Strengthening mechanism of T8-aged Al-Cu-Li alloy with increased pre-deformation

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a T8-aged Al-Cu-Li alloy with increased pre-deformation(0-15%) were investigated,revealing the microstructure-strength relationship and the intrinsic strengthening mechanism.The results show that increasing the pre-deformation levels remarkably improves the strength of the alloy but deteriorates its ductility.Dislocations introduced by pre-deformation effectively suppress the formation of Guinier-Preston(GP) zones and provide more nucleation sites for T1 precipitates.This leads to more intensive and finer T1 precipitates in the samples with higher pre-deformation levels.Simultaneously,the enhanced precipitation of T1 precipitates and inhibited formation of GP zones cause the decreases in number and sizes of θ′ precipitates.The quantitative descriptions of the strength contributions from different strengthening mechanisms reveal that strengthening contributions from T1 and θ′ precipitates decrease with increasing pre-deformation.The reduced diameters of T1 precipitates are primarily responsible for their weakened strengthening effects.Therefore,the improved strength of the T8-aged Al-Cu-Li alloy is mainly attributed to the stronger strain hardening from the increased pre-deformation levels.

Effect of pre-deformation on aging creep of Al-Li-S4 alloy and its constitutive modeling

A set of uniaxial tensile creep tests at different pre-deformations, aging temperatures and stress levels were carried out for Al-Li-S4 alloy, and the creep behavior and the effects of pre-deformation on mechanical properties and microstructures were determined under basic thermodynamics conditions of aging forming. The results show that pre-deformation shortens the time of primary creep and raises the second steady-state creep rate. Then, the total creep strain is greater, but in the range of test parameters it is still smaller than that without pre-deformation. In addition, transmission electron microscopy（TEM） observation shows that pre-deformation promotes the formation of T1 phase and θ′ phase and makes them distribute more dispersively, while inhibits the generation of δ′ phase, which leads to the improvement of mechanical properties of the alloy. A unified constitutive model reflecting the effects of aging mechanism, stress levels and different pre-deformations was established. The fitting results agree with the experimental data well.

Effect of pre-deformation on microstructures and mechanical properties of high purity Al-Cu-Mg alloy

The effects of pre-deformation following solution treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of aged high purity Al-Cu-Mg alloy were studied by tensile test, micro-hardness measurements, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The micro-hardness measurements indicate that compared with un-deformed samples, the peak hardness is increased and the time to reach peak hardness is reduced with increasing pre-strain. Additionally, a double-peak hardness evolution behavior of cold-rolled （CR） samples was observed during aging. The results of TEM observation show that the number density of S′（Al2CuMg） phase is increased and the size is decreased in CR alloy with increase of pre-strain. The peak hardness and peak strength of the CR alloy are increased because of quantity increasing and refinement of S′ phase and high density dislocation.

Influence of pre-deformation on age-hardening response and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-6%Zn-1%Mn alloy

The effect of cold plastic deformation between solution treatment and artificial aging on the age-hardening response and mechanical properties of alloy was investigated by micro-hardness test,tensile test,optical microscopy（OM） and TEM observation.After solution treatment at 420 ℃ for 1 h,three kinds of pre-deformation strains,i.e.0,5% and 10%,were applied to extruded ZM61 bars.Age-hardening curves show that pre-deformation can significantly accelerate the precipitation kinetics and increase peak-hardness value;however,as pre-deformation strain rises from 5% to 10%,there is no gain in peak hardness value.The room temperature（RT） tensile properties demonstrate that increasing the pre-deformation degree can enhance the yield strength（YS） and ultimate tensile strength（UTS） but moderately reduce elongation（EL）;furthermore,the enhancement of YS is larger than that of UTS.No twin can be observed in 5% pre-deformed microstructure;however,a large number of twins are activated after 10% pre-deformation.The peak-aged TEM microstructure shows that pre-deformation can increase the number density of rod-shaped β 1 ＇ precipitates which play a key role in strengthening ZM61 alloy.

