Some experimental data on workability of aluminium-particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites

The workability of aluminium–SiC and Al₂O₃-reinforced metal matrix composites (APMMCs) prepared by stir-casting, squeeze-casting and powder metallurgy techniques has been studied by using up-set test. Different parameters of APMMC were considered such as type of Al matrix alloy, type of particulate reinforcement and particulate volume fraction and size. The up-set test was conducted on cylindrical specimens with 8 mm diameter and 8 mm height, successively as repeated compressions with intermediate heat treatment (IHT).

Generally, the workability index (WI) has been positively affected by decreasing particulate size and volume fraction (V_f). Stir casting resulted in a slightly better workability than that obtained in case of powder metallurgy, while squeeze casting showed promising behavior in the case of composites with high-particulate V_f.

The highest workability index (WI), was obtained in case of APMMC with wrought Al matrix and SiC reinforcement. Some rolling experiments were additionally conducted on such composite, where WI estimated was compared to that of the up-set tests.     

Deformation behavior of SiC particle reinforced Al matrix composites based on EMA model

Effects of the matrix properties,particle size distribution and interfacial matrix failure on the elastoplastic deformationbehavior in Al matrix composites reinforced by SiC particles with an average size of 5μm and volume fraction of 12%werequantitatively calculated by using the expanded effective assumption(EMA)model.The particle size distribution naturally bringsabout the variation of matrix properties and the interfacial matrix failure due to the presence of SiC particles.The theoretical resultscoincide well with those of the experiment.The current research indicates that the load transfer between matrix and reinforcements,grain refinement in matrix,and enhanced dislocation density originated from the thermal mismatch between SiC particles and Almatrix increase the flow stress of the composites,but the interfacial matrix failure is opposite.It also proves that the load transfer,grain refinement and dislocation strengthening are the main strengthening mechanisms,and the interfacial matrix failure and ductilefracture of matrix are the dominating fracture modes in the composites.The mechanical properties of the composites strongly dependon the metal matrix.     

SiC_p/Al复合材料的制造及新动向

颗粒增强铝基复合材料是当前研究较多、比较成熟、应用较广泛的金属基复合材料,SiCp/Al是其中的一类。本文综述了SiCp/Al复合材料的发展状况、制备方法、存在的技术难题,提出了今后需要完善和进一步研究的方向。     

Superplastic behavior of PM SiCp/6061 aluminum alloy composites at high strain rates

The superplastic behavior of a powder-metallurgy processed 6061 Al composite was investigated as a function of SiC content increasing from 0% to 30% at 10% increments over a wide temperature range from 430°C to 610°C. The materials were found to be high-strain-rate superplastic. In the temperature range where grain boundary sliding (GBS) controlled the plastic flow, the strength of the composite was lower than that of the unreinforced matrix alloy even after compensating for grain size and threshold stress. This “particle weakening” was in contrast with the particle strengthening observed in the low temperature range where dislocation climb creep was found to control the plastic flow. In the GBS regime, the strength differential between the materials was a function of SiC content and temperature, which increased with the increase in SiC content and temperature. Strong Mg segregation was detected at interfaces between SiC and Al phases in the composites. Evidence for interfacial reaction reported in the Si₃N₄ reinforced 6061 Al composites could not be detected in the current composites. Extensive formation of whisker-like fibers was observed at the fractured surface of the tensile samples above the critical temperature where particle weakening begins to be exhibited. This result suggests the possibility that partial melting in the solute-enriched region near SiC interfaces is responsible for the particle weakening in the SiC reinforced 6061 Al composite.     

Synthesis and characterization of 0.3 Vf TiC–Ti3SiC2 and 0.3 Vf SiC–Ti3SiC2 composites

In this work, two composite compositions—one with 30% (v/v) SiC, the other with 30% (v/v) TiC, balance Ti₃SiC₂—were synthesized and characterized. Fully dense samples were fabricated by hot isostatically pressing Ti, SiC and C powders for 8 h at 1500 or 1600 °C and a pressure of 200 MPa. Both TiC and SiC lower grain boundary mobility in Ti₃SiC₂. Coarsening of the SiC particles was also observed. At comparable grain sizes, all composites tested were weaker in flexure than the unreinforced Ti₃SiC₂ matrix, with the reduction in strength being the worst for the SiC composites. This reduction in strength is most probably due to thermal expansion mismatches between the matrix and reinforcement phases. The composite samples were exceptionally damage tolerant; in one case a 100 N Vickers indentation (in a 1.5-mm thick bar) did not reduce the flexural strength as compared to an unindented or as-fabricated samples. The same is true for thermal shock resistance; quenching samples from 1400 °C in room temperature water, resulted in strength reductions that were 12% at best and 50% at worst. In the 25–1000 °C temperature range, the thermal expansion coefficients of the two composites were indistinguishable at 8.2×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. The Vickers hardness values depended on load; at 100 N, the hardnesses were ≈15 GPa; at 300 N, they asymptote to 7–8 GPa. For the most part, very few cracks emanate from the corners of the Vickers indents even at loads as high as 500 N. In the few cases where cracks did initiate, fracture toughness values were crudely estimated to lie in the 5–7.5 MPa √m range.     

