纯钛凭借高比强度、卓越耐腐蚀性及优良生物相容性,在航空航天、生物医疗等领域占据不可替代的地位[1-3]。然而,纯钛(Ti)自身存在抗拉强度偏低、耐磨性不足等固有缺陷,难以满足极端工况下对材料综合力学性能的严苛要求,限制了其在高端装备关键部件中的应用拓展[4-6]。因此,通过复合改性技术提升纯钛的力学性能是钛基材料领域的研究热点与核心方向。目前,关于纯Ti的元素掺杂改性研究多集中于单一金属元素,相关技术已较为成熟且成果丰富。如Wang等[7]在Ti中添加Cu元素可通过形成Ti-Cu金属间化合物实现固溶强化与沉淀强化,显著提升材料的强度与硬度。Dan等[8]在纯Ti添加不同含量的Al元素制备高强韧钛合金。此外,添加Mo、Nb等元素也被证实可有效提升纯Ti的力学性能[9-10]。
尽管单一元素改性可在一定程度上改善纯钛性能,但难以实现强度、塑性、耐磨性等的协同优化,且易出现性能提升瓶颈。与之相比,多元素复合改性因能借助多元协同效应调控基体微观结构与相组成,有望突破单一元素改性的局限,成为提升纯钛综合性能的重要方向。然而,当前关于多元素协同改性纯Ti的研究仍较为匮乏,尤其对多元固溶体体系与纯钛基体的复合机制、性能调控规律的探究尚处于起步阶段,相关技术尚未成熟[11]。中熵合金作为新型多元固溶体材料,其中CoCrNi中熵合金(medium-entropy alloy,MEA)兼具高塑性、优良耐蚀性及稳定力学性能,在金属基复合材料增强相领域展现出巨大应用潜力[12-14]。将其与钛基体复合,有望实现“基体韧性—增强相强化”的协同优化,突破纯钛性能瓶颈。
增材制造技术以分层累加的成形优势,能够精准调控复合材料微观结构,有效解决传统制备工艺中增强相分散不均、界面结合薄弱等难题,为高性能钛基复合材料的精准制备提供创新途径[15-17]。目前,相关研究多集中于陶瓷颗粒增强钛基复合材料,而将CoCrNi中熵合金作为增强相引入纯钛基体的研究尚处于起步阶段[18-20]。关于不同含量CoCrNi中熵合金对纯钛基复合材料成形质量、微观结构演化及力学性能的影响规律,尚未形成系统认知,最优复合配比也有待明确。
基于此,本研究采用选择性激光熔化(selective laser melting,SLM)技术,制备不同CoCrNi中熵合金质量分数(0.5%、1%、2%)的Ti-xMEA系列合金,系统探究MEA含量对合金显微组织及力学性能的影响机制。通过微观组织表征、室温拉伸测试等手段,揭示MEA含量与合金晶粒细化、相组成及强度—塑性匹配的内在关联,明确最优成分设计方案。本研究旨在为高性能钛基复合材料的研发提供成分设计与工艺优化参考,进一步拓展纯钛材料在高端装备领域的应用边界,推动钛基复合材料在极端工况场景中的工程化应用。
采用选择性激光熔化技术制备Ti-xMEA(x=0,0.5,1,2%,质量分数,下同)系列合金。实验采用的纯钛球形粉末由西安铂力特增材制造技术股份有限公司生产,粉末纯度为99.4%。中熵合金球形粉末由清河县创佳焊接材料有限公司生产,粉末纯度为99.6%,两种粉末的粒径范围均为15~53 μm。按照配比将纯Ti粉末与中熵合金粉末在型号为VGB-4-A的真空手套操作箱中转移到混合罐中,封闭混合罐后,将其置于型号为SWH-2000ML的三维混粉上,设置转速50 r/min混合4h,以获得成分均匀的混合粉末。图1a和b分别为混合后的Ti-MEA合金粉末及其粒度分布图。
图1 粉末、粉末粒径分布及打印策略示意图:(a) Ti-MEA合金混合粉末;(b) Ti-MEA合金粉末粒度分布图;(c)连续沉积打印策略
