Low absolute strength becomes one major obstacle for the wider applications of low/no rare-earth(RE) containing Mg alloys. This review firstly demonstrates the importance of grain refinement in improving strength of M...Low absolute strength becomes one major obstacle for the wider applications of low/no rare-earth(RE) containing Mg alloys. This review firstly demonstrates the importance of grain refinement in improving strength of Mg alloys by comprehensively comparing with other strategy, e.g., precipitation strengthening. Dynamic recrystallization(DRX) plays a crucial role in refining grain size of Mg wrought alloys.Therefore, secondly, the DRX models, grain nucleation mechanisms and the related grain refinement abilities in Mg alloys are summarized,including phase boundary, twin boundary and general boundary induced recrystallization. Thirdly, the newly developed low-RE containing Mg alloy, e.g., Mg-Ce, Mg-Nd and Mg-Sm based alloys, and the RE-free Mg alloys, e.g., Mg-Al, Mg-Zn, Mg-Sn and Mg-Ca based alloy,are reviewed, with the focus on enhancing the mechanical properties mainly via the grain refinement strategy. At the last section, the perspectives and outstanding issues concerning high-performance Mg wrought alloys are also proposed. This review is meant to promote the deep understanding on the critical role of grain refinement in Mg alloys and provide reference for the development of other high strength and low-cost Mg alloys which are fabricated by the conventional extrusion/rolling processing.展开更多
Mg−Zn−Cu−Zr−Ca samples were solidified under high pressures of 2-6 GPa.Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were used to study the distribution of Ca in the microstructure and its effect o...Mg−Zn−Cu−Zr−Ca samples were solidified under high pressures of 2-6 GPa.Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were used to study the distribution of Ca in the microstructure and its effect on the solidification structure.The mechanical properties of the samples were investigated through compression tests.The results show that Ca is mostly dissolved in the matrix and the Mg_(2)Ca phase is formed under high pressure,but it is mainly segregated among dendrites under atmospheric pressure.The Mg_(2)Ca particles are effective heterogeneous nuclei ofα-Mg crystals,which significantly increases the number of crystal nuclei and refines the solidification structure of the alloy,with the grain size reduced to 22μm at 6 GPa.As no Ca segregating among the dendrites exists,more Zn is dissolved in the matrix.Consequently,the intergranular second phase changes from MgZn with a higher Zn/Mg ratio to Mg7Zn3 with a lower Zn/Mg ratio.The volume fraction of the intergranular second phase also increases to 22%.Owing to the combined strengthening of grain refinement,solid solution,and dispersion,the compression strength of the Mg-Zn-Cu-Zr-Ca alloy solidified under 6 GPa is up to 520 MPa.展开更多
The effects of microalloying elements Ti,Sc,Zr and Er on grain refinement behaviors and hardness properties of wedge-shaped Al-Mg-Mn alloy castings were investigated. The results indicate that alloys containing Sc and...The effects of microalloying elements Ti,Sc,Zr and Er on grain refinement behaviors and hardness properties of wedge-shaped Al-Mg-Mn alloy castings were investigated. The results indicate that alloys containing Sc and Zr can remarkably reduce the grain sizes of Al-Mg-Mn castings. Combination of Sc,Zr and Er can completely eliminate the columnar dendritic grains and further obtain refined grains with nondendritic sub-structure;the whole wedge-shaped cross-section of the casting consequently exhibits more homogeneous cast structures instead of the typical tri-crystal region structures. Large amounts of Al3Sc-based intermetallic compound particles,such as Al3(Sc1-x,Zrx),Al3(Sc1-x,Tix),Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Tiy) and Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Ery) are present in the microalloyed alloys,resulting from their numerously forming in high-temperature melt before solidification. These phases have the same L12-type crystal structure to Al3Sc phase as well as smaller misfits with the primary α(Al) grains,which leads to more efficient epitaxial growth for α(Al) grains on all crystal planes of these composite phases. The experimental alloys have been hardened in different levels and,show the low susceptibilities of hardness change with varying cooling rate. The high hardness of the castings are caused by grain-refined strengthening and solid solution strengthening.展开更多
Microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Mg-3Sn-1Ca based alloys with additions of different amounts of Al N nanoparticles were investigated.It was found that with increasing the amount of AlN nano-pa...Microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Mg-3Sn-1Ca based alloys with additions of different amounts of Al N nanoparticles were investigated.It was found that with increasing the amount of AlN nano-particles the grain size decreases obviously.The existence of AlN nano-particles could refine the primary crystal phases CaMgSn,which provided more heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of magnesium.Moreover,such nano-particles could also restrict the grain growth during solidification.After adding AlN nano-particles,both the tensile properties at room temperature and high temperature 250℃and the hardness are largely improved.The improvement of strength is attributed to grain refinement and second phase refinement.展开更多
The effects of Sm on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-11 Gd-2 Y-0.6 Al alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometry and ...The effects of Sm on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-11 Gd-2 Y-0.6 Al alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometry and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.Based on the theory of edge—edge matching and electronegativity theory,the mechanism of grain refinement is discussed.The strengthening mechanism is expounded conveniently from fine grain strengthening,coherent strengthening,precipitation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening.The results show that the micro structure of Mg-11 Gd-2 Y-0.6 Al alloy is mainly composed of a-Mg matrix,Mg5 Gd and Mg24Y5 phases.The addition of Sm forms Mg41Sm5 phase in the alloy and refines the alloy.The addition of Sm significantly improves the mechanical properties of the alloy at room and high temperatures.When the addition of Sm is 3 wt%,the tensile strengths of the alloy at room temperature and high temperature(200℃)reach the maximum value 292 and 321 MPa,respectively.The fracture mode of the alloy at different temperatures is mainly brittle fracture and intercrystalline fracture.展开更多
The Al-9Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu-xZr-ySc alloys （x=0, 0.15%, 0.15%; y=0, 0.05%, 0.15%）, produced by low-frequent electromagnetic casting technology, were subjected to homogenization treatment, hot extrusion, solution and agin...The Al-9Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu-xZr-ySc alloys （x=0, 0.15%, 0.15%; y=0, 0.05%, 0.15%）, produced by low-frequent electromagnetic casting technology, were subjected to homogenization treatment, hot extrusion, solution and aging treatment. The effects of minor Sc and Zr addition on microstructure, recrystallization and properties of alloys were studied by optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results show that Sc and Zr addition can refine grains of the as-cast alloy by precipitation of primary Al3（Sc,Zr） particles formed during solidification as heterogeneous nuclei. Secondary Al3（Sc,Zr） precipitates formed during homogenization treatment strongly pin the movement of dislocation and subgrain boundaries, which can effectively inhibit the alloys recrystallization. Compared with the alloy without Sc and Zr addition, the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy with 0.05%Sc and 0.15%Zr shows the increase in tensile strength and yield strength by 172 MPa and 218 MPa, respectively. Strengthening comes from the contributions of precipitation, substructure and grain refining.展开更多
Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been widely researched for orthopedic applications recently.Mg alloys have stupendous advantages over the commercially available stainless steel,Co-Cr-Ni alloy and titanium implants.Ti...Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been widely researched for orthopedic applications recently.Mg alloys have stupendous advantages over the commercially available stainless steel,Co-Cr-Ni alloy and titanium implants.Till date,extensive mechanical,in-vitro and in-vivo studies have been done to improve the biomedical performance of Mg alloys through alloying,processing conditions,surface modification etc.This review comprehensively describes the strategies for improving the mechanical and degradation performance of Mg alloys through properly tailoring the composition of alloying elements,reinforcements and processing techniques.It also highlights the status and progress of research in to(i)the selection of nutrient elements for alloying,reinforcement and its effects(ii)type of Mg alloy system(binary,ternary and quaternary)and composites(iii)grain refinement for strengthening through severe plastic deformation techniques.Furthermore it also emphasizes on the importance of Mg composites with regard to hard tissue applications.展开更多
