Solidification Observations of Dendritic Cast Al Alloys Reinforced with TiC Particles

TiC particulate composites in the range of 3 to 5 vol.% were prepared by diluting Al/20 vol.% TiC composite in Al7Si, Al20Cu, and Al20CuNi alloy matrices. TiC particle distribution consists of isolated particles located both at the primary α-dendrites and the areas of the lastly solidified liquid and particle clusters located at the grain boundaries. Particle-solidification front interactions were responsible for the final particle location and the mechanisms of such behavior were analyzed. The solidified microstructure consists of primary, eutectic, and other intermetallic phases, with the latter being associated with the presence of TiC particles.     

Thermomechanical properties of TiC particle-reinforced tungsten composites for high temperature applications

Tungsten and tungsten alloys are widely used in high temperature environments where arc ablation or mechanical deformation and damage are the main sources of materials failure. For high temperature critical applications in thermomechanical environments, however, the low strength limits the use of tungsten and tungsten alloys. Hence, new tungsten based materials with good high temperature thermomechanical properties need to be developed in order to extend the use of tungsten. TiC particle-reinforced tungsten based composites (TiC_p/W) were fabricated by hot pressing at 2000 °C, 20 MPa in a vacuum of 1.3×10⁻³ Pa. The composites were examined with respect to their thermophysical and mechanical properties at room temperature and at elevated temperature. Vickers hardness and elastic modulus increased with increasing TiC content from 0 to 40 vol.%. The highest flexural strength, 843 MPa, and the highest toughness, 10.1 MPa m^1/2, of the composites at room temperature were all obtained when 20 vol.% TiC particle were added. As the test temperature rose, the flexural strength of the TiC_p/W composites firstly increased and then decreased, except in the monolithic tungsten. The highest strength of 1155 MPa was measured at 1000 °C in the composite containing 30 vol.% TiC particles. The strengthening effect of TiC particles on the tungsten matrix is more significant at high temperatures. With the addition of TiC particles, the thermal conduction of tungsten composites was drastically decreased from 153 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ for monolithic W to 27.9 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ for 40 vol.% TiC_p/W composites, and the thermal expansion was also increased. The new composites are successfully used to make high temperature grips and moulds.     

Electrically conductive ZTA–TiC ceramics: Influence of TiC particle size on material properties and electrical discharge machining

Processing of highly abrasive materials via powder injection molding or extrusion requires mold materials with high wear resistance to increase the durability of the tools and to sustain a high quality of the manufactured products. High performance ceramics which exhibit high hardness, bending strength and toughness show the perfect combination of properties for these applications. However they also have the usual drawback that they cannot be economically customized in complex shapes and low quantities, as they are required for tool and mold design. Recent material development enabled EDM of electrically conductive oxide ceramics, the most widespread machining process for machining of hard materials, as an alternative to conventional ceramic manufacturing and hard machining technologies.This study focuses on the influence of TiC particle sizes on material properties and EDM machinability of ZTA–TiC ceramics with 24 vol.% TiC, 17 vol.% ZrO₂ and 59 vol.% Al₂O₃. Fracture toughness, bending strength and electrical conductivity were analyzed for samples produced from TiC powders with particle sizes varying from 0.43 μm to 2.54 μm. Surface integrity of wire cut samples and feed rate during machining were investigated. It was shown that reducing the size of electrical conductive grains strongly increases the electrical conductivity and slightly decreases mechanical properties. Therefore also the machining characteristics are influenced by TiC grain size. The feed rate increases with decreasing particle size to a maximum at d₅₀ = 1–1.3 μm. Reduction of TiC particle size also leads to significantly decreasing surface roughness after the main cut. Additionally the necessary number of trimming steps to achieve a distinct surface roughness is also minimized for low particle sizes.     

