Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “crystallographic texture”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

Determining elastic anisotropy of textured polycrystals using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy

Abstract Polycrystalline materials can have complex anisotropic properties depending on their crystallographic texture and crystal structure. In this study, we use resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) to nondestructively quantify the elastic anisotropy in extruded aluminum alloy 1100-O, an inherently low-anisotropy material. Further, we show that RUS can be used to indirectly provide a description of the material’s texture, which in the present case is found to be transversely isotropic. By determining the entire elastic tensor, we can identify the level and orientation of the anisotropy originated during extrusion. The relative anisotropy of the compressive (c 11 /c 33 ) and shear (c 44 /c 66 ) elastic constants is 1.5% ± 0.5% and 5.7% ± 0.5%, respectively, where the elastic constants (five independent elastic constants for transversely isotropic) are those associated with the extrusion axis that defines the symmetry of the texture. These results indicate that the texture is expected to have transversely isotropic symmetry. This finding is confirmed by two additional approaches. First, we confirm elastic constants and the degree of elastic anisotropy by direct sound velocity measurements using ultrasonic pulse echo. Second, neutron diffraction (ND) data confirm the symmetry of the bulk texture consistent with extrusion-induced anisotropy, and polycrystal elasticity simulations using the elastic self-consistent model with input from ND textures and aluminum single-crystal elastic constants render similar levels of polycrystal elastic anisotropy to those measured by RUS. We demonstrate the ability of RUS to detect texture-induced anisotropy in inherently low-anisotropy materials. Therefore, as many other common materials have intrinsically higher elastic anisotropy, this technique should be applicable for similar levels of texture, providing an efficient general diagnostic and characterization tool.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Self-equilibrated backstresses induce compensation between hardening and softening: Micromechanical and microstructural features

For crystal plasticity formulation neglecting the strain gradients at the dislocation scale, backstresses are necessary to satisfy the mesoscopic stress equilibrium and strain compatibility requirements. Backstresses in a material point and those between neighboring points are treated separately. Physically backstresses can dynamically induce either hardening or softening effects to adjust the dislocation hardening of slip systems, whereas the sum of the stresses resulting in backstresses in the representative volume element (RVE) is zero. Backstress hardening suppresses certain slip activities, while backstress softening triggers excess dislocations. A two-phase brass is studied. Backstresses make the hard phase deform smaller and the soft phase deform more than those without employing backstresses in a model. In the former, more homogeneous lattice strain and higher yield stress are obtained. Backstress has limited effects on the evolution of the critical resolved shear stress and crystallographic texture. Furthermore, it is a major cause of the banded structures featuring sharp crystallographic contrasts which are not parallel to the slip planes. Tests indicate that backstress induces a serrated behavior at the early stages of deformation and induces the geometrically necessary bands (GNBs), which are parallel to the macroscopic axes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Conversion of real-world aluminum scrap streams into high-performance Al–Mg–Si–Cu automotive alloys using shear assisted processing and extrusion

The conversion of post-consumer aluminum (Al) scrap into usable Al alloys without adding primary Al is challenging because of excess impurities. In this work, >99% post-consumer Twitch, used beverage cans (UBCs), and remelt scrap ingots (RSIs) were used as feedstock materials. As-cast and solution heat-treated feedstock billets were extruded using Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) at ~510°C, followed by press quenching. To explore the development of the microstructure, texture, and underlying mechanisms and how they contribute to the overall strengthening in as-extruded and artificially aged samples, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to collect microstructure and texture data. The enhanced strength and ductility were corroborated with the microstructural features and crystallographic texture. Simple shear $\textrm{A}/\bar{\textrm{A}}$, $\textrm{A}_1^*/\textrm{A} _2^*$ texture components along with weak $\textrm{C}$ and $\textrm{B}/\bar{\textrm{B}}$ texture components were formed during extrusion; the texture was strengthened after heat treatment. The refined second-phase particles helped to retain the deformed microstructure and texture. The contributions of dislocation and precipitate strengthening were maximized when billets were solution-heat-treated prior to extrusion. This is attributed to the formation of effective supersaturated solid solutions during the ShAPE process, which precipitate out during the peak age treatment. Overall, the highest yield strength of 305 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 350 MPa, and elongation of 12% were achieved in artificially aged samples, which are comparable to those of Al 6082-T6.

