V. Subramanya Sarma

Bio: V. Subramanya Sarma is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has contributed to research in topics: Microstructure & Grain boundary. The author has an hindex of 32, co-authored 104 publications receiving 3180 citations. Previous affiliations of V. Subramanya Sarma include Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur & Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology.

A Study on Microstructural Evolution and Dynamic Recrystallization During Isothermal Deformation of a Ti-Modified Austenitic Stainless Steel

Abstract: Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior in hot deformed (by uniaxial compression in a thermomechanical simulator in the temperatures range 1173 K to 1373 K [900 °C to 1100 °C]) Ti-modified austenitic stainless steel was studied using electron back scatter diffraction. Grain orientation spread with a “cut off” of 1 deg was a suitable criterion to partition dynamically recrystallized grains from the deformed matrix. The extent of DRX increased with strain and temperature, and a completely DRX microstructure with a fine grain size ~4 μm (considering twins as grain boundaries) was obtained in the sample deformed to a strain of 0.8 at 1373 K (1100 °C). The nucleation of new DRX grains occurred by the bulging of the parent grain boundary. The DRX grains were twinned, and a linear relationship was observed between the area fraction of DRX grains and the number fraction of Σ3 boundaries. The deviation from the ideal misorientation of Σ3 boundaries decreased with an increase in the fraction of Σ3 boundaries (as well as the area fraction of DRX) signifying that most Σ3 boundaries are newly nucleated during DRX. The generation of these Σ3 boundaries could account for the formation of annealing twins during DRX. The role of Σ3 twin boundaries on DRX is discussed.

On the Hall–Petch relationship in a nanostructured Al–Cu alloy

Abstract: Mechanical properties of bulk nanocrystalline Al–4Cu alloys with grain sizes from 47 to 105 nm, synthesized by mechanically alloying followed by vacuum hot pressing at different temperatures, were analysed through Hall–Petch relation. Hall–Petch analysis revealed a high frictional stress (170 MPa) and a high positive slope ( 0.13 MPa m ) as compared to pure Al, which has a frictional stress (15–30 MPa) and a slope ( 0.06 – 0.09 MPa m ). From a detailed evaluation of different strengthening mechanisms it is inferred that the Al 2 Cu precipitates and oxide particles are the likely reason for such high values of frictional stress and slope.

Role of stacking fault energy in strengthening due to cryo-deformation of FCC metals

Abstract: The effectiveness of the cryogenic (CT) rolling vis-a-vis room temperature (RT) rolling on strengthening is significantly affected by stacking fault energy (SFE) and there is an optimum SFE at which CT rolling is most effective. Studies on Al, Al alloy AA6061, Cu, Cu–4.6Al, Cu–9Al and Cu–15Al (in at.%) alloys revealed that in metals with very high and very low SFEs, the strength difference between CT and RT rolled samples is

Recent developments in stainless steels

Abstract: This article presents an overview of the developments in stainless steels made since the 1990s. Some of the new applications that involve the use of stainless steel are also introduced. A brief introduction to the various classes of stainless steels, their precipitate phases and the status quo of their production around the globe is given first. The advances in a variety of subject areas that have been made recently will then be presented. These recent advances include (1) new findings on the various precipitate phases (the new J phase, new orientation relationships, new phase diagram for the Fe–Cr system, etc.); (2) new suggestions for the prevention/mitigation of the different problems and new methods for their detection/measurement and (3) new techniques for surface/bulk property enhancement (such as laser shot peening, grain boundary engineering and grain refinement). Recent developments in topics like phase prediction, stacking fault energy, superplasticity, metadynamic recrystallisation and the calculation of mechanical properties are introduced, too. In the end of this article, several new applications that involve the use of stainless steels are presented. Some of these are the use of austenitic stainless steels for signature authentication (magnetic recording), the utilisation of the cryogenic magnetic transition of the sigma phase for hot spot detection (the Sigmaplugs), the new Pt-enhanced radiopaque stainless steel (PERSS) coronary stents and stainless steel stents that may be used for magnetic drug targeting. Besides recent developments in conventional stainless steels, those in the high-nitrogen, low-Ni (or Ni-free) varieties are also introduced. These recent developments include new methods for attaining very high nitrogen contents, new guidelines for alloy design, the merits/demerits associated with high nitrogen contents, etc.

Stabilizing nanostructures in metals using grain and twin boundary architectures

Abstract: Forming alloys with impurity elements is a routine method for modifying the properties of metals. An alternative approach involves the incorporation of interfaces into the crystalline lattice to enhance the metal's properties without changing its chemical composition. The introduction of high-density interfaces in nanostructured materials results in greatly improved strength and hardness; however, interfaces at the nanoscale show low stability. In this Review, I discuss recent developments in the stabilization of nanostructured metals by modifying the architectures of their interfaces. The amount, structure and distribution of several types of interfaces, such as high- and low-angle grain boundaries and twin boundaries, are discussed. I survey several examples of materials with nanotwinned and nanolaminated structures, as well as with gradient nanostructures, describing the techniques used to produce such samples and tracing their exceptional performances back to the nanoscale architectures of their interfaces. The incorporation of structural defects, in particular of interfaces, into crystalline lattices results in enhanced material properties. In this Review, different types of boundaries and interfaces are discussed, including high- and low-angle grain boundaries, twin boundaries, nanotwinned and nanolaminated structures, and gradient nanostructures.

Nanostructured aluminium alloys produced by severe plastic deformation: New horizons in development

Abstract: In recent years, much progress has been made in the studies of nanostructured Al alloys for advanced structural and functional use associated both with the development of novel routes for the fabrication of bulk nanostructured materials using severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques and with investigation of fundamental mechanisms leading to improved properties. This review paper discusses new concepts and principles in application of SPD processing to fabricate bulk nanostructured Al alloys with advanced properties. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between microstructural features, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, as well as the innovation potential of the SPD-produced nanostructured Al alloys.