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Microstructural evolution in Cu–Nb processed via friction consolidation

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Abstract

Immiscible alloys, whether in well-mixed or layered forms, are of increasing interest based on their novel structural and functional properties, such as enhanced thermal stability against grain growth or radiation-induced defect trapping at the interfaces. To address the need for new approaches to tailor microstructures, the microstructural development of an immiscible Cu-4 wt.% Nb alloy processed via friction consolidation of elemental powders is investigated. Friction consolidation is a solid phase processing technique that imparts severe plastic strain into a deforming volume resulting in elevated temperatures below the melting temperature of the alloy. Two distinct processing pathways were chosen to understand the effect of thermomechanical conditions on the final microstructure. The microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Path 1 exhibited larger strain, strain rate, and temperature as compared with path 2. In path 1, agglomerated Nb particles were present in the recrystallized ultrafine-grained Cu matrix, while in path 2 extremely fine and dispersed Nb particles were present in a highly deformed Cu matrix. In both pathways, supersaturation of Cu in Nb lattices was noted, but not vice versa. The asymmetry in mixing is explained based on deformation-based, thermodynamic and kinetic factors. These findings provide a pathway for creation of novel tailored microstructures and improved properties in any number of binary immiscible alloy systems.

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Data availability statement

The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings can be obtained upon a direct request to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as part of the Solid Phase Processing Science initiative. The authors are grateful for the efforts of Anthony Guzman for preparation of specimens for microstructural characterization. A portion of this research was performed using facilities at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at PNNL. PNNL is a multiprogram national laboratory operated by Battelle for the DOE under Contract DEAC05-76RL01830.

Funding

This work was supported by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as part of the Solid Phase Processing Science initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA

    Mageshwari Komarasamy, Xiao Li, Scott A. Whalen, Xiaolong Ma, Nathan Canfield, Matthew J. Olszta, Alan L. Schemer-Kohrn, Nicole R. Overman, Suveen N. Mathaudhu & Glenn J. Grant

  2. Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA

    Tamas Varga

  3. Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA

    Anqi Yu & Suveen N. Mathaudhu

  4. Mechanical Engineering Department, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA

    Suveen N. Mathaudhu

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  1. Mageshwari Komarasamy
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  2. Xiao Li
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Correspondence to Mageshwari Komarasamy.

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Komarasamy, M., Li, X., Whalen, S.A. et al. Microstructural evolution in Cu–Nb processed via friction consolidation. J Mater Sci 56, 12864–12880 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06093-9

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