Microstructure and mechanical properties stability of pre-hardening treatment in Al-Cu alloys for pre-hardening forming process

The stability of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the pre-hardened sheets during the pre-hardening forming(PHF)process directly determines the quality of the formed components.The microstructure stability of the pre-hardened sheets was in-vestigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and small angle X-ray scattering(SAXS),while the mechanical properties and formability were analyzed through uniaxial tensile tests and formability tests.The results in-dicate that the mechanical properties of the pre-hardened alloys exhibited negligible changes after experiencing 1-month natural aging(NA).The deviations of ultimate tensile strength(UTS),yield strength(YS),and sheet formability(Erichsen value)are all less than 2%.Also,after different NA time(from 48 h to 1 month)is applied to alloys before pre-hardening treatment,the pre-hardened alloys possess stable microstructure and mechanical properties as well.Interestingly,with the extension of NA time before pre-hardening treatment from 48 h to 1 month,the contribution of NA to the pre-hardening treatment is limited.Only a yield strength increment of 20 MPa is achieved,with no loss in elongation.The limited enhancement is mainly attributed to the fact that only a limited number of clusters are transformed into Guinier-Preston(GP)zones at the early stage of pre-hardening treatment,and the formation ofθ''phase inhibits the nucleation and growth of GP zones as the precipitated phase evolves.

Review of Sc microalloying effects in Al-Cu alloys

Artificially controlling the solid-state precipitation in aluminum (Al) alloys is an efficient way to achieve well-performed properties,and the microalloying strategy is the most frequently adopted method for such a purpose.In this paper,recent advances in lengthscale-dependent scandium (Sc) microalloying effects in Al-Cu model alloys are reviewed.In coarse-grained Al-Cu alloys,the Sc-aided Cu/Sc/vacancies complexes that act as heterogeneous nuclei and Sc segregation at the θ′-Al_(2)Cu/matrix interface that reduces interfacial energy contribute significantly to θ′precipitation.By grain size refinement to the fine/ultrafine-grained scale,the strongly bonded Cu/Sc/vacancies complexes inhibit Cu and vacancy diffusing toward grain boundaries,promoting the desired intragranular θ′precipitation.At nanocrystalline scale,the applied high strain producing high-density vacancies results in the formation of a large quantity of (Cu Sc,vacancy)-rich atomic complexes with high thermal stability,outstandingly improving the strength/ductility synergy and preventing the intractable low-temperature precipitation.This review recommends the use of microalloying technology to modify the precipitation behaviors toward better combined mechanical properties and thermal stability in Al alloys.

Corrosion behavior of hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloys in H_2SO_4 and NaCl solutions

The aim of this work was to evaluate the electrochemical behaviour of hypoeutectic Al-Cu alloys immersed in two different solutions containing sulphate and chloride ions, respectively. The influence of Al2Cu associated to the dendritic arm spacing on the general corrosion resistance of such alloys is analysed. The typical microstructural pattern was examined by using scanning electron microscope. The corrosion tests were performed in both 0.5 M sulphuric acid and 0.5 M NaCl solutions at 25℃ by using an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） technique and potentiodynamic polarization curves. Equivalent circuits by using the ZView software, were also used to provide quantitative support for the discussions. It was found that as the Cu content increased （i.e., increasing the Al2Cu fraction）, a higher susceptibility to the corrosion action in the NaCl solution is detected. In contrast, the tests carried out in the H2SO4 solution resulted in similar corrosion,rates for the three different hypoeutectic alloys.

Grain Refinement and Modification of Al-Cu Alloys with Yttrium

The refinement and modification of Al-Cu alloys can result in the change of solidification process,e.g.the nucleation temperature,eutectic arrest,solidification range and cooling rate.Specially,the refinement and modification of Al-Cu alloy can be achieved by addition of rare earth.In this paper,the effect of yttrium on the microstructure and solidification process of Al-Cu alloys was investigated by the method of thermal analysis.Meanwhile,the microstructure of Al-Cu alloy was observed by OM and SEM.The results show that θ(Al2Cu) phases change from mesh structure into fish-bone shape.Analysis indicates that yttrium causes a depression of solid-liquid coexistence zone and the disappearance of recalescence of the eutectic arrest.

