Using ECAP to achieve grain refinement, precipitate fragmentation and high strain rate superplasticity in a spray-cast aluminum alloy

An aluminum 7034 alloy, produced by spray casting and with an initial grain size of ˜2.1 μm, was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 473 K to produce an ultrafine grain size of ˜0.3 μm. It is shown that the rod-like MgZn₂ precipitates present in the as-received alloy are broken into very small spherical particles during ECAP and these particles become distributed reasonably uniformly throughout the material. The presence of these fine MgZn₂ particles, combined with a distribution of fine Al₃Zr precipitates, is very effective in restricting grain growth so that submicrometer grains are retained at elevated temperatures up to at least ˜670 K. Tensile testing of the pressed material revealed high elongations to failure, including elongations of >1000% when testing at a temperature of 673 K at initial strain rates at and above 10⁻² s⁻¹. These results confirm the occurrence of high strain rate superplasticity in the spray-cast alloy.     

长期时效对GH4169合金动态拉伸变形行为的影响

研究了长期时效对GH4169合金的显微组织和动态拉伸性能及变形行为的影响规律及机制.结果表明,应变速率为10¹—10² s^-1时,合金强度受时效时间影响显著,断裂延伸率随时效时间的延长呈降低趋势,在时效500 h后基本保持不变;高应变速率(10³ s^-1)条件下,长期时效对合金强度无明显影响,而断裂延伸率受时效时间的影响显著,长期时效造成的合金塑性劣化现象提前发生.高应变速率变形过程中,位错运动受阻来不及释放,在时效0—1000 h范围内,合金未出现强化相峰值尺寸效应,强度受时效时间的影响并不明显.长期时效后GH4169合金晶界δ相附近无析出带的产生,导致动态载荷下晶界塑性变形的协调能力降低,应变速率为10³ s^-1时,合金塑性在短时间时效后迅速下降.     

Microstructures and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V alloy staging castings under centrifugal field

By means of induction melting technology, Ti-6A1-4V alloy staging casting was made with the same rotation velocity and centrifugal radius. The effects of casting modulus on the grain size, the thickness of lamellar α＋β phase, and the Vickers hardness, as well as the relationships between Vickers hardness, grain size and thickness of lamellar α＋β phase were investigated. The results show that the greater the modulus, the larger the grain size and the thickness of lamellar α＋β phase, and the less the Vickers hardness. The relationship between Vickers hardness and grain size meets the Hall-Petch equation： Hv=353.45＋74.17dG^-1/2. The relationship between the Vickers hardness and the thickness of lamellar α＋β phase is expressed as Hv=2.45d^2α＋β-35.96dα＋β ＋ 476.84.     

Characterisation of oxide films produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation of a Ti–6Al–4V alloy

The paper discusses processing and property aspects of oxide films formed on a Ti–6Al–4V alloy by AC plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in aqueous solutions containing aluminate, phosphate, silicate and sulfate anions and some of their combinations. Structure, composition, mechanical tribological and corrosion resistant characteristics of the films formed are studied by SEM, XRD and microhardness analyses, and by scratch, impact, pin-on-disc friction and potentiodynamic corrosion testing. It is found that the films produced from the aluminate–phosphate electrolyte are dense and uniform and are composed mainly of Al₂TiO₅ and TiO₂ phases of the rutile form. The films possess a beneficial combination of 50–60 μm thickness, 575 kg/mm² hardness and high adhesion and provide a low wear rate (3.4×10⁻⁸ mm³/Nm) but a relatively high friction coefficient of μ=0.6–0.7 against steel, caused by material transfer from the counterface. A minimum friction coefficient of μ=0.18 is recorded during the testing of softer rutile–anatase films, 7 μm thick, produced from a phosphate electrolyte. Both of these types of film show good corrosion resistance in NaCl and physiological solutions, where the corrosion current is approximately 1.5 orders of magnitude lower than that of the uncoated substrate. SiO₂/TiO₂-based films with 70–90 μm thickness and high bulk porosity produced from silicate and silicate–aluminate electrolytes demonstrate better corrosion behaviour in H₂SO₄ solution, due to the greater chemical stability of the film phase components in this environment.     

