Search Results (19)

Temperature- and strain-rate-dependent serrated flow, localized plastic instability, and qualitative microcrack evolution in Mn13 Hadfield steel were investigated using stress–strain analysis and in situ tensile observation. Solution treatment at 1050 °C for 1–1.5 h followed by water quenching yielded homogeneous single-phase austenite. Type A and Type B serrations were dominant at room temperature at 1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and at 100 °C at 1 × 10⁻² s⁻¹, whereas the room-temperature specimen tested at 1 × 10⁻² s⁻¹ showed delayed serration onset and pronounced Type B stress drops only at high strains. Type C serrations occurred mainly near fracture at 100 °C at 1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹, 200 °C at 1 × 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 200 °C at 5 × 10⁻² s⁻¹. In situ observations further reveal that different serration types correspond to distinct localized deformation modes. During Type A serrations, the tracked feature exhibited unidirectional stepwise migration involving forward motion, arrest, and renewed advance. Type B serrations were associated with discontinuous pulse-like migration characterized by rapid forward motion, brief arrest, local backward motion, and renewed advance. No regular trajectory was observed during Type C stress drops; only local brightness changes and slight positional shifts occurred. These observations link macroscopic serrations to localized deformation in Mn13 steel and provide qualitative in situ evidence for grain-boundary microcrack initiation and evolution during deformation. Full article

The dynamic strain aging (DSA) behavior of an extruded Mg–3Gd–1Zn (wt.%) alloy was investigated under compressive deformation at intermediate temperatures (150–250 °C) and strain rates ranging from 5 × 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The as-extruded alloy exhibited equiaxed grains (~20 µm), with all alloying elements retained in solid solution and a weak basal texture. Serrated flow was observed under different temperature and strain-rate conditions. The critical strain, which denotes the onset of serrations, decreased with increasing temperature and increased with strain rate. Notably, the temperature dependence of the critical strain exhibited anomalous non-linear behavior, with a sharp increase at 250 °C, attributed to the formation of low-mobility Gd–Zn clusters/precipitates that depleted mobile solutes from the matrix. In situ synchrotron radiation diffraction revealed the activation of {10.2}⟨10.1⟩ tensile twinning as the dominant deformation mechanism, with periodic plateaus in twin intensity coinciding with macroscopic stress serrations. HAADF-STEM analysis confirmed Gd and/or Zn segregation at twin boundaries and dislocations, leading to the formation of nanoscale clusters during deformation. The overall mechanical response is rationalized by a temperature-dependent competition between solute diffusion and solute clustering at elevated temperatures. Full article

The abnormal effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the fatigue properties of DD6 single crystal superalloy was investigated. The results showed that HIP combined with standard heat treatment (SHT) reduced the fatigue life under 880 °C and 800 MPa. HIP treatment eliminated inner shrinkage porosity effectively; however, the amount of micropores increased in the subsequent SHT. Moreover, HIP treatment enlarged the size of γ′ precipitates gradually and altered the morphology of carbides greatly. Small MC carbides decomposed into M₂₃C₆ carbides, and a serrated structure formed on the surface of large-size MC carbides, which led to the positive and negative effects on fatigue properties, respectively, depending on the morphology and size of carbides. Recrystallized microstructures were observed after HIP treatment, accompanied by fine, continuous precipitates along recrystallized grain boundaries. This led to a sharp decline in the elevated-temperature fatigue properties of DD6 superalloy fabricated at a drawing velocity of 150 μm/s. The abnormal decrease in fatigue life of DD6 single crystal superalloy was attributed to micropore formation, coarsening of γ′ precipitates and recrystallization. Thus, it is essential to optimize the HIP treatments in the future development of single crystal superalloy blades. Full article

