Magnetic properties of high manganese aluminium austenitic steels

Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibilty measurements show that the Fe-(29–40)Mn-5Al austenitic alloys undergo an antiferromagnetic transformation similar to that observed in the Fe-(30-44)Mn austenitic steels. The Néel temperature,T_N,increases as a function of the Mn content (from 331K to 376K) while aluminium additions(5%wt.) induce a sharp decrease of T_N(–100K) but a small increase of the hyperfine field at OK (from 40 to 47 kOe for 34Mn alloys).     

超临界水冷堆燃料包壳材料的辐照损伤研究进展

超临界水冷堆（SCWR）是第四代核电站的主力堆型之一,高温、高压、超临界水环境下的辐照损伤问题是其燃料包壳材料面临的最大挑战。SCWR燃料包壳候选材料主要包括锆合金、奥氏体不锈钢、铁素体/马氏体不锈钢、镍基合金、ODS合金五大类,奥氏体不锈钢是最有希望的候选材料。介绍了近年来在这个领域国际上的主要研究进展。作者所在团队也对多种SCWR的候选材料进行了辐照损伤研究,包括:镍基合金C-276和718、铁素体/马氏体钢P92、奥氏体不锈钢AL-6XN和HR3C。对AL-6XN的氢离子辐照实验发现,辐照产生的缺陷主要是间隙型位错环,伯格斯矢量为1/3<111>,在较高剂量（5～7 dpa）辐照下,出现空洞肿胀。在氢滞留的影响下,位错环有着独特的演化规律,总结提出了位错环的四阶段演化过程。The Supercritical Water-cooled Reactor (SCWR) is one of the prior Generation IV advanced reactors. Irradiation damage is one of the key issues of fuel cladding materials which will suffer serious environment, such as high temperature, high pressure, high irradiation and supercritical water. The candidate materials contain zirconium alloys, austenitic stainless steels, ferritic/martensitic stainless steels, Ni-base alloys and ODS alloys. Austenitic stainless steels are the most promising materials. This paper summarized the international researches on irradiation effects in fuel cladding materials for SCWR. The group of authors also has done many researches in this field, including nickel-base alloy C-276 and 718, ferritic/martensitic steel P92 and austenitic stainless steel AL-6XN and HR3C. In AL-6XN austenitic stainless steels irradiated by hydrogen ions, dislocation loops were the dominant irradiation defects. At higher irradiation dose (5～7 dpa), the voids were found. All the dislocation loops were confirmed to be 1/3<111> interstitial type dislocation loops, and four evolution stages of dislocation loops with hydrogen retention were suggested.     

Evolution of magnetic phase at low aging temperature in a heavily cold-drawn stainless steel fiber

The evolution of the magnetic phase upon aging at 300–520 °C in a heavily cold-drawn AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel fiber was studied using thermomagnetic analysis (TMA) and magnetic force microscopy with a heating stage. An increasing trend of magnetization from 50 °C to around 470 °C in the heating curves of TMA in austenitic stainless steels after a cold-drawing process was observed. No significant M_s temperature signal in the TMA curve at cooling indicated an increase in magnetization upon cooling period without significant phase transformation. A series of in situ magnetic force microscopy observations reveal a growth of the magnetic domain structure after aging at 300 °C for 2.5 h. Results show that the ferromagnetic increase during aging at lower annealing temperature resulted from the growth of martensite.     

High temperature embrittlement of metals by helium

The present knowledge of the influence of helium on the high temperature mechanical properties of metals to be used as structural materials in fast fission and in future fusion reactors is reviewed. A wealth of experimental data has been obtained by many different experimental techniques, on many different alloys, and on different properties. This review is mostly concentrated on the behaviour of austenitic alloys—especially austenitic stainless steels, for which the data base is by far the largest—and gives only a few examples of special bcc alloys. The effect of the helium embrittlement on the different properties—tensile, fatigue and, with special emphasis, creep—is demonstrated by representative results. A comparison between data obtained from in-pile (-beam) experiments and from post-irradiation (-implantation) experiments, respectively, is presented. Theoretical models to describe the observed phenomena are briefly outlined and some suggestions are made for future work to resolve uncertainties and differences between our experimental knowledge and theoretical understanding of high temperature helium embrittlement.     

