Effects of multimodal microstructure on fracture toughness and its anisotropy of LPSO-type extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y alloys

The fracture toughness of extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y(at.%)alloys,featuring a multimodal microstructure containing fine dynamically recrystallized(DRXed)grains with random crystallographic orientation and coarse-worked grains with a strong fiber texture,was investigated.The DRXed grains comprised randomly oriented equiaxedα-Mg grains.In contrast,the worked grains includedα-Mg and long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phases that extended in the extrusion direction(ED).Both types displayed a strong texture,aligning the(10.10)direction parallel to the ED.The volume fractions of the DRXed and worked grains were controlled by adjusting the extrusion temperature.In the longitudinal-transverse(L-T)orientation,where the loading direction was aligned parallel to the ED,there was a tendency for the conditional fracture toughness,KQ,tended to increase as the volume fraction of the worked grains increased.However,the KQ values in the T-L orientation,where the loading direction was perpendicular to the ED,decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of the worked grains.This suggests strong anisotropy in the fracture toughness of the specimen with a high volume fraction of the worked grains,relative to the test direction.The worked grains,which included the LPSO phase and were elongated perpendicular to the initial crack plane,suppressed the straight crack extension,causing crack deflection,and generating secondary cracks.Thus,these worked grains significantly contributed to the fracture toughness of the extruded Mg-1Zn-2Y alloys in the L-T orientation.

Effect of Post Weld Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Fracture Toughness of Friction Welded Joint

The effect of post weld heat treatment on the microstructure and fracture toughness of friction welded joints of Ti-6.5Al-1Mo-1V-2Zr alloy was studied. The experimental results show that equiaxial grains were formed at the center of the weld metal while highly deformed grains were observed in the thermomechanically affected zone. The fracture toughness of the weld metal was lower than that of the thermomechanically affected zone under as-weld and post weld heat treatment conditions. With increasing temperature of post weld heat treatment, the fracture toughness of weld center and thermomechanically affected zone increased. The fractographic observation revealed that the friction welded joints fractured in a ductile mode.

Microstructure-fracture toughness relationships and toughening mechanism of TC21 titanium alloy with lamellar microstructure

The independent influence of microstructural features on fracture toughness of TC21alloy with lamellar microstructure was investigated.Triple heat treatments were designed to obtain lamellar microstructures with different parameters,which were characterized by OM and SEM.The size and content ofαplates were mainly determined by cooling rate from singleβphase field and solution temperature in two-phase field;while the precipitation behavior of secondaryαplatelets was dominantly controlled by aging temperature in two-phase field.The content and thickness ofαplates and the thickness of secondaryαplatelets were important microstructural features influencing the fracture toughness.Both increasing the content ofαplates and thickeningαplates(or secondaryαplatelets)could enhance the fracture toughness of TC21alloy.Based on energy consumption by the plastic zone of crack tip inαplates,a toughening mechanism for titanium alloys was proposed.

Effect of microstructure on impact toughness of magnesium alloys

Microstructures of as-cast and extruded ZK60-xRE （RE=Dy, Ho and Gd, x=0-5, mass fraction） alloys were investigated. Meanwhile, the impact toughness was tested and then the relationship was discussed. The results show that as-cast microstructure is refined gradually with increasing the RE content. Mg-Zn-RE new phase increases gradually, while MgZn2 phase decreases gradually to disappear. Second phase tends to distribute along grain boundary in continuous network. Extruded microstructure is refined obviously to reach the micron level. Broken second phase tends to distribute along the extrusion direction in zonal shape. Impact toughness value -nK increases from 9-17 J/cm2 for as-cast state to 26-54 J/cm2 for extruded state. With increasing the value of -nK, fracture macro-morphology changes from a rough plane via multi-plane with step to V-type plane; and from single radiation zone to two zones of fiber and shear lip, respectively. Fracture micro-morphology changes from the brittle fracture to the ductile fracture. Fine grain and few fine dispersed second phase can enhance the impact toughness of magnesium alloys effectively.