Fig.1 Powder,powder particle size distribution and printing strategy:(a) Ti-MEA alloy mixed powder;(b) particle size distribution of Ti-MEA alloy powder;(c) continuous deposition printing strategy
采用西安铂力特增材技术股份有限公司生产的型号为BLT-S210激光增材设备,配套500W单模光纤激光器,在氩气保护气氛下制备55 mm×55 mm× 10mm的合金试样,并将长、宽、厚3个方向分别记为X,Y,Z,其中X,Y垂直于沉积方向,Z平行于沉积方向。SLM成形Ti-xMEA合金的工艺参数如表1所示,该工艺参数参照前人采用LPBF技术打印纯Ti时常用的参数并作了一定的修改[2]。为降低成形过程中的热累积效应,采用层间67°旋转的扫描策略,成形基板选用锻造态Ti-6Al-4V合金。Ti-xMEA合金连续层沉积的打印策略如图1c所示。
表1 打印Ti-xMEA合金参数
Tab.1 Printing parameters of the Ti-xMEA alloy
Laser power Layer thickness Scanning speed Hatch spacing/W /μm /(mm·s-1)/μm280 30 1 200 120
图2呈现了Ti-6Al-4V基板上成形的Ti-MEA样品,将成形后的试样置于550 ℃下退火6h后空冷,以消除SLM成形过程中产生的残余应力,该退火温度既能完全消除残余应力,又不会使合金发生相变。退火后的试样用于后续拉伸性能测试及微观组织表征。微观组织表征样品先用600#-2000#SiC目的砂纸打磨,随后使用体积比为1∶7∶12的HClO4,CH3(CH2)3OH,CH3OH混合溶液在低温下进行电解抛光。拉伸切取试样标距段内14mm×4mm×2mm的板状拉伸试样,并用600#砂纸研磨。
图2 SLM成型的Ti-MEA合金:(a) Ti-MEA合金沿X方向测量;(b) Ti-MEA合金沿Z方向测量
Fig.2 Ti-MEA alloy formed by SLM:(a) Ti-MEA alloy measured along the X direction;(b) Ti-MEA alloy measured along the Z direction
在配备有电子背散射衍射探头的TESCAN MI-RA4扫描电子显微镜上完成Ti-xMEA合金微观组织的表征及分析。在型号为MTS C43.504万能试验机上,以1×10-3的拉伸速率进行室温拉伸,最后借助TESCAN MIRA4扫描电镜观察断口形貌。
图3为不同MEA含量下Ti-xMEA合金样品的背散射电子图相。对于纯Ti试样,其显微组织为为单相α马氏体,由于无合金元素引入,组织以单相α-Ti为主,仅受熔池热流方向影响呈现织构特征。由图可知,在Ti中添加MEA时,组织为α马氏体和Ni2Ti析出相,合金中存在前β晶界(Pre-β GB)。随着MEA添加量的增加,合金的组织发生了变化,α马氏体尺寸变小,CoCrNi的固溶与第二相析出共同增大了凝固过冷度,阻碍α-Ti相的长大,使组织逐渐细化[21]。Ni的富集程度提高,Ni2Ti相的析出量呈上升趋势[22];出现等轴前β晶粒,其尺寸逐渐变小,Co、Cr、Ni是Ti的β稳定元素,其添加提高了β相的稳定性,使激光增材快速冷却过程中残留更多原始β晶界,同时抑制α相的择优生长,促进组织等轴化[18]。
图3 Ti-xMEA合金BSE分析:(a) Ti;(b) Ti-0.5MEA;(c) Ti-1MEA;(d) Ti-2MEA
Fig.3 BSE analysis ofTi-xMEA alloys:(a) Ti;(b) Ti-0.5MEA;(c) Ti-1MEA;(d) Ti-2MEA
