Influence of the thermomechanical treatment on the microplastic behaviour of a wrought Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

For plastic deformations smaller than the conventional limit of 0.2% for the yield stress, the so-called microplastic behaviour of a rolled Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy is investigated experimentally. Tension and compression responses are compared along the rolling and the transverse directions. The alloy shows an asymmetric response in tension and compression (i.e., compressive stress minus tensile stress for a given absolute plastic strain is non-zero). Moreover, this asymmetry changes sign between the rolling and the transverse directions. The difference between tension to compression is observed to decrease as the conventional limit is approached.The influence of the heterogeneous microstructure of the alloy and the fabrication process on these asymmetries is discussed. Modelling of the material response based on a self-consistent scheme is used to estimate the internal stresses resulting from the thermomechanical treatment, and also to investigate the influence of the heterogeneous elastoplastic behaviour of two types of constitutive grains (recrystallised and unrecrystallised). For a plastic strain smaller than 0.02%, the microplastic behaviour is not well described with the adopted model since the underlying assumption of uniform stress and strain fields per phase is questionable in this initial level of plasticity. However, the model shows that the asymmetries observed at plastic strains ranging from 0.02% to 0.2% are consistent with the intragranular stresses developed during the stretching step.     

Influence of Severe Plastic Deformation on the Structure and Properties of Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr–Sc–Zn Alloy

The structural and phase transformations in the Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr–Sc–Zn alloy have been studied by the electron microscopy after the aging for the maximum strength and in the nanostructured state after severe plastic deformation by high-pressure torsion. It has been shown that severe plastic deformation leads to the formation of a nanostructured state in the alloy, the nature of which is determined by the magnitude of deformation and the degree of completeness of the dynamic recrystallization. It has been established that deformation also causes a change in the phase composition of the alloy. The influence of the structural components of the severely deformed alloy on the level of mechanical properties, such as the hardness, plasticity, elastic modulus, and stiffness has been discussed.     

Influence of Zn Content on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Mg–Zn–Y–Nd Alloy

In the present study, the effect of Zn content on the microstructure and deformation behavior of the as-cast Mg–Zn–Y–Nd alloy has been investigated. The results showed that as Zn content increased, the volume fraction of secondary phases increased. Moreover, the phase transformation from W-phase to W-phase and I-phase occurred. In the as-cast state,W-phase exists as eutectic and large block form. When Zn content increases to 6 and 8%(wt%), small I-phase could precipitate around W-phase particles. Additionally, the effect of Zn content on the tensile properties and deformation behavior varies with the testing temperature. At room temperature, the tensile strength increases with Zn content, whereas the elongation increases initially and then decreases. At 250 °C, as Zn content increases, the tensile strength decreases initially and then increases slightly, whereas the elongation decreases. At 350 °C, the elongation increases with Zn content,whereas the tensile strength decreases initially and then increases slightly.     

Martensitic transformation and thermal cycling effect in Cu–Co–Zr alloys

Cu_50?xCo_x Zr₅₀ (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at.%) alloys were cast in a cylindrical copper mold by a suction casting device. In order to investigate the thermal behavior of the as-cast rods, the samples were heated from 313 to 573 K and then cooled down to about 253 K. The structure of the samples was studied by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Thermal cycling measurements were also done for alloys with 2, 3, 4 and 5 at.% cobalt. It was found that increasing the cobalt content decreases martensite (M_s) and austenite (A_s) start temperatures, while it increases the temperature region in which austenite is stable. Thermal cycling measurements revealed that by increasing the number of cycles, the austenite start temperature increases while martensite start temperature shifts to lower temperatures.     

Influence of alloy composition and heat treatment on precipitate composition in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys

The composition of precipitates in three alloys of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system has been investigated for different heat treatments, including peak-aged and over-aged states as well as near-equilibrium conditions, by combining atom probe tomography and systematic anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. We show that the concentration of Cu in the precipitates changes during heat treatments and is alloy dependent. At low ageing temperature (120 °C) the Cu content in the precipitates is close to the alloy content. The precipitate Cu content is shown to increase with increasing temperature and Cu alloy content. We show that in near-equilibrium conditions the precipitate compositions are 33 at.% in Mg, about 15 at.% in Al, about 13 at.% in Cu and balance Zn. Our results strongly suggest that the gradual incorporation of Cu in the precipitates during the heat treatment is essentially related to the slower diffusivity of this element in aluminium.     

