Closure-affected fatigue crack propagation behaviors of powder metallurgy-processed Al-Li alloys in various environments

The environment-affected fatigue crack propagation (FCP) behavior of rapid solidification-processed (RSP) Al-2.6Li-1.0Cu-0.5Mg-0.5Zr (RSP 644-B) and mechanically alloyed (MA) Al-4.0Mg-1.5Li-1.1C-0.8O₂ (MA 905-XL) were examined in air, in vacuum, and in an aqueous 3.5 pct NaCl solution at R=0.1 and a sinusoidal frequency of 20 Hz. The emphasis was placed on the effect of environment-sensitive crack closure on the FCP behavior of fine-grain-sized powder metallurgy (P/M)-processed Al-Li alloys. The present study suggests that closure is extremely sensitive to environmental factors and significantly alters the environment-affected da/dN-ΔK relationships for both alloys. In the submicron grain-sized MA 905-XL, for example, increased corrosion product-induced closure in aqueous NaCl appeared to overwhelm the detrimental environmental effects in low- and intermediate-ΔK regimes. The environment-sensitive closure contribution alone, however, cannot completely explain the FCP behavior of P/M-processed Al-Li alloys. The intrinsic environmental effects also need to be considered for further understanding of this behavior.     

Age hardening and the potential for superplasticity in a fine-grained Al-Mg-Li-Zr alloy

Experiments were conducted to determine the age-hardening characteristics and the mechanical properties of an Al-5.5 pct Mg-2.2 pct Li-0.12 pct Zr alloy processed by equal-channel angular (ECA) pressing to give a very fine grain size of ∼1.2 μm. The results show that peak aging occurs more rapidly when the grain size is very fine, and this effect is interpreted in terms of the higher volume of precipitate-free zones in the fine-grained material. Mechanical testing demonstrates that the ECA-pressed material exhibits high strength and good ductility at room temperature compared to conventional Al alloys containing Li. Elongations of up to ∼550 pct may be achieved at an elevated temperature of 603 K in the ECA-pressed condition, thereby confirming that, in this condition, the alloy may be a suitable candidate material for use in superplastic forming operations.     

Effects of Alloying Elements on Creep Properties of Mg-Gd-Zr Alloys

The minimum creep rate and microstructures of aged samples of Mg-Gd-Zr alloys, with and without alloying additions of Zn and/or Y, have been investigated in the present work. The creep tests were performed at 523 K (250 °C) and under 80 to 120 MPa, and the microstructures before and after creep tests were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and the high-angle annular dark-field imaging technique. It is found that dislocation creep predominates in the steady-state creep stage for all alloys. The Mg-2.5Gd-0.1Zr (at. pct) alloy, strengthened by the β′ precipitates, has minimum creep rates in the range 1.0 × 10^?8 to 3.8 × 10^?8 s^?1 under 80 to 120 MPa. The addition of 1.0 at. pct Zn to the Mg-2.5Gd-0.1Zr alloy reduces the 0.2 pct proof strength and increases the minimum creep rate, resulting from the formation of γ′ basal plates at the expense of β′ precipitates. The replacement of 1.0 at. pct Gd by Y in the Mg-2.5Gd-1.0Zn-0.1Zr alloy leads to a substantial reduction in the minimum creep rate, even though it does not cause much change to the 0.2 pct proof strength. The reduced minimum creep rate is attributed to a much lower diffusivity of Y atoms than Gd in the solid magnesium matrix. An increase in the Gd content from Mg-1.5Gd-1.0Y-1.0Zn-0.1Zr to Mg-2.5Gd-1.0Y-1.0Zn-0.1Zr leads to a denser distribution of precipitates, a higher 0.2 pct proof strength, and a further reduction in the minimum creep rate.     

