Notch fracture toughness of high-strength Al alloys

In this study, the notch fracture toughness (NFT) of high-strength Al alloys was examined by a non-standardized procedure. The NFT is defined as the critical notch stress-intensity factor (NSIF) K_ρ,c, which is determined by using several methods of analysis and computing. A set of specimens with different notch root radii made from overaged 7xxx alloy forging was selected. The influence of the notch radius on the fracture toughness of the material was considered. It was found that the notch radius strongly affects the fracture behavior of forged 7xxx alloy in overaged condition. The notch fracture toughness was higher than the fracture toughness of a cracked specimen and increased linearly with notch radius. The critical notch radius was related to the spacing of intermetallic (IM) particles which promote an intergranular or transgranular fracture mechanism according to their size. It appeared that ductile transgranular fracture generated by the formation of dimples around dispersoids and matrix precipitates was predominant which indicates that intense strains are limited to a much smaller zone than the coarse IM particles spacing. This double mechanism is also operate for crack propagation of ductile fatigue. The nature and morphology of IM particles exert significant effects on the rate of fatigue crack growth and fracture toughness properties.     

Effect of Small Addition of Sc on the Microstructural Evolution in Al-15Ag Alloy

1.IntroductionIt was found that minor or trace amounts(0.1at.pct)of certain elements can cause remarkable changes to mi-crostructure and properties of aged aluminium alloys,and most trace element effects arise through changes theyinduce in the nucleation and/or growth of new phasesduring solid state transformation[1].For instance,the ad-ditions of Cd,In,Sn to Al-Cu alloys may accelerate andenhance the age hardening response at elevated temper-atures,whereas reduce the response to the hardeni…     

Characterisation and modelling of toughness in 6013-T6 aerospace aluminium alloy friction stir welds

The effect of the friction stir welding process on the toughness properties of AA6013-T6 sheet has been investigated. The alloy was received and welded in the peak aged T6 condition and the toughness measured at intervals across the weld by means of a notched tear test, with subsequent fractographic examination via field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEGSEM) and microstructural characterisation via optical microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). It is shown that the controlling factors for toughness in AA6013-T6 following FSW are the population and distribution of the coarse α-(Al,Fe,Si,Mn) intermetallic particles, with strength variations caused by precipitate dissolution, coarsening and transformation representing a secondary consideration. Minimum toughness occurs at the boundary between the weld nugget and the heat-affected zone due to the alignment and concentration of coarse particles at this point by the FSW process. A simple model is implemented and provides a reasonable prediction of the weld toughness from simple microstructural observations.     

Fatigue crack propagation in Ti3 Al based alloys

Abstract

Effects of microstructure, stress ratio, and environment on the fatigue crack growth resistance of Ti–23Al–9Nb–2Mo–1Zr–1·2Si and Ti–23Al–11Nb–0·9Si (at.-%) Ti₃ Al based alloys have been studied at room and elevated temperatures. Only modest effects of microstructure on fatigue crack growth resistance have been obtained at room temperature, and these tend to reduce further at the elevated temperatures of 600 and 700°C both in air and in vacuum. At room temperature the fatigue crack growth resistance of Ti₃ Al based alloys is controlled primarily by the thickness of the retained βphase rather than by its volume fraction and the microstructure with a larger average thickness of retained β laths shows improved fatigue crack growth resistance. However, in some microstructures, the spatial distribution of the β phase can also be deduced to be important. A marked difference on crack growth resistance is obtained for stress ratios of 0·1 and 0·5 both at room temperature and at a temperature of 600°C. The mechanisms of fatigue crack growth in air and vacuum are discussed.     

An assessment of fracture toughness in the ductile to brittle transition regime using the Euro fracture toughness dataset

The effect of specimen size on the fracture toughness of a ferritic steel in the transition regime has been investigated in a joint European Project. The project involved the testing of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mm wide compact specimens over the temperature range −154°C to 20°C with the aim of evaluating techniques for assessing the fracture toughness data.This paper evaluates the data at, or close to, the onset of stable tearing instead of at cleavage. The approach, which is applicable to structural assessment procedures, results in a temperature shift of less than 12°C between the specimen widths. The approach also enables simplified recommendations to be made for fracture toughness testing in the transition regime and the onset of upper shelf behaviour to be quantified.     

