Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chunquan Liu, Xianhua Chen, Yaobo Hu, Wei Zhang, Yusheng Zhang, Jianbo Li, Fusheng Pan
Summary: This study prepares a gradient ultrafine-grained structure on the surface of a magnesium alloy using sliding friction treatment. The new material exhibits significantly improved yield strength and excellent ductility compared to homogeneous structures. Transmission electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction analyses reveal that the refined grain structure and grain orientation modification contribute to the enhanced plastic deformation ability.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Y. T. Sun, X. Kong, Z. B. Wang
Summary: Spatially gradient microstructures have been found to enhance the strength-ductility synergy of austenitic stainless steels. In this study, a new approach called plate surface mechanical rolling treatment was used to produce a bulk gradient nanostructure in a 304 stainless steel plate. The resulting sample showed ultra-high yield strength and considerable uniform elongation in tensile tests. Analysis revealed that the mechanical incompatibilities and dislocation activities contributed to the outstanding strength-ductility synergy in the gradient nanostructured stainless steel.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLASTICITY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zibing An, Shengcheng Mao, Yinong Liu, Luyan Yang, Ashok Vayyala, Xiao Wei, Cheng Liu, Caijuan Shi, Huixin Jin, Cuixiu Liu, Jianxin Zhang, Ze Zhang, Xiaodong Han
Summary: In this study, a strategy of using a heterogeneous grain size structure and a reduced stacking fault energy was explored in a CoCrFeNiMn FCC high entropy alloy to overcome the strength-ductility trade-off. The alloy achieved high yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation to failure through cooperative strain hardening mechanisms. These micromechanisms of deformation helped refine the mean free paths for dislocations and improve the alloy's hardness.
Article
Engineering, Civil
A. Hosseini-Hooshyar, A. Farhadi, A. Nayebi
Summary: This study discusses the modeling methods for small-scale plasticity behavior, introducing the strain or stress gradient plasticity models and the lower-order stress gradient plasticity model proposed by the stress gradient plasticity theory. It is found that the essential microscale plasticity behavior of metals can be captured with only one length scale parameter.
THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolei Wu, Muxin Yang, Runguang Li, Ping Jiang, Fuping Yuan, Yandong Wang, Yuntian Zhu, Yueguang Wei
Summary: The plastic accommodation within the gradient structure plays a crucial role in the superior strength-ductility combination, involving both inter-layer and intra-layer stress state changes during tensile deformation. Experimental measurements show that the nanostructured layer in the gradient structure undergoes strain hardening, achieving a sustainable tensile strain comparable to that in the coarse-grained layer.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ming Chen, Jiansheng Li, Huabing Liu, Mengmeng Wang, Shilong Xing, Yuantao Zhao
Summary: Heterostructured duplex stainless steel with high strength and high ductility was prepared through heavy cold rolling and annealing processes. The excellent performance was attributed to the microstructural heterogeneity and the partitioning of plastic strain.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
X. X. Dong, Y. F. Shen, Y. T. Zhu
Summary: A principle is proposed and verified that an optimized moderate strain hardening rate is desired for producing the best mechanical properties for metallic materials. It is demonstrated that moderate strain hardening rate is desired for better ductility and high yield strength in a medium carbon TRIP steel. By adjusting the temperature for bainitic transformation, the TRIP kinetics were tailored to produce moderated but long-lasting strain hardening for high ductility and high yield strength.