In situ microtomography investigation of microstructural evolution in Al-Cu alloys during holding in semi-solid state

The aim of this paper is to report the results of experiments carried out on Al-Cu alloys with different Cu contents,studying the microstructure evolution during holding in the semi-solid state.The 3-D microstructure was observed by in situ X-ray microtomography carried out at ESRF Grenoble,France.The variation of the solid-liquid interface area per unit volume during holding was determined.In addition,local observations show that two coarsening mechanisms of the solid particles occur simultaneously:dissolution of small particles to the benefit of larger ones by an Ostwald-type mechanism and the growth of necks between solid particles due to coalescence.These observations confirm that in situ X-ray tomography is a very powerful tool to study the microstructure evolution in the semi-solid state and the influencing mechanisms in real-time.

Properties of Dispersion Casting of Y2O3 Particles in Hypo,Hyper and Eutectic Binary Al-Cu Alloys

In the present work,the dispersion casting of Y-2O-3 particles in aluminum-copper alloy was investigated in terms of microstructural changes with respect to Cu contents of 20 （hypo）,33 （eutectic） and 40 （hyper） wt pct by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）.For the fabrication of Al-Cu alloy dispersed Y-2O-3 ceramic particles,stir casting method was employed.In case of Al-20 wt pct Cu alloy （hypoeutectic）,SEM images revealed that primary Al was grown up in the beginning.After that,eutectic phase with well dispersed ceramic particles was formed.In case of eutectic composition,Y-2O-3 particles were uniformly dispersed in the matrix.When the Cu is added into Al up to 40 wt pct （hypereutectic）,primary phase was grown up without any Y-2O-3 ceramic particles in the early stage of solidification.Thereafter, eutectic phase was formed with well dispersed ceramic particles.It can be concluded that Y-2O-3 ceramic particles is mostly dispersed in case of eutectic composition in Al-Cu alloy.

Effect of homogenization process on the hardness of Zn-Al-Cu alloys

The effect of a homogenizing treatment on the hardness of as-cast Zn–Al–Cu alloys was investigated. Eight alloy compositions were prepared and homogenized at 350 °C for 180 h, and their Rockwell 'B' hardness was subsequently measured. All the specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and metallographically prepared for observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the present work indicated that the hardness of both alloys(as-cast and homogenized) increased with increasing Al and Cu contents; this increased hardness is likely related to the presence of the θ and τ′ phases. A regression equation was obtained to determine the hardness of the homogenized alloys as a function of their chemical composition and processing parameters, such as homogenization time and temperature, used in their preparation.

High Density Plasma Nitriding of Al-Cu Alloys for Automotive Parts

Duralumin alloys have been utilized as structural components and parts for aircrafts, train-cars and so forth. Their high specific strength was attractive to those applications; however, their little corrosion resistance and low wear endurance became a fatal demerit in practical applications. In order to overcome these issues of high strength aluminum alloys, high density plasma nitriding is proposed as an effective surface treatment for duralumin. This process has a capability to control the RF- and DC-plasmas independently for nitriding. This enables us to temporally control and describe the plasma state by in-situ plasma diagnosis. This plasma diagnosis was instrumented to search for optimum processing condition to plasma nitriding the duralumin alloys of type A2011. Both type A2011 aluminum alloy plates and pipes were employed to describe the inner nitriding behavior for hardening the duralumin alloys by the present plasma nitriding.

Effect of second phase precipitation behavior on mechanical properties of casting Al-Cu alloys

The effect of the second phase precipitation behavior on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of the modified casting Al-Cu alloys was investigated. The tensile strength of the alloys increases firstly and then decreases due to the appearance of θ′ precipitation phases,which increases firstly and then become coarser with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 155 ℃. The strength of the alloys reaches the peak,resulting from Ω and θ′ precipitation phases,and decreases due to Ω phases becoming coarser and θ′ precipitation decreasing with the aging time increasing from 10 h to 20 h at 165 ℃. Ω phase becoming coarser and θ′ precipitation decreasing result in the strength of the alloys drastically decreasing after aging at 175 ℃ for 20 h. The ductility remains high level with increasing aging time at 155 ℃. The ductility irregularly changes as aging time prolongs at 165 ℃. The ductility is very low and at the same time gradually decreases with increasing aging time at 175 ℃. The Al-Cu alloy with a promising combination of tensile strength and ductility of about 474 MPa and 12.0% after aging at 165 ℃ for 10 h is due to a dense,uniform distribution of Ω precipitation phases together with a heterogeneous distribution of θ′ precipitations.

