Papers by Author: Bao Hong Zhu

Abstract: The electron beam melting-printed Ti6Al4V shows a great potential application for orthopedic implants and aerospace in recent years. A systematic study on the microstructure of additive manufactured Ti6Al4V by electron beam melting both parallel to and perpendicular to the building directions (Z axis) is presented in the present investigation. The results showed that the microstructure of the alloy was α lamina with HCP structure and β bar with BCC structure. The original β phase grew as columnar crystal along the direction of construction, showing an equiaxial shape in the cross section, numerous small α lamellae block the original β phase, and presenting a cluster distribution on the original β grain boundary, and a basket-like distribution in the original β grain. This may be due to the rapid cooling of the small pool after melting, the repeated heating of the subsequent constructed layer on the formed layer, and the subsequent limited vacuum cooling, resulting in the formation of the micro morphology, which leads to the original β grain boundaries broken, and the formation of a distinctive basket or widmanstatten structure [1, 2]. In addition, XRD results indicated that there was α′ martensite, part of which has been decomposes into α phases and β phases, SEM and TEM experiments also proved this. Of note is that random distribution dislocation was observed in TEM. Using EBSD results, and it may be understand that the sample build direction was parallel to [0001] crystal orientation and build plane parallel to (1210) and (1100) crystal facets.

Abstract: The hot deformation behavior of spray-formed AlSn20Cu alloy during hot compression deformation was studied, and the constitutive equation of AlSn20Cu alloy was established. The samples of spray-formed AlSn20Cu alloy were compressed on Gleeble-3500 thermal simulation test machine. The error of the true stress caused by adiabatic heating effect in the experiment was corrected. The constitutive equation of spray-formed AlSn20Cu alloy could be represented by Zener-Hollomon parameter in a hyperbolic sine function. The results showed that the deformation temperatures and strain rates had a notable effect on the true stress of the alloy. At the identical deformation temperature, the true stress increased with the increase of strain rate. When the strain rate was constant, the stress decreased with the increase of deformation temperature. After hot compression deformation, the tin phase was elongated along the direction perpendicular to the compression axis with short strips and blocks. With the increase of deformation temperature and the decrease of strain rate, Sn phase distribution became more homogeneous.

Abstract: The microstructure of 5182 alloys, standard and modified by Zr, before/after homogenizing heat treatment were investigated by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The microstructures on optimum condition for homogenizing heat treatment and the effect of Zr were discussed. It is found that the intermetallic compounds formed on the grain boundaries are less in Zr modified 5182 than 5182 alloys for the as-cast structure. After the two alloys homogenized at 475 for 24h, the dendritic structure disappear and intermetallic compounds become discontinuous, Al₂Mg₃ phases are decomposed, and there are some precipitates of Al₆(Mn,Fe) and Al₆Mn in the grain interior. In addition, precipitates of Al₃Zr distributed in the matrix of Zr modified 5182 alloys.

Abstract: Heat-resistant Al-8.5Fe-1.3V-1.7Si alloys were prepared by spray forming technique. The effect of temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys was studied by optical microscope(OM), transmission electron microscope(TEM) with energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), differential scanning calorimeter(DSC) in this paper. The research results show that the microstructure of the material doesn’t change obviously after being hold for 3 hours at 420°C temperature. When the temperature is over 420°C, the second coarse phases are found in the alloy. The study on the microstructure of the alloy exposed at 400°C for 100 hours shows that the alloy has excellent high temperature stability. And the main second phase in the alloy is spherical a-Al₁₂(Fe,V)₃Si, with a little other phases such as Al₁₃Fe₄, Al₆Fe, Al₉FeSi₃ and so on.

Abstract: This paper discusses the influence of ultrasonic surface peening on the fatigue property of 7B04 high strength and toughness aluminum alloy. The results showed that a nano-layer of 10-20 μm was formed after ultrasonic surface peening. This nano-layer had a gradient structure with grain size of 10 to 50nm. Further, the ultrasonic surface peening process created residual compressive stress of 200MPa in this nano-layer. This stress caused micro surface cracks to be compressed or closed . Consequently, after ultrasonic surface peening the fatigue life of 7B04 alloy was extended to 5 times.

