An investigation on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of A380 aluminum alloy during SIMA process

Microstructural evolution and tensile properties of thixoformed near net shape parts of A380 aluminum alloy have been studied. The effect of plastic deformation and holding time in the appropriate semi-solid temperature has been investigated in the strain-induced melt activating process (SIMA). The results of image analysis showed that by increasing the deformation value from 5% to 11%, the recrystallized α-Al grains gradually refined as a result of the increasing the nucleation rate. At the value of 11% plastic deformation a dominant globular structure of α-Al grains was obtained. However, further increasing in the plastic deformation (14%) reduced considerably the shape factor. The equivalent diameter and the shape factor of the globular grains were 70.3 μm and 79%, respectively, after about 11% of plastic deformation. Holding time of the specimens at the semi-solid temperature has been studied from zero to 30 min. It was found that the holding time of 25 min is the best to prevent grain growth. The mechanical properties of thixoformed alloys were also investigated. The results showed that the yield, tensile strength and elongation have been increased considerably using thixoforming, compared with the as-cast condition.     

Forming of AlSi8Cu3Fe alloy in the semi-solid state

AlSi8Cu3Fe alloy is a general purpose die casting alloy widely used to manufacture automotive parts. Forming of this alloy in the semi-solid state could largely eliminate problems inherent in die casting process and thus offers a number of advantages. Low superheat casting was employed in the present work to produce non-dendritic AlSi8Cu3Fe alloy feedstock. The ingots thus obtained were thixoformed in a laboratory press after they were held at 570 °C for 5 min, yielding a microstructure with predominantly α-Al globules and interglobular Si particles. The thixoformed parts attain hardness values as high as 125 HB after T6 heat treatment, implying a considerable age hardening potential. However, with a reheating temperature range of 568–572 °C, thixoforming of AlSi8Cu3Fe alloy components under industrial conditions may be challenging.     

Microstructural evolution and tensile mechanical properties of thixoformed AZ91D magnesium alloy with the addition of yttrium

The microstructure evolution of AZ91D magnesium alloy in the semi-solid state has been proposed or reported in previous literature. However, no detailed investigation has been conducted regarding the relationship between the microstructure and tensile mechanical properties of the thixoformed AZ91D magnesium alloy. In this paper, the microstructure of AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium was produced by the semi-solid thermal transformation (SSTT) route and the strain-induced melt activation (SIMA) route, respectively. Isothermal holding experiments investigated grain coarsening and the degree of spheroidization as a function of holding time in the semi-solid state. The SSTT route and the SIMA route were used to obtain the semi-solid feedstock for thixoforming. The results show that solid particles of the SSTT alloy are spheroidized to some extent but the previous irregular shape is still obvious in some of them. While the SIMA alloy exhibits ideal, fine microstructure, in which completely spheroidized solid particles contain little entrapped liquid. The microstructure of the SSTT alloy is less spheroidized compared with the SIMA alloy under the similar isothermal holding condition. As the holding time increases, the mean solid particle size of the SSTT alloy decreases initially, then increases, while the mean solid particle size of the SIMA alloy increases monotonously at 560 °C. Compared with the SSTT alloy, the SIMA alloy obtains finer grains under the similar isothermal holding condition. The mechanical properties of the thixoformed AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium produced by the SIMA route are better than those of the thixoformed alloy produced by the SSTT route. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation for the thixoformed alloy produced by the SIMA route are 303.1 MPa, 147.6 MPa and 13.27%, respectively. The tensile properties for the AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium thixoformed from starting material produced by the SIMA route are better than those of the AZ91D alloy with the addition of yttrium thixoformed from starting material produced by the SSTT route.     

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and its thixoforming

Preparation of semi-solid billet of magnesium alloy and thixoforming was investigated by applying equal channel angularextrusion to magnesium alloy.The results show that mechanical properties of AZ91D alloy at room temperature,such as yieldstrength(YS),ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and elongation,are enhanced greatly by four-pass equal channel angularextrusion(ECAE)at 573 K and microstructure of AZ91D alloy is refined to the average grain size of 20μm.Through using ECAE asstrain induced step in SIMA and completing melt activated step by semi-solid isothermal treatment,semi-solid billet with finespheroidal grains of 25μm can be prepared successfully.Compared with common SIMA,thixoformed satellite angle framecomponents using semi-solid billet prepared by new SIMA have higher mechanical properties at room temperature and hightemperature of 373 K.     

