Characterization of ZrC reinforced AA6061 alloy composites produced using stir casting process

In the present study, effect of ZrC vol.% on mechanical properties of AA6061 metal matrix composites (MMCs) produced via stir casting technique was investigated. The vol.% of ZrC particles was varied as 5,10 and 15. The composites were characterized for its microstructure and mechanical properties and their relationships were obtained. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed uniform distribution and good bonding between the AA6061 alloy and the ZrC particles. The mechanical properties of the AA6061 alloy was found to significantly improve with the addition of ZrC particles from 5 to 15 vol.%, the hardness increased from 32 to 68 HV, yield strength increased from 50 to 86 MPa and the ultimate tensile strength increased from 118 to 165 MPa. However, the % of elongation of the composite samples decreased with 15 vol.% addition of ZrC particles. Sliding wear behaviour of the composites was investigated using a pin-on-disc wear tester at a load of 9.8 N and addition of ZrC particles was significantly found to reduce the wear rate of AA6061 alloy.

     

Laser cutting of 7050 Al alloy reinforced with Al2O3 and B4C composites

In the present study, laser cutting of 7050 aluminum alloy sheets reinforced with Al₂O₃ and B₄C particles are carried out. The cut geometry is examined using scanning electron microscope and the optical microscope. The lump parameter analysis technique is used to formulate and determine the kerf width size. The predictions for kerf width are compared with experimental data. The percentage kerf width size variation along the cut edges is determined and the influence of the laser power level and duty cycle of the laser pulses on the percentage kerf width size variation is examined. It is found that 7050 aluminum alloy reinforced with 20% Al₂O₃ composite results in relatively large kerf width size as compared to its counter parts that corresponding to 7050 aluminum alloy reinforced with 20% B₄C composite. The kerf width size predicted agreed with the experimental data for both composites.     

原位凝固制备Al-Al2O3复合材料坯体的研究

介绍了采用原位凝固注模成形法制备Ａｌ－Ａｌ２Ｏ３复合材料坯体的基本工艺过程;研究了复合材料浆料的固相含量,原位凝固剂等对坯体性能的影响。结果表明,原位凝固剂可以使浆烊的位凝固,通过调节固相含量及凝固剂的含量可以控制凝固时间和坯体的强度;坯体具有足够的脱模强度,较高的密度均匀性和合适的孔隙率以及尺寸变化率小等特点。     

Effect of turning parameters on surface roughness of A356/5% SiC composite produced by electromagnetic stir casting

In the present investigation, A356 alloy 5 wt% SiC composite is fabricated by electromagnetic stir casting process. An attempt has been made to investigate the effect of CNC lathe process parameters like cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on surface roughness during machining of A356 alloy 5 wt% SiC particulate metal-matrix composites in dry condition. Response surface methodology (Box Behnken Method) is chosen to design the experiments. The results reveal that cutting speed increases surface roughness decreases, whereas depth of cut and feed increase surface roughness increase. Optimum values of speed (190 m/min), feed (0.14 mm/rev) and depth of cut (0.20 mm) during turning of A356 alloy 5 wt% SiC composites to minimize the surface roughness (3.15μm) have been find out. The mechanical properties of A356 alloy 5 wt% SiC were also analyzed.     

Microstructural and wear properties of the Al-B4C composite coating produced by hot-press sintering on AA-2024 alloy

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - In this study, the surface of an AA-2024 alloy was covered with reinforced composite coating using hotpress sintering method. Al and B4C powders were...     

Analysis conditions of an industrial Al-Mg-Si alloy by conventional and 3D atom probes.

Industrial 6016 Al-Mg-Si(Cu) alloys are presently regarded as attractive candidates for heat treatable sheet materials. Their mechanical properties can be adjusted for a given application by age hardening of the alloys. The resulting microstructural evolution takes place at the nanometer scale, making the atom probe a well suited instrument to study it. Accuracy of atom probe analysis of these aluminium alloys is a key point for the understanding of the fine scale microstructural evolution. It is known to be strongly dependent on the analysis conditions (such as specimen temperature and pulse fraction) which have been widely studied for ID atom probes. The development of the 3D instruments, as well as the increase of the evaporation pulse repetition rate have led to different analysis conditions, in particular evaporation and detection rates. The influence of various experimental parameters on the accuracy of atom probe data, in particular with regard to hydride formation sensitivity, has been reinvestigated. It is shown that hydrogen contamination is strongly dependent on the electric field at the specimen surface, and that high evaporation rates are beneficial. Conversely, detection rate must be limited to smaller than 0.02 atoms/pulse in order to prevent drastic pile-up effect.     