Temperature dependence of fracture toughness in cleavage fracture of iron and iron alloys

In order to examine the temperature dependence of fracture toughness in cleavage fracture, exploratory work was carried out. Then effects of alloying elements and micro-structure on the low temperature fracture toughness were studied quantitatively in iron and iron alloys.The results indicate that (1) the relationship between fracture toughness G_ic and testing temperature T at low temperatures is G_ic = G_o exp (T/T_e), where G_e and T_o are the material constants; (2) G_o exhibits a stro dependence on solute carbon and nitrogen contents but is independent of micro-structure and other elements; (3) G_o values increases with increasing solute carbon and nitrogen contents; (4) T_o depends on the structure; (5) $\text{1}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{o}}$ values increase with increasing nickel and manganese contents, to the contrary, decrease with increasing carbon, silicon and phosphorus contents; and (6) $\text{1}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{o}}$ values increase with decreasing grain size.     

The role of fracture toughness in low-cycle fatigue crack propagation for high-strength alloys

The trend toward broader application of high-strength structural alloys has increased the potential for failure by low-cycle fatigue crack propagation. There is a significant probability that complex structures will contain undetected cracks remaining from fabrication or that cracks will readily initiate from less severe fabrication defects. Under the repeated application of high stresses, imposed on high-strength alloys, such cracks will rapidly grow in low-cycle fatigue. To guard against disastrous failures caused by cracks propagating to terminal fracture, high-strength structural alloys which also possess high levels of fracture resistance have been developed in recent years. This paper describes the principal fatigue crack propagation characteristics which are derived from high fracture toughness and discusses the potential benefits available through the use of high-toughness alloys in cyclically-loaded structures.     

Microstructural and mechanical features of aluminium semi-solid alloys made by rheocasting technique

The rheocasting process applied by Swirled Enthalpy Equilibration Device (SEED) technique relies on rapid extraction of a controlled quantity of heat from the liquid aluminium alloy via mechanical agitation to form the semi-solid slurry that can be formed under pressure. Microstructural characteristics of both conventional and semi-solid A357 castings under T6 heat treatment conditions were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The fatigue and tensile experiments were applied to evaluate the effect of SEED technique on the mechanical properties of T6-A357 semi-solid alloys and conventional castings. The results showed that the rheocasting–SEED technique has proved successful in producing optimum microstructure of Al–Si–Mg semi-solid alloys providing an excellent combination of quality and mechanical performance as compared to conventional technique.

This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Aluminium-based materials: processing, microstructure, properties, and recycling.     

Microstructural development during transient directional solidification of hypermonotectic Al–Bi alloys

Directional unsteady-state solidification experiments were performed with hypermonotectic Al–5.0 wt%Bi and 7.0 wt%Bi alloys. Thermal parameters such as the growth rate (v) and the thermal gradient (G) were experimentally determined by cooling curves recorded along the casting length. The predominant Bi-rich phase was characterized by droplets embedded in the aluminum matrix. Both the interphase spacing (λ) and the Bi-rich particles diameter (d) were measured along the casting length. These microstructural features were correlated to the solidification thermal parameters: growth rate, cooling rate and thermal gradient. An experimental law expressing λ as a function of both G and v was found to better represent the growth of hypermonotectic Al–Bi alloys. Moreover, it was found that the interphase spacing decreases with increasing alloy bismuth content.     

Mixed mode I/III fracture toughness in extruded magnesium alloys

Fracture toughness under mode I and mixed mode I/III loading were determined for magnesium (Mg) as well as binary Mg-Al and Mg-Zn alloys in as-extruded condition. It was found that in Mg and in Mg-1.25Zn alloy the fracture toughness under mixed mode I/III loading was higher than that under mode I loading whereas in binary Mg-1Al and Mg-3Al alloys it was lower than that under mode I loading. The results have been explained on the basis of the fracture mechanism and the nature of the stress fields ahead of the crack tip under mixed mode I/III loading.     

