Microstructure control and high temperature properties of TiAl base alloys

An equiaxed fine grain structure, a γ grain structure with the precipitated ₂ laths, and a fully lamellar structure were obtained by the microstructure control using thermomechanical processing and heat treatment. The key to obtaining the equiaxed fine grain structure using isothermal forging is to decompose the lamellar structure and then produce the fine grain microstructure through dynamic recrystallization. TiAl base alloys consisting of fine equiaxed grains, in particular, Ti-39Al-9V consisting of the γ and B2 phases exhibited superplastic elongation of more than 600% at 1423 K. Creep rupture properties of TiAl binary alloys with various microstructures were studied in purified He in the temperature range from 1073 to 1373 K. Above 1173 K the precipitated ₂ phase improved the steady state creep rate and creep life. At 1023 K, the ₂ phase did not improve the creep rate, although the steady state creep rate decreased and the creep life increased as the γ grain size increased.     

Solid-State Diffusion Bonding of Nb_(SS)/Nb_5Si_3 Composite Using Ni/Al and Ti/Al Nanolayers

Diffusion bonding of refractory Nb–Si-based alloy was performed with Ni/Al and Ti/Al nanolayers under the condition of 1473 K/30 MPa/60 min. The Nb_(SS)/Nb_5Si_3 in situ composite with the nominal composition of Nb–22 Ti–16 Si–3 Cr–3 Al–2 Hf was used as the parent material. The joint microstructures were examined by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer. Shear test was conducted for the bonded joints at room temperature.Within the joint bonded with Ni/Al multilayer, element diffusion occurred between the base metal and the nanolayer, with the reaction products of AlNb_2 + Ni_3 Al, NiAl and AlNi_2 Ti phases. The average shear strength was 182 MPa. While using Ti/Al multilayer, the interface mainly consisted of TiAl,(Ti,Nb)Al and(Ti,Nb)_2 Al phases, and the corresponding joints exhibited an increased strength of 228 MPa. In this case, the fracture mainly took place in the TiAl phase and presented a typical brittle characteristic.     

Effect of ageing on the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of a directionally solidified Ni3Al-based alloy

The effect of ageing in the temperature range from 1023 to 1373 K on the micro-structure and mechanical behaviour of a directionally solidified (DS) Ni₃Al-based alloy modified with additions of chromium and iron was investigated. The microstructure of the as-grown alloy consisted of well-aligned and equally spaced lamellas composed of β(B2) intermetallic compound NiAl (Cr, Fe), some β′(L1₀) martensite and spherical -Cr precipitates. The matrix consisted of γ′(L1₂) intermetallic compound Ni₃Al (Cr, Fe), γ-phase (Ni-based solid solution) and lath-shaped -Cr precipitates. Ageing at 1123 and at 1173 K was found to be the most effective in transforming the unstable lamellae to γ′-phase and -Cr precipitates. The change of microstructural characteristics such as volume fraction of lamellae, size, morphology and distribution of γ′-phase, γ-phase and -Cr precipitates significantly influenced the room-temperature yield strength and elongation of DS alloy after ageing. The strain-hardening exponent varied with the ageing temperature between 0.30 and 0.46 and the quasi-steady work-hardening rate between 2710 and 5340 MPa. In the specimens with the lowest amount of disordered regions, the strain-hardening exponent was found to be 0.46 and the quasisteady work hardening rate was determined to be 3340 MPa.     

