Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Microstructure”

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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Influence of Indium on Microstructure and Properties of Sn-Pb Binary Alloy Applied in Photovoltaic Ribbon

In this work, the conductivity, melting point, microstructure, spreading behavior, and mechanical properties of three types of Sn-Pb-In(indium) alloys are investigated along with Sn60Pb40 alloy as a reference. The results show that the In element improves the comprehensive properties of the Sn-Pb alloys. The maximum conductivity of the Sn-Pb-In alloys is 7.08 MS/m when the content of the In element is 3 wt.%. With an increasing content of the In element, the melting points of the Sn-Pb-In alloys gradually decrease from 183 to 166 °C. The microstructures of the alloys are refined with the addition of In. The intermetallic compound (IMC) InSn{sub 4} is only found in Sn60Pb34In6, except for the α-Pb and β-Sn phases. A spread test shows that only IMC Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} is present at the Cu/solder interface of the solder joints. The Sn60Pb34In3 solder joint shows the highest ultimate tensile strength of 54 MPa. The microhardness of the alloys slightly increases from 12.76 HV{sub 0.05} to 13.56 HV{sub 0.05} with the In content increasing from 0 to 3 wt.%, while a sharp increase to 15.53 HV{sub 0.05} is observed when the amount of In exceeds 3 wt.%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Fabrication, Microstructures, and Properties of 50 vol.% SiCp/6061Al Composites via Hot Pressing

Nearly fully dense 50 vol.% SiCp/6061Al composites were fabricated via hot pressing (HPing) at temperatures ranging from 610 to 650 °C, with the axial load and holding time fixed as 25 MPa and 120 min, respectively. The interfacial reactions, microstructures, and properties of the SiCp/Al alloy were studied. The interface reaction between SiCp and the Al alloy was suppressed at annealing temperatures of 620 °C and below; however, the reaction intensified as the annealing temperature increased, producing Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}, Si, and Mg{sub 2}Si. With an increase in HPing temperature from 610 to 630 °C, the 6061Al alloy melted and gradually filled the pores in the SiC particles under the applied load. The density, bending strength, and thermal conductivity (TC) of the composites increased, whereas the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composites decreased. With an increase in HPing temperature increased from 630 to 650 °C, the 6061Al alloy melt leaked through the sintered bodies, resulting in the microstructural degradation and property reduction of the composites. The 50 vol.% SiCp/6061Al composites fabricated by HPing at 630 °C exhibited optimal comprehensive properties [bending strength, 332.4 MPa; TC, 186.3 W(m K){sup −1}; and CTE, 7.9 × 10{sup −6}/°C (20-100 °C)], which were attributed to the highest relative density and the best SiCp/Al interfacial structure of the composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Microstructural Stability During Creep Exposure of 9Cr-1Mo Steel Treated at Different Normalization Temperatures

A modified 9Cr-1Mo steel has been exposed to three separate austenitization temperatures, i.e., at 950, 1025, and 1100 °C for normalization. After subsequent tempering at 750 °C, the normalized and tempered samples were creep-tested at temperatures of 550, 600, and 650 °C. The creep strength of the investigated samples was evaluated in terms of minimum creep strain rate and time to rupture. The effects of microstructure, precipitate and boundary misorientation on the creep behavior of the samples have been studied with TEM and EBSD analyses. Further, the evolution of crystallographic texture after creep tests has also been studied. The presence of an intermediate size of martensitic microstructural units (i.e., prior-austenite grain, martensitic packets, etc.) and combination of fine coherent and incoherent Nb(C,N) precipitates has provided superior creep strength for the samples normalized at 1025 °C, when these are subsequently subjected to low-temperature (i.e., 550 °C) and high-temperature (i.e., 650 °C) creep tests, as compared to other conditions of normalizing heat treatment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Comparative Study of Constitutive Characteristics and Microstructure Evolution between Uniaxial and Plane Strain Compression of an AA6061 Alloy

