Corrosion Behavior of Novel Al-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Composites in Aerated 3.5% Chloride Solution

The corrosion behavior of novel Al-Al₂O₃ MMCs was evaluated in aerated 3.5% NaCl solution through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). These materials corrode almost spontaneously by pitting in aerated 3.5% NaCl solution. Observations indicate that intermetallic particles in these composites appear to play an important role in this pitting corrosion behavior. Addition of Al₂O₃ particles to the base alloys did not appear to increase their corrosion resistance significantly, although corrosion rate was affected by these reinforcement particles. In cyclic polarization experiments, the small difference between the pitting potentials and the repassivation potentials for these MMCs indicated their low resistance to pitting corrosion. EIS measurements indicate adsorption/diffusion phenomena at the interface of the composites. Electrically equivalent circuits are proposed to describe and substantiate the corrosion processes occurring in these materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3–TiC nano-composite by spark plasma sintering

Al₂O₃–10TiC composite was synthesized by high energy ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Microstructure of the sintered composite samples reveals homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles in Al₂O₃ matrix. Effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. The sample sintered at 1500 °C shows a measured density of 99.97% of their theoretical density and hardness of 1892 Hv with very high scratch resistance. These results demonstrate that powder metallurgy combined with spark plasma sintering is a suitable method for the production of Al₂O₃–10TiC composites.     

Effect of deformation temperature on the mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms of Al-Al2O3 metal matrix composites

Aluminum-alumina (Al-Al₂O₃) metal matrix composite (MMC) materials were fabricated using the powder metallurgy (PM) techniques of hot pressing followed by hot extrusion. Different reinforcement weight fractions were used, that is, 0, 2.5, 5, and 10 wt% Al₂O₃. The effect of deformation temperature was investigated through hot tensile deformation conducted at different temperatures. The microstructures of the tested specimens were also investigated to characterize the operative softening mechanisms. The yield and tensile strength of the Al-Al₂O₃ were found to improve as a function of reinforcement weight fraction. With the exception of Al-10wt%Al₂O₃, the MMC showed better strength and behavior at high temperatures than the unreinforced matrix. The uniform deformation range was found to decrease for the same reinforcement weight fraction, as a function of temperature. For the same deformation temperature, it increases as a function of reinforcement weight fraction. Both dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization were found to be operative in Al-Al₂O₃ MMC as a function of deformation temperature. Dynamic recovery is dominant in the lower temperature range, while dynamic recrystallization is more dominant at the higher range. The increase in reinforcement weight fraction was found to lead to early nucleation of recrystallization. No direct relationship was established as far as the number of grains nucleated due to each reinforcement particle.     

Ti3SiC2-Cu composites by mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering: Possible microstructure formation scenarios

We present several possible microstructure development scenarios in Ti₃SiC₂-Cu composites during mechanical milling and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). We have studied the effect of in situ consolidation during milling of Ti₃SiC₂ and Cu powders and melting of the Cu matrix during the SPS on the hardness and electrical conductivity of the sintered materials. Under low-energy milling, (3–5) vol.%Ti₃SiC₂-Cu composite particles of platelet morphology formed, which could be easily SPS-ed to 92–95% relative density. Under high-energy milling, millimeter-scale (3–5) vol.%Ti₃SiC₂-Cu granules formed as a result of in situ consolidation and presented a challenge to be sintered into a bulk fully dense sample; the corresponding SPS-ed compacts demonstrated a finer-grained Cu matrix and more significant levels of hardening compared to composites of the same composition processed by low-energy milling. The 3 vol.% Ti₃SiC₂-Cu in situ consolidated and Spark Plasma Sintered granules showed an extremely high hardness of 227 HV. High electrical conductivity of the Ti₃SiC₂-Cu composites sintered from the granules was an indication of efficient sintering of the granules to each other. Partial melting of the Cu matrix, if induced during the SPS, compromised the phase stability and uniformity of the microstructure of the Ti₃SiC₂-Cu composites and thus it is not to be suggested as a pathway to enhanced densification in this system.     