This study proposes a novel framework for quantifying curved grain boundaries that overcomes key limitations of existing methods. Unlike Fourier-based approaches that require labor-intensive sequential analysis of individual boundaries and selectively represent only high-amplitude regions, or spline-based methods that demand complex parameter selection for interpolation points, the proposed framework integrates curvature variance filtering with U-chord curvature calculation to enable automated, comprehensive, and noise-resistant characterization of grain boundary morphology. The curvature variance filtering adaptively determines smoothing parameters based on local curve properties, while the U-chord curvature method ensures rotational invariance and robustness against digitization errors. Four heat treatment processes were applied to GH4169 alloy, producing distinct grain boundary morphologies with mean curvature (MC) values ranging from 0.0625 to 0.1252. Controlled cooling alone (Process A) yielded predominantly straight boundaries (91.06% straight, 0.12% serrated), while re-dissolution treatment (Process D) produced the highest serration degree (58.81% straight, 3.53% serrated). The quantitative analysis reveals that dispersed δ-phase precipitation creates discrete pinning points, forming serrated boundaries with sharp curvature peaks, whereas dense, parallel δ-phase arrays at specific angles produce coordinated wavy undulations. This framework provides a reliable quantitative tool for optimizing heat treatment protocols to achieve target grain boundary configurations in nickel-based superalloys. Full article

This study systematically investigates the homogenization-induced Laves phase dissolution kinetics and recrystallization mechanisms in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processed IN718 superalloy. The as-built material exhibits a characteristic fine dendritic microstructure with interdendritic Laves phase segregation and high dislocation density, featuring directional sub-grain boundaries aligned with the build direction. Laves phase dissolution demonstrates dual-stage kinetics: initial rapid dissolution (0–15 min) governed by bulk atomic diffusion, followed by interface reaction-controlled deceleration (15–60 min) after 1 h at 1150 °C. Complete dissolution of the Laves phase is achieved after 3.7 h at 1150 °C. Recrystallization initiates preferentially at serrated grain boundaries through boundary bulging mechanisms, driven by localized orientation gradients and stored energy differentials. Grain growth kinetics obey a fourth-power time dependence, confirming Ostwald ripening-controlled boundary migration via grain boundary diffusion. Such a study is expected to be helpful in understanding the microstructural development of L-PBF-built IN718 under heat treatments. Full article

The high-temperature properties of new alloys need to be investigated to guide the hot working process. The temperature sensitivity of various microstructures of Fe₄₅Mn₁₅Cr₁₅Ni₂₅ and Fe₃₅Mn₁₅Cr₁₅Ni₂₅Al₁₀ cobalt-free high-entropy alloys was investigated using high-temperature tensile tests. For recrystallized alloys, the increase in aluminum (Al) atoms exacerbates the emergence of serration behavior, prolongs the strain hardening capacity, and delays the decrease in plasticity. The Fe₃₅Mn₁₅Cr₁₅Ni₂₅Al₁₀ alloy, with a high-density precipitated phase, exhibits excellent mechanical properties at 673 K. It has a yield strength of 735 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1030 MPa, and an elongation of 11%. Ultimately, it has been found that the addition of the element Al improves the strength, oxidation resistance, and thermal stability of the alloy. According to the solid solution strengthening model fitting and nanoindentation results, the temperature sensitivity of the yield strength of the alloy is primarily attributed to the solid solution strengthening and phase interface forces. There is relatively less variation in grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening. The relationship between the mechanical properties and temperature of the alloy can be predicted to guide the machining process of the alloy. Full article

In this study, we investigated the creep properties of ZK60 alloy and a ZK60/SiC_p composite at 200 °C and 250 °C in the 10–80 MPa stress range after the KOBO extrusion and precipitation hardening process. The true stress exponent was obtained in the range of 1.6–2.3 for both the unreinforced alloy and the composite. The apparent activation energy of the unreinforced alloy was found to be in the range of 80.91–88.09 kJ/mol, and that of the composite was found to be in the range of 47.15–81.60 kJ/mol, and this indicated the grain boundary sliding (GBS) mechanism. An investigation of crept microstructures using an optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that at 200 °C, the predominant strengthening mechanisms at low stresses were the formation of twin, double twin, and shear bands, and that by increasing the stress, kink bands were activated. At 250 °C, it was found that a slip band was created in the microstructure, and this effectively delayed GBS. The failure surfaces and adjacent regions were examined using SEM, and it was discovered that the primary cause of failure was cavity nucleation around precipitations and reinforcement particles. Full article

