Precipitates Generation Mechanism and Surface Quality Improvement for Aluminum Alloy 6061 in Diamond Cutting

To improve the surface quality for aluminum alloy 6061(Al6061) in ultra-precision machining, we investigated the factors affecting the surface finish in single point diamond turning(SPDT)by studying influence of the precipitates generation of Al6061 on surface integrity and surface roughness.Based on the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami solid phase transformation kinetics equation, theoretical and experimental studies were conducted to build the relationship between the aging condition and the type, size and number of the precipitates for Al6061. Diamond cutting experiments were conducted to machine Al6061 samples under different aging conditions. The experimental results show that, the protruding on the chip surface is mainly Mg_(2)Si and the scratches on the machined surface mostly come from the iron-containing phase(α-, β-AlFeSi).Moreover, the generated Mg_(2)Si and α-, β-AlFeSi affect the surface integrity and the diamond turned surface roughness. Especially, the achieved surface roughness in SPDT is consistent with the variation of the number of AlFeSi and Mg_(2)Si with the medium size(more than 1 μm and less than 2 μm) in Al6061.

Evolution of helium bubbles in FeCoNiCr-based high-entropy alloys containing γ′ nanoprecipitates

A series of high-entropy alloys(HEAs) containing nanoprecipitates of varying sizes is successfully prepared by a non-consuming vacuum arc melting method.In order to study the irradiation evolution of helium bubbles in the FeCoNiCrbased HE As with γ' precipitates,these samples are irradiated by 100-keV helium ions with a fluence of 5 × 10^(20) ions/m^(2) at 293 K and 673 K,respectively.And the samples irradiated at room temperature are annealed at different temperatures to examine the diffusion behavior of helium bubbles.Transmission electron microscope(TEM) is employed to characterize the structural morphology of precipitated nanoparticles and the evolution of helium bubbles.Experimental results reveal that nanosized,spherical,dispersed,coherent,and ordered L1_(2)-type Ni_(3)Ti γ' precipitations are introduced into FeCoNiCr(Ni_(3)Ti)_(0.1) HEAs by means of ageing treatments at temperatures between 1073 K and 1123 K.Under the ageing treatment conditions adopted in this work,γ' nanoparticles are precipitated in FeCoNiCr(Ni_(3)Ti)_(0.1) HE As,with average diameters of 15.80 nm,37.09 nm,and 62.50 nm,respectively.The average sizes of helium bubbles observed in samples after 673-K irradiation are 1.46 nm,1.65 nm,and 1.58 nm,respectively.The improvement in the irradiation resistance of FeCoNiCr(Ni_(3)Ti)_(0.1) HEAs is evidenced by the diminution in bubbles size.Furthermore,the FeCoNiCr(Ni_(3)Ti)_(0.1) HEAs containing γ' precipitates of 15.8 nm exhibits the minimum size and density of helium bubbles,which can be ascribed to the considerable helium trapping effects of heterogeneous coherent phase boundaries.Subsequently,annealing experiments conducted after 293-K irradiation indicate that HEAs containing precipitated phases exhibits smaller apparent activation energy(E_(a)) for helium bubbles,resulting in larger helium bubble size.This study provides guidance for improving the irradiation resistance of L1_(2)-strengthened high-entropy alloy.

Effect of characteristics and distribution of Mg_(17)Al_(12)precipitates on tensile and bending properties of high-Al-containing Mg alloys

This study investigates the effect of characteristics and distribution of Mg_(17)Al_(12)precipitates on the uniaxial tensile and three-point bending properties of extruded Mg alloys containing high Al contents.The extruded Mg–9Al–1Zn–0.3Mn(AZ91)alloy contains lamellar-structured Mg_(17)Al_(12)discontinuous precipitates along the grain boundaries,which are formed via static precipitation during natural air cooling.The extruded Mg–11Al–1Zn–0.3Mn(AZ111)alloy contains spherical Mg_(17)Al_(12)precipitates at the grain boundaries and inside the grains,which are formed via dynamic precipitation during extrusion.Due to inhomogeneous distribution of precipitates,the AZ111 alloy consists of two different precipitate regions:precipitate-rich region with numerous precipitates and finer grains and precipitate-scarce region with a few precipitates and coarser grains.The AZ111 alloy exhibits a higher tensile strength than the AZ91 alloy because its smaller grain size and more abundant precipitates result in stronger grain-boundary hardening and precipitation hardening effects,respectively.However,the tensile elongation of the AZ111 alloy is lower than that of the AZ91 alloy because the weak cohesion between the dynamic precipitates and the matrix facilitates the crack initiation and propagation.During bending,a macrocrack initiates on the outer surface of bending specimen in both alloys.The AZ111 alloy exhibits higher bending yield strength and lower failure bending strain than the AZ91 alloy.The bending specimens of the AZ91 alloy have similar bending formability,whereas those of the AZ111 alloy exhibit considerable differences in bending formability and crack propagation behavior,depending on the distribution and number density of precipitates in the specimen.In bending specimens of the AZ111 alloy,it is found that the failure bending strain(ε_(f,bending))is inversely proportional to the area fraction of precipitates in the outer zone of bending specimen(A_(ppt)),with a relationship ofε_(f,bending)=–0.1A_(ppt)+5.86.

