The use of severe plastic deformation techniques in grain refinement

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) has emerged as a promising method to produce ultrafine-grained materials with attractive properties. Today, SPD techniques are rapidly developing and are on the verge of moving from lab-scale research into commercial production. This paper discusses new trends in the development of SPD techniques suchas high-pressure torsion and equal-channel angle pressing, as well as new alternative techniques for introducing SPD. The paper also contains a comparative analysis of SPD techniques in terms of their relative capabilities for grain refinement, enhancement of properties, and potential to economically produce ultrafine-grained metals and alloys. For more information, contact Terry C. Lowe, Science and Technology Base Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545; (505) 667-7824; fax (505) 665-3199; e-mail tlowe@lanl.gov.     

An atomistic study of solid/liquid interfaces in binary systems

In this study, a semi-empirical Lennard-Jones/embedded atom method model is used to capture real materials behavior through the introduction of many-body forces. By means of molecular dynamics calculations, the model is used to study the dependence of the solid-liquid interface velocity on temperature for two alloy compositions. For more information contact M.I. Baskes, Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663, MS-G755, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA; (505) 667-1238; fax (505) 667-8021; baskes@lanl.gov.     

Using the modified embedded-atom method to calculate the properties of Pu-Ga alloys

In this article, the semi-empirical modified embedded atom method is used to develop a model of Pu-Ga alloys. Employing classical calculations, the model is used to predict thermodynamic properties of these alloys as well as the complex Pu-Ga phase diagram. For more information contact M.I. Baskes, Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, MS-G755, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA; (505) 667-1238; fax (505) 667-8021; baskes@lanl.gov.     

Understanding the unique properties of SPD-induced microstructures

Refining microstructure by severe plastic deformation to a nanometer range changes fundamental properties, such as the Curie and Debye temperatures, and engineering properties of pragmatic significance, such as strength and ductility. These enhancements originate in the combination of very small grain sizes coupled with specific defect structures. Ongoing research is rapidly advancing the understanding of severe plastic deformation-induced microstructures, leading toward the commercialization of these materials. For more information, contact T.C. Lowe, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division, MD G754, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545; (505) 665-1131; fax (505) 665-4584; e-mail tlowe@lanl.gov. Authors’ Note: All compositions are given in weight per cent.     

A brief history of TEM observations of plutonium and its alloys

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has proven to be a useful tool to investigate the morphological and crystallographic nature of plutonium metal and alloys. Its unique ability to provide direct visual as well as crystallographic information on a very fine scale has given new insight into the complex nature of plutonium. Because of the limited number of TEM observations performed to date, there is little doubt that this metal’s most intriguing microstructural secrets are yet to be revealed. For more information, contact T.G. Zocco, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NMT-10, Manufacturing Process Science and Technology Group, P.O. Box 1663, Mail Stop E506, Los Alamos, NM 87545; (505) 667-4481; fax (505) 667-8528; e-mail zocco@lanl.gov.     

Applying the two-state invar model to delta-phase plutonium

This article describes the authors’ use of the Weiss two-state model for Fe-Ni invar alloys to understand the anomalous thermal expansion of Pu-Ga alloys. Studies on thermal expansion of Pu-Ga are reviewed briefly, and the two-state invar model is described. The authors fit the available neutron-diffraction data for Pu-Ga alloys to the invar model and discuss the consequences. For more information, contact Andrew C. Lawson, Structure and Properties Group: MST-8, MS H-805, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545; (505) 667-8844; fax (505) 665-2676; e-mail lawson@lanl.gov.     

Superconductivity: A new window on plutonium’s complexity

Superconductivity has recently been discovered in a plutonium intermetallic compound (PuCoGa₅) at the surprisingly high temperature of 18.5 K. This article discusses the motivation that led to this discovery as well as what it implies for the understanding of both unconventional superconductivity and the metallurgy of plutonium. For more information, contact J.L. Sarrao, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MST-10: Condensed Matter & Thermal Physics, Mail Stop K764, Los Alamos, NM 87545; (505) 665-0481; fax (505) 665-7652; e-mail sarrao@lanl.gov.     