Ultrasonic cavitation modification(UCM)employs cavitation effect to induce strong plastic deformation on the material surface and improve surface properties.To explore the surface strengthening and grain refinement of...Ultrasonic cavitation modification(UCM)employs cavitation effect to induce strong plastic deformation on the material surface and improve surface properties.To explore the surface strengthening and grain refinement of materials by UCM,the UCM orthogonal experiments of AZ31 B magnesium alloy were carried out in water and kerosene,respectively.The effects of ultrasonic amplitude,distance from the sample,and processing time on Vickers hardness and grain size of the material were studied.The results showed that the Vickers hardness of samples increased to1.5–3 times after UCM in water,which was 23.77–48.19%higher than that in kerosene.The metallographic observation indicated the grains on the surface of AZ31 B were refined after UCM.The maximum fluctuation of grain size on the material surface was not more than 10 lm after UCM in water,and most of them were concentrated between 1.5 lm and 2.5 lm,while the former was more than 40 lm and the latter were concentrated between 2 lm and 10 lm in kerosene.This reflected that the grain refinement effect of UCM in water was better than that in kerosene.Ultrasonic cavitation can be used as a benign means to improve the surface properties of materials.展开更多
In order to verify the feasibility of producing Mg−rare earth(RE)alloy by selective laser melting(SLM)process,the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−15Gd−1Zn−0.4Zr(wt.%)(GZ151K)alloy were investigated.The ...In order to verify the feasibility of producing Mg−rare earth(RE)alloy by selective laser melting(SLM)process,the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−15Gd−1Zn−0.4Zr(wt.%)(GZ151K)alloy were investigated.The results show that fine grains(~2μm),fine secondary phases and weak texture,were observed in the as-fabricated(SLMed)GZ151K Mg alloy.At room temperature,the SLMed GZ151K alloy has a yield strength(YS)of 345 MPa,ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 368 MPa and elongation of 3.0%.After subsequent aging(200℃,64 h,T5 treatment),the YS,UTS and elongation of the SLMed-T5 alloy are 410 MPa,428 MPa and 3.4%,respectively,which are higher than those of the conventional cast-T6 alloy,especially with the YS increased by 122 MPa.The main strengthening mechanisms of the SLMed GZ151K alloy are fine grains,fine secondary phases and residual stress,while after T5 treatment,the YS of the alloy is further enhanced by precipitates.展开更多
The microstructure–mechanical property relationship of a Cu-bearing low-carbon high-strength low-alloy steel,subjected to a novel multistage heat treatment including quenching(Q),lamellarization(L)and tempering(T),is...The microstructure–mechanical property relationship of a Cu-bearing low-carbon high-strength low-alloy steel,subjected to a novel multistage heat treatment including quenching(Q),lamellarization(L)and tempering(T),is presented.Yield strength of 989.5 MPa and average toughness at-80℃of 41 J were obtained in this steel after quenching and tempering(QT)heat treatments.Specimen QLT gained a little lower yield strength(982.5 MPa),but greatly enhanced average toughness at-80℃(137 J).To further clarify the strengthening and toughening mechanisms in specimen QLT,parameters of microstructural characteristic and crack propagation process were compared and analyzed for specimens Q,QL,QT and QLT.The microstructure of tempered martensite/bainite(M/B)in specimen QT changed to refined tempered M/B matrix mixed with minor IF(inter-critical ferrite)in specimen QLT.Cu-rich precipitates existed in tempered M/B for both specimens QT and QLT,as well as in IF.Compared with QT,adding a lamellarization step before tempering made the effective grains of specimen QLT refined and also led to coarser Cu-rich precipitates in tempered M/B matrix.The weaker strengthening effect of coarser Cu-rich precipitates should be a key reason for the slightly lower yield strength in specimen QLT than in specimen QT.No austenite was found in all specimens Q,QL,QT and QLT.Specimen QLT showed purely ductile fracture mode at-80℃due to the refined effective grains.The greatly improved toughness is mainly attributed to the enhanced energy of crack propagation.The combination of refined microstructure,softened matrix and deformation of minor'soft'IF during crack propagation led to the most superior toughness of specimen QLT among all specimens.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52071179, 5227010325)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (No. BK20221493)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (Nos. 30920021160, 30919011405)。