The effect of trace elements on the sintering of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu ALLOY

Trace elements can have a significant effect on the processing and properties of aluminium alloys, including sintered alloys. As little as 0.07 wt% (100 ppm) lead, tin or indium promotes sintering in an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy produced from mixed elemental powders. This is a liquid phase sintering system and thin liquid films form uniformly throughout the alloy in the presence of the trace elements, but liquid pools develop in their absence. Analytical transmission electron microscopy indicates that the trace elements are confined to the interparticle and grain boundary regions. The sintering enhancement is attributed to the segregation of the microalloying addition to the liquid–vapour interface. Because the microalloying elements have a low surface tension, they lower the effective surface tension of the liquid. This reduces the wetting angle and extends the spreading of the liquid through the matrix. An improvement in sintering results.     

The Influence of the Alloy Microstructure on the Oxidation Behavior of Ti–46Al–1Cr–0.2Si Alloy

The influence of microstructure of the two-phase alloyTi–46Al–1Cr–0.2Si on the oxidation behavior in air between600 and 900°C was studied. The oxidation rate, type of scale, and scalespallation resistance were strongly affected by the type of microstructure,i.e., lamellar in as-cast material and duplex after extrusion at1300°C. The oxidation rate was affected by the size and distribution ofthe ₂-Ti₃Al phase, being faster for the extrudedmaterial with coarse ₂-Ti₃Al. The type of oxide scaledetermines the spalling resistance. Cast material developed a uniform scalethat spalled off after short exposure times at 800 and 900°C when a criticalthickness was reached. The extruded material presented a heterogeneous scalewith predominant thick regions formed on -TiAl-₂-Ti₃Algrains and thin scale regions formed on -TiAl grains. Thistype of scale could permit an easier relaxation in the matrix of stressesgenerated by both thermal-expansion mismatch between scale and alloy andoxide growth, resulting in a higher spallation resistance.     

Influence of Trace Additions of Silver on the Stress Corrosion of an Al–4% Zn–3% Mg Alloy

Abstract

Direct measurement of the magnesium solute distributions occurring around grain boundaries in aged Al–4% Zn–3% Mg alloy with and without trace additions of silver has shown that the segregation behaviour of the magnesium is not influenced by the presence of the silver. It has been shown that reported improvements in the stress corrosion resistance of the ternary alloy resulting from trace additions of silver are not due to any effect on either the magnesium segregation or the distribution of silver itself. Microanalysis was performed using the technique of combined electron microscopy and electron energy analysis with a spatial resolution of < 100Å.     

Influence of equal-channel angular pressing on precipitation in an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

Processing by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) affects the morphology of η precipitates in an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu (Al-7136) alloy. It is shown by transmission electron microscopy that ECAP changes the orientation of precipitates and this influences the atomic configuration and the interfacial energy at the η/α-Al interfaces. Consequently, η precipitates adopt an isotropic growth mode and evolve into equiaxed particles. A three-dimensional atom probe analysis demonstrates that large η precipitates formed in different numbers of ECAP passes are of similar composition. The coalescence of smaller precipitates, rather than the fragmentation of larger precipitates, dominates the precipitate evolution.     

Influence of Ce on the Extrinsic Strengthening Effect of Al-Li Alloy

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The effect of trace elements on the sintering of Al–Cu alloys

Trace additions of Sn, In, Bi, Sb and Pb have been used to activate the liquid phase sintering of an Al–4Cu–0.15Mg alloy. Additions of as little as 0.05 wt% (∼0.01 at.%) increases the sintered density from 88 to 92% of the theoretical density. The elements which aid sintering have both high vacancy binding energies and high diffusivities in Al. It is suggested that the trace element diffuses into the Al, and forms trace element–vacancy clusters. This reduces the diffusivity of the Cu in the Al matrix, delaying Cu dissolution therefore causing the liquid to persist for longer times. This enhances sintering and therefore densification.     