Fabrication of Al matrix composite reinforced with submicrometer-sized Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> particles formed by combustion reaction between HEMM Al and V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> composite particles during sintering

To fabricate an Al-V matrix composite reinforced with submicron-sized Al₂O₃ and Al_xV_y (Al₃V, Al₁₀V) phases, high energy mechanical milling (HEMM) and sintering were employed. By increasing the milling time, the size of mechanically milled powder was significantly reduced. In this study, the average powder size of 59 μm for Al, and 178 μm for V₂O₅ decreased with the formation of a new product, Al-Al₂O₃-Al_xV_y, with a size range from 1.3 μm to 2.6 μm formed by the in-situ combustion reaction during sintering of HEM milled Al and V₂O₅ composite powders. The in-situ reaction between Al and V₂O₅ during the HEMM and sintering transformed the Al₂O₃ and Al_xV_y (Al₃V, Al₁₀V) phases. Most of the reduced V reacted with excess the Al to form Al_xV_y (Al₃V, Al₁₀V) with very little V dissolved into Al matrix. By increasing the milling time and weight percentage of V₂O₅, the hardness of the Al-Al₂O₃-Al_xV_y composite sintered at 1173 K increased. The composite fabricated with the HEMM Al-20wt.%V₂O₅ composite powder and sintering at 1173 K for 2 h had the highest hardness.     

The influence of ceramic particles on bond strength of cold spray composite coatings on AZ91 alloy substrate

Al-Al₂O₃ composite coatings were produced on AZ91D magnesium alloy substrates using kinetic metallization (KM), which is a special type of cold spray using a convergent barrel nozzle to attain sonic velocity. The effect of the volume fraction of Al₂O₃ particles and KM spray temperatures on the microstructure, hardness of the composite coatings, the deposition efficiency, and the bond strength between the coating and substrate was studied. Results show that addition of Al₂O₃ particles not only significantly improves the density of the coating, but also enhances the deposition efficiency to an optimum value. The bond strength of the composite coatings with the substrate was found to be much stronger than the coating itself, measured using a specially designed lug shear method. Furthermore, based on bond strength data and SEM analysis, higher Al₂O₃ content resulted in a failure mode transition from adhesive failure to cohesive failure. This is considered a result of a competition between the strengthening of the ceramic reinforcing particles at the coating/substrate interface, and the weakening of coating cohesive strength due to an increase in the proportion of weaker Al-Al₂O₃ bonds compared with stronger Al-Al bonds. Characterisation of the composite coating in terms of hardness, porosity and microstructure was also conducted.     

Comparison of 10 μm and 20 nm Al-Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composite Coatings Fabricated by Low-Pressure Cold Gas Dynamic Spraying

Cold-gas dynamic spraying (“cold spraying”) was used to deposit aluminum-alumina (Al-Al₂O₃) metal-matrix composite (MMC) coatings onto 6061 Al alloy. The powders consisted of ?45 μm commercially pure Al that was admixed with either 10 μm or agglomerated 20 nm Al₂O₃ in weight fractions of 25, 50, 75, 90, and 95 wt.%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers microhardness testing, and image analysis were conducted to determine the microstructure, properties, and the volume fractions of reinforcing particles in the coatings, which was then converted to weight fractions. As the weight fraction of the Al₂O₃ in the coatings increased, the hardness values of the MMC coatings increased. A maximum hardness of 96 ± 10 HV_0.2 was observed for the MMC coating that contained the agglomerated 20 nm Al₂O₃ particles, while a maximum hardness of 85 ± 24 HV_0.2 was observed for the coatings with the 10 μm Al₂O₃ particles. The slight increase in hardness of the coating containing the agglomerated 20 nm Al₂O₃ particles occurred in a coating of Al₂O₃ content that was lower than that in the coating that contained the 10 μm reinforcing Al₂O₃ particles. The increased hardness of the MMC coatings that contained the agglomerated 20 nm Al₂O₃ particles and at lower reinforcing particle content was attributed to the increased spreading of the nanoagglomerated particles in the coating, which increased load-sharing and reinforcement capability of the particles. These results suggest that the use of nanoagglomerated, reinforcing hard-phase particles in cold-sprayed MMC coatings may be a more efficient alternative to the use of conventional micronsized reinforcing particles.     

