Morphology and crystallography of β precipitate phase in Mg-Gd-Y-Nd-Zr alloy

Morphology and crystal structure of β precipitate phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr (mass fraction, %) alloy were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Compositions were determined for β phase using thin foil energy dispersive spectroscopy. Precipitation at 400 ℃ involves formation of platelet and block-shaped β phase. The orientation relationship is and between β precipitate phase and α-Mg matrix with habit planes parallel to , and a composition of Mg5(Y0.4Gd0.4Nd0.2) is suggested for the β phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy.

Secondary phase precipitate-induced localized corrosion of pure aluminum anode for aluminum–air battery

Understanding the influence of purities on the electrochemical performance of pure aluminum(Al)in alkaline media for Al–air batteries is significant.Herein,we comprehensively investigate secondary phase precipitate(SPP)-induced localized corrosion of pure Al in NaOH solution mainly based on quasi-in-situ and cross-section observations under scanning electron microscopy coupled with finite element simulation.The experimental results indicate that Al–Fe SPPs appear as clusters and are coherent with the Al substrate.In alkaline media,Al–Fe SPPs exhibit more positive potentials than the substrate,thus aggravating localized galvanic corrosion as cathodic phases.Moreover,finite element simulation indicates that the irregular geometry coupled with potential difference produces the non-uniform current density distribution inside the SPP cluster,and the current density on the Al substrate gradually decreases with distance.

Microstructure and phase precipitate behavior of Inconel 740H during aging

The microstructure and phase precipitate behavior and their effects on the room temperature hardness and impact toughness of Inconel 740H aged at 750 ℃ for 10000 h were investigated by SEM, TEM and mechanical analysis. The as-received alloy shows a low hardness value of HB 168 and a highest toughness value of 96 J. After an aging treatment at 800 ℃ for 16 h and cooled in air （standard heat-treated condition）, fine γ′ phase particles precipitate within the grains and small carbide particles are located at the grain boundaries. The hardness increases to HB 304 and the impact toughness decreases to 15 J after standard heat treatment. A maximum hardness value of HB 331 is achieved for the alloy aged at 750 ℃ for 300 h. With increasing the aging time from 300 to 10000 h, a decrease of the hardness and toughness is observed along with an enhanced quantity of M23C6 particles and the coarsening of γ′ phase.

Characterization of β precipitate phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy

As reported in our previous works, a Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy recently developed exhibited remarkable age-hardening responses and excellent mechanical properties at both room and elevated temperatures. In Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy, the β pre- cipitate phase was assumed to he one of the main strengthening phases in peak-aged samples. This study aimed to determine the crys- tal structure and orientation relationship of the β precipitate phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-INd-0.5Zr alloy using transmission electron mi- croscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy. The results indicated that the β precipitate had a face-centered cubic structure with a lattice parameter of a=2.22 nm. The orientation relationship between the β precipitate phase and the ct-Mg matrix was （i-12）β（1-100）α, [110]β[0001 ]α. Theβ plates formed on prismatic planes could play an important role in alloy strengthening by proving effective barriers to gliding dislocations. A single β plate often contained several domains of （1 11）β twin-related variants. A composition of Mgs（Y0.4Gdo.4Nd0.2） was suggested for the β phase in Mg-7Gd-5Y-1Nd-0.5Zr alloy.

Precipitate Phases in an 11% Cr Ferritic/Martensitic Steel with Tempering and Creep Conditions

Precipitates in an 11% Cr ferritic/martensitic steel containing Nd with tempering and creep conditions were investigated using transmission electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The precipitates in the steel with a tempering condition were identified to be Cr-rich M23C6 carbide, Nb-rich/V-rich/Ta–Nb-rich MX carbides, Nbrich MX carbonitride, and Fe-rich M5C2 carbide. Nd-rich carbonitride, which is not known to have been reported previously in steels, was also detected in the steel after tempering. Most of the Nb-rich MX precipitates were dissolved, whereas the amount of Ta-rich MX precipitates was increased significantly in the steel after a creep test at 600 °C at an applied stress of180 MPa for 1,100 h. No Fe2 W Laves phase has been detected in the steel after tempering.（Fe, Cr）2W Laves phase with a relatively large size was observed in the steel after the creep test.