Corrosion behavior of 2A97 Al-Cu-Li alloys in different thermomechanical conditions by quasi-in-situ analysis

As a promising material in the aircraft industry,2A97 Al-Cu-Li alloy exhibits high corrosion susceptibility that may limit its application.In the present work,to illustrate the influences of precipitate and grain-stored energy on localized corrosion evolution in 2A97 Al-Cu-Li alloy,cold working and artificial aging were carried out to produce 2A97 Al-Cu-Li alloys under different thermomechanical conditions.Quasi-in-situ analysis,traditional immersion test and electrochemical measurement were then conducted to examine the corrosion behavior of 2A97 alloys.It is revealed that precipitate significantly affects Cu enrichment at corrosion fronts,which determines corrosion susceptibility of alloys,whereas grain-stored energy distribution is closely associated with localized corrosion propagation.It is also indicated that quasi-in-situ analysis exhibits a consistent corrosion evolution with traditional immersion tests,which is regarded as a proper method to explore localized corrosion mechanisms by providing local microstructural information with enhanced time and spatial resolutions.

激光-电弧复合增材制造Al-Cu合金T型结构微观组织演变与熔池流动行为分析

在T型结构增材制造过程中,交叉节点处易出现冶金结合不良及重熔缺陷等问题,制约该结构性能的提升。采用激光-电弧复合增材制造技术制备了Al-Cu合金T型结构,对交叉节点处的组织形貌进行了表征,并通过数值模拟分析了节点处熔池内的温度分布以及流动特征。结果表明,在T型结构节点处能够观察到重熔作用所导致的弧形条纹特征,该区域的模拟形貌与实际结果具有良好的一致性;熔池边界处等温线分布较为密集,内部Marangoni对流导致逆时针涡流的形成,最高流速可达0.16 m/s。依据顶层晶粒形态差异,分为顶层节点重熔区(RZI)和顶层热影响区(HAZ)。其中RZI内主要为细小的树枝晶,平均晶粒尺寸相比于HAZ降低了20.8%,内部析出相主要为与α-Al基体呈非共格界面的大尺寸θ(Al_(2)Cu)相;平均显微硬度可达(98.4±6.4)HV_(0.1),相比于未重熔区最高提升约14.0%。

PF-LBM耦合模型下Al-Cu合金的枝晶生长和气泡形成

基于Shan-Chen多相流的格子玻尔兹曼方法模拟复杂多相流系统,探索气泡在液相中的生长和运动.研究了Al-4.0wt.%Cu合金在凝固过程中枝晶与气泡的相互作用,各向异性对凝固组织的影响以及枝晶与气泡共存时溶液密度的变化情况.结果表明:在定向凝固枝晶生长模型中,气泡先在枝晶底部析出,压差导致气泡上升,流动的过程中会与枝晶产生相互作用且会出现气泡合并与消失的情况,在枝晶间密集通道处大气泡会变成蠕虫形状.模拟区域的高长比会影响枝晶和气泡的生长情况,当高长比较小时更容易产生短而小的气泡,高长比较大时更容易产生蠕虫状气泡.在等轴枝晶生长模型中,气泡在枝晶间析出,随着枝晶的生长,气泡同样会发生合并与消失的情况,并且在受到挤压时发生形变.

微量Sm元素对TiC_(p)/Al-Cu-Mg-Mn复合材料微观组织和力学性能的影响

以0.27%(体积分数)TiC颗粒增强的TiC_(p)/Al-5Cu-1.9Mg-0.9Mn复合材料为基体,研究不同Sm元素含量对复合材料组织与力学性能的影响规律。结果表明:Sm元素的加入明显细化了枝晶组织,促进了固溶处理过程中第二相的溶解,使得时效态组织中T-Al_(2)0Cu_(2)Mn_(3)和S′-Al_(2)CuMg析出相的数量密度增加,当Sm元素含量较高时(0.3%,质量分数,下同),组织中将出现块状难溶稀土化合物。随着Sm的加入,复合材料室温和250℃下的屈服强度逐渐增加,但会引起塑性降低,当Sm元素添加量为0.3%时,室温屈服强度从246 MPa提高到310 MPa,250℃屈服强度从191 MPa提高到220 MPa。分析认为,强度提高源于Sm引起的组织细化和析出相数量密度增加,而塑性下降是由于粗大块状难溶稀土化合物割裂了基体,导致裂纹源容易产生。