Formation and growth of precipitates in a Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-2Zn-0.5Zr alloy aged at 200℃

Crystal structures,growth characteristics,and transformation of the precipitates in a Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-2Zn-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy aged at 200℃for various durations were investigated using transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy(HAADF-STEM).A detailed Mg-Gd type precipitation sequence for Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zn alloys was proposed as follows:supersaturated solid solution→solute clusters→zigzag GP zones+β''(I)→β'→β'+protrusions/joints→pre-β_(1)→β_(1)→β.Solute clusters formed in the early stage of aging consisted of one or more rare-earth(RE)/Zn-rich atomic columns with different configura-tions.RE/Zn-rich solute clusters grew into zigzag GP zones andβ''(I)as aging time extending.The paired-zigzag GP zones might grow up to beβ'precipitates directly.In the peak-and plat-aging stages,the number of solute clusters in the matrix decreased until they disappeared,and most existed as zigzag arrays and super hexagons.Protrusions formed at the end ofβ'at an angle of 120°,then grew into joints when two differentβ'variants encountered together.Protrusions/joints comprise zigzag arrays,super-hexagons,β'F,β''(II),β_(T),and hybrid structures rich in solute atoms,and act as catalysts for the growth of theβ'variants.Largerβ'grow by joints consumption while smallerβ'precipitates dissolve to form joints.β_(1)precipitates essentially evolve from pre-β_(1)precipitates,with four-point diamond structures formed by RE/Zn atomic substitution and atomic migration based on the originalα-Mg structure.

Enhancing corrosion resistance of ZK60 magnesium alloys via Ca microalloying: The impact of nanoscale precipitates

Enhancing corrosion resistance of Mg-Zn alloys with high strength and low cost was critical for broadening their large-scale practical applications. Here we prepared solutionized, peak-and over-aged ZK60 alloys with and without microalloying Ca(0.26 wt.%) to explore the effects of nanoscale precipitates on their corrosion behavior in detail via experimental analyses and theoretical calculations. The results suggested the peak-aged ZK60 alloy with Ca addition showed improved corrosion resistance in comparison with the alloys without Ca,owing to the contribution of Ca on the refinement of precipitates and increase in their number density. Although the precipitates and Mg matrix formed micro-galvanic couples leading to dissolution, the fine and dense precipitates could generate “in-situ pinning” effect on the corrosion products, forming a spider-web-like structure and improving the corrosion inhibition ability accordingly. The pinning effect was closely related to the size and number density of precipitates. This study provided important insight into the design and development of advanced corrosion resistant Mg alloys.

Hardening effects of sheared precipitates on {1121} twinning in magnesium alloys

The interactions between a plate-like precipitate and two twin boundaries(TBs)({1012},{1121}) in magnesium alloys are studied using molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. The precipitate is not sheared by {1012} TB, but sheared by {1121} TB. Shearing on the(110) plane is the predominant deformation mode in the sheared precipitate. Then, the blocking effects of precipitates with different sizes are studied for {1121} twinning. All the precipitates show a blocking effect on {1121} twinning although they are sheared, while the blocking effects of precipitates with different sizes are different. The blocking effect increases significantly with the increasing precipitate length(in-plane size along TB) and thickness, whereas changes weakly as the precipitate width changes. Based on the revealed interaction mechanisms, a critical twin shear is calculated theoretically by the Eshelby solutions to determine which TB is able to shear the precipitate. In addition, an analytical hardening model of sheared precipitates is proposed by analyzing the force equilibrium during TB-precipitate interactions. This model indicates that the blocking effect depends solely on the area fraction of the precipitate cross-section, and shows good agreement with the current MD simulations. Finally, the blocking effects of plate-like precipitates on the {1012} twinning(non-sheared precipitate), {1121} twinning(sheared precipitate) and basal dislocations(non-sheared precipitate) are compared together. Results show that the blocking effect on {1121} twinning is stronger than that on {1012} twinning, while the effect on basal dislocations is weakest. The precipitate-TB interaction mechanisms and precipitation hardening models revealed in this work are of great significance for improving the mechanical property of magnesium alloys by designing microstructure.

