Developing a high-strength Al-Mg-Si-Sc-Zr alloy for selective laser melting: Crack-inhibiting and multiple strengthening mechanisms

https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/files/58110090/1_s2.0_S1369702120301073_main.pdf

Nanostructural metallic materials: Structures and mechanical properties

Dynamic precipitation and recrystallization in Mg-9wt.%Al during equal-channel angular extrusion: A comparative study to conventional aging

Atomic-scale investigation of the interface precipitation in a TiB2 nanoparticles reinforced Al-Zn-Mg-Cu matrix composite

Local chemical fluctuation mediated ductility in body-centered-cubic high-entropy alloys

High-strength aluminum alloys are important for lightweighting vehicles and are extensively used in aircraft and, increasingly, in automobiles. The highest-strength aluminum alloys require a series of high-temperature "bakes" (120° to 200°C) to form a high number density of nanoparticles by solid-state precipitation. We found that a controlled, room-temperature cyclic deformation is sufficient to continuously inject vacancies into the material and to mediate the dynamic precipitation of a very fine (1- to 2-nanometer) distribution of solute clusters. This results in better material strength and elongation properties relative to traditional thermal treatments, despite a much shorter processing time. The microstructures formed are much more uniform than those characteristic of traditional thermal treatments and do not exhibit precipitate-free zones. These alloys are therefore likely to be more resistant to damage.

Qi Zhang

Papers

Precipitation strengthening of aluminum alloys by room-temperature cyclic plasticity