Fracture toughness of in situ TiCp–AlNp/Al composite

The effect of particle size, particle volume fraction, and matrix microstructure on the fracture initiation toughness of in situ TiCp–AlNp/Al composite was examined. The composites were Al matrix reinforced with 7.8–19.6 vol.% of TiC and AlN particles produced in situ by S-V-L reaction synthetics. The average particle diameters of TiC and AlN were 3.5 and 0.9 μm, respectively, which were distributed in the Al in a matrix dispersedly manner. The room-temperature plane-strain toughness measured using three-point bending specimens ranged from 12.7 to 37.5 MPa . Toughness was adversely affected by an increase in the TiCp–AlNp volume fraction. Fractography revealed that these composites failed in a ductile manner, with voids initiating at the in situ reinforcing TiC and AlN particles. The experimentally measured plane-strain toughness properties of in situ TiCp–AlNp/Al composite agrees with the Rice and Johnson model.     

Effect of a NiAl Coating on the Oxidation Resistance of a NiAl–TiC Composite

The effect of a microcrystalline NiAl coating prepared by magnetron sputtering on the high-temperature oxidation resistance of a NiAl–TiC (20 vol.%) composite was investigated in air at 1000 and 1100°C. It was found that the isothermal as well as the cyclic oxidation resistance of the NiAl–TiC composite were greatly improved by the microcrystalline NiAl coating. The oxide scale formed on the NiAl–TiC composite was composed mainly of TiO₂. On the contrary, the scales formed on NiAl–TiC coated with microcrystalline NiAl were only Al₂O₃.     

Evidence for stable stoichiometric Ti2C at the interface in TiC particulate reinforced Ti alloy composites

Ti–6%Al–4%V composites containing 20 vol.% TiC particles were sintered at temperatures between 1273 and 1773 K for holding times of up to 20 h. Neutron diffraction and low voltage field emission gun scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the development of the interfacial reaction region between the reinforcement and matrix. It has been observed that there is an interaction zone surrounding each particle caused by the diffusion of carbon from the reinforcement to the titanium alloy matrix. The extent of this reaction increases with increasing processing temperature and holding time. The single phase formed at the interfacial boundary between the particles and the matrix was determined from lattice parameter measurements to be stoichiometric Ti₂C. The significance of these findings are discussed in terms of previous work on interfacial characterization of TiC particulate reinforced Ti–6%Al–4%V composites.     

Polycrystal model of the mechanical behavior of a Mo-TiC30 vol.% metal-ceramic composite using a three-dimensional microstructure map obtained by dual beam focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy

The mechanical behavior of a Mo-TiC_{30 vol.%} ceramic-metal composite was investigated over a wide temperature range (25-700 °C). High-energy X-ray tomography was used to reveal percolation of the hard titanium carbide phase through the composite. Using a polycrystal approach for a two-phase material, finite-element simulations were performed on a real three-dimensional (3-D) aggregate of the material. The 3-D microstructure, used as the starting configuration for the predictions, was obtained by serial sectioning in a dual beam focused ion beam scanning electron microscope coupled to an electron backscattered diffraction system. The 3-D aggregate consists of a molybdenum matrix and a percolating TiC skeleton. As for most body-centered cubic (bcc) metals, the molybdenum matrix phase is characterized by a change in plasticity mechanism with temperature. We used a polycrystal model for bcc materials which was extended to two phases (TiC and Mo). The model parameters of the matrix were determined from experiments on pure molydenum. For all temperatures investigated the TiC particles were considered to be brittle. Gradual damage to the TiC particles was treated, based on an accumulative failure law that is approximated by evolution of the apparent particle elastic stiffness. The model enabled us to determine the evolution of the local mechanical fields with deformation and temperature. We showed that a 3-D aggregate representing the actual microstructure of the composite is required to understand the local and global mechanical properties of the composite studied.     

The effects of metal binder content and carbide grain size on the aqueous corrosion behaviour of TiC–316L stainless steel cermets

The room temperature electrochemical response of TiC-based cermets, with 10 to 30 vol.% 316L stainless steel binder and either fine- or coarse-grained TiC, has been investigated in an aqueous 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The assessment methods included Tafel extrapolation, in combination with potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarisation. Corroded samples were characterised using SEM, with post-corrosion solutions analysed using ICP-OES. The highest corrosion resistance was achieved at the lowest binder contents, while those with a more coarse-grained structure generally showed superior resistance, due to a reduced TiC–316L interfacial area. Preferential dissolution of the steel binder was observed, leaving the TiC essentially unaffected.     

