Phase diagram calculation and experimental research on Fe–12Cr–B–Al–alloys

The vertical sections of Fe–12%Cr–B–xAl–C system with different aluminum contents have been calculated by use of Thermo‐Calc software and the influence of aluminum content on the phase regions and the parameters of eutectic point have been analyzed. Fe–12.0%Cr–1.0%B–2.0%Al–0.3%C and Fe–12.0%Cr–1.0%B–4.0%Al–0.3%C alloy were chosen to be studied by experiment. The phase transition temperatures were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and the microstructure and the phase type was detected by scanning electrone microscope‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicate that calculated phase diagrams agree well with the experimental results and further prove the thermodynamics database of Thermo‐Calc software is reliable and it can be used to help design the alloy composition and heat treatment process.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of a new Zr–Al–Ti–Cu–Ni–Be bulk metallic glass

In this paper, a new Zr₃₇Al₁₀Ti_12.5Cu_11.25Ni₉Be_20.25 bulk metallic glass is reported. The present alloy was prepared by water quenching in a silica tube of φ10×85 mm. The amorphicity of the quenched bulk samples was examined using X-ray diffraction analysis and optical microscopy. The thermal stability was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 10 K/min. The characteristic data of the bulk metallic glass are presented, including glass transition temperature (T_g) and crystallization temperature (T_x). Results show that the present alloy exhibits large glass forming ability. For comparison with the well-known Zr–Ti–Cu–Ni–Be metallic glass, it was found that aluminum has a little effect on the vitrification of the present alloy but influences physical properties. Specifically, Al enhances the Young's modulus by 21.4% and Vickers hardness by 20% and reduces density by 7.2%.     

Structural and mechanical properties of Al–Si alloys obtained by fast cooling of a levitated melt

Data on the structure and mechanical properties of cast Al–Si alloys in a wide compositional range from hypo-to high hyper-eutectic composition are scares. These properties depend on many factors during solidification of the alloys. In the present work, samples were obtained by rapid cooling of levitated melts of various compositions from 11.5 to 35 wt.% Si. The measurements revealed linear concentration dependences of density and Young's modulus. The average temperature coefficient of Young's modulus in the range from room temperature to 500 °C and the yield point for bending both had maxima at about 20 wt.% Si. The hysteresis of the temperature dependence of Young's modulus had a minimum at about 20 wt.% Si as well. Changing Young's modulus temperature coefficient and Young's modulus hysteresis as a function of the Si content are connected with the creation of the Guinier–Preston zones. Values of the yield point are explained by the plasticity of components of the eutectic structure, primary crystals and grain boundaries. The extrema of the concentration dependences of the mechanical properties occurred for the fine-grained structure arisen from coupled eutectic-like growth. Solidification at other conditions led to formation of primary crystals of solid solution or primary Si crystals.     

Amorphization and nanocrystalline Nb3Al intermetallic formation during mechanical alloying and subsequent annealing

In this paper the formation as well as the stability of Nb₃Al intermetallic compounds from pure Nb and Al metallic powders through mechanical alloying (MA) and subsequent annealing were studied. According to this method, the mixture of powders with the proportion of Nb-25 at% Al were milled under an argon gas atmosphere in a high-energy planetary ball mill, at 7, 14, 27 and 41 h, to fabricate disordered nanocrystalline Nb₃Al. The solid solution phase transitions of MA powders before and after annealing were characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The microstructural analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that in the early stages of milling, Nb(Al) solid solution was formed with a nanocrystalline structure that is transformed into the amorphous structure by further milling times. Amorphization would appear if the milling time was as long as 27 h. Partially ordered Nb₃Al intermetallic could be synthesized by annealing treatment at 850 °C for 7 h at lower milling times. The size of the crystallites after subsequent annealing was kept around 45 nm.     

