β Phase decomposition in Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr

The decomposition of the β phase during rapid cooling of the near β titanium alloy Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr has been studied using in situ X-ray synchrotron diffraction combined with ex situ conventional laboratory X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Evidence is found supporting the suggestion by De Fontaine et al. (Acta Mater. 1971;19) that embryonic ω structures form by the correlation of linear (1 1 1)β defects at high temperatures. Further cooling causes increased correlation of these defects and the formation of athermal ω structures within the β matrix at temperatures ～500 °C. Post-quench aging at 570 °C resulted in the nucleation of α laths after ～90 s at temperature, with the laths all initially belonging to a single variant type. Aging for 30 min produced an even distribution of α precipitates with a lath morphology ～1.5 μm × 0.2 μm in size composed of both the expected Burgers variants. Mechanical property data suggests that the ω structures alone have no real effect; however, hardness increases were observed as the α phase developed. The utilization of thermal regimes similar to those presented in this paper could offer a method to engineer the α phase in near β titanium alloys and hence control mechanical properties.     

Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–1Cr–1Fe合金高周疲劳性能及断裂行为的研究

研究了在不同应力集中系数K_t和应力比R下Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe (Ti-55511)锻件和棒材纵向的室温高周疲劳性能及断口形貌。结果表明：应力比和应力集中系数是影响疲劳性能的两个重要因素。锻件和棒材的疲劳强度均随应力比R的增大而增大,随应力集中系数K_t的增大而减小。锻件的疲劳性能优于棒材,并且锻件的疲劳强度是棒材的1.08~1.57倍。     

ω-Assisted nucleation and growth of α precipitates in the Ti–5Al–5Mo–5V–3Cr–0.5Fe β titanium alloy

This paper discusses the structural and compositional changes at the nanometer scale associated with the nucleation and growth of α precipitates in the β titanium alloy Ti-5553 (Ti–5Al–5Mo–5 V–3Cr–0.5Fe) with ω precipitates acting as heterogeneous nucleation sites. The microstructural evolution in this alloy, during β-solutionizing, quenching and aging type heat-treatments, has been investigated by combining results from scanning electron microscopy, orientation imaging microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM and three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) tomography. Athermal ω precipitates form in this alloy on quenching from above the β transus temperature. On isothermal annealing at low temperatures, these ω precipitates coarsen to form chemically ordered ω precipitates, accompanied by the nucleation of the stable α phase. Annealing at higher temperatures leads to dissolution of ω and further growth of α precipitates accompanied by clustering of different α variants in self-accommodating morphologies. 3DAP results indicate that annealing at lower temperatures (～350 °C) leads to initial nucleation of α precipitates with a non-equilibrium composition, nearly identical to that of the β matrix. Subsequent aging at higher temperatures (～600 °C) leads to more pronounced partitioning of alloying elements between the two phases. These results indicate that the structural body-centered cubic to hexagonal close-packed transformation and the compositional partitioning of alloying elements occur in sequential steps, resulting in a mixed-mode displacive-diffusional transformation, similar to the bainite transformation in steels.     

Oxidation Behavior of a Sputtered Ni–5Cr–5Al Nanocrystalline Coating

A NiO-forming Ni–5Cr–5Al (at.%) alloy has been developed anddeposited as a sputtered nanocrystalline coating. The oxide formation andoxidation behavior of this coating have been studied at 1000°C inair. The oxidation rate markedly decreased with time and the oxidationkinetics obeyed the fourth power law. Complex oxide scales, consisting ofNiO, NiAl₂O₄ and -Al₂O₃,were formed during 200 hr oxidation. The outer oxide layer consisted of NiOand NiAl₂O₄ and an inner oxide layer of-Al₂O₃. The sputtered Ni–5Cr–5Alnanocrystalline coating showed good oxidation resistance due to theformation of an -Al₂O₃ inner layer andexcellent adhesion of the complex oxide scales.     

