Research progress on microstructure evolution and hot processing maps of high strength β titanium alloys during hot deformation

High strength β titanium alloys are widely used in large load bearing components in the aerospace field. At present, large parts are generally formed by die forging. Different initial microstructures and deformation process parameters will significantly affect the flow behavior. To precisely control the microstructures, researchers have conducted many studies to analyze the microstructure evolution law and deformation mechanism during hot compression. This review focuses on the microstructure evolution of high strength β titanium alloys during hot deformation, including dynamic recrystallization and dynamic recovery in the single-phase region and the dynamic evolution of the α phase in the two-phase region. Furthermore, the optimal hot processing regions, instability regions,and the relationship between the efficiency of power dissipation and the deformation mechanism in the hot processing map are summarized. Finally, the problems and development direction of using hot processing maps to optimize process parameters are also emphasized.

Establishment of a novel constitutive model considering dynamic recrystallization behavior of Ti-22Al-25Nb alloy during hot deformation

The hot deformation behavior of Ti-22Al-25Nb alloy fabricated by hot compressed sintering was investigated under various conditions of compression tests in the deformation temperature range of 975-1075 °C with 20 °C intervals and the strain rate range of 0.001-1.0 s^-1. Based on the experimental data, a novel constitutive relation combining a series of models was developed, including Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z), DRX critical model and kinetics model. The results show that the hot-deformed activation energy Q is calculated to be 410.172 kJ/mol, the ratio of critical strain (εc) to peak strain (εp) is a constant value of about 0.67. The predicted stress obtained by the established constitutive equations matches well with the true stress from experimental data. Despite large errors occur at the stage where strain rate is 0.1 s^-1 and the values of true strain are less than 0.1, the stage of large strain should be more concerned during plastic forming. Furthermore, the predicting accuracy with the DRX kinetics model was testified by an electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique.

Cellular automaton simulation of dynamic recrystallization behavior in V-10Cr-5Ti alloy under hot deformation conditions

The deformation behavior of V-10Cr-5Ti alloy was studied on the Gleeble-1500 thermomechanical simulator at the temperatures of 950-1350℃, and the strain rates of 0.01-10 s^-1. Based on the Arrhenius model, dislocation density model, nucleation model and grain growth model, a numerical cellular automaton (CA) model coupling simulation of hot deformation is established to simulate and characterize the microstructural evolution during DRX. The results show that the flow stress is fairly sensitive to the strain rate and deformation temperature. The error between the predicted stress by the Arrhenius model and the actual measured value is less than 8%. The initial average grain size calculated by the CA model is 86.25 μm, which is close to the experimental result (85.63 μm). The simulations show that the effect of initial grain size on the dynamic recrystallization microstructure evolution is not significant, while increasing the strain rate or reducing the temperature can refine the recrystallized grains.

Effect of Zn/Mg/Cu Additions on Hot Cracking Tendency and Performances of Al-Cu-Mg-Zn Alloys for Liquid Forging

During the process of liquid forging, a host of hot cracking defects were found in the Al-CuMg-Zn aluminum alloy. Therefore, mechanical tests and analyses by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction were performed to research the influences of zinc, magnesium, and copper(three main alloying elements) on hot cracking tendency and mechanical properties. It was concluded that all the three alloying elements exerted different effects on the performances of newly designed alloys. And the impact of microstructures on properties of alloys was stronger than that of solution strengthening. Among new alloys, Al-5 Cu-4.5 Mg-2.5 Zn alloy shows better properties as follows: σb=327 MPa, δ=2.7%, HB=107 N/mm^2, and HCS=40.