Achieving tensile superplasticity in 8 mol% Y2O3 cubic stabilized ZrO2 through the addition of intergranular silica

The addition of 5 wt.% SiO₂, a viscous second phase, to 8 mol% Y₂O₃ cubic stabilized ZrO₂ (8Y-CSZ) made superplastic 8Y-CSZ. This material had a fine grain size of 0.4 μm and exhibited deformations in tension as large as 520% at 1430 °C with a strain rate of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹.     

Microstructural Evolution and Anisotropic Weakening Mechanism of ZK60 Magnesium Alloy Processed by Isothermal Repetitive Upsetting Extrusion

The isothermal repetitive upsetting extrusion (RUE) was implemented to process ZK60 magnesium alloy at 380 °C. Then, the relationship between the microstructural characters, including grain refinement and texture evolution, and the mechanical performance of the alloy was investigated. Results showed that after 3 passes of RUE, the average grain size was refined from 115.0 to 26.5 μm, which was mainly caused by the continuous dynamic recrystallization and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization. Meanwhile, the elongation of the alloy increased from 13.8 to 21.6%, and the superplasticity (142%) of the alloy has been achieved in the following high temperature tensile test, which is very beneficial for the further processing of the alloy into components. In particular, the alloy formed a distinctive texture distributed between < 2-1-11 > and < 2-1-14 > , which was greatly related to the Schmid factor of extrusion direction (ED) and transverse direction (TD). This texture changed the initiation ability of basal and prismatic slip in both directions and inhibited the initiation of partial tensile twinning in TD; thus, the anisotropy in both directions was weakened. As expected, the tensile yield strength difference decreased from 25.9 to 3.4 MPa, but it was used as the cost of tensile yield strength in ED.     

Technological Aspect of Processing Maps for the AA2099 Alloy

Results of an experimental and modelling study of forming processes in the AA2099 Al–Cu–Li alloy, for a wide range of temperatures, strains and strain rates, are presented. The analyses are based on tensile testing at 20 °C at a strain rate of 0.02 s-1and uniaxial compression testing in the temperature range 400–550 °C at strain rates ranging from0.001 to 100 s-1, for constant values of true strain of 0.5 and 0.9. The stability of plastic deformation and its relationship with a sensitivity of stress to strain rate are considered. The power dissipation efficiency coefficient, g(%), and the flow instability parameter, n B 0, were determined. The complex processing maps for hot working were determined and quantified, including process frames for basic forging processes: conventional forging and for near-superplastic and isothermal conditions. A significant aspect is the convergence of power dissipation when passing through the 500 °C peak.Deformation, temperature and strain-rate-dependent microstructures at 500 °C for strain rates of 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 s-1are described and analysed for the conventional die forging process frame, corresponding to 465–523 °C and strain rates of50–100 s-1.     

累积叠轧温度对AZ31镁合金组织和性能的影响

通过光学显微镜、室温拉伸试验、显微硬度计、X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜等方法研究了累积叠轧温度对AZ31镁合金晶粒尺寸、基面织构、界面结合情况及力学性能的影响。结果表明:3道次累积叠轧后的AZ31镁合金晶粒细化效果明显,硬度增大,随着累积叠轧温度的升高,晶粒细化效果减弱,硬度增加趋势减弱。累积叠轧温度升高有弱化基面织构的作用。AZ31镁合板材在450 ℃累积叠轧3道次,综合力学性能最佳,为显微硬度70.64 HV0.05,抗拉强度288.64 MPa,屈服强度203.76 MPa,伸长率16.96%,界面结合强度21.53 MPa。     

Phase Stability in Mechanically Alloyed Mg–Ni System Studied by Experiments and Thermodynamic Calculations

In this study, microstructural evolution of Mg–Ni alloy during mechanical alloying(MA) was investigated.Also, a thermodynamic approach was utilized to predict the most stable phases formed in Mg–Ni alloy after MA. The phase composition and microstructural properties of Mg–Ni alloy were assessed by X-ray diffractometry, high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that ball milling of magnesium and nickel powder mixture for 70 h yields nanostructural Mg2Ni compound with an average grain size of ~20 nm. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that in the composition ranges of 0.0 \ XMg\ 0.03(at.%)and 0.97 \ XMg\ 1, there is no driving force for amorphous phase formation. In the composition range of 0.07 \ XMg\ 0.93, the change of Gibbs free energy for amorphous phase formation was more negative than solid solution.While for XMg= 0.66(nominal composition of Mg2Ni intermetallic phase), the change of Gibbs free energy for intermetallic phase was found to be more negative than both amorphous and solid solution phases indicating that Mg2Ni intermetallic compound is the most stable phase, in agreement with the experimental observations.     