On microstructure and mechanical properties of linear friction welded dissimilar Ti–6Al–4V and Ti–6·5Al–3·5Mo–1·5Zr–0·3Si joint

Abstract

Linear friction welding of dissimilar titanium alloys Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) and Ti–6·5Al–3·5Mo–1·5Zr–0·3Si (TC11) was achieved. Microstructural examination showed that the joint has a clearly identified weld zone and a thermomechanically affected zone on both TC4 and TC11 sides with a clearly identified weld line. In the weld zone of TC4, superfine α grains are dispersed in the β matrix, while in that of TC11, a few recrystallised α grains are observed along the β boundaries. In the thermomechanically affected zone of TC4, both deformed and recrystallised grains exist in the same area, while that of TC11 has a deformed α+β structure. The tensile strength of the joint is comparable to that of the parent TC4 where fracture occurs. The joint microhardness is well related to its microstructure.     

Impurities in Al–5Ti–1B grain refiner rod

Abstract

Two different Al–5Ti–1B (wt-%) grain refiner rods (Rod A – a 'poor' refiner and Rod B – a 'standard' refiner) were examined using induced coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. CT with its digital geometrical processing allowed 3D images of non-destructed sections of the rod to be analysed. Results for Rod A revealed the presence of several types of inclusions up to several mm in size. Qualitative micro-chemical analysis using an SEM with EDX indicated that the inclusions were Ti, K and/or F rich. This would thus imply that the particles observed were, undissolved Ti/Al-Ti compounds namely Al₃Ti and/or Al₃Ti(Si), and potassium and fluoride spent salts namely KF-AlF₃ flux. These findings are indicative of an inefficient, non-optimal manufacturing process. An assessment of the grain refining efficacy of both the rods using the TP1 test showed the standard rod (Rod B) to be more effective in promoting refinement. Furthermore, the grain size observed for Rod A was not as consistent. Thus the quality of the grain refiner rod used in industrial practice is important as the grain size, feedability, cleanliness, uniformity of microstructure and integrity of the as-cast part may all be deleteriously affected.     

Microstructural characterisation and mechanical properties of Mg–xSn–5Al–1Zn alloys

Abstract

In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of as cast Mg–x Sn–5Al–1Zn alloys were investigated. The microstructures of the alloys were characterised by the presence of Mg₂Sn and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates. The greatest tensile strength and elongation were obtained at the alloy containing 5 wt-%Sn at room temperature. Microhardness of the alloys and volume fraction of the Mg₂Sn precipitates increased with increasing Sn content. Fractographic analysis demonstrated that dimple and cleavage facet were dominant mechanisms of these alloys tested at room and elevated temperature. The portion of cleavage facet was increased with the increment of Sn at the room and elevated temperatures.     

Grain refining action of Al–5Ti–C and Al–TiC master alloys with Al–5Ti master alloy addition for commercial purity aluminium

Al–Ti–C master alloys have a great potential as efficient grain refiners for aluminium and its alloys. In the present work, the Al–5Ti–C, Al–TiC and Al–5Ti master alloys have been successfully prepared by a method of liquid solidification reactions. While the Al–5Ti–C master alloy consists of some strip- or needle-like TiAl₃, and in addition to TiC particles in the Al matrix, the Al–TiC master alloy revealed the presence of only TiC particles, and the Al–5Ti master alloy consists of only some blocky TiAl₃ particles. A united refinement technology by Al–5Ti–C+Al–5Ti and Al–TiC+Al–5Ti master alloys was put forward in this paper. The blocky TiAl₃ particles in Al–5Ti master alloy can not only improve the grain refinement efficiency of Al–5Ti–C and Al–TiC master alloys but also reduce the consumption because the blocky TiAl₃ particles improve the grain refinement efficiency of TiC particles in Al–5Ti–C and Al–TiC master alloys.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of spot welded Al–5·5Mg–0·3Cu alloy

Abstract

The influences of spot welding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–5·5Mg–O·3Cu alloy have been investigated. Results showed that dendrites were formed with porosity and cracks in the nugget. Grain boundary melting occurred in the heat affected zone and wide grain boundaries appeared. The alloy exhibited low hardness in the nugget centre. Tensile cracks propagated at the edge of the nugget and mixed rupture with dimples and intergranular fracture occurred. Fatigue fracture initiated at the edge of the nugget and propagated perpendicularly to the tensile axis. Transgranular fracture with striations was also observed.     

