Fine-grained Matrix Research Articles

Principal Slip Zones in Limestone: Microstructural Characterization and Implications for the Seismic Cycle (Tre Monti Fault, Central Apennines, Italy)

Earthquakes in central Italy, and in other areas worldwide, often nucleate within and rupture through carbonates in the upper crust. During individual earthquake ruptures, most fault displacement is thought to be accommodated by thin principal slip zones. This study presents detailed microstructural observations of the slip zones of the seismically active Tre Monti normal fault zone. All of the slip zones cut limestone, and geological constraints indicate exhumation from \2 km depth, where ambient tempera- tures are � 100C. Scanning electron microscope observations suggest that the slip zones are composed of 100% calcite. The slip zones of secondary faults in the damage zone contain protocata- clastic and cataclastic fabrics that are cross-cut by systematic fracture networks and stylolite dissolution surfaces. The slip zone of the principal fault has much more microstructural complexity, and contains a 2-10 mm thick ultracataclasite that lies immediately beneath the principal slip surface. The ultracataclasite itself is internally zoned; 200-300 lm-thick ultracataclastic sub-layers record extreme localization of slip. Syn-tectonic calcite vein net- works spatially associated with the sub-layers suggest fluid involvement in faulting. The ultracataclastic sub-layers preserve compelling microstructural evidence of fluidization, and also con- tain peculiar rounded grains consisting of a central (often angular) clast wrapped by a laminated outer cortex of ultra-fine-grained calcite. These ''clast-cortex grains'' closely resemble those pro- duced during layer fluidization in other settings, including the basal detachments of catastrophic landslides and saturated high-velocity friction experiments on clay-bearing gouges. An overprinting foliation is present in the slip zone of the principal fault, and electron backscatter diffraction analyses indicate the presence of a weak calcite crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) in the fine-grained matrix. The calcite c-axes are systematically inclined in the direction of shear. We suggest that fluidization of ultra- cataclastic sub-layers and formation of clast-cortex grains within the principal slip zone occurred at high strain rates during propa- gation of seismic ruptures whereas development of an overprinting CPO occurred by intergranular pressure solution during post-seis- mic creep. Further work is required to document the range of microstructures in localized slip zones that cross-cut different lithologies, and to compare natural slip zone microstructures with those produced in controlled deformation experiments.

Deformation and hydrothermal metamorphism of gabbroic rocks within the Godzilla Megamullion, Parece Vela Basin, Philippine Sea

Microstructural and petrologic analyses of 7 gabbroic rocks sampled from the medial area of the Godzilla Megamullion (site KH07-02-D18), located along the Parece Vela Basin spreading ridge (Parece Vela Rift), Philippine Sea, reveal the development of a high-temperature ductile shear zone associated with hydrothermal metamorphism in the lower crust. The deformed gabbroic rocks are petrographically classified into mylonites and an ultramylonite, and are characterized by porphyroclastic textures consisting mainly of coarse plagioclase and clinopyroxene/amphibole porphyroclasts in a fine-grained matrix. Plagioclase crystallographic-preferred orientations vary from (010)[100] and (001)[100] patterns in the mylonites to a weak (001)[100] pattern in the some mylonites and ultramylonite, suggesting a change in the deformation mechanism from dislocation creep to grain-size-sensitive creep with increasing intensity of deformation. The chemical composition of matrix plagioclase is generally more sodic than that of porphyroclasts. Secondary amphibole is ubiquitous, consisting mainly of pargasite and magnesiohornblende (brown hornblende) and actinolite (green hornblende). The mineral assemblage is consistent with the hydrothermal metamorphic reaction: clinopyroxene + calcic plagioclase + fluid → amphibole + sodic plagioclase. Compared with deformed gabbroic rocks from the breakaway and termination areas of the Godzilla Megamullion, the samples record ductile shearing under high temperature conditions, possibly related to the development of the Godzilla Megamullion, although hydrothermal activity in the medial area appears to have been less intense than in both the breakaway and termination areas.

