Improvement in the microhardness and corrosion behaviour of Ti-14Mn biomedical alloy by cold working

β-titanium alloys are essential in many applications, particularly biomedical applications. Ti-14Mn β-type alloy was produced using an electric arc furnace from raw alloying elements in an inert atmosphere. The alloy was homogenized at 1000 °C for 8 hr to ensure the complete composition distribution, followed by solution treatment at 900 °C, then quenched in ice water. The alloy was subjected to cold deformation via cold rolling with different ratios: 10, 30, and 90%. The phases change, microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of Ti-14Mn alloys were evaluated before and after cold rolling. The results showed that the β-phase is the only existed phase even after a high degree of deformation. The microstructure shows a combination of twinning and slipping deformation mechanisms in the deformed alloy. Microhardness values indicated a linear increase equal to 30% by increasing the ratio of cold deformation due to the strain hardening effect. The corrosion resistance of Ti-14Mn alloy was doubled after 90% cold rolling.

Effect of Multistage High Temperature Thermomechanical Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Austenitic Reactor Steel

The deformation microstructures formed by novel multistage high-temperature thermomechanical treatment (HTMT) and their effect on the mechanical properties of austenitic reactor steel are investigated. It is shown that HTMT with plastic deformation at the temperature decreasing in each stage (1100, 900, and 600 °C with a total strain degree of e = 2) is an effective method for refining the grain structure and increasing the strength of the reactor steel. The structural features of grains, grain boundaries and defective substructure of the steel are studied in two sections (in planes perpendicular to the transverse direction and perpendicular to the normal direction) by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (SEM EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). After the multistage HTMT, a fragmented structure is formed with grains elongated along the rolling direction and flattened in the rolling plane. The average grain size decreases from 19.3 µm (for the state after solution treatment) to 1.8 µm. A high density of low-angle boundaries (up to ≈ 80%) is found inside deformed grains. An additional cold deformation (e = 0.3) after the multistage HTMT promotes mechanical twinning within fragmented grains and subgrains. The resulting structural states provide high strength properties of steel: the yield strength increases up to 910 MPa (at 20 °C) and up to 580 MPa (at 650 °C), which is 4.6 and 6.1 times higher than that in the state after solution treatment (ST), respectively. The formation of deformed substructure and the influence of dynamic strain aging at an elevated tensile temperature on the mechanical properties of the steel are discussed. Based on the results obtained, the multistage HTMT used in this study can be applied for increasing the strength of austenitic steels.

Investigation of the Tubular and Cylindrical Billets Stamping by Rolling Process with the Use of Computer Simulation

Forming of blanks during stamping by rolling (RS) is possible according to technological schemes of deposition, landing, direct and reverse extrusion, distribution and compression, etc. Controlling the relative position and shape of the deformed tool allows you to control the direction of flow of the workpiece material and the nature of its formation, as well as the stress-strain state of the material. The complexity and versatility of RS processes necessitate computer modeling for sound management of basic technological parameters.Physical experimental as well as computer modeling of the RS process in the DEFORM-3D software package was performed in the work.According to the results of computer simulation, the distribution of deformation components, stresses and temperatures in the deformed workpiece area was obtained, and using the Cockroft-Latham criterion, the destruction of metals during cold deformation was also predicted.Physical modeling of the SR process on lead blanks confirmed the nature of their deformation, obtained by computer simulation. And the analysis of the stress-strain state of the material based on the results of measurements of the deformed grid confirmed the validity of the appointment of boundary conditions in computer simulation.This approach is suitable for modeling by the method of SR of any metal models, for which it is necessary to know their mechanical characteristics, including boundary deformation curves.

Structure of AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy after uniaxial compression and heat treatment

In this study, we discuss the structure and properties of high-entropy AlCoCrFeNi alloy after casting, cold deformation, and heat treatment. Ingots of the investigated alloys were obtained by arc melting method in argon atmosphere. In order to ensure a homogeneous chemical composition, ingots were remelted several times. Cylindrical samples of 5 mm in diameter and 8 mm in height were cut from ingots by electrospark method for mechanical tests. Subsequently, samples were subjected to uniaxial compression by 5, 11, and 23 %. During the tests, compression curves were recorded, and limit of proportionality of the analyzed alloys was calculated. High-temperature annealing and thermal studies were performed using thermogravimetric analyzer. Thermal studies were carried out in a cyclic mode (3 cycles, including heating up to 1200 °C at a rate of 20 °C/min and cooling at a rate of 20 °C/min). High-temperature annealing was carried out at a temperature of 1200 °C for 5 hours. Such annealing of cast alloys promotes material homogenization and eliminates dendritic structure. The alloy presents limited plasticity. Grain boundaries are effective barriers preventing crack propagation. The studies indicate that plastic deformation has a significant effect on development of relaxation processes during subsequent heat treatment. An increase in strain during the compression leads to a higher rate of healing processes of defects in crystal structure.

Critical Redistribution of Nitrogen in the Austenitic Cr-Mn Steel under Severe Plastic Deformation

A narrow temperature range of changes in the mechanism and kinetics of structural-phase transformations during mechanical alloying under deformation in rotating Bridgman anvils was determined by the methods of Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and mechanical tests in the high-nitrogen chromium-manganese steel FeMn22Cr18N0.83. The experimentally established temperature region is characterized by a change in the direction of nitrogen redistribution—from an increase in the N content in the metal matrix during cold deformation to a decrease with an increase in the temperature and degree of severe plastic deformation. The change in the direction of nitrogen redistribution is due to the acceleration of the decomposition of a nitrogen-supersaturated solid solution of austenite with the formation of secondary nanocrystalline nitrides. The presence of a transition region for the mechanism of structural-phase transitions is manifested in the abnormal behavior of the mechanical properties of steel.

