Recent progress on apparatus development and in situ observation of metal solidification processes via synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging: A review

The solidification process of metals plays a critical role in their final microstructure and, correspondingly, in their performance. It is therefore important to probe the solidification behavior of metals using advanced in situ techniques. Synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging is one of the most powerful techniques to observe the solidification process of metals directly. Here, we review the development of the solidification apparatus, including the directional solidification device, resistance furnace, multi-field coupling device, semisolid forming device, aerodynamic levitation apparatus, and laser additive manufacturing apparatus. We highlight the recent research progress on the use of synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging to reveal the solidification behavior of metals in the above circumstances. The future perspectives of synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging in metal research are discussed. Further development of this technique will contribute to improve the understanding of the solidification process of metals and other types of materials at different scales.

Hot deformation characteristics of as-cast high-Cr ultra-super-critical rotor steel with columnar grains

Isothermal hot compression tests of as-cast high-Cr ultra-super-critical（USC） rotor steel with columnar grains perpendicular to the compression direction were carried out in the temperature range from 950 to 1250°C at strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 1 s^（-1）. The softening mechanism was dynamic recovery（DRV） at 950°C and the strain rate of 1 s^（-1）, whereas it was dynamic recrystallization（DRX） under the other conditions. A modified constitutive equation based on the Arrhenius model with strain compensation reasonably predicted the flow stress under various deformation conditions, and the activation energy was calculated to be 643.92 kJ ×mol^（-1）. The critical stresses of dynamic recrystallization under different conditions were determined from the work-hardening rate（θ）–flow stress（σ） and-θ/σ–σ curves. The optimum processing parameters via analysis of the processing map and the softening mechanism were determined to be a deformation temperature range from 1100 to 1200°C and a strain-rate range from 0.001 to 0.08 s^（-1）, with a power dissipation efficiency η greater than 31%.

Constitutive analysis and optimization on hot working parameters of as-cast high Cr ultra-super-critical rotor steel with columnar grains

Isothermal hot compression tests on the as-cast high-Cr ultra-super-critical rotor steel with columnar grains were carried out in the temperature range from 1223 to 1523Kand at strain rates from 0.001 to 1s^（-1）.The compression direction was parallel to the longitudinal direction of columnar grains.The constitutive equation based on Arrhenius model was presented,and the processing maps based on the dynamic material model were developed,correlating with microstructure observation.The main softening mechanism was dynamic recovery at 1223 Kunder strain rates from 0.1to 1s^（-1）,whereas it was dynamic recrystallization under other deformation conditions.The constitutive equation modified by strain compensation reasonably predicted the flow stresses.The processing maps and microstructure evolution mechanism schematic indicated that the optimum hot working parameters lay in the zone defined by the temperature range from 1423 to 1473Kand the strain rate range from 0.001 to 1s^（-1）.

In situ Study on the Growth Behavior of Primary Al_3Ni Phase in Solidifying Al–Ni Alloy by Synchrotron Radiography

The growth behavior of Al_3Ni intermetallic compounds（IMCs）during the directional solidification of Al-10 wt%Ni alloy was investigated by synchrotron radiography.Two main growth patterns of primary Al_3Ni phase,I-like and V-like,appeared during solidification,and I-like Al_3Ni phase grew faster than V-like phase,which can be explained by the minimum energy criterion.The growth of I-like phase can be divided into two stages and was mainly affected by undercooling and Ni concentration.We also found that V-like Al_3Ni phase can evolve into M-like phase during solidification.