Papers by Author: Xiang Zhao

Abstract: In this paper, we report some ab initio calculation results of three perfect stoichiometric alloy systems Ni2XGa (X = Mn, Fe, Co). The calculations have been performed on optimizing the crystal structures in both austenitic and martensitic phases, the electronic density of states (DOS), the magnetic properties and the difference of charge distributions on considering that Mn, Fe, Co are adjacent to each other within one period in the periodic table of elements, and they are all ferro-magnetic. We have shown the impact of these magnetic elements on several properties of each alloy. Study on these three Heusler alloy systems is important in view of property prediction.

Abstract: In the present work, we summarize three calculation methods to determine some specific crystallographic elements based on electron diffraction orientation measurements by SEM and TEM. The first one is to determine the plane indices of the faceted interfaces where the orientation relation¬ships (ORs) between the adjacent crystals are reproducible. To acquire the orientation data, we need to prepare only one sample surface but not two perpendicular sample surfaces as usually required in the standard double trace method. The second is to characterize the surface crystalline planes and directions of a faceted nano-particle under TEM imaging and diffraction mode. With the determination of the edge trace vectors and then the plane normal vectors in the screen coordinate system of TEM, their Miller indices in the crystal coordinate system can be calculated through coordinate trans¬formation. The third method is to determine the twin type and the twinning elements based on the orientation information acquired by SEM EBSD measurements from the two twinned crystals through misorientation calculations. These methods will facilitate related studies.

Abstract: An AC magnetic field (0.5Tesla) is applied with the field direction perpendicular to the rolling direction during annealing of a 76% cold-rolled IF steel sheet. Microstructure and texture evolution in the as-annealed specimens were determined using SEM based OIM technique. It is found that the recrystallization is noticeably retarded by AC magnetic field annealing. At the early stage of recrystallization (annealing at 650°C for 30min), the development of (111) <123> orientations was favored by the AC magnetic field. With progress of recrystallization (annealing at 700°C and 750°C for 30min), the applied AC magnetic field suppressed the development of γ-fiber recrystallization textures to some extent.

Abstract: This paper summarizes some of our recent results on crystal structure, microstructure, orientation relationship between martensitic variants and crystallographic features of martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn-Ga FSMAs. It was shown that Ni53Mn25Ga22 has a tetragonal I4/mmm martensitic structure at room temperature. The neighboring martensitic variants in Ni53Mn25Ga22 have a compound twinning relationship with the twinning elements K1={112}, K2={11-2}, η1=<11-1>, η2=<111>, P={1-10} and s=0.379. The ratio of the relative amounts of twins within the same initial austenite grain is ~1.70. The main orientation relationship between austenite and martensite is Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) relationship. Based on the crystallographic phenomenological theory, the calculated habit plane is {0.690 -0.102 0.716}A (5.95° from {101}A), and the magnitude, direction and shear angle of the macroscopic transformation shear are 0.121, <-0.709 0.105 0.698>A (6.04° from <-101>A) and 6.88°, respectively.

Abstract: The effect of high magnetic field annealing on the nucleation sites for recrystallized nuclei with {111}<112> orientation in the initial stage of recrystallization in as-annealed interstitial-free (IF) steel sheet were investigated by the SEM-EBSD analysis. Specimens of cold rolled IF steel sheet were annealed at 650°C for 0min and 10min respectively with a 12-tesla magnetic field to obtain a partially recrystallized microstructure. During the magnetic field annealing, they were respectively placed at the center of the applied field with their rolling planes parallel to the magnetic field direction (MD), and with their rolling direction (RD) parallel and normal to the MD, respectively. It was found that different to the non-field annealed specimen, in the field annealed specimens, the {111}<112> oriented recrystallized nulei favored to nucleate in the {111}<112> deformed matrix and not in the {111}<110> deformed matrix. This phenomenon may be attributed to the magnetic ordered state induced by the magnetic field, which might suppress the formation of high-energy grain boundaries between the newly formed nuclei and the deformed matrix.

Abstract: In this paper, some of our recent results in phase equilibrium, microstructure, texture and precipitation resulting from the application of an external high magnetic field during diffusional phase transformation in both medium carbon and high carbon steels have been summarized Their potential engineering applications are foreseen.

