Showing papers on "Microstructure published in 2015"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the anisotropic mechanical properties of a Ti-6Al-4V three-dimensional cruciform component fabricated using a directed energy deposition additive manufacturing (AM) process.
983 citations
TL;DR: A novel strategy to design HEAs using the eutectic alloy concept, i.e. to achieve a microstructure composed of alternating soft fcc and hard bcc phases is proposed, which can be readily adapted to large-scale industrial production of HEAs with simultaneous high fracture strength and high ductility.
Abstract: High-entropy alloys (HEAs) can have either high strength or high ductility, and a simultaneous achievement of both still constitutes a tough challenge. The inferior castability and compositional segregation of HEAs are also obstacles for their technological applications. To tackle these problems, here we proposed a novel strategy to design HEAs using the eutectic alloy concept, i.e. to achieve a microstructure composed of alternating soft fcc and hard bcc phases. As a manifestation of this concept, an AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 (atomic portion) eutectic high-entropy alloy (EHEA) was designed. The as-cast EHEA possessed a fine lamellar fcc/B2 microstructure, and showed an unprecedented combination of high tensile ductility and high fracture strength at room temperature. The excellent mechanical properties could be kept up to 700°C. This new alloy design strategy can be readily adapted to large-scale industrial production of HEAs with simultaneous high fracture strength and high ductility.
938 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA), produced by arc melting and drop casting, was subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) using high pressure torsion.
887 citations
TL;DR: A new approach is developed to rapidly assess structural metals by combining calculated phase diagrams with simple rules based on the phases present, their transformation temperatures and useful microstructures, finding the surprising result that solid solution alloys become less likely as the number of alloy elements increases.
Abstract: Recent multi-principal element, high entropy alloy (HEA) development strategies vastly expand the number of candidate alloy systems, but also pose a new challenge--how to rapidly screen thousands of candidate alloy systems for targeted properties. Here we develop a new approach to rapidly assess structural metals by combining calculated phase diagrams with simple rules based on the phases present, their transformation temperatures and useful microstructures. We evaluate over 130,000 alloy systems, identifying promising compositions for more time-intensive experimental studies. We find the surprising result that solid solution alloys become less likely as the number of alloy elements increases. This contradicts the major premise of HEAs--that increased configurational entropy increases the stability of disordered solid solution phases. As the number of elements increases, the configurational entropy rises slowly while the probability of at least one pair of elements favouring formation of intermetallic compounds increases more rapidly, explaining this apparent contradiction.
587 citations
TL;DR: Graphene oxide (GO) is the product of chemical exfoliation of graphite and is a potential candidate for use as nanoreinforcements in cement-based materials as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) is the product of chemical exfoliation of graphite. Due to its good dispersibility in water, high aspect ratio and excellent mechanical properties, GO is a potential candidate for use as nanoreinforcements in cement-based materials. In this paper, GO was used to enhance the mechanical properties of ordinary Portland cement paste. The introduction of 0.05 wt% GO can increase the GO-cement composite compressive strength by 15-33% and the flexural strength by 41-59%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope imaging of the GO-cement composite shows the high crack tortuosity, indicating that the two-dimensional GO sheet may form a barrier to crack propagation. Consequently, the GO-cement composite shows a broader stress-strain curve within the post-peak zone, leading to a less sudden failure. The addition of GO also increases the surface area of the GO-cement composite. This is attributed to increasing the production of calcium silicate hydrate. The results obtained in this investigation suggest that GO has potential for being used as nano-reinforcements in cement-based composite materials.
574 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a range of uniquely multi-scale hierarchical structures have been successfully designed and fabricated by tailoring reinforcement distribution for discontinuous metal matrix composites in order to obtain superior performance.
537 citations
11 Feb 2015-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: In this paper, a fine columnar sub-grain structure of size 0.5μm was observed inside each individual large grain of single-crystal nature and with grain sizes in the range of 10-100μm.
