Materials Science Forum Vol. 941

Abstract: It is widely accepted that the dominant deformation mechanism of fine-grained superplasticity is through grain boundary sliding (GBS) that occurs in fine-grained materials. However, it has been reported that in “Class I” solid solution alloys, superplastic-like behavior controlled by trans-granular deformation occurs by solute drag creep. In this study, we have investigated superplastic behavior in a fine-grained aluminum solid solution alloy with a thermally unstable microstructure. To obtain fine-grained microstructure, friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to a commercial 5083 aluminum (Al−Mg) alloy. An equiaxial fine-grained microstructure with a grain size of 7.4 μm was obtained after FSP; however, this microstructure was unstable at high temperatures. Generally, for fine-grained superplasticity or GBS to occur or continue, the fine-grained microstructure must be smaller than 10 μm during high-temperature deformation. However, a large elongation of over 200% was observed at high temperatures despite the occurrence of grain growth. From microstructural observations, it was determined that a fine-grained microstructure is maintained in the early stage of deformation, but at strain levels greater than 100%, trans-granular deformation occurs. The microstructural feature of this trans-granular deformation is similar to the deformation microstructure of solute drag creep observed in “Class I” solid solution alloys. This indicates that a change in the deformation mechanism from GBS to solute drag creep takes place during high-temperature deformation. Here, based on our observations on our model system, which is a thermally unstable aluminum solid solution alloy, we discuss the possibility of a superplastic elongation occurring by means of a transition of the deformation mechanism.

Abstract: Nano-scale granular magnetic material is a core component in next-generation recording devices. We investigated the influences of element species and composition of ferromagnetic atoms in copper-nickel base nanogranular magnetic materials. In this work, the authors focused on how microstructural evolution and magnetic properties are correlated in Cu-20at%Ni, Cu-15at%Ni-5at%Co and Cu-15at%Ni-5at%Fe alloys. We used Magneto-thermogravimetry (MTG), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry and first-principles calculations based on the method of Koster-Korringa-Rostker (KKR) with the Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) in order to investigate magnetic properties. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations revealed that ferromagnetic element atoms were precipitated with annealing at 973K, but microstructures were changed, depending on the combination and composition of the solute atoms. The magnetic property measurements and first-principles calculations have confirmed that magnetic precipitates are responsible for the magnetic properties of the Cu-Ni-Co and Cu-Ni-Fe alloys.

Abstract: Metastable beta Ti-Cr-Sn-Zr alloys used as biomaterial show low Young’s modulus and super-elasticity according to the phase stability of their beta phase. In this study, we substituted Nb and Fe for Cr in metastable beta Ti-2Cr-6Sn-45Zr alloy and investigated their effect. We investigated how the added amount of Cr, Nb and Fe influences the phase stability and the properties of low Young’s modulus and super-elasticity in Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloys. The Young’s modulus of a Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloy decreases with the addition of Cr, Nb or Fe. However, the Young’s modulus of a Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloy increases with the addition of Cr, Nb or Fe after showing own minimum value respectively. Minimum Young’s modulus of several Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloys were under 50GPa. The required amount of Cr, Nb or Fe in the Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloy having minimum Young’s modulus is different according to the beta stabilizing ability of each element. Fe amounts were the smallest and Nb amounts were the largest. Ti-x-Sn-Zr (x=Cr, Nb or Fe) alloy with minimum Young’s modulus shows a stress-induced martensitic transformation. However, only Ti-Cr-Sn-Zr alloys showed definite super-elasticity. The recovered strain by super-elasticity is small in Ti-Nb-Sn-Zr alloy. Ti-Fe-Sn-Zr alloy didn’t show super-elasticity or large elongation.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline structure of CuFeCo (50:25:25 wt%) alloy has been obtained by high energy mechanical milling from elemental metal powder mixture during large hours of work. Phase transformations and diffusion in the system subjected to heat treatment are discussed. Thermal stability at high temperatures is analysed and considered of importance for several applications. The nanostructure was studied by employing X-Ray diffraction and electron microscopy. It has been determined the reduction in crystallite size and the induced microstrain by the milling time. The solid solution achievement through the increment of defect density was confirmed by Mössbauer analysis. Magnetic behaviour was analysed through magnetization technique entailing their soft ferromagnetic behaviour related to the microstructural changes.

Abstract: Liquid phase separation is a common phenomenon observed in various types of condensed matter, including metals. The microstructure of Co-Cr-Mn-Fe-Ni-Cu and Co-Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni-Ag high entropy alloys (HEAs) with liquid phase separation was investigated. Dual fcc phases were observed in CoCrFeMnNiAg, CoCrFeMnNiCu, and CoCrFeMnNiCu₂ HEAs. A macroscopically phase separated structure formed via liquid phase separation was observed in CoCrFeMnNiAg HEA, and conventional dendritic structures were observed in CoCrFeMnNiCu and CoCrFeMnNiCu₂ HEAs.