Coupling effect of primary voids and secondary voids on the ductile fracture of heat-treatable aluminum alloys

Ductile fracture of commercial aluminum alloys is controlled not only by the primary voids but also by the secondary voids, which are respectively nucleated at cracked constituents and at decohered dispersoid. In this paper, experiment and modeling were carried out to study the combined effect of the two populations of voids on the ductile fracture in two kinds of heat-treatable aluminum alloys, i.e., Al-Cu-Mg alloys and Al-Mg-Si alloys. Different heat treatments were applied to the alloys to achieve various combinations of the two voids, which were subsequently related to the mechanical properties. A multiscale fracture model was proposed to describe quantitatively the relationships between parameters of the two voids and the ductility and fracture toughness of heat-treatable aluminum alloys. It is revealed experimentally and theoretically that the presence of secondary voids will reduce the ductile properties especially when the intervoid spacing is less than about 0.5 μm. All calculations are in good agreement with experimental results.     

A high-temperature deformation model based on dislocation movement for wrought aluminium alloys

This paper presents a high-temperature deformation model based on dislocation movement for wrought aluminium alloys, which can exhibit the dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallisation processes of a wrought aluminium alloy at the same time. In the model, work hardening corresponds to the increase of dislocation density. Dynamic recovery occurs in two ways, namely by the condensation of dislocations into new low-angle boundaries, and by the absorption of dislocations into pre-existing boundaries. High- and low-angle boundaries disappear by the sweeping of high-angle boundary migration. The prediction of the model is presented for the high-temperature deformation of the 7050 aluminium alloy. Predicted true stress–strain curves and microstructure evolution from the model are consistent with experimental data.     

Microstructure dependent fatigue crack growth in aged hardened aluminium alloys

Fatigue crack propagation tests in constant amplitude loading, as well as with single peak overloads, have been performed in AlMgSi1-T6 aluminium alloys with different Mn and Cr contents. Crack closure was monitored in all tests by the compliance technique using a pin microgauge. A moderate stress ratio and a strong material dependence effects on the fatigue crack growth were observed. These effects are discussed in terms of the different dominant closure mechanism (plasticity-induced closure or roughness-induced closure). Roughness-induced closure dominates crack closure in the alloys with higher contents of Mn and Cr elements. In the alloy with a lower content of these elements, plasticity-induced closure is dominant. When roughness-induced closure is the prime pre-overload closure mechanism, the retardation effect is decreased in comparison to when plasticity-induced closure is dominant.     

On the fracture toughness of ceramic matrix composites

Based on the resistance curve (R-curve) behaviour of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) determined under either quasi-static or cyclic loading, the crack-face fibre bridging stress field is determined for the compact tension (CT) test specimen geometry. Two different methods have been used for the analysis of the bridging stresses. The first considers a compliance approach. Using the difference in compliance calibration curves with and without bridging and assuming a power-law relation between bridging stress and crack opening displacement, the bridging stress field was calculated. The second approach uses the existence of an invariant stress reversal point in the CT geometry and assuming that the material exhibits linear elastic fracture behaviour, yields a recurrence relation for the bridging stresses resulting in a piece-wise constant stress function. Both models are applied to the experimentally determined fracture behaviour of a 2D carbon/carbon (C/C) composite, and the resulting bridging stress distributions are discussed.     

Microstructural characterization of Mg-Al-Sr alloys

The microstructural details of fourteen Mg-Al-Sr alloys were investigated in the as-cast form by a combination of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) analysis and quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The heat transfer method coupled with the DSC measurement has been utilized to determine the solidification curves of the alloys. The morphology and the chemical composition of the phases were characterized. The microstructure of the alloys is primarily dominated by (Mg) and (Al₄Sr). In the present investigation, ternary solid solubility of three binary compounds extended into the ternary system has been reported and denoted as: (Al₄Sr), (Mg₁₇Sr₂) and (Mg₃₈Sr₉). The (Al₄Sr) phase is a substitutional solid solution represented by Mg_xAl_4−xSr and has a plate-like structure. The maximum solubility of Al in Mg₁₇Sr₂ was found to be 21.3 at%. It was also observed that Mg₃₈Sr₉ dissolved 12.5 at% Al.     

