Deformation Step Research Articles

Direct Characterization of the Relation between the Mechanical Response and Microstructure Evolution in Aluminum by Transmission Electron Microscopy In Situ Straining.

Transmission electron microscopy in situ straining experiments of Al single crystals with different initial lattice defect densities have been performed. The as-focused ion beam (FIB)-processed pillar sample contained a high density of prismatic dislocation loops with the <111> Burgers vector, while the post-annealed specimen had an almost defect-free microstructure. In both specimens, plastic deformation occurred with repetitive stress drops (∆σ). The stress drops were accompanied by certain dislocation motions, suggesting the dislocation avalanche phenomenon. ∆σ for the as-FIB Al pillar sample was smaller than that for the post-annealed Al sample. This can be considered to be because of the interaction of gliding dislocations with immobile prismatic dislocation loops introduced by the FIB. The reloading process after stress reduction was dominated by elastic behavior because the slope of the load–displacement curve for reloading was close to the Young’s modulus of Al. Microplasticity was observed during the load-recovery process, suggesting that microyielding and a dislocation avalanche repeatedly occurred, leading to intermittent plasticity as an elementary step of macroplastic deformation.

Texture and Shape Analysis of Quartzite Mylonites of the Metamorphic Sole of the Samail Ophiolite (Oman): Evidence for Syn- and Post-Obduction Deformation

The metamorphic sole, tectonically welded to the base of the Samail ophiolite in a supra-subduction system, is assumed to play the main role in strain accumulation during later thrusting onto the Arabian Plate (i.e., during obduction). The present study deals with five quartzite samples representative of the upper amphibolite and lower greenschist facies parts of the sole. Whole-rock textures obtained by neutron time-of-flight technique were coupled with microstructural observation using electron backscatter diffraction analyses. The quartz microstructural fabrics and textures in the upper and lower parts of the sole represent grain boundary migration and [c]-in-Y textures and subgrain rotation recrystallization and {r}-in-Z textures, respectively. The shear sense in these samples points to top-to-the-SW to SSW shear. One sample of the upper part, yielding a higher calcite amount, is later overprinted by bulging and displays top-to-the-NNE shear. We postulate to differentiate two main deformation steps. The first is the overall present subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration recrystallization combined to top ~SW shear is related to the sole accretion to the ophiolite and the eventually following thrusting onto the Arabian Plate. The second is correlated to a post-obduction extensional top-to-the-NNE shearing, which is associated with tectonic thinning of the ophiolite and mainly documented in the underlying autochthonous units.

Crystallographic texture of hot rolled uranium-molybdenum alloys

The uranium molybdenum (U-Mo) alloys have potential to be used as low enriched uranium nuclear fuel in research, test and power nuclear reactors. U-Mo alloy with composition between 7 and 10 wt% molybdenum shows excellent body centered cubic phase (γ phase) stabilization and presents a good nuclear fuel testing performance. Hot rolling is commonly utilized to produce parallel fuel plate where it promotes the cladding and the fuel alloy bonding. The mechanical deformation generates crystallographic preferential orientation, the texture, which influences the material properties. This work studied the texture evolution in hot rolled U-Mo alloys. The U7.4Mo and U9.5Mo alloys were melted in a vacuum induction furnace, homogenized at 1000°C for 5 h and then hot rolled at 650°C in three height reductions: 50, 65 and 80%. The crystalline phases and the texture were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The as-cast and processed alloys microstructures were characterized by optical and electronic microscopies. The as-cast, homogenized and deformed alloys have γ phase. It was found microstructural differences between the U7.4Mo and U9.5Mo alloys. The homogenized treatment showed effective for microsegregation reduction and were not observed substantial grain size increasing. The deformed uranium molybdenum alloys presented α, γ, θ texture fibers. The intensity of these texture fibers changes with deformation step.

High-temperature deformation followed in situ by X-ray microtomography: a methodology to track features under large strain.

