Papers by Author: Stanislav Rusz

Abstract: The technology of structure refinement in materials with the aim of achieving substantial mechanical properties and maintaining the required plasticity level is becoming increasingly useful in industrial practice. Magnesium alloys are very progressive materials for utilization in practice thanks to their high strength-to-weight ratios (tensile strength/density). The presented paper analyses the effect of the input heat treatment of the AZ31 alloy on the change of structure and strength properties through the process of severe plastic deformation (SPD), which finds an increasing utilization, especially in the automotive and aviation industry. For the study of the influence of the SPD process (ECAP method) on the properties of the AZ31 alloy, two types of thermal treatment of the initial state of the structure were selected. The analysis of the structure of the AZ31 alloy was performed in the initial state without heat treatment and subsequently after heat treatment. In the next part, the influence of the number of passes on the strengthening curves was evaluated. Mechanical properties of the AZ31 alloy after ECAP were evaluated by hardness measurement and completed by structure analysis.

Abstract: Electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the microstructure and deformation behavior of AZ61 alloy proceeded by ECAP. The commercial AZ61 alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation possesses a two-phase microstructure consisting of solid solution matrix and massive γ-phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂, or Mg₁₇(Al,Zn)₁₂ distributed mostly at grain boundaries. Based on selected area diffraction and electron back scattered diffraction applied to a sample after the third pass, it can be concluded that plastic deformation induced by ECAP occurs mainly by slip mode forming a high density network of dislocation inside the grains. The grains size was significantly refined to 1.4 μm after the third pass of ECAP. The refinement of grain size is probably due to polygonization process associated with formation of high angle grain boundaries due to dislocations rearrangement. (Al, Zn)₁₂Mg₁₇ precipitates of size scattered from 100 to 200 nm and also the primary precipitates of Al6Mn phase were observed in this alloy.

Abstract: The CCT and DCCT diagrams of steel C60 (with approx. 0.6 % C) were constructed on the basis of dilatation tests with and/or without an influence of the previous deformation and they were then compared, order to make an evaluation of the influence of the previous deformation on the phase transformation kinetics. For the execution of the experiment, the dilatation module of the plastometer Gleeble 3800 was used. The accuracy of the diagrams was faced with metallographic analyses and measurements. The previous deformation expressly retarded a bainite transformation and slightly accelerated ferrite and pearlite transformations. The martensite start temperature was practically not influenced by the previous deformation; however, the applied deformation caused the creation of the martensite at lower cooling rates.

Abstract: Using the laboratory rolling mill with smooth rolls, piercing, as well as rolling in a pilger mill of the seamless tubes with diameter 273 mm from the HSLA steel microalloyed with vanadium steel was simulated. Influence of the wall thickness (6.3 – 40 mm) and finish rolling temperature on the final structural and mechanical properties was investigated. Necessary temperatures of the phase transformations in the course of cooling were determined by dilatometric tests. Based on the dilatometry results, finish rolling temperatures were reduced. Lower rolling temperatures yielded in a relative grain refinement. Effect of the finish rolling temperature did not have any marked impact on the tensile tests results. Strength properties decreased only slightly with the increasing wall thickness and the plastic properties were not influenced significantly by this parameter. The positive effect of the reduced finishing temperature appeared markedly in the results of impact tests performed at room temperature only. Notch toughness was increased by approx. 25 % in the case of the wall thickness of not less than 20 mm.

Abstract: DRECE - Dual Rolls Equal Channel Extrusion" (dual rolls pressure combined with equal channel extrusion) method is used for production of metallic materials with very fine grain size (hereinafter referred to as UFG structure - Ultrafine Grain Size). During the actual forming process the principle of severe plastic deformation is used. The device is composed of the following main parts: “Nord” type gearbox, electric motor with frequency speed converter, multi-plate clutch, feed roller and pressure rollers with regulation of thrust, and of the forming tool itself – made of Dievar steel type. Metallic strip with dimensions 58×2×1000 mm (width x thickness x length) is inserted into the device. During the forming process the main cylinder in synergy with the pressure roller extrude the material through the forming tool without any change of cross section of the strip. In this way a significant refinement of grain is achieved by severe plastic deformation. This method is used for various types of metallic materials, non-ferrous metals and their alloys. Forming process is based on extrusion technology with zero reduction of thickness of the sheet metal with the ultimate aim - achieving a high degree of deformation in the formed material. The DRECE device is also being verified from the viewpoint of achievement of a UFG structure in a blank of circular cross-section (wire) with diameter of ø 8 mm × 1000 mm (length).