Al alloy↗

Crystallization by Amorphous Particle Attachment: On the Evolution of Texture

Abstract Crystallization by particle attachment (CPA) is a gradual process where each step has its own thermodynamic and kinetic constrains defining a unique pathway of crystal growth. An important example is biomineralization of calcium carbonate through amorphous precursors that are morphed into shapes and textural patterns that cannot be envisioned by the classical monomer‐by‐monomer approach. Here, a mechanistic link between the collective kinetics of mineral deposition and the emergence of crystallographic texture is established. Using the prismatic ultrastructure in bivalve shells as a model, a fundamental leap is made in the ability to analytically describe the evolution of form and texture of biological mineralized tissues and to design the structure and crystallographic properties of synthetic materials formed by CPA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Catalogue of X-Ray Texture Data for Al-Cu-Li Alloy 1460, 2090, 2096 and 2195 Near-Net-Shape Extrusions, Sheet and Plate

The effect of crystallographic texture on the mechanical properties of near-net-shape extrusions is of major interest ff these products are to find application in launch vehicle or aircraft structures. The objective of this research was to produce a catalogue containing quantitative texture information for extruded product, sheet and plate. The material characterized was extracted from wide, integrally stiffened panels fabricated from the Al-Cu-Li alloys 1460, 2090, 2096 and 2195. The textural characteristics of sheet and plate products of the same alloys were determined for comparison purposes. The approach involved using X-ray diffraction to generate pole figures in combination with orientation distribution function analysis. The data were compiled as a function of location in the extruded cross-sections and the variation in the major deformation- and recrystallization-related texture components was identified.

Hales, Stephen J.↗

X-ray thermal diffuse scattering as a texture-robust temperature diagnostic for dynamically compressed solids

We present a model of x-ray thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) from a cubic polycrystal with an arbitrary crystallographic texture, based on the classic approach of Warren [B. E. Warren, Acta Crystallogr. 6, 803 (1953)]. We compare the predictions of our model with femtosecond x-ray diffraction patterns gathered from ambient and dynamically compressed rolled copper foils obtained at the High Energy Density instrument of the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser facility and find that the texture-aware TDS model yields more accurate results than does the conventional powder model owed to Warren. Nevertheless, we further show: with sufficient angular detector coverage, the TDS signal is largely unchanged by sample orientation and in all cases strongly resembles the signal from a perfectly random powder; shot-to-shot fluctuations in the TDS signal resulting from grain-sampling statistics are at the percent level, in stark contrast to the fluctuations in the Bragg-peak intensities (which are over an order of magnitude greater); and TDS is largely unchanged even following texture evolution caused by compression-induced plastic deformation. We conclude that TDS is robust against texture variation, making it a flexible temperature diagnostic applicable just as well to off-the-shelf commercial foils as to ideal powders.

Crystal lattices↗

Highly textured metal anodes for stable aqueous batteries: Fabrication and characterization

We report a purely mechanical “cold-compression flow” method for fabricating Zn, Sn, and In substrates with tunable crystallographic textures. Using textured Zn as a model system, we investigate Zn electrocrystallization and demonstrate correlated growth of crystalline films with correlation lengths from tens to hundreds of micrometers. At 5 milliamperes per square centimeter (mA/cm 2 ), capacities between 20 and 82 milliampere hours per square centimeter (mA·hour/cm 2 ) are achieved depending on substrate texture level. At higher currents (40 mA/cm 2 ), capacities reach up to 604 mA·hour/cm 2 . Rotating disk electrode studies show that dominantly (002) textured Zn substrates exhibit enhanced corrosion resistance and reduced interphase passivation. We introduce an effective Damköhler number (Da*) to concisely describe morphological evolution during electrocrystallization across substrates with different textures. High-texture (002) Zn substrates substantially enhance performance in high-capacity (~20 mA·hour/cm 2 ) symmetric Zn||Zn cells and full cells (Zn||δ-MnO 2 and Zn||I 2 ), enabling fast-charging and prolonged energy storage in coin and pouch rechargeable Zn battery formats.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Stress localization investigation of additively manufactured GRCop-42 thin-wall structure

