Application Of Severe Plastic Deformation Research Articles

The Role of Grain Size in the Mechanical Properties of Metals

It is now well established that the grain size is the fundamental microstructural feature of all polycrystalline materials. In practice, a very wide range of grain sizes will be needed in order to fully evaluate the effect of grain size on the mechanical properties of metals. For many years this was a significant limitation because it was not possible to use conventional thermomechanical processing to produce materials with submicrometer or nanometer grain sizes. Recently, this problem has been addressed by developing alternative processing techniques based on the application of severe plastic deformation. This overview demonstrates that, although the flow stress increases with decreasing grain size at low temperatures and decreases with decreasing grain size at high temperatures, this clear dichotomy in behavior may be adequately explained by using a single theoretical flow mechanism based on the occurrence of grain boundary sliding.

Severe Plastic Deformation of Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce Alloys: Advancing Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Strength for Medical Applications

Magnesium-based alloys hold potential for medical applications, but face challenges like rapid bioresorption and limited mechanical strength during early bone healing. In our study, we present a novel Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce alloy with low cerium content (up to 0.1 wt.% Ce) processed using two severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques. Through an innovative combination of multiaxial forging and multipass rolling, we have achieved a fine-grained structure with an average grain size of the primary α-Mg phase of 1.0 μm. This refined microstructure exhibits improved mechanical properties, including a substantial increase in yield strength (σYS) from 130 to 240 MPa, while preserving ductility. The alloy’s composition includes α-Mg grains, cerium and zinc hydrides, and intermetallic phases with cerium and zinc elements. Tensile testing of the fine-grained alloy demonstrates an enhancement in yield strength (σYS) to 250 MPa, marking a 2.8-fold improvement over the conventional state (σYS = 90 MPa), with a modest 2-fold reduction in ductility. Crucially, electrochemical tests conducted in physiological solutions highlight substantial advancements in corrosion resistance. The corrosion current was reduced from 14 to 2 μA/cm2, while polarization resistance decreased from 3.1 to 8.1 kΩ∙cm2, underlining the alloy’s enhanced resistance to biodegradation. Our results show that the novel Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce alloy, after combined SPD, demonstrates mitigated bioresorption and enhanced mechanical properties. Our findings highlight the fact that the introduction of this innovative alloy and the application of SPD represent significant steps towards addressing the limitations of magnesium-based alloys for medical implants, offering potential improvements in safety and effectiveness.

Microstructural Assessment, Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of a Mg-Sr Alloy Processed by Combined Severe Plastic Deformation.

The development of high-performance biodegradable alloys with controllable corrosion rates to be used for manufacturing advanced implants is a hot topic of modern materials science and biomedicine. This work features the changes in microstructure, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the Mg-2 wt.%Sr alloy progressively induced by equal-channel angular pressing, high-pressure torsion and annealing. We show that such processing leads to significant microstructure refinement including diminishing grain size, defect accumulation and fragmentation of the initial eutectics. We demonstrate that the application of severe plastic deformation and heat treatment is capable of considerably enhancing the mechanical and corrosion performance of a biodegradable alloy of the Mg-Sr system. The best trade-off between strength, plasticity and the corrosion resistance has been achieved by annealing of the Mg-Sr alloy subjected to combined severe plastic deformation processing.

Advanced Photocatalysts for CO2 Conversion by Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD).

Excessive CO2 emission from fossil fuel usage has resulted in global warming and environmental crises. To solve this problem, the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO or useful components is a new strategy that has received significant attention. The main challenge in this regard is exploring photocatalysts with high efficiency for CO2 photoreduction. Severe plastic deformation (SPD) through the high-pressure torsion (HPT) process has been effectively used in recent years to develop novel active catalysts for CO2 conversion. These active photocatalysts have been designed based on four main strategies: (i) oxygen vacancy and strain engineering, (ii) stabilization of high-pressure phases, (iii) synthesis of defective high-entropy oxides, and (iv) synthesis of low-bandgap high-entropy oxynitrides. These strategies can enhance the photocatalytic efficiency compared with conventional and benchmark photocatalysts by improving CO2 adsorption, increasing light absorbance, aligning the band structure, narrowing the bandgap, accelerating the charge carrier migration, suppressing the recombination rate of electrons and holes, and providing active sites for photocatalytic reactions. This article reviews recent progress in the application of SPD to develop functional ceramics for photocatalytic CO2 conversion.

