Annealing texture of a cold-rolled Fe–Mn–Al–Si–C alloy

The study of recrystallization texture of a cold deformed Fe–Mn–Al–Si–C alloy, with about 30% Mn, has been discussed in this paper. The alloy is fully austenitic at room temperature, and therefore, principal FCC rolling textures were developed in this material at different stages of cold rolling. The present study was undertaken to observe the transformation of FCC rolling texture during recrystallization of a heavily cold deformed specimen. It was observed that isothermal annealing at 750 °C led to a weak recrystallisation texture, which was quite similar to the deformation texture developed at the early stage of cold rolling. During recovery stage, a strong Bs/Goss-type texture was developed, which was identified as a new observation in this work.     

ICEMS study of isothermal oxidation of Fe–Mn–Al–C–Cr–Si–Mo, Fe–Mn–Al–C–Cr–Si and Fe–9Cr–1Mo alloys

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the isothermal behavior of Fe–27.3Mn–7.6Al–C–6.5Cr–0.25Si–0.88Mo (Mo(0)) and Fe–27.3Mn–7.6Al–1.0C–6.5Cr–0.25Si (Mo(1)) alloys and compare it against Fe–9Cr–1Mo (FCR) commercial alloy. The experiments were carried out at 600°C, 700°C, 750°C and 850°C, each one during 72 h in static air. The oxidation kinetics was measured as a function of time using a Thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA). The structure and composition of the oxide scale were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Integral Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS). The TGA results show that at all oxidation temperatures the sample FCR exhibit the lowest kinetic corrosion and the lowest weight gain, whereas Mo(0) the highest. By CEMS technique it were found a broad magnetic sextet, which has been fit by one hyperfine field distribution with mean hyperfine field characteristic to ferritic/martensite phase, one Fe^3?+? doublet and one singlet for the Mo(0) and Mo(1) alloys. Samples oxidized at highest temperatures exhibit a strong paramagnetic line, probably due that the Cr or Mn oxides may be enriched on the surface. Then, the magnetic phase can be converted partially into austenite phase at highest temperatures.     

Magnetic phase diagrams of Fe–Mn–Al alloy on the Bethe lattice

The magnetic behaviors of the Fe–Mn–Al alloy are simulated on the Bethe lattice by using a trimodal random bilinear exchange interaction(J) distribution in the Blume–Capel(BC) model. Ferromagnetic(J 0) or antiferromagnetic(J 0)bonds or dilution of the bonds(J = 0) are assumed between the atoms with some probabilities. It is found that the secondor the first-order phase boundaries separate the ferromagnetic(F), antiferromagnetic(AF), paramagnetic(P), or spin-glass(SG) phases from the possible other one. In addition to the tricritical points, the special points at which the second- and the first-order and the spin-glass phase lines meet are also found. Very rich phase diagrams in agreement with the literature are obtained.     

Mössbauer evidence of reentrant spin-glass phase in the Fe0.45Mn0.25Al0.30 disordered alloy

Zero and longitudinal field SR have been used to study the evolution of spin correlations and magnetic order resulting from 10at% substitution of Zr for Nb in the weak itinerant antiferromagnet NbFe₂. Rapidly fluctuating atomic fields (=0.02s^–1) are found to persist almost unchanged to low temperatures. These coexist with a narrow distribution of static fields (=0.2s^–1) which evolves from a gaussian to lorentzian form between 90K and the Curie temperature of 43K. It is suggested that these effects may be a consequence of topologically frustrated exchange between Fe sites in the C14 structure.     