Effect of Mn incorporation for Ni on the properties of melt spun off-stoichiometric compositions of NiMnGa alloys

The investigation addresses the effect of Mn incorporation for Ni on the properties of a series of Ni_77−xMn_xGa₂₃ (x=22-29; at%) ferromagnetic shape memory alloys prepared in the form of ribbons by a melt spinning technique. Phase transformation studies in these ribbons by differential scanning calorimetry revealed that austenitic start and martensitic start temperatures decreased with the increase in Mn content. The Curie temperature (T_C) of these alloys determined from thermal variation of magnetisations was found to rise with increasing Mn content. The martensitic transformation temperatures were above T_C in low Mn containing (x=22 and 23) alloys. Morphology observed through transmission electron microscopy manifested complex martensitic features in the alloy with x=22 while x=29 had an austenitic phase. The alloys with intermediate Mn content (x=24, 25) had overlapping magnetic and martensitic transformations close to room temperature. The thermal lag between austenitic and martensitic characteristic temperatures in these alloys has been corroborated to their structural state. X-ray diffraction indicated a predominant martensite phase and austenite phase in low and high Mn containing alloys respectively. In-situ diffraction studies during thermal cycle indicate martensite-austenite transformations.     

Further experiments on energy transfer from bom barding ions to Na2O containing glasses

Abstract

The kinetics of short-range atomic ordering in austenitic Fe-17 Cr-xNi (x=10-25 wt%) alloys and in Sc-doped alloys has been studied by residual resistivity measurements during isochronal annealing in the temperature range 300-815 K. Dynamics of residual resistivity variations has shown that (i) diffusion in these alloys is observable at temperature above 700 K, (ii) preliminary cold-work deformation as well as doping by Sc atoms forms the disorder atomic structure in the austenitic matrix. It was found that Sc Atoms retard the atomic ordering process and shift it to higher temperatures. The value of temperature shift is increased from 25 to 80 K when the nickel concentration grows up to 25 wt%.     

Formation of low-temperature deformation-induced segregations of nickel in Fe–Ni-based austenitic alloys

ABSTRACT

The authors present the results of an investigation in Fe–Ni-Cr austenitic alloys of the low-temperature deformation-induced segregations of nickel that form in the micro regions being (i) located close to grain- and subgrain boundaries and (ii) characteristic of the concentration and magnetic inhomogeneities indicated by the appearance of a dark diffraction contrast at the electron diffraction patterns taken from these regions typical (at the same time) of an enhanced value of Curie temperature. The observed effects were connected with the micro distortions caused by the local change of lattice parameter because of an increase in nickel concentration, as well as in the result of a magnetostriction dilatation. Using methods of the X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) and atomic-probe body-section radiography (tomography – APT) has made it possible to determine the borders of those regions of austenite that were characteristic of an enhanced concentration of nickel in the fields of the localisation of a deformation-induced segregation of nickel in the vicinity of grain (subgrain) boundaries of austenitic alloys of the types Fe–13Cr–30Ni and Fe–37Ni–3Ti.     

哈斯勒合金Ni-Mn-Sn的马氏体相变与反磁热性质

通过结构以及磁性测量,研究了哈斯勒合金Ni₅₀Mn_25+xSn_25-x (x=11,12)的马氏体相变和磁热性质.结果表明,与样品在奥氏体相的磁性不同,由于在马氏体相中反铁磁交换作用的增强,导致铁磁和反铁磁在马氏体状态下共存.此外,通过Maxwell方程,研究了两样品在不同磁场变化下马氏体相变温度附近的反磁热性质,并阐明了该系列合金产生大的正磁熵变(ΔS_M)不仅与其在降温过程中发生马氏体相变所导致的磁跃变(ΔM)有关,而且与发生马氏体相变所经历的温度区间有密切的联系. 关键词： 哈斯勒合金 Ni-Mn-Sn 马氏体相变 正磁熵变     

论FeCr合金辐照损伤的多尺度模拟

铁素体/马氏体钢具有优异的抗辐照肿胀和抗腐蚀能力,是聚变堆、ADS和四代堆结构材料重要候选者之一.多尺度模拟在核武器自辐照损伤、压力容器辐照脆化、医学材料辐照损伤等方面有着广泛的应用.国际上围绕F/M FeCr合金辐照损伤开展了大量的多尺度模拟工作.论文概述了F/M FeCr合金辐照损伤多尺度模拟研究现状及进展,并针对目前存在的某些问题提出了解决建议. 关键词： 铁素体/马氏体FeCr合金 辐照损伤 多尺度模拟     

Computational design of precipitation strengthened austenitic heat-resistant steels

A new genetic alloy design approach based on thermodynamic and kinetic principles is presented to calculate the optimal composition of MX carbonitrides precipitation strengthened austenitic heat-resistant steels. Taking the coarsening of the MX carbonitrides as the process controlling the life time for steels in high temperature use, the high temperature strength is calculated as a function of steel chemistry, service temperature and time. New steel compositions for different service conditions are found yielding optimal combinations of strength and stability of the strengthening precipitation for specific applications such as fire-resistant steels (short-time property guarantee) and creep-resistant steels (long-time property guarantee). Using the same modelling approach, the high temperature strength and lifetime of existing commercial austenitic creep-resistant steels were also calculated and a good qualitative agreement with reported experimental results was obtained. According to the evaluation parameter employed, the newly defined steel compositions may have higher and more stable precipitation strengthening factors than existing high-temperature precipitate-strengthened austenite steels.     