Al-Cu-Sc铝合金板材不同热处理状态下的组织和力学性能研究

以厚度为3 mm的Al-Cu-Sc铝合金板材为研究对象,利用EBSD技术对人工时效态(T6态)和退火态(O态)板材的微观组织进行分析;对T6态、O态、W态以及经过预拉伸变形和人工时效处理得到的T8态板材在室温下进行单向拉伸测试,研究不同热处理状态下板材的力学性能变化规律。结果表明:T6态和O态板材中都存在[001]方向的织构,且O态板材的织构更强。T6态板材的晶界以大角度晶界为主,O态板材的晶界以小角度晶界为主,且其晶粒尺寸远大于T6态板材。T6态和W态Al-Cu-Sc板材轧制方向与横向强度基本一样,而O态板材轧向强度明显高于横向。O态板材的强度最低,T6态板材的塑性最差,而W态板材具有最小的屈强比和最大的应变硬化指数n值,成形性能最好。此外,经过预拉伸和人工时效后得到的T8态板材强度显著提升,当预拉伸变形量为5%和7%时,T8态板材抗拉强度超过500 MPa。

Cu含量对电弧熔丝增材制造Al-Cu合金高温组织与性能的影响

为研究Cu含量对电弧熔丝增材制造Al-Cu合金堆积体高温组织与性能的影响,对Al-Cu合金堆积进行200℃保温30 min处理,通过金相、SEM、EDS及拉伸试验,分析其显微组织和力学性能。结果表明:高温下随Cu的质量分数由5%增至6.3%,Al-Cu合金堆积体晶粒尺寸无变化,未固溶θ相的数量增多、尺寸增大;晶粒内部平衡θ相的数量先增多后稳定变化;Al-Cu合金堆积体高温力学性能先升后降,Cu的质量分数为5.65%的Al-Cu合金堆积体具有最优的力学性能,抗拉强度为355 MPa,屈服强度为345 MPa,伸长率为6.5%。

Al-Cu-Mn-Fe-Ag-Zr合金的微观组织与室温和高温性能研究

Al-Cu合金具有低密度、耐热性好和潜在的高温稳定性等优点,广泛应用于汽车和航空航天等领域。为提高Al-Cu基铸造合金的耐热性能,本文制备了质量分数为Al-4%Cu-0.5%Mn-0.1%Fe-0.4%Ag-0.3%Zr(简称AC)的合金。采用OM和SEM分析了合金的微观形貌及化学成分,采用XRD分析了合金的物相结构,采用EBSD研究了晶粒形态与尺寸分布,采用TEM分析了合金在时效处理后的微观组织和析出相形态,采用高低温拉伸试验机进行了室温和高温力学性能测试。结果表明,AC合金在铸造过程中形成的金属间化合物主要包括Al_2Cu和Al_7Cu_2Fe,其中,Al_2Cu相在固溶处理后溶入基体中,并在时效处理后重新沉淀为θ′相,成为主要的强化相。此外,经T6热处理后,合金中还包含着T_(Mn)(Al_(20)Cu_2Mn_3)相,Ag元素固溶于铝基体中,而Zr元素则使得合金析出L1_2-Al_3Zr纳米相,其与θ′相存在位向关系。测试了合金在室温和高温(200、300和400℃)下的拉伸性能,对应屈服强度可分别达236、155、129和61 MPa。

Relationship between the unique microstructures and behaviors of high-entropy alloys

High-entropy alloys(HEAs),which were introduced as a pioneering concept in 2004,have captured the keen interest of nu-merous researchers.Entropy,in this context,can be perceived as representing disorder and randomness.By contrast,elemental composi-tions within alloy systems occupy specific structural sites in space,a concept referred to as structure.In accordance with Shannon entropy,structure is analogous to information.Generally,the arrangement of atoms within a material,termed its structure,plays a pivotal role in dictating its properties.In addition to expanding the array of options for alloy composites,HEAs afford ample opportunities for diverse structural designs.The profound influence of distinct structural features on the exceptional behaviors of alloys is underscored by numer-ous examples.These features include remarkably high fracture strength with excellent ductility,antiballistic capability,exceptional radi-ation resistance,and corrosion resistance.In this paper,we delve into various unique material structures and properties while elucidating the intricate relationship between structure and performance.