Plutonium: Coping with instability

Plutonium is unstable with time because of its radioactive decay, but it is the peculiar nature of its electronic structure that gives rise to phase instability with temperature, pressure, and chemical additions, making engineering applications particularly challenging. This instability leads to an interesting array of phase transformations and microstructures. For more information, contact Siegfried S. Hecker at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division, MS G754, Los Alamos, NM 87545; (505) 665-6601; fax (505) 665-4584; e-mail sh@lanl.gov.     

Plutonium: Aging mechanisms and weapon pit lifetime assessment

Planning for future refurbishment and manufacturing needs of the U.S. nuclear weapons complex critically depends on credible estimates for component lifetimes. One of the most important of these components is the pit, that portion of the weapon that contains the fissile element plutonium. The U.S. government has proposed construction of a new Modern Pit Facility, and a key variable in planning both the size and schedule for this facility is the minimum estimated lifetime for stockpile pits. This article describes the current understanding of aging effects in plutonium, provides a lifetime estimate range, and outlines in some detail methodology that will improve this estimate over the next few years. For more information, contact J.C. Martz, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Enhanced Surveillance, MST-DO, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545; (505) 667-2323; e-mail jmartz@lanl.gov. Editor’s Note: A hypertext-enhanced version of this article is available on-line at www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0309/Martz-0309.html     

Developing SPD methods for processing bulk nanostructured materials with enhanced properties

Severe plastic deformation (SPD), i.e. intense plastic straining under high pressure, is an innovative technique for processing ultrafine-grained nanostructured metals and alloys. SPD fabricated nanostructures can lead to novel properties, which, however, depend strongly on the processing parameters. This paper focuses on examples of attaining enhanced mechanical properties in several metals and alloys, subjected to severe plastic deformation. In addition, the relationships among the processing conditions, microstructures and properties of the materials produced by SPD are considered.     

大塑性变形制备超细晶铝锂合金的组织及力学性能研究进展

综述了大塑性变形工艺制备超细晶铝锂合金的显微组织及其力学性能,分析了大塑性变形过程中铝锂合金的组织演变及其影响因素。铝锂合金的强化机制主要是基于析出强化,结合大塑性变形得到的超细晶粒组织可以显著提高强度和塑性,并得到优异的超塑性。表明大塑性变形加工铝锂合金,尤其是等通道挤压制备的超细晶铝镁锂合金在超塑性工业具有广阔的发展前景。     

超声滚压剧烈塑性变形诱导金属材料结构演变的研究进展

首先,对表面完整性的基本概念和内涵进行了概述,同时简要介绍了超声实现滚压技术的基本原理及其优点。随后,对比分析了不同剧烈塑性变形方法的特点和局限性,引出了实现表面完整性的相关剧烈塑性变形协调机制。在此基础上,随后结合其他剧烈塑性变形强化工艺,重点总结了超声滚压剧烈塑性变形对金属材料表面微观结构演变的影响。具体探讨了剧烈塑性变形诱导晶粒细化机制、晶粒生长机制以及合金元素偏聚机制等,主要分别论述了不同层错能的面心立方、体心立方以及密排六方等不同金属晶体结构的晶粒细化机制(以位错滑移、变形孪晶为主导)、晶粒长大机制(以晶界迁移、晶粒旋转为主要)与合金元素偏聚机制(晶界偏聚、位错核心偏聚)等。最后,对以上内容进行了综合总结,并针对超声滚压技术研究中存在的问题给出进一步研究和发展的建议,从而为实现超声滚压金属材料的表面完整性的主动精准控制及提高其服役寿命与可靠性提供一定的参考。     

剧烈塑性变形法制备块体纳米材料的研究与发展

综述了采用剧烈塑性变形技术制备块体超细品和纳米晶结构金属的主要方法,如等通道转角挤压、高压扭转、累积轧合与往复挤压.并介绍了两种完全有别于传统的剧烈塑性变形制备超细晶和纳米晶金属材料的最新工艺,如大应变切削和大应变挤压切削.系统地阐明了这些方法的基本原理、变形特点及应用,分析其优缺点并提出改进措施与发展方向.     

