Hybrid machine learning and microstructure-based approach for modeling relationship between microstructure and hardness of AA2099 Al−Li alloy

A hybrid approach combining machine learning and microstructure analysis was proposed to investigate the relationship between microstructure and hardness of AA2099 Al−Li alloy through nano-indentation,X-ray diffraction(XRD)and electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)technologies.Random forest regression(RFR)model was employed to predict hardness based on microstructural features and uncover influential factors and their rankings.The results show that the increased hardness correlates with a smaller distance from indentation to grain boundary(D_(dis))or a shorter minimum grain axis(D_(min)),a lower Schmidt factor in friction stir weld direction(SF_(FD)),and higher sine values of the angle between{111}slip plane and surface(sinθ_(min)).D_(dis) and D_(min) emerge as pivotal determinants in hardness prediction.High-angle grain boundaries imped dislocation slip,thereby increasing hardness.Crystallographic orientation also significantly influences hardness,especially in the presence of T_(1) phases along{111}Al habit planes.This effect is attributable to the variation in encountered T_(1) variants during indenter loading.Consequently,the importance ranking of microstructural features shifts depending on T_(1) phase abundance:in samples with limited T_(1) phases,D_(dis) or D_(min)>SF_(FD)>sinθ_(min),while in samples with abundant T_(1) phases,D_(dis) or D_(min)>sinθ_(min)>SF_(FD).

Effect of welding heat input and post-welded heat treatment on hardness of stir zone for friction stir-welded 2024-T3 aluminum alloy

The microstructure and hardness of the stir zone （SZ） with different welding heat inputs were investigated for friction stir-welded 2024-T3 aluminum by transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and Vickers micro-hardness test. The results show that welding heat input has a significant effect on the hardness of the SZ. Under high welding heat input condition, a higher welding speed is beneficial for improving the hardness of the SZ. However, when the welding heat input is low, the hardness of the SZ elevates with increasing the rotation speed. The hardness of the SZ decreases after post-welded heat treatment due to overaging. The joints welded at 500 r/min and 100 mm/min show a high resistance to overaging. The reduction of hardness in the SZ is only 3.8%, while in other joints, the reduction is more than 10%. The morphology of strengthening precipitates plays important roles for the improvement of hardness.

Influence of oxidation heat on hard anodic film of aluminum alloy

The special experimental device and sulfuric acid electrolyte were adopted to study the influence of anodic oxidation heat on hard anodic film for 2024 aluminum alloy. Compared with the oxidation heat transferred to the electrolyte through anodic film, the heat transferred to the coolant through aluminum substrate is more beneficial to the growth of anodic film. The film forming speed, film thickness, density and hardness are significantly increased as the degree of undercooling of the coolant increases. The degree of undercooling of the coolant, which is necessary for the growth of anodic film, is related to the degree of undercooling of the electrolyte, thickness of aluminum substrate, thickness of anodic film, natural parameters of bubble covering and current density. The microstructure and performance of the oxidation film could be controlled by the temperature of the coolant.

Effects of high pressure on the microstructure and hardness of a Cu-Zn alloy

The microstructure of a Cu-Zn alloy treated under different high pressures was investigated by means of metallographic, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and the hardness of the Cu-Zn alloy was also measured. The results show that the ct phase with a smaller grain size, different shapes, and random distribution appears in the Cu-Zn alloy during the solid-state phase transformation generation in the temperature range of 25-750℃ and the pressure range of 0-6 GPa. The amount of residual α phase in the microstructure decreases and then increases with increasing pressure. Under a high pressure of 3 GPa, the least volume fraction of residual a phase was obtained, and under a high pressure of 6 GPa, the changes of the microstructure of the Cu-Zn alloy were not obvious. In addition, high pressure can increase the hardness of the Cu-Zn alloy, but it cannot generate any new phase.

Influence of alloying elements on microstructure and microhardness of Mg-Sn-Zn-based alloys

The phase evolution in （88%-91%）Mg-8%Sn-l%Zn-X （X=A1, Mn and/or Ce） system was analyzed via CALPHAD method and simulations were used in precise selection of the chemical composition. The influence of the addition of different alloying elements such as A1, Mn and Ce on the microstructure and microhardness of Mg-8%Sn-l%Zn-based alloys was investigated. Combined addition of A1 and Mn shows features distinct from separate addition of A1 or Mn. Additions of l%AI and l%Mn to base alloy result in the formation of massive A1-Mn phase in a-Mg matrix grains. Addition of Ce element can refme the second eutectic precipitates and form intermetallic compounds with Sn. Fine rod-like Sn-Ce phase presents mainly on the grain boundaries and plays a role in inhibiting grain growth. The effects of alloying elements on Vickers microhardness and indentation size effect of base alloy were examined.