Effects of precipitates and inclusions on the fracture toughness of hot rolling X70 pipeline steel plates

In order to investigate the fracture toughness, crack tip opening displacement （CTOD） experiments were conducted on two X70 pipeline steel plates with different rolling processes. Atter the experiments, optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） were employed to observe the microstructure and fracture morphology. The effects of precipi- tates on the fracture toughness and the crack initiation mechanism induced by inclusions were analyzed. The CTOD result shows that the steel with a lower finishing cooling temperature has a higher fracture toughness. Inchisiom with different shapes and two kinds of precipi- tates with different sizes were observed. It can be concluded that precipitates with different sizes have different effects and mechanisms on the fracture toughness. Distinguished fi＇om the earlier researches, inclusions enriched in silicon can be also served as the crack initiation.

Effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking of high-strength low-alloy steel

We investigated the effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking(HIC)of high-strength low-alloy steel by conducting slow-strain-rate tensile tests(SSRT)and performing continuous hydrogen charging and fracture analysis.The results reveal that the HIC resistance of Nb-bearing steel is obviously superior to that of Nb-free steel,with the fractured Nb-bearing steel in the SSRT exhibiting a smaller ratio of elongation reduction(Iδ).However,as the hydrogen traps induced by NbC precipitates approach hydrogen saturation,the effect of the precipitates on the HIC resistance attenuate.We speculate that the highly dispersed nanosized NbC precipitates act as irreversible hydrogen traps that hinder the accumulation of hydrogen at potential crack nucleation sites.In addition,much like Nb-free steel,the Nb-bearing steel exhibits both H-solution strengthening and the resistance to HIC.

Co-strengthening contribution of δ′and T_1 precipitates in Al-Li alloys 2090 and 2090+Ce

The microstructure of dislocation in two kinds of ahiminum-lithium alloys 2090 and 2090 ＋ Ce was observed by means of TEM technology. The contributions of δ＇ and T1 precipitates to strength were separately calculated by using the results of quantitative metallography and analysis of micro-deformation behavior; the co-strengthening effect of δ＇ and T1 precipitates was studied. The results show that the adding relationship of co-strengthening of δ＇ and T1 is in accordance with q = 1.4 form at the near peak-aged condition, i.e., △τ^1.4δ = △τ^1.4δ＋ △τ^1.4T1, but the adding relationship is approximately a linear relation （q = 1） at the under-aged condition and becomes the parabola form when over-aged （q = 2）. The adding relationship of co-strengthening contribution of δ＇ and T1 is obviously dependent on aging time.

Grain refining of Er added to Ti-22Al-25Nb alloy and morphology of erbium precipitates

In order to investigate the effect of erbium （Er） on the microstructure of orthorhombic Ti2A1Nb-based alloys, four testing alloys were prepared by adding differ- ent contents of the rare earth metal Er to Ti-22A1-25Nb alloy and optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, energy- dispersive spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy were used. The results show that the addition of Er is capable of grain refining and the refinement effect is more obvious with increasing content of Er. The Er203 dispersoids formed by internal oxidation and A13Er com- pound particles are observed in Er-doped alloys and the number of Er precipitates is increased with increasing Er addition. It is likely that the solubility of Er in the Ti2A1Nb alloy is very low and Er precipitates tend to segregate at grain boundaries, which together with the surface activity of rare earth elements is supposed to decrease the prior B2 grain size of Ti-22A1-25Nb alloy effectively.

Nanoscale precipitates and comprehensive strengthening mechanism in AISI H13 steel

The effects of heat treatment on the precipitates and strengthening mechanism in AISI H13 steel were investigated. The results showed that the presence of nanoscale precipitates favorably affected grain refinement and improved the yield strength. The volume fraction of precipitates increased from 1.05% to 2.85% during tempering, whereas the average precipitate size first decreased then increased during tempering. Contributions to the yield strength arising from the various mechanisms were calculated quantificationally, and the results demonstrated that grain refinement and dislocation density most strongly influenced the yield strength. In addition, under the interaction of average size and volume fraction, precipitates＇ contribution to the yield strength ranged from 247.9 to 378.5 MPa. Finally, a root-mean-square summation law of σ = σg ＋ σs ＋（σd^2 ＋ σp^2）^1/2, where σg, σs, σd, and σp represent the contributions of fine-grain strengthening, solid-solution strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and precipitation strengthening, respectively, was confirmed as the most applicable for AISI H13 steel, which indicates a strong link between precipitates and dislocations in AISI H13 steel.