Analysis of phase in Cu-15%Cr-0.24%Zr alloy

The vacuum medium-frequency induction melting technology was employed to prepare the Cu-15%Cr-0.24%Zr alloy. The scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM） were used to analyze the phase composition, morphology and structure of the alloy. The results reveal that the as-cast structure of the alloy consists of Cu matrix, Cr dendrite, eutectic Cr and Zr-rich phase. A large number of Cr-precipitated phases occur in the Cu matrix, and Cu5Zr particles can be found in the grain boundary of Cu matrix. The HRTEM images prove that there is a semi-coherent relationship between Cu5Zr and Cu matrix.

Three-dimensional modeling of effect of surface intermetallic phase on surface defects of Al-Fe-Si aluminum foils during twin-roll casting

Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersive spectrum analysis show that the clusters of intermetallic AlFeSi particle are distributed on or near the aluminum foil stock surfaces heterogeneously. 3D finite element modeling shows that these clusters of hard particles induce the fracture of the nano-scale lubricant oil film at first and further lead to severe deformation in the nearby aluminum foil substrate along the rolling direction. Consequently, the optical property in this region differs from that in the surroundings, resulting in surface defects.

Effect of heat treatment on corrosion behaviors of Mg-6Gd-3Y-0.5Zr alloy

The microstructures and corrosion behaviors of as-cast,T4-treated,and T6-treated Mg-6Gd-3Y-0.5Zr alloys were systematically investigated by SEM,TEM,immersion test,and electrochemical corrosion test.The results show that the microstructure of the as-cast alloy is composed ofα-Mg and Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5)eutectic phase,and in T4-treated alloy,Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5)phase dissolves into theα-Mg matrix,leading to an increase in the(Y,Gd)H_(2)phase.After T6 treatment,nanoscale Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5)phase dispersedly precipitates from theα-Mg matrix,and exhibits a specific orientation relationship with theα-Mg:(332)Mg_((24)(Gd,Y)_(5))//(1011)_(α-Mg),[136]Mg_((24)(Gd,Y)_(5))//[1210]_(α-Mg).The corrosion resistance of the Mg-6Gd-3Y-0.5Zr alloys can be ranked in the following order:T6-treated alloy exhibits the highest corrosion resistance,followed by the T4-treated alloy,and finally,the as-cast alloy.The corrosion products of the alloys are all composed of MgO,Mg(OH)_(2),Gd_(2)O_(3),Y_(2)O_(3),and MgCl_(2).The corrosion behavior of Mg-6Gd-3Y-0.5Zr alloy is closely related to the precipitated phase.By establishing the relationship between corrosion rate,hydrogen evolution rate,and corrosion potential,it is further demonstrated that during the micro galvanic corrosion process,the coarse Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5)phase in the as-cast alloy undergoes extensive dissolution,and(Y,Gd)H_(2)phase promotes the dissolution of theα-Mg matrix in the T4-treated alloy,intensifying the hydrogen evolution reaction.The T6-treated alloy,with dispersive precipitation of nanoscale Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5)phase,exhibits better corrosion resistance performance.

