Interfacial reaction and its effect on strength of Al18 B4O33 /Al composites

Abstract

Aluminium alloy 6061, AC8A, Al–1Mg, Al–9Cu and pure aluminium composites reinforced with aluminium borate whiskers were fabricated by a squeeze casting process. The interfacial reaction in the composites and its effect on the bending strength are discussed, together with the results from SEM, TEM, and X-ray diffraction. A slight interfacial reaction is favourable for composite strength as it has the effect of anchoring the whiskers. A T6 treatment can enhance the strength of an Al–9Cu matrix composite, but is not efficient for magnesium containing 6061 and AC8A matrix composites. Furthermore, if heated at temperatures higher than 793 K for a long time, the composite strength drops rapidly owing to whisker damage and shortening during the interfacial reaction. It is suggested that the interface in an Al₁₈ B₄O₃₃ /Al alloy composite is stable below 623 K which is the temperature requirement for automobile engine components.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of B4C/6061Al Nanocomposites Fabricated by Advanced Powder Metallurgy

In this study, B₄C/6061Al nanocomposites reinforced with various volume fractions of nano‐sized B₄C particles (B₄C/6061Al NCs) are successfully fabricated by a powder metallurgy route consisting of spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot extrusion and rolling (HER). The microstructure evolution, phase composition, and mechanical properties of B₄C/6061Al NCs are experimentally investigate. The results show that nearly fully dense (maximum ≈99.21%) as‐SPSed NCs can be fabricated, and this can be attributed to joule heating at the particle contacts and tip spark plasma at the gaps. Nanosized B₄C particles mainly distributed in the 6061Al particles boundaries and formed inhomogeneous network materials in as‐SPSed NCs, while B₄C particles distributed relatively homogeneously in the 6061Al matrix after HER. No new phases are found in the B₄C/6061Al NCs over three deformation stages. The pin effect of the nanosized B₄C can suppress dynamic recovery and improve the driving force for dynamic recrystallization. The mechanical properties are further improved after HER, and the maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength for as‐rolled NCs are 305 and 168 MPa. The strengthening mechanisms mainly included load transfer strengthening, dislocation strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and fine‐grain strengthening.

     

Microstructural characteristics and mechanical behavior of B4Cp/6061Al composites synthesized at different hot-pressing temperatures

B₄Cp/6061Al composites have become important structural and functional materials and can be fabricated by powder metallurgy and subsequent hot rolling. In this work, the effects of the hot-pressing temperature on microstructures and mechanical behaviors of the B₄Cp/6061Al composites were investigated. The results showed that compared with the T4 heat treated B₄Cp/6061Al composite hot pressed at 560 °C, the yield strength and failure strain of the composites hot pressed at 580 °C were increased to 235 MPa and 18.4%, respectively. This was associated with the interface bonding strength between the B₄C particles and the matrix. However, the reaction products, identified to be MgAl₂O₄ phases, were detected in the composites hot pressed at 600 °C. The formation of the MgAl₂O₄ phases resulted in the Mg depletion, thus reducing the yield strength to 203.5 MPa after the T4 heat treatment due to the effect of the solid solution strengthening being weakened. In addition, the variation of hardness and electrical conductivity was mainly related to the Mg content in the matrix. Based on the as-rolled microstructures observed by SEM, SR-μCT and fracture surfaces, the deformation schematic diagram was depicted to reflect the tensile deformation process of the composites.     

Strategical parametric investigation on manufacturing of Al–Mg–Zn–Cu alloy surface composites using FSP

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a unique approach being presently researched for composite fabrication. In the present investigation, Al-B₄C surface composite was fabricated through FSP by incorporating B₄C powder particles into Al–Mg–Zn–Cu alloy (AA 7075) matrix. The influence of varying powder particle reinforcement strategies on the microstructure, powder distribution, microhardness, and wear resistance of the surface composite is reported. In addition, AA 6061/B₄C composites were prepared using the same parameter set and the powder distribution in the composite was compared to that in the AA 7075/B₄C composite. More homogeneous dispersion of B₄C powder was observed in AA 6061 as compared to AA 7075 substrate. Among the prepared AA 7075/B₄C composites, the best B₄C powder distribution was detected in samples processed using fine powder and incorporating the change in stirring direction between passes. The hardness and wear resistance of the prepared composites were almost doubled attributing to several strengthening mechanisms and B₄C powder distribution in the AA 7075 matrix.     

