Ultrahigh strength and improved electrical conductivity in an aging strengthened copper alloy processed by combination of equal channel angular pressing and thermomechanical treatment

In this paper,equal channel angular pressing and thermomechanical treatment was employed to improve the strength and electrical conductivity of an aging strengthened Cu-Ti-Cr-Mg alloy,and the microstructure and properties of the alloy were investigated in detail.The results showed that the samples deformed by the combination of cryogenic equal channel angular pressing(ECAP)and rolling had good comprehensive properties after aging at 400℃.The tensile strength of the peak-aged and over-aged samples was 1120 MPa and 940 MPa,with their corresponding electrical conductivity of 14.7%IACS and 22.1%IACS,respectively.ECAP and cryogenic rolling introduced high density dislocations,leading to the inhibition of the softening effects and refinement of the grains.After a long time aging at 400℃,the alloy exhibited ultra-high strength with obvious increasing electrical conductivity.The high strength was attributed to the synergistic effect of work hardening,grain refinement strengthening and precipitation strengthening.The precipitation of a large amount of Ti atoms from the matrix led to the high electrical conductivity of the over-aged sample.

Effect of aging treatment on the precipitation transformation and age hardening of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr alloy

In this study, the precipitation transformation and age hardening of solution-treated Mg-9Gd-4Y-2Zn-0.5Zr(wt.%) alloy were investigated at different aging treatment parameters. The precipitation sequences of the alloy aged at 200℃, 250℃ and 300℃ are β’’(DO19) → β’(BCO) → β(FCC), β’’(DO19) → β’(BCO) → β_(1)(FCC) → β(FCC) and β(FCC), respectively. The streaks sequences of the alloy aged at 200℃, 250℃ and 300℃ are SF, SF → 14H-LPSO and SF → 14H-LPSO, respectively. For the alloy aged at 200℃ and 250℃, the increase in hardness with increasing aging time is contributed from the increase in precipitate volume fraction and the transformation from β’’ to β’ phase with basal → prismatic and spherical → spindle-like precipitate changes. The decrease in hardness after the peak-aging stage is attributed to the appearance of micro-sized β precipitates. Because of the smaller size of precipitates and the triangular arrangement of β’ precipitate, the hardness of the alloy aged at 200℃ is higher than that aged at 250℃. For the alloy aged at 300℃, the appearance of only micro-sized β precipitate and its coarsening with increasing aging time leads to the lowest hardness and an overall decrease in hardness with the aging time.

Six Amino Acids among Natural Moisturizing Factors Responsible for Skin Hydration: Improvement and Anti-Aging of Skin by Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-PiteraTM Containing Skin Moisturizer

Background: Natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) are filaggrin-derived components in the cornified layer that are critical for maintaining healthy skin moisturization and barrier function. However, studies have reported conflicting findings on the relationship between NMF levels and aging, while few studies have investigated this relationship clinically. To fill this research gap, we determined the levels of major NMF components such as free amino acids, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, and urocanic acids, and individually verified their relationships with skin hydration, barrier function, age, and skin aging. Purpose: The objective of this study was to clinically investigate the relationship between NMF components levels and skin aging in facial skin. The main NMF components were obtained from facial skin and quantified. We then selected NMF components showing strong relationships to skin hydration, and analyzed the relationships of the levels of these selected NMF components with signs of skin aging, namely, texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). We also examined the efficacy of treatment with a skin care formula (SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, called SK-II FTE hereafter) including Galactomyces ferment filtrate (GFF, PiteraTM) on the selected NMF component levels associated with skin hydration and barrier function, and the signs of skin aging of texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). Method: We conducted two clinical trials in this research. In Study 1, we measured 23 NMF components using tape-stripped cornified layer to quantify them via an HPLC method in 196 Asian females aged 20 to 59 (mean S.D., 38.6 9.4). Facial visual aging parameters [texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value)], as well as elasticity (R7), skin hydration, and TEWL, were quantified using facial skin imaging and skin physical property measurement devices. Study 2 was performed to evaluate whether the facial application of SK-II FTE affects the NMF levels and skin aging parameters in 63 Asian female volunteers aged 20 to 55 (38.4 9.03). During the course of Study 2, 0.6 mL of SK-II FTE was applied to the face twice daily in the morning and afternoon. Skin measurements were performed at the start of the day (baseline) and at week 8. Results: In Study 1, we examined the stratum corneum levels of 23 NMF components comparing to the skin hydration status in 196 female subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups using the median of each measured NMF component. Skin hydration values were compared between the two groups defined for each NMF component. The results showed that subjects with higher levels of six amino acids, alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, and histidine, exhibited significantly higher skin hydration than those with lower amino acid levels. No significant differences in skin hydration values were found for the other 17 NMF components. We then analyzed whether the sum of these six amino acid NMF components (called 6-AA-NMFs, hereafter) is affected by aging. The 6-AA-NMF level peaked in the subjects aged 25-29, and then gradually and significantly decreased with age. Interestingly, the 6-AA-NMF level was significantly correlated with the skin hydration value, but not with TEWL. In addition, the 6-AA-NMF level demonstrated significant correlations with the signs of skin aging of texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). Then, in Study 2, we examined whether the daily application of SK-II FTE affects the 6-AA-NMF level and visual aging parameters in 63 females. SK-II FTE demonstrated significant increases of the levels of 6-AA-NMFs and each of its components associated with hydration and barrier function, and improvements of skin texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value) during the 8 weeks of treatment of facial skin. Conclusion: These clinical studies with large numbers of subjects across a wide age range revealed that six amino acids as NMF components were highly correlated with facial skin hydration in the stratum corneum. The levels of these six NMF components were also found to decrease at ages after the 30 s and were significantly correlated with major signs of skin aging. Notably, these six NMF components (6-AA-NMFs) were increased by SK-II FTE treatment associated with improvements of skin hydration and signs of skin aging, namely, texture, pores, wrinkles, and dullness (L-value). These studies were limited by the lack of investigation of why some NMF components were not associated with skin hydration. More clinical trials examining various NMF components and their relationship with aging are anticipated.