Phase precipitation behavior and tensile properties of as-cast Ni-based superalloy during heat treatment

The phase precipitation behavior and tensile properties of an as-cast Ni-based alloy,IN617B alloy,after solution heat treatment and long-term aging treatment were investigated.Ti(C,N),M6C and M23C6 are the primary precipitates in as-cast microstructure.After solution heat treatment,most of carbides dissolve into the matrix except a few fine Ti(C,N)within grains.During long-term aging at 700°C,the phase precipitation behaviors of the alloy are characterized as follows:(1)M23C6 carbides at grain boundaries(GBs)transform from film-like shape to cellular shape and gradually coarsen due to the decrease of the surface energy and element aggregation to GBs;(2)M23C6 carbides within grains have a bar-like morphology with a preferential growth direction[110]and have a cube-on-cube coherent orientation relationship with the matrixγ;(3)γ?particles inhibit the coarsening of M23C6 within grains by constraining the diffusion of formation elements.Furthermore,the tensile strength of the alloy obviously increases,but the ductility significantly decreases after the aging for 5000 h.The alloy has a relatively stable microstructure which guarantees the excellent tensile properties during long-term aging.

DEVELOPING MULTIPHASE AL_3Ti ALLOYS

To explore the approaches of combined toughening and strengthening of the Al_3Ti-based L1_2 intermetallic alloys, multiphase Al_3Ti alloys formed by combining with reinforcement or by second phase precipitation are being studied. The interface reactions between Al_(66)Fe_9Ti_(25)matrix and SiC reinforcement were investigated. It is determined that SiC is chemically incompatible with the Al_(66)Fe_9Ti_(25)matrix, Al_2O_3 barrier coating on SiC by sol-gel process was developed to minimize the interfacial reactions. On the other hand, a new type of Al_3Ti-based alloy having a L1_2 matrix with second phase precipitation has been developed. The quaternary alloys based on Al_(66)Fe_9Ti_(25)and modified with Nb additions, consist of a L1_2 matrix and D0_(22) second phase in the annealed state ,but the second phase can be dissolved by solution treatment and precipitated during high temperature aging.

Effect of Initial Microstructure on Phase Precipitation and Mechanical Properties during Heat Treatment of TC21 Titanium Alloy

Phase precipitation and mechanical properties of TC21 titanium alloy with two different initial microstructures during heat treatment were determined. Result indicated that compared with coarse microstructure alloy, fine microstructure alloy developed finer microstructure, more unstable ω and α2 precipitates with much smaller size and lower volume fraction, and obtained better mechanical properties during heat treatment.

Micron-scale 1:5H-based precipitated phase with the lamellar structure of sintered Sm_(2)Co_(17)-based magnets and its potential application

The excellent thermal stability of magnetic properties of Sm_(2)Co_(17)-based magnets is their most impor-tant feature.However,this stability is reduced when the maximum energy product of Sm_(2)Co_(17)-based magnets is improved,which is mainly determined by the Fe/Cu distribution of the 2:17R cell and 1:5H cell boundary phases.During the demagnetization process,the Cu-rich 1:5H cell boundary phase with a width of 2-15 nm obstructs the motion of the domain walls,yielding coercivity.Herein,we report a micron-scale Cu/Zr-rich and Fe-lean 1:5H-based precipitated phase with a lamellar structure,probably induced by Sm_(2)O_(3) doping.This structure enables the separate regulation of Fe and Cu distribution for Sm_(2)Co_(17)-based magnets with Fe-rich 2:17R cell phases and Cu-rich 1:5H cell boundary phases,consid-erably optimizing the thermal stability of magnetic properties.This discovery can be further developed to produce Sm_(2)Co_(17)-based magnets with high performance and excellent thermal stability of magnetic properties.

Effects of stress loading mode on microstructures and properties of Mg-9Gd-2Nd-0.5Zr alloy treated by creep aging

