Synergistic effects of composition and heat treatment on microstructure and properties of vacuum die cast Al-Si-Mg-Mn alloys

The purpose of this study was to prepare high-quality Al-Si-Mg-Mn alloy with a good combination of strength and ductility employing the vacuum-assisted high-pressure die cast process. An orthogonal study of heat treatments was conducted to design an optimized T6 heat treatment process for both Al-10%Si-0.3%Mg-Mn and Al-11%Si-0.6%Mg-Mn alloys. The results demonstrate that no obvious blisters and warpage were observed in these two alloys with solid solution treatment. After the optimal T6 heat treatment of 530°C×3 h + 165°C×6 h, Al-11%Si-0.6%Mg-Mn alloy has better mechanical properties, of which tensile strength, yield strength and elongation reached 377.3 MPa, 307.8 MPa and 9%, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties can be attributed to the high density of needle-like β″(Mg_5Si_6) precipitation after aging treatment and the fine and spherical eutectic Si particles uniformly distributed in the α-Al matrix.

Hard Magnetic Properties of Sm-Fe-C Based Alloys Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

The structure and magnetic properties of SmyFe100-1.5yC0.5y(y=8～20) alloys prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) from Sm, Fe and graphite have been investigated systematically. In order to improve hard magnetic properties of the alloys prepared by mechanical alloying, a new method consisting of re-milling and re-annealing was developed. After being re-milled and re-annealed, the Curie temperature TC of the Sm-Fe-C alloys changes. The TC of 2:17 phase increases, whereas the TC of 2:14:1 phase decreases. After being re-annealed at low temperatures, the grain sizes of hard phases are smaller than those in the alloys annealed at high temperatures. The effects of Co or Ti substitution for Fe are studied.

Electrical Properties of GeTe-based Ternary Alloys

Ge_（50-x）Sb_xTe_（50） and Ge_（50-x）Bi_xTe_（50） ternary alloys were synthesized by vacuum melting at 1273 K with the starting materials of Ge, Bi, Sb, and Te. The lattice structures were analyzed based on X-ray diffraction patterns, which could all be indexed to R3m rhombic structure. Electrical properties measurements revealed that the Ge-Sb-Te ternary alloys were p-type semiconductors with high electrical conductivity of 4.5×10~5S？m^（-1） near room temperature. And the maximum electrical property was obtained at Ge_45Sb_5Te_50, with the power factor of 2.49×10^（-3）W？m^（-1）K^（-2） at 640 K. Due to the existence of secondary phases, the electrical conductivity of Ge-Bi-Te system was lower and Seebeck coefficient was higher comparing with those of Ge-Sb-Te system.

Formation and Mechanical Properties of Zr-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al-Lu Bulk Glassy Alloys with Superior Glass-Forming Ability

Glass-forming ability（GFA） and mechanical properties of（Zr_（0.58）Nb_（0.03）Cu_（0.16）Ni_（0.13）Al_（0.10））_（100-x）Lu_x（x= 0-3 at%） alloys have been investigated.The GFA of Zr_（58）Nb_3Cu_（16）Ni_（13）Al_（10） alloy is dramatically enhanced by adding Lu.The（Zr_（0.58）Nb_（0.03）Cu_（0.16）Ni_（0.13）Al_（0.10））_（98）Lu_2 alloy possesses the highest GFA in the studied Zr-Nb-Cu-Ni-Al-Lu alloys,with its critical diameter for glass formation reaching 20 mm by copper-mould casting method,while that of the Lu-free Zr_（58）Nb_3Cu_（16）Ni_（13）Al_（10） alloy is 7 mm.The critical diameters of（Zr_（0.58）Nb_（0.03）Cu_（0.16）Ni_（0.13）Al_（0.10））_（100-x）Lu_x（x =1 at%and 3 at%） alloys are 15 mm and 12 mm,respectively.The Lu addition to Zr_（58）Nb_3Cu_（16）Ni_（13）Al_（10） alloy induces the change of initial crystallization phases from face-centred-cubic Zr_2Ni and tetragonal Zr_2Ni phases for the Lu-free Zr_（58）Nb_3Cu_（16）Ni_（13）Al_（10） alloy to an icosahedral quasi-crystalline phase for the Lu-doped alloys,which may be the origin for the enhanced GFA of the Lu-doped alloys.The compressive fracture strength and plastic strain of the bulk glassy（Zr_（0.58）Nb_（0.03）Cu_（0.16）Ni_（0.13）Al_（0.10））_（98）Lu_2 alloy are1 610 MPa and 1.5%,respectively.

