Spray processing and wear characteristics of Al-Cu-Al2O3-Pb based composites

The spray deposition process has been employed in synthesis of Al-4.5Cu-10Al₂O₃ and Al-4.5Cu-10Al₂O₃-10Pb based composites. The microstructure and wear characteristics of composites were investigated. The rapid solidification inherent in spray deposition processing resulted in a uniform dispersion of Al₂O₃ and Pb particles co-existing in the matrix of the- primary α-phase. The grain size of the Al-4.5Cu-10Al₂O₃-Pb composite was observed to be higher than that of the Al-4.5Cu-10Al₂O₃ composite in various sections of the spray deposit. The wear rate of composite materials decreased with addition of Pb phase. This behavior is discussed in the light of the microstructural modification induced by spray deposition and the morphology of debris particles on the wear track surfaces. The wear characteristics of the composites are compared with that of the liquid immiscible Al-4.5Cu-10Pb alloy.     

Studies on conductivity and dielectric properties of polyaniline-zinc sulphide composites

In the present paper, we report electrical conductivity and dielectric studies on the composites of conducting polyaniline (PANI) with crystalline semiconducting ZnS powder, wherein PANI has been taken as inclusion and ZnS crystallites as the host matrix. From the studies, it has been observed that the value of room temperature d.c. conductivity of the composites with volume fraction of PANI > 0.65 shows an unusual behaviour wherein, conductivity values of the composites exceed that of PANI itself with maximum value as high as 6 times that of PANI at the volume fraction of 0.85. A similar trend has also been observed for the real and imaginary parts of complex dielectric constant values of the composites. This unusual behaviour in the d.c. conductivity and dielectric properties has been attributed to the enhancement in the degree of crystallinity of PANI as a consequence of its interfacial interaction with ZnS matrix. The results of optical microscopy show coating of PANI all around the ZnS particles. The temperature dependent conductivity studies suggest the quasi one-dimensional VRH conduction in PANI as well as its composites with ZnS. FTIR and XRD studies have also been reported.     

Main and interaction effects of matrix particle size,reinforcement particle size and volume fraction on wear characteristics of Al–SiCp composites using central composite design

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of matrix particle size, reinforcement particle size, volume fraction, and their interactions on the wear characteristics of Al–SiC_p composites. Central composite design method was used to perform a series of experiments. The statistical analysis of experimental results showed that both main effect and interaction effect of factors investigated were effective on the wear behavior of Al–SiC_p composites. Wear loss decreased as volume fraction increased; however, beyond volume fraction of 17.5%, it increased due to reinforcement particle clustering depending on volume fraction and matrix particle size to reinforcement particle size ratio. With decreasing of matrix particle size and increasing of reinforcement particle size, wear loss also decreased. However, after a certain volume fraction, large sized reinforcement particles had a negative effect on the wear resistance.     

Microstructure and abrasive wear behaviour of B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C particle reinforced 2014 Al matrix composites

In this study, the microstructure and abrasive wear properties of varying volume fraction of particles up to 12% B₄C particle reinforced 2014 aluminium alloy metal matrix composites produced by stircasting method was investigated. The density, porosity and hardness of composites were also examined. Wear behaviour of B₄C particle reinforced aluminium alloy composites was investigated by a block-on-disc abrasion test apparatus where the samples slid against the abrasive suspension mixture (contained 10 vol.% SiC particles and 90 vol.% oil) at room conditions. Wear tests performed under 92 N against the abrasive suspension mixture with a novel three body abrasive. For wear behaviour, the volume loss and specific rate of the samples have been measured and the effects of sliding time and the content of B₄C particles on the abrasive wear properties of the composites have been evaluated. The dominant wear mechanisms were identified using SEM. Microscopic observation of the microstructures revealed that dispersion of B₄C particles was generally uniform while increasing volume fraction led to agglomeration of the particles and porosity. The density of the composite decreased with increasing reinforcement volume fraction but the porosity and hardness increased with increasing particle content. Moreover, the specific wear rate of composite decreased with increasing particle volume fraction. The wear resistance of the composite was found to be considerably higher than that of the matrix alloy and increased with increasing particle content.     

