Microstructure evolution of alumina dispersion strengthened copper alloy deformed under different conditions

Microstructure and texture evolution of Cu-0.23%Al2O3 dispersion strengthened copper alloy, deformed at room temperature or cryogenic temperature, were investigated. The main textures in hot-extruded specimen were Brass {011} 〈211〉 and Cube {100} 〈100〉. Textures of Brass {011} 〈211〉 and Goss {011} 〈100〉 were observed in specimen after deformation at room temperature; while textures of Brass {011} 〈211〉, Goss {011} 〈100〉 and S {123} 〈634〉 were detected after deformation at cryogenic temperature. It is believed that the additional Al2O3 nanoparticles can result in dislocation pinning effect, which can further lead to the suppression of dislocations cross-slip. While in the specimen deformed at cryogenic temperature, both pinning effect and cryogenic temperature are responsible for the formation of Brass, Goss and S textures.

High temperature mechanical behavior of alumina dispersion strengthened copper alloy with high content of alumina

The microstructure and its effects on the high temperature mechanical behavior of Cu-2.7%Al_2O_3 （volume fraction） dispersion strengthened copper （ADSC） alloy were investigated. The results indicate that fine alumina particles are uniformly distributed in the copper matrix, while a few coarse ones are distributed on the grain boundaries. Tensile tests results show that Hall-Petch mechanism is the main contribution to the yield strength of ADSC alloy at room temperature. Its high temperature strength is attributed to the strong pinning effects of alumina particles on the grain and sub-grain boundaries with dislocations. The ultimate tensile strength can reach 237 MPa and the corresponding yield strength reaches 226 MPa at 700℃. Tensile fracture morphology indicates that the ADSC alloy shows brittleness at elevated temperatures. Creep tests results demonstrate that the steady state creep rates at 400 ℃ are lower than those at 700 ℃. The stress exponents at 400 ℃ and 700℃ are 7 and 5, respectively, and the creep strain rates of the ADSC alloy are controlled by dislocation core diffusion and lattice diffusion.

Influence of nano-Al_2O_3-reinforced oxide-dispersion-strengthened Cu on the mechanical and tribological properties of Cu-based composites

The mechanical and tribological properties of Cu-based powder metallurgy （P/M） friction composites containing 10wt%-50wt% oxide-dispersion-strengthened （ODS） Cu reinforced with nano-Al2O3 were investigated. Additionally, the friction and wear behaviors as well as the wear mechanism of the Cu-based composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS） elemental mapping. The results indicated that the Cu-based friction composite containing 30wt% ODS Cu exhibited the highest hardness and shear strength. The average and instantaneous friction coefficient curves of this sample, when operated in a high-speed train at a speed of 300 km/h, were similar to those of a commercial disc brake pad produced by Knorr-Bremse AG （Germany）. Additionally, the lowest linear wear loss of the obtained samples was （0.008 ± 0.001） mm per time per face, which is much lower than that of the Knorr-Bremse pad （（0.01 ± 0.001） mm）. The excellent performance of the developed pad is a consequence of the formation of a dense oxide composite layer and its close combination with the pad body.

Microstructure and compression properties of fine Al2O3 particles dispersion strengthened molybdenum alloy

The Mo alloys reinforced by Al2O3 particles were fabricated by hydrothermal synthesis and powder metallurgy. The microstructures of Mo-Al2O3 alloys were studied by using XRD, SEM and TEM. The results show that Al2O3 particles, existing as a stable hexagonal phase(α-Al2O3), are uniformly dispersed in Mo matrix. The ultrafine α-Al2O3 particles remarkably refine grain size and increase dislocation density of Mo alloys. Moreover, a good interfacial bonding zone between α-Al2O3 and Mo grain is obtained. The crystallographic orientations of the interface of the Al2O3 particles and Mo matrix are [111]a-Al2O3//[111]Mo and(112)a-Al2O3//(0 11)Mo. Due to the effect of secondary phase and dislocation strengthening, the yield strength of Mo-2.0 vol.%Al2O3 alloy annealed at 1200 ℃ is approximately 56.0% higher than that of pure Mo. The results confirm that the addition of Al2O3 particles is a promising method to improve the mechanical properties of Mo alloys.