Effects of aging treatment processes on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ63 casting magnesium alloy

The effects of three different aging treatment processes,namely single-stage,double-stage,and reverse double-stage aging treatment processes,on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the AZ63(Mg-6Al-3Zn-0.25Mn)casting magnesium alloy were investigated and compared.The results indicate that the microstructures of all the aged alloys under the three treatment processes are mainly composed ofα-Mg,Mg17Al12),and Al4Mn phases,indicating that the double-stage and reverse double-stage aging treatments have no obvious effect on the type of alloy phases.However,as compared with the single-stage and double-stage processes,the reverse double-stage process has a great effect on the quantity of the Mg17Al12phases.After the reverse double-stage aging treatment,which results in a stronger drive for decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution,the number of Mg17Al12phases precipitated in the grains significantly increases.In addition,as compared with the single-stage aged alloy,the tensile properties at room temperature for both the double-stage and reverse double-stage aged alloys are significantly improved.Among them,the reverse double-stage aged alloy achieves the highest tensile strength,yield strength,and elongation of 295 MPa,167 MPa,and 8.6%,respectively.

Scaling and clogging treatment of aging tunnel drainage pipes in karst areas using eco-friendly acid agent

In karst areas,the drainage pipes of aging tunnels are prone to be clogged by precipitated carbonates,resulting in lining cracking and tunnel leaking.As a result,not only the driving safety will be deteriorated,but also the water pressure on the lining might also be elevated significantly.For the structural stability and service lifespan of old tunnels,it is of great importance to remove these precipitated carbonates in time.Traditional treatment methods are often destructive to some extent or not efficient enough.This study aims to experimentally develop an eco-friendly acid-based chemical cleaning method to remove carbonate precipitations efficiently.The proposed chemical cleaning agent is an aqueous solution with strong acidity,consisting of sulfamic acid,water,and additives.The factors affecting the cleaning efficiency include the acid solubility,temperature and flow rate of the cleaning agent,as well as additives.Elevating the solution temperature to 50
C or a flow rate of no less than 0.2 m/s can improve cleaning efficiency.Although the salt effect cannot work,1 wt%of polymaleic acid as a surfactant could further promote the cleaning rate.The cleaning efficiency will increase with the flow rate in a power function.The relatively low flow rate that improves the cleaning rate considerably can avoid highpressure-induced mechanical damage to tunnel drainpipes.The waste could be easily treated to acceptable levels using commercial sewage treatment products and can also be recycled in agriculture.With the chemical cleaning,the water pressure at the arch springing of the lining will reduce with the increased radius of transverse drainpipes in a power function.The proposed acid-based cleaning method,which is highly efficient,non-or low-destructive to aging tunnels,sufficiently safe for humans,and friendly enough to the environment,will offer a promising alternative to remove the precipitated carbonates in tunnel drainpipes efficiently.