A full-field crystal plasticity (CP) framework is presented for the GRCop-42 alloy to study microscopic mechanical behavior and local stress heterogeneities. The microstructures of additively manufactured (AM) materials are often unique relative to conventionally processed materials, and the local thermal histories drive these differences during the build process. These thermal histories depend on the process parameters (laser power, scan speed, and scan strategy) and the part geometry. Prior research has shown that the mechanical properties of thin-walled structures can vary significantly with wall thickness due to changes in the thermal boundary conditions during manufacturing. It is, therefore, desirable to perform CP simulations based on the phenomenological constitutive model to predict the local mechanical responses induced by microstructural heterogeneities. This work generates representative microstructures based on experimentally collected grain information (i.e., texture) for grain scale stress analysis, and the material constitutive parameters are calibrated using the experimental mechanical testing data. Here, we specifically investigated the effect of crystallographic texture and grain morphologies on the size-dependent mechanical properties of AM GRCop-42. The selection of appropriate material properties for implementing an effective free surface boundary condition and the influence of adjacent buffer layers are also discussed. Analysis of local field results reveals a strong correlation between stress localization and the initial grain orientation. However, no significant relationship between the misorientation of the individual adjacent grains and the average misorientation is observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing of Refractory Metals

The processing of refractory metals via additive manufacturing (AM) presents an opportunity to fabricatecomponents not possible through traditional powder metallurgy techniques. However, processing via AM isextremely challenging and there exist a host of technological limitations still unaddressed. Molybdenumand tungsten are two materials of particular interest for nuclear energy generation applications. Themajority of existing work on the processing of these materials is focused on laser powder bed fusion whereasa smaller body of work exists for electron beam melting AM. In general, material with acceptable densitycan be obtained via both routes however cracking is much more difficult to mitigate against. Strongcrystallographic fiber textures have been observed across a range of refractory systems. In this work wepresent our recent findings on electron beam melting AM of pure tungsten and molybdenum. Wedemonstrate that defect-free material can be obtained in both systems with appropriate processing. Strongbuild direction crystallographic texture fibers are observed in both systems. In molybdenum the fibertexture has direct impact on the resulting tensile behavior. These results demonstrate that electron beamAM is a suitable technology for processing these difficult to fabricate materials.

Fernandez-Zelaia, Patxi↗

Modeling brittle fracture due to anisotropic thermal expansion in polycrystalline materials

Here, this work investigated brittle fracture of polycrystalline materials due to thermal stresses arising from anisotropic thermal expansion. We used phase-field fracture simulations with the properties of alpha-uranium (α-U) and assumed a linear elastic mechanical response. Three-dimensional simulations were used to predict fracture for various conditions and crystallographic textures. We found that fracture was more pronounced during cooling than during heating because the anisotropy increased with temperature. We also found that the total crack surface area increased with increasing average misorientation, while the net shape change of the material decreased with increasing misorientation. Two-dimensional simulations in which one crystallographic coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was set to zero indicated that the expansion behavior in the crystallographic direction with the smallest CTE was the primary cause of fracture.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Deformation and Transformation Textures in the NaMgF3 Neighborite—Post-Perovskite System

The D″ region of the lower mantle, which lies just above the core–mantle boundary, is distinct from the bulk of the lower mantle in that it exhibits complex seismic heterogeneity and seismic anisotropy. Seismic anisotropy in this region is likely to be largely due to the deformation-induced texture (crystallographic preferred orientation) development of the constituent mineral phases. Thus, seismic anisotropy can provide a marker for deformation processes occurring in this dynamic region of the Earth. Post-perovskite-structured (Mg,Fe)SiO3 is believed to be the dominant mineral phase in many regions of the D”. As such, understanding deformation mechanisms and texture development in post-perovskite is important for the interpretation of observed seismic anisotropy. Here, we report on high-pressure diamond anvil cell deformation experiments on NaMgF3 neighborite (perovskite structure) and post-perovskite. During deformation, neighborite develops a 100 texture, as has been previously observed, both in NaMgF3 and MgSiO3 perovskite. Upon transformation to the post-perovskite phase, an initial texture of {130} at high angles to compression is observed, indicating that the {100} planes of perovskite become the ~{130} planes of post-perovskite. Further compression results in the development of a shoulder towards (001) in the inverse pole figure. Plasticity modeling using the elasto-viscoplastic self-consistent code shows this texture evolution to be most consistent with deformation on (001)[100] with some contribution of glide on (100)[010] and (001)<110> in NaMgF3 post-perovskite. The transformation and deformation mechanisms observed in this study in the NaMgF3 system are consistent with the behavior generally observed in other perovskite–post-perovskite systems, including the MgSiO3 system. This shows that NaMgF3 is a good analog for the mantle bridgmanite and MgSiO3 post-perovskite.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

