Grain size dependence of annealing strengthening of an extruded Mg-Gd-Zn alloy subjected to pre-compression deformation

In this work, pre-strain annealing strengthening(PSAS) effect was investigated in an extruded Mg-1.0Gd-1.5 Zn(wt.%) alloy with respect to different grain sizes. The evolution of microstructures was provided by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM) under the initial state, pre-compression, intermediate annealing and re-compression conditions. The obtained results showed a grain size-dependent PSAS effect in the alloy. The sample with larger grain sizes corresponded to a higher strengthening effect, which mainly resulted from a more remarkable hindrance for the growth of existing twins and a larger proportion of activation for the nucleation of new twins. This was closely associated with the increase of back stress and friction stress for twin boundary motion impeded by the larger restraint of dislocations, the higher stress field surrounding solutes and the more Zn segregation. In addition to twinning behavior, Guinier Preston(G.P.) zones on basaldislocations were found after intermediate annealing and provided an extra strengthening by inhibiting the motions of gilding pre-existing dislocations and newly formed ones, but it was independent on the grain size.

Segregation of alloying atoms at a tilt symmetric grain boundary in tungsten and their strengthening and embrittling effects

We investigate the segregation behavior of alloying atoms （Sr, Th, In, Cd, Ag, Sc, Au, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Ti） near Z3 （ 111 ） [1]-0] tilt symmetric grain boundary （GB） in tungsten and their effects on the intergranular embrittlement by performing first-principles calculations. The calculated segregation energies suggest that Ag, Au, Cd, In, Sc, Sr, Th, and Ti prefer to occupy the site in the mirror plane of the GB, while Cu, Cr, Mn, and Zn intend to locate at the first layer nearby the GB core. The calculated strengthening energies predict Sr, Th, In, Cd, Ag, Sc, Au, Ti, and Zn act as embrittlers while Cu, Cr, and Mn act as cohesion enhancers. The correlation of the alloying atom＇s metal radius with strengthening energy is strong enough to predict the strengthening and embrittling behavior of alloying atoms; that is, the alloying atom with larger metal radius than W acts as an embrittler and the one with smaller metal radius acts as a cohesion enhancer.

Improved mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism with the altered precipitate orientation in magnesium alloys

Aging prior to twinning deformation was proposed to alter the precipitate orientation of the plate-shapedβ-MgAlfrom(0002)basal planes(named basal plates)to■prismatic planes(named prismatic plates)in AZ31 Mg alloy.The experimental results showed that the compressive yield strength(CYS)of the sample containing prismatic plates increased 40 MPa and the compression ratio raised by 22%compared to that containing basal plates.The underlying strengthening mechanism was analyzed via a yield strengthen(YS)model with a function of grain size,precipitate characters(size,oritention,fraction)and Schmid factor(SF).It revealed that the improvement of CYS was mainly attributed to the altered precipitate orientation and refined grain size produced by twinning deformation.Particularly,the prismatic plates always have a stronger hardening effect on basal slip than basal plates under the same varites of precipitate diameter and SF.Besides,the decreased CRSS ratio of prismatic slip to basal slip revealed that the activity of non-basal slip in Mg alloy might be enhanced.More activated slip systems provided more mobile dislocations,contributing to the large compression ratio of the Mg rolled sheet with prismatic plates.

Strengthening contributions in ultra-high strength cryorolled Al-4%Cu-3%TiB_2 in situ composite

Ultra-high strength Al alloy system was developed by cryorolling and the contribution of various strengthening mechanisms to the overall yield strength of the system was evaluated. Cryorolling of Al-4%Cu-3%TiB2 in situ composite followed by short annealing at 175 ℃ and ageing at 125℃ resulted in an ultra-high yield strength of about 800 MPa with 9%total elongation. The strengthening contributions form solid solution strengthening, grain refinement, dislocation strengthening, precipitation hardening and dispersion strengthening were evaluated using standard equations. It was estimated that the maximum contribution was from grain refinement due to cryorolling followed by precipitation and dispersion strengthening.

