrations, which is due to the gradual disappearance of the phase transformation from austenite to twinned martensite and the predominance of the phase transformation from twinned martensite to detwinned martensite during deformation as well as to the refinement of dendrites and the precipitation of brittle intermetallic compounds.     

Temperature Dependence of the Surface Energy of the Low Index Planes of UO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ThO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The temperature dependence of the surface energy γ of the low index (111), (110), and (100) planes of UO₂ and ThO₂ was calculated for the first time, using a simple method based on physical and thermodynamic quantities and considerations. The extrapolated to 0 K surface energy values agreed well with the available theoretical data reported in literature for the (111) and (110) surfaces, whereas they were significantly lower for the (100) surface. The γ ₁₀₀/γ ₁₁₁ ratio for UO₂ and ThO₂ revealed the formation of crystals with truncated octahedron structure in thermodynamic equilibrium. This structure shifts to octahedral with increasing temperature. Comparison with experimentally determined surface energies of the polycrystalline oxides showed that their values are in the range between γ ₁₁₁ and γ ₁₀₀.     

The Microstructure and Gamma Prime Distributions in Inertia Friction Welded Joint of P/M Superalloy FGH96

A gamma prime (γ′) precipitation (~35% in volume)-hardened powder metallurgy (P/M) superalloy FGH96 was welded using inertia friction welding (IFW). The microstructure and γ′ distributions in the joints in two conditions, hot isostatic pressed state and solution-treated and aged state, were characterized. The recrystallization of grains, the dissolution and re-precipitation of γ′ in the joints were discussed in terms of the temperature evolutions which were calculated by finite element model analysis. Regardless of the initial states, fully recrystallized fine grain structure formed at welded zone. Meanwhile, very fine γ′ precipitations were re-precipitated at the welded zone. These recrystallized grain structure and fine re-precipitated γ′ resulted in increasing hardness of IFW joint while making the hardness dependent on the microstructure and γ′ precipitation.