Effect of pre-deformation on the stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of aluminum alloy 2519

The effects of pre-deformation and strain rate on the stress corrosion cracking （SCC） behavior of aluminum alloy 2519 in air and in 3.5% NaCI water solution were investigated by means of slow strain rate tension （SSRT）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results indicate that the alloy is susceptible to SCC in 3.5% NaCI water solution and not in air. At the same pre-deformation, the alloy is more susceptible to SCC at 1.33 × 10^-5 s^-1 than at 6.66 × 10^-5 s^-1. Moreover, it is more susceptible to SCC at free pre-deformation than at 10% pre-deformation at the same strain rate. The number of 0 precipitated along the grain boundaries is reduced and distributed discontinuously, at the same time, the precipitate-free zones （PFZ） become narrow and the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking is reduced after 10% pre-deformation.

Effect of pre-deformation on microstructure and mechanical properties of WE43 magnesium alloy II: Aging at 250 and 300℃

In this work,the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a pre-deformed WE43 magnesium alloy when aged at 250 and 300℃ were further investigated.It is found that the abundant deformation twins introduced by pre-deformation were maintained within the alloy during the aging treatment.Second particles formed at the twin boundaries and coarsened with aging time,especially at 300℃.When peak-aged at 250℃,the fine metastable β'''and β' precipitates formed in the un-deformed alloy have been transformed into relatively large β1 and β precipitates by the pre-deformation.While peak-aged at 300℃,the pre-deformation obviously refined the β precipitates.Mechanical properties indicate that pre-deformation can increase the yield strength by 19MPa and 54MPa for the peak-aged alloy at 250℃ and 300℃,respectively,and will not obviously deteriorate the tensile elongations.

Effects of pre-deformation mode and strain on creep aging bend-forming process of Al-Cu-Li alloy

The bending deformation method was adopted to characterize the creep deformation behavior of Al-Cu-Li alloy in the creep aging forming(CAF) process based on a series of CAF tests, and the evolution laws of its mechanical properties and microstructures under different pre-deformation conditions were studied. The results show that the bending creep strain characterization method can intuitively describe the creep variation. With the increase of the pre-deformation strain, the creep strain of the specimen firstly increases and then decreases. The increase of the pre-deformation strain can promote the course of aging precipitation, and improve the formed alloy’s tensile properties at room temperature, the Kahn tearing properties, and the fatigue propagation properties. Pre-rolled specimens produce a slightly weaker work hardening than pre-stretched specimens, but they also create a stronger aging-strengthening effect;thus the strength, toughness and damage performance can be improved to some extent. Among all the types of specimens, the specimen with 3% rolling after CAF treatment has the best comprehensive mechanical properties.

Effect of pre-deformation of rolling combined with stretching on stress corrosion of aluminum alloy 2519A plate

The effect of the pre-deformation of rolling combined with stretching on the stress corrosion cracking resistance of aluminum alloy 2519A was studied by means of the slow strain rate technique at 10-6 s-1. The tensile strength and stress corrosion index of the alloy plate with 7% rolling plus 3% perpendicular stretching were 481 MPa and 0.0429, respectively, showing better mechanical property and stress corrosion cracking resistance than those with 4% rolling plus 3% parallel stretching or 7% rolling plus 3% parallel stretching, which is due to its finer and denser precipitates within the grains, discontinuous grain boundary precipitates, as well as more narrow precipitate-free zone width. Such microstructure is attributing to the denser and more homogeneously distributed dislocations which are produced by the pre-deformation.