Properties and pulsed current activated consolidation of nanostuctured MgSiO3-MgAl2O4 composites

Nanocrystalline materials have received much attention as advanced engineering materials with improved physical and mechanical properties. As nanomaterials possess high strength, high hardness, excellent ductility and toughness, undoubtedly, more attention has been paid for the application of nanomaterials. Nanopowders of MgO, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were made by high energy ball milling. The simultaneous synthesis and consolidation of nanostuctured MgAl₂O₄-MgSiO₃ composites from milled 2MgO, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ powders was investigated by the pulsed current activated sintering process. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and inhibition of grain growth. Highly dense nanostructured MgAl₂O₄-MgSiO₃ composites were produced with a simultaneous application of 80 MPa pressure and a pulsed current of 2000A within 1min. The fracture toughness of MgAl₂O₄-Mg₂SiO₄ composites sintered from 60 mol%MgO-20 mol%Al₂O₃-20mol%SiO₂ powders milled for 4 h was 3.2MPa·m^1/2. The fracture toughness of MgAl₂O₄-MgSiO₃ composite is higher than that of monolithic MgAl₂O₄.     

Modeling of the Prediction of Densification Behavior of Powder Metallurgy Al–Cu–Mg/B_4C Composites Using Artificial Neural Networks

Al–Cu–Mg/B4 Cp metal matrix composites with reinforcement of up to 20 wt% were produced using the powder metallurgy technique. The effects of reinforcement ratio, reinforcement size, milling time, and compact pressure on the density and porosity of the composites reinforced with 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt% B4 C particles were studied. Moreover, an artificial neural network model has been developed for the prediction of the effects of the manufacturing parameters on the density and porosity of powder metallurgy Al–Cu–Mg/B4 Cp composites. This model can be used for predicting the densification behavior of Al–Cu–Mg/B4 Cp composites produced under reinforcement of different sizes and amounts with various milling times and compact pressures. The mean absolute percentage error for the predicted values did not exceed1.6%.     

Effect of weight percentage and particle size of B4C reinforcement on physical and mechanical properties of powder metallurgy Al2024-B4C composites

In this study, Al2024-B₄C composites containing 0, 5, 10 and 20 wt% of B₄C particles with two different particle sizes (d₅₀=49 μm and d₅₀=5 μm) as reinforcement material were produced by a mechanical alloying method. Two new particle distribution models based on the size of reinforcement materials was developed. The microstructure of the Al2024-B₄C composites was investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The effects of reinforcement particle size and weight percentage (wt%) on the physical and mechanical properties of the Al2024-B₄C composites were determined by measuring the density, hardness and tensile strength values. The results showed that more homogenous dispersion of B₄C powders was obtained in the Al2024 matrix using the mechanical alloying technique according to the conventional powder metallurgy method. Measurement of the density and hardness properties of the composites showed that density values decreased and hardness values increased with an increase in the weight fraction of reinforcement. Moreover, it was found that the effect of reinforcement size and reinforcement content (wt%) on the homogeneous distribution of B₄C particles is as important as the effect of milling time.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> particles on the microstructure and sliding wear of 7075 Al alloy manufactured by squeeze casting method

Aluminum (Al) alloy 7075 reinforced with Al₂O₃ particles was prepared using the stir casting method. The microstructure of the cast composites showed some degree of porosity and sites of Al₂O₃ particle clustering, especially at high-volume fractions of Al₂O₃ particles. Different squeeze pressures (25 and 50 MPa) were applied to the cast composite during solidification to reduce porosity and particle clusters. Microstructure examinations of the squeeze cast composites showed remarkable grain refining compared with that of the matrix alloy. As the volume fraction of particles and applied squeeze pressure increased, the hardness linearly increased. This increase was related to the modified structure and the decrease in the porosity. The effect of particle volume fraction and squeeze pressure on the dry-sliding wear of the composites was studied. Experiments were performed at 10, 30, and 50 N with a sliding speed of 1 m/s using a pin-on-ring apparatus. Increasing the particle volume fraction and squeeze pressure improved the wear resistance of the composite compared with that of the monolithic alloy, because the Al₂O₃ particles acted as load-bearing constituents. Also, these results can be attributed to the fact that the application of squeeze pressure during solidification led to a reduction in the porosity, and an increase in the solidification rate, leading to a finer structure. Moreover, the application of squeeze pressure improved the interface strength between the matrix and Al₂O₃ particles by elimination of the porosity at the interface, thereby providing better mechanical locking.     

