A review of the strengthening–toughening behavior and mechanisms of advanced structural materials by multifield coupling treatment

The application of an external field is a promising method to control the microstructure of materials, leading to their improved performance. In the present paper, the strengthening and toughening behavior of some typical high-performance structural materials subjected to multifield coupling treatment, including electrostatic field, electro-pulse current, thermal field, and stress field, are reviewed in detail. In addition to the general observation that the plasticity of materials could be increased by multi-external fields, strength enhancement can be achieved by controlling atomic diffusion or phase transformations. The paper is not limited to the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the multifield coupling effects on different types of structural materials but is intended to provide a generic method to improve both the strength and ductility of the materials. Finally, the prospects of the applications of multi-external fields have also been proposed based on current works.

Mechanism of toughening and strengthening of Si_3N_4/SiC/ZrO_2 nanocomposites

The Si3N4-based nanocomposites reinforced with micro ZrO2 and nano SiC particles were prepared by polarity dispersant and vacuum-sintering technology. The mechanical properties and microstructures were tested. The results show that appropriate amount of micro ZrO2 and nano SiC particles, not only enhance the microhardness, but also block the excessively growth of β-Si3N4 and β-Si3N4 grains, so they finally all grow up to uniformly pole-shaped grains. This process is similar to the strengthening and toughening mechanism of grain whiskers and makes a remarkable improvement on the toughness. Compared with Si3N4 ceramic, the toughness of Si3N4/SiC/ZrO2 nanocomposites are increased from 6.2 MPa·m1/2 to 11 MPa·m1/2.

AN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE DEFORMATION STRENGTHENING AND TOUGHENING MECHANISM OF TITANIUM ALLOY

The high-temperature deformation strengthening and toughening mechanisms of titanium alloys have been investigated in this paper. The materials processed by this method produce a new tri-modal microstrvcture, which consists of 10-20% equiaxed alpha, streaky alpha and transformed beta matrix. It is found that the higher ductility of tri-modal microstructure is attributed to the equiaxed alpha's coopemtive slip and coordinated deformation with the transformed beta matrix. The streaky alpha phases not only increase the strength and creep properties, but also increase the fracture toughness. Propagating along grain boundaries between two neighboring streaky alpha phases, cracks in tri-modal microstructure make a more tortuous way, and then the materials show a higher fracture toughness. This new method is applicable to α, near α,α+β and near β titanium alloys.

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.

Formability and strengthening mechanism of AA6061 tubular components under solid granule medium internal high pressure forming

A new technological process of tube forming was developed, namely solution treatment → granule medium internal high pressure forming → artificial aging. During this process, the mechanical properties of AA6061 tube can be adjusted by heat treatment to satisfy the process requirements and the processing method can also be realized by granule medium internal high pressure forming technology with the features of convenient implementation, low requirement to equipment and flexible design in product. Results show that, at a solution temperature of 560 ℃ and time of 120 min, the elongation of AA6061 increases by 313%, but the strength and the hardness dramatically decrease. At an aging temperature of 180 ℃ and time of 360 min, the strength and hardness of AA6061 alloy are recovered to the values of the as-received alloy. The maximum expansion ratio（MER） of AA6061 tube increases by 25.5% and the material properties of formed tube reach the performances of raw material.

Experiments and modeling of double-peak precipitation hardening and strengthening mechanisms in Al-Zn-Mg alloy

The aim of the present work is to develop a model for simulating double-peak precipitation hardening kinetics in Al-Zn-Mg alloy with the simultaneous formation of different types of precipitates at elevated temperatures based on the modified Langer-Schwartz approach. The double aging peaks are present in the long time age-hardening curves of Al-Zn-Mg alloys. The physically-based model, while taking explicitly into account nucleation, growth, coarsening of the new phase precipitations and two strengthening mechanisms associated with particle-dislocation interaction （shearing and bypassing）, was used for the analysis of precipitates evolution and precipitation hardening during aging of Al-Zn-Mg alloy. Model predictions were compared with the measurements of Al-Zn-Mg alloy. The systematic and quantitative results show that the predicted hardness profiles of double peaks via adding a shape dependent parameter in the growth equation for growth and coarsening generally agree well with the measured ones. Two strengthening mechanisms associated with particle-dislocation interaction （shearing and bypassing） were considered operating simultaneously in view of the particle size-distribution. The transition from shearing to bypassing strengthening mechanism was found to occur at rather early stage of the particle growth. The bypassing was found to be the prevailing strengthening mechanism in the investigated alloys.