Abstract: Laser melting (LM), with a focused Nd: YAG laser beam, was used to form solid bodies from a 316L austenite stainless steel powder. The microstructure, phase content and texture of the LM stainless steel were characterized and compared with conventional 316L stainless steel. The crack-free LM samples achieved a relative density of 98.6±0.1%. The XRD pattern revealed a single phase Austenite with preferential crystallite growth along the (100) plane and an orientation degree of 0.84 on the building surface. A fine columnar sub-grain structure of size 0.5 μm was observed inside each individual large grain of single-crystal nature and with grain sizes in the range of 10–100 μm. Molybdenum was found to be enriched at the sub-grain boundaries accompanied with high dislocation concentrations. It was proposed that such a sub-grain structure is formed by the compositional fluctuation due to the slow kinetics of homogeneous alloying of large Mo atoms during rapid solidification. The local enrichment of misplaced Mo in the Austenite lattice induced a network of dislocation tangling, which would retard or even block the migration of newly formed dislocations under indentation force, turning otherwise a soft Austenite to hardened steel. In addition, local formation of spherical nano-inclusions of an amorphous chromium-containing silicate was observed. The origin and the implications of the formation of such oxide nano-inclusions were discussed.
526 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of laser energy density on 316L stainless steel properties was investigated and the impact of point distance and exposure time on porosity, surface finish, microstructure, density and hardness was evaluated.
Abstract: Additive manufacturing by selective laser melting (SLM) was used to investigate the effect of laser energy density on 316L stainless steel properties. Point distance and exposure time were varied and their impact on porosity, surface finish, microstructure, density and hardness, was evaluated. The surface roughness was primarily affected by point distance with increased point distance resulting in increased surface roughness, R
a, from 10 to 16 μm. Material hardness reached a maximum of 225 HV at 125 J/mm3 and was related to the material porosity; with increased porosity leading to decreased material hardness. Different types of particle coalescence leading to convex surface features were observed (sometimes referred to as balling); from small ball features at low laser energy density to a mixture of both small and large ball features at high laser energy density. Laser energy density was shown to affect total porosity. The minimum amount of porosity, 0.38 %, was observed at an energy density of 104.52 J/mm3.
516 citations
15 Jul 2015-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: The microstructural and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 were determined on the specimens manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) of prealloyed powder as mentioned in this paper, showing that columnar grains of supersaturated solid solution with internal microsegregation of Nb and Mo, demonstrated by fractions of Laves eutectic or its divorced form in interdendritic regions.
Abstract: The microstructural and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 were determined on the specimens manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) of prealloyed powder. High- density (99.8%) cylindrical specimens were built with four orientations (0°, 45°, 45°×45° and 90°) in relation to the building and scanning directions. Because of directional, dendritic-cellular grain growth, microstructure of the as-built specimens was characterized by columnar grains of supersaturated solid solution with internal microsegregation of Nb and Mo, demonstrated by fractions of Laves eutectic or its divorced form in interdendritic regions. Such a heterogeneous microstructure is unsuitable for direct post-process aging and makes the alloy sensitive to subsolidus liquation during rapid heating to the homogenizing temperature. In homogenized and aged condition, the alloy received a very good set of mechanical properties in comparison with the wrought material. In heat-treated condition, like in as-built condition, weak anisotropy of properties was found, manifested by lower Young's modulus, yield strength and tensile strength of the specimens extended along the build direction in comparison to the values for the other variants of the specimens. This is attributed to the fact that the grains maintained their geometric and crystallographic texture obtained during solidification.
512 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of EBM-built Ti-6Al-4V have been systematically investigated in the presence of columnar prior β grains delineated by wavy grain boundary α and transformed α/β structures.
504 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a double optimization procedure of the process parameters is used to obtain a high quality material: firstly, the optimization of the initial process parameters for the minimization of inherent defects, and secondly, the optimisation of the further thermomechanical treatment to minimize internal stresses and adjust the microstructure.
TL;DR: In this article, an as-fabricated Al-12Si alloy with controllable ultrafine microstructure and excellent mechanical properties can be achieved by using selective laser melting and subsequent solution heat treatment.
