Preparation and characterization of SiCp/2024Al composite foams by powder metallurgy

SiC_p/2024Al composite foams were manufactured by powder metallurgical methods using foaming agent CaCO₃ in order to enrich the foam fabrication process and promote its development and extensive application. The effects of CaCO₃ and SiC volume fractions on the foaming behaviours were investigated by means of SEM and Magiscan-2A image analysis technique. The influence of SiC content on the compressive behaviour was analyzed using Gleeble 1500 thermal simulation testing machine. The experimental results show that with increasing the foaming agent, the porosity and pore dimension increase first and decrease later. With increasing the reinforcement content, the porosity and pore dimension decrease. The compressive curves reveal that the introduction of SiC particles can improve compressive yield strength and energy absorption capacity. Meanwhile, it is found that SiC_p/2024Al composite foams are the brittle foam materials.     

Near-net shaped Al/SiCP composites via vacuum-pressure infiltration combined with gelcasting

To solve the problem of difficult machining, the near-net shaped Al/SiC_P composites with high volume fraction of SiC particles were fabricated by vacuum-pressure infiltration. The SiC_P preform with a complex shape was prepared by gelcasting. Pure Al, Al4Mg, and Al4Mg2Si were used as the matrices, respectively. The results indicate that the optimal parameters of SiC_P suspension in gelcasting process are pH value of 10, TMAH content of 0.5 wt.%, and solid loading of 52 vol.%. The Al matrix alloyed with Mg contributes to improving the interfacial wettability of the matrix and SiC particles, which increases the relative density of the composite. The Al matrix alloyed with Si is beneficial to inhibiting the formation of the detrimental Al₄C₃ phases. The Al4Mg2Si/SiC_P composite exhibits high relative density of 99.2%, good thermal conductivity of 150 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹, low coefficient of thermal expansion of 10.1×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, and excellent bending strength of 489 MPa.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Al 2519 matrix composites reinforced with Ti-coated SiC particles

Ti-coated SiC_p particles were developed by vacuum evaporation with Ti to improve the interfacial bonding of SiC_p/Al composites. Ti-coated SiC particles and uncoated SiC particles reinforced Al 2519 matrix composites were prepared by hot pressing, hot extrusion and heat treatment. The influence of Ti coating on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the densely deposited Ti coating reacts with SiC particles to form TiC and Ti₅Si₃ phases at the interface. Ti-coated SiC particle reinforced composite exhibits uniformity and compactness compared to the composite reinforced with uncoated SiC particles. The microstructure, relative density and mechanical properties of the composite are significantly improved. When the volume fraction is 15%, the hardness, fracture strain and tensile strength of the SiC_p reinforced Al 2519 composite after Ti plating are optimized, which are HB 138.5, 4.02% and 455 MPa, respectively.     

Fabrication and characterization of AI/TINI shape memory composites

Metal matrix composites reinforced with shape memory alloys induce compressive residual stress in the matrices resulting in improved tensile properties in the composite. In the present study, Al/TiNi shape memory composites were fabricated by squeeze casting and powder metallurgy the so-called Plasma Activated Sintering (PAS). Fairly good matrix/reinforcement bonding was observed in the Al/TiNi composites. The effects of the residual stress caused by the shape recovery force were compared as a function of reinforcement volume fraction, prestrain, matrix strength and reinforcement shape. Strengthening effect due to TiNi reinforcement as well as the compressive residual stress were investigated. It was found that the yield strength of the composites increased the volume fraction of TiNi reinforcement increased and the amount of prestrain applied to the composite. Moreover, the percentage of strength increment of the pure continuous fiber Al/TiNi (Al/TiNi_cf) composite caused by prestrain was higher than that of the AC4A Al/TiNi_cfcomposite. The percentage of strength increment of the Al/TiNi_cf composite was higher than that of the particulate Al/TiNi (Al/TiNi_p) composite.     

