Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “microstructure evolution”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2010

Effects of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy on the microstructural evaluation of a highly alloyed aluminum alloy produced by SIMA process

This study was undertaken to investigate the influence of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy on the structural characteristics of Al-12Zn-3 Mg-2.5Cu aluminum alloy. The optimum amount of Ti containing master alloy for proper grain refining was selected as 6 wt.%. A modified strain-induced, melt-activated (SIMA) process for semi-solid processing of alloys was proposed. In order to examine the effectiveness of the modified SIMA process, the recrystallized microstructures of the Al alloy (Al-12Zn-3 Mg-2.5Cu) prepared by the modified SIMA processes were macroscopically. The modified SIMA process employed casting, warm multi-forging, recrystallization and partial melting instead of the conventional process. Reheating condition to obtain a fine globular microstructure was optimized. The microstructure evolution of reheated Al-12Zn-3 Mg-2.5Cu aluminum alloy was characterized by SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and optical microscopy. In this study the relation between the induced strain with size and shape of grain size has been studied. Results indicated that with the increase of strain sphericity of particles, their size decreases and sphericity takes place in less reahiting time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Raman spectroscopy of neutron irradiated silicon carbide

The effects of neutron irradiation on microstructural evolution and the resultant changes in physical and mechanical properties are of critical importance for the development of silicon carbide (SiC) materials for nuclear applications. This study neutron-irradiated βSiC under a wide range of conditions at temperatures between 235 and 750°C and neutron doses of 0.01–11.8 displacements per atom, and then evaluated the effects on the SiC structure using Raman spectroscopy. The SiC optical phonon lines were shifted to lower wavenumbers by irradiation. Correlations were found among the wavenumber of the longitudinal optical phonon line, irradiation-induced swelling, and irradiation temperature. The peak shift also correlated indirectly with decreasing thermal conductivity of irradiated SiC. The irradiation-induced peak shift is explained by combinations of lattice strain, reduction of the elastic modulus, and other factors including decreasing coherent domain size. These findings bridge irradiation-induced microstructural changes and property changes and illustrate how Raman spectroscopy is a useful tool for nondestructively assessing irradiated SiC materials for nuclear applications.

Koyanagi, T.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hot-worked microstructure and hot workability of cold-work tool steels

Highlights: • Hot compression tests were conducted for D2 and an 8% Cr steel. • Processing maps were constructed for the evaluation of their hot workability. • They had similar hot workability concerning the flow instability. • The 8% Cr steel exhibited a larger resistance to dynamic recrystallization. - Abstract: The hot workability of two cold-work tool steels were evaluated and compared. A D2 and an advanced alloy based on 8% Cr steels (TDx) were deformed at high temperatures between 900 and 1100 °C with strain rates 0.001–10 s{sup − 1} via hot compression test. From the flow curves, processing maps were constructed based on the dynamic material model. The deformed microstructures were observed and compared in various scales with respect to the deformation conditions. Although the two alloys exhibited a large similarity in the flow instability consideration of the processing map, their behavior in microstructure evolution was different. While both alloys exhibited a tendency of strain localization in the conditions of instability, the efficiency of power dissipation in the processing maps showed an intricate correlation with the progress of dynamic recrystallization and carbide precipitation. TDx showed a distinctive behavior of carbide precipitation and a larger resistance to dynamic recrystallization, which implied a requirement on more delicate control of hot working conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Modeling of Advanced Nuclear Fuels (Final Report of the LDRD-ER 10-ERD-059)

This project enhanced our theoretical capabilities geared towards establishing the basic science of a high-throughput protocol for the development of advanced nuclear fuel that should couple modern computational materials modeling and simulation tools, fabrication and characterization capabilities, and targeted high throughput performance testing experiments. The successful conclusion of this ER project allowed us to upgrade state-of-the-art modeling codes, and apply these modeling tools to ab initio energetics and thermodynamic assessments of phase diagrams of various mixtures of actinide alloys, propose a tool for optimizing composition of complex alloys for specific properties, predict diffusion behavior in diffusion couples made of actinide and transition metals, include one new equation in the LLNL phase-field AMPE code, and predict microstructure evolution during alloy coring. In FY11, despite limited funding, the team also initiated an experimental activity, with collaboration from Texas A&M University by preparing samples of nuclear fuels in bulk forms and for diffusion couple studies and metallic matrices, and performing preliminary characterization.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Adversarial Ensemble Modeling of Multi-modal Mechanical Properties for Iron-Based Alloys