Characterization of hot deformation and microstructure evolution of a new metastableβtitanium alloy

The hot deformation characteristics of as-forged Ti−3.5Al−5Mo−6V−3Cr−2Sn−0.5Fe−0.1B−0.1C alloy within a temperature range from 750 to 910℃and a strain rate range from 0.001 to 1 s^(-1) were investigated by hot compression tests.The stress−strain curves show that the flow stress decreases with the increase of temperature and the decrease of strain rate.The microstructure is sensitive to deformation parameters.The dynamic recrystallization(DRX)grains appear while the temperature reaches 790℃at a constant strain rate of 0.001 s^(-1) and strain rate is not higher than 0.1 s^(-1) at a constant temperature of 910℃.The work-hardening rateθis calculated and it is found that DRX prefers to happen at high temperature and low strain rate.The constitutive equation and processing map were obtained.The average activation energy of the alloy is 242.78 kJ/mol and there are few unstable regions on the processing map,which indicates excellent hot workability.At the strain rate of 0.1 s^(-1),the stress−strain curves show an abnormal shape where there are two stress peaks simultaneously.This can be attributed to the alternation of hardening effect,which results from the continuous dynamic recrystallization(CDRX)and the rotation of DRX grains,and dynamic softening mechanism.

Enhancing the mechanical properties of casting eutectic high -entropy alloys via W addition

The effect of W element on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al_(1.25)CoCrFeNi3 eutectic high-entropy alloy and Al_(1.25)CoCrFeNi_(3-x)W_(x)(x=0,0.05,0.1,0.3,and 0.5;atomic ratio)high-entropy alloys(HEAs)were explored.Results show that the Al_(1.25)CoCrFeNi_(3-x)W_(x) HEAs are composed of face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic(BCC)phases.As W content increases,the microstructure changes from eutectic to dendritic.The addition of W lowers the nucleation barrier of the BCC phase,decreases the valence electron concentration of the HEAs,and replaces Al in the BCC phase,thus facilitating the nucleation of the BCC phase.Tensile results show that the addition of W greatly improves the mechanical properties,and solid-solution,heterogeneous-interface,and second-phase strengthening are the main strengthening mechanisms.The yield strength,tensile strength,and elongation of the Al_(1.25)CoCrFeNi2.95W0.05 HEA are 601.44 MPa,1132.26 MPa,and 15.94%,respectively,realizing a balance between strength and plasti-city.The fracture mode of the Al_(1.25)CoCrFeNi_(3-x)W_(x) HEAs is ductile–brittle mixed fracture,and the crack propagates and initiates in the BCC phase.The eutectic lamellar structure impedes crack propagation and maintains plasticity.

Synergistic enhancement on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of biodegradable Mg-Zn-Y alloy via V-microalloying

For the sake of improving the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of biodegradable Mg alloy synergistically,various content of element V(0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20 wt.%)are introduced into an Mg-Zn-Y alloy with long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structure,and the effects of V on its microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion resistance are investigated systematically.The results indicate that the grains are effectively refined by V addition,and the primaryα-Mg in Mg-Zn-Y-V0.1 alloy is most significantly refined,with grain size being decreased by 62%.The amount of 18R LPSO structure is increased owing to the V addition.The growth mode of the second phase(W-phase and 18R LPSO structure)is transformed to divorced growth pattern,which ascribes to the thermodynamic drive force of V to promote the nucleation of LPSO phase.Thus,18R LPSO structure presents a continuous distribution.Due to grains refinement and modification of second phase,the tensile strength and strain of alloys are both enhanced effectively.Especially,the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation of V0.1 alloy are 254 MPa and 15.26%,which are 41%and 61%higher than those of V-free alloy,respectively.Owing to the continuously distributed 18R LPSO structure with refined grains and stable product film,the weight loss and hydrogen evolution corrosion rates of V0.1 alloy are 7.1 and 6.2 mmy^(-1),respectively,which are 42.6%and 45.4%lower than those of V-free alloy.

Hot working characteristics of HEXed PM nickel-based superalloy during hot compression

To study the hot deformation behavior of a new powder metallurgy nickel-based superalloy,hot compression tests were conducted in the temperature range of 1020−1110℃ with the strain rates of 0.001−1 s^−1.It is found that the flow stress of the superalloy decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate.An accurate constitutive equation is established using a hyperbolic-sine type expression.Moreover,processing map of the alloy is constructed to optimize its hot forging parameters.Three domains of dynamic recrystallization stability and instability regions are identified from the processing map at a strain of 0.7,respectively.The adiabatic shear band,intergranular crack and a combination of intergranular crack and wedge crack are demonstrated to be responsible for the instabilities.Comprehensively analyzing the processing map and microstructure,the optimal isothermal forging conditions for the superalloy is determined to be t=1075−1105℃ andε&=10^−3−10−2.8 s^−1.