Effect of melt spinning on grain size and texture in Ni-Mo alloys

Chill-block melt-spun ribbons of Ni-Mo alloys with Mo contents of 8 to 41.8 wt pct have been examined for microstructure and texture dependence on processing conditions. Linear features observed in grains solidified with a planar liquid-solid interface at the quench side of the ribbons have been identified to be due to the twins on the (111)gamma plane formed during solidification. Grain size variation with the wheel surface speed and the alloy composition has been studied. The crystallographic texture on the quench side and the free surface side of the ribbons has been investigated.

Tewari, S. N.↗

Tailoring material microstructure and property in wire-laser directed energy deposition through a wiggle deposition strategy

Developing effective strategies to directly control material microstructure, property, and anisotropy is an active research area in metal additive manufacturing. This work develops a wiggle deposition pattern for wire-laser directed energy deposition (DED) of 316L stainless steel (SS) to modify the solidification texture, particularly in the building direction, in as-deposited samples. Through multi-physics simulation, operando near-infrared imaging, and synchrotron x-ray characterization, it is found that the wiggle deposition strategy induces highly dynamic melt flow and oscillating thermal gradient in the melt pool, which is responsible for the variation of preferable grain growth direction and crystallographic texture in the sample. The specific texture reduces the anisotropy in the tensile strength of as-printed 316L SS samples cut along different directions. Also, it largely increases the ductility along the build direction. Crystal plasticity simulation is performed to correlate the sample texture with mechanical property. In conclusion, this work offers a unique approach for tailoring local properties through the control of melt pool instability by applying different tool paths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanical response and microstructure evolution from multiaxial stress relaxation in textured zircaloy nuclear cladding

Modern energy markets provide motivation for nuclear reactors to increase operational flexibility and load following capacity of existing reactor designs. The operational power changes result in fuel pellet expansion and contraction resulting in pellet-cladding mechanical interaction (PCMI) and high cladding stresses that are strongly related to stressed corrosion cracking (SCC) which can lead to fuel rod failure. This work aims to quantify the stress fields in cladding with a focus on multiaxial stress relaxation response from an imposed strain and the resulting microstructure changes in textured zircaloy claddings. Stress relaxation tests resulting in multiaxial stress fields are performed to measure the material response of Zircaloy-4 nuclear cladding. Multiple experiments using samples from the same piece of cladding are performed so samples with the same processing history may be removed at strategic points throughout mechanical testing for microstructure characterization. The microstructure evolution is analyzed with mechanical response to evaluate the static recovery impact on crystallographic texture and grain morphology. Experiments are performed at Idaho National Laboratory using an experimental device capable of applying internal pressure and independent axial load to commercial nuclear cladding at elevated temperatures with stress- or strain-controlled experimental capability. X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction are used for microstructure analysis. Rheological models are used to visualize the multiaxial stress-strain relationships and isolate elastic, plastic, and viscoplastic material properties for analysis.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Effects of Texture and Silica Content on Crack Growth in Boron Nitrides

Boron nitride is used in applications such as crucibles for melting and casting glasses and metals, insulators for furnaces, molds for hot pressing, and neutron absorbers. Historically, various grades of hot pressed hexagonal boron nitride (BN) have been used. This study investigates the fracture toughness and slow crack growth parameters of several commercially available BN grades. Prior work revealed that some grades of BN absorb water and change strength, thus presenting a philosophical conundrum on crack growth test methods. The grades selected for this study are of interest because their available billet size is sufficient for large components, or because they have heritage in specific applications. Ultimately, the data will be used to perform material selection, system design and reliability analyses of components of interest. Boron nitrides exhibit limited slow crack growth in humidity, with an orientation dependence due to crystallographic texture: orientations with van der Waal bonds are insensitive to water whereas those with covalent bonds are sensitive. Fracture toughness is low, around that of glass, and is also a function of orientation (bond type), with fracture occurring more readily along van der Waal bonds between hexagonal BN platelets than at covalent bonds across platelets. Silica additions toughen BN, but increase slow crack growth susceptibility.

