Solution Treatment Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-(1 to 13 pct)Si-Mg Cast Alloys

The effects of solution treatment time and Si content and morphology on microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated Al-Si-Mg cast alloys were investigated systematically. Five alloys, with Si levels ranging from 1 to 13 pct, were tested in as-cast, T4, and T61 conditions. The eutectic Si was both unmodified and Sr-modified. Results show that the microstructures are affected significantly by alloy composition, eutectic Si morphology, and solution treatment time. Si content has significant effects on ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation as well as a strong influence on solution treatment response. In T61 treatment with different solutionizing times, UTS and YS reach their maximum values in ~1 hour of solutionizing followed by a decrease, then a slight increase, and finally, a plateau close to the maximum level. Elongation of alloys with a high Si content, 7 pct and 13 pct, increases rapidly at solutionizing times of 1 to 2 hours then varies in a wide range, showing improvements in the 4 to 10 hours range. The data indicate that a solution treatment time of ~1 hour is sufficient to achieve maximum strength. The changes in mechanical properties were correlated to changes in microstructure evolution—Mg-Si precipitation, Si particle fragmentation, and microstructure homogenization. Empirical models uniquely relating Si content to UTS and YS are given for T61 heat-treated alloys.     

Analysis of the Deformation Behavior of Magnesium-Rare Earth Alloys Mg-2 pct Mn-1 pct Rare Earth and Mg-5 pct Y-4 pct Rare Earth by In Situ Energy-Dispersive X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction and Elasto-Plastic Self-Consistent Modeling

The deformation behavior of the Mg-RE alloys ME21 and WE54 was investigated. Although both alloys contain rare earth elements, which alter and weaken the texture, the flow curves of the alloys deviate significantly, especially in uniaxial compression test. Apart from the higher strength of the WE54 alloy, the compression flow curve does not exhibit the typical sigmoidal shape, which is associated with tension twinning. However, optical microscopy, X-ray texture measurements, and EBSD analysis reveal the activity of tension twinning. The combination of in situ energy-dispersive X-ray synchrotron diffraction and EPSC modeling was used to analyze these differences. The investigation reveals that twin propagation is decelerated in the WE54 alloy, which requires a change of the twinning scheme from the ‘finite initial fraction’ to the ‘continuity’ assumption. Furthermore, an enhanced activity of the 〈c+a〉 pyramidal slip system was observed in case of the WE54 alloy.     

Aging Effects on Heat Treatment Response and Mechanical Properties of Al-(1 to 13 pct)Si-Mg Cast Alloys

The effects of solution treatment time and Si content and morphology on microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated Al-Si-Mg cast alloys were investigated systematically. Five alloys, with Si levels ranging from 1 to 13 pct, were tested in as-cast, T4, and T61 conditions. The eutectic Si was both unmodified and Sr-modified. Results show that the microstructures are affected significantly by alloy composition, eutectic Si morphology, and solution treatment time. Si content has significant effects on ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation as well as a strong influence on solution treatment response. In T61 treatment with different solutionizing times, UTS and YS reach their maximum values in ~1 hour of solutionizing followed by a decrease, then a slight increase, and finally, a plateau close to the maximum level. Elongation of alloys with a high Si content, 7 pct and 13 pct, increases rapidly at solutionizing times of 1 to 2 hours then varies in a wide range, showing improvements in the 4 to 10 hours range. The data indicate that a solution treatment time of ~1 hour is sufficient to achieve maximum strength. The changes in mechanical properties were correlated to changes in microstructure evolution—Mg-Si precipitation, Si particle fragmentation, and microstructure homogenization. Empirical models uniquely relating Si content to UTS and YS are given for T61 heat-treated alloys.     

A Study on the Oxidation Behavior of Nb Alloy (Nb-1 pct Zr-0.1 pct C) and Silicide-Coated Nb Alloys

