Ti 元素对B4C/Al复合材料力学性能的改善作用研究

B₄C/Al复合材料是目前最理想的中子吸收材料,广泛用于乏燃料储存。本文利用液态搅拌法制备B₄C/Al复合材料,通过添加Ti元素,探讨了界面反应对材料的界面结构和力学性能的影响。研究发现,Ti元素通过参与界面反应,改变了界面结构,在B₄C颗粒表面形成了紧密结合的纳米TiB₂界面层;Ti的添加消除了界面微裂纹、微孔、分离等缺陷。随着界面反应程度的加强,材料强度提高,尤其反应脱落的纳米TiB₂颗粒作为原位第二强化相进一步增强基体。B₄C/Al复合材料断裂过程表现为韧窝延性断裂;TiB₂界面层增强了B₄C颗粒与基体的结合,断裂行为从B₄C-Al界面脱落转变为B₄C颗粒断裂;但过渡的界面反应会形成微韧窝,引起材料延伸率下降。     

Processing,microstructure and mechanical properties of HfB2-ZrB2-SiC composites: Effect of B4C and carbon nanotube reinforcements

The fully dense HfB₂-ZrB₂-SiC composites were processed using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1850 °C. The effect of reinforcements (B₄C and CNT) on the densification as well as mechanical properties were investigated and compared (with monolithic) in the present study. The study showed that the addition of B₄C and CNT were not only beneficial for the densification but also towards enhancing the mechanical properties (hardness, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness) of HfB₂-ZrB₂-SiC composites. The augmentation in the mechanical properties establish the synergy between solid solution formation (with the equimolar composition of HfB₂/ZrB₂) and the reinforcements (SiC, B₄C, and CNT). The highest increase in the indentation fracture toughness with the reinforcements of B₄C as well as CNT is >3 times (~13.8 MPam^0.5 when it is 3–4 MPam^0.5 for monolithic ZrB₂/HfB₂) on HfB₂-ZrB₂-SiC composites, which is attributed to the crack deflection and pull-out mechanisms. An increase in the analytically quantified interfacial compressive residual stresses in the composites during SPS processing with the synergistic addition of reinforcements (SiC, B₄C, and CNT) and its effect on the indentation fracture toughness has also been addressed.     

Densification and compressive strength ofin-situ processed Ti/TiB composites by powder metallurgy

In the present study, the densification of Ti/TiB composites, the growth behavior ofin-situ formed TiB reinforcement, the effects of processing variables — such as reactant powder (TiB₂, B₄C), sintering temperature and time — on the microstructures and the mechanical properties ofin-situ processed Ti/TiB composites have been investigated. Mixtures of TiB₂ or B₄C powder with pure titanium powder were compacted and presintered at 700°C for 1 hr followed by sintering at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300°C, respectively, for 3hrs. Some specimens were sintered at 1000°C for various times in order to study the formation behavior of TiB reinforcementin-situ formed within the pure Ti matrix. TiB reinforcements were formed through different mechanisms, such as the formation of fine TiB and the formation of coarse TiB by Ostwald ripening or the coalescence of fine TiB. There was no crystallographic relationship between TiB reinforcement and the matrix. There were voids at the interface between the TiB reinforcement and the Ti matrix due to the preferential growth of coarse TiB without a particular crystallographic relationship with pure Ti matrix and the surface energy between the Ti matrix and TiB reinforcements. Therefore, the densification of Ti/TiB₂ compacts was hindered by the preferential growth of coarse TiB reinforcements. The mechanical properties ofin-situ processed composites were evaluated by measuring the compressive yield strength at ambient and high temperatures. The compressive yield strength of thein situ processed composites was higher than that of the Ti-6A1-4V alloy. It was also found that the compressive yield strength of the composite made from TiB₂ reactant powder was higher than that of the composite made from B₄C at the same volume fraction of reinforcement. A crack path examination suggested that the bonding nature of interface between matrix and reinforcement made from TiB₂ reactant powder was better than that made from B₄C.     

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.     

