Static globularization and grain morphology evolution ofαandβphases during annealing of hot-rolled TC21 titanium alloy

A lamellar-structure TC21 titanium alloy was hot-rolled and subsequently annealed at 820,880 and 940℃ for 1 and 6 h,and the effects of annealing parameters on static globularization and morphology evolution of bothαandβphases were studied.The results show thatαglobularization process is sluggish due to the limited boundary splitting at 820℃.With increasing temperature to 880℃,the accelerated boundary splitting and termination migration promote theαglobularization.At 820 and 880℃,the static recovery(SRV)and recrystallization(SRX)induce the grain refinement of interlamellarβphase.However,the excessively high temperature of 940℃ results in the coarsening ofαgrains due to the assistance of Ostwald ripening,and produces coarseβgrains mainly due to the absence of SRX in interlamellarβphases.Conclusively,880℃ is an appropriate annealing temperature to produce a homogeneous microstructure in which globularizedαand refinedβgrains distribute homogeneously.

Effect of pre-rolling path on mechanical properties of rolled ZK60 alloys

Pre-cold rolling with low reductions(<3%)was used to improve the mechanical properties of rolled ZK60 plates.The effects of rolling path on mechanical properties were investigated in detail.Both pre-cold rolling along the transverse direction(TD)and pre-cold rolling along the normal direction(ND)can increase the yield strength.However,pre-cold rolling along the TD is more effective than pre-cold rolling along the ND in improving the comprehensive mechanical properties.After pre-cold rolling to 3%reduction,the sample rolled along the TD and the sample rolled along the ND have similar tensile yield strength(~270 MPa).However,the former has a higher compressive yield strength,lower yield asymmetry and larger toughness than the latter.Moreover,pre-cold rolling can also enhance precipitation hardening effect.However,aging treatment cannot further improve the yield strength of pre-cold rolled samples.Finally,the related mechanism is discussed.

Insight from in situ microscopy into which precipitate morphology can enable high strength in magnesium alloys

Magnesium alloys, while boasting light weight, suffer from a major drawback in their relatively low strength. Identifying the microstructural features that are most effective in strengthening is therefore a pressing challenge. Deformation twinning often mediates plastic yielding in magnesium alloys. Unfortunately, due to the complexity involved in the twinning mechanism and twin-precipitate interactions, the optimal precipitate morphology that can best impede twinning has yet to be singled out. Based on the understanding of twinning mechanism in magnesium alloys, here we propose that the lamellar precipitates or the network of plate-shaped precipitates are most effective in suppressing deformation twinning. This has been verified through quantitative in situ tests inside a transmission electron microscope on a series of magnesium alloys containing precipitates with different morphology. The insight gained is expected to have general implications for strengthening strategies and alloy design. 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science ＆ Technology.