Fabrication of Al6061 composite with high SiC particle loading by semi-solid powder processing

Aluminum alloys reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles have been studied extensively for their favorable properties in structural and thermal applications. However, there has been only limited research into investigating the loading limit of a reinforcement phase of a metal matrix composite. In this paper, semi-solid powder processing (SPP), a fabrication method that exploits the unique behavior of a solid–liquid mixture, was used to synthesize SiC particle-reinforced Al6061. A high volume loading (>45 vol.%) of SiC in Al6061 matrix was investigated by varying the SiC loading volume fraction, forming pressure, SiC particle size and Al6061 particle size. The compaction and synthesis mechanism of the composite by SPP was discussed based on reinforcement phase compaction behavior and processing parameters. Microstructure, hardness, fracture surface and X-ray diffraction results were also analyzed. Results showed that SPP can achieve over 50 vol.% loading of SiC in Al6061 matrix with near theoretical density.     

Compocasting of A356-CNT composite

A356 aluminum alloys reinforced with carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) were produced by stir casting and compocasting routes and their microstructural characteristics and hardness were examined. In order to alleviate the problems associated with poor wettability, agglomeration and gravity segregation of CNTs in the melt, CNTs were introduced into the melts by injection of CNT deposited aluminum particles instead of raw CNTs. Aluminum particles with mean diameters of less than 100 μm were first deposited by CNTs using Ni-P electroless plating technique and then injected into the melt agitated by a mechanical stirrer. The slurry was subsequently cast at temperatures corresponding to full liquid as well as 0.15 and 0.30 solid fractions. The results show that addition of CNTs to A356 matrix can significantly refine both full liquid and semi-solid cast microstructures. Hardness of the samples is also significantly increased by addition of CNTs and A356-CNT composite cast at 0.3 solid fraction produces the highest hardness.     

Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced 6061Al Alloy Matrix Composites by an In Situ Synthesis Method Combined with Hot Extrusion Technique

Carbon nanotube(CNT)-reinforced 6061 Al alloy matrix composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition(CVD) combined with hot extrusion technique. During the preparation process, the 6061 Al flakes obtained by ball milling of the 6061 Al spherical powders were subjected to surface modification to introduce a hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) membrane on their surface(6061Al@PVA) to bond strongly with nickel acetate [Ni(II)]. Then the6061Al@PVA flakes bonded with Ni(II) were calcined and reduced to Ni nanoparticles, which were then heat-treated at580 °C to remove PVA for obtaining even Ni/6061 Al catalyst. After that, the as-obtained Ni/6061 Al catalyst was employed to synthesize CNTs on the surface of the 6061 Al flakes by CVD. After hot extrusion of the CNT/6061 Al composite powders, the as-obtained CNT/6061 Al bulk composites with 2.26 wt% CNTs exhibited 135% increase in yield strength and 84.5% increase in tensile strength compared to pristine 6061 Al matrix.     

Thixoforming of AA 2017 aluminum alloy composites

A comparative evaluation has been carried out on the microstructure of aluminum based SiC and Al₂O₃ particle reinforced composites produced by semi-solid direct squeeze forming of composite powder at temperatures of 635-645 °C. The study is focused on the distribution of the reinforcement and the intermetallic phases, the porosity content, the microstructure of the matrix phase, the interfacial state and mechanical properties. The particle size of the reinforcements, the time of the high-energy ball milling procedure for the fabrication of composite powder and the semi-solid forming temperature had a strong influence on the quality of sample in terms of distribution of reinforcement and interfacial interaction. Ball milling improves the interface formation between reinforcement and matrix and influences the remelting behaviour. Increasing ball milling time and decreasing semi-solid forming temperature with isothermal holding time resulted in relatively homogenous microstructures and in a reduced amount of interaction between SiC and metal matrix. Best results were obtained for 5 vol.% SiC_p composites after 3 h ball milling, semi-solid formed at 635 °C and held for 10 min.     

