Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and interface of SiC particle reinforced 2124 Al matrix composite

The microstructure and interface between metal matrix and ceramic reinforcement of a composite play an important role in improving its properties. In the present investigation, the interface and intermetallic compound present in the samples were characterized to understand structural stability at an elevated temperature. Aluminum based 2124 alloy with 10 wt.% silicon carbide (SiC) particle reinforced composite was prepared through vortex method and the solid ingot was deformed by hot rolling for better particle distribution. Heat treatment of the composite was carried out at 575 °C with varying holding time from 1 to 48 h followed by water quenching. In this study, the microstructure and interface of the SiC particle reinforced Al based composites have been studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) associated with wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to identify the precipitate and intermetallic phases that are formed during heat treatment. The SiC particles are uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix. The microstructure analyses of Al–SiC composite after heat treatment reveal that a wide range of dispersed phases are formed at grain boundary and surrounding the SiC particles. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy analyses confirm that finely dispersed phases are CuAl₂ and CuMgAl₂ intermetallic and large spherical phases are Fe₂SiAl₈ or Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si. It is also observed that a continuous layer enriched with Cu and Mg of thickness 50–80 nm is formed at the interface in between Al and SiC particles. EDS analysis also confirms that Cu and Mg are segregated at the interface of the composite while no carbide is identified at the interface.     

Improvement of the bonding interface in hybrid fiber/particle preform reinforced Al matrix composite

The bonding interface between the reinforcement and the matrix alloy in hybrid AZS fiber/SiC particle preform based aluminum metal matrix composites (Al MMCs) has been investigated as a function of reinforced particle size and the binder content. It is observed that high binder and large particle will result in a poor bonding interface. This has deleterious effects on the mechanical properties of the cast MMCs. Estimation of the binder thickness indicates that there exists a critical particle size above which the particles are not appropriate to be used in fabricating the hybrid fiber/particle preform based MMCs.     

Fatigue crack growth in SiC particulates reinforced Al matrix graded composite

The SiC/Al graded composite was fabricated by powder metallurgy processing and its fatigue crack growth behavior was studied. The volume percentage of SiC particulates was distributed from 5 to 30% layer by layer on the cross section. Since the aluminium was dissolved together, there was no evident interface between the two layers with different volume fraction of SiC particulates. Fatigue crack growth was in direction of from 5 to 30% SiC layers under sinusoidal wave-form. The retardation of fatigue crack growth was found when crack propagated from low volume fraction of SiC to high volume fraction of SiC. The crack deflection and branching between two layers were observed, which decreased crack growth rates. In view of crack tip driving force, the plasticity mismatch between the layers shielded crack tip driving force, i.e. decreased the effective J-integral at the tip of the crack as the plastic zone of the crack tip spread from the weaker material into the stronger material.     

High pwder Nd-YAG laser welding of SiC particle reinforced aluminium alloy 2124

Abstract

The effects of different Nd-YAG laser output waveforms on the weldability of a SiC particle reinforced aluminium alloy 2124 have been studied. The results show that although the square waveform can produce the greatest depth-of-penetration among the three different waveforms studied, i.e. continuous wave, sine wave and square wave, a high level of porosity was observed in the weld. Alternatively, porosity free welds with a reasonable depth-of-penetration can be obtained by using a sine waveform operated at high peak powers. However, the results also show that it would be difficult to stop theformation of aluminium carbides entirely in the fusion zone simply by varying the laser output parameters and the waveform. In order to stop the, formation of carbides, a new laser joining technique has been developed. This involved brush plating of nickel on the joining surfaces before laser welding. The results of the corrosion tests of the weld zone show that welding with a nickel coating would result in a much lower corrosion current than that without nickel coating.     