Structure and thermal stability of biodegradable Mg-Zn-Ca based amorphous alloys synthesized by mechanical alloying

Room temperature solid state diffusion reaction induced by mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental blends of Mg, Zn and Ca of nominal composition 60 at.% Mg-35 at.% Zn-5 at.% Ca has been studied. Formation of fully amorphous structure has been identified after 5 h of MA performed in a SPEX 8000M shaker mill, with milling continued up to 8 h to confirm the formation of homogeneous amorphous phase. Thermal stability of the amorphous phase has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and isothermal heat treatment at different temperatures. The amorphous powder consolidated using cold isostatic pressing (CIP) showed an envelope density ∼80% of absolute density, which increased to an envelope density ∼84% of absolute density after sintering at an optimized temperature of ∼523 K for 9 h. Electrochemical bio-corrosion testing of the CIP compacted amorphous pellet as well as the sintered pellet performed in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium, showed improved corrosion resistance in comparison to the as-cast pure Mg. Cytotoxicity testing of the CIP compacted amorphous pellet, performed using the MTT assay with MC3T3 osteoblastic cells, showed low cytotoxicity in comparison to the as-cast pure Mg.     

Structure and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline mechanically alloyed Fe–10% Ni and Fe–20% Ni

The mechanical alloying technique has been used to prepare nanocrystalline Fe–10 and Fe–20 wt.% Ni alloys from powder mixtures. The structure and magnetic properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction and hysteresis measurements, respectively. For both alloys studied, a disordered body centered cubic solid solution forms after 24 h milling time. The higher the milling time, the larger the lattice parameter. The steady-state grain size is ≈10 nm. The reduction of the grain size increases the saturation magnetization and decreases the coercivity. Nanocrystalline Fe–10 and Fe–20 wt.% Ni have been shown to exhibit a soft magnetic behavior.     

Structure, microstructure and mechanical properties of PM Fe–Cu–Co alloys

Fe–Cu–Co alloys are the new generation of metal matrix for diamonds in powder metallurgy processed cutting tools. These alloys were created with the purpose of reducing the cobalt content in diamond tools. Nevertheless, little have been published, once this is a matter of industrial interest. In this work, samples of Fe–(15-30-45-60)wt.%Cu–20 wt.%Co alloys were processed by cold pressing at 350 MPa, followed by sintering at 1150 °C/25 min/10⁻² mbar. Structures formed during sintering were studied by XRD and EDS. Micro-structural aspects were observed by SEM. Densification, hardness and wear tests were also performed. The alloy Fe–60 wt.%Cu–20 wt.%Co presented the best global results, suitable for use in diamond cutting tools.     

Short-range ordering and its effects on mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys

In this letter,we briefly summarize experimental and theoretical findings of fo rmation and characterization of short-range orderings(SROs)as well as their effects on the defo rmation behavior of high-entropy alloys(HEAs).We show that existence of SROs is a common yet key structural feature of HEAs,and tuning the degree of SROs is an effective way for optimizing mechanical properties of HEAs.In additional,the challenges concerning about formation mechanism and characterization of SROs in HEAs are discussed,and future research activities in this regard are also proposed.     

High temperature magnetic properties of mechanically alloyed Fe–Zr powder

We report the preparation and characterization of amorphous/non-equilibrium solid solution Fe_100 − xZr_x (x = 20–35) alloys by mechanical alloying process. The microstructure and magnetic properties of milled powders have been studied as a function of Zr substitution. The effective magnetic moment of as-milled powders decreases as concentration of Zr is increased. Thermomagnetization measurements confirmed that the Fe₈₀Zr₂₀ sample exhibits two clear magnetic phase transitions due to the co-existence of an amorphous phase and a Fe rich non-equilibrium solid solution. All the other samples exhibiting an amorphous structure showed a single magnetic phase transition with Curie temperature of ~ 570 °C,which did not vary much with different composition. The Curie temperature of the mechanically alloyed powders is noticeably higher than those of melt-spun amorphous ribbons.     