Quantification of overaging hardening kinetics of aluminum alloys

The overaging hardening kinetics in several aluminum alloys has been quantified, based on a relation between hardness and time for precipitation-hardened alloys. The relation takes into account precipitate coarsening and Orowan bowing mechanisms. Hardness-time curves from literature data for Al-2.5Cu-1.5Mg-(Si,Ag) (wt pct) alloys at 200° C and for an Al-1.23Mg-1.64Cu-6.15Zn (wt pct) alloy at 120° C are analysed, which are found to obey the overaging kinetics relation.     

Effect of Combined Addition of Cu and Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-7Si-0.3Mg Alloy

In this study, an ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion technique was used to fabricate Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloyed with Cu and reinforced with 1 wt pct Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, in order to investigate their influence on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy. The combined addition of 0.5 pct Cu with 1 pct Al₂O₃ nanoparticles increased the yield strength, tensile strength, and ductility of the as-cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy, mostly due to grain refinement and modification of the eutectic Si and θ-CuAl₂ phases. Moreover, Al-7Si-0.3Mg-0.5Cu-1 pct Al₂O₃ nanocomposites after T6 heat treatment showed a significant enhancement of ductility (increased by 512 pct) and tensile strength (by 22 pct). The significant enhancement of properties is attributed to the suppression of pore formation and modification of eutectic Si phases due to the addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. However, the yield strength of the T6 heat-treated nanocomposites was limited in enhancement due to a reaction between Mg and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.     

Cu含量对粉末冶金AlCuMgSi合金性能的影响

用金属Al粉、Cu粉、Mg粉和Al-Si粉为原料,采用液相烧结法制备Cu含量(质量分数,下同)为0~6.0%的AlCuMgSi合金,研究Cu含量对AlCuMgSi合金组织与力学性能的影响,采用国外的Al-3.8Cu-1.0Mg-0.75Si粉末为原料,用相同的工艺制备Al-3.8Cu-1.0Mg-0.75Si合金作为性能对比试样。结果表明:在铝合金中添加Cu元素后,组织致密均匀,密度、硬度和抗拉强度等均显著提高。当Cu含量为4.0%时材料的性能最优,密度为2.72g/cm3,致密度达到98.9%,硬度HB为64,抗拉强度为207MPa,伸长率为2.1%,与采用国外的Al-3.8Cu-1.0Mg-0.75Si粉末制备的材料性能相当。     

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mg(-Ag-Mn) alloys

The effect of alloy composition on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of four spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mg(-Ag-Mn) alloys was investigated. Precipitation kinetics for the alloys was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and artificial aging studies coupled with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. DSC/TEM analysis revealed that the spray-deposited alloys displayed similar precipitation behavior to that found in previously published studies on ingot alloys, with the Ag containing alloys exhibiting the presence of two peaks corresponding to precipitation of both Ω-Al₂Cu and θ′-Al₂Cu and the Ag-free alloy exhibiting only one peak for precipitation of θ′. The TEM analysis of each of the Ag-containing alloys revealed increasing amounts of Al₂₀Mn₃Cu₂ with increasing Mn. In the peak and over-aged conditions, Ag-containing alloys revealed the presence of Ω, with some precipitation of θ′ for alloys 248 and 251. Tensile tests on each of the alloys in the peak-aged and overaged (1000 hours at 160 °C) conditions were performed at both room and elevated temperatures. These tests revealed that the peak-aged alloys exhibited relatively high stability up to 160 °C, with greater reductions in strength being observed at 200 °C (especially for the high Mn, low Cu/Mg ratio (6.7) alloy 251). The greatest stability of tensile strength following extended exposure at 160 °C was exhibited by the high Cu/Mg ratio (14) alloy 248, which revealed reductions in yield strength of about 2.5 pct, with respect to the peak-aged condition, for the alloys tested at both room temperature and 160 °C.     