Physicochemical properties of β-cyclodextrin solutions and precipitates prepared from injectable vehicles

β-Cyclodextrin( β-CyD) is cyclic oligosaccharide of a glucopyranose, containing a relatively hydrophobic central cavity and hydrophilic outer surface. However, the usefulness of β-CyD is limited owing to its low aqueous solubility whereas we found that its apparent high solubility was evident in some injectable solvents including 2-pyrrolidone(PYR), Nmethyl pyrrolidone(NMP) and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO). Therefore, in the present study, the physicochemical properties of the 30–60% w/w β-CyD in PYR, NMP and DMSO were investigated such as viscosity, water resistant, matrix formation rate and syringeability. The higher the concentration of β-CyD resulted in the increased viscosity and the higher force and energy of syringeability. β-CyD in PYR gave the highest viscosity which contributed to the lowest syringeability while β-CyD in DMSO exhibited the highest syringeability. The β-CyD in DMSO and NMP exhibited the higher rate of matrix formation. β-CyD in PYR showed the highest water resistant for phase separation while β-CyD in NMP gave the faster de-mixing rate compared to that from PYR. The difference in physicochemical properties of β-CyD dried ppts studied by scanning electron microscope(SEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) revealed that there was partial complexation of β-CyD with respective solvents. Both solution and precipitate characteristic properties will be useful for using β-CyD in further investigation as matrix material dissolved in the injectable vehicles as the in situ forming gel for periodontitis treatment.

Microscopic phase-field simulation of the coarsening behavior of coherent precipitates in Ni-Al alloys

On the basis of the microscopic phase-field dynamic model and the microelasticity theory, the characteristics of the coarsening behavior of γ＇ phase in Ni-Al alloys have been systematically studied in a certain volume fraction of the precipitates. It was found that the initial irregular shape, randomly distributed γ＇ phase, gradually transformed into cuboidal shape, regularly aligned along the [100] and [010] directions, and a highly preferential selected microstructure was formed during the later stage of precipitation. The volume fraction of the precipitates produced some effects on the precipitate morphology but did not produce an obvious effect on the regularities of precipitate distribution. The coarsening rate constant from the cubic growth law decreased as a function of volume fraction for small volume fractions, remained constant for intermediate volume fractions, and increased as a function of volume fraction for large volume fractions. During the coherent coarsening process, four ＂splitting＂ patterns between γ＇ phases, which belonged to different antiphase domains, were produced via particle aggregation, such as an L-shaped pattern, a doublet, a triplet, and a quartet.

Effect of cold rolling and first precipitates on the coarsening behavior of γ″-phases in Inconel 718 alloy

The coarsening behaviors of γ″-phase particles in Inconel 718 alloy aged at 750, 800, and 850℃ were investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. Detailed observations and quantitative measurements were conducted to characterize the coarsening behavior of the γ″-phase under various aging conditions. The experimental results indicate that the existence of the δ-phase retards the formation and coarsening of the γ″-phase, without influencing its final particle size or amount. Moreover, when cold rolled with a reduction of 50%, the dimensions of the γ″ particles in Inconel 718 alloy decrease with increasing aging time. Furthermore, the coarsening behavior of the γ″-phase in the Inconel 718 alloy after a normal aging treatment（sample A） and that of the primary δ-phase（sample B） follow the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner（LSW） diffusion-controlled growth theory; the thus-obtained activation energies for the γ″-phase are 292 k J·mol^-1 and 302 k J·mol^-1, respectively.

Carbides/nitrides precipitates in a C-Mn strip by CSP technology

The carbides/nitrides precipitates in ferrite grains, on grain boundaries and dislocations were investigated on a hot-rolled C-Mn strip （0.16wt%C-1.22wt%Mn-0.022wt%Ti） produced by the CSP （compact strip production） technology using TEM and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The Pickering＇s equation for the contribution of precipitates to the yield stress was also discussed. It is shown that there are numerous fine and dispersive precipitates TiC in the ferrite grains, on the grain boundaries and dislocations. Also there are a small amount of coarser Ti（C, N） particles and TiC particles associated with MnS. Precipitation strengthening on steels produced by the CSP technology is significant.