Design for Ti-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys for laser additive manufacturing based on a cluster model and on their microstructure and properties

In this study, α+β Ti-Al-V-Mo-Nb alloys with the addition of multiple elements that are suitable for laser additive manufacturing (LAM) were designed according to a Ti-6Al-4V cluster formula. This formula can be expressed as 12[Al-Ti₁₂](AlTi₂)+5[Al-Ti₁₄]((Mo, V, Nb)₂Ti), in which Mo and Nb were added into the alloys partially instead of V to give alloys with nominal compositions of Ti-6.01Al-3.13V-1.43Nb, Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.93Mo, and Ti-5.97Al-2.33V-2.20Mo-0.71Nb (wt.%). The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-deposited and heat-treated samples prepared via LAM were examined. The sizes of the β columnar grains and α laths in the Nb-containing samples are found to be larger than those of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, whereas Mo- or Mo/Nb-added alloys contain finer grains. It indicates that Nb gives rise to coarsened β columnar grains and α laths, while Mo significantly refines them. Furthermore, the single addition of Nb improves the elongation, whereas the single addition of Mo enhances the strength of the alloys. The simultaneous addition of Mo/Nb significantly improves the comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloys, leading to the best properties with an ultimate tensile strength of 1,070 MPa, a yield strength of 1,004 MPa, an elongation of 9%, and micro-hardness of 355 HV. The fracture modes of all the alloys are ductile-brittle mixed fracture.     

TiAl-V-Cr合金板材及其超塑性研究

TiAl合金具有低密度、高模量、阻燃性和优异的高温力学性能,已经成为一种新型轻质耐高温结构材料。以V和Cr元素合金化的TiAl合金板材为研究对象,开展了板材超塑性试验研究,采用EBSD、SEM、TEM等试验方法进行了组织表征。结果表明,板材由等轴γ晶粒、短条/块状B2相、少量的块状α₂相组成,平均晶粒尺寸约为3.5 μm;TiAl合金板材在950 ℃/1×10^-4 s^-1条件下拉伸变形,伸长率为345%,表现出了优异的超塑性,并利用这种特性制造出航空发动机尾喷口用复杂结构典型试验件。     

Microstructural evolution of a PM TiAl alloy during heat treatment in α+γ phase field

In this study,the effect of temperatures and cooling rates of heat treatment on the microstructure of a powder metallurgy (PM) Ti-46Al-2Cr-2Nb-(B,W) (at.％) alloy was studied.Depending on the cooling rate and temperature,the different structures were obtained from the initial near-γ (NG) microstructures by heat treatment in the α+γ field.The results show that the microstructures of samples after furnace cooling (FC) consist primarily of equiaxed γ and α2 grains,with a few grains containing lamellae.Duplex microstructures consist mainly of γ grains and lamellar colonies were obtained in the quenching into another furnace at 900℃ (QFC) samples.However,further increasing of the cooling rate to air cooling (AC) induces the transformation of α→α2 and results in a microstructure with equiaxed γ and α2 grains,and no lamellar colonies are found.     

Mg-(11-13)Gd-1Zn变形镁合金的组织和力学性能

制备了3种成分的Mg-Gd-Zn三元合金,并对其显微组织和力学性能进行了较系统的研究.结果表明,Mg-（11-13）Gd-1Zn（质量分数,%）三元合金的铸态组织由α-Mg,（Mg,Zn）₃Gd和具有14H结构的长周期堆垛有序相（14H-LPSO）组成;（Mg,Zn）₃Gd呈现典型的网状共晶形貌,其体积分数随Gd含量的增加而增大.热挤压过程中（Mg,Zn）₃Gd相破碎,其颗粒沿挤压方向排列,而14H-LPSO相则分布于条状分布的（Mg,Zn）₃Gd颗粒之间.铸态和挤压态合金在高温固溶处理后,14H-LPSO相的体积分数增加,大部分（Mg,Zn）₃Gd相溶入基体.挤压态合金经固溶和时效（T6）处理后,显微组织中14H-LPSO相的体积分数大幅度增加,而且出现了β′和β₁沉淀颗粒.对挤压后的合金直接进行时效处理（T5）过程中也形成了β′和β₁沉淀,但14H-LPSO相没有显著增加.3种合金中Mg-11Gd-1Zn合金在T6态的性能最好,抗拉强度高达416 MPa.     