Mechanical properties of alloys are controlled by their microstructure; and microstructure evolution is controlled by internal and external stressors. Chemical complexity during the alloy processing may result in heterogeneity and observation of multimodal performance patterns. Thus, to ensure the desired performance of stressed components it is important to understand the origin and mechanisms of such behavior. Adversarial ensemble modeling was introduced here to explain multimodal mechanical properties of the iron-based alloys. The modeling results showed that the areas of a single mechanism predominance were contiguous across the alloy compositions clustered by similarity, with sharp and persistent boundaries separating the single-mechanism domains. The marginal compositions resulted in increased competition between the adversarial models but only led to the multimodal behavior when the competing models diverged. Transparency of the clustering method allowed explicit interpretation of the chemistries leading to such competition. The adversarial ensemble was interpreted through transition from ductile to brittle microstructure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamic recrystallization behavior of an as-cast TiAl alloy during hot compression

High temperature compressive deformation behaviors of as-cast Ti–43Al–4Nb–1.4W–0.6B alloy were investigated at temperatures ranging from 1050 °C to 1200 °C, and strain rates from 0.001 s{sup −1} to 1 s{sup −1}. Electron back scattered diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the microstructural evolutions and nucleation mechanisms of the dynamic recrystallization. The results indicated that the true stress–true strain curves show a dynamic flow softening behavior. The dependence of the peak stress on the deformation temperature and the strain rate can well be expressed by a hyperbolic-sine type equation. The activation energy decreases with increasing the strain. The size of the dynamically recrystallized β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Zener–Hollomon parameter (Z). When the flow stress reaches a steady state, the size of β grains almost remains constant with increasing the deformation strain. The continuous dynamic recrystallization plays a dominant role in the deformation. In order to characterize the evolution of dynamic recrystallization volume fraction, the dynamic recrystallization kinetics was studied by Avrami-type equation. Besides, the role of β phase and the softening mechanism during the hot deformation was also discussed in details. - Highlights: • The size of DRXed β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Z. • The CDRX plays a dominant role in the deformation. • The broken TiB{sub 2} particles can promote the nucleation of DRX.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effects of V addition on recrystallization resistance of 7150 aluminum alloy after simulative hot deformation

The effects of different V contents (0.01 to 0.19 wt.%) on the recrystallization resistance of 7150 aluminum alloys during post-deformation heat treatment were investigated. The microstructural evolutions at as-cast, as-homogenized conditions and after post-deformation annealing were studied using optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes and using the electron backscattered diffraction technique. The precipitation of Al{sub 21}V{sub 2} dispersoids was observed in alloys containing 0.11 to 0.19 wt.% V after homogenization. The dispersoids were mainly distributed in the dendrite cells, and the precipitate-free zones occurred in the interdendritic regions and near grain boundaries. V addition could significantly enhance the recrystallization resistance during post-deformation annealing, particularly in the presence of a great number of Al{sub 21}V{sub 2} dispersoids. Recrystallized grain growth was effectively restricted because of the dispersoid pinning effect. The alloy containing 0.15 wt.% V exhibited the highest recrystallization resistance amongst all V-containing alloys studied. - Highlights: • Investigated the effect of V level on microstructure and flow stress of 7150 alloys • Characterized microstructures using optical microscopy, SEM, TEM and EBSD • Described the precipitation behavior of V-dispersoids in the dendritic structure • Studied the V effect on recrystallization resistance during post heat treatment • V addition greatly enhanced the recrystallization resistance during annealing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Atomically Revealing Bulk Point Defect Dynamics in Hydrogen‐Driven γ‐Fe 2 O 3 → Fe 3 O 4 → FeO Transformation