Characterization of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 in situ titanium matrix composites prepared by laser direct deposition

Preliminary characterization of microstructure and mechanical properties of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 in situ titanium matrix composites prepared by laser direct deposition is reported in this paper. The results indicate that in situ reaction occurred during laser direct deposition of coaxially fed mixed powders from TC4 and B₄C. Reinforcements of TiB and TiC with a fraction of about 25 vol.% were formed with feeding 5 wt.% B₄C. The morphology of TiB tended to be needle-like and prismatic, while TiC appeared as granular. Small amount of un-reacted B₄C with reduced size remained within the composites. A thin skull of reaction product formed around the un-reacted B₄C weakened its interface bonding with the titanium alloy matrix, resulting in less outstanding properties of the composites.     

Synthesis and characterization of WB2-WB3-B4C hard composites

WB₂-WB₃-B₄C composites were fabricated from powder mixtures of W and B₁₃C₂ by DC arc melting. XRD analysis illustrated that W has reacted with B₁₃C₂ and resulted in the formation of WB₂-WB₃-B₄C composites. Vickers hardness of 55.7 ± 8.5 (load 0.49 N) and 34.2 ± 1.1 GPa (load 4.9 N) with corresponding Young's modulus of 575 GPa were observed for the as-synthesized composites. SEM and XPS results revealed that the composites consist of WB₂, WB₃, B₄C, elemental boron and carbon. Raman spectra confirmed that B₄C and carbon coexist in the composites. The harden mechanism of the as-synthesized composites including solid-solution hardening and dispersion hardening were analyzed in detail.     

Phase identification of Al–B4C ceramic composites synthesized by reaction hot-press sintering

A series of boron carbide (B₄C) matrix composites with different contents of Al, were synthesized by reaction hot-press sintering with milled B₄C and pure metallic Al powder at 1600 °C for 1 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to identify the phase constituent of the milled powders and the composites. The results have shown that parts of B₄C and Al particles were oxidized to boron oxide (B₂O₃) and alumina (Al₂O₃) during the milling. Thermit reaction occurred and B₂O₃ was reverted during hot-press sintering. A ternary phase of Al boron carbide (Al₈B₄C₇) was found in the composites, and the B₄C transformed to a rich boron phase (B_6.5C) because of the superfluous boron in the system.     

Effects of heat treatment on phase contents and mechanical properties of infiltrated B4C/2024Al composites

The B₄C/2024Al composites were successfully produced by pressureless infiltration method, and the effects of heat treatment on phase content and mechanical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical properties testing. The results show that phases of B₄C/2024Al composites include B₄C, Al, Al₃BC, AlB₂ and Al₂Cu. The phase species remain unchanged; however, the phase content of the composites changes significantly after heat treatment at the temperature of 660, 700, 800 or 900 °C for 12, 24 or 36 h. It is found that the heat treatment results in not only considerable enhancement in hardness, but also reduction in bending strength of the composites. Heat treatment at 800 °C for 36 h does best to hardness of the composites, while at 700 °C for 36 h it is the most beneficial to their comprehensive mechanical properties.     

Improved Thermal Performance of Diamond-Copper Composites with Boron Carbide Coating

B₄C-coated diamond (diamond@B₄C) particles are used to improve the interfacial bonding and thermal properties of diamond/Cu composites. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to characterize the formed B₄C coating on diamond particles. It is found that the B₄C coating strongly improves the interfacial bonding between the Cu matrix and diamond particles. The resulting diamond@B₄C/Cu composites show high thermal conductivity of 665 W/mK and low coefficient of thermal expansion of 7.5 × 10^?6/K at 60% diamond volume fraction, which are significantly superior to those of the composites with uncoated diamond particles. The experimental thermal conductivity is also theoretically analyzed to account for the thermal resistance at the diamond@B₄C-Cu interface boundary.     

