Fabrication of SiC particles-reinforced magnesium matrix composite by ultrasonic vibration

Magnesium matrix composites reinforced with two volume fractions (1 and 3%) of SiC particles (1 μm) were successfully fabricated by ultrasonic vibration. Compared with as-cast AZ91 alloy, with the addition of the SiC particles grain size of matrix decreased, while most of the phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ varied from coarse plates to lamellar precipitates in the SiCp/AZ91 composites. With increasing volume fraction of the SiC particles, grains of matrix in the SiCp/AZ91 composites were gradually refined. The SiC particles were located mainly at grain boundaries in both 1 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite and 3 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite. SiC particles inside the particle clusters may be still separated by magnesium. The study of the interface between the SiC particle and the alloy matrix suggested that SiC particles bonded well with the alloy matrix without interfacial reaction. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to fracture of the SiCp/AZ91 composites were simultaneously improved compared with that of the as-cast AZ91 alloy.     

挤压包覆轧制对SiCP增强镁合金(AZ91)复合板显微组织和力学性能的影响

通过热挤压复合的方式将AZ91合金引入至SiC_P增强镁合金（AZ91）（SiC_P/AZ91）复合材料中,制备出厚度为2 mm的AZ91-（SiC_P/AZ91）复合板,研究了热轧对其显微组织和力学性能的影响规律。研究结果表明:AZ91的引入显著提高了SiC_P/AZ91的轧制成形能力。与AZ91层相比,SiC_P/AZ91层内晶粒尺寸小,硬度高。随轧制压下量的增加,AZ91-（SiC_P/AZ91）复合板晶粒尺寸变大,析出相数量减少且尺寸增大,导致硬度呈现下降的趋势。与挤压态AZ91-（SiC_P/AZ91）复合板相比,当压下量为50%时,轧制态AZ91-（SiC_P/AZ91）复合板屈服强度由272 MPa提高至341 MPa,抗拉强度由353 MPa提高至404 MPa。在拉伸过程中,因SiC_P与基体界面脱黏导致裂纹优先在SiC_P/AZ91层内萌生和扩展,AZ91层对微裂纹扩展具有一定的阻碍作用。      

挤压对AZ91铸造镁合金力学性能的影响

对挤压变形前后的AZ91镁合金进行了微观组织和力学性能研究.结果表明:挤压成形后合金的抗拉强度和塑性均得到提高;孪晶的产生,导致挤压合金室温压缩的应力-应变曲线上有屈服平台出现;晶粒尺寸强烈影响合金的强度.室温时,挤压合金的流变强度较铸态的高,而高温压缩的强度则较铸态的低.     

Influence of extrusion temperature and process parameter on microstructures and tensile properties of a particulate reinforced magnesium matrix nanocomposite

Particulate reinforced magnesium matrix nanocomposites fabricated by semisolid stirring assisted ultrasonic vibration were subjected to extrusion. The results showed that grains of matrix in the SiCp/AZ91 nanocomposites were gradually refined while the amount of SiC nanoparticle bands was decreased with the extrusion temperature increasing from 250 to 350 °C. Under the same extrusion conditions, the grain size of the matrix was gradually decreased while the distribution of SiC nanoparticles was improved in the extruded nanocomposites fabricated by decreasing the stirring time. The yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the nanocomposites were gradually enhanced with increasing the extrusion temperature. Significant improvement of tensile strength was obtained in the nanocomposites fabricated by decreasing the stirring time.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of ultrafine-grained Ti/AZ31 magnesium matrix composite prepared by powder metallurgy

The microstructure of ultrafine grain for magnesium alloys can result in drastic enhancement in their room temperature strength, but the issue of low strength at elevated temperature becomes more serious as well due to grain boundary slide. Here ultrafine-grained Ti/AZ31 magnesium matrix composites with high strength at both room and elevated temperature were prepared by vacuum hot pressing and subsequent hot extrusion. The microstructure of the composite samples before and after consolidation processing was characterized, and the mechanical properties of the as-consolidated bulk samples were measured at room and elevated temperatures. The results indicate that after extrusion ultrafine-grained magnesium alloys were obtained and Ti particulates with particulate size of ～310?nm disperse in Mg matrix. The magnesium grain of AZ31-15at.%Ti grows from 66?nm to 800?nm. Meanwhile, the relative densities of Ti/AZ31 composites are higher than 99%. The yield strength (YS) of extruded AZ31-15at.%Ti composite at room temperature is 341?MPa, being 2.4 times higher than original AZ31 alloy. Theoretical estimation shows that remarkably enhanced room-temperature mechanical strength attributes to grain boundary strengthening with the contribution ratio of 74%. In addition, the peak stress of extruded AZ31-15at.%Ti composite at 573?K is 82?MPa and ultrafine Ti dispersions are responsible for the enhanced strength.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC nanoparticles reinforced magnesium matrix composites fabricated by ultrasonic vibration