Nonequilibrium microstructures and their evolution in a Fe–Cr–W–Ni–C laser clad coating

The laser-solidified microstructural and compositional characterization and phase evolution during tempering at 963 K were investigated using an analytical transmission electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The cladded alloy, a powder mixture of Fe, Cr, W, Ni, and C with a weight ratio of 10:5:1:1:1, was processed with a 3 kW continuous wave CO₂ laser. The processing parameters were 16 mm/s beam scanning speed, 3 mm beam diameter, 2 kW laser power, and 0.3 g/s feed rate. The coating was metallurgically bonded to the substrate, with a maximum thickness of 730 μm, a microhardness of about 860 Hv and a volumetric dilution ratio of about 6%. Microanalyses revealed that the cladded coating possessed the hypoeutectic microstructure comprising the primary dendritic γ-austenite and interdendritic eutectic consisted of γ-austenite and M₇C₃ carbide. The γ-austenite was a non-equilibrium phase with extended solid solution of alloying elements and a great deal of defect structures, i.e. a high density of dislocations, twins, and stacking faults existed in γ phase. During high temperature aging, in situ carbide transformation occurred of M₇C₃ to M₂₃C₆ and M₆C. The precipitation of M₂₃C₆, MC and M₂C carbides from austenite was also observed.     

Structural evolution of the Ti70Ni15Al15 powders prepared by mechanical alloying

Amorphization and crystallization behaviors of Ti₇₀Ni₁₅Al₁₅ powders during mechanical alloying (MA) and subsequent heat treatments are studied. Amorphous phase that cannot be obtained in the rapidly quenched ribbon is formed in the powders after MA for 60 h. Upon continuous heating of the amorphous powders in DSC, two exothermic events are observed. The first exothermic event corresponds to the crystallization of the amorphous matrix into a supersaturated α-Ti phase of hexagonal close-packed structure. The growth kinetic of the α-Ti phase is sluggish, resulting in the formation of nanostructured α-Ti matrix. The second exothermic event corresponds to the solid state transformation of the meta-stable α-Ti into the equilibrium phases, Ti₂Ni and Ti₃Al. Using the amorphous powders, Ti-based bulk materials with novel microstructures can be developed for structural applications.     

Deformation behavior and microstructural evolution during the semi-solid compression of Al–4Cu–Mg alloy

The effects of the process parameters, including deformation temperature and strain rate, on the deformation behavior and microstructure of an Al–4Cu–Mg alloy, have been investigated through isothermal compression. Experiments were conducted at deformation temperatures of 540 °C, 560 °C, and 580 °C, strain rates of 1 s⁻¹, 1×10⁻¹ s⁻¹, 1×10⁻² s⁻¹, and 1×10⁻³ s⁻¹, and height reductions of 20%, 40%, and 60%. The experimental results show that deformation temperature and strain rate have significant effect on the peak flow stress. The flow stress decreases with an increase of deformation temperature and/or a decrease of the strain rate. Above a critical value of the deformation temperature, the flow stress quickly reaches a steady value. Experimental materials A and B have equiaxed and irregular grains, respectively, prior to deformation. The microstructures vary with the process parameters in the semi-solid state. For material B, the irregular grains transform to equiaxed grains in the process of semi-solid deformation, which improves the deformation behavior.     

