Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tianlong Zhang, Jiaming Zhu, Tao Yang, Junhua Luan, Haojie Kong, Weihong Liu, Boxuan Cao, Shiwei Wu, Dong Wang, Yunzhi Wang, Chain-Tsuan Liu
Summary: A new Ti-6Al-2V-1Cr-1Fe alloy with fine grain sizes, fine precipitates, high strength, and excellent ductility has been developed, showing significant improvements in properties compared to the commercial Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The alloying elements and tuning of supercooling capacity play key roles in achieving grain refinement and improved mechanical properties. This low-cost Ti alloy is expected to be highly suitable for various structural applications.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chun Li, Tian Huang, Zhilin Liu
Summary: Currently, zinc has been considered as one new attractive biodegradable metal for medical implant applications. The microstructural controlling of zinc was achieved via alloying dilute Mg contents and thermomechanical processing. The mechanisms of mechanical strengthening and in vitro biodegradation were explored.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Junko Umeda, Takayuki Tanaka, Takuma Teramae, Shota Kariya, Junji Fujita, Hiroshi Nishikawa, Yoji Shibutani, Jianghua Shen, Katsuyoshi Kondoh
Summary: In this study, Ti-Fe alloys were fabricated using Fe as a beta-phase stabilizer via powder metallurgy. The addition of Fe resulted in increased beta-Ti volume fraction and refined alpha-Ti grains, leading to significant improvements in tensile strength and ductility. The dominant strengthening factors for these alloys were alpha-Ti grain refinement and beta-Ti hard phase dispersion, with 50% of the yield stress increase attributable to the latter mechanism in the case of 4 wt% Fe addition.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. H. Ng, M. J. Bermingham, L. Yuan, M. S. Dargusch
Summary: This study investigates the formation of beta-flecks in the high strength Ti-3Al-8V-6Cr-4Mo-4Zr alloy and explores the use of grain refiner La2O3 to prevent segregation defects. The results show that the introduction of La2O3 significantly reduces the presence of beta-flecks. Analytical and numerical modelling provide insights into the mechanism of defect reduction through grain refinement.
Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Guohua Wu, Xin Tong, Cunlong Wang, Rui Jiang, Wenjiang Ding
Summary: High-performance cast magnesium rare-earth (Mg-RE) alloys play a crucial role in various fields, and controlling grain size and distribution is essential. This article reviews the recent advances and proposed future developments in the grain refinement of cast Mg-RE alloys, providing insights for the design of grain refinement techniques and the selection of processing parameters.
JOURNAL OF MAGNESIUM AND ALLOYS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Changzheng Li, Huan Liu, Yunchang Xin, Bo Guan, Guangjie Huang, Peidong Wu, Qing Liu
Summary: Friction stir processing (FSP) was employed to refine the coarse LPSO phases in an Mg-12.8Y-4.7 Zn alloy, resulting in densely ultrafine blocks and achieving an ultrahigh yield strength.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Z. Fan, F. Gao, Y. Wang, S. H. Wang, J. B. Patel
Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of grain refinement of Mg-alloys using native MgO particles. It shows that intensive melt shearing can make more native MgO particles available for grain refinement, and other exogenous particles are not more effective than native MgO.
JOURNAL OF MAGNESIUM AND ALLOYS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fenglong Zhai, Rui Fan, Yicheng Feng, Liping Wang
Summary: By adding Sm element, the recrystallization behavior of the aluminum alloy was improved, leading to enhanced strength and deformation microstructure. Moreover, Sm can promote the formation of eta' phase and inhibit the conversion of eta' phase to eta phase, further increasing the strength of the alloy. Grain refinement and finely dispersed precipitates in the modified alloy contribute to the reduction of crack nucleation and stress concentration, resulting in improved ductility.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Xinwei Li, Gan Li, Ming-Xing Zhang, Qiang Zhu
Summary: The study focused on the development and application of a hybrid grain refiner for high-strength aluminum alloys fabricated by LPBF. By adding a Ti/TiN hybrid grain refiner, ultrafine grains were achieved, significantly enhancing the mechanical properties of the aluminum alloys.
