Papers by Author: Matthew R. Barnett

Abstract: Recrystallization nucleates at heterogeneities. The impact of this on local texture and stress-strain response in hot worked magnesium is considered in the present paper. Two aspects of bulge nucleation during dynamic recrystallization are considered.

Abstract: Rapid cooling of TiAl-based alloy from α phase (disordered hexagonal, A3) generates  phase (ordered tetragonal, L1o) grains through massive transformation nucleating mostly over the α/α grain boundaries. This current work deals with the identification and the validation of different nucleation mechanisms during  massive transformation in TiAl-based alloys. Special attention has been given to the variant selection criteria for the nucleation of the massive structures along different types of α/α grain boundaries. The  massive domains formed along the grain boundaries were analysed using high resolution electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Statistical studies were made on different nucleation sites and different mechanisms are proposed. Two–dimensional studies of the nucleation mechanism suggest that the minimization of the interfacial energy could be the predominant criteria during the grain boundary nucleation. In order to verify this nucleation criterion in three-dimensions, serial sections were made and EBSD maps were taken and analysed in each section. The variant selection observed during the nucleation and the growth of the  massive grains is further discussed after getting a broader view under three-dimensional investigations.

Abstract: In the present work in situ neutron diffraction and acoustic emission were used concurrently to study deformation twinning in two ZM20 Mg alloys with significantly different grain sizes at room temperature. The combination of these techniques allows differentionation between the twin nucleation and the twin growth mechanisms. It is shown, that yielding and immediate post-yielding plasticity in compression is governed primarily by twin nucleation, whereas the plasticity at higher strains is governed by twin growth. The current results further suggest that yielding by twinning happens in a slightly different manner in the fine-grained as compared to the coarse-grained alloy.

Abstract: It is shown that wrought magnesium alloys display a number of significant types of deformation inhomogeneities. These are influenced by the variation in the ease of basal slip amongst grains, micro-textures, shear banding, twinning and grain boundary sliding. Key features of each of these effects are examined and their engineering consequences and challenges are identified.

Abstract: This work focuses on the effect of strain rate on the deformation behaviour of an ultrafine grained Al alloy 6082 produced by equal channel angular pressing. The uniform tensile elongation was found to increase with decreasing strain rate very substantially. This effect is discussed in terms of the mechanisms that control plastic deformation of the alloy.

Abstract: The present paper examines the development of grain size during the recrystallization of magnesium alloys and the influence the grain size has on the mechanical response. In magnesium alloys grain refinement improves the strength-ductility balance. This simultaneous increase in both strength and ductility is ascribed to the impact the grain size has on deformation twinning. The mechanisms by which the grain size is established during hot working are shown to be conventional dynamic recrystallization followed by post-dynamic recrystallization. The role of alloying addition on both of these reactions is briefly considered.

Abstract: An analytical approximation for the steady state dynamic recrystallized grain size is combined with a simple nucleation criterion to assess the propensity for dynamic recrystallization. In line with observation, the criterion predicts dynamic recrystallization in 99.9995% pure Al but not in material 99.5% pure. It also agrees with the observation that zone refined ferrite can display dynamic recrystallization at high temperatures and low strain rates but not at lower hot working temperatures. The criterion is applied here to common wrought magnesium alloys to argue that conventional dynamic recrystallization is expected under "normal" hot working conditions.

Abstract: A recent trial investigated the effect of solidification grain refinement of billet on the grain refinement and properties of alloy ZM20. It was found that even at levels of 0.4Mn, significant grain refinement could be obtained when 0.7Zr was added. At 0.2Mn grain sizes as low as 60μm were obtained. Billets of Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn with four different grain sizes, due to different Zr and cooling rates were then cast via vertical direct chill casting and extruded conventionally. Benefits of grain refinement of the billet on extrusion were found to be a slight increase in the size of the operating window, and a reduction of the grain size in the extrudate. However, the effect of the reduction in extrudate grain size due to refinement of the billet was small compared with the amount of grain refinement obtained due to recrystallisation on extrusion.

Abstract: The development of ultrafine grained microstructures in steels has received considerable attention in recent times. In many cases the aim is to produce high strength structural steels with minimal alloying. It is well established that for an equiaxed ferrite with a uniform dispersion of second phase, both the strength and toughness will be markedly improved if the grain size can be reduced to 1-2 µm, from the typical range of 5-10 µm. Means of achieving this through dynamic strain induced transformation are examined here, following a brief overview of some of the key issues encountered when attempting to refine the austenite in existing mill configurations. A number of deformation microstructure maps are developed to aid the discussion.

Abstract: A small number of crystal plasticity simulations and tensile tests are carried out with the aim of demonstrating that control of twinning can improve the uniform elongation of magnesium based alloys. It is suggested that this can be accomplished through texture manipulation because texture influences both the fraction of grains that undergo twinning and the strain required for the twinning reaction to go to completion.