Effect of Nano-sized B_4C Addition on the Mechanical Properties of ZA27 Composites

In order to understand the influence of nano-sized B_4C additive on ZA27 alloy, mechanical and physical properties of ZA27-B_4C nanocomposites were investigated in terms of B_4C content. While physical properties were determined in terms of microstructural studies, density and porosity tests, mechanical properties were determined in terms of ultimate tensile strength(UTS) and hardness experiments. Morphological and microstructural studies were carried out with scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The experimental results indicate that nano-sized B_4C can be used to enhance the mechanical properties of ZA27 alloy effectively. The highest mechanical performance can be obtained at ZA27-0.5% B_4C(in weight) nanocomposite with values of tensile strength(247 MPa) and hardness(141,18 BH) and low partial porosity(0.5%). After a pick point, increasing B_4C ratio may cause the formation of agglomeration in grain boundaries, that's why density, tensile strength, and hardness values are declined.     

挤压铸造ZA27合金的力学性能及摩擦磨损性能

研究了挤压铸造对ZA27合金力学性能的影响,挤压铸造可以显著地提高ZA27合金的常温力学性能和高温力学性能.随着比压的增加,其综合力学性能提高.比压为750 MPa时,与金属型重力铸造合金相比,抗拉强度提高了约19.2%,硬度提高了约25.5%,伸长率增加了12.3%.采用MM-W1立式万能摩擦磨损试验机研究了比压对ZA27合金的摩擦磨损性能的影响,结果表明,在转速为200 r/min,载荷为100 N,摩擦副为45钢,20号机油润滑条件下,挤压比压为750 MPa时,合金的摩擦磨损性能较好.     

A light-weight high-entropy alloy Al<Subscript>20</Subscript>Be<Subscript>20</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>10</Subscript>Si<Subscript>15</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>35</Subscript>

A light-weight high-entropy alloy (LWHEA) Al₂₀Be₂₀Fe₁₀Si₁₅Ti₃₅ has been developed to have unique mechanical properties and oxidation resistance. One major and two minor phases are observed in the as-cast microstructure. The density of the alloy is 3.91 g cm^?3, and its hardness is HV 911, which is higher than quartz. The hardness and hardness to density ratio are the highest of all light-weight alloys reported before. In addition, it has excellent oxidation resistance at 700°C and 900°C, which far exceeds that of Ti-6Al-4V. Thus, the combination of properties is promising for high-temperature applications, which require light weight, wear-resistant and oxidation-resistant components.     

Tensile properties of an aluminum matrix composite reinforced by SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated Al<Subscript>18</Subscript>B<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>33</Subscript> whisker

Al18B4O33 whisker was coated by SnO2 particles using a chemical precipitation method, and an aluminum matrix composite reinforced by the coated whisker was fabricated by squeeze casting technique. It is found that the SnO2 coating can react with aluminum matrix during squeeze casting process, and Sn particles are induced near the interface between Al18B4O33 whisker and matrix. The tensile test at room temperature indicated that the tensile strength of Al18B4O33 whisker reinforced aluminum matrix composite can be enhanced by suitable content of SnO2 coating. The composites with various whisker coating contents exhibit maximum tensile plasticity at about 300 ℃, and the composite with a suitable whisker coating content could enhance its tensile plasticity evidently, which suggest that an Al18B4O33 whisker-Al composite with both high strength at room temperature and high formability at elevated temperature can be designed.     

轧制工艺对ZA35合金组织和性能的影响

为了提高ZA35合金的力学性能,采用轧制工艺制备ZA35合金板坯,利用x-射线衍射仪(XRD)、金相显微镜(OE)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)以及能谱分析(EDS)等技术分析和检测了ZA35合金铸态、不同轧制态和热处理态的显微组织和性能.结果表明:轧制可以显著提高ZA35合金的综合力学性能,使抗拉强度提高了27.8%,硬度指标提高了36.4%,伸长率比铸态增加了近2倍.轧制使合金组织细化,初生α相增多,ε相由块状变成细小的点状弥散分布于枝晶间.轧制合金在经过365℃固溶3h和120℃时效12h热处理后合金力学性能最好,抗拉强度达到512MPa、伸长率为4.9%、硬度为HB127.     

