Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are an important class of smart materials that have the ability to remember a shape. Current practical uses of SMAs are limited to below 100 degrees C which is the limit for the transformation temperatures of most commercially successful SMAs such as NiTi and Cu-based alloys. In recent years, the CoNiGa system has emerged as a new ferromagnetic shape memory alloy with some compositions exhibiting high martensitic transformation temperatures which makes CoNiGa a potential high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA). In this study, the microstructural evolution and martensitic transformation characteristics of CoNiGa (mainly Co46Ni27Ga27 and Co44Ni26Ga30 in at.percent) HTSMAs were investigated in as-cast and hot-rolled conditions as a function of different heat treatments. Heat treatment conditions were selected to introduce single, two, and three phase structures, where two precipitate phases (ductile Y and hard Y') do not martensitically transform. Calorimetry, X-ray analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermo-mechanical process and cycling techniques are applied to understand the structural and chemical factors influencing the thermal stability and transformation characteristics. The main findings include improvement of ductility, most cyclically stable compositions with narrow transformation hysteresis (<40 degrees C) and transformation temperatures in the range of 100 degrees C to 250 degrees C, formation of new phases and their effects, and associated compositional changes in the matrix, on the transformation temperatures and on the microstructural evolution. In addition, Ms temperature depends linearly on the valence electron concentration (e/a) of the matrix, only if the Ga content is constant, and the samples with narrow transformation hysteresis demonstrate reversible martensitic transformation in constant-stress thermal cycling experiments.

No description available.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第18986号 / 工博第4028号 / 新制||工||1620 / 31937 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科材料工学専攻 / (主査)教授 辻 伸泰, 教授 田中 功, 教授 乾 晴行 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T15:00:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2088352 bytes, checksum: ad24a5334ca280d092928b638e5dac4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-08-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This paper presents a study on strain-induced martensitic transformation at room-temperature and 57°C in Cu - 11.8% Al - 0.6% Be alloy, which it is not only presented as austenitic at room temperature, but also it is deformed in martensitic state and it returns to its normal state when the load application is finished. Through this work, it is possible to quantify the residual deformation after interruption of the applied load during tensile testing, and maintaining the load for certain periods of time. The techniques used during this study were: X-ray diffraction, draw, optical microscopy, DSC. Statistical studies were carried out in order to achieve greater accuracy in interpretation of results. / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo relativo à transformação martensítica induzida por tensão à temperatura ambiente e a 57ºC em uma liga Cu 11,8% Al 0,6% Be, a qual se apresenta como austenítica a temperatura ambiente e quando deformada apresenta-se no estado martensítico e cessando a aplicação da carga, a mesma retorna ao estado inicial. Através deste trabalho é possível quantificar a deformação residual depois de cessada a carga aplicada durante ensaio de tração, bem como da manutenção da carga por determinados períodos de tempo. As técnicas utilizadas para o presente estudo foram: difração de raios-X, tração, microscopia óptica, DSC. Estudos estatísticos são realizados com o objetivo de alcançar uma maior precisão na interpretação dos resultados obtidos.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T15:00:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2254772 bytes, checksum: 66f41c9370b200bbab8ed307f9eaac84 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work represents an experimental study on the influence of chromium on microstructure and thermomechanical properties in alloys Cu-Al-Be with shape memory effect. The chemical compositions of these alloys are Cu-11,8Al-0,6Be-XCr; X = 0,1, 0,2, 0,3, 0,5 and 0,05 (wt%). The samples were analyzed by optical microscopy to determine the average grain size, and then subjected to tensile testing at room temperature for values of stress and strain, determination of transformation temperatures of martensitic and austenitic phases via analysis by DSC, which showed lower compared to alloys without Cr and in addition the samples were subjected to hardness testing. From this data it was found that the addition of chromium as grain refiners improved the mechanical properties of the alloy studied. / Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo experimental sobre a influência do cromo na microestrutura e propriedades termomecânicas em ligas Cu-Al-Be com efeito memória de forma. As composições químicas destas ligas são Cu-11,8Al-0,6Be-XCr; X = 0,1; 0,2, 0,3, 0,5 e 0,05 (% em peso). As amostras foram submetidas à análise por microscopia óptica para determinar o tamanho médio dos grãos, sendo, em seguida, submetidas ao ensaio de tração em temperatura ambiente para obter valores de tensão e deformação, determinação das temperaturas de transformação das fases martensítica e austenítica via analise por DSC, as quais apresentaram mais baixas, em relação às das ligas sem Cr e como complemento as amostras foram submetidas ao ensaio de dureza. A partir deste dados, foi verificado que a adição cromo como refinadores de grão melhorou as propriedades mecânicas da liga estudada.