A particulate reinforced magnesium matrix nanocomposite was fabricated by ultrasonic vibration. Compared with as-cast AZ91 alloy, grain size of matrix in the SiCp/AZ91 nanocomposite decreased and morphology of phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ varied from coarse plates to lamellar precipitates. Although there were still some SiC microclusters in the nanocomposite, most of the SiC nanoparticles were dispersed well outside the microclusters. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation to fracture of the SiCp/AZ91 nanocomposite were simultaneously enhanced compared with that of the AZ91 alloy. The study of interface between the SiC nanoparticles and the matrix in the nanocomposite suggested that SiC nanoparticles bonded well with the matrix without interfacial activity.     

AZ80 and ZC71/SiC/12p closed die forgings for automotive applications: technical and economic assessment of possible mass production

Abstract

In this study, redesigning for equal functional properties and rapid prototyping of hot forged automotive parts based on commercially available wrought magnesium alloys (AZ80) and composites (AZ80/SiC/12p) were performed. To achieve the same functional properties in a forged automotive component irrespective of the structural material selected, an automotive connecting rod, mass produced in aluminium alloy 6061, was redesigned to use wrought magnesium alloy (AZ80A) and particle reinforced magnesium alloy matrix composite (ZC71/SiC/12p). By applying conventional hot forging technology, prototype connecting rods were forged, trimmed, and heat-treated on a semiindustrial scale. The microstructure of both as extruded and hot forged specimens was examined and the tensile properties of AZ80, ZC71/SiC/12p, 6061 and 6061/SiC/15p test bars machined from hot forged connecting rods were measured. Weight reduction in the redesigned connecting rods was determined and the substitution of magnesium and aluminium based materials for steel was compared in terms of cost.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCp/AZ91 composite deformed through a combination of forging and extrusion process

In this paper, 10 vol.% SiCp/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites were fabricated by stir casting technology. The as-cast ingots were forged at 420 °C with 50% reduction, and then extruded at 370 °C with the ratio of 16 at a constant ram speed of 15 mm/s. The results showed that the grains were refined during forging. A much finer grain size (∼2.7 μm) of composite matrix was obtained by subjecting the as-forged composite to hot extrusion. The fine SiC particulates restricted the dynamic recrystallized grain growth during the hot extrusion processing, resulting in a remarkable grain refinement. The yield stress and ultimate tensile stress were increased in the as-extruded composite, with the reasons of eliminated casting flaws, the uniform particle distribution and grains refinement. The grain refinement and uniform particle distribution caused an obvious increase in work hardening rate in the as-extruded composite during tensile deformation at room temperature.     

Al-2O-3微粒的尺度律对镁微观组织和拉伸性能的影响

采用混合-压缩-烧结的方法制备了3种不同尺寸且体积分数为1.1%的A12O3微粒增强镁基复合材料.材料微观组织的特征表明:A12O3增强体分布均匀.力学性能特征表明:增强体A12O3微粒的加入显著增加了金属镁的硬度、屈服强度(0.2 %)、极限抗拉强度及韧性;与高体积分数SiC微粒增强镁合金AZ91相比,纳米和亚微米尺...     

Effect of submicron size SiC particles on microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium matrix composites

The magnesium matrix composites reinforced with three volume fractions (3, 5 and 10 vol.%) of submicron-SiC particles (∼0.5 μm) were fabricated by semisolid stirring assisted ultrasonic vibration method. With increasing the volume fraction of the submicron SiC particles (SiCp), the grain size of matrix in the SiCp/AZ31B composites was gradually decreased. Most of the submicron SiC particles exhibited homogeneous distribution in the SiCp/AZ31B composites. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of the 10 vol.% SiCp/AZ31B composites were simultaneously improved. The study of interface between the submicron SiCp and the matrix in the SiCp/AZ31B composite suggested that submicron SiCp bonded well with the matrix without interfacial activity.     

搅拌铸造SiCp/2024复合材料热挤压-轧制变形组织及性能

利用搅拌铸造-热挤压-轧制工艺制备SiCp/2024复合材料薄板。通过金相观察(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)及力学测试等手段研究了该复合材料在铸态、热挤压态及轧制态下的显微组织及力学性能,分析了材料在塑性变形过程中显微组织及力学性能的演变。结果表明,该复合材料铸坯主要由80～100μm的等轴晶组成,粗大的晶界第二相呈非连续状分布,SiC颗粒较均匀地分布于合金基体中;热挤压变形后,晶粒沿挤压方向被拉长,SiC颗粒及破碎的第二相呈流线分布特征;轧制变形后,基体合金组织进一步细化,晶粒尺寸为30～40μm,SiC颗粒破碎明显,颗粒分布趋于均匀,轧制变形对挤压过程中形成的SiC颗粒层带状不均匀组织有显著的改善作用。数学概率统计指出,塑性变形有利于提高颗粒分布的均匀性。力学测试表明,塑性变形后,复合材料的抗拉强度、屈服强度和延伸率显著提高。SiCp/2024铝基复合材料主要的断裂方式为:合金基体的延性断裂、SiC颗粒断裂及SiC/Al界面脱粘。     