Eliminating shrinkage defects and improving mechanical performance of large thin-walled ZL205A alloy castings by coupling travelling magnetic fields with sequential solidification

ZL205 A alloys with large thin-walled shape were continuously processed by coupling travelling magnetic fields(TMF)with sequential solidification,to eliminate the shrinkage defects and optimize the mechanical performance.Through experiments and simulations,the parameter optimization of TMF and the influence on feeding behavior,microstructure and properties were systematically studied.The results indicate that the magnetic force maximizes at the excitation current of 20 A and frequency of 200 Hz under the experimental conditions of this study,and increases from center to side-walls,which is more convenient to process thin-walled castings.TMF can break secondary dendritic arm and dendrites overlaps,widen feeding channels,prolong the feeding time,optimize the feeding paths,eliminate shrinkage defects and improve properties.Specifically,for as-cast state,TMF with excitation current of 20 A increases ultimate tensile strength,elongation and micro-hardness from 186 MPa,7.3%and 82.1 kg/mm^(2) to 221 MPa,11.7%and 100.5 kg/mm^(2),decreases porosity from 1.71%to 0.22%,and alters brittle fracture to ductile fracture.

Characterization of zirconia-based slurries with different binders for titanium investment casting

The materials and physical properties of primary slurry are crucial to the surface quality of the finished castings,especially for high reactivity titanium alloys.The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of different binders on the physical properties of primary slurry for titanium alloy investment casting.The zirconia-based slurries with different binders were evaluated by comparing the parameters:viscosity,bulk density,plate weight, suspensibility,gel velocity and strength.The results indicate that a higher viscosity of binder leads to a higher viscosity and suspensibility of slurry with the same powder/binder ratio.The retention rate and thickness of primary layer increase with an increase in the viscosity of the slurry,and a higher retention rate is associated with a thicker primary layer.The gel velocity of the slurry is correlated with the gel velocity of the binder.The green strength and the baked strength of the primary layer are determined by the properties of the binder after gel and by the production of the binder after fired,respectively.

DYNAMIC COMPACTION OF PURE COPPER POWDER USING PULSED MAGNETIC FORCE

The compaction of pure Cu powder was carried out through a series of experiments using dynamic magnetic pulse compaction, and the effects of process parameters, such as discharge energy and compacting direction, on the homogeneity and the compaction density of compacted specimens were presented and discussed. The results indicated that the compaction density of specimens increased with the augment of discharge voltage and time. During unidirectional compaction, there was a density gradient along the loading direction in the compacted specimen, and the minimum compaction density was localized to the center of the bottom of the specimen. The larger the aspect ratio of a powder body, the higher the compaction density of the compacted specimen. And high conductivity drivers were beneficial to the increase of the compaction density. The iterative and the double direction compaction were efficient means to manufacture the homogeneous and high-density powder parts.

Effect of Ultrasonic Vibration on Deformation in Micro-blanking Process with Copper Foil

Effect of ultrasonic vibration on deformation in micro-blanking was investigated with copper foils of different grain sizes using a developed device. It is found that maximum shearing strength is decreased by ultrasonic vibration, and this effect becomes bigger for coarse grain than that for fine grain, which can be attributed to acoustic softening effect considering the absorbed acoustic energy. Surface roughness R_a of smooth zone decreases for the polishing effect of vibration at the lateral contact surface. When ultrasonic vibration is applied, the sheared deformation area becomes relatively narrow, and it leads to the reduction of radius of rollover. The analysis of cross section in sheared deformation area shows that the crack initiation is inhabited for the existence of acoustic softening, and the proportion of smooth zone is increased. Also, angle of crack propagation becomes smaller because of periodic strain, and the angle of facture surface is decreased. As a result, the quality of micro-sheet parts is improved by applying ultrasonic vibration.

