In-Chul Choi

Contribution of Lattice Distortion to Solid Solution Strengthening in a Series of Refractory High Entropy Alloys

We present an experimental approach for revealing the impact of lattice distortion on solid solution strengthening in a series of body-centered-cubic (bcc) Al-containing, refractory high entropy alloys (HEAs) from the Nb-Mo-Cr-Ti-Al system. By systematically varying the Nb and Cr content, a wide range of atomic size difference as a common measure for the lattice distortion was obtained. Single-phase, bcc solid solutions were achieved by arc melting and homogenization as well as verified by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The atomic radii of the alloying elements for determination of atomic size difference were recalculated on the basis of the mean atomic radii in and the chemical compositions of the solid solutions. Microhardness (μH) at room temperature correlates well with the deduced atomic size difference. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of microscopic slip lead to pronounced temperature dependence of mechanical strength. In order to account for this particular feature, we present a combined approach, using μH, nanoindentation, and compression tests. The athermal proportion to the yield stress of the investigated equimolar alloys is revealed. These parameters support the universality of this aforementioned correlation. Hence, the pertinence of lattice distortion for solid solution strengthening in bcc HEAs is proven.

Strain-dependent transition of time-dependent deformation mechanism in single-crystal ZnO evaluated by spherical nanoindentation

We have systematically explored the time-dependent plasticity of (0 0 0 1)-oriented ZnO single crystal through spherical indentation tests. Constant load indentation creep tests were performed in elastic strain and elastic–plastic strain regimes. In both regimes, creep indeed occurred at ambient temperature. With the observed quasi-steady-static strain rate, the stress exponent was found as ~1.361 for elastic contact regime and ~3.077 for elastic–plastic regime, suggesting predominant creep mechanism of diffusion and dislocation, respectively. This strain-dependent transition of creep mechanism is discussed in terms of possible factors affecting the creep in each regime.

Time-dependent mechanical-electrical coupled behavior in single crystal ZnO nanorods

Nanoscale time-dependent mechanical-electrical coupled behavior of single crystal ZnO nanorods was systematically explored, which is essential for accessing the long-term reliability of the ZnO nanorod-based flexible devices. A series of compression creep tests combined with in-situ electrical measurement was performed on vertically-grown single crystal ZnO nanorods. Continuous measurement of the current (I)-voltage (V) curves before, during, after the creep tests revealed that I is non-negligibly increased as a result of the time-dependent deformation. Analysis of the I-V curves based on the thermionic emission-diffusion theory allowed extraction of nanorod resistance, which was shown to decrease as time-dependent deformation. Finally, based on the observations in this study, a simple analytical model for predicting the reduction in nanorod resistance as a function of creep strain that is induced from diffusional mechanisms is proposed, and this model was demonstrated to be in an excellent agreement with the experimental results.

Evolution of hardness, microstructure, and strain rate sensitivity in a Zn-22% Al eutectoid alloy processed by high-pressure torsion

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) is an attractive processing method for refining microstructures of metallic materials to give ultrafine grain sizes within the submicrometer to even the nanometer levels. Experiments were conducted to discuss the evolution of hardness, microstructure and strain rate sensitivity, m, in a Zn-22% Al eutectoid alloy processed by high- pressure torsion (HPT). The data from microhardness and nanoindentation hardness measurements revealed that there is a significant weakening in the Zn-Al alloy during HPT despite extensive grain refinement. Excellent room-temperature (RT) plasticity was observed in the alloy after HPT from nanoindentation creep in terms of an increased value of m. The microstructural changes with increasing numbers of HPT turns show a strong correlation with the change in the m value. Moerover, the excellent RT plasticity in the alloy is discussed in terms of the enhanced level of grain boundary sliding and the evolution of microsturucture.