Dynamic fracture toughness of TA15ELI alloy studied by instrumented impact test

The dynamic fracture toughness of TA15ELI alloy with two types of microstructures was studied by instrumented impact test.Charpy specimens with both the 0.2 mm U-notch and the a/W = 0.2 pre-crack were adopted to compare notch sensitivity in the two microstructures.The result shows that the specimen with Widmanst？tten microstructure exhibits a better dynamic fracture toughness and lower notch sensitivity than that with lath-like microstructure.Fracture surfaces in the case of the two microstructures are analyzed to have a ductile and brittle mixed feature under dynamic loading.The fracture surface of lath-like microstructure is composed of dimples and tear ridges,while that of Widmanst？tten microstructure is covered with rough block-like facets and dimples and tear ridges.The α phase boundaries and α/β interfaces act as locations for void nucleation and crack arrest and deviation.The decrease in width of α phase lamellae leads to the increase in the amount of boundaries and interfaces,which causes the increase in the consumption of impact energy and results in the improvement in dynamic fracture toughness.

Influence of Tungsten and Cobalt Contents on the Microstructure Changes and Fracture Behavior of New Carbon-Free Steel-alloy Composites

The ever increasing demand for steel materials that have good combinations between strength and toughness urged all researchers working in the field of material science to find new alloys that can approach that requirement.Unfortunately strength and toughness of materials are always counter acting properties.However,carbon contents in the steel define to a great extent its strength and toughness.In this research an effort is paid to produce steel alloy composites that can give higher strength together with good toughness without alloying with carbon.The mechanism of strengthening in Iron-Cobalt-Tungsten composite alloys with variations in Co and W contents is investigated.The fracture toughness and hardness,are measured for all alloy composites under investigation.The changes in microstructures after heat treatment are emphasized using metallurgical microscopy and SEM-aided with EDX analyzing unit.

Microstructure Characterization and Fracture Toughness of Laves Phase-Based Cr–Nb–Ti Alloys

Three Laves phase-based alloys with nominal compositions of Cr2Nb-xTi （x = 20, 30, 40, in at%） have been prepared through vacuum non-consumable arc melting. The results show that the microstructures of Cr2Nb-（20, 30） Ti alloys are composed of the primary Laves phase C15-Cr2（Nb,Ti） and bcc solid solution phase, while the microstructure of Cr2Nb-40Ti alloy is developed with the eutectic phases C15-Cr2（Nb,Ti）/bcc solid solution. The measured fracture toughness of ternary Laves phase C15-Cr2（Nb,Ti） is about 3.0 MPa m1/2, much larger than 1.4 MPa m1/2 for binary Laves phase Cr2Nb. Meanwhile, the fracture toughness of Cr2Nb-xTi （x = 20, 30, 40） alloys increases with increasing Ti content and reaches 10.6 MPa m1/2 in Cr2Nb-40Ti alloy. The eutectic microstructure and addition of Ti in Cr2Nb are found to be effective in toughening Laves phase-based alloys.

Unravelling the competitive effect of microstructural features on the fracture toughness and tensile properties of near beta titanium alloys

The competitive effect of microstructural features including primaryα(α_(p)),secondaryα(α_(s)),grain boundaryα(α_(GB)) and β grain size on mechanical properties of a near β Ti alloy were studied with two heat treatment processes.The relative effect of β grain size and STA(solution treatment and ageing)processing parameters on mechanical properties were quantitatively explored by the application of Taguchi method.These results were further explained via correlating microstructure with the fracture toughness and tensile properties.It was found that large numbers of fine as precipitates and continuous α_(s) played greater roles than other features,resulting in a high strength and very low ductility(<2%)of STA process samples.The β grain size had a negative correlation with fracture toughness.In the samples prepared by BASCA( β anneal slow cooling and ageing)process,improved ductility and fracture toughness were obtained due to a lower density ofα;precipitates,a basket-weave structure and zigzag morphology of α_(GB).For this heat treatment,an increase in prior β grain size had an observable positive effect on fracture toughness.The contradictory effect of β grain size on fracture toughness found in literature was for the first time explained.It was shown that the microstructure obtained from different processes after β solution has complex effect on mechanical properties.This complexity derived from the competition between microstructure features and the overall sum of their effect on fracture toughness and tensile properties.A novel table was proposed to quasi-quantitatively unravel these competitive effects.

