Simulation of interphase boundary of Ni75AlxV25-x alloys using microscopic phase-field method

The evolution of ordered interphase boundary （IPB） of Ni75AlxV25-x alloys was simulated using the microscopic phase-field method. Based on the atomic occupation probability figure on 2D and order parameters, it was found that the IPB formed by different directions of θ phase has great effect on the precipitation of γ′ phase. The γ′ phase precipitated at the IPB that is formed by [100]θ direction where the （001）θ plane is opposite, and then grows up and the shape is strap at fmal. The IPB structure between γ′phase and θ phase is the same. There is no γ′ phase precipitate at the IPB where the （002）θ and （001）θ planes are opposite, the ordered IPB is dissolved into disordered area. There is γ′ phase precipitation at the IPB formed by the [001]θ and [100]θ directions, and the IPB structure is different between γ′ phase and the different directions of θ phase. The IPB where （001）γ′, and （100）θ plane opposite does not migrate during the γ′ phase growth, and γ′ phase grows along [100]θ direction.     

Computer simulation of γ＇ and θ phase precipitation of Ni-Al-V alloy using microscopic phase-field method

The precipitation processes of γ‘ and θ phases in Ni75Al6.5 V18.5 alloy were simulated at different temperatures and the precipitation sequence of two phases and morphological evolution were investigated. The simulation demonstrates that the two phases precipitate simultaneously at high temperature and γ‘ phase precipitates earlier than θ phase at 1000 K and 1120 K. With the temperature decreasing, the velocity of precipitation quickens, the quantity of θ phase increases and the size reduces; but the volume fraction increases, the quantity of phase increases and the size reduces as well. The two phases nucleate and grow independently at high temperature and the θ phase precipitates from the boundaries of γ‘ phase at 1000 K and 1120 K. We also find that there are many kinds of domain boundaries between the same and different phases. The results of average deviation of composition and average absolute long range order parameter show that the ordering and compositional clustering of γ‘ phase happen simultaneously at high temperature, the congruent ordering occurs prior to spinodal decomposition at 1 000 K and 1 120 K and the ordering advances and quickens as the temperature decreases. Ordering and compositional clustering of θ phase occur simultaneously at each temperature and are quickened with temperature decreasing.     

Modeling of whole process of ageing precipitation and strengthening in Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys with high Cu-to-Mg mass ratio

A physically based numerical model to predict the microstructure evolution and yield strength of high Cu-to-Mg mass ratio Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys during the whole ageing process was developed.A thermodynamically-based precipitation model,employing the classical nucleation and growth theories,was adapted to deal with the precipitation kinetics (evolution of radius and volume fraction of precipitates for Ω phase) of aged Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys.The model gives an estimation of the precipitation kinetics (evolution of radius and density of precipitates for both θ' and Ω phases) of the alloy.The strengthening model based on Orowan mechanism was deduced.The microstructural development and strength predictions of the model are generally in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Computer simulation of γ''and θ phase precipitation of Ni-Al-V alloy using microscopic phase-field method

The precipitation processes of γ'and θ phases in Ni75 Al6.5 V18.5 alloy were simulated at different temperatures and the precipitation sequence of two phases and morphological evolution were investigated.The simulation demonstrates that the two phases precipitate simultaneously at high temperature and γ'phase precipitates earlier than θ phase at 1 000 K and 1 120 K.With the temperature decreasing,the velocity of precipitation quickens,the quantity of θ phase increases and the size reduces;but the volume fraction increases,the quantity of phase increases and the size reduces as well.The two phases nucleate and grow independently at high temperature and the θ phase precipitates from the boundaries of γ'phase at 1 000 K and 1 120 K.We also find that there are many kinds of domain boundaries between the same and different phases.The results of average deviation of composition and average absolute long range order parameter show that the ordering and compositional clustering of γ'phase happen simultaneously at high temperature,the congruent ordering occurs prior to spinodal decomposition at 1 000 K and 1 120 K and the ordering advances and quickens as the temperature decreases.Ordering and compositional clustering of θphase occur simultaneously at each temperature and are quickened with temperature decreasing.     