Effect of Zn Addition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Mg-10Gd-3.5Er-xZn-0.5Zr Alloys

In this work, the effects of Zn content (0-2 wt%) on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of cast Mg-10Gd-3.5Er-0.5Zr alloys are studied. The results show that the as-cast Mg-10Gd-3.5Er-xZn-0.5Zr alloys are mainly composed of Mg matrix and secondary (Mg, Zn)₃(Gd, Er) phases distributed along grain boundaries. With the increase in Zn content, the volume fraction of secondary (Mg, Zn)₃(Gd, Er) phases increases and the grains get refined. In the process of solid solution treatment, Zn addition can lead to the formation of long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structures and the volume fraction of LPSO structures increases with Zn content. In addition, the Zn addition can reduce the vacancy formation energy and accelerate the diffusion rate of RE elements in Mg matrix. Because of the comprehensive effect of secondary phases and the accelerated diffusion rate, the base alloy and 2Zn alloy have less grain growth after solid solution treatment than that of the 0.5Zn alloy and 1Zn alloy. The precipitation process is also accelerated by enhanced diffusion rate. At room temperature (RT), the strengthening effect of β^'+ β₁ precipitates is more effective than that of LPSO structures, so the peak-aged 0.5Zn alloy exhibits the most excellent mechanical performance at RT, with yield strength of 219 MPa, ultimate tensile strength 296 MPa and elongation of 6.4%. While LPSO structures have stronger strengthening effect at elevated temperature than that of β^'+ β₁ precipitates, so the 1Zn alloy and 2Zn alloy have more stable mechanical performance than that of the base alloy and 0.5Zn alloy with the increase in tensile temperature.     

Fabrication of Bulk (Fe,Cr)_3Al/Al_2O_3 Intermetallic Matrix Nanocomposite Through Mechanical Alloying and Sintering

In the present study,(Fe,Cr)_3Al/20 vol% Al_2O_3 nanocomposite was prepared through mechanochemical reactions during ball milling and successfully bulked using a combination of cold isostatic press and sintering at 1400 ℃ for 1 h. Two processing approaches were utilized to produce(Fe,Cr)_3Al/Al_2O_3 nanocomposite: The first was milling of Fe, Cr,Al and Fe_2O_3, while the second one was milling of Fe, Cr, Al and Cr_2O_3, both in stoichiometric condition, to synthesize(Fe,Cr)_3Al/20 vol% Al_2O_3. Structural changes of powder particles during mechanical alloying were studied by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure and the morphology of powder particles and bulk samples were also studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Microstructural analysis showed that mechanochemical reactions took place during milling, and nanometric Al_2O_3 was uniformly distributed in the matrix. The results also showed that the second approach required a considerably higher milling time to produce(Fe,Cr)_3Al/Al_2O_3 nanocomposite, as compared to the first one. For this reason, bulk samples were produced from the synthesized nanocomposite in the first approach. The microstructure of the sintered samples consisted of a network structure of(Fe,Cr)_3Al and Al_2O_3 phases with superior mechanical properties.     

Zr-Sn-Nb-Fe-Cr与Zr-Nb-Fe锆合金电阻点焊工艺及显微组织

Zr-1.0Sn-0.50Nb-0.50Fe-0.14Cr与Zr-1.30Nb-0.30Fe锆合金是目前正在研制开发核燃料组件用两种新型Zr(-Sn)-Nb-Fe系锆合金. 针对新型燃料组件骨架压力电阻点焊,采用不同的焊接工艺参数对Zr-1.0Sn-0.50Nb-0.50Fe-0.14Cr导向管与Zr-1.30Nb-0.30Fe焊舌片进行研究,并对较优焊接参数下的焊接接头力学性能、显微硬度、金相显微组织及熔核区形貌和析出相进行了分析. 结果表明,增大焊接电流和减小焊接压力,焊点剪切力和熔核尺寸随之增加,断裂方式由界面断裂转变为纽扣断裂;焊接电流对熔核尺寸及剪切力影响最大,焊接压力的增加,焊点剪切力和熔核尺寸均减小,但焊接压力的适当增大提高了形核稳定性. 在电阻点焊不平衡的急速冷却条件与电磁搅拌作用下,熔核区形成非平衡淬火针状板条状组织结构,析出的细小Fe₂(Nb_0.35, Zr_0.65)和Fe₂ (Nb_0.3, Z_r0.7)第二相粒子呈圆形或长条棒状分布于基体α-Zr与β-Zr晶粒内、晶界处及板条组织中,从而提高了熔核区及热影响区的显微硬度,含Nb的细小弥散析出FCC第二相增强了焊缝抗水侧腐蚀性能.     

