Co-deposited Zn-submicron sized Al2O3 composite coatings: Production,characterization and micromechanical properties

In this study, co-deposition of zinc (Zn)-submicron sized alumina (Al₂O₃) particles via electrodeposition method was investigated. Composite coatings were produced using different coating parameters such as current density, pH, temperature, agitation type, and ceramic powder content of the bath solution. Structural and microstructural properties of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). Mechanical properties of the coatings were evaluated by dynamic ultra-micro hardness (DUH) tester, a micro-indentation technique, in detail. It was found that, co-deposition of submicron sized Al₂O₃ particles and Zn metal was successfully achieved via electrodeposition method without any chemical interaction between the ceramic particles and the electrolyte. Comparison of SEM images belonging to the coatings fabricated to those of the reference coatings revealed that homogenous grain structure was obtained. Finally, a boost in the micromechanical properties of the coatings was gained by changing the effective co-deposition parameters such as current density and particle content in the electrolyte.     

碳纳米管增强铝基复合泡沫的阻尼性能

通过填加造孔剂方法制备了碳纳米管（CNTs）增强铝基复合泡沫,采用热机械分析仪研究了测试温度、频率、外加振幅、泡沫的孔隙率和CNTs含量对其阻尼性能的影响,并分析了相关阻尼机制。结果表明:复合泡沫铝的阻尼性能随孔隙率和振幅的增大而提高,随着频率的增加而下降。在环境测试温度25~200℃范围内,复合泡沫的损耗因子变化较小;当温度高于200℃后,损耗因子随温度升高有明显的提高。CNTs的加入可以显著提高泡沫铝的阻尼性能,常温下3.0% CNTs增强的铝基复合泡沫的损耗因子达0.27,为泡沫铝的3.71倍。复合泡沫的阻尼机制主要为位错阻尼、晶界阻尼、孔隙阻尼、CNTs的本征阻尼和CNTs-Al间界面阻尼,其中本征和界面阻尼发挥了重要的增强作用。      

闭孔泡沫铝的力学性能和吸能能力

在闭孔泡沫铝准静态压缩试验的基础上,研究了其力学性能、吸能能力。结果表明,闭孔泡沫铝单轴压缩应力-应变曲线呈现线弹性变形、塑性平台阶段、致密化阶段3个阶段;闭孔泡沫铝的压缩强度、吸能能力随着孔隙率的增大而减小,采用Gibson-Ashby模型分析闭孔泡沫铝的压缩屈服强度,吻合良好。并在此基础上,提出可供工程使用的多孔泡沫金属吸能能力公式,为其工程应用提供理论支持。     

A review: Starch-based composite foams

The large quantities of the petroleum-based foam materials used have raised concern due to their negative effects on the environment, predominantly single-use articles in packaging applications. Thus, considerable efforts have been put forth to develop environmentally friendly alternatives and, in particular, starch foams. Many techniques including extrusion, hot-mold baking/compression, microwave heating, freeze-drying/solvent exchange, and supercritical fluid extrusion can be used to produce starch foams with different cellular structures and properties. Starch by itself is, however, rather weak and water sensitive. To improve microstructure, mechanical and thermal properties, moldability, water resistance, lightness and other properties of starch-based foams, many approaches, e.g., chemical modification of starches, blending with various biodegradable polymers, incorporation of natural fibers, and addition of nanofillers, have been attempted and are intensively reviewed in this article.     

Manufacturing of Al/SiCp composite foams using calcium carbonate as foaming agent

Abstract

The aluminium composite foams reinforced by different volume fractions of SiC particles were manufactured with the direct foaming route of melt using different contents of CaCO₃ foaming agent. The density of produced foams changed from 0·43 to 0·76 g cm^?3. The microstructural features and compressive properties of the Al/SiC_p composite foams were investigated. Compressive stress–strain curve of Al/SiC_p composite foams is not smooth and exhibits some serrations. At the same relative density of composite foams, the plateau stress of the composite foams increases with increasing volume fraction of SiCp and decreasing weight percentage of CaCO₃. The relation between plateau stress, relative density, weight percentage of CaCO₃ and SiCp volume fraction of Al/SiCp composite foams with a given particle size was investigated.     

纳米复合Al-Ni-Y系铝合金的制备技术

部分晶化非晶铝合金因其优异力学性能备受关注,对块体非晶铝合金制备技术的研究意义重大.本工作通过紧耦合惰性气体雾化技术制备了Al82Ni10Y8非晶及纳米晶粉末,随后利用超高压固结成形技术对雾化粉末进行致密化.制备所得的块体材料获得了非晶及纳米晶的复合结构.利用差示扫描量热分析,X射线衍射,扫描电镜和透射电镜等测试手段对合金的热稳定性,物相组成,微观组织和形貌进行了分析,并探讨了合金的可能致密化机理.     