Fatigue Crack Growth and Fracture of 30 wt% B4C/6061Al Composites

This paper focuses on studying the fatigue crack growth (FCG) characteristics and fracture behaviours of 30 wt% B₄C/6061Al composites fabricated by using powder metallurgy and hot extrusion method. Compact tension (CT) specimens having incisions parallel to the extrusion direction (T‐D) and perpendicular to the extrusion direction (E‐D) were investigated through FCG tests. Results show that, at low/medium stress‐intensity factor range levels (ΔK ≤ 9), crack propagation rate in E‐D specimens is lower than that in T‐D specimens because the elongated B₄C particles parallel to the extrusion direction in E‐D specimens can deflect the crack. The scanning electron microscope micrographs of the fractured surface illustrate that crack mainly propagates in the matrix alloy at the initial stage of its propagation and propagates more remarkably near the particle‐matrix interface with the increase of ΔK value. B₄C particles are also found to be easy to fracture during the rapid crack propagation. Based on fracture analyses, considering the impacts of factors like crack deviation, plastic zone size at the crack tip, and crack driving force, a 2‐D crack propagation model was developed to study the fatigue crack propagation mechanism in the 30 wt% B₄C/6061Al composite.     

The dynamic properties of B4C/6061Al neutron absorber composites fabricated by power metallurgy

ABSTRACT

The dynamic compression properties of B₄C/6061Al neutron absorber composites (NACs) with three B₄C volume fractions (20–40%), fabricated by power metallurgy, were studied. Compression tests were conducted at strain rates ranging from 760 to 1150?s^?1, using a split Hopkinson pressure bar. The damage mechanism was studied through microstructural analysis. Results show that the B₄C particles exhibited a uniform distribution in the 6061Al matrix. The NACs dynamic strength was found to improve with increasing quantities of B₄C particles, and with strain rate. The damage mechanisms include particle fracture and interface debonding. Dislocation pile-up was observed at grain boundaries and at the interface between particles and the matrix. A constitutive model under dynamic compression was developed based on the Johnson–Cook model.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Nuclear Materials.     

Deformation behaviour and microstructure of a 20% Al2O3 reinforced 6061 Al composite

Deformation and microstructural behaviours of a 20% (volume percent) particle reinforced 6061 Al matrix composite have been studied by torsion from 25 to 540°C with strain rates of 0.1, 1 and 5 s⁻¹. The logarithmic stress versus reciprocal temperature relationship exhibits two slopes indicating different deformation mechanisms. The 20% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite shows a greater hardening behaviour than those of the 10% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite and of the monolithic alloy. Above 250°C, TEM investigations reveal much smaller subgrain size and higher volume of non-cellular substructures, as well as dynamic recrystallization nuclei in the 20% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite in comparison to those of the 10% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite and matrix alloy the same test condition. The torsion fracture surface was studied and compared to the three point bending failure specimens.     

Effect of heat treatment on strength and abrasive wear behaviour of Al6061-SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript> composites

In recent years, aluminum alloy based metal matrix composites (MMC) are gaining importance in several aerospace and automobile applications. Aluminum 6061 has been used as matrix material owing to its excellent mechanical properties coupled with good formability and its wide applications in industrial sector. Addition of SiC_p as reinforcement in Al6061 alloy system improves its hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance. In the present investigation Al6061-SiC_p composites was fabricated by liquid metallurgy route with percentages of SiC_p varying from 4 wt% to 10 wt% in steps of 2 wt%. The cast matrix alloy and its composites have been subjected to solutionizing treatment at a temperature of 530°C for 1 h followed by quenching in different media such as air, water and ice. The quenched samples are then subjected to both natural and artificial ageing. Microstructural studies have been carried out to understand the nature of structure. Mechanical properties such as microhardness, tensile strength, and abrasive wear tests have been conducted both on matrix Al6061 and Al6061-SiC_p composites before and after heat treatment. However, under identical heat treatment conditions, adopted Al6061-SiC_p composites exhibited better microhardness and tensile strength reduced wear loss when compared with Al matrix alloy.     