Fabrication,microstructures and mechanical properties of ZrO_2 dispersion-strengthened Q345 steel

ZrO2 dispersion-strengthened Q345 steel with different ZrO2 contents（0%, 0.5% and 1.2%, mass fraction） was fabricated through combining middle frequency induction furnace melting and cored-wire injection technologies. The microstructure and fracture surface morphology of ZrO2 dispersion-strengthened Q345 steel in casting, normalizing and quenching states were observed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Also, strengthening and fracture mechanisms of the alloys were analyzed. Results showed that the dispersed ZrO2 particles added into Q345 matrix significantly enhanced its strength, and the main strengthening mechanism was the formation of dislocation cells and pinning effect caused by the addition of ZrO2 particles. Apart from that, the hard martensite phase, grain refinement and high ZrO2 particles content also played important roles in strengthening effect. Furthermore, the nanoindentation was also performed to further reveal the strengthening effect and mechanism of dispersed ZrO2 particles in Q345 steel. Results showed that the hardness of ZrO2 dispersion-strengthened Q345 steel increased with the increase of ZrO2 content.

Effects of various rare earth oxides on morphology and size of oxide dispersion strengthening(ODS)-W and ODS-Mo alloy powders

Ultrafine oxide dispersion strengthening(ODS)-Mo and ODS-W alloy powders containing different types of oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by spraying method(solid−liquid mixing method)combined with the reductions with carbon black and hydrogen in sequence.It is concluded that the solution concentration and type of rare earth oxide have no effect on the grain size of ODS-Mo alloy powder,but have obvious effect on that of ODS-W alloy powder.The higher the concentration of rare earth solution is,the smaller the average grain size of ODS-W alloy powder is.Furthermore,compared with doping with CeO_(2),the grain sizes of reduction products of La_(2)O_(3) and Y_(2)O_(3) doped WO_(3) are relatively larger.Compared with the undoped case,there is almost no change for grain size of ODS-Mo alloy powder,while the grain size of ODS-W alloy powder becomes much larger.This is probably due to the appearance of the composite oxide(such as La_(2)WO_(6))formed by the reaction between tungsten oxide and rare earth oxides,which promotes the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of tungsten grains during the reduction process of ODS-W,while there is no complex oxide composed of molybdenum and rare earth oxides in the reduction process of ODS-Mo.

Microstructural Features and Properties of High-hardness and Heat-resistant Dispersion Strengthened Copper by Reaction Milling

The oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloys are attractive due to their excellent combination of thermal and electrical conductivities,high-temperature strength and microstructure stability.To date,the state-of-art to fabrication of them was the internal oxidation （IO） process.In this paper,alumina dispersion strengthened copper （ADSC） powders of nominal composition of Cu-2.5 vol%Al2O3 were produced by reaction milling （RM） process which was an in-situ gas-solid reaction process.The bulk ADSC alloys for electrical and mechanical properties investigation were obtained by sintering and thereafter hot extrusion.After the hot consolidation processes,the fully densified powder compacts can be obtained.The single γ-Al2O3 phase and profile broaden effects are evident in accordance with the results of X-ray diffraction （XRD）;the HRB hardness of the ADSC can be as high as 95;the outcomes should be attributed to the pinning effect of nano γ-Al2O3 on dislocations and grain boundaries in the copper matrix.The electrical conductivity of the ADSC alloy is 55%IACS （International Annealing Copper Standard）.The room temperature hardness of the hot consolidated material was approximately maintained after annealing for 1 h at 900 ℃ in hydrogen atmosphere.In terms of the above merits,the RM process to fabricating ADSC alloys is a promising method to improve heat resistance,hardness,electrical conductivity and wear resistance properties etc.