Fracture toughness of multiphase TiAl-Nb alloy in situ consolidated by spark plasma sintering

A fine-grained TiAl alloy with a composition of Ti-45Al-5Nb-1.5Cr-0.2W （mole fraction, %） with multiphases was prepared by spark plasma sintering （SPS） and heat-treating at 1 100 ℃ for 48 h. The relationship among sintering temperature, microstructure and fracture toughness were investigated by X-ray diffractometry （XRD）, optical microscopy （OM）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and mechanical testing. The results show that microstructure of the bulk alloy depends on the sintering temperature strongly, and the main phase TiAl and few phases Ti3Al and niobium solid solution （Nbss） are observed in the SPS bulk samples. In the heat-treatment condition, the lamellar and Nbss phase can provide significant toughening by plastic strengthening, interface decohension, crack branch and crack bridge mechanisms. The fracture mode of the SPS TiAl composite samples is intergranular rupture and cleavage fracture.

Microstructure and properties characteristic during interrupted multi-step aging in Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Zr alloy

The effects of interrupted multi-step aging on the microstructure and properties of A1-Cu-Mg-Ag-Zr alloy were studied by tensile, hardness, electrical conductivity tests and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. Interrupted multi-step aging delayed the peak aging time compared to one-step aging and kept the same levels of hardness, electrical conductivity, ultimate tensile strength （UTS）, yield strength （YS） and elongation as those of the T6 temper alloy while increased the fracture toughness notably. Ω phase and a little θ＇ phase precipitated and grew simultaneously in the process of one-step aging at 160℃. During the second-step aging at 65℃ of interrupted multi-step aging, no TEM characteristic of Ω precipitates could be found. During the third step of interrupted multi-step aging, Ω began to dominate the microstructure like what happened in the process of one-step aging. The difference of properties between the T6 temper and the interrupted multi-step aged alloys might be related to the different precipitation sequences in the process of the two heat treatment technologies.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the pressure die cast magnesium alloy AZ91D after long-term thermal exposure

The thermal resistance of the pressure die cast magnesium alloy AZ91D is yet not investigated sufficiently. Inorder to assess the effect of a thermal exposure on the microstructural stability and the mechanical properties, the alloyAZ91D is subjected to a long-term annealing for 1 000 h at 80 °C, 100 °C, 120 °C, 150 °C, 180 °C and 200 °C. After theannealing, the microstructural appearance of the material is investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy andcompared with the as-cast condition. Furthermore, tensile tests, hardness measurements and fracture toughness tests arecarried out and the measured values are discussed on the basis of the microstructural changes. The results reveal thedistinct correlation between the microstructural changes, especially the precipitation of discontinuous and continuousβ-particles (Mg17 Al12), and the mechanical properties.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of twostep Cu-alloyed ADI treated by different second step austempering temperatures and times

Austempering ductile iron (ADI) is an attractive material due to its excellent comprehensive mechanical properties. However, the deficit in elongation and toughness always threatens its security application. Two-step austempering process is an effective way to improve elongation and toughness simultaneously. In the present work, the influence of the amount, morphology and distribution of ferrite and austenite on mechanical properties of ADI under different second-step austempering parameters has been analyzed. Results show that the amount of austenite and its carbon content decrease with increasing of second-step temperature. Carbide begins to precipitate as second-step austempering temperature reaches 380 °C. These factors together influence the mechanical properties of two-step Cu-alloyed ADI. Impact energy and fracture toughness are strongly affected by second-step austempering temperature, and are dramatically decreased with increase of second-step austempering temperature. Elongation remains constant when the second-step temperature is below 360 °C, and then it is rapidly decreased with further increase of second-step temperature. Strength is slightly influenced by second-step temperature. Ferrite morphology is not influenced by second-step austempering duration, while blocky retained austenite size is slightly decreased with the increasing of second-step austempering time. The amount of retained austenite is decreased while the carbon content of retained austenite is increased with the extending of second-step austempering time. The substructure of austenite is transformed from dislocation to twin when second-step austempering time exceeds 60 min. Strength and elongation are improved slightly with extending of second-step time. Impact energy and fracture toughness initially decrease with the extending of second-step time, and then remain constant when the time is longer than 60 min. This is a result of austenite content decreasing and carbon content of austenite increasing. The second-step austempering time mainly influences austenite content and its carbon content, which is a result of carbon diffusion behavior variation.