Na atualidade, o estudo da transformação martensítica é de grande importância na área acadêmica e tecnológica, devido à aplicação de aços e ferros fundidos com estruturas martensíticas. O estudo dos fenômenos da transformação martensítica envolve vários pesquisadores no mundo e é objeto de eventos como o ICOMAT e ESOMAT. O presente trabalho acompanhou a transformação martensítica por meio de técnicas experimentais a temperaturas sub-zero em um aço AISI D2 e uma liga Fe-Ni-C previamente austenitizadas. A literatura indica que o tratamento a temperaturas sub-zero pode melhorar propriedades dos aços temperados e revenidos. Foi explorado o uso dos métodos de ruído magnético de Barkhausen (MBN), para detectar a transformação de fase da austenita para a martensita durante o resfriamento sub-zero das amostras, usando três diferentes configurações: a emissão de ruído Barkhausen convencional estimulada por um campo magnético alternado; o método de Okamura que é a emissão de ruído magnético medido embaixo de um campo fixo (DC); e uma nova técnica experimental, que mede a emissão magnética espontânea durante a transformação na ausência de qualquer campo externo. Os fenômenos associados com a transformação de fase também foram medidos por resistividade elétrica e as amostras resultantes foram caracterizadas por microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Medições MBN no aço ferramenta AISI D2, austenitizadas a 1473K (1200C) e resfriadas a temperatura de nitrogênio líquido apresentaram uma mudança próximo de 225K (-48C) durante o resfriamento, que corresponde à temperatura Ms, como foi confirmado por medidas de resistividade. As medições da emissão de ruído magnético espontâneo, realizadas in situ durante o resfriamento da amostra imersa em nitrogênio líquido, mostraram que poderia ser detectado um fenômeno de estouro individual (burst), de forma similar às medições de emissão acústica (AE), o qual foi confirmado com a liga Fe-Ni-C. Este método de caracterização Spontaneous Magnetic Emission (SME) pode ser considerado uma nova ferramenta experimental para o estudo de transformações martensiticas em ligas ferrosas. Foi acompanhado o inicio da transformação martensítica por SME, em função do tamanho de grão, já que é conhecido pela literatura que o inicio da transformação martensítica (Ms), muda com a variação do tamanho de grão. / Martensitic transformations are of special interest both as an academic topic and as a technological issue, due to importance of steels and cast irons with martensitic structures. Studies of martensite transformation phenomena involve researchers all over the world and specific conferences and meetings, as ICOMAT and ESOMAT. The present work followed the martensitic transformation using different experimental techniques, during cooling at cryogenic temperatures samples of a AISI D2 cold work tool steel and also a Fe-Ni-C, previously austenitized. There are plenty of references in the literature suggesting that sub-zero cooling treatments could ameliorate the properties of quenched and tempered steels. The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) method was applied during cooling to subzero temperatures of austenitic samples of a AISI D2 cold work tool steels (previously quenched from 1200ºC) and to a Invar-type Fe-Ni-C alloy. MBN is a non-destructive technique based on the detection of the signal generated when ferromagnetic materials are subjected to an oscillating external magnetic field. In order to study the austenite to martensite transformation, three different configurations were tested: conventional Barkhausen using an oscillating magnetic field, a method proposed by Okamura, which uses a fixed magnetic field and a new method that detects spontaneous magnetic emissions (SME) on the absence of any applied magnetic field. Other phenomena associated with the transformation were followed using electrical resistivity measurements, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. MBN measurements on a cold work tool steel AISI D2, austenitized at 1473K (1200ºC) and quenched to room temperature, made during further cooling to liquid nitrogen temperature, presented a clear change of signal intensity near 225K (-48ºC), corresponding to Ms temperature, as