Pre-deformation for Assembly Performance of Machine Centers

The current research of machine center accuracy in workspace mainly focuses on the poor geometric error subjected to thermal and gravity load while in operation, however, there are little researches focusing on the effect of machine center elastic deformations on workspace volume. Therefore, a method called pre-deformation for assembly performance is presented. This method is technically based on the characteristics of machine tool assembly and collaborative computer-aided engineering （CAE） analysis. The research goal is to enhance assembly performance, including straightness, positioning, and angular errors, to realize the precision of the machine tool design. A vertical machine center is taken as an example to illustrate the proposed method. The concept of travel error is defined to obtain the law of the guide surface. The machine center assembly performance is analyzed under cold condition and thermal balance condition to establish the function of pre-deformation. Then, the guide surface in normal direction is processed with the pre-deformation function, and the machine tool assembly performance is measured using a laser interferometer. The measuring results show that the straightness deviation of the Z component in the Y-direction is 158.9% of the allowable value primarily because of the gravity of the spindle head, and the straightness of the X and Y components is minimal. When the machine tool is processed in pre-deformation, the straightness of the Z axis moving component is reduced to 91.2%. This research proposes a pre-deformation machine center assembly method which has sufficient capacity to improving assembly accuracy of machine centers.

Variation of the uniaxial tensile behavior of ultrafine-grained pure aluminum after cyclic pre-deformation

To explore the influence of cyclic pre-deformation on the mechanical behavior of ultrafine-grained（UFG）materials with a high stacking fault energy（SFE）,UFG Al processed by equal-channel angular pressing（ECAP）was selected as a target material and its tensile behavior at different pre-cyclic levels D（D=N_i/N_f,where N_i and N_f are the applied cycles and fatigue life at a constant stress amplitude of 50 MPa,respectively）along with the corresponding microstructures and deformation features were systematically studied.The cyclic pre-deformation treatment on the ECAPed UFG Al led to a decrease in flow stress,and a stress quasi-plateau stage was observed after yielding for all of the different-state UFG Al samples.The yield strengths_（YS）,ultimate tensile strengths_（UTS）,and uniform straineexhibited a strong dependence on D when D≤20%;however,when D was in the range from 20%to 50%,no obvious change in mechanical properties was observed.The micro-mechanism for the effect of cyclic pre-deformation on the tensile properties of the ECAPed UFG Al was revealed and compared with that of ECAPed UFG Cu through the observations of deformation features and microstructures.

Effect of Pre-Deformation Enhanced Thermal Aging on Precipitation and Microhardness of a Reactor Pressure Vessel Steel

Microstructure evolution in neutron irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel （RPV） steels was experimentally simulated through an improved degradation procedure in this study. The degradation procedure includes austenitizing at 1 150℃ and water quench, deformation 10% and 30% respectively, and then thermal aging at 500℃ for different period of time. The microstructure of the specimens was analyzed in details using transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The micro-hardness test results showed that all the hardness curves of undeformed, 10% pre-deformed and 30% pre-deformed specimens have two micro-hardness peaks with the first peak value corresponding to different thermal aging time of 1 hour, 5 hours and 10 hours, respectively. It was revealed that the hardness curves were influenced by the precipitation of Cu-rich precipitates （CRPs） and carbides, deposition of martensite and work hardening.

Effect of Austenite Pre-deformation on Isothermal Martensite Transformation in an Fe-20.5Ni-4.8Mn Alloy

With electron microscopy the investigation on isothermal martensite transformation in an Fe20.5Ni-4.8Mn alloy has been carried out to clarify the effect of austenite state on the transformation, by applying pre-deformation to austenite before isothermal holding. Under the condition without pre-deformation, the isothermal martensite products are lath martensite with {111}fhabit planes. Dislocations in austenite seem to contribute to nucleation of martensite, and in this nascent Stage austenite substructure has no obvious effect on martensite growth. The consequent thickening of martensite laths is apparently influenced by local austenite states, resulting in the changes in orientation, morphology as well as substructure of martensite lath. The kinetics of isothermal martensite transformation is controlled by intedece dislocation determined nucleation of martensite in primary stage, but to a larger extent, by the austenite accommodation for the shape strain of martensite in the thickening Stage

Effect of Pre-deformation on Abnormal Segregation of Grain Boundary during Recrystallization Process

The softening rates of Fe-30%Ni alloy containing boron after 10% and 40% deformation at 1000℃ have been measured by a method of interrupted compression, the recrystallization process has also been evaluated.The moving velocity of the boundary of new recrystallizing grain which was growing into the deformed grans has been calculated semi-quantitatively. By means of PTA technique, the abnormal segregation phenomenon on the moving boundary during recrystallization and the influence of pre-deformation have been investigated and the amount of B segregation on moving grain boundaries has been measured .Results indicate that the abnormal segregation of boundaries, when the new grains are growing, is concemed with the pre-deformation and the moving velocity of the bourdaries. This phenomenon is discussed by the gtain boundary widening mechanism.