Al_2O_(3P)/Al-Cu复合材料的二次加热组织演变

采用原位反应近液相线铸造方法制备Al2O3P/Al-Cu复合材料,对其进行二次加热,研究晶粒的形貌演变和长大规律。用光学显微镜观察组织结构,应用Image Pro Plus软件测量并统计出平均晶粒尺寸及合金液相体积分数,并与理论计算数值进行比较。结果表明,在590℃保温10~60 min后,不含Al2O3颗粒的Al-6.8%Cu基体合金平均晶粒尺寸为89~132μm,液相体积分数为14%~26.8%,而3.6 wt%Al2O3P/Al-6.8%Cu复合材料的平均晶粒尺寸为73~107μm,液相体积分数为11.6%~20.9%。说明Al2O3颗粒在合金的二次加热过程中对晶粒长大行为及液相体积分数的增长均有明显的抑制作用,从而为优化半固态组织提供了一种新思路。     

Production and properties of SiCp-reinforced aluminium alloy composites

A vacuum infiltration process was developed to produce aluminium alloy composites containing various volume fractions of ceramic particles. The matrix composites of aluminium with 9.42 wt%Si and 0.36 wt%Mg containing up to 55 vol% SiCp were successfully infiltrated and the effect of infiltration temperature and volume fraction of particle on infiltration behaviour was investigated. In addition to aluminium powder, magnesium was used to improve the wetting of SiC particles by the molten aluminium alloy. The infiltration rate increased with increasing infiltration time, temperature and volume fraction of particle, but full infiltration appeared at the optimum process parameters for the various volumes of fraction composite compacts. In addition, the microstructure, hardness, density, porosity and wear resistance of the composites were also examined. It is observed that the distribution of SiC particles was uniform. The hardness and density of the composite increased with increasing reinforcement volume fraction and porosity decreased with increasing particle content. Moreover, the wear rate of the composite increased with increasing load and decreased with increasing particle content.     

Thermal conductivity of polystyrene–aluminum nitride composite

The thermal conductivity of polymer composites having a matrix of polystyrene (PS) containing aluminum nitride (AlN) reinforcement has been investigated under a special dispersion state of filler in the composites: aluminum nitride filler particles surrounding polystyrene matrix particles. Data for the thermal conductivity of the composites are discussed as a function of composition parameters (aluminum nitride concentration, polystyrene particle size) and temperature. It is found that the thermal conductivity of composites is higher for a polystyrene particle size of 2 mm than that for a particle size of 0.15 mm. The thermal conductivity of the composite is five times that of pure polystyrene at about 20% volume fraction of AlN for the composite containing 2 mm polystyrene particle size. The relationship between thermal conductivity of composites and AlN filler concentrations has been compared with the predictions of two theoretical models from the literature.     

Fabrication of SiC particles-reinforced magnesium matrix composite by ultrasonic vibration

Magnesium matrix composites reinforced with two volume fractions (1 and 3%) of SiC particles (1 μm) were successfully fabricated by ultrasonic vibration. Compared with as-cast AZ91 alloy, with the addition of the SiC particles grain size of matrix decreased, while most of the phase Mg₁₇Al₁₂ varied from coarse plates to lamellar precipitates in the SiCp/AZ91 composites. With increasing volume fraction of the SiC particles, grains of matrix in the SiCp/AZ91 composites were gradually refined. The SiC particles were located mainly at grain boundaries in both 1 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite and 3 vol% SiCp/AZ91 composite. SiC particles inside the particle clusters may be still separated by magnesium. The study of the interface between the SiC particle and the alloy matrix suggested that SiC particles bonded well with the alloy matrix without interfacial reaction. The ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to fracture of the SiCp/AZ91 composites were simultaneously improved compared with that of the as-cast AZ91 alloy.     

Analysis of Solidiflcation in Spray Atomized and Codeposited Metal-matrix Composites Part Ⅱ: Reinforcement Injection and Deposition

The influence of the injection of reinforcing particles (for the production of metal matrix composites and of the droplets-to-substrate heat transfer on the resulting microstructural uniformity of spray atomized and codeposited composite material is analyzed. The reinforcement particles injection velocity has to be limited between an upper and a lower critical values. in order to ensure entrapment into the matrix droplets in flight. The thermal history of the injected droplets during the deposition stage is calculated with the assumption that the in-flight solidifying droplets reach the substrate while containing still at least 20% liquid volume fraction, in order to avoid porosity of the deposited material. The substrate to pouring-tube orifice distance where that condition is achieved depends strongly on the atomization pressure and the convective heat transfer coefficient of the substrate. It is demonstrated that "tailoring" the microstructures and the reinforcement volume percent in the deposited material is feasible. The critical process parameters : the atomization pressure, the melt flow rate. the substrate to pouring-tube orifice distance, the reinforcement particles injection location and rate can all be adequately chosen in order to obtain any desired microstructure, grain size, reinforcement volume percent, with the additional benefit, if wanted, of rapid solidification processing     

Thermal properties of diamond/SiC/Al composites with high volume fractions

The diamond/SiC/Al composites with high volume fractions and a large ratio of diamond to SiC particle size (7.8:1) were fabricated by gas pressure infiltration. The results show that the fine SiC particles occupy efficiently the interstitial positions around coarse diamond particles; the main fracture mechanism of the composite is matrix ductile fracture, and diamond brittle fracture was observed which confirms a high interfacial bonding strength; the diamond/SiC/Al composites with 80% and 66.7% volume fraction of diamond in the reinforcement have the higher volume fraction in the reinforcement and lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to the diamond/Al composite. Turner and Kerner models are not in good agreement with the experimental data for the composites based on reinforcement with two phases different in shape and component. When the effect of the coating layer considered, differential effective medium (DEM) model is confirmed a reliable model in designing a composite with a given thermal conductivity based on reinforcement with two phases different in size.     

