Materials Science Forum Vol. 782

Abstract: The homogenization of AlSi7MgCu0.5 alloy as-cast structure by using an equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated. The heat treatment of as-cast alloy applied before ECAP processing was required to increase alloy plasticity. Therefore, the samples of analyzed alloy were solution annealed at temperature of 550 °C for 4 hours and subsequently water quenched. Quenched samples were artificially aged at temperature of 300 °C for 5 hours to obtain an over-aged alloy state. The solution annealing of as-cast alloy state caused a partial spheroidization and coarsening of eutectic Si-particles. During artificial aging of analyzed alloy, the incoherent particles precipitated uniformly from α-solid solution. The ECAP technique at room temperature homogenized its heterogeneous dendritic microstructure and formed the ultra-fine grains of solid solution. A redistribution and fragmentation of the eutectic Si-particles and precipitated particles was occurred.

Abstract: The paper is concerned with an analysis of utility properties of selected aluminium alloys, namely EN AW 6082 (AlSi1MgMn), EN AW 6061 (AlMg1SiCu) and EN AW 7075 (AlZn5.5MgCu) with different technology of hot processing. The alloys were hot processed to reach T3 condition (solution annealing, cold forming and natural aging) and to reach T4 condition (solution annealing and natural aging). The following parameters were subject to evaluation: microstructure and sub-structure, mechanical properties (strength and plastic characteristics stated in Table. 1) as well as fatigue properties of these alloys assessed during alternative symmetrical stress in torsion. The paper was aimed to study the affect of processing technology of three aluminium alloys on their utility properties in the conditions of tensile stress and cyclic stress in torsion.

Abstract: Non-metallic inclusions in Elektron 21 and WE43 magnesium alloys have been investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy. Investigations were conducted both on the fracture surfaces and microsections. Researches revealed presence of alloying elements oxides, inclusions originating in mould material and inclusions originating in the fluxes covering liquid metal surface in the cruicible. The number of inclusions is reduced by application of complex gating system and by leaving small amount of alloy in the cruicible after the pouring process.

Abstract: Magnesium alloys has been used for a wide variety of applications, namely from the reason of their low density and high strength–to–weight ratio. The properties of magnesium alloys are connected with microstructure that is influenced by metallurgical and technological aspects. Scope of utilisation of foundry magnesium alloys is continuously being extended, so if we want to operate as competitive producers, it is necessary to investigate very actively properties of individual alloys, optimise their chemical composition, study issues of their metallurgical preparation, verify experimentally their casting properties and conditions of successful casting of castings by individual methods, including heat treatment. Recently, however, increases also utilisation of formed magnesium alloys namely application of SPD methods. The experimental part deals with hardness and structure determination of selected magnesium alloys after ECAP processing.

Abstract: Magnesium alloys of Mg-Zn-RE-Zr group are characterized by creep resistance up to 250°C, good castability, absence of the microporosity and gas corrosion resistance. Defect of these alloys are low mechanical properties at ambient temperature. Magnesium alloys are used in the automotive, aerospace and defense industries, mainly as gravitational casts to sand moulds or die-casting. Casting defects often appear in these casts (misruns, micro-shrinkage, cracks), especially for large-size castings. The welding technologies are most often applicable to repair of casts, mainly non-consumable electrode welding in the inert-gas cover. Welded joints made of magnesium alloys should have properties at least the same as the ready cast, in particular it should ensure stability of the structure and properties of all welded joint in working temperature. In the literature there is a lack of information about stability and properties of welded joints of Mg-4E-3Zn (EZ33A-T5 acc. to ASTM B80) alloy castings. In research work determined the structure of welded joints of Mg-4RE-3Zn alloy casting after stress-relief annealing and defined changes of structure and properties during long-term annealing at the temperature of 250°C. It was found that the structure of welded joint of casting alloy Mg-4RE-3Zn is stable at the temperature of 250°C through at least 1000 hours. The hardness of tested joints equal 80 HV. Therefore welding technologies can be used for repair of magnesium alloy casts with addition of zinc and rare earth elements.