EFFECTS AND MECHANISMS OF EXTRINSIC STRENGTHENING DURING AGING FOR AL ALLOY 2090+Ce

The influence of aging temperature and time on fracture feature of monotonic tensile samples of alumi-num-Iithium alloy 2090+Ce was investigated.The effects and mechanisms of extrinsic strengthening during aging for this alloy with a flat unrecrystallized structure were discussed.The mechanisms were analysed from four aspects.The theory of extrinsic strengthening from the delamination strengthening was presented.The results in this research show that the strength and ductility of aluminum-lithium alloy with a flat unrecrystallized structure are superior to those with recrystallized structure.Several reasons have been advanced for the ductility improvement effect of flat uncrystallized structure,including wedging action between flat grain,action of short-transverse delamination on impeding the growth of main crack,action on the reduction in the detrimental influence of weak grain boundaries and action on impeding the intergranular fracture on main fracture surface.The strengthening effect of flat uncrystallized structure is attributed to the extrinsic strengthening derived from delamination strengthening.From underage to peakage,the fracture mode of this alloy is transgranular fracture plus short-transverse delamination.The tendency of short-transverse delamination in creases with aging,thereby enhancing the delamination strengtheniag effect.Under overaging condition,the fracture mode is predominately intersubgranular,which results in the loss of delamination strengthening.

Strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels:A review

This review summarizes the strengthening mechanisms of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic(RAFM)steels.High-angle grain boundaries,subgrain boundaries,nano-sized M_(23)C_(6),and MX carbide precipitates effectively hinder dislocation motion and increase high-temperature strength.M23C6 carbides are easily coarsened under high temperatures,thereby weakening their ability to block dislocations.Creep properties are improved through the reduction of M23C6 carbides.Thus,the loss of strength must be compensated by other strengthening mechanisms.This review also outlines the recent progress in the development of RAFM steels.Oxide dispersion-strengthened steels prevent M23C6 precipitation by reducing C content to increase creep life and introduce a high density of nano-sized oxide precipitates to offset the reduced strength.Severe plastic deformation methods can substantially refine subgrains and MX carbides in the steel.The thermal deformation strengthening of RAFM steels mainly relies on thermo-mechanical treatment to increase the MX carbide and subgrain boundaries.This procedure increases the creep life of TMT(thermo-mechanical treatment)9Cr-1W-0.06Ta steel by~20 times compared with those of F82H and Eurofer 97 steels under 550℃/260 MPa.

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.

Refinement and strengthening mechanism of Mg−Zn−Cu−Zr−Ca alloy solidified under extremely high pressure

Mg−Zn−Cu−Zr−Ca samples were solidified under high pressures of 2-6 GPa.Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were used to study the distribution of Ca in the microstructure and its effect on the solidification structure.The mechanical properties of the samples were investigated through compression tests.The results show that Ca is mostly dissolved in the matrix and the Mg_(2)Ca phase is formed under high pressure,but it is mainly segregated among dendrites under atmospheric pressure.The Mg_(2)Ca particles are effective heterogeneous nuclei ofα-Mg crystals,which significantly increases the number of crystal nuclei and refines the solidification structure of the alloy,with the grain size reduced to 22μm at 6 GPa.As no Ca segregating among the dendrites exists,more Zn is dissolved in the matrix.Consequently,the intergranular second phase changes from MgZn with a higher Zn/Mg ratio to Mg7Zn3 with a lower Zn/Mg ratio.The volume fraction of the intergranular second phase also increases to 22%.Owing to the combined strengthening of grain refinement,solid solution,and dispersion,the compression strength of the Mg-Zn-Cu-Zr-Ca alloy solidified under 6 GPa is up to 520 MPa.

Selective Laser Melting of Novel SiC and TiC Strengthen 7075 Aluminum Powders for Anti-Cracks Application

The aerospace and military sectors have widely used AA7075, a type of 7075 aluminum alloy, due to its exceptional mechanical performance. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a highly effective method for producing intricate metallic components, particularly in the case of aluminum alloys like Al-Si-Mg. Nevertheless, the production of high-strength AA7075 by SLM is challenging because of its susceptibility to heat cracking and elemental vaporization. In this study, AA7075 powders were mechanically mixed with SiC and TiC particles. Subsequently, this new type of AA7075 powder was effectively utilized in green laser printing to create solid components with fine-grain strengthening microstructures consisting of equiaxial grains. These as-printed parts exhibit a tensile strength of up to 350 MPa and a ductility exceeding 2.1%. Hardness also increases with the increasing content of mixed powder, highlighting the essential role of SiC and TiC in SLM for improved hardness and tensile strength performance. .

