Stress-corrosion coupled damage localization induced by secondary phases in bio-degradable Mg alloys:phase-field modeling

In this study,a phase-field scheme that rigorously obeys conservation laws and irreversible thermodynamics is developed for modeling stress-corrosion coupled damage(SCCD).The coupling constitutive relationships of the deformation,phase-field damage,mass transfer,and electrostatic field are derived from the entropy inequality.The SCCD localization induced by secondary phases in Mg is numerically simulated using the implicit iterative algorithm of the self-defined finite elements.The quantitative evaluation of the SCCD of a C-ring is in good agreement with the experimental results.To capture the damage localization,a micro-galvanic corrosion domain is defined,and the buffering effect on charge migration is explored.Three cases are investigated to reveal the effect of localization on corrosion acceleration and provide guidance for the design for resistance to SCCD at the crystal scale.

Effect of ultrasonic and mechanical vibration treatments on evolution of Mn-rich phases and mechanical properties of Al−12Si−4Cu−1Ni−1Mg−2Mn piston alloys

Effects of ultrasonic vibration(UV)and mechanical vibration(MV)on the Mn-rich phase modification and mechanical properties of Al−12Si−4Cu−1Ni−1Mg−2Mn piston alloys were investigated.The results show that the UV and UV+MV treatments can significantly refine and fragmentize the microstructures.In addition,UV treatment can significantly passivate the primary Mn-rich Al15Mn3Si2 intermetallics.The formation mechanisms of refinement and passivation of the grains and non-dendrite particles were discussed.Compared with the gravity die-cast alloys,the UV and UV+MV treated alloys exhibit improved tensile and creep resistance at room and elevated temperatures.These results can be attributed to the refinement of theα(Al)grains and the secondary intermetallics,the increased proportion of refined heat-resistant precipitates,and the formation of nano-sized Si particles.The ultimate tensile strength of the UV treated alloys at 350℃ exceeds that of commercial piston alloys.This indicates the high application potential of the developed piston alloys in density diesel engines.

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.

A new insight into LPSO phase transformation and mechanical properties uniformity of large-scale Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing

A large-scale fine-grained Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy plate with high strength and ductility was successfully prepared by multi-pass friction stir processing(MFSP)technology in this work.The structure of grains and long period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase were characterized,and the mechanical properties uniformity was investigated.Moreover,a quantitative relationship between the microstructure and tensile yield strength was established.The results showed that the grains in the processed zone(PZ)and interfacial zone(IZ)were refined from 50μm to 3μm and 4μm,respectively,and numerous original LPSO phases were broken.In IZ,some block-shaped 18R LPSO phases were transformed into needle-like 14H LPSO phases due to stacking faults and the short-range diffusion of solute atoms.The severe shear deformation in the form of kinetic energy caused profuse stacking fault to be generated and move rapidly,greatly increasing the transformation rate of LPSO phase.After MFSP,the ultimate tensile strength,yield strength and elongation to failure of the large-scale plate were 367 MPa,305 MPa and 18.0% respectively.Grain refinement and LPSO phase strengthening were the major strengthening mechanisms for the MFSP sample.In particularly,the strength of IZ was comparable to that of PZ because the strength contribution of the 14H LPSO phase offsets the lack of grain refinement strengthening in IZ.This result opposes the widely accepted notion that IZ is a weak region in MFSP-prepared large-scale fine-grained plate.

The growth ofβphase in Mg-Gd-Y-Ni alloy by experimental and first-principles study

The paper reports on the atomic investigation aboutβphase in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy by using the first-principles study and the high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope(HAADF-STEM)corrected by atomic Cs.By using HAADF-STEM,the rectangularβphases were observed in the underage and peak aging stages in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy.Theβphase could be precipitated from the previously precipitatedβphase,and theβphase grew in steps when it was precipitated.A special transition structure of three atomic layer thicknesses was first observed at the edge of theβphase and the structure of this interface is probably as theβ/Mg_(1) interface for the analysis of thermodynamic characterization and electronic characterization.Theβ'phase and theβ_(H) structure were precipitated only at the edge of the length directions of theβphase.Theβ'phase continues to grow into aβphase directly without the formation ofβ_(1) phase,resulting in an increase in the length of theβphase,which is discovered for the first time.

Phase transformation in titanium alloys:A review

Due to a series of exceptional properties,titanium and titanium alloys have received extensive attention in recent years.Different from other alloy systems,there are two allotropes and a sequence of metastable phases in titanium alloys.By summarizing the recent investigations,the phase transformation processes corresponding to the common phases and also some less reported phases are reviewed.For the phase transformation only involvingαandβphases,it can be divided intoβ→αtransformation and a reverse transformation.The former one has been demonstrated from the orientation relationship betweenαandβphases and the regulation ofαmorphology.For the latter transformation,the role of the stress has been discussed.In terms of the metastable phases,the mechanisms of phase formation and their effects on microstructure and mechanical properties have been discussed.Finally,some suggestions about the development of titanium alloys have been proposed.