Microstructure and high-temperature mechanical properties of Nb-silicide based in-situ composites

Nb-15W-18Si-xHf(x = 0, 5,10 and 15, mole fraction, %) alloys were prepared by arc melting and then homogenized at 1 750℃for 50 h. The microstructure and mechanical behaviors, such as Vickers hardness, fracture toughness, room- and hightemperature strength of the alloys were investigated. The microstructure of the annealed Nb-15W-18Si-xHf alloys is composed of large primary Nbss dendrite and fine eutectic mixture of Nbss and M5Si3 silicide. Both the hardness and the fracture toughness show an increase tendency at room temperature with increase of Hf content. The 0.2% compressive yield strength,σ0.2 of the alloys with 5 %Hf and 10%Hf are larger than 960 MPa at 1 200℃, and about 500 MPa even at 1 500℃.

BASCA热处理对TC10钛合金组织与断裂韧性的影响

本工作对TC10钛合金进行BASCA热处理(β退火+缓慢冷却+时效),通过改变BA温度(β退火温度),研究BASCA热处理对TC10钛合金微观组织与断裂韧性的影响。结果表明:BA温度对合金微观组织与断裂韧性起到决定作用,随着BA温度升高,合金微观组织类型由等轴组织转变为片层组织,断裂韧性不断增加,最大值为77 MPa·m^(1/2)。此外,研究了不同类型组织的裂纹尖端区域塑性变形量、裂纹扩展路径以及断口微观形貌,进一步揭示断裂机制。与片层组织相比,等轴组织的裂纹尖端区域塑性变形较大,裂纹扩展路径曲折程度较小。等轴组织的断口形貌光滑平顺,主要由韧窝构成;片层组织的断口形貌凹凸起伏明显,韧窝数量与尺寸均减小,并出现撕裂棱、空洞以及二次裂纹。

12 mm厚TC4钛合金激光-MIG复合焊接头组织与性能研究

目的探究TC4激光-MIG复合焊接头显微组织与基本力学性能之间的联系,分析接头不同区域的断裂行为。方法利用激光-MIG复合焊制备TC4钛合金对接接头,采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察接头焊缝区、热影响区及母材的显微组织,在室温下进行了显微硬度测试、拉伸性能测试与断裂韧性测试,并对试样断口进行了观察分析。结果接头的焊缝区组织为粗大的β相柱状晶,晶内纵横分布着αʹ针状马氏体和针状α相,靠近焊缝一侧的热影响区则由针状αʹ相、α集束与少量细小的块状α相构成。随着远离焊缝中心,母材侧热影响区组织转变为块状的α相、少量α集束及初生β相,并最终趋于与母材组织相似。热影响区的显微硬度值达到最大,这是因为该区域存在比焊缝区更为细小的针状αʹ相。接头的平均抗拉强度和断后伸长率分别为1020.22 MPa和7.38%。接头在拉伸时主要在焊缝区发生断裂。焊缝区展现出比母材区和热影响区更优异的断裂韧性,平均值为87.14 MPa·m1/2,焊缝区内纵横交错的网篮组织与集束是其断裂韧性较高的主要原因。结论在TC4钛合金的激光-MIG复合焊过程中,针状α相和αʹ马氏体的存在会提高焊缝的显微硬度和断裂韧性,但相较于母材塑性没有提升,通过调控焊缝区显微组织结构,可以获得所需性能的接头。