confirmed by resistivity measurements. The SME in situ measurements during cooling of samples in liquid nitrogen were able to detect single burst (landslide nucleation and growth) phenomena, in a manner similar to the Acoustic Emission (AE) measurements; these results have been confirmed also with measurements on a Fe-Ni-C alloy. The new Spontaneous Magnetic Emission (SME) characterization method can be considered a new experimental tool for the study of martensitic transformations in ferrous alloys. The beginning temperature for the martensitic transformation detected using SME, electric resistivity and MBN were compared with estimates using the Andrews empirical equation (linear, 1965) for the Ms temperature. The effect of the austenite grain size on the beginning of the martensitic transformation was studied using SME, as it is known that the Ms temperature depends on the austenite grain size.

The purpose of the work presented in this thesis was to explore and understand the mechanisms governing toughness, ductility and ballistic performance in a class of nanostructured carbide-free bainite-austenite steels, sometimes known as ‘superbainite’. The mechanical properties of these alloys have been extensively reported, but their interpretation is not clear. The thesis begins with an introduction to both the relevant nanostructures and some of the difficulties involved in explaining observed properties, alongside a summary of the role of mixed- microstructures in alloy development. An overview of the debate regarding the mechanism of bainite formation is pre- sented in Chapter 2, in the form of a literature survey encompassing the period of explicit recognition of the bainite microstructure. Of note is the role played by the displacive theory of formation in the development of the alloy structures investigated in this thesis. A characterisation of a commonly available bainitic alloy forms the basis for Chapter 4. Observations confirm the nanoscale nature of the structure, although additional phases are found to be present, namely: cementite and martensite. This is explained as resulting from relatively low alloying additions and chem- ical segregation effects, which are modelled using thermodynamic and kinetic approaches. Chapters 5 and 6 contain a comprehensive study of the response of this alloy to the stress concentration present at the notch root of a Charpy impact sample. The work provides evidence of notch root embrittlement due to stress-induced martensite transformation. Results from synchrotron and laboratory X-ray experiments in particular reveal that machining, as well as applied stress, can initiate the austenite-martensite transformation, and methods to mitigate this effect are suggested. An innovative approach is harnessed in Chapter 7, in order to identify exper- imentally the volume fraction at which three-dimensional connectivity (‘percolation’) of austenite is lost in a superbainitic steel. Hydrogen thermal desorption techniques are applied to this problem, inspired by the tendency of such alloys to undergo tensile failure with limited or zero necking. The striking result sheds light on the importance of austenite morphology in restricting the diffusion of hydrogen into a mixed structure. The final set of experimental work is directed towards understanding the damage mechanisms that occur during projectile penetration of a coarser bainitic armour- plate alloy. The formation of adiabatic shear bands is found to be a dominant factor governing the ballistic failure of the plate. The sheared material undergoes severe high-temperature deformation, but does not change phase upon cooling, leading to the proposal of certain methods that could be implemented to improve ballistic resistance of the steel. The totality of the research presented herein is summarised in Chapter 9, which draws attention to new areas of interest that have arisen from the current work, proposing several future directions of investigation. The broader issue of understanding, common to all studies performed thus far, is that of the causes, effects, and extent, of stress-induced transformation to martensite experienced by the retained austenite that is a key feature of superbainite and similar steels.

No description available.