Comparison study on the annealing behaviors of dispersion strengthened copper alloys with different nanoparticles

The hardness measurement,optical microscopy （OM）,and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） microstructure observation on the annealing behaviors of Cu-Al2O3 （2.25 vol.% and 0.54 vol.% Al2O3） and Cu-0.52vol.%Nb alloys were carried out. The results show that with the increase of annealing temperature,the hardness of Cu-Al2O3 alloys decreases slowly. No change of the fiber structure formed by cold rolling in the Cu-2.25vol.%Al2O3 alloy is observed even after annealing at 900℃and the higher dislocation density can still be observed by TEM. Less combination of fiber formed by cold rolling and subgrains are observed in the Cu-0.54vol.%Al2O3 alloy annealed at 900℃. With the increase of annealing temperature,the hardness of the Cu-0.52vol.%Nb alloy exhibits a general decreasing trend,and its falling rate is higher than that of the Cu-Al2O3 alloys,indicating that its ability of resistance to softening at elevated temperature is weaker than that of the Cu-Al2O3 alloys. However,when annealed at a temperature of 300-400℃,probably owing to the precipitation strengthening of niobium,the hardness of the Cu-0.52vol.%Nb alloy arises slightly. The fibers formed by cold rolling be-come un-clear and un-straight and have less combination,and considerably more subgrains are observed by TEM.

Research progress on preparation technology of oxide dispersion strengthened steel for nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is a low-carbon,safe,efficient,and sustainable clean energy.The new generation of nuclear energy systems operate in harsher environments under higher working temperatures and irradiation doses,while traditional nuclear power materials cannot meet the requirements.The development of high-performance nuclear power materials is a key factor for promoting the development of nuclear energy.Oxide dispersion strengthened(ODS)steel contains a high number density of dispersed nano-oxides and defect sinks and exhibits excellent high temperature creep performance and irradiation swelling resistance.Therefore,ODS steel has been considered as one of the most promising candidate materials for fourth-generation nuclear fission reactor cladding tubes and nuclear fusion reactor blankets.The preparation process significantly influences microstructure of ODS steel.This paper reviews the development and perspective of several preparation processes of ODS steel,including the powder metallurgy process,improved powder metallurgy process,liquid metal forming process,hybrid process,and additive forging.This paper also summarizes and analyzes the relationship between microstructures and the preparation process.After comprehensive consideration,the powder metallurgy process is still the best preparation process for ODS steel.Combining the advantages and disadvantages of the above preparation processes,the trend applied additive forging for extreme manufacturing of large ODS steel components is discussed with the goal of providing a reference for the application and development of ODS steel in nuclear energy.

Discrete dislocation plasticity analysis of dispersion strengthening in oxide dispersion strengthened(ODS) steels

A discrete dislocation plasticity analysis of dispersion strengthening in oxide dispersion strengthened(ODS) steels was described. Parametric dislocation dynamics(PDD) simulation of the interaction between an edge dislocation and randomly distributed spherical dispersoids(Y2O3) in bcc iron was performed for measuring the influence of the dispersoid distribution on the critical resolved shear stress(CRSS). The dispersoid distribution was made using a method mimicking the Ostwald growth mechanism. Then, an edge dislocation was introduced, and was moved under a constant shear stress condition. The CRSS was extracted from the result of dislocation velocity under constant shear stress using the mobility(linear) relationship between the shear stress and the dislocation velocity. The results suggest that the dispersoid distribution gives a significant influence to the CRSS, and the influence of dislocation dipole, which forms just before finishing up the Orowan looping mechanism, is substantial in determining the CRSS, especially for the interaction with small dispersoids. Therefore, the well-known Orowan equation for determining the CRSS cannot give an accurate estimation, because the influence of the dislocation dipole in the process of the Orowan looping mechanism is not accounted for in the equation.

In situ fabrication and properties of Al N dispersion strengthened 2024 aluminum alloy

Nanoscaled aluminum nitride （AlN） dispersion strengthened 2024 aluminum alloy was fabricated using a novel approach in which Al-Mg-Cu compacts were partially nitrided in flowing nitrogen gas. The compacts were subsequently consolidated by sintering and hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the material were preliminarily investigated. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction results revealed that AlN particles were generated by the nitridation of Al-Mg-Cu compacts. The material exhibited excellent mechanical properties after hot extrusion and heat treatment. The ultimate tensile and yield strengths of the extruded samples containing 8.92vol% AlN with the T6 heat treatment were 675 and 573 MPa, respectively.

