Formation of TiC hexagonal platelets and their growth mechanism

A large amount of TiC hexagonal platelets has formed on the surface of the sample made of Ti/Si/TiC/Al_0.2 after sintering at above 1450 °C in an Ar atmosphere. The basal plane of TiC platelets is (111) facet confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Small amounts of Si and Al elements dissolved in the TiC crystal structure, influencing the structure of TiC. The detailed structure and growth mechanism of the TiC platelets have been observed and analyzed. A model has been proposed to understand the formation of TiC hexagonal platelets.     

Controlling the sizes of in-situ TiC nanoparticles for high-performance TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites

TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites were fabricated in Al–Ti–C powder systems using carbon black, a mixture of C and carbon nanotubes (C + CNTs), and CNTs via an in-situ method involving combustion synthesis and hot pressing. As the carbon source changed from pure carbon black to the C + CNT mixture and pure CNTs, the size of the TiC nanoparticles decreased gradually. The nanocomposites synthesized based on the C + CNT mixture exhibited the most uniform dispersion of TiC nanoparticles. The 30 vol% TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposite prepared from the C + CNT mixture had the best comprehensive mechanical properties (yield strength (411 MPa), compressive strength (712 MPa), fracture strain (17.2%), hardness (206.8 HV), and wear resistance under the experimental conditions due to having the most uniformly dispersed TiC nanoparticles. The wear mechanism was a combination of plastic deformation, abrasion, and adhesion. This method may be a low-cost and convenient means to control the sizes of in-situ TiC nanoparticles and prepare high-performance TiC/Al–Cu nanocomposites.     

Effect of interfacial-active elements addition on the incorporation of micron-sized SiC particles in molten pure aluminum

Ceramic particles generally have poor wettability by liquid metal, leading to a major drawback in fabrication of cast metal matrix composites (MMCs). In this work,  the effect of 1 wt. % of Ca, Mg, Si, Ti, Zn and Zr interfacial-active alloying elements was studied on the incorporation of micron-sized SiC particles into the molten pure aluminum using the vortex casting method at 680 °C. The results indicated that Ti, Zr, Zn and Si were not positively effective in improving particulate incorporation, while Ca and especially Mg were very efficient at increasing the incorporation of ceramic particles into the molten Al. Also, it was revealed that Al₃Ti, and Al₃Zr intermetallic phases were formed for samples containing Ti and Zr, making hybrid MMCs with a higher amount of hardness. Finally, it was found that a reaction layer between Al and SiC particles was formed at the Al/SiC interface for all of the samples, expect for the ones containing Si and Ti, indicating that for most of the samples at 680 °C an exothermic reaction took place between the Al and SiC particles.     

Near‐Net‐Shape Fabrication of Ti3SiC2‐based Ceramics by Three‐Dimensional Printing

This paper focuses on the preparation of near‐net‐shaped dense Ti₃SiC₂‐based materials via an indirect three‐dimensional printing (3D printing) and postreactive melt infiltration (RMI) processes. TiC preforms with bimodal pore size distribution were fabricated through 3D printing, followed by the infiltration of Si melt and Al–Si alloy (Al₄₀Si₆₀ and Al₇₀Si₃₀). Dense composites with density of ~4.1 g/cm³ were obtained after the infiltration. No volume shrinkage was obtained after the reactive infiltration with Al–Si alloy. The participation of Al during the infiltration process promoted the formation of Ti₃SiC₂. The as‐fabricated Ti₃SiC₂‐based materials showed enhanced mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties.     

Effect of ball milling and solid solution treatment on the microstructure and interfacial behaviors of ZrMgMo3O12p/2024Al composites

ZrMgMo₃O₁₂ is a negative expansion material, while 2024Al alloy is a positive expansion material. The difference in thermal expansion coefficients between them will cause thermal mismatch stress at the interface in ZrMgMo₃O_12p/2024Al composites. Therefore, the interface behaviors of ZrMgMo₃O₁₂–Al determine the properties of ZrMgMo₃O_12p/2024Al composites to a great extent. The effects of ball milling and solid solution treatment on the microstructure and interface behaviors of 10 vol% ZrMgMo₃O_12p/2024Al composites were studied to improve the reticular microstructure of ZrMgMo₃O₁₂ distributed at the grain boundary of the α-Al matrix. The results showed that with increasing milling energy, the microstructure of the composites changed from reticular to equiaxed, and the distribution of ZrMgMo₃O₁₂ reinforcements in the matrix was more uniform. The content and size of the primary phase Al₂Cu decreased with increasing solid solution treatment time. In addition, only ZrMgMo₃O₁₂–Al, Al₂Cu–Al₁₂Mo and Al–Al₁₂Mo interfaces can be observed, but it is difficult to observe the interfaces of ZrMgMo₃O₁₂–Al₁₂Mo in the composites milled for 12 h and solution treated for 24 h, which is related to the decomposition mechanism of ZrMgMo₃O₁₂. The decomposition mechanism is as follows: Al atoms from the α-Al matrix captured O atoms from ZrMgMo₃O₁₂ to form Al₂O₃. ZrMgMo₃O₁₂ simultaneously released Mo, Zr and Mg atoms. Mo atoms were enriched and nucleated in situ and precipitated with Al atoms to form the intermetallic compound Al₁₂Mo, while Zr and Mg atoms entered the α-Al matrix to form a solid solution.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3/Cu joints brazed with Ag–Cu–Ti+Zn composite fillers