Abstract: In this study, to investigate effects of yttrium and other elements for non-basal slips, magnesium alloy single crystals were stretched parallel to basal plane in various temperatures, and polycrystalline magnesium alloys were also tested to estimate contribution of non-basal slips to their tensile deformation behaviour. In pure magnesium single crystals, second order pyramidal (c+a) slip (SPCS) was observed at 298K. Above room temperature, first order pyramidal (c+a) slip (FPCS) was active. In the Mg - (0.6-0.9) Y alloy single crystals, FPCS was observed at 77K to 298K, while yield stress of the Mg-Y alloy single crystals was higher than that of pure magnesium. In tensile test of polycrystalline specimen, slips lines of non-basal slip systems such as SPCS, FPCS and prismatic slip were observed even at yielding in addition to basal slip lines. Among the non-basal slips, activities of FPCS and prismatic slips were increased with increasing strain in Mg - Y alloy polycrystals. Our study suggested that active non-basal slip system in tension parallel to basal plane is (c+a) pyramidal slip and enhanced ductility of magnesium - yttrium alloy would be caused from increased activity of FPCS by yttrium addition.

Abstract: The microstructural characterization of a blade made of Ni-based superalloy was carried out and discussed. The blade was removed from service, of a gas turbine, due to preventive maintenance. This component was studied on different cross sections according to the surface temperature obtained by ANSYS software. The cross sections were characterized by Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM). It was determined that the maximum value of total deformation is 0.001717 mm, located in the surface upper section of the blade, which not correspond to the section with the highest value of temperature calculated with ANSYS software. These results were consistent with the rafted microstructure observed at the upper region of the blade. Microcavities close to the MC carbides with a size of about 40x10^-6 m were also observed. The mechanical behavior of the Ni-based superalloy was studied by Rockwell Hardness testing (RHT). So, morphological changes were identified in the occurrence of the strengthening precipitated, γ', according to the operating conditions: stress and temperature. The average radius of the γ' precipitated was obtained by computer image analysis using ImageJ software. No clear relationship was found between the hardness values obtained and the coarsened γ' precipitated. A bimodal occurrence of coarsened γ' particles was identified distributed through γ matrix by HR-SEM. Thus, this study was carried out with the purpose to identify the critical parameters that promote microstructural changes in the Ni-based superalloy and therefore affect the mechanical behavior in this turbine blade.

Abstract: Ti alloys are attractive materials for such applications, they are expensive due to the costly alloying elements such as Nb or Mo. The present authors have adopted Mn as a low-cost alloying element, and melted Ti-7, 7.5 and 8 mass%Mn-1.5 and 3mass%Al alloys using a laboratory-scale arc furnace. All specimens prepared from bottom ingots were heat treated at 1223 K for 3.6 ks and quenched in ice water. In the 7 and 7.5Mn-Al alloys, the β phase and orthorhombic martensite were identified using X-ray diffraction. In the 8Mn-Al alloys, only the β phase was identified. In the 7, 7.5, and 8Mn-Al alloys, the electrical resistivity at room and liquid nitrogen temperature increased with increasing Al content due to dissolution of Al into the β phase, whereas the Vickers hardness decreased with increasing Al content due to decreasing formation of athermal omega by the addition of Al. Heat treatment at 673 K for 60 s almost completely returned deformed Ti-7 and 7.5Mn-3Al specimens to their original shapes, and heat treatment at 773 K for 60 s almost returned deformed Ti-8Mn-Al specimens to their original shapes.

Abstract: The powder-bed additive manufacturing (AM) process offers advantages in terms of reduced material waste, ability to create complex shape and a decrease in the lead time from design to manufacturing. Recently, custom-made implant of Ti alloys is being developed by selective laser melting (SLM) in additive manufacturing (AM) process. However, the difficulty in the fabrication of titanium alloys due to their pre-alloyed powder cost, resulting in a limited usage of titanium alloys. To overcome this disadvantage, it is effective to fabricate the Ti alloys by SLM from mixture of pure elemental powders. In this case, it is avoided the preparing of the pre-alloyed powders. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is the trying to the fabrication of the Ti-20at.%X (X = Cr, Nb) alloys from the mixture of pure elemental powders by SLM.

Abstract: This work investigates the evolution of the microstructure of an Nb-23Ti-20Si (at.%) based alloy, from the primary plasma-melted material that is gas-atomized towards the consolidated material (here using SPS). The nature, morphology and size of the solid solution and the various silicides are followed by SEM, EDS and EBSD. Homogenous and fine microstructures are obtained after the SPS step and are improved by a subsequent heat treatment (1500°C, 100 h). However blocky silicides, already present in the powder particles, cannot be eliminated. A better control of the primary material’s microstructure would improve the microstructure of the final material.