Tension-Compression Yield Asymmetry Influenced by the Variable Deformation Modes in Gradient Structure Mg Alloys

Surface mechanical attrition treatment(SMAT) was carried out on hot-rolled AZ31 Mg samples along two orthogonal directions;as a result,two types of gradient structures with different grain sizes and texture components in different layers were produced.The tension-compression yield asymmetry(YA) was studied using samples with different thicknesses,in order to elucidate the effect of combinations of variable deformation modes operating in different layers of the two oriented SMAT samples.The 0° oriented SMAT sample containing layers with strong basal texture displayed significant YA,because of either dislocation slip or extension twinning domination during tension or compression.By contrast,the 90° oriented SMAT sample containing layers with coexisting orthogonal texture components had an obviously weakened YA,which was attributed to the multi-deformation modes cooperating during tension or compression,i.e.,extension twinning or detwinning in conjunction with dislocation slips,leading to close yield stresses compared between tension and compression.

Dependence of tensile properties on microstructural features of bimodal-sized ferrite/cementite steels

A medium-carbon steel was processed through different warm rolling techniques,and the microstructural features with bimodal grain size distribution were found to be different.The combination of strength and ductility was ameliorated in the steel processed through warm rolling characterized by biaxial reduction.The enhanced strength is attributed to the densely distributed fine intragranular cementite particles and the small grain size in the coarse grain regions.The enhanced uniform elongation is due to the improved work hardening behavior at the large-strain stage.This work hardening behavior is predominantly ascribed to the finely dispersed intragranular particles.The relatively small grain size with nearly equiaxed shape in the coarse grain regions helps stabilize the uniform deformation to a large strain.

Nanoscratching and mechanical behaviors of high-entropy alloys with different phase constituents

High-entropy alloys(HEAs)exhibit unique microstructural features and properties in nanoscale and atomic scale because of their multi-element alloy system.The nanoscratching behaviors of three HEAs with different phase constituents,relative to the microstructure and mechanical properties of the HEAs,were investigated.Three typical phase constituents were selected:face-centered cubic(FCC)structure,body-centered cubic(BCC)structure,and a dual-phase structure containing both FCC and BCC phases.Despite the fact that the FCC alloy has the highest ductility and strain hardening capability,it exhibited inferior scratch resistance due to the over-softening of hardness.Due to the brittle failure mode,the BCC alloy hardly exhibited desirable scratch resistance despite its highest hardness.By contrast,the nanostructured dual-phase alloy exhibited the best scratch resistance because of its good combination of strength and ductility,as well as the ductile failure mode.This research suggests that the HEA with structure comprising nanoscale hard and soft phases is desirable for nanoscratch resistance,and possesses appropriate hardness for industrial applications.