Effect of cerium addition on microstructures of carbon-alloyed iron aluminides

The effect of Ce addition on the microstructure of carbon-alloyed Fe₃Al-based intermetallic has been studied. Three different alloys of composition, Fe-18.5Al-3.6C, Fe-20.0Al-20C and Fe-19.2Al-3.3C-0.07Ce (in at%), were prepared by electroslag remelting process. Their microstructures were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopies. Stereological methods were utilized to understand the observed microstructures. All the alloys exhibited a typical two-phase microstructure consisting of Fe₃AlC carbides in an iron aluminide matrix. In the alloy without Ce addition, large bulky carbides were equally distributed throughout the matrix with many smaller precipitates interspersed in between. In the alloy with Ce addition, the carbide grain sizes were finer and uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. The effect of Ce addition on the carbide morphology has been explained based on the known effect of Ce in modifying carbide morphology in cast irons.     

Influence of boron carbide content on the microstructure,tensile strength and fracture behavior of boron carbide reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites

In the present work, an indigenously developed low cost modified stir casting technique is developed for the processing of 6061 Al‐B₄C composites containing high‐volume fraction of boron carbide particles (up to 20 vol. %). The influence of varying reinforcement content on the spatial distribution of boron carbide in the aluminum matrix is qualitatively characterized using scanning electron microscope. At a lower volume fraction of reinforcement, wide particle free zone and large interparticle spacing were observed in the matrix while the composite with high reinforcement content displayed relatively homogeneous and discrete particle distribution. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the presence of only aluminum and boron carbide diffraction peaks, indicating that no significant reaction occurs during composite processing. The tensile behavior of composites revealed that strength and ductility are influenced by varying particulate content. The quantitative analysis of strengthening mechanism in the casted composites showed that higher volume fraction of boron carbide lead to larger values of thermal dislocation strengthening, grain size and strain gradient strengthening. The morphology of fracture surfaces reveals the presence of dimple network and the average size of dimples gradually decreases with the increase in particulate content, which indicates the co‐existence of ductile and brittle fracture.     

Effects of SiCp size and volume fraction on the high cycle fatigue behavior of AZ91D magnesium alloy composites

High cycle fatigue tests (i.e., stress-controlled, axial) were conducted on monolithic AZ91D and AZ91D magnesinm alloy composites processed via squeeze casting and extrusion to contain either 15 gm or 52 gm size SiC particles, at both the 20% and 25% volume fraction reinforcement level. The effects of changes in SiC particle size and volume fraction on the high cycle fatigue behavior have been determined. In addition, the number of cracked particles on the fatigue fracture surfaces, as well as the level of damage beneath the fatigue fracture surfaces were quantified in order to determine the effects of particle size on the evolution of damage during fatigue and during overload failure. Commercial purity Mg specimens containing a large grain size were also tested in fatigue for comparison with the alloy and composite data.     

Effect of the Presence of SiCp on Dendritic Coherency of Al-Si-Based Alloys During Solidification

In order to explore the effect of the presence of SiC particles on dendritic coherency during solidification of Al-Si based metallic alloys, a factorial fractional two levels experimental design was implemented to allow an identification of the main effects of the particle content, silicon content, grain refinement, and cooling rate on the solid fraction at coherency. This solidification parameter was determined for Al-3wt%Si and Al-7%Si alloys, and Al-3%Si/SiCp and Al-7%Si/SiCp metal matrix composites. The cooling process during solidification was monitored by performing cooling curve measurements at two radial locations within samples poured into cylindrical molds at two cooling rates. The experimental cooling curves were numerically processed by the Fourier thermal analysis method to know the evolution of solid fraction as a function of time. The effect of grain size was included using samples with or without grain size refinement. The grain refinement was obtained by adding predetermined quantities of TiAlB master alloy. It was found that presence of SiC particles affects the coherency point of the metal matrix composites increasing the solid fraction at coherency. However this effect is relatively small when compared to the effect of grain refinement, cooling rate, and Si content on dendritic coherency of experimental probes.     