Mechanical behavior of B4C particulate-reinforced 7091 aluminum composite

The incorporation of B₄C particulates into 7091 Al alloy can improve the tensile modulus, yield strength and tensile strength of the monolithic matrix alloy. However, the ductility and fracture toughness need to be improved through optimization of processing parameters. The fracture was primarily along article/matrix interface.     

Deformation Behaviour and Microstructure of a 20% Al2O3 Reinforced 6061 Al Composite

Deformation and microstructural behaviours of a 20% (volumepercent) particle reinforced 6061 Al matrix composite have been studied bytorsion from 25 to 540°C with strain rates of 0.1, 1 and5 s^-1. The logarithmic stress versus reciprocal temperaturerelationship exhibits two slopes indicating different deformationmechanisms. The 20% Al₂O₃/6061 Alcomposite shows a greater hardening behaviour than those of the 10% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite and of the monolithic alloy. Above 250°C, TEM investigations reveal muchsmaller subgrain size and higher volume of non-cellular substructures, aswell as dynamic recrystallization nuclei in the 20% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite in comparison to those of the10% Al₂O₃/6061 Al composite and matrixalloy the same test condition. The torsion fracture surface was studied andcompared to the three point bending failure specimens.     

Influence of B4C on the tribological and mechanical properties of Al 7075–B4C composites

In the present investigation, the influence of B₄C on the mechanical and Tribological behavior of Al 7075 composites is identified. Al 7075 particle reinforced composites were produced through casting, K₂TiF₆ added as the flux, to overcome the wetting problem between B₄C and liquid aluminium metal. The aluminium B₄C composites thus produced were subsequently subjected to T6 heat treatment. The samples of Al 7075 composites were tested for hardness, tensile, compression, flexural strengths and wear behavior. The test results showed increasing hardness of composites compared with the base alloy because of the presence of the increased ceramic phase. The wear resistance of the composites increased with increasing content of B₄C particles, and the wear rate was significantly less for the composite material compared to the matrix alloy. A mechanically mixed layer containing oxygen and iron was observed on the surface, and this acted as an effective insulation layer preventing metal to metal contact. The coefficient of friction decreased with increased B₄C content and reached its minimum at 10 vol% B₄C.     

高能球磨工艺对B4C/Al复合粉体结构演变及分布均匀性的影响

制备B4C增强Al基复合材料存在的难点主要是B4C颗粒在Al基体中的均匀分布及界面结合。本研究采用卧式搅拌高能球磨法制备了B4C/Al复合粉体,研究了搅拌轴转速和球磨时间对B4C/Al复合粉体结构演变及分布均匀性的影响。结果表明,随搅拌轴转速的提高,复合粉体受磨球碰撞时所获能量增大,增强体颗粒瞬间被破碎同时使Al粉发生较大的塑性变形,随球磨时间的延长,破碎的B4C颗粒逐渐在Al基体中分散均匀并与基体焊合,利于粉体实现均匀分布和良好的界面结合。球磨过程中B4C沿颗粒棱边脆性断裂,在Al粉的冷焊变形过程中被嵌入,形成一种片状化的Al粉基体包裹B4C增强相的复合粉体。在搅拌轴转速为600/800r/min(交变转速,交变频率为1min),球磨时间为2h时,B4C/Al复合粉体的粒度得到细化,B4C颗粒在Al基体中分布均匀、界面结合紧密。     

