High Temperature Mechanical Properties Research Articles

Microstructures evolution, texture characteristics and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-9Gd-3Nd-1Zn-1Sn-0.5Zr alloy

Abstract In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to explore the microstructural evolution, texture characteristics, and mechanical properties of extruded Mg-9Gd-3Nd-1Zn-1Sn-0.5Zr alloys with varying extrusion ratios (ERs). Moreover, the high-temperature mechanical properties of the alloy and analyzed the corresponding fracture mechanisms were investigated. The findings unveiled a refinement in grain size and an improvement in homogeneity with increasing ER. Such refinement coincided with the disruption of coarse Mg5(Gd, Nd, Zn) eutectic phases, facilitating dynamic recrystallization. As a result, the extruded alloy manifested small grains, significant orientation difference in grain boundaries, and a weakened texture. In particular, the average grain size in the extrusion direction (ED) diminished to 13.29 μm (ER4), 9.62 μm (ER16), and 4.05 μm (ER25). And the ED texture of the ER4 alloy featured a strong (0001) basal bimodal pattern, whereas the ER16 and ER25 alloys showcased a random texture. Furthermore, the ER25 alloy displayed notable work hardening at temperatures of 200 °C or below, exerting a significant influence on its stress-strain curve. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the alloy remained consistently above 275.09 MPa, demonstrating ductile fracture characteristics characterized by numerous dimples at temperatures of 200 °C or higher. The study identified the second phase as the primary contributor to enhancing the high-temperature tensile characteristics of the alloy. In summary, this research developed a unique high-strength Mg-9Gd-3Nd-1Zn-1Sn-0.5Zr alloy characterized by fine grain and texture strengthening. The alloy exhibited remarkable stability at temperatures of 250 °C or lower, making it a promising candidate for applications in high-temperature applications.

Achieving back-stress strengthening at high temperature via heterogeneous distribution of nano TiBw in titanium alloy by electron beam powder bed fusion

Back-stress strengthening has been proven to be an effective strategy in breaking the room temperature strength–ductility dilemma in hetero-structural metals matrix composite materials (MMC). However, back-stress is difficult to achieve at high temperature because of grain boundary softening, grain boundary sliding, dislocation annihilation and grain rotation. Here, back-stress strengthening is exploited to improve the high temperature tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4 V (TC4) alloy by precipitating a heterogeneous distribution of nano TiB whiskers (TiBw). In this work, the rapid solidification associated with electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) generates heterogeneous in-situ nano TiBw at both grain boundaries and grain interiors. The nano-TiBw on the grain boundaries (GB nano-TiBw) not only refines the grains but can also pin the grain boundaries. The intragranular nano TiBw (IG nano-TiBw) significantly reduces the dislocation mean free path, inhibit dislocation movement, and dramatically enhances the dislocation storage density. Meanwhile, specimens are strengthened by high-density < a + c > dislocations induced by the precipitated nano TiBw. The heterogeneous distribution of nano TiBw achieved a 50 °C increase in the service temperature of TC4 alloy while also increasing stability. This strategy provides a new perspective for further improving the high-temperature mechanical properties of titanium alloys.

Extraordinary ductility in the 75W–25Cu composite at elevated temperatures

The high-temperature mechanical properties are an essential indicator in the application of W–Cu composites. In this study, a 75W–25Cu composite with high relative density is prepared by infiltration. Its tensile properties are investigated from 25 °C to 1000 °C, and the fracture strain shows a non-linear trend with a peak value of 20 % at 200 °C. The fracture mode is the ductile fracture of Cu and the combination of the transgranular and intergranular fracture of W at 200 °C. Microstructure characterization of the post-deformed tensile specimens at 25 °C, 200 °C, and 1000 °C is conducted in conjunction with the finite element analysis. The atypical increase of the fracture strain at 200 °C is rationalized through the perspective of dislocation slip in Cu and the stress partitioning between the two phases. The high-temperature mechanical properties of W–Cu composites are summarized at the end for specimens with a range of compositions and fabrication processes. The current work provides a solid basis for any subsequent optimization and potential application of W–Cu composites.

