Four new orientation relationships of Mg_(17)Al_(12) phase with magnesium matrix in Mg-8Al-0.5Zn alloys

Although the non-basal precipitates, those not parallel to the basal plane, are more effective to block basal slip in Mg-Al alloys, the crystallographic orientation relationship(OR) between these precipitates and the α-Mg matrix has not been well established. In this work, the crystallography of the non-basal Mg_(17)Al_(12) precipitates in AZ80 alloy was systematically investigated by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). By tilting to a suitable electron beam direction, different kinds of non-basal precipitates were recognized in TEM, and the following four new ORs between the non-basal Mg_(17)Al_(12) precipitates and the matrix were revealed: ■, and ■.Furthermore, these ORs and their habit planes were explained using the edge-to-edge matching model. The findings in this work can provide some guidelines for designing the microstructure of Mg-Al alloys to enhance their precipitation hardening potential.

Morphology and orientation relationship of VC precipitates in HSLA steel

The morphology and distribution of VC precipitates in HSLA steel as well as the orientation relationship between VC precipitate and α-Fe were studied by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The chemical composition of the VC precipitate was analyzed qualitatively by using analytical electron microscopy （AEM） equipped with an energy dispersive spectrum （EDS） system. The VC precipitate is needle-like in shape with a size of about 10 nm in length and is homogeneously dispersed in the α-Fe matrix. The smaller lattice misfit along the 〈100〉 lattice direction of α-Fe matrix leads to VC precipitate forming with its long axes nearly parallel to the 〈100〉 lattice direction of α-Fe matrix. It is confirmed that the orientation relationship between VC precipitate and α- Fe is the ＂N-W＂ orientation relation by selected area electron diffraction （SAED） patterns.

TiN/γ-Fe interface orientation relationship and formation mechanism of TiN precipitates in Mn18Cr2 steel

A Mn18Cr2 steel containing TiN precipitates was fabricated by vacuum induction melting.The morphology of TiN precipitates and the interface orientation relationship between TiN and γ-Fe were characterized by means of SEM,TEM and SAED,and the formation mechanism of TiN precipitates in Mn18Cr2 steel was clarified.Results show that the TiN precipitates are more likely to exhibit a cubic-shaped morphology and form both within the grain and at the grain boundary of γ-Fe.The interface orientation relationship between TiN and γ-Fe is determined as follows:(100)_(TiN)//■_(γ-Fe),■_(TiN)//■_(γ-Fe).Because of the smallest interfacialmisfit,the secondary close-packed lane {100} of TiN preferentially combines with the close-packed plane {111} of γ-Fe during the precipitation in order to minimize the interface energy.After nucleation,the TiN precipitates exhibit cubic appearance due to the fact that the TiN has a FCC structure with rock salt type structure.This study provides reference for the material design of the austenitic high-manganese steels with excellent yield strength.

Multiple eutectic orientation relationships in undercooled Ni-38wt.%Si eutectic alloy

Eutectic orientation relationships(EORs) in an undercooled Ni-38 wt.%Si alloy were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction. A total of seven EORs were identified, and three of them were found at the under-cooling degree ?T≈31 K. It is found that their orientations of the primary NiSi phase are same but the misorientation between the neighboring NiSi2 grains can be either 50° or 60°. The multiple EORs were ascribed to a possible change in the growth direction of the primary phase, the change of the primary phase from the NiSi phase to the NiSi2 phase, and the transition from coupled to uncoupled eutectic growth. The current work shows that epitaxial growth of the second eutectic phase on the primary eutectic phase can obey either a single EOR or multiple EORs, which is a unique phenomenon.

Analysis of Orientation Relationships,Carbon Partitioning and Strengthening Mechanism of a Novel Ultrahigh Strength Steel

The orientation relationships,carbon partitioning and strengthening mechanism of a novel ultrahigh strength steel were analyzed in depth during the complex process of heat treatment.The experimental results reveal that the(011)α//()γ,[100]α//[011]γ orientation relationships can be drawn between martensite and retained austenite.The position and angle of martensite and retained austenite are shown more clearly from the stereographic projections.Moreover,the calculated results show that the carbon content near the austenite interface is the highest in the shorter carbon allocation time.With the further increase of time,its carbon content gradually decreases.Furthermore,a model of the relationship between yield strength and strengthening mechanism was established.It was proved that the main strengthening components contributing to the yield strength include Orowan strengthening,grain-size strengthening and dislocation hardening.The main strengthening mechanism of steel in this experiment is dislocation strengthening.