Chapter 19 The Ayn Formation of the Mirbat Group, Dhofar, Oman

Abstract Glacial deposits are found in the Ayn Formation and Shareef Formation of the Mirbat Group close to Mirbat in Dhofar, southern Oman. The Mirbat Group is most likely a correlative of the Abu Mahara Group of the Huqf Supergroup of northern Oman. The Ayn Formation, the main subject of this chapter, comprises <400 m of mainly coarse-grained glaciogenic deposits, ponded in 2- to >8-km-wide N- to NW-oriented palaeovalleys eroded into crystalline basement, with few or no deposits preserved on intervening palaeohighs. The Shareef Formation occurs as thin, lenticular, erosional remnants beneath the unconformably overlying Cretaceous. The Ayn Formation is overlain by a thin (<3 m), discontinuous cap carbonate that passes from carbonate-cemented talus on the basin margin to stromatolitic carbonate on palaeohighs and resedimented gravity flows on palaeovalley flanks. The Ayn Formation is younger than its youngest detrital zircons and the youngest late plutons in crystalline basement, constraining it to < c . 720 Ma, but its exact age is unknown. The detrital zircon population comprises exclusively Neoproterozoic sources, suggesting derivation from the juvenile Neoproterozoic crust of the Arabian area. The composition of fine-grained matrix in glaciogenic diamictite units and of non-glacial mudstones, plotted using the chemical index of alteration (CIA), suggests strong variations in the intensity of palaeoweathering on contemporary land surfaces between the mechanical weathering-dominated Ayn Formation, and the chemical weathering-dominated overlying Arkahawl Formation, which supports the notion of major glaciation followed by rapid climatic transit as basin margins were flooded and buried with sediment during post-glacial transgression. The carbon isotopic ratio (δ 13 C) of the post-glacial carbonate is strongly variable from −3.5‰ to +5.8‰, whereas carbonate fissures in the underlying basement range between +4.1‰ and +5.7‰. Two independent palaeomagnetic studies have yielded low palaeomagnetic latitudes for the Mirbat Group.

Near-surface nanocomposite structure on commercial purity aluminum induced by fine particle bombardment

Commercial purity aluminum (A1070) was subjected to fine particle bombardment (FPB) with 1.0 mass% carbon steel and pure nickel projectile particles. Nanocomposite structures formed at the near-surface region, which contained refined aluminum grains of less than 100 nm in diameter and dispersed projectile fragments several tens of nanometer to several micrometer in size. Beneath the nanocomposite structure was found a fine-grained matrix with approximately 1-μm-diameter grains. Observation of the microstructural transition at the near-surface region suggested that the nanocomposite structures developed via severe plastic deformation (SPD), accompanied by a folding and imposing of the convex part of the surface, and by mechanical mixing with the fragments of the projectile particles. The nanocomposite structures exhibited high hardness values of approximately HV200, which are superior to those of extra-super duralumin (A7075-T6). The relationship between the grain size and hardness value in the structures corresponds well to the Hall–Petch relationship extrapolated from previous studies. Therefore, the increase in hardness is thought to be mainly the result of grain refinement strengthening.

Chapter 12 Neoproterozoic glaciogenic diamictites of the Katanga Supergroup, Central Africa

Abstract Glaciogenic sediments of the Katanga Supergroup are represented by two units. The syn-rift Grand Conglomerat Formation (<765±5 Ma to >735±5 Ma) occurs within the Nguba Group, and the Petit Conglomerat Formation defines the base of the Kundelungu Group deposited in the earliest foreland basin of the Lufilian orogenic belt located between the Congo and Kalahari cratons. Their glacial origin is inferred on the basis of the following features: the common and widespread occurrence of thick polymictic conglomerates and diamictites with faceted and striated clasts, massive structure, abundant poorly sorted fine-grained matrix, and the presence of planar-laminated shales (laminites) with dropstones. Glaciomarine facies associations prevail over most of the geographic extent of both units, but at the northern periphery of the depository, continental glacial facies are present. The glaciomarine units are succeeded by carbonates: the Kakontwe Limestone and ‘Calcaire Rose’ respectively. The clasts in the glaciogenic units are of extrabasinal and intrabasinal provenance. Lower boundaries, conformable in the basin centre, evolve to unconformities in the marginal areas to the N and S. The palaeomagnetic evidence suggests deposition in low latitudes.

Near-Surface Nanocomposite Structure on Commercial Purity Aluminum Induced by Fine Particle Bombardment

Commercial purity aluminum (A1070) was subjected to fine particle bombardment (FPB) with 1.0 mass% carbon steel and pure nickel projectile particles. Nanocomposite structures formed at the near-surface region, which contained refined aluminum grains of less than 100 nm in diameter and dispersed projectile fragments several tens of nanometer to several micrometer in size. Beneath the nanocomposite structure was found a fine-grained matrix with approximately 1-μm-diameter grains.Observation of the microstructural transition at the near-surface region suggested that the nanocomposite structures developed via severe plastic deformation (SPD), accompanied by a folding and imposing of the convex part of the surface, and by mechanical mixing with the fragments of the projectile particles.The nanocomposite structures exhibited high hardness values of approximately HV200, which are superior to those of extra-super duralumin (A7075-T6). The relationship between the grain size and hardness value in the structures corresponds well to the Hall–Petch relationship extrapolated from previous studies. Therefore, the increase in hardness is thought to be mainly the result of grain refinement strengthening.

