Effects of high temperature mechanical damage on physical properties of unidirectional Ti/SiC metal matrix composite

Abstract

A miniaturised test system was used to investigate how the thermal and electrical properties of a unidirectionally reinforced titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–4V)/SiC (SM1140+)metal matrix composite change with mechanical damage at elevated temperature. Thermal conductivity and expansion measurements were obtained in the longitudinal and transverse direction both before and after short term strength and creep tests and at intervals during tests to assess changes in interface characteristics as functions of mechanical or thermal damage. The mechanical tests included monotonic stress–strain and ramp creep at temperatures between 500 and 650°C. The changes in thermal properties were compared with model predictions for the dependence of thermal properties on interface characteristics. The agreement was good for thermal expansion changes but not for thermal conductivity. This was ascribed to the nature of the damage at the interface that probably still allowed thermal transport but not mechanical load transfer.     

Low temperature synthesis of Ti3 SiC2 from Ti/SiC/C powders

Abstract

Ternary carbide Ti₃ SiC₂ was first synthesised through a pulse discharge sintering (PDS) technique from mixtures of Ti, SiC, and C with different molar ratios. Sintering processes were conducted at 1200 – 1400°C for 15 – 60 min at a pressure of 50 MPa. The phase constituents and microstructures of the synthesised samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that, for samples sintered from 3Ti/SiC/C powder at 1200 – 1400°C, TiC is always the main phase and only little Ti₃ SiC₂ phase is formed. When the molar ratios Ti : SiC : C were adjusted to 3 : 1.1 : 2 and 5 : 2 : 1, the purity of Ti₃ SiC₂ in the synthesised samples was improved to about 93 wt-%. The optimum sintering temperature for Ti₃ SiC₂ samples was found to be in the range 1250 – 1300°C and all the synthesised samples contain platelike grains. The relative density of Ti₃ SiC₂ samples was measured to be higher than 99% at sintering temperatures above 1300?C. It is suggested that the PDS technique can rapidly synthesise ternary carbide Ti₃ SiC₂ with good densification at lower sintering temperature.     

Elevated temperature mechanical properties of MoSi2/Si3N4, MoSi2/SiC composites produced by self-propagating high temperature synthesis

MoSi₂/Si₃N₄ and MoSi₂/SiC composite powders were produced via a novel self-propagating high temperature synthesis technique (SHS) and consolidated both by hot-pressing and plasma spraying. Mechanical testing subsequently was performed under four-point bending at a variety of elevated temperatures and strain rates. Damage accumulation in the hot-pressed materials, either by particle cracking or particle/matrix separation, resulted in composite mechanical properties that were reduced below the level of the unreinforced material. Plasma sprayed materials showed power-law hardening behaviour caused by Mo₅Si₃ precipitates and increased strain tolerance because of the fine grain size and reduced yield strength of the matrix.     

Cu/Ti3SiC2 composite: a new electrofriction material

 Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composite, a new electrofriction material, was prepared, for the first time, by PM method. The microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites were investigated and were compared with those of Cu/graphite composites. The results demonstrated that Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites had superior mechanical properties over Cu/graphite composites. At filer content of less than 20 vol%, the electrical conductivity for Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites was higher than that for Cu/graphite composites; at high filer content, the electrical conductivity for Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites was lower than that for Cu/graphite composites because of the presence of residual pores. It was found that like Cu/graphite composite, Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ was a self-lubricated material. The compressive yield strength, Brinell hardness, relative ratio of compressive for Cu-30 vol% Ti₃SiC₂ composites are 307 MPa, 140, 15.7% respectively. Received: 29 December 1998/Accepted: 15 February 1999     

反应热压烧结法制备SiC/Ti3SiC2复合材料及其性能

采用反应热压烧结法制备了SiC/Ti3SiC2复合材料,研究了热压温度、SiC含量及粒度对SiC/Ti3SiC2复合材料相组成、力学性能以及应力-应变行为的影响.结果表明:热压温度影响SiC/Ti3SiC2复合材料相组成;随着热压温度的提高,复合材料的弯曲强度和断裂韧性提高;随SiC含量的增加,SiC/Ti3SiC2复...     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Y2O3/SiC nanocomposites