17 Sep 2015-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: Inconel 718 superalloy has been fabricated by selective laser melting technology (SLM), and its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied under solution+aging (SA) standard heat treatment, homogenization+solution+solutionsolution + aging (HSA), and as-fabricated conditions as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Inconel 718 superalloy has been fabricated by selective laser melting technology (SLM). Its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied under solution+aging (SA) standard heat treatment, homogenization+solution+aging (HSA) standard heat treatment and as-fabricated conditions. Precipitated phases and microstructures were examined using OM, SEM, TEM and X-ray analysis methods. The fine dendrite structures with an average dendrite arm spacing of approximately 698 nm accompanying some interdendritic Laves phases and carbide particles can be observed in the as-fabricated materials. After standard heat treatments, dendrite microstructures are substituted by recrystallization grains, and Laves phases also dissolve into the matrix to precipitate strengthening phases and δ particles. The test values of all specimens meet Aerospace Material Specification for cast Inconel 718 alloy, and the transgranular ductile fracture mode exists for the three conditions. The strength and hardness of heat-treated SLM materials increase and are comparable with wrought Inconel 718 alloy, whereas their ductility decreases significantly compared with the as-fabricated material. This is because of the precipitation of fine γˊ and γ〞strengthening phases and needle-like δ phases. For the as-fabricated alloy, the formation of finer dislocated cellular structures that develop into a ductile dimple fracture shows excellent ductility. Due to dislocation pinning from γˊ and γ〞strengthening phases and the impediment of dislocation motion caused by the needle-like δ phases, the ductility of the SA materials decreases and causes a transgranular fracture, compared with the as-fabricated samples.
TL;DR: The modulus and porosity of Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices can be tailored to the levels of human bones and thus reduce or avoid "stress shielding" and increase longevity of implants.
Abstract: Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures have already been shown to be a versatile source of biomorphic scaffold designs. Therefore, in this work, Ti–6Al–4V Gyroid and Diamond TPMS lattices having an interconnected high porosity of 80–95% and pore sizes in the range of 560–1600 μm and 480–1450 μm respectively were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) for bone implants. The manufacturability, microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices were evaluated. Comparison between 3D micro-CT reconstructed models and original CAD models of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices shows excellent reproduction of the designs. The as-built Ti–6Al–4V struts exhibit the microstructure of columnar grains filled with very fine and orthogonally oriented α′ martensitic laths with the width of 100–300 nm and have the microhardness of 4.01±0.34 GPa. After heat treatment at 680 °C for 4 h, the α′ martensite was converted to a mixture of α and β, in which the α phase being the dominant fraction is present as fine laths with the width of 500–800 nm and separated by a small amount of narrow, interphase regions of dark β phase. Also, the microhardness is decreased to 3.71±0.35 GPa due to the coarsening of the microstructure. The 80–95% porosity TPMS lattices exhibit a comparable porosity with trabecular bone, and the modulus is in the range of 0.12–1.25 GPa and thus can be adjusted to the modulus of trabecular bone. At the same range of porosity of 5–10%, the moduli of cortical bone and of the Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices are in a similar range. Therefore, the modulus and porosity of Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices can be tailored to the levels of human bones and thus reduce or avoid “stress shielding” and increase longevity of implants. Due to the biomorphic designs, and high interconnected porosity and stiffness comparable to human bones, SLM-made Ti–6Al–4V TPMS lattices can be a promising material for load bearing bone implants.
TL;DR: Although PPy@PANI composites herein consume the incident electromagnetic wave by absolute dielectric loss, their performances are still superior or comparable to most PANI-based composites ever reported, indicating that they can be taken as a new kind of promising lightweight microwave absorbers.
Abstract: Highly uniform core–shell composites, polypyrrole@polyaniline (PPy@PANI), have been successfully constructed by directing the polymerization of aniline on the surface of PPy microspheres. The thickness of PANI shells, from 30 to 120 nm, can be well controlled by modulating the weight ratio of aniline and PPy microspheres. PPy microspheres with abundant carbonyl groups have very strong affinity to the conjugated chains of PANI, which is responsible for the spontaneous formation of uniform core–shell microstructures. However, the strong affinity between PPy microspheres and PANI shells does not promote the diffusion or reassembly of two kinds of conjugated chains. Coating PPy microspheres with PANI shells increases the complex permittivity and creates the mechanism of interfacial polarization, where the latter plays an important role in increasing the dielectric loss of PPy@PANI composites. With a proper thickness of PANI shells, the moderate dielectric loss will produce well matched characteristic impedanc...
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of surface composites via friction stir processing is presented in this article, where the underlying mechanisms in strengthening of FSP-processed surface composite are discussed with reported models.
TL;DR: Characterisation techniques utilised in this study include two funnel flow tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), compressive strength testing and computed tomography (CT).