Deformation of SiC/Al Composites

This article reviews some aspects of plastic deformation of Al/SiC composites with an emphasis on strengthening mechanisms, the role of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the role of particle-matrix interfaces (PMI), and the fracture process. There is a tremendous potential for structural applications of SiC/Al composites. However, a complete understanding of the mechanisms of strengthening and fracture have not yet been obtained. Therefore, continued detailed fundamental investigations are required.     

Tailoring of misfit along interfaces between ZnxMn3−xO4 and Ag

This work is aimed at examining how the tetragonality of Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ spinel structures depends on the chemical composition when Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ is embedded in a metal matrix. The paper focuses on a wide range of Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ precipitates in a Ag matrix with x varying between 0 and 1.5. This variation of x has been obtained by internal oxidation of Ag–2at.%Mn–4at.%Zn in air followed by annealing in vacuo at different temperatures. It will be demonstrated that the Zn concentration x in Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ has a major influence on the interfacial misfit and orientation relation between Ag/Zn_xMn_3−xO₄. The degree of mismatch of 10.4% of 1 1 1 Ag–Mn₃O₄ and 2.4% of Ag–Zn_1.5Mn_1.5O₄ was visualized using the Bragg filtering technique on HRTEM micrographs of those interfaces. It was possible to identify misfit dislocations qualitatively with this technique at 1 1 1 Ag–Zn_xMn_3−xO₄ interfaces with different degree of mismatch.     

无压浸渗法制备SiC-Al复合材料的断口分析

采用SEM、EDX等分析技术对无压浸渗法制备SiC／Al复合材料的断口形貌进行了分析。结果表明，该类材料的断裂包括基体韧断、界面脱开和增强体颗粒断裂三种方式，该类复合材料的强化效果取决于基体与界面结合的关系；对该复合材料的断裂机理进行了分析讨论，SiC颗粒断裂和SiC颗粒相互搭接处与基体界面脱粘是微裂纹萌生的主要原因。     

Reaction synthesis of Ni/Ni3Al multilayer composites using Ni and Al foils: High-temperature tensile properties and deformation behaviour

The effects of temperature on the tensile properties and deformation behaviour of Ni/Ni₃Al multilayer composites have been systematically investigated. With increasing tensile test temperature from room temperature to 600 °C, the ultimate tensile strength decreased. The ‘abnormal’ strengthening of Ni₃Al gave rise to a reduction in the capability for cooperative deformation between the Ni and the Ni₃Al layers at elevated temperatures. As a result, the ultimate tensile strength of the multilayer composites decreased at elevated temperatures. A mixture of transgranular cleavage and intergranular failure at relatively low temperatures, and an intergranular failure at elevated temperatures were observed in the fracture surfaces of the Ni₃Al layers in the multilayer composites. The splitting of the coarse precipitates along the {0 0 1} planes at 800 °C resulted from the differences in solubility of Al in Ni between room temperature and 800 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum aluminide nanoparticles reinforced aluminium matrix composites

Aluminium matrix composites reinforced with molybdenum aluminide nanoparticles were synthesized by ball milling and reactive sintering of the mixture of aluminium and 10 wt% hydrated molybdenum oxide powders. Sintering the as milled powder in air below 750 °C produced MoAl₁₂ intermetallic compound nanoparticles, at 750 °C produced a mixture of MoAl₅ and MoAl₄ nanoparticles and at 800 °C under Argon atmosphere produced predominantly MoAl₄ intermetallic nano-particles in the Al matrix. The powder compacts sintered in air below 750 °C produced MoAl₁₂ whereas at 750 °C or above formed the Al matrix composite reinforced with the MoAl₅ nanoparticles. These nanoparticles become agglomerated to take up some irregular shaped flakes in the metal matrix. The reaction between Al and hydrated Mo oxide powders was found to be a favorable way to produce predominantly a particular Mo–Al intermetallic compound at a particular temperature. The Al₂O₃ particles formed as another reaction product, in all the above reactions, remain distributed in these composites. The composites thus formed were characterized by SEM-EDS, DTA, XRD and TEM analysis.     