Wear assessment of Al/Al2O3 nano-composite surface layer produced using friction stir processing

Abstract An innovative technique, friction stir processing (FSP) was employed for the fabrication of Al/Al2O3 nano-composite surface layer on an Al alloy substrate. Aluminum work pieces with pre-placed nano-sized Al2O3 powder which was filled in a shallow groove were subjected to various numbers of passes from one to four. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed that increase in the number of FSP passes causes a more uniform dispersion of alumina particles and thus, decreases particles clustering. In addition, an increasing in the number of FSP passes was found to decrease the matrix grain size of the surface nano-composite layers. The mean micro hardness value of the surface nano-composite layer was found to be improved by almost three times as compared to that of the as-received Al alloy substrate. A significant improvement in wear resistance was exhibited by surface nano-composite layer in comparison to the as-received substrate. The surface nano-composite layer produced by four FSP passes showed superior wear resistance; this is attributed to its greater micro hardness value (due to presence of finer matrix grains and uniform dispersion nano-sized Al2O3 particles).

Nanoscale porosity in SAFOD core samples (San Andreas Fault)

With transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we observed nanometer-sized pores in four ultracataclastic and fractured core samples recovered from different depths of the main bore hole of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD). Cutting of foils with a focused ion beam technique (FIB) allowed identifying porosity down to the nm scale. Between 40 and 50% of all pores could be identified as in-situ pores without any damage related to sample preparation. The total porosity estimated from TEM micrographs (1–5%) is comparable to the connected fault rock porosity (2.8–6.7%) estimated by pressure-induced injection of mercury. Permeability estimates for cataclastic fault rocks are 10−21–10−19 m2 and 10−17 m2 for the fractured fault rock. Porosity and permeability are independent of sample depth. TEM images reveal that the porosity is intimately linked to fault rock composition and associated with deformation. The TEM-estimated porosity of the samples increases with increasing clay content. The highest porosity was estimated in the vicinity of an active fault trace. The largest pores with an equivalent radius>200nm occur around large quartz and feldspar grains or grain-fragments while the smallest pores (equivalent radius<50nm) are typically observed in the extremely fine-grained matrix (grain size<1μm). Based on pore morphology we distinguish different pore types varying with fault rock fabric and alteration. The pores were probably filled with formation water and/or hydrothermal fluids at elevated pore fluid pressure, preventing pore collapse. The pore geometry derived from TEM observations and BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller) gas adsorption/desorption hysteresis curves indicates pore blocking effects in the fine-grained matrix. Observations of isolated pores in TEM micrographs and high pore body to pore throat ratios inferred from mercury injection suggest elevated pore fluid pressure in the low permeability cataclasites, reducing shear strength of the fault.

Cycadalean and bennettitalean foliage from the Triassic Madygen Lagerstätte (SW Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia)

Plant fossils recently collected from the Middle–Late Triassic Madygen Formation in SW Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia are described in detail. Based on the combination of gross morphology and epidermal/cuticular anatomy, four different taxa are identified, assigned to the Cycadales, i.e. Pseudoctenis lanei and Bennettitales, Pterophyllum pinnatifidum, P. firmifolium and Otozamites sp. All taxa are new for the Madygen Formation. Remarkable is the first occurrence of Pseudoctenis and two Pterophyllum species in the Triassic of Central Asia. The fossils are generally well preserved, but without cuticles. Nevertheless, epidermal and cuticular features can be recognized because the cuticles left behind imprints in the very fine-grained matrix. Silicon casts, examined under a stereomicroscope and with SEM, revealed xeromorphic features that are traditionally considered as indicators of arid conditions. However, comparisons of the functionality of the xeromorphic features in living plants show that these features occur in xerophytic, as well as in hygrophytic and halophytic plants. Sedimentological data from Madygen show that the fossil flora grew in alluvial plains, delta plains, and shallow lacustrine environments. The xeromorphic features are consequently interpreted as functional adaptations to environmental influences involved in the self-cleaning of the leaf surface, regulation of excessive radiation and leaf temperature and as an effective mechanical defense against phytophagous insects.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA62 Mg alloy by equal-channel angular pressing