Salem, Jonathan A.↗

Anisotropic Tensile Properties of a 14YWT Nanostructured Ferritic Alloy: On the Role of Cleavage Fracture

Two plates of nanostructured ferritic alloy NFA-1 were processed by ball milling atomized Fe-14Cr-3W-0.4Ti-0.2Y (wt.%) with FeO powders, canning, and hot-extrusion at 850 °C, followed by annealing and multipass cross-rolling at 1000 °C. This produces a severe (001) brittle cleavage texture on planes running parallel to the plate faces. In the first plate (P1), pre-existing microcracks (MCs) formed on the cleavage planes during cross-rolling. The second plate (P2) contained far fewer, if any, MCs. Here, we compare the tensile data for out-of-plane (S) and in-plane (L) tensile axis orientations, at temperatures from −196 °C to 800 °C. We also assess the tensile property differences between P1 and P2, and the effect of specimen size. The L-orientation strength and ductility were excellent; for example, the room temperature (RT) yield stress, σy ≈ 1042 ± 102 MPa, and the total elongation, εt ≈ 12.9 ± 1.5%. In contrast, the S-orientation RT σy ≈ 708 ± 57 MPa, and εt ≤ 0.2%. These differences were due to cleavage on the brittle (001) planes. Cleavage leads to beneficial delamination toughening, but is deleterious to deformation processing and through-wall heat transfer. Therefore, it is important to quantitatively characterize the pronounced NFA-1 strength anisotropy due to severe crystallographic texturing and cleavage fracture.

Crystallography↗

Electron beam irradiation effects on bulk metals: a comparative study of polycrystalline versus single-crystalline structures

This study investigates the effects of electron beam (e-beam) irradiation on the mechanical and structural properties of eight bulk metallic samples, comprising both polycrystalline (PC) and single-crystalline (SC) forms of Ni, Cr, V, and Ti. These metals were evaluated as potential candidates for beam exit windows in high-power (MW-class) particle accelerators. The primary objective is to identify metals capable of withstanding the conditions of high-power/MW-class e-beam accelerators and serve effectively as exit windows. Selection criteria were based on each metal’s intrinsic properties, power dissipation capability, and irradiation-induced changes in mechanical behavior, including hardness, elastic modulus, and defect density. Comprehensive characterization was conducted using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and nanoindentation, performed both before and after exposure to a ~¿66 kGy dose from a 10 MeV e-beam accelerator. Results revealed that e-beam irradiation induced hardening in PC Ni, whereas PC Ti, commonly used in beam exit windows, exhibited softening. The observed softening in PC Ti is attributed to grain coarsening, elongation, and the formation of twins and twin boundaries, in contrast to the smaller, compressed grains in the pristine (Pr) PC Ti samples, consistent with the Hall–Petch relationship. The stresses due to twinning are small and insignificant in influencing the overall hardening of the PC Ti irradiated sample when compared to the stresses due to the dislocation density. Conversely, SC Ti samples exhibited irradiation-induced hardening. The SC Ti irradiated samples developed additional irradiation-induced modifications in crystallographic texture of (100), (101), (110), (200), (112), (004), and (211) as evidenced from the XRD results, which could probably explain the hardening effect that is caused by irradiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Creep Behavior of a High-$\gamma^{\prime}$ Ni-Based Superalloy Fabricated via Electron Beam Melting

Additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of complex engineering components previously inaccessible through traditional processes. Nickel-base superalloys with large γ' volume fraction are typically considered non-weldable and therefore exhibit a propensity for cracking during the fusion process. These crack-prone materials, however, are of great importance in gas turbine engines due to their excellent high temperature creep resistance. In this study we investigate the creep behavior of IN738LC produced by the electron beam melting process. Here, we find that with appropriate post-build heat treatment the creep response of material oriented in the build direction exhibits deformation and rupture behavior comparable to that of conventionally cast IN738 & IN738LC. In the transverse direction properties fall below the expected cast behavior, however, we argue this is likely due to differences in grain scale and crystallographic texture. It may be possible to coarsen the grain morphology with appropriate process-parameter optimization in order to reduce the severity of intergranular fracture in the transverse direction. These results illustrate that high temperature properties exhibited by additively manufactured IN738LC are suitable for the hot section of gas turbine engines.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