Materials Science Forum Vols. 503-504

Abstract: A study has been carried out on the grain size distribution of cylindrical compacts obtained by consolidation of iron powder severely deformed by mechanical milling. Consolidation has been performed in two consecutive steps: cold and hot conditions. The hot one was done at two temperatures, namely 425 and 475°C. After milling, the iron powder has a grain size of 8 nm (± 4 nm) with an average hardness of 800 HV. After hot compaction the grain size increases up to 50 nm, especially at 475°C where a small fraction of grains reach larger values than the average. The grain size was evaluated by two different techniques, X-Ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Results showed some differences between both methods. The advantage of using TEM is that grain size distribution, and not only the average size, can be obtained. Small discs were also obtained from the compacted specimen in order to fracture them on a “ball on three balls” equipment. The fracture behaviour of the samples was then studied by SEM.

Abstract: Microstructures and transformation behavior of TiNi shape memory alloy after high temperature ECAE process have been investigated. It is found that the initial coarse grains were refined after high temperature ECAE processes and short annealing at 750°C. Transformation temperatures of TiNi alloy sharply decreased after two ECAE processes, rose obviously when annealed at 750°C for 5min, and quickly rose back after annealing at 500°C for 2 hours. Reasons for phase transformation behavior changes have been discussed.