Al-2O-3微粒的尺度律对镁微观组织和拉伸性能的影响

采用混合-压缩-烧结的方法制备了3种不同尺寸且体积分数为1.1%的A12O3微粒增强镁基复合材料.材料微观组织的特征表明:A12O3增强体分布均匀.力学性能特征表明:增强体A12O3微粒的加入显著增加了金属镁的硬度、屈服强度(0.2 %)、极限抗拉强度及韧性;与高体积分数SiC微粒增强镁合金AZ91相比,纳米和亚微米尺...     

Fe-based metallic glass particles reinforced Al-7075 matrix composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

Metallic glass (MG) reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) have attracted the interest of many researchers in the past few years. In this study, Fe₅₀Cr₂₅Mo₉B₁₃C₃ metallic glass (FMG) particles reinforced 7075 aluminum matrix (Al-7075) composites were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The microstructure of the composites showed good interface bonding between the FMG particles and the matrix. The micro-hardness of the composite with 30 vol% FMG particles reached 160.63 HV, which was increased by 30% compared with that of Al-7075 (119.3 HV). The ultimate compression strength (UCS) of the composite was also improved significantly from 596 MPa for Al-7075 matrix to 749 MPa for the composite reinforced with 30 vol% FMG particles, and the compression strain of the composite reached 22%. These results indicate that the mechanical properties of the composites can be enhanced by adding high volume fraction FMG particles. The enhancement of the strength is resulted from multiple strengthening mechanisms, and the main contributions come from the thermal mismatch and grain refinement.     

高体积分数SiCp/A356复合材料的显微组织和电导率

铝基复合材料在电子封装领域存在着潜在的应用前景。为获得高体积分数的铝基复合材料,利用压力浸渗法制备了高体积分数SiC颗粒增强A356复合材料(SiC_p/A356),通过金相显微镜、XRD、SEM和EDS等分析手段对其物相、显微结构和电导率进行了表征。结果表明:用该方法制备的SiC_p/A356复合材料组织致密,颗粒分布均匀,界面结合性能较好;SiC增强颗粒与A356基体界面反应控制良好,仅有少量Al4C3脆性相生成。SiC粉体经颗粒表面氧化处理在其表面生成一层SiO_2薄膜,虽抑制了界面反应的发生,但也使复合材料的收缩减小,电阻率增大,导电性能变差。     

Microstructure,mechanical properties,electrical conductivity and wear behavior of high volume TiC reinforced Cu-matrix composites

This study deals with the processing, microstructure, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and wear behavior of high volume titanium carbide reinforced copper matrix composites. The microstructural study revealed that the titanium carbide particles were distributed uniformly in the matrix phase. No interface debonding and micro-cracks were observed in the composite. The addition of alloying elements in the copper considerably increased the sintered density and properties. The composite hardness and strength increased with titanium carbide content and alloying elements in the matrix phase. The electrical conductivities of the composites were predicted using three point upper bound and two phase self consistent predictive models. The wear resistance of the composites was studied against high speed steel. Wear mechanisms were discussed by means of microscope observations on the worn surfaces. The ratio of titanium carbide average grain size to the mean free path of the binder was introduced as a parameter to determine wear performance.     

A theoretical approach for the thermal expansion behavior of the particulate reinforced aluminum matrix composite Part I A thermal expansion model for composites with mono-dispersed spherical particles

Microstructural observation revealed that the increase in the volume fraction of SiC particles lowers the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composite, and the CTE of the metal matrix composites is proportional to the size of the Si phase. To analyze the thermal expansion behavior of aluminum matrix composites, a new model for the CTE of the mono-dispersed binary composite on the basis of Ashelby's cutting and welding approach was proposed. In the theoretical model, it was considered that during cooling relaxation of residual stresses could create an elasto-plastic deformation zone around a SiC or Al₂O₃ particle in the matrix. The size of reinforced particles and other metallurgical factors of the matrix alloy and composite were also considered. In this model, the interacting effect between the reinforced hard particle and the soft matrix is considered by introducing the influence of the elasto-plastic deformation zone around a particle, which is distinguished from the previous models. It was revealed that the CTE of the composite are influenced by the particle volume fraction, the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio as well as the elasto-plastic deformation zone size and the particle size.     

Effect of SiC Particulates on the Microstructure of Al-6Ti-6Nb Matrix Composites Fabricated by Mechanical Alloying Technique

Millimeter sized SiC (m-SiCp) and nanometer sized SiC (n-SiCp) particulates reinforced Al-6Ti-6Nb matrix composites were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and later hot-press sintering. Their microstructure was investigated to know the influence of the incorporated SiC particles. The secondary Al3Ti, AlNb2 intermetallics particle size, the Al matrix grain size and their submicrostructure are strongly affected, and they are correlated with the thermal stability of the composites.