Special Orientation Relationships Observed at the Early Stages of Recrystallization in Pure AlMn Alloy

Electron Back Scattering Diffraction (EBSD) technique in a SEM was used to obtain local orientationalinformation on new grains and their surrounding deformed matrices at the early stages of recrystallization in pureA1-1 .3%Mn alloy. Results show that special orientation relationships including twin-relationship often exist betweennew grains, between new grains and deformed grains or between deformed grains. The occurrence of such specialorientation relationships is attributed to the special deformation behavior in the samples with large initial grain size.The formation of recrystallization twins is discussed in a different way to those of traditional ones.

A new rhombohedral phase and its 48 variants inβtitanium alloy

A new rhombohedral phase(termed R′)in a solution-aging-treated titanium alloy(Ti-4.5Al-6.5Mo-2Cr-2Nb-1V-1Sn-1Zr,wt.%)was identified.Its accurate Bravais lattice parameters were determined by a novel unit cell reconstruction method based on conventional selected-area electron diffraction(SAED)technique.The orientation relationship between R'phase and BCC phase was revealed.The results show that the R′phase is found to have 48crystallographically equivalent variants,resulting in rather complicated SAED patterns with high-order reflections.A series of in-situ SAED patterns were taken along both low-and high-index zone axes,and all weak and strong reflections arising from the 48 variants were properly explained and directly assigned with self-consistent Miller indices,confirming the presence of the rhombohedral phase.Additionally,some criteria were also proposed for evaluating the indexed results,which together with the Bravais lattice reconstruction method shed light on the microstructure characterization of even unknown phases in other alloys.

Martensitic transformation pathways and crystallographic orientation relationships in steel

Martensite is one of the most important structures determining the ability to tailor the performance of steel and several other engineering materials.In previous studies,the face-centered cubic(FCC)to hexag-onal close-packed(HCP)(or body-centered cubic(BCC))martensitic transformation and the FCC to body-centered tetragonal(BCT)(or BCC)martensitic transformation during deformation and quenching were widely investigated;these transformations usually improve the plasticity and strength of steel,respec-tively.In this work,detailed transmission electron microscopy(TEM)observations and electron diffraction pattern analyses of the BCT and BCC twins are performed along the[110],[131],and[¯153]zone axes.The transformation of BCT twins into BCC twins along the[131]zone axis is also analyzed through in situ heating during the TEM observations.The high-resolution TEM observations of mutually perpendicular BCT variants are consistent with the atomic arrangement obtained for the quenching pathway during the martensitic transformation.In addition,different orientation relationships between austenite and marten-site are explained in terms of the atomic migration occurring during the deformation pathway and the quenching pathway of the martensitic transformation.

Revealing the phase-transformation path in a FeCoNiSnx eutectic high entropy alloy system by crystallographic orientation relationships

High entropy alloys are the focus of current research.An accurate description of their phase-transformation path,however,is a challenge when their phase constituent and transformation process are complex.In this study,a FeCoNiSn x eutectic high entropy alloy(EHEA)system was investigated and a novel FeCoNiSn EHEA composed of BCC+HCP phases was reported.The transition from the hypoeutectic to the fully eutectic and then to the hypereutectic microstructure with the Sn addition was characterized by the electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)technology,and the phase-transformation path was clari-fied by crystallographic orientation relationships.The studies reveal that the primary phase of FeCoNiSn x(x=0.2,0.4)is FCC structure,and a further Sn addition induces an obvious phase-transformation from FCC to BCC in both the primary phase and eutectic lamellar,which satisfies the Kurdjumov-Sachs(K-S)or Nishiyama-Wasserman(N-W)variant orientation relationship.The mechanical results confirm that the phase structure and microstructure transition caused by Sn addition do significantly improve the strength and hardness of FeCoNiSn x EHEAs,but have serious adverse effects on plasticity.This study would be of significance to understanding the phase-transformation process in HEAs and preparing the HEAs with aimed mechanical properties.