Ti14钛合金半固态下的变形行为研究

研究了Ti14钛合金半固态条件下的变形行为。半固态变形后．由于液相的出现，加快了原子扩散的能力．其变形激活能明显高于钛合金固态变形时的激活能。结果表明，变形后，晶界、晶内液相长大，形成了宽化的晶界和网格状结构。     

A study on the electroless Ni-P deposition on WE43 magnesium alloy

In this paper an attempt has been made to understand the mechanism of the deposition process of an electroless Ni-P (EN) coating on WE43 magnesium alloy. Also a number of properties concerning the deposited coatings have been reviewed. The results show that the starting microstructure of the alloy consists of a primary α phase together with some eutectic β phase at triple points and along with some grain boundaries. Microstructural studies reveal an uneven distribution of alloying elements in the phases and they are predominantly segregated to the eutectic β phase. This phenomenon can result in galvanic coupling between eutectic β and primary α phases. Detailed studies prove that the replacement reaction takes place at the early stages of coating, and is followed by the autocatalytic reaction at the next stages of deposition.The X-ray diffraction patterns of primitive coatings show a broad peak around 2θ of 45°, which is an indication of an amorphous or an extremely fine crystalline structure. Annealing at 400 °C for an hour led the nature of deposits to be changed to crystalline phases of Ni, Ni₃P, and NiP₃. Microhardness values of coatings are considerably higher than those of the bare substrate. These further increase when they are annealed at 400 °C for 1 h. Electrochemical polarization curves and calculated corrosion values reveal higher corrosion potential (E_corr) for the coating than for the bare substrate. This decreases again when the coating is annealed at 400 °C for 1 h.     

Effect of original microstructures on microstructural evolution of A2017 semi-solid alloy billets during reheating

The microstructural evolution of the A2017 semi-solid alloy billets provided with rheocasting and extruding/extending forming by shearing-cooling-rolling(SCR) technology during reheating in semi-solid state was investigated. The microstructural differences and their generation causes for both billets were also analyzed. The results show that during reheating, the grains of rheocasting billets grow up and spheroidize gradually with the prolongation of isothermal holding time, the eutectic liquid phase at low melting point forms mainly among the grains. However, the grains of the extruding/extending forming billets grow up abnormally through grain coalescence in the initial stage of the reheating, the entrapment of large amount of liquid within grains occurs, and the grain sizes in the reheating billets are coarse and inhomogeneous. Compared with extruding/extending forming billets, rheocasting billets have smaller and uniform grains in reheating microstructure and can rapidly form liquid phase among grains. Therefore, rheocasting billets are more suitable for the semi-solid forming than the extruding/extending forming billets.     

变形程度对7A04合金半固态触变组织的影响

获得具有触变特性的均匀的、近球形的显微组织是半固态触变成形工艺的基础和关键。以挤压态7A04合金SIMA法生成触变组织为例．研究变形程度对其半固态触变组织的影响。结果表明：在加热前的变形程度对显微组织的影响很大，随着变形程度的增加，晶粒尺寸减小，晶粒形状越趋于球形；当变形程度超过0．3时，晶粒尺寸及其球形化速度逐渐减慢并趋于稳定值。此外，经过冷变形后，晶粒内及晶粒间的偏析减小，晶界易被低熔点液相浸润．更易获得均匀的、近球形的触变组织。     

时效5年的触变成形ZA27合金微观形貌观察

通过OM、SEM和XRD,对触变成形并经5年自然时效的ZA27合金的微观组织进行了观察。结果表明：ZA27合金是由富Al枝晶和枝晶间的共晶组织组成。经触变成形和自然时效后的ZA27合金由球状初生粒子α′相、晶间的二次凝固组织及半固态成形时没有凝固完全的小液池组成。共晶方式主要为离异共晶及其中“蜂窝”状棒状共晶,部分区域出现不规则层片共晶组织。ZA27合金通过随后的冷却和自然时效过程,经过了一系列的相变,β相发生胞状分解,形成规则的共析（α＋η）层片组织或是不规则的复杂形状组织,从一些层片区域逐渐向低铝的α′相区域中心生长为粗大的层片组织,当其生长被α′相中心的连续分解所阻挡时,致使其芯部形成细小的（α＋η）颗粒组织。     

Special features of the formation of the microstructure and chemical heterogeneity in welded joints in alloys of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system alloyed with scandium

Special features of the formation of the microstructure and the development of chemical heterogeneity in the weld metal and heat-affected zone (HAZ) in arc welding of a complex alloyed alloy of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu system are discussed. It is shown that the effect of welding heating results in melting of the phase components of the alloy in the HAZ with the formation of structures of the eutectic origin in the form of long interlayers at the boundaries of recrystallized grains, causing brittleness of the metal. Alloying the alloy with scandium reduces the intensity of the processes of recrystallization and the extent of liquation at the grain boundaries and also localizes the melting of the grains without the formation of thick eutectic interlayers.     