Pr-Tb synergistic strengthening on coercivity of Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets grain boundary diffused with Pr-Tb-Al-Ga alloys

Sintered Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets were grain boundary diffused(GBDed) with Pr_(x)Tb_(80-x)Al_(10)Ga_(10)(at%)(x=0,20,40,60,80) alloys.The effect of Pr/Tb content in diffusion source on magnetic properties,microstructure and elements distribution of GBDed magnets was investigated.When Pr is used to substitute for 75% Tb in diffusion source,Tb consumption per unit coercivity improvement of GBDed magnet reduces by 77%,compared with the Tb_(80)Al_(10)Ga_(10) diffused magnet.Tb element diffuses into magnets and then forms Tb-rich shell with high magneto-crystalline anisotropy field surrounding main phase grains,resulting in substantial coercivity improvement.Pr with low melting point diffuses deeply along liquid grain boundary phase during GBD process.It can eliminate some sharp defects of main phase grains and make grain boundaries smooth,which provides diffusion channels for further diffusion of Tb element.Therefore,there are more diffusion channels for Tb and less Tb enriched at surface region,making Tb diffuse more deeply and improving Tb utilization efficiency.This method significantly improves the coercivity,and realizes the green,efficient and high-quality utilization of heavy rare earth(HRE)elements.

Materials Design of Microstructure in Grain Boundary and Second Phase Particles

A concept of microstructure design for materials or materials microstructure engineering is proposed. The argument was suggested based on literature review and. some our new research work on second phase strengthening mechanisms and mechanical property modeling of a particulate reinforced metal matrix composite. Due to development of computer technology, it is possible now for us to establish the relationship between microstructures and properties systematically and quantitatively by analytical and numerical modeling in the research scope of computerization materials. Discussions and examples on intellectual optimization of microstructure are presented on two aspects: grain boundary engineering and optimal geometry of particulate reinforcements in two-phase materials.

Ultrafine Grain Tungsten Heavy Alloys with Excellent Performance Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

Ultrafine grain tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs) were successfully produced from the nano-crystalline powders using spark plasma sintering.The present study mainly discussed the effects of sintering temperature on the density,microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys.The relative density of 98.12% was obtained at 1 050 ℃,and the tungsten grain size is about 871 nm.At 1 000 ℃-1 200 ℃,the mechanical properties of the alloys tend to first rise and then goes down.After SPS,the alloy exhibits improved hardness (84.3 HRA at 1 050 ℃) and bending strength (987.16 MPa at 1 100 ℃),due to the ultrafine-grained microstructure.The fracture mode after bending tests is mainly characterized as intergranular or intragranular fracture of W grains,interfacial debonding of W grains-binding phase and ductile tearing of binding phase.The EDS analysis reveals a certain proportion of solid solution between W and Ni-Fe binding phase.The good mechanical properties of the alloys can be attributed to grain refinement and solid solution strengthening.

Effects of microalloying on grain refinement behaviors and hardness properties of wedge-shaped Al-Mg-Mn castings

The effects of microalloying elements Ti,Sc,Zr and Er on grain refinement behaviors and hardness properties of wedge-shaped Al-Mg-Mn alloy castings were investigated. The results indicate that alloys containing Sc and Zr can remarkably reduce the grain sizes of Al-Mg-Mn castings. Combination of Sc,Zr and Er can completely eliminate the columnar dendritic grains and further obtain refined grains with nondendritic sub-structure;the whole wedge-shaped cross-section of the casting consequently exhibits more homogeneous cast structures instead of the typical tri-crystal region structures. Large amounts of Al3Sc-based intermetallic compound particles,such as Al3(Sc1-x,Zrx),Al3(Sc1-x,Tix),Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Tiy) and Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Ery) are present in the microalloyed alloys,resulting from their numerously forming in high-temperature melt before solidification. These phases have the same L12-type crystal structure to Al3Sc phase as well as smaller misfits with the primary α(Al) grains,which leads to more efficient epitaxial growth for α(Al) grains on all crystal planes of these composite phases. The experimental alloys have been hardened in different levels and,show the low susceptibilities of hardness change with varying cooling rate. The high hardness of the castings are caused by grain-refined strengthening and solid solution strengthening.

