Three-dimensional grain resolved strain mapping using laboratory X-ray diffraction contrast tomography: theoretical analysis

Laboratory diffraction contrast tomography (LabDCT) is a recently developed technique to map crystallographic orientations of polycrystalline samples in three dimensions non-destructively using a laboratory X-ray source. In this work, a new theoretical procedure, named LabXRS, expanding LabDCT to include mapping of the deviatoric strain tensors on the grain scale, is proposed and validated using simulated data. For the validation, the geometries investigated include a typical near-field LabDCT setup utilizing Laue focusing with equal source-to-sample and sample-to-detector distances of 14 mm, a magnified setup where the sample-to-detector distance is increased to 200 mm, a far-field Laue focusing setup where the source-to-sample distance is also increased to 200 mm, and a near-field setup with a source-to-sample distance of 200 mm. The strain resolution is found to be in the range of 1–5 × 10−4, depending on the geometry of the experiment. The effects of other experimental parameters, including pixel binning, number of projections and imaging noise, as well as microstructural parameters, including grain position, grain size and grain orientation, on the strain resolution are examined. The dependencies of these parameters, as well as the implications for practical experiments, are discussed.

Dependence of Microstructures and Mechanical Properties on the Growth Rate and Composition in Directionally Solidified Mg-Gd Alloys

Microstructures and mechanical properties of directionally solidified Mg-xGd (5.21, 7.96 and 9.58 wt.%) alloys were investigated at a wide range of growth rates (V = 10-200 μm/s) under the constant temperature gradient (G = 30 K/mm). The results showed that when the growth rate was 10 μm/s, different interface morphologies were observed in three tested alloys: cellular morphology for Mg-5.21Gd alloy, a mixed morphology of cellular structure and dendritic structure for Mg-7.96Gd alloy and dendrite morphology for Mg-9.58Gd alloy, respectively. Upon further increasing the growth rate, only dendrite morphology was exhibited in all experimental alloys. The microstructural parameters (λ1, λ2) decreased with increasing the growth rate for all the experimental alloy, and the measured λ1 and λ2 values were in good agreement with Trivedi model and Kattamis-Flemings model, respectively. Vickers hardness and the ultimate tensile strength increased with the increase of the growth rate and Gd content, while the elongation decreased gradually. Furthermore, the relationships between the hardness, ultimate tensile strength, the growth rate and the microstructural parameters were discussed and compared with the previous experimental results.

Investigation of Changes to Triaxial Shear Strength Parameters and Microstructure of Yili Loess with Drying–Wetting Cycles

This research examined the drying–wetting cycles induced changes in undrained triaxial shear strength parameters and microstructural changes of Yili loess. The drying–wetting cycles were selected as 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30. Then, we collected Yili loess samples and performed unconsolidated-undrained (U-U) triaxial shearing tests to ascertain the variation in shear strength parameters with drying–wetting cycles. Additionally, we investigated the microstructural changes of Yili loess samples under drying–wetting cycles simultaneously via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron electroscopy (SEM). Finally, we established a grey correlation model between shear strength and microstructural parameters. Under U-U conditions, the prime finding was that the loess’s shear strength parameters changed overall after drying–wetting cycles; in particular, the internal friction angle φ dropped significantly while the cohesion c changed only slightly during cycles. For all the cycles, the first cycle gave the highest change. Soil morphology deterioration was evident at the initial stage of cycles. During the entire drying–wetting cyclic process, pore size distribution showed progressive variance from two-peak to a single-peak pattern, while both porosity and the fractal dimension of pores increased gradually towards stability. Soil particle morphology became slowly simple and reached the equilibrium state after 20 drying–wetting cycles. Under cyclic drying–wetting stress, the shear strength parameter changes were significantly correlated to microstructural modifications. This investigation was related to loess in the westerly region. The findings were expected to provide new insight into establishment of the connection between microstructure and macro stress–strain state of loess. To some extent, it provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of loess engineering geological disasters in Yili, Xinjiang and other areas with similar climate and soil types.

Hot Wear of Single Phase fcc Materials—Influence of Temperature, Alloy Composition and Stacking Fault Energy

The severe sliding abrasion of single-phase metallic materials is a complex issue with a gaining importance in industrial applications. Different materials with different lattice structures react distinctly to stresses, as the material reaction to wear of counter and base body is mainly determined by the deformation behavior of the base body. For this reason, fcc materials in particular are investigated in this work because, as shown in previous studies, they exhibit better hot wear behavior than bcc materials. In particular, three austenitic steels are investigated, with pure Ni as well as Ni20Cr also being studied as benchmark materials. This allows correlations to be worked out between the hot wear of the material and their microstructural parameters. For this reason, wear tests are carried out, which are analyzed on the basis of the wear characteristics and scratch marks using Electron Backscatter Diffraction. X-ray experiments at elevated temperatures were also carried out to determine the microstructural parameters. It was found that the stacking fault energy, which influences the strain hardening potential, governs the hot wear behavior at elevated temperatures. These correlations can be underlined by analysis of the wear affected cross section, where the investigated materials have shown clear differences.

Sol-Gel Combustion Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Luminescence of Cr3+ and Mn4+ Ions in Nanocrystalline SrAl4O7

A series of strontium dialuminate SrAl4O7 nanopowders with the grossite-type structure doped with chromium and manganese ions were synthesized by the combined sol–gel solution combustion method with use of two different strontium salts. The Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions concentrations were varied from 0.05 to 5 at.%. Evolution of phase composition, crystal structure, and microstructural parameters of the nanocrystalline materials depending on the synthesis conditions, temperature of thermal treatment, and dopant content were investigated by the X-ray powder diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy techniques. Photoluminescent properties of SrAl4O7 nanophosphors activated with Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions were studied at room temperature. The samples exhibit typical photoluminescence in the deep-red spectral region, corresponding to d-d transitions in Cr3+ or Mn4+ ions. The intensity of this deep-red emission is dependent on the dopant concentration and annealing temperature. Features of the formation of octahedral surroundings around Cr3+ or Mn4+ ions are discussed.