Anisotropic compressive behavior of Al–Mg alloy foams manufactured through accumulative roll-bonding process

Closed-cell Al–Mg alloy (A5052) foams are produced through accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) process. The preform plate containing uniform titanium hydride (TiH₂) particles is manufactured after six ARB cycles. Macroscopic porosity is as large as 47% in the condition of infrared heating at 913 K. Compressive tests are carried out in the condition of different loading axes. Yield stress in the normal direction (ND) was lower than other loading directions. Anisotropic deformation behavior is due to the anisotropic cell morphology which was induced during the ARB process.     

Thermal oxidation of Ti6Al4V alloy: Microstructural and electrochemical characterization

Thermal oxidation (TO) of Ti6Al4V alloy was performed at 500, 650 and 800 °C for 8, 16, 24 and 48 h in air. The morphological features, structural characteristics, microhardness and corrosion resistance in Ringer's solution of TO Ti6Al4V alloy were evaluated and compared with those of the untreated one. The surface morphological features reveal that the oxide film formed on Ti6Al4V alloy is adherent to the substrate at 500 and 650 °C irrespective of the oxidation time whereas it spalls off when the alloy is oxidized at 800 °C for more than 8 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement reveals the presence of Ti(O) and α-Ti phases on alloy oxidized at 500 and 650 °C, with Ti(O) as the dominant phase at 650 °C whereas the alloy oxidized at 800 °C exhibits only the rutile phase. Almost a threefold increase in hardness is observed for the alloy oxidized at 650 °C for 48 h when compared to that of the untreated one. Thermally oxidized Ti6Al4V alloy offers excellent corrosion resistance in Ringer's solution when compared to that of the untreated alloy.     

Strain-rate effects in Ni/Al composite metal foams from quasi-static to low-velocity impact behaviour

Metal foams are used as absorbers for kinetic energy but predominantly, they have only been investigated under quasi-static load-conditions. Coating of open-cell metal foams improves the mechanical properties by forming of Ni/Al hybrid foam composites. The properties are governed by the microstructure, the strut material and geometry. In this study, the strain-rate effects in open-cell aluminium foams and new Ni/Al composite foams are investigated by quasi-static compression tests and low-velocity impact. For the first time, drop weight tests are reported on open-cell metal foams, especially Ni/Al composite foams. Furthermore, size-effects were evaluated. The microstructural deformation mechanism was analysed using a high-speed camera and digital image correlation. Whereas pure aluminium foams are only strain-rate sensitive in the plastic collapse stress, Ni/Al foams show a general strain-rate sensitivity based on microinertia effects and the rate-sensitive nano-nickel coating. Ni/Al foams are superior to aluminium foams and to artificial aluminium foams with equal density.     

闭孔泡沫Mg2Si/Al复合材料的制备及压缩性能研究

采用熔体发泡法,以原位自生Mg2Si/Al复合材料为基体,CaCO3作发泡剂,通过控制温度和搅拌参数,成功制备出不同密度的闭孔泡沫铝。通过静态压缩性能试验发现:泡沫Mg2Si/Al复合材料的压缩过程具备泡沫金属压缩变形的三阶段(弹性变形、应力平台区、致密化阶段)特征;压缩屈服强度和平台应力均随密度增加而增大;屈服点附近应力值下降,应力平台区出现锯齿波形,暴露出孔壁的脆性破裂特征。经过人工时效热处理,泡沫Mg2Si/Al复合材料的屈服强度显著增大。通过观察孔壁的微观组织发现,Al基体被孔壁中粗大的Al+Mg2Si伪共晶组织所割裂。     

Development and characterization of laser clad high temperature self-lubricating wear resistant composite coatings on Ti–6Al–4V alloy

To enhance the wear resistance and friction-reducing capability of titanium alloy, a process of laser cladding γ-NiCrAlTi/TiC + TiWC₂/CrS + Ti₂CS coatings on Ti–6Al–4V alloy substrate with preplaced NiCr/Cr₃C₂–WS₂ mixed powders was studied. A novel coating without cracks and few pores was obtained in a proper laser processing. The composition and microstructure of the fabricated coating were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques, and tribological properties were evaluated using a ball-on-disc tribometer under dry sliding wear test conditions at 20 °C (room-temperature), 300 °C, 600 °C, respectively. The results show that the coating has unique microstructure consisting of α-Ti, TiC, TiWC₂, γ-NiCrAlTi, Ti₂CS and CrS phases. Average microhardness of the composite coating is 1005 HV_0.2, which is about 3-factor higher than that of Ti–6Al–4V substrate (360 HV_0.2). The friction coefficient and wear rate of the coating are greatly decreased due to the combined effects of the dominating anti-wear capabilities of reinforced TiC and TiWC₂ carbides and the CrS and Ti₂CS sulfides which have excellent self-lubricating property.     