Effect of diatomite additive on the mechanical and dielectric properties of porous SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> composite ceramics

Porous SiO₂-Si₃N₄ composite ceramics with high porosity and excellent mechanical properties were fabricated by pressureless-sintering at relatively low temperature of 1 500 °C using diatomite as pore forming agent. The effects of diatomite on flexural strength, fracture toughness, shrinkage, porosity and phase transformation of the porous ceramics were investigated in detail. Compared with that of the ceramic without adding diatomite, the porosity of the ceramic with 10% diatomite is increased by about 27.4%, the flexural strength and fracture toughness reaches 78.04 MPa and 1.25 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. As the porosity increases, the dielectric constant of porous SiO₂-Si₃N₄ ceramic decreases obviously from 3.65 to 2.95.     

Moisture-proof and enhanced effect of inorganic coating on porous Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> ceramic

Inorganic coating was fabricated on the surface of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic by polymer derived (PD) and spraying technology, via using vinyl-polysilazane (PSN-1) as a preceramic polymer and Si₃N₄ and lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) powders as fillers. The phase and microstructure of the coatings were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The effect of the coatings on mechanical property and humidity resistance of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic was investigated. The experimental results showed that we successfully fabricated the uniform and dense coating which preferably combined with the substrate upon the addition of fillers. The bending strength of the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic sprayed the coating increased by more than 18%, and the surface hardness increased by 1.7 times. The apparent porosity of the materials reduced by an average of 97.7%, and water absorption was below 0.5%. Therefore, the prepared coating with preferable density had an obviously moisture-proof and enhanced effect on the porous Si₃N₄ ceramic.     

As-cast microstructure,mechanical properties and casting fluidity of ZA84 magnesium alloy containing TiC

The as-cast microstructure, mechanical properties and casting fluidity of ZA84 alloy containing TiC were investigated. The experimental results indicate that adding 0.5wt%TiC to ZA84 alloy can refine the as-cast microstructure, and do not cause the formation of any new phase. After 0.5wt%TiC was added to the ZA84 alloy, the morphology of ternary phases on the grain boundaries changed from coarse quasi-continuous net to fine disconnected net, and the distribution of ternary phases became dispersive and homogeneous. At the same time, the tensile properties of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy at room temperature were comparable to those of AZ91D alloy, and were higher than those of ZA84 alloy. At 150 ℃, the tensile and creep properties of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy were also higher than those of ZA84 and AZ91D alloys. In addition, compared with the AZ91D alloy, the casting fluidity of ZA84＋0.5TiC alloy was slightly poor, but better than that of ZA84 alloy. The reason could be related to the effect of TiC on the solidification temperature range of ZA84 alloy.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Nano- CaCO3/Polypropylene Foam Sheets

By applying the reinforcing and toughening effect of calcium carbonate （CaCO3） nanoparticles on polypropylene, foam sheets of good performance were successfully fabricated by extrusion. The equipment and conditions of the extrusion were explored. The mechanical properties of the produced foam sheets were tested. The effect of CaCO3 nano-particles on the mechanical properties and the cellular structure of the sheets was comprehensively studied. The experimental results show that the optimum content of CaCO3 nano-particles in the composite material was -4wt%. At this content, the nano-particles were well dispersed in the substrate, and the composite material had maximum tensile strength and impact strength. Surface treatment of the nano-particles only affected the impact strength of the composite material. CaCO3 micro-particles, on the other hand, showed little effect on the properties of the composite material when the micro-particles content was less than 5 wt%. At a content higher than 5wt%, the properties of the composite material significantly worsened.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrafine grained Mg15Al alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing

An as-cast magnesium alloy with high Al content Mg15Al was subjected to equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) through a die with an angle of ϕ=90° at 553 K following route B_c. It is found that the network β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phases in the as-cast Mg15Al alloy are broken into small blocks and dispersed uniformly with increasing numbers of pressing passes. Moreover, many nano-sized Mg₁₇Al₁₂ particles precipitate in the ultra-fine α-Mg matrix. The grains are obviously refined. However, the grain structure is inhomogeneous in different areas of the alloy. The average size of the primary phase α-Mg is reduced to about 1 μm while grains of around 0.1–0.2 μm are obtained in some two-phase areas. With additional ECAP passes (up to 8), coarsening of the grains occurs by dynamic recovery. Room temperature tensile tests show that the mechanical properties of Mg15Al alloys are markedly improved after 4 ECAP passes. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increase from 150 MPa to 269.3 MPa and from 0.05% to 7.4%, respectively. Compared with that after 4 passes, the elongation to failure of the alloy increases but the strength of the alloy slightly decreases after 8 ECAP passes. Fracture morphology of the ECAP-processed alloy exhibits dimple-like fracture characteristics while the as-cast alloy shows quasi-cleavage fractures.     

Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-6Zn-2Mg-1.5Cu-0.4Er alloy

The microstructures and mechanical properties of A1-6Zn-2Mg-1.5Cu-0.4Er alloy under different treatment conditions were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, and tensile properties and hardness test, respectively. The relationship between mechanical properties and microstructures of the alloys was discussed. With trace Er addition to A1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy, Er and Al interact to form Al3Er phase, which is coherent with α(Al) matrix. The results show that A1-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy after retr...     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites

Effects of Al2O3 and Ni as the additives on the sinterability, microstructure and mechanical properties were systematic studied. The experimental results show that only a relative density about 96.2% of hot-pressing TiB2-30%Al2O3 can be attained due to the plate-like TiB2 particle and its random orientation and excessive Al2O3 grain growth. When sintering temperature is higher than 1 700 ℃, TiB2 grain growth can be found, which obvious improves flexural strength of TiB2 matrix but decreases toughness. It seems that mechanical properties of TiB2-Al2O3 composites are mainly depended on relative density besides grain growth. otherwise, they will be determined by relative density and TiB2 matrix strength together. Anyway, Al2O3 addition can weaken the grain boundary and thus improve the toughness of the materials. A flexural strength of 529 MPa, Vickers hardness of 24.8 GPa and indentation toughness of 4.56 MPa·m1/2 can be achieved inTiB2-30vol% Al2O3.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy after retrogression and re-aging treatments

The mechanical properties and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance of an Al-Zn-Cu-Mg-Sc-Zr alloy under different aging conditions were investigated. The dependence of microstructure and mechanical properties on aging parameters was evaluated by tensile test, hardness test and conductivity measurement. The results show that for the alloys with retrogression and re-aging treatment (RRA), the conductivity increases with the retrogression time and temperature, while the tensile strength decreases. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the precipitates η(MgZn₂) at grain boundary aggregate apparently with retrogression time and the precipitates inside the matrix exhibit the similar distribution to T6 temper, which comprises fine GP zones, large η′(MgZn₂) and η(MgZn₂) phases. According to the mechanical properties and microstructure observations, the optimal RRA regime is recommended to be 120 °C, 24 h + 180 °C, 30 min + 120 °C, 24 h. The strength level of the alloy after the optimum RRA treatment is similar to that in T6 condition and the SCC resistance is improved obviously in contrast to T6 condition.     

Effect of aluminum addition on microstructure and properties of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CaO vitrified bond

Influence of aluminum addition on the structures and properties of SiO₂-B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-CaO vitrified bond at low sintering temperature and high strength was discussed. FTIR and XRD analyses were used to characterize the structures of the basic vitrified bond with different contents of aluminum. The bending strength and the thermal expansion coefficients were also tested. Meanwhile, the microstructures of composite specimens at sintering temperature of 660 °C were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that the properties of vitrified bond with 1wt% aluminum were improved significantly, where the bending strength, Rockwell hardness, and thermal expansion coefficient of the vitrified bond reached 132 MPa, 63 HRB, and 6.73×10^-6 °C^-1, respectively.     

