Papers by Author: Hong Wei Liu

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.

Abstract: In this paper, Al-10.8Zn-2.8Mg-1.9Cu alloy was synthesized by the spray atomization and deposition technique. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the spray deposited alloy at various aging conditions (T6, T73 and RRA treatment) were studied using high-resolution electron microscopy, selected area diffraction, and tensile tests. The results indicate that the two types of GP zones, GPI and GPII zones are major precipitates for the alloy under peak-aged condition. The peak UTS and YS values achieved at an ageing temperature of 120 °C was 818 MPa and 793 MPa. Under two-step aging condition, the GP zones and η’ are major precipitates for the alloy, the discontinuous grain boundary precipitates are favorable to SCC resistance in over-aged condition, which reduces its strength 58 MPa(about 7%) comparing to the peak-aged condition. RRA treatment decreased ultimate tensile strength 25 MPa (about 3%) in values compared with the alloy at T6 condition.

Abstract: One- and two-step artificial aging had been performed on the 7B04 pre-stretch thick plate, whose nominal composition is similar to 7075 alloy with lower Fe and Si content. The effect of aging temper on the microstructure and properties has been studied. The research results show that T6 temper can improve the mechanical properties of the alloy greatly, yet the alloy have lower electron conductivity which is no more than 19Ms·s-1. When T73 and T74 tempers were performed on the alloy, the mechanical properties of the alloy decreased about 6~10% of the T6 strength while the electron conductivity was improved obviously. With the increasing of the aging temperature, the time that the alloy needs to get peak aging becomes shorter and the mechanical properties at peak aging status are lower. The electron conductivity of the alloy, however, becomes higher with the increasing of aging temperature. The main strengthen phase of 7B04 alloy is also η(MgZn2) phase which is same to other 7xxx series alloys.

Abstract: The morphology and crystallography of precipitates formed in three Mg-Al-Zn alloys containing various Al/Zn ratios, conventionally designated as AZ91, AZ64 and AZ46, were characterized, and the mechanical properties determined. Three morphologically and crystallographically different types of lath- or rod-shaped γ-(Mg17All2) precipitates were identified in AZ91, and needle-like η-(MgZn2) in addition to γ-(Mg17All2) occurred in the alloys containing higher Zn. With increasing Zn content, i.e. with decreasing Al/Zn ratio, the fraction of γ-(Mg17All2) decreased, while that of η-(MgZn2) increased. The peak aged hardness and tensile properties of the alloys were slightly decreased, rather than increased, with increasing the Zn content from AZ91 through AZ64 to AZ46. The mechanism by which the γ-(Mg17All2) and η-(MgZn2) precipitates affected the age strengthening of the alloys was discussed in terms of the morphology, crystallography, interfacial structure, and relative quantity of the precipitates, and of their ability to block dislocation basal slip in the Mg-rich matrix.

Abstract: Heat-resistant Al-Fe-V-Si aluminum alloys enhanced by in-situ TiC particles have been prepared by spray forming process with suitable process parameters. Research results show that the microstructure of as-deposited alloy is fine and homogeneous. In-situ TiC particles prevent the unsteady phases from coming into being. On the other hand, the TiC particles increase the volume fraction of heat-resistant phases. So the mechanical properties of the enhanced alloy by in-situ TiC particles are better than that of Al-Fe-V-Si alloy without TiC particles. The hot extrusion temperature is also an important parameter to understand. Under the permission, it is better to extrude the alloy at lower temperature. The tensile strength of the alloy without TiC particles is about 435MPa at room temperature and is about 204MPa at 350°C. However, when the alloy is enhanced by in-situ TiC particles, the strength of alloy is about 482MPa at room temperature and is about 224MPa at 350°C temperature.