Microstructure Evolution of a Cold-rolled 25Cr-7Ni-3Mo-0.2N Duplex Stainless Steel during Two-step Aging Treatments

A cold-rolled 25Cr-7Ni-3Mo-0.2N duplex stainless steel（DSS） has been aged in two steps. Firstly, the aging treatment at interval of 50℃ in a temperature range from 900 to 1050℃ was carried out in order to obtain fine grains. Secondly, another aging treatment at 850℃ was performed to reveal the σ-phase precipitation behavior. A detailed microstructure evolution during those two aging steps was observed by the optical microscope（OM）, the scanning electron microscope（SEM）, the electron backscatter difraction（EBSD） and the transmission electron microscope（TEM）. The results revealed that the micro-duplex structure with grain size of lower than 10 μm appeared after the first aging step. However, their grain size was rapidly increased with increasing aging temperature. Meanwhile, the δ → γ and/or δ → γ ＋ σ transformations took place in association with the occurrence of the extensive recovery or a little recrystallization in δ-grains. During the second aging treatment, σ-phase mainly nucleated at δ/γ interfaces and further grew along those interfaces into various morphologies（e.g., butterfly and granule）. A novel precipitation behavior was found in this study that the γ-grain boundaries bulged not only into the δ-grains as usual, but abnormally into the σ-phase precipitates without the prior precipitation of the isolated secondary austenite γ2or another phases.

Ag元素和时效时间对T6态Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc合金拉伸性能的影响

为了明确Ag元素的添加对Al-Cu-Mg系铝合金拉伸性能的影响,针对T6态(固溶+时效处理)的热挤压Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc(-0.5Ag)合金进行了室温和高温拉伸实验。结果表明,添加0.5%Ag元素可显著提高T6态Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc合金的室温抗拉强度、屈服强度、峰时效态及该合金在150~300℃范围的抗拉强度和屈服强度,但会降低该合金的室温和高温塑性。断口形貌的扫描电子显微镜观察与分析结果表明,在室温及高温拉伸加载条件下,T6态Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc(-0.5Ag)合金的拉伸断口上大部分存在韧窝和撕裂棱,表现出明显的韧性断裂特点。

T6态热挤压Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc-0.5Ag合金的低周疲劳行为

为了揭示经过T6处理的热挤压Al-5Cu-0.8Mg-0.15Zr-0.2Sc-0.5Ag合金在不同温度下的低周疲劳变形与断裂行为,对T6态热挤压合金进行了室温和200℃条件下的低周疲劳实验。结果表明:在室温和200℃下合金塑性应变幅与载荷反向周次之间服从Coffin-Manson公式,而弹性应变幅与载荷反向周次之间服从Basquin公式;合金在室温和200℃下低周疲劳变形时,在较低外加总应变幅下疲劳变形机制主要为平面滑移,而在较高外加总应变幅下疲劳变形机制主要为波状滑移;室温和200℃下合金的疲劳裂纹均萌生于疲劳试样表面并以穿晶方式扩展。

Microstructure and mechanical properties of forged Al-7.1Zn-1.1Mg-1.6Cu-0.14Zr alloy after two-step ageing treatment at 120 and 170℃

The tensile properties, electrical conductivity, and microstructure of the forged A1-7.1Zn-1.1Mg-1.6Cu-0.14Zr alloy were investigated after a two-step ageing treatment at 120 and 170℃. The results indicate that the strength of the alloy reaches the peak value at 170~C for 1 h during the second step ageing and then decreases sharply. However, the electrical conductivity value increases continuously with the second ageing time increasing. The fracture mechanism of the alloy is intergranular fracture for 1 h and then changes to dimple transgranular fracture later, and the toughness of the alloy is improved significantly. The phases of rl＇ and 1＂1 are major precipitates in the alloy under the two-step ageing condition. Discontinuous grain boundary precipitates and precipitate-flee zones along the grain boundary are clearly observed.

