Grain boundary engineering for enhancing intergranular damage resistance of ferritic/martensitic steel P92

Ferritic/martensitic(F/M)steel is widely used as a structural material in thermal and nuclear power plants.However,it is susceptible to intergranular damage,which is a critical issue,under service conditions.In this study,to improve the resistance to intergranular damage of F/M steel,a thermomechanical process(TMP)was employed to achieve a grain boundary engineering(GBE)microstructure in F/M steel P92.The TMP,including cold-rolling thickness reduction of 6%,9%,and 12%,followed by austenitization at 1323 K for 40 min and tempering at 1053 K for 45 min,was applied to the as-received(AR)P92 steel.The prior austenite grain(PAG)size,prior austenite grain boundary character distribution(GBCD),and connectivity of prior austenite grain boundaries(PAGBs)were investigated.Compared to the AR specimen,the PAG size did not change significantly.The fraction of coincident site lattice boundaries(CSLBs,3≤Σ≤29)and Σ3^(n) boundaries along PAGBs decreased with increasing reduction ratio because the recrystallization fraction increased with increasing reduction ratio.The PAGB connectivity of the 6%deformed specimen slightly deteriorated compared with that of the AR specimen.Moreover,potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that the intergranular damage resistance of the studied steel could be improved by increasing the fraction of CSLBs along the PAGBs,indicating that the TMP,which involves low deformation,could enhance the intergranular damage resistance.

Microstructure and grain boundary engineering of a novel Fe-Cr-Ni alloy weldment made with self-developed composition-matched weld filler metal

The microstructure,texture,and yield strength of an advanced heat-resistant alloy weldment made with composition-matched weld filler were investigated.Scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectroscopy,and electron backscatter diffraction were used to characterize the microstructural and textural changes.Various grain boundary engineering(GBE)processes were performed on the weldment.The yield strengths of the weldment at 973 K were obtained before and after GBE processing,and were mostly consistent with the theoretically predicted values.The coincident-site lattices,misorientation,and recrystallization of the weld metal after GBE were analyzed,and the results indicate that the increase in dislocation density and the improvement in special grain boundaries in the weld metal are the main reasons for the yield strength elevation of the weldment after GBE.The variation in elongation after high-temperature tests has the same tendency as that in the impact toughness with different GBE parameters,which is related to the coarsening behavior of carbides.

Improvement of Intergranular Stress Corrosion Crack Susceptibility of Austenite Stainless Steel through Grain Boundary Engineering

Intergranular stress corrosion crack susceptibility of austenite stainless steel was evaluated through threepoint bending test conducted in high temperature water. The experimental results showed that the frequent and efficient introduction of low energy coincidence site lattice boundaries through grain boundary engineering resulted in an apparent improvement of the intergranular stress corrosion crack resistance of austenite stainless steel.

Toward tunable shape memory effect of NiTi alloy by grain size engineering:A phase field study

The inelastic deformations of shape memory alloys(SMAs)always show poor controllability due to the avalanche-like martensite transformation,and the effective control for the deformation of precision de-vices has been not yet mature.In this work,the phase field method was used to investigate the shape memory effects(SMEs)of NiTi SMAs undergoing grain size(GS)engineering,to obtain tunable one-way and stress-assisted two-way SMEs(OWSME and SATWSME).The OWSME and SATWSME of the systems with various gradient-nanograin structures and bimodal grain structure,as well as that with geometric gradients were simulated.The simulated results indicate that due to the GS dependences of martensite transformation and reorientation,the occurrence and expansion of martensite reorientation,martensite transformation and its reverse can be efficaciously controlled via the GS engineering.When combining the GS engineering and geometric gradient design,since the effects of GS and stress gradient can be su-perimposed or competing,and the responses of martensite reorientation,martensite transformation and its reverse to this are different,the OWSME and SATWSME of the geometrically graded systems with various nanograin structures can exhibit different improvements in controllability.In short,the reorienta-tion hardening modulus during OWSME is increased and the transformation temperature window during SATWSME is widened by GS engineering,indicating the improved controllability of SMEs.The optimal GS engineering schemes revealed in this work provide the basic reference and guidance for designing tun-able SMEs and producing NiTi-based driving devices catering to desired functional performance in various engineering fields.

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.

High-dielectric-constant nanograin BaTiO_(3)-based ceramics for ultra-thin layer multilayer ceramic capacitors via grain grading engineering

Four BT-based ceramic samples were prepared using a grain grading approach.The bigger-grained(~100 nm)and smaller-grained(~70 nm)BaTiO_(3)(BT)powders were mixed.The smaller-grained BT powder controlled the average grain size and guaranteed the reliability,while the bigger-grained powder enhanced the dielectric constant.Various percentages of bigger-grained BT powder were introduced to balance the average grain size and the dielectric constant.As the proportion of bigger grains increased,the dielectric constant(εr)improved significantly.The room-temperatureεr of 25%bigger-grain mixed BT(2623)was~50%higher than that of the sample with a similar average grain size without grain grading.The ceramic mixed with 15%bigger-grained BT showed comprehensive dielectric performance,which met the EIA X5R standard and provided a considerableεr of 1841 along with a low dielectric loss of 0.78%.Notably,the average grain size was 90 nm,which favors the applications in ultra-thin multilayer ceramic capacitors.

