Fracture toughness in direct extruded Mg–Al–Zn alloys

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 2598-2607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetoshi Somekawa ◽  
Han S. Kim ◽  
Alok Singh ◽  
Toshiji Mukai

Fracture toughness and its deformed structures were investigated on a Mg–3Al–1Zn (AZ31) alloy processed by direct extrusion. The average grain sizes of the alloy after extrusion at temperatures of 473 and 573 K were 4.0 and 14.5 μm, respectively (i.e., fine-grained and coarse-grained alloys). The plane-strain fracture toughness, KIC, as determined by stretched zone analysis in fine-grained and coarse-grained alloys was estimated to be 24.9 and 22.7 MPam1/2, respectively. Microstructural observations of the fine-grained alloy after fracture toughness testing showed that non-basal slip and grain-boundary sliding was activated even at room temperature. In addition, the {10-12} deformation twins were observed despite the fine-grained structures. However, the fraction of deformation twins was reduced with grain refinement, which related to the enhancement of fracture toughness with grain refinement.

2015 ◽  
Vol 1114 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Nicolae Şerban ◽  
Doina Răducanu ◽  
Nicolae Ghiban ◽  
Vasile Dănuţ Cojocaru

The properties of ultra-fine grained materials are superior to those of corresponding conventional coarse grained materials, being significantly improved as a result of grain refinement. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is an efficient method for modifying the microstructure by refining grain size via severe plastic deformation (SPD) in producing ultra-fine grained materials (UFG) and nanomaterials (NM). The grain sizes produced by ECAP processing are typically in the submicrometer range and this leads to high strength at ambient temperatures. ECAP is performed by pressing test samples through a die containing two channels, equal in cross-section and intersecting at a certain angle. The billet experiences simple shear deformation at the intersection, without any precipitous change in the cross-section area because the die prevents lateral expansion and therefore the billet can be pressed more than once and it can be rotated around its pressing axis during subsequent passes. After ECAP significant grain refinement occurs together with dislocation strengthening, resulting in a considerable enhancement in the strength of the alloys. A commercial AlMgSi alloy (AA6063) was investigated in this study. The specimens were processed for a number of passes up to nine, using a die channel angle of 110°, applying the ECAP route BC. After ECAP, samples were cut from each specimen and prepared for metallographic analysis. The microstructure of the ECAP-ed and as-received material was investigated using optical (OLYMPUS – BX60M) and SEM microscopy (TESCAN VEGA II – XMU). It was determined that for the as-received material the microstructure shows a rough appearance, with large grains of dendritic or seaweed aspect and with a secondary phase at grain boundaries (continuous casting structure). For the ECAP processed samples, the microstructure shows a finished aspect, with refined, elongated grains, also with crumbled and uniformly distributed second phase particles after a typical ECAP texture.


2011 ◽  
Vol 682 ◽  
pp. 131-137
Author(s):  
Ya Jun Fan ◽  
Ji Min Cao ◽  
Wei Min Wang ◽  
Yong Ning Liu

With massive trials, spheroidized by austeniting at 810°C and cooling by 1°C/min, a 1.6C (pct) Ultra-high Carbon Steel shows a microstructure of uniformly distributed fine carbides in the ultra-fine ferrite matrix. The grain size of ferrite matrix and spheroidized carbides are about 5um and 0.1~2um, respectively. Further investigation by TEM shows that much dislocation together with twins is obtained for the UHCS, and generally finer grains have higher dislocation density. The spheroidized steel exhibits high tensile strength of 910 MPa and high yielding strength of 653 MPa at room temperature, together with excellent elongation of 18.3%, which shows the UHCS can entirely satisfy certain grades of engineering materials and means the steel may substitute present engineering steel considering lower cost. Furthermore, the steel owns good high-temperature superplasticity, the elongation of 216% obtained at 800°C under a strain rate of 2.5×10-4. Initial analysis suggests that the superplastic deformation mechanics of the steel is grain boundary sliding and grain rotating (GBSR), coordinated by migration of dislocation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 735 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Alexander J. Carpenter ◽  
Anthony J. Barnes ◽  
Eric M. Taleff

Complex sheet metal components can be formed from lightweight aluminum and magnesium sheet alloys using superplastic forming technologies. Superplastic forming typically takes advantage of the high strain-rate sensitivity characteristic of grain-boundary-sliding (GBS) creep to obtain significant ductility at high temperatures. However, GBS creep requires fine-grained materials, which can be expensive and difficult to manufacture. An alternative is provided by materials that exhibit solute-drag (SD) creep, a mechanism that also produces elevated values of strain-rate sensitivity. SD creep typically operates at lower temperatures and faster strain rates than does GBS creep. Unlike GBS creep, solute-drag creep does not require a fine, stable grain size. Previous work by Boissière et al. suggested that the Mg-Y-Nd alloy, essentially WE43, deforms by SD creep at temperatures near 400°C. The present investigation examines both tensile and biaxial deformation behavior of ElektronTM 43 sheet, which has a composition similar to WE43, at temperatures ranging from 400 to 500°C. Data are presented that provide additional evidence for SD creep in Elektron 43 and demonstrate the remarkable degree of biaxial strain possible under this regime (>1000%). These results indicate an excellent potential for producing complex 3-D parts, via superplastic forming, using this particular heat-treatable Mg alloy.


2007 ◽  
Vol 551-552 ◽  
pp. 527-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Qing Chen ◽  
Shao Hua Sui ◽  
X.D. Wang ◽  
Wen Bo Han

In this paper constrained extrusion of the zirconia dispersed alumina nanocomposite under superplastic conditions was conducted. The mechanical properties of deformed material were studied and its results were compared with those of the initial materials. The microstructure evolution during superplastic deformation was also analyzed. The results demonstrated that after superplastic extrusion the flexural strength, relative density, Vickers hardness as well as fracture toughness of the material increased noticeably. The flexural strength of the deformed composite even retained at a high value of 310MPa at 800°C. The fracture toughness of the material increased from 6.92 MPa·m1/2 to 8.87 MPa·m1/2 after deformation. After superplastic extrusion due to grain boundary sliding and the compressive stress state, the internal porosities in as-sintered materials were eliminated. During extrusion with grain coarsening the effect of t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2 transformation toughening increased because more zirconia grains reached the critical dimension. Although grain coarsening may cause the decrease of the fracture toughness in some extent, the phase transformation toughening and strengthening dominated. As a result, the mechanical properties of the deformed material were improved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 403 ◽  
pp. 75-89
Author(s):  
Vojtěch Průcha ◽  
David Bricín ◽  
Antonín Kříž ◽  
Zdeněk Jansa

The present paper explores the effects of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on the properties of WC-Co cemented carbides. The investigation involved four different cemented carbide (CC) grades. Two of them were coarse-grained WC with grain sizes larger than 6 μm and binder fractions of 10 and 15 wt. %. The other two were fine-grained with WC grains of 0.5-0.8 μm and the same binder fractions of 10 and 15 wt. %. Their specimens were ground and polished to prepare them for DCT. In each specimen, one half of this polished surface was used for testing the properties of the CC before cryogenic treatment. The post-DCT properties were then determined on the other half. Properties of the cemented carbides prior to and after DCT were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hardness testing according to Vickers scale followed by calculation of fracture toughness KIC and a ball-on-disk test of the wear resistance of the surface. One of the findings was that cryogenic treatment led to a decrease in residual stresses and to lower fracture toughness KIC in the CC.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document