The hot deformation behavior of an AA6061 alloy was comparatively studied by uniaxial compression (UC) and plane strain compression (PSC) in the temperature range of 300-450 °C and strain rate range of 0.01-5 s{sup −1}. The processing maps were constructed based on a dynamic materials model, and the associated microstructures were observed. Under the same deformation conditions, the flow stress of the AA6061 alloy during PSC is higher than that during UC, which can be characterized by the Zener–Hollomon (Z) parameter in a hyperbolic sine-type equation with an activation energy Q of 175.2 kJ mol{sup −1} and 201.9 kJ mol{sup −1}, respectively. In addition, the instability domain is narrower under PSC compared to that under UC. The observed microstructures also indicate that as the Z value decreases, the tendency of dynamic recrystallization increases during PSC. The softening mechanisms in the AA6061 alloy after PSC and UC mainly consist of the dynamic recovery that is accompanied by a slight dynamic recrystallization. The optimum parameters are in the temperature range of 360-450 °C and strain rate range of 0.03-0.3 s{sup −1} for UC, and for PSC, the optimum parameters are in the temperature range of 320-400 °C and strain rate range of 0.01-0.05 s{sup −1}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties in the Laser Beam Welded Joints of High-Strength Microalloyed Steel

The laser beam welded joints of the high-strength microalloyed steel consist of the base metal (BM), the partially transformed heat-affected zone I (PTHAZ-I), the partially transformed heat-affected zone II (PTHAZ-II), the fully transformed heat-affected zone (FTHAZ) and the fusion zone (FZ). The martensite/austenite (M/A) islands of the bainites in the PTHAZ-II are dense versus those in the PTHAZ-I, and the martensites exist in the FTHAZ and the FZ together with the bainites under the slow welding speed. The M/A islands of the bainites and/or the martensites in the PTHAZ become denser under the high welding speed, and the martensites in the FTHAZ and the FZ predominate. The low-angle boundary density and the high local misorientation proportion are used to identify the constituents roughly, consistent with the microstructural characteristics in the welded joints. The misorientation angle distributions are employed to evaluate the degree of the phase transformation, reflecting the change law of the degree of the phase transformation in the welded joints. The hardness and the tensile tests indicate that the HAZ and the FZ are stronger than the BM, dependent on the microstructures in the welded joints. The strengthening in the HAZ and the FZ is mainly attributed to the products of non-equilibrium phase transformation with the high dislocation density.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Relationship Between Microstructure and Marine Corrosion Resistance of Martensitic Stainless Steels: A Multiscale Approach

The electrochemical properties of martensitic stainless steels may depend on complex aspects of their microstructure. Three alloys were considered in this study: X30Cr13 (AISI 420), a martensitic stainless steel with a low content of alloying elements; X17CrNi16-2 (AISI 431), chosen for its strong resistance to corrosion; and X5CrNiCu15-5 (AISI 630), chosen for its good mechanical resistance. Voltammetry tests have shown the influence of carbon and chromium content on corrosion resistance. Resistance to pitting appears equivalent for the both. However, heterogeneous corrosion, in relation to δ-ferrite precipitation and chromium carbides at the lath boundaries, appears in the case of X17CrNi16-2. Conversely, non-preferential corrosion occurs in the case of the X5CrNiCu15-5, and a superior passive film stability during immersion in artificial seawater. This counterbalance negative effect of the microstructure. Thus, it achieves an equivalent “macroscopically” corrosion behavior between the two steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Cobalt Content on Thermal, Mechanical, and Microstructural Properties of Al{sub 0.4}FeCrNiCo{sub x} (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) High-Entropy Alloys