Mechanical properties and fracture of Al–15 vol.-%B4C based metal matrix composites

The present work was performed on three aluminium metal matrix composites (MMCs) containing 15 vol.-%B₄C particles. The matrix in two of these materials is pure aluminium, whereas the matrix of the third material was an experimental 6063 aluminium alloy. All composites were homogenised at elevated temperatures for 48 h before being quenched in warm water. The quenched samples were aged in the range of 25–400°C for 10 h, at each temperature. Hardness and tensile tests performed on the aged MMCs show that the presence of Zr (with or without Ti) resulted in a noticeable hardening due to the precipitation of a Zr rich phase. Maximum strengthening was obtained from the 6063 based MMC due to the precipitation of Mg₂Si phase particles. The present technique used to produce the MMCs examined proved capable of manufacturing composites with a uniform distribution of B₄C in the matrix with a strong degree of matrix/particle bonding. When the MMC samples were deformed to failure, the B₄C was fractured transgranularly without debonding from the matrix. The addition of Zr and Ti resulted in the formation of protective layers around the B₄C particles that were retained after fracture; these protective layers were not affected by the B₄C particle size (0·15–20 μm). Stacking faults were commonly observed in fractured Al 6063/B₄C/15p samples. The precipitation of zirconium–titanium compounds during aging contributed to the composite strength.     

Comparison of wear behaviour of LM13 Al−Si alloy based composites reinforced with synthetic (B4C) and natural (ilmenite) ceramic particles

Dry sliding wear behaviour of stir-cast aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) containing LM13 alloy as matrix and ceramic particles as reinforcement was investigated. Two different ceramic particle reinforcements were used separately: synthetic ceramic particles (B₄C), and natural ceramic particles (ilmenite). Optical micrographs showed uniform dispersion of reinforced particles in the matrix material. Reinforced particles refined the grain size of eutectic silicon and changed its morphology to globular type. B₄C reinforced composites (BRCs) showed maximum improvement in hardness of AMCs. Ilmenite reinforced composites (IRCs) showed maximum reduction in coefficient of friction values due to strong matrix−reinforcement interfacial bonding caused by the formation of interfacial compounds. Dry sliding wear behaviour of composites was significantly improved as compared to base alloy. The low density and high hardness of B₄C particles resulted in high dislocation density around filler particles in BRCs. On the other hand, the low thermal conductivity of ilmenite particles resulted in early oxidation and formation of a tribo-layer on surface of IRCs. So, both types of reinforcements led to the improvement in wear properties of AMCs, though the mechanisms involved were very different. Thus, the low-cost ilmenite particles can be used as alternative fillers to the high-cost B₄C particles for processing of wear resistant composites.     

Mechanical Properties of Squeeze-Cast A356 Composites Reinforced With B4C Particulates

In this study, different volume fractions of B₄C particles were incorporated into the aluminum alloy by a mechanical stirrer, and squeeze-cast A356 matrix composites reinforced with B₄C particles were fabricated. Microstructural characterization revealed that the B₄C particles were distributed among the dendrite branches, leaving the dendrite branches as particle-free regions in the material. It also showed that the grain size of aluminum composite is smaller than that of monolithic aluminum. X-ray diffraction studies also confirmed the existence of boron carbide and some other reaction products such as AlB₂ and Al₃BC in the composite samples. It was observed that the amount of porosity increases with increasing volume fraction of composites. The porosity level increased, since the contact surface area was increased. Tensile behavior and the hardness values of the unreinforced alloy and composites were evaluated. The strain-hardening behavior and elongation to fracture of the composite materials appeared very different from those of the unreinforced Al alloy. It was noted that the elastic constant, strain-hardening and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the MMCs are higher than those of the unreinforced Al alloy and increase with increasing B₄C content. The elongation to fracture of the composite materials was found very low, and no necking phenomenon was observed before fracture. The tensile fracture surface of the composite samples was indicative of particle cracking, interface debonding, and deformation constraint in the matrix and revealed the brittle mode of fracture.     