The uniaxial tensile behavior of MarBN steel with a constant strain rate of 5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ under various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 630 °C was analyzed. This study aimed to identify the effect of the temperature on the tensile behavior and to understand the microstructure deformation by electron backscatter diffraction. The tensile results showed that the yield and ultimate tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature. Serrated flow was observed from 430 °C to 630 °C. The electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed that the low-angle grain boundaries decreased at the medium deformation and increased at the maximum deformation. In contrast, they decreased with increasing temperatures. In addition, the number of voids increased with the increasing plastic strain. As the strain increased, the voids joined together, and the tiny cracks became larger and failed. Three mechanisms were responsible for the tensile deformation failure at various temperatures: grain rotation, the formation and rearrangement of low angle grain boundaries, and void nucleation and propagation. Finally, the formation of the low-angle grain boundaries and voids under different degrees of deformation is discussed. Full article

In order to reduce the segregation of Cr and Mo and inhibit the precipitates, we added a small amount of B and Ce to traditional S31254 steel. Using an air-cooling and low-temperature diffusion treatment, the purpose was to control B and Ce at the grain boundary. The heat-treatment process could prompt co-segregation of B, precipitate-forming elements, and Ce at the grain boundary at 950 °C. After aging at 950 °C for different amounts of time, the diffusion treatment had an obvious inhibitory effect on the precipitates that caused them to become discontinuous, fine, and serrated. The B-containing serrated precipitates were only rich in Mo, while Cr was homogeneously distributed in the probed volume. A uniform distribution of Cr reduced the Cr-depleted zone in the area adjacent to the phase interface. Ce was observed to be segregated at the grain boundary. This showed that Ce could inhibit the formation of precipitates at the grain boundary. The serrated precipitates had an obvious resistance to intergranular corrosion. Full article

Heat treatments, including solution treatment and isothermal heat treatment, were conducted to investigate the grain boundary serration of GH4975 superalloy. The two different heat treatment processes could both promote the formation of serrated grain boundaries within the present temperature and soaking time ranges, provided that the cooling rates were controlled to be quite slow. The samples subjected to furnace cooling exhibited a more obvious serrated grain boundary morphology by comparison with those subjected to air cooling. The interaction between precipitated phases and grain boundaries was focused to explore the formation mechanisms of serrated grain boundaries within GH4975 superalloy. Heat treatment temperature and soaking time strongly affected the morphology and size of precipitated phases, and consequently influenced the formation of serrated grain boundaries. The directional growth of grain boundary precipitates and its pinning effects on the migration of grain boundaries also affected the grain boundary morphology. Full article

The formation of the irregular γ′ precipitates in the nickel-based superalloy Waspaloy was investigated during the continuous cooling, which is relevant to the cooling rates and interrupted temperature. The morphology of the γ′ precipitates was observed to change from a dispersed sphere to the flower-like one with the decreasing of the cooling rates. It was found that there are three modes of transportation of the solute atoms involved in relation to the γ′ precipitates: dissolution from the small γ′ precipitates to the γ matrix, diffusion to the large γ′ precipitates from the matrix, and the short distance among γ′ precipitates close to each other. Meanwhile, the slower cooling rates tend to result in the serrated grain boundaries, and the wavelength between successive peaks (λ) and the maximum amplitude (A) are larger with the decreasing of the cooling rates. The content of the low ΣCSL boundaries increases with the decreasing of the cooling rates, which is of great benefit in improving the creep property of the Waspaloy. Full article

