Effect of Plastic Deformation on Microstructure and Properties of Cu-(1 wt%-6 wt%) Ag Alloy

In the present study,the Cu-(1 wt%-6 wt%)Ag alloys were prepared by melting,forging and wire drawing.The effects of plastic deformation on microstructure evolution and properties of the alloys were investigated.The results show that non-equilibrium eutectic colonies exist in the Cu-(3 wt%-6 wt%)Ag alloy and no eutectic colonies in the 1 wt%-2 wt%Ag containing alloys.These eutectic colonies are aligned along the drawing direction and refined with the increase of draw ratio.Attributed to the refinement of eutectic colonies,the Cu-Ag alloy exhibits higher strength with the increase of draw ratio.The Cu-6Ag alloy exhibits excellent comprehensive properties with a strength of 930 MPa and a conductivity of 82%IACS when the draw ratio reaches 5.7.

MICROSTRUCTURE OF BINARY Mg-Al EUTECTIC ALLOY WIRES PRODUCED BY THE OHNO CONTINUOUS CASTING PROCESS

Directionally solidified binary Mg-Al eutectic alloy wires of approximately 5 mm in diameter were produced by the Ohno continuous casting （OCC） process and the microstructure was examined. It was found that the wires possess obvious unidirectional growth characteristic along its axial direction. The microstructure consists of parallel columnar grains that resulted from the competitive growth of equiaxed grains solidified on the head of dummy bar. Each columnar grain comprises regular eutectic a-Mg and β-Mg17 Al12 phases, which grew along the axial direction of the wires. The morphology of the eutectic is mainly lamellar, meanwhile rod eutectic exists. The formation of rod eutectic was attributed to the ＂bridging effect＂ caused by incidental elements in the alloy.

A High-Strength and Biodegradable Zn–Mg Alloy with Refined Ternary Eutectic Structure Processed by ECAP

In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviors of a Zn–1.6 Mg(wt%) alloy during multipass rotary die equal channel angle pressing(RD-ECAP) processing at 150 °C were systematically investigated. The results indicated that a Zn + Mg2 Zn11 + MgZn2 ternary eutectic structure was formed in as-cast Zn–Mg alloy. After ECAP, the primary Zn matrix turned to fine dynamic recrystallization(DRX) grains, and the network-shaped eutectic structure was crushed into fine particles and blended with DRX grains. Owing to the refined microstructure, dispersed eutectic structure and dynamically precipitated precipitates, the 8 p-ECAP alloy possessed the optimal mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 474 MPa and elongation of 7%. Moreover, the electrochemical results showed that the ECAP alloys exhibited similar corrosion rates with that of as-cast alloys in simulated body fluid, which suggests that a high-strength Zn–Mg alloy was successfully developed without sacrifice of the corrosion resistance.

INFLUENCE OF LANTHANUM ON THE STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUMSILICON EUTECTIC ALLOY

This paper deals with the characteristics of silicon modification with lanthanum of Al-Si eutectic alloy in sand mold and metal mold with optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,electron microprobe and X-ray diffractometer.It is found that the amount of lanthanum,liquid alloy condition,holding time and stir- ring liquid influence the modification of silicon.The modification of silicon with lanthanum is of long effectiveness and has a“incubation time”.The modification can improve the ductility(δ_s)and tensile strength (σ_b)of the alloy,but their maximum values are not corresponding to the same amount of lanthanum.

Effect of gallium addition on microstructure and properties of Ag-Cu-Zn-Sn alloys＊

The effects of Ga on microstructures and mechanical properties of the cadmium-free silver based brazing filler metals have been investigated. The results indicated that C,a additions had the noticeable effect on the microstructure, especially on the shape of the phases. With the increase of Ga addition, the amount of eutectic structure increased, and the acicular eutectic structure changed into the fine eutectic structure with micro-vermiform and rod-like shape. When the addition of Ga was 3.0 wt. %, none of defects exist in the microstructure of the brazed joint. The tensile strength increased from 382 MPa to 511 MPa with the content of Ga increasing from 0 to 3.0 wt. %.

