Stefan Mitsche

Recrystallization behaviour of the nickel-based alloy 80 A during hot forming

The dynamic recrystallization as well as meta‐dynamic and static recrystallization of the nickel‐based alloy 80A was investigated by means of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Specimens were hot compressed at a temperature of 1120°C and a strain rate of 0.1/s at varying strain and soak times to describe the recrystallization behaviour. Various approaches were tested in order to differentiate between recrystallized and deformed grains based on EBSD data. The grain orientation spread was clearly found to be the most reliable procedure. A high twinning of the recrystallized grains was observed, and as a consequence the measured grain size was strongly dependent on whether the coherent and incoherent twin boundaries were regarded as genuine boundaries or removed.

A method to measure the total scattering cross section and effective beam gas path length in a low-vacuum SEM.

A method is presented to determine the total scattering cross section of imaging gases used in low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy or environmental scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results are presented for water vapor, nitrogen gas and ambient air for primary beam electron energies between 5 and 30 keV. The measured results are compared and discussed with calculated values. This method allows the effective beam gas path length (BGPL) to be determined. The variations of the effective BGPL with varying chamber pressure are presented.

FE modelling of microstructure evolution during friction stir spot welding in AA6082-T6

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is a solid-state joining method, which is a variant of friction-stir welding. Microstructure analysis shows that the FSSW joint contains four different zones, namely the stir zone, thermo-mechanical affected zone, heat-affected zone and base metal, respectively. In this paper, the results of a FE analysis of the FSSW process of AA6082-T6 considering geometric dynamic recrystallization are presented. A physically based model taking into account three internal state variables was implemented into the commercial FE package DEFORM-3D to describe the microstructure evolution during FSSW. This model allows predicting the dislocation density, grain size, temperature, effective strain, and strain rate during FSSW. The microstructure in stir zone was analysed by electron backscattered diffraction. Experimental and simulation results have been compared to validate the model.

Recrystallization and grain growth in the nickel-based superalloy allvac 718Plus

Abstract The nickel-based superalloy Allvac 718Plus was developed in order to combine formability and cost advantages of Alloy 718 with high temperature strength of Alloy 720. Typical applications for this new material are turbine disks that are produced by closed die forging, e. g. by screw pressing. The final mechanical properties are strongly related to the microstructure, which forms during hot forming. It is therefore of great interest to model both the dynamic and static grain structure development during processing. In this work, dynamic and static recrystallization as well as normal grain growth models are described for this material. The calculated grain structure evolution in Allvac 718Plus is compared to that of Alloy 718 in the typical process range of disk forging. Additionally, both the experimental program and structure analysis methodology are specified.

Physically Based Microstructure Modelling of AA6082 during Hot Extrusion

Process parameters in aluminium extrusion technology are key points that influence product properties. The precipitation hardening aluminium alloy 6082 is investigated according to different process conditions and the influence onto the final microstructure is simulated as well as experimentally verified. A physical microstructure model based on three dislocation types and three nucleation sites for recrystallization is implemented into the commercial Finite Element package FORGE 2008 to calculate both the microstructure evolution during the extrusion process as well as the recrystallized fraction after the process. The precipitation kinetics during homogenization was investigated using the thermodynamic calculation software MatCalc since the main nucleation mechanism for recrystallization is particle stimulated. The experimental validation was done by miniature extrusion tests and the microstructure was investigated metallographically and by EBSD measurements.

Creep and damage investigation of advanced martensitic chromium steel weldments for high temperature applications in thermal power plants

Abstract With the aim to increase base material creep strength and overcome the type IV cracking problem, a new design concept was developed. This so called martensitic boron–nitrogen strengthened steel (MARBN) combines boron strengthening through solid solution with precipitation strengthening by finely dispersed nitrides. In this work, uniaxial creep tests of the MARBN base material and welded joints have been carried out. The creep strength of the welded joints was analysed, and the evolution of creep damage was investigated. The creep tests of MARBN revealed increased strength of the base material of about +20% compared to the best commercially available 9Cr steel grade. At higher stress levels, the creep strength of crosswelds is between that of the MARBN base material and the conventional 9Cr base materials. Nevertheless, long term creep tests revealed a drop in creep strength of the MARBN welded joints. The underlying phenomena of crossweld creep behaviour are discussed in detail.

Influence of Temperature and Strain Rate on Dynamic Softening Processes in Allvac® 718Plus™

The efficiency of gas turbine engines can improved by an increase of the working temperature. As a consequence Allvac® 718Plus™ was developed to enhance the high temperature properties. Since the performance of this alloy is strongly related to the microstructure the knowledge of the softening processes is important to develop precise microstructure evolution models. Specimens were deformed at different temperatures (950°-1050°C) and strain rate (0.1s-1 – 10s-1) to strains of 0.2-1.5. The microstructures obtained were analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope to investigate the softening mechanisms at the respective forming conditions.

Advanced Microstructures for Increased Creep Rupture Strength of MARBN Steels

Over the past three decades a lot of effort was made to optimize the chemical compositionof 9% Cr martensitic steels, aiming to increase the operating temperature up to 923K and thus im-proving the efficiency of thermal power plants. Under these service conditions (high temperature andstress exposure), the creep strength of such steels is closely related to the long term stability of theirmicrostructure. The time to rupture can also be understood as an equivalent to the time of microstruc-ture deterioration. Optimization of the initial microstructure and understanding of the microstructureevolution during creep exposure are therefore decisive to improve the creep behavior of 9% Cr steels.Selected chemical compositions of MarBN steels (Martensitic 9% Cr steels strengthened by Car-bides, Nitrides and Boron) were subjected to different heat treatments to produce an optimized mi-crostructure to improve the creep rupture time. The initial microstructure before creep exposure wasinvestigated using optical microscopy, SEM and EBSD. Short term creep rupture tests at 923K and150MPa were performed, followed by systematic microstructure investigations.Comparative EBSD investigations confirm an optimized microstructure for creep exposure, pro-duced by an appropriate heat treatment. From comparative creep test results, it can be concluded thatadvanced microstructures increase the time to rupture of the selected MarBN steels by more than 10percent, without reduction of the ductility.

Physical and Numerical Simulations of the Microstructure Evolution in AA6082 during Friction Stir Processing by Means of Hot Torsion and FEM

A reproduction of the conditions occurring during friction stir processing, where a fine grained structure according to the process parameters rpm, transverse speed and pressure develops is the main focus in the present work. To physically simulate such a friction stir process, hot torsion tests at constant temperatures were carried out in a Gleeble ® 3800 machine at different strains and strain rates. The specimens were immediately water quenched after hot deformation to avoid any static recrystallization. The microstructure was investigated to characterize the grain size evolution and misorientation as a function of the local strain, strain rate and temperature. Dynamic recovery was observed followed by continuous dynamic recrystallization at large deformations. By means of DEFORMTM3D the occurring strain, strain rate and temperature distributions, which are decisive for the observed microstructure evolution, were evaluated.

Interaction of Recrystallization and Precipitation during Hot Forming of Alloy 80A

In the high temperature deformation window of the nickel base Alloy 80A the lower temperature region during open die forging was examined with regard to the materials formability. For that purpose, hot compression samples were investigated by means of EBSD and TEM in order to look at recrystallization, precipitations and ductile damage as well as their reciprocal effects. Further a microstructure model was used, which calculates the materials strengthening, softening and the particle kinetics. A micro mechanical damage model of the effective stresses was coupled with the grain structure development in order to describe a retarded damage rate due to the ongoing recrystallization.