颗粒增强2024Al复合材料的微屈服性能研究

为了明确亚微米颗粒增强铝基复合材料微塑性变形行为的规律和机制，利用微屈服强度测试和透射电镜分析，研究了亚微米级Al2O3颗粒增强2024Al复合材料的微屈服性能及尺寸稳定化热处理工艺对微屈服性能的影响。研究结果表明：复合材料的显微组织在稳定化热处理前后均呈现位错稀少的特点，有助于材料微屈服强度的提高；复合材料中尺寸细小，密集分布的S′相和亚微米颗粒本身对位错运动的有效阻碍也能改善材料的微屈服强度；时效后采用不同的冷热循环处理工艺，使得复合材料基体中S′相的尺寸和分布都发生一定的改变，进而呈现出不同的微屈服性能。     

Studies on squeeze casting of Al 2124 alloy and 2124-10% SiCp metal matrix composite

Aluminium 2124 alloy and its composite with 10% SiC particles of average particle size of 23 μm were squeeze cast at different pressures. The effect of squeeze pressure during solidification was evaluated with respect to microstructural characteristics using optical microscopy and image analysis and mechanical properties by tensile testing. The microstructural refinement, elimination of casting defects such as shrinkage and gas porosities and improved distribution of SiC particles in the case of the composite were resulted when pressure is applied during solidification. A pressure level of 100 MPa was found to be sufficient to get the microstructural refinement and very low porosity level in both the alloy and the composite. The improved mechanical properties observed in the squeeze cast alloy and the composite could be attributed to the refinement of microstructure within the material.     

Pretreatment process of SiC particles and fabrication technology of SiC particulate reinforced Zn–Al alloy matrix composite

Abstract

In the present paper, a novel pretreatment process for SiC particulate and a new mechanical–electromagnetic combination stirring process for fabricating Zn–Al(ZA27)/SiC_p composites are described. The optimal pretreatment route and the most appropriate SiC particle parameters were experimentally determined. The pretreated SiC particles were easily incorporated and dispersed in the ZA27 alloy melt and were not agglomerated before addition to the melt. The surface status of the SiC particles before and after pretreatment was observed and analysed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that gas existing on the SiC particle surfaces by physical and chemical absorption was a significant hindrance to the incorporation and dispersion of SiC particles in the alloy melt. The gas absorption was induced by ultrafine SiC powders, fracture steps, and ions existing on the SiC particle surfaces. The carbon, silicon, and oxygen contents on the SiC surface were varied with different pretreatment techniques. Moreover, a dense layer of amorphous SiO₂, which improves wetting of SiC particles in the ZA27 melt, was formed owing to calcination of SiC particles in air. The new combined stirring process exploits the advantages of both mechanical and electromagnetic stirring of the melt at the different processing stages during fabrication. The microstructural characteristics of the resulting composites are: homogeneously distributed SiC particles, fewer macro gas blows and inclusions, and little shrinkage porosity in comparison to composites fabricated by a mechanical stirring process. Finally, the mechanisms of degassing and reducing the porosity and the number of oxide inclusions are discussed.     

SiC泡沫／Al双连续相复合材料连续性的研究

运用挤压铸造法制备了SiC泡沫／Al双连续性复合材料，研究了SiC泡沫、复合压力和合金成分对复合材料连续性的影响。结果表明，SiC泡沫陶瓷的加入阻碍了基体合金流动，降低了复合材料的连续性。随着复合压力的增加，复合材料的连续性逐渐增强，当压力为150MPa时，复合材料的连续性最好。随着含硅量的增加，基体合金的热膨胀系数逐渐降低，基体和增强体之间的热膨胀匹配增强，复合材料中残余应力降低，复合材料的连续性增强。     

Study on graphite fiber and Ti particle reinforced Al composite

Graphite fiber and Ti particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composite were produced by squeeze casting technology. A small amount of needle aluminum carbide at graphite fiber and Al interface was observed, and TiAl₃ intermetallic compound at Ti particle and Al interface was detected. Tensile strength and bending strength of the composite have been measured. The fracture surface of the composite after tensile and bending tests was observed; graphite fiber-reinforced Al was brittle fracture, whereas Ti particle-reinforced Al was ductile fracture. The corresponding fracture mechanism was discussed.     

Micro-yield property of sub-micron Al2O3 particle reinforced 2024 aluminum matrix composite

The microstructure and micro-yield strength of sub-micron Al₂O₃ particle reinforced 2024Al composites and the effect of the thermal-cold cycling treatment on the microstructure and properties were studied. The results show that the dislocations are rare in the microstructure of the sub-micron Al₂O_3p/2024Al composite in the squeeze casting condition. Aging and thermal-cold cycling treatment does not change this phenomenon. The Al₂O₃ particles are fine, so the thermal misfit between particles and the matrix is very small during the temperature change, resulting in decreased dislocations. The tiny and uniformly dispersed S′ precipitates and sub-micron particles can effectively pin dislocations, therefore, the micro-yield strength of the composite increases. Depending on the condition of the thermal-cold cycling treatment after aging, both the size and distribution of the S′ precipitates in the composite change, and they have great effect on the micro-yield strength of the composite.     