双屏蔽(B4C-W)/6061Al层状复合板设计与性能

基于B₄C和W良好的屏蔽中子和γ射线性能,采用6061铝合金作为基体,设计了一种新型双屏蔽(B₄C-W)/6061Al层状复合材料,通过放电等离子烧结后加热轧制成板材,对制备的复合材料微观组织和力学性能进行了研究。结果表明,屏蔽组元B₄C和W颗粒均匀地分布在6061Al基体中,层界面、B₄C/Al、W/Al异质界面之间结合良好,无空隙和裂纹。在颗粒与基体界面处形成扩散层,扩散层的厚度约为6 μm (W/Al)和4 μm (W/Al)。轧制态的(B₄C-W)/6061Al层状复合板的屈服强度(109 MPa)和极限抗拉强度(245 MPa)明显优于烧结态的复合材料,但断裂韧性降低。强度提高的原因主要是轧制后颗粒的二次分布、均匀性及界面结合强度提高,基体合金的晶粒尺寸减小,位错密度增加。层状复合板的断裂方式为基体合金的韧性断裂和颗粒的脆性断裂。      

Analyses on fracture characteristics of SiCp-6061Al/6061Al composites extruded by different ratios

Two 6061 Al alloy matrix composites reinforced with rods that are themselves composites of the same Al alloy reinforced with a high volume fraction of SiC particles were studied. After vacuum pressure infiltration, one was hot extruded at a ratio of 10 : 1 and the other at a ratio of 60 : 1. The fracture characteristics of the two SiC_p-6061Al/6061Al composites were examined in detail. It was found that increasing the hot extrusion ratio of this kind of composite can improve the bonding between the SiC_p-6061Al bars and the 6061Al matrix. The strengths of the SiC_p-6061Al bars and the 6061Al matrix were considered to increase with increasing extrusion ratio. Thus, the SiC_p-6061Al/6061Al composite extruded at a ratio of 60 : 1 shows fracture characteristics which are different from the composite extruded at a ratio of 10 : 1. The former has a higher fracture toughness, and its crack opening displacement versus load curve indicates a higher elastic modulus and maximum load. After application of the maximum external load, there is a slow decrease with increasing crack opening displacement in the case of the 60 : 1 extruded composite, but the load can be maintained for wide crack opening displacement in the case of the 10 : 1 extruded composite.     

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of AA6082-T6/SiC/B4C-based aluminum hybrid composites

The microstructural and mechanical behavior of hybrid metal matrix composite based on aluminum alloy 6082-T6 reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B₄C) particles was investigated. For this purpose, the hybrid composites were fabricated using conventional stir casting process by varying weight percentages of 5, 10, 15, and 20?wt% of (SiC?+?B₄C) mixture. Dispersion of the reinforced particles was studied with x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Mechanical properties such as micro-hardness, impact strength, ultimate tensile strength, percentage elongation, density, and porosity were investigated on hybrid composites at room temperature. The results revealed that the increase in weight percentage of (SiC?+?B₄C) mixture gives superior hardness and tensile strength with slight decrease in percentage elongation. However, some reduction in both hardness and tensile strength was observed in hybrid composites with 20?wt% of (SiC?+?B₄C) mixture. As compared to the un-reinforced alloy, the improvement in hardness and tensile strength for hybrid composites was found to be 10% and 21%, respectively. Reduction in impact strength and density with increase in porosity was also reported with the addition of reinforcement.     

Friction and wear behaviors of B4C/6061Al composite

The friction and wear behaviors of B₄C/6061Al composite were studied by considering the effect of sliding time, applied load, sliding velocity and heat treatment. The results show that, when the sliding time, applied load and sliding velocity reach critical values (namely 120 min, 30 N and 240 r min⁻¹, respectively), the mass loss and friction coefficient (COF) increase significantly. Severe delamination wear is the main wear mechanism after sliding for 120 min and under an applied load of 30 N. While fretting wear happens at a sliding velocity of 240 r min⁻¹. After solution-treated at 550 °C for 1 h and then aged at 180 °C for 15 h, the composite shows the highest wear resistance owing to the precipitation of β″ (Mg₂Si) phases in the matrix and the strong interface bonding between B₄C particles and the matrix alloy.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a three-layer B4C/Al–B4C/TiB2–B4C composite

A three-layer structure material, consisting of B₄C/Al, B₄C/TiB₂ and B₄C composites, was obtained using a two-step method for both hot pressing and aluminum infiltration in vacuum. The three-layer B₄C/Al–B₄C/TiB₂–B₄C composite showed good interfacial bonding. Before aluminum infiltration the B₄C porous layer in the three-layer preform looked like a three-dimensional network of interconnected capillaries. The microstructures of both B₄C/TiB₂ and B₄C layers showed no apparent changes before and/or after aluminum infiltration. The three-layer composite showed improved fracture toughness than that of B₄C material and higher comprehensive hardness than that of B₄C/Al material.     