Improved Corrosion Resistance of Selective Laser Melted Ti–5Cu Alloy Using Atomized Ti–5Cu Powder

The different types of metal powder used for selective laser melting(SLM) process would cause distinct corrosion behavior due to the uniformity of the obtained microstructure.The SLM-produced Ti–5Cu alloy using atomized Ti–5Cu metal powder(SLMed Ti–5Cu) in this work reveals a relatively uniform microstructure with overwhelming acicular α/α′ phase and shows great advantages on corrosion resistance compared with the SLM-produced Ti–5Cu alloy using the mixture powder(SLMedM Ti–5Cu).The effect of the micro-galvanic cells decreases due to the undetectable Ti_2Cu phase in the microstructure of the SLMed Ti–5Cu.An apparent passivation behavior was observed for SLMed Ti–5Cu instead of severe pitting phenomenon for the SLMed-M Ti–5Cu.The charge transfer resistance of SLMed Ti–5Cu in this work is 10.09 ± 2.63 MΩ cm~2, which is significantly higher than that of SLMed-M Ti–5Cu(4.76 MΩ cm~2).The above result indicates the atomized Ti–5Cu powder plays an important role in the formation of the uniform microstructure of SLMed product, thereby enhancing its corrosion resistance in Hank's solution at 37 ℃.     

A 1% magnetostrain in polycrystalline 5M Ni–Mn–Ga

Magnetostrain is achieved by twin boundary motion in magnetic shape memory materials. A 1% strain could be achieved in textured polycrystals of Ni–Mn–Ga at room temperature. Ni₅₀Mn₂₉Ga₂₁ was directionally solidified in order to obtain a texture parallel to the heat flow. The alloy was heat treated for chemical homogenization and stress relaxation in the austenite state. Thermomechanical training was employed to decrease the twinning stress and to enhance the strain by simplification of the variant microstructure. Investigations at slightly elevated temperatures were performed to increase the magnetostrain to 1%.     

Effect of predeformation on globularization of Ti–5Al–2Sn–2Zr–4Mo–4Cr during annealing

The microstructure evolution during annealing of Ti–5Al–2Sn–2Zr–4Mo–4Cr alloy was investigated. The results show that for the alloy compressed at 810 °C and 1.0 s^?1 deformation amount (height reduction) 20% and 50% and annealed at 810 °C, thermal grooving by penetration of β phase is sufficient during the first 20 min annealing, resulting in a sharp increase in globularization fraction. The globularization fraction continuously increases with the increase of annealing time, and a height reduction of 50% leads to a near globular microstructure after annealing for 4 h. For the alloy with deformation amount of 50% by compressing at 810 °C, 0.01 s^?1 and then annealed at 810 °C, thermal grooving is limited during the first 20 min of annealing and large quantities of high-angle grain boundaries (HABs) remain. With long time annealing, the chain-like α grains are developed due to the HABs, termination migration and Ostwald ripening. The present results suggest that a higher strain rate and a larger height reduction are necessary before annealing to achieve a globular microstructure of Ti–5Al–2Sn–2Zr–4Mo–4Cr.     

Corrosion behaviors for peak-aged Mg–7Gd–5Y–1Nd–0.5Zr alloys with oxide films

The corrosion behaviors of T5 (225 °C, 6.5 h) and T6 (460 °C, 2 h + 225 °C, 12 h) peak-aged Mg–7Gd–5Y–1Nd–0.5Zr alloys with oxide films were investigated by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The weight loss rates and electrochemical tests were also analyzed. The thicknesses of T5 and T6 oxide films are roughly 0.6 and 1.0 μm, respectively. The components of oxide films mainly consist of O, Mg, Y, Nd, and Gd, and the T6 oxide film results in surfaces with larger peaks than T5 oxide film. In addition, Y, Nd, and Gd peaks are all higher than those of Mg–7Gd–5Y–1Nd–0.5Zr alloys, but Mg peak is consistently far below than that of the alloys. The specimens could be arranged in decreasing order of corrosion rates and corrosion current densities: T6 oxide film < T5 oxide film < T6 without oxide film < T5 without oxide film. The oxide films are compact to increase the corrosion resistance for Mg–7Gd–5Y–1Nd–0.5Zr alloys, which will provide a guiding insight into the corrosion and protection of Mg–RE alloys in atmospheric environments.     

