Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg–RE–TM Cast Alloys Containing Long Period Stacking Ordered Phases: A Review

Casting magnesium alloys hold the greatest share of magnesium application products due to their short processing period, low cost and near net shape forming. Compared with conventional commercial magnesium alloys or other Mg–RE-based alloys, the novel Mg–RE–TM cast alloys with long period stacking ordered(LPSO) phases usually possess a higher strength and are promising candidates for aluminum alloy applications. Up to now, two ways: alloying design and casting process control(including subsequent heat treatments), have been predominantly employed to further improve the mechanical properties of these alloys. Alloying with other elements or ceramic particles could alter the solidifi cation pattern of alloys, change the morphology of LPSO phases and refi ne the microstructures. Diff erent casting techniques(conventional casting, rapidly solidifi cation, directional solidifi cation, etc.) introduce various microstructure characteristics, such as dendritic structure, nanocrystalline, metastable phase, anisotropy. Further heat treatments could activate the transformation of various LPSO structures and precipitation of diverse precipitates. All these evolutions exert great impacts on the mechanical properties of the LPSO-containing alloys. However, the underlying mechanisms still remain a subject of debate. Therefore, this review mainly provides the state of the art of the casting magnesium alloys research and the accompanying challenges and summarizes some topics that merit future investigation for developing high-performance Mg–RE–TM cast alloys.     

Electroactive shape memory polymer based on optimized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites

The development of shape memory polymers (SMPs) has gained remarkable attention due to their wide range of applications, from biomedical to electromechanical. In this work, we have developed and optimized an electroactive SMP based on polyvinyl alcohol/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PVA/MWNTs) composites. When a constant voltage of 60 V was applied to the optimized sample, the polymer shape could be recovered to the original form within 35 s. Different weight fractions of MWNT/PVA composites were prepared by using a simple solution blending and transitional solution casting method, and their microstructures, electrical conductivities, thermal conductivities, and electroactive shape memory properties were investigated. According to our systematic analysis, the enhanced performance can be attributed to the reinforcement of MWNTs that led to the improved electrical and thermal conductivities of the PVA matrix.     

Reinforcement and toughening mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites – Carbon nanotubes and aluminum oxide

The addition of nanoparticles has been reported as an option to increase the fracture toughness of thermosetting polymers without compromising the stiffness. In this paper, alumina or carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in three different concentrations, were dispersed in an epoxy resin. Mechanical properties were measured through tensile test and the results indicate increases for all nanocomposites, with a maximum for the addition of 0.5% of CNTs (17% in elastic modulus and 22% in ultimate stress). Using TEM images, it was possible to identify the nanostructures and mechanisms that lead to improved stiffness. Fracture toughness tests and SEM images showed that cavitation – shear yielding (for epoxy/alumina nanocomposites) and crack bridging – pull-out (for epoxy/CNTs nanocomposites) are the predominant mechanisms.     

圆弧“U”形结构安装座铸造工艺改进

安装座为精铸件,其结构总体呈半圆弧形,一端为“U”形结构,该产品主要工艺难点为圆弧径向及“U”形结构开口端易变形,圆弧径向两端加工后易出现“黑皮”。通过工艺改进运用反变形工艺、工艺拉筋等工艺措施有效解决铸件变形问题,提高产品铸造工艺出品率。     

基于TRIZ的真空注型机改进设计

应用发明问题解决理论(TRIZ理论)的物质-场模型及冲突矩阵方法,分析制模硅胶脱气和树脂真空注型工艺过程,提出真空注型机关键工艺功能改进设计方案;开发了硅胶脱气自动除泡装置和真空注型多工位浇注系统。样机验证结果表明,改进设计的真空注型机功能设计合理有效,劳动强度明显降低,工作效率显著提高。     

压铸雷达用高精度波导管的研制

针对雷达用高精度波导管的特点,采用压铸和拼装工艺,生产出满足技术要求的波导管零件。通过分析波导管的工艺难点,开展了YL113合金的气体含量控制、压铸工艺优化以及配套工装装配工艺研究。结果表明,通过惰性气体精炼和真空除气处理,可有效降低合金熔体内氢含量,保证合金内部品质;通过浇道设计和压铸工艺优化,保证了喇叭、十字筋铸件的尺寸精度,且铸件屈服强度高于270MPa,伸长率高于2%;采用退火、自然时效处理以及装配工装,有效保证了波导管的装配尺寸精度,产品合格率达91%。     

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.     

Three-dimensional visualization and quantification of microporosity in aluminum castings by X-ray micro-computed tomography

Porosity is a major issue in solidification processing of metallic materials.In this work,wedge die casting experiments were designed to investigate the effect of cooling rate on microporosity in an aluminum alloy A356.Microstructure information including dendrites and porosity were measured and observed by optical microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography(XMCT).The effects of cooling rate on secondary dendrite arm spacing(SDAS)and porosity were discussed.The relationship between SDAS and cooling rate was established and validated using a mathematical model.Three-dimensional(3-D)porosity information,including porosity percentage,pore volume,and pore number,was determined by XMCT.With the cooling rate decreasing from a lower to a higher position of the wedge die,the observed pore number decreases,the porosity percentage increases,and the equivalent pore radius increases.Sphericity of the pores was discussed as an empirical criterion to distinguish the types of porosity.For different cooling rates,the larger the equivalent pore radius is,the lower the sphericity of the pores.This research suggests that XMCT is a useful tool to provide critical 3-D porosity information for integrated computational materials engineering(ICME)design and process optimization of solidification products.     

Mechanical properties and wear behavior of Al5083 matrix composites reinforced with high amounts of SiC particles fabricated by combined stir casting and squeeze casting; A comparative study

Combined stir casting and squeeze casting processes were used to fabricate Al5083 matrix composites reinforced with 20, 25, and 30 wt% SiC_p. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the composites fabricated by combined stir casting and squeeze casting were compared with those fabricated by stir casting. The results revealed that the combined casting method improved the distribution of SiC particles through the reduction of the agglomeration of SiC particle and reduced the porosities of the samples from 2.32% to 1.29% in the sample containing 30 wt% SiC. These modifications led to the enhancement of mechanical properties i.e. increased the hardness to 85 BHN and the compressive strength to 350 MPa for the sample containing 30 wt% SiC fabricated by the combined casting method. In addition, the wear resistance of the samples fabricated by the combined casting method improved because of the reduced size of the wear debris as well as the smaller worn region. The dominant wear mechanism of all the composite samples fabricated by both methods was the delamination of the tribological layer while adhesion wear was dominant in the monolithic Al alloy.