In the current work, silicide coatings were produced on the Nb alloy (Nb-1 pct Zr-0.1 pct C) using the halide activated pack cementation (HAPC) technique. Coating parameters (temperature and time) were optimized to produce a two-layer (Nb₅Si₃ and NbSi₂) coating on the Nb alloy. Subsequently, the oxidation behavior of the Nb alloy (Nb-1 pct Zr-0.1 pct C) and silicide-coated Nb alloy was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and isothermal weight gain oxidation experiments. Phase identification and morphological examinations were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. TGA showed that the Nb alloy started undergoing accelerated oxidation at and above 773 K (500 °C). Isothermal weight gain experiments carried out on the Nb alloy under air environment at 873 K (600 °C) up to a time period of 16 hours exhibited a linear growth rate law of oxidation. In the case of silicide-based coatings, TGA showed that oxidation resistance of silicide coatings was retained up to 1473 K (1200 °C). Isothermal weight gain experiments on the silicide coatings carried out at 1273 K (1000 °C) in air showed that initially up to 8 hours, the weight of the sample increased, and beyond 8 hours the weight of the sample remained constant. The oxide phases formed on the bare samples and on the coated samples during oxidation were found to be Nb₂O₅ and a mixture of SiO₂ and Nb₂O₅ phases, respectively. SEM showed the formation of nonprotective oxide layer on the bare Nb alloy and a protective (adherent, nonporous) oxide layer on silicide-coated samples. The formation of protective SiO₂ layer on the silicide-coated samples greatly improved the oxidation resistance at higher temperatures.     

The Effect of Nd on the Tension and Compression Deformation Behavior of Extruded Mg-1Mn (wt pct) at Temperatures Between 298 K and 523 K (25 °C and 250 °C)

The tension and compression deformation behavior of extruded magnesium-1 wt pct manganese alloys with nominally 0.3 wt pct (MN10) and 1 wt pct neodymium (MN11) was studied over the temperature range of 298 K to 523 K (25 °C to 250 °C). Nd additions to Mg alloys tend to reduce the strong basal texture exhibited by conventional wrought Mg alloys and this work was intended to study the effect of Nd on the deformation behavior of Mg alloys. In situ tensile and compressive experiments were performed using a scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction was performed both before and after the deformation. A slip trace analysis technique was used to identify the distribution of the deformation systems as a function of strain, and based on this analysis and the texture of the undeformed samples, the critical resolved shear stress ratios between the deformation systems were estimated. In the case of MN11, the deformation behavior under tension at all temperatures was dominated by slip, while in compression, extension twinning was the major deformation mode. In tension at 323 K (50 °C), extension twinning, basal, prismatic 〈a〉, and pyramidal 〈c + a〉 slip were active in MN11. Much less extension twinning was observed at 423 K (150 °C), while basal slip and prismatic 〈a〉 slip were dominant and presented similar relative activities. At 523 K (250 °C), twinning was not observed, and basal slip controlled the deformation. With the reduction of Nd content, less slip deformation and more twinning were observed during the tensile deformation. However, like for MN11, the extent of twinning in MN10 decreased with increasing temperature and basal slip was the primary deformation mode at elevated temperatures. Extension twinning was the major deformation mode under compression for all test temperatures in MN10 and MN11. The tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature for both alloys, where MN10 was slightly stronger than MN11 at 323 K (50 °C), which was expected to be a result of the stronger basal texture exhibited by MN10 due to its lower Nd content. However, MN11 maintained its strength more at elevated temperatures compared with MN10, and this was explained to be a result of the greater Nd content.     

Effects of capillarity and coherency on δ' (Al3Li) precipitation in dilute AlLi alloys at low undercoolings

The influence of capillarity and coherency on the δ' (Al₃Li) solvus line in dilute AlLi alloys are described. Capillarity effects are small but detectable in very dilute alloys (~ 8 at.% Li) at temperatures near the solvus line. The effect of coherency strain on the position of the solvus line is calculated to be extremely small and was not measurable experimentally. However, evidence for coherency effects on δ' stability are observed when particle sizes are very small. The heterogeneous precipitate distributions observed on aging a 7.9 at.% Li alloy at small undercoolings are interpreted in terms of a combination of excess vacancy effects on particle growth at low temperature and capillarity effects on particle stability at elevated temperatures. This interpretation contrasts with earlier reports of a coherent δ' solvus in dilute AlLi alloys.     

Investigating the Effects of Dendrite Evolution on Microsegregation in Al–Cu Alloys by Coupling Experiments,Micro-modeling,and Phase-Field Simulations

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The microsegregation that occurs in Al–Cu alloys during solidification processes was quantitatively characterized using Electron Probe...     

