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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Insight into the interfacial microstructure and chemistry of hot isostatically pressed AA6061-AA6061 bonds for U-10Mo fuel cladding application

Here, in the present study, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) bonding was carried out using AA6061-AA6061 plates for U-10Mo monolithic fuel cladding application. HIP was performed at 560°C with an applied isostatic pressure of 103 MPa for 90 min. Interfacial microstructure characterizations were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to quantify precipitate fractions and study recrystallization, grain growth, and orientation relationships across the interface. EBSD results confirmed that no interfacial grain growth occurred during the HIP process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also employed to quantify composition and identify phases of various precipitates and an oxide layer that formed at the interface during HIP bonding. Microstructural analyses revealed the formation of a large fraction of Mg 2 Si precipitate and a ~50 nm thick Mg-oxide layer at the interface. Further TEM analysis confirmed that the oxide layer was not continuous, and Mg 2 Al 2 O 5 oxide particles with an average size of 18 nm were present in the oxide layer. Finite element modeling analysis was performed to study the stress distribution at the interface during HIP processing.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A critical analysis of U-Pu-Zr phase transitions using calorimetric, microstructural, and phase equilibria data

Metallic fuels consisting primarily of uranium, plutonium, and zirconium (U-Pu-Zr) are a leading material candidate for fast-spectrum nuclear reactors. Early demonstration programs proved the principle of safe and efficient fast reactor operation, however there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the phase equilibria and microstructural evolution across the ternary composition space. Quantitative phase formation and identification measurements are scarce and often incomplete, with studies reporting either phase transition temperatures or phase identification data, but not both from the same specimens. In this study, we critically compared experimental and calculated phase transition data and correlated with the microstructure and phase characterization data of as-cast and annealed U-Pu-Zr alloys. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure phase transitions in the subsolidus regions (723−948 K) of three ternary U-Pu-Zr alloys with similar plutonium concentrations but various U/Zr ratios. Due to sluggish kinetics and narrow ranges of phase stability, complex peaks required the use of a Frazier-Suzuki peak fitting algorithm to deconvolute and calculate transition peak temperatures and enthalpies. We also identified trends of phase transition behavior by critically comparing our DSC data with previous phase transition measurements as well as historical and calculated phase equilibrium diagrams. In conclusion, this provides a critical approach for benchmarking and assessing the quality of new U-Pu-Zr phase equilibria data prior to its incorporation into nuclear material databases.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructural features and deuterium diffusion in lithium penta-aluminate pellets under He + and D + ion irradiation

Lithium (Li) penta-aluminate (LiAl 5 O 8 ) is investigated as a potential tritium (T) breeding material, with a focus on microstructural response to ion irradiation and deuterium (D) diffusion behavior. Under high-fluence ion irradiation (2 x 10 17 (He + +D + )/cm 2 ) at 773 K, LiAl 5 O 8 exhibits significant disorder on the Li sublattice, as revealed by atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, while the Al and O sublattices remain stable, demonstrating strong resistance to structural amorphization. Irradiation induces the formation of platelet-shaped antiphase boundaries (APBs), which may serve as effective D trapping sites. Atom probe tomography suggests the presence of 6 LiD clusters in the mass spectra, though definite conclusions regarding APB composition are hindered by signal overlap and limited data statistics. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry reveals that D retention approaches to saturation at 3 x 10 17 (He + +D + )/cm 2 . Isothermal and isochronal annealing studies determine an average diffusivity of 1.6 x 10 -13 at 773 K and an effective activation energy of 0.8 ± 0.1 eV for D migration. Compared to γ-LiAlO 2 , LiAl 5 O 8 demonstrates superior irradiation resistance, minimal Li loss, and enhanced D retention, underscoring its potential as a durable breeder material for T production. In conclusion, these findings provide key insights into the microstructural evolution, defect dynamics, and D retention mechanisms in LiAl 5 O 8 under reactor-relevant conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microstructural evolution and hardness changes in ion irradiated nickel-based Haynes 282 superalloy

