Showing papers on "Microstructure published in 2021"

Effects of (Mg1/3Sb2/3)4+ substitution on the structure and microwave dielectric properties of Ce2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics

Abstract: Ce2[Zr1−x(Mg1/3Sb2/3)x]3(MoO4)9 (0.02 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.10) ceramics were prepared by the traditional solid-state method. A single phase, belonging to the space group of $$R⩈erline 3 c$$ , was detected by using X-ray diffraction at the sintering temperatures ranging from 700 to 850 °C. The microstructures of samples were examined by applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure refinement of these samples was investigated in detail by performing the Rietveld refinement method. The intrinsic properties were calculated and explored via far-infrared reflectivity spectroscopy. The correlations between the chemical bond parameters and microwave dielectric properties were calculated and analyzed by Phillips-van Vechten-Levine (P-V-L) theory. Ce2[Zr0.94(Mg1/3Sb2/3)0.06]3(MoO4)9 ceramics with excellent dielectric properties were sintered at 725 °C for 6 h (er = 10.37, Q×f = 71,748 GHz, and τf = −13.6 ppm/°C, er is the dielectric constant, Q×f is the quality factor, and τf is the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency).

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of in-situ Ti6Al4V–TiB composites manufactured by selective laser melting

Abstract: In-situ TiB reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) of ball-milled Ti6Al4V–TiB2 powders. Optimized SLM processing and stress relief annealing were applied to obtain crack-free and fully dense composites. TiB reinforcement is mainly present in the form of whisker clusters and exhibits a quasi-continuous distribution in TMC1 (2 vol%TiB) while a full-continuous distribution in TMC2 (5 vol%TiB). The distribution of TiB whisker clusters in primary β-Ti grain is not consistent with the complete dissolution mechanism proposed previously. As a result, a dual mechanism of direct reaction and precipitation has been put forward to describe the formation of TiB phase. The microhardness, compressive strength and tensile strength of TMC1 are improved by 14%, 36%, 25% respectively, compared with those of Ti6Al4V alloy. These enhancements can be mainly attributed to Hall-Petch strengthening and load-bearing transformation strengthening. The fracture surface of TMC1 after tensile testing shows a mixture of regions of cleavage facets with regions of small dimples.

Microstructure evolution of wire-arc additively manufactured 2319 aluminum alloy with interlayer hammering

Abstract: The cold metal transfer (CMT) based wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology has been widely recognized as a suitable method for fabricating large-sized aluminum alloy components. However, the poor mechanical properties of the as-deposited aluminum alloys prevent their wide application in the aerospace industry. In this paper, three categories of samples with different interlayer deformation strains were fabricated by WAAM. These samples were further investigated to evaluate the effects of interlayer deformation on the mechanical properties, microstructural evolution, and the underlying strengthening mechanism. The grain size distribution and internal sub-microstructure were characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As compared to the as-deposited samples, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the 50.8% deformed sample increased from 148.4 to 240.9 MPa and from 288.6 to 334.6 MPa, respectively. The microstructure of the samples with interlayer hammering exhibited highly refined grain, which is a combined result of deformation and subsequent intrinsic in-situ heat treatment induced by the next deposition layer. The recrystallized grains can be further deformed with subsequent hammering, which leads to an increase in dislocation density and contributes to an increase in ultimate tensile strength of the additively manufactured 2319 aluminum alloys with interlayer hammering.

A novel crack-free Ti-modified Al-Cu-Mg alloy designed for selective laser melting

Abstract: A novel crack-free Ti-modified Al-Cu-Mg alloy for SLM was developed here, based on the thermodynamic calculations of the crack susceptibility index and growth-restriction factor. We found that the introduction of Ti into the Al-Cu-Mg alloy effectively promoted the grain refinement and columnar-to-equiaxed grain transition as a result of the heterogeneous nucleation provided by Al3Ti precipitates. The hot tearing cracks were eliminated after Ti modification due to the formation of the homogeneous and fine equiaxed microstructure. We created a new high-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Ti alloy with a tensile strength of 426.4 MPa, yield strength of 293.2 MPa and ductility of 9.1%. This novel Ti-modified Al alloy with fine equiaxed grains and highly-enhanced mechanical properties offers a new compositional space for the printable lightweight material categories specifically for the SLM technique.