TL;DR: In this article, the Inconel-718 alloys were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) with 2×2mm 2, 3×3mm 2, 5×5mm 2 and 7×7mm 2 island scanning strategies.
Abstract: Inconel-718 has received an extensive using in mold industry. The selective laser melting (SLM) is providing an ideal means for manufacturing mold insert with complex geometrical features and internal architecture. During the manufacturing of high quality mold inserts with conformal cooling channel, the parameters play a vital role in the SLM process. In the study, the Inconel-718 alloys were manufactured by SLM with 2×2 mm 2 , 3×3 mm 2 , 5×5 mm 2 , and 7×7 mm 2 island scanning strategies. The microstructure, mechanical property, and residual stress were investigated by optical microscope, tensile test and Vickers micro-indentation, respectively. It can be found that the relative density increased with enlarging the island size; the results on the microstructure indicated that the cracks and more pores were detected in the 22-specimen; whilst the microstructures of all specimens were composed of fine dendritic grains, cellular, and columnar structures; the tensile testing suggested that the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of all samples was similar; while the outcome of the residual stress showed that the value of residual stress was ranked in the following sequence: 22-specimen
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of build orientation selection and heat treatment on the mechanical properties of lattice structures with different geometries and their influence on mechanical properties was investigated, showing a significant decrease in mechanical strength for samples that are built diagonally and a transformation of the microstructure after a HIP (hot isostatic pressing) treatment, resulting in a lower maximum strength, but higher ductility.
Abstract: The metal additive manufacturing industry is rising and so is the interest in new lattice structures with unique mechanical properties. Many studies have already investigated lattice structures with different geometries and their influence on mechanical properties, but little is known about the effect of specific processing characteristics that are inherent to metal additive manufacturing. Therefore this study investigates the effect of two crucial steps in the manufacturing process: the build orientation selection and heat treatment. In total the microstructure and static mechanical properties of five different orientations and three heat treatment conditions were evaluated using Ti6Al4V diamond like lattice structures. The results show a significant decrease in mechanical strength for samples that are built diagonally and a transformation of the microstructure after a HIP (hot isostatic pressing) treatment, resulting in a lower maximum strength, but higher ductility. In general, horizontal struts should be avoided during manufacturing, unless the applied load after manufacturing can be properly supported by other struts. Both a stress relief heat treatment and a HIP treatment can be used in statically loaded applications, whereas a HIP treatment is believed to be beneficial for dynamically loaded applications. This study enables an appropriate selection of build orientation and heat treatment of lattice structures for different applications.
TL;DR: Bulk graphene (reduced graphene oxide)-reinforced Al matrix composites with a bioinspired nanolaminated microstructure with significantly improved stiffness and tensile strength, and a similar or even slightly higher total elongation were shown.
Abstract: Bulk graphene (reduced graphene oxide)-reinforced Al matrix composites with a bioinspired nanolaminated microstructure were fabricated via a composite powder assembly approach. Compared with the unreinforced Al matrix, these composites were shown to possess significantly improved stiffness and tensile strength, and a similar or even slightly higher total elongation. These observations were interpreted by the facilitated load transfer between graphene and the Al matrix, and the extrinsic toughening effect as a result of the nanolaminated microstructure.
TL;DR: This study presents the fabrication of LLZO heterostructured solid electrolytes, which allowed direct correlation of surface microstructure with the electrochemical characteristics of the interface, and low area specific resistances were achieved, removing a significant obstacle toward practical implementation ofSolid electrolytes in high energy density batteries.
Abstract: Cubic garnet phases based on Al-substituted Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) have high ionic conductivities and exhibit good stability versus metallic lithium, making them of particular interest for use in next-generation rechargeable battery systems. However, high interfacial impedances have precluded their successful utilization in such devices until the present. Careful engineering of the surface microstructure, especially the grain boundaries, is critical to achieving low interfacial resistances and enabling long-term stable cycling with lithium metal. This study presents the fabrication of LLZO heterostructured solid electrolytes, which allowed direct correlation of surface microstructure with the electrochemical characteristics of the interface. Grain orientations and grain boundary distributions of samples with differing microstructures were mapped using high-resolution synchrotron polychromatic X-ray Laue microdiffraction. The electrochemical characteristics are strongly dependent upon surface microstructure, ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the Inconel 625 alloy, a widely used material in the aerospace industry, was chosen as the build material for selective laser melting (SLM), an additive manufacturing process capable of manufacturing metallic parts with complex shapes directly from computer-aided design (CAD) models.