This study investigated the crucial aspects of thermal and irradiation stability in precipitation hardened Haynes 282 Ni-based superalloy. The Haynes 282 Ni-based alloy was irradiated by 8 MeV Ni 3+ ions to assess its resistance to phase instabilities and mechanical property alterations. The mid-range doses (at a depth of ∼1 µm) were 1 and 10 displacements per atom (dpa) at temperatures of 600°C and 750°C. Nanoindentation tests provided insights into bulk equivalent hardness of the irradiated and pristine regions, while scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to examine the microstructural evolution of irradiation-induced defects and γ′ -Ni 3 (Al, Ti) precipitates and defect structure under irradiation. These precipitates, with an average diameter of 29 nm and a number density of 5 x 10 21 /m 3 , acted as robust dispersion strengthening agents with high radiation point defect sink strength. Remarkably, irradiation did not significantly alter the size or number density of the γ′ precipitates, indicating exceptional thermal stability and radiation resistance of these precipitates at the examined conditions. Radiation-induced dislocation loops were observed at 600°C, albeit without a substantial impact on mechanical properties due to the dominance of γ′ precipitates on the overall alloy strength. The superior stability of γ′ precipitates observed in this study contrasts with several previous research findings on Ni-based alloys that reported poor precipitate stability. Plausible reasons for this difference are discussed. Moreover, this work explicitly outlines a physically grounded approach to ensure accurate microstructure-hardness correlations and clarifies the hardening model by addressing common misapplications of superposition in prior studies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

High energy X-ray characterization of the microstructure of PuGa alloy samples at macroscopic depths and non-ambient conditions

High energy (95 keV) X-rays were utilized to characterize the microstructure of eight PuGa alloy samples at room temperature and during cooling to ∼10 K. The samples had different Ga content (nominally 0-3.4 at.%), age, and history. A ninth sample, similarly characterized with neutron diffraction, was included to extend the Ga range to 7 at.%. The samples span the range from single phase α (monoclinic) to δ (face-centered cubic) PuGa, as well as a two-phase α′/δ sample. The crystallographic textures, phase fractions, lattice parameters and dislocation densities of each sample were evaluated through distinct analysis techniques. The textures of the samples were modest. In each case, the dislocation densities were relatively high, comparable to cold worked metals and metals exposed to similar radiation dose. At room temperature, the lattice parameters determined in the predominantly single-phase samples were larger than expected based on the nominal Ga concentration. The observed lattice thermal expansions of the single-phase δ samples to 10 K are self-consistent across the samples and consistent with previous measurements reported in the literature. Significantly larger thermal lattice strain is observed in the δ phase of the two-phase material due to mechanical constraint from the α′ phase, which has a three times larger thermal expansion and is much harder than the δ phase. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the unique value of high-energy X-rays for relatively routine microstructural characterization of Pu alloy samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Phase field simulation of anode microstructure evolution of solid oxide fuel cell through Ni(OH) 2 diffusion

Microstructure evolution in a solid oxide fuel cell anode is strongly affected by operating condition. The detailed mesoscale evolution mechanism under operating condition is still under debate. Here we develop a phase-field model to simulate microstructure evolution through formation and diffusion of gaseous Ni(OH)2. We studied the coarsening kinetics and redistribution of Ni under different steam distributions and compare it to that under pure hydrogen condition. Overall, the results suggest that although the presence of a steady gradient of steam leads to redistribution of Ni, Ni(OH) 2 formation and diffusion do not significantly change the Ni coarsening rate under strictly humid conditions, contrary to commonly reported hypotheses. It is concluded that competing mechanisms other than Ni(OH) 2 diffusion must be responsible for the experimentally observed Ni redistribution and enhanced coarsening under humid conditions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

The effect of heat treatment on microstructure evolution in artificially aged carbon nanotube/Al2024 composites synthesized by mechanical alloying