Abstract: The recrystallization behaviors of cold rolled aluminum alloys in electric field up to 400kV/mm and the phase transformation processes of proeutectoid steels under magnetic field up to 14 Tesla have been experimentally examined. It has been found that both the electric field and the magnetic field have influence on the evolution of texture and microstructure characteristics. During the recrystallization annealing under the electric field of the cold-rolled 3104 aluminum alloy sheets, the electric field postpones the recovery and recrystallization progress. First principle calculation was performed to study the electric structures of aluminum atoms and vacancies. It shows that vacancies that are helpful for recovery are electrically negative. As the sample worked as anode during electric field annealing, it was covered with positive surface charges that attract the electronegative vacancies in the vicinity of the free surface and annihilate them. In this way, the recovery and then the recrystallization are postponed. The magnetic field applied changes the precipitation sequence of transitional carbides during low temperature tempering that makes the relatively high-temperature monoclinic χ-Fe5C2 carbide precipitated without following the usual precipitation sequence, i.e. by skipping the precipitation of the usual orthorhombic η-Fe2C carbide. To reveal the working mechanism of this phenomenon, first principle calculations were performed to study the formation energies of the two iron-carbide systems and their electronic and magnetic structures and properties. Calculation results show that η-Fe2C has lower formation energy, which is proved by the formation sequence observed during the usual low temperature tempering process. However, χ-Fe5C2 has the higher magnetic moment, which enhances the stability under the magnetic field through magnetization. Therefore, under the magnetic field its precipitation tendency is increased.

Abstract: The effects of magnetic annealing on recrystallization and texture evolution in asannealed interstitial-free (IF) steel sheet were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction ODF analysis, SEM-EBSD analysis, and optical microstructure observation. During the magnetic annealing, specimens were placed at the center of the applied magnetic field, with their rolling planes parallel to the field direction (MD) and their rolling direction (RD) normal to the field direction (MD). It was found that the magnetic annealing retards the recrystallization process, but promotes the nucleation at the initial stage of recrystallization. Magnetic annealing did not change the mechanism of recrystallization texture evolution but improved the development of γ-fiber texture during the process of recrystallization, and the magnetically annealed specimen had stronger γ-fiber texture compared with the conventionally annealed specimen; this interesting finding is quite different from the previous work on magnetically annealed IF steel.

Abstract: The new phase equilibrium of Fe-C diagram under magnetic field has been theoretically calculated. Results show that the magnetic field mainly shifts the γ⁄α+γ equilibrium line and the eutectoid point to the high carbon and high temperature sides. Based on this result, an experimental setup has been launched to investigate the effect of magnetic field on austenite decomposition in medium carbon and high carbon steels. The thermodynamic and kinetic effects of the high magnetic field on proeutectoid transformation at different cooling rates have been studied. It was found that for medium carbon steels, the magnetic field increases the amount of proeutectoid ferrite and accelerates the diffusional decomposition of austenite at medium and relatively fast cooling rates (10°C/min and 46°C/min). But there is no special grain growth along the field direction. The results led to a proposal of a new rapid annealing under a high magnetic field. However, when cooling is slow (2°C/min), the magnetic field shows a strong tendency to promote the proeutectoid ferrite grains to grow along the field direction through the magnetic dipolar interaction, which leads to the formation of an elongated grain structure. Moreover, the magnetic field also exhibits influence on the austenite decomposition in hypereutectoid steel by changing the amount of secondary cementite and lamellar spacing of pearlite.

Abstract: Effects of electric field annealing on recrystallization texture and average plastic strain ratio (r value) of IF steel sheet were studied by mean of X ray diffraction ODF analysis and the tensile test. Specimens of 75% cold-rolled IF steel sheet were annealed at 850flC for 25min,with and without electric field annealing respectively. Results show that the electric field annealing does not change the type of recrystallization texture and its formation mechanism in IF deep-drawing steel sheet, but improves the formation and development of recrystallization i-fiber texture, enhances the intensity of i-fiber texture, and retards the formation and development of c-fiber texture. Comparing with the conventional annealing, electric field annealing improves the average plastic strain ratio (r value). Possible reasons for the intensification of recrystallization i-fiber texture with the electric field applied may attribute to the reduction of stored energy, thus hindering the formation of other orientated nuclei and enhancing the nucleating ratio of i-oriented nuclei. And the intensification of recrystallization i-fiber texture was considered as the main reason for the enhancement of the plastic strain ratio (r value) in IF steel sheet.