In this study, Al₂O₃ ceramic and Cu bars were brazed with newly designed Ag–Cu–Ti(ABA)+Zn composite fillers. Systematic analysis of the microstructure of the brazed joints indicated that the volatilization of Zn atoms during the brazing process could promote the spreading of liquid brazing fillers on the surface of the Al₂O₃ ceramic, resulting in a uniform dendritic interfacial structure. The typical interfacial structure was an Al₂O₃/TiO/(Cu, Al)₃Ti₃O+Ag(s, s)/Cu interface. Notably, the tensile strength was improved to 20.89 MPa for Al₂O₃/Cu joint brazed with ABA+Zn composite fillers at 900 °C for 20 min, approximately 67.6% higher than the sample brazed without Zn foil. In this case, the fracture model was straight and sharp-angled inside the Al₂O₃ ceramic. In addition, the joint strength decreased with increased brazing temperatures from 900 to 940 °C.     

Nano TiC-Graphene-Cu composites fabrication by a modified ball-milling method followed by reactive sintering: Effects of reinforcements content on microstructure,consolidation, and mechanical properties

A two-step mechanical milling followed by a reactive sintering process was used to synthesize Nano TiC-Graphene-Cu composites from a mixture of Cu, Ti, and Graphene (GN) powders in four different compositions, and effects of reinforcements content on the microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results showed that a part of GN reacted with Ti atoms in the matrix, leading to the successful formation of hybrid nanocomposites. Uniform distribution of in-situ TiC with nanometer size and unreacted GN in the nanostructured Cu (Ti) solid solution were obtained. Addition of high percentage of the reinforcements led to an increase in the porosity and microhardness, coarsening of TiC nanoparticles, and decreasing the grain size of the matrix after sintering. The simultaneous presence of GN and TiC nanoparticles in the Cu matrix improved the hardness and wear resistance and reduced the friction coefficient by self-lubricating behavior. The nanocomposite with the nominal composition of Ti-40 vol % TiC showed the highest wear resistance and the lowest friction coefficient.     

Effect of Al2O3 particles on mechanical and tribological properties of Al–Mg dual-matrix nanocomposites

This article aims to manufacture homogenous dual-matrix Al–Mg/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite from their raw materials and give insight into the correlation between powder morphology, crystallite structure and their mechanical and tribological properties. Al–Mg dual-matrix reinforced with micro/nano Al₂O₃ particles was manufactured by a novel double high-energy ball milling process followed by a cold consolidation and sintering. Microstructure and phase composition of the prepared samples were characterized using FE-SEM, EDS and XRD inspections. Mechanical and wear properties were characterized using compression and sliding wear tests. The results showed that a milling of Mg with Al₂O₃ particles in an initial step before mixing with Al has the beneficial of well dispersion of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in Al–Mg dual matrix. The Al–Mg dual matrix reinforced with nano-size Al₂O₃ showed 3.29-times smaller crystallite size than pure Al. Moreover, the hardness and compressive strength are enhanced by adding nano-size Al₂O₃ with Al–Mg dual matrix composite while the ductility is maintained relatively high. Additionally, the wear rate of this composite was reduced by a factor of 2.7 compared to pure Al. The reduced crystallite size, the dispersion of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles and the formation of (Al–Mg)_ss were the main improvement factors for mechanical and wear properties.     

