Bulk nanocrystalline Al-Mg-Y alloys with amorphous grain boundary complexions display high strength and compressive plasticity

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Lei, Tianjiao, Hessong, Esther, Fields, Brandon, Thiraux, Raphael Pierre, Gianola, Daniel S., Rupert, Timothy J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Lei, Tianjiao
Hessong, Esther
Fields, Brandon
Thiraux, Raphael Pierre
Gianola, Daniel S.
Rupert, Timothy J.
author_facet Lei, Tianjiao
Hessong, Esther
Fields, Brandon
Thiraux, Raphael Pierre
Gianola, Daniel S.
Rupert, Timothy J.
contents Although nanocrystalline alloys regularly exhibit high strengths, their use in structural applications often face challenges due to sample size limitations, unstable microstructures, and the limited ability to plastically deform. The incorporation of amorphous grain boundary complexions has been proposed to address these issues, by simultaneously stabilizing nanocrystalline grain structures for scale-up processing and improving alloy toughness. In the present study, the mechanical behavior of bulk nanocrystalline Al-Mg-Y is examined with macroscale compression testing, probing a length scale that is relevant to real-world structural applications. Bulk samples were fabricated via a simple powder metallurgy approach, with different pressing temperatures and times employed for consolidation in order to investigate microstructural and property evolution. All of the specimens contained primary face-centered cubic Al and secondary Al4C3 and Al3Y phases, with the Al3Y particles exhibiting two populations of small equiaxed and larger elongated particles. Appreciable plasticity was measured along with high ultimate stresses over 800 MPa due to the presence of amorphous grain boundary complexions. Microstructural characterization of fracture surfaces revealed that the area fraction of dimpled regions increased with longer hot-pressing time. Most importantly, the elongated Al3Y particles formed regular cellular patterns with increasing hot-pressing time, delaying shear localization and significantly enhancing plasticity. The hierarchy present in the microstructure of the Al-Mg-Y alloy, from amorphous grain boundary complexions to secondary phases, gives rise to excellent bulk mechanical properties, which are attractive for structural applications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_14754
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Bulk nanocrystalline Al-Mg-Y alloys with amorphous grain boundary complexions display high strength and compressive plasticity
Lei, Tianjiao
Hessong, Esther
Fields, Brandon
Thiraux, Raphael Pierre
Gianola, Daniel S.
Rupert, Timothy J.
Materials Science
Although nanocrystalline alloys regularly exhibit high strengths, their use in structural applications often face challenges due to sample size limitations, unstable microstructures, and the limited ability to plastically deform. The incorporation of amorphous grain boundary complexions has been proposed to address these issues, by simultaneously stabilizing nanocrystalline grain structures for scale-up processing and improving alloy toughness. In the present study, the mechanical behavior of bulk nanocrystalline Al-Mg-Y is examined with macroscale compression testing, probing a length scale that is relevant to real-world structural applications. Bulk samples were fabricated via a simple powder metallurgy approach, with different pressing temperatures and times employed for consolidation in order to investigate microstructural and property evolution. All of the specimens contained primary face-centered cubic Al and secondary Al4C3 and Al3Y phases, with the Al3Y particles exhibiting two populations of small equiaxed and larger elongated particles. Appreciable plasticity was measured along with high ultimate stresses over 800 MPa due to the presence of amorphous grain boundary complexions. Microstructural characterization of fracture surfaces revealed that the area fraction of dimpled regions increased with longer hot-pressing time. Most importantly, the elongated Al3Y particles formed regular cellular patterns with increasing hot-pressing time, delaying shear localization and significantly enhancing plasticity. The hierarchy present in the microstructure of the Al-Mg-Y alloy, from amorphous grain boundary complexions to secondary phases, gives rise to excellent bulk mechanical properties, which are attractive for structural applications.
title Bulk nanocrystalline Al-Mg-Y alloys with amorphous grain boundary complexions display high strength and compressive plasticity
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.14754