Metallic materials processing such as rolling, extrusion or forging often involves high-temperature deformation. Usually under such conditions the samples are characterized post mortem, under pseudo in situ conditions with interrupted tests, or in situ with a limited strain rate. A full in situ 3D characterization, directly during high-temperature deformation with a prescribed strain-rate scheme, requires a dedicated sample environment and a dedicated image-analysis workflow. A specific sample environment has been developed to enable highly controlled (temperature and strain rate) high-temperature deformation mechanical testing to be conducted while performing in situ tomography on a synchrotron beamline. A dedicated digital volume correlation algorithm is used to estimate the strain field and track pores while the material endures large deformations. The algorithm is particularly suitable for materials with few internal features when the deformation steps between two images are large. An example of an application is provided: a high-temperature compression test on a porous aluminium alloy with individual pore tracking with a specific strain-rate scheme representative of rolling conditions.

Double twist torsion testing to determine the non recrystallization temperature

A double-twist torsion testing technique has been developed using a 316 stainless steel as an exemplar material to experimentally assess recrystallization behavior and determine the non-recrystallization temperature (Tnr). This new method was compared to the traditional methods of double-hit compression and multi-step hot torsion testing. The double-twist torsion test allows Tnr to be related to the extent of austenite recrystallization through measurements of fractional softening while accommodating multiple deformation and recrystallization steps with a single specimen. The double-twist torsion test resulted in average Tnr values similar to those determined with multi-step hot torsion, and a partially recrystallized microstructure was observed in the vicinity of the calculated Tnr for all three methods. The ability of the double-twist torsion test to relate the experimental Tnr to the evolution of austenite recrystallization via fractional softening measurements while incorporating effects of multiple deformation steps offers an advantage over traditional methods for quantifying changes in austenite recrystallization during thermomechanical processing.

Nano-steps in long-period stacking ordered structures for ductility asymmetry of a strong-textured Mg-Gd-Zn alloy

Ductility asymmetry in extruded Mg alloys containing dense thin long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) plates was always ignored although with yield symmetry. Here, an extruded Mg97.3Gd2.1Zn0.6 alloy of <1%-vol% recrystallization exhibits strong ductility asymmetry at room temperature. Atomic-resolution aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) observations reveal plenty of deformation steps in LPSO plates engulfed by {101¯2} twins which reflect great contribution to the compressive ductility. One/two/three/four-basal-layer high steps with different associated dislocations were observed although the two-basal-layer high step is the most frequently observed. Their formation mechanisms were modeled based on atomic-resolution STEM observations and are the results of the interaction of interfacial partial dislocations with basal partial dislocations in LPSO blocks. The results expand fundamental insights into the deformation modes and mechanisms of thin LPSO plates and, also, provide well understanding the ductility asymmetry of extruded Mg alloys containing LPSO plates.

Dynamic and Post-Dynamic Recrystallization of Haynes 282 below the Secondary Carbide Solvus

Thermomechanical processes, such as forging, are important steps during manufacturing of superalloy components. The microstructural development during processing, which controls the final component properties, is complex and depends on e.g., applied strain, strain rate and temperature. In this study, we investigate the effect of process parameters on the dynamic and post-dynamic recrystallization during hot compression of Ni-base superalloy Haynes 282. Specifically, we address the effect of deformation below the grain boundary carbide solvus temperature. During deformation, discontinuous and continuous dynamic recrystallization was observed at the grain boundaries, and particle-stimulated nucleation occurred at primary carbides. Strain rate was determined to be the governing factor controlling the recrystallization fraction for strain rates up to 0.5 s−1 above which adiabatic heating became the dominating factor. Careful examination of the temperature development during deformation showed that the response of the closed-loop temperature control system to adiabatic heating can have important effects on the interpretation of the observed behavior. During a 90 s post-deformation hold, grain growth and an increasing fraction of twin boundaries significantly changed the deformation-induced microstructure and texture. The microstructure developed during post-dynamic recrystallization was mainly controlled by the temperature and only weakly coupled to the prior deformation step.