 Y₂O₃-based nanocomposites were fabriacted by hot-press and the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. Transmission-electron-microscope observations revealed that the SiC particles were distributed both within Y₂O₃ matrix grains and at the grain boundaries. Significant mechanical properties improvements were identified particularly at high temperatures above 1000 oC both in air and inert atmospheres. Received: 2 January 1997 / Accepted: 27 March 1997     

3Ti/Si/2C/0.2Al粉体在空气中燃烧合成Ti3SiC2

采用机械活化的3Ti/Si/2C/0.2Al单质粉体为原料,在空气中发生自燃反应,成功地合成了Ti₃SiC₂基材料. 采用XRD、SEM和EDS等手段,分析了合成产物的相组成和微观结构特征. 结果表明,机械合金化3Ti/Si/2C/0.2Al单质混合粉体,不仅细化了粉体颗粒,而且产生严重的晶格畸变,从而明显提高了粉体的反应活性. 把机械活化的粉体暴露在空气中,会发生剧烈的燃烧反应,并引发自蔓延反应,合成Ti₃SiC₂,冷却后变成多孔块体产物. 燃烧产物由Ti₃SiC₂、TiC和微量氧化物组成. 产物中Ti₃SiC₂含量约为83wt%. 产物表层比较致密和均匀,而内部则粗糙且多孔. 产物的表面是以Al₂O₃和TiO₂为主相的氧化膜,氧化物颗粒大小约为2~4μm. 氧化膜厚度约为5~10μm,比较致密. 内部为Ti3SiC2和TiC材料,板条状Ti₃SiC₂晶粒长约20~40μm,宽约2~4μm,发育完善. 粒状TiC晶粒大小约为3μm.     

Synthesis and mechanical properties of Ti3AlC2 by spark plasma sintering

In this paper, spark plasma sintering (SPS), after hot isostatically pressing (HIP) method was reported as a new approach to prepare bulk polycrystalline samples of Ti₃AlC₂. The ternary carbide was fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at a pressure of 22 MPa and temperature of 1250°C. The raw materials, elemental powders of Ti, Al and activated carbon, were pretreated in the following different ways prior to SPS: one way was to obtain porous Ti₃AlC₂ by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) from mixture of Ti, Al and C, and then densify the product by SPS; the second way was to synthesize Al₄C₃ from Al and C firstly, and then mix powders of Ti and C with synthesized Al₄C₃ to fabricate bulk Ti₃AlC₂ by SPS. Obtained polycrystalline Ti₃AlC₂ ceramics had excellent mechanical properties: density was 4.24 ± 0.02 g/cm³, flexural strength was 552 ± 30 MPa and fracture toughness (K _IC) was 9.1 ± 0.3 MPa · m^1/2. It could be concluded that SPS method was a useful method to synthesize bulk Ti₃AlC₂ with excellent properties in a very short time and easily sintering process. The optimal conditions to synthesize Ti₃AlC₂ were also discussed.     

Formation mechanism and high temperature mechanical property characterization of SiC depletion layer in ZrB2/SiC ceramics

When ZrB₂/SiC ceramics are exposed to high temperatures, a SiC depletion layer will appear near the material surface. Due to the degradation of mechanical properties for the SiC depletion layer, the ZrB₂/SiC ceramics might fail initially at the SiC depletion layer. Based on chemical reaction analysis and microstructural observation, a pore evolution model is presented to characterize the formation mechanisms of the SiC depletion layer, which can calculate the variation in the volume fraction of each constituent during the oxidation process. The micromechanical models are developed to analyze the mechanical properties of the SiC depletion layer during high temperature oxidation. It is found that relative modulus and relative strength of the SiC depletion layer initially decrease and then gradually rise with the increase of oxidation time. As the SiC content of ZrB₂/SiC ceramics increases, the porosity of SiC depletion layer increases as well, whereas the mechanical properties significantly decrease.     