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lingfeng Wang, Kun Yu, Xing Cheng, Tong Cao, Liucheng Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the effect of laser shock peening (LSP) on the microhardness and tensile properties of laser cladding (LC) high-strength steel. LSP treatment significantly improves the microhardness of the cladding zone and recovers its mechanical properties. LSP also modulates the residual stress field, preventing the impact of thermal stress on the material's performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jianyue Zhang, Guanyu Zhou, Bin Jiang, Alan Luo, Xuzhe Zhao, Aitao Tang, Fusheng Pan
Summary: The novel grain refinement method using a CaMgSn intermetallic phase was found to effectively reduce the average grain size in AZ31 magnesium alloy, improving microhardness and compressive yield strength. The added CaMgSn particles acted as heterogeneous nucleation sites in the grain interiors, contributing to the refinement of microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Al-based alloys.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zi-Ren Xie, Cheng Zhang, Hu-Cheng Pan, Yu-Xin Wang, Yu-Ping Ren, Gao-Wu Qin
Summary: Electrochemical and immersion tests were conducted to characterize the bio-corrosion resistance of as-extruded Mg-Ca binary alloys with submicron grain size. The microstructures were further characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The Mg-2Ca alloy extruded at 300 degrees C (2Ca-300) exhibits the lowest current density of 1.683 mA·cm-2 and corrosion rate of 22.14 g·m-2·day-1 in simulated body fluid, which is comparable with that of pure Mg. Ca addition can reduce grain size of as-extruded Mg alloy and decrease the corrosion rate. The formed Mg2Ca phases would accelerate the local galvanic corrosion and protect the alpha-Mg matrix simultaneously due to the lower electrode potential. The lower defect density, finer grain size, and weaker basal texture intensity contribute to the excellent bi-corrosion resistance of the 2Ca-300 alloy.
Article
Acoustics
Nagasivamuni Balasubramani, Jeffrey Venezuela, Nan Yang, Gui Wang, David StJohn, Matthew Dargusch
Summary: The ultrasonic processing of liquid/solidifying melts can result in a refined grain structure and finer intermetallic phases. This process has been widely studied in Al and Mg-based alloys due to its versatility and scalability. The refinement is achieved through cavitation-induced fragmentation mechanisms, and the efficiency of conventional grain refinement can be improved by adding potent particles through master alloys. However, the understanding of the refinement mechanisms is still debated and affected by various solidification variables and casting conditions.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hua-Bing Li, Zhuo-Wen Ni, Hong-Chun Zhu, Zhi-Yu He, Hao Feng, Shu-Cai Zhang, Zhou-Hua Jiang, Yu Wang
Summary: The elimination mechanism of shrinkage porosity during the pressurized solidification process of 19Cr14Mn4Mo1N high-nitrogen steel ingot was investigated. Three types of shrinkage porosity, namely conventional, gas-shrinkage, and gas-induced, were identified. Increasing the solidification pressure from 0.3 to 0.6 MPa resulted in a transition from gas-shrinkage porosity to conventional porosity and the virtual disappearance of shrinkage porosity. This elimination was mainly attributed to the inhibition of nucleation and growth of nitrogen pores and promotion of feeding flow.
METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS B-PROCESS METALLURGY AND MATERIALS PROCESSING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Xu, Yiming Zhong, Xiuyan Li, K. Lu
Summary: In this study, it is discovered that spinodal decomposition in supersaturated Al(Zn) solid solutions can be inhibited with straining-induced extreme grain refinement. The refined supersaturated grains at the nanoscale resist their spinodal decomposition through relaxed grain boundaries and reduced lattice defects. As grains are refined below 10 nm, the decomposition is completely inhibited due to blocked atomic diffusion by the stable Schwarz crystal structure with vacancy-free grains. Extreme grain refinement offers a general approach to stabilize supersaturated phases and broaden compositional windows for property modulation of alloys.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huijun Yang, Yaqin Tan, Junwei Qiao, Jeffrey A. Hawk, Yong Zhang, Michael Gao, Peter K. Liaw
Summary: The phase stability, microstructural evolution, and mechanical properties of Al0.6CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) under different thermo-mechanical treatments were systematically investigated. The study observed the presence of face center cubic (FCC) matrix, B2 and minor Body Center Cubic (BCC) phases in the as-cast state, and noted the evolution of B2 precipitate morphology from needle-like to droplet-shaped after annealing at different temperatures. The research successfully analyzed the resulting yield stress of this FCC/B2 duplex-phase HEA, attributing it to contributions from solid solution strengthening, precipitate strengthening, grain boundary hardening, and dislocation hardening.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fangfei Liu, Peter K. Liaw, Yong Zhang
Summary: This paper systematically reviews the mechanical behaviors and properties of BCC-structured HEAs, analyzes the effect of alloying on their mechanical properties, discusses the effects of HEA preparation and compositional regulation on corrosion resistance, and explores the application of high-throughput techniques in the field of HEAs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Weiran Zhang, Yasong Li, Peter K. Liaw, Yong Zhang
Summary: This study utilizes empirical parameters to design depleted uranium high-entropy alloys (DUHEAs). The empirical criteria have been proven to be an effective means in development. UNb0.5Zr0.5Mo0.5 and UNb0.5Zr0.5Ti0.2Mo0.2 HEAs with outstanding mechanical properties have been successfully created.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rongbin Li, Tian Huang, Jing Zhang, Chunxia Jiang, Yong Zhang, Peter K. Liaw
Summary: An experimental method for preparing high-entropy thin films with gradient changes of alloying elements by magnetron sputtering co-deposition was proposed in this study to evaluate the effect of alloying element composition changes on the properties of non-equal molar ratio high-entropy alloys. The (TiVCr)x-(TaW)1-x binary system thin films were deposited and their surface morphology, element composition, roughness, and phase structure were studied. The results showed that the films with x = 0.51 exhibited the best mechanical properties, hardness, and wear resistance, as well as improved radiation resistance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yasong Li, Peter K. Liaw, Yong Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the influence of Cr, Mo, and Si elements on the phase structures and properties of low-density Al-Zr-Ti-Nb high-entropy alloys, providing theoretical and scientific support for the development of advanced low-density alloys.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fuan Yang, Jun Cai, Yong Zhang, Junpin Lin
Summary: The effect of crystallographic direction and temperature on the mechanical properties of a FeNiCrCoMn high-entropy alloy has been investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the alloy exhibits different properties in single crystal and polycrystal forms, with the presence of 1/6 Shockley dislocations during plastic deformation. The yield stress, yield strain, and Young's modulus decrease with increasing temperature, with an asymmetry observed in the modulus of the single/double crystal under compression and tension loads. The strain point correlates with yield stress, FCC-HCP phase transition, and dislocation density, with the rate of change increasing with strain.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lin Deng, Jin-ru Luo, Jian Tu, Rong Hu, Ning Guo, Wen-yu Zeng, Chang-hao Wang, Pei He, Yong Zhang
Summary: As a candidate material for fuel cladding in fission reactors, the mechanical properties of ODS-F/M steel were improved by incorporating ultra-high number density of Y2O3 oxide nanoparticles through the addition of Y2O3 during HIP and optimizing microstructure and properties through hot rolling deformation. The addition of Y2O3 resulted in a bimodal ferrite structure and reticular M23C6 carbides distribution. Following hot rolling, grain size and M23C6 carbides were refined significantly while Y2O3 particle size remained unchanged. This resulted in an excellent combination of strength (1474 MPa) and ductility (13%) in ODS steel prepared by HIP with Y2O3 addition and hot rolling.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shichao Zhou, Chunduo Dai, Huaxing Hou, Yiping Lu, Peter K. Liaw, Yong Zhang
Summary: A bionic bamboo fiber heterogeneous microstructure was created in an ultrafine-grained eutectic high-entropy alloy, AlCoCrFeNi2.1, through multi-pass cold-drawing and subsequent annealing. The bionic microstructure consists of a hard-B2 fiber embedded in a soft-face-centered-cubic (FCC) matrix, resulting in excellent strength and ductility synergy.
