Microalloying of Sc, Ni, and Ce in an advanced Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical microscopy, the effects of microalloying elements of Sc, Ni, and Ce on the microstructure of a new super-high-strength ingot metallurgy (IM)/Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy (C912) have been correlated with mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior. Using microalloying with Sc, Ni, and Ce, the C912 alloy can exhibit very high strength and good SCC resistance. Compared to the baseline C912 alloy, Sc refines the microstructure and retards recrystallization, Ni promotes the development of matrix precipitates, which enhance the strength and SCC resistance, and Ce has little effect on alloy strengthening in the three microalloying additions studied. The Sc-containing alloy (C912S) is the most attractive and even exhibits higher strength (ultimate tensile strength (UTS) greather than 660MPa) than the new Alcoa aluminum alloy 7055 and the Russian alloy B96, which have the highest strengths of the commercial IM/Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys.     

Transformation of mechanically alloyed Nb-Sn powder to Nb<Subscript>3</Subscript>Sn

Nb₃Sn was processed via mechanical alloying (MA). The powder mixture comprised of stoichiometric proportions of elemental niobium and tin powder was mechanically alloyed for 3 hours and the mechanically alloyed powder mixture was heat treated. While MA resulted in Nb-Sn solid solution, the reaction leading to the formation of Nb₃Sn occurs during the subsequent heat treatment of the powder mixture.     

Advanced materials in golf clubs: The titanium phenomenon

Titanium golf club woods are capturing a huge share of the market for golfing equipment. This article describes this phenomenon and discusses emerging titanium irons and putters.     

Hardening and phase stability in rapidly solidified Al–Fe–Ce alloys

Rapidly solidified (RS) Al–Fe–Ce alloys were prepared by melt spinning. The phases present and the thermal stability, at temperatures up to 500 °C, were then followed by X-ray analysis, chemistry, hardness and thermal analysis techniques. The results obtained indicated that the alloys studied have enhanced mechanical properties compared to commercial aluminium alloys and castings of the same alloy compositions, and the RS alloy also exhibit good stability up to about 300 °C; a result of stable second phase particles. It is suggested that these results indicate that there are two mechanisms responsible for the hardening and stability of the RS alloys: solid solution strengthening at lower temperatures, and semicoherent particles formed from supersaturated solid solution at higher temperature. The maximum hardness, after 2 h ageing occurred at about 300 °C. At higher temperatures the dispersed phase became incoherent with a dramatic loss in hardness.     

Titanium in the family automobile: The cost challenge

With advances in extraction/fabrication techniques and ever-increasing gasoline prices, the advantage of using lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium in automobiles continues to increase, particularly for the first two metals. The major drawback for titanium, much more so than the other light metals, is high cost. However, innovative extraction and fabrication approaches are leading to decreased cost. This paper discusses the present status and future potential for titanium use in the family automobile. For more information, contact F.H. Froes, Institute for Materials and Advanced Processes, University of Idaho, McClure Hall, Room 437, Moscow, ID 83844-3026; e-mail: imap@uidaho.edu.