Effects of Y2O3 additions on mechanically alloyed and sintered W—4 wt.% SiC composites

In this study, the effect of Y₂O₃ additions on the microstructural and the physical properties of W-SiC composites was investigated. Powder blends of W—4 wt.% SiC, W—4 wt.% SiC—1 wt.% Y₂O₃ and W—4 wt.% SiC—5 wt.% Y₂O₃ were mechanically alloyed (MA'd) using a Spex mill for 24 h. MA'd composite powders were sintered under inert Ar and reducing H₂ gas conditions at 1680 °C for 1 h. Microstructural and morphological characterizations of composite powders and sintered samples were carried out via SEM and XRD analyses. Furthermore, density measurements and hardness measurements of sintered samples were carried out. A highest Vickers microhardness value of 11.4 GPa was measured for the sintered W—4 wt.% SiC—5 wt.% Y₂O₃ while W—4 wt.% SiC sample possessed the highest relative density value of 97.7%.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Microwave Sintered Cu<Subscript>50</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>50</Subscript> Amorphous Alloy Reinforced Al Metal Matrix Composites

In the present work, Al metal matrix composites reinforced with Cu-based (Cu₅₀Ti₅₀) amorphous alloy particles synthesized by ball milling followed by a microwave sintering process were studied. The amorphous powders of Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ produced by ball milling were used to reinforce the aluminum matrix. They were examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness and compression testing. The analysis of XRD patterns of the samples containing 5 vol.%, 10 vol.% and 15 vol.% Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ indicates the presence of Al and Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ peaks. SEM images of the sintered composites show the uniform distribution of reinforced particles within the matrix. Mechanical properties of the composites were found to increase with an increasing volume fraction of Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ reinforcement particles. The hardness and compressive strength were enhanced to 89 Hv and 449 MPa, respectively, for the Al-15 vol.% Cu₅₀Ti₅₀ composites.     

Microstructural characterization and mechanical behaviours of TiN-graphite composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering

The effects of milling time on the particle size distribution (PSD), densification, microstructure, hardness and fracture toughness of spark plasma sintered (SPS) TiN+graphite ceramic were studied. TiN with varying amount of graphite (1, 3, and 5 wt%) were milled at different milling time (8, 24 and 40 h), thereafter sintered at sintering temperature of 1800 °C, holding time of 10 min and pressure of 50 MPa. The relative density and hardness increased as milling time progressed from 24 to 40 h, however, the relative density, hardness, and particle size decreased after 8 h of milling. The microstructural analyses showed that a fully sintered TiN+graphite compact could be achieved at sintering temperature of 1800 °C, with no significant grain growth. Residual stress effect of TiN+5 wt% graphite composite was analyzed using XRD method and the result indicated that there is no significant residual stress on the sample. The relative density, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of TiN+ 1 wt% Gr, milled for 40 h were 99.24%, 13.90 GPa and 4.0 MPa.m^1/2 respectively.     

Tribological behavior of self lubricating Cu/MoS2 composites fabricated by powder metallurgy

The effects of MoS₂ content on microstructure, density, hardness and wear resistance of pure copper were studied. Copper-based composites containing 0–10% (mass fraction) MoS₂ particles were fabricated by mechanical milling and hot pressing from pure copper and MoS₂ powders. Wear resistance was evaluated in dry sliding condition using a pin on disk configuration at a constant sliding speed of 0.2 m/s. Hardness measurements showed a critical MoS₂ content of 2.5% at which a hardness peak was attained. Regardless of the applied normal load, the lowest coefficient of friction and wear loss were attained for Cu/2.5MoS₂ composite. While coefficient of friction decreased when the applied normal load was raised from 1 to 4 N at any reinforcement content, the wear volume increased with increasing normal load. SEM micrographs from the worn surfaces and debris revealed that the wear mechanism was changed from mainly adhesion in pure copper to a combination of abrasion and delamination in Cu/MoS₂ composites.     

Effect of Hot Working on Structure and Tribological Properties of Aluminium Reinforced with Aluminium Oxide Particulates

Al-Al₂O₃ (18%) composite was prepared by stir-cast melt technique. The microstructures showed uniform distribution of particulates, dispersed in the matrix. There exists discontinuity (~0.25???m) in the interface between particulates and matrix. The composite was hot forged. Hot working resulted in fine recrystallized microstructure with particulates dispersed along grain boundaries. Formation of pancake microstructure with some inhomogeneity in the microstructure along three faces of the forged composite was observed. The discontinuity across the interface between Al-Al₂O₃ was reduced to 0.125???m after forging. The as-cast and forged Al-Al₂O₃ composites showed higher wear resistance than pure Al. In lubricant media, there was no significant wear observed for either the as-cast or forged composite, whereas Al had shown higher wear at 50?N load.     