Flow behavior and microstructural evolution of Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy during hot compression deformation

The flow behavior of Al–Cu–Mg–Ag alloy and its microstructural evolution during hot compression deformation were studied by thermal simulation test. The flow stress increased with increasing the strain rate, and decreased with increasing the deforming temperature, which can be described by a constitutive equation in hyperbolic sine function with the hot deformation activation energy 196.27 kJ/mol, and can also be described by a Zener–Hollomon parameter. The dynamic recrystallization only occurred at low Z values, which must be below or equal to a constant of 5.31 × 10¹³ s⁻¹. With decreasing Z value, the elongated grains coarsed and the tendency of dynamic recrystallization enhanced. Correspondingly, the subgrain size increased and the dislocation density decreased. And the main soften mechanism of the alloy transformed from dynamic recovery to dynamic recrystallization.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Nb-alloyed CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloys

Nb has a positive effect on improving the mechanical properties of metal materials, and it is expected to strengthen CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with outstanding ductility and relatively weak strength. In this paper, the alloying effects of Nb on the microstructural evolution and the mechanical properties of the (CoCrCuFeNi)_100-xNb_x HEA were investigated systematically. The result shows that Nb promotes the phase transition from FCC (face-centered cubic) to Laves phase, and the volume fractions of Laves phase increase from 0% to 58.2% as the Nb content increases. Compressive testing shows that the addition of Nb has a positive effect on improving the strength of CoCrCuFeNi HEA. The compressive yield strength of (CoCrCuFeNi)_100-xNb_x HEAs increases from 338 MPa to 1322 MPa and the fracture strain gradually reduces from 60.0% (no fracture) to 8.1% as the Nb content increases from 0 to 16 at.%. The volume fraction increase of hard Laves phase is the key factor for the strength increase, and the reduction of the VEC (valence electron concentration) value induced by the addition of Nb is beneficial for the increase of the Laves phase content in these alloys.     

Microscopic observation of cold-deformed Al–4Cu–Mg alloy samples after semi-solid heat treatments

Wrought aluminum alloys can be effectively fabricated by a strain-induced, melt-activated (SIMA) process. The SIMA method involves plastic deformation of an alloy to some critical reduction point and a semi-solid heat treatment in the solid–liquid temperature range. The semi-solid heat treatment is a key process to control the semisolid microstructures. In this paper, the microscopic morphology of a cold-deformed SIMA treated Al–4Cu–Mg alloy has been investigated, and the effects of microstructural evolution, precipitation behavior and dislocation morphology on the mechanical properties are discussed. The experimental results show that the number of CuAl₂ (θ phase) precipitates and the dislocation density of Al–4Cu–Mg alloy decreased gradually by the semi-solid heat treatment. Moreover, unique dislocation morphologies including helical dislocations and dislocation loops appeared and evolved to reduce the stored energy. With an increase of the holding time in the semi-solid heat treatment, the ultimate strength and yield strength decreased. The reduction of these mechanical properties of the SIMA treated Al–4Cu–Mg alloy is mainly due to the decrease of refinement strengthening, solution strengthening, and dislocation strengthening in the semi-solid heat treatment.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of two-phase Cr–Cr2Nb, Cr–Cr2Zr and Cr–Cr2(Nb,Zr) alloys

The microstructures and mechanical properties of binary and ternary Cr-based alloys containing Nb, Zr, or both Nb and Zr, have been studied in both the as-cast and annealed conditions. The level of alloying in each instance was targeted to lie below, or approximately at, the maximum solubility in chromium. The as-cast microstructures of these alloys consisted of Cr-rich solid solution surrounded by small amounts of interdendritic Cr–Cr₂X eutectic structure. Annealing at 1473 K resulted in solid-state precipitation of the Cr₂X Laves phase in the Cr–Nb and Cr–Nb–Zr alloys, but not in the Cr–Zr alloys. The binary Cr₂Nb phase consisted of an extensively twinned ({111}<112> twins) C15 structure whereas the presence of Zr modifies its appearance substantially; the twinned C15 structure persists. Oxides were occasionally present and their compositions were qualitatively determined. Vickers hardness primarily depended upon the volume fraction of the Cr₂X Laves phase present. Age hardening due to solid-state precipitation of Cr₂X Laves phase within the Cr-rich matrix was observed in the Nb-containing alloys. The room temperature bend strength of the alloys was strongly affected by the presence of grain-boundary Cr₂X phase. It is considered that porosity as well as oxides in the alloys also lowers their bend strength.     