Grain refinement and strength enhancement in Mg wrought alloys: A review

Low absolute strength becomes one major obstacle for the wider applications of low/no rare-earth(RE) containing Mg alloys. This review firstly demonstrates the importance of grain refinement in improving strength of Mg alloys by comprehensively comparing with other strategy, e.g., precipitation strengthening. Dynamic recrystallization(DRX) plays a crucial role in refining grain size of Mg wrought alloys.Therefore, secondly, the DRX models, grain nucleation mechanisms and the related grain refinement abilities in Mg alloys are summarized,including phase boundary, twin boundary and general boundary induced recrystallization. Thirdly, the newly developed low-RE containing Mg alloy, e.g., Mg-Ce, Mg-Nd and Mg-Sm based alloys, and the RE-free Mg alloys, e.g., Mg-Al, Mg-Zn, Mg-Sn and Mg-Ca based alloy,are reviewed, with the focus on enhancing the mechanical properties mainly via the grain refinement strategy. At the last section, the perspectives and outstanding issues concerning high-performance Mg wrought alloys are also proposed. This review is meant to promote the deep understanding on the critical role of grain refinement in Mg alloys and provide reference for the development of other high strength and low-cost Mg alloys which are fabricated by the conventional extrusion/rolling processing.

Effects of grain boundary on irradiation-induced zero-dimensional defects in an irradiated copper

Grain boundaries(GBs)can serve as effective sinks for radiation-induced defects,thus notably influencing the service performance of materials.However,the effect of GB structures on the zero-dimensional defects induced by irradiation has not been fully elucidated.Here,the evolution of cascade collision in the single-crystal(SC),bicrystalline(BC),and twinned crystalline(TC)copper is studied by atomic simulations during irradiation.The spatial distributions of vacancies and interstitials are closely related to the GB at a certain primary knock-on atom(PKA)energy.Compared with the TC,the BC displays a more obvious segregation of the interstitial atoms near GB,due to the characteristic of the greater interstitial binding energy.The evolution of Frenkel pairs is more sensitive to the change of the GB position in the BC.A more prominent defect annihilation rate is caused by the effect of the GB than that of the twin boundary(TB).The marked secondary emission phenomenon has been observed in the BC,which promotes the formation of an inverted pagoda-like defect distribution.There are similar sub-conical defect distributions and microstructures induced by cascade collision in the TC and the SC.It has been found that the influence range of the GB is wider in the BC.Meanwhile,the average flow stress of the irradiated copper is quantitatively calculated by establishing a physical strengthening model.The contribution of vacancy to the average flow stress in the irradiated BC and TC is obvious than that in the SC,due to the formation of many vacancies.This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding and customization of the metal-based equipment with good radiation resistance.

添加氧化镧对钼铼合金组织性能的影响

采用粉末冶金技术在钼铼合金中添加氧化镧制备了ODS-Mo-14Re,通过EBSD、XRD、维氏硬度计、电子万能试验机对氧化镧添加前后钼合金管材的显微结构、室温与高温力学性能进行了分析。结果表明,适量氧化镧的添加可以对钼铼合金起到很好的细晶强化与弥散强化作用;添加0.3%(质量分数)氧化镧使得钼铼合金的平均晶粒尺寸由22.6μm降低至7μm;氧化镧作为细小弥散的第二相添加在钼铼合金中,使晶粒内部位错密度增多,位错相互缠结,运动被阻碍,从而使钼铼合金的强度及塑性明显提升,弥散强化效果显著。室温和高温(1 300℃)拉伸时,Mo-14Re的抗拉强度为725.8、195.3 MPa,而ODS-Mo-14Re的抗拉强度达780.9、226.4 MPa,分别提升了7.6%和15.9%,表明氧化镧的添加使钼铼合金的室温以及高温力学性能得到明显提高。