Hot Deformation Behavior and Workability of(SiC_p + Mg_2B_2O_(5w))/6061 Al Hybrid and SiC_p/6061 Al Composites

The hot deformation behavior of(3 vol%SiC_p + 3 vol%Mg_2B_2O_(5w))/6061 Al(W_3P_3) hybrid composite and6 vol%SiCp/6061 Al(P_6) composite have been characterized in the temperature range of 300-450 ℃ and strain rate range of 0.0001-0.1 s~(-1) using isothermal constant true strain rate tests.The flow behavior and processing maps have been investigated using the corrected data to eliminate the effect of friction.Under the same deformation conditions,the compressive resistance of the singular composite remains superior to that of the hybrid composites.The processing map of W_3P_3 hybrid composite exhibits a single hot working domain at the temperature between 350 and 450 ℃ with strain rate between 0.0001 and 0.003 s~(-1)(domain A).Two hot working domains exist for P_6 composite:(i) 300-400 ℃/0.0001-0.003 s~(-1)(domain Bl);(ii) 380-450 ℃/0.01-0.1 s~(-1)(domain B2).The processing maps also reveal the flow instability of the two composites,which is associated with whiskers breakage,whisker/matrix interfacial debonding,SiCp/matrix interfacial decohesion,adiabatic shear bands or flow localization,and wedge cracking in the corresponding regions.The estimated apparent activation energies are about 224 kJ mol~(-1) in domain A for W3P3 hybrid composite,177 kJ mol~(-1) in domain Bl and 263 kJ mol~(-1) in domain B2 for P_6 composite,respectively.These values are higher than that for self-diffusion in Al(142 kJ mol~(-1)),suggesting that there is a significant contribution from the back stress caused by the presence of particles and/or whiskers in the matrix.The deformation mechanisms corresponding to domain Bl and domain B2 are dislocation climb controlled creep and cross-slip for P_6 composite,respectively.For W_3P_3 hybrid composite,the deformation mechanisms contain dislocation climb controlled creep and grain boundary sliding caused by DRX in domain A.     

Structural transformation of carbon nanotubes to silicon carbide nanorods or microcrystals by the reaction with different silicon sources in rf induced CVD reactor

Silicon carbide (SiC) nanorods and microcrystals were synthesized through a two-step reaction scheme. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were first grown over metal catalyst-loaded Si(1 0 0) wafer surface by thermal decomposition of C₂H₂. The grown CNTs were then reacted with a gas mixture of SiH₄ and C₃H₈ or tetramethylsilane (TMS) to form β-SiC nanostructures. The growth of SiC nanorods was observed when CNTs were reacted with SiH₄ and C₃H₈, whereas SiC microcrystals were formed when reacting the CNTs with TMS. However, the SiC nanostructures were not grown without CNTs. The diameter of the nanorods was around six times larger than that of the mother nanotubes. The nanorods were crystalline β-SiC with the diameter of 300–400 nm and grew along (1 1 1) direction. The structural transformation of CNTs to SiC nanorods or to microcrystals during the reaction was discussed in this paper.     

超声振动辅助切削SiCp/Al复合材料的加工机理及试验

切削加工过程中材料损伤形式对加工表面质量会产生较大影响,现有仿真分析难以模拟真实颗粒失效行为,通过建立二维微观多相有限元模型能够深入了解材料损伤与表面质量的关系。基于常规切削（Conventional cutting,CC）与超声振动辅助切削（Ultrasonic vibration-assisted cutting,UVAC）两种加工方式,通过有限元仿真软件 Abaqus 对 20%SiCp / Al 复合材料的切削过程进行仿真模拟,阐释加工过程中刀具与工件的相互作用机理,并在同一参数下验证有限元仿真的准确性。通过设计单因素试验,对比两种加工方式及不同加工参数对切削力和表面粗糙度的影响规律,得出最佳加工参数组合,并对最佳加工参数下表面形貌进行分析。模拟和试验结果表明,SiC 颗粒断裂、颗粒耕犁、颗粒拔出以及 Al 基体撕裂是影响 SiCp / Al 复合材料加工质量的主要原因,刀具与颗粒不同的相对作用位置会产生不同的损伤形式。与常规切削相比,施加超声振动后可以有效抑制颗粒失效和基体损伤,使加工中的平均切削力（主切削力）降低 33%,工件已加工表面粗糙度值最大减小量为 531 nm,显著提高了表面质量。所建立的二维微观多相有限元模型,能够有效模拟铝基复合材料的加工缺陷和裂纹损伤问题, 对提高难加工材料的高质量表面制备有重要借鉴意义。     