Solidification behavior and rheo-diecasting microstructure of A356 aluminum alloy prepared by self-inoculation method

Semisolid slurry of A356 aluminum alloy was prepared by self-inoculation method, and the microstructure and solidification behavior during rheo-diecasting process were investigated. The results indicate that the semisolid slurry of A356 aluminum alloy can be prepared by self-inoculation method at 600 °C. Primary α-Al particles with fine and spherical morphologies are uniformly distributed when the isothermal holding time of slurry is 3 min. Liquid phase segregation occurs during rheo-diecasting process of semisolid slurry and the primary particles(α1) show obvious plastic deformation in the area of high stress and low cooling rate. A small amount of dendrites resulting from the relatively low temperature of the shot chamber at the initial stage of secondary solidification are fragmented as they pass through the in-gate during the mould filling process. The amount of dendrite fragments decreases with the increase of filling distance. During the solidification process of the remaining liquid, the nucleation rate of secondary particles(α2) increases with the increase of cooling rate, and the content of Si in secondary particles(α2) are larger than primary particles(α1). With the increase of cooling rate, the content of Si in secondary particles(α2) gradually increases. The morphologies of eutectic Si in different parts of die casting are noticeably different. The low cooling rate in the first filling positions leads to coarse eutectic structures, while the high cooling rate in the post filling positions promotes small and compact eutectic structures.

Eutectic reaction and cored dendritic morphology in yttrium doped Zr-based amorphous alloys

The microalloying effect of yttrium on the crystallization behaviors of （Zr0.525Al0.10Ti0.05Cu0.179Ni0.146）100-xYx, and （Zr0.55Al0.15- Ni0.10Cu0.20）100-xYx （x=0, 0.4, and 1, thus the two alloy systems were denoted as Zr52.5, Zr52.5Y0.4, Zr52.5Y1, and Zr55, Zr55Y0.4, Zr55Y1, respectively） was studied. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） results suggested that the crystalline phases were different in the two Zr-based alloys and with different yttrium contents. ZrNi-phase and Al3Zr5 phase precipitations can be well explained by the mechanisms of nucleation and growth. Al3Zr5 phase is mainly formed by a peritectic-like reaction, while ZrNi-phase by a eutectic reaction. The contents of elements Y, A1, and Ti may dominate the reaction types. The orientation relationship between Y203 particles and A13Zr5 phase is also discussed.

Microstructures and Morphology Evolution of Icosahedral Phase of As-cast Mg_(67.4)Zn_(28.9)Y_(3.7) Ternary Alloy Subjected to the Pouring Temperature

The microstructure, chemical composition and morphology evolution of icosahedral quasicrystalline phase of Mg67.4Zn28.9Y3.7 ternary alloy were investigated in detail at different pouring temperatures by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy-dispersive spectrum （EDS）. Low interracial energy favors the formation of l-phase. The experimental results show that the primary l-phase reveals petal-shaped with five and six branches, where each branch has facetted growth morphology with the size ranging from 50 to 100μm. As the temperature decreases, the polygon-shaped l-phase forms, attributed to the decomposition of branch of petal-shaped l-phase, and then it grows bigger and some of the fine polygons join together to form large polygons. Besides these, （α-Mg＋l-phase） eutectic structures disappear and the relative amount of Mg7Zn3 phase increases as the pouring temperature decreases. The chemical composition and morphology evolution of l-phase were also discussed.

Toughening mechanism of lined Al_2O_3-ZrO_2 multiphaseceramics in SHS composite pipes

Hypoeutectic and hypereutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics-lined composite pipes were produced by using the gravitational separation self-propagate high-temperature synthesis （SHS） process. The microstructure of the ceramics was observed by means of SEM and EPMA. The fracture toughness of the multiphase ceramics was tested by using the Vickers indentation method. The fracture toughness of hypoeutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics is 15.96 MPa·m^1/2 and that of hypoeutectic Al2O3-ZrO2 multiphase ceramics is 15.23 MPa·m^1/2. The toughening mechanisms were systematically investigated by means of SEM and XRD. The results show that the bridging toughening mechanism, stress induced ZrO2 transformation toughening mechanism, and microcrack toughening mechanism are the predominant toughening mechanism.

