Eun Soo Park

Lattice Distortions in the FeCoNiCrMn High Entropy Alloy Studied by Theory and Experiment

Lattice distortions constitute one of the main features characterizing high entropy alloys. Local lattice distortions have, however, only rarely been investigated in these multi-component alloys. We, therefore, employ a combined theoretical electronic structure and experimental approach to study the atomistic distortions in the FeCoNiCrMn high entropy (Cantor) alloy by means of density-functional theory and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Particular attention is paid to element-resolved distortions for each constituent. The individual mean distortions are small on average, <1%, but their fluctuations (i.e., standard deviations) are an order of magnitude larger, in particular for Cr and Mn. Good agreement between theory and experiment is found.

Enhancement of interface anchoring and densification of Y2O3 coating by metal substrate manipulation in aerosol deposition process

The interface anchoring and densification of Y2O3 coatings prepared by aerosol deposition (AD) process were systematically investigated for various types of metal substrates. At initial anchoring stage in AD process, the kinetic energy of impacted particles is converted to the heat energy, which instantly elevates the interface temperature between coating layer and substrate. Thus, the Sn substrate with low melting temperature (∼505 K) results in strong impact anchoring by local interface melting during AD process. On the other hand, the continuous collision and fracture of impacted particles lead to solid consolidation and densification of deposited coating layers. Thus, the SUS substrate with high hardness (∼173 Hv) leads to a highly densified coating layer. Indeed, the bulk metallic glass (BMG) substrates, which have unique low processable temperature ( 500 Hv), give rise to both excellent interface anchoring and densification of thick Y...

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded and laser welded high entropy alloy CrMnFeCoNi

The high entropy alloy CrMnFeCoNi has been shown to have promising structural properties. For a new alloy to be used in a structural application it should be weldable. In the present study, friction stir welding (FSW) and laser welding (LW) techniques were used to butt weld thin plates of CrMnFeCoNi. The microstructure, chemical homogeneity and mechanical behavior of the welds were characterized and compared with the base metal. The tensile stress-strain behavior of the welded specimens were reasonable when compared with that of the base metal. FSW refined the grain size in the weld region by a factor of ∼14 when compared with the base metal. High-angle annular dark field transmission electron microscopy in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed chemical inhomogeneity between dendritic and interdendritic regions in the fusion zone of LW. Large fluctuations in composition (up to 15 at%) did not change the crystal structure in the fusion zone. Hardness measurements were carried out in the weld cross section and discussed in view of the grain size, low angle grain boundaries and twin boundaries in FSW specimens and the dendritic microstructure in LW specimens.

Understanding of the Shear Bands in Amorphous Metals

Shear banding is an evidence of plastic instability that localizes large shear strains in a relatively thin band when a material is plastically deformed. Shear bands have attracted much attention in amorphous metals, because shear bands are the key feature that controls the plastic deformation process. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding of the shear bands in amorphous metals regarding: dislocations versus shear bands, the formation of shear bands, hot versus cold shear bands, and property manipulation by shear band engineering. Although there are many key issues that remain puzzling, the understanding built-up from these approaches will provide a new insight for tailoring shear bands in amorphous metals, which potentially leads to unique property changes as well as improved mechanical properties. Indeed, this effort might open a new era to the future use of amorphous metals as a new menu of engineering materials.

Direct Determination of Structural Heterogeneity in Metallic Glasses Using Four-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

We report the first direct quantification of the structural heterogeneity in metallic glasses using intensity variance and angular correlation analyses of the 4-dimensional (4-D) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) data. We demonstrate that the real-space reconstruction and analyses of the 4-D nanodiffraction data acquired using a pixelated fast STEM detector enables quantitative determination of the details of local structural heterogeneity, including the type, size, volume fraction and spatial distribution of local ordering at the nano- to meso-scale, beyond the limits of the previous measurements using conventional detectors. We show that different types of local ordering are present in Zr55Co25Al20 glass, leading to a high degree of structural heterogeneity, with the total volume of locally ordered regions making up to ∼14% of the entire volume. These findings are significant, as the structure-property relationship in metallic glasses and other amorphous materials has been difficult to establish because of the lack of detailed structural information from experiments.

Accurate quantification of glass-forming ability by measuring effective volume relaxation of supercooled melt

Herein, we elucidate how to accurately quantify glass-forming ability (GFA) by measuring effective volume relaxation of supercooled melt. We propose a new parameter, denoted as κ, for representing the relaxation, which is calculated by combining temperature-dependent changes of normalized specific volume reflecting relative volume relaxation with the normalized temperature range reflecting the relative position of the C curve in a Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) diagram. The interrelationship between the κ parameter and critical cooling rate is elaborated by measuring V-T diagrams and TTT diagrams of Zr55Co26Al19 and Zr46Cu30.14Al8Ag8.36Be7.5 glass-forming alloys and discussed in comparison with representative GFA parameters reported up to date. These results would give us a guideline on how to precisely evaluate GFA by linking volumetric aspect to thermodynamic and kinetic aspects for glass formation and help develop customized glass-forming alloys as well as a highly precise control of glass forma...

A hidden variable in shear transformation zone volume versus Poisson’s ratio relation in metallic glasses

Herein, we elucidate a hidden variable in a shear transformation zone (STZ) volume (Ω) versus Poisson’s ratio (ν) relation and clarify the correlation between STZ characteristics and the plasticity of metallic glasses (MGs). On the basis of cooperative shear model and atomic stress theories, we carefully formulate Ω as a function of molar volume (Vm) and ν. The twofold trend in Ω and ν is attributed to a relatively large variation of Vm as compared to that of ν as well as an inverse relation between Vm and ν. Indeed, the derived equation reveals that the number of atoms in an STZ instead of Ω is a microstructural characteristic which has a close relationship with plasticity since it reflects the preference of atomistic behaviors between cooperative shearing and the generation of volume strain fluctuation under stress. The results would deepen our understanding of the correlation between microscopic behaviors (STZ activation) and macroscopic properties (plasticity) in MGs and enable a quantitative approach...

Nano-scale Shell in Phase Separating Gd-Ti-Al-Co Metallic Glass

In the present study, formation of yard and shell has been investigated in as-melt-spun alloy using a variety of transmission electron microscopy techniques. The phase separation during cooling leads to the formation of the microstructure consisting of amorphous droplets with different size scales embedded in the amorphous matrix. Due to the interdiffusion at the interface after the first-step phase separation, ~50 nm-thick yard develops on the surface of the primary droplet particle. Due to the critical wetting phenomenon, ~5 nm thickness shell enveloping the droplet forms. The sell is enriched in Co and Ti, implying that the composition is close to that of the droplet.