Tensile Properties of Cast Alloy IN625 in Relation to δ Phase Precipitation

The relationship between the tensile properties and S(delta) phase precipitation in cast alloy IN625 was investigated in this paper. Although the influences of δ phase on the mechanical properties have been pointed out in our previous work, the relationship is still not directly determined due to the coexistence of γ"(gamma double prime) and δ precipitates. In order to exclude the effect from γ" phase, various fractions of δ precipitates with few γ" precipitates were obtained by a set of experimental alloys aging at 750 ℃, and tensile tests were conducted in parallel. The results showed that both yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased nearly in linear with increasing δ phase fraction, while the elongation was relatively and limitedly affected by δ precipitation when the area fraction of δ phase was above 10%.     

Crystallization kinetics of （Ni0.75Fe0.25）78-xNbxSi10B12 （x = 0, 5） amorphous alloys

Amorphous ribbons of （Ni0.75Fe0.25）78-xNbxSi10B12 （x = 0, 5） were prepared by a single roller melt-spinning technique in air atmosphere. The crystallization kinetics of the alloys were investigated by means of continuous heating, and the activation energies of the alloys were calculated using Kissinger plot method and Ozawa plot method on the basis of differential thermal analysis data. The crystallization products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. After the （Ni0.75Fe0.25）78Si10B12 amorphous alloy was annealed at the temperatures 715 and 745 K, a single phase of γ-（Fe, Ni） solid solution with grain sizes of about 10.3 and 18.5 nm, respectively, precipitates in the amorphous matrix. The crystallized phases are γ-（Fe, Ni） solid solution, Fe2Si, Ni2Si, and Fe3B after annealing at 765 K. The （Ni0.75Fe0.25）73NbsSi10 B12 amorphous alloy was annealed at 720, 750, and 800 K; and the crystallization phases, γ（Fe, Ni） solid solution, （Fe, Ni）23B6. Ni31Si12 and Nb2NiB0.16 form simultaneously.     

Guinier-Preston Zone,Quasicrystal and Long-period Stacking Ordered Structure in Mg-based Alloys, A Review

Both the solid solution and precipitation are mainly strengthening mechanism for the magnesium-based alloys. A great number of alloying elements can be dissolved into the Mg matrix to form the solutes and precipitates. Moreover, the type of precipitates varies with different alloying elements and heat treatments, which makes it quite difficult to understand the formation mechanism of the precipitates in Mg-based alloys in depth. Thus, it is very hard to give a systematical regularity in precipitation process for the Mg-based alloys. This review is mainly focused on the formation and microstructural evolution of the precipitates, as a hot topic for the past few years, including Guinier-Preston Zones, quasicrystals and long-period stacking ordered phases formed in a number of Mg-TM-RE alloy systems, where TM = Al, Zn, Zr and RE = Y, Gd, Hd, Ce and La.     

DISLOCATION PINNING IN HIGH TEMPERATURE DEFORMED Ni3（Al,Ti） SINGLE CRYSTALS CONTAINING DISORDERED γ PRECIPITATES

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation has been performed on the dislocation pinning in L12-ordered Ni3(Al,Ti) containing disordered γ precipitates. The morphology of defor?鄄mation induced dislocations in the γ' base alloys containing fine dispersion of disordered γ was investigated by means of weak-beam electron microscopy. The superdislocations are strongly at?鄄tracted to the disordered particles and dissociate on the (111) plane in the γ particles, while they dissociate on the (010) plane in the γ' matrix. The disordered γ precipitates play an important role as a pinning point during the cross-slip of superdislocations from (111) to (010) planes in the γ' matrix and restrain the cross-slip of superdislocations. The interaction of superdislocations with disordered particles causes the formation of superkinks, jogs and closed loops.     