Carbon-content dependent effect of magnetic field on austenitic decomposition of steels

The transformed microstructures of the high-purity Fe-0.12C alloy and Fe-0.36C alloy heat treated without and with a 12 T magnetic field have been investigated to explore the carbon-content dependent field effect on austenitic decomposition in steels. Results show that, the field-induced transformed morphology characteristics in different alloys differ from each other. In the Fe-0.12C alloy, the pearlite colonies are elongated along the field direction, and shaped by the chained and elongated proeutectoid ferrite grains in the field direction. However, in the Fe-0.36C alloy, the field mainly reduces the amount of Widmänstatten ferrite and elongates the formed proeutectoid ferrite grains in the field direction. No clear field direction alignment is obtained. The magnetic field also demonstrates carbon-content dependent effect on the texture of the formed ferrite. It clearly enhances the 〈001〉 fiber of the ferrite in the transverse field direction in the Fe-0.36C alloy. This field effect is related to the crystal lattice distortion induced by carbon solution and this impact becomes stronger with the increase of the carbon content. For the Fe-0.12C alloy, this field effect is greatly reduced due to the reduced carbon oversaturation in ferrite and elevated formation temperature. The orientation relationships (ORs) between the pearlitic ferrite and the pearlitic cementite in both alloys are less affected by the magnetic field. No obvious changes in the either type of the appearing ORs and their number of occurrences are detected.     

Assessment of the thermodynamic dimension of the stacking fault energy

Especially with respect to high Mn and other austenitic TRansformation and/or TWinning Induced Plasticity (TRIP/TWIP) steels, it is a current trend to model the stacking fault energy of a stacking fault that is formed by plastic deformation with an equilibrium thermodynamic formalism as proposed by Olson and Cohen in 1976. In the present paper, this formalism is critically discussed and its ambiguity is stressed. Suggestions are made, how the stacking fault energy and its relation to the formation of hexagonal ?-martensite might be treated appropriately. It is further emphasized that a thermodynamic treatment of deformation-induced stacking fault phenomena always faces some ambiguity. However, an alternative thermodynamic approach to stacking faults, twinning and the formation of ?-martensite in austenitic steels might rationalize the specific stacking fault arrangements encountered during deformation of TRIP/TWIP alloys.     

Modeling Structural and Magnetic Phase Transitions in Iron-Nickel Nanoparticles

Martensitic phase transformations and magnetovolume effects in iron-nickel alloys are intimately related. The term Invar is widely used to characterize the unusual physical properties accompanying structural and magnetic instabilities such as those observed in the vicinity of the critical composition Fe 65 Ni 35 . We discuss the crossover from bulk iron-nickel alloys to nanoparticles with respect to structural and magnetic behavior. By employing molecular-dynamics and Monte Carlo methods, we find the absence of structural instabilities in defect-free particles, a linear scaling of the austenitic transformation temperature with the reciprocal cluster radius, as well as a decrease of the magnetic transition temperature with decreasing particle size.     

Helium effects on the microstructural evolution of reactor irradiated ferritic and austenitic steels

Abstract

Microstructural evolution in neutron irradiated austenitic stainless steels and Cr-Mo ferritic steels is reviewed. Important highlights are: (1) there is a strong correlation between precipitation and void evolution in austenitic steels; (2) helium affects precipitate evolution in austenitic steels, but observations indicate no effect on precipitation in ferritic steels; (3) helium has a pronounced effect on the cavity evolution of the two steel types. Helium effects are explained in terms of the interrelationship between microstructural evolution and point-defect annihilation processes. In stainless steel, three relative regimes of microstructural behavior for different helium generation rate-displacement rate ratios are recognized: (1) “low” He/dpa ratio, where helium effects on the radiation-induced microstructural evolution are negligible or develop slowly, (2) “medium” He/dpa ratio, where helium effects strongly enhance the microstructural changes, and (3) “high” He/dpa ratio, where helium effects are limited to the early development of a high density of fine bubbles which interfere with other radiation-induced microstructural changes, but allow enhanced thermal microstructural evolution to take place instead. The extensive data on austenitic steels fall within these regimes. Ferritic steels are known to be highly resistant to void swelling without helium. It is suggested that enhanced cavity formation due to helium in ferritic steels makes higher swelling a potential concern for fusion reactor applications.     

