Impression creep behaviour of TiB2 particles reinforced steel matrix composites

Impression creep behaviour of the powder metallurgy processed steel matrix composites was investigated under constant stress at different temperatures in the range of 873–973?K. By using the power-law relationship, the estimated activation energy for unreinforced steel was found to be 149?kJ?mol^?1 and steel reinforced with 2 and 4?vol.-% TiB₂ was found to be 298 and 338?kJ?mol^?1, respectively indicating better creep resistance of the reinforced steel matrix composites. Dislocation creep is the dominant creep mechanism based on the calculated values of stress exponent and activation energy. Hence, this method can be used to assess the potential of steel matrix composites for use as structural materials for high-temperature application.     

Fabrication of TiB2 particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composites by powder metallurgy

Magnesium metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 vol.% TiB₂ particulates, respectively, were fabricated by powder metallurgy. The microstructure, porosity, hardness and abrasive wear behavior of the composites were evaluated. Microstructural characterization of Mg MMCs showed generally uniform reinforcement distribution. As compared with pure Mg, the hardness (HB) values of Mg MMCs reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 vol.% TiB₂ particulates were increased by 41%, 106% and 181%, respectively. The abrasive wear tests showed that the wear resistance of Mg MMCs is increased with the increasing of the reinforcement volume fraction. This was due to the strong particulate-matrix bonding and high hardness of the TiB₂ particulate.     

Characterization of cemented Cu matrix composites reinforced with SiC

In this study, some properties of copper produced by cementation method and its composites reinforced with 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% and 5wt% SiC particles, produced by powder metallurgy method, were investigated. Composite powders were pressed by applying an uniaxial pressure of 280 MPa and sintered at temperatures of 700 °C for 2 h embedding in graphite powder. Scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the Cu and SiC which are dominant components in the sintered composites. Microstructure studies revealed that SiC particles were located around the copper particles. The relative densities of Cu-SiC composites determined by Archimedes’ principle decreased from 98.11% to 90.93% with increasing reinforcement components. Measured hardness of sintered compacts varied from 127 to155 HVN. Maximum electrical conductivity of test materials ranged from 80.17% IACS to 57.76% IACS.     

Microstructural study and densification analysis of hot work tool steel matrix composites reinforced with TiB2 particles

Hot work tool steels are characterized by good toughness and high hot hardness but are less wear resistant than other tooling materials, such as high speed steel. Metal matrix composites show improved tribological behavior, but not much work has been done in the field of hot work tool steels. In this paper TiB₂-reinforced hot work tool steel matrix composites were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Mechanical alloying (MA) was proposed as a suited process to improve the composite microstructure. Density measurements and microstructure confirmed that MA promotes sintering and produces a fine and homogeneous dispersion of reinforcing particles. X-ray diffraction patterns of the sintered composites highlighted the formation of equilibrium Fe₂B and TiC, as predicted by thermodynamic calculations using Thermo-Calc® software. Scanning electron microscopy as well as scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy highlighted the reaction of the steel matrix with TiB₂ particles, showing the formation of a reaction layer at the TiB₂-steel interface. Phase investigations pointed out that TiB₂ is not chemically stable in steel matrix because of the presence of carbon even during short time SPS.     

SiC泡沫／Al双连续相复合材料连续性的研究

运用挤压铸造法制备了SiC泡沫／Al双连续性复合材料，研究了SiC泡沫、复合压力和合金成分对复合材料连续性的影响。结果表明，SiC泡沫陶瓷的加入阻碍了基体合金流动，降低了复合材料的连续性。随着复合压力的增加，复合材料的连续性逐渐增强，当压力为150MPa时，复合材料的连续性最好。随着含硅量的增加，基体合金的热膨胀系数逐渐降低，基体和增强体之间的热膨胀匹配增强，复合材料中残余应力降低，复合材料的连续性增强。     

SiC matrix composites containing transition metal boride particulates internally synthesised by carbothermal reaction

SiC matrix composites reinforced with the various borides of the transition metals in group IV a-VI a, which were synthesized from the transition metal oxide, boron carbide and carbon mixed with SiC powder. Dense composites containing boride particulates of titanium, zirconium, niobium and chromium were prepared through reactive hot-pressing. The morphology of the internally synthesized boride particles reflected that of the starting oxide powders. SiC-NbB₂ composites with four-point flexural strength of 500 to 600 MPa and better oxidation resistance than SiC-TiB₂ were prepared even through pressureless sintering process. Pressureless-sintered and HIPed SiC-20 vol% NbB₂ exhibited the four-point flexural strength of 760 MPa at 20 °C and 820 MPa at 1400 °C.     