The effect of pH on the selective dissolution of Zn and Al from Zn–Al coatings on steel

Selective dissolution of Al and Zn from 5 wt.% Al–Zn (Galfan) and 55 wt.% Al–Zn (Galvalume) galvanized steel coatings was investigated by comparing Zn and Al dissolution rates in 30 mM NaCl at pH from 2 to 12 using in situ kinetic analysis (atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry, AESEC) and in a 5 day immersion test. The selective dissolution of Zn occurred at low pH and selective dissolution of Al at high pH. Results from AESEC and from the immersion test were compared and interpreted in terms of the inhibiting and passivating effect of corrosion product films.     

Influence of thermal stabilization treatment on the subsequent microstructure development during directional solidification of a Ti–46Al–5Nb alloy

Directional solidification (DS) experiments with thermal stabilization (TS) treatments were performed on Ti–46Al–5Nb (at.%) alloys in a Bridgman-type furnace using a quenching technology. Influence of the TS treatment on mushy zone and directional growth afterwards were investigated. The results show that the length of the mushy zone decreases but the β dendrite spacing in directional growth significantly increases with increasing TS time. During the DS process, β dendrite spacing is more homogeneous and its growth direction is more inclined to parallel to the axial direction with increase of the TS time. Al solute concentration in the mushy zone in a steady-state is always lower than that in original as-cast alloys. The mushy zone with the columnar β and α grains is easily produced after TS treatment on the alloys with microstructures of the directional dendrite segregation morphology before DS starting. TS treatment results in the redistribute of solute Al thus changes the phase constituent in the mushy zone. An appropriate TS is necessary to produce the L + β + α region in the mushy zone, which is of great benefit to control DS microstructures of TiAl peritectic alloys.     

Influence of various aging treatments on microstructure,strength and corrosion behaviour of high Zn content Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

In this paper, the influence of T6, T74 and RRA aging treatments on microstructure, strength and corrosion behaviour of high Zn content Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy was investigated by tensile properties tests, inter-granular corrosion (IGC) tests, exfoliation corrosion (EXCO) tests, polarisation tests, metallographic microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The results show that the T74 and RRA temper can increase the size and the distribution discontinuity of the grain boundaries precipitates (GBPs), thus leading to improvement of the corrosion resistance. However, with the coarser matrix precipitates (MPs) relative to T6 treatment, RRA and T74 temper both have a decrease in strength. Besides, all the performances (including mechanical properties and corrosion properties) of the RRA treatment show an intermediate level relative to T6 and T74. Therefore, we can select the appropriate heat treatment process according to the different performance requirements in the industrial production.     

Influence of heat treatment on the structure and magnetic properties of amorphous Co–Ni–Fe–Cr–Si–B alloy and its thermal stability

The causes of changes in the magnetic properties of an amorphous Co–Ni–Fe–Cr–Si–B alloy obtained by melt spinning in the form of a thin ribbon subjected to heat treatment and subsequent action of temperatures corresponding to various conditions of its exploitation have been analyzed. We have established the regimes of heat treatment that provide for the highest values of the maximum magnetic permeability of the alloy and the shielding factor of a magnetic shield made from the alloy. We have analyzed changes in the magnetic properties, shielding properties, and total magnetization distribution in an alloy ribbon at a temperature well below the crystallization temperature. We have found the temperature ranges that determine the practical application of this alloy.     

Effect of Precipitate State on Mechanical Properties,Corrosion Behavior,and Microstructures of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloy

The mechanical properties, corrosion behavior and microstructures of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy under various ageing treatments were investigated comparatively. The results show that the tensile strength and corrosion resistance are strongly affected by the precipitate state. Massive fine intragranular precipitates contribute to high strength. Discontinuous coarse grain boundary precipitates containing high Cu content, as well as the narrow precipitate free zone, result in low corrosion susceptibility. After the non-isothermal ageing (NIA) treatment, the tensile strength of 577 MPa is equivalent to that of 579 MPa for the T6 temper. Meanwhile, the stress corrosion susceptibility r_tf and the maximum corrosion depth are 97.8% and 23.5 μm, which are comparable to those of 92.8% and 26.7 μm for the T73 temper. Moreover, the total ageing time of the NIA treatment is only 7.25 h, which is much less than that of 48.67 h for the retrogression and re-ageing condition.