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Microstructure decomposition and unique mechanical properties in an ultrafine-grained Al-Zn alloy processed by high-pressure torsion

Microstructure decomposition and unique mechanical properties in an ultrafine-grained Al-Zn alloy processed by high-pressure torsion
Microstructure decomposition and unique mechanical properties in an ultrafine-grained Al-Zn alloy processed by high-pressure torsion
An ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-30wt.%Zn alloy was processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) and then the mechanical and microstructural properties were investigated using depth-sensing indentations (DSI), focused ion beam (FIB), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Emphasis was placed on the microstructure changes due to HPT processing as well as the effects of grain boundaries and the unusually high strain rate sensitivity. The deformation characteristics are explained by the formation of a Zn-rich phase which wets the Al/Al grain boundaries and enhances the role of grain boundary sliding in this UFG alloy. The occurrence of intensive grain boundary sliding in this UFG alloy at room temperature was also demonstrated by deforming micro-pillars. It is shown that, as a result of grain boundary sliding, the plastic deformation process of the UFG samples remains stable even at the micro-scale without the intermittent flow and detrimental strain avalanches which are an inherent feature of micro-size conventional crystals. This result illustrates the advantage of using UFG materials for effective applications in micro-devices.

0023-432X
215-258
Baris, A.
f52af955-4008-4b95-84c4-b24757b25994
Chinh, N.Q.
75241499-642b-477a-b457-cd08bcab4b9d
Valiev, R.Z.
f32c36f3-ce3a-4531-b8ef-0b18ad6626da
Langdon, T.G.
86e69b4f-e16d-4830-bf8a-5a9c11f0de86
Baris, A.
f52af955-4008-4b95-84c4-b24757b25994
Chinh, N.Q.
75241499-642b-477a-b457-cd08bcab4b9d
Valiev, R.Z.
f32c36f3-ce3a-4531-b8ef-0b18ad6626da
Langdon, T.G.
86e69b4f-e16d-4830-bf8a-5a9c11f0de86

Baris, A., Chinh, N.Q., Valiev, R.Z. and Langdon, T.G. (2015) Microstructure decomposition and unique mechanical properties in an ultrafine-grained Al-Zn alloy processed by high-pressure torsion. Kovové materiály - Metallic Materials, 53 (4), 215-258. (doi:10.4149/km-2015-4-251).

Record type: Article

Abstract

An ultrafine-grained (UFG) Al-30wt.%Zn alloy was processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) and then the mechanical and microstructural properties were investigated using depth-sensing indentations (DSI), focused ion beam (FIB), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Emphasis was placed on the microstructure changes due to HPT processing as well as the effects of grain boundaries and the unusually high strain rate sensitivity. The deformation characteristics are explained by the formation of a Zn-rich phase which wets the Al/Al grain boundaries and enhances the role of grain boundary sliding in this UFG alloy. The occurrence of intensive grain boundary sliding in this UFG alloy at room temperature was also demonstrated by deforming micro-pillars. It is shown that, as a result of grain boundary sliding, the plastic deformation process of the UFG samples remains stable even at the micro-scale without the intermittent flow and detrimental strain avalanches which are an inherent feature of micro-size conventional crystals. This result illustrates the advantage of using UFG materials for effective applications in micro-devices.

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More information

Published date: 2015
Organisations: Engineering Mats & Surface Engineerg Gp

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 382399
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/382399
ISSN: 0023-432X
PURE UUID: 8c7150c3-8ca0-4bbf-a219-e52733145731
ORCID for T.G. Langdon: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3541-9250

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Date deposited: 27 Oct 2015 11:01
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:14

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Contributors

Author: A. Baris
Author: N.Q. Chinh
Author: R.Z. Valiev
Author: T.G. Langdon ORCID iD

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