Robot Learning-Based Pipeline for Autonomous Reshaping of a Deformable Linear Object in Cluttered Backgrounds

In this work, the robotic manipulation of a highly Deformable Linear Object (DLO) is addressed by means of a sequence of pick-and-drop primitives driven by visual data. A decision making process learns the optimal grasping location exploiting deep Q-learning and finds the best releasing point from a path representation of the DLO shape. The system effectively combines a state-of-the-art algorithm for semantic segmentation specifically designed for DLOs with deep reinforcement learning. Experimental results show that our system is capable to manipulate a DLO into a variety of different shapes in few steps. The intermediate steps of deformation that lead the object from its initial configuration to the target one are also provided and analyzed.

A Deeper Look into DeepCap (Invited Paper).

Human performance capture is a highly important computer vision problem with many applications in movie production and virtual/augmented reality. Many previous performance capture approaches either required expensive multi-view setups or did not recover dense space-time coherent geometry with frame-to-frame correspondences. We propose a novel deep learning approach for monocular dense human performance capture. Our method is trained in a weakly supervised manner based on multi-view supervision completely removing the need for training data with 3D ground truth annotations. The network architecture is based on two separate networks that disentangle the task into a pose estimation and a non-rigid surface deformation step. Extensive qualitative and quantitative evaluations show that our approach outperforms the state of the art in terms of quality and robustness. This work is an extended version of [1] where we provide more detailed explanations, comparisons and results as well as applications.

A study on hot-working as alternative post-processing method for titanium aluminides built by laser powder bed fusion and electron beam melting

Intermetallic Titanium Aluminides (TiAl) have been designed for high-temperature lightweight applications. Powder-bed additive manufacturing (AM) processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) or electron beam melting (EBM) allow near-net-shape production of TiAl components. However, TiAl parts produced by LPBF or EBM do not reach the structural integrity and mechanical properties of forged parts. The main post-processing step of TiAl parts made by AM is hot-isostatic pressing (HIP), which has several disadvantages such as a long process time and an undesired coarsening of the microstructure. High-performance TiAl components such as turbine blades are thus still produced by isothermal forging of preforms made by investment casting and hot isostatic pressing. Due to the low workability of TiAl alloys, often more than one deformation step is required, and the tooling costs and the low material yield make this process chain very expensive. This paper explores the feasibility of combining AM with isothermal forming in order to replace HIP by thermomechanical post-processing. The hot forming behavior of the Ti-43.5Al-4Nb-1Mo-0.1B (at. %) TNM-B1 alloy, manufactured by EBM and LPBF, is analyzed concerning the evolution of the voids and grain sizes and compared to hot isostatic pressing. It is shown that the fine microstructure produced by AM yields a much lower flow stress and faster globularization kinetics in comparison to conventional cast and HIPed material. While HIP experiments are shown to significantly coarsen the microstructure, isothermal hot working is shown to convert the AM microstructure to a dense and refined state. Moderate hot working with total strains of ∼1 of AM pre-forms may thus serve as an alternative process chain to conventional large strains forging of cast pre-forms and to AM + HIP in the series production of high-performance TiAl components.

Single-Step Shear-Based Deformation Processing of Electrical Conductor Wires

Abstract Commercial electrical conductor wires are currently produced from aluminum alloys by multi-step deformation processing involving rolling and drawing. These processes typically require 10 to 20 steps of deformation, since the plastic strain or reduction that can be imposed in a single step is limited by material workability and process mechanics. Here, we demonstrate a fundamentally different, single-step approach to produce flat wire aluminum products using machining-based deformation that also ensures adequate material workability in the formed product. Two process routes are proposed: (1) chip formation by free-machining (FM), with a post-machining, light drawing reduction (&amp;lt;20%) to achieve desired finish and (2) constrained chip formation by large strain extrusion machining (LSEM). Using commercially pure aluminum conductor alloys (Al 1100 and EC1350) as representative material systems, we demonstrate key features of the machining-based processing, including (a) single-step processing to achieve flat wire geometries, (b) surface finish (Ra = 0.2 to 1.0 μm) comparable to that of commercial wire products made by drawing/rolling, (c) deformation control independent of wire size, and (d) hardness increases of 50–150% over that of annealed wires, while retaining high electrical conductivity (&amp;gt;56% IACS). The wire microstructure, which can also be varied via the large-strain deformation parameters, is correlated with mechanical and electrical properties. Implications for commercial manufacture of flat wire products are discussed.

