A new insight into ductile fracture of ultrafine-grained Al-Mg alloys

It is well known that when coarse-grained metals undergo severe plastic deformation to be transformed into nano-grained metals, their ductility is reduced. However, there are no ductile fracture criteria developed based on grain refinement. In this paper, we propose a new relationship between ductile fracture and grain refinement during deformation, considering factors besides void nucleation and growth. Ultrafine-grained Al-Mg alloy sheets were fabricated using different rolling techniques at room and cryogenic temperatures. It is proposed for the first time that features of the microstructure near the fracture surface can be used to explain the ductile fracture post necking directly. We found that as grains are refined to a nano size which approaches the theoretical minimum achievable value, the material becomes brittle at the shear band zone. This may explain the tendency for ductile fracture in metals under plastic deformation.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Vice-Chancellor’s Fellowship Grant and URC small grant at the University of Wollongong

A new insight into ductile fracture of ultrafine-grained Al-Mg alloys

It is well known that when coarse-grained metals undergo severe plastic deformation to be transformed into nano-grained metals, their ductility is reduced. However, there are no ductile fracture criteria developed based on grain refinement. In this paper, we propose a new relationship between ductile fracture and grain refinement during deformation, considering factors besides void nucleation and growth. Ultrafine-grained Al-Mg alloy sheets were fabricated using different rolling techniques at room and cryogenic temperatures. It is proposed for the first time that features of the microstructure near the fracture surface can be used to explain the ductile fracture post necking directly. We found that as grains are refined to a nano size which approaches the theoretical minimum achievable value, the material becomes brittle at the shear band zone. This may explain the tendency for ductile fracture in metals under plastic deformation

Recent developments in flat rolling technologies

In this paper, a survey of four relatively recent rolling technologies is presented. The merits and drawbacks of each technique are examined. These techniques are: (1) Heated Roll Rolling, and the suitability of this technique for magnesium sheet production; (2) Asymmetric Cryorolling, which has potential for large-scale industrial production of nanostructural materials; (3) Variable-Gauge Rolling, used for production of flat products with variable thicknesses; and (4) Through-width Vibration Rolling, used for fabrication of ultrafine material sheets. Where possible, computer simulations of the rolling processes are described. Among the interesting simulation results obtained is the finding that the shear strain distribution in strips produced using the Through-width Vibration Rolling technology is more uniform and shows higher shear strain values, when compared with the conventional rolling technology

Investigation of closure of internal cracks during rolling by FE model considering crack surface roughness

Internal cracks often appear in cast slabs, and their evolution during hot deformation directly affects the product quality. In this paper, the authors investigate the closure behavior of internal cracks during plate rolling using a finite element (FE) model that takes into account the roughness of the crack surface. Influences of the roughness and reduction ratio on the closure of cracks are analyzed. The simulated results show that the models with consideration of the initial crack roughness can be used to investigate the formation of residual voids around the crack after rolling. The simulation results are validated by experimental observations. Finally, we propose an explanation of the crack closure mechanism during rolling

Transition of ductile and brittle fracture during DWTT by FEM

Globally, steel pipelines are widely used to transport energy in the form of liquid petroleum and natural gas. The steel used in the manufacture of these pipelines must have high strength and toughness, and high resistance to fracture. The Drop Weight Tear Test (DWTT) is the most widely used test to assess brittle fracture characteristics in steel. The zones of ductile and brittle fracture during DWTT characterize the quality of pipeline steels. In this paper, the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) fracture models are coupled in a Finite Element model. The ductile and brittle fracture zones in the samples are analyzed under different conditions. The results show that the change in fracture mode during the DWTT is from the brittle to the ductile, then again to the brittle. The calculated absorbed energies during DWTT compare well with experimental findings. Finally, we present an analysis of the transition from ductile to brittle fracture under different conditions

High strength and ductility of ultrathin laminate foils using accumulative roll bonding and asymmetric rolling

As product miniaturization is becoming widely popular, many microparts are being produced by microforming of sheets/foils, whose strength needs to be able to maintain structural stability of the micro-components. In addition, their strength and ductility of foils generally reduce with a reduction in the thickness due to the size effect. In this paper, we report the fabrication of an aluminum laminate foil using a combined process of accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and asymmetric rolling (AR). It was found that this improves both strength and ductility. TEM results show that the laminate structures produced by ARB develop an inhomogeneous microstructure with nanoscale grains and abnormal coarsening in some grains during AR processing. Both these effects result in an improved ductility and strength. Using these rolled products, micro-cups of very small wall thickness/cup diameter ratio (1/200) have been successfully fabricated by micro-deep drawing without the need for annealing

Computational fluid dynamics simulation of carbon dioxide dispersion in a complex environment

In order to quantitatively evaluate the risk associated with the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, a deeper understanding of CO2 dispersion resulting from accidental releases is essential. CO2 is a heavier-than-air gas. Its dispersion patterns may vary according to local conditions. This study focuses on CO2 dispersion over complex terrains. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were developed to simulate the CO2 dispersion over two hypothetical topographies: (1) a flat terrain with an axisymmetric hill and (2) a simplified model of an urban area with buildings. The source strength, wind velocity and height of the buildings were varied to investigate their effects on the dispersion profile. The study may offer a viable method for assessment of risks associated with CCS

A thermal analysis of strip-rolling in mixed-film lubrication with O/W emulsions

Increase of both roll and strip surface temperatures can significantly affect a rolling process, roll conditions and strip mechanical properties. A comprehensive thermal analysis in cold rolling, especially in a mixed film regime, is needed to understand how thermal fields develop in roll and strip during rolling. It requires a simultaneous solution of the mixed film model for friction in the roll bite and the thermal model for roll and strip thermal fields. This paper presents a numerical procedure to analyse strip rolling process using lubrication with oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The thermal model includes the effect of heat generation due to the strip deformation and frictional shear stress at the asperity contacts. The numerical analysis employs a coupled thermal model and a mixed film lubrication model for calculating the friction and the asperity deformation in the bite. The thermal model considers the initial temperatures of the roll and strip, temperature rise due to the strip plastic deformation and friction. While the O/W mixed-film lubrication model takes into account the effect of surface roughness and oil concentration (%vol) of the emulsion. The thermal effect is analysed in terms of strip surface temperature and roll temperature, which are influenced by rolling parameters such as reduction, rolling speed, oil concentration in the emulsion. The results of the parametric study indicate that the effect of oil concentration on the thermal field is relatively small compared to that of reduction ratio and rolling speed. The reduction ratio increases the maximum interface temperature in the roll bite. In the mixed film regime, rolling speed also increases the maximum interface temperature and alters the temperature field of the strip. The numerical procedure was validated against known experimental data and can readily be extended to hot rolling or used to analyse roll strip temperature subjected to different cooling system

Regioselective synthesis of novel heterophanes from 4-amino-triazoles^†

670-673The regioseiective synthesis of N-amino-benztriazolophanes has been achieved by incorporation of benzene nucleus in the heterophane. The some of the novel compounds have been studied for their use as PTC agents