Microstructural characterization of a silicon carbide whisker reinforced 2124 aluminium metal matrix composite

The microstructure of a silicon carbide whisker (SiC_w) reinforced 2124 aluminium metal matrix composite was characterized using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The SiC whiskers ranged in length from approximately 2 to 10 µm, and demonstrated good bonding to the aluminium matrix. In a few cases, the interface between SiC whiskers and the aluminium matrix exhibited wavy characteristics. The size of subgrains in the aluminium matrix was found to be dependent upon that of SiC whiskers. In addition, two types of intermetallic compounds were observed in the composite.     

Prediction of dynamic recrystallization condition by deformation efficiency for Al 2024 composite reinforced with SiC particle

Hot torsion test has been carried out for Al 2024 composite reinforced with 8 m SiCp (15 vol.%) to suggest optimum hot working condition for dynamic recrystallization (DRX) at the temperature range of 320 to 520 °C and strain rate range of 0.1 to 3.0/sec. Flow curve and deformed microstructure have been analyzed to identify the hot restoration mechanism of DRX. Processing map showing the variation of the deformation efficiency expressed by [2m/(m + 1)], where m is the strain rate sensitivity, with temperature and strain rate has been described for the composite. The characteristics of domain of DRX and peak efficiency of the composite have been analyzed by observing deformed microstructure. The composite showed 40–50% efficiency at the DRX domain (370–460 °C, 0.1–0.5/sec). Also, the variation of deformation efficiency with Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z = exp(Q/RT)) were discussed to find out optimum hot working condition for DRX of the composite. It is found that the optimum temperature and strain rate condition for DRX of the composite is 430–450 °C and 0.5/sec.     

电子封装SiCp/356Al复合材料制备及热膨胀性能

采用无压渗透法制备了SiCp／356Al复合材抖．用SEM和XRD对复合材料组织形貌和物相进行了研究，测定了复合材料在50-400℃温度区间的热膨胀系数。分析了复合材料热膨胀性能的影响因素。结果表明SiCp／356Al复合材料中SiC颗粒分布均匀，无明显新相形成，复合材料的热膨胀系数比基体合金的热膨胀系数显著降低，复合材料热应力引起热膨胀性能的变化随温度的不同而不同。     

Effect of SiC particle size on the physical and mechanical properties of extruded Al matrix nanocomposites

In this work, the effect of SiC particle size and its amount on both physical and mechanical properties of Al matrix composite were investigated. SiC of particle size 70 nm, 10 μm and 40 μm, and Al powder of particle size 60 μm were used. Composites of Al with 5 and 10 wt.% SiC were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique followed by hot extrusion. Phase composition and microstructure were characterized. Relative density, thermal conductivity, hardness and compression strength were studied. The results showed that the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the dominant components were Al and SiC. Densification and thermal conductivity of the composites decreased with increasing the amount of SiC and increased with increasing SiC particle size. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies showed that the distribution of the reinforced particle was uniform. Increasing the amount of SiC leads to higher hardness and consequently improves the compressive strength of Al–SiC composite. Moreover, as the SiC particle size decreases, hardness and compressive strength increase. The use of fine SiC particles has a similar effect on both hardness and compressive strength.     

Ti–6Al–4V particle reinforced magnesium matrix composite by powder metallurgy

A novel Ti–6Al–4V particle (TCp) reinforced MB15 magnesium matrix composite, TCp/MB15, was fabricated using powder metallurgy route. Microstructural characterization revealed that a uniform distribution of TCp, good interfacial bond between TCp and the matrix, and a smaller grain-size compared to the unreinforced MB15 were achieved in the composite. Mechanical properties investigation showed the ultimate tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength and elastic modulus of MB15 were markedly increased by the addition of TCp, and the strengthening effect of TCp was better than that of SiC particles. The primary aim of this work was to compare the microstructural and mechanical properties of TCp/MB15 with those of MB15 alloy.