冷轧复合工艺制备超轻Mg-Li合金复铝板

研究了采用冷轧复合法制备Mg-Li合金复铝板的工艺,得到了适宜的轧制制度与退火热处理参数,结果表明轧制压下率在60%～65%时复合效果最佳.退火时Mg-Li合金内的α相发生了明显的球化转变,300℃退火1 h后Mg-Li合金的再结晶过程基本完成.Mg-Li合金复铝板的密度为1.6～1.7 g/cm3,具有显著的轻质特点、而耐蚀性较单一Mg-Li合金显著提高.     

Complete mechanical characterization of nanocrystalline Al–Mg alloy using nanoindentation

In an effort to explore alternate means of mechanical characterization of small material volumes, a nanocrystalline Al–Mg alloy synthesized via cryomilling and consolidated by cold isostatic pressing with subsequent extrusion was subjected to nanoindentation testing. The data collected from these tests was subjected to two different data analysis techniques (one proposed by Dao et al. (2001) and one proposed by Ogasawara et al. (2006)) in an effort to investigate the capabilities of such techniques in full, accurate elastoplastic characterization. A commercially available, coarse-grained sample of this same Al–Mg alloy was also tested to investigate these models’ capabilities of distinguishing between the two types of material. Nanoindentation, as expected, proved to accurately predict the elastic modulus of a tested material. Also, these methods provided evidence that through determination of strain-hardening exponent and yield stress, they could reasonably estimate the plastic properties of a tested material. Both models seemed to slightly overestimate the strength of the nanocrystalline material (according to previously reported values for similar material). In terms of the coarse-grained material, Ogasawara’s model appeared to overestimate the strength while Dao’s model provided estimations closer to values reported in literature. Finite element analysis was used as a verification mechanism for the property values extracted from the nanocrystalline material, and initial results show signs of good accuracy of characterization.     

Comparison of the ageing behaviour of PM 2124 Al alloy and Al-SiCp metal-matrix composite

The ageing response of 2124 Al-SiC particulate metal-matrix composite (MMC) and unreinforced alloy has been examined using hardness measurements and Arrhenius analysis. The formation of phases during precipitation has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The MMC exhibits accelerated ageing compared to unreinforced alloy, due to enhanced S formation. The activation energy for diffusion is lower in the MMC than in the unreinforced alloy. DSC scans show Guinier-Preston B (GPB) zone nucleation to occur at a lower temperature in the MMC, whilst the total volume of GPB zones formed is smaller than in the unreinforced alloy. A model has been proposed to explain the GPB zone formation behaviour, in which ease of GPB zone nucleation varies within the MMC, as a function of ageing time and of position within the matrix. S formation is enhanced in the MMC because of improved diffusion and a large increase in density of heterogeneous nucleation sites compared to the unreinforced alloy.     

聚甲基丙烯酰亚胺(PMI)泡沫制备及结构表征

以甲基丙烯酸、甲基丙烯腈和甲基丙烯酰胺为主要单体原料,在适当的发泡剂存在下,以过氧化物为引发剂引发单体共聚,制得甲基丙烯酸-甲基丙烯腈-甲基丙烯酰胺共聚物,并在高温下进行发泡和环化反应,制得聚甲基丙烯酰亚胺(PMI)泡沫,并表征了PMI泡沫的结构.     

Vibration behavior of light metals: Al–Zn alloy and Mg–Al–Zn alloy

Both Al–Zn alloy and Mg–Al–Zn alloy are considered as high damping and light materials. This study investigated the effects of the structure and the composition on the vibration fracture characteristics of the Al–xZn alloy and the Mg–xAl–Zn alloy under resonance. For Al–xZn (x = 7, 11, 49, and 83 wt.%) alloys, under both constant force and initial-deflection conditions, the 7Zn specimen showed the greatest vibration life. For Mg–xAl–Zn (x = 3, 6, and 9 wt.%) alloys, experimental results indicate that the AZ31-F as-extruded samples showed a greater vibration life, while high Al fully annealed samples (AZ91-O) had greater vibration fracture resistance under constant force conditions.     

Processing and microstructural characterization of functionally gradient Al A359/SiCp composite

A centrifugal casting method is presented in this paper for processing Al/SiC_p Functionally Gradient Material (FGM), along with the corresponding microstructural characterization. Results are presented and discussed on SiC particles distribution, particles-solidification front interactions, matrix micro-structure, and porosity distribution in the castings as a function of the centrifugal forces applied. Three different casting rotational speeds (700, 1000 and 1300 rpm) were utilized while keeping all other casting conditions constant. For the highest speed applied, a variation of graded composition in the range of 20 to 44 vol% of SiC was obtained. Moreover, such progressive concentration of particles was observed to be very homogeneous due to engulfment of particles (promoted by the high relative velocity between the solidification front and particles) and also as a consequence of elevated cooling rates developed in this case. Additional results showed that the matrix micro-structure is modified according to the SiC reinforcement content and cooling rates, which both depend on the centrifugal forces applied.