Influence of processing temperature on microstructure and microhardness of copper subjected to high-pressure torsion

Cu samples were subjected to high-pressure torsion (HPT) with up to 6 turns at room temperature (RT) and liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT), respectively. The effects of temperature on grain refinement and microhardness variation were investigated. For the samples after HPT processing at RT, the grain size reduced from 43 mu m to 265 nm, and the Vickers microhardness increased from HV52 to HV140. However, for the samples after HPT processing at LNT, the value of microhardness reached its maximum of HV150 near the center of the sample and it decreased to HV80 at the periphery region. Microstructure observations revealed that HPT straining at LNT induced lamellar structures with thickness less than 100 nm appearing near the central region of the sample, but further deformation induced an inhomogeneous distribution of grain sizes, with submicrometer-sized grains embedded inside micrometer-sized grains. The submicrometer-sized grains with high dislocation density indicated their nonequilibrium nature. On the contrary, the micrometer-sized grains were nearly free of dislocation, without obvious deformation trace remaining in them. These images demonstrated that the appearance of micrometer-sized grains is the result of abnormal grain growth of the deformed fine grains.

Microstructure and Strengthening Mechanism of Die-Cast Mg-Gd Based Alloys

Mg-8Gd-2Y-Nd-0.3Zn (wt%) alloy was prepared by the high pressure die-cast technique. The microstructure, mechanical properties in the temperature range from room temperature to 573 K, and strengthening mechanism were investigated. It was confirmed that the Mg-Gd-based alloy with high Gd content exhibited outstanding die-cast character. The die-cast alloy was mainly composed of small cellular equiaxed dendrites and the matrix. The long lamellar-shaped stacking compound of Mg3X (X: Gd, Y, Nd, and Zn) and polygon-shaped.

Microstructure analysis of nylon 66 by WAXD and SAXS

The analysis of the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data was based upon particle characteristic function, one-dimensional electron-density correlation function and particle distribution function. The microstructure of nylon 66 with different degrees of crystallinity was studied by means of X-ray scattering method. The radius of gyration R-g, the Porod radius R-p, the thickness of crystalline region L-c the thickness of non-crystalline region L-n, the thickness of interphase region d(tr), the long period L, the semiaxises of particles (a, a, b), the distribution of the particle sizes and the scattering invariant were calculated. The results indicate that there was a significant interphase region between the crystalline region and the non-crystalline region. and its content (W-t,W-x) should not be neglected in comparison with that of crystalline region W-c,W-x. The morphology of nylon 66 prepared by isothermal crystallization at a high temperature was mainly a lamellar structure, while the spherical crystals dominated in the quenched sample. The size of the particles in the quenched sample was smaller than that of those in the isothermally crystallized sample. and the distribution of the particle sizes in the isothermally crystallized sample was wider.

MISCIBILITY, MICROSTRUCTURE, AND DYNAMICS OF BLENDS CONTAINING BLOCK-COPOLYMER .2. MICROSTRUCTURE OF BLENDS OF HOMOPOLYSTYRENE WITH STYRENE-BUTADIENE BLOCK-COPOLYMERS

The microstructures of styrene-butadiene triblock (SBS) and styrene-butadiene four-arm star block (SB-4A) copolymers and their blends with homopolystyrene (PS) of different molecular weights, MPS, have been investigated by means of small-angle X-ray scatt

Surface amorphous and crystalline microstructure by alloying zirconium using Nd : YAG pulsed laser

A novel composite coating was synthesized by laser alloying of zirconium nanoparticles on an austenite stainless steel surface using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The coating contained duplex microstructures comprising an amorphous phase and an austenitic matrix. A discontinuous zirconium-containing region formed at a depth of 16 mum below the surface. The amorphous phase was present in the zirconium-rich region, with the composition of zirconium ranging from 7.8 to 14.5 at. pet. The formation of the amorphous phase was attributed to the zirconium addition. The hardness, corrosion, and wear-corrosion resistance of the irradiated coating were evidently enhanced compared to those of the stainless steel.