Enhanced mechanical properties of molybdenum alloy originating from composite strengthening of Re and CeO_(2)

To enhance the mechanical properties of molybdenum alloys at both room and high temperatures,Mo-14Re-1CeO_(2)alloy was synthesized using the powder metallurgy method,and the corresponding microstructure and mechanical properties were characterized.The results indicate that the ultimate tensile strength of Mo-14Re-1CeO_(2)reaches 657 MPa,with a total elongation of 35.2%,significantly higher than those of pure molybdenum(453 MPa,and 7.01%).Furthermore,the compression strength of Mo-14Re-1CeO_(2)at high temperature(1200℃)achieves 355 MPa,which is still larger than that of pure molybdenum(221 MPa).It is revealed that there is a coherent interface between CeO_(2)and the Mo-14Re matrix with CeO_(2)particles uniformly distributed in both intergranular and intragranular regions.The improvements in mechanical properties are primarily attributed to the formation of Mo-Re solid solution,grain refinement,and dispersion strengthening effect of CeO_(2).

Toughening mechanism of lined Al_2O_3-ZrO_2 multiphaseceramics in SHS composite pipes

Hypoeutectic and hypereutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics-lined composite pipes were produced by using the gravitational separation self-propagate high-temperature synthesis （SHS） process. The microstructure of the ceramics was observed by means of SEM and EPMA. The fracture toughness of the multiphase ceramics was tested by using the Vickers indentation method. The fracture toughness of hypoeutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics is 15.96 MPa·m^1/2 and that of hypoeutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics is 15.23 MPa·m^1/2. The toughening mechanisms were systematically investigated by means of SEM and XRD. The results show that the bridging toughening mechanism, stress induced ZrO2 transformation toughening mechanism, and microcrack toughening mechanism are the predominant toughening mechanism.

Microstructure-fracture toughness relationships and toughening mechanism of TC21 titanium alloy with lamellar microstructure

The independent influence of microstructural features on fracture toughness of TC21alloy with lamellar microstructure was investigated.Triple heat treatments were designed to obtain lamellar microstructures with different parameters,which were characterized by OM and SEM.The size and content ofαplates were mainly determined by cooling rate from singleβphase field and solution temperature in two-phase field;while the precipitation behavior of secondaryαplatelets was dominantly controlled by aging temperature in two-phase field.The content and thickness ofαplates and the thickness of secondaryαplatelets were important microstructural features influencing the fracture toughness.Both increasing the content ofαplates and thickeningαplates(or secondaryαplatelets)could enhance the fracture toughness of TC21alloy.Based on energy consumption by the plastic zone of crack tip inαplates,a toughening mechanism for titanium alloys was proposed.

Strengthening mechanisms of indirect-extruded Mg-Sn based alloys at room temperature

The strength of a material is dependent on how dislocations in its crystal lattice can be easily propagated.These dislocations create stress fields within the material depending on their intrinsic character.Generally,the following strengthening mechanisms are relevant in wrought magnesium materials tested at room temperature:fine-grain strengthening,precipitate strengthening and solid solution strengthening as well as texture strengthening.The indirect-extruded Mg-8Sn(T8)and Mg-8Sn-1Al-1Zn(TAZ811)alloys present superior tensile properties compared to the commercial AZ31 alloy extruded in the same condition.The contributions to the strengthen of Mg-Sn based alloys made by four strengthening mechanisms were calculated quantitatively based on the microstructure characteristics,physical characteristics,thermomechanical analysis and interactions of alloying elements using AZ31 alloy as benchmark.