Particle shape effects on ductility of SiC particle reinforced LD2 matrix composites investigated by AFM based nanoindentation

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Microstructure and damping behavior of SiCp/Gr/2024Al metal matrix composites by squeeze casting technology

SiCp/Gr/2024Al metal matrix composites were processed by squeeze casting technology. The microstructure of composites was observed by SEM and TEM, and the effects of graphite particulates and SiC particulates on the damping behaviors of composites were also investigated. The results show that the microstructure of composites was dense and homogeneous, without any interfacial reactivity among reinforcement/matrix interfaces. Compared with the damping capacity of 2024Al, the damping capacity of composites was enhanced significantly by addition of SiC or graphite particulates. The main damping mechanisms of SiCo/Al composites were ascribed to the dislocation damping, and those of SiCo/Gr/2024Al were attributed to the intrinsic damping and interface damping.     

Orientation relationship between a ferritic matrix and κ-phase (Fe3AlCx) precipitates formed during metal dusting of Fe-15Al

An Fe-15 at.% Al alloy has been exposed to a strongly carburising CO–H₂–H₂O gas mixture under metal dusting conditions. Cementite (Fe₃C) was detected to be present only in the coke which is a reaction product of the high-temperature corrosion metal dusting. Needle- or plate-like κ-phase (Fe₃AlC_x) precipitates close to the surface were identified by means of electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). EBSD analyses of several precipitates and neighboured matrix areas indicate a Nishiyama–Wassermann orientation relationship between the κ-phase precipitates and the -Fe(Al) matrix.     

Effects of residual stress and dislocation on tensile deformation behavior of SiC_w/Al composites

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Microstructure and mechanical properties of mechanically alloyed and spark plasma sintered amorphous–nanocrystalline Al65Cu20Ti15 intermetallic matrix composite reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles

Multiphase Al₆₅Cu₂₀Ti₁₅ intermetallic alloy matrix composite, dispersed with 10 wt.% of TiO₂ nanoparticles, has been processed by mechanical alloying, followed by spark plasma sintering under pressure in the temperature range of 623–873 K. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction suggest that equilibrium crystalline phases evolve from the amorphous or intermediate crystalline phases. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the composite sintered at 873 K has partially amorphous microstructure, with dispersion of equilibrium, crystalline, intermetallic precipitates of Al₅CuTi₂, Al₃Ti, and Al₂Cu of 25–50 nm size, besides the TiO₂. The composite sintered at 873 K exhibits little porosity, hardness of 5.6 GPa, indentation fracture toughness in the range of 3.1–4.2 MPa√m, and compressive strength of 1.1 GPa. Indentation crack deflection by TiO₂ particle aggregates causes increase in fracture resistance with crack length, and suggests R-curve type behaviour. The study provides guidelines for processing high strength amorphous–nanocrystalline intermetallic composites based on the Al–Cu–Ti ternary system.     

Ti3 SiC2 复合材料耐磨性能研究

Ti₃SiC₂是一种六方晶体结构的特殊陶瓷材料,兼具金属与陶瓷的优异性能,拥有优良的高温强度、抗氧化性及可加工性等优点,广泛应用于耐磨润滑材料。本文综述其同金属和SiC、金刚石、TiC、Al₂O₃等复合后的优异性能和广阔应用,并展望其在和金属、陶瓷、金刚石等材料复合领域的研究方向。      

Tensile and Fracture Properties of 15 vol% SiCp/2009Al Composites Fabricated by Hot Isostatic Pressing and Hot Extrusion Processes

15 vol% silicon carbide particle (SiC_p)-reinforced 2009Al matrix (15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al) composites were fabricated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and hot extrusion processes. The tensile and fracture properties of 15 vol% SiC_p/2009Al were studied. The results showed that hot extrusion increased the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), elongation (EL), reduction in area (RA), and fracture toughness of the composites. The heat treatment resulted in the increase in UTS, YS, and fracture toughness, but a decrease in EL and RA. Both hot extrusion and heat treatment had negligible effects on elastic modulus (E). With the increase of SiC_p size, the UTS, YS, and E decreased, but the EL and RA increased. The fracture toughness increased first and then decreased with increasing SiC_p size, and when the SiC_p size was about 7 μm, the composites obtained the maximum fracture toughness value of 31.74 MPa m^1/2.