Enhanced tensile properties of aluminium matrix composites reinforced with graphene encapsulated SiC nanoparticles

Due to a high propensity of nano-particles to agglomerate, making aluminium matrix composites with a uniform dispersion of the nano-particles using liquid routes is an exceptionally difficult task. In this study, an innovative approach was utilised to prevent agglomeration of nano-particle by encapsulating SiC nano-particles using graphene sheets during ball milling. Subsequently, the milled mixture was incorporated into A356 molten alloy using non-contact ultrasonic vibration method. Two different shapes for graphene sheets were characterised using HRTEM, including onion-like shells encapsulating SiC particles and disk-shaped graphene nanosheets. This resulted in 45% and 84% improvement in yield strength and tensile ductility, respectively. The former was ascribed to the Orowan strengthening mechanism, while the latter is due primarily to the fiber pull-out mechanism, brought about by the alteration of the solidification mechanism from particle pushing to particle engulfment during solidification as a consequence of high thermal conductive graphene sheets encapsulating SiC particles.     

Processing,microstructure and properties of in-situ reinforced SiC matrix composites

SiC matrix composites were fabricated by in-situ formation of transition metal boride and carbide particles from oxide powders by carbothermal reactions. Dense composites with various microstructures were produced by pressureless sintering and additional hot-isostatic pressing. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were dependent upon the pressureless-sintering temperature. The use of submicron-sized TiO₂ lead to fine and equiaxial TiB₂ particulates. The composites exhibited high flexural strengths (>700 MPa). At higher sintering temperatures, the grain growth of SiC swept the boride into clusters with larger sizes and anisotropic shapes, which improved the fracture toughness of the composite at the expense of strength.     

Microstructure effect on mechanical properties of in situ synthesized titanium matrix composites reinforced with TiB and La2O3

High temperature titanium matrix composites (TMCs) with different volume fraction of reinforcements were insitu synthesized by casting and hot forging. An effort was made to investigate the mechanical properties as a function of the microstructure of composites. Tensile tests were performed at room temperature, 600 °C, 650 °C and 700 °C respectively. Creep behavior at 650 °C was characterized in the stress range of 200-300 MPa. Results indicated that the composite with 2.11 vol.% reinforcements had the highest tensile strength and lowest steady state creep rate. Morphology of TiB whiskers was critical to mechanical properties of TMCs. TiB whiskers fracture and debonding acted as the dominant failure modes.     

TiC+TiB2协同增强Al-Cu原位复合材料

为利用TiC和TiB2的协同增强作用,采用基于熔体接触反应法和混合盐反应法的新工艺"两步法"制备了(TiC TiB2)/Al-2Cu原位复合材料.利用扫描电子显微镜及差式扫描量热计对热处理前后的原位复合材料进行了组织及热分析,结果表明:组织中两相粒子的分布比单相粒子增强的情况更加均匀,而且T4处理实现了两相粒子真正意义上的均匀相间分布;相对于单一的Al-2Cu合金,(TiC TiB2)/Al-2Cu的熔化开始温度和凝固开始温度升高,熔化潜热和凝固潜热增大,体系稳定性从而得以提高,T4处理进一步增大了这一趋势.     

Interfacial characterization of Nicalon SiC fibre reinforced oxynitride glass matrix composites

Nicalon SiC and Hi-Nicalon SiC fibre oxynitride glass and glass–ceramic composites were prepared and the interface between the fibres and matrix characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. It was found that the formation and thicknesses of interfacial layers were primarily determined by the type of fibre reinforcement, but the role of these interfaces in influencing composite properties was dependent on the thermal properties of the matrix. For Nicalon SiC composites, the carbon-rich layer did not promote fibre debonding and toughening unless the matrix had a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the fibres. For Hi-Nicalon SiC composites, the absence of oxygen in the fibre significantly encouraged chemical reaction between fibre and matrix, resulting in no strengthening or toughening. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of barium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic matrix composites reinforced with SiC whiskers

BAS glass-ceramic composites reinforced with different volume fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 vol%) of SiC whiskers were successfully fabricated by a hot-pressing method. The microstructure, whisker/matrix interface structure, phase constitution and mechanical properties of the composites have been systematically studied by means of SEM, TEM, XRD techniques as well as three-point bending tests. It was demonstrated that the incorporation of SiC whiskers could significantly increase the flexural strength and fracture toughness of BAS glass-ceramic matrixes. The celsian seeds can effectively promote the hexacelsian-to-celsian transformation in BaAl₂Si₂O₈. The active Al₂O₃ added to the BAS matrix obviously reduced the amount of SiO₂ in the matrix and formed needle-like mullite. The high temperature strengths of the composites were also investigated.     

Dry sliding wear of TiB2 particle reinforced aluminium alloy composites

Abstract

Al–4 wt-%Cu alloy and composites reinforced with 10 and 20 vol.-% of TiB₂ particles were prepared by powder metallurgy followed by hot isostatic pressing. The dry sliding wear behaviour of specimens of these materials was investigated. Pin-on-disc measurements showed that the wear resistance of Al–4Cu alloy can be improved dramatically by the addition of 20 vol.-%TiB₂ particles. This was due to the high hardness of the TiB₂ particles, and to strong particle–matrix bonding. The wear data were found to correlate with SEM observations.     

