Papers by Author: George D.W. Smith

Abstract: Hardness measurements and 3-dimensional atom probe analysis have been used to characterise the precipitation behaviour in two 6xxx series aluminium alloys, one Cu-free alloy (Al-0.78at%Mg- 0.68at%Si) and one Cu-containing alloy (Al-0.78at%Mg-0.68at%Si-0.30at%Cu). The heat treatments consisted of either natural ageing or pre-ageing at 353K followed by a paint-bake treatment at 453K. Natural ageing was seen to increase the hardness, and hence reduce formability compared to pre-ageing. In addition, the strengthening effect of artificial ageing was less after natural ageing than after pre-ageing. In the Cu-free alloy, needle-like β″ was observed to form only after a pre-ageing treatment during the first 60 minutes of a paint-bake treatment. In the Cucontaining alloy, needle-like β″ formed during paint bake in both the naturally-aged and pre-aged material, although it is formed more rapidly after pre-ageing. This was accompanied by an increase in strength over the Cu-free alloy and indicates that Cu reduces the deleterious effect of natural ageing.

Abstract: Atomic-scale interface segregation behaviour of Nb and Mo during different stages of recrystallisation of a-Fe has been investigated using a three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP). Experimental procedures to analyse a specific region of interest in the specimens and to determine an orientation relationship between analysed contiguous grains are briefly described, and then analytical artefacts which may affect the measured solute distribution are discussed. Atom probe analysis reveals that Gibbs free energy of segregation of Nb is larger than that of Mo in a-Fe, implying that a stronger solute Nb-interface interaction can be a reason for the larger retardation effect of recrystallisation by Nb addition. The comparison of measured solute profiles at migrating recrystallisation interfaces with calculated solute profiles show that Cahn’s solute drag model gives a reasonable fit to solute profiles for migrating interfaces.