Microstructure-Property Correlation in AI_4C_3 Dispersion Strengthened Al Composite

The microstructure and tensile properties of Al_4C_3 dispersion strengthened Al composite fabricated by reaction milling technique were investigated.It is indicated that the rod-like Al_4C_3 dispersoids having a diameter of 0.02-0.03 μm and a length of 0.1-0.3μm are formed by reaction of C with Al, and uniformly distributed in the Al matrix.The interface between Al_4C_3 and Al is clean and the interfacial bonding is good.The matrix consists of the subgrains which have the size of 0.3-0.4μm, and most of the Al_4C_3 dispersoids are distributed on the subgrain boundaries.The 11 vol.-% Al_4C_3/Al composite exhibits an UTS (ultimate tensile strength) of 400 MPa and an elongation-to-failure of 8.0%.

Small-angle neutron scattering study on the stability of oxide nanoparticles in long-term thermally aged 9Cr-oxide dispersion strengthened steel

A 9 Cr-oxide dispersion strengthened(ODS)steel was thermally aged at 873 K for up to 5000 h.The size distribution and chemical composition of the dispersed oxide nanoparticles were analyzed by small-angle neutron scattering under a magnetic field.Combined with transmission electron microscopy,Vickers micro-hardness tests and electron backscattered diffraction measurements,all the results showed that the thermal treatment had little or no effect on the size distributions and volume fractions of the oxide nanoparticles in the ferromagnetic matrix,which suggested excellent thermal stability of the 9 Cr-ODS steel.

Influences of oxide content and sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties of intragranular-oxide strengthened iron alloys prepared by spark plasma sintering

How to increase strength without sacrificing ductility has been developed as a key goal in the manufacture of high-performance metals or alloys. Herein, the double-nanophase intragranular yttrium oxide dispersion strengthened iron alloy with high strength and appreciable ductility was fabricated by solution combustion route and subsequent spark plasma sintering, and the influences of yttrium oxide content and sintering temperature on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show at the same sintering temperature,with the increase of yttrium oxide content, the relative density of the sintered alloy decreases and the strength increases. For Fe–2wt%Y_(2)O_(3)alloy, as the sintering temperature increases gradually, the compressive strength decreases, while the strain-to-failure increases. The Fe–2wt%Y_(2)O_(3)alloy with 15.5 nm Y_(2)O_(3)particles uniformly distributed into the 147.5 nm iron grain interior sintered at 650℃ presents a high ultimate compressive strength of 1.86 GPa and large strain-to-failure of 29%. The grain boundary strengthening and intragranular second-phase particle dispersion strengthening are the main dominant mechanisms to enhance the mechanical properties of the alloy.

Solution combustion synthesis of Ni-Y_2O_3 nanocomposite powder

Ni-Y2O3 nanocomposite powder with uniform distribution of fine oxide particles in the metal matrix was successfully fabricated via solution combustion process followed by hydrogen reduction. The combustion behavior was investigated by DTA-TG analysis. The influence of urea to nickel nitrate（U/Ni） ratio on the combustion behavior and morphology evolution of the combusted powder was investigated. The morphological characteristics and phase transformation of the combusted powder and the reduced powder were characterized by FESEM, TEM and XRD. The HRTEM image of Ni-Y2O3 nanocomposite powder indicated that Y2O3 particles with average particle size of about 10 nm dispersed uniformly in the nickel matrix.