Although carbon nanotubes/aluminum (CNT/Al) composites are promising materials in the production of structural components, their mechanical behavior under overaging conditions has not been considered. In this paper the effect of CNTs on the microstructural and mechanical behavior of a 2024 aluminum alloy (Al2024) synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and powder metallurgy routes is discussed, as well as the effect of aging heat treatments at different temperatures and aging times. The mechanical behavior of composites was screened by hardness measurements as function of aging time. After 96 h of aging time, composites showed mechanical stability in their hardness performance. Images from transmission electron microscopy showed that the mechanical stability of composites was due to a homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the aluminum matrix and a subsequent alteration in the kinetics of precipitation is due to their presence in the aluminum matrix. Even though strengthening precipitation took place during aging, this was not the main strengthening mechanism observed in composites. - Highlights: • Dispersion of carbon nanotubes during mechanical alloying • Microstructural evolution observed by HRTEM. • Mechanical performance evaluated through micro-hardness test. • Increased mechanical performance at high working temperatures • Acceleration of kinetics of precipitation due to CNTs, and milling conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Phase transformation and microstructure evolution of the deformed Ti-30Zr-5Nb shape memory alloy

The phase transformation and microstructures of the deformed Ti-30Zr-5Nb shape memory alloy were investigated. The X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that the Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy was composed of a single orthorhombic α″-martensite phase. The alloy exhibited one yielding behavior in the tensile test, with a critical stress of ~ 600 MPa and a tensile strain of approximately 15%. A shape memory recovery accompanied by a permanent strain was exhibited in the deformed alloys when heated at 873 K. The permanent strain increased with increasing pre-strain. The microstructure evolution of the deformed alloy was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the martensite reorientation occurred and the dislocations were generated during deformation. The alloy displayed a reversible martensite transformation start temperature as high as 763 K. However, no strain-induced martensite stabilization was found in the deformed alloy with different pre-strain levels, potentially because the large chemical energy of the Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy depressed the effects of the elastic energy and the dissipative energy. - Highlights: • Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy is composed of single orthorhombic α″-martensite phase with M{sub s} of 721 K. • No martensite stabilization has been found in Ti-30Zr-5Nb alloy with different pre-strain. • Ti-30Zr-5Nb shows the maximum shape memory effect of 2.75% with a pre-strain of 8%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Microstructure characterization of recycled IN718 powder and resulting laser clad material

Highlights: • A simple and efficient recycling procedure of IN718 powder has been defined for the laser cladding process. • Characterization of wasted and cleaned powder and comparison with new IN718 powder pointed out a slight diameter increase. • Microstructure characterization of clad builds showed differences between builds with new and recycled powders. • Clad microstructure and porosity increase remain constant static properties but decrease rupture strain after 3 reuses. • Without special precautions for cladding, the recycled powder can be reused twice without modifying the properties of IN718. - Abstract: The possibility to reuse the metal powder wasted in Laser Material Deposition (LMD) process has been evaluated and a simple procedure developed. LMD uses metal powder which is fed through a nozzle into the focal point of a laser, where it melts the powder and the substrate material. During the process, a high ratio of particles hits against an unmelted area and directly bounces off the deposited area. The efficiency ratio of deposition can drop to 40% depending on the configuration and spot size. This work deals with the design of a procedure to recollect and reuse the wasted powder of a nickel based superalloy IN718. After usage, powder is recollected, undesired fractions are magnetically segregated and aggregates are removed by sieving. The particles are mixed again and ready for reuse. In order to study the effectiveness of the process, no new powder has been added to the recovered fraction, and this procedure has been repeated five times. Experimental tests show that deposited material present similar properties than those obtained with new powder grains. But, after 3 reuses, the porosity content increases consequently and the rupture strain decreases strongly. The implementation of this process allows the improvement of the final efficiency, reducing costs and decreasing the hazardous powder amount.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of quenching rate on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Ce75Al21Ga4 glassy alloy