Ti3Si(Al)C2-based ceramics fabricated by reactive melt infiltration with Al70Si30 alloy

Dense Ti₃Si(Al)C₂-based ceramics were synthesized using reactive melt infiltration (RMI) of Al₇₀Si₃₀ alloy into the porous TiC preforms. The effects of the infiltration temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the synthesized composites were investigated. All the composites infiltrated at different temperatures were composed of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂, TiC, SiC, Ti(Al, Si)₃ and Al. With the increase of infiltration temperature from 1050 °C to 1500 °C, the Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ content increased to 52 vol.% and the TiC content decreased to 15 vol.%, and the Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂-based composite reached to 9.95 GPa, 328 MPa and 4.8 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

In Situ Hydrogenation of CO2 by Al/Fe and Zn/Cu Alloy Catalysts under Mild Conditions

The development of efficient metal catalysts for in situ hydrogenation of CO₂ in water under mild conditions has gained considerable attention. Three Al alloys (Al/Fe, Al/Fe/Cu, Al/Cu) and three Zn/Cu alloys for in situ hydrogenation of CO₂ in aqueous bicarbonate solutions were investigated. Hydrogen was generated by reaction of Al, Fe, and Zn in the alloys with water. In situ hydrogenation of CO₂ was likely to be catalyzed by intermetallic compounds and generated metal oxides. Al alloys catalyzed the hydrogenation to methane while Zn/Cu alloys produced CO and formic acid. Zn/Cu5 possessed the highest catalytic activity, which was attributed to the CuZn5 crystal planes in the alloys. Insights are provided into the importance of compositions and structures of alloys for the selectivity for in situ hydrogenation of CO₂ in aqueous bicarbonate solutions.     

Morphology of Single-Component Particles Produced by Spray Pyrolysis

ABSTRACT

This work is a review of the experimental results from the literature for single-component metal and simple metal-oxide particles. Criteria for correlating particle morphology, i.e., whether the particles are solid or hollow, with process parameters and material properties during spray pyrolysis are presented and compared with the data available in the literature. The materials were classified into two categories for which the precursor: (1) melts and (2) does not melt before chemical reaction takes place, and separate criteria were used for each category based on the work of Jayanthi et al. (1993) J. Aerosol Sci. 19:478. In systems where the precursor melts before chemical reaction occurs, e.g., decomposition of nitrates of Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, Pb, Ni, Co, Pd, Mn, Cu, Sr, and Ag, the particle morphology is determined primarily by the densities and formula weights of the reactant and product compounds unless high temperature densification or puffing up of the particles due to gases evolved during the chemical reaction alter the morphology. In systems where the precursor undergoes nucleation to form a solid crust which does not melt before chemical reaction takes place, e.g., Ba(C₂H₃O₂)₂, Al₂(SO₄)₃, Zr(C₂H₃O₂)₂, and Zn(C₂H₃O₂)₂, solubility and density of the precursor as well as the operating temperature are the main factors that affect the product particle morphology. Overall, particle morphologies predicted by the criteria were in agreement with experimental observations reported in the literature.     

Effect of TiO2 addition on the properties of Ti3Si(Al)C2 based ceramics fabricated by reactive melt infiltration

In this paper, Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ based ceramics were fabricated by reactive melt infiltration (RMI) of TiC/TiO₂ preforms with liquid silicon. The microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties of the Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ based ceramics have been investigated to understand the effect of phase composition of the preforms on the formation mechanisms of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂. The preforms with different content of TiO₂ infiltrated at 1500 °C with liquid silicon for 1 h were composed of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂, Al₂O₃, TiC, TiSi_xAl_y and residual Al. The prior generated Al₂O₃ phases inhibited the dispersion of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ phases, resulting in the drastically grain growth of Ti₃Si(Al)C₂. Subsequently, the microstructure with gradually increasing Ti₃Si(Al)C₂ grain size resulted in the decrease of the bending strength and fracture toughness of samples. When the content of TiO₂ reached 20 wt%, the bending strength reached the maximum, 326.6 MPa. The fracture toughness attained the maximum, 4.3 MPa m^1/2, when the content of TiO₂ was 10 wt%.     

Developing high-performance laminated Cu/TiC composites through melt infiltration of Ni-doped freeze-cast preforms

Nacre-inspired laminated composites have been proven to possess a unique combination of strength and toughness. In this study, we fabricated nacre-mimetic Cu/TiC composites via unidirectional freezing of aqueous TiC slurries containing different amounts of NiO additives, followed by ice sublimation, carbothermal reduction of NiO to Ni during sintering and then gas-pressure infiltration of the Cu melt. The introduction of Ni greatly facilitated the densification of ceramic lamellae and enhanced the interfacial bonding between Cu and TiC. The resultant composites displayed outstanding damage tolerance and anisotropic electrical conductivities. Specifically, for an ～31?vol% TiC–Cu composite containing 24?wt% Ni in the ceramic lamellae (based on the TiC content), a fracture toughness (K_Jc) of 72.5?±?1.0?MPa·m^1/2, work of fracture of 53.4?±?3.5?kJ/m², bending strength of 725?±?11?MPa and longitudinal electrical conductivity of 22.7?MS/m (～60% of the Cu matrix) were achieved, which were approx. 81%, 536%, 122% and 97% higher than those of the Ni-free composite, respectively. Noticeable toughening was demonstrated to be a consequence of multiple cracking, plastic deformation and uncracked-ligament bridging of the metal layers, as well as crack deflection and blunting. On the other hand, significant strengthening resulted from tailoring the microstructures in the ceramic layers and at the Cu/TiC interface as a result of Ni doping. We believe that the facile strategy adopted herein provides an effective way to solve the problems of wetting and bonding related to metal infiltration and can be readily extended to the preparation of other nacre-inspired metal?ceramic composites.     

