Preparation of Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys and their refining efficiency on A356 alloy

Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys with various amounts of Sr were prepared through a method of liquid solidification reactions. The as-prepared Al–Ti–C–Sr master alloys were then used as grain refiners to modify A356 alloy. The microstructures of the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr, Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloys and modified A356 alloy were investigated. The results showed that the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr alloy consisted of phases of α-Al, lath-shaped or tiny blocky TiAl₃, granular TiC, and blocky or rim AlTiSr, while the Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloy contained an irregular blocky Al₄Sr phase besides the above-mentioned phases. Satisfactory grain refining and modifying effects were obtained by the addition of Al–Ti–C–Sr alloys (0.5 wt.%) to the A356 alloy. Meanwhile, the sizes of the α-Al dendrites / SDAS(40 µm) decreased to 32.7 µm (or 30 µm).The morphology of eutectic silicon was changed from needle-/platelike form to fibrous/globular form. The grain refinement and modification effects of Al–Ti–C–Sr alloys on A356 alloys were mutually promoted. Compared with the Al–5Ti–0.25C–2Sr alloy, the Al–5Ti–0.25C–8Sr alloy possessed higher efficiency in grain refinement and modification of the A356 alloys.     

The influences of trace TiB and TiC on microstructure refinement and mechanical properties of in situ synthesized Ti matrix composite

Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–1Fe–1Cr Ti alloy and Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–1Fe–1Cr Ti matrix composites containing different weight fractions of trace TiB and TiC are fabricated via in situ synthesis method. The as-cast ingots are subjected to thermo-mechanical processing and heat treatment. The Widmannstatten structure is obtained after the heat treatment. The microstructure length scales of the materials are identified. The identification indicates that 0.4 wt.% TiB and 0.1 wt.% TiC can reduce the average size of the β grains by more than 50%. Whereas the extent of the microstructure refinement gradually decreases while increasing the weight fraction of the trace reinforcements. The influences of weight fraction and morphology of the trace TiB and TiC on microstructure refinement are researched in this work. Moreover, the tensile properties of the heat-treated materials are examined. It is revealed that Hall–Petch mechanism plays an identically important role in improving the mechanical properties of the composites comparing with the load bearing and dispersion strengthening of the trace reinforcements.     

The influences of trace TiB and TiC on microstructure refinement and mechanical properties of in situ synthesized Ti matrix composite

Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–1Fe–1Cr Ti alloy and Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–1Fe–1Cr Ti matrix composites containing different weight fractions of trace TiB and TiC are fabricated via in situ synthesis method. The as-cast ingots are subjected to thermo-mechanical processing and heat treatment. The Widmannstatten structure is obtained after the heat treatment. The microstructure length scales of the materials are identified. The identification indicates that 0.4 wt.% TiB and 0.1 wt.% TiC can reduce the average size of the β grains by more than 50%. Whereas the extent of the microstructure refinement gradually decreases while increasing the weight fraction of the trace reinforcements. The influences of weight fraction and morphology of the trace TiB and TiC on microstructure refinement are researched in this work. Moreover, the tensile properties of the heat-treated materials are examined. It is revealed that Hall–Petch mechanism plays an identically important role in improving the mechanical properties of the composites comparing with the load bearing and dispersion strengthening of the trace reinforcements.     

Effect of grain refiner on the tensile and impact properties of Al–Si–Mg cast alloys

The present study aims to investigate the influence of the addition of Ti and B in the form of five different grain refiners/aluminium master alloys (Al–10%Ti, Al–5%Ti–1%B, Al–2.5%Ti–2.5%B, Al–1.7%Ti–1.4%B and Al–4%B) in conjunction with that of Sr (as modifier) added in the form of Al–10%Sr master alloy to A356.2 alloy. Grain refinement of an A356.2 alloy with Ti and B additions in the ranges of 0.02–0.5% and 0.01–0.5%, respectively, was examined using these different types of grain refiners. Strontium additions of 30 and 200 ppm were made. All alloys were T6-heat treated before mechanical testing. Tensile and impact tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of the interaction between grain refiner and modifier on the mechanical properties. The properties were determined for both the as-cast and heat-treated conditions.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si cast alloy with additions of Zr–V–Ti

The microstructure and tensile properties at temperatures up to 300 °C of an experimental Al–7Si–1Cu–0.5Mg (wt.%) cast alloy with additions of Ti, V and Zr were assessed and compared with those of the commercial A380 grade. The microstructure of both alloys consisted of Al dendrites surrounded by Al–Si eutectic containing, within its structure, the ternary Al–Al₂Cu–Si phase. Whereas the Al₁₅(FeCrMn)₃Si₂ phases were present in the A380 alloy, Ti/Zr/V together with Al and Si phases, Al(ZrTiV)Si, were identified in the experimental alloy. As a result of chemistry modification the experimental alloy achieved from 20% to 40% higher strength and from 1.5 to 5 times higher ductility than the A380 reference grade. The role of chemistry in improving the alloy thermal stability is discussed.     