TL;DR: In this paper, the microstructure evolution in high-entropy alloy CoCrFeNiMn during plane-strain multipass rolling to a thickness strain of 80% at 293 and 77 K was studied.
TL;DR: In this article, a process parameter window is defined, in which the formed melt pool is stable and meets the set requirements, in order to get nearly fully dense parts, and the material properties resulting from this specific material process combination.
Abstract: Owing to their attractive combination of mechanical properties, high heat conductivity and low weight, the Al–Si alloys found a large number of applications in the Additive Manufacturing field for automotive, aerospace and domestic industries. However, due to their high reflectivity and heat conductivity, they are harder to process by Selective Laser Melting. This work elaborates on both the optimisation of process parameters, in order to get nearly fully dense parts, and the material properties resulting from this specific material process combination. A process parameter window is defined, in which the formed melt pool is stable and meets the set requirements. In this process window, the parameter set for optimal density is defined. It is shown that AlSi10Mg parts produced by SLM have mechanical properties higher or at least comparable to the cast material because of the very fine microstructure.
TL;DR: In this article, a small proportion of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was added with low calcium fly ash to accelerate the curing of geopolymer concrete instead of using elevated heat.
Abstract: Most previous works on fly ash based geopolymer concrete focused on concretes subjected to heat curing. Development of geopolymer concrete that can set and harden at normal temperature will widen its application beyond precast concrete. This paper has focused on a study of fly ash based geopolymer concrete suitable for ambient curing condition. A small proportion of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was added with low calcium fly ash to accelerate the curing of geopolymer concrete instead of using elevated heat. Samples were cured in room environment (about 23 °C and RH 65 ± 10%) until tested. Inclusion of OPC as little as 5% of total binder reduced the setting time to acceptable ranges and caused slight decrease of workability. The early-age compressive strength improved significantly with higher strength at the age of 28 days. Geopolymer microstructure showed considerable portion of calcium-rich aluminosilicate gel resulting from the addition of OPC.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review summarises the important results of previous studies about the effects of both intercritical annealing conditions and alloying elements on the microstructure and tensile properties of medium Mn steels.
Abstract: Medium Mn steels have been actively investigated due to their excellent balance between material cost and mechanical properties. The steels possess a single α′ martensite phase in hot and cold rolled states and multiphases after intercritical annealing. Many studies have focused on investigating the influences of chemical composition and annealing conditions on the microstructure, particularly the grain size and retained γ (γR), and on the tensile properties. The steels exhibit high strength and good ductility due to transformation induced plasticity occurring in γR, whose volume fraction is approximately 0·2–0·4. The present review summarises the important results of previous studies about the effects of both intercritical annealing conditions and alloying elements on the microstructure and tensile properties of medium Mn steels.
TL;DR: A series of five-component CoCrFeNiNbx high entropy alloys were synthesized to investigate alloying effects of the large atom Nb on the structure and tensile properties as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this paper, a refractory high-entropy alloy HfNbTaTiZr was successfully rolled at room temperature up to 86.4% reduction in thickness (true thickness strain is −2.3).
TL;DR: In this article, the mechanisms of corrosion and hydrogen pickup and the role of alloy selection in minimizing both phenomena are considered on the basis of two principal characteristics: the pretransition kinetics and the loss of oxide protectiveness at transition.
Abstract: During operation, nuclear fuel rods are immersed in the primary water, causing waterside corrosion and consequent hydrogen ingress. In this review, the mechanisms of corrosion and hydrogen pickup and the role of alloy selection in minimizing both phenomena are considered on the basis of two principal characteristics: the pretransition kinetics and the loss of oxide protectiveness at transition. In zirconium alloys, very small changes in composition or microstructure can cause significant corrosion differences so that corrosion performance is strongly alloy dependent. The alloys show different, but reproducible, subparabolic pretransition kinetics and transition thicknesses. A mechanism for oxide growth and breakup based on a detailed study of the oxide structure can explain these results. Through the use of the recently developed coupled current charge compensation model of corrosion kinetics and hydrogen pickup, the subparabolic kinetics and the hydrogen fraction can be rationalized: Hydrogen pickup incr...