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Nd60Al10Fe20Co10 Glass-forming Alloy

The microstructural variations of the Nd60Al10Fe20CO10 melt-spun ribbons and the as-cast rod were studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry. Nano-clusters in glassy m

Microstructure and wear resistance of in situ TiCp composite coating by laser cladding

A new in situ method was realized by one step laser cladding to produce Ni-base alloy composite coating reinforced by in situ reacted and gradiently distributed TiCp particles. The submicron TiCp particles were formed and uniformly distributed because of the in situ reaction and trapping effect under the rapid solidification condition. And, TiCp particles were of gradient distribution on a macro scale and their volume fraction increased from 1.86% at the layer/substrate interface to a maximum 38.4% at the surface of the layer. Furthermore, the in situ generated TiCp/gamma-Ni interfaces were free from deleterious surface reactions. Additionally, the clad coating also revealed a high microhardness of gradient variation with the layer depth and the superior abrasive wear resistance.

Correlation between Discharging Property and Coatings Microstructure during Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

The voltage-current properties during plasma electrolytic discharge were determined by measuring the current density and cell voltage as functions of processing time and then by mathematical transformation. Correlation between discharge I-V property and the coatings microstructure on aluminum alloy during plasma electrolfic oxidation was determined by comparing the voltage-current properties at different process stages with SEM results of the corresponding coatings. The results show that the uniform passive film corresponds to a I-V property with one critical voltage, and a compound of porous layer and shred ceramic particles corresponds to a I-Vproperty with two critical voltages. The growth regularity of PEO cermet coatings was also studied.

Effects of La2O3 on Microstructure and Wear Properties of Laser Clad gamma/Cr7C3/TiC Composite Coatings on TiAl Intermatallic Alloy

The effects of La2O3 addition on the microstructure and wear properties of laser clad gamma/C(r)7C(3)/TiC composite coatings on gamma-TiAl intermetallic alloy substrates with NiCr-Cr3C2 precursor mixed powders have been investigated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and block-on-ring wear tests. The responding wear mechanisms are discussed in detail. The results are compared with that for composite coating without La2O3. The comparison indicates that no evident new crystallographic phases are formed except a rapidly solidified microstructure consisting of the primary hard Cr7C3 and TiC carbides and the gamma/Cr7C3 eutectics distributed in the tough gamma nickel solid solution matrix. Good finishing coatings can be achieved under a proper amount of La2O3-addition and a suitable laser processing parameters. The additions of rare-earth oxide La,03 can refine and purify the microstructure of coatings, relatively decrease the volume fraction of primary blocky Cr7C3 to Cr7C3/gamma eutectics, reduce the dilution of clad material from base alloy and increase the microhardness of the coatings. When the addition of La2O3 is approximately 4 wt.%, the laser clad composite coating possesses the highest hardness and toughness. The composite coating with 4 wt.%La2O3 addition can result the best enhancement of wear resistance of about 30%. However, too less or excessive addition amount of La2O3 have no better influence on wear resistance of the composite coating.

Microstructure of Zr-alloyed coating using pulsed laser

Coatings were synthesized by laser alloying of zirconium (Zr) particles using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser on an austenite stainless steel. The distribution of Zr is uneven, in a depth of 18 mum just below the surface of the pool. The coating consisted of duplex microstructures, i.e. metallic glass (MG) and austenite. The MG formed in Zr-contained regions, with the Zr composition ranging from 7.6 to 16.8 at.%. The formation of the MG was attributed to an increase in glass-forming ability by Zr addition.