Advances in Superplasticity from a Laboratory Curiosity to the Development of a Superplastic Forming Industry

Superplasticity refers to the ability of some materials to pull out to tensile elongations of 400% or more when the strain rate sensitivity is ~0.5. The first report of true superplastic flow was published in 1934 in experiments conducted in England. However, this remarkable result attracted little interest among western scientific researchers and the result remained a laboratory curiosity for many years. Later, following extensive research on superplasticity in the Soviet Union, interest developed in the west, and superplasticity became a topic of extensive scientific research. This research was further enhanced with the demonstration that the application of severe plastic deformation provided an opportunity for achieving grain refinement to the submicrometer or even the nanometer level, and these small grains were especially attractive for achieving good superplastic properties. It is now recognized that superplastic alloys provide an excellent forming capability, especially in making high quality curved parts that are not easily fabricated using more conventional processes. This has led to the development of a large superplastic forming industry that currently processes many thousands of tons of sheet metals. This report traces these developments with an emphasis on the scientific principles behind the occurrence of superplastic flow.

Influence of Processing Technology on Creep Damage of Ultrafine-Grained Titanium

This work deals with the influence of the processing technology of ultrafine-grained titanium by the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) on its degradation processes in creep at elevated temperatures. Commercial grade titanium heats with different content of carbon were processed by multi-stage rolling. Creep tests under constant tensile stress were performed in a protective atmosphere of argon at a temperature of 673 K with application of different stress levels. The microstructure of the fractures creep specimens were analysed by metallographic and fractographic analyses using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). Under the same creep loading conditions the heat with higher content of carbon exhibited better creep resistance due to stronger effect of precipitation hardening by titanium carbides.

Microstructure changes occurring in heat-resistant steels during severe plastic deformation and subsequent creep

This work investigates creep and microstructure characteristics in P92 martensitic and 304L austenitic stainless steel after the imposing of large value of plastic strain. The as-received coarse-grained steels were strongly deformed at room temperature (RT) before tensile creep testing. The flat specimens were tested at 873 K and 923 K under different applied stresses. Microstructures were analysed by means of scanning electron microscope with EBSD (electron back-scatter diffraction) camera and transmission electron microscope. It was observed that application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques at RT significantly reduces grain size and changes phase structure of 304L austenitic steel. The microstructure investigations revealed that the growth of new phases is enhanced in plastically deformed P92 martensitic and 304L austenitic stainless steels compared to their undeformed states. Creep results showed that the mean grain size of SPD-processed steels is still near ultrafine-grained region even after long-term creep testing and the coarsening of microstructure is predominantly influenced by creep time and strain.

Recent Developments in the Processing of Advanced Materials Using Severe Plastic Deformation

The processing of bulk metals through the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD), using procedures such as equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT), is now well established for the fabrication of materials with exceptionally small grain sizes, usually in the submicrometer range and often having grain sizes at the nanometer level. These grain sizes cannot be achieved using thermo-mechanical processing or any conventional processing techniques. Recently, these procedures have been further developed to process alternative advanced materials. For example, by stacking separate disks within the HPT facility for the synthesis of bulk nanocrystalline metastable alloys where it is possible to achieve exceptionally high hardness, or by pressing powders or metallic particles in order to obtain new and novel nanocomposites exhibiting unusual properties.

β-Phase Stability of Two Biomedical β-Titanium Alloys During Severe Plastic Deformation

The β-phase stability and deformation behavior patterns of two β-type titanium bioalloys, viz. Ti-Nb-Ta-Zr (TNTZ) type and Ti-Nb-Ta (TNT) type, processed by a series of intense plastic deformations have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Firstly, theoretical analysis was carried out, including an estimation of possible deformation mechanisms based on the electronic parameters of the studied alloys identified with the aid of the Bo–Md diagram. Secondly, phase composition and structural parameters determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) induces grain refinement (in particular for one of the two alloys), accompanied by residual stress generation and some partial phase transformation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and some measurements of the texture completed the deformation behavior analysis. TNT alloy, with higher β stability (Moeq ~ 12.5 wt.%), presented an almost unmodified β-grain dimension from 29.4 nm to 24.4 nm (and thus poor β-grain refinement), coupled with a very fine dispersion of nanometric (~ 8.4 nm) crystallites of orthorhombic α″-stress-induced martensite. TNTZ alloy, also with high β stability (Moeq ~ 10.1 wt.%), showed accentuated β-grain refinement (from 27.8 nm to 9.9 nm), with a very small amount of orthorhombic α″-stress-induced martensite, but grain dimensions almost three times larger than that of the TNT alloy (~ 20.8 nm). The theoretical estimations concerning the possible deformation mechanisms are supported by the analysis of the experimental results.

The Background to Superplastic Forming and Opportunities Arising from New Developments

The occurrence of superplastic flow in metals has a long history but it is only over the last three or four decades that it was recognized that this process provides an opportunity for fabricating complex parts, especially curved panels, that may be used in a wide range of industrial applications. In practice, this use is dependent upon the high strain rate sensitivity of ~0.5 which is an inherent feature of true superplastic flow but in practice excellent forming may be achieved also through the use of metals deforming within the range of dislocation glide where the strain rate sensitivity is close to 0.3. New possibilities have arisen over the last two decades with the demonstrations that exceptionally refined microstructures, usually within the submicrometer or even the nanometer range, may be prepared from a wide range of commercial alloys through the application of severe plastic deformation in which the material is subjected to a very high strain without any significant changes in the overall dimensions of the sample. This presentation examines these historical developments and describes the new processing procedures that provide new opportunities within the field of superplastic forming.