Influence of Cryorolling on the Precipitation of Cu–Ni–Si Alloys: An In Situ X-ray Diffraction Study

The effect of cryorolling on the precipitation process of deformed Cu–Ni–Si alloys was investigated through in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique. The results demonstrate that the precipitation process is significantly accelerated by cryorolling. Cryorolling produces higher dislocation density, which provides more heterogeneous nucleation sites for Ni2 Si precipitates, hence promotes precipitation. In the early stage of aging, the enhanced nucleation of precipitates accelerates the depletion of supersaturation, and finer precipitates are obtained. In addition, recrystallization is promoted as a result of high stored energy in the cryorolled Cu–Ni–Si alloys, which facilitates the formation of discontinuous precipitation in the late stage of aging.     

Effect of second phase precipitation behavior on mechanical properties of casting Al-Cu alloys

The effect of the second phase precipitation behavior on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of the modified casting Al-Cu alloys was investigated. The tensile strength of the alloys increases firstly and then decreases due to the appearance of θ＇ precipitation phases, which increases firstly and then become coarser with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 155 ℃. The strength of the alloys reaches the peak, resulting from ,Ω and θ＇ precipitation phases, and decreases due to ,Ω phases becoming coarser and θ＇ precipitation decreasing with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 165 ℃. ,θ phase becoming coarser and θ＇ precipitation decreasing result in the strength of the alloys drastically decreasing after aging at 175 ℃ for 20 h. The ductility remains high level with increasing aging time at 155 ℃. The ductility irregularly changes as aging time prolongs at 165 ℃. The ductility is very low and at the same time gradually decreases with increasing aging time at 175 ℃. The Al-Cu alloy with a promising combination of tensile strength and ductility of about 474 MPa and 12.0% after aging at 165℃ for 10 h is due to a dense, uniform distribution of,Ω precipitation phases together with a heterogeneous distribution of θ＇ precipitations.     

Dynamics of phase transformation of Cu-Ni-Si alloy with super-high strength and high conductivity during aging

The precipitation behaviors of the Cu-Ni-Si alloys during aging were studied by analyzing the variations of electric conductivity.The Avrami-equation of phase transformation kinetics and the Avrami-equation of electric conductivity during aging were established for Cu-Ni-Si alloys,on the basis of linear relationship between the electric conductivity and the volume fraction of precipitates,and the calculation results coincide well with the experiment ones.The transformation kinetics curves were established to characterize the aging process.The characteristics of precipitates in the supersaturated solid solution alloy aged at 723 K were established,and the results show that the precipitates areβ-Ni3Si andδ-Ni2Si phases.     

Effect of Zr addition on precipitates in K4169 superalloy

In order to investigate the effect of Zr addition on the precipitations of K4169 superalloy,a manual electric arc furnace was used to prepare the superalloy with different Zr addition from 0.03wt.% to 0.07wt%.After standard heat treatment and long-time aging,the microstructures of the alloys were observed using XRD,SEM and TEM.The results show that Zr not only inhibits the precipitation of Laves phase at the grain boundary,but also significantly promotes the precipitation of earlobe-like γ’ and γ″ phases.After long time aging at 680℃ for 500 h,the γ″ phase grows up obviously and forms a γ’/γ’’ clad microstructure when the Zr addition is 0.03 wt.%.A large number of fine orbed γ’ particles precipitate in the grains and some γ″ phase transforms to disk-like δ phase when the Zr addition increases to 0.05wt.%.The nano-polycrystalline γ’ phase precipitates in the grains and there is a little δ phase when the Zr addition is 0.07wt.%.As the Zr addition increases,the amount of Laves phase at the grain boundary decreases at first,and then increases and forms flaky morphology.     

Microscopic Phase-Field Simulation for the Influence of Interatomic Potential on the Precipitation Process of Ni_(75)Al_(14)Mo_(11) Alloy

The process of γ' phase precipitating from Ni_(75)Al_(14)Mo_(11) is studied by a computational simulation technique based on microscopic phase-field kinetics model. We studied the phase transformation with the purpose of clarifying the influence of the nearest interatomic potential V_(Ni–Al)(the nearest interatomic potential) on the precipitation process of γ' phase. The result demonstrates that there are two kinds of ordered phases, respective L1_0 and L1_2 in the early stage, and L1_0 phase transforms into L1_2 phase subsequently. For L1_2 phase, Ni atoms mainly occupy α site(face center positions),while Al and Mo atoms occupy β sites(the vertex positions). When V_(Ni–Al) is increased by 10 MeV, the occupation probability of Ni atoms on α sites and Al atoms on β sites are enhanced. Enhanced V_(Ni–Al) facilitates clustering and ordering of Al atom, which promotes the formation of the γ' phase. At last, the simulation result was discussed by employing the thermodynamic stability.     