Sintering and sliding wear studies of B4C-SiC composites

Dense boron carbide (B₄C) – silicon carbide (SiC) composites were obtained by spark plasma sintering technique at 1800°C with 3 wt% and 6 wt% aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) additives. Addition of sintering additives results in formation of aluminium silicate (Al₂SiO₅) liquid phase which accelerates sintering kinetics and helps in obtaining high density ~ 99%. Microstructures reveal uniformly distributed SiC particles in B₄C matrix. Increase in alumina from 3 wt% to 6 wt% results in decrease in hardness from 35.1 ± 0.8 to 33.7 ± 0.9 GPa, and increase in fracture toughness from 5.9 ± 0.4 to 6.5 ± 0.4 MPam^0.5. Using a ball-on-disk tribo tester under dry unlubricated conditions at 5, 10 or 15 N load, influence of alumina content on friction and wear properties of B₄C-SiC composites was investigated against SiC counterbody with a linear speed of 0.08 m/s for 60 min. The coefficient of friction (COF) increased from 0.25 to 0.65 with load, and the influence of alumina on frictional behaviour appeared to be negligible. With increase in load, wear volume of the composites increased from 7.5 × 10⁻² mm³ to 16.1 × 10⁻² mm³ for B₄C-10 wt% SiC - 3 wt% Al₂O₃ and from 4.7 × 10⁻² mm³ to 14.8 × 10⁻² mm³ for B₄C-10 wt% SiC - 6 wt% Al₂O₃ composites. Microcracking, abrasion and pull-outs contributed as major wear mechanisms of composites in selected wear conditions. The relation between wear behaviour and mechanical properties of sintered composites is discussed.     

通过调整润湿性开发具有高抗损伤性能的仿珍珠贝壳层状2024Al/B4C复合材料

为了解决复合材料中B4C陶瓷相难以被金属铝润湿的问题,利用TiH2和B4C的原位反应引入TiB2,进而调节其润湿性和界面结合.通过将熔融合金压力浸渗到冷冻铸造法制备的多孔陶瓷支架中,制备具有层状结构的2024Al/B4C?TiB2复合材料.与2024Al/B4C复合材料相比,加入TiH2后复合材料的抗弯强度和裂纹扩展韧...     

Interfacial reaction studies of B4C-coated and C-coated SiC fiber reinforced Ti–43Al–9V composites

The interfacial reactions of B₄C-coated and C-coated SiC fiber reinforced Ti–43Al–9V composites were investigated by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The detailed microstructures as well as the chemical composition throughout the reaction zone were identified. For SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite, the reaction zone from B₄C coating to TiAl matrix is composed of 4 layers, namely, a carbon-rich layer, a mixed layer of TiB₂ + amorphous carbon, a TiC layer and a mixed layer of TiB + Ti₂AlC. For SiC_f/C/TiAl composite, the reaction zone from C coating to TiAl matrix is composed of 3 layers, namely, a fine-grained TiC layer, a coarse-grained TiC layer and a thick Ti₂AlC layer. For both kinds of composites, the reaction mechanisms of the interfacial reactions were analyzed, and the corresponding reaction kinetics were calculated. The activation energies of interfacial reaction in SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite and SiC_f/B₄C/TiAl composite are 308.1 kJ/mol and 230.7 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Development of B4C–HfB2 composites by reaction hot pressing

This paper reports on the development of HfB₂ reinforced B₄C composite prepared through reaction hot pressing of B₄C and HfO₂. These composites were characterized for phase composition, microstructure, mechanical and physical properties. Full dense composites were obtained by hot pressing at 1900 °C and a pressure of 40 MPa. HfB₂ phase was identified as a reaction product in the composites by XRD analysis. Hardness of all the composites was measured to be in the range of 28–35 GPa. High elastic modulus (525 GPa) and shear modulus (196 GPa) were measured for composite corresponding to 10 wt.% HfO₂. Fractography of the composites indicates transgranular mode of fracture. Fracture toughness of the composites was in the range of 4–7 MPa.m^1/2 which is higher than that of monolithic B₄C (2.43 MPa.m^1/2). Microstructural observation of crack propagation patterns indicates the major toughening mechanism as crack deflection, crack arrest and crack bridging.     

