Papers by Author: Xavier Sauvage

Abstract: Architectured copper clad aluminium composites processed by a restacking drawing method at room temperature are reported in this work. Wires were drawn to severe plastic strain without any intermediate annealing. Three different diameters were studied in order to examine the influence of a different plastic deformation level on the structure of the different wires. Thanks to image processing it has been shown that independently of the plastic deformation, inserted fibers remain continuous and are homogeneous in size and shape. Furthermore, XRD and TEM characterizations confirm that there is no significant intermetallic growth during the deformation. Thus, the improvement and/or degradation of the functional properties of the wires can be well controlled by performing an appropriate post-processing annealing treatment. Keywords: Cu/Al composite, architectured wire, drawing, microscopy, image processing

Abstract: A Fe₅₀Pd₅₀ alloy was severely deformed by High Pressure Torsion (HPT). For a processing temperature ranging from 20°C to 300°C, the Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) induces a significant grain size reduction (in a range of 50 to 150 nm) but also a strong disordering of the long range ordered L1₀ phase. However, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) data clearly show that few ordered nanocrystals remain in the deformed state. The deformed material was annealed to achieve a nanoscaled long range ordered structure. The transformation proceeds via the nucleation and growth of ordered domains along grain boundaries. Aging at lower temperature (400°C) gives rise to a smallest domain size and thus the highest coercivity.

Abstract: This paper presents an overview and some original results about the mechanical properties and phase analysis of a nanostructured (NS) nickel-iron based alloy INCONEL 718. This structure was obtained by severe plastic deformation (SPD) via high pressure torsion (HPT) and multiple isothermal forging (MIF) of the alloy with an initial coarse-grained (CG) structure. Materials before and after SPD were analyzed by scanning, transmission electron microscopes and atom probe tomography (APT). Experimental data indicate that after HPT at room temperature - phase was partly dissolved and that precipitation of the -phase occurs during post deformation aging. A hardness up to 8 GPa was recorded for the NS alloy after SPD and annealing at 600°C.

Abstract: Equiatomic FePd alloy in the ordered state has been processed by means of high-pressure torsion deformation (HPTD) and then annealed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and magnetic measurements have been carried out. HPTD results in an order-disorder transformation of the initial ordered L10-phase (s.g. P4/mmm) into a disordered fcc phase (s.g. Fm-3m) through the body-centered tetragonal (bct) phase (s.g. I4/mmm). Subsequent annealing restores the L10-phase.

Abstract: Two Al alloys (AA1570 and AA6061) in the solutionized state have been processed by HPT at room temperature to achieve a homogeneous UFG structure. After HPT, the grain size was found to have a mean value about 100 nm for both alloys. Measured yield stress values of HPT-produced UFG alloys being plotted in terms of the Hall-Petch relationship were found to exceed the plot predictions for the range of ultrafine grain size. For both alloys, Atom Probe Tomography measurements allowed to reveal segregation of solute elements along grain boundaries. The origin of the extremely high strength of the alloys nanostructured by HPT is discussed with a special attention to the influence of such segregations on the emission and the mobility of dislocations.

Abstract: The phase decomposition was investigated in Cu-Al alloys processed to a nanostructure condition by High Pressure Torsion (HPT). The microstructures are characterized by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atom Probe Tomography (APT). The results show that the’ → (1 + decomposition reaction begins in the early stage of annealing and it is much faster than in the coarse-grained state although there are similar phases after annealing.

Abstract: An age-hardenable Cu-2.9%Ni-0.6%Si alloy was subjected to high-pressure torsion. Aging behavior was investigated in terms of hardness, electrical conductivity and microstructural features. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the grain size is refined to ~150 nm and the Vickers microhardness was significantly increased through the HPT process. Aging treatment of the HPT-processed alloy led to a further increase in the hardness. Electrical conductivity is also improved with the aging treatment. It was confirmed that the simultaneous strengthening by grain refinement and fine precipitation is achieved while maintaining high electrical conductivity. Three dimensional atom probe analysis revealed that fine precipitates with sizes of ~20 nm or smaller were formed in the Cu matrix and some particles consist of Ni and Si with no appreciable amount of Cu.

Abstract: Some nanocrystaline Ni was prepared by repeated cold rolling with intermediate folding (F&R). The material was then processed by High Pressure Torsion (HPT) to study the grain evolution under additional Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD). Microstructures were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and the impurity distribution was analyzed by Atom Probe Tomography (APT). In this paper, we discuss about the influence of impurities on the grain growth during HPT and on the grain size reduction mechanism during SPD.

Abstract: A composite wire combining steel and magnesium has been prepared co-extrusion. Both the microstructures and the mechanical properties were characterized showing the opportunity for the development of original lightweight multi-metallic composites with strength and ductility.

Abstract: Here we report about the microstructure of a metal-polymer composite that was processed by severe plastic deformation. The composite was prepared by compaction of a sandwich made of Al foils and polyethylene films. This aluminum-polyethylene composite was processed by high pressure torsion and the microstructure was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Our experimental data clearly show that in the early stage, the deformation is not homogeneous within the sample, indicating that significant softening occurred. However, at larger number of revolution the deformation progressively reaches the sample centre and the final material exhibits an ultrafine grained composite structure.