Guanghui Cao

Influence of Nb on the β → α″ Martensitic Phase Transformation and Properties of the Newly Designed Ti-Fe-Nb Alloys

A series of Ti-7Fe-xNb (x=0, 1, 4, 6, 9, 11 wt.%) alloys was designed and cast to investigate the β→α″ martensitic phase transformation, β phase stability, the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties. Phase analysis revealed that only Ti-7Fe-11Nb alloy shows a single body-centred cubic β phase microstructure while the others are comprised of β and orthorhombic α″ phases. Moreover, Nb addition up to 11 wt.% enhances the stability and volume fraction of β phase in the microstructure, hence reducing the propensity of the alloy system to form α″ phase during quenching. Compressive yield strength and hardness of the alloys are (985-1847) MPa and (325-520) Hv respectively. Additionally, Ti-7Fe-11Nb possesses the lowest Youngs modulus (84 GPa) and the highest deformability (42% strain) among the designed alloys due to the single β phase microstructure. This high deformability is also corroborated by the large plastic deformation zone underneath the Vickers indenter. In contrast, the fractured surfaces of Ti-7Fe and Ti-7Fe-1Nb alloys after compressive tests mostly contain shallow dimples, verifying their low ductility. The good combination of mechanical properties obtained for Ti-7Fe-11Nb renders it more desirable than commonly used CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V materials and makes it a promising candidate for biomedical application.

Design and application of differential thermal analysis apparatus in high magnetic fields.

The differential thermal analysis (DTA) apparatus has been developed for a commercial superconducting magnet. The DTA apparatus could detect the kinetics and thermodynamics of phase transformation with and without a magnetic field. Preliminary results for Al-Al2Cu eutectics are presented. The DTA curves indicate the similarity at several rates regardless of a magnetic field; however, at the same rate, melting transformation seems not to be influenced by a magnetic field, while solidification could be delayed via suppressing nucleation and crystal growth in a magnetic field. It will be believed that the DTA apparatus can be used to investigate the phase transformation of substances of interest in a magnetic field.

Effect of a High Magnetic Field on Microstructures of Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloy During Seed Melt-Back

The effects of a high magnetic field on microstructures during seed melt-back of superalloy were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the high magnetic field significantly modified the melt-back interface shape and the melt-back zone length. In addition, stray grain on the edge of sample was effectively suppressed in the high magnetic field. Based on experimental results and quantitative analysis, the above results should be attributed to the increasing temperature gradient in a high magnetic field.

Effect of a Transverse Magnetic Field on Stray Grain Formation of Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloy During Directional Solidification

The effect of a transverse magnetic field on stray grain formation during directional solidification of superalloy was investigated. Experimental results indicated that the transverse magnetic field effectively suppressed the stray grain formation on the side the primary dendrite diverges from the mold wall. Moreover, the quenched experimental results indicated that the solid/liquid interface shape was obviously changed in a transverse magnetic field. The effect of a transverse magnetic field on stray grain formation was discussed.

High magnetic field induction of the formation of twinned dendrites during directional solidification of Al–4.5wt%Cu alloy

It is reported that the application of a high magnetic field is capable of inducing the formation of twinned dendrites during directional solidification of Al–4.5wt%Cu alloy. Numerical results reveal that a unidirectional thermoelectric magnetic force acts on tilted dendrites during directional solidification under a magnetic field. This force should be responsible for the formation of twinned dendrites. The work may initiate a new method for inducing twinned dendrites in Al-based alloys via an applied high magnetic field during directional solidification.

Effect of Primary Dendrite Orientation on Stray Grain Formation in Cross-Section Change Region During the Directional Solidification of Ni-Based Superalloy

The effect of primary dendrite orientation on stray grain formation in a cross-section change region during the directional solidification of Ni-based superalloy is investigated through both experimental observations and numerical simulation. The results clearly show that the orientation of primary dendrite affects the formation of stray grains in the cross-section change region. It is observed that, for the primary dendrite without misorientation, no stray grain is formed in the cross-section change region; for the primary dendrite with a moderate misorientation (15xa0deg), stray grains are formed only on the side converging from the mold wall in the cross-section change region. When the misorientation is 25xa0deg, stray grains are formed on both the side converging from the mold wall and the side diverging from the mold wall in the cross-section change region (the converging side and the diverging side for short). The simulation results are in accordance with experimental results. Furthermore, the correlation among factors such as stray grain formation, primary dendrite orientation, and withdrawal velocity has been analyzed. The mechanism of stray grain formation in various oriented primary dendrites is discussed.

A Method of Stray Grain Suppression for Single-Crystal Superalloy During Seed Melt-Back

The suppression of stray grains during seed melt-back of single-crystal superalloy through thermal resistance technique has been investigated based on both experimental observations and numerical simulation. The results indicate that the introduction of thermal resistance layer significantly suppresses the stray grain formation of single-crystal superalloy. Based on both theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, above results should be attributed to the decrease of radial heat transfer of sample in the thermal resistance layer.