Investigations on the microstructure and room temperature fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl–Cr(Mo) eutectic alloy

The microstructures and room temperature fracture toughness of directionally solidified NiAl-xCr-6Mo (x = 28, 32 and 36 at%) alloys were investigated. Fully eutectic microstructure could be obtained in the alloys over a wide composition range. High temperature gradient could increase the planar/cellular transition rate and expand the eutectic coupled growth zone. The volume fraction of Cr(Mo) strengthening phase increased with the increasing content of Cr, accordingly, the fracture toughness of NiAl–Cr(Mo) alloys also gradually increased. The fracture toughness of 26.15 MPa m^1/2 was obtained in the NiAl-36Cr-6Mo hypereutectic alloy solidified at withdrawal rate of 10 μm/s and temperature gradient of 600 K/cm, which is the highest value in the NiAl–Cr–Mo alloy system until now. Well-aligned microstructure was beneficial to the enhancement of the fracture toughness, while the existence of primary phase seriously deteriorated the toughness. All the directionally solidified NiAl–Cr(Mo) alloy failed as brittle quasi-cleavage fracture. Some toughening mechanisms, such as crack bridging, crack nucleation, crack blunting, crack deflection, interface debonding and shear ligament toughening as well as linkage of microcracks were observed. In addition, mobile dislocation generated from the interface also had significant influence on the toughness.     

Fe-Cr-Mn合金在湿润环境中的氧化行为研究

研究比较了Fe-13Cr-xMn(x=0.5,1,2) 系列合金在干燥和湿润空气中800 ℃下的氧化行为。结果表明,在干燥气氛中合金表现出良好的抗氧化性能,当Mn含量低于1%时有助于合金表面生成阻碍Cr挥发的 (Mn,Cr)₃O₄尖晶石相;而当Mn含量达到2%,合金表面则会产生Mn₂O₃,从而影响合金的抗高温氧化性能。在含水蒸气气氛中,合金发生了失稳态氧化,表面生成了大量氧化物,合金的氧化速率随Mn含量的增大而减小,主要原因是Mn含量增加导致膜层中形成 (Mn,Cr)₃O₄尖晶石相,从而有效阻碍了水气环境中Cr的挥发,尤其Fe-13Cr-2Mn合金在氧化初期12 h内并没有发生加速腐蚀,Fe-Cr-Mn合金的加速氧化是由表面氧化铬膜与水蒸气发生反应所致。通过SEM,XRD等分析手段深入探讨了合金加速氧化机制以及Mn效应。     

The solidification path related columnar-to-equiaxed transition in Ti–Al alloys

Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition (CET) of binary Ti–Al alloys and multi-component Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloys is studied using Bridgman solidification technique. The effect of aluminum concentration and growth rate on CET is determined. It is found in Ti–46Al and Ti–50Al alloy ingots equiaxed grains develop ahead of the moving solid–liquid interface with a growth rate of 500 μm/s; microstructures in Ti–49Al alloy stay columnar dendrites with the same growth rate. CET in Ti–Al alloys are not only influenced by growth rate, but also by the solidification path that is related to alloying composition. CET in Ti–Al alloys is predicted using the dendritic growth model based on the criterion of growth at marginal stability. According to the calculated results and directionally solidified microstructures, values of the nucleation undercooling for α and β phases are given. The growth rates to avoid CET in Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy are suggested.     