Critical role of scan strategies on the development of microstructure, texture, and residual stresses during laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

Abstract: Laser based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing offers the flexibility to incorporate standard and user-defined scan strategies in a layer or in between the layers for the customized fabrication of metallic components. In the present study, four different scan strategies and their impact on the development of microstructure, texture, and residual stresses in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing of a nickel-based superalloy Inconel 718 was investigated. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscatter diffraction, and neutron diffraction were used as the characterization tools. Strong textures with epitaxially grown columnar grains were observed along the build direction for the two individual scan strategies. Patterns depicting the respective scan strategies were visible in the build plane, which dictated the microstructure development in the other planes. An alternating strategy combining the individual strategies in the successive layers and a 67° rotational strategy weakened the texture by forming finer microstructural features. Von Mises equivalent stress plots revealed lower stress values and gradients, which translates as lower distortions for the alternating and rotational strategies. Overall results confirmed the scope for manipulating the microstructure, texture, and residual stresses during laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing by effectively controlling the scan strategies.

Effects of A/B-Site Co-Doping on Microstructure and Dielectric Thermal Stability of AgNbO3 Ceramics

Abstract: AgNbO3-based lead-free ceramics are a promising candidate material for capacitors, where thermal stability is a key property for applications in severe and complex environments. This study investigated the fabrication of Ag1-3xBixNb1-3/5x(Zn1/2Ti1/2)xO3 (ABNZT-x) (x = 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, or 0.04) via a solid-state reaction under oxygen flow. The microstructure, dielectric properties, and impedance spectra of the AgNbO3 samples co-doped with Bi3+, Zn2+, and Ti4+ were systematically characterized. All samples exhibited an orthorhombic phase structure, where the average grain size decreased with increasing co-doping level, the grain growth kinetics was studied by phase-field simulation. The phase transition temperatures became lower and the maximum permittivity values decreased. These findings demonstrated that enhanced dielectric thermal stability had been achieved. The grain conduction effect was observed during the impedance spectroscopy analysis, where the calculated activation energy decreased with increasing co-doping level. This ABNZT-x ceramic system exhibited stable dielectric properties, and shows promise for use as a functional material in electronic devices.

Nanocomposite NiTi shape memory alloy with high strength and fatigue resistance.

Abstract: Many established, but also potential future applications of NiTi-based shape memory alloys (SMA) in biomedical devices and solid-state refrigeration require long fatigue life with 107–109 duty cycles1,2. However, improving the fatigue resistance of NiTi often compromises other mechanical and functional properties3,4. Existing efforts to improve the fatigue resistance of SMA include composition control for coherent phase boundaries5–7 and microstructure control such as precipitation8,9 and grain-size reduction3,4. Here, we extend the strategy to the nanoscale and improve fatigue resistance of NiTi via a hybrid heterogenous nanostructure. We produced a superelastic NiTi nanocomposite with crystalline and amorphous phases via severe plastic deformation and low-temperature annealing. The as-produced nanocomposite possesses a recoverable strain of 4.3% and a yield strength of 2.3 GPa. In cyclic compression experiments, the nanostructured NiTi micropillars endure over 108 reversible-phase-transition cycles under a stress of 1.8 GPa. We attribute the enhanced properties to the mutual strengthening of nanosized amorphous and crystalline phases where the amorphous phase suppresses dislocation slip in the crystalline phase while the crystalline phase hinders shear band propagation in the amorphous phase. The synergy of the properties of crystalline and amorphous phases at the nanoscale could be an effective method to improve fatigue resistance and strength of SMA. Increasing the fatigue life of shape memory alloys often compromises other mechanical properties such as yield strength and plastic deformation behaviour. Introducing a mixed nanostructure of crystalline and amorphous phases can enable superelasticity in NiTi micropillars with recoverable strain of 4.3%, yield strength of 2.3 GPa and 108 reversible-phase transition cycles under a stress of 1.8 GPa.

From structural ceramics to 2D materials with multi-applications: A review on the development from MAX phases to MXenes

Abstract: MAX phases (Ti3SiC2, Ti3AlC2, V2AlC, Ti4AlN3, etc.) are layered ternary carbides/nitrides, which are generally processed and researched as structure ceramics. Selectively removing A layer from MAX phases, MXenes (Ti3C2, V2C, Mo2C, etc.) with two-dimensional (2D) structure can be prepared. The MXenes are electrically conductive and hydrophilic, which are promising as functional materials in many areas. This article reviews the milestones and the latest progress in the research of MAX phases and MXenes, from the perspective of ceramic science. Especially, this article focuses on the conversion from MAX phases to MXenes. First, we summarize the microstructure, preparation, properties, and applications of MAX phases. Among the various properties, the crack healing properties of MAX phase are highlighted. Thereafter, the critical issues on MXene research, including the preparation process, microstructure, MXene composites, and application of MXenes, are reviewed. Among the various applications, this review focuses on two selected applications: energy storage and electromagnetic interference shielding. Moreover, new research directions and future trends on MAX phases and MXenes are also discussed.