Casting experiments and macro-micro numerical simulations were conducted to examine the microstructure characteristics of K439B nickel-based superalloy casting with varying cross-sections during the gravity investment casting process.Firstly,microstructure analysis was conducted on the casting using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD).Subsequently,calculation of the phase diagram and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)tests were conducted to determine the macro-micro simulation parameters of the K439B alloy,and the cellular automaton finite element(CAFE)method was employed to develop macro-micro modeling of K439B nickel-based superalloy casting with varying cross-sections.The experimental results revealed that the ratio of the average grain area increased from the edge to the center of the sections as the ratio of the cross-sectional area increased.The simulation results indicated that the average grain area increased from 0.885 to 0.956 mm^(2)as the ratio of the cross-sections increased from 6꞉1 to 12꞉1.The experiment and simulation results showed that the grain size became more heterogeneous and the grain shape became more irregular with an increase in the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the casting.CAFE modeling was an effective method to simulate the microstructure evolution of the K439B alloy and ensure the accuracy of the simulation.
To elucidate the mechanisms of regulating the microstructure uniformity in 7050 aluminum forgings through surface cumulative plastic deformation(SCPD),the microstructure under different solution treatments was investigated using metallographic observation(OM),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The findings demonstrate that the most uniform microstructure in the forgings is achieved with a solution treatment at 470℃for 30 min.The SCPD process generates a significant number of needle-shaped precipitates,resulting in a higher dislocation density and stored energy.Solution treatments alleviate the pinning effect of second-phase particles and facilitate static recrystallization(SRX)in forgings,leading to a reduction in grain size.Additionally,mechanical testing results demonstrate 7%−13%increase in tensile strength and more uniform elongation of the forgings in different directions.
Jian-liang HUZe-xiong ZHANGCheng XINGXiu-jiang WUShi-quan HUANGHong BO
By using fatigue crack propagation testing and microstructural characterization,the crack fracture and propagation mechanisms of K4169 superalloy under various loads were investigated.The results demonstrate that the grain sizes of K4169 superalloy significantly increase,and the precipitation of the needle-likeδphase and the Laves phase is observed.Voids and microcracks form at location of Laves phase enrichment,creating conditions for crack propagation.By the a−N(a is the crack length,and N is the number of cycles)relationship curve,the change in the fatigue crack growth rate with the increasing number of cycles progresses through three separate stages.The fracture process of K4169 superalloy under low-stress cyclic loading(3 kN)exhibits the ductile fracture.Subsequently,the fracture process starts to change from the ductile fracture to the brittle fracture as the stress increases to 4.5 kN.In the microstructures of fractures in both stress states,intergranular propagation is the mechanism responsible for crack propagation.Moreover,the Laves phase exists near the fracture crack,which is in line with the post-service structural phenomenon.
Song-jun WANGJian-jun HEZhi-hui GONGWei-ping LIJun-gang YANGYa-jun SHAOYu-hui CAIYue-xin DUCheng-wei YANG
An internal state variable(ISV)model was established according to the experimental results of hot plane strain compression(PSC)to predict the microstructure evolution during hot spinning of ZK61 alloy.The effects of the internal variables were considered in this ISV model,and the parameters were optimized by genetic algorithm.After validation,the ISV model was used to simulate the evolution of grain size(GS)and dynamic recrystallization(DRX)fraction during hot spinning via Abaqus and its subroutine Vumat.By comparing the simulated results with the experimental results,the application of the ISV model was proven to be reliable.Meanwhile,the strength of the thin-walled spun ZK61 tube increased from 303 to 334 MPa due to grain refinement by DRX and texture strengthening.Besides,some ultrafine grains(0.5μm)that played an important role in mechanical properties were formed due to the proliferation,movement,and entanglement of dislocations during the spinning process.
Jin-qi PANWen-cong ZHANGJian-lei YANGSong-hui WANGYong WUHuan LI
The homogenized Mg−5.6Gd−0.8Zn(wt.%)alloys were treated with water cooling and furnace cooling to obtain specimens without and with the 14H long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase.Subsequently,multi-directional forging(MDF)experiments were carried out.The microstructure and mechanical properties of different regions(the center,middle and edge regions)in the MDFed alloys were systematically investigated,and the effect of LPSO phase on them was discussed.The results show that the alloys in different regions undergo significant grain refinement during the MDF process.Inhomogeneous microstructures with different degrees of dynamic recrystallization(DRX)are formed,resulting in microhardness heterogeneity.The alloy with the LPSO phase has higher microstructure homogeneity,a higher degree of recrystallization,and better comprehensive mechanical properties than the alloy without the LPSO phase.The furnace-cooled alloy after 18 passes of MDF has the best comprehensive mechanical properties,with an ultimate compressive strength of 488 MPa,yield strength of 258 MPa,and fracture strain of 21.2%.DRX behavior is closely related to the LPSO phase and deformation temperature.The kinked LPSO phase can act as a potential nucleation site for DRX grains,while the fragmented LPSO phase promotes DRX nucleation through the particle-stimulated nucleation mechanism.