Spark plasma sintering of TiC particle-reinforced molybdenum composites

In order to improve the recrystallization resistance and the mechanical properties of molybdenum, TiC particle-reinforcement composites were sintered by SPS. Powders with TiC contents between 6 and 25 vol.% were prepared by high energy ball milling. All powders were sintered both at 1600 and 1800 °C, some of sintered composites were annealed in hydrogen for 10 h at 1100 up to 1500 °C. The powders and the composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and XRD. The microhardness and the density of composites were measured, and the densification behavior was investigated. It turns out that SPS produces Mo–TiC composites, with relative densities higher than 97%.The densification behavior and the microhardness of all bulk specimens depend on both the ball milling conditions of powder preparation and the TiC content. The highest microhardness was obtained in composites containing 25 vol.% TiC sintered from the strongest milled powders. The TiC particles prevent recrystallization and grain growth of molybdenum during sintering and also during annealing up to 10 h at 1300 °C. Interdiffusion between molybdenum and carbide particles leads to a solid solution transition zone consisting of (Ti_1 −x Mo_x)C_y carbide. This diffusion zone improves the bonding between molybdenum matrix and TiC particles. A new phase, the hexagonal Mo₂C carbide, was detected by XRD measurements after sintering. Obviously, this phase precipitates during cooling from sintering temperature, if (Ti_1 −x Mo_x)C_y or molybdenum, are supersaturated with carbon.     

等离子熔覆TiC/Fe-Cr金属陶瓷复合涂层

以钛铁粉、高碳铬铁粉、硼铁粉、硅铁粉等为原料,利用等离子熔覆技术在Q235钢表面原位反应合成了与基材冶金结合Ti/Fe-Cr金属陶瓷复合涂层.利用SEM,XRD和EDS等分析了涂层的显微组织,并在室温于滑动磨损条件下测试了该涂层的耐磨性能.结果表明,涂层组织由TiC相、初生相Cr7C3、共晶(Cr,Fe)7C3和奥氏体...     

Study on In situ Synthesis of TiC Particle Reinforced Iron Matrix Composite

A casting penetration technology combined with in situ synthesis is applied to produce a TiC particle reinforced iron matrix composite. The interface between reaction zone and matrix is in good quality and no defects are found. The TiC particles in the reaction zone are fine with the average size of 2-5 μm, which may be beneficial for the interface quality and reinforcing effect. Analysis shows the growth of TiC particles is mainly controlled by the diffusion of carbon atoms.     

Preparation and properties of TiC-Ni cermets using Ni-plated TiC

TiC powders were coated with Ni by a chemical plating technique and the pressed compacts sintered at 1623K. The density of the sintered bodies was 98–99%. Compared with mechanically-mixed powder, Ni-plated TiC powders gave a more uniform microstructure in which TiC particles were well dispersed in the Ni matrix. The cermets exhibited ductile fracture for TiC-70 vol.% Ni and brittle fracture for TiC-30 vol.% Ni. The flexural strength was improved by the homogeneous dispersion of TiC. The thermal expansion coefficient increased with a decrease in Ni content, following a nearly linear law of mixtures on the basis of volume fractions of pure TiC and Ni.     

The reciprocating wear behaviour of TiC–Ni3Al cermets

TiC-based cermets have become more popular as a replacement to traditional WC–Co ‘hardmetals’ due to their superior mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, improved corrosion resistance and significantly lower density. The current study assesses the reciprocating wear response of TiC–Ni₃Al cermets fabricated by melt infiltration, with Ni₃Al binder contents ranging from 20 to 40 vol.%. Wear testing was performed using a ball-on-flat geometry, with a WC–Co sphere used as the counter-face material. It is demonstrated that the cermets are affected by similar wear mechanisms for each of the binder contents, but displayed the lowest wear when prepared with 30 vol.% Ni₃Al. Additionally, the 40 vol.% samples displayed a clear transitional behaviour, with an improved wear resistance comparable to the 30 vol.% samples at low applied loads, but a degraded wear response comparable to the 20 vol.% samples at high applied loads.     

