Morphology evolution of -phase in Al-Mg-Si alloys during aging treatment

Ahmed, A.*; Uttarasak, K.*; Tsuchiya, Taiki*; Lee, S.*; Nishimura, Katsuhiko*; Nunomura, Norio*; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Hirayama, Kyosuke*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Yamaguchi, Masatake; et al.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 988, p.174234_1 - 174234_9, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174234

This study aims to clarify the growth process of the-phase in Al-Mg-Si alloys from the point of view of morphology evolution. For this research, the -phase orientation relationship, shape, growth process, misfit value, and interfacial condition between the -phase and Al matrix were investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), focus ion beam (FIB), and optical microscope (OM). Results include the identification of {111} facets at the edges of the -phase, as well as the proposal of two new three-dimensional shapes for the -phase. We purposed the morphology evolution during the growth process of MgSi crystal and calculated the misfit to understand the unstable (111) facet has a higher misfit value as compared to the (001) and (011) facets. Our observations provide how they influence the behavior of MgSi crystals.

Assessment of hydrogen embrittlement behavior in Al-Zn-Mg alloy through multi-modal 3D image-based simulation

Fujihara, Hiro*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Ebihara, Kenichi; Kobayashi, Masakazu*; Mayama, Tsuyoshi*; Hirayama, Kyosuke*; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Takeuchi, Akihisa*; Uesugi, Masayuki*

International Journal of Plasticity, 174, p.103897_1 - 103897_22, 2024/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijplas.2024.103897

Hydrogen(H) embrittlement in high-strength aluminum(Al) alloys is a crucial problem. H accumulation at the interface of precipitates in Al alloy is considered to cause embrittlement. However, there is no quantitative knowledge regarding the interaction between H distribution and stress field near cracks. In this study, using a multi-modal three-dimensional image-based simulation combining the crystal plasticity finite element method and H diffusion analysis, we tried to capture the stress distribution near the crack, its influence on the H distribution, and the probability of crack initiation in the experimental condition. As a result, it was found that grain boundary cracks transition to quasi-cleavage cracks in the region where the cohesive energy of the semi-coherent interface of MgZn precipitates decreases due to H accumulation near the tip. We believe the present simulation method successfully bridges nanoscale delamination and macroscale brittle fracture.

Hydrogen embrittlement and its prevention in 7XXX aluminum alloys with high Zn concentrations

Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Fujihara, Hiro*; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Uesugi, Masayuki*; Takeuchi, Akihisa*; Nishijima, Masahiko*; Kamada, Yasuhiro*

Corrosion, 79(8), p.818 - 830, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.5006/4300

7xxx aluminum alloys are representative high-strength aluminum alloys; however, mechanical property degradation due to hydrogen hinders further strengthening. We propose the dispersion of Mn-based second-phase particles as a novel technique for preventing 7xxx aluminum alloy hydrogen embrittlement. In this study, the deformation and fracture behaviors of high hydrogen 7xxx alloys containing 0.0% Mn and 0.6% Mn are observed in situ using synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography. The obtained macroscopic hydrogen embrittlement is quantitatively analyzed based on hydrogen partitioning in alloys. Adding 0.6% Mn, generating second-phase particles with high hydrogen trapping abilities, significantly suppresses hydrogen-induced quasicleavage fracture.

Activity for improvement of reprocessing plant quality assurance system; Transition to decommissioning stage, complying with new regulatory requirements for new inspection program, giving up ISO 9001 certification; Operations report FY 2012-2019

Yoshinaka, Kazuyuki; Shimizu, Kazuyuki; Sugiyama, Takayuki

JAEA-Review 2021-008, 112 Pages, 2021/07

JAEA-Review-2021-008.pdf:5.99MB

We had drastically been improving quality assurance system for Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP), through applying new regulatory requirements, giving up ISO certification from FY2012 to 2019. In revising QA system, it is obviously necessary to satisfy the regulatory requirements, but it is important to continuously improve the QA system considering effectiveness to safety performance based on earlier experiences. In this report, the background of QA system revision, interpretation and thinking way of conformation and application to new regulation and "Application Guide to Quality Assurance Code for Safety in Nuclear Power Plants (JEAC 4111)" to TRP, issues considered. And matters that require attention for future QA activities are described. Key points are "in work processes planning, relationship with other sections and responsibility boundaries should be clearly defined with such as flow chart", "to manage decision-making processes is important, including input information, judgment criteria and so on", "concerning process monitoring and measurement, not only focusing on scheduling but also viewpoints toward conditions of facilities/systems, conformance to regulatory requirements and process improvement are necessary", and "in documentation, matching for existing system, clear relation to other fundamental documents are necessary".

