D. B. Goel

Influence of thermomechanical aging on fatigue behaviour of 2014 Al-alloy

The fatigue behaviour of 2014 Al-alloy has been studied in various thermomechanically aged conditions. It is observed that fatigue properties can be improved by a thermomechanical treatment, which would reduce the concentrations of dispersoids, provide a relatively uniform deformation structure and produce fine distribution of θ’ precipitates. Fine θ’ particles inhibit dynamic recovery and produce uniform deformation structure, which improves fatigue behaviour. Presence of dispersoids and coarse precipitate particles leads to the formation of persistent slip bands (PSBs) and a highly heterogeneous deformation structure, which cause damage to fatigue properties.

On the formation of faceted Al3Zr (β′) precipitates in Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr alloys

Abstract Trace additions of Zr to Al alloys inhibit recrystallization through the formation of spherical and coherent Al 3 Zr ( β ′) precipitates. Recently, observations have been made of faceted β ′ precipitates in several hot deformed Al alloys, although no systematic experimental study of either the causes of the formation of such precipitates or their orientation relationships with the Al matrix has so far been reported. A detailed examination of the orientation relationships shows that the cube-on-cube orientation relationship existing between spherical, coherent β ′ precipitates and the Al matrix does not hold good for the faceted β ′ particles and that the faceted β ′ particles are twin-related with the matrix. It is shown that the twin-related β ′ particles are not incoherent, but bound by large facets fully coherent with the matrix, and that such particles are associated with fairly significant coherency strains. A probable shape of the faceted β ′ is also described.

Aging of a copper bearing HSLA-100 steel

Investigations were carried out on aging of a HSLA-100 steel after varying amounts of cold deformation. Mechanical properties (hardness, tensile properties and toughness) were measured and structural changes were studied using optical, TEM and SEM techniques. As a result of various treatments, the hardness and UTS could be significantly improved, but with drastic fall in ductility and impact strength, especially in peak aged conditions. The parameters affecting impact strength were examined and it was concluded that various microstructural features affected toughness through their influence on tensile properties. In this steel the impact strength could be improved by lowering the UTS and increasing the ductility (pct elongation). The improvement in hardness and UTS was attributed to formation of thick precipitate-dislocation tangles. The aging process caused a slow transformation of lath martensite into acicular ferrite due to occurrence of in situ recrystallization. The concentration of Cu in particles precipitating on aging was followed using EDAX technique.

Effect of carbides on erosion resistance of 23-8-N steel

Microstructure is one of the most important parameters influencing erosion behaviour of materials. The role of carbides in the matrix is very complicated in controlling the erosion rate of the materials. Conflicting results have been reported in the literature about the effect of carbides on erosion resistance. Carbides are of great importance especially as obstacles against the penetration of erosive particles into the material surface. However, they are susceptible to cracking and causing matrix decohesion which may increase the overall erosion rate. In 23-8-N nitronic steel, carbides present in the form of bands are observed to accelerate the erosion rate. Coarse carbides cause depletion of carbon in the austenite matrix which adversely affects the strain hardening tendency thus causing deterioration in erosion resistance of the bulk material. The dissolution of carbides in the austenitic matrix after solution annealing is observed to improve the erosion resistance of 23-8-N nitronic steel.

Effect of cold work and aging on mechanical properties of a copper bearing HSLA-100 steel

Influence of cold working and aging on the mechanical properties of a Cu-bearing HSLA-100 steel has been studied. The steel was given solution treatment at 1000°C, followed by cold rolling to 25, 50 and 80 pct deformations and aging at 600°C for various durations. Substantial improvement in hardness and UTS was observed in the peak aged condition of various treatments, but at the expense of ductility and impact-energy. Extensive scanning electron microscopic studies carried out on impact and tensile fracture surfaces suggest that poor impact energy and low ductility in peak aged condition could be associated with inhomogeneous deformation caused by the existence of coherent precipitates. Other parameters adversely affecting toughness and ductility in various stages of cold work and aging may include high stress concentration at high density dislocation network and dislocation-precipitate interface. Overaging in various treatments resulted in higher impact energy and ductility, presumably due to existence of incoherent precipitates and reduction in stress concentration at dislocation cell boundaries. It is observed that a good combination of high hardness and UTS with high impact energy and ductility could be obtained by a treatment suitable to cause coexistence of coherent and incoherent precipitates.

Erosion Behaviour of Fe-Alloys for Underwater Components of Hydroelectric Power Plant

Cavitation erosion behaviour of three alloys, namely, (i) past era Gray cast iron, (ii) 13/4 martensitic stainless steel (ASTM grade A743) and (iii) Nitrogenated stainless steel is reported. These materials may find application in underwater parts of hydroelectric projects. An ultrasonic processor was a used as a source causing cavitation erosion. The cavitation erosion was found to be highly dependent on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the target material. Best erosion resistance was observed in the nitrogenated steel. This may be due to a combination of high hardness and tensile toughness exhibited by the nitrogenated steel. Erosion mechanisms for these materials have been correlated with the observed microstructure and the mechanical properties.

Effect of microalloying on aging of a Cu-bearing HSLA-100 (GPT) steel

Investigations were carried out on aging of a HSLA-100 steel containing Cu as the major alloying element and Nb, Ti and V as microalloying elements. The aging process after varying amounts of cold deformation was followed by hardness measurements and microstructural changes were studied using light and electron microscopy. Presence of Ti activates the formation of (Nb, Ti)C precipitates and completely suppresses the precipitation of Cu. Even a solution treatment at 1100°C is not sufficient to completely dissolve Nb and Ti in the matrix and undissolved (Nb, Ti)C precipitates were observed in oil quenched state. Strain induced aging at 400° C causes simultaneous coarsening of existing precipitates and nucleation of fresh carbides, which results in multi-stage hardening in this steel. Strong precipitate-dislocation interactions cause retardation in recrystallization of deformation structure leading to retention of high hardness levels even on prolonged aging