High-temperature mechanical properties and microstructure of 2.5D C/C–SiC composites applied for the brake disc of high-speed train

This paper uses chemical vapor infiltration method to prepare 2.5D C/C-SiC composites, and conducts various tests to reveal its high-temperature mechanical properties and failure mechanism. The results show that the test temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties. As the test temperature increased from room temperature to 800 °C, the tensile strength of the 2.5D C/C-SiC composite dropped from 127.67 ± 20.87 MPa to 94.74 ± 28.15 MPa, and the performance dropped by 25.79 %. The compressive strength dropped from 326.92±17.37 MPa to 192.31 ± 29.15 MPa, resulting in a performance decrease of 41.18 %. The bending strength dropped from 355.74 ± 40.80 MPa to 235.88 ± 23.52 MPa, and the performance dropped by 33.69 %; the interlaminar shear strength dropped from 9.77 ± 2.79 MPa to 7.80 ± 3.26 MPa, and the performance dropped by 20.16 %. High-temperature oxidation will lead to interface degradation, destroy the composite matrix and carbon fiber structure, change the interface bonding strength, and ultimately lead to a decline in composite performance.

Effect of Nd on Microstructure and High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of As-cast Mg–Y–Nd–Zn–Zr Alloy

Effect of Nd on Microstructure and High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of As-cast Mg–Y–Nd–Zn–Zr Alloy

Anodic Dissolution Characteristics of GH4169 Alloy in NaNO3 Solutions by Roll-Print Mask Electrochemical Machining Using the Linear Cathode.

GH4169 alloy/Inconel 718 is extensively utilized in aerospace manufacturing due to its excellent high temperature mechanical properties. Micro-structuring on the workpiece surface can enhance its properties further. Through-mask electrochemical micromachining (TMEMM) is a promising and potential processing method for nickel-based superalloys. It can effectively solve the problem that traditional processing methods are difficult to achieve large-scale, high-precision and efficiency processing of surface micro-structure. This study explores the feasibility of electrochemical machining (ECM) for GH4169 using roll-print mask electrochemical machining with a linear cathode. Electrochemical dissolution characteristics of GH4169 alloy were analyzed in various electrolyte solutions and concentrations. Key parameters including cathode sizes, applied voltage and corrosion time were studied in the roll-print mask electrochemical machining. A qualitative model for micro-pit formation on GH4169 was established. Optimal parameters were determined through experiments: 300 μm mask hole and cathode size, 10 wt% NaNO3 electrolyte, 12 V voltage, 6 s corrosion time. The results demonstrate that the micro-pits with a diameter of 402.3 μm, depth of 92.8 μm and etch factor (EF) of 1.81 show an excellent profile and localization.

Effect of strain rate and temperature on dynamic compressive behavior of HfBeTiZrCuNi high entropy bulk metallic glass

This study investigated the high-temperature dynamic mechanical properties of Hf-based high entropy bulk metallic glass (HE-BMG). Uniaxial dynamic compressive tests of Hf-based HE-BMG were conducted at elevated temperatures (from 298 to 800 K) under a high strain rate (from 1000 to 5000 s−1) by a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device with a high-temperature system, and the failed specimens were analyzed in terms of microstructures and fracture modes. The dynamic test results show that the maximum compressive stress and the total strain decrease with increasing strain rate and temperature, exhibiting significant strain rate and temperature sensitivity. Three different fracture modes were observed with increasing strain rates, while heating the temperature could promote the transition process of the fracture modes. When the adiabatic or heating temperature reaches above the crystallization temperature, the embrittlement caused by metallic glass crystallization makes the fracture mode change. The mechanical behavior of Hf-based HE-BMG at high temperatures and high strain rates could be attributed to the combination of adiabatic heating and embrittlement.

Component regulation and high-entropy engineering for enhanced antioxidant and high-temperature mechanical properties of protective films

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have gained widespread application in protecting structural components due to their high strength and hardness. However, TMNs still have the challenge of structural instability and mechanical deterioration caused by oxidation under harsh high temperature conditions. Herein, we present a strategy combining component regulation with high-entropy engineering to develop an advanced high-temperature Al-containing high-entropy nitrides (HENs) material. To prevent the phase decomposition of AlN within the (NbMoTaWAl)N, theoretical simulations were employed to determine a critical atomic percent of 25.0% Al for maintaining the stability of the high-entropy structure. Ensuing experimental synthesis creates three Nb-Mo-Ta-W-Al-N films with varying Al content: a high-entropy film with 0.0% Al (HEN), a high-entropy film with 21.2% Al (HEN-Al), and an amorphous transition metal nitride film with 30.2% Al (a-TMN-Al), validating key high-entropy engineering benchmarks. It is found that the unique HEN-Al film exhibits excellent oxidation resistance and high-temperature hardness, attributed to the uniform distribution of Al atoms in the robust high-entropy structure, which creates conditions for forming a dense and continuous Al2O3 barrier layer, effectively hindering the diffusion of oxygen into the film interior. This study provides new insights to develop a new generation of high-temperature protective materials.