Microstructure and strengthening mechanism of Mg-5.88Zn-0.53Cu-0.16Zr alloy solidified under high pressure

Mg-5.88 Zn-0.53 Cu-0.16 Zr(wt.%)alloy was solidified at 2-6 GPa using high-pressure solidification technology.The microstructure,strengthening mechanism and compressive properties at room temperature were studied using SEM and XRD.The results showed that the microstructure was refined and the secondary dendrite spacing changed from 35μm at atmospheric pressure to 10μm at 6 GPa gradually.Also,Mg(Zn,Cu)2 and Mg Zn Cu eutectic phases were distributed in the shape of network,while under high pressures the second phases(Mg(Zn,Cu)2 and Mg7 Zn3)were mainly granular or strip-like.The solid solubility of Zn and Cu in the matrix built up over increasing solidification pressure and reached 4.12%and 0.32%respectively at 6 GPa.The hardness value was HV 90 and the maximum compression resistance was 430 MPa.Therefore,the grain refinement strengthening,the second phase strengthening and the solid solution strengthening are the principal strengthening mechanisms.

Quantitative analysis on strengthening mechanism of ultra-thin hot strip of low carbon steel produced by CSP technique

Based on experimental data of positron annihilation technology, electrolyticdissolution technique, electron back-scattered pattern, etc. and by analysis the strengtheningfactors, the strengthening mechanism of ultra-thin hot strip of low carbon steel produced by CSP(Compact Strip Production) technique was investigated. The value of each strengthening mechanism andits contribution percentage to yield strength were achieved. The results show that refinementstrengthening is the predominant strengthening mode; precipitation strengthening and dislocationstrengthening are second to it, their contributions to yield strength are almost equal.

Microstructure and strengthening mechanisms of Mg-6Al-6Nd alloy

The microstructure and strengthening mechanisms of as-cast Mg-6Al-6Nd alloy were studied. The results show that the addition of 6 wt.% Nd into Mg-6Al alloy leads to the precipitation of Al11Nd3 and Al2Nd phases and decrease in the content of Al solid soluted in Mg-Al matrix. The volume fractions of Al11Nd3 and Al2Nd phases are 3.64% and 0.34%, respectively. Compared with Mg-6Al alloy, the ultimate strength, yielding strength, and elongation of Mg-6Al-6Nd alloy at room temperature and 175℃ are enhanced in some degrees. The strengthening mechanisms of Mg-6Al-6Nd alloy are mainly composed of solid solution strengthening of Al solid soluted in Mg-Al matrix and grain refmement strengthening, dispersion strengthening, and composite strengthening brought by the precipitation of Al11Nd3 phase. The composite strengthening includes the load transfer from the matrix to Al11Nd3 phase and the enhancement of dislocation density due to the geometrical mismatch and thermal mismatch between the matrix and Al11Nd3 phase.

Development and strengthening mechanisms of a hybrid CNTs@SiCp/Mg-6Zn composite fabricated by a novel method

The hybrid addition of CNTs was used to improve both the strengths and ductility of SiCp reinforced Mg matrix composites.A novel method was developed to simultaneously disperse SiCp and CNTs in Mg melt.Firstly,new CNTs@SiCp hybrid reinforcements were synthesized by CVD.Thus,CNTs were well pre-dispersed on the SiCp surfaces before they were added to Mg melt.Therefore,the following semisolid stirring and ultrasonic vibration dispersed the new hybrid reinforcements well in Mg-6Zn melt.The hybrid composite exhibits some unique features in microstructures.Although the distribution of SiCp was very uniform in the Mg-6Zn matrix,most CNTs distributed along the strips in the state of micro-clusters,in which CNTs were bonded very well with Mg matrix.Most of the CNTs kept their structure integrity during fabrication process.All these factors ensure that the hybrid composite have much higher strength and elongation than the mono SiC/Mg-6Zn composites.The dominant strengthening mechanism is the load transfer effect of CNTs.Apart from grain refinement,the CNTs toughen the composites by impeding the microcrack propagation inside the material.Thus,the hybrid CNTs@SiCp successfully realizes the reinforcing advantage of“1+1>2”.

