Thermodynamic effect of alloying addition on <Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> reinforced TiB<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al composites

From the viewpoint of thermodynamics, using the Wilson equation and an extended Miedema model, the effect of the alloying element on the stability of the precipitated phases during the fabrication of in-situ reinforced TiB₂/Al composites was evaluated. The result shows that additions of alloying elements, such as Mg, Cu, Zr, Ni, Fe, V, and La, can promote the formation of Al₃Ti and TiB₂ phases. Particularly, Zr has the most pronounced effect among these alloying elements. In addition, alloying elements can hinder the formation of AlB₂ to a small extent. The calculation results also show that it is easier for magnesium to react with the salts to form TiB₂ than aluminum during the fabrication of in-situ reinforced TiB₂/Al using the flux-assisted synthesis (FAS) technology.     

Interfacial Reactions in Al-Mg (5083)/SiCp Composites during Fabrication and Remelting

The interfaces of aluminum alloy composites (5083) reinforced by SiC particles (as-received, oxidized 3.04 wt pct and 14.06 wt pct) were studied. The composites were fabricated by compocasting and certain samples were also remelted at 800 °C for 30 minutes. The reaction mechanisms between SiC _p and liquid Al and between the SiO₂ layer and Al(Mg) are discussed. The crystal boundaries of the MgO (or MgAl₂O₄) reaction products are believed to be the diffusion paths (or channels) during the interfacial reactions. A SiO₂ layer, formed by oxidation of the SiC particles prior to their incorporation into the melt, plays an important role in preventing the SiC _p from being attacked by the matrix. The interfacial reaction products are affected by both the alloy composition and the thickness of the initial SiO₂ layer.     

Calculation of the Ti(C y N1−y )−Ti4C2S2−MnS-austenite equilibrium in Ti-bearing steels

A thermodynamic model is presented for the equilibria among various precipitates (Ti(C _y N_1−y ), Ti₄C₂S₂, and MnS) and austenite containing six alloying elements (C, Mn, N, S, Si, and Ti). This model is applied to four microalloyed steels with Ti levels of 0.05, 0.11, 0.18, and 0.25 pct. The calculations show that the Ti in these steels cannot be completely dissolved over the austenite temperature range. However, the compositions of the undissolved Ti carbonitrides differ significantly from pure TiN, as 10 to 40 pct of the nitrogen is replaced by carbon. An expression for the Gibbs energy for the formation of Ti₄C₂S₂ in austenite is estimated. The present predictions are compared with those of the Hudd, Jones, and Kale (HJK) model; considerable differences are observed at temperatures below 1250°C.     

An On-Heating Dilation Conversional Model for Austenite Formation in Hypoeutectoid Steels

Dilatometry is often used to study solid-state phase transformations. While most steel transformation studies focus on the decomposition of austenite, this article presents an on-heating dilation conversional model to determine phase fraction based on measured volume changes during the formation of austenite in ferrite-pearlite hypoeutectoid steels. The effect of alloying elements on the transformation strain is incorporated into the model. Comparison of the conversional model predictions to measured transformation temperature (A _c3) shows excellent agreement. The pearlite decomposition finish temperature (A _pf ) predicted by the conversional model more closely matches experimental results when compared to standard lever rule calculations. Results show that including the effects of substitutional alloying elements (in addition to carbon) improves phase fraction predictions. The conversional model can be used to quantitatively predict intercritical austenite fraction with application to modeling, induction heating, intercritical annealing, and more complex heat treatments for hypoeutectoid steels.     

Phase transitions in reactive formation of Ti5Si3/TiAl in situ composites

A new method is developed for preparing Ti₅Si₃/TiAl in situ composites by incorporating metastable phases (called metastable precursors) into TiAl (a mixture of elemental Ti and Al) matrix powders. Metastable precursors with a starting composition of Ti-14Al-21Si are prepared by mechanical alloying (MA). They have been proven through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations to be mainly consisting of mixtures of nanostructured solid solutions and milling-formed TiAl compound. Particularly, phase reactions and transitions in the precursors and the composites during heating have been investigated in detail by using diffraction thermal analysis (DTA) in conjunction with XRD. It has been found that Ti₅Si₃ is in situ formed through a phase transition chain, TiSi₂ → Ti₅Si₄ → Ti₅Si₃. When the composite powder (precursor, Ti and Al) is heated, a combustion reaction first occurs in the matrix, which results in the formation of TiAl₃ and/or TiAl followed by the completion of the previously mentioned silicide transitions in a very short time. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations indicated the locations of reinforcements in the reaction-formed composite, and TEM observation provided some details of the structures for the reinforcements and their neighborhood. This method is intriguing because a designed phase hierarchy is possible.     