Microstructure and strengthening mechanism of bimodal size particle reinforced magnesium matrix composite

One kind of (submicron + micron) bimodal size SiCp/AZ91 composite was fabricated by the stir casting technology. After hot deformation process, the influence of bimodal size particles on microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ91 matrix was investigated by comparing with monolithic A91 alloy, submicron SiCp/AZ91 and micron SiCp/AZ91 composites. The results show that micron particles can stimulate dynamic recrystallized nucleation, while submicron particles may pin grain boundaries during the hot deformation process, which results in a significant grain refinement of AZ91 matrix. Compared to submicron particles, micron particles are more conducive to grain refinement through stimulating the dynamic recrystallized nucleation. Besides, the yield strength of bimodal size SiCp/AZ91 composite is higher than that of single-size particle reinforced composites. Among the strengthening mechanisms of bimodal size particle reinforced composite, it is found that grain refinement and dislocation strengthening mechanism play a larger role on improving the yield strength.     

搅拌铸造法制备短碳纤维/AZ91复合材料的组织与性能

采用搅拌铸造法制备了不同体积分数（10vol%、15vol%、20vol%）的短碳纤维增强镁基（CF_s/AZ91）复合材料,并选取了三个挤压比和两个挤压温度对其进行热挤压变形,采用光学显微镜（OM）、SEM和TEM对CF_s/AZ91复合材料的显微组织进行了观察,并测试其室温力学性能及阻尼性能。研究结果表明,热挤压能够有效降低CF_s/AZ91复合材料气孔率;在热挤压过程中,纤维沿挤压方向定向排列,同时基体发生动态再结晶。随着挤压温度及挤压比的增大,晶粒呈现等轴状,组织更加均匀。CF_s/AZ91复合材料经过挤压后,其力学性能得到提高,屈服强度和抗拉强度随挤压比和CF_s体积分数的增大而增大,然而CF_s纤维在热挤压后发生明显断裂,限制了挤压态复合材料强度的进一步提升。低温低挤压比条件下,CF_s/AZ91复合材料具有较好的阻尼性能,随着挤压比及挤压温度的升高,CF_s/AZ91复合材料室温及高温阻尼性能均有所降低。      

Effects of SiCp size and volume fraction on the high cycle fatigue behavior of AZ91D magnesium alloy composites

High cycle fatigue tests (i.e., stress-controlled, axial) were conducted on monolithic AZ91D and AZ91D magnesinm alloy composites processed via squeeze casting and extrusion to contain either 15 gm or 52 gm size SiC particles, at both the 20% and 25% volume fraction reinforcement level. The effects of changes in SiC particle size and volume fraction on the high cycle fatigue behavior have been determined. In addition, the number of cracked particles on the fatigue fracture surfaces, as well as the level of damage beneath the fatigue fracture surfaces were quantified in order to determine the effects of particle size on the evolution of damage during fatigue and during overload failure. Commercial purity Mg specimens containing a large grain size were also tested in fatigue for comparison with the alloy and composite data.     

Microstructural evolution in ultrasonically processed in situ AZ91 matrix composites and their mechanical and wear behavior

AZ91 alloy matrix composites reinforced with phases formed in situ from the addition of Si particles were fabricated by solidification under ultrasonic vibrations. Application of high-intensity ultrasonic field to the melt resulted in optimized size, morphology and distribution of in situ formed Mg₂Si particles. The amount of Mg₂Si particles increased, its size was refined and the distribution became uniform. Heterogeneous nucleation from the addition of silicon particles and enhanced nucleation from rapid cooling refined the grain size of the matrix in the composites. Hardness and ultimate compressive strength of the composites increased as compared to that of the cast AZ91 alloy. Composites exhibited improved sliding wear behavior of under varying normal loads. Identified dominant wear mechanism at lower sliding velocities is abrasion. Improvement in mechanical and sliding wear properties of the composites is attributed to the refinement of both matrix and reinforcement phases and improved dispersion of the reinforcement under ultrasonic vibrations.     