Thermal sprayed stainless steel/carbon nanotube composite coatings

Stainless steel/carbon nanotube (SS/CNT) composite coating was prepared by thermal spray from the feedstock powder synthesized by chemical vapor deposition at a synthesis temperature and time of 800 °C and 120 min under ethanol atmosphere. Microstructural investigation by TEM and SEM revealed that grown CNTs covering the surface of stainless steel particles were multi-walled type with an average diameter of about 44 nm. Microstructures of pure stainless steel and SS/CNT composite coatings similarly showed splat characteristic and lamellar structure. Incorporation of CNTs was clearly observed in the composite coating. Hardness of SS/CNT composite coating (480 ± 36 HV_0.3) was higher than that of pure stainless steel coating (303 ± 33 HV_0.3). Coefficient of friction of the SS/CNT coating was almost 3 times lower than that of stainless steel coating which resulted in reduction of sliding wear rate of nearly 2 times. This research thus demonstrated a new composite coating with better wear resistive performance compared to a coating deposited by commercially available stainless steel powder.     

Origin of Insignificant Strengthening Effect of CNTs in T6-Treated CNT/6061Al Composites

Carbon nanotube(CNT)-reinforced 6061 Al(CNT/6061 Al) composites were fabricated via powder metallurgy combined with friction stir processing(FSP). CNTs were dispersed after FSP and accelerated the precipitation process of the CNT/6061 Al composites. However, the strengthening effect of CNTs on the T6-treated materials was insignificant,while the composites under the FSP and solution treatment conditions exhibited increased strength compared to the matrix.Precipitate-free zones(PFZs) were detected around CNTs in the T6-treated CNT/6061 Al composites, and a model was proposed to describe the effect of PFZs on strength. The calculations indicated that the strength of PFZs was similar to that of the T6-treated 6061 Al. As a result, the strengthening effect of CNTs on the T6-treated CNT/6061 Al composites was insignificant.     

The effect of sintering temperature on some properties of Cu-SiC composite

Copper matrix composites reinforced with 1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, 3 wt.% and 5 wt.% SiC particles were fabricated by powder metallurgy method. Cu and Cu-SiC powder mixtures were compacted with a compressive force of 280 MPa and sintered in an open atmospheric furnace at 900-950 °C for 2 h. Within the furnace compacted samples were embedding into the graphite powder. The presence of Cu and SiC components in composites was verified by XRD analysis. Optical and SEM studies showed that Cu-SiC composites have a uniform microstructure in which silicon carbide particles are distributed uniformly in the copper matrix. The results of the study on mechanical and electrical conductivity properties of Cu-SiC composites indicated that with increasing SiC content (wt.%), hardness increased, but relative density and electrical conductivity decreased. The highest electrical conductivity of 98.8% IACS and relative density of 98.2% were obtained for the Cu-1 wt.%SiC composite sintered at 900 °C and this temperature was defined as the optimum sintering temperature.     

Friction and wear behaviors of reciprocatingly extruded Al–SiC composite

This study focuses on the friction and wear behaviors of reciprocatingly extruded Al–SiC composites. To increase the strength of metal matrix composites and refine the grains of the matrix some deformation processes can be applied, such as reciprocating extrusion (RE). For this reason, RE was carried out on a 6061 Al matrix by a SiC (20 μm) reinforced composite one. The billets were extruded under a pressure of 17.5 MPa at 573 K with a 10:1 extrusion ratio. The reciprocating extrusions were carried out by using up to 15 passes.     

