Rotational and translational domains of beta precipitate in aged binary Mg-Ce alloys

The structural evolution fromβ_(1)(Mg_(3)Ce)toβ(Mg_(12)Ce)precipitates,which takes place at the over-aged stage of binary Mg-Ce alloys,are investigated by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy.The structural transformation mainly occurs in the{111}_(β1)crystallographic planes,where the newly formedβlattices exhibit two categories of domain structures,namely rotational and translational domains.The rotational domain is composed of threeβdomains(β_(RA),β_(RB)andβ_(RC)),which are related by a 120°rotation with respect to each other around the 111_(β1)axis of theirβ_(1)parent phase.The{111}_(β1)crystallographic planes can provide four sets of sublattices with the same orientation for an initial nucleation ofβlattice.It leads to the formation of four translationalβdomains(β_(TA),β_(TB),β_(TC)andβ_(TD)),among which any two differ by a vector of 1/6112_(β1).We deduce theoretically that there exist twenty-fourβdomains during this transition.However,considering the interfacial misfit,only one-third of domains can grow up and eventually formsβribbon.Furthermore,a majority ofβribbons overlap partiallyβ_(1)plate,which is beneficial to relax interfacial strain amongβ,β_(1)andα-Mg matrix(α/β/β_(1)).The configuration of multipleβdomains can effectively regulate interfacial misfit ofα/βandβ/β_(1),which are responsible for enhancing the hardness and strength of Mg-Ce alloy.Additionally,this study aims to provide some clues to improve the over-aged performance of magnesium alloys by constructingβdomains and optimizing theα/β/β_(1)interface.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of X80 Pipeline Steel Joints by Friction Stir Welding Under Various Cooling Conditions

X80 pipeline steel plates were friction stir welded(FSW)under air,water,liquid CO2+water,and liquid CO2 cooling conditions,producing defect-free welds.The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of these FSW joints were studied.Coarse granular bainite was observed in the nugget zone(NZ)under air cooling,and lath bainite and lath martensite increased signifi cantly as the cooling medium temperature reduced.In particular,under the liquid CO2 cooling condition,a dual phase structure of lath martensite and fi ne ferrite appeared in the NZ.Compared to the case under air cooling,a strong shear texture was identifi ed in the NZs under other rapid cooling conditions,because the partial deformation at elevated temperature was retained through higher cooling rates.Under liquid CO2 cooling,the highest transverse tensile strength and elongation of the joint reached 92%and 82%of those of the basal metal(BM),respectively,due to the weak tempering softening.A maximum impact energy of up to 93%of that of the BM was obtained in the NZ under liquid CO2 cooling,which was attributed to the operation of the dual phase of lath martensite and fi ne ferrite.

Effect of Yttrium Addition on Microstructural Characteristics and Superplastic Behavior of Friction Stir Processed ZK60 Alloy

As-extruded ZK60 and ZK60-Y magnesium alloy plates were successfully processed via friction stir processing （FSP） at a tool rotation rate of 1600 r/rain and a traverse speed of 200 mm/min. FSP resulted in the formation of equiaxed recrystallized microstructures with the average grain sizes of ,-8.5 and -4.7 μm in the ZK60 and ZK60-Y alloys, respectively. Moreover, FSP broke and dispersed the MgZn2 and W-phase （Mg3Zn3Y2） particles and dissolved MgZn2 phase in the FSP ZK60 alloy. With the addition of rare earth element yttrium （Y） into the ZK60 alloy, the ratio of the high angle grain boundaries （HAGBs） in the FSP alloys increased from 64% to 90%, and a certain amount of twins appeared in the FSP ZK60-Y alloy. The maximum elongation of 1200% and optimum strain rate of 3 X 10-3 s-1 achieved at 450 °C in the FSP ZK60-Y alloy were substantially higher than those of the FSP ZK60 alloy. This is attributed to the fine grains with high ratio of HAGBs and the distribution of a large number of dispersed second phase particles with high thermal stability in the FSP ZK60-Y alloy. Grain boundary sliding was identified as the primary deformation mechanism in the FSP ZK60 and ZK60-Y alloys from the superplastic data analyses and surficial morphology observations.

Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of Friction-Stir-Welded DP1180 Advanced Ultrahigh Strength Steel

Friction stir lap welding of a DP1180 advanced ultrahigh strength steel was successfully carried out by using three welding tools with different pin lengths. The effects of the welding heat input and material flow on the microstructure evolution of the joints were analyzed in detail. The relationship between pin length and mechanical properties of lap joints was studied. The results showed that the peak temperatures of all joints exceeded A c3, and martensite phases with similar morphologies were formed in the stir zones. These martensite retained good toughness due to the self-tempering effect. The formation of ferrite and tempered martensite was the main reason for the hardness reduction in heat-affected zone. The mechanical properties of the lap joints were determined by loading mode, features of lap interface and the joint defects. When the stir pin was inserted into the lower sheet with a depth of 0.4 mm, the lap joint exhibited the maximum tensile strength of 12.4 kN.

Evolution mechanisms of microstructure and mechanical properties in a friction stir welded ultrahigh-strength quenching and partitioning steel

Ultrahigh-strength quenching and partitioning(Q&P) steels have attracted strong interests in the auto manufactory,while the comprehensive understanding in the microstructure and mechanical behavior of their welded joints is highly needed to enrich their applications.In the present work,it is designed to make an insight into these imperative conundrums.Equal strength Q&P 1180 steel joints to parent metal were successfully fabricated via friction stir welding(FSW) technique under different parameters. Apparent hardening and softening were observed in stir zone(SZ) and heat-affected zone(HAZ) respectively,whose microstructures strongly depended on the peak temperature and cooling rate during welding.The formation of fresh martensite was the main mechanism for the SZ hardening,while the decomposition of metastable phases played key roles in the microhardness drop of the HAZ.A heat source zone-isothermal phase transition layer model was proposed to clarify the impregnability of the joint strength under parameter variation.The dual-phase structure,nano-carbide particles,tempered initial martensite,and ultrafine-grained ferrite synergistically improved the strain hardening ability of the HAZ,which eventually resulted in the equal strength FSW joints.

Effect of Rotation Rate on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Spot Welded DP780 Steel

DP780 steel sheets consisting of ferrite and martensite were successfully friction stir spot welded （FSSW） at the rotation rates of 500 to 1500 r/min using a W-Re alloy tool, The effect of rotation rate on micro- structure and mechanical properties of the FSSW DP780 was investigated. The peak temperatures in the welds at various rotation rates were identified to be above A3 temperature. FSSW caused the dynamic recrystallization in the stir zone （SZ）, thereby producing the fine equiaxed grain structures. At the higher rotation rates of≥1000 r/min, a full martensitic structure was observed throughout the SZs, whereas at the lower rotation rate of 500 r/min, the SZ consisted of a fine dual phase structure of ferrite and mar- tensite due to the action of deformation induced ferrite transformation. The maximum average failure load as high as 18.2 kN was obtained at the rotation rate of 1000 r/min and the fracture occurred at the thinned upper sheet.

Microstructural refinement mechanism and its effect on toughness in the nugget zone of high-strength pipeline steel by friction stir welding

High-strength pipeline steel was subjected to friction stir welding(FSW)at rotation rates of 400-700 rpm,and the grain refinement mechanism of the nugget zone(NZ)was determined.The thermomechanical process during FSW in the NZ was simulated by multi-pass thermal compression,thereby achieving the austenitic non-recrystallization temperature(T_(nr)).The austenitic non-recrystallization in the NZ at the lowest rotation rate of 400 rpm caused a significant grain refinement.Furthermore,the reduced rotation rate also resulted in the formation of a high ratio of island-like martensite-austenite(M-A)constituent.The toughness of the NZs was enhanced as the rotation rate decreased,which is attributed to the fine effective grains and homogeneously distributed fine M-A constituents dramatically inhibiting crack initiation and propagation.