Progressive Surface Reconstruction of Cardiac Anatomy from Sparse and Scattered Points for Heart Mapping Procedure

In computer aided radiofrequency catheter ablation of the heart, intraoperative three-dimensional reconstruction of the intracardiac cavity is a very important step. In this paper, we propose a point-by-point surface reconstruction algorithm based on scattered points and guarantee the properties of local reconstruction and surface smoothing. The algorithm firstly builds a generic self-adapted grid model to enclose and approximate to the initial sampled points (at least four points) captured from endocardial surface. Then, the grid model is deformed when adding a newly sampled point. To avoid the linear increase of computation with the increasing of the number of points and unbalanced neighborhood, we propose a local region search criterion based on orthogonal least squares and a neighborhood partition method. Such criterion can guarantee selecting the minimum local balanced points to complete each step of grid deformation. Four normal and six abnormal cardiac computed tomography angiography models specific to the left atrium are used to verify our method. The results show that the surface reconstruction errors as well as the reconstruction time per update are smaller than the state-of-theart methods applied to progressive reconstruction using sparse and scattered points. Furthermore, a cardiac phantom of right ventricle is used to verify the 3D surface reconstruction by our method. The experimental results confirm the feasibility of the proposed algorithm in practical operation.

New insights into the effects of deformation below-MS on isothermal kinetics of bainitic transformation

Both ausforming and austempering below the martensite start temperature (MS) have been shown to accelerate the bainitic transformation. This work investigates the combined effects of deformation and austempering below the MS on the isothermal transformation kinetics, microstructure, and hardness in a medium-carbon bainitic steel. The results show that, deformation below the MS can delay the onset of the baintic transformation compared to the case in which no deformation is applied. The larger the amount of martensite presents prior to the deformation step, the greater the delay in the onset of bainitic transformation. This behavior is attributed to the development of strong misorientation gradients within austenite during the co-deformation of the austenite-martensite microstructure. These large misorientation gradients make the pre-existing martensite a less effective nucleation site for bainite.

The parameters values choice for the preliminary thermo mechanical effects on polymeric materials before machining

In this paper the commonality of the destruction and materials cutting processes is substantiated. The use of preliminary mechanical and thermal effects on polymer composite materials is justified on the base on the provisions of the materials fracture kinetic concept. The ranges of the parameters values for thermal and mechanical effects on polymer composite materials are scientifically sound. Experimental studies of the polymeric materials deformation and fracture processes under uniaxial tension were carried out in order to select rational values of the preliminary mechanical stresses. It has been experimentally proved that the most weakened structure of the material is retained for 5-20 minutes for fluoroplastic and caprolon after preliminary loading. And the rest time between the deformation steps for thermosets such as getinaks and textolite does not affect the formation and change in the material strength.

Using Digital Image Correlation Method to Evaluate Fracture Parameters of Lead-Free Solder

Newly developed lead-free solder alloys, which contain doping some elements such as Ni, Bi, Sb, Al,..., have improved properties with respect to the conventional solder alloys, particularly in terms of resistance to creep. Their high performances are specifically desired in applications of power electronics where they are used for the electrical interconnections between the components. Studies on their resistance to rupture remain relatively limited. Yet the comprehension of fracture behavior is essential for the correct design of the electronic packages which must be robust against fatigue and vibrations loads. In this study, rupture of notched specimens fabricated from the InnoLot lead-free solder alloy is investigated. The tests are performed with the help of a micro-tensile testing machine equipped with an optical system for full-field measurements with Digital Image Correlation. The images are taken at successive steps of deformation and the displacement field is measured in a region of interest which is the singularity dominated zone surrounding the plastic zone at the crack tip. The procedure consists then in comparing the measured field with the theoretical field given by the Williams’ solution. The stress intensity factor is calculated by fitting the analytical fields to the experimental data. The effects of the size and shape of the zone of data collection, as well as that of the number of terms considered in the Williams’s expansion series, are examined in the study. A method is also proposed for the automatic crack tip detection.