Al{sub 0.4}FeCrNiCo{sub x} (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) high-entropy alloys are developed by arc melting route to investigate the effect of cobalt content on thermal, mechanical, and microstructural properties. The phase, microstructure, and chemical composition are analyzed using x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and scanning electron microscope with attached energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer. The obtained results have shown that the Al{sub 0.4}FeCrNiCo{sub x} (x = 0-0.5 mol) high-entropy alloys form a simple FCC + BCC-type solid solution and Al{sub 0.4}FeCrNiCo{sub x=1} HEA forms a single-phase FCC structure. The compressive yield strength, microhardness, and thermal conductivity are observed to decrease from 965.22 to 233.37 MPa, 253.6 to 155.6 HV, and from 4.87 to 2.674 W/mK, respectively, whereas the electrical resistivity is observed to increase from 150.30 to 273.74 µΩ-cm with the addition of cobalt from x = 0-1 mol. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis has indicated that the Al{sub 0.4}FeCrNiCo{sub x} (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) high-entropy alloys are thermally stable up to 1000 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Powder Metallurgy Ti6Al4V Alloy During Hot Compression

In order to determine appropriate workability parameters for cross-wedge rolling products of powder metallurgy (PM) Ti6Al4V alloys, thermal compression experiments were carried out within the temperature range of 850-1050 °C, the strain rate range of 0.1-10 s{sup −1}, and with a height decrease of 60%. The compression deformation behavior was investigated. A strain-compensated constitutive model was established based on the flow stress curves corrected by the friction, which can predict the flow behaviors under the entirety of the experimental deformation conditions. Moreover, the processing map was developed, and stable and unstable deformation regimes were established. The microstructure analysis illustrated that globularization and dynamic recrystallization were the main deformation mechanisms. The porosity of the compressed samples was greatly reduced and influenced by the temperature and strain rate. Considering the material flow stress, hot processing map, microstructure and porosity, the appropriate hot deformation parameters for PM Ti6Al4V alloy preforms are suggested.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Anisotropy on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Rolled Ti/Al/Mg/Al/Ti Laminates

TA2/5052Al/AZ31/5052Al/TA2 five-ply laminates were fabricated by hot rolling, and the effect of anisotropy on their microstructures and mechanical properties was studied. After rolling, the Mg/Al and Al/Ti interfaces were both closely connected, but the interfacial shapes were totally different. For the Mg layer microstructures in the middle area, regardless of the direction, dynamic recrystallized (DRXed) grains appeared around the deformation bands. However, twins and a shear zone appeared in the RD sample; the twins decreased in the sample along the 45° angle, and no twins appeared in the TD sample. The Ti layer showed equiaxed grains in different directions, which were attributed to the ability of Ti alloy to anti-deform. The tensile testing results showed that the fracture of the Ti/Al/Mg/Al/Ti laminates can be divided into four stages. The laminate had an ultimate tensile strength of 434 MPa and excellent elongation along the rolling direction (RD), which were attributed to its DRXed grains and twins. In conclusion, the laminates had significant anisotropy due to the presence of Mg alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Investigation on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TA10–Q245R Composite Plate Formed by Explosive Welding

The titanium alloy TA10 and the carbon steel Q245R are welded by explosive welding, and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is carried out for the TA10–Q245R composite plate. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite plate are investigated both in as-welded (AW) condition and after PWHT, respectively. Results show that, in AW condition, the bonding interface of composite plate presents wavy morphology, and at both sides of the interface plastic deformation is generated to a certain degree. Near the interface interdiffusion zone of alloying elements exists, and no Fe-Ti intermetallic compound is produced at the interface. SEM images indicate that the tensile fracture of composite plate presents the characteristic of ductile fracture, and no defects such as gas pores or impurities are found on the surface of shear fracture. After PWHT, the interfacial microstructure of the composite plate is obviously changed. Compared with the mechanical properties of the composite plate in AW condition, both tensile strength and shear strength of the composite plate are decreased to a certain extent after PWHT. With various factors into consideration, the suitable heat treatment procedure of TA10–Q245R composite plate is determined as follows: 550 °C × 1.5 h.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Microstructure Optimization and Cracking Control of Additive Manufactured Bainite Steel by Gas Metal Arc Welding Technology