Effects of Si and Ce on the microstructure and hydrogen storage property of Ti<Subscript>26.5</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>20</Subscript>V<Subscript>45</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>8.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> alloy

In this paper, the effects of Si and Ce on the microstructure and hydrogen storage property of Ti_26.5Cr₂₀V₄₅Fe_8.5Ce_0.5 alloy were studied, respectively. First of all, effects of Si on the microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of Ti_26.5Cr₂₀(V₄₅Fe_8.5)_1−x Si _x Ce_0.5 (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 at%) alloys were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and P-C isotherm measurements. As the Si addition increases, the hydrogen absorption capacities of alloys decrease but the equilibrium pressure increases, due to the formation of Laves phase. Secondly, the effect of Ce on Ti_26.5Cr₂₀ (V₄₅Fe_8.5)_0.98Si₂ alloy was studied. It was found that Ce addition is an effective way to eliminate the effect of Si on the hydrogen storage properties of the alloy. Supported by the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (“863” Project) (Grant No. 2006AA05Z144)     

Effects of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-Co-Ni-Cr-Mo-C alloy

A kind of Fe-Co-Ni-Cr-Mo-C alloy was designed for valve seat use. The effects of the quenching temperature, tempering time and tempering temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the alloy were investigated. The results show that the hardness decreases, while tensile strength (σb), transverse rupture strength (σbb) and impact toughness(Kit) increase after the alloy is quenched and tempered. The best complex property (σb, 446 MPa; σbb ,793 MPa; Kic, 2.96 J/cm2 ) can be obtained when the alloy is quenched at 1 100 ℃ and tempered at 650 ℃. The results of X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) show that the major strengthening phases are carbides such as (Fe, Cr)7 C3 and Fe2 MoC. The obvious secondary hardening appears when the alloy is tempered at 550 ℃, which results from the precipitated carbides of Cr and Mo in the alloy from the matrix and the heat-resistant retained austenite .     

Effects of Ag on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2519 aluminum alloy

The effects of Ag on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 2519 aluminum alloy were investigated by means of tensile test, micro-hardness test, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the addition of 0.3 % （mass fraction） Ag accelerates 2519 aluminum alloy＇s age-hardening, increases its peak hardness and reduces 4 h of peak aged time at 180 ℃. The addition of 0. 3% （mass fraction） Ag increses the tensile strength at room temperature and elevated temperature. This increment at room temperature and 200 ℃ is 24 MPa and 78 MPa, respectively. In contrast, the elongation of 2519 aluminum alloy is decreased with Ag addition. The increase of tensile strength of 2519 aluminum alloy with Ag addition is attributed to the high volume fraction of Ω phase.     

Friction stir processing of thixoformed AZ91D magnesium alloy and fabrication of surface composite reinforced by SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>s

The microstructural evolution characteristics of the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) alloy during friction stir processing (FSP) of thixoformed (TF) AZ91D alloy were investigated. Simultaneously, a surface composite layer reinforced by SiC particles (SiC_ps) was prepared on the alloy by FSP and the corresponding tribological properties were examined. The experimental results indicate that dynamic recrystallization and mechanical separation (including splitting and fracture of the primary grains) are the main mechanisms of grain refinement for the TMAZ. A composite surface reinforced by uniformly distributed SiC_ps was prepared on the alloy. Compared with the corresponding permanent mould casting alloy and the TF alloy without composite surface, the TF alloy with composite surface has the highest wear resistance and lowest friction coefficient.     

New Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si based alloy for automobile engine cylinder liner

New Mg₂Si based alloy were prepared by mechanical alloying. Sintering temperature was from 825 to 865K, which indicated that few Mg₂Si were produced at lower temperature while MgO were produced at higher temperature. Microstructure image showed that at sintering temperature of 855K, Mg₂Si were mostly synthesized with the reaction of purity magnesia powder and silicon powder. Hardness and wear tests proved that the new synthetic silicon magnesium alloy had higher hardness and good wear resistance. Under the same testing conditions, it is found that the hardness of the new material is 420.50, and pure magnesium is only 41.65.In the same experiments it is also found that under the same pressure, pure magnesium alloys than silicon wearing capacity of pure magnesium is 2 times as high that of Mg₂Si based alloy. It shows that Mg₂Si based alloy is the ideal material for the wear parts of car engine cylinder liner because of its small density, stable dimension, high hardness and wear-resisting.