Characterization of γ′ precipitates in a nickel base superalloy quenching from aging temperature at different rates

The characteristics of γ′ precipitates in a superalloy quenched from 1050°C at different rates were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope（FESEM）.When quenched from 1050°C, the size of primary aging γ′ precipitates has a small increase in the specimens that experienced iced-brine-quenching, oil-quenching, and air-cooling-quenching conditions and a drastic increase in the specimen that experienced a furnace-cooling-quenching condition.The cooling γ′ precipitates have unimodal distributions after quenching at the air-cooling rate and bimodal distributions after quenching at the furnace-cooling rate, but there are not these distributions in the specimens that experienced iced-brine-quenching and oil-quenching conditions.When aging at 760°C, the size of primary aging γ′ precipitates appears unaffected in the specimens that experienced iced-brine-quenching, oil-quenching, and air-cooling-quenching conditions.However, it has a drastic increase in the specimen that experienced a furnace-cooling-quenching condition, and it is interesting that the bigger cooling γ′ precipitates have a coalescence and octodendritic shape.The microhardness study indicates that the hardness has no variation in the specimens that experienced iced-brine-quenching, oil-quenching, and air-cooling-quenching conditions and has a drastic decrease in the specimens that experienced a furnace-cooling-quenching condition and obtains the minimum microhardness value 390.8 HV.

Mechanism of generation of large(Ti,Nb,V)(C,N)-type precipitates in H13 + Nb tool steel

The characteristics and generation mechanism of（Ti,Nb,V）（C,N） precipitates larger than 2 μm in Nb-containing H13 bar steel were studied. The results show that two types of（Ti,Nb,V）（C,N） phases exist—a Ti-V-rich one and an Nb-rich one—in the form of single or complex precipitates. The sizes of the single Ti-V-rich（Ti,Nb,V）（C,N） precipitates are mostly within 5 to 10 μm, whereas the sizes of the single Nb-rich precipitates are mostly 2–5 μm. The complex precipitates are larger and contain an inner Ti-V-rich layer and an outer Nb-rich layer. The compositional distribution of（Ti,Nb,V）（C,N） is concentrated. The average composition of the single Ti-V-rich phase is（Ti_（0.511）V_（0.356）Nb_（0.133））（CxNy）, whereas that for the single Nb-rich phase is（Ti_（0.061）V_（0.263）Nb_（0.676））（C_xN_y）. The calculation results based on the Scheil–Gulliver model in the Thermo-Calc software combining with the thermal stability experiments show that the large phases precipitate during the solidification process. With the development of solidification, the Ti-V-rich phase precipitates first and becomes homogeneous during the subsequent temperature reduction and heat treatment processes. The Nb-rich phase appears later.

Fine Scale Precipitates in Al-Mg-Zn Alloys after Various Aging Temperatures

This article deals with investigation of fine-scale precipitation in Al-Mg-Zn alloys with compositions of Al - 2 at% Mg- x at% Zn, (x = 1.8, 2 and 4.2). The precipitates morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and correlated with the microhardness (HV) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the specimens. The precipitates are characterized as h’ (MgZn2) and h (MgZn2) phases of hexagonal structure of the same composition with a slight difference in lattice parameters. In addition, T-phase pf composition (Mg32 (Al, Zn)49) having a cubic crystal structure. Owing to the determined activation energies of the precipitates, the kinetics associated with their nucleation and growth can be characterized. The thermal energy acquired during aging leads to the agglomeration of precipitates to or larger particle sizes.

Precipitation characteristics and La effects on precipitates of a new 22Cr-14W-2Mo superalloy

The microstructure and precipitation characteristics of 22Cr-14W-2Mo superalloys added with various La contents have been studied by SEM, TEM and EDX.It is found that the carbides are refined by adding La.M23C6 carbides inside the grain in a diameter of 50 nm have a cube-cube orientation relationship with the matrix, and these precipitates on {111} planes align along 110 orientation.Since the large dissolved La atom will be a barrier to atom diffusion, it leads to an inhibiting effect on the carbides growing.M6C carbides are influenced by La-S phases.La-S phases formed in the center of M6C seem to be the heterogeneous nucleus of M6C to increase the nucleation ratio.It is also noticed that finer M6C carbides precipitated on the {111} planes of the matrix are around large M6C.The finer M6C carbides are caused by the special absorption effect of La-S phases.