MATERIALS RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Praveen Sathiyamoorthi, Hyoung Seop Kim
Summary: Engineering metallic materials with excellent mechanical properties, especially strength and ductility, are highly sought after for various applications. Novel approaches to enhance strength-ductility synergy through heterogeneous microstructures have proven effective in overcoming the traditional strength-ductility trade-off. The discovery of high entropy alloys based on multi-principal elements offers wider possibilities for alloy design and the exploration of new alloys with remarkable properties.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Qin, Muxin Yang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: The study found that gradient structures of 304 stainless steel exhibit excellent synergy of strength and ductility both at room and cryogenic temperatures, with a more significant improvement observed at cryogenic temperature. The volume fraction of martensitic transformation in the gradient structures plays a crucial role in enhancing strength and ductility, especially at low temperatures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Qin, Muxin Yang, Ping Jiang, Jian Wang, Xiaolei Wu, Hao Zhou, Fuping Yuan
Summary: Suppressing early strain localization at the nanostructured topmost layer is crucial for better tensile ductility in gradient structures. By introducing combined gradients in both grain size and volume fraction of precipitates, the alloy exhibits improved yield strength and uniform elongation. Higher strain gradients and more geometrically necessary dislocations at various domain boundaries contribute to stronger hetero-deformation-induced extra hardening. The observed higher yield strength is attributed to mechanisms of dislocation strengthening, precipitation strengthening, and HDI strengthening.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bingqiang Wei, Wenqian Wu, Dongyue Xie, Huai-Hsun Lien, Metin Kayitmazbatir, Amit Misra, Jian Wang
Summary: In situ tension tests showed that the heterogeneous Al-Si microstructure produced through laser rapid solidification of as-cast Al-20wt.%Si alloy exhibited high tensile strength, ductility, and strain hardening rate. The study revealed plastic co-deformation mechanisms between soft Al dendrites and hard nanoscale Al-Si eutectic, with the progression of plasticity in nanoscale Al-Si eutectic being accommodated by dislocation plasticity and cracking in Si nanofibers. The suppression of nano-crack propagation by surrounding Al contributed to the retention of good ductility in the sample.
MATERIALS RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shengde Zhang, Muxin Yang, Fuping Yuan, Lingling Zhou, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: The tensile properties and fracture toughness of pure nickel with heterogeneous grain structures and homogeneous structures were compared. The heterogeneous samples showed much larger uniform elongation and higher fracture toughness at similar yield strength levels. This enhanced ductility/toughness can be attributed to the stronger heterodeformation-induced hardening in the heterogeneous structures.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Jianfeng Zhao, Xinlei Pan, Jian Li, Zhiyong Huang, Qianhua Kan, Guozheng Kang, Liucheng Zhou, Xu Zhang
Summary: Systematic characterization of microstructure, mechanical testing and constitutive modeling were conducted to investigate the effects of laser shock peening (LSP) treatment on the tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4 V alloy. The study revealed that LSP treatment resulted in grain refinement and introduction of compressive residual stress, leading to changes in the material's elastic-plastic behavior. The established deformation mechanism-based model showed that surface grain refinement enhanced initial yielding and strain hardening, while residual stress had a weakening effect on initial yielding but little influence on strain hardening behavior.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Qin, Muxin Yang, Ping Jiang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: The high entropy alloy Al0.5Cr0.9FeNi2.5V0.2 has been designed with heterogeneous grain structure and dual nanoprecipitates, resulting in improved strength and ductility after aging. The aged samples exhibit better synergy of strength and ductility, with a higher hardening rate.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zihan Zhang, Ping Jiang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: A dual heterogeneous structure consisting of both heterogeneous grain structure and coherent L1(2) nanoprecipitates is achieved in a CoCrNi-based medium entropy alloy. Aging leads to an increase in the volume fraction of L1(2) phase and a decrease in the corresponding interspacing, resulting in enhanced heterogeneity. Unaged samples exhibit better tensile properties compared to alloys with homogeneous and heterogeneous grain structures. Aged samples demonstrate improved strength and ductility, with hetero-deformation-induced hardening playing a crucial role, particularly at the elasto-plastic transition stage.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuntian Zhu, Kei Ameyama, Peter M. Anderson, Irene J. Beyerlein, Huajian Gao, Hyoung Seop Kim, Enrique Lavernia, Suveen Mathaudhu, Hael Mughrabi, Robert O. Ritchie, Nobuhiro Tsuji, Xiangyi Zhang, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: Heterostructured materials are a new class of materials with superior performances that exceed the prediction by the rule-of-mixtures. By controlling heterostructures, unprecedented performances can be achieved.