电子束辐照法制备纳米Fe3O4颗粒及其分散性能

在常温常压、不添加任何催化剂的条件下,用电子束辐照法制备出纳米Fe3O4颗粒;通过X射线衍射仪、透射电子显微镜、紫外可见分光光度计以及激光粒度仪等对辐照后产物的结构、形貌、粒径、光学特性以及分散性能进行了表征。结果表明：经辐照后纳米Fe3O4颗粒以球形为主,通过谢乐公式计算出的纳米颗粒尺寸在20nm左右;采用复合分散剂聚仙梨醇、六偏磷酸钠和柠檬酸铵对纳米颗粒进行分散效果最佳,所得纳米颗粒粒径在8～18nm之间。     

Dry sliding wear behaviors of La2O3–WSi2–MoSi2 composite against alloy steel

A molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) matrix composite with the addition of WSi₂ and La₂O₃ (RWM) was fabricated as a wear resistant material by self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) and hot pressing (HP). This composite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The wear resistance of MoSi₂ against steel is significantly improved by the addition of both WSi₂ and La₂O₃, and it is attributed to the increase in hardness and toughness of the composite. It is found that the wear behavior of the RWM is sensitive to sliding speed, load and hardness of the counter-face material. When worn against a steel with a lower hardness (A), the wear rate of RWM increases with an increase of sliding speed, and increases initially and then decreases with an increase of load. The material removal mechanisms varied from ploughing wear at low load and speed to serious adhesive wear at high load and speed. When worn against a steel with a higher hardness (B), the wear resistance of the RWM improved and the material removal mechanism were brittle fracture wear at low speed and adhesive wear at high speed.     

Surface modification and characterization of zirconium carbide particulate reinforced C70600 CuNi composite fabricated via friction stir processing

In the present research work, Friction stir processing (FSP) technique has been applied to develop a C70600 graded copper-nickel (CuNi) Surface metal matrix composite (SMMC) reinforced with and without addition of ZrCp. Rotational and traverse speeds were set as 1200 rpm and 30 mm/min, respectively. The fabricated SMMC were metallurgically characterized by using Optical microscope (OM) and Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The homogeneous distribution of ZrC particles and good interfacial bonding between matrix/reinforcement were observed via OM and FESEM microscopes. The microhardness of the CuNi/ZrC surface composite was observed by using microhardness tester at the cross section of the sample. The average higher microhardness of 148 Hv at CuNi/ZrC SMMC and lower microhardness of 115 Hv at FSPed CuNi was found. The Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) value was measured by using micro tensile testing machine. The UTS value of CuNi/ZrC composite and FSPed CuNi were observed to be 310 MPa and 302 MPa, respectively. The mode of fracture was also observed via FESEM. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) test was carried out to confirm the presence of CuNi & ZrC in the SMMC layer.     

Multiferroic behavior of the functionalized surface of a flexible substrate by deposition of Bi2O3 and Fe2O3

Thin films of bismuth and iron oxides were obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the surface of a flexible substrate poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide) (Kapton) at a temperature of 250°C. The layer thickness was 50 nm. The samples were examined by secondary-ion mass spectrometry, and uniform distribution of elements in the film layer was observed. Surface morphology, electrical polarization, and mechanical properties were investigated by atomic force microscope, piezoelectric force microscopy, and force modulation microscopy. The values of current in the near-surface layer varied in the range of ±80 pA when a potential of 5 V was applied. Chemical analysis was performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, where the formation of Bi₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ phases, as well as intermediate phases in the Bi–Fe–O system, was observed. Magnetic measurements were carried out by a vibrating sample magnetometer that showed a ferromagnetic response. The low-temperature method of functionalization of the Kapton surface with bismuth and iron oxides will make it possible to adapt the Bi–Fe–O system to flexible electronics.     

