Structural changes in aluminum alloys upon severe plastic deformation

The structure and phase composition of Al-Zn, Al-Mg, and Al-Mg-Zn alloys were studied before and after severe plastic deformation of these alloys. The deformation was performed by high pressure torsion with true strain of ～6. It was established that, as a result of severe plastic deformation, the grains of Al and Zn and also of the β and τ phases revealed in the structure decrease significantly in size and reach nanometer scales. A supersaturated solid solution of Zn in Al decomposes completely in this case and achieves the equilibrium state corresponding to room temperature. The decomposition is less pronounced for the magnesium-containing alloys. Based on the obtained experimental data, a conclusion is drawn concerning the possible mechanisms of this process. Microhardness measurements revealed softening of the alloys as a result of the deformation, which is due to the decomposition of the supersaturated solid solution.     

Fundamental understanding of Na-induced high temperature embrittlement in Al–Mg alloys

Sodium is an undesirable impurity in aluminium–magnesium alloys. In trace amounts it leads to high temperature embrittlement (HTE), due to intergranular fracture, which results in edge cracking during hot rolling. In the present work, the results of a thermodynamic investigation to elucidate the mechanism are presented. Correlations between HTE, phase formation, temperature and composition in Al–Mg alloys were determined. It is suggested that: (i) HTE is related to the formation of an intergranular Na-rich liquid phase, which significantly weakens the strength of grain boundaries; (ii) for a given Mg content, there exists a maximum Na content above which HTE cannot be avoided; and (iii) for a given alloy, a proper hot-rolling temperature should be chosen with respect to Na and Mg contents to suppress HTE. The HTE sensitive zone and a hot-rolling safe zone of Al–Mg–Na alloys are defined as functions of processing temperature and alloy composition. The tendency of HTE formation was evaluated based on thermodynamic simulations of phase fraction of the intergranular Na-rich liquid phase.     

Atomistic studies of the structure and composition of grain boundaries in Cu3Au and Ni3Al

In this paper we investigate the atomic structure and composition of grain boundaries in Cu₃Au (weakly ordered compound) and Ni₃Al (strongly ordered compound). Computer simulations employing both the molecular statics and Monte Carlo methods were performed and the Finnis-Sinclair type many-body central force potentials used. First, grain boundaries in stoichiometric alloys are studied with the goal to investigate the impact of ordering strength on the grain boundary structure and composition. In Cu₃Au grain boundaries may become compositionally disordered even at room temperature and the compositional disordering is associated with segregation of gold. In contrast, in Ni₃Al grain boundaries remain compositionally ordered up to very high temperatures. Secondly, the structures of grain boundaries and the effect of Ni and Al segregation in non-stoichiometric Ni₃Al are investigated. Nickel segregation leads to compositional disordering at grain boundaries, while aluminum segregation, which is strongly selective, leads to an ordered grain boundary structure with high Al content. The possible relationship between structural and compositional characteristics of grain boundaries and their mechanical properties, in particular the grain boundary brittleness and its alleviation by additional alloying, are then discussed in the light of the results of this study.     

The nature of isostructural spinodal decomposition in the Al-Zn system

The electronic structure and thermodynamic properties of disordered Al-Zn alloys are investigated in the coherent potential approximation by the KKR-ASA method. Analysis of the electronic density of states and the Fermi surfaces of disordered alloys reveals the presence of eight electronic topological transitions in the concentration interval from 0 to 70 at. % Zn. It is shown that the passage of the Fermi level through two minima of the density of states, which are due to the superposition of different types of electronic topological transitions, gives rise to singularities in the concentration dependence of the second derivative of the thermodynamic potential at points corresponding to the boundaries of the region of isostructural decomposition of the high-temperature solid solution, according to the phase diagram of the Al-Zn system. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 593–596 (April 1997)     

深过冷液态Al-Ni合金中枝晶与共晶生长机理

在自由落体条件下实现了液态Al-4 wt.%Ni亚共晶、Al-5.69 wt.%Ni共晶和Al-8 wt.%Ni过共晶合金的深过冷与快速凝固. 计算表明, (Al+Al₃Ni)规则纤维状共晶的共生区是4.8–15 wt.%Ni成分范围内不闭合区域, 且强烈偏向Al₃Ni相一侧. 实验发现, 随液滴直径的减小, 合金熔体冷却速率和过冷度增大, (Al)和Al₃Ni相枝晶与其共晶的竞争生长引发了Al-Ni 共晶型合金微观组织演化. 在快速凝固过程中, Al-4 wt.%Ni亚共晶合金发生完全溶质截留效应, 从而形成亚稳单相固溶体. 当过冷度超过58K时, Al-5.69 wt.%Ni 共晶合金呈现从纤维状共晶向初生(Al) 枝晶为主的亚共晶组织演变. 若过冷度连续增大, Al-8 wt.%Ni过共晶合金可以形成全部纤维状共晶组织, 并且最终演变为粒状共晶.     