半固态热等静压Al/B4C复合材料液相流动行为与致密化机理

铝基碳化硼复合材料是一种重要的中子吸收材料。为了制备具有更高密度的铝基碳化硼材料,研究采用粉末冶金半固态热等静压方法制备了含量为30%碳化硼的铝基碳化硼材料,采用WANCE100型材料力学性能试验机和SIRION200型扫描电镜研究了复合材料的力学性能及显微形貌。结果表明：半固态热等静压工艺可制备获得接近理论密度的Al/B4C复合材料;虽然Al/B4C材料抗拉强度可提升至约300Mpa,但过高碳化硼含量也使得该材料脆性特征十分明显;研究同时采用间接的方法观察到了半固态工艺过程中生成的液相,该液相不仅可改善碳化硼颗粒与铝基体的结合性,在高温高压下液相的流动还起到填充复合材料内部空隙的作用。半固态热等静压工艺过程中产生的液相是复合材料密度和机械性能提升的主要原因。     

Fabrication of aluminum matrix composite reinforced with carbon nanotubes

1.0wt.% carbon nanotube （CNT） reinforced 2024Al matrix composite was fabricated by cold isostatic press and subsequent hot extrusion techniques. The mechanical properties of the composite were measured by a tensile test. Mean-while,the fracture surfaces were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results show that CNTs are dispersed homogeneously in the composite and that the interfaces of the Al matrix and the CNT bond well. Although the tensile strength and the Young’s modulus of the composite are enhanced markedly,the elongation does not decrease when compared with the matrix material fabricated under the same process. The reasons for the increments may be the extraordinary mechanical properties of CNTs,and the bridging and pulling-out role of CNTs in the Al matrix composite.     

Wear Behavior of the Uniformly Dispersed Carbon Nanotube Reinforced 6061Al Composite Fabricated by Milling Combined with Powder Metallurgy

The uniformly dispersed carbon nanotubes(CNTs) reinforced 6061Al composites(CNT/6061Al) with diff erent CNT concentrations were fabricated by powder metallurgy technology. It was found that the friction coe ffi cient as well as wear rate decreased fi rst and then increased as the CNT concentration increasing under 15 N as well as 30 N, and the minimum wear rate was achieved at the CNT concentration of 2 wt%. Adhesive wear and abrasive wear were the dominated wear mechanisms for the 1–2 wt% CNT/6...     

Effect of Spark-Plasma-Sintering Conditions on Tensile Properties of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)

In this study, aluminum (Al) matrix composites containing 2 wt.% multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated by powder metallurgy using high-energy ball milling (HEBM), spark plasma sintering (SPS), and subsequent hot extrusion. The effect of SPS conditions on the tensile properties of CNT/Al composites was investigated. The results showed that composites with well-dispersed CNTs and nearly full-density CNT/Al can be obtained. During HEBM, CNTs were shortened, inserted into welded Al powder particles, bonded to Al, and still stable without CNT-Al reaction. After consolidation, Al₄C₃ phases formed in composites under different sintering conditions. With the increase of sintering temperature and holding time, the strength decreased. Conversely, the ductility and toughness noticeably increased. As a result, a good balance between strength (367 MPa in ultimate tensile strength) and ductility (13% in elongation) was achieved in the as-extruded CNT/Al composite sintered at 630°C with a holding time of 300 min.     

高能球磨结合粉末冶金法制备碳纳米管增强7055Al复合材料的微观组织和力学性能

采用高能球磨结合粉末冶金工艺制备了碳纳米管(CNT)含量(体积分数)分别为0、1%和3%的CNT/7055Al复合材料。采用OM、SEM、TEM以及拉伸实验等方法研究了CNT/7055Al复合材料的CNT分布、晶粒结构、近界面结构及力学性能,分析了复合材料的强化机制和各向异性。结果表明,CNT/7055Al复合材料为无CNT的粗晶区与富集CNT的超细晶区组成的双模态晶粒结构;CNT在Al基体的超细晶区中分散良好,CNT-Al界面干净清洁,界面反应产物少;3%CNT/7055Al复合材料沿挤压方向的抗拉强度达到816 MPa,但延伸率仅为0.5%。细晶强化和Orowan强化是CNT/7055Al复合材料主要的强化机制。由于CNT沿不同方向的增强效率不同以及粗晶条带组织的存在,复合材料表现出比基体合金更强烈的各向异性,在垂直挤压方向的拉伸性能要弱于沿挤压方向的拉伸性能。     