Highlights: • Structural and microstructural changes with respect to quenching rate have been reported. • Ribbons synthesized at slow cooling rate shows higher hardness and yield strength. • Study is focused on the correlation between quenching rate and mechanical behavior. • Metallic glass synthesized at faster quenching rate contains the highest shear band density. - Abstract: The present study deals with the structural and microstructural changes with respect to the quenching rate and their correlation with mechanical behavior of melt-spun Ce{sub 75}Al{sub 21}Ga{sub 4} glassy alloys. The ribbons of the alloy have been synthesized at different quenching rates obtained through different wheel speeds (44, 36, 29, 22 and 15 m/s). The glass forming indicators and mechanical properties have been investigated at different quenching rates. The higher quenching rate obtained through high wheel speed (44, 36 and 29 m/s) has led to phase separation giving rise to nano-amorphous domains in a glassy matrix while the lower quenching rate obtained through lower wheel speed (22 and 15 m/s) produces nano-crystalline grains with size ranges from 25 ± 1 to 120 ± 1 nm. It has been found that the size of the nano-amorphous domains decreases with decrease in wheel speed. The mechanical behavior has been studied using micro-indentation technique. The indentation test indicates that with the same chemical composition, the ribbons synthesized at slow quenching rate exhibits higher hardness and yield strength than those synthesized at faster quenching rate. The ribbons synthesized at 44 m/s contains the large free volume and has the highest shear band density.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

TEM analysis of the deformation microstructure of polycrystalline cobalt plastically strained in tension

Highlights: • Deformation of cobalt was studied by TEM and AE. • Basal dislocation glide is the main deformation mechanism in first straining stage. • Twinning mechanism becomes predominant in the second stage. • Statistical analysis was performed in data set generated by electron diffraction. • Tensile {10 2-bar 1} twins are the most common twins in cobalt. - Abstract: The microstructure evolution of hexagonal close-packed cobalt at different stages of work hardening has been studied. The deformation microstructure of polycrystalline samples upon a tension test was investigated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Corresponding straining mechanisms were also identified by acoustic emission measurements. It was shown that dislocation glide is the predominant deformation mechanism during the first stage of plastic deformation, while twinning becomes the prominent strain accommodation mechanism in the later stage. A detailed TEM study using electron diffraction allowed identifying different types of twins activated during tensile testing. Four single twinning modes were identified, from which two types correspond to tensile strain and two types to compressive strain (with respect to the c direction), double twins were also observed. A relative importance of various systems is estimated and it is shown that the vast majority of twins correspond to the {10 1-bar 2} twinning system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of gadolinium addition on microstructural evolution and solidification characteristics of Al-15%Mg2Si in-situ composite

Highlights: • The Al{sub 3}Gd is the heterogeneous nucleation of primary Mg{sub 2}Si in Al-15%Mg{sub 2}Si composite. • Addition of Gd to Al-15%Mg{sub 2}Si resulted in the formation of Al{sub 2}Si{sub 2}Gd and AlSiGd intermetallic compounds. • Absorption of Gd atoms preferentially on {100} facets of Mg{sub 2}Si crystals changed its growth manners. • Primary Mg{sub 2}Si transformed from coarse-dendritic to perfect truncated octahedral shape after treating with 1.0 wt% Gd. • Gd addition increased the nucleation and growth temperatures of primary Mg{sub 2}Si. - Abstract: The current study investigated the effects of gadolinium (Gd) addition (0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%) on microstructural development and solidification characteristics of hypereutectic Al-15%Mg{sub 2}Si in-situ composite. Microstructural examinations were carried out via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The results showed that an addition of 1.0 wt% Gd, changed the morphology of primary Mg{sub 2}Si from coarse dendritic to fine truncated octahedral shape. Furthermore, the average size of primary Mg{sub 2}Si particles decreased from 40 μm to 20 μm and density increased from 495 to 1167 particles/mm{sup 2}. Besides that, cooling curve thermal analysis (CCTA) technique revealed that Gd addition increased nucleation and growth temperatures of primary Mg{sub 2}Si phase. It is proposed that modification and refinement mechanism of Gd addition are mainly attributed to formation of tiny Al{sub 3}Gd particles as the heterogeneous nucleation substrates for primary Mg{sub 2}Si, which results in a refined distribution of these particles and poisoning effect by adsorbing Gd atoms, preferentially on {100} facets of Mg{sub 2}Si crystals. Moreover, it is believed that formation of Gd intermetallic compounds is responsible for refinement of primary Mg{sub 2}Si particles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fabrication, microstructure, and wear performance of WC-Fe composite/metal coating fabricated by resistance seam welding