图4为Ti-xMEA合金的室温拉伸曲线及拉伸性能统计,表2为具体力学性能数据。由图4a和表2可知,Ti试样的屈服强度(YS)为(484±4) MPa,抗拉强度(UTS)仅为(585±6)MPa,但伸长率(EL)高达30.8%±0.7%,表现出“低强高塑”的特征,这主要是由于纯Ti的α相晶粒粗大且无第二相强化作用,加载过程中位错滑移阻力较小,导致其屈服强度较低[2-3]。
表2 Ti-xMEA合金室温拉伸力学性能
Tab.2 Tensile mechanical properties of the Ti-xMEA alloy at room temperature
Sample YS/MPa UTS/MPa EL/%Ti 484±4 585±6 30.8±0.7 Ti-0.5MEA 520±15 644±14 24.3±1.9 Ti-1MEA 571±3 698±5 24.2±1.7Ti-2MEA 624±11 765±10 13.3±0.6
图4 Ti-xMEA合金拉伸性能:(a)工程应力-应变曲线;(b)真应力-应变曲线;(c)加工硬化率曲线
Fig.4 Tensile properties ofTi-xMEA alloys:(a) engineering stress-strain curve;(b) true stress-strain curve;(c) work hardening rate curve
当添加MEA后,合金强度显著提升且塑性呈温和衰减趋势:Ti-0.5MEA合金的屈服强度为(520±15) MPa,抗拉强度为(644±14) MPa,伸长率为24.3%±1.9%;Ti-1MEA合金的屈服强度进一步提升至(571±3) MPa,抗拉强度为(698±5) MPa,伸长率为24.2%±1.7%;当MEA含量增至2%时,Ti-2MEA合金的屈服强度达(624±11) MPa,抗拉强度达(765±10) MPa,虽伸长率降至13.3%±0.6%,但实现了更优的强度-塑性匹配。
由图4c的加工硬化率曲线可知,Ti-1MEA和Ti-2MEA合金表现出更优的加工硬化能力,这是因为加载过程中,细化的α/前β晶粒与弥散分布的Ni2Ti第二相共同作用,既增大了位错滑移阻力,又通过细晶协调变形缓解了应力集中,从而实现强度与塑性的均衡优化[23]。
图5为纯Ti及Ti-MEA合金的EBSD反极图及根据α相和β相的取向关系重构的前β晶粒图,图6为平行于打印方向的EBSD的Band Contrast图。由图5a可知,Ti的α相呈粗大片状马氏体,具有明显择优取向,马氏体片层宽度约为15 μm;对应的前β晶粒为粗大柱状晶,晶粒尺寸达80 μm,β晶界清晰且数量较少(图5e,图6a)。当添加0.5%MEA后,α相细化为短针状,马氏体片层宽度降至8 μm,择优取向特征减弱(图5b);前β晶粒柱状晶宽度减小至20μm,β晶界数量显著增加(图5f,图6b)。随着MEA含量提高至1%,α相进一步细化至马氏体片层宽度仅5 μm,无明显定向分布(图5c);前β晶粒柱状晶宽度缩小至15 μm,平行于打印方向出现少量等轴晶(图6c)。当MEA含量增至2%时,α相细化至3 μm,尺寸均匀性大幅提升(图5d);前β柱状晶已全部转化为等轴晶,平均晶粒尺寸约为20 μm,形成“细β晶+超细α相”的复合组织(图5h,图6d)。
图5 垂直于打印方向Ti-xMEA合金EBSD反极图及重构的前β晶粒:(a,e) Ti;(b,f) Ti-0.5MEA;(c,g) Ti-1MEA;(d,h) Ti-2MEA
Fig.5 EBSD inverse pole figure and reconstructed front β grains ofTi-xMEA alloy perpendicular to the printing direction:(a,e) Ti;(b,f) Ti-0.5MEA;(c,g) Ti-1MEA;(d,h) Ti-2MEA