Production and mechanical properties of nano SiC particle reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composite

Different mass fractions (0, 5%, 10%, and 15%) of the synthesized nano SiC particles reinforced Ti–6Al–4V (Ti64) alloy metal matrix composites (MMCs) were successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy method. The effects of addition of SiC particle on the mechanical properties of the composites such as hardness and compressive strength were investigated. The optimum density (93.33%) was obtained at the compaction pressure of 6.035 MPa. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of the microstructures revealed that the wettability and the bonding force were improved in Ti64 alloy/5% nano SiC_p composites. The effect of nano SiC_p content in Ti64 alloy/SiC_p matrix composite on phase formation was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The correlation between mechanical parameter and phase formation was analyzed. The new phase of brittle interfaced reaction formed in the 10% and 15% SiC_p composite specimens and resulted in no beneficial effect on the strength and hardness. The compressive strength and hardness of Ti64 alloy/5% nano SiC_p MMCs showed higher values. Hence, 5% SiC_p can be considered to be the optimal replacement content for the composite.     

应变率和相对密度对泡沫SiCp/ZL104压缩性能的影响

对采用熔体发泡法制备的泡沫5%(体积分数,下同)SiCp/ZL104复合材料进行了准静态和动态压缩性能的测试和分析.结果表明:无论是动态下压缩还是准静态下压缩,泡沫5%SiCp/ZL104复合材料的应力-应变曲线都呈现出典型的3个阶段:线弹性段、平台段和致密段;屈服应力对应变率很敏感,使得应变率增加时,屈服应力增加,且有应变硬化现象发生;随着相对密度的增大,泡沫5%SiCp/ZL104复合材料的动态屈服应力和流动应力与准静态载荷相比显著增加.     

Fabrication and characterization of cast magnesium matrix composites by vacuum stir casting process

A vacuum stir casting process is developed to produce SiC_p reinforced cast magnesium matrix composites. This process can eliminate the entrapment of external gas onto melt and oxidation of magnesium during stirring synthesis. Two composites with Mg-Al9Zn and Mg-Zn5Zr alloys as matrices and 15 vol.% SiC particles as reinforcement are obtained. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites and the unreinforced alloys in as-cast and heat treatment conditions are analyzed and evaluated. In 15 vol.% SiC_p reinforced Mg-Al9Zn alloy-based composite (Mg-Al9Zn/15SiC_p), SiC particles distribute homogenously in the matrix and are well bonded with magnesium. In 15 vol.% SiC_p reinforced Mg-Zn5Zr alloy-based composite (Mg-Zn5Zr/15SiC_p), some agglomerations of SiC particles can be seen in the microstructure. In the same stirring process conditions, SiC reinforcement is more easily wetted by magnesium in the Mg-Al9Zn melt than in the Mg-Zn5Zr melt. The significant improvement in yield strength and elastic modulus for two composites has been achieved, especially for the Mg-Al9Zn/15SiC_p composite in which yield strength and elastic modulus increase 112 and 33%, respectively, over the unreinforced alloy, and increase 24 and 21%, respectively, for the Mg-Zn5Zr/15SiC_p composite. The strain-hardening behaviors of the two composites and their matrix alloys were analyzed based on the microstructure characteristics of the materials.     

Influence of In Situ Reaction on the Microstructure of SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>/AlSi7Mg Welded by Nd:YAG Laser with Ti Filler

The effect of in situ reaction on the microstructure of Nd:YAG laser welded joints of aluminum matrix composite SiC_p/AlSi7Mg was studied. Results showed that the laser welding with Ti filler improved the tensile strength of welded joints. Moreover, the laser welding with in situ reaction effectively restrained the pernicious Al₄C₃ forming reaction in the interface between aluminum matrix and reinforcement particles. Simultaneously, the reaction-formed TiC phase distributed uniformly in the weld. This permitted SiC_p/AlSi7Mg composite to be successfully welded by Nd:YAG laser.     