Strength properties examination of high zinc aluminium alloys inoculated with Ti addition

This paper includes studies on the influence of grain refinement treatment with respect to the composition and structure of high zinc aluminium casting alloys on the changes of their tensile properties. The Al-20 wt.%Zn alloy was inoculated with master alloys Al Ti5B1 and Al Ti3C0.15 to determine the impact of a variable titanium addition on the tensile properties of Al Zn20 alloy, and determine on this basis an optimal addition of Ti that would ensure the improvement of elongation of alloys cast in the sand mould, at the same time maintaining high tensile strength. Within the studies, light microscopy(LM) and strength tests were applied. Experimental results showed that the inoculation of high zinc aluminium alloy Al Zn20 with the master alloys Al Ti5B1 and Al Ti3C0.15 causes intensive structure refinement, while the intensity of reaction of both master alloys is comparable. The Al Ti3C0.15 master alloy addition, selected for further studies, introducing about 100 ppm Ti, enhances the tensile properties of the alloy; the elongation increases about 20% and tensile strength increases about 10% against the initial values(uninoculated alloy). Further increase of the Ti addition up to 500–600 ppm leads to the "overinoculation" effect that is accompanied by the decrease of elongation. Therefore,the Ti addition should be reduced to the level of about 100 ppm which ensures obtaining a set of optimal properties.

Microstructural Characterizations and Mechanical Properties of Mg-8Sn-1Al-1Zn-xCu Alloys

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8Sn-1Al-1Zn-xCu（x=0wt%, 1wt%, 1.5wt% and 2.0wt%） alloys were studied by OM, Pandat software, XRD, SEM, DSC and a standard universal testing machine. The experimental results indicate that adding Cu to TAZ811 alloy leads to the formation of the AlMgCu and Cu3 Sn phases. Tensile tests indicate that yield strength increases fi rstly and then decreases with increasing Cu content. The alloy with the addition of 1.5wt% Cu exhibits optimal mechanical properties among the studied alloys. The improved mechanical properties can be ascribed to the second phase strengthening and fi ne-grain strengthening mechanisms resulting from the more dispersed second phases and smaller grain size, respectively. The decrease in ultimate tensile strength and elongation of TAZ811-2.0wt% Cu alloy at room temperature is ascribed to the formation of continuous AlMgCu and coarse Mg2 Sn phases in the liquid state.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Two-phaseTiAl Alloys in Lamellar Form

In two-phase TiAl alloys, the lamellar structures are of special interest and importance since they are so common and persistent. not only under as-cast conditions but also after thermal treatment. However. the lamellar structures are still poor in ductility,although they are beneficial for toughness and high temperature strength. This article will review the recent progress made in understanding the basic mechanical properties of the γ and α2 phases which comprise the two-phase alloys in Iamellar form, and discuss how an improved balance of strength and ductillty in the lamellar form may be achieved

An Experimental Study of Thermophysical Properties for Quinary High-Entropy NiFeCoCrCu/Al Alloys

Two quinary high-entropy alloys （HEAs） with equiatomic concentrations formed by doping either Cu or A1 elements into the quaternary NiFeCoCr alloy are produced by arc melting and spray casting techniques. Their entropy of fusion, thermal expansion coefficient and thermal diffusivity are experimentally investigated with differential scanning cMorimetry, dilatometry and laser flash methods. The NiFeCoCrCu HEAs contain a face- centered cubic high-entropy phase plus a minor interdendritic （Cu） phase and display a lower entropy of fasion and the Vickers hardness. The NiFeCoCrAl HEAs consist of two body-centered cubie high-entropy phases with coarse dendritic structures and show higher entropy of fusion and the Vickers hardness. Both the thermal expansion coefficient and the thermal diffusivity of the former Cu-doped alloy are signitieantly larger than those of the latter At-doped M1oy. Although the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity is similar for both HEAs, it is peculiar that the thermal expansion curve of the NiFeCoCrAl alloy exhibits an inflexion at temperatures of 860-912 K.