Thermal stability of microstructures and mechanical properties in a Fe-based Fe-Cr-Mn-Cu-Mo multi-component alloy

A Fe-based multi-component alloy, 60Fe-12Cr-10Mn-15Cu-3Mo, was designed and fabricated for nuclear applications in the present study. The crystal structure of the alloy is a ～85% body – and 15% face–centered cubic. A detailed microstructure analysis indicated that Cu segregated in the alloy to form Cu-rich precipitates, and the Cu precipitates grew during high temperature annealing at up to 773?K. The high temperature tensile test of the alloys showed that both the yield stress and tensile strength of the 60Fe-12Cr-10Mn-15Cu-3Mo were greater than those of typical austenitic and ferritic stainless steels at 773?K. The Vickers microhardness of the designed alloy did not change after high temperature annealing for 1?h at up to 1073?K. The results indicated that the designed alloy has the potential to be used for high temperature applications.     

Grain boundary impurity segregation and neutron irradiation effects in ferritic alloys

Segregation of alloying and impurity elements to grain boundaries in ferritic steels and alloys is known to modify the mechanical properties. This paper considers segregation of such elements, in particular phosphorus and carbon, that occur in ferritic nuclear pressure vessel steels subject to neutron irradiation and temperature typical of that encountered in service. Models are presented that allow the prediction of equilibrium and non-equilibrium segregation of phosphorus to grain boundaries and also take into account synergistic interaction with carbon under various combinations of neutron-irradiation temperature. These are related to a wide range of experimental observations compiled from data in the literature for mainly phosphorus and carbon measured at grain boundaries in neutron-irradiated ferritic vessel steels and alloys. The predictions from the segregation models are compared with these experimental data. The discussion provides a rationalization for the apparent variability in the measured grain boundary phosphorus compositions and thereby fracture susceptibility for various nuclear pressure vessel ferritic steels.     

哈斯勒合金Ni-Co-Mn-Sn的马氏体相变及其磁热效应研究

通过结构和磁性测量,研究了四元哈斯勒合金Ni_50-xCo_xMn₃₈Sn₁₂（x=1, 2, 4, 6, 8）的晶体结构和相变特征.结果表明,Co原子的掺杂不但没有影响三元哈斯勒合金Ni-Mn-Sn的原有结构,而且还增强了样品在奥氏体相的铁磁交换作用.此外,通过Maxwell方程计算了其中三种成分样品（x= 2, 4, 6）的磁熵变ΔS_{M关键词： 哈斯勒合金 Ni-Co-Mn-Sn 马氏体相变 磁热效应}     

Effect of hydrogen on interatomic bonds in austenitic steels

Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to investigate the influence of dissolved hydrogen on the interatomic bonds in austenitic steels. It was carried out to prove the decohesion mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement (HE). It is shown that hydrogen increases Debye temperature, i.e., the interatomic bonds in hydrogenated austenitic steel becomes stronger.     

替代掺杂的MnNiGe1-xGax合金中马氏体相变和磁-结构耦合特性

研究了MnNiGe_1-xGa_x (x=0–0.30) 系列合金中成分、结构、马氏体相变性质和磁性的相互关系. 在较小的成分范围内, Ga取代Ge元素可有效地将马氏体相变温度降低近400 K. Ga的引入削弱了体系中的共价成键作用, 马氏体相显示出磁交换作用的增强. 相图显示, 掺杂使马氏体相变先后穿过T_N 和T_C 两个磁有序温度, 居里温度窗口效应在体系有存在的可能, 磁性对相变温度的成分关系有所影响. 实验观察到合金变磁转变的特性及相变行为对制备方法的敏感性. 这些特性的发现, 有利于进一步优化这类材料的磁结构和相变特性, 获得具有应用价值的新材料. 关键词： MM’X合金 马氏体相变 磁有序温度 变磁转变     

The influence of Cr content in Fe-Cr-Co alloys on the magnetic properties and Mössbauer effect

Fe-xCr-8Co (x=24, 25, 27, 29 and 32 wt%) permanent magnetic alloys have been studied bv Mössbauer effect, magnetic balance and vibrating-sample magnetometer. It is indicated that the optimum permanent magnetic properties obtained for the composition of the alloys at about x=27. The value of Cr content in these alloys sigificantly influences the average hyperfine field, the saturation magnetic moment, the proportion of paramagnetic phase and orientation of magnetic moment in these alloys. The intrinsic coercive force is gradually reduced with the temperature decreasing from 290 to 77k. The paramagnetic peak in the spectrum disappars at about 125k. The certain mechanism has been suggested to explain the experimental results.