Structure and properties of rapidly solidified Mg-Al alloys

Three binary Mg-Al alloys containing nominally 5, 15, and 30 at % Al were prepared in the ingot and rapidly solidified flake conditions using the twin roll technique. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and electrochemical behavior of the extruded alloys in both the conditions were investigated. The hardness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance increased with increasing Al content. Further, the hardness, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance of the rapidly solidified alloys were superior to the ingot-metallurgy alloys and this is attributed to the microstructural refinement and increased homogeneity in the rapidly solidified alloys.     

Mechanical properties and microstructures of rapidly solidified Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 and Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloys

Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 and Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloys extruded from their rapidly solidified powders have tensile strength more than 800 MPa and Young's modulus about 100 GPa. The extruded Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 alloy is composed of -Al, Al3Ni and a metastable tetragonal Al3Zr, and the extruded Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloy consists of -Al, Al3Ni and equilibrium Al3Ti. Through investigation on microstructure change of rapidly solidified Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 and Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloys with temperature, it is found that a new tetragonal Al3Zr phase, together with -Al and Al3Ni precipitates from the supersaturated -Al phase in the rapidly solidified Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 alloy at around 603 K and an equilibrium Al3Ti, together with -Al and Al3Ni forms from the supersaturated -Al phase in the rapidly solidified Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloy at about 523 K. The lattice parameters of the new metastable tetragonal Al3Zr phase were calculated to be a=0.3896 nm and c=0.9006 nm. Both the metastable tetragonal Al3Zr and equilibrium Al3Ti phases keep a nano grain size, less than 50 nm even at 773 K. The existence of the nano scale Al3Zr, Al3Ti phases and fine grains of -Al, Al3Ni phases is the reason that Al89.5Ni8Zr2.5 and Al88.5Ni8Ti3.5 alloys have the high strength. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Rapidly Solidified Mg-Al-Zn-MM Alloys

Mg-Al-Zn-M M （misch metal） alloy powders were manufactured by inert gas atomization and the characteristics of alloy powders were investigated.In spite of the low fluidity and easy oxidation of the magnesium melt,the spherical powder was made successfully with the improved three piece nozzle systems of gas atomization unit. It was found that most of the solidified powders with particles size of less than 50μm in diameter were single crystal and the solidification structure of rapidly solidified powders showed a typical dendritic morphology because of supercooling prior to nucleation.The spacing of secondary denrite arms was deceasing as the size of powders was decreasing.The rapidly solidified powders were consolidated by vacuum hot extrusion and the effects of misch metal addition to AZ91 on mechanical properties of extruded bars were also examined.During extrusion of the rapidly solidified powders,their dendritic structure was broken into fragments and remained as grains of about 3μm in size.The Mg-Al-Ce intermetallic compounds formed in the interdendritic regions of powders were finely broken,too.The tensile strength and ductility obtained in as-extruded Mg-9 wt pct Al-1 wt pct Zn-3 wt pct MM alloy wereσ-（T.S.） =383 MPa andε=10.6%,respectively.All of these improvements on mechanical properties were resulted from the refined microstructure and second-phase dispersions.     

Effect of grain refinement on mechanical properties and sliding wear resistance of extruded Sc-free 7042 aluminum alloy

The present study deals with an investigation on dry sliding wear behavior of grain refined Sc-free 7042 aluminum alloy by using a pin-on-disc wear test machine. Al–5Ti–1B and Al–15Zr master alloys were used as grain refining agents. The optimum amounts of added Ti and Zr in the alloy were found to be 0.03 wt.% and 0.3 wt.%, respectively. Extrusion was carried out and T6 heat treatment ware applied for all rod specimens before testing. Significant improvement in mechanical properties was obtained with the addition of grain refiners. The worn surfaces were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry microanalysis. Results showed that the wear resistance of unrefined alloy increased with the addition of both grain refiners. Furthermore, the worn surface studies showed a mixed type of wear mechanisms; delaminating, adhesive and abrasive which took place at higher applied load.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Al-Si-Fe-X base alloys

The effects of Ti and V additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Al-20w/oSi-5w/oFe alloy were investigated, respectively. The hypereutectic Al-Si-Fe base alloys were gas-atomized and hot-extruded to make the consolidated bars. The addition of 2w/oTi increased wear resistance and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness and elongation. Based on TEM analyses, it can be concluded that the improved properties in the Al-Si-Fe alloys containing Ti were caused by the formation of DO₂₂-(Al,Si)₃ Ti phase finely dispersed in the matrix. On the contrary, V addition was less effective than Ti, in that V could not decompose as the expected Al₁₀V phase with a large v/o of precipitates; V was mostly solid-solutionized in the other unknown phase.     