Electronic structures and optical properties of HfO_2–TiO_2 alloys studied by first-principles GGA + U approach

The phase diagram of HfO_2–TiO_2 system shows that when Ti content is less than 33.0 mol%, HfO_2–TiO_2 system is monoclinic; when Ti content increases from 33.0 mol% to 52.0 mol%, it is orthorhombic; when Ti content reaches more than 52.0 mol%, it presents rutile phase. So, we choose the three phases of HfO_2–TiO_2 alloys with different Ti content values. The electronic structures and optical properties of monoclinic, orthorhombic and rutile phases of HfO_2–TiO_2 alloys are obtained by the first-principles generalized gradient approximation（GGA） ＋U approach, and the effects of Ti content and crystal structure on the electronic structures and optical properties of HfO_2–TiO_2 alloys are investigated. By introducing the Coulomb interactions of 5 d orbitals on Hf atom（U_1~d）, those of 3 d orbitals on Ti atom（U_2~d）, and those of 2 p orbitals on O atom（Up） simultaneously, we can improve the calculation values of the band gaps, where U_1~d, U_2~d, and Up values are 8.0 eV, 7.0 eV, and 6.0 eV for both the monoclinic phase and orthorhombic phase, and 8.0 eV, 7.0 eV, and 3.5 eV for the rutile phase. The electronic structures and optical properties of the HfO_2–TiO_2 alloys calculated by GGA ＋U_1~d（U_1~d= 8.0 eV） ＋U_2~d（U_2~d= 7.0 eV） ＋U^p（U^p= 6.0 eV or 3.5 eV） are compared with available experimental results.

Mechanism of Effects of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties at Elevated Temperatures of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

By using real-space recursion method,the energetics of the undoped and Al and/or RE atoms doped 7（1450）〈0001〉 symmetric tilt grain boundaries（GBs）in AZ91 alloys were investigated.Similar calculations were performed on undoped and doped bulk α Mg for comparison.The results showed that Al atoms segregated at GBs in AZ91 alloys.When RE atoms were added,they also segregated at GBs,and their segregation is stronger than Al atoms＇.Therefore,RE atoms retard the segregation of Al atoms.Calculations of interaction energy indicated that Al atoms repelled each other,and could form ordered phase with host Mg atoms.On the contrary to the case of Al,RE atoms attracted each other,they could not form ordered phase with Mg,but could form clusters.Between RE and Al,there existed attractive interaction,and this attractive interaction was the origin of Al11RE3 precipitation.Precipitation of Al11RE3 particles with high melting point and high thermal stability along GB improves high temperature properties of AZ91 alloys.

Evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 aluminium alloy processed by hot spinning process

The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 aluminum alloy subjected to hot spinning process has been investigated. The results indicated that the deformation process homogenized microstructure and improved mechanical properties of the A356 aluminum alloy. During the hot spinning process, eutectic Si particles and Fe-rich phases were fragmented, and porosities were eliminated. In addition, recrystallization of Al matrix and precipitation of Al Si Ti phases occurred. The mechanical property testing results indicated that there was a significant increase of ductility and a decrease of average microhardness in deformed alloy over die-cast alloy. This is attributed to uniform distribution of finer spherical eutectic Si particles, the elimination of casting defects and to the recrystallized finer grain structure.