Modification of BCC phase and the enhanced reversible hydrogen storage properties of Ti-V-Fe-Mn alloys with varied V/Fe ratios

Ti-V-based alloys are proved of huge potential in storing hydrogen,but the incomplete reversible hydrogen storage capacity caused by overstability of V hydride has limited the large-scale application.In this study,Ti_(32)V_(40+x)Fe_(23-x)Mn_(5)(x=0,4,8,12,at.%)alloys were designed,and the effects of V/Fe ratio on phase constitution and hydrogen storage properties were investigated.The main phase of the alloys is body-centered cubic(BCC)phase,and the lattice constants of the BCC phase decrease with the decrease of V/Fe ratio.Moreover,C14 Laves phase exists in alloys with a Fe content of 19at.%to 23at.%.For hydrogenation,the C14 Laves phase can accelerate the hydrogen absorption rate,but the hydrogen absorption capacity is reduced.With the decrease of V/Fe ratio,the hydride gradually destabilizes.Owing to its large lattice constant and high hydrogen absorption phase content,the Ti_(32)V_(52)Fe_(11)Mn_(5)alloy shows the most enhanced hydrogen storage properties with hydrogenation and dehydrogenation capacities of 3.588wt.%at 298 K and 1.688wt.%at 343 K,respectively.The hydrogen absorption capacity of this alloy can be reserved to 3.574wt.%after 20 cycles of hydrogen absorption and desorption.

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.

Mechanical and corrosion properties of full liquid phase sintered WE43 magnesium alloy specimens fabricated via binder jetting additive manufacturing

This study investigates full liquid phase sintering as a process of fabrication parts from WE43(Mg-4wt.%Y-3wt.%RE-0.7wt.%Zr)alloy using binder jetting additive manufacturing(BJAM).This fabrication process is being developed for use in producing structural or biomedical devices.Specifically,this study focused on achieving a near-dense microstructure with WE43 Mg alloy while substantially reducing the duration of sintering post-processing after BJAM part rendering.The optimal process resulted in microstructure with 2.5%porosity and significantly reduced sintering time.The improved sintering can be explained by the presence of Y_(2)O_(3)and Nd_(2)O_(3)oxide layers,which form spontaneously on the surface of WE43 powder used in BJAM.These layers appear to be crucial in preventing shape distortion of the resulting samples and in enabling the development of sintering necks,particularly under sintering conditions exceeding the liquidus temperature of WE43 alloy.Sintered WE43 specimens rendered by BJAM achieved significant improvement in both corrosion resistance and mechanical properties through reduced porosity levels related to the sintering time.

Deformation behavior of Mg-Y-Ni alloys containing different volume fraction of LPSO phase during tension and compression through in-situ synchrotron diffraction

The deformation behavior of the as-extruded Mg-Y-Ni alloys with different volume fraction of long period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase during tension and compression was investigated by in-situ synchrotron diffraction.The micro-yielding,macro-yielding,tension-compression asymmetry and strain hardening behavior of the alloys were explored by combining with deformation mechanisms.The micro-yielding is dominated by basal slip of dynamic recrystallized(DRXed)grains in tension,while it is dominated by extension twinning of non-dynamic recrystallized(non-DRXed)grains in compression.At macro-yielding,the non-DRXed grains are still elastic deformed in tension and the basal slip of DRXed grains in compression are activated.Meanwhile,the LPSO phase still retains elastic deformation,but can bear more load,so the higher the volume fraction of hard LPSO phase,the higher the tensile/compressive macro-yield strength of the alloys.Benefiting from the low volume fraction of the non-DRXed grains and the delay effect of LPSO andγphases on extension twinning,the as-extruded alloys exhibit excellent tension-compression symmetry.When the volume fraction of LPSO phase reaches∼50%,tension-compression asymmetry is reversed,which is due to the fact that the LPSO phase is stronger in compression than in tension.The tensile strain hardening behavior is dominated by dislocation slip,while the dominate mechanism for compressive strain hardening changes from twinning in theα-Mg grains to kinking of the LPSO phase with increasing volume fraction of LPSO phase.The activation of kinking leads to the constant compressive strain hardening rate of∼2500 MPa,which is significantly higher than the tensile strain hardening rate.