Effects of the two-step ageing treatment on the microstructure and properties of 7B04 alloy pre-stretched thick plates

The effects of the two-step ageing parameters （temperature and time） on the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of 7B04 （A1-Zn-Mg-Cu） pre-stretched thick plates were studied. The results reveal that the initial T1 ageing contributes a major increase of the tensile strength, and the 0.2% proof stress value reaches 482 MPa after ageing for 7 h at 115℃. Behavioral differences in the tensile properties of the alloy after the two-step ageing treatment were less with the first-step ageing at 115~C for different time periods （7, 14, and 21 h）. The effects of the second ageing parameters on the properties and microstructure of the 7B04 alloy were remarkable. TEM analysis of the samples aged at Temper I （7 h at 115℃ ＋ 12 h at 160℃） and Temper II （7 h at 115℃ ＋ 16 h at 165℃） indicates that two kinds of phases, i.e. 11＇ and 11 phases, precipitate from the matrix and efficiently improve the tensile strength of the alloy, and the grain boundary precipitates are coarse and discrete. There are obvious precipitate free zones （PFZs） along the grain boundary in the microstructure of the alloy after the two-step ageing treatment.

Effects of Aging Treatment on Intergranular Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of AA7003

In order to study the effects of aging treatment on the intergranular corrosion（IGC） and stress corrosion cracking（SCC） of 7003 aluminum alloy（AA7003）, the intergranular corrosion test, electrochemical test and slow strain rate test（SSRT）, combined with optical microscopy（OM） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM） as well as transmission electron microscopy（TEM） observations have been carried out. The IGC and electrochemical test results showed that the IGC resistance of AA7003 for peak aged（PA） temper is the lowest, with double peak aged（DPA） the moderate, and retrogression and re-aging（RRA） the highest among three tempers, which is attributed to the continuous feature of precipitation on grain boundary of PA temper and the interrupted feature of precipitation on grain boundary of DPA and RRA tempers, as well as the wide precipitation free zones（PFZ） of RRA temper. In addition, the SSRT results indicated that all three tempers AA7003 are susceptible to SCC in IGC solution, and the change tendency of SCC susceptibility（ISCC） of AA7003 for three tempers follows the order： ISCC（RRA）

A New Aging Treatment Way for Near α High Temperature Titanium Alloys

Two near α titanium alloys, Ti-5.6Al-4.8Sn-2.0Zr-1Mo-0.35Si （1#） and Ti-6.0AI-4.8Sn-2.0Zr-1Mo-0.35Si （2#）, were solution-treated in the upper α＋β phase fields, and the duplex mixture microstructures consisting of the less volume fraction primary α phase （αp） and the transformed β phase （βt） were obtained. The aging treatments were carried out at 700℃ for 1# alloy and 760℃ for 2# alloy under varied terms, respectively. It guaranteed α2 ordered phase to precipitate only in αp but not in βt for the two alloys. The slower precipitation and growth of the α2 ordered phase and silicide was observed in 1# alloy in comparison with 2# alloy. The mechanical properties including tensile strength and ductility, the creep and lasting properties at 600℃ were investigated. Prolonging aging time did not predominantly change the tensile strength and ductility for the two alloys. The 600℃/100 h thermal exposure caused a notable decrease of tensile ductility in 2# alloy though no distinct decrease could be observed in 1# alloy after the thermal exposure. The lasting property of i# alloy was increased with prolonging aging time and finally was equal to or even better than that of 2# alloy. Nevertheless, no evident increase emerged in 2# alloy with prolonging aging time. Similarly, the creep property of 1# alloy monotonously increased with increasing aging time and finally was equal to or even better than that of 2# alloy. No evident increase could be observed for 2# alloy. It can be deduced that the overgrowth of α2 ordered phase and silicide is unable to enhance hot strength properties but cause an unacceptable damage to tensile ductility. The optimum equilibrium of the comprehensive properties depending on the proper control of α2 ordered phase and silicide can be achieved by properly selecting aging temperature and time.

Effects of solution treatment and aging process on microstructure refining of semi-solid slurry of wrought aluminum alloy 7A09

A new method was exploited using solution treatment and aging process as a pretreatment in preparing semi-solid slurry with fine microstructure before isothermal treatment of wrought aluminum alloy 7A09.Parameters of pretreatment were optimized by orthogonal experiment design and proper precursor was prepared.The evolution of microstructure of semi-solid slurry during isothermal treatment was analyzed and the mechanism of microstructure refining was discussed.The result of orthogonal experiment design shows that the optimum parameters are 462 ℃for solution temperature,40min for solution time,132 ℃for aging temperature and 14 h for aging time.Microstructure of isothermal treatment is fine,homogenous,with globular solid grains and a solid fraction between 50%and 70%,which is qualified for later semi-solid forming process.Mechanism of microstructure evolution includes the agglomeration ofα-phase and Ostwald ripening.Precipitations prepared by solution and aging treatment prevent the grains from coarsening and promote the grain ripening to globular shape.