Investigation for Different Peening Techniques on Residual Stress Field of SiCw/Al Composite

In order to improve the residual stress field of SiC_w/Al composite after conventional shot peening, modified warm peening, stress peening, and compound peening were carried out on SiC_w/Al composite specimens and residual stress fields of those specimens were investigated via x-ray measurement. Results show conventional peening can improve residual stress field of SiC_w/Al composite but the improvement has a limit. Compared with conventional peening, modified warm peening can increase the maximum residual stress, the depth of compressive residual stress layer and improve stability of residual stress field whereas stress peening can increase all characteristic parameters of residual stress field efficiently. Compound peening combines the positive effects of modified warm peening and stress peening, and has the most strengthening effects.     

Effects of SiC Volume Fraction and Particle Size on the Deposition Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Sprayed AZ91D/SiCp Composite Coatings

AZ91D/SiC_p composite coatings were fabricated on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrates using cold spraying. The effects of SiC volume fraction and particle size on the deposition behavior, microhardness, and bonding strength of coatings were studied. The mean sizes of SiC particles tested were 4, 14, and 27 μm. The results show that fine SiC particles (d _0.5 = 4 μm) are difficult to be deposited due to the bow shock effect. The volume fraction of SiC particles in composite coatings increases with the increasing SiC particle size. The microhardness and bonding strength of composite coatings also show increases compared with AZ91D coatings. The volume fractions of SiC particles in the original powder were set at 15, 30, 45, and 60 vol.%. The corresponding contents in composite coatings are increased to 19, 27, 37, and 51 vol.%, respectively. The microhardness of composite coatings also increases as the volume fraction of SiC particles increases.     

Failure mechanisms of TiB2 particle and SiC whisker reinforced Al2O3 ceramic cutting tools when machining nickel-based alloys

In this paper, Al₂O₃/TiB₂/SiC_w ceramic cutting tools with different volume fraction of TiB₂ particles and SiC whiskers were produced by hot pressing. The fundamental properties of these composite tool materials were examined. Machining tests with these ceramic tools were carried out on the Inconel718 nickel-based alloys. The tool wear rates and the cutting temperature were measured. The failure mechanisms of these ceramic tools were investigated and correlated to their mechanical properties. Results showed that the fracture toughness and hardness of the composite tool materials continuously increased with increasing SiC whisker content up to 30 vol.%. The relative density decreased with increasing SiC whisker content, the trend of the flexural strength being the same as that of the relative density. Cutting speeds were found to have a profound effect on the wear behaviors of these ceramic tools. The ceramic tools exhibited relative small flank and crater wear at cutting speed lower than 100 m/min, within further increasing of the cutting speed the flank and crater wear increased greatly. Cutting speeds less than 100 m/min were proved to be the best range for this kind of ceramic tool when machining Inconel718 nickel-based alloys. The composite tool materials with higher SiC whisker content showed more wear resistance. Abrasive wear was found to be the predominant flank wear mechanism. While the mechanisms responsible for the crater wear were determined to be adhesion and diffusion due to the high cutting temperature.     

Fabrication and characterization of Al356/SiCp semisolid composites by injecting SiCp containing composite powders

Al356/5 vol.% SiC_p cast composites were fabricated by the injection of reinforcement particles into the melt in three different forms, i.e. as untreated SiC_p, milled particulate Al-SiC_p composite powder, and milled Al-SiC_p-Mg composite powder. The resultant composite slurries were then cast in the semisolid temperature range of the alloy, upon which the effects of the type of injected powder on the distribution and incorporation of the reinforcement particles, along with the hardness of the cast composites, were investigated. Injection of milled composite powders resulted in considerable improvement in SiC_p wetting as well as the incorporation and distribution of SiC_p in the Al356 matrix alloy. Al356/5 vol.% SiC_p composite with well dispersed reinforcement particles of less than 3 μm average diameter was successfully produced by injecting Al-SiC_p-Mg composite powder into the melt. The best microstructural characteristics in terms of the reinforcement incorporation and distribution, and the highest hardness value of the cast composites, were achieved when magnesium was added through the injected composite powder and not directly into the melt.     