Effect of Grain Boundary Engineering on the Work Hardening Behavior of AL6XN Super‑Austenitic Stainless Steel

To examine the influence of grain boundary engineering(GBE)on the work hardening behavior,the tensile tests were carried out on the non-GBE and GBE AL6XN super-austenitic stainless steel(ASS)samples with a comparable grain size at two strain rates of 10^(-2)s^(-1)and 10^(-4)s^(-1).The evolution of deformation microstructures was revealed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and quasi-in situ electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)observations.The results show that the influence of GBE on the mechanical properties of AL6XN super-ASS is mainly manifested in the change of work hardening behavior.At the early stage of plastic deformation,GBE samples show a slightly lowered work hardening rate,since the special grain boundaries(SBs)of a high fraction induce a higher dislocation free path and a weaker back stress;however,with increasing plastic deformation amount,the work hardening rate of GBE samples gradually surpasses that of non-GBE samples due to the better capacity of maintainable work hardening that is profited from the inhibited dislocation annihilation by SBs.In a word,the enhanced capacity of sustained work hardening effectively postpones the appearance of necking point and thus efficaciously ameliorates the ductility of GBE samples under the premise of little changes in yield strength and ultimate tensile strength.

Amelioration of weld-crack resistance of the M951 superalloy by engineering grain boundaries

Fusion weld is a portable and economical joining and repairing method of metals.However,weld cracks often occur during the fusion weld of Ni-base superalloys,which hinder the applications of fusion weld on this kind of materials.In this work,the effects of microstructures of grain boundaries(GBs)of the prototype M951 superalloy on its weldability were investigated.The precipitated phases,the elemental segregations on GBs,and the morphologies of GBs can be largely altered by regulating the cooling rates of pre-weld heat treatments.With decreasing the cooling rate,chain-like M_(23)X_(6)phase precipitates along the GBs,accompanying segregations of B,and GBs becomes more serrated in morphology.During fusion weld,the engineered GBs in the M951 superalloy with a low cooling rate favor the formation of the continuous liquid films on GBs,which together with the serrated GB morphology significantly prevents the formation of weld cracks.Our findings imply that the weld-crack resistance of the superalloys can be ameliorated by engineering GBs.

Application of Grain Boundary Engineering to Improve Intergranular Corrosion Resistance in a Fe–Cr–Mn–Mo–N High-Nitrogen and Nickel-Free Austenitic Stainless Steel

Optimization of grain boundary engineering(GBE) process is explored in a Fe–20Cr–19Mn–2Mo–0.82N high-nitrogen and nickel-free austenitic stainless steel, and its intergranular corrosion(IGC) property after GBE treatment is experimentally evaluated. The proportion of low Σ coincidence site lattice(CSL) boundaries reaches 79.4% in the sample processed with 5% cold rolling and annealing at 1423 K for 72 h;there is an increase of 32.1% compared with the solution-treated sample. After grain boundary character distribution optimization, IGC performance is noticeably improved. Only Σ3 boundaries in the special boundaries are resistant to IGC under the experimental condition. The size of grain cluster enlarges with increasing fraction of low ΣCSL boundaries, and the amount of Σ3 boundaries interrupting the random boundary network increases during growth of the clusters, which is the essential reason for the improvement of IGC resistance.

A pathway to improve low-cycle fatigue life of face-centered cubic metals via grain boundary engineering

To probe a pathway to improve the low-cycle fatigue life of face-centered cubic(FCC)metals via grain boundary engineering(GBE),the tension-tension fatigue tests were carried out on the non-GBE and GBE Cu-16 at.%Al alloys at relatively high stress amplitudes.The results indicate that the cyclic strain localiza-tion and cracking at grain boundaries(GBs)can be effectively suppressed,especially at increased stress amplitude,by an appropriate GBE treatment that can result in a higher resistance to GB cracking and a greater capability of compatible deformation.Therefore,the sensitivity of fatigue life to stress amplitude can be weakened by GBE,and the low-cycle fatigue life of Cu-16 at.%Al alloys is thus distinctly improved.

Retarding the precipitation of η phase in Fe-Ni based alloy through grain boundary engineering

It is important to inhibit the precipitation of η phases in precipitation strengthened Fe-Ni based alloys,as they will deteriorate not only the mechanical property but also the hydrogen resistance.The present investigation shows that grain boundary engineering(GBE) can retard the formation and growth of ηphase in J75 alloy.After GBE treatment with 5% cold rolling followed by annealing at 1000℃ for 1 h,the fraction of special boundaries(SBs) increases from 38.4% in conventional alloy to 77.2% and the fraction of special triple junctions increases from 10% to 74%.During 800℃ aging treatment,quite amount of cellular η phases adjacent to random grain boundary(RGB) will be found in conventional alloy,and only a few small η phases have been observed in GBE treatment alloy subjected to the same aging treatment for long time.The reason for GBE in inhibiting precipitation of η phase can be attributed to not only introducing high fraction of SBs but also breaking the connectivity of RGB networks.As nucleation and growth of η phases on SBs are difficult due to their lower Ti concentration and diffusion rate,and the disruption of RGB networks reduces supply of Ti atoms to the η phases significantly,which impedes their growth at RGB.

