Improving Mechanical Properties of Mg–Sc Alloy by Surface AZ31 Layer

Building a gradient structure inside the Mg alloy structure can be expected to greatly improve its comprehensive mechanical properties. In this study, AZ31/Mg–Sc laminated composites with gradient grain structure were prepared by hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg–1Sc alloy with different extrusion temperatures and surface AZ31 fine-grain layers were investigated. The alloy has a more obvious gradient microstructure when extruded at 350 °C. The nanoscale hardness value of Mg–1Sc alloy was improved through fine-grain strengthening and solution strengthening of the surface AZ31 fine-grain layer. The strength of Mg–1Sc alloy was improved due to the fine-grain strengthening and dislocation strengthening of the surface AZ31 fine-grain layer, and the elongation of Mg–1Sc alloy was increased by improving the distribution of the microstructure.

Equal channel angular pressing of wire-formed Al6063 by PU rubber-assisted procedure

Expanding suitable severe plastic deformation processes seems essential to design lightweight wire-formed materials for emerging demands. In this regard, 6063 aluminum alloy in the form of wire was processed successfully by polyurethane rubber assisted-equal channel angular pressing up to 16 passes by route BC. It was found that significant improvement of hardness and strength is achieved at the initial passes due to the increment of material’s dislocations density which leads to the crystallite size decrease and lattice microstrain increase. Also, subsequent passes improve the mechanical properties with a gentle rate due to the saturation of dislocation strengthening. The fractography analysis indicated that the ductile fracture mode of the annealed aluminum decreases by imposing the ECAP process. It is related to the formation of cleavage and rive patterns and the reduction in the number and size of the dimples compared to the initial condition. Eventually, X-ray diffraction findings showed that by adding pass numbers, the isotropy degree of the aluminum sample enhances because of the lowest diffraction scattering.

Mechanism of Gradient Strengthening Layer Formation Based on Microstructure and Microhardness of Inconel 718 Grinding Surface

Gradient strengthening layer will emerge on the grinding surface of Inconel 718 due to the difference of microstructure. The surface microstructure and microhardness are not independent of each other, and the microhardness is the embodiment of the microstructure evolution in the strength aspect. In this paper, the microstructure observation, microhardness experiments and strengthening theory were combined to analyze. The experimental results show that the grinding surface consists of grain refinement layer and high-density dislocation layer. The grain refinement layer is constituted of equiaxed nano-grains and elongated grains, in which grain boundary strengthening occurred leading to an increase in microhardness. Dislocation strengthening occurred in the high-density dislocation layer, in which the increment of dislocation density is approximately 3.54 × 109 mm− 2 compared with inner matrix. Microhardness of high-density dislocation region reaches the maximum (438.6 ± 11.1 HV0.01) because of the dislocation strengthening. The variation of microhardness is discussed from two strengthening mechanisms of grain boundary strengthening and dislocation strengthening, and the strengthening mechanism in the different regions of grinding surface is revealed. The calculated microhardness increments through these mechanisms in the refined-grain region and the high-density dislocation region are basically consistent with the measured values.

The role of shear deformation in pure tungsten: Mechanical properties and micro-mechanism

The effects of shear deformation at 1173 K on the mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of pure tungsten are investigated by molecular dynamics (MD). The results show that the shear deformation of pure tungsten is dominated by dislocation multiplication and slip band deformation. The shear angle has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of pure tungsten. The yield strength is 4.21 Gpa at a shear angle of 11[Formula: see text], and it increases significantly to 11.84 Gpa while the shear angle increasing to 27[Formula: see text]. In the plastic deformation stage, the stress–strain curve shows obvious oscillation due to the interaction of dislocations in the single-crystal tungsten and the effect of strain strengthening. In addition, the evolution of dislocation and twining in the compression system against shear angle indicates the variation of deformation behavior. When the shear angle is 11[Formula: see text], the lengths of dislocation 1/2[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] increase to a peak rapidly, which illustrates dislocation strengthening. However, when the shear angle is more than 11[Formula: see text], the decrease of dislocation length and the appearance of twins along [Formula: see text] direction demonstrate the twining accompanied with dislocation tangling, resulting in the additional increase of strength.

Characterization of Tensile Properties and Fracture Toughness of Equal Channel Angular Pressed Al-Zn Alloy

Influence of Equal channel angular pressing on mechanical properties and Fracture toughness of Al-Zn alloy were studied in present investigation. Samples are successfully processed using the ECAP technique for up to a four passes by using route A. Al-Zn alloys were heated to a solid solution treatment temperature at 550oC for 2 hours prior to ECAP, this treatment introduces the precipitates which were capable of obstructing motions of dislocation and improves the refinement of the grain during ECAP process Finally, artificial ageing was performed at a temperature of 190°C for 0-20 hours with an interval of 2 hr and specimens are cooledat room temperature with natural air.Fracture toughness was found experimentally for ECAP processed samples using SE (B) specimens according to ASTM E399 standard.Study revealed the enhancement in mechanical properties such as yield strength, ultimate strength and microhardness after four passes by route A technique.The improvement in the fracture toughness properties of artificially aged ECAP samples can also be due to dislocation strengthening, grain boundary strengthening, and the creation of much finer UFG grains, according to the results. Despite the increased tensile strength after ECAP, the ductility behaviour has decreased due to the precipitation of GP zones and dispersion of η, ή, T and E within the Aluminium matrix Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs revealed that ductile fracture with large dimples occurred in the artificial aged samples after the ECAP procedure.

Dislocation mechanisms and strengthening methods in metal crystals

The world advances in the fields of strength physics, physical metallurgy, and materials science are analyzed and summarized with the primary objective of exploring the potential of different dislocation strengthening mechanisms in rare earth and superlight metals, their ordered alloys, cluster-assembled nanophase, and rapid-hardening materials. Besides, the monograph aims to provide a vehicle for exchange and dissemination of basic ideas in the fields. The volume is intended for scientists, engineering, and technical workers specializing in solid state physics and physical metallurgy as well as for educational use by students and postgraduates of relevant specialties.

Effects of Graphene Nanoplates on the Mechanical Behavior and Strengthening Mechanism of 7075Al Alloy

7075Al alloy is the preferred material for lightweight automotive applications, but the existing problem is that it is difficult to combine high strength and high toughness. This paper presents our research aimed at obtaining high strength and high toughness materials by adding a nano-phase to realize microstructure refinement. Graphene nanoplates (GNP)/7075Al composites and 7075Al alloy were prepared by a stirring casting method in the present study. In comparison to 7075Al, the tensile strength of GNP/7075Al composites was increased from 572 MPa to 632 MPa while maintaining good uniform elongation of 8% to 10%. The increased strength behavior of GNP/7075Al composites while maintaining the plasticity is discussed in terms of grain refinement and dislocation evolution by analyzing the composite microstructure and quantitatively analyzing the contributions of grain boundary strengthening, solid solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening and dislocation strengthening. GNP’s strengthening of GNP/7075Al composites is mainly attributed to the refinement of grain size and the increase of dislocation density.