准β锻造和β热处理对TC11组织和断裂韧性的影响

研究了准β锻造和β热处理对TC11钛合金显微组织和断裂韧性的影响。结果表明TC11钛合金经准β锻造及β热处理后断裂韧性相较于魏氏组织明显提升,延伸率提升约50%,断面收缩率提升约20%,KIC提升约20%。由于准β锻造改变了层片状α相的析出形态,形成了取向差异化明显的束集,抵抗裂纹扩展的组织协调性更佳,从而使得断裂韧性更优;而魏氏组织试样主要以晶界和大片次生α相增加裂纹扩展曲折性。

固溶温度对TC16钛合金显微组织与冲击韧性的影响

分别在两相区温度(840,860℃)与单相区温度(880℃)下对TC16钛合金进行2 h固溶处理,再进行560℃×8 h时效处理,研究了固溶温度对固溶态和时效态合金显微组织、物相组成和冲击韧性的影响。结果表明:经固溶处理后TC16钛合金组织主要由α相与α"相组成,再经时效处理后,主要由α相和β相组成;固溶温度的升高使固溶态合金中的初生α相含量降低,等轴化程度增加,针状α相和α"相含量增加,当固溶温度升高到880℃时,初生α相完全消失;再经时效处理后,组织中形成大量针状次生α相,且次生α相含量随固溶温度的升高而增加,而初生α相含量和尺寸与固溶态相比无明显变化。随着固溶温度的升高,固溶处理后合金的冲击吸收能量和冲击韧性值增加;经时效处理后,二者相比于固溶态均减小,且随固溶温度升高而不断降低;随着固溶温度的升高,冲击断口中韧窝数量减少,当固溶温度为880℃时,冲击断口主要由解理面组成;再经时效处理后,断口中出现较多二次裂纹,随着固溶温度的升高,二次裂纹数量增加。

时效温度对TA10钛合金微观组织以及冲击韧性的影响

对TA10钛合金进行固溶时效处理,研究TA10钛合金在不同时效温度条件下微观组织形貌与冲击韧性二者之间的关系。研究发现:在固溶条件下,合金组织结构主要由α′相和初生α相组成,再经时效处理后,组织中初生α相的形貌以及体积分数均未出现明显变化,且有大量次生α相析出,并有明显的β转变组织形成。合金经固溶时效处理后的冲击韧性,较固溶处理后的数值更低,而在固溶时效条件下,随着时效温度的逐步提高,合金的冲击韧性整体呈现出降低的趋势,但整体降低趋势并不十分明显。发现无论是固溶还是固溶时效条件下,其冲击断口形貌均是由大量韧窝形貌构成,且固溶条件下,冲击断口中的韧窝数量更多,其断口整体较为平稳,同时发现断口中空洞的数量和尺寸在时效温度升高的过程中也不断增加。

热处理对TC4合金组织与性能的影响

研究了热处理对TC4半成品棒材的显微组织、拉伸性能、断裂韧性、裂纹扩展速率的影响。结果表明,经α+β区固溶处理和β区固溶处理+(α+β)区时效处理后的TC4合金显微组织分别为球状或条状初生α+晶间β的双态组织和网篮组织,双态组织结构具有高的拉伸性能和低的断裂韧性,网篮组织具有良好的断裂韧性和疲劳性能。

β钛合金的强韧化机制分析

β钛合金的合金成分、热处理工艺和显微组织决定了合金的强韧性。β钛合金的β稳定元素和中型元素Zr可以提高合金的强度,降低断裂韧性。细小的β晶粒不能有效提高时效态β钛合金的强度,可以降低Ti-15-3合金的断裂韧性,对β-C和Ti-1023合金的断裂韧性无明显影响。时效态β钛合金的强度主要取决于时效析出的次生α相的含量和尺寸,在含有同样初生α相的情况下,细小的次生α相可以显著提高合金的强度。初生α相的粗化以及初生相从球状转变为片状会导致β钛合金塑性降低,断裂韧性提高。β钛合金的双态组织具有良好的强度、塑性和韧性的匹配。