An odyssey through the rare earths. A quest for knowledge

Research highlights on rare earth materials are described from the earliest days as a graduate student during the mid 1950s, through the six years at Los Alamos, to the last 28 at Iowa State University. The early work was concerned with the rare earth carbides which led to an appreciation of systematics of the properties of rare earth materials. Use of the systematic variation of properties and behaviors is a powerful tool in understanding the nature of certain phenomena - in particular solid solution formation and the role of 4f electrons in bonding (4f hybridization). Some of the anomalous 4f properties of cerium metal and cerium compounds, and the quenching of spin fluctuations in exchanged enhanced materials, are also discussed.     

Severe Plastic Deformation Techniques for Bulk Ultrafine-grained Materials

剧烈塑性变形制备超细晶金属材料是当前的研究热点。基于机制和微观组织变化综述了剧烈塑性变形制备块状超细晶材料的一些方法,特别是给出了两种新型成形技术-等截面椭圆变通道扭挤和等截面椭圆转变通道扭拉,此外还阐述了剧烈塑性变形存在的问题及未来的研究方向。     

Texture Evolution in a Ti-Ta-Nb Alloy Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation

Titanium alloys are extensively used in a variety of applications because of their good mechanical properties, high biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. Recently, ??-type Ti alloys containing Ta and Nb have received much attention because they feature not only high specific strength but also biocorrosion resistance, no allergic problems, and biocompatibility. A Ti-25Ta-25Nb ??-type titanium alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing by accumulative roll bonding and investigated with the aim to observe the texture developed during SPD processing. Texture data expressed by pole figures, inverse pole figures, and orientation distribution functions for the (110), (200), and (211) ??-Ti peaks were obtained by XRD investigations. The results showed that it is possible to obtain high-intensity share texture modes ({001}??110??) and well-developed ?? and ??-fibers; the most important fiber is the ??-fiber ({001} $ \left\langle {1\bar{1}0} \right\rangle $ to {114} $ \left\langle {1\bar{1}0} \right\rangle $ to {112} $ \left\langle {1\bar{1}0} \right\rangle $ ). High-intensity texture along certain crystallographic directions represents a way to obtain materials with high anisotropic properties.     

Emission Mössbauer spectroscopy of grain boundaries in ultrafine-grained W and Mo produced by severe plastic deformation

Grain boundaries in ultrafine-grained W and Mo produced by severe plastic deformation (SPD) by high-pressure torsion method have been studied by emission Mössbauer spectroscopy on ⁵⁷Co (⁵⁷Fe) nuclei. The evolution of the state of the grain boundaries has been studied upon heating. It has been shown that, after SPD, the grain boundaries are in a nonequilibrium state, which is characterized by an excess free volume. Upon annealing, the state of the grain boundaries changes as it approaches the state typical of coarse-grained materials.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of medium-carbon steel subjected to severe plastic deformation

Metal Science and Heat Treatment - The microstructure and properties of medium-carbon steel (0.45% C) are studied after torsional severe plastic deformation (SPD) at a high quasi-hydrostatic...     

Bulk Nanostructured Metals for Innovative Applications

Nanostructuring of various materials is a key for obtaining extraordinary properties that are very attractive for different structural and functional applications. During the last two decades, the production of bulk nanostructured materials (BNMs) by severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques has attracted special interest since it offers new opportunities for the fabrication of commercial nanostructured metals and alloys for various specific applications. Very significant progress has been made in this area in recent years, which is evident by the first production of advanced pilot articles from nanostructured metals with new functionality. These aspects of innovations of BNMs processed by SPD are discussed in this overview.