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Dynamic recrystallization behavior and strengthening mechanism of a novel Mo–Ti3AlC2 alloy at ultrahigh temperature

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Abstract

Increasing the recrystallization temperature to achieve better high-temperature performance is critical in the development of molybdenum alloys for ultrahigh-temperature applications, such as the newest generation of multitype high-temperature nuclear reactors. In this study, an innovative strategy was proposed to improve the performance of molybdenum alloys at high temperature by using the two-dimensional MAX (where M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element and X is C or N) ceramic material Ti3AlC2. The relationships between flow stress, strain rate and temperature were studied. The microstructure, distribution of misorientation and evolution of dislocations in the Mo–Ti3AlC2 alloy were analyzed. The microscopic mechanism of the Ti3AlC2 phase in the molybdenum alloy at high temperatures was clarified. The experimental results showed that the peak flow stress of Mo–Ti3AlC2 at 1600 °C reached 155 MPa, which was 161.8% greater than that of pure Mo. The activation energy of thermal deformation of Mo–Ti3AlC2 was as large as 537 kJ·mol−1, which was 17.6% more than that of pure Mo. The recrystallization temperature reached 1600 °C or even higher. The topological reaction of the Ti3AlC2 phase consumed a large amount of energy at high temperatures, resulting in increases in the deformation activation energy. Nanolayer structures of AlTi3 and Ti–O Magnéli-phase oxides (TinO2n-1) were formed in-situ, which relied on kink bands and interlayer slip, resulting in many dislocations during deformation. Therefore, the special two-dimensional of the structure Ti3AlC2 ceramic inhibited the recrystallization behavior of the Mo alloy. The results of this study can provide theoretical guidance for the development of a new generation of molybdenum alloys for use in ultrahigh-temperature environments.

Graphical abstract

摘要

提高再结晶温度以获得更好的高温性能是开发用于超高温环境钼合金的关键，如高温新质核反应堆堆芯材料。在本研究中，我们提出了一种利用二维MAX陶瓷材料Ti3AlC2来提高钼合金高温性能的创新策略。研究了流动应力、应变速率与温度之间的关系。分析了Mo-Ti3AlC2合金的微观结构、位错的分布和演化。阐明了高温下钼合金中Ti3AlC2相的微观机理。实验结果表明，Mo-Ti3AlC2在1600 °C 时的峰值流动应力达到155 MPa，比纯Mo高161.8%。Mo-Ti3AlC2的热变形活化能高达537 kJ∙mol-1，比纯Mo高17.6%。再结晶温度超过1600 °C。Ti3AlC2陶瓷相的在高温下发生拓扑反应，消耗大量的能量，导致变形活化能增加。原位自生纳米层状AlTi3和亚氧化钛（TinO2n-1），大量的扭结带和层间滑移，在变形过程中产生大量位错，抑制晶界迁移，提升再结晶温度。本研究结果可为新一代超高温环境下用钼合金的开发提供理论指导。

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Acknowledgments

This study was sponsored by National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2020YFB2008400) and Key Technology and Development Program of Henan Province (No. 232102231024).

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  1. Lu Yang and Xin-Yuan Zheng have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China

    Lu Yang, Xin-Yuan Zheng, Yang Zhao & Xi-Ran Wang

  2. National Joint Engineering Research Center for Abrasion Control and Molding of Metal Materials, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China

    Lu Yang & Shi-Zhong Wei

  3. Department of Applied Mechanics, Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, FEMTO-ST Institute, CNRS/UF/ENSMM/UTBM, 25000, Besançon, France

    Fang-Nao Xiao

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Yang, L., Zheng, XY., Zhao, Y. et al. Dynamic recrystallization behavior and strengthening mechanism of a novel Mo–Ti3AlC2 alloy at ultrahigh temperature. Rare Met. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-024-02669-x

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