Materials Science Forum Vols. 503-504

Abstract: The experimental and theoretical investigations of grain boundary diffusion processes have been performed using metals and alloys in nanostructured state produced by severe plastic deformation and the respective polycrystalline counterparts. The main features of diffusioncontrolled mechanisms of plastic deformation observed by the creep of nanostructured metals are considered. The use of severe plastic deformation treatment and of the effect of activation of diffusion-controlled processes for enhancing the properties of nanostructured steels and alloys designed for engineering and medical applications (nanostructured titanium-bioactive coating composite included) is described and examples are offered.

Abstract: In the present work we studied microstructure of ultra fine grained (UFG) pure Mg and UFG Mg-based alloys. The initial coarse grained samples were deformed by high pressure torsion (HPT) using pressure of 6 GPa. Such deformation leads to formation of UFG structure in the samples. The severe plastic deformation results in creation of high number of lattice defects. Therefore, we used positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) for defect characterizations. PAS represents a well developed non-destructive technique with high sensitivity to open volume defects like vacancies, vacancy clusters, dislocations etc. In the present work we combined PAS with TEM and XRD to obtain complete information about microstructure of the UFG samples studied. We have found that microstructure of HPT-deformed Mg contains two kinds of regions: (a) ”deformed” regions with UFG structure (grain size 100-200 nm) and high number of randomly distributed dislocations, and (b) ”recrystallized” regions with low dislocation density and grain size of few microns. It indicates some kind of dynamic recovery of microstructure already during HPT processing. On the other hand, homogenous UFG structure with grain size around 100 nm and high density of homogeneously distributed dislocations was formed in HPT-deformed Mg-9.33 wt.%Gd alloy. After characterization of the as-deformed microstructure the samples were subsequently isochronally annealed and the development of microstructure with increasing temperature and recovery of defects were investigated.

Abstract: The fracture toughness was investigated using in an extruded AZ31 magnesium alloy with an initial grain size of 1.0 μm. Since the small scale yielding condition was not satisfied with the present thin thickness, the value of plane-strain fracture toughness, KIC = 27.9 MPam1/2, was measured from Stretched Zone analysis. The values of KIC in AZ31 magnesium alloys were dependent on the grain size. The grain refinement was found to be one of the improvement methods for fracture toughness in magnesium alloy.

Abstract: Friction stir processing (FSP) is a severe plastic deformation (SPD) method that has been applied to as-cast NiAl bronze (NAB) materials, which are widely used for marine components. The thermomechanical cycle of FSP results in homogenization and refinement, and the selective conversion of microstructures from a cast to a wrought condition. The physical metallurgy of NAB is complex and interpretation of the effects of FSP on microstructure has required detailed analysis by optical and electron microscopy methods. Annealing and isothermal hot rolling have been employed to confirm microstructure-based estimates of stir-zone peak temperatures. The variation of mechanical properties was assessed by use of miniature tensile samples and correlated with microstructure for samples from stir zones of single and multi-pass FSP. Exceptional improvement in strength – ductility combinations may be achieved by FSP of NAB materials.

Abstract: Recently, several metallic materials with ultrafine-grained structures and characterized by high strength and toughness have been developed. When these ultrafine-grained materials are practically used, welding and joining processes are required. However, conventional fusion welding processes result in deterioration of the good mechanical properties of these ultrafine-grained materials due to the drastic grain growth of the ultrafine grains. On the other hand, friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process having lower heat-input than fusion welding processes, enabling formation of a fine grain structure in the stir zone. Thus, this process would effectively alleviate deterioration of mechanical properties of the ultrafine-grained materials. The authors applied FSW to ultrafine-grained Al alloys and then examined the microstructural features associated with hardness in the friction stir welds. The present paper reviews microstructural evolution of ultrafine-grained Al alloys, produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and accumulative roll-bonding (ARB), during FSW.

Abstract: Severe plastic deformation of metals leads to changes in microstructure, which in turn are responsible for unusual bulk properties. There are two (interrelated) processes leading to change of microstructure: 1) the production of a very high number of dislocations, leading to a high dislocation density, 2) the “fragmentation” of the original crystal grains into much smaller structural elements leading to what is sometimes called “nanocrystalline” material. Under continued strain neither of these two processes will continue indefinitely. Instead, the microstructure will reach a steady state. Under certain conditions its development may even be reserved. This indicates the operation of restoration mechanisms such as dynamic recovery and recrystallisation. The actual state of art will be discussed on the basis of current experiments.

Abstract: This paper explains the concept of 3D-ECAP with “in-die rotation” and presents the results of experiments for two sets of tooling with channel passages orientated at 90° and 120°. The results for aluminium 1070 are compared in terms of the process force, billet end effects, mechanical properties and structure of the material.

Abstract: Large scale computer simulations suggest that in nanocrystalline metals grain boundaries act as source and sink for dislocations. This suggestion has been the motivation for developing a new in-situ X-ray diffraction technique that allow peak profile analysis of several Bragg diffraction peaks during tensile deformation. Synergies between simulations and experiments are discussed including new applications of the in-situ technique.

Abstract: Equal-channel angular (ECA) pressing is the main technique of the severe plastic deformation (SPD) method, applied for fabrication of bulk nanostructured metal materials. At the same time the practical realization of this technique is a rather challenging task. This is connected with the fact that the material during the ECA pressing is subjected to large strains under high imposed pressure at relatively low temperatures. Simulation with the help of the finite element method (FEM) or the variation-difference (VDM) method is widely applied to analyze the process of ECA pressing. A variety of as commercial as well as in-house developed programs are used by researches, when conducting this analysis. As a result the correlation between the modeling results, obtained at different laboratories as well as their adequacy, i.e. possibilities of their application for the analysis of the experimental data become topical issues. In order to find answers to the questions put by there has been performed computer simulation of 1st pass of ECA pressing by an example of pure copper at 4 different laboratories, engaged in SPD problems. Meanwhile, the investigators used different software packages, however, initial simulation conditions were set equal. This refers in particular to geometry sizes and the form of the die-set possessing square transverse section of the channels, as well as to the inner and outer curvature radii of the channels in the point where they intersect, and to the form and dimensions of the billet, strain rate, strain curve, isotropic model of the material. The modeling temperature was ambient. The die-set and the punch were assigned as absolutely solid non-deformable bodies. Taking into account the symmetry of the solving task, the modeling was conducted for a half of the billet, cut along the vertical plane, coming through its geometrical center. The friction coefficient was assigned equal to zero, in order to avoid influence of friction on the character of the material flow as well as not to complicate the problem at the given stage of comparison. Other modeling parameters were chosen by each researcher on his own, basing on his experience and conventional approaches to modeling. Comparison of the obtained modeling results was made by means of matching of the calculated values of the level of the accumulated strain along the bulk of the billet, pressing efforts, and the geometrical form of the billet after ECA pressing. Modeling results were compared with the results of the experimental researches.