Microstructures,Mechanical Properties,and Wear Resistances of Thixoextruded SiCp/WE43 Magnesium Matrix Composites

Near-net shaping of Mg-RE alloy matrix composites has received increasing attention. In this work, stir casting followed by extrusion was adopted to fabricate Mg-RE alloy (WE43) matrix composites reinforced by micron-sized SiC particles. The microstructural evolutions of SiC_p/WE43 composites partially remelted from as-cast and extruded states were studied. Furthermore, the thixoformability of SiC_p/WE43 composites in different states was evaluated by thixoextruding a type of double-cup component. The microstructures of as-cast SiC_p/WE43 composites were optimized under the comprehensive effects of SiC particles and RE elements. The SiC_p/WE43 composite was fully recrystallized during hot extrusion, and the α-Mg matrix consisted of fine equiaxed grains. Although the as-cast SiC_p/WE43 composite consisted of satisfactory structures and can be successfully thixoextruded into the final component with good surface quality and no evidence of internal defects, the microstructures, Vickers hardness, tensile mechanical properties, and wear resistance were still inferior to those of the component thixoextruded from extruded composite. Moreover, the thixoextrusion process was analyzed schematically, and an ideal thixoforming process that should contain two stages was proposed.

     

Effects of SiCp reinforcement by electroless copper plating on properties of Cu/SiCp composites

Abstract

Silicon carbide reinforced copper matrix composites containing 50–80 vol.-%SiC_p were fabricated by hot pressing copper coated SiC_p powder. The results show that the densification, thermal expansion coefficients, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity of Cu/SiC_p composites reinforced by electroless copper plating and their corrosion resistance in 5%NaCl solution are better than those without electroless plating. Physical properties and flexural strength of the composites decrease with an increase in SiC_p content, whereas the corrosion resistance increases with an increase in SiC_p volume fraction. By observing the fracture surface after a flexural test, it can be seen there are two types of fracture model: the cracking of Cu/SiC_p interface and the pulling out of SiC_p particles. The experiment also proved that the bonding strength of the Cu/SiC_p interface and the pressure of the hot pressing operation are the two main factors which influence the fracture of these composites.     

Reaction products of Al/TiC composites fabricated by the pressureless infiltration technique

The interfacial reaction products of the Al-Mg/TiC _p composite fabricated by the pressureless infiltration method were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During the fabrication of composites, reaction products with various morphologies and sizes were formed in the A1 matrix as well as in the vicinity of the TiC particles by the interfacial reaction between the Al alloy and the TiC particles. From the EDS and selected-area diffraction pattern (SADP) analysis, Al₄C₃, Al₁₈Ti₂Mg₃, Ti₂AlC, Al₃Ti, and TiAl could be identified to form as interfacial reaction products. Both the size and the amount of the reaction products were increased with increasing fabrication temperature as well as fabrication time. Coarse Al₃Ti was barely observed in water-quenched composites, while it was observed at all fabrication temperatures (700 °C to 1000 °C) in furnace-cooled conditions. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Strength Improvement Through Grain Refinement of Intermetallic Compound at Al/Fe Dissimilar Joint Interface by the Addition of Alloying Elements

Dissimilar material joining between Al alloys and steel may be effective in decreasing the weight of automobile bodies. In this study, dissimilar lap joining of Al alloys containing certain alloying elements, such as Ni, Cr, Mn, Ti, or Si, to interstitial-free steel was performed by tungsten inert gas arc brazing, and the effect of the alloying element on the joint strength associated with the Al-Fe intermetallic compound layer at the dissimilar interface was examined. The addition of an appropriate amount of an alloying element to the alloy increased the joint strength; the addition of Ni exhibited the most effective improvement. The additions of some elements changed the grain structure of the η-Fe₂Al₅ layer but not its chemical composition. This is the first study to clarify that smaller grain size of η-Fe₂Al₅ correlated to greater strength of the Al/Fe dissimilar joint.     

Effect of a solid solution on the steady-state creep behavior of an aluminum matrix composite

The effect of an alloying element, 4 wt pct Mg, on the steady-state creep behavior of an Al-10 vol pct SiC_p composite has been studied. The Al-4 wt pct Mg-10 vol pct SiC_p composite has been tested under compression creep in the temperature range 573 to 673 K. The steady-state creep data of the composite show a transition in the creep behavior (regions I and II) depending on the applied stress at 623 and 673 K. The low stress range data (region I) exhibit a stress exponent of about 7 and an activation energy of 76.5 kJ mol^-1. These values conform to the dislocation-climb-controlled creep model with pipe diffusion as a rate-controlling mechanism. The intermediate stress range data (region II) exhibit high and variable apparent stress exponents, 18 to 48, and activation energy, 266 kJ mol^-1, at a constant stress, σ = 50 MPa, for creep of this composite. This behavior can be rationalized using a substructure-invariant model with a stress exponent of 8 and an activation energy close to the lattice self-diffusion of aluminum together with a threshold stress. The creep data of the Al-Mg-A1₂O_3f composite reported by Dragone and Nix also conform to the substructure-invariant model. The threshold stress and the creep strength of the Al-Mg-SiC_p, composite are compared with those of the Al-Mg-Al₂O_3f and 6061 Al-SiC_p.w, composites and discussed in terms of the load-transfer mechanism. Magnesium has been found to be very effective in improving the creep resistance of the Al-SiC_p composite.     

