Effect of homogenization annealing on microstructure, composition and mechanical properties of 7050/6009 bimetal slab

Homogenization annealing of the 7050/6009 bimetal slab prepared by direct-chill casting was investigated and its effects on microstructural evolution, composition distribution and mechanical properties in the interfacial region of the bimetal were studied. The results show that the optimized homogenization annealing process was 460℃for 24 h. After homogenization annealing, the Zn-rich phases and Al15（FeMn）3Si2phases were precipitated at the interface of the bimetal. The diffusion layer thickness of homogenized bimetal increased by 30 μm from 440 to480℃for 24 h, while it increased by 280 μm from 12 to 36 h at 460℃. The Vickers hardnessesat 6009 alloy side and interface of the bimetal decreased after homogenized annealing and grain coarsening was considered asthedominating softening mechanism.The hardness variation at 7050 alloy side was complicated due to the combined action of solution strengthening, dispersion strengthening and dissolution of reinforced phases.

Effect of homogenization annealing on internal residual stress distribution and texture in ME21 magnesium alloy extruded plates

The distribution of residual stresses through thickness of 5 mm-thick ME21 magnesium alloy extruded plates was analyzed non-destructively using short-wavelength X-ray diffraction(SWXRD),and the effect of homogenization annealing before extrusion on the residual stress was discussed.The classic d 0 method with an annealed stress-free reference specimen was employed to determine the residual stress of the extruded plates.The residual stress results showed that the gradient of residual stress in the transverse direction was larger than that of the extrusion direction.The homogenization process prior to extrusion weaken the formed sample’s texture.The maximum residual stress of the as-extruded plate was reduced,and the residual stress distribution was homogenized.

Effect of solution treatment on the martensitic transformation behavior of a Ni_(43)Co_7Mn_(39)Sn_(11) polycrystalline alloy

The effect of solution treatment on the martensitic transformation behavior of a Ni43Co7Mn39Sn11 polycrystalline alloy fabricated by an arc melting method was investigated by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy（EDS）, and differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）. The examination indicates the presence of severe chemical segregation in the dendritic as-cast structure because of solidification. This chemical segregation completely impedes the intrinsic martensitic transformation. Annealing at 1223 K for 24 h is identified as the threshold annealing condition to eliminate the microstructural segregation and begin the martensitic transformation, as indicated by a broad and obscure feature. Annealing at 1273 K for 24–48 h is found to be effective at promoting notably the martensitic transformation, but the martensitic transformation exhibits a multiple-step feature. Complete homogeneity is achieved by annealing at 1273 K for 72 h, which produces a sharp, single-step martensitic transformation. The microstructural evolution and the valence electron concentrations of alloys（e/a ratio） are evaluated, which are reflective of the degree of compositional homogeneity of alloys, confirming that high annealing temperature and long holding time are vital to reveal the intrinsic martensitic behavior of this alloy. The adequately homogenized alloy displays a martensitic transformation at 292 K and an enthalpy of 11.2 J/g.