Study of HCP→FCC phase transformation mechanism under different hot compression rates of AZ31 magnesium alloy

At present,there are few studies on the phase transition during the thermocompression plastic deformation of magnesium alloy.In this study,the evolution model of thermal compression plastic of AZ31 magnesium alloy was constructed by molecular dynamics,and the phase transition relationship between HCP and FCC at different thermal compression rates was studied.By combining GLEEBLE thermal compression experiment with transmission electron microscopy experiment,high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images were taken to analyze the transition rules between HCP and FCC during plastic deformation at different thermal compression rates,and the accuracy of molecular dynamics analysis was verified.It is found that the slip of Shockley’s incomplete dislocation produces obvious HCP→FCC phase transition at low strain rate and base plane dislocation at high strain rate,which makes the amorphous phase transition of HCP→OTHER more obvious,which provides theoretical guidance for the formulation of forming mechanism and preparation process of magnesium alloy.

Variable precipitation behaviors of Laves phases in an ultralight Mg-Li-Zn alloy

Precipitation habits plays a decisive role in strengthening materials,especially for Mg alloys the non-basal plane precipitation is necessary but very limited.Generally,the precipitates would nucleate and grow up in a specific habit plane owing to the constraint of free-energy minimization of the system.Herein,in an aged ultralight Mg-Li-Zn alloy,we confirmed that the precipitates dominated by C15 Laves structure could form in a variety of habit planes,to generate three forms of strengthening-phases,i.e.,precipitate-rod,precipitate-lath,and precipitate-plate.Among which,the precipitate-plates are on basal plane as usually but precipitate-rods/laths are on non-basal plane,and such non-basal precipitates would transform into the basal(Mg,Li)Zn_(2)Laves structure with prolonged aging.These findings are interesting to understand the precipitation behaviors of multi-domain Laves structures in hexagonal close-packed crystals,and expected to provide a guidance for designing ultralight high-strength Mg-Li based alloys via precipitation hardening on the non-basal planes.

Effect of Sc on Al_(3)Fe phase and mechanical properties of as-cast AA5052 aluminum alloy

The AA5052 aluminum alloy is widely used in automobile and aerospace manufacturing,and with the development of light-weight alloys,it is required that these materials exhibit better mechanical properties.Previous studies have demonstrated that the addition of Sc to aluminum alloys can improve both the microstructure and properties of the alloys.In this study,the effect of Sc on the Fe-rich phase and properties of the AA5052 aluminum alloy was studied by adding 0%,0.05%,0.2%,and 0.3%Sc.The results show that with the increase of Sc,the coarse needle-like Fe-rich phase gradually transforms into Chinese-script and then nearly spherical particles,reduce the size of Fe-rich phase,and refine the grain with increase of high angle grain boundaries(HAGBs).These microstructure changes enhance the strength of the AA5052 alloy through Sc addition.The ductility of the alloy is obviously improved because the addition of a lower amount of Sc changes the morphology of Fe-rich phase from needle-like into a Chinese-script,and it is subsequently reduced as a result of significant increase in HAGBs with increasing Sc content.

Effect of two-step solid solution on microstructure andδphase precipitation of Inconel 718 alloy

Inconel 718 is the most popular nickel-based superalloy and is extensively used in aerospace,automotive,and energy indus-tries owing to its extraordinary thermomechanical properties.The effects of different two-step solid solution treatments on microstructure andδphase precipitation of Inconel 718 alloy were studied,and the transformation mechanism fromγ″metastable phase toδphase was clarified.The precipitates were statistically analyzed by X-ray diffractometry.The results show that theδphase content firstly increased,and then decreased with the temperature of the second-step solid solution.The changes in microstructure andδphase were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.An intragranularδphase formed in Inconel 718 alloy at the second-[100]_(δ)[011]γ step solid solution temperature of 925℃,and its orientation relationship withγmatrix was determined as//and(010)_(δ)//(111)γ.Furthermore,the Vickers hardness of different heat treatment samples was measured,and the sample treated by second-step solid solution at 1010℃ reached the maximum hardness of HV 446.84.

As-cast microstructure and Sr-containing phases of AZ31 magnesium alloys with high Sr contents

The as-cast microstructure and Sr-containing phases in the AZ31 magnesium alloys with different Sr contents （0%, 0.3%, 2.5% and 5.0%, mass fraction） were investigated. The results indicate that after adding Sr to the AZ31 magnesium alloy, the dendrite/grain size is decreased, and with the Sr content increasing from 0 to 5.0%, the dendrite becomes finer, the dendrite morphology becomes more passive and the distribution of alloying phases at dendrite/grain boundary is dispersed. Furthermore, the morphology of the β-Mg 17 Al 12 phase in the alloy with addition of 0.3%Sr changes from continuously irregular strip-like shape to discontinuously irregular strip-like shape and/or fine granule-like shape. At the same time, some lamella-like eutectic phases are found in the alloys with additions of 2.5% Sr and 5.0% Sr, and the lamella spacing in the alloy with addition of 5.0% Sr is finer. Adding high Sr content to the AZ31 alloy can bring the new ternary eutectic and/or divorced eutectic phase of Mg 11 Al 5 Zn 4 in the alloy, and the Mg 17 Sr 2 and Mg 2 Sr phases are formed in the alloys with additions of 2.5% Sr and 5.0% Sr.