Electronic topological transitions and phase stability in the fcc Al-Zn alloys

We report on a detailed investigation of the phase equilibria and the Fermi surface in the Al-Zn system. Our calculation are based on the density functional theory and we use the linear muffin-tin orbital method and the Green's function technique. The calculated free energies of alloy formation exhibit the existence of a miscibility gap between the alloys containing approximately 10 and 55 at.% of Zn, in agreement with the phase diagram of the Al-Zn system. Seven electronic topological transitions (ETT) were found in Al-Zn system within the stability range of the fcc solid solution. A relation between these ETT and the phase stability of the fcc Al-Zn solid solutions is established. We show that extremum points on the concentration dependencies of the thermodynamic properties of Al-Zn alloys can be explained by band-filling effects. Received 6 February 2002 Published online 19 November 2002     

Effects of the structural state of a W — Re solid solution on the Fe-57 Mössbauer spectrum

Mössbauer spectra for iron-57 are reported for alloys containing up to 27 at.% rhenium. The cobalt-57 was introduced by diffusion annealing as the parent isotope for the iron-57. Diffusion annealing at 1080°C for 16 hr causes the cobalt to diffuse mainly along lattice defects (dislocations and grain boundaries). These defects give rise to regions whose electronic structure differs from that of the matrix. The precise type of structure and the number of such regions are complex functions of the alloy composition and structural state. Results are given on the iron-57 spectra for tungsten, rhenium, the σ phase, and an alloy in the two-phase region.     

Grain boundary wetting in the Al-Mg system and synthesis of magnesium diboride in contact with melt

The interaction between a Mg-containing melt and B under conditions of partial and complete wetting of Al/Al grain boundaries by Al-Mg melt has been investigated. The study was performed on Al polycrystals with Mg contents of 5, 10, 15, 18, and 25 wt %. Correspondingly, the Mg content in the melt was determined by the liquidus line and was in the range from 5 to 30 wt %. The obtained metal-matrix composites were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy, electron-probe microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction. The possibility of synthesizing MgB₂ in the contact with a melt having a relatively low Mg content (from 15 to 30 wt %) has been demonstrated.     

强磁场对铝合金中溶质组元分布状态的影响效果

合金中溶质组元的组织形态和分布对于改善合金的组织和性能具有重要意义.本文研究了铝合金在强磁场作用下的凝固行为,考察了Al-Cu，Al-Mg合金中溶质组元的相形态、分布状况随高强度均恒磁场和梯度磁场的强度和方向变化的规律.研究发现，由于Cu元素和Mg元素的物性不同导致其在基体中受到的电磁力不同，在均恒磁场作用下，铝合金中Cu元素和Mg元素在α-Al基体晶粒内和晶界上的分布变化规律相反；在梯度磁场作用下，Cu元素和Mg元素在铝基体中含量和分布状态也有显著的差异.本研究为利用强磁场有效控制不同物性的溶质元素在合金基体中组织状态和分布提供了实验依据. 关键词： 强磁场 铝合金 溶质元素分布 凝固组织 凝固过程     

Structure and phase composition of the intermetallide Ni3Al+0.5 at.% B synthesized under pressure

We have used x-ray structural analysis, together with transmission and scanning electron microscopy, to study the phase composition, structure, and elemental distribution in the intermetallide Ni₃Al+0.5 at.% B, produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis under pressure. It is shown that the synthesized material is an ordered alloy of the type L1₂. The phase composition of the alloy Ni₃Al+0.5 at.% B is represented by the phases Ni₃Al (the fundamental phase), grains of a layered NiAl composition, and inclusions of Ni₃B. The latter is found inside the Ni₃Al grains, in the form of surrounded particles, and at dislocations and at grain boundaries in the NiAl phase. Institute for the Physics of Strength and Materials Production. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 59–64, September, 1996.     