Towards post-curing parameters optimization of phthalonitrile composites through the synergy of experiment and machine learning

Phthalonitrile composites are highly anticipated in fields such as aerospace, marine, and electronics due to their exceptional heat resistance, excellent high-temperature mechanical properties, and outstanding processability. The conversion of nitrile functional groups to macrocyclic structures during post-curing is essential for performance enhancement. However, the influence of post-curing conditions on the mechanical properties of phthalonitrile composites is complicated, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, an experimental and machine learning synergic strategy was employed to optimize the post-curing parameters of the phthalonitrile composites, including temperature, time, and pressure. Through mechanical experiments conducted at both room temperature and 400 °C, scanning electron microscope, and dynamic mechanical analysis, the underlying mechanism of the influence of post-curing parameters on the composite mechanical properties was revealed. The enhancement of the polymerization degree brought about by post-curing is the decisive factor for high-temperature performance, while the room-temperature properties are a tradeoff between the polymerization degree improvement and the defect proliferation. The genetic algorithm-optimized backpropagation (GA-BP) neural network was trained for the efficient and accurate prediction of the optimal post-curing parameters. The tendency of mechanical properties with the post-curing parameters predicted by machine learning is consistent with the mechanism revealed by experiments.

A novel high-Cr CoNi-based superalloy with superior high-temperature microstructural stability, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties

A novel high-Cr CoNi-based superalloy with superior high-temperature microstructural stability, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties

Microstructure, high temperature mechanical properties and sliding wear behavior of (NiCrW)1-x(Al2O3)x

(NiCrW)1-x(Al2O3)x composites with different nano-Al2O3 ratios (x = 0, 1, 2.5, 5 wt %) were prepared using powder metallurgy techniques. The influence of the Al2O3 content on the microstructure, phase composition, high-temperature mechanical properties, and wide-temperature-range friction and wear performance of the composites was investigated. The corresponding high-temperature strengthening and wear-resistance mechanisms were also investigated. The results indicated that as the alumina content increased, the tensile and compressive strengths of the composites decreased at room temperature (RT). However, at high temperatures (800 °C), the opposite trend was observed. Notably, the composite with 5 wt % Al2O3 exhibits the highest tensile strength (189.20 MPa) and compressive strength (446.61 MPa) at 800 °C. The addition of alumina had a relatively minor impact on the friction coefficient of the composites but significantly affected the wear rate. Specifically, the composite with 5 wt % Al2O3 demonstrates optimal friction and wear performance at high temperatures. This enhancement was primarily attributed to the reinforcement of the mechanical properties of the matrix material owing to the addition of alumina. Additionally, the formation of a friction glaze layer rich in Cr2O3 and NiO oxides on the worn surface contributed to improved wear resistance. This study is important for understanding the performance and applications of metallic materials.

Insights into hardening and strengthening in ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets

Ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets are vacuum-sintered by refining the particle size of raw materials and tailoring the WC/TaC ratio to achieve the improvements in comprehensive mechanical properties and cutting performance. The hardness, flexural strength and tool lifespan of ultrafine Ti(C, N)-based cermets are substantially higher than those of submicron Ti(C, N)-based cermets with the same composition because of the refined grains and the improved distributions of both metal phases and residual stress. The hardness attenuation behavior and strengthening mechanism in Ti(C, N)-based cermets at different test temperatures have been proposed. At 400 ℃, the hardness attenuation of Ti(C, N)-based cermets depends mainly upon the softening of metal phases. However, at 800 ℃, the hardness attenuation of Ti(C, N)-based cermets is mainly related to the reduced bearing capacity of hard ceramic phases and interfacial sliding. The addition of refractory TaC is beneficial for the improvement of high-temperature mechanical properties and the tool lifespan, attributed to the strengthening of the ceramic framework by tantalum atoms.