Microstructural change in austenitic Fe-30.0wt%Mn-7.8wt%Al-1.3wt%C initiated by spinodal decomposition and its influence on mechanical properties

The microstructural change of supersaturated austenitic Fe30.0wt%Mn7.8wt%Al1.3wt%C alloy on ageing at 823 K has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. Efforts to correlate the modulation wavelength behavior with mechanical properties in the process of spinodal decomposition leading to the cubic κ′-carbide (Fe,Mn)₃AlC_x formation have been made. In parallel with the modulation wavelength coarsening behavior, both the microhardness and the tensile strength increase in two stages during ageing. The first stage strengthening coincides with the slow growth spinodal decomposition, while the second occurs at the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) growth stage of ordered κ′ particles. By the optimal ageing treatment of the alloy, a high yield strength up to 1080 MPa with an excellent 31.5% elongation can be attained. After further ageing, the alloy softened rapidly, and its elongation deteriorate drastically due to the formation of the grain boundary lamellar colonies composed of discontinuously coarsened κ carbide and transformed α ferrite phases.     

An investigation of cavity growth in a superplastic aluminum alloy processed by ECAP

Quantitative measurements were taken to evaluate the significance of cavitation in the tensile testing of a superplastic spray-cast Al-7034 alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). Samples were processed by ECAP and then tested in tension at 673 K using strain rates from 10⁻³ to 10⁻¹ s⁻¹. For comparison purposes, similar tensile testing was conducted also on samples without ECAP processing. Inspection of polished sections after tensile testing revealed extensive internal cavitation in all samples. Measurements were taken to provide detailed information on the sizes and shapes of the cavities and these measurements were analyzed to determine the dominant cavity growth mechanisms. The results demonstrate the importance of superplastic diffusion growth in ultrafine-grained materials processed by ECAP.     

添加Ca和Sr元素对ZK61镁合金组织与性能的影响

利用光学显微镜、X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜、Vickers硬度计及拉伸试验机等观察并研究了添加Ca和Sr元素及热处理工艺对ZK61镁合金组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:单独添加Ca元素时,在ZK61-xCa合金α-Mg基体上析出了形状不规则的MgZn和MgZn2相;复合添加Ca、Sr元素时,在α-Mg基体上形成了沿晶界分布的Mg17Sr2新相。当固溶温度和时间为350℃×12 h,时效温度和时间为200℃×12 h时,合金的组织与性能达到最优。当元素Ca=1.0%,Sr=0.5%时,热处理后合金的性能最优,其抗拉强度为141.9 MPa,伸长率为15.6%,维氏硬度为51.6 HV。     

Using ring samples to evaluate the processing characteristics in high-pressure torsion

An Al–3% Mg–0.2% Sc alloy was processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) using samples in the form of solid disks and rings. Following HPT, all values of the measured Vickers microhardness fall onto a single curve when plotted against the equivalent strain, such that there are increasing values of hardness at the lower strains and hardness saturation above equivalent strains of ～40. This saturation level is independent of the number of revolutions and the applied pressure. The grain size following HPT is ～220 nm, and tensile tests show that the material is superplastic at a testing temperature of 573 K.     

Phase Selection and Microhardness of Directionally Solidified AlCoCrFeNi2.1 Eutectic High-Entropy Alloy

In the present work, the solidi?cation behaviors and microhardness of directionally solidi?ed AlCoCrFeNi_2.1 eutectic highentropy alloy (EHEA) obtained at different growth velocities are investigated. The microstructure of the as-cast AlCoCrFeNi _2.1 EHEA is composed of bulky dendrites (NiAl phase) and lamellar eutectic structures, indicating that the actual composition of the alloy slightly deviates from the eutectic point. However, it is interesting to observe that the full...     