The Mg–6Zn–2Al alloy was processed by ECAP and microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy before and after ECAP were studied. The results revealed that the microstructure of the ZA62 alloy was successfully refined after two-step ECAP (2 passes at 473K and 2–8 passes at 423K). The course bulk interphase of Mg51Zn20 was crushed into fine particles and mixed with fine matrix grains forming “stripes” in the microstructure after the second step of ECAP extrusion. A bimodal microstructure of small grains of the matrix with size of ∼0.5μm in the stripes and large grains of the matrix with size of ∼2μm out of stripes was observed in the microstructure of samples after 4–8 passes of ECAP extrusion at the second step. The mechanical properties of the alloy studied were significantly improved after ECAP and the highest yield strength and elongation at room temperature were obtained at the samples after 4 and 8 ECAP passes at the second step, respectively. Tensile tests carried out at temperature of 473K to 573K and strain rate of 1×10−3s−1 to 3×10−2s−1 revealed that the alloy after 8 ECAP passes at the second step showed superplasticity and the highest elongation and strain rate sensitivity (m-value) reached 520% and 0.45, respectively.

The Effects of Fines on the Behaviour of a Sand Mixture

Intergranular void ratio, es, can be used as an alternative indicator to assess the mechanical properties of composite matrix of coarse and fine grains. In this paper, an intensive laboratory study of saturated coarse rotund sand and fine angular sand mixtures with various mix ratios is investigated by a series of oedometer and direct shear tests. Oedometer tests performed on the mixtures show that fines percentages and stress conditions affect the compression behaviours. Tests indicated that, up to a fraction of fines, which is named as transition fines content (FCt), compression behaviour of the mixture is mainly governed by the sand grains. As the percentage of fines exceeds FCt finer grains govern the compression. Performed direct shear tests revealed that there is a relationship between the FCt and shear strength, which is harmonic with the oedometer test results.

Highly 15N-enriched chondritic clasts in the CB/CH-like meteorite Isheyevo

The metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites (CB and CH) have the highest whole-rock 15N-enrichments (δ 15N up to 1500‰) among planetary materials. They are also characterized by the absence of interchondrule fine-grained matrix. The only fine-grained material is present as lithic clasts, which experienced extensive aqueous alteration in contrast to the surrounding high-temperature components (chondrules, refractory inclusions, metal grains). Hence, the clasts are foreign objects that were incorporated at a late stage into the final parent body of Isheyevo. Their origin is poorly constrained. Based on mineralogy, petrography, and thermal processing of the aromatic carbonaceous component, different types of clasts have been previously identified in the CB/CH-like chondrite Isheyevo. Here, we focus on the rare lithic clasts characterized by the presence of anhydrous silicates (chondrules, chondrule fragments, and CAIs). Their mineralogy and oxygen isotopic compositions reveal them to be micro-chondrules, fragments of chondrules, and refractory inclusions related to those in the Isheyevo host, suggesting accretion in the same region. In contrast to previously studied IDPs or primitive chondritic matrices, the fine-grained material in the clasts we studied is highly and rather uniformly enriched in heavy nitrogen, with bulk δ 15N values ranging between 1000‰ and 1300‰. It is also characterized by the presence of numerous 15N hotspots (δ 15N ranging from 1400‰ to 4000‰). No bulk (δD <–240‰) or localized deuterium enrichments were observed. These clasts have the highest bulk enrichment in heavy nitrogen measured to date in a fine-grained material. They represent a unique material, of asteroidal or cometary origin, in our collection of cosmomaterials. We show that they were 15N-enriched before their incorporation in the final parent body of Isheyevo. They experienced an extensive aqueous alteration that most likely played a role in redistributing 15N over the whole fine-grained material and may have significantly modified its initial hydrogen isotopic composition. Based on a review of isotopic fractionation models, we conclude that the nitrogen isotopic fractionation process, its timing, and its location are still poorly constrained. The 15N-rich clasts may represent the surviving original carrier of the 15N anomaly in Isheyevo whole-rock.