Study of high temperature mechanical properties and damage behavior of Ni-YSZ anode/SrO–MgO–SiO2 glass-ceramic sealant/430 s.s. interconnect system in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

In the sealing system of Ni-YSZ anode/SrO–MgO–SiO2 glass-ceramic sealant/430 s s. interconnect, the phase transformation and mechanical properties of interfaces are studied after operating 0 h, 100 h, and 1800 h at 750 °C. The results show that the interface fracture appears in the glass/anode and glass/interconnect interfaces after operating at 1800 h. The interface mechanical parameters within different operation times are collected to investigate the effects of crystallization, penetration, and high temperature mechanical properties on the interlayer stress and structure damage. The Sr2MgSi2O7 crystal phase increases the glass modulus from 104.5 GPa to 129.8 GPa with a runtime from 0 h to 1800 h. The modulus of the Ni-YSZ interface also increases from 82.4 GPa to 128.3 GPa with the glass penetration process. The 430 s s. modulus is reduced by 13 % at 750 °C after 1800 h to reach 191.1 GPa. The established anode/glass/interconnect interlayer stress model accurately calculates the compressive stress at the glass/anode side interface and glass/interconnect side interface, with values reaching −755.2 MPa and −587.1 MPa, respectively. The crystallization zone of the SrO–MgO–SiO2 glass-side interface near Ni-YSZ and 430 s s. become the stress damage sensitive zones and break under interlayer stress.

A novel L12-strengthened single crystal high entropy alloy with excellent high-temperature mechanical properties

In this work, a novel and low-cost L12-strengthened single crystal high entropy alloy (HEA) was prepared through the seeding method of directional solidification. The microstructures, tensile properties and deformation mechanisms of the single crystal HEA were systematically investigated. The volume fraction of L12 precipitates after heat treatment was almost 80%, which was higher than that of conventional single crystal superalloys. The maximum yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation, which were separately as 897 MPa, 1038 MPa and 37%, were obtained at the intermediate temperature of 800 °C. Moreover, at higher temperature (900 °C and 1000 °C), the HEA was able to maintain excellent performance, which was comparable to the commercial René N5 second-generation Ni-based single crystal superalloy. Finally, the high performance was examined by the model of strengthening contribution, which proved that the high-volume fraction of L12 precipitates in single crystal HEA was the primary reason for their significant precipitation and solid solution strengthening. Additionally, the formation of Lomer-Cottrell locks and stacking faults could enhance the high-temperature properties of the single crystal HEA.

Secondary degradation of bio-oil degraded crumb rubber and preparation of stable degraded crumb rubber modified asphalt

Using bio-oil to desulfurize and degrade crumb rubber (CR) significantly enhances the compatibility between CR and asphalt, improving the workability of CR-modified asphalt and providing environmental and economic benefits. However, the secondary degradation of bio-oil degraded crumb rubber (ODR) in asphalt hinders the stability of ODR-modified asphalt. To optimize the mechanical performance of ODR-modified asphalt, the secondary degradation behaviors of ODR were investigated. The degree of CR degradation was determined by solubility testing, while the rheological properties and chemical structures of ODR-modified asphalt were characterized through rotational viscometer, dynamic shear rheometer, bending beam rheometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The processes for preparing stable ODR modifier and ODR-modified asphalt were proposed to mitigate the damage caused by bio-oil and degraded CR to the high temperature mechanical properties of asphalt. The results show that at lower processing temperatures for ODR-modified asphalt, the volatilization of light components is predominant, while higher processing temperatures prompt secondary degradation of ODR. By stirring at 280°C for 2 hours to acquire moderately degraded CR, and then concentrating it at 220°C for 2 hours, a stable ODR less susceptible to secondary degradation can be obtained. The workability, temperature sensitivity, and low temperature cracking resistance of stable ODR-modified asphalt improve significantly. The reduction of ester group and increase in aromaticity restore the high temperature deformation resistance of ODR-modified asphalt. Further, the inclusion of composite SBS extends the range of rheological properties in ODR-modified asphalt, bolstering the application potential of ODR in asphalt pavement.