SCRIPTA MATERIALIA
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kaixuan Cui, Yong Zhang
Summary: This paper discusses the preparation process, microstructure, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of high-entropy alloy films, and analyzes the influence of factors such as nitridation, sputtering power, substrate temperature, and substrate bias on the phase structure of alloy films. High-entropy alloy films can be prepared using various processes. They tend to form a solid solution and amorphous state, and their hardness is much higher than that of traditional films. Some high-entropy alloy films have better corrosion resistance than stainless steel due to the corrosion-resistant elements and amorphous structure. High-entropy alloy films have promising development prospects in wear-resistant coatings, corrosion protection, diffusion barriers, and photothermal conversion coatings.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kuan Gao, Yuexin Chu, Weihua Zhou, Yong Tian, Yong Zhang, Yi Li
Summary: This study systematically investigates the phase inversion phenomenon in a high-Al-content B2 refractory high-entropy alloy (RHEA) through thermo-mechanical treatment. The grains of the single B2 phase transform inversely to the BCC+B2 microstructure with a dispersion of spherical B2 precipitates in the BCC grains. The phase inversion process enhances the tensile ductility of the RHEA while maintaining its high specific strength.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yangyong Zhao, Yuanyuan Bai, Tie Li, Yong Zhang, Eiichi Sato
Summary: Cu-Sn shape-memory microwires were fabricated by a glass-coated melt spinning method. The effects of Sn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of microwires were investigated. It was found that a high cooling rate in the method greatly improved the mechanical properties and superelasticity of the microwires.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ruixuan Li, Guihong Geng, Yong Zhang
Summary: High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have gained significant attention for their unique composition design and excellent properties, and the concept of entropy regulation has been widely used to develop performance-oriented alloys. Lightweight high-entropy alloys (LHEAs) are important lightweight materials that exhibit special properties due to high alloying elements and high mixing entropy, including high specific strength, high specific hardness, and excellent corrosion resistance. However, there are still unresolved questions regarding phase formation rules and comprehensive performance in specific service environments. This paper reviews the composition design, phase formation rules, mechanical properties, physical properties, and chemical properties of typical LHEAs, highlighting the challenges and future development directions.
MRS COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dan Liu, Xi Jin, Huijun Yang, Junwei Qiao, Yong Zhang
Summary: The temperature sensitivity of cobalt-free high-entropy alloys Fe45Mn15Cr15Ni25 and Fe35Mn15Cr15Ni25Al10 was investigated. The addition of aluminum improves the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the alloys, but exacerbates the serration behavior.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ruixuan Li, Baixue Bian, Gerhard Wilde, Yong Zhang, Sergiy V. Divinski
Summary: The tracer self-diffusion of Co in a compositionally complex AlCoCrFeNiTi0.2 alloy was measured using the radiotracer technique. The analysis of the complex multi-phase microstructure allowed for the determination of volume diffusion coefficients and grain boundary diffusion coefficients.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xuehui Yan, Yu Zou, Yong Zhang
Summary: High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are emerging materials that can be designed with different structures and physical characteristics through chemical disorder. Over the past two decades, significant efforts have been made to explore the unique and useful properties of HEAs, such as overcoming the strength-ductility trade-off, outstanding thermal stability, and excellent low temperature plasticity. This article reviews the key research topics of HEAs, including performance advantages, composition design, and fabrication processes. Methods for synthesizing, fabricating, and processing HEAs are also discussed, along with current challenges and future opportunities for performance breakthroughs.