Direct-bonded Al/Al2O3 using a transient eutectic liquid phase

Directed bonding with Al and Al₂O₃ was achieved using a transient liquid phase (TLP) method after annealing at the low melting point of Al, which deposited Ni, Cu, Ge, and Si on the Al₂O₃ substrate. Al/Al₂O₃ microstructures were evaluated using a scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A reaction layer was absent at the Al/Al₂O₃ interface, and all deposited metal films dissolved into the Al foil and reacted with Al to form an eutectic liquid phase near the interface to wet and join with the Al₂O₃. Al₉Fe₂ and Al₃Fe intermetallic compounds were formed in the Al substrate because of Fe precipitation, which is an impurity of Al foil, and the reaction with Al at the grain boundaries of Al. The bonding area percentage, shear strength, and thermal conductivity for Al and Al₂O₃ were assessed using scanning acoustic tomography (SAT), the ISO 13 124 shear strength test, and the laser flash method, respectively. The Al/Al₂O₃ specimen deposited with the Ni film had the highest shear strength (33.74 MPa), thermal conductivity (42.3 W/mK), and bonding area percentage (96.78%). The Al/Al₂O₃ specimens deposited with Ge and Si exhibited relatively poor bonding because of the oxidation of Ge and Si at the surface of Al₂O₃ before bonding with Al.     

Trace metal contents of acidic,basic and neutral components of a cyclohexanol extract of Kosova Basin lignite

A sample of Kosova Basin lignite was extracted with cyclohexanol. The yield of extract was 19.98 wt%. The extract was fractionated into acidic, basic and neutral components and benzene- and petroleum ether-insoluble fractions. After ashing with HClO₄ and HNO₃, eleven elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd and Ni) were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and seven elements (Al, Ba, Sr, Be, B, Ga and V) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. A majority of the elements (Fe, B, Al, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ga and V) were found concentrated in the acidic and phenol fractions, while K, Ni, Ga and Cu predominated in the amine fraction. The metals thus analysed were associated with heteroatoms.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of Al2O3-SiCw-TiCnp ceramic tool material

Whiskers and nanoparticles are usually used as reinforcing additives of ceramic composite materials due to the synergistically toughening and strengthening mechanisms. In this paper, the effects of TiC nanoparticle content, particle size and preparation process on the mechanical properties of hot pressed Al₂O₃-SiC_w ceramic tool materials were investigated. The results showed that the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the materials increased with the increasing of TiC content. The optimized flexural strength was obtained with TiC content of 4 vol% and particle size of 40 nm. The particle size has been found to have a great influence on flexural strength and small influence on hardness and fracture toughness. It was concluded that the flexural strength increased remarkably with the decreasing of the TiC particle size, which was resulted from the improved density and refined grain size of the composite material due to the dispersion of the smaller TiC particle size. SEM micrographs of fracture surface showed the whiskers to be mainly distributed along the direction perpendicular to the hot-pressing direction. The fracture toughness was improved by whisker crack bridging, crack deflection and whisker pullout; the TiC nanoparticles in Al₂O₃ grains caused transgranular fracture and crack deflection, which improved the flexural strength and fracture toughness with whiskers synergistically. Uniaxial hot-pressing of SiC whisker reinforced Al₂O₃ ceramic composites resulted in the anisotropy of whiskers’ distribution, which led to crack propagation differences between lateral crack and radical crack.     