Effects of pre-deformation on the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric property in Ni-Mn-Co-Sn ribbons

This paper investigates the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in pre-deformed Ni-Mn-Co Sn ribbons. The experimental results show that the reverse martensitic transformation temperature TM increases with the increasing pre-pressure, suggesting that pre-deformation is another effective way to adjust TM in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. Large magnetic entropy changes and refrigerant capacities are obtained in these ribbons as well. It also discusses the origin of the enhanced martensitic transformation temperature and magnetocaloric property in pre-deformed Ni-Mn Co-Sn ribbons.

Combined Effects of Pre-deformation and Preaging on the Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy with Sc and Zr Addition

The combined effects of pre-deformation and pre-aging on the mechanical properties of AlCu-Mg alloy with Sc and Zr addition were investigated. It is revealed that the introduction of pre-deformation can enhance the peak-aging strength, as well as tensile and yield strength, effectively due to the formation of finer and more dispersive precipitation. Pre-aging process before pre-deformation can increase the elongation while maintaining higher strength with a discontinuous distribution of precipitates at grain boundary. The precipitates of bean-like Al3（Sc, Zr） particles further strengthen the alloy via pinning the dislocations which are formed during pre-deformation process and hindering the dislocation motion. Furthermore, pre-deformation and pre-aging accelerate the kinetics of precipitation due to preferential sites provided by the dislocation and the increase of GPB zones＇ size and distribution. The synergism of pre-deformation and pre-aging achieves a combination of better mechanical properties and shorter peak-aging time.

Influence of Pre-deformation on Aging Precipitation Behavior of Three Al–Cu–Li Alloys

The influence of pre-deformation on aging precipitates of three near peak-aged Al–Cu–Li alloys,1460 alloy with a low Cu/Li ratio（1.46）,2050 alloy with a high Cu/Li ratio（4.51） and 2A96 alloy with a medium Cu/Li ratio（2.97）,was investigated.The strength of the aged alloys is enhanced by the pre-deformation.The effectiveness of pre-deformation on precipitates is dependent on the alloy＇s composition.With increasing the pre-deformation,the population density of T1（Al2Cu Li） precipitates increases in all three Al–Cu–Li alloys and their diameter decreases in 2050 and 2A96 alloys,and the greatest effectiveness is observed in 2A96 alloy.The pre-deformation also increases the population density of θ＇（Al2Cu）precipitates and decreases their diameter in 2050 and 2A96 Al–Li alloys,but the effectiveness is smaller compared to that on T1 precipitates.In 1460 alloy subjected to two-step aging at 130 ℃ for 20 h followed by 160 ℃ for 12 h,the main precipitates are δ＇（Al3Li）.At 2%–6% pre-deformation,GP-I zones form and pre-deformation displays little influence.Eight percentage pre-deformation promotes θ＇＇/θ＇ precipitation and increases their population density.

Obtaining Ultra-High Strength and Ductility in a Mg–Gd–Er–Zn–Zr Alloy via Extrusion,Pre-deformation and Two-Stage Aging

The Mg–12Gd–1Er–1Zn–0.9 Zr(wt%)alloy with ultra-high strength and ductility was developed via hot extrusion combined with pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment.The age-hardening behavior and microstructure evolution were investigated.Pre-deformation introduced a large number of dislocations,resulting in strain hardening and higher precipitation strengthening in the subsequent two-stage aging.As a result,the alloy showed a superior strength–ductility balance with a yield strength of 506 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength of 549 MPa and an elongation of 8.2%at room temperature.The finer and denserβ’precipitates significantly enhanced the strength,and the bimodal structure,smallβ-Mg5RE phase as well as denseγ’precipitates ensured the good ductility of the alloy.It is suggested that the combination of pre-deformation and two-stage aging treatment is an eff ective method to further improve the mechanical properties of wrought Mg alloys.