Effect of Ca addition on modification of primary Mg_(2)Si,hardness and wear behavior in Mg-Si hypereutectic alloys

The effect of Ca addition on modification of primary Mg_(2)Si,hardness and wear behavior in Mg-5 wt.%Si hypereutectic alloy has been investigated.The results showed clearly that without Ca addition,most of primary Mg_(2)Si appeared as coarse dendritic morphology with average size of about 215μm.With the addition of 0.1 wt.%Ca,the average size of primary Mg_(2)Si decreased to about 98μm,but their morphologies did not significantly changed.As the addition level of Ca increased to 0.3 wt.%,the average size of primary Mg_(2)Si decreased significantly to about 50μm and their morphologies changed to polyhedral shape.However,with further increasing Ca addition to 0.6 wt.%and 1 wt.%,some needle-like and blocky CaMgSi particles formed and the average size of primary Mg_(2)Si increased slightly,which could described as over-modification.The present work showed that the optimal modification effect could be obtained when the Ca content in the investigated alloy reached 0.3 wt.%.The modification mechanism may be referred mainly due to poisoning effect resulting from the segregation of Ca atoms at the growth front of the Mg_(2)Si and the adsorption effect of some Ca atoms in the Mg_(2)Si crystal growth plane.The 0.3 wt.%Ca-added alloy has the highest hardness value and the best wear resistance among all other alloys.An excessive Ca addition resulted in the formation of some needle-like and blocky CaMgSi particles,which was detrimental to hardness and wear behavior of the 0.6 wt.%and 1 wt.%Ca-added alloys.The wear mechanism of investigated alloys is a mild abrasive oxidative wear with little adhesion.

Microstructure, Texture, and Hardness Evolutions of Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloy during Annealing Treatment

Microstructure, texture and hardness evolutions of Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy during annealing treatment were studied by microstructure, texture and hardness characterization in the present study. The experimental results show that microstructure, texture and hardness will change to some extent with the increase of annealing temperature. The microstructure transforms from the elongated bands to elongated grains first, and then the grains grow continuously. The texture transforms from the initial deformation texture b fiber to recrystallization texture mainly consisting of CubeND {001}<310> and P {011}<122> orientations first, and then the recrystallization texture may be enhanced continuously as a result of the grain growth. Hardness decreases slowly at first, and then decreases sharply and increases significantly finally. Besides, the particle distributions also have great changes. As the annealing temperature increases, they increase firstly as a result of precipitation, and then gradually disappear as a result of dissolution. Finally, the effect of annealing temperature on microstructure, texture and hardness evolutions is discussed.

Sintering behavior, microstructure and properties of TiC-FeCr hard alloy

TiC based cermets were produced with FeCr, as a binder, by conventional P/M （powder metallurgy） to near 〉97% of the theoretical density. Sintering temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties of the composite. The sintering temperature of 〉1360℃ caused severe chemical reaction between TiC particles and the binder phase. In the TiC-FeCr cermets, the mechanical properties did not vary linearly with the carbide content. Optimum mechanical properties were found in the composite containing 57wt% TiC reinforcement, when sintered at 1360℃ for 1 h. Use of carbon as an additive enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Cermets containing carbon as an additive with 49wt% TiC exhibited attractive mechanical properties. The microstructure of the developed composite contained less or no debonding, representing good wettabifity of the binder with TiC particles. Homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles ensured the presence of isotropic mechanical properties and homogeneous distribution of stresses in the composite. Preliminary experiments for evaluation of the oxidation resistance of FeCr bonded TiC cermets indicate that they are more resistant than WC-Co hardmetals.

Microstructure characterization and hardness of Al-Cu-Mn eutectic alloy

The composition of Al-Cu-Mn ternary eutectic alloy was chosen to be Al-32.5 wt.%Cu-0.6 wt.%Mn to the Al2 Cu and Al12 Cu Mn2 solid phases within an aluminum matrix(α-Al) from its melt. The Al-32.5 wt.%Cu-0.6 wt.%Mn alloy was directionally solidified at a constant temperature gradient(G=8.1 K·mm^(-1)) with different growth rates, 8.4 to 166.2 μm·s^(-1),by using a Bridgman-type furnace. The eutectic temperature(the melting point) of 547.85 °C for the Al-32.5 wt.%Cu-0.6 wt.%Mn alloy was obtained from the DTA curve of the temperature difference between the test sample and the inert reference sample versus temperature or time. The lamellar spacings(λ) were measured from transverse sections of the samples. The dependencies of lamellar spacings(λAl-Al2 Cu) and microhardness on growth rates were obtained as, λ_(Al-Al2Cu)=3.02 V^(-0.36), HV=153.2(V)^(0.035), HV=170.6(λ)^(-0.09) and HV=144.3+0.82(λ_(AlAl2 Cu))^(-0.50), HV=149.9+53.48 V^(0.25), respectively, for the Al-Cu-Mn eutectic alloy. The bulk growth rates were determined as λ~2_(Al-Al2 Cu)·V = 25.38 μm^3·s^(-1) by using the measured values of λ_(Al-Al2 Cu) and V. A comparison of present results was also made with the previous similar experimental results.

