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.     

Casting methods for the production of rotationally symmetric copper bimetals

ABSTRACT

Multiple-material products are characterised by a complex property profile which is achieved by combining the particular advantages of at least two different materials. Bimetal casting is an energy- and material-efficient technology for the production of multi-metallic objects. This paper describes the development of a semi-continuous casting process for the formation of a rotationally symmetric bimetal with a cohesive bonding character at the interface of a copper–tin alloy (CuSn6) and pure copper (Cu99.5). Initial experiments are conducted by static casting to evaluate the thermal process window. Based on the results of the initial experiments, a vertical semi-continuous compound casting process is developed. A stable cohesive bond between the joining partners is accomplished by forming a solid solution at the interface.

This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on Copper and its Alloys.     

Low Frequency Electromagnetic Casting of 2195 Aluminum-Lithium Alloy and Its Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

In this study,the low frequency electromagnetic casting(LFEC) technology was adopted to fabricate 2195 Al-Li alloy.The microstructure and solid solubility of as-cast 2195 alloys,as well as the second phase precipitation and tensile properties after aging,were investiagated and compared with the counterpart direct chill casting 2195 alloy.Our results indicate that LFEC can significantly improve the microstructure and metallurgical quality of as-cast alloy,and increase the number density of θ'(Al_2 Cu) and T_1(Al_2 CuLi) phases during aging treatment due to the enhanced solubilities of alloying elements.The tensile properties of 2195 aged alloy cast by LFEC were hence improved evidently.     

The Tunable Porous Structure of Gelatin–Bioglass Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: Physicochemical,Mechanical, and In Vitro Properties

Unidirectional freeze‐casting method is used to fabricate gelatin–bioglass nanoparticles (BGNPs) scaffolds. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that sol–gel prepared BGNPs are distributed throughout the scaffold with diameters of less than 10 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetric are used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of BGNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs present an oriented porous structure and a homogeneous distribution of BGNPs in the gelatin matrix. The lamellar‐type structure indicates an improvement of mechanical strength and absorption capacity of the scaffolds. Increasing the concentration of BGNPs from 0 to 50 wt% have no noticeable effect on pore orientation, but decreases porosity and pore size distribution. Increase in BGNPs content improves the compressive strength. The absorption and biodegradation rate reduces with augmentation in BGNPs concentration. Bioactivity is evaluated through apatite formation after immersion of the nanocomposites in simulated body fluid and is verified by SEM–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), an element map analysis, X‐ray powder diffractometer, and FTIR spectrum. SEM images and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay confirm the biocompatibility of scaffolds and the supportive behavior of nanocomposites in cellular spreading. The results show that gelatin–(30 wt%)bioglass nanocomposites have incipient physicochemical and biological properties.     

Nonmechanical criteria proposed for prediction of hot tearing sensitivity in 2024 aluminum alloy

Two theoretical criteria represented by Katgerman, and Clyne and Davies for prognosticating hot tearing sensitivity were compared. Both unrefined and grain-refined samples of Al2024 alloy were solidified at various cooling rates ranging from 0.4 to 17.5 °C/s. Thermal analysis was used to detect dendrite coherency point and temperature of eutectic reaction. Curves of solid and liquid fractions were plotted based on Newtonian method to determine hot tearing susceptible areas. The experimental results show that the most susceptible zone in which hot tearing can occur in Al2024 is where Al₂CuMg intermetallic compound forms as a eutectic phase at last stage of mushy-state interval. Also, both criteria are in a good agreement with each other at high cooling rates used in direct-chill casting process while Clyne and Davies' model is more acceptable to determine hot tearing tendency from low to medium cooling rates.     

Formation of compositional gradient in Al/SiC FGMs fabricated under huge centrifugal forces using solid-particle and mixed-powder methods

Formations of graded distribution of SiC ceramic particles within the hollow cylindrical shaped Al/SiC functionally graded materials (FGMs) fabricated by centrifugal solid-particle method (CSPM) and centrifugal mixed-powder method (CMPM) under huge centrifugal force are experimentally and theoretically investigated. The movement of SiC ceramic particles in viscous liquid under centrifugal force is explained based on Stoke's law. The effect of compositional gradient of particles on viscosity is taken into account. Also, the effect of temperature distribution on viscosity and density are considered. A computer code to simulate the formation of compositional gradient in the Al/SiC FGMs fabricated by CSPM and CMPM is developed. From the results, it is found that the volume fraction of SiC ceramic particles can be graded from the inner to the outer surface of hollow cylindrical shaped Al/SiC FGMs by CSPM. Meanwhile by CMPM, the SiC ceramic particles can be dispersed on the outer surface of hollow cylindrical shaped Al/SiC FGMs. The graded distribution in Al/SiC FGMs under huge centrifugal force is found to be significantly affected by the mold temperature but less affected by the temperature of molten Al and casting atmosphere.     

铸绩效理论指导壳型铸造气缸体组芯胎具的优化设计

介绍了小型干式缸套气缸体复杂薄壁类铸铁件壳型铸造生产中,应用传统观念手工组芯方法存在的诸多不足。阐述了采用绩效理论指导小型气缸体壳型铸造的气缸体砂型铸造中组芯胎具的工艺结构、砂芯锁紧工艺结构和方法等方面的优化设计,以及使其能在小型干式缸套气缸体铸铁件壳型铸造过程中获得良好的工艺效果。     

全球连续铸轧生产铝汽车板专利技术发展态势分析

随着汽车轻量化策略的持续推进,作为汽车车身应用轻量化材料的铝合金板已成为汽车轻量化领域的研发重点,而连续铸轧技术是生产汽车车身铝板较为先进的技术之一。本文通过收集德温特创新索引国际专利数据库(DII)、普若凯斯特专利数据库(Proquest Dialog)等涉及连续铸轧生产铝汽车板的专利,利用汤姆森数据分析软件(Thomson Data Analyzer)等主流情报分析工具,对连续铸轧生产汽车板技术在全球的研发现状、态势及主要技术方向,以及美国铝业公司连续铸轧生产铝汽车板专利发展态势进行分析。     

基于AnyCasting的铝合金弹底转座压铸工艺参数优化

结合铸造生产实际,合理设计了铸件的结构。采用AnyCasting数值模拟软件,用正交试验方法分析了铝合金弹底转座压铸工艺过程中浇注温度、充型速度以及模具预热温度对铸件质量的影响规律。结果表明,模具预热温度对铸件质量的影响最大,浇注温度次之,充型速度最小,最优的工艺参数是浇注温度为650℃、充型速度为0.25 m/s和模具预热温度为180℃。同时,在最优工艺参数的基础上,结合实物验证了模拟的可靠性,并观察了铸造铝合金的微观组织。