Improving High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Through Heat Treatment

Improving High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Through Heat Treatment

One-pot synthesis of copolyamide PA MXDT-MXD6 towards oxygen-barrier and high-temperature transparent applications

Semi-aromatic polyamides have long been recognized for their exceptional comprehensive properties in numerous demanding applications. Among them, poly(m-xylylene adipamide) (MXD6) was commonly used in oxygen-barrier packaging but suffered diminished transparency due to thermal crystallization. Herein, we introduced terephthalic acid (PTA) as rigid monomer units into the chain of MXD6 to prepare amorphous copolyamides PA MXDT-MXD6 via one-pot polycondensation, guided by thermal analysis. The chemical structure of copolyamides was confirmed using 1H NMR and FTIR spectra. Thermal analysis revealed that the copolyamides exhibited high thermal stability, amorphous characteristics, and improved glass transition temperatures (110.9–136.5 °C). Pyrolysis kinetics further demonstrated that copolyamides have enhanced thermal stability and lifetime. Furthermore, copolymerization resulted in numerous amide bonds conjugated with benzene rings, leading to superior high-temperature transparency, oxygen-barrier, and mechanical properties compared to MXD6 and other reference polyamides. These characteristics indicate the potential suitability of copolyamides as transparent and heat-resistant barrier materials.

High-temperature flexural mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composites

To assess the flexural behavior of SiC/SiC composites in high-temperature atmospheric environments, three critical influencing factors were identified: selection of fixtures, loading and supporting roller dimensions, and span-to-thickness ratio. Subsequently, through experimental methods and finite element model simulations, the impact of these factors was investigated. The study identified the most suitable fixture materials and configuration dimensions for SiC/SiC materials. It was found that as the span-to-thickness ratio increases, the flexural strength of the material continues to rise, reaching a turning point at 543 MPa, after which it decreases. The maximum interlaminar shear stress consistently decreases with an increasing span-to-thickness ratio. Combined with the failure mode analysis of the samples, it was observed that for a span-to-thickness ratio equal to or greater than 16, the sample failure modes are all valid. Additionally, regarding the observed non-linearity in the stress-strain curve when testing with a larger span-to-thickness ratio, it is recommended to apply a large deflection correction to the flexural stress.

Study on Thermodynamic Coupling Performance of Multi-Level Lattice Structures

With the development of hypersonic vehicle, the design of heat-resistant and load-bearing surface of hypersonic vehicle has gradually become a key technology affecting its combat effectiveness. As a new type of lightweight and high-strength structure, lattice structure has excellent mechanical properties such as ultra-light, high specific strength and high specific stiffness, and special properties such as vibration reduction, heat dissipation and sound absorption. Among them, the multi-level lattice structure can increase the bearing efficiency of the structure at low relative density, and increase the heat transfer area at the same time, so as to improve the heat protection and bearing capacity of the structure. This study includes three aspects of high temperature out-of-plane compression test, high temperature numerical simulation comparison, and structural optimization for the designed multi-level pyramid lattice, in order to obtain the bearing capacity of the multi-level pyramid lattice at 350°C, and further improve the bearing performance by optimizing the core structure. Through experiments and verification, the multi-level pyramid lattice designed and optimized in this study can further meet the requirements of thermal protection and load-bearing performance of aircraft compared with the single-level pyramid lattice, and can provide a reference for the study of high temperature mechanical properties of lattice structures, the design of new multi-level lattice structures and the engineering application of lattice structures.

High-temperature mechanical properties of additively manufactured 420 stainless steel

Martensitic stainless steels are indispensable alloys in various high stress and temperature applications such as plastic injection molds and components in steam generators. Subtractive manufacturing methods used to fabricate these parts, however, limits its functionality and performance due to design constraint of cooling channels. This limitation can be resolved by means of additive manufacturing while ensuring that acceptable high-temperature properties can be achieved. In this work, the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured 420 stainless steel (AM420SS) is explored through material constitutive modeling to determine the mathematical model that best describes its flow stress in extreme conditions. This is accomplished by subjecting the samples to hot compression under the strain rates of 0.1–1.0 s−1, and temperatures between 973–1423 K (700 °C–1150 °C) via Gleeble thermomechanical test. The experimental data were used to generate the predictive flow stress curves of constitutive models which includes Johnson-Cook, Zerilli-Armstrong, Zener-Hollomon, and Hensel-Spittel equations. Results showed that Zener-Hollomon and Hensel-Spittel models are the most accurate material constitutive equations with relatively high R values of 0.986 and 0.976, and low average absolute relative error values of 6.96% and 7.69%, respectively. The material constants derived from these models can be applied in finite element analysis simulations to assess the performance of using AM420SS parts at high temperature and strain conditions.