Metals, Volume 6, Issue 12 (December 2016) – 31 articles

The structural evolution and segregation in a dual alloy made by electroslag remelting (ESR) was investigated by various analytical techniques. The results show that the macrostructure of the ingot consists of two crystallization structures: one is a quite narrow, fine, equiaxed grain region at the edge and the other is a columnar grain region, which plays a leading role. The typical columnar structure shows no discontinuity between the CrMoV, NiCrMoV, and transition zones. The average secondary arm-spacing is coarsened from 35.3 to 49.2 μm and 61.5 μm from the bottom to the top of the ingot. The distinctive features of the structure are attributed to the different cooling conditions during the ESR process. The Ni, Cr, and C contents markedly increase in the transition zone (TZ) and show a slight increase from the bottom to the top and from the surface to the center of the ESR ingot due to the partition ratios, gravity segregation, the thermal buoyancy flow, the solutal buoyancy flow, and the inward Lorentz force. Less dendrite segregation exists in the CrMoV zone and the transition zone due to a stronger cooling rate (11.1 and 4.5 °C/s) and lower Cr and C contents. The precipitation of carbides was observed in the ingot due to a lower solid solubility of the carbon element in the α phase. Full article

Cu/Ti₃SiC₂/C/BN/GNPs nanocomposites were prepared by vacuum hot-pressing (HP) sintering and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) sintering methods. Microstructures, mechanical and tribological properties of Cu/Ti₃SiC₂/C/BN/GNPs nanocomposites were investigated. Microstructures were examined by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mechanical properties were determined by the relative density, micro-Vickers hardness, as well as tensile strength, compressive strength and shear strength. Tribological behavior of the Cu/Ti₃SiC₂/C/BN/GNPs composite against the GCr15 steel ring was evaluated using an M-2000 wear tester with high tangential sliding velocity. Results demonstrated that BN and graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) have an impact on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Cu/Ti₃SiC₂/C/BN/GNPs nanocomposites. Based on microstructures, and mechanical and tribological properties of Cu/Ti₃SiC₂/C/BN/GNP nanocomposites, strengthening, fracture and wear mechanisms for synergistic enhancement by multi-phase reinforcements were analyzed. Full article

The relationship between microstructure and tensile properties of an Nb–Ti microalloyed X90 pipeline steel was studied as a function of finish rolling temperature using a Gleeble 3500 simulator, an optical and scanning electron microscope, electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the microstructure is primarily composed of non-equiaxed ferrite with martensite/austenite (M/A) constituent dispersed at grain boundaries for the specimens with different finish rolling temperatures. With a decrease in the finish rolling temperature, the yield strength increases, following a significant increase in the grain refinement strengthening contribution and dislocation strengthening contribution, although the precipitation strengthening contribution decreases. The increasing yield ratio (YR) shows that the strain hardening capacity declines as a result of the microstructure evolution when decreasing the finish rolling temperature. Full article

Zn-Cu alloy was deposited onto AZ63 substrate, and the corrosion behaviour of resulting modified electrodes was investigated in 3 wt % NaCl solution in comparison with uncoated AZ63. Electrochemical, structural, and morphological study of the coating is presented. SEM images reveal that the surface morphology of the films is uniformly small spherical grain distributions. The XRD patterns illustrate polycrystalline structure and the formation of peaks corresponding to hexagonal close-packed ε-phase of Zn-Cu with various crystallographic orientations. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the potential ranges where the various redox processes occur. Linear sweep voltammetry results illustrate that longer exposure of uncoated AZ63 in NaCl solution produces a greater corrosion potential shift because of the formation of an oxide layer that did not prevent the progression of corrosion attack. The corrosion resistivity of Zn-Cu coated AZ63 is approximately two orders of magnitude greater than that of uncoated AZ63. Full article

The effect of heating rate on the formation and decomposition of austenite was investigated on cold-rolled low carbon steel. Experiments were performed at two heating rates, 150 °C/s and 1500 °C/s, respectively. The microstructures were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). Experimental evidence of nucleation of austenite in α/θ, as well as in α/α boundaries is analyzed from the thermodynamic point of view. The increase in the heating rates from 150 °C/s to 1500 °C/s has an impact on the morphology of austenite in the intercritical range. The effect of heating rate on the austenite formation mechanism is analyzed combining thermodynamic calculations and experimental data. The results provide indirect evidence of a transition in the mechanism of austenite formation, from carbon diffusion control to interface control mode. The resulting microstructure after the application of ultrafast heating rates is complex and consists of a mixture of ferrite with different morphologies, undissolved cementite, martensite, and retained austenite. Full article