Highlights: • WC-Fe/metal coating consisted of WC-Fe layer and metal interlayer was fabricated by resistance seam welding. • The microstructure, hardness and wear performance of coatings with different WC particles size were analyzed. • The wear mechanism of coatings showed huge difference following various sliding distance. - Abstract: WC-Fe composite/metal coatings consisting of a WC-Fe composite layer and a metal interlayer were successfully fabricated on an Al 6061 substrate by resistance seam welding. The microstructures and phase compositions of the WC-Fe composite/metal coatings with different WC particle sizes (nano, fine, and coarse) were investigated. The WC-Fe composite layer consisted of WC particles and a Fe-C-Si super hard alloy (SHA) component, whereas the metal interlayer was composed of SHA, FeAl{sub 3}, Fe{sub 2}Al{sub 5}, and Al 6061. The surface microhardness of the WC-Fe composite/metal coating increased with increasing WC particle size. The wear performance of the coatings tested with different sliding distances is discussed in detail. Coating-C (coarse) showed the best wear resistance. The wear rates of both coating-N (nano) and coating-C decreased as the sliding distance increased, while coating-F (fine) demonstrated the opposite behavior. The wear mechanisms of the coatings were drastically different owing to the significantly different WC particle behavior at various sliding distances.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Microstructures and deformation mechanisms of Cr26Mn20Fe20Co20Ni14 alloys

Highlights: • The single-phase FCC alloy as the annealing temperature exceeding 1015 °C • The dual-phase structure as the annealing temperature lower than 1000 °C • The σ phases grow primarily at grain boundaries. • The single-phase alloy deforms via dislocations and twins. • In-situ tensile experiment reveals twinning at the crack tip. - Abstract: We investigated microstructures and tension properties of Cr{sub 26}Mn{sub 20}Fe{sub 20}Co{sub 20}Ni{sub 14} alloys that were produced by arc-melting and subsequent thermal-mechanical processing—hot-rolling → cold-rolling → annealing at different temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 1100 °C for 1 h → air cooling. Microstructure characterization shows the single-phase solid solution with face centered cubic structure as the annealing temperature exceeding 1015 °C while the dual-phase structure (Cr-rich σ phase and FCC solid solution) as the annealing temperature lower than 1000 °C. The σ phases grow primarily at grain boundaries and act as precipitation strengthening units to enhance strain hardening rate. The single-phase solid solution deforms plastically via dislocations and twins. Twin boundaries associated with deformation twinning impede dislocation motion, enhancing the strain hardening capacity. In-situ tensile experiment in transmission electron microscope further reveals that twinning occurs at the crack tip and facilitates the deflection of crack propagation towards twinning shear direction. This work implies that a strength-ductility combination can be realized by coupling precipitation strengthening and twinning-induced plasticity in multiple principle elements alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hot-worked microstructure and hot workability of cold-work tool steels

