Tomasz Czeppe

Structure and mechanical properties of NiAl and Ni3Al-based alloys

Abstract The investigation of Ni–Al–Fe–Ti–B alloys was carried out to determine the influence of iron and small titanium and boron additions on the phase composition, microstructure and mechanical characteristic, particularly with respect to high-temperature deformation conditions. These alloys, containing Al 35.8 at% and Fe 3.6–8.6–17.6 at% were prepared from high-purity components and Al master alloy containing Ti2B particles. The influence of alloying additions of chromium and iron on the mechanical properties of directionally solidified Ni–Al–Cr–Fe alloy was investigated. Additions of both Cr 8 at% and Fe 2 at% result in higher strength than exhibited by unalloyed Ni3Al. However, the ductility is reduced by the formation of the β′ phase. The typical, lamellar structure of Ni–20Al–8Cr–2Fe alloy undergoes coagulation during a high-temperature deformation process. The sequence of structural changes of NiAl and Ni3Al-based alloys has been correlated with mechanical characteristics of high-temperature deformation process, determined in uni-axial compression tests. Two ranges of work hardening have been identified on the stress–strain curves of these alloys. It has been found that the first range of the deformation of Ni–Al–Fe–Ti–B alloys corresponds to the intergranular slip system operating within individual grains, while the second one is connected with transgranular slip. In the directionally solidified Ni–20Al–8Cr–2Fe alloy similar work hardening curves were observed in relation to the microstructural evolution from the lamellae shape, through elliptical shape into circular shape.

Effect of titanium on structure and martensic transformation in rapidly solidified Cu–Al–Ni–Mn–Ti alloys

Abstract Alloys of composition Cu–(11.8–13.5)%Al–(3.2–4)%Ni–(2–3)%Mn and 0–1%Ti (wt.%) were cast using the melt spinning method in He atmosphere. Ribbons obtained in this process showed grains from 0.5 to 30 μm depending on the type of alloy and wheel speed. Bulk alloys and most of the ribbons contained mixed 18R and 2H type martensite at room temperature (RT). Some ribbons, crystallizing at the highest cooling rate, retained also β phase due to a drop of M s below RT. The M s temperatures in ribbons were strongly lowered with increasing wheel speed controlling the solidification rate. This drop of M s shows a linear relationship with d −1/2 , where d is grain size. The strongest decrease of M s and smallest grains were found in the ribbons containing titanium due to its grain refinement effect. The cubic Ti rich precipitates, present in both Cu–Al–Ni–Ti and Cu–Al–Ni–Mn–Ti bulk, were dispersed in ribbons cast with intermediate cooling rates of up to 26 m s −1 , but suppressed for higher cooling rates. The transformation hysteresis loop was much broader in ribbons due to presence of coherent Ti rich precipitates and differences in grain size which is particularly important in the ultra small grain size range.

Study of the thermal stability of phases in the Mg-Al system

A part of the Al-Mg phase diagram was studied in the range of composition between 48 and 61 at.% Al by DSC and SEM/EDS methods. The temperature ranges of stability of the β, γ, and ɛ phases were considered. It was found that the congruent melting temperature of the β phase was 450±1 °C. The Al content in that phase was determined to be 61±1 at.% Al at 420 °C. The upper temperature limit of the stability of the ɛ phase was established to be 427±1 °C. The Al content changed from 54 at.% at 390 °C to 56 at.% at 420 °C. The lower temperature limit of the ɛ phase formation was not determined, as a result of a slow ɛ=β+γ reaction. The hypothetical λ or ζ phases were not found, but it was observed that decomposition of oxides might produce extra thermal effects.

Crystallographic and microchemical characterization of the early stages of eutectoid decomposition in MgO-partially stabilized ZrO2

Abstract The early stages of eutectoid decomposition in ZrO 2 -8 mol% and 11 mol% MgO were studied by means of analytical electron microscopy. The observed reaction products at the grain boundaries were monoclinic or tetragonal ZrO 2 phases and MgO precipitates of two different “cellular” morphologies. The application of energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis led to the detection of an abrupt change in the MgO content in the m-ZrO 2 phase, indicating that the eutectoid decomposition in ZrO 2 –MgO is controlled by interface rather than volume diffusion. The crystallographic relationships between the parent phase and decomposition products were also determined.