Efficient laser shock processing of materials requires a good characterization of their dynamic response to pulsed compression, and predictive numerical models to simulate the thermomechanical processes governing this response. Due to the extremely high strain rates involved, the kinetics of these processes should be accounted for. In this paper, we present an experimental investigation of the dynamic behavior of iron under laser driven ramp loading, then we compare the results to the predictions of a constitutive model including viscoplasticity and a thermodynamically consistent description of the bcc to hcp phase transformation expected near 13 GPa. Both processes are shown to affect wave propagation and pressure decay, and the influence of the kinetics of the phase transformation on the velocity records is discussed in details. Full article

Significant structural steels for nuclear power engineering are chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steels. The presented paper evaluates the kinetics of the fatigue crack growth of AISI 304L and AISI 316L stainless steels in air and in corrosive environments of 3.5% aqueous NaCl solution after the application of solution annealing, stabilizing annealing, and sensitization annealing. Comparisons were made between the fatigue crack growth rate after each heat treatment regime, and a comparison between the fatigue crack growth rate in both types of steels was made. For individual heat treatment regimes, the possibility of the development of intergranular corrosion was also considered. Evaluations resulted in very favourable corrosion fatigue characteristics of the 316L steel. After application of solution and stabilizing annealing at a comparable ∆K level, the fatigue crack growth rate was about one half compared to 304L steel. After sensitization annealing of 316L steel, compared to stabilizing annealing, the increase of crack growth rate during corrosion fatigue was slightly higher. The obtained results complement the existing standardized data on unconventional characteristics of 304L and 316L austenitic stainless steels. Full article

This article deals with the relationship between the microstructure and both strength and ductility in eutectoid pearlitic steel. It is seen how standard mechanical properties and fracture micromechanisms are affected by heat treatment and the resulting microstructure in the material. The yield stress, the ultimate tensile strength and the ductility (measured by means of the reduction in area) exhibit a rising trend with the increasing cooling rate (associated with smaller pearlite interlamellar spacing and a lower pearlitic colony size), while the strain for maximum load shows a decreasing tendency with the afore-said rising cooling rate. With regard to the fracture surface, its appearance becomes more brittle for lower cooling rates, so that the fracture process zone exhibits a larger area with observable pearlite lamellae and a lower percentage of microvoids. Full article

Conventional manufacturing processes cause plastic deformation that leads to magnetic anisotropy in processed materials. A deeper understanding of materials characterization under rotational magnetization enables engineers to optimize the overall volume, mass, and performance of devices such as electrical machines in industry. Therefore, it is important to find the magnetic easy direction of the magnetic domains in a simple and straightforward manner. The Magnetic easy direction can be obtained through destructive tests such as the Epstein frame method and the Single Sheet Tester by taking measurements in regions of irreversible magnetization usually called domains. In the present work, samples of rolled SAE 1045 steel (formed by perlite and ferrite microstructures) were submitted to induced magnetic fields in the reversibility region of magnetic domains to detect the magnetic easy direction. The magnetic fields were applied to circular samples with different thicknesses and angles varying from 0° to 360° with steps of 45°. A square sample with a fixed thickness was also tested. The results showed that the proposed non-destructive approach is promising to evaluate the magnetic anisotropy in steels independently of the geometry of the sample. The region studied presented low induction losses and was affected by magnetic anisotropy, which did not occur in other works that only took into account regions of high induction losses. Full article

The low density and good mechanical properties make magnesium and its alloys attractive construction materials in the electronics, automotive, and aerospace industry, together with application in medicine due to their biocompatibility. Magnesium AZ91D alloy is an alloy with a high content of aluminum, whose mechanical properties overshadow the low corrosion resistance caused by the composition of the alloy and the existence of two phases: α magnesium matrix and β magnesium aluminum intermetallic compound. To improve the corrosion resistance, it is necessary to find an effective protection method for the alloy surface. Knowing and predicting electrochemical processes is an essential for the design and optimization of protective coatings on magnesium and its alloys. In this work, the formations of nickel protective coatings on the magnesium AZ91D alloy surface by electrodeposition and chemical deposition, are presented. For this purpose, environmentally friendly electrolytes were used. The corrosion resistance of the protected alloy was determined in chloride medium using appropriate electrochemical techniques. Characterization of the surface was performed with highly sophisticated surface-analytical methods. Full article