Fabrication of Al6061 composite with high SiC particle loading by semi-solid powder processing

Aluminum alloys reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles have been studied extensively for their favorable properties in structural and thermal applications. However, there has been only limited research into investigating the loading limit of a reinforcement phase of a metal matrix composite. In this paper, semi-solid powder processing (SPP), a fabrication method that exploits the unique behavior of a solid–liquid mixture, was used to synthesize SiC particle-reinforced Al6061. A high volume loading (>45 vol.%) of SiC in Al6061 matrix was investigated by varying the SiC loading volume fraction, forming pressure, SiC particle size and Al6061 particle size. The compaction and synthesis mechanism of the composite by SPP was discussed based on reinforcement phase compaction behavior and processing parameters. Microstructure, hardness, fracture surface and X-ray diffraction results were also analyzed. Results showed that SPP can achieve over 50 vol.% loading of SiC in Al6061 matrix with near theoretical density.     

原位生成TiC对快速凝固Al-8Fe合金显微组织的影响

通过对不同TiC粒子含量的快速凝固Al-8Fe合金条带显微组织的观察发展：随着TiC含量的增加，合金的显微组织产生明显的细化，使快凝合金条带的耐浸蚀区所占的比例增大，并在一定程度上抑制了初生Al6Fe块状相的生成，当TiC含量达到10％（质量分数）时，出现了大尺寸TiC颗粒聚集现象，同时生成少量初生Al6Fe块状相。     

The effect of NiO catalyst on reduction,synthesis and binder content of TiC-Ni nanocomposite

In the present study, synthesis of TiC-Ni nanocomposite via magnesiothermic method was investigated. The effects of catalyst content on the mechanisms of TiO₂ reduction and synthesis of TiC-Ni nanocomposite were evaluated. For this purpose, the powder mixture was milled at different NiO content. By adding 0.1–0.3 at.% NiO to the mixture and milling after combustion, it was found that the synthesis did not completely occur. In 0.4 at.% NiO to the mixture, the synthesis was completed and after leaching pure TiC was synthesis. Additionally, the effect of NiO on the binder content composite synthesis was examined. It was observed by increasing NiO content, combustion time decreased and Ni content in nanocomposite increased. TEM observations confirmed for 0.4 at.% NiO at initial powder pour TiC with spherical morphology and for >0.5 at.% NiO at initial powder TiC-Ni nanocomposite with semi- spherical morphology was synthesis.     

Synthesis and characterization of Al2O3–TiC nano-composite by spark plasma sintering

Al₂O₃–10TiC composite was synthesized by high energy ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Microstructure of the sintered composite samples reveals homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles in Al₂O₃ matrix. Effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. The sample sintered at 1500 °C shows a measured density of 99.97% of their theoretical density and hardness of 1892 Hv with very high scratch resistance. These results demonstrate that powder metallurgy combined with spark plasma sintering is a suitable method for the production of Al₂O₃–10TiC composites.     

Pulsed electric current sintered Fe3Al bonded WC composites

WC based composites with 5, 10 and 20 vol.% Fe₃Al binder were consolidated via pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) in the solid state for 4 min at 1200 °C under a pressure of 90 MPa. Microstructural analysis revealed a homogeneous Fe₃Al binder distribution, ultrafine WC grains and dispersed Al₂O₃ particle clusters. The WC-5 vol.% Fe₃Al composite combines an excellent Vickers hardness of 25.6 GPa with very high Young’s modulus of 693 GPa, a fracture toughness of 7.6 MPa m^1/2 and flexural strength of 1000 MPa. With increasing Fe₃Al binder content, the hardness and stiffness decreased linearly to 19.9 and 539 GPa, respectively with increasing binder content up to 20 vol.%, while the fracture toughness and flexural strength were hardly influenced by the binder content. Compared to WC–Co cemented carbides processed under exactly the same conditions, the WC–Fe₃Al composites exhibit a substantially higher hardness and Young’s modulus.