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to determine the high-manganese austenite propensity to twinning induced by the cold working and its effect on structure and mechanical properties, and especially the strain energy per unit volume of new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) investigated steel with various structures after their thermo-mechanical treatments. The new-developed high-manganese steel provides an extensive potential for automotive industries through exhibiting the twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) mechanisms. TWIP steels not only show excellent strength, but also have excellent formability due to twinning, thereby leading to excellent combination of strength, ductility, and formability over conventional dual phase steels or transformation induced plasticity TRIP steels. The microstructure evolution in successive stages of deformation was determined in metallographic investigations using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopies as well as X-ray diffraction methods.

Abstract: Magnesium alloys has been used for a wide variety of applications, namely from the reason of their low density and high strength–to–weight ratio. The properties of magnesium alloys are connected with microstructure that is influenced by metallurgical and technological aspects. Scope of utilisation of foundry magnesium alloys is continuously being extended, so if we want to operate as competitive producers, it is necessary to investigate very actively properties of individual alloys, optimise their chemical composition, study issues of their metallurgical preparation, verify experimentally their casting properties and conditions of successful casting of castings by individual methods, including heat treatment. Recently, however, increases also utilisation of formed magnesium alloys namely application of SPD methods. The experimental part deals with hardness and structure determination of selected magnesium alloys after ECAP processing.

Abstract: Susceptibility to cracking of the as-cast C-Mn-Cr-Nb steel was studied by laboratory rolling. The variable parameters were the heating temperature (1150 - 1340 °C) as well as the rolling temperature (950 - 1150 °C). Final microstructure of the free-cooled samples was constituted by bainite, pearlite and ferrite with different morphology and various contribution. Deformation temperature below 1000 °C yielded in the incomplete recrystallization of austenite. Surface cracks originated preferentially on the austenite grains boundaries. Size of the present particles (inclusions and precipitates) varied from 10¹ nm to 10¹ μm. SEM and EDS analysis revealed that the inclusions ware mostly of the MnS type. TEM analysis confirmed that the grain boundaries were not enriched by any particles. In addition to the Fe₃C particles, the discoid niobium carbide particles with approximately 40 nm diameter and 10 nm thickness were detected. These small particles were not connected by any notable pinning of dislocations.

Abstract: The samples intended for the study of static recrystallization on plastometer Gleeble were prepared from the laboratory castings of iron aluminide containing 24.6 Al 0.17 Mn 0.16 Zr 0.026 B 0.004 C (in wt. %, remainder Fe). Nevertheless, the structure analysis discovered that the results were excessively influenced by the huge heterogeneity of the as-cast microstructure, mostly of the grain size. Combination of the hot forming and recrystallization process during the long-term high-temperature annealing was selected for the necessary structure homogenization. As the tested intermetallic alloy is extremely brittle and susceptible to surface cracking, the original method was applied for its processing. The method consists in hot rolling in the protective capsules welded from the ferritic stainless steel sheet. The castings were rolled to 2/3 of their thickness by 4 reductions with the inter-stage heating, and then annealed at the temperature of 1200 °C in the vacuum furnace for several periods. Metallographic analysis revealed that annealing lasting 7 hours was essential for the uniform coarsening of the recrystallized grains. Material processed in this way proved successful for the subsequent metallographical study of static recrystallization.

Abstract: Magnesium alloy EZ10 was deformed in tension at temperatures from room temperature up to 400 °C with an initial strain rate of 2.7x10^-3 s^-1. Deformation tests showed a rapid decrease of the tensile yield strength at temperatures higher than 300 °C. Microstructure of the deformed samples was analysed with light microscope. Fracture mechanisms were estimated using scanning electron microscopy.