The objective of the research presented here is the investigation of ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) propagation through the lap joint welded plates used in the construction of a storage tank floors. The investigations have been performed using numerical simulation by finite element method (FEM) and tested by measurement of the transmission losses of the guided waves transmitted through the welded lap joints. Propagation of the symmetric S₀ mode in the welded stainless steel plates in the cases of different lap joint overlap width, operation frequency, and additional plate bonding caused by corrosion were investigated. It was shown that the transmission losses of the S₀ mode can vary in the range of 2 dB to 8 dB depending on the ratio between lap joint width and wavelength. It was also demonstrated that additional bonding in the overlap zone caused by corrosion can essentially reduce transmission losses. Full article

The effect of Fe-rich particles has been a topic for discussion in the aluminum casting industry because of the negative impact they exert on the mechanical properties. However, there are still contradictions on the effects of various morphologies of Fe-particles. In this study, microstructural characterization of tensile tested samples has been performed to reveal how unmodified and modified Fe-rich particles impact on the tensile behavior. Analysis of additions of Fe modifiers such as Mn and Cr, showed higher amounts of primary Fe-rich particles (sludge) with increased porosity and, as result, degraded tensile properties. From the fracture analysis of tensile tested hot isostatic pressed (HIPed) samples it could be concluded that the mechanical properties were mainly governed by the Fe-rich particles, which were fracturing through cleavage, not by the porosity. Full article

Through using a novel micro-coating metal additive manufacturing (MCMAM) process in this study, the forming characteristics of the multilayer single-pass specimens were investigated. The forming defects including the porosity and the bonding quality between layers were analyzed. Moreover, we also attempted to study the effect of process parameters such as flow rate, deposition velocity, and layer thickness on the forming morphology. Based on the results, the optimization of process parameters was conducted for the fabrication of thin-wall MCMAM. Finally, estimation criteria for the integrity of the interfacial bond were established. Full article

The fretting performance of self-piercing riveting joining dissimilar sheets in TA1 titanium alloy and H62 copper alloy was studied in this paper. Load-controlled cyclic fatigue tests were carried out using a sine waveform and in tension-tension mode. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques were employed to analyze the fretting failure mechanisms of the joints. The experimental results showed that there was extremely severe fretting at the contact interfaces of rivet and sheet materials for the joints at relatively high loads levels. Moreover, the severe fretting in the region on the locked sheet in contact with the rivet was the major cause of the broken locked sheet for the joints at low load level. Full article

In this work, a novel processing method called powder thixoforming was proposed to prepare composites reinforced with 50 vol % of SiC particles (SiC_p) that were used for electronic packaging in order to investigate the effects of remelting duration on its microstructure and properties. Optical Microscope (OM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) methods were applied for the material characterization and the corresponding physical and mechanical properties were examined in detail. The obtained results indicate that the remelting duration exerted a large effect on the microstructure as well as the SiC_p/Al interfacial reaction. The density and hardness of the composite continuously increased with increasing remelting duration. The thermal conductivity (TC) and bending strength (BS) first increased during the initial 90 min and then decreased. The remelting duration exerted a limited influence on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The optimal TC, BS, and hardness of these composites were up to 135.79 W/(m·K), 348.53 MPa, and 105.23 HV, respectively, and the CTE was less than 6.5 ppm/K after the composites were remelted at 600 °C for 90 min. The properties of the composites could thus be controlled to conform to the application requirements for electronic packaging materials. Full article

Enhancement in the strength of austenitic steels with a small content of carbon can be achieved by a limited number of methods, among which is ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure formation. This method is especially efficient with the use of severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing, which significantly increases the contribution of grain-boundary strengthening, and also involves a combination of the other strengthening factors (work hardening, twins, etc.). In this paper, we demonstrate that the use of SPD processing combined with conventional methods of deformation treatment of metals, such as rolling, may lead to additional strengthening of UFG steel. In the presented paper we analyze the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Cr–Ni stainless austenitic steel after a combined deformation. We report on substantial increases in the strength properties of this steel, resulting from a consecutive application of SPD processing via equal-channel angular pressing and rolling at a temperature of 400 °C. This combined loading yields a strength more than 1.5 times higher than those produced by either of these two techniques used separately. Full article