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (No.2023YFB3710900)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.U2241235,U2167213,51971053)+2 种基金funded by the Project of Promoting Talents in Liaoning province (No.XLYC2203202)the financial assistance from Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (2019-2021QNRC001,2019-2021QNRC002,2019-2021QNRC003)the fund from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (N2202020)。
文摘Low absolute strength becomes one major obstacle for the wider applications of low/no rare-earth(RE) containing Mg alloys. This review firstly demonstrates the importance of grain refinement in improving strength of Mg alloys by comprehensively comparing with other strategy, e.g., precipitation strengthening. Dynamic recrystallization(DRX) plays a crucial role in refining grain size of Mg wrought alloys.Therefore, secondly, the DRX models, grain nucleation mechanisms and the related grain refinement abilities in Mg alloys are summarized,including phase boundary, twin boundary and general boundary induced recrystallization. Thirdly, the newly developed low-RE containing Mg alloy, e.g., Mg-Ce, Mg-Nd and Mg-Sm based alloys, and the RE-free Mg alloys, e.g., Mg-Al, Mg-Zn, Mg-Sn and Mg-Ca based alloy,are reviewed, with the focus on enhancing the mechanical properties mainly via the grain refinement strategy. At the last section, the perspectives and outstanding issues concerning high-performance Mg wrought alloys are also proposed. This review is meant to promote the deep understanding on the critical role of grain refinement in Mg alloys and provide reference for the development of other high strength and low-cost Mg alloys which are fabricated by the conventional extrusion/rolling processing.
基金financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51675092,51775099)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province,China(Nos.E2018501032,E2018501033)。
文摘Mg−Zn−Cu−Zr−Ca samples were solidified under high pressures of 2-6 GPa.Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were used to study the distribution of Ca in the microstructure and its effect on the solidification structure.The mechanical properties of the samples were investigated through compression tests.The results show that Ca is mostly dissolved in the matrix and the Mg_(2)Ca phase is formed under high pressure,but it is mainly segregated among dendrites under atmospheric pressure.The Mg_(2)Ca particles are effective heterogeneous nuclei ofα-Mg crystals,which significantly increases the number of crystal nuclei and refines the solidification structure of the alloy,with the grain size reduced to 22μm at 6 GPa.As no Ca segregating among the dendrites exists,more Zn is dissolved in the matrix.Consequently,the intergranular second phase changes from MgZn with a higher Zn/Mg ratio to Mg7Zn3 with a lower Zn/Mg ratio.The volume fraction of the intergranular second phase also increases to 22%.Owing to the combined strengthening of grain refinement,solid solution,and dispersion,the compression strength of the Mg-Zn-Cu-Zr-Ca alloy solidified under 6 GPa is up to 520 MPa.
文摘The effects of microalloying elements Ti,Sc,Zr and Er on grain refinement behaviors and hardness properties of wedge-shaped Al-Mg-Mn alloy castings were investigated. The results indicate that alloys containing Sc and Zr can remarkably reduce the grain sizes of Al-Mg-Mn castings. Combination of Sc,Zr and Er can completely eliminate the columnar dendritic grains and further obtain refined grains with nondendritic sub-structure;the whole wedge-shaped cross-section of the casting consequently exhibits more homogeneous cast structures instead of the typical tri-crystal region structures. Large amounts of Al3Sc-based intermetallic compound particles,such as Al3(Sc1-x,Zrx),Al3(Sc1-x,Tix),Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Tiy) and Al3(Sc1-x-y,Zrx,Ery) are present in the microalloyed alloys,resulting from their numerously forming in high-temperature melt before solidification. These phases have the same L12-type crystal structure to Al3Sc phase as well as smaller misfits with the primary α(Al) grains,which leads to more efficient epitaxial growth for α(Al) grains on all crystal planes of these composite phases. The experimental alloys have been hardened in different levels and,show the low susceptibilities of hardness change with varying cooling rate. The high hardness of the castings are caused by grain-refined strengthening and solid solution strengthening.
