Influence of Zr content on microstructure and mechanical properties of implant Ti-35Nb-4Sn-6Mo-xZr alloys

The influence of Zr content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of implant Ti-35Nb-4Sn-6Mo-xZr （x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15; mass fraction） alloys was investigated. It is shown that Ti-35Nb-4Sn-6Mo-xZr alloys appear to have equiaxed single β microstructure after solution treatment at 1023 K. It is found that the grains are refined first and then coarsened with the increase of Zr content. It is also found that Zr element added to titanium alloys has both the solution strengthening and fine-grain strengthening effect, and affects the lattice parameters. With increasing the Zr content of the alloys, the strength increases, the elongation decreases, whereas the elastic modulus firstly increases and then decreases. The mechanical properties of Ti-35Nb-4Sn-6Mo-9Zr alloy are as follows： σb=785 MPa, δ=11%, E=68 GPa, which is more suitable for acting as human implant materials compared to the traditional implant Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Influence of pouring temperature on solidification behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of sand-cast Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr alloy

Influence of the pouring temperature ranging from 680 to 780 ℃ on the solidification behavior, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sand-cast Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr alloy was investigated. It was found that the nucleation undercooling of the a-Mg phase increased from 2.3 to 6.3 ℃. The average a-Mg grain size increased from 44 to 71 μm, but then decreased to 46 μm. The morphology of the eutectic compound transformed from a continuous network into a discontinuous state and then subsequently into an island-like block. The volume fraction of β-Mg_24RE_5 phase increased and its morphology transformed from particle into rod-like. The increase in pouring temperature increased the solute concentration. YS increased from 138 to 151 MPa, and UTS increased from 186 to 197 MPa. The alloy poured at 750 ℃ had optimal combining strength and ductility. The fracture surface mode transformed from quasi-cleavage crack into transgranular fracture, all plus the dimple-like fracture, with the micro-porosity and the re-oxidation inclusion as major defects. The average a-Mg grain size played a main role in the YS of sand-cast Mg-10Gd-3Y-0.4Zr alloy, besides other factors, i.e. micro-porosity, morphology of eutectic compounds, re-oxidation inclusion and solute concentration.

Enhanced plasticity of Fe-based bulk metallic glass by tailoring microstructure

The room temperature compressive plasticity of Fe75MosP10Cs.3B1.7 bulk metallic glass （BMG） was improved from 0.5% to 1.8% by increasing the sample diameter from 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm. With increasing the sample diameter to 2.0 mm, a heterogeneous microstructure with in-situ formed a-Fe dendrite sparsely distributed in the amorphous matrix can be attained. This heterogeneous mierostructure is conceived to be highly responsible for the enhanced global plasticity in this marginal Fe-based BMG.

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA27 alloy

The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA27 alloy were studied by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and mechanical characterization.The results indicated that the as-cast microstructure of the alloy was mainly composed of α,decomposed β,η and ε phases.After solid solution treatment at 365 ℃ for 1 h,α and η phases dissolved,and the microstructure of specimen was mainly composed of the supersaturated β phases.The phase decomposition of supersaturated ZA27 alloy is a two-stage phase transformation：the decomposition of the supersaturated β phase at the early stage of aging,and with the increase of aging time,ε phase decomposition through a four-phase transformation：α＋ε→T ＇＋ η.A good combination of high tensile elongation and reasonable strength can be achieved by suitable heat treatments.

Effect of consolidation parameters on mechanical properties of Cu-based bulk amorphous alloy consolidated by hot pressing

Cu50Zr40Ti10 bulk amorphous alloys were fabricated by hot pressing gas-atomized Cu50Zr40Ti10 amorphous powder under different consolidation conditions without vacuum and inert gas protection. The consolidation conditions of the Cu50Zr40Ti10 amorphous powder were investigated based on an L9（34） orthogonal design. The compression strength and strain limit of the Cu50Zr40Ti10 bulk amorphous alloys can reach up to 1090.4 MPa and 11.9 %, respectively. The consolidation pressure significantly influences the strain limit and compression strength of the compact. But the mechanical properties are not significantly influenced by the consolidation temperature. In addition, the preforming pressure significantly influences not the compression strength but the strain limit. The optimum consolidation condition for the Cu50Zr40Ti10 amorphous powder is first precompacted under the pressure of 150 MPa, and then consolidated under the pressure of 450 MPa and the temperature of 380 °C.

