Papers by Author: Lan Jiang

Abstract: A 0.02%C plain carbon and a 0.22%C TRIP steel were tested in compression in the temperature range 900°C to 1150°C and strain rate range 0.05s^-1 to 1s^-1. Thirty-two experimental flow curves were obtained in this way. The critical conditions for the initiation of dynamic recrystallization were determined by the double differentiation method. Using a dislocation density model to describe the austenite flow stress, the work hardening parameters r and h were derived and are used to model the flow curve in the absence of dynamic recrystallization. The latter was employed to calculate the fractional softening attributable to dynamic recrystallization. The kinetics of dynamic recrystallization are then described using Avrami kinetics. Finally, the dependences of the Avrami and work hardening parameters on Z, the Zener-Hollomon parameter, are used to model compression flow curves at strain rates an order of magnitude greater than the ones employed in the tests.

Abstract: Effective grain refinement through equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for magnesium (Mg) alloys has been demonstrated by many researchers. Although with the capability to achieve superplasticity, the batch mode nature of this method and the required repetitive processing to attain ultrafine grained structure have prohibited it from being widely used in large-scale industrial production. In this study, a well-established metal forming method – the continuous extrusion forming (CONFORM) process – was employed as a severe plastic deformation route to refine the microstructure of Mg alloys. Cast Mg-3%Al-1%Zn (AZ31) rods were used as the feedstock and the cast structure (grain size of ~150 microns) was refined to ~1 micron after one pass CONFORM extrusion. Uniaxial tensile tests of the as-extruded samples were conducted at a temperature of 473K and an elongation of ~200% was achieved under a strain rate of 1×10^-4 s^-1. The significant grain refinement effect was attributed to the severe shear deformation occurred during the CONFORM process, which is very similar to ECAP but with even higher effective strains. The most important advantage of CONFORM over ECAP is that the former is a continuous route, so it is able to produce long products. It was also shown that CONFORM could be an additional forming method for Mg alloys to conventional rolling, forging and extrusion.

Abstract: Compression tests were employed to characterize the DSA behaviour of Mg-Ce alloys. Samples were taken from cast billets and extruded bars of Mg-0.5 wt.% Ce. The DSA behavior was examined at temperatures from 150°C to 400°C at strain rates of 0.001/s to 1.5/s. A rate equation was fitted to the experimental results, which is employed to predict whether or not DSA will occur at the strain rates and temperatures involved in the formation of the RE texture component during extrusion.

Abstract: Research is currently being conducted on the feasibility of hydroforming extruded magnesium tubes to integrate multiple parts into a single hydroformed section. Among other applications, such sections would reduce the weight of both cars and planes, particularly when used in the vehicle frame. This would lead to either reduced fuel costs, or the ability to carry an increased payload. Magnesium generally has limited ductility, which in the case of the current extruded tubes is even further reduced at the extrusion seams. These are locations where the material flow separates and rejoins during extrusion and are unavoidable when a hollow profile die is used. When the tubes were stressed in a circumferential direction, tube ruptures consistently occurred along the extrusion seams of the tubes. This led to the current project, an inquiry into the exact cause of failure at these locations. The creation of irregularities at the seams, such as precipitate dispersions, local texture changes, grain size changes and entrained material, is discussed. These irregularities are considered together with their roles in producing the failures. The results are summarized and the most fruitful directions for future work are outlined.

Abstract: Particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) was investigated in magnesium alloy AZ31 to study the effect of the evolution of second-phases during extrusion and other metal forming processes. Compression tests were carried out on samples taken from coarse-grained as-cast magnesium alloy billets containing a lamellar Mg17All2 eutectic phase and (Al, Mn) particles. These revealed that particle-stimulated DRX nucleation (PSN) was taking place during hot deformation and that this is facilitated by the fragmentation of the Mg17All2. When Mg17All2 dissolves into the matrix at about 350°C, the (Al, Mn) particles remain effective in producing PSN at temperatures up to at least 400°C. This suggests that alloy design leading to a suitable distribution of second-phase particles can improve the properties and formability of wrought magnesium alloys.