Anisotropy of the Thermal Expansion of a Polycrystalline Ni–Mn–Ga Alloy Subjected to Plastic Deformation by Forging

The formation of a sharp crystallographic texture in a Ni–Mn–Ga Heusler alloy by the multiple isothermal forging has been studied. An analysis of the thermal expansion near the martensitic transformation temperatures in the as-cast and forged states of the alloy shows that the thermomechanical treatment leads to an increase in the anisotropy of the sample geometric size changing during the phase transformation, which favors an increase in the functional characteristics of the alloy. The structural studies show that the alloy structure after multiple isothermal forging has the bimodal distribution of grain sizes. The formation of the bimodal structure by forging is assumed to make it possible to enhance the stability of the functional properties of the alloy during repeated cycles of the phase transformation.     

TEM investigation of the formation mechanism of deformation twins in Fe–Mn–Si–Al TWIP steels

The microstructure of a Fe–Mn–Si–Al twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel exhibiting remarkable work hardening rate under uniaxial tensile deformation was investigated using transmission electron microscopy to uncover the mechanism(s) controlling the nucleation and growth of the mechanically induced twins. The results show that the stair-rod cross-slip deviation mechanism is necessary for the formation of the twins, while large extrinsic stacking faults homogenously distributed within the grains could act as preferential sources for the activation of the deviation process. The influence of such features on the thickness and strength of the twins and the resulting mechanical behaviour is discussed and compared to similar works recently performed on Fe–Mn–C TWIP steels.     

Modeling the TDFD dissolution of Al–Fe–Mn–Si particles in an Al–4.5Zn–1Mg alloy

Dissolution of large particles in DC-cast 7xxx aluminum alloys is one of the primary objectives of the homogenization process. A mathematical model to describe and predict this complex thermodynamical and kinetical process is of great significance. In this paper, the details of a diffusion-limited dissolution model, based on the thinning, discontinuation and full dissolution (TDFD) mechanism, to predict the dissolution of the Al₁₇(Fe_3.2, Mn_0.8)Si₂ particles is described. The model is capable of predicting the volume fraction and thickness of the particles during homogenization at different temperatures and time intervals. The predicted results are in good agreement with measurements using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD) and quantitative field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (QSEM). The model predictions of the supersaturation parameter, interface position, interface movement rate of the planar surfaces and the cylindrical edges, and the effect of the occurrence of discontinuities on the dissolution extent are presented.     

Electron irradiation-enhanced core/shell organization of Al(Cr,Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids in Al–Mg–Si alloys

The age hardening 6061-T6 aluminium alloy has been chosen as structural material for the core vessel of the material testing Jules Horowitz nuclear reactor. The alloy contains incoherent Al(Cr, Fe, Mn)Si dispersoids whose characterization by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) analysis shows a core/shell organization tendency where the core is (Mn, Fe) rich, and the shell is Cr rich. The present work studies the stability of this organization under irradiation. TEM characterization on the same particles, before and after 1 MeV electron irradiation, reveals that the core/shell organization is enhanced after irradiation. It is proposed that the high level of point defects, created by irradiation, ensures a radiation-enhanced diffusion process favourable to the unmixing forces between (Fe, Mn) and Cr. Shell formation may result in the low-energy interface segregation of Cr atoms within the (Fe, Mn) system combined with the unmixing of Cr, Fe and Mn components.     

Fe–Mn–Al–C Alloys: a Study of Their Corrosion Behaviour in SO2 Environments

The corrosion reaction of four Fe–Mn–Al alloys exposed to a cycling, dry–humid, SO₂ (0.001% by volume) polluted atmosphere was studied. ICEMS, XPS, AES-SAM and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy at different temperatures were employed to characterize the corrosion products. The analytical results indicate that (i) ferrihydrite is the main component of the rust; (ii) there is an abundant presence of Mn²⁺ and SO₃ ^2–/SO₄ ^2– on the top of the corrosion layer, the concentration of SO₄ ^2– increasing with the number of cycles; and (iii) the magnetic hyperfine pattern exhibited by the series of low-temperature spectra of the rust is quite different from that observed in the rust formed under similar corrosive environments on iron and weathering steel. This latter finding is correlated with a slow rate of transformation of the Fe³⁺ species formed at the early stages of corrosion into -FeOOH, the usual final product of this type of corrosion processes. The sulphate anions, abundant inside the electrolyte during the wet periods, could be incorporated to the ferrihydrite structure being responsible for the Mössbauer spectral pattern recorded from the corrosion products at low temperatures.     

