Microstructural evolution and grain boundary sliding in a superplastic magnesium AZ31 alloy

Tensile experiments on a fine-grained single-phase Mg–Zn–Al alloy (AZ31) at 673 K revealed superplastic behavior with an elongation to failure of 475% at 1 × 10−4 s−1 and non-superplastic behavior with an elongation to failure of 160% at 1 × 10−2 s−1; the corresponding strain rate sensitivities under these conditions were 0.5 and 0.2, respectively. Measurements indicated that the grain boundary sliding (GBS) contribution to strain ξ was 30% under non-superplastic conditions; there was also a significant sharpening in texture during such deformation. Under superplastic conditions, ξ was 50% at both low and high elongations of 20% and 120%; the initial texture became more random under such conditions. In non-superplastic conditions, deformation occurred under steady-state conditions without grain growth before significant flow localization whereas, under superplastic conditions, there was grain growth during the early stages of deformation, leading to strain hardening. The grains retained equiaxed shapes under all experimental conditions. Superplastic deformation is attributed to GBS, while non-superplastic deformation is attributed to intragranular dislocation creep with some contribution from GBS. The retention of equiaxed grain shapes during dislocation creep is consistent with a model based on local recovery related to the disturbance of triple junctions.

Preparation of cast aluminium alloy-mica particle composites

The optimum conditions for producing cast aluminium alloy-mica particle composites, by stirring mica particles (40 to 120 mgrm) in molten aluminium alloys (above their liquidus temperatures), followed by casting in permanent moulds, are described. Addition of magnesium either as pieces along with mica particles on the surface of the melts or as a previously added alloying element was found to be necessary to disperse appreciable quantities (1.5 to 2 wt.%) of mica particles in the melts and retain them as uniform dispersions in castings under the conditions of present investigation. These castings can be remelted and degassed with nitrogen at least once with the retention of about 80% mica particles in the castings. Electron probe micro-analysis of these cast composites showed that magnesium added to the surface of the melt along with mica has a tendency to segregate around the mica particles, apparently improving the dispersability for mica particles in liquid aluminium alloys. The mechanical properties of the aluminium alloy-mica particle composite decrease with an increase in mica content, however, even at 2.2% the composite has a tensile strength of 14.22 kg mm–2 with 1.1% elongation, a compression strength of 42.61 kg mm–2, and an impact strength of 0.30 kgm cm–2. The properties are adequate for certain bearing applications, and the aluminium-mica composite bearings were found to run under boundary lubrication, semi-dry and dry friction conditions whereas the matrix alloy (without mica) bearings seized or showed stick slip under the same conditions.

Micromechanisms of damage in a hypereutectic Ti-6Al-4V-B alloy

The tensile stress–strain response and fracture in a hypereutectic Ti–6Al–4V–1.7B (weight percent) alloy were investigated by employing interrupted tensile tests combined with acoustic emission measurements, with the aim to identify the cause for the observed low ductility in this alloy. These tests were complemented with microscopy. The alloy contains TiB whiskers of different length scales, the majority of which include micro-whiskers ( 5–10 μm length) and a few primary-whiskers ( 200–300 μm length). Although the fracture of both types of whiskers occur during deformation, the former leads to a gradual decrease in the secant modulus whereas initiation of the latter leads to a drastic drop in the modulus along with failure of the specimen, limiting the ductility.

Texture strengthening in warm-rolled cadmium-1% silver alloy

The variation in the tensile properties at 77 K and 300 K in warm-rolled (300 K) Cd-1% Ag alloy with deformation has been studied in longitudinal as well as transverse specimens. The low-temperature yield strength increases with warm rolling without much loss in ductility. The strength at 300 K, however, decreases with heavy warm deformation. From microstructural studies and X-ray investigations, it was observed that changes in grain size and texture occur during warm rolling. Both these changes are found to be important in deciding the tensile properties. The longitudinal and transverse strengths at 77 K vary linearly with l-frac12, where l is the average grain diameter, and thus they obey the Hall-Petch relation. The Hall-Petch slope, k, is lower in specimens with favourable lcub1013rcub texture while the intercept σo is higher when the lcub0002rcub texture is less favourable.

Mechanism of improvement in oil spreadability of aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites

The spreadability of SAE-30 oil on Al-12 Si base (LM-13) alloy containing dispersed graphite particles about 50 μm average size in its matrix is found to be greater than on either LM-13 with no graphite or brass. It is also found that the spreadability on LM-13 base alloys increase with increasing volume of graphite dispersion in the matrix of these alloys. Further increases in the spreadability of oil on machined LM-13-graphite particle composite test surfaces occur if these are rubbed initially against control discs of either LM-13 or grey cast iron. The formation of a triboinduced graphite-rich layer, confirmed by esca, appears to be responsible for the improved oil spreadability on the rubbed test surfaces of LM-13 base alloys as compared to the as-machined test surfaces prior to rubbing. The triboinduced layer of graphite is apparently responsible for the observed reduction in the friction, wear and seizing tendency of triboelements made from aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites.