On the Use of Functionally Graded Materials to Differentiate the Effects of Surface Severe Plastic Deformation, Roughness and Chemical Composition on Cell Proliferation

Additive manufacturing allows the manufacture of parts made of functionally graded materials (FGM) with a chemical gradient. This research work underlines that the use of FGM makes it possible to study mechanical, microstructural or biological characteristics while minimizing the number of required samples. The application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) by surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) on FGM brings new insights on a major question in this field: which is the most important parameter between roughness, chemistry and microstructure modification on biocompatibility? Our study demonstrates that roughness has a large impact on adhesion while microstructure refinement plays a key role during the early stage of proliferation. After several days, chemistry is the main parameter that holds sway in the proliferation stage. With this respect, we also show that niobium has a much better biocompatibility than molybdenum when alloyed with titanium.

A Lifetime of Research in Creep, Superplasticity, and Ultrafine‐Grained Materials

A long‐term career at the University of Southern California, followed by an appointment at the University of Southampton, provided an opportunity to conduct extensive research into the flow behavior of polycrystalline metals. Initially, research is conducted on creep properties at elevated temperatures and it is shown that solid solution metallic alloys exhibit transitions in creep behavior with dislocation climb and viscous glide as the dominant rate‐controlling mechanisms. There are transitions between climb and glide with increasing stress and also a breakaway from the glide process at high stresses. These transitions are predicted theoretically and the results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data for a wide range of alloys. Attention is directed to the process of superplasticity and it is shown that the flow occurs by grain boundary sliding with accommodation by a limited amount of intragranular slip. Separate rate equations are developed for sliding in coarse‐grained materials and in superplastic materials where the grain sizes are generally <10 μm so that flow occurs without the development of any subgrains. Finally, attention is directed to the properties of ultrafine‐grained materials having submicrometer or nanometer grain sizes produced through the application of severe plastic deformation.

The Characteristics of Creep in Metallic Materials Processed by Severe Plastic Deformation

Processing through the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD), as in equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), provides an opportunity for achieving exceptional grain refinement to the submicrometer or even the nanometer level. After SPD processing, these materials may be conveniently used for evaluating the effect of a reduced grain size on the creep behaviour at elevated temperatures under testing conditions of constant load or constant stress. This report provides an overview of the creep properties of ECAP-processed metals with an emphasis on the microstructural characteristics developed by SPD, on their thermal stability and especially on the creep mechanisms that control their flow behaviour. For convenience, these properties are generally compared with the creep behaviour of coarse-grained (CG) samples of the same materials tested under identical conditions.

Влияние особенностей формирования градиентной структуры при интенсивной пластической деформации сплавов с различными типами кристаллической решётки

Problem Statement (Relevance): The paper describes some features and prospective benefits of deformation by methods of drawing with shear (SD) and high pressure torsion (HPT) in a temperature range of dynamic strain aging (DSA) effect, which allow receiving a high complex of physical and mechanical properties. Objectives: The study aims to investigate and analyze features of the structure formation with the combined application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) and the DSA effect during deformation by drawing with shear and high pressure torsion, to establish patterns of the gradient structure formation. Methods Applied: 1. Computer simulation in Deform 3D software to investigate the stress-strain state on materials with various types of a crystalline lattice: copper grade M1 (FCC), Steel 10 (BCC) and titanium VT1-0 (HCP) and a further comparison with experimental results. 2. Microhardness measurement 3. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Originality: This research resulted in investigation of the combined effect of the DSA effect and SPD on the gradient structure formation and mechanical properties of metals with various crystalline lattices. Findings: the paper presents the results of the study of the structure formation during non-monotonous plastic deformation of the alloys (steel 10, copper and titanium) with various crystalline lattice types by SD, as well as ECAP and HPT of low-carbon steel in the temperature range of the DSA effect. Deformation mechanisms and features of the deformation behavior on a mesoscopic scale under various deformation treatment modes are analyzed. The temperature range of the DSA effect in steel 10 under ECAP and the fact of the gradient structure formation under HPT are established. Practical Relevance: The study helped to obtain data that can be used to choose the optimal deformation treatment mode with the DSA effect.