Influence of interfacial reactions on the fiber-matrix interfacial shear strength in sapphire fiber-reinforced Nial(Yb) composites

The influence of microstructure of the fiber-matrix interface on the interfacial shear strength, measured using a fiber-pushout technique, has been examined in a sapphire-fiber-reinforced NiAl(Yb) matrix composite under the following conditions: (1) as-fabricated powder metallurgy (PM) composites, (2) PM composites after solid-state heat treatment (HT), and (3) PM com-posites after directional solidification (DS). The fiber-pushout stress-displacement behavior con-sisted of an initial “pseudoelastic” region, wherein the stress increased linearly with displacement, followed by an “inelastic” region, where the slope of the stress-displacement plot decreased until a maximum stress was reached, and the subsequent gradual stress decreased to a “fric-tional” stress. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray analyses showed that the inter-facial region in the PM NiAl(Yb) composites was comprised of Yb₂O₃,O-rich NiAl and some spinel oxide (Yb₃Al₅O₁₂), whereas the interfacial region in the HT and DS composites was comprised mainly of Yb₃Al₅O₁₂. A reaction mechanism has been proposed to explain the pres-ence of interfacial species observed in the sapphire-NiAl(Yb) composite. The extent of inter-facial chemical reactions and severity of fiber surface degradation increased progressively in this order: PM < HT < DS. Chemical interactions between the fiber and the NiAl(Yb) matrix resulted in chemical bonding and higher interfacial shear strength compared to sapphire-NiAl composites without Yb. Unlike the sapphire-NiAl system, the frictional shear stress in the sap-phire-NiAl(Yb) composites was strongly dependent on the processing conditions. Formerly Research Associate, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cleveland State University     

Effect of C/Ti ratio on the compressive properties and wear properties of the 50 vol.-% submicron-sized TiCx/2014Al composites fabricated by combustion synthesis and hot press consolidation

In this study, in situ 50?vol.-% TiC_x/2014Al composites with different C/Ti molar ratios (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1) were successfully produced by the method of combustion synthesis and hot press consolidation. The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Microstructure characterisation of the TiC_x/2014Al composites showed relatively uniform distribution of the TiC_x particles with the particle size in the range of 200–900?nm. With the increase of the C/Ti molar ratio, the yield strength (σ_0.2) and the ultimate compression strength (σ_UCS) increased first then decreased, and the fracture strain (ε_f) increased. The σ_0.2, σ_UCS and the abrasive wear resistance of the 50?vol.-% TiC_x/2014Al composites reached the highest value when the value of the C/Ti molar ratio comes to 0.8. The σ_0.2, σ_UCS and ε_f of the 50?vol.-% TiC_x/2014Al composites with the C/Ti molar ratio of 0.8 are 1094?MPa, 1454 and 6.13%, respectively.     

Fabrication of Al-3 Wt pct Mg matrix composites reinforced with Al2O3 and SiC particulates by the pressureless infiltration technique

In Al-3 wt pct Mg/Al₂O_3p (or SiC _p ) composites fabricated by the pressureless infiltration method, the infiltration behavior of molten metal, the mechanical properties, and the interfacial reactions were investigated. The spontaneous infiltration of the molten Al-3 wt pct Mg alloy into the powder bed occurred at a relatively low temperature (700 °C for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere). Spontaneous infiltration of the molten metal is related to the formation of Mg₃N₂ by the reaction of Mg and nitrogen. The tensile strength and 0.2 pct offset yield strength and elongation tend to decrease with increasing infiltration temperature and time, because of an increased interfacial reaction. In Al-3Mg/Al₂O₃ composites, MgAl₂O₄ was observed at interfaces between Al₂O₃ and the matrix, as well as at oxide films of the Al powder surface. In addition, MgO was observed at interfaces between Al₂O₃ and the matrix. On the other hand, Al₄C₃ was formed at interfaces between SiC and the matrix in Al-3Mg/SiC composites. In addition, MgAl₂O₄ was observed as a reaction product at the interfaces between oxide films of SiC and the matrix, as well as at oxide films of the Al powder surface. Since the Si released as a result of the interfacial reaction is combined with Mg, age hardening can occur by the precipitation of Mg₂Si via T6 treatment.     