Improvement of microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91/SiC composite by mechanical alloying

AZ91 magnesium alloy reinforced with SiC particulates was fabricated via powder metallurgy technique as well as mechanical alloying process where a planetary ball mill was employed. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the fabricated AZ91 composites had been evaluated. Microstructural study showed that grain size of the material was refined and SiC particulates were well distributed after mechanical alloying. Mechanical tests of the composite showed an enhanced yield and ultimate tensile strengths for the mechanically alloyed samples compared with those prepared via the powder metallurgical route.     

Room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation behavior of MoSi2 matrix composite reinforced by adding La2O3 and Mo5Si3

MoSi₂ matrix composites containing 0.8 wt.%La₂O₃ and different volume fractions of Mo₅Si₃ were synthesized by self-propagating high temperature synthesis. The room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation behavior at 1200 °C were studied. Results showed that La₂O₃ and Mo₅Si₃ caused the grain size to decrease of the MoSi₂ matrix composite. The flexure strength and fracture toughness are improved compared with pure MoSi₂. The strengthening mechanism of La₂O₃–Mo₅Si₃/MoSi₂ is fine-grain strengthening, and its toughening mechanisms are fine-grain toughening, crack deflection, crack branching and crack bridging. With an increase in Mo₅Si₃ content, the oxidation resistance gradually decreased. This is attributed to the poor oxidation resistance of Mo₅Si₃, grain refinement and relative density decrease of the composites. In this experiment, a La₂O₃–Mo₅Si₃/MoSi₂ composite was found to have optimal mechanical properties and high temperature oxidation resistance after adding 0.8 wt.%La₂O₃ and 16.3 wt.% Mo₅Si₃.     

2D-SiC/SiC复合材料损伤耦合力学行为

基于轴向和45°偏轴加载实验,分别获得2D-SiC/SiC复合材料在单一轴向应力和复合应力状态下纤维束轴向方向上的拉伸、压缩和面内剪切应力-应变行为,计算分析材料在复合应力状态下的损伤耦合力学行为。结果表明,在45°偏轴拉伸和压缩复合应力状态下材料损伤耦合力学行为的起始应力分别约为40MPa和-100MPa。复合应力状态下材料纤维束轴向方向上的拉伸损伤和面内剪切损伤进程间具有相互促进作用,面内剪切损伤对压缩损伤进程具有促进作用,但是压缩应力分量对面内剪切损伤进程具有明显的抑制作用;上述损伤耦合作用随着应力水平的增加而越发显著。由试件断口电镜扫描结果可知,复合应力状态下材料纤维束轴向方向上3个应力分量对材料内部0°/90°和45°3种取向基体裂纹开裂损伤进程的影响作用,是2D-SiC/SiC复合材料产生损伤耦合力学行为的主要细观损伤机制。     

Phase stability of SiC against Ti at high temperature

SiC to SiC were reacted by Ti foil at high temperature of 1673 K in vacuum. Ti reacted with SiC, and formed many reaction phases between SiC and Ti. At 1673 K SiC reacted at a reaction time of 0.5 ks or longer. From the SiC many reaction zones of Ti₃SiC₂, Ti₅Si₃C_X, Ti₅Si₃C_X + TiC, and TiC + Ti were formed. Ti binary compound of TiC and Ti ternary compounds of Ti₃SiC₂, and Ti₅Si₃C_X, were formed. The principle of the reaction zones was thermodynamically discussed by the corresponding chemical potential diagram.     