Effect of solution treatment and aging on microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of NiTi shape memory alloy

As-received nickel-titanium （NiTi） shape memory alloy with a nominal composition of Ni50.9Ti49.1 （mole fraction,%） was subjected to solution treatment at 1123 K for 2 h and subsequent aging for 2 h at 573 K, 723 K and 873 K, respectively. The influence of solution treatment and aging on microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of NiTi alloy was systematically investigated by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, high resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and compression test. Solution treatment contributes to eliminating the Ti2Ni phase in the as-received NiTi sample, in which the TiC phase is unable to be removed. Solution treatment leads to ordered domain of atomic arrangement in NiTi alloy. In all the aged NiTi samples, the Ni4Ti3 precipitates, the R phase and the B2 austenite coexist in the NiTi matrix at room temperature, while the martensitic twins can be observed in the NiTi samples aged at 873 K. In the NiTi samples aged at 573 and 723 K, the fine and dense Ni4Ti3 precipitates distribute uniformly in the NiTi matrix, and thus they are coherent with the B2 matrix. However, in the NiTi sample aged at 873 K, the Ni4Ti3 precipitates exhibit the very inhomogeneous size, and they are coherent, semi-coherent and incoherent with the B2 matrix. In the case of aging at 723 K, the NiTi sample exhibits the maximum yield strength, where the fine and homogeneous Ni4Ti3 precipitates act as the effective obstacles against the dislocation motion, which results in the maximum critical resolved shear stress for dislocation slip.

Effects of solution treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu-0.12Zr-0.03Sc alloy

Effects of additions minor contents of 0.03%Sc and 0.12%Zr and solution treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu alloy were studied by metallographic microscopy, differential thermal analysis （DSC） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, in order to obtain high-performance Al alloys. The minor additions of Sc （less than 0.1%） were carried out. The results show that with the additions of 0.03% Sc and 0.12% Zr, the petaloid Al3（Sc,Zr） precipitated phases occur in Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu alloy, and Al3（Sc,Zr） particles obviously hinder the recrystallization of Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu alloy during homogenizing and extruding processes due to their strong pinning effect on dislocation. Multi-stage solution is better than single solution, for it can avoid recrystallization of Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu alloy with the minor contents of Sc （less than 0.1%）. The proper solution treatment is （420 °C, 3 h）＋（465 °C, 2 h） under which Al-9.0Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu-0.12Zr-0.03Sc alloy obtains a tensile strength of 777.29 MPa and a elongation of 11.84%.

Microstructure and property of rheocasting AZ91 slurry produced via ultrasonic vibration process

The microstructure and mechanical properties of rheocasting AZ91 magnesium alloy were investigated. The semisolid slurry of this alloy was prepared by ultrasonic vibration （USV） process and then shaped by high pressure diecasting （HPDC）. The results show that fine and spherical a-Mg particles were obtained by USV at the nucleation stage, which was mainly attributed to the cavitation and acoustic streaming induced by the USV. Extending USV treatment time increased the solid volume fraction and average particle size, the shape factors were nearly the same, about 0.7. Excellent semisolid slurry of AZ91 magnesium alloy could be obtained within 6 rain by USV near its liquidus temperature. The rheo-HPDC samples treated by USV for 6 min had the maximum ultimate tensile strength and elongation, which were 248 MPa and 7.4%, respectively. It was also found that the ductile fracture mode prevailed in the rheocasting AZ91 magnesium alloy.

Application of cyclic upsetting-extrusion to semi-solid processing of AZ91D magnesium alloy

The microstructural evolution of AZ91D magnesium alloy prepared by means of the cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting was investigated. The effects of remelting temperature and holding time on microstructure of semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy were studied. Furthermore, tensile properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components were determined. The results show that the cyclic upsetting-extrusion followed by partial remelting is effective in producing semi-solid AZ91D magnesium alloy for thixofonning. During the partial remelting, with the increase of remelting temperature and holding time, the solid grain size increases and the degree of spheroidization tends to be improved. The tensile mechanical properties of thixoextruded AZ91D magnesium alloy components produced by cyclic upsetting-extrusion and partial remelting are better than those of the same alloy produced by casting.

Effects of Y on hot tearing susceptibility of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys

The hot tearing susceptibility of MgZn2.5YxZr0.5 （x=0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6） alloys was evaluated by thermodynamic calculations based on Clyne-Davies model. The microstructure and morphology of hot tearing regions of the alloys were observed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The solidification temperature and shrinkage stress during the solidification of MgZn2.5YxZr0.5 alloys in the“T”type hot tearing permanent-mold were acquired with the attached computer. The effect factors of hot tearing susceptibility of MgZn2.5YxZr0.5 alloys, such as the solidification temperature interval, the variation of solid fraction in vulnerable region, the residual liquid fraction in the final stage, the type of the second phase of the alloys were discussed based on the above calculation and observation. The results demonstrated that the hot tearing susceptibility in the investigated alloys was found as follows：MgZn2.5Y2Zr0.5＆gt;MgZn2.5Y0.5Zr0.5＆gt;MgZn2.5Y4Zr0.5＆gt;MgZn2.5Y6Zr0.5＆gt;MgZn2.5Y1Zr0.5. The highest hot tearing susceptibility of MgZn2.5Y2Zr0.5 alloy related to the following reasons： the largest freezing range, the biggest changing of the variation of solid fraction in vulnerable region, the least liquid film in the final stage of solidification, the formation of the second phase which worsens the liquid flow and interdendritic feeding after dendrite coherency.