Deformation characterization of superplastic AA7475 alloy

AA7475 alloy was deformed up to 25% elongation in INSTRON at 788K. The grain boundary sliding due to this superplastic deformation was measured by Scanning Electron Microscope. The microstructure and texture development due to this deformation at elevated temperature was analyzed from the Orientation Image Microstructures i.e. the Electron Back Scattered Diffraction Image. The Orientation Image Microstructures revealed that superplastic deformation was associated with recovery and recrystallization in-situ process.

The UPAL process: a direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites

A direct method of preparing cast aluminium alloy-graphite particle composites using uncoated graphite particles is reported. The method consists of introducing and dispersing uncoated but suitably pretreated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts, and casting the resulting composite melts in suitable permanent moulds. The optical pretreatment required for the dispersion of the uncoated graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts consists of heating the graphite particles to 400° C in air for 1 h just prior to their dispersion in the melts. The effects of alloying elements such as Si, Cu and Mg on the dispersability of pretreated graphite in molten aluminium have also been reported. It was found that additions of about 0.5% Mg or 5% Si significantly improve the dispersability of graphite particles in aluminium alloy melts as indicated by the high recoveries of graphite in the castings of these composites. It was also possible to disperse upto 3% graphite in LM 13 alloy melts and retain the graphite particles in a well distributed fashion in the castings using the pre-heat-treated graphite particles. The observations in this study have been related to the information presently available on wetting between graphite and molten aluminium in the presence of different elements and our own thermogravimetric analysis studies on graphite particles. Physical and mechanical properties of LM 13-3% graphite composite made using pre-heat-treated graphite powder, were found to be adequate for many applications, including pistons which have been successfully used in internal combustion engines.

Improved damping capacity and machinability of graphite particle-aluminum alloy composites

The damping capacity of cast graphitic aluminum alloy composites has been measured using a torsion pendulum at a constant strain amplitude. It was found that flake-graphite particles dispersed in the matrix of aluminum alloys increased the damping capacity; the improvement was greater, the higher the amount of graphite dispersed in the matrix. At sufficiently high graphite contents the damping capacity of graphitic aluminum composites approaches that of cast iron. The ratio between the damping capacity and the density of graphitic aluminum alloys is higher than cast iron, making them very attractive as light-weight, high-damping materials for possible aircraft applications. Machinability tests on graphite particle-aluminum composites, conducted at speeds of 315 sfm and 525 sfm, showed that the chip length decreased with the amount of graphite of a given size. When the size of graphite was decreased, at a given machining speed, the chip length decreased. Metallographic examination shows that graphite particles act as chip breakers, and are frequently sheared parallel to the plane of the

Transformation microstructures in a Ti-31A1-13Mo alloy

Some initial results are presented on the formation of the y phase, based on the intermetallic TiA1 (LIo, c/a = 1.02) from the phase, based on the intermetallic TidAl (DOts , c/a = 0.801) in a Ti-31wt. Al-13wt Mo alloy. The study is part of a programme to evaluate microstractures and properties of alloys containing the y phase in the Ti-Mo-AI ternary system.

A study of the deformation slip lines in quenched and aged Al-2% Ge alloy

Optical microscopy has been employed to observe the slip lines in deformed Al-2% Ge alloy samples. Slip lines have been observed in the as-quenched, partially-aged, fully-aged and over-aged states. The lines tend to traverse fairly straight paths in the case of quenched and partially-aged conditions. Fully-aged samples also reveal such straight running lines when tested at low-temperatures. However, the density of the lines generally decreases as the peak-aged state is approached. These results are in agreement with the idea that thermally activated shearing of the precipitates is occurring in the alloy aged up to peak-hardness. The irregular lines for the over-aged specimens support the view that the moving dislocations by-pass the precipitates during deformation. The influence of test-temperature on the appearance of slip traces has been briefly examined.

Studies on transport phenomena during solidification of an aluminum alloy in the presence of linear electromagnetic stirring

Numerical and experimental studies on transport phenomena during solidification of an aluminum alloy in the presence of linear electromagnetic stirring are performed. The alloy is electromagnetically stirred to produce semisolid slurry in a cylindrical graphite mould placed in the annulus of a linear electromagnetic stirrer. The mould is cooled at the bottom, such that solidification progresses from the bottom to the top of the cylindrical mould. A numerical model is developed for simulating the transport phenomena associated with the solidification process using a set of single-phase governing equations of mass. momentum, energy. and species conservation. The viscosity variation of the slurry, used in the model, is determined experimentally using a rotary viscometer. The set of governing equations is solved using a pressure-based finite volume technique, along with an enthalpy based phase change algorithm. The numerical study involves prediction of temperature, velocity, species and solid fraction distribution in the mould. Corresponding solidification experiments are performed, with time-temperature history recorded at key locations. The microstructures at various temperature measurement locations in the solidified billet are analyzed. The numerical predictions of temperature variations are in good agreement with experiments, and the predicted flow field evolution correlates well with the microstructures observed at various locations.