Creep aging forming(CAF) is a potential process used to manufacture large integral components of magnesium(Mg) alloys. The selected stress plays a crucial role in creep aging processes but the mechanism by which stress loading method affects creep aging of Mg alloys is still unclear. In this paper, the microstructural evolution of precipitated phases and precipitation-free zones(PFZ) at grain boundaries with different stress loading modes(unstressed, unidirectional tensile stress, and cyclic stress) at 250 ℃ were investigated along with changes in mechanical properties. The results showed that the addition of stress during aging effectively promoted the precipitation of precipitated phases, while unaffecting grain size. Unidirectional tensile stress caused directional growth of β phase([1010]), as well as rotation of weave towards the basal plane texture, resulting in namely stress orientation effect. Solute atoms diffused in the direction of tensile stress while vacancies moved perpendicular to the direction of tensile stress, resulting in PFZ at grain boundaries(157.06 nm). By contrast, cyclic stresses led to the growth of β phase in three directions([1010], [1100] and [0110]). The solute atoms and vacancies were uniformly distributed in the Mg matrix instead of directional diffusion, effectively reducing the width of PFZ(112.39 nm) at the grain boundary. These features significantly improved the mechanical properties of alloy specimens after cyclic stress creep aging when compared to unidirectional stress creep aging, with yield strength(YS), ultimate tensile strength(UTS), and elongation(EL) enhanced from 171.6 MPa, 305.5 MPa, and 4.4%to 174.8 MPa, 326.3 MPa, and 6.9%, respectively.

Characterization and evaluation of interface in SiC_p/2024 Al composite

35% SiCp/2024 Al（volume fraction） composite was prepared by powder metallurgy method. The microstructures of Si Cp/Al interfaces and precipitate phase/Al interfaces were characterized by HRTEM, and the interface conditions were evaluated by tensile modules of elasticity and Brinell hardness measurement. The results show that the overall Si Cp/Al interface condition in this experiment is good and three kinds of Si Cp/Al interfaces are present in the composites, which include vast majority of clean planer interfaces, few slight reaction interfaces and tiny amorphous interfaces. The combination mechanism of Si C and Al in the clean planer interface is the formation of a semi-coherent interface by closely matching of atoms and there are no fixed or preferential crystallographic orientation relationships between Si C and Al. MgAl2O4 spinel particles act as an intermediate to form semi-coherent interface with SiC and Al respectively at the slight reaction interfaces. When the composite is aged at 190 °C for 9 h after being solution-treated at 510 °C for 2 h, numerous discoid-shaped and needle-shaped nanosized precipitates dispersively exist in the composite and are semi-coherent of low mismatch with Al matrix. The Brinell hardness of composites arrives peak value at this time.

Effect of Y on age hardening response and mechanical properties of Mg-xY-1.5LPC-0.4Zr alloys

Ageing hardening,microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xY-1.5LPC-0.4Zr（x=0,2,4,6）alloys（LPC represents La-based rare earth metal）were investigated.It was found that the age hardening was enhanced,the grains became finer and the tensile strength was improved with the increase of Y content in Mg-Y-1.5LPC-0.4Zr alloy.The results show that the formed precipitates responsible for age hardening change from fine hexagonal-shaped equilibrium Mg12RE phase to metastableβ′phase with orthorhombic-bc crystal structure when Y is added into Mg-1.5LPC-0.4Zr alloy,and the volume fraction of precipitate phases also increases.The cubic-shapedβ-Mg24Y5 precipitate phases were also observed at grain boundaries in Mg-6Y-1.5LPC-0.4Zr alloy. The distribution of prismatic shapedβ′phases and cubic shapedβ-Mg24Y5 precipitate phases in Mg matrix may account for the remarkable enhancement of tensile strength of Mg-Y-LPC-Zr alloy.The Mg-6Y-1.5LPC-0.4Zr alloy exhibits maximum tensile strength at peak-aged hardness,and the values are 250 MPa at room temperature and 210 MPa at 250°C.

Influence of Al-Ti-B addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of A356 alloys

The mechanical properties (σb,σ0.2,and δ) and fracture behavior of tensile specimens of the refined A356 alloys were investigated as a function of the addition level of Al-Ti-B master alloy under both as-cast and T6 heat-treated conditions. The results show that as the addition level of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy increases from 0.1 wt.% to 5.0 wt.%,the mechanical properties of refined A356 alloys improve steadily and then decrease slightly under both as-cast and T6 heat-treated conditions. Also,they display exc...