Fe–Mn-based degradable biomaterials (DBMs) are promising candidates for temporary implants such as cardiovascular stents and bone fixation devices. Identifying their mechanical properties and biocompatibility is essential to determine the feasibility of Fe–Mn-based alloys as DBMs. This study presents the tensile properties of two powder metallurgical processed Fe–Mn-based alloys (Fe–28Mn and Fe–28Mn-3Si, in mass percent) as a function of immersion time in simulated body fluid (SBF). In addition, short-term cytotoxicity testing was performed to evaluate the in vitro biocompatibility of the sintered Fe–Mn-based alloys. The results reveal that an increase in immersion duration deteriorated the tensile properties of both the binary and ternary alloys. The tensile properties of the immersed alloys were severely degraded after being soaked in SBF for ≥45 days. The ion concentration in SBF released from the Fe–28Mn-3Si samples was higher than their Fe–28Mn counterparts after 7 days immersion. The preliminary cytotoxicity testing based on the immersed SBF medium after 7 days immersion suggested that both the Fe–28Mn-3Si and Fe–28Mn alloys presented a good biocompatibility in Murine fibroblast cells. Full article

A commercial AZ91D Mg alloy, after bulk grain refinement by various passes of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), was selected for micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in silicate electrolyte, corrosion testing in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution and morphology analyses. The results showed that a large number of ECAP passes resulted in the homogeneous ultrafine-grained (UFG) Mg substrate with broken second-phases. The high-energy defects in the ECAPed samples lowered the anodizing potential of the MAO process, but the partial discharge was severe for those samples below eight passes. Increasing the ECAP pass, the compactness and thickness of the MAO coating first decreased and then increased. Due to the compact coating and the existence of Mg₂SiO₄, the coated alloy with 16 ECAP passes has a lower corrosion rate and a larger R_t value. Besides the well-known strengthening-toughening effect, grain refinement via multi-pass ECAP can improve surface protection of the MAO coating on the UFG Mg alloy. Full article

The bimodal microstructures of Al6063 consisting of 15, 30, and 45 vol. % coarse-grained (CG) bands within the ultrafine-grained (UFG) matrix were synthesized via blending of high-energy mechanically milled powders with unmilled powders followed by hot powder extrusion. The corrosion behavior of the bimodal specimens was assessed by means of polarization, steady-state cyclic polarization and impedance tests, whereas their microstructural features and corrosion products were examined using optical microscopy (OM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The bimodal Al6063 containing 15 vol. % CG phase exhibits the highest corrosion resistance among the bimodal microstructures and even superior electrochemical behavior compared with the plain UFG and CG materials in the 3.5% NaCl solution. The enhanced corrosion resistance is attributed to the optimum cathode to anode surface area ratio that gives rise to the formation of an effective galvanic couple between CG areas and the UFG matrix. The operational galvanic coupling leads to the domination of a “self-anodic protection system” on bimodal microstructure and consequently forms a uniform thick protective passive layer over it. In contrast, the 45 vol. % CG bimodal specimen shows the least corrosion resistance due to the catastrophic galvanic corrosion in UFG regions. The observed results for UFG Al6063 suggest that metallurgical tailoring of the grain structure in terms of bimodal microstructures leads to simultaneous enhancement in the electrochemical behavior and mechanical properties of passivable alloys that are usually inversely correlated. The mechanism of self-anodic protection for passivable metals with bimodal microstructures is discussed here for the first time. Full article

Microstructural stability is one of the utmost important requirements for metallic materials in engineering applications, particularly at high temperatures. The paper shows how Mechanical Spectroscopy (MS) (i.e., damping and dynamic modulus measurements) permits the monitoring of the evolution of lattice defects, porosity, and cracks which strongly affect the mechanical behavior of metals and sometimes lead to permanent damage. For this purpose, some applications of the technique to different metals and alloys (AISI 304 stainless steel, PWA 1483 single crystal superalloy, nanostructured FeMo prepared via SPS sintering and tungsten) of engineering interest are presented. These experiments have been carried out in lab conditions using bar-shaped samples at constant or increasing temperatures. The results can be used to orient the interpretation of frequency and damping changes observed through other instruments in components of complex shape during their in-service life. Full article