液相沉积法制备磁性纳米Fe3O4/SiO2复合粒子

采用液相沉积法在磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子的表面包覆了一层SiO2膜,制备磁性较强的纳米Fe3O4／SiO2复合粒子,采用IR、XPS、XRD、TEM、VSM等方法对复合粒子的性能进行了表征。结果表明：复合粒子的较佳制备条件为正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)的浓度为0．6mol／L,Fe3O4与TEOS物质的数量比为5：1,反应温度为50℃,搅拌速度为800r／min;在此条件下制得的复合粒子的粒径在20nm左右,比饱和磁化强度为60．5emu／g,呈球形且分散均匀。     

Microstructural characterization,defect and hardness of titanium femoral knee joint produced using vertical centrifugal investment casting

Centrifugal investment casting is an attractive method of producing orthopedic implants. This study investigated the effects of low rotational speed of vertical centrifugal investment casting on the microstructural characteristics, porosities and hardness of a titanium femoral knee. The centrifugal investment casting was conducted at 45-65 rpm. The microstructure, defects and microhardness of titanium resulting from centrifugal investment casting were discussed. Experimental results showed that centrifugal casting at a rotational speed of 45-65 rpm could obtain the casting without damaging the surface. The largest inner defect was typically the shrinkage because of the solidification process beneath the smallest parts. The microstructure transformed from a fine grain on the subsurface to a slightly coarse one in the inner region. Microhardness profiles on the cross section presented a decreasing tendency from the surface to the inner region because of the shift of the microstructure.     

Experimental study on mechanical and tribology behaviors of Mg-SiC nano/micro composite produced by friction stir process

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - One of the major challenges in producing composites is the uniform distribution of micro/nano-sized particles in the metal matrix by powder metallurgy...     

Multi-environmental lubrication performance and lubrication mechanism of MoS2/Sb2O3/C composite films

MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films exhibit adaptive behavior, where surface chemistry changes with environment to maintain the good friction and wear characteristics. In previous work on nanocomposite coatings grown by PVD, this type of material was called a “chameleon” coating. Coatings used in this report were applied by burnishing mixed powders of MoS₂, Sb₂O₃ and graphite. The solid lubricant MoS₂ and graphite were selected to lubricate over a wide and complementary range including vacuum, dry air and humid air. Sb₂O₃ was used as a dopant because it acts synergistically with MoS₂, improving friction and wear properties. The MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films showed lower friction and longer wear life than either single component MoS₂ or C film in humid air. Very or even super low friction and long wear-life were observed in dry nitrogen and vacuum. The excellent tribological performance was verified and repeated in cycles between humid air and dry nitrogen. The formation of tribo-films at rubbing contacts was studied to identify the lubricating chemistry and microstructure, which varied with environmental conditions. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to determine surface chemistry, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used for microstructural analysis. The tribological improvement and lubrication mechanism of MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films were caused by enrichment of the active lubricant at the contact surface, alignment of the crystal orientation of the lubricant grains, and enrichment of the non lubricant materials below the surface. Sb₂O₃, which is not lubricious, was covered by the active lubricants (MoS₂ – dry, C – humid air). Clearly, the dynamics of friction during environmental cycling cleaned some Sb₂O₃ particles of one lubricant and coated it with the active lubricant for the specific environment. Mechanisms of lubrication and the role of the different materials will be discussed.     

纳米磁性液体的制备和性能

用化学沉淀法制备的Fe3O4微粒经表面活性剂包覆后,悬浮于水载液中得到了磁性液体,研究了水基磁性液体的制备工艺和性能。用扫描电镜对磁性颗粒在水中的分散情况进行了观测,用XRD对磁性颗粒的物相进行了分析,用振动磁场测定仪测定了磁性液体的饱和磁感应强度。结果表明：通过选用理想的表面活性剂,制备出的水基磁性液体饱和磁感应强度达到15．51Gs,矫顽力和剩磁均趋于零,磁性颗粒是标准的Fe3O4纳米颗粒,粒径为13．30nm。     

Preparation,characterization, electrical conductivity and dielectric studies of Na2SO4 and V2O5 composite solid electrolytes

Composite solid electrolytes (1 − x) Na₂SO₄–(x) V₂O₅ were prepared and characterized by various techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, DTA and SEM. AC impedance spectroscopy revealed that the contribution of grain is strong enough over the grain boundary. Arrhenius plot of the Na₂SO₄ shows a sharp increase in conductivity at 523 K due to the structural phase transition (phase V → I). Composites show the enhanced ionic conductivity than the pristine Na₂SO₄ over the entire temperature range. The maximum conductivity σ = 0.003 S cm⁻¹ at 773 K with the lowest activation energy of 0.28 eV was observed for the x = 0.4 sample. The enhanced value of dielectric constant and dielectric loss in the case of composites was obtained because of increase of conductivity, resulted from the increase of space charge polarization and charge motion.