Thermoelasticity of elastomeric constructions with initial stresses

The article presents an algorithm for solving linked problems of thermoelasticity of elastomeric structural elements on the basis of a moment scheme of finite elements. To model the processes of thermoelastic deformation of structures with initial stresses the incremental theory of a deformed solid is used. At each step of deformation, the stiffness matrix is adjusted using an incremental geometric stiffness matrix. The use of triple approximation of displacements, deformations and volume change function allows to consider the weak compressibility of elastomers. The components of the stress tensor are calculated according to the Duhamel-Neumann law. To solve the problem of thermal conductivity, a thermal conductivity matrix considering the boundary conditions on the surface of a finite element is constructed. A sequential approximation algorithm is used to solve the thermoelasticity problem. At each stage of the solution, the characteristics of the thermal stress state are calculated. Based on the obtained components of stress and strain tensors, the intensity of internal heat sources is calculated as the dissipative energy averaged over the load cycle. To calculate the dissipative characteristics of the viscoelastic elastomer the parameters of the Rabotnov’s relaxation nucleus are used. Solving the problem of thermal conductivity considering the function of internal heat sources allows you to specify the heating temperature of the body. At each cycle of the algorithm, the values of the physical and mechanical characteristics of the thermosensitive material are refined. This approach to solving thermoelastic problems is implemented in the computing complex "MIRELA+". Based on the considered approach, the solutions of a number of problems are obtained. The results obtained satisfactorily coincide with the solutions of other authors. Considering the effect of preload and the dependence of physical and mechanical properties of the material on temperature leads to significant adjustments to the calculated values.

The Jáchal river cross-section revisited (Andes of Argentina, 30°S): Constraints from the chronology and geometry of neogene synorogenic deposits

In the southern Central Andes, between 27 and 33°S, a flab-slab subduction has been established since the last 10 Ma. This particular subduction geometry has been proposed to control the eastward migration of the deformation, with the Precordillera fold-and-thrust belt development and the uplift of the foreland Sierras Pampeanas basement blocks. In this study, we present a 190 km-long structural section, across the easternmost Cordillera Frontal, the Precordillera and the westernmost sector of the Sierras Pampeanas, and revise both previous kinematic models, and the relationship between the establishment of the flat-slab and deformation in the foreland. For this purpose, we integrate published sedimentological data with a new structural analysis. Our forward kinematic model is fed back by: (i) the geometries of Neogene deformed beds throughout the Precordillera, such as sedimentary wedges and angular unconformities; (ii) flexural subsidence due to the topographic and sedimentary loads for each deformation step, constrained by measured stratigraphic sections; (iii) a revised chronostratigraphy and correlation chart of the Cenozoic sedimentary units; and, (iv) recent constraints on the ages of activity of the faults. This allows us to build a model that considers the timing of deformation for each main structure and its relationship with sedimentation, producing a model with better geometrical, sedimentological and paleogeographical constraints than previous proposals.The results of this modelling are presented in six different evolutionary stages. During the first stage, between 19 and 15 Ma, the eastern Cordillera Frontal is uplifted, associated with subsidence in the Rodeo-Iglesia proximal foreland basin, and low subsidence in the Bermejo distal foreland basin. In the second stage, between 15 and 12 Ma, uplift of the Western Precordillera took place, associated with the creation of a shallow detachment beneath the Rodeo-Iglesia basin. The third stage, between 12 and 8 Ma, was the beginning of the Central Precordillera uplift and the first pulse of uplift in the Valle Fértil range. During the next stage, between 8 and 5 Ma, the Central Precordillera rapidly deformed. Between 5 and 2 Ma, deformation in the Western and Central Precordillera almost ceased, and the focus of contractional deformation shifted to the Eastern Precordillera. The last 2 Ma phase is characterized by strike-slip deformation in the Rodeo-Iglesia basin and contractional deformation in the Eastern Precordillera and the Valle Fértil range.The key results are that the amount of total shortening, 66 km (35%), calculated for the cross-section, is significantly less than previously proposed, and the detachment of the Precordillera fold-and-thrust belt is shallower (~6.5 km vs 16 km) than previous models. This last point allows us to connect the Cordillera Frontal with the Precordillera, with a ramp-plane geometry of the detachment, as previously suggested, but allowing at the same time the subsidence and the generation of the observed geometries in the Rodeo-Iglesia basin.