The Microstructure and tensile properties of a splat-quenched Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Zr alloy

The microstructure and tensile behavior of an Al-3Cu-l.6Li-0.8Mg-0.2Zr alloy, produced by splatquenched powder metallurgy processing, were studied. The alloy exhibited homogeneous deformation, both in bulk samples and duringin situ TEM studies. This is in contrast to the strain localization that is frequently observed in Mg-free Al-Cu-Li-X alloys. The difference in deformation mode is attributed to a fine distribution of Ś (Al₂CuMg) which precipitates up to the grain boundaries. A processing treatment involving 2 pct stretch prior to aging resulted in a yield strength of 555 MPa, a reduction in area of 29 pct, and a strain to fracture of 8.8 pct. This represents an attractive improvement in specific properties compared with 7075-T76 having a similar texture.     

含银Al-4.5Zn-1.0Mg-0.5Cu合金的强化固溶行为

采用拉伸力学性能测试、金相显微观察、扫描电镜及透射电镜等分析手段,研究了Al-4.5Zn-1.0Mg-0.5Cu-0.4Ag合金的强化固溶行为。结果表明:经强化固溶处理后,合金固溶态的抗拉强度和屈服强度以及伸长率分别较常规固溶的低15 MPa、16 MPa和1.7%;峰值时效态的抗拉强度和屈服强度较常规固溶的分别高62 MPa和68 MPa,伸长率低0.8%。;强化固溶可使Al-4.5Zn-1.0Mg-0.5Cu-0.4Ag合金固溶后的第二相粒子减少,但使其时效后的强化相数量增多,密度增大。     

Microstructures and Properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr Alloys with Minor Scandium

The microstructures of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr al- loys with minor Sc were studied by using optical microscope（OM）, scanning electron microscope （SEM） and transmission electron microscope（TEM）. The tensile mechanical properties and electric conductivity of the studied alloys under different treatment conditions were tested. The results show that adding minor Sc can greatly fines the grain size of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy ingots and obviously improves the tensile properties and electric conductivity of the alloys. The strengthening mechanism is considered as fine grain strengthening, sub-structure strengthening and dispersion strengthening by Al3 （Sc, Zr）.     

Influence of calcium on the microstructure and properties of an Al-7Si-0.3Mg-xFe alloy

The effect of Ca addition on the microstructure, physical characteristics (density/porosity), and mechanical properties (tensile and impact strength) has been investigated in an Al-7Si-0.3Mg-xFe (x=0.2, 0.4, and 0.7) alloy. The size of Al-Fe intermetallic platelets (β-Al₅FeSi) increased with increasing Fe content. The addition of Ca modified the eutectic microstructure and also reduced the size of intermetallic Fe-platelets, causing improved elongation and impact strengths. A low level of Ca addition (39 ppm) reduced the proosity of the alloys. The tensile strength was decreased marginally with Ca addition. However, Ca addition improved the ductility of the alloy by 18.3, 16.7, and 44 pct and the impact strength by 44, 48, and 15.8 pct for Fe contents of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.7 pct, respectively.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Magnesium-Aluminum-Cerium Alloy Tubes

Current commercial magnesium extrusion alloys do not offer desirable combinations of strength, ductility, and extrusion speed for automotive structural applications. The effect of small additions of cerium (Ce) to pure magnesium (Mg) and Mg-3 pct Al alloy extruded tubes has been studied. The results suggest that 0.2 pct Ce addition can significantly improve the extrudability and mechanical properties of the Mg extrusions. The improvement in mechanical properties is due to grain refinement and dispersion strengthening provided by the Mg₁₂Ce particles and the beneficial texture obtained. Higher Ce contents further increase strength, but significantly reduce ductility and cause excessive surface oxidation during extrusion. The beneficial effect of 0.2 pct Ce on mechanical properties of pure Mg is not observed when it is added to Mg-3 pct Al alloy, due to the higher affinity of Ce to Al to form the Al₁₁Ce₃ phase in the Mg-Al-Ce ternary alloys. The Mg-0.2 pct Ce alloy is a promising base alloy for further development in automotive applications; however, Al should be avoided in Mg-Ce–based extrusion alloys.     