Microstructure and high temperature tensile properties of Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys prepared by semi-solid thixoforming

The differences in the microstructure and elevated temperature tensile properties of gravity die cast, squeeze cast, and semi-solid thixoformed Al–Si–Cu–Mn–Fe alloys after thermal exposure at 300 °C were discussed. The results demonstrate that the elevated temperature tensile properties of semi-solid thixoformed alloys were significantly higher than those of gravity die cast and squeeze cast alloys, especially after thermal exposure for 100 h. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of semi-solid thixoformed alloys after thermal exposure at 300 °C for 0.5, 10 and 100 h were 181, 122 and 110 MPa, respectively. The UTS values of semi-solid thixoformed alloys were higher than those of heat resistant aluminum alloys used in commercial applications. The enhanced elevated temperature tensile properties of semi-solid thixoformed experimental alloys after thermal exposure can be attributed to the combined reinforcement of precipitation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening due to thermally stable intermetallic phases as well as suitable grain size.     

Effect of semi-solid forming on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the iron containing Al-Si alloys

Iron is the most common impurity in aluminum casting alloys. The iron-bearing intermetallic compounds have the detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the alloys. The aim of this research is to study the effects of plastic deformation and semi-solid forming on the morphology and distribution of the iron-bearing intermetallics and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al-Si alloys. Different amounts of iron and manganese were introduced into the A380 aluminum casting alloys. The alloys were processed through plastic deformation, recrystallisation and partial melting (RAP), and thixoforming. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the thixoformed alloys were investigated. The results showed that the RAP and thixoforming processes promote the formation of the very fine and well-distributed α-Al₁₅(FeMn)₃Si₂ compounds in the aluminum matrix. The yield and tensile strength as well as elongation of the alloys have been increased considerably by semi-solid forming compared with the as-cast condition.     

Microstructure evolution of processed Mg-Al-Zn alloy by equal channel angular extrusion in semi-solid isothermal treatment

1Introduction Thixoforming is one of the best methods regarding manufacture of Mg-Al-Zn alloy components because of its low resistance of deformation compared with solid metal forging and high mechanical properties of formed components compared with liqui…     

Abnormal mechanical property evolution induced by heat treatment for a semi-solid forming hypereutectic Al-Fe base alloy

In the present study, Al-5.5Fe-4Cu-2Zn-0.4Mg-0.5Mn al oy samples were prepared by electromagnetic stirring and semi-solid forming processing, and then the effects of T6 and T1 heat treatments on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the semi-solid forming samples were investigated. The results indicate that after semi-solid forming, the mechanical properties of the sample improved significantly compared to that of the merely electromagnetically stirred sample. The grains of semi-solid forming alloy became almost fine equiaxed; big long strip-shaped Al3 Fe phases became short rod-like morphology and distributed uniformly in the matrix. However, the mechanical properties of the T6-treated semi-solid forming sample decreased significantly instead of increasing and, with solution temperature rising, the tensile strength of the al oy decreased further. The results of EDS show that after high temperature solid-solution treatment, the Cu element in the semi-solid forming alloy sample is mainly concentrated at the boundaries of the Al3 Fe phases instead of being dissolved in the matrix. At the same time, the grains of the semi-solid forming sample grew slightly after solid-solution treatment. Therefore, the growth of the grains and the accumulation of Cu element at Al3 Fe phase boundaries during solution treatment of the semi-solid forming alloy were the main reasons for the mechanical properties decreasing after T6 treatment. The mechanical properties of the alloy were improved after T1 heat treatment due to aging strengthening phase being precipitated in the matrix.     