Fabrication of an in-situ nanoAl_2O_3/Cu composite with high strength and high electric conductivity

A heat-resistant dispersion-strengthening nano-Al_2O_3/Cu composite with highstrength and high electric conductivity was fabricated in a multiplex medium. The internaloxidation product, microstructures and properties of the composite, and the process flow weresystematically studied. It is confirmed that this new technique simplifies the process and improvesthe properties of the composite. X-ray analysis indicates that the alumina particles formed duringinternal oxidation consist of a large mount of gamma-Al_2O_3 and a certain amount of theta-Al_2O_3and alpha-Al_2O_3. TEM observation shows that the obtained gamma-Al_2O_3 nano-particles areuniformly distributed in the copper grains; their mean size and space between particles are 7 runand 30 nm, respectively. The main properties of the composite with 50 percent cold deformation areas follows: the electric conductivity is 51 MS/m (87 percent IACS), sigma_b = 628 MPa, and thehardness is HRB86. After annealing at 1273 K, all or most of the above properties remain, and themicrostructures are still dependent on elongated fiber-form grains.

Distribution,evolution and the effects of rare earths Ce and Y on the mechanical properties of ZK60 alloys

Eight kinds of Mg-RE alloys were prepared. The distribution, evolution, and effects of RE Ce and Y in the investigated alloys were studied by examining the mechanical properties of Mg alloys using X-ray diffraction and scan electron analysis, and by TEM observation. The results show that among the investigated alloys, ZK60-1.5%Ce and ZK60-1.0%Y possessed the optimal mechanical properties. Ce and Y were distributed on the grain boundary during casting. After extrusion and T5 （150℃/0-24 h） heattreatment, Ce and Y were distributed along the extrusion direction and they existed in compound form for both as-casting and asextrusion specimens. The mechanical properties of the investigated alloys were better than those of ZK60 because of the solid solution strengthening of RE and the dispersion strengthening of Mg-RE or Mg-Zn-RE compounds.

Effects of shape and size of second phase on mechanical properties of sintered Mo-Y_(2)O_(3) alloys

The morphology and size of second phase greatly influence the strengthening effect on oxidation dispersion strengthened Mo alloys.In this work,a novel nanostructuring strategy is adopted to modify the second phase of Y_(2)O_(3),and the corresponding effects of particle shape and size on mechanical properties of sintered Mo−Y_(2)O_(3) alloys were investigated.It is found that spherical particles with sizes below 200 nm are preferred due to the dominant intragranular distribution of second phases associated with better strengthening effect originating from dislocation pinning.With smaller particle size of Y_(2)O_(3) nanospheres(105 nm),the tensile strength of corresponding Mo alloy is enhanced by about 43.8%,much higher than that(8.3%)reinforced by second phase nanospheres with larger particle size(322 nm).Meanwhile,with similar particle size(around 100 nm),the spherical shape exhibits better strengthening effect than the one reinforced by one-dimensional rod-like second phase.

Stress-rupture measurements of cast magnesium strengthened by in-situ production of ceramic particles

We have introduced a polymer precursor into molten magnesium and then in-situ pyrolyzed to produce castings of metal matrix composites(P-MMCs)containing silicon-carbonitride(SiCNO)ceramic particles.Stress-rupture measurements of as-cast P-MMCs was performed at 350 ℃(0.69TM)to 450 ℃(0.78TM)under dead load condition corresponding to tensile stress of 2.5 MPa to 20 MPa.The time-to-fracture data were analyzed using the classical Monkman–Grant equation.The time-to-fracture is thermally activated and follows a power-law stress exponent exhibiting dislocation creep.Fractography analysis revealed that while pure magnesium appears to fracture by dislocation slip,the P-MMCs fail from the nucleation and growth of voids at the grain boundaries.

Densification and properties of ODS-iron based alloy

Y_2O_3 dispersion strengthened iron-based powders and oxide dispersion strengthened(ODS) alloys were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and spark plasma sintering(SPS),respectively.The effects of Y_2O_3,vibratory milling treatment,and Ti element on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the materials were investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and micro-electronic universal tester.The results show that the best mechanical properties are obtained with 1 wt.% Y_2O_3 addition.The size of agglomerated particles can be decreased to a certain degree by vibratory milling treatment.With the addition of Ti element,the tensile strength and hardness of the samples were improved.