Evaluation of interfacial bonding in dissimilar materials of YSZ-alumina composites to 6061 aluminium alloy using friction welding

The interfacial microstructures characteristics of alumina ceramic body reinforced with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was evaluated after friction welding to 6061 aluminum alloy using optical and electron microscopy. Alumina rods containing 25 and 50 wt% yttria stabilized zirconia were fabricated by slip casting in plaster of Paris (POP) molds and subsequently sintered at 1600 °C. On the other hand, aluminum rods were machine down to the required dimension using a lathe machine. The diameter of the ceramic and the metal rods was 16 mm. Rotational speeds for the friction welding were varied between 900 and 1800 rpm. The friction pressure was maintained at 7 MPa for a friction time of 30 s. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure of the resultant joints, particularly at the interface. The joints were also examined with EDX line (energy dispersive X-ray) in order to determine the phases formed during the welding. The mechanical properties of the friction welded YSZ-Al₂O₃ composite to 6061 alloy were determined with a four-point bend test and Vickers microhardness. The experimental results showed the degree of deformation varied significantly for the 6061 Al alloy than the ceramic composite part. The mechanical strength of friction-welded ceramic composite/6061 Al alloy components were obviously affected by joining rotational speed selected which decreases in strength with increasing rotational speed.     

Preparation of super-high strength nanostructured B4C reinforced Al-2Cu aluminum alloy matrix composites by mechanical milling and hot press method: Microstructural,mechanical and tribological characterization

In this research, super-high strength nanostructured B₄C reinforced Al-2Cu aluminum alloy matrix composites produced by mechanical milling and hot press method. Nanostructured Al-2Cu powder containing 4, 6 and 10?wt.% B₄C reinforcement particles synthesized using a high-energy attritor under argon atmosphere. Results showed that with increasing the content of B₄C particles the matrix grain size decreased. Since the compressibility of mechanically milled powders is very low, hot press processing used for consolidation of nanostructured Al-2Cu/B₄C powders. The hot pressed Al-2Cu/10?wt.%B₄C nanocomposite, when tested in compression, exhibited extremely high strength (1.1?GPa) which is 735?MPa higher than that of coarse grain Al-2Cu sample. Moreover, the hardening capacity (H_c) of hot pressed nanocomposites decreased with the increase in the content of B₄C particles. According to Orowan strengthening mechanism, since B₄C particles act as a barrier to the dislocations movement, the increase of B₄C particles leads to the increase of barriers and as a result, Δσ_Orowan increases. Therefore, the strength of composite increases but work hardening capacity (H_c) decreases. The results of wear test indicated that wear rate and friction coefficient declined gradually as the B₄C particles fraction increased. Based on this result, hot-pressed sample containing 10?wt.% B₄C showed the lowest wear rate and friction coefficient (1.9?×?10^?5 mm³/m and 0.48 respectively).     

热轧工艺对20%B4C/Al复合材料显微组织及缺陷的影响

采用热等静压烧结与热轧相结合的方法制备了20%B_4C/Al(质量分数,下同)复合材料,采用排水法及SEM、EDS等手段研究了热轧工艺(道次变形量、总变形量)对复合材料缺陷及显微组织的影响。研究结果表明,热等静压制备的B_4C/Al复合材料坯体密度可达2.66g/cm3(相对密度100%),B_4C颗粒分布均匀且与Al界面处结合紧密;B_4C/Al复合材料轧制道次变形量应控制在10%以内,进一步增加道次变形量复合材料内出现宏观裂纹。复合材料经热轧后,B_4C颗粒仍分布较为均匀,且与Al基体结合紧密,复合材料内部未观察到明显的显微缺陷。