Microstructure and Hot Tearing Sensitivity Simulation and Parameters Optimization for the Centrifugal Casting of Al-Cu Alloy

Four typical theories on the formation of thermal tears:strength,liquid film,intergranular bridging,and solidifica-tion shrinkage compensation theories.From these theories,a number of criteria have been derived for predicting the formation of thermal cracks,such as the stress-based Niyama,Clyne,and RDG(Rapaz-Dreiser-Grimaud)criteria.In this paper,a mathematical model of horizontal centrifugal casting was established,and numerical simulation analysis was conducted for the centrifugal casting process of cylindrical Al-Cu alloy castings to investigate the effect of the centrifugal casting process conditions on the microstructure and hot tearing sensitivity of alloy castings by using the modified RDG hot tearing criterion.Results show that increasing the centrifugal rotation and pouring speeds can refine the microstructure of the alloy but increasing the pouring and mold preheating temperatures can lead to an increase in grain size.The grain size gradually transitions from fine grain on the outer layer to coarse grain on the inner layer.Meanwhile,combined with the modified RDG hot tearing criterion,the overall distribution of the castings’hot tearing sensitivity was analyzed.The analysis results indicate that the porosity in the middle region of the casting was large,and hot tearing defects were prone to occur.The hot tearing tendency on the inner side of the casting was greater than that on the outer side.The effects of centrifugal rotation speed,pouring temperature,and preheating temperature on the thermal sensitivity of Al-Cu alloy castings are summarized in this paper.This study revealed that the tendency of alloy hot cracking decreases with the increase of the centrifugal speed,and the maximum porosity of castings decreases first and then increases with the pouring temperature.As the preheating temperature increases,the overall maximum porosity of castings shows a decreasing trend.

Microstructure and damping properties of LPSO phase dominant Mg-Ni-Y and Mg-Zn-Ni-Y alloys

This work studied the microstructure,mechanical properties and damping properties of Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66) and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys systematically.The difference in the evolution of the long-period stacked ordered(LPSO)phase in the two alloys during heat treatment was the focus.The morphology of the as-cast Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)presented a disordered network.After heat treatment at 773 K for 2 hours,the eutectic phase was integrated into the matrix,and the LPSO phase maintained the 18R structure.As Zn partially replaced Ni,the crystal grains became rounded in the cast alloy,and lamellar LPSO phases and more solid solution atoms were contained in the matrix after heat treatment of the Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloy.Both Zn and the heat treatment had a significant effect on damping.Obvious dislocation internal friction peaks and grain boundary internal friction peaks were found after temperature-dependent damping of the Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)and Mg_(95.34)Zn_(1)Ni_(1)Y_(2.66)alloys.After heat treatment,the dislocation peak was significantly increased,especially in the alloy Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2).66.The annealed Mg_(95.34)Ni_(2)Y_(2.66)alloy with a rod-shaped LPSO phase exhibited a good damping performance of 0.14 atε=10^(−3),which was due to the difference between the second phase and solid solution atom content.These factors also affected the dynamic modulus of the alloy.The results of this study will help in further development of high-damping magnesium alloys.

Microstructures,corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys for plugging tool applications

Mg-6Zn-2X(Fe/Cu/Ni)alloys were prepared through semi-continuous casting,with the aim of identifying a degradable magnesium(Mg)alloy suitable for use in fracturing balls.A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of adding Cu and Ni,which result in finer grains and the formation of galvanic corrosion sites.Scanner electronic microscopy examination revealed that precipitated phases concentrated at grain boundaries,forming a semi-continuous network structure that facilitated corrosion penetration in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Pitting corrosion was observed in Mg-6Zn-2Fe,while galvanic corrosion was identified as the primary mechanism in Mg-6Zn-2Cu and Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloys.Among the tests,the Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy exhibited the highest corrosion rate(approximately 932.9 mm/a)due to its significant potential difference.Mechanical testing showed that Mg-6Zn-2Ni alloy possessed suitable ultimate compressive strength,making it a potential candidate material for degradable fracturing balls,effectively addressing the challenges of balancing strength and degradation rate in fracturing applications.