Effect of Partially Substituting Ca with Mischmetal on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Mg-Al-Ca-Mn-Based Alloys

Mg-2Al-1.2Ca-0.2Mn(at%)-based alloys with Ce-rich mischmetal(MM) substitution of 0–0.6 at% for Ca were hot extruded at 400 °C. The effect of MM substitution on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the extruded alloys was investigated. The as-cast Mg-2Al-1.2Ca-0.2Mn alloy is mainly composed of a-Mg, Mg_2Ca and(Mg,Al)_2Ca phases and Al_8Mn_5 precipitates, whereas the substitution of MM brings about the formation of Al_(11)MM_3, Al_2MM phases and Al_(10)MM_2Mn_7 particles with the absence of (Mg,Al)_2Ca phase. The volume fraction of MM-containing phases increases with increasing MM contents. All of the extruded alloys exhibit bimodal microstructure comprising fine dynamically recrystallized grains with almost random orientation and coarse deformed grains with strong basal texture. Dense nanosized planar Al_2Ca and spherical Al–Mn phases precipitate inside the deformed grains. High tensile yield strengths of~ 350 MPa and moderate elongations to failure of 12% are obtained in all extruded alloys; the MM substitution induces negligible difference in the tensile properties at ambient temperature, while the highest MM substitution improves the strength at 180 °C due to the better thermal stability of the fragmented MM-containing phases.     

Structures and superparamagnetic properties of overaged Fe–Al–Mn–C alloys

Microstructures and superparamagnetic properties in aged-hardened Fe–9%Al–30%Mn– (x)C,Si alloys, resulting from overaging at a temperature of 823 K for 48 h to 313 days, have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction patterns, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results reveal that the precipitate κ-phase [(Fe,Mn)₃AlC] decomposition in this alloy, overaged at 823 K for one week, resulted from two separate mechanisms: (1) wetting of the antiphase boundary segment (APBs) of D0₃ [(Fe/Mn)₃Al] domains by the B2 [(Fe/Mn)Al] phase; and (2) precipitation of the B2 [(Fe/Mn)Al] phase within the domain. A superparamagnetic behaviour was discovered when the alloy was overaged at 823 K for ≈120–313 days. The super-soft magnetic property was mainly attributable to the ferromagnetic spinel-ordered (B2 [(Fe/Mn)Al]+D0₃ [(Fe/Mn)₃Al]) phases and ordered B2 with monoclinic ′Mn structures.     

基于分子动力学的3D打印TiAl纳米多晶合金变形机制及其温度相关性分析

借助透射电镜观察和分子动力学计算,对3D打印Ti-6Al-4V合金的变形行为及其温度相关性进行了系统研究。结果表明,温度在TiAl纳米多晶体变形机制的竞争中起关键作用。当温度低于800 K,平均晶粒尺寸低于8.3 nm的单相TiAl纳米多晶合金首先出现位错运动,且层错保留在晶粒中并形成交错结构。同时,大尺寸晶粒(≥8.3 nm)为位错运动提供了足够的空间,很少在晶粒中形成层错。在双相TiAl+Ti₃Al纳米多晶合金中,层错的交割是低应变(ε<18.0%)TiAl晶粒的主要变形机制,并且Ti₃Al晶粒保持其初始结构。当ε≥18.0%时,Ti₃Al晶粒中的位错开始运动并形成层错交割。当温度高于800 K时,Ti和Al原子处于高能状态,主要的变形机制与具有非晶结构的滑移边界有关。非晶滑移边界及再结晶结构是双相TiAl+Ti₃Al纳米多晶合金组织变形的最重要特征。     

Microstructure control and tensile properties of three-phase alloys based on the E21 Co3AlC and B2 CoAl

To investigate tensile mechanical behavior, tensile tests were conducted at room temperature and 1273 K on three-phase alloys consisting of the E2₁ Co₃AlC, B2 CoAl and (Co) primary solid solution. The alloy containing a large volume fraction of E2₁ phase exhibits excellent ductility, exceeding 5% plastic strain at room temperature, while the alloy with a considerable amount of coarse B2 phase particles shows zero ductility. In this study, microstructure control was used to improve the ambient temperature ductility of the E2₁/B2/(Co) three-phase alloys. Hot forging and subsequent heat treatments were performed aiming at eliminating solidification defects and minimizing the heterogeneity of the as-cast microstructure. These thermomechanical treatments together with compositional control effectively improve the ductility of the E2₁/B2/(Co) three-phase alloys at ambient temperature and 1273 K.     