Nucleation of the Al6(Fe,Mn)-to-α-Al–(Fe,Mn)–Si transformation in 3XXX aluminium alloys. I. Roll-bonded diffusion couples

Roll-bonded diffusion couples are used to investigate a transformation of intermetallic particles from Al₆(Fe,?Mn) to α-Al–(Fe,?Mn)–Si that occurs upon homogenization of 3XXX aluminium alloys. By diffusing silicon into an Al–Fe–Mn alloy, the couples permit a progressive increase in the driving force for this 6-to-α transformation, thus allowing study of the nucleation of the transformation. Initially, the aluminium matrix is highly defected from rolling. This microstructure gives frequent (yet stochastic) nucleation of a eutectoid 6-to-α transformation expected from study of direct-chill-cast 3XXX alloys. However, once the matrix has recrystallized, nucleation is restricted to particles that lie on the matrix grain boundaries. The remaining particles, unable to transform eutectoidally, dissolve and supply growth of these α-phase particles, producing marked coarsening.     

X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of the Influence of the Absorbed γ-Irradiation Dose on Ti<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al Structural Characteristics

The influence of absorbed γ-quantum irradiation doses D_γ (⁶⁰Co isotope) on the structural parameters of Ti₃Al single-phase compounds is experimentally investigated. The structural characteristics are defined more accurately using X-ray diffractometry. On account of the results of structural studies, it is found that exposure to low γ-radiation doses (e.g., D_γ = 1 × 10³ Gy) generates the nonequilibrium state of the Ti₃Al structure. An increase in the absorbed dose (to D_γ = 1 × 10⁵ Gy) stimulates the formation of a metastable radiation-induced state, which is identified by diffraction-reflection splitting, an increase in the crystal-lattice volume, and changes in the parameters of the fine structure (the coherent-scattering-region size decreases to 13 nm, and the defect concentration increases).     

A Mössbauer effect study of the Fe2+x Mn1–x Al Heusler alloys

In this work the Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to study the magnetic properties of Fe_2?+?x Mn_1???x Al alloys with small deviations of composition from the stoichiometric 2:1:1. The Mössbauer parameters obtained for the L2₁ phase indicate H _hf fields of about 25 T and 30 T at 80 K for Fe atoms at X sites in the ordered X₂YZ structure of the L2₁ full Heusler alloys.     

Nucleation of the Al6(Fe,Mn)-to-α-Al–(Fe,Mn)–Si transformation in 3XXX aluminium alloys. II. Transformation in cast aluminium alloys

The nucleation behaviour of the homogenization-induced Al₆(Fe,?Mn)-to-α-Al–(Fe,?Mn)–Si transformation is investigated in a companion paper to part I (a study with roll-bonded diffusion couples). Diffusion experiments using silicon-coated Al–0.53?wt%?Fe–1.02?wt%?Mn alloy blocks allow control of the thermodynamic driving force for transformation within a microstructure typical of a cast ingot. As expected, this microstructure appears to give ready and yet stochastic nucleation as silicon diffuses into the alloy sections. In addition, transmission electron microscopy is used to analyse partially transformed particles in heat-treated alloy samples of fixed silicon content. This confirms the suggestion made in part I that the transformation preferentially nucleates at matrix grain/cell boundaries. Nucleation theory suggests this results from the ability of the boundaries to relieve volume changes associated with the nucleation event.     

The Effect of Phase Transformations During Electrom-Beam 3D-Printing and Post-Built Heat Treatment on Plastic Deformation and Fracture of Additively Manufactured High Nitrogen Cr–Mn Steel

Russian Physics Journal - The phase composition, plastic deformation and fracture micromechanisms of Fe–(25–26)Cr–(5–12)Mn–0.15C–0.55N (wt.%) high-nitrogen...     