STRENGTHENING MECHANISMSIN TiAl BASED ALLOYS

The influence of heat treatment and of thermomechanical processing on the structure and properties of a range of TiAl based alloys has been assessed and in agreement with other reports it has been found that increased refinement of the microstructure leads to improved mechanical strength at room temperature, both for the lamellar and the duplex structures. In the case of alloys cooled rapidly from the alpha phase field the increased refinement in lamellar spacing leads to significant increases in room temperature strength but thermomechanical processing can lead to far greater increases. The origin of this increase in strength in samples with a lamellar structure has been assessed in terms of the ability of dislocations to cross gamma/gamma and gamma/alpha 2 lamellar interfaces. It was concluded that the alpha 2 gamma interfaces and the alpha itself are important factors in strengthening the lamellar alloys. The stability of the various structures developed either by appropriate heat treatments or by thermomechanical processing has been investigated by exposing samples for a range of times at temperatures between 700 and 1 000 ℃. It has been found that the yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength generally decreased by about 20% during high temperature exposure at 700 ℃ for 3 000 h. The detailed behaviour on exposure at 700 ℃ has been found to be a function of alloy composition, with complex precipitates being formed in some alloys, but in all cases the amount of alpha 2 decreased with increased heat treatment time. It has been found that during exposure the alpha 2 lamellae decomposed to gamma phase by a mechanism that can involve the formation of thin gamma lamellae within the original alpha 2 lamellae.

Microstructure evolution and strengthening mechanisms of spray-formed 5A12 Al alloy processed by high reduction rolling

The extrusion preform of the spray-formed5A12Al alloy was hot rolled using high reduction rolling technology.By means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),the microstructure evolution was studied and the strengthening and toughening mechanism was thereby proposed.The results indicate that discontinuous and continuous dynamic recrystallization occurred during the hot rolling deformation of the spray-formed5A12Al alloy.The grain size was significantly refined and the micro-scale grains formed.Partial dynamic recrystallization leads to a significant increase of dislocation density and cellular structure.The Mg atoms were distributed in the Al matrix mainly in the presence of solid solution rather than the formation of precipitate.High solid solution of Mg atoms not only hindered the dislocation motion and increased the density of dislocation,but also exhibited a remarkable solid solution strengthening effect,which contributes to the high strength and high toughness of the as-rolled sheets.The tensile strength and elongation of spray formed5A12Al alloy at room temperature after3passes hot rolling were622MPa and20%,respectively.

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.

Strengthening and Toughening Effect of Yttrium on Al_(2)O_(3)/TiCN Ceramic Tool Material

The strengthening and toughening effect of yttrium on an advanced Al2O3/TiCN ceramic tool material was studied by means of SEM 9 TEM and energy spectrum analysis. Results showed that yttrium can react with the impurity elements such as W, Fe, Cr, etc. Thus, the interfaces between ceramic phases are purified and the interfacial binding strength is increased. As a result, the mechanical properties of the AL2O3/TiCN ceramic tool material reinforced with yttrium are improved significantly. In addition, the effect of yttrium on particle strengthening of the solid solution TiCN may partly contribute to the improvement of the mechanical properties.

Properties and strengthening mechanism of brush plated nanoparticle reinforced composite coatings

Nanoparticle reinforced nickel matrix composite coatings, such as n-Al2O3/Ni, n-SiO2/Ni, n-SiC/Ni and n-TiO2/Ni, were fabricated by brush plating technique. Hardness, wear resistance and contact-fatigue resistance of the composite coatings were determined, and strengthening mechanism of the composite coatings was discussed. Results show that the composite coatings have superior properties to the Ni metal coating. Compared with properties of brush plated Ni metal coating, the composite coatings have hardness over 1.5 times and wear resistance capability of about 2.5 times. The strengthening mechanism of the composite coatings mainly includes fine-crystal grain effect, nanoparticle dispersion effect and dislocation effect.

Erosion and Toughening Mechanisms of Electroless Ni-P-Nano-NiTi Composite Coatings on API X100 Steel under Single Particle Impact

The addition of superelastic NiTi to electroless Ni-P coating has been found to toughen the otherwise brittle coatings in static loading conditions, though its effect on erosion behaviour has not yet been explored. In the present study, spherical WC-Co erodent particles were used in single particle impact testing of Ni-P-nano-NiTi composite coatings on API X100 steel substrates at two average velocities—35 m/s and 52 m/s. Erosion tests were performed at impact angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. The effect of NiTi concentration in the coating was also examined. Through examination of the impact craters and material response at various impact conditions, it was found that the presence of superelastic NiTi in the brittle Ni-P matrix hindered the propagation of cracks and provided a barrier to crack growth. The following toughening mechanisms were identified: crack bridging and deflection, micro-cracking, and transformation toughening.