Mechanical properties and constitutive behaviors of as-cast 7050 aluminum alloy from room temperature to above the solidus temperature

The mechanical properties and constitutive behaviors of as-cast AA7050 in both the solid and semi-solid states were determined using the on-cooling and in situ solidification approaches, respectively. The results show that the strength in the solid state tends to increase with decreasing temperature. The strain rate plays an important role in the stress–strain behaviors at higher temperatures, whereas the influence becomes less pronounced and irregular when the temperature is less than 250°C. The experimental data were fitted to the extended Ludwik equation, which is suitable to describe the mechanical behavior of the materials in the as-cast state. In the semi-solid state, both the strength and ductility of the alloy are high near the solidus temperature and decrease drastically with decreasing solid fraction. As the solid fraction is less than 0.97, the maximum strength only slightly decreases, whereas the post-peak ductility begins to increase. The experimental data were fitted to the modified creep law, which is used to describe the mechanical behavior of semi-solid materials, to determine the equivalent parameter fGBWL, i.e., the fraction of grain boundaries covered by liquid phase.

Study on Marine Corrosion and Antifouling Behavior of Copper Alloys Exposed to Sea Areas in China

The relationship of corrosion resistance and antifouling behavior of 19 Cu alloys exposed to seawater of Qingdao ,Xiamen,Yulin sea areas in China for 1,2,4,8 year intervals was studied .The experiments were carried on by analyzing the composition of corrosion films formed on the surface of alloy specimens during the immersion time and by using OM,SEM,EDXA and AES experiment methods.The results verify the view point that it is the cuprous oxide film which played an important role in antifouling property of Cu alloys in seawater and throw a light on the view point in details further.The influence of different sea areas on the antifouling property of Cu alloys is also discussed.

Effects of the Composition of Electrodeposited Fe-Ni-P Alloy on the Thermostability and Magnetic Properties

The magnetic properties, structure defects of electrodeposited Fe-Ni-P alloys with various compositions and the thermostability at amorphous state have been studied by DSC, positron annihilation and electronic integrating instrument methods. The results show that the thermostability of amorphous Fe-Ni-P alloys increases with Fe content. Emergence and recrystallization of stable phases defer as the P content of the coating increases. The minimum H-c, B-r and P-h occur at 9.4 P (wt pet) content. Maximum H-c, B-r and P-h occur at the weight ratio of Fe to Ni equaling to 1/9.

Effects of Heating and Hot Extrusion Process on Microstructure and Properties of Inconel 625 Alloy

The effects of the heating process and hot extrusion on the microstructure and properties of inconel 625 alloy were studied. The experimental results showed that the properties of Inconel 625 alloy could be improved through the heating process and hot extrusion concomitant with a reduced corrosion rate. The M23C6 carbide, generated in the heating process, was retained and distributed at the grain boundary during the process of hot extrusion, which had an important influence on both elongation and corrosion resistance. The improvement of the comprehensive properties of the material, as measured by a tensile test at room temperature, was correlated with the dissolution of segregation Nb. A typical ductile fracture changed to a cleavage fracture where secondary cracks could be clearly seen. With the increase of the extrusion ratio, the real extrusion temperature was higher, which led to more dissolution of the M23C6 carbide, decreased the number of secondary cracks, enhanced the effect of solid solution strengthening, and reduced the intergranular corrosion rate. Under the condition of a high extrusion ratio and a high extrusion speed, the less extrusion time made it possible to obtain organization with a smaller average grain size. Moreover, in this case, the M23C6 carbide and segregated Nb did not have enough time to diffuse. Thus all samples exhibited medium strengths and corrosion rates after extrusion.

Some Physical Properties of CuTlSe Alloy

The structure and optical properties of Cu0.1Tl2Se3 alloy was studied. X-ray analysis showed that the polycrystalline powder consists of a mixture of two phases Cu3jTlSe2 (monoclinic) and TISe (tetragonal). Chalcopyrite phase CuTISe2 can be obtained by annealing the powder at 250'C for 1 h. Thin film with a monoclinic phase of Cu3TlSe2 was obtained for the thick film (0.7 um). The optical parameters a, n, k, e' and e' and the energy gap were calculated. The thermoelectric power measurements showed that S has a positive polarity over the whole range of temperature.