The hot deformation behavior and microstructural evolution of Ti-44Al-5V-1Cr alloy were investigated by hot compression tests at temperatures of 1000–1250 °C and strain rates of 0.001–1 s⁻¹. It was indicated that the dependence of peak stress on deformation temperature and strain rate could be accurately described by a hyperbolic sine type equation. The activation energy, Q, was estimated to be 632 kJ/mol. The hot processing map was developed at different strains on the basis of dynamic materials modeling and the Murty criteria. As a result, the instability zones occurred in the regions of low temperature (<1050 °C) and a high strain rate (>0.1 s⁻¹). The flow soft mechanism of the instability regions is stress relaxation caused by localization deformation at lamellar boundaries. Dynamic recrystallization is the mainly refining and spheroidizing mechanism of lamellar microstructures. The optimum hot working condition of as-cast TiAl alloy occurs in the temperature range of 1175–1225 °C and the strain rate range 0.05–0.1 s⁻¹. The large-size TiAl alloy rectangular bars with crack-free appearance were successfully prepared by hot extrusion. After annealing, the fine and uniform microstructure with excellent deformation ability was obtained. Full article

The present study clarifies the complex interplay between mechanical twinning and dislocation slip during low-cycle fatigue testing of Mg-Zn-Ca alloys. Temporal details of these mechanisms are studied non-destructively by in situ monitoring of the acoustic emission (AE) response powered by a robust signal categorization. Through the analysis of AE time series, the kinetics of deformation twinning per cycle and the overall accumulation of twinning during cyclic loading is described and its effect on fatigue life is highlighted. Full article

The dissolution routes of chalcopyrite in acidic sulfate aqueous solution have been discussed by thermodynamic calculation under different aqueous species concentrations, such as Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and H₂S. The results show that for both oxidative dissolution and non-oxidative dissolution of chalcopyrite, the dissolution process undergoes several intermediate steps before completely decomposing to Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and elemental sulfur, in which bornite and covellite are the most likely intermediates. The dissolution routes of the secondary intermediates have also been discussed and covellite is the most likely final intermediate. Based on these results, some frequently reported phenomena, such as the existence of an optima redox potential range, the promotive action of the addition of Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ , as well as the preferential release of Fe²⁺ in the chalcopyrite leaching process, have been explained and elucidated. Full article

Nanostructured bainite is a novel ultra-high-strength steel-concept under intensive current research, in which the optimization of its mechanical properties can only come from a clear understanding of the parameters that control its ductility. This work reviews first the nature of this composite-like material as a product of heat treatment conditions. Subsequently, the premises of ductility behavior are presented, taking as a reference related microstructures: conventional bainitic steels, and TRIP-aided steels. The ductility of nanostructured bainite is then discussed in terms of work-hardening and fracture mechanisms, leading to an analysis of the three-fold correlation between ductility, mechanically-induced martensitic transformation, and mechanical partitioning between the phases. Results suggest that a highly stable/hard retained austenite, with mechanical properties close to the matrix of bainitic ferrite, is advantageous in order to enhance ductility. Full article

High nitrogen martensitic stainless steel 30Cr15Mo1N plates were successfully welded by friction stir welding (FSW) at a tool rotation speed of 300 rpm with a welding speed of 100 mm/min, using W-Re tool. The sound joint with no significant nitrogen loss was successfully produced. Microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of an FSW joint were investigated. The results suggest that the grain size of the stir zone (SZ) is larger than the base metal (BM) and is much larger the case in SZ-top. Some carbides and nitrides rich in chromium were found in BM while not observed in SZ. The martensitic phase in SZ could transform to austenite phase during the FSW process and the higher peak temperature, the greater degree of transformation. The hardness of SZ is significantly lower than that of the BM. An abrupt change of hardness defined as hard zone (HZ) was found in the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) on the advancing side (AS), and the HZ is attributed to a combination result of temperature, deformation, and material flow behavior. The corrosion resistance of SZ is superior to that of BM, which can be attributed to less precipitation and lower angle boundaries (LABs). The corrosion resistance of SZ-bottom is slight higher than that of SZ-top because of the finer grained structure. Full article

The removal of Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ by coal bottom ash has been investigated. In single metal system, metal uptake was studied in batch adsorption experiments as a function of pH (2–3), contact time (5–180 min), initial metal concentration (50–400 mg/L), adsorbent concentration (5–40 g/L), particle size, and ionic strength (0–1 M NaCl). Removal percentages of metals ions increased with increasing pH and dosage. Removal efficiency at lower concentrations was greater than at higher values. The maximum amount of metal ion adsorbed in milligrams per gram was 35.4, 35.1 and 34.6 mg/g for Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺, respectively, starting out from an initial solution at pH 3. Simultaneous removal of Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions from ternary systems was also investigated and compared with that from single systems. Cd²⁺ uptake was significantly affected by the presence of competing ions at pH 2. The results obtained in the tests with landfill leachate showed that bottom ash is effective in simultaneously removing several heavy metals such as Ni, Zn, Cd, As, Mn, Cu, Co, Se, Hg, Ag, and Pb. Full article

