Papers by Author: Kazuo Kitagawa

Abstract: In the present study, ultra fine-grained low carbon steel samples were processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). Mechanical properties of the specimens annealed statically at several temperatures were evaluated by tensile and hardness test. In addition, grain sizes of the specimens were measured by SEM-electron back scattering pattern (SEM-EBSP) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement also evaluated thermal reactions in anneal process of the specimen. As a result, the grain size was changed at the temperature between 550oC and 600oC drastically and the tensile strength also became lower at the same temperature. The relation between yield stress and averaged grain diameter of specimens obeyed the Hall-Petch relation except the normalized specimen. Behavior of grain growth and recovery in structural observation by EBSP corresponded to reaction signal of the DSC curve.

Abstract: Aging behavior and mechanical properties of ultra fine grained Cu-Cr-Zr alloy sheet produced by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process were investigated. A Cu-0.85Cr-0.07Zr (in mass%) alloy was solution treated and then cold-rolled at ambient temperature in the sheet of 1 mm thick. The sheets were heavily deformed by ARB process at ambient temperature up to 5 cycles. The grain size was reduced down to 210 nm and the fraction of high angle grain boundaries (HAGB’s) in the specimen after ARB process was 63%. The proof stress ( σ 0.2) and elongation were 540 MPa and 10%, respectively. Due to the aging treatment, a little grain growth took place (240 nm) and the fraction of HAGB’s was increased to 67%. The proof stress and elongation of the aged one increased to 605 MPa and 15%, respectively. It was noteworthy that the electrical conductivity remarkably increased from 35% to 79%IACS by the aging treatment. It was concluded that the aging treatment after ARB process enhanced not only the mechanical properties but also the electrical conductivity in the Cu-Cr-Zr alloys.

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to reveal the cause of hardening of magnesium base alloys by the high pressure torsion processing (HPT) using X-ray diffraction. HPT was applied to Mg base alloys of the Mg-Sm system (2.8-5.5 mass %Sm). HPT was performed under pressure 4GPa at 20 oC and 200 oC. HPT results in significant strengthening of the Mg-Sm alloys due to the formation of sub microcrystalline structure. The dynamic recrystallization was realized through the pole figure measurement and the photograph of X-ray back scattering. The Mg supersaturated solid solution decomposition during HPT was observed by the X-ray profile analysis and the calculation of lattice constants of the Mg phase.

Abstract: The present work is aimed at linking the microstuctutral features obtained after severe plastic deformation via ECAP to the tensile behavior and thermal stability of pure (99.98%) copper processed by routes A and Bc to different number of passes. The main conclusion one can draw unambiguously from the currently available results is that the strain path exerts relatively little effect on the resultant tensile properties when the number of pressing is sufficiently large, although there have been some marked differences in crystallographic textures and distribution of grain-boundaries. The effect of the number of pressings on the tensile ductility is considerable.

Abstract: Anisotropy of mechanical properties, fatigue and fracture resistance of precipitation hardened CuCrZr alloy ultrafine (UFG) grained by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) is in focus of the present communication. Fracture toughness was estimated in terms of J-integral and the fatigue crack growth rate was quantified. It was found that although the estimated JIC-value appeared lower than that reported in the literature for a reference alloy, the ductility, fracture and crack growth resistance remained satisfactory after ECAP while the tensile strength and fatigue limit improved considerably. The stable crack growth rate did not differ very much for ECAP and reference conventional CuCrZr and no remarkable anisotropy in the stable crack growth was noticed.