Influence of Reaction Temperature and Reaction Time for the Manufacturing of Al–Ti–B (Ti:B?=?5:1, 1:3) Master Alloys and Their Grain Refining Efficiency on Al–7Si Alloys

In the present work, ternary Al?CTi?CB master alloys have been prepared in an induction furnace by the reaction between preheated halide salts (K₂TiF₆ and KBF₄) and liquid molten Al. A number of process parameters such as reaction temperature (800, 900, 1,000?°C), reaction time (45, 60, 75?min.) and compositions (Ti/B ratio: 5/1, 1/3) have been studied. The indigenously prepared master alloys were characterised by chemical analysis, particles size analysis, XRD and SEM/EDX microanalysis. Results of particle size analysis suggest that the sizes of the intermetallic particles [Al₃Ti and TiB₂ in Al?C5Ti?C1B and (Al, Ti)B₂ in Al?C1Ti?C3B] present in various Al?CTi?CB master alloys increases with increase in reaction temperature (800?C1,000?°C) and reaction time (45?C75?min.). The population of the particles decreases with increase in reaction time and temperature. Further, SEM/EDX studies revealed that different morphologies of the intermetallic particles were observed at different reaction temperatures and reaction times. Further, the performances of the above-prepared master alloys were assessed for their grain refining efficiency on Al?C7Si alloy by macroscopy, DAS analysis. Grain refinement studies suggest that, B-rich Al?C1Ti?C3B master alloy shows better grain refinement performance on Al?C7Si alloy when compared to Ti-rich Al?C5Ti?C1B master alloy.     

Analysis of the Deformation Behavior in Tension and Tension-Creep of Ti-3Al-2.5V (wt pct) at 296 K and 728 K (23 °C and 455 °C) Using In Situ SEM Experiments

The deformation behavior of a Ti-3Al-2.5V (wt pct) near-α alloy was investigated during in situ deformation inside a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two plates with distinct textures were examined. Tensile experiments were performed at 296 K and 728 K (455 °C) (~0.4T _m), while a tensile-creep experiment was performed at 728 K (455 °C) and 180 MPa (σ/σ _ys = 0.72). The active deformation systems were identified in the α phase using electron backscattered diffraction based slip-trace analysis and SEM images of the surface. Prismatic slip deformation was the dominant slip mode observed for all the experiments in both plates, which was supported by a critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) ratio analysis. However, due to the texture of plate 1, which strongly favored the activation of prismatic slip, the percentages of prismatic slip activity for specimens from plate 1 tested at 296 K and 728 K (23 °C and 455 °C) were higher than the specimens from plate 2 under the same testing conditions. T1 twinning was an active deformation mode at both 296 K and 728 K (23 °C and 455 °C), but the extent of twinning activity decreased with increased temperature. T1 twinning was more frequently observed in specimens from plate 2, which exhibited a higher fraction of twinning systems favoring activation at both 296 K and 728 K (23 °C and 455 °C). The tension-creep experiment revealed less slip and more grain boundary sliding than in the higher strain rate tensile experiments. Using a previously demonstrated bootstrapping statistical analysis methodology, the relative CRSS ratios of prismatic, pyramidal 〈a〉, pyramidal 〈c+a〉, and T1 twinning deformation systems compared with basal slip were calculated and discussed in light of similar measurements made on CP Ti and Ti-5Al-2.5Sn (wt pct).     

Interfacial Reaction Between CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3 Flux and Fe-xMn-yAl (x = 10 and 20 mass pct, y = 1, 3, and 6 mass pct) Steel at 1873 K (1600 °C)

This study investigated the interfacial reaction kinetics and related phenomena between CaO-SiO₂-MgO-Al₂O₃ flux and Fe-xMn-yAl (x = 10 and 20 mass pct, y = 1, 3, and 6 mass pct) steel, which simulates transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) and twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels at 1873 K (1600 °C). It also examines the effect of changes in the composition of the steel and slag phases on the interfacial reaction rate and the reaction mechanisms. The content of Al and Si in the 1 mass pct Al-containing steel was found to change rapidly within the first 15 minutes of the reaction, but then it remained relatively constant. The content of Al and Si in the 3 to 6 mass pct Al-containing steels, in contrast, changed continuously throughout the entire reaction time. In addition, the content of Mn in the 1 mass pct Al-containing steels initially decreased with increasing time, but the content did not change in the 3 to 6 mass pct Al-containing steels. Furthermore, the mass transfer coefficient of Al, k _Al, in the 1 mass pct Al-containing systems was significantly higher than that in other systems; i.e., the k _Al can be arranged such that 1 mass pct Al systems >> 3 mass pct Al systems ≥ 6 mass pct Al systems. The compositions of the final slags were close to the saturation lines of the [Mg,Mn]Al₂O₄ and MgAl₂O₄ spinels when the slags reacted with 1 mass pct Al and 3 to 6 mass pct Al-containing steels, respectively. These results, which show the effect of Al content on the reaction phenomena, can be explained by the significant increase in the apparent viscosity of the slags that reacted with the 3 to 6 mass pct Al-containing steels. This reaction was likely caused by the precipitation of solid compounds such as MgAl₂O₄ spinel and CaAl₄O₇ grossite at locally alumina-enriched areas in the slag phase. This analysis is in good accordance with the combination of Higbie’s surface renewal model and the Eyring equation.     