The petrogenesis of Sarıçimen (Çaldıran-Van) quartz monzodiorite: Implication for initiation of magmatism (Late Medial Miocene) in the east Anatolian collision zone, Turkey

The Sarıçimen porphyry is exposed as a sub-volcanic pluton within the Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks in East Anatolian Accretionary Complex. The pluton is quartz monzodioritic in composition consisting of feldspar, hornblende, and biotite phenocrysts set in a fine-grained matrix. Major element geochemistry indicates the pluton is of high-K, calc-alkaline, metaluminous character, with a low (0.81–0.90) Aluminum Saturation Index (ASI). Trace element and sulfur isotope geochemistry suggests that the Sarıçimen porphyry was mantle-derived and contaminated by crustal materials during ascent. Tectonically, this and related volcanic and plutonic rocks in eastern Turkey and Iran are subduction-related and comprise the earliest documented neotectonic igneous activity associated with the final closure of the neo-Tethys between the Arabian and Eurasia plates at ~ 14–13 Ma.

Superplastic Behavior in Magnesium Alloy with Dispersion of Quasicrystal Phase Particle

Superplastic behavior was investigated using an extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy with the dispersion of the quasicrystal phase particle in fine-grained matrix. Tensile tests showed that the low temperature superplasticity was behaved at a temperature of 473 K and maximum elongation was 462 % at 573 K in 1  10-5 s-1. The deformed microstructure observation showed that the dominant deformation process was grain boundary sliding. The present alloy also demonstrated a high possibility for secondary forming, such as superplastic forge forming. Furthermore, the forged alloy had a homogeneous microstructures, no mechanical anisotropy and uniform micro-hardness properties in any portion of a forged product.

Control of shear zone location and thickness by initial grain size variations in upper mantle peridotites

The Turon de Técouère peridotite, North Pyrenean fault zone, France, contains protomylonites grading to ultramylonites. Grain size reduction to 0.005–0.025 mm took place by reaction during deformation. Within the protomylonite domain, the size of the porphyroclasts suggests an initial grain size in this domain of 2–10 mm. In the ultramylonite domain, porphyroclasts are polycrystalline with an internal grain size of 0.1–0.2 mm, indicating that the ultramylonite domain had a finer initial grain size than the protomylonite domain. Lattice-preferred orientations and misorientations within a polycrystalline porphyroclast in the ultramylonite domain suggest an early episode of dislocation creep accommodated dynamic recrystallization, restricted predominantly to the present-day ultramylonite domain. Later grain size reduction by reaction, resulting in very fine-grained ultramylonites, was concentrated in the same domain. For reaction-involved deformation, initial grain size may be crucially important as it controls the surface area available for nucleation of new grains. As a result of the finer initial grain size within the present-day ultramylonites, a critical percentage of fine-grained matrix developed in the present-day ultramylonite domain earlier than in the present-day protomylonite domain, resulting in localization of further deformation in the ultramylonites. This study suggests that zones of locally smaller grain size can act as heterogeneities that control the location and width of shear zones formed by reaction-softening.

230Th/U dating of a late Pleistocene alluvial fan along the southern San Andreas fault

U-series dating of pedogenic carbonate-clast coatings provides a reliable, precise minimum age of 45.1 ± 0.6 ka (2σ) for the T2 geomorphic surface of the Biskra Palms alluvial fan, Coachella Valley, California. Concordant ages for multiple subsamples from individual carbonate coatings provide evidence that the 238 U- 234 U- 230 Th system has remained closed since carbonate formation. The U-series minimum age is used to assess previously published 10 Be exposure ages of cobbles and boulders. All but one cobble age and some boulder 10 Be ages are younger than the U-series minimum age, indicating that surface cobbles and some boulders were partially shielded after deposition of the fan and have been subsequently exhumed by erosion of fine-grained matrix to expose them on the present fan surface. A comparison of U-series and 10 Be ages indicates that the interval between final alluvial deposition on the T2 fan surface and accumulation of dateable carbonate is not well resolved at Biskra Palms; however, the “time lag” inherent to dating via U-series on pedogenic carbonate can be no larger than ∼10 k.y., the uncertainty of the 10 Be-derived age of the T2 fan surface. Dating of the T2 fan surface via U-series on pedogenic carbonate (minimum age, 45.1 ± 0.6 ka) and 10 Be on boulder-top samples using forward modeling (preferred age, 50 ± 5 ka) provides broadly consistent constraints on the age of the fan surface and helps to elucidate its postdepositional development.

