Effects of microstructure characteristics on the tensile properties and fracture toughness of TA15 alloy fabricated by hot isostatic pressing

Powder hot isostatic pressing(HIP) is an effective method to achieve near-net-shape manufacturing of high-quality complex thinwalled titanium alloy parts, and it has received extensive attention in recent years. However, there are few reports about the microstructure characteristics on the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of powder hot isostatic pressed(HIPed) titanium alloys. Therefore, TA15powder was prepared into alloy by HIP approach, which was used to explore the microstructure characteristics at different HIP temperatures and the corresponding tensile properties and fracture toughness. Results show that the fabricated alloy has a “basket-like structure” when the HIP temperature is below 950℃, consisting of lath clusters and surrounding small equiaxed grains belts. When the HIP temperature is higher than 950℃, the microstructure gradually transforms into the Widmanstatten structure, accompanied by a significant increase in grain size. The tensile strength and elongation are reduced from 948 MPa and 17.3% for the 910℃ specimen to 861 MPa and 10% for the 970℃ specimen.The corresponding tensile fracture mode changes from transcrystalline plastic fracture to mixed fracture including intercrystalline cleavage.The fracture toughness of the specimens increases from 82.64 MPa·m^(1/2)for the 910℃ specimen to 140.18 MPa·m^(1/2)for the 970℃ specimen.Specimens below 950℃ tend to form holes due to the prior particle boundaries(PPBs), which is not conducive to toughening. Specimens above 950℃ have high fracture toughness due to the crack deflection, crack branching, and shear plastic deformation of the Widmanstatten structure. This study provides a valid reference for the development of powder HIPed titanium alloy.

Preparation and water sorption properties of novel SiO_(2)-LiBr microcapsules for water-retaining pavement

Novel SiO_(2)-LiBr microcapsules for water-retaining pavement were prepared and firstly characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM),particle size analysis,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).The water vapor sorption and desorption of the formulated microcapsules was then experimentally studied using dynamic vapor sorption(DVS),with the results fitted to three kinds of adsorption kinetics models.In addition,the specific surface area(SSA)was also calculated based on BET theory;and the thermal performance was investigated by laser flash analysis(LFA).Experimental results show a change of 103%in mass of the microcapsule sample under 90%relative humidity(RH)at 30℃after water vapor sorption.The fitting of results indicates that the adsorption process is mainly governed by the intra-particle diffusion mechanism,followed by the pseudo-first-order adsorption process.In comparison with most conventional pavement materials,it is found that the SSA of the formulated microcapsules is much larger while the thermal conductivity is lower.The unique properties of the formulated SiO_(2)-LiBr microcapsules have significant potential to take the edge off the urban heat island effect and reduce rutting when applied to water-retaining pavement materials.

Inclusions modification by rare earth in steel and the resulting properties: A review

Rare earth(RE) elements are excellent modifiers for non-metallic inclusions that inevitably appear in steel and affect steel properties. This paper reviews the research status of inclusions modification by RE elements and the changes it cause on steel properties. First, the inclusion changes caused by RE modification are described. Generally, after adding pure RE, the main evolution of inclusions occurs as M →M + RE-Al-O → RE-Al-O + RE_(2)O_(2)S → RE_(2)O_(2)S + RE—S/RE_(2)O_(2)S + RE-O with an increase in the RE content(M represents the inclusions before RE addition). The type of final inclusion obtained after RE modification is related to the relative contents of S and O in the steel. Moreover, fine, regular, and uniformly distributed inclusions can be obtained with appropriate RE addition. However, the effectiveness of inclusions modification by adding both RE and non-RE elements is closely related to the order of their addition. Second, the applications and advantages of thermodynamic calculations in the study of RE-modified inclusions are introduced. Third, the changes in the corrosion resistance, impact properties,and other properties of steel caused by the modification of inclusions by RE are reviewed. Finally, the perspectives and trends of inclusions modified by RE elements in the steel industry are presented.

Texture evolution and slip mode of a Ti-5.5Mo-7.2Al-4.5Zr-2.6Sn-2.1Cr dual-phase alloy during cold rolling based on multiscale crystal plasticity finite element model

The complex micromechanical response among grains remains a persistent challenge to understand the deformation mechanism of titanium alloys during cold rolling.Therefore,in this work,a multiscale crystal plasticity finite element method of dual-phase alloy was proposed and secondarily developed based on LS-DYNA software.Afterward,the texture evolution and slip mode of a Ti-5.5Mo-7.2Al-4.5Zr-2.6Sn-2.1Cr alloy,based on the realistic 3D microstructure,during cold rolling(20%thickness reduction)were systematically investigated.The relative activity of the■slip system in theαphase gradually increased,and then served as the main slip mode at lower Schmid factor(<0.2).In contrast,the contribution of the■slip system to the overall plastic deformation was relatively limited.For theβphase,the relative activity of the<111>{110}slip system showed an upward tendency,indicating the important role of the critical resolved shear stress relationship in the relative activity evolutions.Furthermore,the abnormally high strain of very fewβgrains was found,which was attributed to their severe rotations compelled by the neighboring pre-deformedαgrains.The calculated pole figures,rotation axes,and compelled rotation behavior exhibited good agreement to the experimental results.

A mechanical study of personalised Ti6Al4V tibial fracture fixation plates with grooved surface by finite element analysis

Low shape matching and high stress shielding rates between bone plate and human bone are not conducive to the primary healing of fracture.In this study,taking the fracture site of the lower one‐third of human tibia as an application case,six types of personalised Ti6Al4V tibial plates with grooved surface were designed and evaluated by reverse en-gineering and finite element analysis.The results showed that the grooved design can reduce the stress shielding rate of bone plate and promote the facture healing.Among the six types of bone plates,the‘OUT-MI’bone plate has the lowest stress shielding rate and the most uniform stress distribution.Meanwhile,with the increasing tibial load during the convalescence,the average stress and maximum axial displacement of the tibial fracture surface increased,which can effectively improve the bone regeneration in the tibial fracture area.Moreover,there was no significant difference in four-point bending performance between the‘OUT-MI’bone plate and the‘STR-BE’bone plate,indicating that the mechanical properties of this bone plate were reliable.The results provide a theoretical basis for the design of fracture fixation plates on clinical treatment.