Understanding how point defects in the bulk govern redox transformations is essential for advancing hydrogen-based metal production and designing high-performance oxide materials. This study reveals the atomic-scale mechanisms driving hydrogen-induced reduction of γ-Fe 2 O 3 to Fe 3 O 4 , focusing on how bulk vacancy dynamics dictate structural evolution and reaction kinetics. A key finding is the pronounced contrast in defect behavior between the two oxides: in γ-Fe 2 O 3 , intrinsic Fe vacancies promote oxygen vacancy clustering, destabilizing the local lattice and driving nanopore formation. In contrast, Fe 3 O 4 exhibits a higher oxygen vacancy formation energy and lacks intrinsic Fe vacancies, suppressing vacancy aggregation and maintaining a dense, pore-free structure. This divergence governs distinct reduction pathways—γ-Fe 2 O 3 undergoes an interface-reaction-limited transformation confined to the γ-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 boundary, while Fe 3 O 4 supports a uniform increase in oxygen vacancy concentration, enabling bulk-phase reduction to lower-oxide FeO. Integrated in situ electron microscopy and density functional theory modeling uncover a vacancy-mediated mechanism, where synergistic cation-anion vacancy dynamics steer microstructure evolution and phase progression. These insights highlight the critical role of vacancy dynamics in controlling oxide reactivity and offer a pathway toward vacancy engineering to enhance reduction kinetics in hydrogen metallurgy and to tailor porosity, reactivity, and structural resilience in oxide-based catalysts and energy materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Dissimilar Joining of Pure Aluminum to SiC{sub p}/Al-MMCs Using an AlMgGaLi Active Interlayer Foil

To broaden the application of advanced metal matrix composites in the electronic packaging industry, a lead-free AlMgGaLi interlayer was developed for active soldering of aluminum to aluminum metal matrix composites. The effect of joining pressure on the microstructure evolution, interfacial wettability and mechanical properties of the dissimilar joints was investigated. The experimental results indicated that as the joining pressure increased, the mean thickness of the bond seam was 46.02 μm, and solidification of a solid solution occurred (detected by SEM/XRD analysis). The composition of the Al-based solid solution (in atom%) was 86.52% Al, 9.32% Mg, 2.56% O, 1.5% Ga and 0.1% Si. The pressure improved the interfacial wettability by enhancing the atom diffusion between the interlayer and parent materials. The joint shear strength initially increased and then decreased, and a sound joint with a maximum shear strength of ~ 45 MPa was produced at 450 °C and 0.75 MPa. The fracture crack initially occurred at the interfaces of the Al/filler metal and then propagated mainly along the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer on the Al side. A novel model describing the pressure-induced microstructure changes within the joint and the formation of an Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} diffusion barrier layer at the Al/filler metal interface is proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Formation of gradient microstructure and mechanical properties of hot-pressed W-20 wt% Cu composites after sliding friction severe deformation

Highlights: • W particles of composites were refined during sliding friction treatment (SFD). • Dislocation, dislocation tangles and boundary clearly exist in deformed W particle. • YS and UTS of SFDed sample are 308.74 MPa and 553.60 MPa owing to the refinement. • Electrical conductivity of SFDed sample decreased from 33 IACS% to 28.5 IACS%. • Fracture mode changing from inter-granular mode to trans-granular. - Abstract: W-based alloys are currently considered promising candidates for high heat flux components in future fusion reactors. In this paper, hot pressed W-20 wt%Cu composites were treated at room temperature using a sliding friction severe deformation (SFD) process, with a moving speed of 0.2 m/s and an applied load of 500 N. Microstructural evolution of composites after the SFD treatment was evaluated and compared with that of the untreated composites. Results showed that there was a gradient structure generated and an obvious refinement in tungsten particles size in the surface layer after the SFD process. The average particle size of tungsten in the SFD treated composites was 2.60 μm, whereas it was 4.5 μm for tungsten in the untreated composites. Fracture surfaces of the composites indicated that the SFD treatment destroyed the W skeleton and changed fracture mode from predominant inter-granular one to trans-granular one due to the decrease in contact area of W-W inter-particles. Yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of composites after the SFD treatment were 308 MPa and 553 MPa, respectively. The treated composites exhibited micro-hardness values with an average reading of about 308 HV. Analysis of the facture microstructures clearly suggested that the tungsten particles in the treated composites are consisted of dislocations and boundaries as well as dislocation tangles. The electrical conductivity of the composites was decreased from 33 IACS% to 28.5 IACS% after the SFD treatment, mainly due to loss or squeezing of copper into the inner surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ion irradiation induced element-enriched and depleted nanostructures in Zr-Al-Cu-Ni metallic glass