Microstructure and Evolution of Mechanically-Induced Ultrafine Grain in Surface Layer of Al-Alloy Subjected to USSP

Experiments were conducted to investigate the ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructures in the surface layer of an aluminum alloy 7075 heavily worked by ultrasonic shot peening. Conventional and high-resolution electron microscopy was performed at various depths of the deformed layer. Results showed that UFG structures were introdued into the surface layer of 62 μm thick. With increasing strain, the various microstructural features, e.g., the dislocation emission source, elongated microbands, dislocation cells, dislocation cell blocks, equiaxed submicro-, and nano-crystal grains etc., were successively produced. The grain subdivision into the subgrains was found to be the main mechanism responsible for grain refinement. The simultaneous evolution of high boundary misorientations was ascribed to the subgrain boundary rotation for accommodating further strains. Formed microstructures were highly nonequilibratory.  2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of slowly cooled Cu47.5Zr47.5Al5

Cu47.5Zr47.5Al5 was prepared by arc melting and solidified in situ by suction casting into 2-5-mm-diameter rods under various cooling rates (200-2000 K/s). The microstructure was investigated along the length of the rods by electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical properties were investigated under compression. The microstructure of differently prepared specimens consists of macroscopic spherical shape chemically inhomogeneous regions together with a low volume fraction of randomly distributed CuZr B2 phase embedded in a 2-7 nm size clustered "glassy-martensite" matrix. The as-cast specimens show high yield strength (1721 MPa), pronounced work-hardening behavior up to 2116 MPa and large fracture strain up to 12.1-15.1%. The fracture strain decreases with increasing casting diameter. The presence of chemical inhomogenities and nanoscale "glassy-martensite" features are beneficial for improving the inherent ductility of the metallic glass.

Tailoring of dendritic microstructure in solidification processing by crucible vibration

We analyzed the effects of both natural convection and forced flows on solid–liquid interface morphology during upward Bridgman solidification of metallic alloys. Experiments were carried out on Al–3.5wt% Ni alloy, for a cylindrical sample. The influence of natural convection induced by radial thermal gradient on solidified microstructure was first analyzed as a function of the pulling rate. Then, the influence of axial vibration on solidification microstructure was experimentally investigated by varying vibration parameters (frequency and amplitude). Experimental results demonstrated that vibrations could be used to either attenuate fluid flow in the melt and obtain a uniform dendritic pattern or to promote a fragmented dendritic microstructure. However, no marked effect was observed for cellular growth. This pointed out the critical role of the mushy zone in the interaction between fluid flow and solidification microstructure.

Effect of Nb Content on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Zr-Cu-Ni-Al-Nb Glass Forming Alloys

(Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15)(100-x) Nb-x glass forming alloys with Nb contents ranging from 0 to 15 at.% were prepared by water-cooled copper mould cast. The alloys with different Nb contents exhibited different microstructures and mechanical properties. Unlike the monolithic Zr65Al10Ni10Cu15 bulk metallic glass, only a few primary bee beta-Ti phase dendrites were found to distribute in the glassy matrix of the alloys with x = 5. For alloys with x = 10, more beta-phase dendrites forms, together with quasicrystalline particles densely distributed in the matrix of the alloys. For alloys with x = 15, the microstructure of the alloy is dominated by a high density of fully developed P-phase dendrites and the volume fraction of quasicrystalline particles significantly decreases. Room temperature compression tests showed that the alloys with x = 5 failed at 1793 MPa and exhibited an obvious plastic strain of 3.05%, while the other samples all failed in a brittle manner. The ultimate fracture strengths are 1793, 1975 and 1572 MPa for the alloys with x = 0, 10 and 15 at.% Nb, respectively.

Microstructure and characteristics in the organic matrix layers of nacre

The direct observation of a type of microstructure in the organic matrix layers of nacre was obtained with a transmission electron microscope. The microstructure, which is referred to as mineral bridge in the biomineralization, is nanoscale and randomly distributed in the layers. Statistical analysis gives the distribution laws and characteristics of mineral bridges in the organic matrix layers. The existence of mineral bridges in nacre was confirmed, and it was shown that the microarchitecture of nacre should be described as a "brick-bridge-mortar" arrangement rather than traditional "brick and mortar" one.