Morphology and crystallography of β precipitate phase in Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr alloy

Morphology and crystal structure of β precipitate phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr (mass fraction, %) alloy were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Compositions were determined for β phase using thin foil energy dispersive spectroscopy. Precipitation at 400 ℃ involves formation of platelet and block-shaped β phase. The orientation relationship is and between β precipitate phase and α-Mg matrix with habit planes parallel to , and a composition of Mg5(Y0.4Gd0.4Nd0.2) is suggested for the β phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy.

Evolution of coordination between α and β phases for two-phase titanium alloy during hot working

The evolution of coordination betweenαandβphases for a two-phase titanium alloy was investigated.For this purpose,hot compression and heat treatment under different conditions were carried out.The results show that the ability of coordinated deformation betweenαandβphases can influence uniformity of microstructure evolution.Specifically,αphase maintains the lamellar structure andβphase has a low degree of recrystallization when the ability of coordinated deformation is good.In this case,αandβphases still maintain the BOR(Burgers orientation relationship),and their interface relationship is not destroyed even at large deformation.Both of the deformation extent ofαlamellae and recrystallization degree ofβphase increase with the decline of ability of coordinated deformation.Theαphase only maintains the BOR withβphase on one side,while the uncoordinated rotation with theβphase on the other side occurs within 10°.Theαandβphases rotate asynchronously when ability of coordinated deformation is poor.The degree of interface dislocation increases,andαandβphases deviate from the BOR.

Crystallography of precipitates in Mg alloys

Crystallography of precipitates in Mg alloys is indispensable to explain and predict alloy microstructures and properties.In order to obtain a global understanding of diversified experimental results,a general theory of singular interface is introduced,which provides the physical base and calculation methodology for interpreting precipitate morphology and orientation relationship(OR),especially useful for understanding irrational facets and ORs.Guided by the theory,recent experimental findings are systematically summarized,including thermally stable and metastable precipitates with various crystal structures.Then,theoretical advances inspired by the findings are introduced,which deepens our understanding on OR selection and preference of irrational facets.At last,future research directions in this field are proposed.

Characterization of Phases in an As-cast Copper-Manganese-Aluminum Alloy

Copper-manganese-aluminum （CMA） alloys, containing small additions of Fe, Ni, and Si, exhibit good strength and remarkable corrosion resistance against sea water. The alloys are used in as-cast condition, and their microstructure can show wide variations. The morphology, crystallography and composition of the phases presented in an as-cast （CMA） alloy of nominal composition Cu-14%Mn-8%Al-3%Fe-2%Ni were investigated using optical, electron optical, and microprobe analytical techniques. The as-cast microstructure consisted of the grains of fcc α and bcc β-phases alongwith intermetallic precipitates of various morphologies. The room temperature microstructure exhibited four different types of precipitates inside the α-grains： the ＇large＇ dendritic-shaped particles and the cuboid-shaped precipitates, which were rich in Fe and Mn and had an fcc structure, while the ＇small＇ dendritic-shaped particles and the globular precipitates were based on FeaAI and had DO3 structure. These four different morphologies of intermetallic precipitates exhibited discrete orientation-relationships with the α-matrix. The β-grains only contained very small cuboid shaped precipitates, which could only be resolved through transmission electron microscopy. These precipitates were found to be based on Fe3Al and had the DO3 structure.

Nucleation potency prediction of LaB_6 with E2EM model and its influence on microstructure and tensile properties of Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy

The edge-to-edge matching(E2EM)crystallographic model was used to predict the orientation relationships(ORs)between LaB6 and Al.Three different possible ORs can be predicted between LaB6 and Al,which are(100)Al||(100)LaB6,[001]Al||[001]LaB6;(110)Al||(110)LaB6,[001]Al||[001]LaB6;and(111)Al||(111)LaB6,[011]Al||[011]LaB6.The prediction results are perfectly confirmed through TEM analysis and prove the nucleation potency of LaB6.The refining efficacy of Al-2La-1B refiner and its influence on the tensile properties were investigated in the as-cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy.According to the results,LaB6 has higher nucleation potency than TiB2,leading to better grain refining efficacy of Al-2La-1B refiner in the as-cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg alloy.Regarding the mechanical performances,tensile properties of the as-cast Al-7Si-0.3Mg casting alloy are prominently improved after addition of Al-2La-1B refiner,due to the refined microstructures.