The dynamic mechanical response of SiC particulate reinforced 2024 aluminum matrix composites

The compression properties of the aluminum alloy 2024 metal matrix composites reinforced with 50 vol.% SiC particles were investigated using Instron testing machine and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) in this paper. The compression stress–strain curves were obtained at the strain rates ranging from 1 × 10^− 3 to 2.5 × 10³/s. The fracture surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that SiCp/2024 Al composites exhibited high strain-rate sensitivity. The strength of composites tended to increase–decrease with increasing of strain rates. The effect of the strain rate on elongation was also discussed.     

Chemical reactions in mullite matrix SiC whisker reinforced composites in RF plasma

Decomposition of mullite by volatilization of SiO occurs during elevated temperature exposure to reducing gases. RF induction coupled argon plasma power sources have been used for rapid sintering of a number of ceramics and ceramic matrix composites. During plasma sintering of SiC whisker reinforced mullite matrix composites, whiskers were destroyed and the matrix converted to alumina by accelerated volatilization of silicon containing species. The results of these experiments are interpreted through the use of thermodynamic calculations of SiO pressures in the plasma environment.     

切削SiC增强铝基复合材料时刀具的磨损形态及机理

为研究切削SiC增强铝基复合材料时刀具的磨损形态和机理,采用硬质合金和聚晶金刚石(PCD)刀具进行了各切削工况下的切削试验。用爆炸式快速落刀装置获取切屑根,研究了前刀面的磨损部位。借助扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和原子力显微镜(AFM),检测分析了前、后刀面的磨损形态和成分组成,并进一步研究了磨损机理。结果表明:切削刀具的主要磨损部位发生在后刀面,磨损机理是磨料磨损;前刀面临近刃口区域首先产生由SiC增强相引起的磨料磨损,该区域随后由机械镶嵌生成积屑瘤,积屑瘤脱落后导致产生黏结磨损。黏结磨损的程度较轻,没有形成月牙洼型。前刀面离刃口稍远的区域(积屑瘤尾部后面)会同时产生由切屑底层SiC增强相引起的再次磨料磨损,磨料磨损的主要机理是"微切削"。     

Fabrication and properties of mechanically alloyed and Ni activated sintered W matrix composites reinforced with Y2O3 and TiB2 particles

Microstructural and physical properties of W–1 wt.% Ni matrix composites reinforced with Y₂O₃ and TiB₂ particles produced via mechanical alloying and sintering at 1400 °C for 1 h under Ar, H₂ gas flowing conditions were investigated. XRD patterns of the sintered samples revealed the presence of W, Ni and TiB₂ phases, whereas W₂B and NiTi phases were detected in the samples containing 4 wt.% and 5 wt.% TiB₂. Relative density value of W–1 wt.% Ni sample was measured as 97%, which decreased to 95.4% with the addition of 0.5 wt.% Y₂O₃. Relative density values varied between 95.4% and 97.3% for the sintered samples containing varying TiB₂ between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.%. Average W grain size in the sintered samples decreased with the addition of Y₂O₃ and TiB₂ particles, from 5.38 μm in the W–1 wt.% Ni sample to 0.8 μm in the W–1 wt.% Ni sample containing 0.5 wt.% Y₂O₃ and 5 wt.% TiB₂ particles. Vickers microhardness values varied between 4.53 GPa and 8.54 GPa. The sample with the composition of W–1 wt.% Ni/0.5 wt.% Y₂O₃ and 5 wt.% TiB₂ had a relative density value of about 95.7% and hardness value of 8.54 GPa after sintering at 1400 °C for 1 h.     

石墨烯及碳化硅增强铝基复合材料的冲击力学行为

采用微机控制电子万能实验机和分离式霍普金森压杆(SHPB)对石墨烯增强的铝基复合材料和碳化硅增强的铝基复合材料进行准静态压缩实验和动态冲击实验,研究石墨烯增强铝基复合材料在不同应变率下的冲击力学性能,采用SEM扫描电镜研究石墨烯增强的铝基复合材料和碳化硅增强的铝基复合材料的形貌特征。结果表明:在各个应变率载荷下,添加石墨烯和添加碳化硅都增强了铝合金的屈服强度,其中,添加石墨烯对铝合金的屈服强度提升更加明显,但不影响材料的应变硬化率;相较于在材料中添加碳化硅,添加石墨烯弱化了材料的应变率效应,在高应变率条件下,添加石墨烯降低了材料的强度极限;选取部分实验数据,拟合确定了添加石墨烯和添加碳化硅两种复合材料的J-C和Z-A本构方程的参数,并比较了两种本构模型的预测能力,对于本工作所研究的复合材料,J-C模型的预测能力更好。