Thermo-mechanical Processing for In-situ Cu-based Composites

In-situ Cu-based composites have been investigated extensively over the past decades because of their good conductivity and high strength. The preparation technologies of in-situ Cu-based composites mainly include casting of Cu alloys, initial heat treatment, hot deformation, cold deformation, intermediate and final heat treatment. This paper primarily researched the effect of thermo-mechanical processing such as initial heat treatment, hot deformation, cold deformation, intermediate and final heat treatments on the property and microstructure of in-situ Cu-based composites, analyzed the main role and mechanism of each thermo-mechanical processing, summarized the related research work and achievements, and prospected the future main research directions of the thermo-mechanical processing for in-situ Cu-based composites.

FRACTAL MODEL OF ESTIMATING QUALITY OF COLD WORKED FUEL CLADDING TUBES

A possibility was considered concerning estimation of grain anisomery in the structure of fuel cladding tubes of corrosion-resistant 026Cr16Ni15Mo3Nb steel of austenitic class rolled according to two flow charts: regular and intensive technologies using fractal formalism. Role of grain boundary hardening during cold plastic deformation was analyzed by studying the effect of the fractal dimension of grains D and their boundaries Dg on 0.2, w, and 5. The best correlation among those that were considered was observed between relative elongation and fractal dimensions of the grain structure (R2 = 0.90). The smallest correlation was observed with the yield stress (R2 = 0.64). It is because of variation of plastic flow processes towards a decrease in the degree of hardening in the material rolled according to the intensive technology. Cold deformation results in refining of the average grain size from 15.50 to 15.42 µm. In this case, extent of the grain boundary length L increased by 17.62% at an iteration step  commensurate with the average grain size which is indicated by a change in the fractal dimension according to L ~ δ1-D. Degree of the grain structure inhomogeneity was estimated using ratios of self-similarity of regions of fractal dimensions of the structure. The obtained results on the level of mechanical properties of fuel cladding tubes made of austenitic steel indicate advantage of the intensive technology over regular one that was confirmed by results of fractal modeling.

Comparative analysis of technologies for cleaning finned bimetallic pipes of air cooling devices and methods for controlling contamination of the surface of aluminum alloys

The results of the analysis of existing cleaning technologies for finned bimetallic pipes and methods for monitoring the contamination of the surface of aluminum alloys are presented and their disadvantages are established. It is shown that the technology used for cleaning pipes obtained by cold deformation is energy-consuming, ineffective and laborious, and the existing methods of contamination control do not provide a quantitative express assessment of the surface to be cleaned. Keywords: finning surface, contamination, cleaning, alkaline solution, finned bimetallic pipes, air cooler, control. [email protected]

THE LEVEL OF PLASTICITY OF THE PHASES IN NON-METALLIC INCLUSIONS WITH A COMPLEX STRUCTURE

Purpose. It is necessary to study of the effect of heterophase inclusions on the technological ductility of steels for various purposes. The goal of the work was to study of the nature and level of plasticity of multiphase inclusions in steels under conditions of hot and cold deformation. Methods. Comprehensive methods for the study of heterophase non-metallic inclusions (metallographic, petrographic, X-ray microanalysis methods) were used. Results. Plastic phases in multiphase inclusions of different types under conditions of hot and cold deformation of steels were investigated. It is shown that each type of multiphase inclusions, which are microcomposite formations in steels, is characterized by its laws of development of deformation processes, which are determined by their chemical and phase composition, structure, deformation ability of the phases of inclusions. Scientific novelty. Peculiarities of plastic behavior of multiphase inclusions of different types are established. The inhibitory effect of non-deformable phases of inclusions on the deformability of plastic phases in a wide range of steel deformation temperatures is established. Peculiarities of the nature of plasticity of multiphase inclusions having different compositions and structure are discussed. Practical significance. Using the results obtained will allow developing technologies for producing steels with regulated content and types of multiphase non-metallic inclusions, which will significantly increase their technological plasticity, as well as prevent the formation of various kinds of defects during the processing of steels by pressure.

INFLUENCE OF PLASTIC DEFORMATION CARBON STEEL ON THE PROCESS OF BURNING ELECTRIC ARC

During a study of the combustion process of a direct polarity electric arc, a directly proportional dependence of the electric current value on the degree of cold plastic deformation of carbon steel used as an electrode was found. To calculate the value of the electric current during arc burning, in the indicated ratio, it was proposed to replace the surface tension force of the liquid metal with the surface tension of ferrite of plastically deformed carbon steel. Calculation of the ferrite’s surface tension value on the deformation degree of the steel under study through the size of the coherent scattering regions was used to explain the observed dependence of the electric current during arc burning. From the analysis of the considered correlation ratios, it was found that with an increase in the cold deformation degree, the refinement of the coherent scattering regions results in the ferrite’s surface tension increase and consequently, to an increase in the electric current during arc burning. Comparative analysis of the obtained results of calculating the value of electric current during arc burning through the surface tension of ferrite of cold-deformed carbon steel showed a fairly good coincidence with experimental data. The differences did not exceed 9%.