原位Al2O3颗粒增强ADC12复合材料的制备与组织的研究

将Al粉和B2O3粉球磨并压制成预制块,然后破碎成混合粉末加入ADC12铝熔体,采用高能超声—熔体直接反应法,并在585℃保温15 min制备了Al2O3颗粒增强ADC12复合材料.用XRD、SEM及EDS分析第二相的分布、形貌以及成分,用金相显微镜分析复合材料的半固态组织.结果表明:利用Al-B2O3体系制备了原位Al2O3颗粒增强ADC12复合材料,生成的Fe2B减少了复合材料中的杂质Fe,复合材料半固态组织细小、均匀、圆整,且硬度随着加入的混合粉末的质量分数的增加而增大.加入质量分数为3％的混合粉末制备的原位Al2O3颗粒增强ADC12复合材料半固态组织细小、圆整、较均匀分布,硬度较基体的90 HV提高了25.6％.     

Effect of rolling and heat treatment on tensile behaviour of wrought Al-SiCp composites prepared by stir-casting

Al 6061- and Al 7108-SiCp composites (Al-PMMC) were prepared by stir-casting with SiCp size of 8 and 15 μm and volume fraction (Vf) of 0–20%. These composites were then subjected to successive hot rolling at 450 °C using a strain rate of 1 s⁻¹ while the intermediate period of heating between each two successive rolling steps was 1 min to 1 h. Tensile test was conducted on the as-rolled composite strips with 3.0, 1.1 and 0.4 mm thicknesses using 81, 94 and 98% reductions, subsequently, with a tensile rate of 10 MPa s⁻¹. Different tensile properties including ultimate tensile strength UTS, Young's modulus and elongation, were determined. The tensile behaviour was analysed in view of matrix alloy type and SiCp size and Vf. The effect of T6 treatment on the microstructure and tensile properties was also presented. Generally, successive hot rolling resulted in decreasing casting defects such as void and SiCp agglomeration present in the as-cast composites and hence enhanced mechanical properties were achieved. Almost 240 and 390% improvement in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for 6061 and 7108 composite was obtained, respectively. The improvement in strength was remarkable for composites rolled to 0.4 mm. Annealing improved the elongation% at break of the 10–15% Vf composite more than 3 times. UTS of rolled composite was enhanced by T6 treatment at 176 °C and 120 °C for 6061 and 7108 composites. The effect of T6 treatment on the composite tensile behaviour was discussed.     

Low temperature sintering of ZrC-SiC composite

High-energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering were adopted to prepare ZrC-SiC composite. Zirconium carbide, silicon, and graphite powders were used as raw materials. ZrC-30 vol.%SiC was sintered to a relative density of >96.1% at 1800 °C. The composite showed a fine microstructure. The fracture strength reached up to 523.4 MPa, Vickers’ hardness 18.8 GPa, fracture toughness 4.0 MPa m^1/2, and elastic modulus 390.5 GPa.     

Characterization and mechanical testing of alumina-based nanocomposites reinforced with niobium and/or carbon nanotubes fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Alumina-based nanocomposites reinforced with niobium and/or carbon nanotubes (CNT) were fabricated by advanced powder processing techniques and consolidated by spark plasma sintering. Raman spectroscopy revealed that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) begin to break down at sintering temperatures >1150 °C. Nuclear magnetic resonance showed that, although thermodynamically unlikely, no Al₄C₃ formed in the CNT-alumina nanocomposites, such that the nanocomposite can be considered as purely a physical mixture with no chemical bond formed between the nanotubes and ceramic matrix. In addition, in situ single-edge notched bend tests were conducted on niobium and/or CNT-reinforced alumina nanocomposites to assess their toughness. Despite the absence of subcritical crack growth, average fracture toughness values of 6.1 and 3.3 MPa m^1/2 were measured for 10 vol.% Nb and 10 vol.% Nb-5 vol.% SWCNT-alumina, respectively. Corresponding tests for the alumina nanocomposites containing 5 vol.% SWCNT, 10 vol.% SWCNT, 5 vol.% double-walled-CNT and 10 vol.% Nb yielded average fracture toughnesses of 3.0, 2.8, 3.3 and 4.0 MPa m^1/2, respectively. It appears that the reason for not observing improvement in fracture toughness of CNT-reinforced samples is because of either damage to CNTs or possibly non-optimal interfacial bonding between CNT-alumina.     