Phase-field simulation of phase separation in Ni75AlxV25-x alloy with elastic stress

The phase separation in Ni75AlxV25-x alloys incorporated with the elastic stress was investigated using the microscopic phase-field model. The final morphology of γ＇ and 0 is similar in spatial alignment, but the volume fraction of γ＇ phase increases and that of 0 decreases as the AI concentration increases. For the small elastic interactions of early-stage phase separation, the coarsening of 7＇ and 0 can be approximated by a linear growth law as predicated by Lifshitz and Slyozov and Wangner （LSW） theory. As the elastic interactions increase at late-stage coarsening, the growth rate decreases, and the growth presents quick increase at early-stage and slows down at late-stage.     

Microstructure and properties of modified and conventional 718 alloys

Continuing the effort to redesign IN718 alloy in order to provide microstructural and mechanical stability beyond 650 ℃, IN718 alloy was modified by increasing the Al, P and 13 contents, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the modified alloy were compared with those of the conventional alloy by SEM and TEM. The precipitation of the grain boundaries of the two alloys is different. The Cr-rich phase, Laves phase and α-Cr phase are easily observed in the modified alloy. The γ＂ and γ＇ phases in the modified alloy are precipitated in a ＂compact form＂. The tensile strengths of the modified alloy at room temperature and 680 ℃ are obviously higher than those of the conventional one. The impact energy of the modified alloy is only about half of that of the conventional alloy. Ageing at 680 ℃ up to 1000 h lowers the tensile properties and impact energy of both the conventional and modified 718 alloys, except increasing the ductility at 680 ℃. It is concluded that the modified alloy is more stable than the conventional one.     

Aging kinetics of 14H-LPSO precipitates in Mg-Zn-Y alloy

Alloys with long-period stacking ordered structures(LPSO)have good properties and are highly regarded.Mg-Zn-Y alloy containing LPSO phase was prepared by the traditional casting method,and the aging heat treatment was performed at different temperatures and times.The microstructure and phase constitutions of the alloy were observed by means of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods.Results show the microstructure of as-cast Mg95.5Zn1.5Y3 mainly consists ofα-Mg,W phases and LPSO phases.During the aging treatment,fine lamellar-shaped 14H-LPSO phase is formed at the grain boundaries and precipitates from the supersaturated magnesium matrix,and the volume fraction increases as the aging time increases.By controlling the aging time,Mg-Zn-Y alloys with different volume fractions of 14H-LPSO phase were prepared.The aging kinetics equation of the 14H-LPSO phase is summarized,that is f=1-exp(-0.2705 t 0.6368).The phase transformation mechanism of 14H-LPSO in Mg95.5Zn1.5Y3 alloy can be described as the change of dislocation energy.     

Precipitation of Icosahedral Quasicrystalline Phase, R-phase and Laves Phase in Ferritic Alloys

Ferritic heat resistant steels involving precipitation of intermetallic phases have drawn a growing interest for the enhancement of creep strength, while the brittleness of the intermetallic phases may lower the toughness of the alloy.Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the dispersion characteristics of the intermetallics phase through microstructural control to minimize the trade-off between the strength and toughness. The effects of α-Fe matrix substructures on the precipitation sequence, morphology, dispersion characteristics, and the stability of the intermetallic phases are investigated in Fe-Cr-W-Co-Si system. The precipitates of the Si-free Fe-10Cr-I.4W-4.5Co (at%) alloy aged at 873K are the R-phase but those of the Si-added Fe-10Cr-1.4W-4.5Co-0.3Si (at%) alloy are the icosahedral quasicrystalline phase. The precipitates in both the Si-free and Si-added alloys aged at 973K are the Laves phase. Matrix of the alloys is controlled by heat treatments as to provide three types of matrix substructures; ferrite, ferrite/martensite mixture and martensite. The hardening behavior of the alloys depends on the matrix substructures and is independent of the kinds of precipitates. In the alloys with ferrite matrix, the peak of hardness during aging at 873K shifts to longer aging time in comparison with that in the alloys with lath martensite matrix which contain numbers of nucleation sites.     