SSTT和RAP方法得到的ZK60镁合金的组织变化和力学性能

研究了分别由半固态热成形方法（SSTT）和部分重熔再结晶方法（RAP）得到的 ZK60镁合金在一定温度下显微组织随等温时间的变化和触变成形试样的力学性能。结果表明,合并长大机制在SSTT合金的组织变化中占主导地位,熟化机制在RAP 合金的组织变化中起主要作用。在相同的等温条件下,与SSTT方法相比,RAP方法可以得到更细小的半固态显微组织,RAP合金组织比SSTT合金组织更圆整。由SSTT方法和RAP方法得到的ZK60镁合金触变成形后均得到了较理想的成形件,触变成形工艺提高了材料的力学性能。与 SSTT 合金相比, RAP合金具有更优越的力学性能。     

Grain refinement and mechanical properties of asymmetrically rolled low carbon steel

The formation of fine ferrite grains by the asymmetric rolling of low carbon steel and their mechanical properties were studied. Super-cooled low carbon austenite was deformed by asymmetric rolling at 750 °C with a roll size ratio of 1.5 and immediately cooled at various cooling rates ranging from 3 °C/s to 15 °C/s. Fine ferrite grains (∼2 μm) were formed after asymmetric rolling, preferentially at the prior austenite grain boundaries. The volume fraction of the fine ferrite grains increased with increasing rolling reduction. A ferrite plus pearlite microstructure was obtained at smaller strains and slower cooling rates. However, after heavy deformation, a fine ferrite grain structure with carbide particles dispersed at the ferrite grain boundaries was obtained and the pearlite structure was not observed even after very slow cooling, which implies that most of the ferrite grains were formed dynamically, i.e. during deformation. The yield strength of the asymmetrically rolled steel plates increased with increasing deformation; however, the yield ratio also increased with increasing rolling reduction. The best combination of strength and yield ratio was obtained by using a low level of deformation and a high cooling rate, in which case a portion of the untransformed austenite transformed to martensite.     

高固相率半固态镁合金触变成形数值模拟

对高固相率半固态镁合金触变成形过程进行数值模拟,分析了成形过程中的应力、应变分布和温度场,对比了半固态坯料与常规态坯料成形的特点.结果表明,半固态镁合金材料具有变形抗力小,应力、应变分布均匀的特点,材料流动性、充填性能优于常规坯料,能够一次成形复杂形状零件.数值模拟为半固态成形工艺参数的优化起到很好的参考作用.     

Semisolid structure for M2 high speed steel prepared by cooling slope

Effects of cooling slope angle and the temperature of molten metal on the globular structure of M2 high speed steel after holding at the semisolid state have been investigated. The globular structure was achieved by pouring the molten metal at 1595 °C on the ceramic cooling slope with the length of 200 mm and the angle of 25°. The globular structure of M2 high speed steel in the form of rolled–annealed and as cast condition after holding at semisolid state has been achieved. The size of globular grains of cooling slope sample was smaller than that of the rolled–annealed and as cast samples. Solid particles of rolled–annealed sample after holding at semisolid state had better roundness compared with cooling slope sample. Dissolution of carbides in the austenite phase at grain boundaries leads to formation of globular particles in the semisolid state. MC-type and M₆C-type eutectic carbides reprecipitate during cooling cycle along grain boundaries.     

In situ investigation of SnAgCu solder alloy microstructure

In situ X-ray diffraction experiments, using synchrotron radiation, were employed to analyze microstructure evolution of the 96.5Sn3Ag0.5Cu (wt.%)—SAC305 lead-free solder alloy during heating (30-240 °C), isothermal dwell (240 °C) and cooling (240-30 °C). The special emphasis was placed on the study of the melting and solidification processes, explaining formation, distribution and the order of crystallization of the crystal phases (β-Sn, intermetallic compounds) in the solder alloy. Furthermore, thermal expansion behaviour of the main constituent phase β-Sn was analyzed prior to melting and after the consequent solidification.     

Kinetics and driving forces of abnormal grain growth in thin Cu films

The abnormal growth of individual (1 0 0) oriented grains is monitored by the in situ electron backscatter diffraction technique for more than 24 h at three different annealing temperatures (90 °C, 104 °C and 118 °C) in 1-5 μm thick Cu films on polyimide substrates. The (1 0 0) grain growth velocity increases with higher film thickness and annealing temperature, as suggested by an earlier model by Thompson and Carel. As a result, the final (1 0 0) texture fraction becomes more dominant for higher annealing temperatures and larger film thicknesses. The Thompson-Carel model, however, predicts that the (1 1 1) grains will preferably grow at temperatures up to 118 °C. Our calculations of the driving forces revealed that in addition to minimization of the strain energy (due to the thermal mismatch between film and substrate) and of the surface energy, the energy stored in the dislocations plays a decisive role in grain growth. Our observations can be understood by the notion that initially available (1 0 0) grain nuclei start to grow very rapidly, due to dislocation annihilation, and thus “overrun” the (1 1 1) grains in size.