A nanocrystalline layer was synthesized on the surface of TWIP steel samples by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) under varying durations. Microhardness variation was examined along the depth of the deformation layer. Microstructural characteristics of the surface at the TWIP steel SMATed for 90 min were observed and analyzed by optical microscope, X-ray diffraction, transmission and high-resolution electron microscope. The results show that the orientation of austenite grains weakens, and α-martensite transformation occurs during SMAT. During the process of SMAT, the deformation twins generate and divide the austenite grains firstly; then α-martensite transformation occurs beside and between the twin bundles; after that the martensite and austenite grains rotate to accommodate deformation, and the orientations of martensite and between martensite and residual austenite increase; lastly the randomly oriented and uniform-sized nanocrystalline layers are formed under continuous deformation.
LI Da-zhao1,2, WEI Ying-hui1, HOU Li-feng1, LIN Wan-ming1 (1. College of Materials and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, Shanxi, China
The effects of the solution and aging treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of the Mg-10Zn-5Al-0.1Sb-XCu cast magnesium alloys were investigated by brinell hardness measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy spectrum analyzing apparatus and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The experimental results show that the strip-like τ-Mg32 (Al, Zn)49 phase is shown at the grain boundaries and Mg2Cu phase become smaller, even granular after solution treatment at 350 ℃ for 24 h. By ageing treatment at 180 ℃, the ternary strengthening phase (τ phase) precipitates gradually at or around grain boundary. With increasing aging time, the micro-hardness improves obviously and up to the maximum (105.9 HV) at aging time of 36 h. In addition, the tensile-strengths at room temperature and at an elevated temperature respectively reach 228 MPa and 176 MPa, which is increased by 20% and 10%, respectively.
Based on its excellent tensile strength-ductility property combination,twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel shows great potential in applications for structural components in automobile industry.The aim of this research is to investigate the corrosion resistance properties and corrosion mechanism under room temperature in TWIP steel.The influence of the deformation twin density on corrosion property was primarily considered by salt spray test.The specimens used in the investigation are as-annealed and as-deformed respectively.The microstructure and corrosion resistance property were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM),optical microscope (OM) and so on.There are some annealing twins distributed randomly in austenitic grains in the as-annealed specimen.After the specimen was subjected to tensile experiment,the density of the deformation twins increased sharply,which are different from the annealing twins in size and morphology.It was found that the corrosion potential of the as-annealed is lower than that of the as-deformed and the corrosion current density behaves contrarily.After immersed in 5% NaCl solution salt spray for 48h,the as-deformed showed a bit better than the as-annealed in corrosion resistance.With the time prolonged,the gap between the two specimens in corrosion resistance increased rapidly.The corrosion morphologies varied in color and shape.Further investigation,carried out by SEM and EDS,indicated that as-annealed and the as-deformed followed pitting corrosion and uniform corrosion mechanism respectively.The reason for the difference in corrosion mechanism is possibly the presence of the deformation twins.The deformation twins formed during the tensile test refine grains by way of segmentation.The twin boundaries largely belong to the coincidence site lattice (CSL),which is on lower energy state.It suggests that the twins not only play a role in strengthening,but also improve effectively the corrosion resistance in TWIP steel.
CHU Guo-dong,WEI Ying-hui,LI Da-zhao,TIAN Yun (College of Materials Science and Engineering,Taiyuan University of Technology,Taiyuan 030024,Shanxi,China)
The effect of the rare earth element Er on the microstructures and properties of Mg-Al intermetallic were studied in this experiment. Metallographic and X-ray diffraction(XRD) results showed that the microstructures of Mg-Al-Er alloys varied with Er content. The Mg-44Al-0.5Er and Mg-43.8Al-1.0Er alloys were both composed of Mg17Al12 matrix and Al3 Er phase, whereas Mg-43Al-3.0Er and Mg-42Al-5.0Er were composed of Mg17Al12 matrix, Al3 Er phase, and Mg-Mg17Al12 eutectic. The Mg-42Al-5.0Er alloy showed the highest microhardness, and the values remained nearly stable as Er content increased from 1.0 wt.% to 5.0 wt.%. The dispersed second phase Al3 Er caused the grain refinement of the Mg-Al-Er alloy, which was the main reason for the improvement in microhardness. The corrosion resistance of the Er-containing alloys initially increased and then decreased with increasing Er content. All the Er-containing alloys had the ability to suppress hydrogen evolution, which was the main reason for the higher corrosion resistance of the modified alloys than that of the Mg-44.3Al alloy. Considering the higher hardness and dispersity of the Al3 Er phase, Mg-43.8Al-1.0Er exhibited higher wear resistance than the as-cast Mg-44.3Al alloy.