Highlights: • Hot compression tests were conducted for D2 and an 8% Cr steel. • Processing maps were constructed for the evaluation of their hot workability. • They had similar hot workability concerning the flow instability. • The 8% Cr steel exhibited a larger resistance to dynamic recrystallization. - Abstract: The hot workability of two cold-work tool steels were evaluated and compared. A D2 and an advanced alloy based on 8% Cr steels (TDx) were deformed at high temperatures between 900 and 1100 °C with strain rates 0.001–10 s{sup − 1} via hot compression test. From the flow curves, processing maps were constructed based on the dynamic material model. The deformed microstructures were observed and compared in various scales with respect to the deformation conditions. Although the two alloys exhibited a large similarity in the flow instability consideration of the processing map, their behavior in microstructure evolution was different. While both alloys exhibited a tendency of strain localization in the conditions of instability, the efficiency of power dissipation in the processing maps showed an intricate correlation with the progress of dynamic recrystallization and carbide precipitation. TDx showed a distinctive behavior of carbide precipitation and a larger resistance to dynamic recrystallization, which implied a requirement on more delicate control of hot working conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructural characterization of laser micro-welded Nitinol wires

Highlights: • FIB technique was used in the preparation of TEM foils of laser micro-welded joint. • Phase content in various zones of laser micro-welded Nitinol wires was revealed. • Welding induces the R-phase formation in HAZ and intermetallics precipitation in FZ. - Abstract: Laser micro-welding has been considered one of the most promising joining methods of manufacturing Nitinol biomedical devices. However, there is still a lack of understanding about how laser micro-welding influences the microstructure. This work attempts to reveal the phase content within various microstructural zones of laser micro-welded crossed Nitinol wires by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with the assistance of the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. The base metal is composed of a single austenite phase (B2). The fusion zone exhibits the coexistence of austenite matrix and several intermetallics (T{sub 2}Ni, TiNi{sub 3} and Ti{sub 3}Ni{sub 4}). The precipitation of R-phase was observed in HAZ with B2 matrix due to thermally induced stresses during welding.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of microstructure on exfoliation corrosion resistance in an Al-Zn-Mg alloy

Highlights: • A quantitative method was proposed to characterize EXCO resistance. • The EXCO product lead to strain in ND and elongation in RD on nearby grains. • Recrystallized grains are more susceptible to EXCO than fibrous grains. • High fraction of high-angle grain boundaries reduces EXCO resistance. • High coverage ratio of η phases on high-angle grain boundaries reduces EXCO resistance. - Abstract: In this work, the effect of microstructure on exfoliation corrosion (EXCO) resistance in an Al-Zn-Mg alloy were investigated using standard EXCO test, together with detailed microstructural examinations mainly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-angle annular detector dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). An EXCO product model was built based on morphologies of EXCO product on longitudinal section and cross section for further measurement and analysis. A quantitative characterization of EXCO resistance by measuring average thickness of EXCO product was conducted, showing average results of 6.94 μm, 10.21 μm and 18.14 μm, which are corresponding to EXCO ratings of P, EA and EB under ASTM G34 standard, respectively. It was concluded that recrystallization, high fraction of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) and high coverage ratio of η phases on HAGBs reduced EXCO resistance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of friction stir processing and minor Sc addition on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping capacity of 7055 Al alloy

Highlights: • Good mechanical and damping properties were obtained in the 7055 after FSP and Sc addition. • The strengthening and damping mechanisms of FSP 7055(-Sc) were analyzed. • FSP and Sc addition were found to be strategy of preparing 7xxx alloys with well damping and mechanical properties. - Abstract: This study investigated the effects of friction stir processing (FSP) and addition of 0.25% (mass ratio) Sc on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and damping capacity of AA 7055 alloy. Microstructure analyses revealed that a low tool rotation rate of 300 rpm effectively inhibited the grain coarsening in the recrystallization of the alloy during FSP. Sc addition prevented the coarsening of grains and precipitated η phase and the annihilation of dislocations in the FSP AA 7055 alloy. After being subjected to FSP at 300 rpm, the AA 7055 alloy containing Sc exhibited good mechanical and damping properties, which were mainly attributed to the fine recrystallized grain structure, fine precipitated η phase, and large number of nano-sized Al{sub 3}(Sc, Zr) particles located at the grain boundaries and dislocations. This work provides an effective strategy for preparing commercial Al alloys with excellent damping capacity and mechanical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