Papers by Author: Michael K. Miller

Abstract: The temporal evolution of the microstructure resulting from phase separation into Fe-rich (α), Cr-rich (α¢), and Fe(Ti,Al) (β¢) phases of a Fe-20Cr-6Al-0.5Ti alloy has been analyzed by thermoelectric power measurements (TEP). The early stages of decomposition and the evolution of the three-dimensional microstructure have been analyzed by atom probe tomography (APT). The roles of Cr, Al, and Ti during the decomposition process have been investigated in terms of solute partitioning between the phases. Analysis of proximity histograms revealed that significant Al and Ti partitioning occurs, which is consistent with theoretical calculations. The results indicate that as the α-α¢ phase separation proceeds, Al and Ti are rejected into the α phase, which causes the β¢ phase to nucleate on the surface of the α¢ phase.

Abstract: The dislocation density in ferrite and austenite of a bainitic microstructure obtained by transformation at very low temperature (300 °C) has been determined using transmission electron microscopy. Observations revealed that bainitic ferrite plates consist of two distinctive regions with different substructures. A central region in the ferrite plate is observed with dislocations that may result from lattice-invariant deformation at the earlier stage of bainite growth. As plastic deformation occurs in the surrounding austenite to accommodate the transformation strain as growth progresses, the Ferrite/Austenite interface has also a very distinctive dislocation profile. In addition, atom-probe tomography suggested that dislocation tangles observed in the vicinity of the ferrite/austenite interface might trap higher amount of carbon than single dislocations inside the bainitic ferrite plate.

Abstract: The amount of carbon in solid solution in bainitic ferrite at the early stage of transformation has been directly determined by atom probe tomography at 200 °C, taking advantage of the extremely slow transformation kinetics of a novel nanocrystalline steel. Results demonstrated that the original bainitic ferrite retains much of the carbon content of the parent austenite providing strong evidence that bainite transformation is essentially displacive in nature.

Abstract: The high temperature and irradiation response of a new class of nanostructured ferritic alloys have been investigated by atom probe tomography. These materials are candidate materials for use in the extreme environments that will be present in the next generation of power generating systems. Atom probe tomography has revealed that the yttria powder is forced into solid solution during the mechanical alloying process andsubsequently 2-nm-diameter Ti-, Y- and O-enriched nanoclusters are formedduring the extrusion process. These nanoclusters have been shown to be remarkably stable during isothermal annealing treatments up to 0.92 of the melting temperature and during proton irradiation up to 3 displacements per atom. No significant difference in sizes, compositions and number densities of the nanoclusters was also observed between the unirradiated and proton irradiated conditions. The grain boundaries were found to have high number densities of nanoclusters as well as chromium and tungsten segregation which pin the grain boundary to minimize creep and grain growth.

Abstract: The elemental partitioning characteristics of advanced single crystal Ni-base superalloys containing additions of both Pt and Ru have been investigated using atom probe tomography. Detailed microanalysis revealed Ru additions partitioned preferentially to the disordered matrix, whereas Pt additions tended to partition to the ordered intermetallic γ′ precipitates. The partitioning characteristics of three nominally similar alloys with systematic variations in the levels of Cr, Ru and Pt were investigated. For this particular set of experimental alloys, minor changes in the partitioning characteristics of the constituent elements could be attributed to additions of Cr and Ru. The preferential site occupancy of Pt within the L12 lattice was also statistically quantified with ALCHEMI (atomic site location by channelling enhanced microanalysis). In contrast to the atomic partitioning characteristics of Ru, Pt exhibited a tendency to occupy the Ni sublattice sites in the γ′ structure.

Abstract: The microstructure following a new martensite heat treatment has been examined, principally by high-resolution microanalytical transmission electron microscopy and by atom probe tomography. The new process involves quenching to a temperature between the martensite-start (Ms) and martensite-finish (Mf) temperatures, followed by ageing either at or above, the initial quench temperature, whereupon carbon can partition from the supersaturated martensite phase to the untransformed austenite phase. Thus the treatment has been termed ‘Quenching and Partitioning’ (Q&P). The carbon must be protected from competing reactions, primarily carbide precipitation, during the first quench and partitioning steps, thus enabling the untransformed austenite to be enriched in carbon and largely stabilised against further decomposition to martensite upon final quenching to room temperature. This microstructural objective is almost directly opposed to conventional quenching and tempering of martensite, which seeks to eliminate retained austenite and where carbon supersaturation is relieved by carbide precipitation. This study focuses upon a steel composition representative of a TRIP-assisted sheet steel. The Q&P microstructure is characterised, paying particular attention to the prospect for controlling or suppressing carbide precipitation by alloying, through examination of the carbide precipitation that occurs.