Evolution of precipitates of Al-Cu alloy during equal-channel angular pressing at room temperature

The evolution of precipitates and hardness changes in Al-Cu alloys during equal-channel angular pressing（ECAP） at room temperature were investigated by hardness measurement, X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that with the increase of the total equivalent strain during ECAP from 0 to 8.4, the hardness of specimens with metastable θ″ phase increases first and decreases in later period. The hardness increases successively in specimens containing metastable θ′ phase and equilibrium θ phase. It is believed that the evolutions of hardness are related to the mechanism of re-dissolution of precipitates. A critical nuclei size concept is provided to express the mechanism of such re-dissolution of three precipitates in Al-Cu alloys.     

Effects of Cd and Sn on double-peak age-hardening behaviors of Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloys

The effects of trace elements Cd and Sn on precipitation process of Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloys were investigated in the present research.It is shown that the addition of Cd and Sn not only increases remarkably the aging peak hardness and reduces the time to reach aging peak,but also eliminates the double-aging-peak phenomenon which appears in Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys.In Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloys the first aging peak corresponds to GP zones(especially GPⅡ) ,and the second one is caused by metastable phases.The obvious time interval of transition from GPⅡ to metastable phases associates with the double-aging-peak phenomenon.The results of DSC and TEM show that Cd/Sn elements suppress the formation of GPⅠzone,stimulate the formation of θ",θ' and θ phases,and then shorten remarkably the temperature intervals of each exothermic peak.Because the transition interval between GPⅡzone and metastable phases is shortened by Cd/Sn in Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloys,θ' phase coexists with θ" phase in matrix of ageing peak condition,which causes effective hardening on the alloys,and at the same time,eliminates the double-aging-peak phenomenon.     

Transformation Mechanism of (γ+γ') and the Effect of Cooling Rate on the Final Solidification of U720Li Alloy

The transformation mechanism of(γ+γ') was studied by analyzing the microstructure and elemental distribution of the U720 Li samples heated at 1250℃ and cooled at the rates in the range of 1–100℃/s. Although the(γ+γ') is deemed to be formed by a eutectic reaction and has been called eutectic(γ+γ'), it was found in the present study that the(γ+γ') precipitation begins with a peritectic reaction of(L+γ) ? γ', and develops by the eutectic reaction of L ?(γ+γ'). The energy for the γ' nucleation is low because the interfacial energy for the γ/γ' interface is about one-tenth of the solid/liquid interface, and hence, the nucleation rate is high and the fine structure of(γ+γ') is formed at the initial precipitation stage. The γ and γ'in(γ+γ') tend to grow into a lamellar structure because it is difficult for them to nucleate directly from the residual liquids, and hence, the γ' precipitates naturally tend to grow divergently direction of the regions rich in Al and Ti, forming a fan-like structure of the(γ+γ'). As a result, the γ' precipitates will coarsen finally because the space between them is enlarged. The solidification of the final residual liquids is a diffusion dependent process. When cooled at a higher rate, a higher degree of super cooling is reached and finally the solidification is finished by the pseudoeutectic reaction of L ?(γ+ boride) and L ?(γ+η), which can absorb Zr and B. When cooled at a rate low enough,most of the residual liquids are consumed by the(γ+γ') growth due to the sufficient diffusion, and the boride and Zrbearing phase are precipitated at a quasi-equilibrium state. Under this condition, Ti is depleted at the(γ+γ') growth front.However, the g-Ni_3 Ti phase is formed there occasionally due to the boride precipitation, because the compositions of the two phases are complementary.