Fabrication of A356 composite reinforced with micro and nano Al2O3 particles by a developed compocasting method and study of its properties

Aluminum/alumina composites are used in automotive and aerospace industries due to their low density and good mechanical strength. In this study, compocasting was used to fabricate aluminum-matrix composite reinforced with micro and nano-alumina particles. Different weight fractions of micro (3, 5 and 7.5 wt.%) and nano (1, 2, 3 and 4 wt.%) alumina particles were injected by argon gas into the semi-solid state A356 aluminum alloy and stirred by a mechanical stirrer with different speeds of 200, 300 and 450 rpm. The microstructure of the composite samples was investigated by Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Also, density and hardness variation of micro and nano composites were measured. The microstructure study results revealed that application of compocasting process led to a transformation of a dendritic to a nondendritic structure of the matrix alloy. The SEM micrographs revealed that Al₂O₃ nano particles were surrounded by silicon eutectic and inclined to move toward inter-dendritic regions. They were dispersed uniformly in the matrix when 1, 2 and 3 wt.% nano Al₂O₃ or 3 and 5 wt.% micro Al₂O₃ was added, while, further increase in Al₂O₃ (4 wt.% nano Al₂O₃ and 7.5 wt.% micro Al₂O₃) led to agglomeration. The density measurements showed that the amount of porosity in the composites increased with increasing weight fraction and speed of stirring and decreasing particle size. The hardness results indicated that the hardness of the composites increased with decreasing size and increasing weight fraction of particles.     

Fabrication and characterization of nano-Y2O3, Al2O3, La2O3 dispersed mechanically alloyed and liquid phase sintered WNi for structural application

The investigation involves the fabrication of various nano oxide (Y₂O₃, Al₂O₃, La₂O₃) dispersed WNi alloys by mechanical alloying for 10 h and sintering in Ar atmosphere at 1400 °C, 1500 °C for 2 h. The selected composition for the study is W₈₉Ni₁₀(Y₂O₃)₁ (alloy A), W₈₉Ni₁₀(Al₂O₃)₁ (alloy B) and W₈₉Ni₁₀(La₂O₃)₁ (alloy C) (in weight%). Alloy A exhibit least crystallite size and maximum lattice strain at 10 h of milling. The lattice parameter of W exhibits expansion and contraction behavior during the milling. Microstructure of sintered alloys reveals the presence of both faceted and nearly spherical shaped grains. Bimodal grain size distribution is higher in alloy A at 1500 °C as compared to other alloys and 1400 °C sintering temperature. Texture study and Young's Modulus value reveals that hardness of alloy A is higher against alloy B and alloy C. Maximum % relative sintered density, mean hardness, compressive strength of 89%, 5.53 GPa, 2.25 GPa respectively has been achieved in alloy A at 1500 °C.     

Rapid synthesis and consolidation of nanostuctured Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MgSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites by high frequency induction heated sintering

Nanopowders of MgO, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ were made by high energy ball milling. The rapid sintering of nanostuctured Al₂O₃-MgSiO₃ composites was investigated by the high-frequency induction heating sintering process. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and inhibits grain growth. Highly dense nanostructured Al₂O₃-MgSiO₃ composites were produced with the simultaneous application of 80 MPa pressure and the induced output current of total power capacity (15 kW) within 2 min. The sintering behavior, grain size and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃-MgSiO₃ composites were investigated.     

Fabrication and properties of hot-pressing sintered WC-Al2O3 composites reinforced by graphene platelets

To enhance the toughness of the WC-Al₂O₃ composite, graphene platelets (GPLs) were incorporated to this ceramic composite by using ball milling and hot pressing sintering. The influences of graphene on microstructure and mechanical properties of the WC-Al₂O₃ composites were investigated. Results of the experiments showed that the grain size of the composite first diminished and then increased gradually along with the increase of graphene content. Both the Vickers hardness and toughness increased first and then diminished along with the increase of graphene content. The optimized composite exhibited the highest Vickers hardness (18.78 GPa) and the highest fracture toughness (11.09 MPa·m^1/2) at the indentation load of 294 N (30 kg) when incorporated with 0.3 wt% GPLs, which are about 18.7% and 40.8% higher than that of WC-Al₂O₃ without GPLs, respectively. However, the relative density of the WC-Al₂O₃ composites decreased stably along with the increase of graphene content. Agglomeration of GPLs and porosity were observed in the composites with high content, which weakened the properties. The toughening mechanisms are proposed to be crack deflection, crack bridging, graphene pull out and grain refinement.