Mechanical properties of porous Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al compacts prepared by powder sintering

Porous Ti alloy compacts were fabricated and their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated in this study. Ti alloy powders were atomized from Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al (wt.%) bar using the plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) in an Ar atmosphere. These alloy powders were sintered under 1–30 MPa at 1223 K for 7.2 ks by hot-pressing (HP). These compacts were solution treated at 1223 K for 1.2 ks, and then quenched into iced water (STQ). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that a small amount of α phase appeared in the β phase of the HP compacts, while not in the STQ compacts. Young's modulus of STQ compacts is lower than that of HP compacts. It was found that the strength of porous Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al is higher than those of porous pure Ti and human cortical bone, as compared in the range from 10 to 30 GPa of Young's modulus for human bone.     

Fabrication of Cu rich bulk metallic glass composites via solidification method

Abstract

Cu based bulk metallic glasses and composites with tiny crystalline phases embedded in metallic glass matrix have been successfully fabricated by solidification technique in the present work. The formation of crystalline phases and structure inhomogeneity in bulk metallic glasses was characterised. Al is used as the minor alloying element to partly substitute Cu element in 61Cu–34Zr–5Ti. The results show that quarternary 60Cu–34Zr–5Ti–1Al alloy exhibits monoamorphous feature, and 56Cu–34Zr–5Ti–5Al alloy has a few crystalline peaks superimposed on a broad diffraction peak, suggesting that a composite structure forms in certain solidification conditions. To further identify the microstructure of the as cast rod, all samples were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Small size phases are found in 2 mm diameter 56Cu–34Zr–5Ti–5Al rod, which has larger plastic deformation. The composition of those crystalline phases is also investigated. All results indicate that the presence of certain phases in metallic matrix benefits the mechanical properties of the as cast bulk metallic glasses.     

Study on the grain refinement of A356 alloy by Al–3 wt-% VN master alloy

ABSTRACT

A novel Al–3?wt-% VN master alloy, mainly consisting of α-Al and VN phases, was successfully prepared by stir casting. The grain refinement performance of the master alloy on A356 alloy was then investigated. The results showed that the α-Al grain size of A356 alloy refined by Al–3?wt-% VN master alloy was 350?±?95?µm while that of A356 alloy treated by traditional Al–5Ti–B master alloy was 570?±?105?µm. Moreover, for A356 alloy with Al–3?wt-% VN addition, the good grain refining efficiency did not fade significantly within 30?min. The effectiveness of grain refinement might be attributed to VN particles, which acted as the heterogeneous nuclei of α-Al grains. Owing to the refinement strengthening, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of A356 alloy were improved.     

Effect of Fe and Mn additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of spray-deposited Al–20Si–3Cu–1 Mg alloy

Spray deposition is a novel process which is used to manufacture rapidly solidified bulk and near-net-shape preforms. In this paper, Al–20Si–3Cu–1 Mg alloy was prepared by spray deposition technique. The effect of Fe and Mn additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of spray-deposited Al–20Si–3Cu–1 Mg alloy was investigated. The results show that two kinds of intermetallics, i.e. δ-Al₄FeSi₂ and β-Al₅FeSi, is formed in the microstructure of spray-deposited Al–20Si–5Fe–3Cu–1 Mg alloy. With additions of 5% Fe and 3% Mn to Al–20Si–3Cu–1 Mg alloy, the needle shape of Al–Si–Fe intermetallic phases is substituted by the particle shape of Al₁₅(FeMn)₃Si₂ phases. The presence of the intermetallic phases (δ-Al₄FeSi₂, β-Al₅FeSi and Al₁₅(FeMn)₃Si₂) improves the tensile strengths of the alloy efficiently at both the room and elevated temperatures(300 °C).     