Microstructure evolution of Al2O3/Al2O3 joint brazed with Ag-Cu-Ti + B + TiH2 composite filler

Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃ joint was achieved using Ag-Cu-Ti + B + TiH₂ composite fillers at 900 °C for 10 min. The evolution mechanism of interface during brazing was discussed. Effects of Ti and B atoms content on microstructure of joints were investigated. Results show that a continuous and compact reaction layer Ti₃(Cu,Al)₃O forms at Al₂O₃/brazing alloy interface. Ti(Cu,Al) precipitates near Ti₃(Cu,Al)₃O layer. In situ synthesized TiB whiskers evenly distribute in Ag and Cu based solid solution. The higher content of B powders in composite fillers increases TiB whiskers content, but decreases the thickness of Ti₃(Cu,Al)₃O layer, while the higher TiH₂ powders content thickens Ti₃(Cu,Al)₃O layer. Ag and Cu based solid solutions become uniform and fine with the increasing of TiB whiskers content. Ti(Cu,Al) intermetallics content increase and they gradually distribute from Al₂O₃ side to the central of brazing alloy, but the content of Cu based solid solution decreases when the TiH₂ content increases.     

High strength TiC matrix Fe28Al toughened composites prepared by spontaneous melt infiltration

Fe28Al bound TiC matrix composites with TiC content of 75–90% in volume (vol.%) were successfully fabricated by spontaneous melt infiltration. Amounts of Fe28Al in excess and below the pore volume of the TiC preform were used for optimization of fabrication techniques. Young's modulus, hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites were measured. Four-point bending strength of Fe28Al/90–75 vol.% TiC ranges to 990–1260 MPa. The high strength is attributed to the good infiltration ability of molten Fe28Al in the porous TiC preform and to processing refinements. TiC preform pre-sintering and indirect infiltration all lead to fully dense and defect-free composites. The relationship between Vickers hardness and indentation fracture toughness and the dependence of mechanical properties on microstructure of the composites were also studied. Results of SEM and XRD analysis show TiC and Fe28Al as the only crystalline phases of the composite. Fe28Al ligaments have ductile behaviour and greatly toughen the composites. Crack front deviation during fracture also increased the fracture resistance of the composites.     

CNT-induced TiC toughened Al2O3/Ti composites: Mechanical,electrical, and room-temperature crack-healing behaviors

This study addressed novel multiphase composite of Al₂O₃/Ti/TiC that exhibited enhanced fracture toughness and room-temperature crack-healing function. Al₂O₃/Ti/TiC composites were fabricated through hot-press sintering of CNT, TiH_2, and Al₂O₃ mixed powders, where the TiC was in-situ formed by reaction of CNT and Ti. The effects of CNT (TiC) content on mechanical and electrical properties were studied. Electrochemical anodization process at room temperature was attempted to these composites to heal cracks introduced in the surface of composites. Results indicated that added CNT was invisible while metal Ti and reaction product TiC coexisted in all samples. The reaction between CNT and Ti[O] representing dissolved active oxygen into Ti was considered as the main formation route of TiC. The toughening mechanism was demonstrated as crack deflection and bridging due to the presence of TiC. In spite of the increase in electrical resistivity because of the higher resistivity of TiC than Ti, the present Al₂O₃/Ti/TiC composites still remain high enough electrical conductivity (8.0 × 10⁻³ Ωcm ~1.8 × 10⁻² Ωcm for 0-2 vol% CNT addition) which could be regarded as conductors; it allowed to heal cracks in the composites by electrochemical anodization that formed titanium dioxide phase at room temperature. It was found that crack-healing ability in 1 vol% CNT added composite exhibited higher strength recovery ratio of 95.6% to the crack-free sample than that of Al₂O₃/Ti composite (the recovery ratio of 89.6%). After crack-healing process, mechanical strength of samples increased by 52.3% compared to cracked composites. It was concluded that the formed TiC could contribute to the appropriate electrical conduction as well as interface strengthening in the Al₂O₃/Ti composites. Furthermore, it was firstly speculated that the TiC could be electrochemically anodized to form an oxide like Ti metal. These characteristics enable Al₂O₃/Ti/TiC composites as the crack-healing materials at room temperature.     

微波消解-ICP-OES法测定黑芝麻中的18种矿质元素

采用HNO3/H2O2湿法微波消解制样,利用全谱直读电感耦合等离子原子发射光谱法(ICP-OES),全面详细地分析测定了黑芝麻中的矿质元素,共检出Ca、P、S、Mg、K、Al、Si、Fe、Na、Zn、Se、Sr、Cu、Mn、Ba、B、Ti、Cr等18种矿质元素,RSD值在1.21%～10.1%,其中13种元素在5%以内。黑芝麻中所含人体常量元素Ca、P、S、Mg、K、Na等的质量分数分别为1.79%,1.08%,0.59%,0.43%,0.41%和0.009 1%;微量元素Fe、Zn、Se、Cu、Mn、B、Cr、Sr、Si、Al等的含量分别为18.6,4.55,3.87,1.74,1.62,0.91,3.21,78.8,125.8 mg/100 g,未检出Pb、Hg、Cd、As以及Ni、Co、Mo等元素。