基金financially supported by the Study Abroad Program by the Government of Shandong Province(201802005)Linyi Industrial Technology Research Institute and Shandong Yinguang Yuyuan Light Metal Precise Forming Co.,Ltd。
文摘Microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanisms of Mg-3Sn-1Ca based alloys with additions of different amounts of Al N nanoparticles were investigated.It was found that with increasing the amount of AlN nano-particles the grain size decreases obviously.The existence of AlN nano-particles could refine the primary crystal phases CaMgSn,which provided more heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of magnesium.Moreover,such nano-particles could also restrict the grain growth during solidification.After adding AlN nano-particles,both the tensile properties at room temperature and high temperature 250℃and the hardness are largely improved.The improvement of strength is attributed to grain refinement and second phase refinement.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51571084 and 51171059)Project of Scientific And Technological Research In Henan Province(152102210072)
文摘The effects of Sm on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-11 Gd-2 Y-0.6 Al alloy were investigated by X-ray diffraction,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometry and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.Based on the theory of edge—edge matching and electronegativity theory,the mechanism of grain refinement is discussed.The strengthening mechanism is expounded conveniently from fine grain strengthening,coherent strengthening,precipitation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening.The results show that the micro structure of Mg-11 Gd-2 Y-0.6 Al alloy is mainly composed of a-Mg matrix,Mg5 Gd and Mg24Y5 phases.The addition of Sm forms Mg41Sm5 phase in the alloy and refines the alloy.The addition of Sm significantly improves the mechanical properties of the alloy at room and high temperatures.When the addition of Sm is 3 wt%,the tensile strengths of the alloy at room temperature and high temperature(200℃)reach the maximum value 292 and 321 MPa,respectively.The fracture mode of the alloy at different temperatures is mainly brittle fracture and intercrystalline fracture.
基金Project(0211002605132)supported by Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences,ChinaProject(0211005303101)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China+1 种基金Project(2010BB4074)supported by Natural Science Foundation Project of CQ CSTC,ChinaProject(2010ZD-02)supported by State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials,China
文摘The Al-9Zn-2.8Mg-2.5Cu-xZr-ySc alloys （x=0, 0.15%, 0.15%; y=0, 0.05%, 0.15%）, produced by low-frequent electromagnetic casting technology, were subjected to homogenization treatment, hot extrusion, solution and aging treatment. The effects of minor Sc and Zr addition on microstructure, recrystallization and properties of alloys were studied by optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The results show that Sc and Zr addition can refine grains of the as-cast alloy by precipitation of primary Al3（Sc,Zr） particles formed during solidification as heterogeneous nuclei. Secondary Al3（Sc,Zr） precipitates formed during homogenization treatment strongly pin the movement of dislocation and subgrain boundaries, which can effectively inhibit the alloys recrystallization. Compared with the alloy without Sc and Zr addition, the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy with 0.05%Sc and 0.15%Zr shows the increase in tensile strength and yield strength by 172 MPa and 218 MPa, respectively. Strengthening comes from the contributions of precipitation, substructure and grain refining.