The microstructural evolution of a Zr-Al-Cu-Ni metallic glass induced by irradiation with Ar ions was investigated. Under ion irradiation, the Cu- and Ni-enriched nanostructures (diameter of 30–50 nm) consisted of crystalline and amorphous structures were formed. Further, Cu- and Ni-depleted nanostructures with diameters of 5–20 nm were also observed. The formation of these nanostructures can be ascribed to the migration of Cu and Ni atoms in the irradiated metallic glass.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Joining AA7099 to Ni-Cr-Mo Steel Using Single Pass Friction Stir Dovetailing and AA6061 Butter Layer

A novel single pass friction stir dovetailing (FSD) was developed to join thick plate AA7099 to Ni-Cr-Mo steel in a lap configuration through the use of an AA6061 butter layer. The butter layer approach can be shown to significantly reduce interfacial failures by inhibiting the formation of brittle Fe–Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs) which are typically formed during conventional friction stir welding (FSW) of AA7099 directly to steel. This study evaluates the strength and microstructural evolution of the aluminum/steel joint interface between single pass FSD of AA7099/AA6061(butter)/steel fabricated using three different FSD tool configurations. The butter layer was achieved by placement of a free-floating strip of AA6061 within the dovetail groove that was pre-machined in the steel substrate. Friction stir welding was then used to simultaneously join the thick plate AA7099, the AA6061 strip and the AA7099 in a single weld pass. To optimize the joining process, three different pin geometries (full thread, half smooth/half thread, no thread) were evaluated; it was demonstrated that the half smooth/half thread tool produced the strongest weld joint due to the absence of a Zn rich layer at the Al/steel interface. The efficacy of this unique processing technique was tested using lap shear tensile testing as well as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A discussion of the new FSD technique, joint configurations, and process parameters are provided along with joint microstructural analyses and mechanical performance.

Olszta, Matthew J.↗
DOE OSTI2010

High-Pressure X-ray Tomography Microscope: Synchrotron Computed Microtomography at High Pressure and Temperature

A new apparatus has been developed for microtomography studies under high pressure. The pressure generation mechanism is based on the concept of the widely used Drickamer anvil apparatus, with two opposed anvils compressed inside a containment ring. Modifications are made with thin aluminum alloy containment rings to allow transmission of x rays. Pressures up to 8 GPa have been generated with a hydraulic load of 25 T. The modified Drickamer cell is supported by thrust bearings so that the entire pressure cell can be rotated under load. Spatial resolution of the high pressure tomography apparatus has been evaluated using a sample containing vitreous carbon spheres embedded in FeS matrix, with diameters ranging from 0.01 to 0.2 mm. Spheres with diameters as small as 0.02 mm were well resolved, with measured surface-to-volume ratios approaching theoretical values. The sample was then subject to a large shear strain field by twisting the top and bottom Drickamer anvils. Imaging analysis showed that detailed microstructure evolution information can be obtained at various steps of the shear deformation, allowing strain partition determination between the matrix and the inclusions. A sample containing a vitreous Mg{sub 2}SiO{sub 4} sphere in FeS matrix was compressed to 5 GPa, in order to evaluate the feasibility of volume measurement by microtomography. The results demonstrated that quantitative inclusion volume information can be obtained, permitting in situ determination of P-V-T equation of state for noncrystalline materials.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

An atomistic study connecting underlying dislocation behavior with superior mechanical properties of NiCoCr medium entropy alloy