Cette thèse a été centrée sur l’étude de la formation d’une phase martensitique dans les aciersFe-Ni-C et sur la diffusion des atomes de carbone dans cette phase à basse température. Lamodélisation à l’échelle atomique a été utilisée. Pour décrire ces phénomènes, deux approchesont été développées: un modèle discret basé sur la théorie de la fonction de densité atomique(ADF) et une approche quasiparticulaire basée sur la théorie atomique de Fratons (AFT). Dansun premier temps, pour montrer l’universalité de notre approche, nous avons appliqué l'AFTpour modéliser la cinétique d'auto-assemblage des atomes initialement désordonnés à desstructures ordonnées complexes. Cette approche a ensuite été appliquée à l'étude detransformation austénite/martensite. Il a été montré que le germe de martensite se développecomme agrégat multivariant dans la matrice austénitique. En utilisant des figures de pôles etdes diagrammes de diffraction simulés, ces variants ont été identifiés et comparés aux donnéesexpérimentales. La diffusion du carbone dans la phase de martensite a été étudiée en utilisantla théorie ADF. Deux systèmes avec différentes propriétés élastiques, Fe-C et Fe-Ni-C, ont étéconsidérés. Il a été montré qu’au cours du premier stade de vieillissement, les atomes decarbone subissent une décomposition spinodale sur les interstices octaédriques du réseautétragonal centré de martensite et forment les zones riches en carbone. Ensuite, la morphologie«tweed-like» des zones riches en carbone est développée. Les résultats des simulations sontun bon accord avec les images expérimentales obtenues par sonde atomique tomographique.La relation entre une mise en ordre de Zener et la concentration des zones riches en carbone aété discutée. / This thesis examines the formation of martensite in Fe-Ni-C steels and the diffusion of carbonatoms in this phase at low temperatures. To achieve this goal the atomistic modeling have beenused. To describe these phenomena two different approaches were developed: a discretemodel based on the Atomic Density Function (ADF) theory and the quasiparticle approachesbased on the Atomic Fraton Theory (AFT). First, the AFT was tested to model a self-assemblykinetics of initially disordered systems to three different classes of ordered one: singlecomponent crystals with fcc and diamond structures, two component crystals with zinc-blendstructure, and polymers with single-strand and double-stranded helixes structures. Then thisapproach was applied to model austenite/martensite transformation. It was shown thatmartensite nucleus grows as multivariant aggregate in austenite matrix. Using pole figures andsimulated diffraction patterns these variants were identified and compared with the experimentaldata. The carbon diffusion in martensite phase was studied using ADF theory. Two systemswith the different elastic properties corresponding to the Fe-C and Fe-Ni-C systems wereconsidered. It was shown that during a first stage of aging the carbon atoms undergo a spinodaldecomposition on the octahedral interstices of bcc lattice and form the carbon-rich zones. Then"tweed-like" morphology of carbon-rich zones is developed. The simulations results are a goodagreement with experimental images obtained by atom probe tomography. The relationbetween Zener ordering and the concentration of carbon reach zones is discussed.

Intercritically austempered ductile iron (IADI) with a matrix microstructure of ferrite plus metastable austenite has an excellent combination of strength and toughness. The high strength and good ductility of this material is due to the transformation of metastable austenite to martensite during deformation. In the present study, the transformation of austenite to martensite for intercritically austempered ductile irons of varying alloy chemistry (varying amounts of nickel and/or manganese) were examined using in-situ neutron diffraction under strain-controlled loading at VULCAN at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Both diffraction and tensile data were collected and synced using the VDRIVE software (a proprietary ORNL software package). The single peak fit method was employed in the analysis of the diffraction data. In this thesis, the stress and strain for the start of the transformation of metastable austenite to martensite were determined. The development of residual stresses during deformation and the elastic diffraction constants for both the ferrite and austenite phases were also determined. The material was characterized using optical microscopy, backscattered imaging in the scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. / Master of Science