Influence of process parameters and aging treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al Si8Mg3 alloy fabricated by selective laser melting

Many studies have investigated the selective laser melting(SLM)of AlSi10Mg and AlSi7Mg alloys,but there are still lack of researches focused on Al-Si-Mg alloys specifically tailored for SLM.In this work,a novel high Mg-content AlSi8Mg3 alloy was specifically designed for SLM.The results showed that this new alloy exhibited excellent SLM processability with a lowest porosity of 0.07%.Massive lattice distortion led to a high Vickers hardness in samples fabricated at a high laser power due to the precipitation of Mg_(2)Si nanoparticles from theα-Al matrix induced by high-intensity intrinsic heat treatment during SLM.The maximum microhardness and compressive yield strength of the alloy reached HV(211±4)and(526±12)MPa,respectively.After aging treatment at 150℃,the maximum microhardness and compressive yield strength of the samples were further improved to HV(221±4)and(577±5)MPa,respectively.These values are higher than those of most known aluminum alloys fabricated by SLM.This paper provides a new idea for optimizing the mechanical properties of Al-Si-Mg alloys fabricated using SLM.

Effect of Aging Treatment on Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of PEO Coatings on Mg-Al Alloy

Cast Mg-6 wt pct Al alloy solution-treated at 683 K for 16 h and aged at 498 K was coated by plasma electrolytic oxidation （PEO） method.The Mg-6 wt pct Al alloy aged for 16 h exhibited the highest microhardness and wear resistance.After PEO coating,however,the microhardness and wear resistance of coatings on Mg- 6 wt pct Al alloy showed a tendency to decrease with increasing aging time,which was in aggrement with the change of thickness with aging time.In addition,the coatings on solution-treated Mg-6 wt pct Al alloy had better microhardness and wear resistance than those on aged Mg-6 wt pct Al alloys.Consequently,it can be understood that the aging treatment has a deleterious influence on the mechanical properties of coatings on Mg-6 wt pct Al alloy.

Mechanical properties, corrosion behaviors and microstructures of 7075 aluminium alloy with various aging treatments

The influence of two novel aging treatments, T6I6 (130 ℃, 80 min + 65 ℃, 240 h+130 ℃, 18 h) and high-temperature pre-precipitation(HTPP) aging (445 ℃, 30 min+120 ℃, 24 h) on the tensile properties, intergranular corrosion, exfoliation corrosion behaviors and microstructures of 7075 Al alloy was studied, which were compared with the T6, T73 and RRA treatments. Fine η′ precipitate with high density was obtained in the alloy with the T6 and RRA treatments. The η′ precipitate density in the HTPP aged alloy is decreased due to the formation of coarse particles during the pre-precipitation process at high temperature of 445 ℃. The 7075-T6I6 alloy possesses higher precipitate density and whole precipitate volume fraction within the grain than the 7075-T73 alloy, and its whole precipitate volume fraction is even greater than that of the 7075-T6 alloy. Compared with T6 treatment, the RRA, T73, T6I6 and HTPP aging treatments cause the discontinuous distribution of the η precipitates at the grain boundary, which decreases the intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion susceptibility of the alloy. Meanwhile, the T6I6 and RRA treatments can keep the high strength of the 7075 Al alloy, but the studied HTPP aging and T73 treatments lower its strength.

Effects of electric field treatment on microstructures of GH4199 superalloy after long-term aging

The effects of electric field intensity and treatment temperature on the microstructures of GH4199 superalloy after long-term aging were investigated. The results show that the number and size of carbides and TCP(σphase andμphase) phase in the alloy increase with increasing electric field intensity at the same heat treatment temperature and holding time. While the number and size of carbides and TCP phase are weekly influenced by treatment temperature with lower electric field intensity of 2 kV/cm. When the treat temperature is up to 1 093 K, annealing twins appear in the alloy, and the number of twins increases with increasing holding time. Since the electric field can provide the enough energy for the movement of vacancies and atom, it is considered that the nucleus of the twins formed with formation stack faults due to the mismatch of local atom in crystal caused by the vacancies, and the twins will grow with the increase of holding time. Meanwhile, such promoting effects on atom movement of the electric field increase with the increase of the electric field intensity, meantime the carbides and TCP phase grow fast with the increase of electric field intensity.