Papers by Author: Sybrand van der Zwaag

Abstract: A comprehensive and systematic study using hardness, tensile test and Kahn tear test was undertaken to follow property development during the recently promoted interrupted ageing treatment. In contrast to the reported claims hardness remains lower than that of single stage heat treatment. Toughness does not improve substantially and deteriorates further as re-ageing time is prolonged. For most cases, the effect of interrupted ageing could not produce a simultaneous improvement in mechanical properties. TEM observations indicate the size and distribution co-existing S” and S phases upon re-ageing depend on interrupted condition.

Abstract: This work utilizes thermoelectric power (TEP) measurement to track secondary precipitation during the interrupted ageing cycle for AA2024 alloys as well as the subsequent re-ageing cycle. Clear evidences of secondary precipitation were observed which affect the further precipitation sequence during re-ageing. The TEM results confirm that S and S” phases co-exist upon re-ageing.

Abstract: Due to Plasticity induced Transformation in metastable β-Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (wt.%) alloy (PiTTi) upon deformation, a noticeable improvement in mechanical properties is observed. Among the main factors controlling such effect are the β grain size and its composition. Such phase transforms into martensite upon quenching. Its martensite start temperature (Ms) varies in accordance with its composition. Following Ghosh and Olson’s theory, a thermodynamics based model to predict the compositional dependence of the Ms temperature is developed, and successfully validated for Ti-X (X = Fe, Cr, Mo, V, Nb, Zr and Al) binary alloys. The model has been used to design new alloys displaying a tailored PiTTi effect.

Abstract: A non-equilibrium thermodynamics-based approach is proposed to predict the dislocation density and flow stress at the steady state of high temperature deformation. For a material undergoing dynamic recovery and recrystallization, it is found that the total dislocation density can be expressed as ( )2 ρ = λε& b , where ε& is the strain rate, b is the magnitude of the Burgers vector and λ is a dynamic recovery and recrystallization related parameter.

Abstract: Non-equilibrium thermodynamics theory is applied to the description of plastic deformation in pure FCC metals at the steady state. The saturation flow stress is predicted as a function of temperature and strain rate for Al, Cu, Ni and Ag. The implications on the cell/subgrain size and dislocation density are explored.

Abstract: Ferrite formation during austenite decomposition in carbon-manganese steel is studied during slow continuous cooling by three-dimensional x-ray diffraction microscopy at a synchrotron source. The ferrite fraction and nucleation rate are measured simultaneously and independently in real time in the bulk of the specimen. Thermodynamic calculations involving both ortho- and paraequilibrium have been performed to determine the driving force for nucleation. From the experiments and thermodynamic calculations the activation energies are estimated for nucleation and the transfer of iron atoms across the interface of the cluster during ferrite nucleation in steel.

Abstract: The growth mechanism of bainitic α plates in Ti-4.5Fe-6.8Mo-1.5Al, a metastable β Ti alloy, has been investigated by optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and dilatometry. The observations are compared with the transformation characteristics of primary α plates, which form at relatively high temperatures. The primary α plates form predominantly on β grain boundaries, whereas the bainitic α plates nucleate both at grain boundaries and intragranularly. It is shown that the morphological transition with decreasing temperature is associated with a change in transformation mechanism. The EPMA results show that the primary α plates are formed by a partitioning transformation. In contrast, the growth of the bainitic α plates is partitionless, followed by a post-transformation redistribution of Fe. This mechanism is similar to bainite in steel. The Fe diffusion from the supersaturated bainitic α plates to the β matrix causes the observed dilatation signal. The results of dilatometry in conjunction with optical microscopy indicate that a low misfit between the lattice structures exists, which is favourable for a partitionless transformation to occur at a low undercooling below T0.

Abstract: The complete evolution of solute content and second phases during full-scale industrial processing of AA3103 sheets has been measured. During pre-heating, dispersoids, which appear as plates or small polyhedra grow and the Mn solute content decreases. During subsequent breakdown rolling the dispersoid number-density increases significantly. The measured decrease of solute Mn after hot rolling and coil cooling is attributed to constituent particle growth, whereas the solute depletion during the final back-annealing is mainly caused by the growth of the dispersoids. These observations are compared to the predictions obtained by a semi-physical model for precipitation. Although simulations have been performed without any retro-fitting, for hot rolling the results compare quantitatively well with experiment, while for coil cooling and back annealing the modelled Mn solute depletion is underestimated. The precipitation process is found to be very sensitive to the microstructure, which illustrates the importance of coupling precipitation models with work hardening and softening models to obtain reliable predictions.

Abstract: A simple model for recovery of a subgrain structure is used to distinguish and explain the respective influence of the deformed microstructure characteristics, annealing temperature and concurrent precipitation kinetics on the nucleation kinetics of recrystallisation. Simulation results demonstrate how the balance between recovery and precipitation kinetics controls nucleation.

Abstract: To obtain further progress and a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in recrystallisation, new and more accurate techniques such as in-situ observations are necessary. This innovative method has been used to monitor the recrystallisation process in a FEGSEM equipped with hot stage. Observations are done in backscatter mode with particular attention to orientation contrast. EBSD maps of the observed areas can be acquired before and after recrystallisation. Details of the movement of the interfaces between the recrystallised region and the parent structure are recorded and analysed. The results show that the grain boundaries observed do not move smoothly but with a jerky motion. The recrystallising front sweeps through small areas, corresponding to single sub-grains or small groups of them, very rapidly and then stops at other sub-grain boundaries for varying time before progressing to the following area.