Production of Al-Si-SiCp cast composites by injection of low-energy ball-milled Al-SiCp powder into the melt

Al-7wt%Si-10wt%SiC_p composite with uniformly distributed reinforcement particles with the average size of about 3 microns was produced by a special compocasting method in which the reinforcement was injected into the melt in the form of particulate Al-SiC_p composite powder instead of SiC_p. The effects of the reinforcement addition form, the solid fraction of primary alpha-aluminum particles at pouring, and stirring speed on the incorporation of reinforcement particles into the matrix were investigated. Injection of particulate Al-SiCp composite led to improved incorporation and dispersion and reduced size of SiC_p. Casting from the semisolid state significantly improved the incorporation of SiC_p into the matrix. The optimal solid fraction of primary alpha-aluminum particles to achieve a reasonable combination of reinforcement incorporation and fluidity of the composite slurry was recognized to be about 0.1. The incorporation of SiC_p was improved by increasing the stirring speed up to 500 rpm and then gradually decreased.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al356/SiCp Cast Composites Fabricated by a Novel Technique

In this study, SiC_p containing composite powders were used as the reinforcement carrier media for manufacturing cast Al356/5 vol.% SiC_p composites. Untreated SiC_p, milled particulate Al-SiC_p composite powder, and milled particulate Al-SiC_p-Mg composite powder were injected into Al356 melt. The resultant composite slurries were then cast from either a fully liquid state (stir casting) or semisolid state (compocasting). The results revealed that by injection of composite powders, the uniformity of the SiC_p in the Al356 matrix was greatly improved, the particle-free zones in the matrix were disappeared, the SiC particles became smaller, the porosity was decreased, and the matrix microstructure became finer. Compocasting changed the matrix dendritic microstructure to a finer non-dendritic one and also slightly improved the distribution of the SiC_p. Simultaneous utilization of Al-SiC_p-Mg composite powder and compocasting method increased the macro- and micro-hardness, impact energy, bending strength, and bending strain of Al356/SiC_p composite by 35, 63, 20, 20, and 40%, respectively, as compared with those of the composite fabricated by injection of untreated SiC_p and stir casting process.     

Effects of nano-SiCp content on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCp/A356 composites assisted with ultrasonic treatment

nano-SiC_p/A356 composites with different nano-SiC_p contents were prepared by squeeze casting after ultrasonic treatment (UT). The effects of SiC_p content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The results show that with the addition of nano-SiC_p, the microstructure of nanocomposites is obviously refined, the morphology of the α(Al) grains transforms from coarse dendrites to rosette crystals, and long acicular eutectic Si phases are shortened and rounded. The mechanical properties of 0.5%, 1% and 2% (mass fraction) SiC_p/A356 nanocomposites are improved continuously with the increase of nano-SiC_p content. Especially, when the SiC_p content is 2%, the tensile strength, yield strength and elongation are 259 MPa, 144 MPa and 5.3%, which are increased by 19%, 69% and 15%, respectively, compared with those of the matrix alloy. The improvement of strength is attributed to mechanisms of Hall-Petch strengthening and Orowan strengthening.     

Microstructural evolution and its effects on mechanical properties of spray deposited SiCp/8009Al composites during secondary processing

15% (volume fraction) SiC_p/8009Al metal matrix composites(MMCs) prepared by spray co-deposition were hot-extruded and rolled to investigate the effects of porosity and local SiC_p clusters on mechanical properties. The microstructures were examined by using optical microscopy(OM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffractometry(XRD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The mechanical properties were measured by tensile testing. The experimental results show that lamellar structure is composed of pores and SiC_p clusters and can be improved by secondary processing, enhancing mechanical properties. The main strengthening mechanism and fracture behavior of MMCs were discussed too.     

The synthesis,compressive properties,and applications of metal matrix syntactic foams

Metal matrix syntactic foams are composites that incorporate hollow particles in a matrix, where enclosing porosity inside the thin shell of the particle leads to low density without large decreases in mechanical properties. Studies on Al, Mg, Pb, and Zn alloy matrix syntactic foams are available in the published literature. A large stress plateau region appears in the compressive stress-strain graphs of metal matrix syntactic foams. The height and length of stress plateau can be tailored by means of particle wall thickness, volume fraction, and size, and the total compressive energy absorption can be controlled. Metal matrix syntactic foams seem promising in various energy absorbing applications including automobile parts since their energy absorption capability per unit weight is better than other foams and lightweight materials.     

