Małgorzata Wierzbińska

Microstructural changes to AlCu6Ni1 alloy after prolonged annealing at elevated temperature

This work presents results of microstructure examination of AlCu6Ni1 aluminium alloy. The commercial AlCu4Ni2Mg2 (M‐309) alloy is widely used for elements of aircraft and automotive engines. Modification its chemical composition was aimed at improving the stability of mechanical properties of the alloy subjected to long‐term exposure to high temperature. The alloy after standard T6 heat treatment (solution heat treated at 818 K/10 h/water quenched followed by ageing at 498 K/8 h/air cooled) was annealed for 150 h at elevated temperature of 573 K corresponding to the maximum value at which structural elements of jet piston engines made of aluminium alloys operate. It was found that applied heat treatment caused an increasing in the particles of hardening phase (θ′‐Al2Cu) size. The significant growth of the length of θ′‐Al2Cu precipitations was observed in particularly. Nevertheless, it did not strongly result in change of its shape – the ‘crystallites’ and ‘rods’ were still characteristic of hardening phase morphology. The phenomena of the growth of θ′‐Al2Cu precipitates caused decreasing the mechanical properties of the alloy, what is the subject of further investigations by the authors.

The Influence of Activator on Vapour Phase Aluminizing of TiAl Intermetallics

The paper presents results of research into the aluminizing process of TiAl intermetallics. The substrate was Ti48Al2Cr2Nb intermetallic alloy. The BPX Pro 325S CVD system was used for aluminizing process. Used in the experimental were four types of activators: AlCl3, AlF3, ZrCl4 and HfCl4. During the aluminizing process 2 kg of Al-Cr granules were put in a container. The deposition process was carried out in argon atmosphere for a duration of 4 hours at the temperature of 1000°C. The XRD and chemical analysis were conducted. The results showed than aluminide coatings contained TiAl2 and TiAl2 phases were formed using an AlF3 activator. In other processes the amount of Al in the coatings was smaller than in the substrate. The obtained results showed that for the aluminizing process use of aluminum fluorides is necessary.

The Degradation of Microstructure of AlCu4Ni2Mg Aluminium Alloy after Prolonged Annealing at Elevated Temperature

The influence of long term annealing on microstructure of Al-Cu4-Ni2-Mg aluminum alloy was investigated. The castings were subjected to T6 heat treatment followed by annealing at 523 K and 623 K for 100, 150, 300, 500 and 750 hours. The soaking time and temperature was adjusted by corresponding to real service conditions of the elements of an aircraft and motor engines from investigated alloys. Microstructural examination of the alloy was carried out with optical microscope, as well as scaning and transmissiom electron microscopes. The result of microscopic analysis showed that applied heat treatment caused an increasing in the particles of hardening (θ’-Al2Cu) phase size. The significant growth of the length and changing the value of shape factor of hardening phase precipitations was observed. The phenomenon of the increase in size and change in shape of precipitations of hardening phases continually change with the prolonged holding time at high temperature. The microstructure degradation is connected to a decrease of mechanical properties of alloy, confirmed by the result of tensile tests.

Decomposition of deformed α′(α″) martensitic phase in Ti–6Al–4V alloy

ABSTRACT The process of martensitic α′(α″) phase decomposition in titanium alloys has not been sufficiently characterised in the literature – especially in terms of plastically deformed martensite. The research results of water-quenched Ti–6Al–4V alloy, subsequently cold deformed in compression test and tempered at the temperature range of 600–900°C for 1 and 2 h were presented in the paper. Light and scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the influence of plastic deformation on tempered martensite laths morphology – particularly at the temperature of 900°C – it favoured their fragmentation and spheroidisation. The effect of plastic deformation on characteristic temperatures of α′(α″)→α + β phase transformation, phase composition and alloying elements distribution in phase constituents of Ti–6Al–4V alloy was identified and evaluated too. This paper is part of a thematic issue on Titanium. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Hafnium Modified Aluminide Coatings Obtained by the CVD and PVD Methods

Zirconium, hafnium or platinum modification of NiAl phase increases the oxidation resistance of diffusion aluminide coatings. Small hafnium addition to aluminide coatings decreases the oxidation rate of nickel superalloys at 1100 °C.The paper presents comparison of structures of hafnium modified aluminide coatings deposited in two different ways on pure nickel. In the first way double layers of hafnium 3 μm thick and aluminum 3 μm thick were deposited by the EB-PVD on the nickel substrate. The double layers were subjected to diffusion treatment at 1050 °C for 6 h and 20 h. In the second method, a hafnium layer was deposited by the EB-PVD method, whereas aluminum was deposited by the CVD method. The obtained coatings were examined by the use of an optical microscope (microstructure and coating thickness) and a scanning electron microscope (chemical composition on the cross-section of the modified aluminide coating). Microstructures and phase compositions of coatings obtained by different methods differ significantly. Diffusion treatment for 6 h leads into formation of the Ni5Hf phase. The elongation of the diffusion time from 6 to 20 h decrease the volume fraction of the Ni5Hf phase. An aluminide coating deposited by the CVD method at 1050 °C at the nickel substrate with prior hafnium layer (3 μm thick) has a triple zone structure. An outer zone consists of the NiAl phase, a middle zone consists of the Ni3Al phase, and the Ni(Al) phase forms an inner zone, close to the substrate. An NiHf intermetallic phase is between the outer and the middle zone, whereas Ni3Hf is between the inner zone and the substrate.

Microplasma Oxidation of Magnesium Alloy AZ91D by Impulse Current

In this work the results of investigations on thickness distribution of conversion coatings on magnesium alloy AZ91D obtained by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) in sodium silicate solution are presented. The morphology and chemical composition as well as thickness distribution of obtained coatings, with special respect to hard to reach points are shown. Also the corrosion resistance of obtained alloy samples is determined.