Effects of second phases on mechanical properties and martensitic transformations of ECAPed TiNi and Ti-Mo based shape memory alloys

TiNi and Ti-based shape memory alloys were processed by equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） at 673-773 K along Bc route to obtain ultrafine grains for increasing the strength of parent phase and improving the functional properties. The effects of both thermodynamically stable and metastable second phases on the mechanical properties and martensitic transformations of these alloys were investigated. It is found that thermodynamically stable Ti2Ni phase has no effect on martensitic transformation and superelasticity of Ti-rich TiNi alloy, thermodynamically stable α phase is harmful for ductility of Ti-Mo-Nb-V-Al alloy, but metastable Ti3Ni4 phase is effective for R phase transformation, martensitic transformation and superelasticity of Ni-rich TiNi alloy. The mechanisms of the second phases on the martensitic transformations and mechanical properties were discussed.

Evolution of secondary phases and properties of 7B04 aluminum alloy during DC homogenization

The effects of the direct current （DC） on the evolutions of hardness and morphology of the secondary phases in 7B04 aluminum alloy homogenized at 380？465 ℃ for 2 h were investigated in detail by electric conductivity measurement, hardness test, X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results show that with increasing temperature from 380 to 465 ℃, the electric conductivity of normal homogenized sample decreases from 34.9%IACS to 28.7%IACS, the hardness increases from HV 96 to HV 146, and the area fraction of secondary phase reduces from 4.5% to 1.89%. While, DC homogenized sample has a higher hardness, a lower electric conductivity and a smaller area fraction of secondary phases at the same temperature. The DC enhances the homogenization process by promoting the diffusibility of the solute atoms and the mobility of vacancy.

Morphology development of elongated α phases in hot working of large-scale titanium alloy plate

The role of subtransus hot working on microstructure morphology of TA15 titanium alloy plate with elongatedαphases was studied by quantitative metallography on different sections. The results show that the microstructure morphology is mainly affected by loading direction. When the sample is compressed along normal direction, microstructure on the section vertical to normal direction has equiaxed primaryαphase but microstructure on the section vertical to rolling direction has strip primaryαphase with long axis along tangential direction. When the sample is compressed along rolling direction, microstructure on the section vertical to normal direction has strip primaryαphase elongated along tangential direction but microstructure on the section vertical to rolling direction consists of strip and irregular broad-band primaryαphase. The strip primaryαphase aspect ratio is smaller at lower temperature due to the dynamic break-down ofαphase. The difference on primaryαphase aspect ratio between different sections decreases after compression along distinct directions in two loading passes, suggesting the improvement of equiaxity of primaryαphase.

Precipitation of metastable phases and its effect on electrical resistivity of Al-0.96Mg_2Si alloy during aging

The precipitation behavior and its influence on the electrical resistivity of the Al-0.96Mg2Si alloy during aging were investigated with in-situ resistivity measurement and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The precipitates of the peak aged alloy include both β＂ and if, but the amount ratio of β＂ to β＂ varies with the aging temperature and time increasing. The precipitates during aging at 175 ℃ are dominated by needle-like β＂ phases （including pre-β＂ phase）, the size of which increases with the time prolonging, but does not increase substantially after further aging. The evolution of electrical conductivity is directly related to such microstructural evolution. However, the hardness of the alloy stays at the peak value for a long term. When the alloy is aged at 195 ℃, the ratio of β＂ to β＇ becomes the main factor to influence relative resistivity （Ap） value. The higher the temperature is, the smaller the ratio is, and the faster the Ap value decreases. Moreover, the hardness peak drops with the decrease of the ratio. With the size and distribution parameters measured from TEM images, a semi-quantitative relationship between precipitates and the electrical resistivity was established.

Relationship between elements migration ofα-AlFeMnSi phase and micro-galvanic corrosion sensitivity of Al-Zn-Mg alloy

First principles calculations and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy(SKPFM)were used to investigate the effect of elements migration ofα-AlFeMnSi phase on micro-galvanic corrosion behavior of Al-Zn-Mg alloy.The simulation results showed that the average work function difference between theα-AlFeMnSi phase and Al matrix decreased from 0.232 to 0.065 eV due to the synchronous migration of elements Fe-Mn-Si.Specifically,as the elements Fe-Si migration during the extrusion process,the average Volta potential difference detected by SKPFM between theα-AlFeMnSi phase and Al matrix dropped down to 432.383 mV from 648.370 mV.Thus,the elements migration reduced the micro-galvanic corrosion sensitivity of Al-Zn-Mg alloy.To reach the calculated low micro-galvanic tendency betweenα-AlFeMnSi phase and Al matrix,the diffusion of Mn should be promoted during extruding process.