The role of dilation and cementation in the formation of cataclasite in low temperature deformation of well cemented quartz-rich rocks

An important textural component of cataclasites in quartz-rich rocks deformed at low temperatures is a fine-grained (<20μm) matrix composed of anhedral quartz. As cataclasites form during shearing, this component would typically be interpreted to result from extreme grain size reduction through comminution. Tabular bands of fine-grained quartz that texturally resemble cataclasite found in faulted quartz arenites and other quartz-rich, well cemented sandstones have characteristics that are incompatible with a shearing origin. These characteristics include a lack of shear displacement and wall rock fragments, gradational contacts with the wall rock, and a fine-grained quartz fill that has a different cathodoluminescence, water content, oxygen isotope chemistry, and in some cases, mineralogy, than the wall rocks. Rather than being the result of cataclasis, the fine-grained quartz in these tabular bands was precipitated in a dilating fracture. In essence, these structures are veins.In fault zones, where cataclasite is well developed and shearing is unequivocal, the fine-grained quartz matrix representing up to 50% of the fault rock volume has characteristics similar to those in the tabular bands. We interpret these volumes to be in many cases a result of cement precipitation rather than as a product of comminution. If correct, then the brittle deformation of well cemented, quartz-rich rocks deformed at low temperatures involves much more dilation and cementation than previously recognized.

Putative fossil life in a hydrothermal system of the Dellen impact structure, Sweden

AbstractImpact-generated hydrothermal systems are commonly proposed as good candidates for hosting primitive life on early Earth and Mars. However, evidence of fossil microbial colonization in impact-generated hydrothermal systems is rarely reported in the literature. Here we present the occurrence of putative fossil microorganisms in a hydrothermal system of the 89 Ma Dellen impact structure, Sweden. We found the putative fossilized microorganisms hosted in a fine-grained matrix of hydrothermal alteration minerals set in interlinked fractures of an impact breccia. The putative fossils appear as semi-straight to twirled filaments, with a thickness of 1–2 μm, and a length between 10 and 100 μm. They have an internal structure with segmentation, and branching of filaments occurs frequently. Their composition varies between an outer and an inner layer of a filament, where the inner layer is more iron rich. Our results indicate that hydrothermal systems in impact craters could potentially be capable of supporting microbial life. This could have played an important role for the evolution of life on early Earth and Mars.

Orientation-related deformation mechanisms of naturally deformed amphibole in amphibolite mylonites from the Diancang Shan, SW Yunnan, China

Sheared amphibolite rocks from Diancang Shan high-grade metamorphic complex along the Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone, southwestern Yunnan, China, show typical mylonitic microstructures. The mylonites are characterized by porphyroclastic microstructures and the ultramylonites are highly lineated with alternating amphibole- and quartzofeldspathic domains. Microstructural analysis and P/T estimation suggest that the amphibole grains in the mylonitic rocks are deformed and dynamically recrystallized at amphibolite facies. In the mylonitic amphibolites, there are two types of amphibole porphyroclasts, i.e. type I “hard” and type II “soft” porphyroclasts. They have their [001] crystallographic orientations subnormal and sub-parallel to the stretching lineation of the rocks, respectively. The two types of porphyroclasts show distinct deformation microstructures and sub-microstructures formed by various deformation mechanisms, which contribute in different ways to the generation of the fine-grained matrix. Shape preferred orientation analysis, misorientation analysis of the two types of porphyroclasts and new fine grains around them further prove the generation of the fine grains in matrix from the type II porphyroclasts. The type I “hard” porphyroclasts are deformed mainly by mechanical rotation, work hardening and intragranular microfracturing. In contrast, the deformation of the type II “soft” porphyroclasts is mainly attributed to crystalline plasticity, i.e. twinning, dislocation creep and dynamic recrystallization. During the deformation of the type II porphyroclasts, the (100) [001] slip system plays a dominant role during deformation and grain size reduction of amphibole. Twinning along the active (100) slip system, in combination with dislocation creep (gliding and climbing) governs the nucleation of subgrains and formation of dynamically recrystallized fine grains, a process here named Twinning Nucleation Recrystallization.

Superplastic Behavior in Magnesium Alloy with Dispersion of Quasicrystal Phase Particle

Superplastic behavior was investigated using an extruded Mg-Zn-Y alloy with the dispersion of the quasicrystal phase particle in fine-grained matrix. Tensile tests showed that the low temperature superplasticity was behaved at a temperature of 473 K and maximum elongation was 462 % at 573 K in 1  10-5 s-1. The deformed microstructure observation showed that the dominant deformation process was grain boundary sliding. The present alloy also demonstrated a high possibility for secondary forming, such as superplastic forge forming. Furthermore, the forged alloy had a homogeneous microstructures, no mechanical anisotropy and uniform micro-hardness properties in any portion of a forged product.