Fabrication of High Strength Hybrid Materials through the Application of High-Pressure Torsion

It is well established that bulk nanostructured materials with ultrafine grains can be fabricated through the application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) since this is a promising technique for achieving significant grain refinement in bulk metals. Among the various potential SPD techniques, the most attractive appears to be processing by high-pressure torsion (HPT) because this leads to exceptional grain refinement and to grain sizes that are generally not achieved using other SPD procedures. This report describes very recent attempts to form metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) by processing two dissimilar commercial metals, such as aluminum and magnesium alloys, through the use of HPT at room temperature. After significant evolutions in microstructure during the HPT processing, it is demonstrated that hybrid systems may be successfully fabricated having unique microstructures in the form of multi-layered structures. The evolution of small-scale mechanical properties was examined through the novel technique of nanoindentation and the improvement in plasticity was directly estimated by calculating the strain rate sensitivity after processing by HPT. These results demonstrate the possibility of using HPT processing for the fabrication of MMNCs having exceptional properties including very high strength.

Grain growth in nanograined aluminum oxide by high-pressure torsion: Phase transformation and plastic strain effects

Application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) to different materials usually leads to significant grain refinement and accelerated phase transformations. This study reports the occurrence of grain growth in nanocrystalline Al2O3 by SPD processing via high-pressure torsion (HPT) due to a phase transformation from γ with the cubic structure to α with the rhombohedral structure. This transformation was significantly enhanced by pressure and plastic strain and occurred at ~650K below the γ→α transition temperature. The γ phase after HPT processing could be detected only in nanograins or in the nano-sized laths with the (13¯1)γ//(014¯)α and [001]γ//[100]α coherent orientation relationship.

Microstructure and creep behaviour of P92 steel after HPT

The influence of the application of severe plastic deformation on microstructure changes and creep deformation behaviour was investigated in P92 creep-resistant pipe steel. P92 steel in its as-received state, with a microstructure typical of tempered martensite, was subjected to high-pressure torsion at room temperature. An investigation of the microstructure using an electron backscatter diffraction technique revealed that severe plastic deformation led to the subsequent formation of an ultrafine-grained microstructure, containing {110} fibre texture and randomly misoriented boundaries. The microstructure characteristics and hardness measurements exhibited saturated values at an equivalent strain of higher than about 20. The creep behaviour of the ultrafine-grained specimen produced in the saturated region exhibited a minimum creep rate that was about two orders of magnitude faster, and a larger creep ductility, in comparison with the as-received state. Creep exposure at 873 K with a time to fracture of about 3 h led to a slight grain coarsening and to the formation of Laves phase.

Performance and Prospects of Severe Plastic Deformation for Effective Biomedical Titanium Alloys

Application of severe plastic deformation (SPD) technology to process effective biomedical titanium alloys has shown promising results at laboratory scale. However, more research is still required before adopting this technology from laboratory scale to industrial scale production. This review presents performance and prospects of SPD for effective ultra-fine/nanograin structure-biomedical titanium alloys. Effective biomedical titanium alloys should have desired properties for the medical application. The properties include; high static and fatigue strengths, surface hardness for wear resistance, good ductility, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Based on current works reported in the literature, the review focused on; high-pressure torsion (HPT), equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), asymmetric rolling (AR), accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and repetitive corrugation and straightening (RCS). Overview of biomedical application of titanium alloys and desired material properties is presented. A detail discussion on the working principle, performance (e.g. induced strength, hardness, grain size and texture etc.) and material deformation homogeneity of each SPD method are presented. Also, prospects and challenges of each SPD method to be implemented at industrial scale for continuous and mass production are highlighted. The review concludes with the effectiveness of SPD processes, characteristics of processed samples and suggestion of future work for SPD to process effective biomedical titanium alloys at industrial scale.

Using Severe Plastic Deformation to Fabricate Strong Metal Matrix Composites

The processing of bulk metals through the application of severe plastic deformation leads to significant grain refinement and a consequent strengthening of the material. High-pressure torsion (HPT) generally refers to the processing of disk samples and this technique is especially effective in producing extremely small grains. Recently, new experiments were conducted in which disks of two different alloys, based on aluminum and magnesium, were stacked together and then processed by HPT for up to 20 turns at room temperature. Analysis after processing revealed the formation of a multi-layered structure in the central region of the disks but with a true nanoscale microstructure containing different types of intermetallic compounds within an Al matrix leading to the formation of metal matrix nanocomposites at the disk edges. Measurements showed a lowering of density at the disk edges, thereby confirming the potential for using HPT to fabricate materials with exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratios.

The potential for achieving superplasticity in high-entropy alloys processed by severe plastic deformation

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are now becoming important because they offer unique combinations of solid solution strengthening and good ductility at low temperatures. Only limited information is at present available on the high temperature mechanical properties of these materials. Nevertheless, it is evident that, as in conventional metallic alloys, processing through the application of severe plastic deformation can reduce the grain size to the nanometer range and this provides a potential for achieving good superplastic elongations. The superplastic data available to date are examined in this review and a comparison is made between the behaviour of HEAs and conventional superplastic alloys.