The Effect of Pre-Deformation at Elevated Temperatures on the Microstructure and Hardness of Boron Steel 22MnB5

To investigate the effects of the pre-deformation and deformation temperature on the microstructure and hardness of boron steel 22MnB5,isothermal tensile tests were carried out on the Gleeble 3800 system when the temperatures are 700℃,750℃,800℃,respectively.Three specimens were employed to obtain different deformation levels at each temperature.The cooling rate before and after deformation was 30℃/s.Then the microstructures of the specimens were observed and the harness of each specimen was measured.The results show the martensitic fraction decreases and the ferrite fraction increases with decreasing the deformation temperature or increasing the deformation level.The specimens deformed at higher temperature have greater hardness.The hot plastic deformation of austenite shortens the incubation period of ferrite transformation and accelerates the transformation rate.In addition,the isothermally holding time is longer in the case of a larger deformation amount,more austenite will transform to ferrite.Especially,the specimen deformed at 700℃ and with large deformation has almost full massive ferrite microstructure with larger size.

Revisiting the Hierarchical Microstructures of an Al-Zn-Mg Alloy Fabricated by Pre-deformation and Aging

Pre-deformation before aging has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on the mechanical strength of the 7N01 alloy in our previous study,which is rather different from the general negative effects of pre-deformation on high-strength 7XXX aluminum alloys.In order to explain the strengthening mechanism relating to the positive effect,in the present study,the microstructure of the aged 7N01 alloy with different degrees of pre-deformation was investigated in detail using advanced electron microscopy techniques.Our results show that,without pre-deformation,the aged alloy is strengthened mainly by the η′type of hardening precipitates.In contrast,with pre-deformation,the aged alloy is strengthened by the hierarchical microstructure consisting of the GP-η′type of precipitates formed inside sub-grains,the ηp type of precipitates formed at small-angle boundaries,and the dislocation introduced by pre-deformation(residual work-hardening effect).By visualizing the distribution of theηp precipitates through three-dimensional electron tomography,the 3 D microstructures of dislocation cells are clearly revealed.Proper combinations of ηp precipitates,GP-η′precipitates and residual dislocations in the alloy are responsible for the positive effect of pre-deformation on its mechanical properties.

Improvement in irradiation resistance of FeCu alloy by pre-deformation through introduction of dense point defect sinks

The irradiation resistance of pre-deformed FeCu alloy was studied using a 3 MeV Fe ion irradiation experiment at room temperature in comparison with that of the as-received sample.Nanoindentation and atom probe tomography(APT) were used to characterize the mechanical properties and solute distribution.The stress-strain curve obtained by nanoindentation shows that the yield strength(σ0.2) of the pre-deformed sample is unexpectedly reduced with an increase in the irradiation dose to five displacements per atom(dpa).We suggest that it results both from the decrease in the dislocation density and the suppression of defects during irradiation.APT shows that the nucleation of the Cu cluster is suppressed;however,its growth is promoted in the pre-deformed sample,resulting in the formation of sparse and coarse clusters at 1 dpa irradiation.These coarse Cu clusters were then unexpectedly refined to finer grains with an increase in the irradiation dose to 5 dpa.Theoretically,the improvement in the resistance to irradiation in the pre-deformed sample is attributed to the dense point-defect sinks,that is,the dislocations and grain boundaries introduced by pre-deformation.In addition,the contributions of the dislocations and grain boundaries to the sink strength are estimated for both the as-received and pre-deformed samples.The results indicate that dislocations,rather than grain boundaries,play a major role after deformation.