In this work, bainite steel thin wall was prepared by additive manufacturing (AM) with an in situ isothermal transformation at 300 °C. The microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical properties of the AM samples were measured by microhardness testing and tensile testing. The results show that the bainite steel thin wall is free from cracks and each layer has a good bond with preceding one. The bainite steel thin wall displays consistent mechanical properties. The formation of the bainite microstructure improves the toughness of the thin wall and reduces the embrittlement caused by dendritic segregation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evolution of the Microstructure and Hardness of Fe-8Cr-2.1Mo-Si-V Die Steel at Different Cooling Rates after Hot Deformation

In this study, the effect of microstructure evolution, especially that involving the proeutectoid carbides, on hardness distribution of ledeburite steel containing 8% chromium content was investigated at different cooling rates after hot deformation. The continuous cooling transformation was carried out using a fully automatic transformation measuring apparatus under cooling rates in the range of 0.03-80 °C/s. The transformation temperatures, Ac1, Ac3 and Ms, were measured by dilatometry. A nanoindentation test was employed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the cooled specimens. The evolution of microstructure indicated that the proportion trend of the precipitated carbides was dependent on the cooling rates. In addition, a mixture of pearlite and proeutectoid carbides was observed under slow cooling rates in the range of 0.03-0.2 °C/s, for which only a martensite transformation took place in austenite, and the proeutectoid carbides precipitated negligibly at cooling rates greater than or equal to 10 °C/s. The results also showed that the nanohardness significantly decreased and then slowly increased to a stable value with increasing cooling rates, which was similar to the content trend of the carbides that precipitated during the cooling process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Mg-4Zn-1.5Al-2Sn Alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-4Zn-1.5Al-2Sn (ZAT422) alloy under different heat treatments were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, micro-hardness tests, and tensile tests. The results show that the as-extruded and heat-treated ZAT422 alloys mainly consisted of α-Mg and Mg{sub 2}Sn, and no ternary phase was detected. After aging, the amount of secondary phase precipitates increased significantly and the mechanical properties were improved. Among all the heat treatments, T5 heat treatment at 150 °C for 25 h resulted in the best combination of strength and ductility for ZAT422 alloy. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation (ε{sub f}) were found to be 290, 182 MPa, and 20%, respectively. Based on microstructural characterization, the variations in mechanical properties of the alloy subjected to heat treatment were analyzed in detail.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Study on the Microstructures and Properties of Selective Laser Melted Babbitt Metals

Babbitt metal cubes were prepared by means of selected laser melting (SLM) process using Sn—11% Sb—6% Cu alloy powders; their microstructures were studied using optical microscope (OM), SEM, EDS, XRD and DSC; and their mechanical properties were tested using Vickers hardness and tensile methods. The results show that fully dense Babbitt metal components can be prepared by using appropriate SLM process parameters and an interlayer staggered laser scanning strategy. Anisotropy characteristics appear in both the microstructure and mechanical properties of SLM-Babbitt cubic specimens. The average hardness was in the range of 32.5 HV0.05 to 35.3 HV0.05. Both tensile strength and elongation were somewhat higher in a direction parallel to the laser scanning speed (Y axis) than in a direction perpendicular to the laser scanning speed (X axis). The strengthening mechanism is suggested to include solid solution strengthening of oversaturated Sb in the Sn matrix, as well as dispersion strengthening of finely dispersed SnSb and Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} particles. The overgrown acicular Cu{sub 6}Sn{sub 5} phases at low laser scanning speeds and void formation at higher laser scanning speeds seriously deteriorate the mechanical properties of the SLM-Babbitt specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Impact of Cryogenic Treatment on Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure of Ti-6Al-4V ELI Biomaterial