Influence of precipitates on the mechanical response and substructure evolution of shock-loaded and quasi-statically deformed Al−Li−Cu alloys

The mechanical response and substructure evolution of two Al−Li−Cu alloys (Al-2.90 wt pct Li-1.00 pct Cu-0.12 pct Zr and Al-2.30 pct Li-2.85 pct Cu-0.12 pct Zr) subjected to shock-loading (strain rate έ> 10⁶ s^-1), Split-Hopkinson-Pressure-Bar compression (έ ~ 5 × 10³ s^-1), and quasi-static compression (έ ~ 1.5 × 10^-3 s^-1) were examined. The strain levels achieved in these three deformation paths were desined to be comparable,i.e., all ∼15 pct. Both alloys were either naturally or artificially aged to yield an underaged or overaged condition. Various precipitates, such as theδ' andT ₁ phase, of different sizes and volume fractions were dispersed in the matrix and at the grain boundaries. The substructure in all of the shock-loaded, Split-Hopkinson-Pressure-Bar, and quasi-static compression samples was characterized by localized slip bands and microbands with the exception of the overaged alloys. The density of dislocations and dislocation loops was higher, independent of the aging condition, in the shock-loaded specimens. Well-defined cell structures were not observed in any of the samples, independent of strain rate. The influence of precipitates, shearable or not, on the substructure development in Al−Li−Cu alloys during shock-loading was seen to be pronounced, even though the size and volume fraction of precipitates was small and low, respectively. Flow stress measurements showed that the shock-loaded samples have flow strengths 3 to 8 pct higher than the quasi-statically deformed samples. This small, but reproducible, strength increment, for alloys deformed to equivalent strains at low and high rates, indicates that the Al−Li alloys studied have a small rate sensitivity. Based upon comparison of the results of the shock-loaded and quasi-static samples, it is concluded that the fundamental deformation mechanisms and substructure evolution in all three loading paths are not drastically different, corroborating previous investigations.     

Nd对Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr合金组织、力学性能及腐蚀行为的影响

研究稀土Nd对均匀化态Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr合金组织、力学性能及腐蚀行为的影响.通过真空感应熔炼制备镁锂合金铸锭, 经均匀化处理(280 ℃, 24 h)得到均匀化态Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-xNd-0.2Zr(x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5)合金.采用XRD和SEM分析合金的显微组织, 并对合金进行拉伸试验和断口分析.采用电化学法和析氢失重法研究合金在3.5 %NaCl溶液中的腐蚀行为.结果表明:Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr合金主要含有β-Li、AlLi、MgLi₂Al相, Nd的加入使合金中形成NdAl3相.随着Nd含量的增加, 合金的强度和塑性呈先增大后降低的趋势. Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-1Nd-0.2Zr合金表现出较优的力学性能, 其抗拉强度和延伸率相对于Mg-11Li-3Al-2Zn-0.2Zr合金分别提高了28.8 %和51.3 %.稀土Nd的添加使合金的耐蚀性能提高.      

Mechanical Property and Intergranular Corrosion Sensitivity of Zn-Free and Zn-Microalloyed Al-2.7Cu-1.7Li-0.3Mg Alloys

The influence of 0.72 pct Zn addition on the tensile properties of Al-2.7Cu-1.7Li-0.3Mg alloys was investigated. Their intergranular corrosion (IGC) dependence on aging [T6 type at 423 K (150 °C) and 448 K (175 °C) and T8 type at 423 K (150 °C)] time was studied. An IGC diagram associated with aging process was established. The addition of 0.72 pct Zn enhanced the strength of the Al-Li alloy with T6 type aging at 448 K (175 °C). With aging process, the corrosion mode of the T6-aged Al-Li alloys was changed in the following order: pitting and local IGC (initial aging stage), general IGC (underaging stage), local IGC (near peak-aging stage), and pitting (overaging stage) again. The IGC depth was increased first and then decreased with aging time extension. The corrosion potential change of grains and the microstructure variation were used to explain the IGC sensitivity of the Al-Li alloy with different tempers. Meanwhile, 0.72 pct Zn addition decreased the IGC sensitivity of the Al-Li alloy, especially the T6-aged Al-Li alloy.     