Abstract: Spray deposition is a novel process which is used to manufacture rapidly solidified bulk and near-net-shape preforms. In this paper, Al-8.6Zn-2.6Mg-2.2Cu alloy was synthesized by the spray atomization and deposition technique. The microstructural development during subsequent hot extrusion, hot rolling and canned forging was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the spray-deposited alloy exhibits a uniform microstructure composed of the Al matrix and Mg(ZnCu)2 compounds with various shape. The fragmentation of the Mg(ZnCu)2 phases in the alloy has been regarded as one of the main phenomena during extrusion, rolling and forging. Under T6 temper condition, the hot-extruded Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy displays superior strength, and higher than hot-rolled and canned-forged ones.

Abstract: A high Zn content Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared by spray forming process and the precipitate behavior and microstructure of the extruded alloy were also investigated. The precipitate sequence of the spray-formed alloy could be described as “α-solid solution → GPI zone → GPII zone (also called Metastable ′ )→ Stable  (MgZn2)” during artificial ageing treatment. In the early stage of artificial ageing treatment, the GPI zone was the main strengthening phase and kept coherent relationship with the matrix. With the increasing of ageing time, ′ phase dominate strengthening phase and kept semi-coherent relationship with the matrix. With the further increasing of ageing time,  phase took the place of ′ phase, and dominated the strengthening phase in the alloy. The grain size of the spray deposit is finer than that of cast alloys. The ultimate tensile strength of the alloy is over 810MPa in peak ageing condition.

Abstract: In this study, a high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared by the spray deposition technique. The microstructures of spray-deposited and homogenized Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys were studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the microstructure of the spray-deposited alloy mainly is composed of the Al matrix and the Mg(ZnCu)2 compounds. The spray-deposited process has an obvious modification in size, morphology and distribution of the secondary phases in the microstructure as well as reduce of segregation. After homogenization, the coarsening of the grains in the microstructure is not obvious, a phase transformation of primary Mg(ZnCu)2 particles to Al2CuMg phase was found.

Abstract: In this study, the effect of various aging treatment (T6 and T7 treatment) on the mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and the microstructure of an Al-7.5Zn-1.3Mg-1.4Cu-0.12Zr alloy has been investigated. The results show that with elevating the aging treatment temperatures, the aging response rate is greatly accelerated. When T6 temper is performed at 140°C for 12h, as compared to peak aging for 24h at 120°C, the UTS and the corresponding Elongation values keep the same level, whereas the TYS and the electrical conductivity obviously increase by 5% and 9%, which is up to 560 MPa and 22.6 MS/m, respectively. And there are clear PFZs along the grain boundary and slightly coarser precipitates inside the grain. GPI zones, GPII zones and η' phases are major precipitates for the alloy under T6 condition. When T7 temper is performed on the alloy, the main precipitates are GPII zones, η′ and η phases. The coarser precipitates inside the grain and discontinuous grain boundary precipitates are favorable to electrical conductivity, which decrease the strength of 5~17% compared to T6 treatment. After T76 treatment (i.e., 110°C/6 h + 160°C/6 h), the UTS, TYS, Elongation and electrical conductivity values were 540 MPa, 510 MPa, 16.7% and 23.5 MS/m, respectively.

Abstract: The effect of RRA treatment with using low retrogression temperatures between 170°C to 190°C on the strength and electrical conductivity (as an indicator of corrosion resistance) of 7B04 aluminum alloy thick plates was investigated. The research results showed that the low-temperature RRA heat treatment provides a means for improving electrical conductivity of the aluminum alloy 7B04 pre-stretched thick plates without sacrificing the mechanical strength. The RRA temper with retrogression at 180°C for 60 min improved electrical conductivity remarkably (reached 21.0MS/m), with only a 3% reduction in strength below T6 temper. Furthermore, TEM observations showed that the microstructure of RRA treated alloy was a very fine distribution of η′ MgZn2 precipitates in the aluminum matrix, similar to T6 condition and η MgZn2 precipitates on grain boundaries distributed similarly to T73 temper.