Intermediate temperature tribological behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced plasma sprayed aluminum oxide coating

Tribological behavior of plasma sprayed carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) composite coatings was examined at room temperature, 573 K and 873 K using tungsten carbide (WC) ball-on-disk tribometer. The weight loss due to wear of Al₂O₃ coating was found to be increasing with the temperature while Al₂O₃-CNT coating showed a decreasing trend in the weight loss with the temperature. Relative improvement in the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-CNT coating compared to Al₂O₃ coating was found to be 12% at room temperature which gradually increased to ∼ 56% at 573 K and ∼ 82% at 873 K. Protective layer as a result of tribo-chemical reaction was observed on the wear track of both of the coatings. The improvement in the wear resistance of Al₂O₃-CNT coating was attributed to three phenomena viz. (i) higher hardness at the elevated temperature as compared to Al₂O₃ coating, (ii) larger area coverage by protective film on the wear surface at the elevated temperature and (iii) CNT bridging between splats. The coefficient of friction (COF) of Al₂O₃ coating was nearly constant at room and elevated temperature whereas COF for Al₂O₃-CNT coating decreased at the elevated temperature (873 K).     

Rapid discharge sintering of nickel-diamond metal matrix composites

In this study rapid discharge sintering (RDS) and furnace sintering of nickel-diamond metal matrix composites (MMCs) is compared. Nickel-diamond powder composites (80-20% by weight respectively) were uniaxially pressed into 20 mm discs at compaction pressures of 100, 200 and 300 MPa. Discharge sintering was carried out using a microwave plasma formed with hydrogen and hydrogen/nitrogen as the discharge gases and tube furnace sintering carried out in a argon or a hydrogen/nitrogen (3:1) atmosphere. Discs pressed to 300 MPa were treated at both 850 and 1000 °C. The properties of the sintered nickel-diamond composites were characterized using density, approximate flexural strength, hardness, wear resistance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The RDS samples sintered at 1000 °C achieved the maximum approximate disc flexural strength of 473 MPa within a 20 min treatment time compared with 6 h for furnace sintered samples. Samples sintered using the RDS technique exhibited increased hardness values and a finer nickel matrix over furnace sintered samples. Using the RDS technique it has been possible to process nickel-diamond MMCs without oxidation or graphitisation at temperatures above 900 °C. Minimal diamond destruction was observed during abrasive wear testing of the RDS samples compared with damage and pull-out observed for furnace sintering.     

Dispersion and Damage of Carbon Nanotubes in Carbon Nanotube/7055AI Composites During High-Energy Ball Milling Process

High-energy ball milling (HEBM) combined with powder metallurgy route was used to fabricate carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced 7055Al composites.Two powder morphology evolution processes (HEBM-1 and HEBM-2) were designed to investigate the dispersion and damage of CNTs during HEBM process.HEBM-1 evolution process involved powder flattening,cold-welding and fracture,while HEBM-2 evolution process consisted of powder flattening and fracture.For HEBM-1,the repetitive fracture and cold-welding process was effective for dispersing CNTs.However,the powder flattening process in HEBM-2 was unsuccessful in dispersing CNTs due to two reasons: (1) the thickness of flaky Al powders exceeded the critical value,and (2) the clustered CNTs embedded in flaky Al powders could not be unravelled.Because of the broadening of D band and the appearance of a new defect-related D'band,product of ID/IG and full width half maximum of D band,rather than ID/IG,was used to evaluate the actual damage of CNTs.It indicates that the damage of CNTs was severe in powder flattening and fracture stages,while the damage of CNTs was small in powder cold-welding stage.