A Novel Developed Grain Refiner (Al–Y–B Master Alloys) Using Yttrium and KBF<Subscript>4</Subscript> Powders

The present work aims to report and discuss the development of a novel grain refiner (Al–Y–B master alloys) focusing on the characterization of the phenomena that exist during their production. Al–Y–B master alloy is produced by the combined employment of yttrium and boron, instead of yttrium or boron individually. It is discovered as a highly effective grain refiner for inoculating the grain size of Al–Si alloys. The crystallized microstructure can be refined though the effect of Y-based intermetallic on heterogeneity nucleus. The Y-based intermetallic is formed in the melts (Al–Y–B master alloy) by the addition of yttrium and KBF₄ powers. A approach to produce Al–Y–B master alloys as well as its characterization by means of optical micrographs and SEM is presented. The study is assessed by testing the grain refining potency of the produced Al–Y–B master alloys in binary Al–20Si alloy. It is revealed that the approach employed to produce the Al–Y–B master alloys is suitable because the size of the primary phases is significantly reduced in each of the case investigated.     

Effect of Cobalt on Phase Formation, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Cu50?xCoxZr50 (x?=?2, 5, 10, 20?at.?pct) Alloys

In this work, the effect of cobalt on the phase formation and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Cu_50?xCo_xZr₅₀ (x?=?2, 5, 10, and 20?at.?pct) alloys was investigated. CuZr martensite forms in the case of low Co contents (x?=?2 and 5?at.?pct), while in the alloys with 10 and 20?at.?pct Co, the B2 phase is stable even at room temperature. The deformation behavior of the rods under compressive loading depends strongly on the microstructure and, thus, on the alloy composition. Cobalt affects the fracture strength of the as-cast samples, and deformation is accompanied by two yield stresses for high Co-content alloys, which undergo deformation-induced martensitic transformation.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a 2091 AlLi alloy—III. Quantitative analysis of portevin le chatelier instabilities and relation to toughness in AlLi,AlCuMg and AlLiCuMg (2091) alloys

The microstructure and mechanical properties of a 2091 alloy are studied and compared to simpler AlLi and CuMg alloys. For ageing times between 6 and 24 h at 150°C, the 2091 alloy exhibits a toughness drop and a simultaneous change in PLC characteristics (as evidenced by a combination of local and total strain measurements), but no significant change in microstructure, except for the size of δ′ precipitation. SEM in situ tests show that plastic instabilities are always related to extra damage. A quantitative model accounts for the toughness drop, based on plastic dissipation by PLC active bands.     

Thermodynamics of α′(Fe-Rich bcc) + α″(Cr-Rich bcc) → α(bcc) and α para → α ferro Transformations in Fe-20 wt pct Cr Alloy: Drop Calorimetry Study and Elucidation of Magnetic Contribution to Phase Stability

There is considerable uncertainty among diverse assessments of phase equilibrium in Fe-Cr alloys, especially around (α′ + α″)/α miscibility gap region. This is largely due to the difficulty associated with the rigorous incorporation of the interplay between magnetic and chemical contribution to phase stability, in particular its composition and temperature dependencies through theory, in the absence of reliable experimental data. Toward this cause, accurate enthalpy measurements have been made on homogenized Fe-20 wt pct Cr alloy using inverse drop calorimetry, in the temperature range 298 K to 1473 K (25 °C to 1200 °C). The experiments revealed two distinct phase transformations: (i) at 720 ± 10 K (447 ± 10 °C), the Fe-20Cr alloy transformed from α′(Fe-rich) + α″(Cr-rich) two-phase microstructure to α single phase and (ii) at 925 ± 10 K (652 ± 10 °C), the ferromagnetic single-phase α transformed to paramagnetic state. Both these transformations are clearly attested by the measured enthalpy increment variation with temperature. The enthalpy data obtained in this study have been combined with available literature information to forge an integrated theoretical assessment of the energetic aspects of α′ + α″ → α, and α _ferro → α _para transformations. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation of enthalpy and heat capacity data for Fe-20Cr alloy in the temperature range 0 K to 1473 K (?273 °C to 1200 °C), with explicit incorporation of magnetic contribution has also been made.     