Ti-6Al-4V with its ELI variant is a potential biomaterial for structural implants. However, its poor resistance to plastic shearing results in poor tribological properties that hinders its widespread use in biomedical implants. Cryogenic treatment being an established technique for improving wear resistance and other mechanical properties of ferrous materials is applied on Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy. To ensure comprehensive investigations, the widely studied microstructures of Ti-6Al-4V ELI, i.e., lamellar, martensite, two variants of bimodal and mill annealed are considered in this work. Deep cryogenic treatment at the soaking temperature (− 196 °C) for 24 h soaking time followed by tempering has been applied. The impact of cryogenic treatment has been assessed in terms of changes in the mechanical behavior including wear resistance, hardness, tensile properties and impact strength. The alterations in mechanical behavior due to cryogenic treatment are correlated with microstructure evolution. Cryogenic treatment has caused significant improvement in mechanical behavior of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Comparative Corrosion Behavior of Five Different Microstructures of Rebar Steels in Simulated Concrete Pore Solution with and Without Chloride Addition

The present work discusses the effect of five different microstructures, coarse, fine and very fine ferrite–pearlite, martensite and tempered martensite, made by furnace cooling, air cooling, forced air-cooling, water quenching and tempering, respectively, of a rebar steel on its corrosion performance in freely aerated with and without chloride-contaminated simulated concrete pore solution using the dynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The corrosion performance of the steels with five different microstructures relates to the polarization resistance, protective ability of rusts and the extent of the galvanic attack. The corrosion rate of the steels has been found to be comparable in the simulated concrete pore (SCP) solution. However, in chloride-containing SCP solution, corrosion rate has been found to increase in the following sequence: forced air-cooled–air-cooled–quenched–furnace-cooled–tempered steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Tungsten Inert Gas Arc Remelting on Microstructure and Wear Properties of Plasma-Sprayed NiCr-Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2} Coating

In this work, a NiCr-Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2} coating was prepared on an AISI 1045 steel substrate by plasma spraying and then remelted with the tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc method. The purpose was to study the effects of TIG remelting treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear properties of a plasma-sprayed NiCr-Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2} coating. The results show that after TIG remelting, the density of the coating increased, the internal porosity decreased from 8.1 to 0.2%, and the number of cracks and inclusions greatly reduced. The hardness of the coating also became uniform and increased from 1007 to 1141 HV{sub 0.1}, with an obvious increase of 13.3%, and the fracture toughness increased by 321.3%. The wear volume after TIG remelting at room temperature was reduced by 59.5%, and the wear pattern changed from brittle fracture and abrasive wear to abrasive wear and adhesive wear. The wear loss at 700 °C was also reduced by 43.6%, and the wear pattern was transformed from brittle fracture and fatigue wear caused by oxidation to oxidative wear and adhesive wear. Therefore, TIG remelting treatment can effectively improve the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of a plasma-sprayed NiCr-Cr{sub 3}C{sub 2} coating.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effects of Postweld Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of Laser-Welded Ti-24Al-15Nb Alloy Joint

The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of laser-welded joints of Ti-24Al-15Nb alloy under different postweld heat treatment (PWHT) conditions were systematically investigated. The results show that the microstructure is very sensitive to PWHT temperatures. The weld zone consists of B2 and O phases after PWHT. With the PWHT temperatures increasing from 850 to 1000 °C, the amount of O phase decreases gradually, while the grains of O precipitates become coarser. After PWHT, there are some thin acicular O precipitates in heat-affected zone (HAZ), and the decomposition of α{sub 2}-phase caused by niobium diffusion can be observed in the HAZ. The PWHT can significantly increase the microhardness of joints, resulting from O phase precipitation hardening effect. The tensile strength and elongation of joints can be remarkably improved after PWHT, which was closely related to the strengthening effect of O precipitates and slip transmission between O and B2 phases. In addition, the results indicate that the best mechanical properties can be achieved only when the number and size of O phase and B2 phase are the best match.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