Fracture Mechanisms of Low Activation 12% Chromium Ferritic-Martensitic Steel EK-181 in the Temperature Range from –196 to 800°C

Russian Physics Journal - A comparative study of the fracture features of a promising low-activation 12% chromium ferritic-martensitic steel EK-181 after uniaxial tensile tests in the temperature...     

Preparation and application of the 3C–SiC substrate to piezoelectric micro cantilever transducers

This study examines the fabrication process and mechanical properties of piezoelectric films with the substrate, which is made from silicon carbide. After depositing the PZT thick film on silicon carbide substrate and silicon substrate respectively, it was shown that silicon carbide substrate formed a stable interface with PZT thick film up to 950?°C, compared with silicon substrate. In addition, the dielectric constant of the PZT thick film sintered at 950?°C on a silicon carbide substrate was 843, and this value was about over 25 % improved value compared with that on a silicon substrate. A thick film piezoelectric micro transducer of a micro cantilever type was fabricated by using a multifunctional 3C–SiC substrate. The fabricated micro cantilever was a micro cantilever with multiple thin films on either silicon or silicon carbide substrate. The piezoelectric thick-film micro cantilever that was fabricated by using a SiC substrate showed excellent mechanical and thermal properties. The piezoelectric micro cantilever on the SiC substrate shows an excellent sensitivity towards the change of mass compared with the piezoelectric micro cantilever on the Si substrate.     

Selective aluminum dissolution as a means to observe the microstructure of nanocrystalline intermetallic phases from Al–Fe–Cr–Ti–Ce rapidly solidified alloy

Rapidly solidified aluminum alloys are promising materials with very fine microstructure. The microscopy observation of these materials is complicated due to overlay of fcc-Al matrix and different intermetallic phases. A possible way to solve this problem is to dissolve the Al matrix. By this process powder formed by single intermetallic phase particles is obtained. In this paper a new aqueous based dissolving agent for Al-based alloy is presented. The influence of oxidation agent (FeCl₃) concentration on quality of extraction process was studied.     

Active metal brazing of Al2O3 to Kovar® (Fe–29Ni–17Co wt.%) using Copper ABA® (Cu–3.0Si–2.3Ti–2.0Al wt.%)

The application of an active braze alloy (ABA) known as Copper ABA® (Cu–3.0Si–2.3Ti–2.0Al wt.%) to join Al₂O₃ to Kovar® (Fe–29Ni–17Co wt.%) has been investigated. This ABA was selected to increase the operating temperature of the joint beyond the capabilities of typically used ABAs such as Ag–Cu–Ti-based alloys. Silica present as a secondary phase in the Al₂O₃ at a level of ~5 wt.% enabled the ceramic component to bond to the ABA chemically by forming a layer of Si₃Ti₅ at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface. Appropriate brazing conditions to preserve a near-continuous Si₃Ti₅ layer on the Al₂O₃ and a continuous Fe₃Si layer on the Kovar® were found to be a brazing time of ≤15 min at 1025 °C or ≤2 min at 1050 °C. These conditions produced joints that did not break on handling and could be prepared easily for microscopy. Brazing for longer periods of time, up to 45 min, at these temperatures broke down the Si₃Ti₅ layer on the Al₂O₃, while brazing at ≥1075 °C for 2–45 min broke down the Fe₃Si layer on the Kovar® significantly. Further complications of brazing at ≥1075 °C included leakage of the ABA out of the joint and the formation of a new brittle silicide, Ni₁₆Si₇Ti₆, at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface. This investigation demonstrates that it is not straightforward to join Al₂O₃ to Kovar® using Copper ABA®, partly because the ranges of suitable values for the brazing temperature and time are quite limited. Other approaches to increase the operating temperature of the joint are discussed.