Microstructure, hardness evolution and thermal stability of binary Al-7Mg alloy processed by ECAP with intermediate annealing

A binary Al-7Mg alloy was processed by equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） at room temperature via route Bc, combined with intermediate annealing. After 6 passes, a high hardness of HV218 is achieved. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） observations demonstrate that ECAP leads to a significant grain refinement and ultrafine grains down to 100-200 nm are developed after 5 or 6 passes. X-ray diffraction （XRD） analysis indicates that the major part of Mg atoms are in solid solution in the deformed material, and the possible strengthening effect of Mg solute atom clusters or precipitates is neglected. The high hardness of the 6 pass-treated materials comes mainly from grain boundary strengthening, which contributes about 41% to the total strength, while dislocations and Mg solid solution contribute about 24% and 35% to the remaining strength, respectively. Also, the thermal stability of this severely deformed material was investigated by hardness measurements. The material is relatively stable when annealed at a temperature lower than 250 ℃, while annealing at 300 ℃ leads to a rapid softening of the material.

Application of response surface methodology to maximize tensile strength and minimize interface hardness of friction welded dissimilar joints of austenitic stainless steel and copper alloy

An attempt was made to optimize friction welding parameters to attain a minimum hardness at the interface and a maximum tensile strength of the dissimilar joints of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel （ASS） and copper （Cu） alloy using response surface methodology （RSM）. Three-factor, five-level central composite design matrix was used to specify experimental conditions. Twenty joints were fabricated using ASS and Cu alloy. Tensile strength and interface hardness were measured experimentally. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） method was used to find out significant main and interaction parameters and empirical relationships were developed using regression analysis. The friction welding parameters were optimized by constructing response graphs and contour plots using design expert software. The developed empirical relationships can be effectively used to predict tensile strength and interface hardness of friction welded ASS-Cu joints at 95% confidence level. The developed contour plots can be used to attain required level of optimum conditions to join ASS-Cu alloy by friction welding process.

Homogeneity of microstructure and Vickers hardness in cold closed-die forged spur-bevel gear of 20Cr Mn Ti alloy

Cold closed-die forging is a suitable process to produce spur-bevel gears due to its advantages, such as saving materials and time, reducing costs, increasing die life and improving the quality of the product. The homogeneity of microstructure of cold closed-die forged gears can highly affect their service performance. The homogeneity of microstructure and Vickers hardness in cold closed-die forged gear of 20 Cr Mn Ti alloy is comprehensively studied by using optical microscopy and Vickers hardness tester. The results show that the distribution homogeneity of the aspect ratio of grain and Vickers hardness is the same. In the circumferential direction of the gear tooth, the distribution of the aspect ratio of grain and Vickers hardness is inhomogeneous and they gradually decrease from the surface to the center of the tooth. In the radial direction, the distribution of the aspect ratio of grain and Vickers hardness is inhomogeneous on the surface of the gear tooth; while it is relatively homogeneous in the center of the gear tooth. In the axial direction of the gear tooth, the distribution of the aspect ratio of grain and Vickers hardness is relatively homogeneous from the small-end to the large-end of the gear tooth.

Effect of experimental parameters on the micro hardness of plasma sprayed alumina coatings on AZ31B magnesium alloy

Surface treatment of engineering materials has recently become important for serviceable engineering components.Many techniques such as thermal and thermo chemical surface treatments have been used to develop surface characteristics of materials.Hardness is the most important property,which influences considerably service life characteristics of coatings.In this investigation,alumina coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spray technique under different levels of power,stand-off distances and powder feed rates.Empirical relationship was developed to predict the micro hardness of alumina coatings by incorporating the plasma spray process parameters.The input power and the stand-off distance appeared to be the most significant two parameters affecting the hardness of the coating among the three investigated process parameters.Further,correlating the spray parameters with coating properties enables the identification of characteristics regime to achieve desired quality of coatings.

Ageing Effect on Hardness and Microstructure of Al-Zn-Mg Alloys

Experimental results of the investigation on the hardness of two Al-Zn-Mg alloys [Al-10.0 Zn-4.0 Mg and Al-8.5 Zn-3.0 Mg (wt pct)] aged in the temperature range 60～310℃ for different intervals of time from 1/4 h to 168 h are presented. Both the alloys were found to show identical behaviour of hardness with ageing time. Alloy with higher Zn and Mg content had higher hardness than the alloy with lower solute content. There were three ranges of temperature in which different types of precipitates formed and affected the hardness. Some of the grain boundaries were found to migrate and precipitate free zone has been observed.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Hardness and Impact Toughness of CuCr Containing RE Alloy

The effect of heat treatment on hardness and impact toughness of CuCr containing rare earth alloy was studied by means of metallographic, XRD, SEM/EDX, TEM and mechanical property test. The results show that the heat treatment can change the hardness of CuCr alloy, and has smaller influence to its impact toughness. The optimum properties of CuCr containing RE alloy could be obtained by aging treatment at 500 ℃ for 2 h. And the causes of the above changes and the function of RE were analyzed.

