H. Franz

Bio: H. Franz is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diffraction & Neutron diffraction. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 18 citations.

Internal stress measurements by high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction at increased specimen-detector distance

Abstract: High-energy X-ray diffraction has recently been shown to be a viable technique to measure volume-averaged lattice strains in the bulk of metallic polycrystals at increased speed compared to neutron diffraction. The established procedure is to irradiate the sample under investigation with monochromatic X-rays (∼100 keV) and to record complete diffraction rings with an area detector. The lattice strains are obtained by analyzing the minute distortions of these rings. In the present paper we present first results obtained using a setup in which two area detectors are positioned at a large distance (7 m) from the specimen. Although only segments of the rings can be recorded this way, this approach offers a number of advantages. In situ tensile tests were performed on a γ-TiAl-based alloy as an example to demonstrate the potential of the method. Both materials science aspects as well as consequences for further method development will be discussed.

High-Energy X-Rays: A tool for Advanced Bulk Investigations in Materials Science and Physics

Abstract: The combination of these techniques is a strong issue for the construction and development of future instruments.

High-energy X-ray diffraction using the Pixium 4700 flat-panel detector

Abstract: The Pixium 4700 detector represents a significant step forward in detector technology for high-energy X-ray diffraction. The detector design is based on digital flat-panel technology, combining an amorphous Si panel with a CsI scintillator. The detector has a useful pixel array of 1910 × 2480 pixels with a pixel size of 154 µm × 154 µm, and thus it covers an effective area of 294 mm × 379 mm. Designed for medical imaging, the detector has good efficiency at high X-ray energies. Furthermore, it is capable of acquiring sequences of images at 7.5 frames per second in full image mode, and up to 60 frames per second in binned region of interest modes. Here, the basic properties of this detector applied to high-energy X-ray diffraction are presented. Quantitative comparisons with a widespread high-energy detector, the MAR345 image plate scanner, are shown. Other properties of the Pixium 4700 detector, including a narrow point-spread function and distortion-free image, allows for the acquisition of high-quality diffraction data at high X-ray energies. In addition, high frame rates and shutterless operation open new experimental possibilities. Also provided are the necessary data for the correction of images collected using the Pixium 4700 for diffraction purposes.

Thermo-mechanical processing in a synchrotron beam

Abstract: Well collimated, high energy X-rays of 90 keV from synchrotron sources have been used to study metals undergoing plastic deformation in situ, in real time and in the bulk of the materials. The spottiness of the Debye–Scherrer rings, showing reflections from individual crystallites, is analyzed to obtain grain statistics, mosaic spread and grain orientation. Upon cold deformation, coarse grained materials show fingerprints of subgrain formation, grain rotation, grain refinement and the evolution from a single grain into the asymptotic texture. Lattice strain, its partition and anisotropy can be simultaneously revealed. Heating of metals under continuous load drives the observation through the regimes of phase transformation and grain relationships therein, grain coarsening, dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization. Examples on copper, magnesium, twinning induced plasticity steel, zirconium alloy and titanium aluminium intermetallics are shown.

In situ study of dynamic recrystallization and hot deformation behavior of a multiphase titanium aluminide alloy

Abstract: Hot-compression tests were conducted in a high-energy synchrotron x-ray beam to study in situ and in real time microstructural changes in the bulk of a β-solidifying titanium aluminide alloy. The occupancy and spottiness of the diffraction rings have been evaluated in order to access grain growth and refinement, orientation relationships, subgrain formation, dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization, as well as phase transformations. This method has been applied to an alloy consisting of two coexisting phases at high temperature and it was found that the bcc β-phase recrystallizes dynamically, much faster than the hcp α-phase, which deforms predominantly through crystallographic slip underpinned by a dynamic recovery process with only a small component of dynamic recrystallization. The two phases deform to a very large extent independently from each other. The rapid recrystallization dynamics of the β-phase combined with the easy and isotropic slip characteristics of the bcc structure explain the ex...