Application of the generalized quasi-complementary energy principle to the fluid-solid coupling problem

The fluid-solid coupling theory, an interdisciplinary science between hydrodynamics and solid mechanics, is an important tool for response analysis and direct design of structures in naval architecture and ocean engineering. By applying the corresponding relations between generalized forces and generalized displacements, convolutions were performed between the basic equations of elasto-dynamics in the primary space and corresponding virtual quantities. The results were integrated and then added algebraically. In light of the fact that body forces and surface forces are both follower forces, the generalized quasi-complementary energy principle with two kinds of variables for an initial value problem is established in non-conservative systems. Using the generalized quasi-complementary energy principle to deal with the fluid-solid coupling problem and to analyze the dynamic response of structures, a method for using two kinds of variables simultaneously for calculation of force and displacement was derived.

Effect of cyclic heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of directionally solidified Ti-46Al-6Nb alloy

The Ti-46A1-6Nb （mole fraction, %） ingots that were directionally solidified by cold crucible were cyclic heat treated at 1330 ℃ in the a phase region. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the ingots before and after heat treatment were investigated. The results show that the large columnar grains are changed into equiaxed grains after heat treatment. The grain size decreases with increasing the cyclic times, which is caused by the recrystallization and the transition from the large grain of small lamellae to the small grain of large lamellae. Four times of cyclic heat treatment refines the grain size from 1.33 mm to 0.59 turn, nevertheless the lamellar spacing increases from 0.71 ~tm to 1.38 lim. Extending the holding time and increasing the cyclic times of heat treatment eliminate the fl-segregation at the grain boundary and the interlamellar. The compression testing shows that the compressive strength of the directionally solidified ingot in the parallel and perpendicular directions are 1385.09 MPa and 1267.79 MPa, respectively, which are improved to 1449.75 MPa and 1527.76 MPa after two and four times of cyclic heat treatment, respectively, while that is 1180.64 MPa for the as-cast sample. The fracture mode of the sample after cyclic heat treatment is quasi-cleavage fracture.

Effect of pre-tensioned rock bolts on stress redistribution around a roadway—insight from numerical modeling

The importance of the pre-tensioned force of rock bolts has been recognized by more and more researchers. To investi- gate the effect of pre-tensioned rock bolts on stress redistribution around roadways, a numerical analysis was carried out using FLAC3D and a special post-process methodology, using surfer, is proposed to process the numerical simulation results. The results indicate that pre-tensioned rock bolts have a significant effect on stress redistribution around a roadway. In the roof, pre-tensioned rock bolts greatly increase vertical stress; as a result, the strength of the rock mass increased significantly which results in a greater capacity of bearing a large horizontal stress. The horizontal stress decreases in the upper section of the roof, indicating that pre-tensioned rock bolts significantly reduce the coefficient and the size of the region concentration of horizontal stress. At the lat- eral side, pre-tensioned rock bolts greatly increase the horizontal stress; therefore, the rock mass strength significantly increases which results also in a greater capacity of bearing a large vertical stress. The greater the size of pre-tensioned force, the larger the region of stress redistribution around a roadway is affected and the higher the size of the stress on the roadway surface the more the rock mass strength increases.

Microstructure and tensile property of SLM 316L stainless steel manufactured with fine and coarse powder mixtures

Selective laser melting(SLM)technology is the prevailing method of manufacturing components with complex geometries.However,the cost of the additive manufacturing(AM)fine powder is relatively high,which significantly limits the development of the SLM.In this study,the 316L fine powder and coarse powder with a mass ratio of 80:20,70:30 and 60:40 were mixed using a ball milling and the samples with a relative density greater than 97%were prepared by SLM.The results show that the intricate temperature gradients and surface tension gradients in SLM will produce Marangoni flow,forming a typical molten pool morphology,cellular and strip subgrain structures.And as the proportion of coarse powder increases,the scanning track morphology changes from smooth to undulating;the morphology of the molten pool and subgrain structure are weakened.Meanwhile,the unmelted particles appear on the surface of the SLM sample.On the premise of an introducing appropriate amount of large particle size powder(20%),the SLM samples still have good mechanical properties(662 MPa,47%).