Abstract: Titanium and its alloys are frequently used in many sectors, including the health care sector, where they outperform other materials. From the biocompatibility viewpoint, the preferred condition of these materials is ultrafine or nanostructured state. Processes based on severe plastic deformation (SPD) that are capable of producing microstructures with sizes of the order of nanometers are gaining importance these days. Their typical limitation is the small volume of material processed. One of available ways to enhancing the productivity is to combine the CONFORM continuous extrusion process with the ECAP method. This paper describes initial experience with this combined process in the CONFORM 315i machine, which is equipped with a specially-designed forming die chamber. Influence the number of passes through CONFORM machine on thermal stability was study by horizontal dilatometer and heat-flux calorimeter. The impact of deformation on the shift in recrystallization temperature of pure titanium was confirmed. The microstructure evolution and the grain growth behavior were investigated by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. The deformed UFG titanium was annealed at a range of temperature (400-600 °C) for up to 6 h. The grain growth kinetics was characterized by calculating the grain growth activation energy Q and the time exponent n based on the experimental results for deformed material. Data for annealing temperatures of 550 and 600 °C allowed the values of the time exponent n = 0.19 and activation energy Q = 248 kJ/mol were calculated.

Abstract: Last 15 years is in the sign of increasing pressure on decreasing of content of toxic metals in consumer products. Widely known are legislative rules on decreasing the content of cadmium, hexavalent chromium and mercury in various products for their negative effect on environment and human health. Similar legislative acts take care of lead content in free machined brass. For example rules that come from directive of European Council 98/83/ES released on November the 3rd 1998 command, that maximum content of lead in brass products which are in contact with drinking water has to be less than 1%. Similar and stronger rules are applied in California by the law AB 1953 which reduces the lead content in these brass products under 0,25 %. Article describes the role of lead in free machining brass and describes the problems of its substitution by means of other elements and phases for bringing similar machinability as in case of brass with lead. Article also introduces experiments with melting of new brass with substitution of lead. Microstructures of experimental heats are shown and further experiments are described.

Abstract: Cu22Zn4.6Al shape memory alloy shows memory phenomenon after quenching from dual phase region. Amount of shape memory effect continuously decreases with raised quenching temperature. Decrease is caused by increasing of amount of non-thermoelastic martensite in structure [. Approximately above 700°C there is no effect and martensite is non-thermoleastic. Non-thermoelastic martesite decomposes to alpha and gamma/beta phases at heating at elevated temperatures.[ This effect can be used for modification of structure and thus mechanical and shape memory properties. Some various types of structures were obtained and mechanical and shape memory properties were evaluated. Using of decomposition of non-thermoelastic martensite allows to obtain fine structure with the same amount of alpha phase and martensite as in basic state. This type of structure has better shape memory properties and higher mechanical properties.

Abstract: This article summarises results of structure stability investigation of cast Ni-base and Co-base alloys after prolonged high temperature exposure at 900-1100 °C. Cast Ni (Co)-Cr-W-C alloys are resistant to high-temperature corrosion, due to high chromium content. Their heat resistance is caused by presence of carbides, which are stable at very high temperatures. Carbides precipitate in shape of large plate-like particles or carbide eutectics at casting cell boundaries, thus forming carbide skeleton of the alloy. Carbide morphology and temperature stability depends on chemical composition of the alloy, e.g. carbide content, type and content of carbide-forming elements. Microstructure changes were evaluated by stereological analysis and X ray-spectral microanalysis.

Abstract: IN738LC is a cast nickel-base superalloy developed for applications requiring high strength at elevated temperatures. Its balanced composition provides a good combination of tensile and creep-rupture properties as a result of gamma prime precipitate strengthening enhanced by solid solution and grain-boundary strengthening. Experimental castings are used in heat treated state. This alloy is used widely, for example, for manufacturing of gas turbine blades. Recently, customers demand different weight of castings hence different conditions during solidifying and cooling of the castings originate, resulting in different castings microstructure. When approving the castings, mechanical values are measured by tensile test on test bars made from the cast blade roots. This work investigates mechanical properties casting structure correlations, particularly grain, casting defects, carbides.