Unique strength-ductility balance of AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)eutectic high entropy alloy with ultra-fine duplex microstructure prepared by selective laser melting

As a typical dual-phase eutectic high entropy alloy(EHEA),AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)can achieve the fair matching of strength and ductility,which has attracted wide attention.However,the engineering applications of as-cast AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEAs still face challenges,such as coarse grain and low yield strength resulting from low solidification rate and temperature gradient.In this study,selective laser melting(SLM)was introduced into the preparation of AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEA to realize unique strength-ductility balance,with emphasis on investigating the effects of processing parameters on its eutectic microstructure and properties.The results show that the SLM-ed samples exhibit a completely eutectic structure consisting of ultra-fine face-centered cubic(FCC)and ordered body-centered cubic(B2)phases,and the duplex microstructure undergoes a morphological evolution from lamellar structure to cellular structure as laser energy input reducing.The SLM-ed AlCoCrFeNi_(2.1)EHEA presents an excellent match of high tensile strength(1271 MPa),yield strength(966 MPa),and good ductility(22.5%)at room temperature,which are significantly enhanced by the ultra-fine grains and heterogeneous structure due to rapid solidification rate and high temperature gradient during SLM.Especially,the yield strength increment of~50%is realized with no loss in ductility as compared with the as-cast samples with the same composition.On this basis,the precise complex component with excellent mechanical properties is well achieved.This work paves the way for the performance improvement and complex parts preparation of EHEA by microstructural design using laser additive manufacturing.

Strengthening CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy by Laves and boride phases

To strengthen the face-centered-cubic(FCC)type CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy(HEA)by in-situ reinforced phase,(CoCrFeNi)_(100-x)(NbB_(2))_(x)(x=0,2,4,6,8,at.%)alloys were prepared.Phase constitution,microstructure,tensile mechanical properties of the alloys were studied,and the mechanisms were discussed.Results show that the microstructure of all the reinforced alloys consists of the matrix FCC phase,Laves phase,and(Cr_(3)Fe)B_(x) phase.The eutectic structure and(Cr_(3)Fe)B_(x) phases are formed in the interdendritic region,and the eutectic structure is composed of Laves and FCC phases.When x increases from 0 to 8,i.e.,with increase of Nb and B elements,the volume fraction of Laves and(Cr_(3)Fe)B_(x) phases increases gradually from 0 to 5.84%and 8.3%,respectively.Tensile testing results show that the ultimate strength of the alloys increases gradually from 409 MPa to 658 MPa,while the fracture strain decreases from 75%to 1.6%.Fracture analysis shows that the crack originates from the(Cr_(3)Fe)B_(x) phase.The CoCrFeNi alloys are mainly strengthened by the second phase(Laves phase and boride phase).

Mechanical size effect of eutectic high entropy alloy:Effect of lamellar orientation

The effect of lamellar orientation on the deformation behavior of eutectic high entropy alloy at the micrometer scale,and the roles of two rarely explored laminate orientations(i.e.,the lamellar orientation at~0°and 45°angles with the loading direction)in regulating size-dependent plasticity were investigated using in-situ micropillar compression tests.The alloy,CoCrFe NiTa_(0.395),consists of alternating layers of Laves and FCC phases.It was found that the yield stress of the 0°pillars scaled inversely with the pillar diameters,in which the underlying deformation mode was observed to transform from pillar kinking or buckling to shear banding as the diameter decreased.In the case of the 450 pillars with diameters ranging from 0.4 to 3μm,there exists a’weakest’diameter of~1μm,at which both constraint effect and dislocation starvation are ineffective.Irrespective of the lamellar orientations,the strain hardening rate decreased with decreasing pillar diameter due to the diminishing dislocation accumulation that originated from the softening nature of large shear bands in the 0°pillars,and the enhanced probability of dislocation annihilation at the increased free surfaces in the 45°pillars.The findings expand and deepen the understanding of the mechanical size effect in small-scale crystalline materials and,in so doing,provide a critical dimension for the development of high-performing materials used for nanoor microelectromechanical systems.