Phase chemistry and precipitation reactions in maraging steels: Part IV. Discussion and conclusions

This article summarizes our studies of phase chemistry and precipitation reactions in a variety of maraging steels. The roles of different phases and alloying elements are investigated by comparing the behavior of different steels. The phases considered are Ni₃Ti, Fe₇Mo₆ μ phase, Fe₂Mo Laves phase, ω phase, Ti₆Si₇Ni₁₆ G phase, “Z phase,” austenite, and α matrix. The alloying elements discussed are Ti, AI, Mo, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Co. By comparing the aging behavior of both commercial steels and model alloys, a major role of Co is confirmed to be the lowering of the matrix solubility of Mo. Of the two main hardening elements in maraging steels (namely, Ti and Mo), Ti is much more active than Mo in the very early stage of precipitation. The main Mo-rich precipitate found in this work was Fe₇Mo₆μ phase instead of Laves phase. The precipitation of Mo is modified by the presence of Ti. ω phase appears only in Ti-free alloys, especially when aged at a low temperature. The quantity of Ni-containing precipitates and the presence of Cr in the steels change the austenite reversion behavior. Other phases, such as G phase and “Z phase,” contribute to age hardening in different types of maraging alloys. Formerly Graduate Student with the Department of Materials, Oxford University.     

The behavior and effect of rare earth CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> TiC/Al composite

Rare earth CeO₂ was investigated as an additive for in-situ preparation of TiC/Al composites using XD (exothermal dispersion) + casting technology. Experiment results showed that an optimum CeO₂ addition of 0.5 wt pct promotes the generation and refinement of TiC particles, prevents the formation of Al₃Ti, increases the wettability between the TiC ceramic particles and the Al matrix, and improves the mechanical properties of composite. A corresponding thermodynamic model was proposed for the mechanism.     

The thermodynamic behavior of sulfur in molten nickel and nickel-base alloys

The thermodynamic properties of dilute solutions of sulfur in pure liquid nickel were investigated at 1500, 1550, and 1575°C for sulfur concentrations up to 0.7 wt pct. Based on the infinitely dilute, wt pct standard state, the equilibrium data obtained for the reaction: H₂(g) + S = H₂S(g) were fitted by the equations: logK = − 1489/T − 1.772, and ΔG° = 6812 + 8.11T, cal/mole. For the solution ofS ₂(g) in pure Ni according to the reaction: 1/2S ₂(g) = S (in Ni), the standard free energy of solution is found to be: ΔG° = - 28,342 + 3.62T, cal/mole. For the very dilute solutions of sulfur normally encountered in nickel-base melting, the activity coefficient of sulfur in pure Ni at 1575°C is given by: log f_S= -0.035 (pct S). The effects of alloying elements normally used in nickel-base alloys on the activity coefficient of sulfur in molten nickel were investigated. The activity coefficient of sulfur is increased by all of the alloying elements studied, as evidenced by the interaction parameters: e_S ^fe = +0.005, e_S ^Cr = +0.030, e_S ^Mo = +0.053, e_S ^Ti = +0.160, and e_S ^A1 = +0.133. Measured values of the activity coefficient of sulfur in the quaternary system Ni-S-Cr-Fe agreed reasonably well with those predicted from binary and ternary data. This work constitutes a portion of the work performed by W. F. VENAL for the Ph.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. Formerly Professor of Metallurgical Engineering at UICC.     

Atomic arrangement and the formation of partially coherent interfaces in the Ti-V-N system

The precipitation of (V,Ti) (bcc structure) in a (Ti,V)N (NaCl structure) matrix is considered in the current study. The lattice parameter ratio of this system, a _f /a _b =1.34, is quite different from most previous studies (a _f /a _b ∼ 1.26) and provides an opportunity to test recent models proposed for the formation of precipitate morphology and the interface structure. Like many other fcc:bcc precipitation systems, the Ti-V-N system involves an invariant line transformation strain. In this system, the invariant line is associated with a high-index orientation relationship (OR). The observed OR is in good agreement with a predicted relationship based upon a geometric matching criterion proposed by Ryan et al. The Burgers vectors for the interfacial defects were determined directly by making high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) observations along three different directions. The observations confirm that the formation of the precipitate facets, the spacings of misfit dislocations, and the direction of interfacial defects all agree with atom-matching considerations. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium “Kinetically Determined Particle Shapes and the Dynamics of Solid:Solid Interfaces,” presented at the October 1996 Fall meeting of TMS/ASM in Cincinnati, Ohio, under the auspices of the ASM Phase Transformations Committee.