Microstructural and mechanical behavior of blended powder semisolid formed Al7075/B4C composites under different experimental conditions

This work aimed to fabricate B₄C reinforced aluminum matrix composites via blended powder semisolid forming that is an implementation of the benefits of semisolid forming to the powder metallurgy. Al7075 elements were incrementally added to ethanol solution under mechanical mixing. Al7075 constituents and B₄C particles were blended in a high energy ball mill. Cold compacted Al7075/B₄C blends were pressed at semisolid state. The effects of the size of the matrix (20, 45 and 63 μm), reinforcing volume fraction (5%, 10% and 20%) and semisolid compaction pressure (50 and 100 MPa) on the morphology, microstructure, density, hardness, compression and bending strength were thoroughly analyzed. Experimental results revealed that the highest microstructural uniformity was achieved when large B₄C particles (45 μm) were distributed within the small particles (20 μm) of the matrix phase. Composites with matrix particles larger than reinforcing phase indicated agglomerations in loadings more than 10% (volume fraction). Agglomerated regions resisted against penetration of the liquid phase to the pores and lowered the density and strength of these composites. Composites with 20 μm Al7075 and 20% (volume fraction) 45 μm B₄C powder pressed under 100 MPa exhibited the highest values of hardness (HV 190) and compressive strength (336 MPa).     

Investigation on addition of talc on sintering behavior and mechanical properties of B4C

The effect of high alumina talc powder as a sintering aid on densification of boron carbide powder was investigated. The in situ reaction of talc with boron carbide generate SiC, MgB₂, and alumina, which all aid the sintering process and permit pressureless sintering at temperatures between 2050 and 2150°C. The microstructure-property relationship has been studied in the B₄C-talc system for talc content between 0 and 30 wt.%. It became clear the addition of talc powder has a significant effect on the sintering behavior of B₄C. B₄C composites along with talc powder additions were sintered up to 98% of theoretical density. The mechanical properties were improved over those of samples without talc addition.     

Effects of C/B4C ratio on microstructure and property of Fe-based alloy coating reinforced with in situ synthesized TiB2-TiC

The Fe-based alloy coatings reinforced with in situ synthesized TiB₂-TiC were prepared on Q235 steel by reactive plasma cladding using Fe901 alloy, Ti, B₄, and graphite(C) powders as raw materials. The effects of C/B₄C weight percentage ratio(0-1.38) on the microstructure, microhardness, and wet sand abrasion resistance of the coatings were investigated. The results show that the coatings consist of (Fe, Cr) solid solution, TiC, TiB₂, Ti₈C₅, and Fe₃C phases. The decrease of C/B₄C ratio is propitious to the formation of TiB₂ and Ti₈C₅. Increasing the C/B₄C ratio can help to refine the microstructure of the coatings. However, the microhardness of the middle-upper of the coatings and the wet sand abrasion resistance of coatings degenerate with the increase of C/B₄C ratio. The coating exhibits and the wet sand abrasion resistance at C/B₄C=0 and its average mass loss rate per unit wear distance is 0.001 2%/m. The change of the wet sand abrasion resistance of the coatings with C/B₄C ratio can be mainly attributed to the combined action of the changes of microhardness and the volume percentage of the ceramic reinforcements containing titanium in the coatings.     

Influence of B4C coating on graphitization for diamond/WC-Fe-Ni composite

Diamond/WC-Fe-Ni composite is a potential composition for impregnated diamond drill bits. It is necessary to avoid the graphitization of the diamond from Fe and Ni under the powder metallurgy process. Boron carbide (B₄C) was coated on diamond, and diamond/WC-Fe-Ni composites were consolidated by hot pressing at different temperatures. The influences of sintering temperature and interfacial structure on bending strength and wear behavior were investigated. The bending strength for diamond/WC-Fe-Ni composite was dependent on matrix densification and interfacial graphitization. Un-coated diamond was eroded by Fe-Ni matrix and partially converted to graphite during the sintering process at all sintering temperatures. In opposite, B₄C coating was beneficial to matrix densification at a lower sintering temperature, and delayed the appearance of graphitization to around 1300 °C. Therefore, the diamond/WC-Fe-Ni composites with B₄C coating exhibited larger bending strength and better wear behavior at a relative low sintering temperature.