Papers by Author: Yu Dong Zhang

Abstract: The phase transformation and magnetic properties of Heusler-type Ni₅₀Mn_50-xIn_x (x=10~16) ferromagnetic shape-memory alloys have been systemically investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and vibrating sample magnetometry. It is found that the phase transition temperatures show a linear relationship with the In concentration and the curie temperatures of austenite phases are not sensitive to the alloy composition. The existence of large magnetization change during the magneto-structural transition is the origin of magnetic-field-induced transformation effect.

Abstract: The effects of the magnetic field intensity on microstructure and crystallographic orientation of proeutectoid ferrite in Fe-0.36C alloy have been investigated. Results show that the amount of the Widmänstatten ferrite decreases with the increase of the magnetic field intensity. The transformed proeutectoid ferrite tends to elongate and align along the field direction due to the magnetic dipolar interaction. This tendency is more pronounced when the field intensity increases. Moreover, the enhancement of the <001> fiber component along the traverse field direction by magnetic field is obvious when the field intensity is stronger.

Abstract: In the present work, we summarized two calculation methods to determine some specific crystallographic elements based on electron diffraction orientation measurements by SEM/EBSD or TEM. The first one is to determine the twin type and twinning elements of crystal twins based on the minimum shear criterion, using the experimentally determined twinning plane for Type I twin and compound twin or twinning direction for Type II twin as initial input. The method is valid for any crystal structure. The second one is one to determine the plane indices of the faceted interfaces where the orientation relationships (ORs) between the adjacent crystals are reproducible. The method requires one prepared sample surface instead of two perpendicular surfaces. These methods are expected to facilitate the related microstructural characterizations.

Abstract: The effect of Co addition on the properties of Ni_8-xMn₄Ga₄Co_x (x=0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2) ferromagnetic shape memory alloys are systematically investigated by means of the first–principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) using the Vienna ab initio software package (VASP). The formation energy results indicate that the added Co preferentially occupies the Ni sites in Ni₂MnGa alloy. With the increase of the Co content, the optimized lattice parameters of the parent phase decreases regularly, whereas the lattice parameter a of the martensite increases and c decreases, thus leading to a decrease of the c/a ratio. The effects of Co addition on phase stability of the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic austenite are displayed. The difference in the magnetic properties in the investigated series can be explained from the electronic density of states analysis. The aim of this paper is to provide theoretical guidance for the development of new promising ferromagnetic shape memory alloys with optimized properties.

Abstract: For off-stoichiometric Ni₂MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, a large shape change could be induced through the rearrangement of martensitic variants under an external magnetic field. Insight into the orientation relationships of martensitic variants and the characteristics of variant boundaries is thus essential for understanding the magnetic shape memory performance. In this paper, a thorough crystallographic investigation was made on the incommensurate 7M modulated martensite in one polycrystalline Ni₅₀Mn₃₀Ga₂₀ alloy by means of X-ray diffraction and SEM electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Locally, there are four differently-oriented martensitic variants, being twin related to one another. The twin interface planes are coherent and they are in coincidence with the respective twinning planes (K₁). A primary exploration was performed to improve the microstructure by repeated magnetic field training during phase transition. The present investigation could offer useful guidance to develop specific technique for microstructure optimization.

Abstract: Our recent work on EBSD-based characterization of incommensurate 7M modulated martensite in a polycrystalline Ni₅₀Mn₃₀Ga₂₀ alloy were summarized. The 7M martensitic plates were revealed to be self-accommodated in colonies, where each colony consisted of four types of variants that were twin related. All the pairs of variants can be categorized into three twinning modes, i.e. type-I, type-II and compound twins. The twin interface planes were in coincidence with the respective twinning planes. Using the measured orientations of adjacent martensitic variants, the orientations of parent austenite grains were calculated under the assumed orientation relationships for the austenite to martensite transformation. The energetically favorable orientation relationship between austenite and martenstie for the martensitic transformation was identified to be the Pitsch relation.

Abstract: The effects of the 12T magnetic field on transformed morphology and crystallographic characteristics of high purity Fe-1.1C (wt.%) alloy during diffusional decomposition of austenite are studied by SEM/EBSD. With the applied field, the lamellar spacing of pearlite is greatly enlarged and the spheroidization tendency of the pearlitic cementite is enhanced. This can be attributed to the thermodynamic effect of the field on phase equilibrium by elevating the eutectoid temperature; hence the eutectoid transformation happens at higher temperature that favors carbon diffusion. As a consequence, the eutectoid cementite that is usually in lamellar shape spheroidizes to reduce its specific surface area. In addition, three orientation relationships between ferrite and cementite in pearlite, namely Isaichev ORs and two near Pitsch-Petch ORs (P-P1 and P-P2), are found both in non-field and field treated specimens. The magnetic field favors the occurrence of P-P2 OR due to the promotion of nucleation of the pearlitic ferrite. However, there is no obvious effect of the field on the crystallographic orientation of pearlitic ferrite, and that is probably related to the quick saturation of magnetization that results in the disappearance of magnetization anisotropy.

Abstract: Abstract In the present work, we summarized two calculation methods to determine some specific crystallographic elements based on electron diffraction orientation measurements performed by TEM. The first one is to determine the type and the Burgers vector of dislocations for a known crystal structure. The method calculates the orientation of the projections of all the possible dislocation line vectors in the TEM screen coordinate system using the determined crystallographic orientation of the grain and then compares them with the observed ones to identify the observed dislocations. The second is to characterize the surface crystalline planes and directions of faceted nano-particles. With the determination of the edge trace vectors and then the plane normal vectors in the screen coordinate system of the TEM, their Miller indices in the crystal coordinate system can be calculated through coordinate transformation. These methods are expected to facilitate the related studies.

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: 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.