In this study, the resistance spot weldabilty of zinc galvanize-coated and uncoated TRIP800 steels was investigated in detail. Depending on the welding parameters such as welding current and welding time, the effects of zinc coating on the weld nugget geometry, the tensile shear strength, the failure modes, the hardness, and the microstructure of the resistance spot-welded sample were studied, and the results are compared with that of uncoated weldment. The coating on the surface of the TRIP steel causes a decrease in the weld nugget size and tensile shear strength of the weldment, and it changes to failure mode of the test sample from pullout to interfacial or partial interfacial fracture. As compared with the uncoated sample, the galvanized TRIP800 steel weldment has required a larger critical nugget size for achieving the desired pullout fracture mode and acceptable tensile shear strength. Full article

Al_xNbTiVZr (x = 0; 0.5; 1; 1.5) high entropy alloys were fabricated by vacuum arc melting and annealed at 1200 °C for 24 h. The NbTiVZr alloy had single body centered cubic (bcc) solid solution phase after annealing at 1200 °C, while, in the Al-containing alloys, C14 Laves and Zr₂Al-type phases are found. The alloys were subjected to annealing at 800 °C and 1000 °C. It was shown that annealing temperature (800 °C or 1000 °C) weakly affected the produced phases but the Al content had pronounced effect on structure of the annealed alloys. The NbTiVZr alloy decomposed into bcc, Zr-rich hexagonal close-packed (hcp), and C15 Laves phases. In the Al_0.5NbTiVZr alloy, the bcc matrix phase also decomposed into a mixture of bcc and C14 Laves phases. In the AlNbTiVZr alloy, annealing resulted in an increase of volume fraction of Zr₂Al-type phase. Finally, in the Al_1.5NbTiVZr alloy, formation of AlNb₂-type phase was observed. The highest fraction of second phases appeared after annealing in the NbTiVZr alloy. It is demonstrated that the strong chemical affinity and high enthalpy of formation of intermetallic phases in Al-Zr atomic pair govern the intermetallic phase formation in the alloys at 1200 °C. Increase of volume fraction of second phases in the alloys due to annealing at 800 °C and 1000 °C is in proportion to the decrease of Zr concentration in the bcc matrix phase. Full article

Laser shock peening of titanium alloys has been widely applied in the aerospace industry. However, little is known of the nanocrystalline formation characteristics and mechanisms. In this investigation, a nanocrystalline layer was formed in the duplex Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy surface region by means of multiple pulsed laser shock peening (LSP). The phase transition and residual stress characteristics of LSP samples were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the microstructure and morphologies. As the number of laser pulses increased for each location, higher grain refinement was observed. Micro-hardness testing showed that hardness increased with the number of pulses delivered to each location due to the formation of nanocrystalline layers and high dislocation density in the samples, and a gradient variation of the micro-hardness was obtained. In addition, mechanical twins and different dislocation configurations were formed in the α phase region while only dense dislocation tangles were observed in the β phase region after multiple laser pulse impacts. Full article

Uniform Cu₄₈Zr₄₈Al₄ amorphous microwires with a high surface quality are fabricated by a melt extraction technique. The mechanical property of microwires is evaluated via tensile tests. To estimate the strength scattering, statistical analysis of fracture strengths is conducted using logarithmic normal distribution, and two- and three-parameter Weibull analysis, severally. The results show that the tensile strengths of Cu₄₈Zr₄₈Al₄ amorphous microwires range from 1724 to 1937 MPa with the arithmetical average value of 1836 MPa, and the arithmetical standard deviation of 56.4 MPa. The geometric mean of fracture strength is 1840 MPa using logarithmic normal distribution statistical analysis. Using two- and three-parameter Weibull analysis, the Weibull modulus and fracture threshold value are respectively calculated for 34.8 and 1483 MPa, which shows the excellent tensile mechanical properties with a high predictability of Cu₄₈Zr₄₈Al₄ amorphous microwires and further indicates the great potential of application. Full article