SEM and HRTEM study of zirconium-based glass forming alloys cast at various cooling rates

Abstract The microstructure of Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu–X (X=Ag,Al) ingots or melt-spun ribbons was investigated. The ingots were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope with an X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy system, and the alloy composition was modified to increase the amount of eutectic on expense of primary crystals. High-resolution electron microscopy observation of thin foils from ribbons of a composition near the eutectic show only extremely small ordered aggregates, while ribbons from alloys near the NiTiCu compound contain nanocrystallites. The addition of silver into Zr–Ti–Ni–Cu alloys results in precipitation of spherical silver crystallites in slowly cooled and melt-spun ribbons. However, their presence has no effect on the alloy’s glass forming ability, as they do not serve as nucleation sites for other phases.

Orientation Mapping Study on the Inhomogeneous Microstructure Evolution during Annealing of 6013 Aluminum Alloy

Orientation mapping in transmission electron microscope was successfully applied to study microstructural changes at the initial stage of recrystallization in the aluminum alloy with a bimodal second-phase particle distribution. The alloy samples were reversibly cold rolled resulting in the formation of laminar structure with zones of localized strain around large second-phase particles. Orientation mapping and in-situ investigations carry information about the processes which are active in the deformation zones during annealing.

Effect of pre-aging on the microstructure and strength of supersaturated AlZnMg alloys processed by ECAP

This work is focused on the effect of the combination of natural aging and severe plastic deformation (SPD) produced by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) on the microstructure and strength of supersaturated AlZnMg alloys. Following a solution heat-treatment and quenching into water at room temperature, samples were naturally aged for different time periods and then processed by ECAP. The microstructure and mechanical properties of these samples are described and discussed. This investigation leads to proposing an interesting application of ECAP for supersaturated alloys. Using the shear bands created by ECAP in only one pass and applying appropriate subsequent aging treatments, composite-like microstructures can be achieved in conventional age-hardenanble Al alloys.

Properties of Ni-based amorphous ribbons consolidated by high pressure torsion

Two amorphous ribbons, of compositions (Ni56Cu2)Zr18Ti16Al3Si5 and (Ni36Cu23)Zr18Ti14Al5Si4, were subdued to the similar process of cold consolidation by the high pressure torsion (HPT) method. The first ribbon, that revealed higher thermal stability of the amorphous phase, higher GFA and better mechanical properties like tensile strength, Young modulus and hardness, partially crystallized in the HPT process. The second ribbon, revealing lower Tg and Tx temperatures, tensile strength and hardness, could be consolidated preserving amorphous structure. Such result suggests that the thermal stability against crystallization was not responsible for the preservation of the amorphous phase in the cold consolidation by the HPT. It rather seemed that a proper relation of the undercooled liquid temperature range to the local temperature increase during consolidation is suggested and it was a decisive parameter.

Structure and Martensitic Transformation in NiMnSn Alloy Ribbons with Partial Sn Substitution by Al

The influence of Al substitution for Sn in Ni44Mn43.5AlxSn12.5-x (x= 0, 1, 2, 3) ferromagnetic shape memory alloy ribbons on phase transformation and microstructure evolution is outlined in this paper. Ribbons produced by melt spinning technique showed fully crystalline structure, however non uniform. Energy dispersive spectroscopy microanalysis (EDS) confirmed the average composition of ribbons in accord with the initial alloys. The higher symmetry parent phase was identified with the aid of X-ray diffraction (XRD) as bcc L21 Heusler type structure. The unit cell parameters were determined applying the XRD profile fitting method. It was observed that with increase of Al content unit cell parameters and in turn unit cell volume decrease. This may be attributed to the fact that Al has a smaller radius compared to Sn, which it was substituted for. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements did not allow to detect the martensitic transformation above -150°C.

Structure studies of ball-milled ZrCuAl, NiTiZrCu and melt- spun ZrNiTiCuAl alloys

ZrNiTiCu and ZrNiTiCuAl alloys were amorphized using either a melt‐spinning or ball‐milling process in a high‐energy planetary mill. The elemental powders were initially blended to the desired composition (in at.%) of Zr, 65; Cu, 27.5; Al, 7.5 and of Ti, 25; Zr, 17; Cu, 29; Ni, 29, respectively. The composition of alloys was chosen to be the same as for the bulk amorphous ZrCuAl and easy glass‐forming ZrNiTiCu alloys. An almost fully amorphous structure was obtained after 80 h of milling in the case of both compositions. Transmission electron microscopy studies of ball‐milled powders revealed the presence of nano‐crystallites [2–5 nm for ZrCuAl and smaller (1–3 nm) for the ZrTiNiCu alloy]. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy of melt‐spun ZrNiTiCuAl ribbons provided evidence of the amorphous structure.