Modeling of Convection and Macrosegregation through Appropriate Consideration of Multiphase/Multiscale Phenomena during Alloy Solidification

Solidification processes are complex in nature, involving multiple phases and several length scales. The properties of solidified products are dictated by the microstructure, the mactostructure, and various defects present in the casting. These, in turn, are governed by the multiphase transport phenomena Occurring at different length scales. In order to control and improve the quality of cast products, it is important to have a thorough understanding of various physical and physicochemical phenomena Occurring at various length scales. preferably through predictive models and controlled experiments. In this context, the modeling of transport phenomena during alloy solidification has evolved over the last few decades due to the complex multiscale nature of the problem. Despite this, a model accounting for all the important length scales directly is computationally prohibitive. Thus, in the past, single-phase continuum models have often been employed with respect to a single length scale to model solidification processing. However, continuous development in understanding the physics of solidification at various length scales oil one hand and the phenomenal growth of computational power oil the other have allowed researchers to use increasingly complex multiphase/multiscale models in recent. times. These models have allowed greater understanding of the coupled micro/macro nature of the process and have made it possible to predict solute segregation and microstructure evolution at different length scales. In this paper, a brief overview of the current status of modeling of convection and macrosegregation in alloy solidification processing is presented.

Effect of mechanical cycling on the stress-strain response of a martensitic Nitinol shape memory alloy

An experimental investigation into the ambient temperature, load-controlled tension�tension fatigue behavior of a martensitic Nitinol shape memory alloy (SMA) was conducted. Fatigue life for several stress levels spanning the critical stress for detwinning was determined and compared with that obtained on an alloy similar in composition but in the austenitic state at room temperature. Results show that the fatigue life of the pseudo-plastic alloy is superior to superelastic shape memory alloy. The stress�strain hysteretic response, monitored throughout the fatigue loading, reveals progressive strain accumulation with the cyclic loading. In addition, the area of hysteresis and recoverable and frictional energies were found to decrease with increasing number of fatigue cycles. Post-mortem characterization of the fatigued specimens through calorimetry and fractography was conducted in order to get further insight into the fatigue micromechanisms. These results are discussed in terms of reversible and irreversible microstructural changes that take place during cyclic loading. Aspects associated with self-heating of martensitic alloy undergoing high frequency stress cycling are discussed.

Effect of recrystallization and grain growth on the mechanical properties of an extruded AZ21 Mg alloy

An experimental investigation into the effect of microstructural changes, which occur during post-extrusion annealing of a Mg based AZ21 alloy, on tensile and fatigue properties is conducted. Mechanical properties in the as-cast, as-extruded, and microstructural states that correspond to recovery, recrystallization and grain growth stages of annealing are compared. Results show that these microstructural changes do not alter the yield strength of the alloy markedly whereas significant differences were noted in the ultimate tensile strength as well as ductility. The initiation of abnormal grain growth (or secondary recrystallization) renders the tensile stress-strain response elastic perfectly plastic and results in a large drop in ductility, as high as similar to 60% during intermediate stages of abnormal grain growth, vis-A-vis the ductility of the as-extruded alloy. While the fatigue performance of all the wrought alloys is far superior to as expected, abnormal grain growth leads to a marked decrease in the endurance that of the as-cast alloy, limit. Possible microscopic origins of these are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Methanol-Tolerant Carbon-Supported Pt-Au Alloy Cathode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and Its Evaluation by DFT

A Pt-Au alloy catalyst of varying compositions is prepared by codeposition of Pt and Au nanoparticles onto a carbon support to evaluate its electrocatalytic activity toward an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with methanol tolerance in direct methanol fuel cells. The optimum atomic weight ratio of Pt to Au in the carbon-supported Pt-Au alloy (Pt-Au/C) as established by cell polarization, linear-sweep voltammetry (LSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies is determined to be 2:1. A direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) comprising a carbon-supported Pt-Au (2:1) alloy as the cathode catalyst delivers a peak power density of 120 mW/cm2 at 70 °C in contrast to the peak power density value of 80 mW/cm2 delivered by the DMFC with carbon-supported Pt catalyst operating under identical conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a small model cluster reflect electron transfer from Pt to Au within the alloy to be responsible for the synergistic promotion of the oxygen-reduction reaction on a Pt-Au electrode.