Effect of Two-Stage Aging on Microstructure and Properties of Al-Mg-Si Alloys

The effects of two-stage aging on the microstructures, tensile properties and intergranular corrosion (IGC) sensitivity of Al-Mg-Si alloys were studied by tensile testing and IGC experiments and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the two-stage aging (180°C, 2h+160°C, 120h) can reduce the IGC sensitivity without decrease the tensile properties. The grain is distributed with high-density β′′ phases, and the grain boundary phases are spherical and intermittently distributed. The formation of the microstructure characteristic is due to the lower re-aging temperature, which results in a decline differences in the diffusion rate between the matrix and grain boundaries. As a result, the pre-precipitated phase can maintain a better strengthening effects due to the slower growth rate. The pre-precipitated phase of the grain boundary presents a spherical and intermittent distribution due to the fast coarsening speed.

The Deformation Behaviors and Mechanism of the High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of a Ni48W35Co17 Alloy

Investigations of the plastic deformation mechanisms of Ni-W-based heavy alloys varying with increasing temperatures are very important for the development of hot forming processes and applications at elevated temperatures. In this study, the continuous variation of strength and plasticity of a novel Ni-W-based heavy alloy with increasing temperatures was investigated. The tensile strength of a Ni48W35Co17 sample at 600 °C was 471 MPa, which was 47% lower than that at 100 °C. A variation in an abnormal decrease in elongations at temperatures from 400 °C to 800 °C was found in this alloy. The elongation rate of the sample tensile at 600 °C was 19%, which was 73% lower than that at 100 °C. A microstructural analysis revealed that the number of twins in the sample tensile at a temperature higher than 600 °C increased considerably compared with the sample tensile at lower temperatures, indicating that the dislocation slips were suppressed during the high-temperature stretching process. The precipitates of the NiW phase were found in the 600 °C tensile sample, which was not clearly observed in the 400 °C tensile sample, suggesting that dislocation slips were affected by the formation of these precipitates. Moreover, the orientation relationship between the matrix and NiW phase was (200)Ni//(240)NiW and [001]Ni//[001]NiW. The tiny precipitated phase was the main reason for the plasticity decrease of the alloy with the temperature increase.

Study on the Correlation between the Microstructure Characteristics and Corrosion Behaviors of 2A12-T4 Aluminum Alloy under Thermal Strain

In this study, the welding thermal simulation technology was used to prepare samples under different peak temperatures and strain levels in order to reveal the effects of thermal strain on the microstructure characteristics and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the correlation between microstructure evolution law and corrosion behavior was studied by analyzing the microstructure characteristics and performing electrochemical polarization curve tests. Results showed that the amount and distribution of the precipitated phase were the main factors affecting the corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy. The precipitated phase was distributed along the direction of tensile strain, and the grain size was coarsened from 152 to 260 μm (and even exceeded 280 μm) after experiencing peak temperatures of 300 and 400 °C. In addition, the risk of corrosion for the samples that experienced thermal strain was increased compared to those that did not undergo tensile strain. The samples that experienced a peak temperature of 300 °C presented the best corrosion resistance as the precipitated phase was evenly distributed in the matrix. However, when the peak temperature was 400 °C and the strain was 8%, the number and density of the precipitated phase increased due to the dynamic recrystallization, and the corrosion resistance of the sample became the worst. Finally, the microstructure analysis results showed that dynamic recrystallization occurred in the sample with a peak temperature of 400 °C, and the precipitated phase was mainly distributed along the grain boundaries. This led to the decrease of the corrosion resistance of grain boundaries, and the corrosion developed from pitting corrosion to intergranular corrosion.

Precipitated phase in the β phase of IN783 alloy

In Inconel 783 alloy, there are mainly two kinds of strengthening phases of β and γ’. In addition, it is found that there are other precipitated phases in the alloy’s β phase. By means of multiple testing methods, the types and functions of the precipitated phase in the β phase were determined. The results showed that the precipitated phases from β phase were nanoscale Nb and Ti carbides and a large number of white needle-like Laves phases. The former, due to its small size, which can improve the grain boundary slip resistance of the alloy, thus improves the shaping of the material. While the latter, due to its sharp shape and due to its large amount, destroys the original structure of the β phase and greatly reduces the room temperature plasticity of the alloy.

Effects of Co Addition on the Microstructure and Properties of Elastic Cu-Ni-Si-Based Alloys for Electrical Connectors

The properties and microstructure evolution of quaternary Cu-Ni-Co-Si alloys with different Ni/Co mass ratios were investigated. The microstructure and morphological characteristics of the precipitates were analyzed by using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The mechanical properties and conductivity of the alloys were significantly improved after the addition of Co. The grains presented an obvious growth trend with an increase in Ni/Co mass ratios, and the appropriate Co accelerated the recrystallization process. The δ-(Ni, Co)2Si phases of the Cu-Ni-Co-Si alloys and δ-Ni2Si phases of the Cu-Ni-Si alloys shared the same crystal structure and orientation relationships with the matrix, which had two variant forms: δ1 and δ2 phases. The precipitates preferential grew along with the direction of the lowest energy and eventually exhibited two different morphologies. Compared with that of the Cu-Ni-Si alloy, the volume fraction of precipitates in the alloys with Co was significantly improved, accompanied by an increase in the precipitated phase size. The addition of Co promoted the precipitation of the precipitated phase and further purified the matrix. A theoretical calculation was conducted for different strengthening mechanisms, and precipitation strengthening was the key reinforcement mechanism. Moreover, the kinetic equations of both alloys were obtained and coincided well with the experimental results.

Characterization of Precipitation in 7055 Aluminum Alloy by Laser Ultrasonics

After different rolling conditions, four 7055 aluminum alloy samples with different precipitation sizes were measured by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and laser ultrasonic. The attenuation coefficients of ultrasound measured by laser ultrasonic were calculated in the time domain, frequency domain and wavelet denoising, respectively. The relationship between the precipitate size and attenuation coefficient was established. The results show that the attenuation of the ultrasonic wave is related to the size of the precipitated phase; this provides a new method for rapid non-destructive testing of the precipitation of aluminum alloys.

Quantitative analysis of microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb–V microalloyed high-strength seismic reinforcement with different Nb additions

HRB500E seismic steel bars are mainly used in high-rise buildings near the seismic zone. The influence of different niobium contents (0–0.023%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of HRB500E seismic reinforcement was studied. Results showed that the grain size of ferrite was between 3.6 and 8.3 μm when only V was added. Meanwhile, as the niobium content increases, the ferrite particles are further refined. After adding niobium, the grain contribution increased by 9%. The addition of niobium significantly refined the grain size of HRB500E seismic reinforcement. The second-phase nano-elliptic precipitate is NbC. The precipitated phase is dispersed on the grain boundary and the matrix, and the dislocation density on the matrix promotes the precipitation of NbC particles along the dislocation line. The second-phase precipitation of niobium can form an effective pinning effect and then refine the pearlite spacing. The microhardness and the tensile strength also significantly improved. The yield strength increased from 509 to 570 MPa.