Nanoindentation based techniques were significantly enhanced by continuous stiffness monitoring capabilities. In essence, this allowed to expand from point-wise discrete measurement of hardness and elastic modulus towards advanced plastic characterization routines, spanning the whole rate-dependent spectrum from steady state creep properties via quasi static flow curves to impact or brittle fracture. While representing a significant step forwards already, these techniques can tremendously benefit from additional or complementary input provided by in situ or operando experiments. In fact, by combining and merging these approaches, impressive advances were made towards well controlled nanomechanical investigations at various non-ambient conditions. Here we will discuss some novel experimental avenues facilitated by deliberate extreme environments, and also indicate how future improvements and enhancements will potentially provide previously unseen insights into fundamental material behavior at extreme conditions. 

Recent advances in nanomechanical and in situ testing techniques: Towards extreme conditions

Intermetallic γ‐TiAl based alloys are innovative structural materials dedicated to applications in the automotive and aeronautic industries. Especially their low density, high specific yield strength, and excellent resistance against creep and oxidation make them a suitable choice for structural high‐temperature components in combustion engines. However, further improvement of their properties and processability is required to conquer new application areas and facilitate cost‐effective production. While the incorporation of additional alloying elements is a promising possibility, their effects on the phase transformations and phase equilibria need to be considered rigorously. In this context, this review provides a detailed survey of the research work on the influence of technically important alloying elements on the Ti–Al phase diagram. First, an introduction to the fundamentals of the phase transformations in γ‐TiAl based alloys and the consequences of changed cooling conditions, relevant for example to the latest developments within the field of processing, is given. Afterward, the alloying elements, categorized with respect to their stabilization effect, are discussed and their particularities are highlighted. Topics covered include established ternary phase diagrams and isoplethal sections, the stabilization of additional phases as well as the influence of alloying elements on the microstructure of modern engineering intermetallic γ‐TiAl based alloys.

Alloying elements in intermetallic γ‐TiAl based alloys – A review on their influence on phase equilibria and phase transformations

Nanocomposite materials containing a soft and hard metal phase are a promising strategy to combine ultra-high strength, ductility and fracture toughness. However, given the rather brittle intercrystalline fracture mode, the true potential of these materials is only accessible after strengthening the vast number of interfaces within the composite. In this work, this is realized by doping a W–75Cu nanocomposite with either C, B, Hf or Re, elements that show promising effects on grain boundary cohesion in ab-initio calculations. The samples are fabricated from powders using severe plastic deformation and characterized using electron microscopy. Subsequently, various small-scale mechanical experiments are utilized to investigate the effect of the doping on strength, ductility and fracture toughness. While doping with C and B only leads to slight changes in mechanical properties, it was found that Hf increases the strength of the composite tremendously, most likely via the formation of nanosized oxides. Doping with Re showed an increase in strength and a major improvement in bending ductility, exhibiting “super-ductile” behavior in some cases. In microtensile tests this behavior was reduced, yet an increase in strength and ductility compared to the undoped composite was also apparent in these experiments. Interestingly enough, the fracture toughness of all doped variants did not change compared to the undoped W–Cu composite. This indicates that doping with Re improves resistance against crack initiation but not against crack propagation, making the materials properties highly sensitive to pre-existing defects and probed sample volume. 

Mechanical performance of doped W–Cu nanocomposites

Phase stability of TiAl-based BCC high entropy alloys

In this study, the oxidation behavior of Ti42Al5Mn, Ti42Al5Mn0.5 W, Ti42Al5Mn0.5W0.1B, and Ti42Al5Mn0.8 W was investigated at 800 °C. Due to the inability to form a dense protective Al2O3 layer, Ti42Al5Mn suffered severe spallation during oxidation at 800 °C and the mass gain was significant. The intermediate layer between the scale and the substrate was first composed of Laves/Z phase but changed to α2/Z phase with prolonged oxidation. The intermediate layer with high Ti/Al ratio favors the formation of a thick Al2O3 + TiO2 mixed layer in the oxide scale which is prone to initiate cracks and cause the spalling of oxides. The doping of W in TiO2 effectively inhibited its generation and promoted the formation of a dense Al2O3 layer, resulting in a significant improvement in the oxidation resistance of the alloy. Compared to Ti42Al5Mn alloy, Ti42Al5Mn0.8 W showed no spallation after 300 h cyclic oxidation and the kinetic curve changed from liner law to parabolic law. The intermediate layer of Ti42Al5Mn0.8 W alloy was composed of a single Laves phase and remained unchanged even after 1000 h oxidation at 800 ℃, offering a favorable basis for the generation of a stable protective oxide layer in the alloy. The addition of 0.1 at.% B to Ti42Al5Mn0.5 W alloy refined its microstructure and further improved its spallation resistance to a level close to that of Ti42Al5Mn0.8 W alloy. 

Insights into the role of W/B alloying on high-temperature oxidation behavior of Ti42Al5Mn alloy

Small-scale fracture mechanical investigations on grain boundary doped ultrafine-grained tungsten

W-Cu composites are commonly used as heat-sinks or high-performance switches in power electronics. To enhance their mechanical properties and mutually their usability, grain refinement of the initially coarse-grained microstructure was realized using high–pressure torsion. This leads to different microstructural conditions, exhibiting fine-, ultrafine-grained or nanocrystalline microstructures. Scanning as well as transmission electron microscopy was performed to analyze the respective grain size and microstructures. The hardness and Young’s modulus of the deformed specimens were quantified by nanoindentation testing. Furthermore, X–ray diffraction indicated a decreased grain size and changed lattice spacings upon increasing the deformation ratio. The deformed specimens were tested for their fracture behaviour by continuous stiffness measurements during in-situ microcantilever bending experiments. Here, mean J–integral values of 288 ± 38 J/m2 and 402 ± 89 J/m2 were determined for the 5 and 50 times turned specimens, respectively. The combination of different characterization methods applied on a W–Cu composite allows to identify both, beneficial and unfavourable microstructural components regarding the fracture properties. 

In-situ micromechanical analysis of a nano-crystalline W-Cu composite

Effect of wire-arc directed energy deposition on the microstructural formation and age-hardening response of the Mg-9Al-1Zn (AZ91) alloy

Oxidation resistance of cathodic arc evaporated Cr0.74Ta0.26N coatings

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