Preparation and tensile properties of DD5 single crystal castings

The preparation procedure of DD5 single crystal castings was optimized. The microstructure characteristics of DD5 single crystal superalloy were investigated by microstructure observation and segregation behavior examination. The results show that the grain orientation is optimized by constraining the spiral crystallizer in [001] orientation and spatial scale. Also, the γ＇ phase of inter-dendrites is larger and more irregular than that in dendrite arms. High temperature tensile tests of DD5 single crystal castings exhibit that the peak stress increases with increasing temperature, while the area reduction shows an opposite trend, when the temperature is below 800℃; meanwhile, when the temperature is between 800℃ and 1000℃, the fracture stress of the alloy is the same as the peak stress. The fracture mode changes from shear to ductile with increasing temperature from 600℃ and 1000℃.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the micrograined hypoeutectic Zn–Mg alloy

A biodegradable Zn alloy, Zn-1.6Mg, with the potential medical applications as a promising coating material for steel components was studied in this work. The alloy was prepared by three different procedures： gravity casting, hot extrusion, and a combination of rapid solidification and hot extrusion. The samples prepared were characterized by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Vickers hardness, tensile, and compressive tests were performed to determine the samples＇ mechanical properties. Structural examination reveals that the average grain sizes of samples prepared by gravity casting, hot extrusion, and rapid solidification followed by hot extrusion are 35.0, 9.7, and 2.1 μm, respectively. The micrograined sample with the finest grain size exhibits the highest hardness（Hv = 122 MPa）, compressive yield strength（382 MPa）, tensile yield strength（332 MPa）, ultimate tensile strength（370 MPa）, and elongation（9%）. This sample also demonstrates the lowest work hardening in tension and temporary softening in compression among the prepared samples. The mechanical behavior of the samples is discussed in relation to the structural characteristics, Hall-Petch relationship, and deformation mechanisms in fine-grained hexagonal-close-packed metals.

Effect of Trace Sc and Zr on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of A1 Alloy 2618

An experimental 2618(Al-Cu-Mg-Fe-Ni) alloy added with trace Sc and Zr was prepared by ingot metallurgy (IM) method. The aging behavior of the alloy was studied by Vickers hardness measurement at 200℃ and 300℃. and the tensile properties of alloy specimens were measured at 20℃, 200℃, 250℃ and 300℃. The microstructure was observed by using optical microscope, SEM and TEM. It was found that the addition of Sc and Zr to 2618 alloy resulted in a primary Al_3(Sc,Zr) phase which could refine the grain because it acts as nuclei of heterogeneous crystallization in the melt during solidification. The secondary Al_3(Sc,Zr) particles were full coherent with matrix and had obvious precipitation hardening effect. They also made the S' phase precipitate more homogeneous. So the strength of alloy increases at both ambient and elevated temperatures without a decrease of ductility. The ductile fracture of alloy occurs by microvoid nucleation, growth and coalescence, so the microvoid coalescence is the dominant fracture mechanism.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of cryorolled AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets with different initial textures

AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets with different strong textures were cryorolled at the liquid-nitrogen temperature to the strain of 4% and 8%. The microstructure and texture of the rolled sheets were investigated via scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, electron backscatter diffraction（EBSD）, and X-ray diffraction（XRD）. The mechanical properties of the sheets were tested through in-plane uniaxial tensile tests at ambient temperature. The tensile stress was exerted in the rolling direction（RD） and transverse directions（TD）. The microstructural and textural evolutions of the alloy during cryorolling were investigated. Due to active twining during rolling, the initial texture significantly influenced the microstructural and textural evolutions of the rolled sheets. A {10 12} extension twin was found as the dominated twin-type in the cryorolled samples. After cryogenic rolling, the ductility of the samples decreased while the strength increased. Twinning also played an important role in explaining the mechanical differences between the rolled samples with different initial textures. The samples were significantly strengthened by the high stored energy accumulated from cryorolling.