Compressive Deformation Induced Nanocrystallization of a Supercooled Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass

The nanocrystallization behaviour of a bulk Zr-based metallic glass subjected to compressive stress is investigated in the supercooled liquid region. Compared with annealing treatments without compressive stress, compressive deformation promotes the development of nucleation and suppresses the coarsening of nanocrystallites at high temperatures.

Effect of heat treatment and thermomechanical processing on microstructure and tensile property of Ti-44Al-8Nb-0.2W-0.2B-0.5Y alloy

High Nb-TiAl (Ti-44Al-8Nb-0.2W-0.2B-0.5Y,at.%) ingot was fabricated by vacuum arc remelting (VAR).The as-cast ingot was hot-isostatic pressed (HIP) and homogenizing annealing processed.The influence of heat treatment temperature and thermomechanical processing on the microstructure and tensile property of the alloy was investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile tests.It was found that the high Nb-TiAl alloy after HIP and annealing was mainly composed of coarse α2/γ lamellae,β/B2 phase and γ phase and the solidification path of this alloy was:L→L+β→β→α+β→α→α+β+γ→α2+β+γ.The water quenching results showed that the alloy was in α single phase region at 1,340 °C.After heating at 1,340 °C for 30 min followed by furnace cooling,the alloy showed a full lamellar microstructure and its ultimate tensile strength was about 538 MPa,with an elongation of 0.3% at room temperature.Free-crack forged pancakes with fine-grained fully lamellar structure (FFLS) were obtained with an initial deformation temperature of 1,340 °C and the ultimate tensile strength of forged alloy was about 820 MPa,with an elongation of 0.9% at room temperature,which was much higher than that of alloy after HIP and annealing because of microstructural refinement.

High-efficiency forming processes for complex thin-walled titanium alloys components: state-of-the-art and perspectives

Complex thin-walled titanium alloy components play a key role in the aircraft,aerospace and marine industries,offering the advantages of reduced weight and increased thermal resistance.The geometrical complexity,dimensional accuracy and in-service properties are essential to fulfill the high-performance standards required in new transportation systems,which brings new challenges to titanium alloy forming technologies.Traditional forming processes,such as superplastic forming or hot pressing,cannot meet all demands of modern applications due to their limited properties,low productivity and high cost.This has encouraged industry and research groups to develop novel high-efficiency forming processes.Hot gas pressure forming and hot stamping-quenching technologies have been developed for the manufacture of tubular and panel components,and are believed to be the cut-edge processes guaranteeing dimensional accuracy,microstructure and mechanical properties.This article intends to provide a critical review of high-efficiency titanium alloy forming processes,concentrating on latest investigations of controlling dimensional accuracy,microstructure and properties.The advantages and limitations of individual forming process are comprehensively analyzed,through which,future research trends of high-efficiency forming are identified including trends in process integration,processing window design,full cycle and multi-objective optimization.This review aims to provide a guide for researchers and process designers on the manufacture of thin-walled titanium alloy components whilst achieving high dimensional accuracy and satisfying performance properties with high efficiency and low cost.

A novel method towards improving the hydrogen storage properties of hypoeutectic Mg-Ni alloy via ultrasonic treatment

Ultrasonic treatment has great contributions on modifying the morphology,dimension and distribution of constituent phases during solidification,which serve as dominate factors influencing the hydrogen storage performance of Mg-based alloys.In this research,ultrasonic treatment is utilized as a novel method to enhance the de-/hydriding properties of Mg-2Ni(at.%)alloy.Due to ultrasonic treatment,the microstructure of as-cast alloy is significantly refined and homogenized.Ascribing to the increased eutectic boundaries and shortened distance insideα-Mg for hydrogen atoms diffusion,the hydrogen uptake capacities and isothermal de-/hydriding rates improve effectively,especially at lower temperature.The peak desorption temperature reduces from 392.99°C to 345.56°C,and the dehydriding activation energy decreases from 101.93 k J mol^(-1)to 88.65 k J mol^(-1).Weakened hysteresis of plateau pressures and slightly optimized thermodynamics are determined from the pressure-composition isotherms.Owing to the refined primary Mg,a larger amount of hydrogen with the higher hydriding proportion is absorbed in the first stage when hydrides nucleate in eutectic region and grow on primary Mg periphery subsequently before MgH2colonies impinging,resulting in the enhancement of hydrogenation rates and capacities.