W元素在新型镍基粉末高温合金中的强化作用

通过真空感应熔炼(VIM)棒料+电极感应熔炼氩气雾化(EIGA)制粉+热等静压(HIP)成形+热处理(HT)工艺制备三种W含量(质量分数4.1%、6.1%和8.1%)的新型镍基粉末高温合金实验锭坯。以此锭坯为对象,结合金属材料相图计算及材料性能模拟软件JMatPro 6.5计算,利用SEM、EBSD和XRD分析W含量对热处理态锭坯显微组织(如晶粒尺寸、退火孪晶、γ′强化相及错配度)的影响,测试分析不同温度下合金的拉伸性能,通过经验公式量化分析各强化机制对合金室温屈服强度的贡献情况。结果表明,随着W含量增加,γ基体层错能明显降低,热处理态退火孪晶界Σ3数量增多;W促使晶内一次γ′强化相由立方状加速粗化为固态枝晶状,对γ′总量和二次、三次γ′的影响不大;W进入γ基体产生晶格畸变的程度大于γ′强化相,使得γ′/γ错配度呈下降趋势;W有助于提高室温和650~800℃拉伸强度,但略微降低塑性;W主要起固溶强化、γ/γ′共格应变强化和晶界强化作用,其中固溶强化贡献相对最低,固溶强化时以强化γ基体为主,γ基体固溶强化和γ/γ′共格应变强化效果随W含量增加而减弱,W含量为6.1%时晶界强化效果最大;固溶强化、γ/γ′共格应变强化和晶界强化贡献值总和不足室温屈服强度实测值的50%,合金以γ′相沉淀强化为主,测试值和计算值较为吻合。

Zr对Al-Si-Mg-Mn合金凝固过程、时效组织和性能的影响

通过模拟计算、组织观察以及力学性能测试,研究了不同Zr含量对铸造Al-Si-Mg-Mn合金凝固过程、时效组织及力学性能的影响。结果表明,随着Zr含量增加,合金凝固路径存在显著差异,晶粒由初期树枝晶逐步演变为等轴晶;175℃时效7 h条件下,Zr的加入显著提高合金硬度。Zr的加入促使析出相在更低时效温度析出,这可能是Zr细化了晶粒从而提高了扩散效率。峰值时效时合金主要析出相为β″相和Q′相。

变形处理对Mg-Li合金显微组织演变和力学性能的影响

镁锂合金具有较高的比强度和比刚度、优秀的电磁屏蔽效应和阻尼性能等优点,是目前最轻的金属结构材料,在自动化、航空、交通运输、医疗等领域有广泛的应用前景。但是,和其他金属结构材料相比,镁锂合金的强度仍然偏低,需要对镁锂合金进行合金化或者变形处理来提高力学性能。总结了各类变形处理镁锂合金的研究现状,讨论了常规变形加工和剧烈塑性变形加工对镁锂合金显微组织和力学性能的影响,并总结了变形加工过程中形变量和温度对显微组织和力学性能的影响,以及镁锂合金的几种晶粒细化机制,阐述了镁锂合金在工业应用中遇到的问题。晶粒细化和加工硬化目前仍然是提高镁锂合金性能的主要手段。强调了几种变形和结构设计(异质材料),这将有助于镁锂合金的创新工作,从而得到高强度镁锂合金。

电磁耦合场对星载弹性元件结构和性能的影响

星载可展天线广泛使用了弹性元件,这些弹性元件机械性能的一致性和稳定性对天线的展开和正常服役至关重要,是可展天线产品满足形面精度指标要求的重要支撑。采用宏观和微观试验相结合的方法,旨在探究电磁场对弹性元件结构和性能的影响,分析其影响机制,为提升星载弹性元件机械性能的一致性和稳定性提供新的途径。研究发现电磁耦合场能够在不改变原有产品精度等级及内部成分的情况下,将星载弹性元件刚度提升2.11%,刚度分布方差降低一个数量级;显微硬度最大可提升8.42%,硬度方差分布下降40.79%;抗蠕变性能提高45.76%,在强化机械性能的同时提高弹簧刚度分布和硬度分布的均匀性,减小个体差异。另外金相微观组织的观测结果显示电磁耦合场对弹簧机械性能的改善具有细晶强化和沉淀强化的作用。电磁耦合强化对提高星载弹性元件结构的性能稳定性和一致性具有重要影响,该技术在未来航天领域具有良好前景。