Threshold stress for superplasticity in solid solution magnesium alloys

The effect of alloying elements on the threshold stress for superplasticity was investigated using two binary solid solutions, namely, Mg–Al and Mg–Y alloys. Both alloys exhibited superplasticity, and in spite of the absence of fine particles showed threshold-stress-like behavior. Different origins were suggested for the threshold-stress-like behavior after considering grain growth during deformation. The threshold-stress-like behavior in Mg–Al alloys originates from the effects of microstructural instability (grain-growth hardening). On the other hand, analysis of grain-boundary segregation suggested that the threshold-stress-like behavior in Mg–Y alloy originates from the segregation of yttrium in grain boundaries and its interaction with grain-boundary dislocations.     

Effect of long-period stacking ordered phase on thermal stability of refined grains in Mg-RE-based alloys

The refined grains in both as-cast Mg-10Y-1Zn-2Zr (WZ101?K, wt.%) and Mg-10Y-1Al (WA101, wt.%) alloys have been found to have superior thermal stability after solution treatment. Plate-shaped, but different polytypes of long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) phases distributed along grain boundaries are considered as the predominant inhibitors of grain growth. Based on the plate-shaped features of the LPSO phases, a modified Zener’s model is established and the predicted limiting grain sizes are in a good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, this model has strong potential for designing advanced Mg-RE-based alloys with high strength and high creep resistance at high temperatures.     

Direct method for determining the segregation in silver-copper solid solutions not prone to brittle breakage of grain boundaries

A new method is proposed for measuring the chemical composition of grain boundaries (GBs) in copper-based alloys not prone to embrittlement of boundaries. This method is based on embrittlement of copper GBs by bismuth penetrating from the gas phase of bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃). Chemical analysis of the GB surface is performed via Auger-electron spectroscopy. The GB composition is measured in a solid solution of silver (its volume concentration is 1.4 at %) and copper. The segregation annealing temperature is 570°C. The silver concentration across the broken surface of the GB (its thickness is five to ten atomic layers) is 4.7 at %. Therefore, the ratio between silver concentrations within the GB and the grain volume (the enrichment coefficient) is approximately 3.5.     

铝-银合金在疲劳过程中所表现的一些特点

本工作进行了淬火Al-7.27％Ag合金的扭转疲劳试验,测定了各种扭应变下的△E-N曲线,并且观察了经过各种循环数以后试样的表面金相变化。实验结果指出,当扭应变较小时,△E随着循环数N的增加而逐渐下降,△E-N曲线的变化类似Al-Cu和Al-Mg合金在较低扭应变下的情况。但当扭应变较大时,△E开始略有下降,随后上升到某一较高值后再下降,直至试样断裂。△E-N曲线的形状与Al-Cu和Al-Mg合金完全不同。试样表面的金相变化分为两个明显不同的阶段。在疲劳的起始阶段,滑移痕迹细而均匀,但经过一定循环数后,少数滑移痕迹变得集中而深化。随着循环数的增加,新的滑移带在原有滑移带之间不断地出现,没有纯Al和Al-Mg合金中滑移带变宽的情况。还看到了裂纹沿晶界的形成和发展。根据溶质银原子与位错的电交互作用和位错切割银原子簇的观点,对所得到的结果进行了讨论。 关键词：     

Effect of solute atoms on fracture toughness in dilute magnesium alloys

The effect of alloying elements on the toughness and the fracture behaviour was investigated on seven kinds of Mg-0.3?at.% X (X?=?Ag, Al, Ca, Pb, Sn, Y and Zn) alloys with a grain size of 3–5?μm. The fracture toughness and fracture behaviour in magnesium alloys were closely related to the segregation energy. The Mg–Al and –Zn alloys that had small segregation energy showed high toughness and ductile fracture in most regions, while the Mg–Ca alloy with large segregation energy exhibited low toughness and intergranular fracture. These different tendencies resulted from solute segregation at grain boundaries (GBs). The change in the lattice parameter ratio was the influential material parameter regardless of whether the GB embrittlement was for enhancement or suppression.     

Precipitation and fracture behaviour of Fe–Mn–Ni–Al alloys

The effects of Al addition on the precipitation and fracture behaviour of Fe–Mn–Ni alloys were investigated. With the increasing of Al concentration, the matrix and grain boundary precipitates changed from L1₀ θ-MnNi to B2 Ni₂MnAl phase, which is coherent and in cube-to-cube orientation relationship with the α′-matrix. Due to the suppression of the θ-MnNi precipitates at prior austenite grain boundaries (PAGBs), the fracture mode changed from intergranular to transgranular cleavage fracture. Further addition of Al resulted in the discontinuous growth of Ni₂MnAl precipitates in the alloy containing 4.2?wt.% Al and fracture occurred by void growth and coalescence, i.e. by ductile dimple rupture. The transition of the fracture behaviour of the Fe–Mn–Ni–Al alloys is discussed in relation to the conversion of the precipitates and their discontinuous precipitation behaviour at PAGBs.     