Influence of pulse impact on properties of liquid phase pulse impact diffusion welding SiCp/AlSi7Mg and its welding mechanism

Abstract

The influence of pulse impact on the microstructure and properties of welded joints of aluminium matrix composite SiC_p/AlSi7Mg by liquid phase pulse impact diffusion welding (LPPIDW) and its welding mechanism had been studied. It showed that during LPPIDW, under the effect of pulse impact, the interface state between SiC particle and matrix was prominent, the initial pernicious contact state of reinforcement particles had been changed from reinforcement (SiC)/reinforcement (SiC) to reinforcement (SiC)/matrix/reinforcement (SiC), and the harmful microstructure or brittle phase was restrained from the welded joint. Moreover, the density of dislocation in the matrix neighbouring to and away from the interface was higher than that of its parent composite and the dislocation entwisted each other intensively. Furthermore, the deformation mainly occurred in the matrix grain and the matrices around SiC particles engendering intensive aberration offered a high density nucleus area for matrix crystal in favour of forming nanograins, which improved the properties of welded joints distinctly, resulting in welding the composite successfully. Consequently, the tensile strength of the welded joints was up to 179 MPa, which was ～74˙6% of the strength of SiC_p/AlSi7Mg (as stir cast), and its corresponding radial deformation was less than 3%, suitable for the demand of deformation of welded specimens.     

Dynamic Compressive Property of Closed-Cell Mg Alloy Composite Foams Reinforced with SiC Particles

The high-strain-rate mechanical response of Mg alloy/SiC_p composite foams has received increased attention in recent years due to their light weight and potential to absorb large amounts of energy during deformation. Dynamic compressive properties of closed-cell Mg alloy/SiC_p composite foams with diff erent relative densities(0.162, 0.227 and 0.351) and diff erent SiC_p additions(0, 4 and 8 wt%) have been investigated using Split-Hopkinson pressure bar. It is shown that peak stress and energy absorption capacity signifi cantly increase as the relative density increases at the range of testing strain rates. Peak stress and energy absorption display strain rate dependence. The peak stress of specimens with 0 wt% and 4 wt% SiC particles additions grows with increasing strain rate. Meanwhile, the increment in the peak stress of specimens with 8 wt% addition is not signifi cant with strain rate increasing. The increase in strain rate increases the energy absorption capacity. The suitable amount of SiC particles addition has great advantages over increasing the peak stress and energy absorption capacity at the high strain rate. The strain-rate-sensitive matrix, cell morphology, morphological defects and gas pressure have an impact on the strain-rate sensitivity of Mg alloy/SiC_p composite foams.     

Corrosion characteristics of Al‐Si‐Mg/SiCp composites with varying Si/Mg molar ratio in neutral chloride solutions

The corrosion resistance of Al‐Mg‐Si/SiC_p composites produced by the pressureless infiltration method [using SiC_p preforms with 50% porosity containing rice hull ash (RHA) and four custom‐made alloys with varying Si/Mg molar ratio] was evaluated in neutral 0.1 M NaCl solutions. The deleterious phase Al₄C₃ was successfully suppressed in composites with Si/Mg molar ratios of 0.89 and 1.05, but not in those with lower Si/Mg molar ratios (0.12 and 0.49). Results of cyclic polarizations in deareated 0.1 M NaCl solutions showed that with increasing Si/Mg molar ratio, passive current density increased but pitting susceptibility decreased both for reinforced and unreinforced alloys. Immersion tests in aerated 0.1 M NaCl showed that for composites with Si/Mg molar ratios of 0.12 and 0.49 chemical degradation by hydrolysis of Al₄C₃ was followed by intense anodic dissolution at the matrix–reinforcement interface, while composites corresponding to Si/Mg molar ratios of 0.89 and 1.05 did not exhibit intense localized attack. Possible reasons for the improvement in resistance to localized corrosion are discussed.