Regional-scale paleofluid system across the Tuscan Nappe–Umbria–Marche Apennine Ridge (northern Apennines) as revealed by mesostructural and isotopic analyses of stylolite–vein networks

Abstract. We report the results of a multiproxy study that combines structural analysis of a fracture–stylolite network and isotopic characterization of calcite vein cements and/or fault coating. Together with new paleopiezometric and radiometric constraints on burial evolution and deformation timing, these results provide a first-order picture of the regional fluid systems and pathways that were present during the main stages of contraction in the Tuscan Nappe and Umbria–Marche Apennine Ridge (northern Apennines). We reconstruct four steps of deformation at the scale of the belt: burial-related stylolitization, Apenninic-related layer-parallel shortening with a contraction trending NE–SW, local extension related to folding, and late-stage fold tightening under a contraction still striking NE–SW. We combine the paleopiezometric inversion of the roughness of sedimentary stylolites – that constrains the range of burial depth of strata prior to layer-parallel shortening – with burial models and U–Pb absolute dating of fault coatings in order to determine the timing of development of mesostructures. In the western part of the ridge, layer-parallel shortening started in Langhian time (∼15 Ma), and then folding started at Tortonian time (∼8 Ma); late-stage fold tightening started by the early Pliocene (∼5 Ma) and likely lasted until recent/modern extension occurred (∼3 Ma onward). The textural and geochemical (δ18O, δ13C, Δ47CO2 and 87Sr∕86Sr) study of calcite vein cements and fault coatings reveals that most of the fluids involved in the belt during deformation either are local or flowed laterally from the same reservoir. However, the western edge of the ridge recorded pulses of eastward migration of hydrothermal fluids (&gt;140 ∘C), driven by the tectonic contraction and by the difference in structural style of the subsurface between the eastern Tuscan Nappe and the Umbria–Marche Apennine Ridge.

Optimized Thermomechanical Processing for Fine-Grained Dual-Phase Microstructure Using Deformation-Induced Ferrite Transformation

Ultra-fine-grained dual-phase structure of AISI 1010 and Ti-Nb microalloyed steels was obtained using novel thermomechanical processing and power dissipation efficiency map. Specimens were deformed using Gleeble® 3800, maintaining a constant strain rate of 1 s−1 and total true strain of 1.4. Evolution of microstructure is investigated using optical microscopy, SEM and microtexture using EBSD. Fine-grained dual-phase structure could be obtained by careful selection of amount of strain and temperature at each step of deformation. A dual-phase ferrite + martensite microstructure with an average grain size of 3.2 µm for AISI 1010 steel and 1.1 µm for Ti-Nb microalloyed steel was obtained. These fine-grained dual-phase microstructures were obtained in the moderate power dissipation efficiency region, which points to deformation-induced ferrite formation that is supported by the flow curves.

The effect of severe plastic deformation on the Mg properties after CEC deformation

Abstract In this study, the effect of severe plastic deformation on the Mg grain refinement and recovery mechanism was investigated. Technical pure magnesium was deformed at room temperature by cycling extrusion-compression (CEC) process up to large deformation. Several steps of deformation have been used by applying 1, 2 and 4 passes of CEC giving a total effective plastic strain of e = 3.1. Mechanical and structural properties of Mg in initial state and the states after successive steps of deformation were investigated. The mechanical properties were determined by microhardness and compression tests at room temperature. The structural investigations involved light microscope observations, electron back scattered diffraction and texture measurements by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the CEC process refines the grain size down to 6.4 µm and reduces strong rolling texture components. However, only the first two passes had a strong effect on mechanical properties while a larger number of CEC cycles (above 4) led to failure of the samples with a small effect on hardness. This observation correlates with texture evolution indicating a more random orientation distribution that slows down the typical for hcp metals rapid work hardening. It was found that the CEC process activated twin dynamic recrystallization in deformed Mg. This process led to the formation of new randomly oriented grains inside the twinned areas and as a consequence it reduced the strong rolling texture components.