Study of Slope Reinforcement Force Based on FLAC

A slope will slide if the unbalanced force does not tend to zero when the stability of the slope is analyzed with the help of FLAC. Thus the ultimate reason of slope sliding is the unbalanced force determined by FLAC. The slope will remain stable if the unbalanced force is counterbalanced by a reinforcement force which is produced by a suitable reinforcement method. In this paper, the stability of the slope was analyzed by using FLAC, and the unbalanced force of the slope was obtained through the FISH function in FLAC. According to the equilibrium conditions, the relationship between the reinforcement force and unbalanced force was derived and accordingly the reinforcement force was determined. The reinforcement design was adopted by using pre-stressed anchor bars on the basis of the reinforcement force. An example is used to show that the effect of slope reinforcement based on the reinforcement force is safe and economical. The method doesn＇t need to suppose a sliding surface to obtain the reinforcement force, and it is also clear in physical meaning. So this method realized the organic unification of the stability analysis and the slope reinforcement.

Rheo-diecasting of AZ91D magnesium alloy by taper barrel rheomoulding process

A self-developed taper barrel rheomoulding(TBR)machine was introduced,and the rheo-diecasting process was implemented by combining TBR machine with the high pressure die casting(HPDC)machine.Microstructural characteristics of the rheo-diecasting components were investigated at different rotation speeds.Flow characteristics and microstructural evolution of the semi-solid slurry during the rheo-diecasting process were analyzed and the mechanical properties of the rheo-diecasting components were studied.The experimental results show that the process is able to obtain such components in which the primaryα-Mg particles are fine,nearly spherical and uniformly distributed in the matrix.When the rotation speed of internal taper barrel is 700 r/min,the primaryα-Mg particles get a mean diameter of about 45μm and a shape factor of about 0.81.The magnesium alloy melt has complex stirring-fixed flow characteristics when flowing in TBR machine.Compared with conventional die-casing process,the rheo-diecasting process can improve the mechanical properties of components;especially,the elongation is improved by 80%.

Effects of single and multi-stage solid solution treatments on microstructure and properties of as-extruded AA7055 helical profile

The effects of single-stage solution treatment(SST),enhanced solution treatment(EST),high-temperature pre-precipitation(HTPP)and multi-stage solution treatment(MST)on the microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the as-extruded 7055 aluminium alloy(AA7055)helical profile were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron back-scattered diffraction(EBSD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).It was observed that EST and MST could promote the dissolution of the second-phase particles compared with the traditional SST,and the intergranular phases were distinctly discontinuously distributed after HTPP and MST.There was obvious difference in the main texture type and texture strength for the alloy after different solid solution treatments.HTPP could improve the corrosion resistance of the alloy by regulating the intergranular phases,but the mechanical properties were severely weakened.While the good corrosion resistance of the alloy could be obtained by MST without obvious strength loss.As a result,the MST is an ideal solid solution treatment scheme for AA7055.

Microstructure and room temperature mechanical properties of directionally solidified Mg-2.35Gd magnesium alloy

Directional solidification of Mg-2.35Gd （mass fraction, %） magnesium alloy was carried out to investigate the effects of the solidification parameters （growth rate v and temperature gradient G） on microstructure and room temperature mechanical properties under the controlled solidification conditions. The specimens were solidified under steady state conditions with different temperature gradients （G=20, 25 and 30 K/mm） in a wide range of growth rates （v=10-200 μm/s） by using a Bridgman-type directional solidification furnace with liquid metal cooling （LMC） technology. The cellular microstructures are observed. The cellular spacing 2 decreases with increasing v for constant G or with increasing G for constant v. By using a linear regression analysis the relationships can be expressed as 2=136.216v^-0.2440 （G=30 K/mm） and 2=626.5630G^-0.5625 （v=10 μm/s）, which are in a good agreement with Trivedi model. An improved tensile strength and a corresponding decreased elongation are achieved in the directionally solidified experimental alloy with increasing growth rate and tempertaure gradient. Furthermore, the directionally solidified experimental alloy exhibits higher room temperature tensile strength than the non-directionally solidified alloy.

Effect of Si addition and applied pressure on microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast Al-5.0Cu-0.6Mn-1.2Fe alloys

The effects of Si addition and applied pressure on the microstructure and tensile properties of as-cast Al-5.0 Cu-0.6 Mn-1.2 Fe alloys were studied. The results show that Si addition promotes the formation of Chinese script α-Fe, and suppresses the precipitation of Al_3（Fe Mn） and Al_6（Fe Mn）. For the alloys produced without pressure, Si addition increases the volume fraction of porosity, resulting in remarkable decrease in ultimate tensile strength（UTS） and yield strength（YS）. For the alloys produced with 75 MPa pressure, Si addition improves UTS and YS owing to the formation of high number density of Al_2 Cu（θ） phases. The tensile properties of alloys increase with increasing applied pressure at the same Si content level, which is attributed to elimination of porosity, grain refinement strengthening and solid-solution strengthening. The alloy with 1.1% Si addition and 75 MPa pressure shows the best tensile properties, where the UTS, YS and elongation are 237 MPa, 140 MPa and 9.8%, respectively.