Effect of solution treatment on microstructure and hardness of rheo-forming AZ91-Y alloy

The microstructure and hardness of rheo-forming AZ91-Y alloy before and after solution treatment(ST)have been investigated by means of optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM)equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Vickers.The experimental results showed that theβ-Mg17Al12 phase of alloy was nearly dissolved after ST for 5 min.With the increasing of ST duration to 28 h,both the primary and secondarily solidifiedα-Mg grains faded away.At the same time,the alloy exhibited a much smoother surface due to the diffusion of solute atoms(Al).During ST,the thermal stable phase of Al2 Y produced by ultrasonic vibration retained its size and morphology.As the ST duration was increased,the alloy hardness decreased sharply at first,and then gradually reached a minimum level.The alloy's appropriate ST duration at 410°C was approximately 28 h.

Formation and thermal stability of connected hard skeleton structure in ATX525 cast alloys

The formation and the thermal stability of a connected hard skeleton structure(CHSS) in the matrix of Mg-5Al-2Sn-5Ca(ATX525) alloy were investigated by using X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, creep tester and isothermal treatment method. The results indicated that the CHSS composed of Mg2(Al,Ca) and Al2 Ca intermetallics was formed into a typical eutectic structure and no obvious change occurred when the samples were isothermally treated at 250 °C for 96 h and 350 °C for 72 h, respectively. It became a chained structure when isothermally treated at 450 °C for 48 h. The dissolution and reconstruction processes, however, were observed for the CHSS when the processing temperature was up to 550 °C. The creep life at the stress-temperature condition of 50MPa/200°C for the alloy treated at 450 °C for 48 h was as high as 510 h, and the strain at creep time of 100 h was as low as 0.03%, which indicated that the present alloy has not only a good thermal stability, but also a better heat resistance.

Influence of alloy ingredients on mechanical properties of ternary boride hard alloy clad materials

Using Mo, B-Fe alloy and Fe powders as raw materials, and adding C, Cr and Ni ingredients, respectively, or C, Cr and Ni mixed powders, ternary boride hard alloy clad materials was prepared on Q235 steel substrate by means of in-situ reaction and vacuum liquid phase sintering technology. The influence of alloy ingredients on the mechanical properties of ternary boride hard alloy clad materials was investigated. The results indicate that a mixture of 0.8% C, 5% Cr and 2% Ni ingredients gives a ternary boride hard alloy clad material with optimal mechanical properties, such as high transverse rupture strength, high hardness and good wear resistance.

Effects of Be additions on microstructure, hardness and tensile properties of A380 aluminum alloy

The effects of beryllium (Be) on the microstructure, hardness and tensile properties of A380 aluminum alloy were investigated. The base and Be-containing A380 alloys were conventionally cast in a ductile iron mold. The microstructure evolution was investigated using SEM and optical microscope. The mechanical properties were assessed using tensile and hardness tests, finally the rapture surfaces of the used samples were studied to reveal the fracture mechanism in the presence of Be. The results revealed that the plateletβ intermetallic phases were transformed into relatively harmless Chinese script Be?Fe phase and eutectic Si phases changed from flake-like particles into fine ones. The corresponding ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation values increased from 270 MPa to 295 MPa and 3.7% to 4.7%, respectively. Additionally, the hardness of A380 alloy decreased continuously with increasing Be content. While the fracture surfaces of the unmodified A380 alloy tensile samples showed a clear brittle fracture nature, while finer dimple and fewer brittle cleavage surfaces were seen in the alloys with Be addition. Moreover, in the presence of Be, due to the refined phases, there has been a decrease in the values of hardness.

Effects of aging parameters on hardness and electrical conductivity of Cu-Cr-Sn-Zn alloy by artificial neural network

In order to predict and control the properties of Cu-Cr-Sn-Zn alloy,a model of aging processes via an artificial neural network(ANN) method to map the non-linear relationship between parameters of aging process and the hardness and electrical conductivity properties of the Cu-Cr-Sn-Zn alloy was set up.The results show that the ANN model is a very useful and accurate tool for the property analysis and prediction of aging Cu-Cr-Sn-Zn alloy.Aged at 470-510 ℃ for 4-1 h,the optimal combinations of hardness 110-117(HV) and electrical conductivity 40.6-37.7 S/m are available respectively.