Effect of silicon on the fracture toughness and oxidation behavior of hot pressed NbCr2 alloys

NbCr₂ Laves phase alloyed with 0–7 wt.% Si was fabricated by mechanical alloying followed by hot pressing. The influence of silicon on the mechanical properties and oxidation behavior of NbCr₂ were investigated. It was revealed that Si addition has a beneficial effect on the oxidation resistance and fracture toughness of NbCr₂ alloy. The addition of Si partially occupies the Cr site in the Laves phase and partially forms the hard Nb₅Si₃ phase, which can yield an increase in the hardness of as-HPed NbCr₂ alloys. When alloying with 5 wt.% silicon, the fracture toughness value of NbCr₂ reaches the highest (6.45 MPa √m) which is about 13% more than that of unalloyed NbCr₂ and is 4 times higher than that of cast materials (1.2 MPa √m). Addition of silicon also resulted in a substantial improvement in the oxidation resistance of the NbCr₂ alloys exposed in air at 1373 K and 1473 K.     

Effect of grain refining and Sr-modification interactions on the impact toughness of Al–Si–Mg cast alloys

The present work investigates the effects of various types of grain refiners on the impact properties of Sr-modified A356.2 alloys in both the as-cast and heated-treated conditions. The results showed that the addition of Ti and B greatly improves the alloy toughness, but only when the alloy was in a fully modified state; moreover, the right type of master alloy and addition levels must be used. The highest values of the total absorbed energy recorded for T6-tempered alloys were obtained using Al–5%Ti–1%B and Al–10%Ti master alloys in addition to 0.04%Ti. A significant deterioration in the impact properties is observed due to the Sr–B interaction (in some cases). The improvements in toughness may be attributed to the change in Si particle morphology as well as to the dissolution and fragmentation of a number of the intermetallics formed during the T6 temper.     

Microstructural design for thermal creep and radiation damage resistance of titanium aluminide alloys for high-temperature nuclear structural applications

Microstructure plays an important role in strengthening of metallic materials. Various microstructures can be developed in titanium aluminide (TiAl) alloys, which can enable different combinations of properties for various extreme environments in advanced nuclear systems. In the present paper the mechanisms for microstructural strengthening and the effects of various microstructural features on thermal creep and radiation damage resistance of TiAl alloys are reviewed and compared. On the basis of the results, the evidence-based optimum microstructure for the best combination of thermal creep and radiation damage resistance of TiAl alloys is proposed. The heat treatment processes for manufacturing the optimal microstructure are also discussed.     

Influence of tin and bismuth on machinability of lead free 6000 series aluminium alloys

Abstract

The present paper presents the microstructural characteristics of an extruded AA6012A-T6 (AlMgSiBiSn) alloy and the microstructural changes occurring during turning operations, analysing the mechanism involved in chip breaking. An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the effects of different cutting speed and feedrate on the machinability of the alloy. The machinability of the AA6012A-T6 alloy, where Pb is substituted by Bi and Sn, has then been compared to the standard AA6012-T6 (AlMgSiPb) and AA6082-T6 (AlSiMg) alloys. The results indicate that the extensive plastic deformation induces a preferred orientation of the grain structure and secondary phases along the shear plane, and a local increase in the alloy temperature. Low melting point compounds, such as the Sn and Bi bearing particles, transform into a soft or liquid state, changing their initial compact shape to assume a needle-like morphology. The β-Mg₂Si and α-Al(FeMn)Si particles are not influenced by the working temperature and keep their initial shape. The AA6082-T6 alloy shows a very poor machinability, with long and continuous strips, while the AA6012A-T6 alloy reveals a good chip formation with small and discontinuous C shaped chips, similar to the AA6012-T6 (AlMgSiPb) alloy. In particular, a feedrate higher than 0·2 mm rev^?1 provides short and suitable chips, independently of cutting speed.