图6 平行于打印方向Ti-xMEA合金EBSD的BC图:(a) Ti;(b) Ti-0.5MEA;(c) Ti-1MEA;(d) Ti-2MEA
Fig.6 EBSD results for the Ti-xMEA alloy parallel to the printing direction:(a) Ti;(b) Ti-0.5MEA;(c) Ti-1MEA;(d) Ti-2MEA
MEA诱导合金晶粒细化的机制可归纳为:CoCrNi作为β稳定元素,一方面通过异质形核细化前β晶粒[24];另一方面降低β→α相变温度、增大相变过冷度,使α相形核率显著提升、长大时间缩短[25]。同时,增材制造过程中的β→α相变受前β晶界限制,前β晶粒作为相变前驱体,其形态(柱状晶→等轴晶)与尺寸变化直接影响α马氏体的形核位点与生长空间,MEA的添加通过稳定β相、增大相变过冷度,先实现前β晶粒细化,进而诱导α马氏体同步细化[26-27]。
图7为不同MEA含量Ti-xMEA合金的拉伸断口形貌。由图7a1和a2可知,Ti合金断口表面布满细密均匀的韧窝,无明显裂纹或缺陷,呈现典型的韧性断裂特征,与其中高伸长率的性能表现一致[28-29]。随着MEA含量增加,断口形貌呈现规律性变化:Ti-0.5MEA合金断口表面出现少量微孔与微裂纹,但仍分布大量韧窝(图7b1和b2),整体仍以韧性断裂为主;Ti-1MEA合金断口的微裂纹数量增多,但韧窝依旧是主要特征,局部塑性变形能力略有减弱(图7c1和c2)当MEA含量增至2%时,Ti-2MEA合金断口表面不仅存在微裂纹,还出现明显的沿晶断裂区域,同时韧窝数量减少、尺寸不均(图7d1和d2),表现出“韧性断裂+局部脆性断裂”的混合特征,这与该合金伸长率略有下降的拉伸性能变化规律相匹配[30]。
图7 不同放大倍数下Ti-xMEA合金断口形貌:(a1,a2) Ti;(b1,b2) Ti-0.5MEA;(c1,c2) Ti-1MEA;(d1,d2) Ti-2MEA
Fig.7 Fracture morphology ofthe Ti-xMEA alloy under different magnifications:(a1,a2) Ti;(b1,b2) Ti-0.5MEA;(c1,c2) Ti-1MEA;(d1,d2) Ti-2MEA
(1)Ti试样的微观组织为片层宽度约15 μm的单相α马氏体,前β晶粒为粗大柱状晶,激光增材制造过程中发生β→α相变。添加CoCrNi后,合金形成α马氏体与Ni2Ti析出相的复合组织,前β晶粒由柱状晶转变为等轴晶,且CoCrNi含量越高,α马氏体细化与前β晶粒等轴化效果越显著,Ni2Ti析出相数量也随之增多。
(2)Ti试样因马氏体片层较粗,表现出“低强高塑”特征(抗拉强度585 MPa,伸长率30.8%)。添加CoCrNi MEA后,合金屈服强度与抗拉强度显著提升,当MEA含量为2%时,Ti-2MEA合金屈服强度达624MPa、抗拉强度达765 MPa,实现更优的强度—塑性匹配。细晶强化、固溶强化与Ni2Ti析出强化的协同作用是合金性能提升的核心机制,其中Ni2Ti析出相可增大位错滑移阻力,显著提升合金屈服强度。
(3)CoCrNi MEA的添加可稳定β相,促进α马氏体细化并形成Ni2Ti析出相,三者协同调控Ti-xMEA合金的微观组织与力学性能。随CoCrNi含量提高,前β晶粒逐渐趋于等轴化,有效降低变形过程中的各向异性,使合金变形更均匀,从而获得优异的强度—塑性匹配。
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