稀土含量对速凝工艺制备(Nd,Dy)-(Fe,Al)-B合金结构和磁性能的影响

采用双合金法制备了不同稀土含量的(Nd,Dy)-(Fe,Al)-B合金系列,研究了稀土含量的多寡对薄带和最终烧结磁体的微观结构和磁性能的影响.研究结果表明,适量的稀土含量(～3145%)不仅能改善速凝带主相(Nd,Dy)₂Fe₁₄B的单相性,还有利于富稀土(Nd,Dy)相在晶界的均匀分布.当主相薄带的稀土含量在接近2∶14∶1相稀土含量时,磁体的内禀矫顽力和磁能积显著提高.当稀土含量较少时,对速凝薄带的合适时效热处理将能有效地提高最终烧结NdFeB磁体的磁特性. 关键词： 双相烧结 速凝技术 微观结构 磁性能     

Dissociaton and energy transfer in molecular impact on surfaces: Experimental and theoretical studies of I2/Mg(100) and I2/sapphire

Solute segregation to antiphase boundaries (APBs) in long-range ordered alloys and its effects on antiphase domain coarsening kinetics have been investigated theoretically, and calculations have been carried out to model the structure and properties of APBs in B2-ordered FeAl alloys. Equilibrium segregation was studied by using the continuum diffuse-interface model of Cahn and Hilliard to calculate profiles of order parameter and composition, as well as interfacial free energy. The migration kinetics of APBs with segregation have been investigated theoretically for the low-velocity regime. A differential equation describing concentration deviations from the equiibrium profile is derived, and approximate solutions to the equation are determined to predict segregation profiles for migrating APBs in FeAl alloys. Measurements of domain coarsening kinetics in FeAl alloys are presented for a temperature range in which segregation was predicted theoretically. A marked slowing of domain coarsening kinetics in this range was observed.     

Grain boundaries of nanocrystalline materials – their widths, compositions, and internal structures

Nanocrystalline materials contain many atoms at and near grain boundaries. Sufficient numbers of Mössbauer probe atoms can be situated in grain boundary environments to make a clear contribution to the measured Mössbauer spectrum. Three types of measurements on nanocrystalline materials are reported here, all using Mössbauer spectrometry in conjunction with X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, or small angle neutron scattering. By measuring the fraction of atoms contributing to the grain boundary component in a Mössbauer spectrum, and by knowing the grain size of the material, it is possible to deduce the average width of grain boundaries in metallic alloys. It is found that these widths are approximately 0.5 nm for fcc alloys and slightly larger than 1.0 nm for bcc alloys. Chemical segregation to grain boundaries can be measured by Mössbauer spectrometry, especially in conjunction with small angle neutron scattering. Such measurements on Fe-Cu and Fe₃Si-Nb were used to study how nanocrystalline materials could be stabilized against grain growth by the segregation of Cu and Nb to grain boundaries. The segregation of Cu to grain boundaries did not stabilize the Fe-Cu alloys against grain growth, since the grain boundaries were found to widen and accept more Cu atoms during annealing. The Nb additions to Fe₃Si did suppress grain growth, perhaps because of the low mobility of Nb atoms, but also perhaps because Nb atoms altered the chemical ordering in the alloy. The internal structure of grain boundaries in nanocrystalline materials prepared by high-energy ball milling is found to be unstable against internal relaxations at low temperatures. The Mössbauer spectra of the nanocrystalline samples showed changes in the hyperfine fields attributable to movements of grain boundary atoms. In conjunction with SANS measurements, the changes in grain boundary structure induced by cryogenic exposure and annealing at low temperature were found to be somewhat different. Both were consistent with a sharper density gradient between the crystalline region and the grain boundary region.     

A model of grain refinement and strengthening of Al alloys due to cold severe plastic deformation

This paper presents a model which quantitatively predicts grain refinement and strength/hardness of Al alloys after very high levels of cold deformation through processes including cold rolling, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), multiple forging (MF), accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and embossing. The model deals with materials in which plastic deformation is exclusively due to dislocation movement within grains, which is in good approximation the case for many metallic alloys at low temperature, for instance aluminium alloys. In the early stages of deformation, the generated dislocations are stored in grains and contribute to overall strength. With increase in strain, excess dislocations form and/or move to new cell walls/grain boundaries and grains are refined. We examine this model using both our own data as well as the data in the literature. It is shown that grain size and strength/hardness are predicted to a good accuracy.