The microstructure, deformation mechanisms, tensile properties and fracture micromechanisms of ultrahigh-interstitial austenitic Fe-22Cr-26Mn-1.3V-0.7C-1.2N (mass.%) steel were investigated in wide temperature interval. After conventional homogenization and solid-solution treatment, the steel possesses complex hardening which includes grain boundary, solid-solution and dispersion strengthening. In the temperature interval of −60 to +60 °C, steel demonstrates striking temperature dependence of a yield strength which could be enhanced by the increase in solid-solution treatment temperature. The variation in test temperature does not change the dominating deformation mechanism of the steel, dislocation slip and insufficiently influences tensile elongation and fracture micromechanisms. The insignificant increase in the fraction of brittle cleavage-like component on the fracture surfaces of the specimens in low-temperature deformation regime is promoted by increase in planarity of dislocation arrangement and the gaining activity of mechanical twinning. In high-temperature range (200–300 °C) of deformation, a negative strain-rate dependence, serrations on the stress-strain diagrams and improved strain-hardening associated with a dynamic strain aging phenomenon have been observed. Full article

A new third generation nickel-based powder metallurgy (PM) superalloy, designated as FGH100L, was prepared by spray forming. The effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and isothermal forging (IF) processes on the creep performance, microstructure, fracture, and creep deformation mechanism of the alloy were studied. The microstructure and fracture were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The coupled HIP and IF process improved the creep performance of the alloy under the creep condition of 705 °C/897 MPa. As for both the HIPed and IFed alloys, the creep process was dominated by the accumulation of dislocations and stacking faults, cutting through γ′ precipitates. The microstructural evolution was the main factor affecting the creep performance, which mainly manifested as coarsening, splitting, and morphology change of γ′ precipitates. Both the creep fractures of the HIPed and IFed alloys indicated intergranular fracture characteristics. In the former, wedge-shaped cracks usually initiated at the trigeminal intersection of the grain boundaries, while in the latter, cavity cracks generate more easily around the serrated curved grain boundary and carbides. Full article

The strain hardening and damage behavior of Al-added twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steels were investigated. The study was focused on comparing two different alloying concepts by varying C and Mn contents with stacking fault energy (SFE) values of 24 mJ/m${}^2$ and 29 mJ/m${}^2$ . The evolution of microstructure, deformation mechanisms and micro-cracks development with increasing deformation was analyzed. Al-addition has led to the decrease of C diffusivity and reduction in tendency for Mn-C short-range ordering resulting in the suppression of serrated flow caused due to dynamic strain aging (DSA) in an alloy with 0.3 wt.% C at room temperature and quasi-static testing, while DSA was delayed in an alloy with 0.6 wt.% C. However, an alloy with 0.6 wt.% C showing DSA effect exhibited enhanced strain hardening and ductility compared to an alloy with 0.3 wt.% C without DSA effect. Twinning was identified as the most predominant deformation mode in both the alloys, which occurred along with dislocation glide. Al-addition has increased SFE thereby delaying the nucleation of deformation twins and prolonged saturation of twinning, which resulted in micro-cracks initiation only just prior to necking or failure. The increased stress concentration caused by the interception of deformation twins or slip bands at grain boundaries (GB) has led to the development of micro-cracks mainly at GB and triple junctions. Deformation twins and slip bands played a vital role in assisting inter-granular crack initiation and propagation. Micro-cracks that developed at manganese sulfide and aluminum nitride inclusions showed no tendency for growth even after large deformation indicating the minimal detrimental effect on the tensile properties. Full article

Inconel 625 is a nickel-based alloy that is mainly used in high-temperature applications. Inconel 625 exhibits an unstable plastic flow at elevated temperatures characterized by serrated yielding, well-known as the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect. The evaluation of the mechanical properties of Inconel 625 at high temperatures is the aim of this work. The tensile tests were executed in temperatures ranging from room temperature to 1000 °C with strain rates of 2 × 10⁻⁴ to 2 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The creep tests were executed in the temperature range of 600–700 °C and in the stress range of 500–600 MPa in a constant load mode. The optical and scanning electron microscopes were used for surface fracture observation. In the curves obtained at 200–700 °C the serrated stress-strain behavior was observed, which was related to the dynamic strain aging effect. The yield strength and the elongation values show anomalous behavior as a function of the test temperature. An intergranular cracking was observed for a specimen tensile tested at 500 °C that can be attributed to the decohesion of the carbides along the grain boundaries. The fracture surface of the specimen tensile tested at 700 °C showed the predominance of transgranular cracking with tear dimples with a parabolic shape. Full article