Flashes formation and evaluation during linear friction welding of TC4 alloy

By the 3D coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model of linear friction welding of TC4 titanium alloy, the relation between the temperature and the flashes is researched. The numerical simulation results show that the flashes with the wrinkles appear only when the temperature of material in the friction surface is high enough. The flashes, which are made up of material with high temperature, are squeezed out of the component. The appearance of flashes makes the temperature of material in the friction susface slowly increase or even decrease. Compared with the oscillation frequency and the oscillation amplitude, the friction pressure＇ s increase can mare easily attain the flashes with the bigger dimensionz.

Process and Equipment of Double-Sided Sheet Hydroforming for Large-Sized Al-Alloy Tailored Shell

In the industrial field,tailored blank forming with aluminum alloy(Al-alloy)has developed fast to meet the demands for large size integrated components with curved surfaces of high precision and with uniform mechanical properties.Traditional forming methods for tailored blank components faced challenges with uneven deformation behaviors and coexistence of rupture and wrinkling defects occuring during the forming process.In this paper,a new manufacturing procedure is proposed with advanced welding and forming technologies for forming integrated shell components.Friction stir welding with post-weld heat treatment was employed to prepare the tailor welded blank and improve its formability prior to forming.A double-sided pressure sheet hydroforming process was introduced to fabricate the Al-alloy tailored blank into a curved surface shell.Finite element modeling was established to analyze the effect of the weld line position and loading paths of stress distributions during the double-sided sheet hydroforming(DSHF)process.A large double-action CNC sheet hydroforming press with tonnage of 150 MN and high pressure liquid volume of 5 m~3 was developed in China.As an application case of the proposed process and equipment,a full-scale tank dome with a diameter of 3 m was successfully hydroformed with a large size Al-alloy tailored blank.It was shown that the DSHF process has the advantages in controlling rupture and wrinkling defects with an Al-alloy tailored blank,and the novel manufacturing procedure enables the production of integrated thin-walled component more competitively than traditional methods.

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure of γ-TiAl Intermetallics

The rare earth (RE) elements (Ce, La) were added to binary Ti 47% Al alloys (atomic fraction) by Induction Skull Melting. The element Ce of 1.0 atomic percent was added individually, and La of 0.2 atomic percent was added individually. This article studied the influences of rare earth metal (Ce, La) on microstructure of as cast TiAl based alloy by XRD, SEM, EMPA and TEM measurement methodology. The results show that most of rare earth rich phases (AlCe, AlLa) are uniformly distributed in grain boundary in the shape of discontinuous network, and some particles of rare earth rich phases within the grains are mainly ellipsoids. In addition, rare earth element can obviously refine the grain size and the lamellar thickness of as cast TiAl based alloy samples. The grain size of Ti 47Al 1.0Ce 0.2La alloy reaches about 30～80 μm, and the lamellar thickness of its γ phase and α 2 phase are less than 200 and 20 nm, respectively.

Effect of rare earths on mechanical properties of plasma nitrocarburized surface layer of 17-4PH steel

The aim of this investigation is to reveal the influence of rare earths(RE) addition on mechanical properties of plasma nitrocarburized 17-4PH steel.The nitrocarburized layers were characterized by optical microscope,scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer,X-ray diffractometer,microhardness tester and pin-on-disc tribometer.The results showed that RE atoms could diffuse into the surface layer of 17-4PH steel plasma nitrocarburized at 500 °C for 4 h and did not change the ...