Improving the Performance of Thermoelectric Materials by Atomic Layer Deposition-based Grain Boundary Engineering

Thermoelectric materials can directly achieve the conversion between heat and electricity,providing a clean and reliable way to alleviate energy crisis.However,the wide use of thermoelectric materials is subjected to their low energy conversion efficiency.Grain boundary engineering is considered as an effective strategy to improve thermoelectric performance,particularly for the most polycrystalline thermoelectric materials in bulk state.Recently,the precise controlling over the microstructure and composition of grain boundary at atomic scale has been achieved by atomic layer deposition(ALD)technology,which has been confirmed in various thermoelectric materials,such as Bi2Te2.7Se0.3,Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3,and ZrNiSn.Importantly,it is demonstrated that the decoupling between three key thermoelectric parameters,i.e.Seebeck coefficient,electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity,can be realized by ALD-based grain boundary engineering.Moreover,these key parameters can be optimized simultaneously toward the desired direction,which is extremely important for improving the thermoelectric performance.In this review,the relevant progress on the grain boundary engineering by ALD-based strategy is reviewed and some prospects are proposed.

Grain boundary character and stress corrosion cracking behavior of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by selective laser melting

In this work,we used the selective laser melting(SLM)fabricated Co-Cr alloy with prominent residual strain,extremely non-equilibrium microstructures,and low stacking fault energy as a precursor to fabricate materials with the optimal grain boundary character distribution.The grain boundary engineering(GBE)of the Co-Cr alloy was achieved by a simple heat treatment of the SLM-fabricated Co-Cr alloy.The obtained GBE Co-Cr alloy exhibited 81.47%of special grain boundaries(∑3^(n)n=1,2,3),while it substantially disrupted the connectivity of the random high-angle boundaries,successfully reducing the propensity of intergranular degradation.Slow strain rate tests(SSRTs)showed that the GBE Co-Cr alloy possessed lower stress corrosion cracking(SCC)susceptibility and higher ductility in the corrosive environment(0.9%Na Cl solution)than in the air.The high fraction of special boundaries,coupled with the stress-induced martensitic transformation(SIMT)in the GBE Co-Cr alloy yielded these results,which unique and rarely simultaneously satisfied for common structural materials.The current"SLM induced GBE strategy"offers a novel approach towards customized GBE materials with high SCC resistance and ductility in the corrosive environment,shedding new light on developing high-performance structural materials.

Effect of Thermomechanical Parameters on Σ3~n Grain Boundaries and Grain Boundary Networks of a New Superaustenitic Stainless Steel

Hot compression tests were conducted in a temperature range of 800--1100 ℃and strain rate range of 0. 1- 10 s^-1 using a Gleeble 3500 thermomechanical simulator to investigate the influence of hot deformation parameters （temperatures, strain rates and strains） on the grain boundary network evolution of a new grade Fe-Cr-Ni superaustenitic stainless steel. The results showed that a dominant effect of deformed temperature is ∑3^n （n = 0, 1, 2, 3） boundaries population increased with decreasing temperature, while they first increased and then reduced with in- creasing strain and strain rate. Interestingly, besides E3n （n = 1, 2, 3） twin grain boundaries, some El boundaries could interrupt grain boundaries network effectively, which enhance material performances. But they are scarcely re- ported. The misorientation of some segments LAGBs in the deformed microstructure （pancaked grains） increased and slid to high angle grain boundaries with increasing the fraction of reerystallized grains during hot deformation.

Dependence of corrosion resistance on grain boundary characteristics in a high nitrogen CrMn austenitic stainless steel

Processing schedules for grain boundary engineering involving different types of cold deformation（tension, compression, and rolling） and annealing were designed and carried out for 18Mn18Cr0.6N high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel. The grain boundary characteristic distribution was obtained and characterized by electron backscatter diffraction（EBSD） analysis. The corrosion resistance of the specimens with different grain boundary characteristic distribution was examined by using potentiodynamic polarization test. The corrosion behavior of different types of boundaries after sensitization was also studied.The fraction of low-∑ boundaries decreased with increasing strain, and it was insensitive to the type of cold deformation when the engineering strain was lower than 20%. At the strain of 30%, the largest and smallest fractions of low-∑ boundaries were achieved in cold-tensioned and rolled specimens, respectively. The fraction of low-∑ boundaries increased exponentially with the increase of grain size. The proportion of low-∑ angle grain boundaries increased with decreasing grain size. Increasing the fraction of low-∑ boundaries could improve the pitting corrosion resistance for the steels with the same grain size.After sensitization, the relative corrosion resistances of low-∑ angle grain boundaries, ∑3 boundaries, and ∑9 boundaries were 100%, 95%, and 25%, respectively, while ∑27 boundaries, other low-∑ boundaries and random high-angle grain boundaries had no resistance to corrosion.