Development of high strength magnesium based composites using elemental nickel particulates as reinforcement

Magnesium based materials due to their inherently low density and ensuing potential to exhibit high specific mechanical properties are actively sought for weight-critical structural application. In the present study, elemental and nickel reinforced magnesium materials were synthesized using an innovative disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization of the composite samples showed uniform distribution of nickel particulates in the matrix material, good interfacial integrity of magnesium matrix with nickel particulates and Mg-Ni based intermetallics, and the presence of minimal porosity. Physical properties characterization revealed that addition of nickel as reinforcement improves the dimensional stability of pure magnesium. Mechanical properties characterization revealed that the presence of nickel reinforcement lead to significant improvement in hardness, elastic modulus, 0.2% yield strength and UTS while the ductility was adversely affected. The results further revealed that the combination of 0.2% yield strength, UTS, and ductility exhibited by nickel reinforced magnesium remained much superior even when compared to high strength magnesium alloy AZ91 reinforced with much higher volume percentage of SiC. An attempt is made in the present study to correlate the effect of nickel as reinforcement and its increasing amount with the microstructural, physical and mechanical properties of magnesium.     

Consolidation of machined magnesium alloy chips by hot extrusion utilizing superplastic flow

An examination of consolidation conditions by hot extrusion of AZ31 magnesium alloy machined chips was conducted to enhance the bonding of individual chips, in order to improve the mechanical properties. Hot extrusions were carried out in the superplastic and non-superplastic region. Microstructural observations revealed that grain refinement was attained by extruding machined chips, and the grain sizes of the chip-extruded materials were smaller than 5 m. The interfaces of individual chips of extruded materials were not identified when the chips were extruded in the superplastic region. The ultimate tensile strength was about 300 MPa and elongation-to-failure was about 10% for chip-extruded materials that were extruded in the superplastic region. These materials were comparable with the as-received alloy with respect to the room temperature strength, although the ductility was reduced to half. It was confirmed that chip consolidation utilizing superplastic flow is useful to enhance the bonding of individual grains.     

Partial melting behavior and thixoforming properties of extruded magnesium alloy AZ91 with and without addition of SiC particles with a volume fraction of 15%

A series of reheating-isothermal holding experiments and compression tests were conducted on pristine magnesium alloy AZ91 extruded by equal channel angular extrusion(ECAE) and Si C particles(a volume fraction of 15%) reinforced AZ91 composite(AZ91-SiC_p) by regular extrusion. Dissolution of eutectic compounds and partial melting of the α-Mg matrix occurred during the reheating of these materials. Spherical semisolid slurries of these materials were obtained when the reheating temperature and isothermal holding time were 550?C and 20 s, respectively. The presence of SiC_p in AZ91-Si Cpnot only caused lower liquid fractions of semisolid slurries but also resulted in higher values of flow stress during semisolid compression tests. Both AZ91 alloy and AZ91-Si Cpcomposite exhibited better thixoforming properties at high temperatures. Segregation of Si Cpdid not occur during thixoforming of AZ91-Si Cpcomposite after an isothermal holding at semisolid temperatures for 20 s.     

SiCP/AZ91复合材料的显微组织、力学性能及强化机制

通过搅拌铸造工艺制备出SiC_P体积分数分别为2%、5%、10%和15%的4种5 μm SiC_P/镁合金（AZ91）复合材料。对5 μm SiC_P/AZ91进行了固溶、锻造和热挤压。通过与AZ91对比,研究了SiC_P对AZ91基体热变形后显微组织和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明：SiC_P/AZ91热变形后的晶粒尺寸取决于SiC_P的体积分数。SiC_P的体积分数由0%增加到10%时,SiC_P/AZ91热变形后的平均晶粒尺寸减小;当SiC_P颗粒继续增加到体积分数为15%时,平均晶粒尺寸反而增大。SiC_P的加入能显著提高AZ91的屈服强度和弹性模量,并随颗粒体积分数的增加而增大。SiC_P对AZ91基体的强化作用主要源于位错强化、细晶强化和载荷传递作用,其中,细晶强化对屈服强度的贡献最大。     

Enhanced mechanical response of hybrid alloy AZ31/AZ91 based on the addition of Si3N4 nanoparticles

The main aim of this study was to simultaneously increase tensile strength and ductility of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid magnesium alloy with Si₃N₄ nanoparticles. AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy nanocomposite containing Si₃N₄ nanoparticle reinforcement was fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The nanocomposite exhibited similar grain size to the monolithic hybrid alloy, reasonable Si₃N₄ nanoparticle distribution, non-dominant (0 0 0 2) texture in the longitudinal direction, and 13% higher hardness than the monolithic hybrid alloy. Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in tension), the nanocomposite simultaneously exhibited higher yield strength, ultimate strength, failure strain and work of fracture (+12%, +5%, +64% and +71%, respectively). Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in compression), the nanocomposite exhibited higher yield strength and ultimate strength, lower failure strain and higher work of fracture (+35%, +4%, −6% and +6%, respectively). The beneficial effects of Si₃N₄ nanoparticle addition on the enhancement of tensile and compressive properties of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy are investigated in this paper.