Investigation of the effect of Al–5Ti–1B grain refiner on dry sliding wear behavior of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy formed by strain-induced melt activation process

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of Al–5Ti–1B master alloy and modified strain-induced melt activation process on the structural characteristics, mechanical properties and dry sliding wear behavior of Al–12Zn–3Mg–2.5Cu aluminum alloy. The optimum amount of Ti containing master alloy for proper grain refining was selected as 2 wt.%. The alloy was produced by modified strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) process. Reheating condition to obtain a fine globular microstructure was optimized. The optimum temperature and time in strain-induced melt activation process are 575 °C and 20 min, respectively. T6 heat treatment was applied for all specimens before tensile testing. Significant improvements in mechanical properties were obtained with the addition of grain refiner combined with T6 heat treatment. After the T6 heat treatment, the average tensile strength increased from 283 MPa to 587 MPa and 252 MPa to 564 MPa for samples refined with 2 wt.% Al–5Ti–1B before and after strain-induced melt activation process, respectively. Dry sliding wear performance of the alloy was examined in normal atmospheric conditions. The experimental results showed that the T6 heat treatment considerably improved the resistance of Al–12Zn–3Mg–2.5Cu aluminum alloy to the dry sliding wear.The results showed that ultimate strength and dry sliding wear performance of globular microstructure specimens was a lower value than that of Ti-refined specimens without strain-induced melt activation process.     

Extrusion of AI–5Fe–7Mn alloy prepared from rapidly solidified powder

Abstract

The characterization of rapidly solidified powders, their extrusion, and the evaluation of mechanical properties of the extrudates have been carried out for an Al–5Fe–7 Mn alloy. In the atomized powder, a metastable non–stoichiometric phase has been identified which transforms to the equilibrium (FeMn)Al₆ phase on heating at elevated temperatures (<400°C). It has been found that inhomogeneous dispersoid distribution and coarsening of phases during preheat causes deterioration of mechanical properties, both at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. It is suggested that control of atomization parameters and use of rapid heating of compacts may be essential to improve the mechanical properties.

MST/174     

Effect of Al on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–2Sn–0.5Mn alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Zn–2Sn–0.5Mn–xAl (x?=?0, 1, 2, 3) alloy are investigated. The addition of Al leads to the refinement of grain size and the formation of Al₆Mn, Mg₃₂(Al,Zn)₄₉ also forms when the amount of Al is higher than 2?wt-%. Because of the addition of Al, the precipitates in the alloy after ageing treatment are refined. The alloy containing 1?wt-% Al shows good mechanical properties in the as-cast state which is attributed to the refined grains and low volume fraction of large second phases, it also shows high strength after ageing treatment resulted mainly from the homogeneously distributed fine precipitates, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation are 183, 310?MPa and 11%, respectively.     

Effect of cyclic heat treatment parameters on the grain refinement of Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy

This work presents the influence of individual parameters of a cyclic heat treatment, i.e. upper cycle temperature, heating and cooling rates between room temperature and an upper temperature and number of cycles, on the grain refinement of a Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy. The grain size as determined by the value of the average plane section diameter and indices describing its distribution (standard deviation) is sufficient to define grain refinement when the refinement obtained as a result of the treatment concerns the whole section of a sample. In the event when the refinement process only takes place partially or locally it becomes necessary to present distributions of the grain plane section area as a function of the frequency of occurrence and area fraction. The paper presents a possible mechanism of grain refinement of Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy. The use of cyclic heat treatment provides an increase in the mechanical parameters of the alloy.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys at elevated temperatures through grain refinement and dispersoid strengthening

The effect of Ti content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-treated Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys was investigated. It was found that the mechanical properties increased with the increase of Ti content. This was attributed to the refinement of grain size, the increased amount of T (Al₂₀Cu₂Mn₃), the α-Fe (Al₁₅(FeMn)₃(CuSi)₂) precipitated particles, and the decrease in Al₂Cu. At an elevated temperature of 300°C, the heat-treated Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloy with 0.5% Ti demonstrated the best mechanical properties, which are superior to those of commercial aluminium alloys. The yield strength contribution at 300°C was quantitatively evaluated based on the dispersoid, solid solution, and matrix contributions. It was confirmed that the main strengthening mechanism in the experimental alloys was the dispersoid strengthening.     

Precipitation of iron-rich intermetallics and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Mg–Fe alloys with Al–5Ti–B

Effects of added Al–5Ti–B master alloys on precipitation of iron-rich intermetallics and mechanical properties of A356 cast alloys with high Fe content (1.5?wt-%) were investigated using image analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing. Results show that added Al–5Ti–B has apparent refinement on α (Al) grain size of A356 alloys that have high Fe content. 12?wt-% Al–5Ti–B is beneficial for improving mechanical properties of A356 cast alloys with high Fe content. Improved mechanical properties can be attributed to refined microstructure, the proper amounts of TiB₂ and Ti(AlSi)₃, and decreased porosity. An excessive amount of Al–5Ti–B deteriorates mechanical properties of alloys because it leads to the formation of large secondary intermetallics and increased porosity.