Microstructure of Steel 5Cr21Mn9Ni4N Alloyed by Rare Earth

The microstructure, composition and shape of precipitated phase under as-cast and finished product state of 5Cr21Mn9Ni4N steel with different rare earth （RE） amount were studied. Mechanical properties of 5Cr21Mn9Ni4N steels withont RE addition and with RE added by 0. 2% in mass percent were tested respectively. The results indicate that the solid solution amount of RE is about 10^-6 -10^-5 order of magnitude in 5Cr21Mn9Ni4N steel. Dendrite of as-cast condition is refined obviously and dimension of interstitial phase is shortened when RE is added by 0.10%-0.20%. But the microstructure will be coarser if surplus RE is added. Precipitated phase under finished product state distributes evenly in nearly same size with RE added by 0. 2% which leads to a largely improved high temperature mechanical property.

Effect of Gd content on microstructure and dynamic mechanical properties of solution-treated Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloy

The effect of Gd content ranging from 6.5 wt.%to 8.5 wt.%on microstructure evolution and dynamic mechanical behavior of Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys was investigated by optical microscopy,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and split Hopkinson pressure bar.The microstructure of as-cast Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys indicates that the addition of Gd can promote grain refinement in the casting.Due to the rapid cooling rate during solidification,a large amount of non-equilibrium eutectic phase Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5) appears at the grain boundary of as-cast Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys.After solution treatment at 520℃ for 6 h,the Mg_(24)(Gd,Y)_(5) phase dissolves into the matrix,and the rare earth hydrides(REH)phase appears.The stress−strain curves validate that the solution-treated Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys with optimal Gd contents maintain excellent dynamic properties at different strain rates.It was concluded that the variation of Gd content and the agglomeration of residual REH particles and dynamically precipitated fine particles are key factors affecting dynamic mechanical properties of Mg−xGd−3Y−0.5Zr alloys.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites

The microstructures and interface structures of basalt particle reinforced 7A04 Al matrix composites (BP/7A04 Al) were analyzed by using OM, TEM, SEM and EDS, and the mechanical properties of 7A04 Al alloy were compared with those of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites. The results show that the basalt particles are dispersed in the Al matrix and form a strong bonding interface with the Al matrix. SiO2 at the edge of the basalt particles is continuously replaced by Al2O3 formed in the reaction, forming a high-temperature reaction layer with a thickness of several tens of nanometers, and Al2O3 strengthens the bonding interface between basalt particles and Al matrix. The dispersed basalt particles promote the dislocation multiplication, vacancy formation and precipitation of the matrix, and the precipitated phases mainly consist of plate-like η(MgZn2) phase and bright white band-shaped or ellipsoidal T (Al2Mg3Zn3) phase. The bonding interface, high dislocation density and dispersion strengthening phase significantly improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of BP/7A04 Al matrix composites are up to 665 and 699 MPa, which increase by 11.4% and 10.9% respectively compared with 7A04 Al alloy without basalt particles.

Microstructure evolution of AZ91 alloy processed by a combination method of equal channel angular pressing and rolling

In the present work,AZ91 alloy was successfully processed by equal channel angular pressing(ECAP)for up to 16 passes and rolling(R)for multiple passes with a total reduction of 75%in addition to a combination method with ECAP plus rolling(ECAP+R).The effects of various processes(ECAP,R and ECAP+R)on microstructure evolution were analyzed and the influence of ECAP process on the rolling performance was examined.The result shows that ECAP contributed to a homogenous grain structure and formed a texture with higher Schmidt factors that was easy for rolling.A plate with smoother surface and reduced edge cracks was observed in the ECAP+R process than in the single R process.Although the microstructure of the alloy was similar after ECAP+R and R process,the sample of ECAP+R was more refined and had stronger second phase precipitation than the sample of R,which resulted in better rolling characteristics,along with the external surfaces.