Eutectic-reaction brazing of Al_(0.3)CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys using Ni/Nb/Ni interlayers

In this study,a novel eutectic-reaction brazing of Al_(0.3)CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloys(HEAs)^(1)was investigated with a design of laminated Ni/Nb/Ni interlayers.The typical Al_(0.3)CoCrFeNi brazing seam consisted of proeutecticγ,the lamellar eutectic structure composed of face-centered cubic(FCC)phase(eutecticγ)and C14 Laves,as well as a few amounts of Nb based solid solution.A high density of nanoscale ordered L1_(2)(γ)phase was precipitated withinγphase matrix.With the brazing temperature raised from 1200 to 1320℃,the dissolution volume of Al_(0.3)CoCrFeNi alloy into Ni-Nb liquid was increased.The microstructure of the brazing seam changed from hypereutectic(blocky Laves+γphase)to eutectic(Laves+eutecticγ)to hypoeutectic structures(proeutecticγ+Laves/γeutectic structure).The shear strength of joints was increased gradually due to the formation of eutectic lamellae and the cellular growth of proeutecticγphase.The maximum shear strength of the joint brazed at 1320℃for 10 min was up to 592 MPa,reaching 95%of the base metal.The joint mainly ruptured in the soft proeutecticγphase in a ductile fracture mode.

Evolution of Microstructure for Superalloy Inconel 625 by Electromagnetic Stirring

Due to its excellent creep rupture strength and prominent corrosion resistant properties under various circurmstances,superalloy Inconel 625 has been extensively used in aviation industry and chemical industry.The mechanical strength,which is a particularly important indicator for the superalloy,strongly depends on the matrix structure and crabide distribution.In current study,we have investigated the influence of linear travelling magnetic field(LMF)on the solidified microstructures of superalloy Inconel 625.The result has demonstrated that the solidification route is not affected but the size and amount of NbC and Laves+γ eutectic structure are significantly influenced by the application of electromagnetic field due to the introduction of a forced convection which changes the diffusion process of element niobium.The application of LMF has increased the mount of NbC with larger size,as well as the fraction of eutectic structnre.Furthermore,Compared to the normal cooling condition,the Nb and Mo elements were observed to be enriched in the interdendritic area with LMF,which is confirmed to be the main reason to enhance the growth of carbide and Laves phase in solidification process.

Decomposition of Nb_(3)Si and mechanical-property improvement by adding appropriate amount of MgO in Nb-16Si-20Ti alloy

Five Nb-16Si-20Ti-xMgO alloys(x=0,0.1,0.5,1.0 and 3.0)were prepared via arc melting in this study,and the effect of MgO addition on their phase composition,microstructure evolution,and mechanical properties was examined.The results demonstrated that MgO reacted with the Nb-Si-Ti alloy while Mg atoms replaced Nb atoms in the Nbss phase.The hypoeutectic alloy was transformed into a hypereutectic alloy upon the addition of 3.0 at%MgO,and the Nb_(3)Si phases decomposed into a fine Nbss/α-Nb5Si3 eutectic structure.The highest fracture toughness was achieved for the Nb-16Si-20Ti-3MgO alloy,with an ambient fracture toughness value of 9.4 MPa·m^(-1/2)due to its largest Nbss phase content and optimal Nbss/α-Nb_(5)Si_(3)eutectic structure.Furthermore,the alloy compressive strength increased with MgO addition.The compressive strength of the Nb-16Si-20Ti-3MgO alloy was 2624.1 MPa,26.0%higher than that of Nb-16Si-20Ti,due to the formation of a solid solution of Mg atoms in the Nbss phase and reinforcement of a small amount of the Ti_(2)O phase.Finally,an increase in the content of the Nbss/α-Nb_(5)Si_(3)eutectic structure increased both the alloy strength and fracture strain.

High-temperature ultra-strength of dual-phase Re_(0.5)MoNbW(TaC)_(0.5) high-entropy alloy matrix composite

The dual-phase Re_(0.5)MoNbW(TaC)_(0.5) composite,consisting of refractory body-centered cubic(BCC)highentropy alloy and carbide with many fine eutectic structures,was successfully synthesized by arc melting.The phase stability,high-temperature mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism of the ascast composite were studied.The microstructure of the composite remained stable after annealing at 1300℃for 168 h.It exhibited remarkably high-temperature strength,yield strength~901 MPa,and true ultimate compressive strength~1186 MPa at 1200℃.The BCC phase and carbide exhibited a semi-coherent interface with good bonding after severe deformation at 1200℃.The dipolar dislocation walls in BCC phase,restricted dynamic interaction between defects in carbide,and the pinning effect of semi-coherent interface offered effective strengthening effects.