Shape memory behavior of Ti–20Zr–10Nb–5Al alloy subjected to annealing treatment

The effects of annealing temperature on microstructures, phase transformation, mechanical properties, and shape memory effect of Ti–20Zr–10Nb–5Al alloy were investigated. X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns show that the alloy is composed of single hexagonal ɑ'-martensite phase for both as-rolled sample and sample annealed at773 K for 30 min, while single orthorhombic ɑ' phase exists in the samples annealed at 873 and 973 K for30 min. The optical observations indicate that the alloy is recrystallized when annealed at 873 K, and the grain size of the sample annealed at 973 K is about five times larger than that annealed at 873 K. Both of the samples annealed at 873 and 973 K show almost the same reverse martensite transformation start temperature of 483 K as demonstrated by thermal dilatation tests. The critical stress values for martensite reorientation(σ_M) are 392 and 438 MPa for the alloys annealed at 873 and 973 K, respectively. The maximum shape memory strain is 2.8 %, which is obtained in the alloy annealed at 873 K due to the lower σ_M. Moreover,the sample annealed at 873 K exhibits larger tensile stress and tensile strain due to the smaller grain size.     

Accelerated precipitation in the AFA stainless steel Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al via cold working

The effects of cold work on the microstructural evolution during aging of a solutionized alumina-forming austenitic stainless steel, Fe–20Cr–30Ni–2Nb–5Al (at.%), were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Cold work prior to aging at either 700 °C or 800 °C facilitated the heterogeneous precipitation of both Laves phase and B2-type NiAl precipitates. While often co-located after cold work, these particles were distinct. γ′-Ni₃Al precipitates were also observed in samples aged at 700 °C with 90% prior cold work. Compared to material that had not been strained, defects introduced by 50 and 90% cold work at 700 °C and 90% cold work at 800 °C not only caused a more rapid precipitation in the matrix but also an increase in the total volume fraction of precipitates as compared to material that had been simply aged.     

Refining performance of Al–3Ti–0.2C–5Sr on A356 alloy and electron microanalysis of ternary Al–Ti–Sr phases

The effect of Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr(wt%) grain refiner on the refining performance and modification of A356 alloy was investigated using optical microscope(OM).The morphology and crystal structure of ternary Al-Ti-Sr phases in Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr refiner were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The results show that the ternary Al-TiSr phases in Al-3Ti-0.2C-5Sr refiner can promote the grain refining efficiency of A356 alloy.The ternary Al-Ti-Sr phases co-exist in two morphologies,i.e.,blocky-like phase and surround-like phase,besides,which both have the same chemical composition of Al_(34)Ti_3Sr.The crystal structure of Al_(34)Ti_3Sr is face-centered cubic,and the lattice parameter is determined to be about 1.52 nm.     

Wear Behavior of Biodegradable Mg–5Zn–1Y–(0–1)Ca Magnesium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid

Metals and Materials International - In this study, wear behavior of biodegradable Mg–5Zn–1Y–(0–1)Ca alloys is investigated in simulated body fluid. Wear test is performed...     

Cytotoxicity of Ti–6Al–4V–5Cu Alloy to MC3T3-E1 Cells

The aim of this work was to study the cytotoxicity of Ti–6 Al–4 V–5 Cu(TC4–Cu) alloy for dental applications and evaluate the cell viability of diff erent fabricated TC4–Cu alloys in contact with MC3 T3-E1 cells in vitro. Ti–6 Al–4 V(TC4) alloy was used as a negative control to evaluate the cytotoxicity level of TC4–Cu alloy so as to provide basic support for the dental clinical application. Control group TC4 and experimental group TC4–Cu with diff erent fabrications were incubated in the cell culture medium. The absorbance value of mouse osteoblast MC3 T3-E1 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay after 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively. The relative proliferation rate of cells was calculated, and then the toxicity level was valued for each group. Cell morphology on the surface was also studied by observing the cytoskeleton through F-actin filament staining. The experimental results showed that the absorbance values for the experimental and the negative control groups were not same at diff erent time points. Compared with diff erent fabricated TC4–Cu alloys, the annealing-TC4–Cu alloy showed much better biocompatibility. The mouse osteoblast MC3 T3-E1 cells cultured with annealing-TC4–Cu, rolling-TC4–Cu and solution + aging-TC4–Cu have no toxic eff ects, and these alloys could promote the proliferation of mouse osteoblasts.