NiCoCr-based medium-entropy alloy (MEA) with a simple face-centered cubic crystal phase exhibits excellent mechanical properties, often attributed to the synergy of multiple deformation mechanisms. However, the atomistic origin of their outstanding mechanical response, including microstructural evolution and dislocation behavior under varying strain-rates and orientation, remains unclear. In this work, we employ large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the changes in deformation mechanisms along three distinct orientations ([110], [111], [100]) under varying strain rates (1 ×10 8 /sec, 1 ×10 10 /sec, 1 ×10 12 /sec) in the NiCoCr MEA. The presence of the stair-rod and the Shockley partial dislocations under uniaxial tensile strain are found to play a key role in the formation of deformation twinning and ε-martensite, which positively correlates with strain-rate dependent dislocation analysis. These findings further establish the role of the dislocations in controlling the superior mechanical response and excellent fracture toughness of the NiCoCr MEA. Systematic transmission-electron microscopy tests performed on the [111]-oriented crystals, deformed at different strain levels, at room temperature provide clear evidence of both the extended stacking-fault and the stair rods, confirming the predicted microstructural features. Finally, this study offers key insights into the complex nucleation mechanisms of deformation twinning and ε-martensite, such as twinning – and transformation–induced plasticity (TWIP-TRIP), providing valuable guidelines for studying similar material classes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Impact of interplay between magnetic field, transformation strain, and coarsening on variant selection in L1{sub 0}-type FePd

Variant selection of L1{sub 0}-type ferromagnetic alloys has been numerically investigated using the phase-field modeling, to clarify the phenomena at greater temporal and spatial resolution and to reveal the underlying mechanism. The duration for which the external magnetic field is effective is found to be very short, and variant selection is significantly affected by not only direct response to the external magnetic field but also their interplay between the field, intrinsic transformation strain, and various thermodynamic energy components involved in the course of microstructure evolution. The detailed mechanism of the interplay was quantitatively analyzed in terms of the driving force for the variant selection, by partitioning it into the various energy components. Careful examination of the variant selection at the very early stage revealed that the slight difference in size and configuration of variants during disorder-to-order transition realized by the interplay between transformation strain and external field is essentially needed before proceeding to the latter stage of the variant selection driven by interface energy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Characterization of swift heavy ion irradiation damage in ceria

We have examined microstructural evolution in irradiated ceria (CeO2) using swift heavy ion irradiation, electron microscopy, and atomistic simulation. CeO2, a UO2 fuel surrogate, was irradiated with gold ions at an energy of 1 GeV to fluences up to 1x1014 ions/cm2. Transmission electron microscopy accompanied by electron energy loss spectroscopy showed that the ion tracks were of similar size at all fluences, and that there was no chemical change in the ion track core. Classical molecular dynamics simulations of thermal spikes in CeO2 with energy deposition of 12 and 36 keV/nm show damage consisting of isolated point defects at the lower energy and defect clusters at 36 keV/nm, with no amorphization at either energy. Inferences are drawn from modeling about density changes in the ion track and the formation of interstitial loops that shed light on features observed by electron microscopy of swift heavy ion irradiated ceria.

Yablinsky, Clarissa↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental investigation of the dependence of void nucleation and growth on initial microstructure in high-purity titanium under tension

An experimental investigation of failure mechanisms in relation to the initial microstructure in high-purity titanium samples is presented. The initial microstructure of the specimens was measured in 3D using diffraction-contrast tomography (DCT). Ex-situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to visualize voids in specimens at various levels of deformation attained by interrupted tensile testing. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping was used to characterize the deformed microstructures per specimen. The investigation showed that the location of failures was unrelated to the formation of the first voids, but rather the nucleation and growth of cracks were from heavily deformed surface regions. The areas surrounding the failure-causing cracks had the highest propensity for void development of any area in the specimen. This facilitated crack propagation through the specimen via “linking up”. The failure of the specimens by microvoid coalescence was bolstered by “dimpled” fracture surfaces. Paint composed of gallium embedded in rubber was used to track the displacement of points along the loading direction of the specimens, to relate the location of failure to the material's initial microstructure. However, the correlation proved difficult, due to complex microstructural evolution involving voids, grain fragmentations, and profuse twinning. Nevertheless, it was shown that necking occurred near the largest grain in the gauge section of the specimens. This is likely caused by the decrease in strength of larger grains, causing strain to concentrate in their vicinity. Here, a comprehensive picture of the failure processes in high-purity titanium under axial loading is presented and discussed in the paper.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