文摘Magnesium(Mg)and its alloys have been widely researched for orthopedic applications recently.Mg alloys have stupendous advantages over the commercially available stainless steel,Co-Cr-Ni alloy and titanium implants.Till date,extensive mechanical,in-vitro and in-vivo studies have been done to improve the biomedical performance of Mg alloys through alloying,processing conditions,surface modification etc.This review comprehensively describes the strategies for improving the mechanical and degradation performance of Mg alloys through properly tailoring the composition of alloying elements,reinforcements and processing techniques.It also highlights the status and progress of research in to(i)the selection of nutrient elements for alloying,reinforcement and its effects(ii)type of Mg alloy system(binary,ternary and quaternary)and composites(iii)grain refinement for strengthening through severe plastic deformation techniques.Furthermore it also emphasizes on the importance of Mg composites with regard to hard tissue applications.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52005455 and 51975540)Shanxi Province Science Foundation for Youths(Nos.201901D211205 and 201901D211201)+2 种基金the Coal Seam Gas Joint Foundation of Shaanxi Province(No.2015012018)the Opening Foundation of Shanxi Key Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing Technology(No.XJZZ202002)the Science and Technology Innovation Project of Shanxi Colleges and Universities(No.2019L0592)。
文摘Ultrasonic cavitation modification(UCM)employs cavitation effect to induce strong plastic deformation on the material surface and improve surface properties.To explore the surface strengthening and grain refinement of materials by UCM,the UCM orthogonal experiments of AZ31 B magnesium alloy were carried out in water and kerosene,respectively.The effects of ultrasonic amplitude,distance from the sample,and processing time on Vickers hardness and grain size of the material were studied.The results showed that the Vickers hardness of samples increased to1.5–3 times after UCM in water,which was 23.77–48.19%higher than that in kerosene.The metallographic observation indicated the grains on the surface of AZ31 B were refined after UCM.The maximum fluctuation of grain size on the material surface was not more than 10 lm after UCM in water,and most of them were concentrated between 1.5 lm and 2.5 lm,while the former was more than 40 lm and the latter were concentrated between 2 lm and 10 lm in kerosene.This reflected that the grain refinement effect of UCM in water was better than that in kerosene.Ultrasonic cavitation can be used as a benign means to improve the surface properties of materials.
基金financial supports from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Nos.2016YFB0301000,2016YFB0701204)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51821001).
文摘In order to verify the feasibility of producing Mg−rare earth(RE)alloy by selective laser melting(SLM)process,the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg−15Gd−1Zn−0.4Zr(wt.%)(GZ151K)alloy were investigated.The results show that fine grains(~2μm),fine secondary phases and weak texture,were observed in the as-fabricated(SLMed)GZ151K Mg alloy.At room temperature,the SLMed GZ151K alloy has a yield strength(YS)of 345 MPa,ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 368 MPa and elongation of 3.0%.After subsequent aging(200℃,64 h,T5 treatment),the YS,UTS and elongation of the SLMed-T5 alloy are 410 MPa,428 MPa and 3.4%,respectively,which are higher than those of the conventional cast-T6 alloy,especially with the YS increased by 122 MPa.The main strengthening mechanisms of the SLMed GZ151K alloy are fine grains,fine secondary phases and residual stress,while after T5 treatment,the YS of the alloy is further enhanced by precipitates.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2017YFB0304501).
文摘The microstructure–mechanical property relationship of a Cu-bearing low-carbon high-strength low-alloy steel,subjected to a novel multistage heat treatment including quenching(Q),lamellarization(L)and tempering(T),is presented.Yield strength of 989.5 MPa and average toughness at-80℃of 41 J were obtained in this steel after quenching and tempering(QT)heat treatments.Specimen QLT gained a little lower yield strength(982.5 MPa),but greatly enhanced average toughness at-80℃(137 J).To further clarify the strengthening and toughening mechanisms in specimen QLT,parameters of microstructural characteristic and crack propagation process were compared and analyzed for specimens Q,QL,QT and QLT.The microstructure of tempered martensite/bainite(M/B)in specimen QT changed to refined tempered M/B matrix mixed with minor IF(inter-critical ferrite)in specimen QLT.Cu-rich precipitates existed in tempered M/B for both specimens QT and QLT,as well as in IF.Compared with QT,adding a lamellarization step before tempering made the effective grains of specimen QLT refined and also led to coarser Cu-rich precipitates in tempered M/B matrix.The weaker strengthening effect of coarser Cu-rich precipitates should be a key reason for the slightly lower yield strength in specimen QLT than in specimen QT.No austenite was found in all specimens Q,QL,QT and QLT.Specimen QLT showed purely ductile fracture mode at-80℃due to the refined effective grains.The greatly improved toughness is mainly attributed to the enhanced energy of crack propagation.The combination of refined microstructure,softened matrix and deformation of minor'soft'IF during crack propagation led to the most superior toughness of specimen QLT among all specimens.