Effect of heat treatment on the phase composition,the texture,and the mechanical properties of a V1461 (Al–Cu–Li) alloy

The heterogeneity of the phase composition, the texture, and the mechanical properties in various zones and directions of plates (thickness T = 80 mm) in a V1461 (Al–Cu–Li) alloy has been studied. It is noted that the strength characteristics are maximal in the median cross section (ultimate strength and yield strength are 570 and 540 MPa, respectively); in the cross section at 0.25T, these values are 530 and 490 MPa, respectively; in the height direction, they are only 490 and 440 MPa. The studies of texture show that an intense one-component texture, which is similar to the matrix and δ' phases, is observed in a medium plate layer of thickness (0.3–0.35)T; the {011} texture plane is parallel to the plate plane with the dominant “brass” {110}〈112〉 texture. Hardness is shown to increase from HRB70 after aging at 120°C for 20 h to HRB85 after three-step aging at 120°C, 20 h + 140°C, 24 h + 150°C, 24 h. It is shown that aging at 120 and 140°C is accompanied by the precipitation of the Θ' phase along with the δ' phase, and aging at 150°C also leads to the precipitation of the T₁ phase.     

Effect of P,B4C,and (Ti,Cr)C Additives on the Kinetics of High-Temperature Oxidation of Chromium Carbide Alloys at 1000°C

We have used the thermogravimetric method to study the effect of B₄C, (Ti, Cr)C, and phosphorus additives on the kinetics of oxidation of chromium carbide alloys of the type 85% Cr₃C₂ 15% Ni (KKhN15) and 85% Cr₃C₂ 15% (Ni P) (KKhNF15), in air under isothermal heating conditions at 1000°C from 0 to 5 h. We have established that the alloys are characterized by insignificant increase in mass in the initial oxidation period (3 h), after which the degree of oxidation increases somewhat. The nature of the oxidation kinetics for KKhNF15 alloys, containing 0.016-0.64% B₄C, varies from some mass increase in the initial period (20 min) to later mass loss in connection with formation of CO, CO₂ and rapid evaporation of boron anhydride B₂O₃. The maximum resistance to oxidation is exhibited by alloys of the type KKhN15 and KKhNF15, the mass increase of which is 0.128-0.256 mg/cm² after 5 h of heating at 1000°C.     

(Zn,Ca) Solid-Solution Behavior and Its Effect on Luminescence Properties in Ca_(1-x)Zn_xTiO_3∶0.002Pr~(3 ) Phosphors

Compared withthe classical sulfides MS∶Eu2 (M=Ca,Sr,Ba)red phosphor and ZnS∶Eu2 greenphosphor,the alkali-earth aluminate phosphors havesuperior blue-green long afterglowproperties,such asblue phosphors CaAl2O4∶(Eu2 ,Nd3 ),green phos-phor SrAl2O4∶(Eu2 …     

Phase Constituents and Microstructure of Interaction Layer Formed in U-Mo Alloys <Emphasis Type="Italic">vs</Emphasis> Al Diffusion Couples Annealed at 873 K (600 °C)

U-Mo dispersion and monolithic fuels are being developed to fulfill the requirements for research reactors, under the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program. In dispersion fuels, particles of U-Mo alloys are embedded in the Al-alloy matrix, while in monolithic fuels, U-Mo monoliths are roll bonded to the Al-alloy matrix. In this study, interdiffusion and microstructural development in the solid-to-solid diffusion couples, namely, U-15.7 at. pct Mo (7 wt pct Mo) vs pure Al, U-21.6 at. pct Mo (10 wt pct Mo) vs pure Al, and U-25.3 at. pct Mo (12 wt pct Mo) vs pure Al, annealed at 873 K (600 °C) for 24 hours, were examined in detail. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) were employed to examine the development of a very fine multiphase interaction layer with an approximately constant average composition of 80 at. pct Al. Extensive TEM was carried out to identify the constituent phases across the interaction layer based on selected area electron diffraction and convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED). The cubic-UAl₃, orthorhombic-UAl₄, hexagonal-U₆Mo₄Al₄₃, and cubic-UMo₂Al₂₀ phases were identified within the interaction layer that included two- and three-phase layers. Residual stress from large differences in molar volume, evidenced by vertical cracks within the interaction layer, high Al mobility, Mo supersaturation, and partitioning toward equilibrium in the interdiffusion zone were employed to describe the complex microstructure and phase constituents observed. A mechanism by compositional modification of the Al alloy is explored to mitigate the development of the U₆Mo₄Al₄₃ phase, which exhibits poor irradiation behavior that includes void formation and swelling.