箔-纤维-箔法制备Mof/TiAl复合材料的显微组织与性能

利用箔-纤维-箔法和热压烧结成功制备出Mo_f/Ti48Al复合材料,并分析了Mo纤维对TiAl合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,通过635 ℃,3 MPa,10 h+680 ℃,3 MPa,4 h的两步低温热压,箔材中的Al完全反应完,TiAl箔叠层材料形成致密的Ti/TiAl₃板材,合金致密基本无孔洞。再通过1200 ℃,36 h的高温退火,Ti与TiAl₃在高温下继续反应,形成γ-TiAl、α-Ti₃Al相。高温退火后的钼纤维与基体合金发生了扩散反应,形成了扩散区域,此区域内主要相组成为TiMo、AlMo₃,钼纤维与基体合金通过扩散紧密结合在一起,界面未发现孔洞和因应力形成的裂纹。相比于未添加钼纤维的合金,添加10vol%钼纤维的复合材料抗弯性能有明显的提高,钼纤维在合金中起到了强韧化作用。     

Ir–Nb–Si ternary refractory superalloys with a three-phase fcc/L12/silicide structure for high-temperature applications

Ir–Nb binary alloys doped with silicon have been used in this work to attain a three-phase fcc/L1₂/silicide structure. Typical Ir–Nb binary alloys, including a hypoeutectic Ir–10Nb, an eutectic Ir–16Nb, and a hypereutectic Ir–25Nb, were used as alloy bases, and Ir was further replaced by 5 at% Si. With the addition of Si, the microstructures of the Ir–(10–25)Nb–5Si ternary alloys contained three phases: fcc, L1₂, and compounds of Ir and Si (referred to silicide hereafter). Compressive tests from room temperature to 1500 °C showed that the Ir–10Nb–5Si alloy, with a predominant fcc microstructure, always had the highest deformation hardening rate, strength, and ductility; on the other hand, the Ir–25Nb–5Si alloy showed the worst performance. With the silicide in the microstructures, the damage sustained by the Ir–Nb–Si alloys at both room and high temperatures was dominated by interface debonding, which occurred between the fcc and the silicide or the L1₂ and the silicide. It is believed that the interface debonding is an instinct failure mechanism of Ir-based alloys. Additionally, a strong solid-solution hardening effect of Si acting on the fcc phase was found to occur without loss of ductility. A principle in the composition and microstructure design is proposed in this paper for further development of Ir-based alloys with Si addition. This principle is to saturate the fcc phase with Si and other alloying elements so as to achieve maximum solid-solution hardening and tie-in fine silicides homogenously distributed within the fcc by elimination of the grain boundary concentration of silicides.     

Phase diagram of the Nb–Al–Si ternary system

A high-efficiency diffusion-multiple approach was employed to map the phase diagram of the Nb–Al–Si ternary system which is very valuable for the design of niobium silicide-based composites. These composites have high potential as a replacement for Ni-base superalloys for jet engine applications. Aluminum is an alloying element for these composites, thus the Nb–Al–Si phase diagram, especially solubility of Al in Nb₅Si₃, is important information for the composite design. An isothermal section at 1000 °C was constructed from the results obtained from a diffusion multiple using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). A ternary phase Nb₃Si₅Al₂ was observed. The solubility data of Al in Nb₅Si₃ and NbSi₂ as well as Si solubility in Nb₃Al, Nb₂Al and NbAl₃ were obtained. The new isothermal section helps to judge the reliability of the existing literature results and to add new data to the Nb–Al–Si phase equilibria.