Hydrogen trapping in MgSi and AlFeCu intermetallic compounds in aluminum alloy; First-principles calculations

Yamaguchi, Masatake; Tsuru, Tomohito; Ebihara, Kenichi; Itakura, Mitsuhiro; Matsuda, Kenji*; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Toda, Hiroyuki*

Materials Transactions, 61(10), p.1907 - 1911, 2020/10

https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.MT-M2020201

no abstracts in English

Hydrogen-accelerated spontaneous microcracking in high-strength aluminium alloys

Tsuru, Tomohito; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Itakura, Mitsuhiro; Ebihara, Kenichi; Bendo, A.*; Matsuda, Kenji*; Toda, Hiroyuki*

Scientific Reports (Internet), 10, p.1998_1 - 1998_8, 2020/04

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58834-6

Age-hardening has been one and only process to achieve high strength aluminum alloys since unlike iron and titanium, pure aluminum does not have other solid phases during heat treatment. Highly-concentrated precipitations play therefore dominant role in mechanical properties and hydrogen embrittlement of aluminium alloys. It has been considered that the coherent interface between matrix and precipitation does not contribute to the crack initiation and embrittlement due to its coherency. Here, we discovered the origin of unprecedented quasi-cleavage fracture mode. Hydrogen partitioning at various defect sites is investigated comprehensively combined with experiment, theory and first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that despite low excess free volume, the aluminum-precipitation interface is more preferable trap site than void and grain boundary. The cohesivity of the interface deteriorates significantly with increasing occupancy while hydrogen atoms are trapped stably up to extremely high occupancy equivalent to spontaneous cleavage.

Neutron imaging analysis of hydrogen content in pure palladium and aluminum alloys

Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Hayashida, Hirotoshi*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Kai, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro*; Matsumoto, Yoshihisa*

Nihon Kinzoku Gakkai-Shi, 83(11), p.434 - 440, 2019/11

https://doi.org/10.2320/jinstmet.J2019016

Microstructure evolution in a hydrogen charged and aged Al-Zn-Mg alloy

Bendo, A.*; Matsuda, Kenji*; Lee, S.*; Nishimura, Katsuhiko*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Tsuru, Tomohito; Yamaguchi, Masatake

Materialia, 3, p.50 - 56, 2018/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2018.09.035

Hydrogen-accelerated spontaneous microcracking in high-strength aluminium alloys; Experimental and computational approaches

Tsuru, Tomohito; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Itakura, Mitsuhiro; Ebihara, Kenichi; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Bendo, A.*; Matsuda, Kenji*; Toda, Hiroyuki*

no journal, , 

Highly concentrated precipitates generated by age hardening generally play a dominant role in shaping the mechanical properties of aluminium alloys. In such precipitates, it is commonly believed that the coherent interface between the matrix and precipitate does not contribute to crack initiation and embrittlement. We report an unexpected spontaneous fracture process associated with hydrogen embrittlement. The origin of this quasi-cleavage fracture involves hydrogen partitioning, which we comprehensively investigate through experiment, theory and first-principles calculations. Despite completely coherent interface, we show that the aluminium-precipitate interface is more preferable trap site than void, dislocation and grain boundary. The cohesivity of the interface deteriorates significantly with increasing occupancy, while hydrogen atoms are stably trapped up to an extremely high occupancy over the possible trap site.

Hydrogen trapping and quasi-cleavage fracture in Al-Zn-Mg alloy

Tsuru, Tomohito; Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Itakura, Mitsuhiro; Ebihara, Kenichi; Bendo, A.*; Matsuda, Kenji*; Toda, Hiroyuki*

no journal, , 

7xxx series alloys are the high strength Al alloys which contain Zn and Mg as the major alloying elements for precipitate hardening. In these alloys, a small portion of dissolved hydrogen has been found to cause an anomalous brittle fracture called "quasi-cleavage" fracture. In the present study, we focus on the hydrogen embrittlement of high-strength Al-Zn-Mg alloys and estimate the equilibrium partitioning of hydrogen. We explored an unprecedented HE mechanism related to the quasi-cleavage fracture in Al alloys through experimental observation and theoretical model combined with electronic structure calculations. First-principles calculations were carried out to evaluate the binding energy between hydrogen and various defect structures such as vacancy, edge/screw dislocations, grain boundary, and -MgZn precipitate. The results show that the binding energy at the Al-MgZn interface is higher than that of the grain boundary and vacancy, even if the interface remains completely coherent and the free volume around the interface is small. The Al-MgZn interface is therefore one of the most favourable trap sites among possible defect structures in Al alloys. Subsequently we evaluated the relationship between cohesive energy and occupancy at the interface. According to the comprehensive investigation of hydrogen partitioning, we advocate a new process of hydrogen-induced quasi-cleavage fracture in Al-Zn-Mg alloys.