Enhancement of Strength and Ductility of Al-Ag Alloys Processed by High-Pressure Torsion and Aging

This research was conducted by the application of high-pressure torsion (HPT) to Al-X wt pct Ag alloys (X = 5, 11, 20). Grain refinement was achieved to the size of ~300 nm after HPT processing at room temperature. The aging behavior of the alloys after HPT processing was investigated using Vickers microhardness measurement, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. This study confirms the dual effect of grain refinement and fine precipitation on the enhancement of the strength. It is also shown that at peak-aged condition, the tensile strength is enhanced while maintaining considerable ductility.     

Design and development of an experimental wrought aluminum alloy for use at elevated temperatures

A new wrought aluminum alloy has been designed having high room temperature strength (e.g., 0.2 pct P.S. 520 MPa) combined with improved creep resistance at temperatures in the range 150° to 220 °C. The alloy is A1-6.3 pct Cu-0.5 pct Mg-0.5 pct Ag-0.5 pct Mn-0.2 pct Zr and it is hardened by a new precipitate which forms on the {111} planes and appears to be highly stable at elevated temperatures. Details are given of the principles underlying the development of the alloy and of the preliminary assessment that has been made of mechanical properties. The alloy, or compositions close to it, also has potential for welded applications.     

Effect of processing and heat treatment on behavior of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys to railway contact wire

A new series of Cu-Cr-Zr alloys to be used as railway contact wire, Cu-0.26 wt pct Cr-0.15 wt pct Zr, Cu-0.13 wt pct Cr-0.41 wt pct Zr, and Cu-0.34 wt pct Cr-0.41 wt pct Zr, were studied. The results indicated that processing and aging treatment had an effect on the microstructure, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity behavior of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloys. Process I (solution treatment + cold work + aging) was superior to process II (cold work + solution treatment + aging), because precipitation can occur heterogeneously at the dislocations and subcells. An appropriate processing and aging treatment may improve the properties of the alloys due to the formation of fine, dispersive, and coherent precipitates within the matrix. It is demonstrated that the best combination of tensile strength and electrical conducitivity, on the order of 599 MPa and 82 pct IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), respectively, can be obtained in alloy Cu-0.34 wt pct Cr-0.41 wt pct Zr in the solution-heat-treated, cold-worked, and aged condition. The mechanism of tensile and conductive properties of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy is also discussed.     

The quench sensitivity of cast Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg alloy

The effect of quenching condition on the mechanical properties of an A356 (Al-7 wt pct Si-0.4 wt pct Mg) casting alloy has been studied using a combination of mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As the quench rate decreases from 250 °C/s to 0.5 °C/s, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength decrease by approximately 27 and 33 pct, respectively. The ductility also decreases with decreasing quench rate. It appears that with the peak-aged condition, both the UTS and yield strength are a logarithmic function of the quench rate,i.e., UTS orσ _y =A logR +B. The termA is a measure of quench sensitivity. For both UTS and yield strength of the peak-aged A356 alloy,A is approximately 32 to 33 MPa/log (°C/s). The peak-aged A356 alloy is more quench sensitive than the aluminum alloy 6063. For 6063,A is approximately 10 MPa/log (°C/s). The higher quench sensitivity of A356 is probably due to the high level of excess Si. A lower quench rate results in a lower level of solute supersaturation in the α-Al matrix and a decreased amount of excess Si in the matrix after quenching. Both of these mechanisms play important roles in causing the decrease in the strength of the peak-aged A356 with decreasing the quench rate.