Alloying and thermal behaviour of CoCrFeNiMn0.5Ti0.5 high-entropy alloy synthesised by mechanical alloying

An inequi-atomic CoCrFeNiMn_0.5Ti_0.5 high-entropy alloy (HEA) was synthesised by mechanical alloying. The structural and morphological evolution of the alloy powder during the mechanical alloying process and the thermal behaviour of 60?h ball-milled HEA powder were investigated systematically. A simple body-centred cubic solid solution HEA structure was obtained when the blended powder was ball-milled longer than 36?h. A 60?h ball-milled powder had an average particle size of 3?μm and consisted of hard agglomerated crystalline particles with a crystal size of <?20?nm. The body-centred cubic phase transformed into a face-centred cubic phase when the powder was annealed for 1?h at a temperature of 700°C; the liquidus point of the face-centred cubic phases was 1402.8°C.     

Thermally induced structural and mechanical variations in ternary Al–Si based alloys

The effect of heat treatment on the variations in the structural and mechanical characteristics of Al–Si based ternary alloys was studied for samples prepared from elements of purity 99.99% and aged at 673 K for 2 h through tensile tests in the temperature range (413–493 K). Softening behaviour was observed with increasing the working temperature. The mechanical results were discussed in relation to the structure analysis of TEM micrographs obtained at room temperature for samples aged at 673 K. Sn addition improved the mechanical properties of the samples but this was not achieved with Ag addition which improved softening and ductility under the same testing conditions.     

Microstructure evolution of Mg–Al–Zn alloys during compression test at low strain and temperature

The microstructure evolutions and texture changes during the compression test were investigated using an extruded magnesium alloy with average grain sizes of 11.4 and 49.6 μm. The deformation twins were formed in all the samples; however, a comparison of the fraction of deformation twins on the effect of grain size and initial texture, i.e., the cutting position (normal or parallel to the extrusion), showed that the fine-grained alloy and/or the sample with the normal-cut to the extrusion had a lower fraction of deformation twins. On the other hand, the texture change showed different tendencies depending on the grain size and/or the initial texture. In the coarse-grained alloy, since the dominant deformation mechanism was the deformation twins, the lattice was rotated without relation to the initial texture. However, in the fine-grained alloy, even the applied strain of 0.20, the intensity peaks existed at 10-10 and the basal texture remained in the sample with the parallel- and normal-cut to the extrusion, respectively. This resulted from the difference in the fraction of deformation twins and the occurrence of partial grain boundary sliding.     

Consolidation of mechanically alloyed powder mixture of Cu–Zn alloy and graphite

A powder mixture consisting of Cu–29.7at.% Zn alloy and graphite was mechanically alloyed in a planetary ball mill. The supersaturated solid solubility of carbon in the Cu–29.7at.% Zn alloy was determined to be 38.5at.% C (alloy composition: Cu–18.3at.% Zn–38.5at.% C) by the change in lattice parameter of the alloy. Supersaturated Cu–24.2at.% Zn–18.5at.% C alloy powder consolidated by a static compression stress of 1.4 GPa was found to have a relative density of 89.7%, a Vickers hardness of 147.2, and a compressive strength of 1.4 GPa which is equal to the statically consolidated compression stress. Moreover, the supersaturated solid-soluble carbon did not precipitate. When dynamically consolidated by a 93 g projectile at a speed of 38.1 m s⁻¹ (estimated impact compression stress of 2.3 GPa) after static precompression of 0.4 GPa, the alloy powder was found to have a relative density of 93%, a Vickers hardness of 177, and a compressive strength of 2.3 GPa which is equal to the impact compression stress. Supersaturated solid solubility of 18.5at.% C decreased to 15at.% C after impact consolidation. The mechanically alloyed powders can maintain supersaturated solid solubility when consolidated by impact pressure, and especially when consolidated by static pressure.