Papers by Author: Hans Peter Karnthaler

Abstract: The L12-structured intermetallic compound Zr3Al can be rendered amorphous easily by several techniques. In the present study the structural evolution during high pressure torsion (HPT) was investigated systematically by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. Zr3Al samples were deformed at room temperature to different grades of deformation up to shear strains of 140 000%. TEM investigations revealed that the tendency to grain fragmentation, disordering and the formation of a nanocrystalline structure is weak compared to other L12 ordered alloys like Ni3Al. In addition, an amorphous phase has not been encountered. The present results differ strongly from previous ones obtained from ball-milled materials. Possible reasons for the different behavior are discussed on the basis of the temperature dependent dissociation scheme of the superlattice dislocations gliding in Zr3Al.

Abstract: Long-range ordered intermetallic alloys with L12 (Ni3Al, Cu3Au) and B2 (FeAl) structures were deformed by high-pressure torsion at room temperature up to high grades of deformation. Transmission electron microscopy shows that disordering caused by the deformation occurs on a very local scale within coarse grains along glide planes (Cu3Au, Ni3Al) and in the form of well defined local regions (Ni3Al, FeAl). The latter leads to a duplex structure consisting of an ordered coarse-grained structure and a disordered nanocrystalline structure. The different mechanisms that can lead to disordering during severe plastic deformation are discussed on the basis of the different ordering energies and on the basis of antiphase boundaries associated with gliding dislocations. The results indicate that in intermetallic alloys the formation of a nanocrystalline structure by severe plastic deformation is facilitated by the loss of order.

Abstract: Conventional coarse grained (CG) commercial pure (CP) Ti Grade 2 was studied after cold rolling (CR) at room temperature, and after equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 450° C followed by CR, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. CR of the CG material leads to a microstructure showing initially twins with (0112) type and later subgrains separated by lowangle grain boundaries. CR carried out after ECAP yields the fragmentation of fine grains (300 – 800 nm) mostly bounded by high-angle boundaries into elongated subgrains (~ 100 nm). It was shown with in-situ annealing experiments in the TEM that this microstructure is thermally stable up to a temperature of 450° C. Tensile tests showed that the combination of ECAP with CR has the potential to produce at the same time high strength (941 MPa) and high ductility (16.7%).

Abstract: The evolution of strength characteristics and the microstructure of copper subjected to high pressure torsion (HPT) are studied under variation of strain and hydrostatic pressure. Measurements of Multiple X-ray Bragg Profile Analysis (MXPA) yield microstructural parameters like dislocation density and arrangement, as well as crystallite (domain) size and distribution, and long-range internal stresses. TEM investigations are carried out to analyse the structural elements and to compare them with the results of MXPA. The strength behaviour is studied by microhardness measurements. The investigations are performed within wide ranges of resolved shear strains 􀁊 = 1 to 400 and of applied pressures p = 0.8 to 8 GPa. The onset of the deformation stages IV and V is strongly affected by the hydrostatic pressure i.e. shifted to higher values of stress and strain with increasing pressure. The experimental results indicate the occurrence of recovery effects, which seem to be of static as well as of dynamic nature, and to be responsible for extended ductility in SPD materials.