Al3Ti/A356铝基复合材料的显微组织及拉伸力学性能

在A356铝合金熔体中加入K₂TiF₆盐,通过熔体搅拌原位反应法制备了Al₃Ti/A356铝基复合材料,研究了Al₃Ti含量对铝基复合材料显微组织及室温和高温拉伸力学性能的影响。结果表明,Al₃Ti/A356复合材料的铸态组织由α-Al、共晶Si和(Al, Si)₃Ti相组成。随着K₂TiF₆盐添加量的增加,(Al, Si)₃Ti相也逐渐增多,其形状由大块状和棒状转变为小块状,同时,基体中的共晶Si细化效果也越显著。在生成不同Al₃Ti含量的复合材料中,2wt%Al₃Ti/A356复合材料的常温拉伸抗拉强度和屈服强度均为最高,分别为179.7 MPa和74.1 MPa。350℃高温拉伸时,6wt%Al₃Ti/A356复合材料的抗拉强度和屈服强度分别比基体提高22.1%和12.6%,分别达到66.3 MPa和57.9 MPa,最高抗拉强度达到或超过了一些现役汽车活塞用的铝硅合金,表明Al₃Ti/A356复合材料具有作为新型耐热铝合金应用于汽车发动机耐热部件的潜力。      

Bi(Mg_(1/2)Ti_(1/2))O_3-PbTiO_3压电陶瓷体系介电与居里温度特性研究

采用传统固相法工艺制备了(1-x)Bi(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-x Pb Ti O3(BMT-x PT,0.34≤x≤0.44)陶瓷。研究发现,随着PT含量增加,试样结构由三方相逐渐转变为四方相结构,当0.36x0.40时,试样结构处于准同型相界(MPB)区。研究表明BMT组元是一种具有非铁电体特征的组分,随着PT含量减少,BMT-PT体系的居里温度减小,介电峰变得越来越不明显。通过研究BMT-PT体系组分与居里温度(TC)的关系可以看出:(1)PT含量为0.34~0.44时,TC随BMT含量变化实验值和Stringer的经验值差异较小,变化趋势一致;(2)BMT-PT体系居里温度最大值可能在x=0.73的附近,其居里温度最大值TC max约为550℃。     

SiC_W含量对SiC_W/Si_3N_4复合陶瓷力学及高温微波性能影响

以α-Si_3N_4粉、β-SiC_W为原料,Al_2O_3、Y_2O_3为烧结助剂,采用凝胶注模工艺制备了SiC_W/Si_3N_4复合陶瓷材料,烧结温度为1 650℃,保温1.5h。研究了SiC_W加入含量对SiC_W/Si_3N_4复合陶瓷的微观结构、力学及常温/高温微波吸收性能的影响。结果表明:随着SiC_W含量的增加,SiC_W/Si_3N_4复合陶瓷的抗弯强度和断裂韧性都有先増后减的趋势,当含量为10wt%时,抗弯强度达到最大值505MPa,断裂韧性达9.515MPa·m1/2。常温介电常数在SiC_W含量为10wt%时,实部达最大值12,在12GHz最大吸收值为-21dB。高温介电常数随着SiC_W含量的增加有先增后减的趋势,在含量为10wt%时,实部达到最大值12.5。相比于纯Si_3N_4陶瓷,当SiC_W含量为10wt%时,SiC_W/Si_3N_4复合陶瓷在11.7GHz左右最大吸收可达-27dB,有效吸收频带(小于-5dB)为11.2~12.3GHz。     

Localized mechanical property assessment of SiC/SiC composite materials

SiC fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composites (SiC/SiC) are under consideration as a structural material for a range of nuclear applications. While these materials have been studied for decades, recently new small scale materials testing techniques have emerged which can be used to characterize SiC/SiC materials from a new perspective. In this work cross section nanoindentation was performed on SiC/SiC composites revealing that both the hardness and Young’s modulus was substantially lower in the fiber compared to the matrix despite both being SiC. Using scanning electron microscopy it was observed that the grain growth of the matrix during formation was radially out from the fiber with a changing grain structure as a function of radius from the fiber center. Focused ion beam machining was used to manufacture micro-cantilever samples and evaluate the fracture toughness and fracture strength in the matrix as a function of grain orientation in the matrix. Additionally microstructural characterization techniques like Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microtomography were used to evaluate differences in the matrix and fibers of the composite.