Application of cyclic upsetting-extrusion to semi-solid processing of AZ91D magnesium alloy

The microstructural evolution of AZ91D magnesium alloy prepared by means of the cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting was investigated. The effects of remelting temperature and holding time on microstructure of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy were studied. Furthermore, tensile properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components were determined. The results show that the cyclic upsetting-extrusion followed by partial remelting is effective in producing semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy for thixoforming. During the partial remelting, with the increase of remelting temperature and holding time, the solid grain size increases and the degree of spheroidization tends to be improved. The tensile mechanical properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components produced by cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting are better than those of the same alloy produced by casting.     

Flow behavior and microstructure evolution of TB8 alloy during hot deformation process

Hot compression tests of metastable β titanium alloy TB8 were carled out using a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulation testing machine in the temperature range of 750-1 100 ℃, at constant strain rate from 0.01 s^-1 to l S^-1 and with height direction reduction of 60%. Flow stress behavior and microstructure evolution during hot compression of TB8 alloy were investigated. The hyperbolic-sine-type constitutive model of TB8 alloy was obtained to provide basic data for determining reasonable forming process. The results indicate that hot deformation behavior of TB8 alloy is highly sensitive to the temperature and strain rate. An analysis of the flow stress dependence on strain rate and temperature gives a stress exponent of n=3.416 19 and a deformation activation energy of Ω=227.074 4 kJ/mol. According to the deformation microstructure, no dynamic recrystallization happens below r-phase transus temperature and as a result dynamic recovery is the predominant softening mechanism. On the other hand, the main softening mechanism is characterized as dynamic recrystallization at a slow strain rate above r-phase transus temperature.     

稀土元素Er对Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Si合金组织与性能的影响

利用粉末冶金工艺制备了Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Si-xEr(wt%)合金,随后采用OM、XRD、TEM和拉伸试验机等分析手段研究了Er元素含量对固溶时效态(950 ℃×30 min(WQ)+480 ℃×4 h(AQ))试验合金显微组织和性能的影响。结果表明:试验合金经固溶时效处理后均为等轴和片状的双态组织。烧结过程中产生的Er₂O₃氧化物颗粒可以作为形核中心促进α相和β相的析出,起到细化晶粒的作用。随着Er元素含量的增加,晶粒尺寸由10~20 μm细化至5~10 μm。当Er元素含量为1.2%时,试验合金的抗拉强度达到峰值,为930.5 MPa,此时伸长率为9.24%,比未添加Er元素时Ti-6Al-4V-0.5Si合金分别提高了22.3%和10.0%。试验合金的拉伸断口形貌显示有韧窝出现,仅有少量的解理台阶,韧窝的存在可以分散材料断裂时产生的应力,使材料断裂前承受更大的变形。     

Superplastic behavior of a 7055 aluminum alloy

It is shown that a high strength 7055 aluminum alloy with partially recrystallized initial structure exhibits superplastic behavior in the temperature interval 400–490 °C within a wide strain rate range from 8.3×10⁻⁵ to 3.3×10⁻² s⁻¹. Maximum total elongation of about 960% and strain rate sensitivity coefficient, m, of 0.6 were obtained at a temperature of 450 °C and a strain rate of 3.3×10⁻⁴ s⁻¹.     

High temperature deformation of a submicron grained Al-12 wt% Ti alloy

Compressive deformation behavior of a MA Al-12wt%Ti alloy has been studied at 623–773 K with strain rates from 4 × 10⁻⁵ to 1 × 10⁻¹s⁻¹. A high stress exponent was observed in the stress dependence of strain rate. By assuming that the presence of a threshold stress is the cause of the high stress exponent, the experimental data were analyzed and compared with existing models. The creep behavior of this alloy is found similar to the dispersion strengthened Al-Al₂O₃ alloys. It is suggested that the high temperature deformation of this alloy is mainly governed by the fine carbide and oxide strengthened aluminum matrix, which can be described by lattice-diffusion controlled creep with a “constant structure” [11]. In addition, a strong temperature dependence of the threshold stress was observed. It might be related to certain grain boundary processes and/or thermally activated deformation of strengthening particles.     

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.