MATERIALS RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yan Ma, Lingling Zhou, Muxin Yang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: Through aging and quenching treatment, the study investigated the strengthening effect and deformation mechanisms of a dual-phase alloy, revealing that the aged samples have higher yield strength and strain hardening ability compared to the hot-rolled samples, mainly due to the influence of B2 precipitates.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolei Wu, Muxin Yang, Runguang Li, Ping Jiang, Fuping Yuan, Yandong Wang, Yuntian Zhu, Yueguang Wei
Summary: The plastic accommodation within the gradient structure plays a crucial role in the superior strength-ductility combination, involving both inter-layer and intra-layer stress state changes during tensile deformation. Experimental measurements show that the nanostructured layer in the gradient structure undergoes strain hardening, achieving a sustainable tensile strain comparable to that in the coarse-grained layer.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaolei Wu, Yuntian Zhu
Summary: Heterostructured materials are a novel class of materials with mechanical properties superior to their conventional counterparts. The two most studied heterostructures are grain-size gradient structure and heterolamellar structure, which produce heterogeneous deformation during tensile deformation, enhancing strength and retaining ductility through HDI stress.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuefei Chen, Qi Wang, Zhiying Cheng, Mingliu Zhu, Hao Zhou, Ping Jiang, Lingling Zhou, Qiqi Xue, Fuping Yuan, Jing Zhu, Xiaolei Wu, En Ma
Summary: The study provides direct experimental evidence of chemical short-range atomic-scale ordering (CSRO) in a VCoNi medium-entropy alloy through diffraction and electron microscopy analysis. The research demonstrates that using specific crystallographic directions can reveal CSRO in face-centred-cubic VCoNi concentrated solution, offering insights into atomic packing configuration and dislocation interactions enhanced by CSROs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yan Ma, Muxin Yang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: Deformation-induced hcp nano-lamellae were observed in the CoCrNi medium-entropy alloy under high strain rate and cryogenic temperature, leading to higher hardness compared to room temperature-deformed samples. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that both phase strengthening and extra interface strengthening contribute to the overall strengthening, with the interface strengthening always stronger. Samples with smaller interspacing of hcp nano-lamellae showed higher strength due to increased density of phase boundaries and newly formed twin boundaries.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Qin, Muxin Yang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: The study found that gradient structures of 304 stainless steel exhibit excellent synergy of strength and ductility both at room and cryogenic temperatures, with a more significant improvement observed at cryogenic temperature. The volume fraction of martensitic transformation in the gradient structures plays a crucial role in enhancing strength and ductility, especially at low temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zihan Zhang, Yan Ma, Shuang Qin, Jian Wang, Muxin Yang, Ping Jiang, Xiaolei Wu, Fuping Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the dynamic shear properties and deformation mechanisms of a CrCoNi-based medium entropy alloy (MEA) with both coherent nanoprecipitate and heterogeneous grain structure. The MEA exhibits extraordinary dynamic shear properties compared to other advanced metals and alloys. The critical shear strain for the onset of adiabatic shear band can be accurately predicted using a formula considering strain hardening, strain rate, and thermal softening. The formation of various microstructures contributes to the multiple strain hardening mechanisms during dynamic shear deformation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wei Wang, Yanke Liu, Zihan Zhang, Muxin Yang, Lingling Zhou, Jing Wang, Ping Jiang, Fuping Yuan, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: A new medium-Mn steel with unprecedented tensile properties has been designed, demonstrating a yield strength beyond 1.1 GPa and a uniform elongation over 50%. Multiple strain hardening mechanisms, including non-uniform martensite transformation, geometrically necessary dislocations, and dynamic strain aging effect, contribute to the excellent tensile properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuntian Zhu, Xiaolei Wu
Summary: Heterostructured materials are a new class of materials composed of heterogeneous zones with dramatically different properties. They exhibit superior mechanical or physical properties that surpass their conventional homogenous counterparts. This review focuses on the structural heterostructured materials, which achieve their superior mechanical properties through hetero-deformation induced strengthening and work hardening. The unique deformation behavior of these materials, along with their wide application potential, is driving the rapid development of the field.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zihan Zhang, Xiaolei Wu, Fuping Yuan
Summary: In this study, researchers designed and fabricated alloy structures with dual gradients of grain size and coherent L12 nanoprecipitation. These heterogeneous structures showed improved tensile properties and deformation capacity compared to other structures, and exhibited better tensile ductility.
MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yanke Liu, Guohao Qin, Wei Wang, Yan Ma, Muxin Yang, Sihai Jiao, Xiaolei Wu, Fuping Yuan
Summary: Multilayer laminates consisting of 304 stainless steel surface layers and low C steel and medium-Mn steel central layers were developed. The study found that decreasing layer thickness can enhance the uniform elongation and strength-elongation product of the laminates. This is attributed to the promotion of deformation-induced martensite transformation and the accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations with decreasing layer thickness, leading to improved mechanical properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)