Microstructure and texture evolution in LZ91 magnesium alloy during cold rolling

LZ91 magnesium alloy extruded sheets were subjected to cold rolling.The microstructure and texture evolution were tracked using optical microscopy(OM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).Theα-Mg andβ-Li phases were elongated along rolling direction(RD),contributing to the formation of a thin lamellar“sandwich”structure.This“sandwich”structure is favored for glissile dislocation ofα-Mg phase during rolling.Theα-Mg andβ-Li phases are near Burgers orientation relationship,resulting in an unusual RD texture component in(0002)pole figure.

Orientation Relationships between Ferrite and Cementite by Edge-to-edge Matching Principle

The crystallographic features of pearlite were investigated by experiments and edge-to-edge matching principle. Two new orientation relationships between ferrite and cementite were determinated by selected area electron diffraction and then explained by our modified edge-to-edge matching method. The consistence of the experimental results with theoretical prediction confirms the practicability of the modified edge-to-edge matching model.

Multiplex intermetallic phases in a gravity die-cast Mg-6.0Zn-1.5Nd-0.5Zr(wt%) alloy

Components and crystal structures of the intermetallic phases in a gravity die-cast Mg-6.0Zn-1.5Nd-0.5Zr(wt%)alloy were investigated using transmission electron microscopy.The results indicate that this alloy has multiple intermetallic phases and various inner faults.Totally,six eutectoid intermetallic phases,namely W(Mg Nd Zn_(3)),T(Mg_(39)Zn_(55)Nd_(6)),(Mg,Zr)Zn_(2),Z(Mg_(28)Zn_(65)Nd_(7)),H_(2)(Mg_(15)Zn_(70)Nd_(15)),and H1(Mg_(24)Zn_(64)Nd_(11)),were simultaneously observed at grain boundaries,and six precipitates(Z,Mg_(7)Zn_(3),T,Mg_(4)Zn_(7),β_(1)-Mg Zn_(2) and β_(2)-Mg Zn_(2))were found inα-Mg grains.Furthermore,faults like sub-grain boundaries,orientation domains(coherent with the same matching plane but with different orientations),stacking faults and twins were observed in the eutectoid intermetallic phases.Finally,some new orientation relationships between the known intermetallic phases were revealed.This paper can provide new insight into alloy design for Mg-Zn-RE(RE:rare earth)based alloys.

Nucleation interface of Al-Sb alloys on single crystal Al_2O_3 substrate

Lattice structure information of heterogeneous nucleation at nucleation interface was present.The crystal orientation,and interfacial structure characteristic of liquid Al alloys nucleated on the basal surface(0001)Al2O3single crystal substrate were identified by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)analysis.The preferred crystal orientations of pure Al and Al-1%Sb(mass fraction)alloy adjacent to the nucleation interface were examined as(200)and(220)planes of Al,respectively,and two corresponding orientation relationships were obtained.An improved nucleation efficiency and refined grains were attributed to both the reduced interplanar spacing of preferred orientation and the decrease of lattice misfit from16.4%to7.0%in Al-1%Sb/Al2O3nucleation group.

The Change of Orientation Relationships Between Austenite and α'-Martensite During Deformation in High Manganese TRIP Steel

In situ observation of electron backscattering diffraction technique was used to evaluate the orientation relationships between austenite and α′-martensite（α′-M） for high manganese transformation-induced plasticity steel.It was noted that different from the thermal martensite,which well obeyed K-S relationship with austenite,the orientation relationship between deformation-induced α′-M with austenite changed during deformation,namely K-S and N-W relations coexisted.No clear differences existed between α′-M variants with two kinds of relationships in terms of martensitic orientation,shape and the misorientation between α′-M variants.And this phenomenon happened in almost all austenitic grains with different orientations investigated in this study.An atom displacement mechanism through conjugate complex slips of partial dislocations in the distorted fcc lattice was applied in this article to interpret the coexistence of K-S and N-W relationships.

A Crystallography Study of Bainitic Transformation in a Cu-Zn-Al Alloy

The crystallographic nature of initial isothermal phase transformation in Cu-26Zn-4Al (wt-％) was investigated. The kinetic transforma- tion curve, morphology, crystal structure, substructure, orientation relationship and twin relationship of bainite plates have been studied by means of optical and transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results showed that the characteristics of initial 8→bainite transformation are not exactly consistent with that found in martensite transformation, for example, orientation relationship between matrix and bainite does not exist in martensite transformation.