Mechanical properties of Al2O3/Ni laminated composites

Al₂O₃/Ni laminated composites were prepared by aqueous tape casting and hot pressing with intent to study mechanical properties including the fracture strength and toughness. The residual stress was evaluated and proved. The relations of mechanical properties with the thermal residual stress, the ductility of metal layers and the layer thickness ratio were studied, respectively. It was found that the toughness and work of fracture of Al₂O₃/Ni laminar reached to 12.56 MPa m^1/2 and 12 450 J m^− 2, which are 3.6 and 478.8 times that of pure Al₂O₃.     

Improving the mechanical properties of Al2O3/Ni laminated composites by adding Ni particles in Al2O3 layers

The (Al₂O₃ + Ni) composite, (Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni and Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni laminated materials were prepared by aqueous tape casting and hot pressing. Results indicated that the (Al₂O₃ + Ni) composite had higher strength and fracture toughness than those of pure Al₂O₃. The fracture toughness of (Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni and Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni laminated materials was higher than not only those of pure Al₂O₃, but also those of Al₂O₃/Ni laminar with the same layer numbers and thickness ratio. It was found that the toughness of the Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni laminated material with five layers and layer thickness ratio = 2 could reach 16.10 MPa m^1/2, which were about 4.6 times of pure Al₂O₃. The strength and toughness of the (Al₂O₃ + Ni)/Ni laminated material with three layers and layer thickness ratio = 2 could reach 417.41 MPa and 12.42 MPa m^1/2. It indicated the material had better mechanical property.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3-Cr2O3-ZrO2 composites

Al₂O₃ is a popular ceramic and has been used widely in many applications and studied in many aspects. On the other hand, zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is a desirable material for engineering ceramics because of its high hardness, high wear resistance and high toughness. In the present research, Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃-ZrO₂ composites were produced by hot-pressing in order to harden the Al₂O₃ matrix in ZTA. Its microstructure and mechanical properties were studied by SEM, ESCA, XRD, Vickers hardness and bending strength test. It was found that addition of ZrO₂ inhibited the grain growth of Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ and the grain growth of ZrO₂ proceeded with increasing amounts of ZrO₂ in the Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃-Zr₂ composite. The formation of solid solution Al₂O₃-Cr₂O₃ was also confirmed by XRD, and monoclinic ZrO₂ increased on addition of Cr₂O₃. Maximum hardness was at Al₂O₃-10wt% Cr₂O₃ with 10 vol% ZrO₂ and a stress-induced transformation was confirmed on the fracture surface of the specimen after the bending test.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of SiC-platelet reinforced Al2O3/SiC-particle hybrid composites

SiC-platelet reinforced Al₂O₃/SiC-particle nanocomposites were fabricated by hot-pressing the mixture through the conventional powder mixing process. The mechanical properties of Al₂O₃/SiC-particle/SiC-platelet hybrid composites were evaluated. Fracture toughness and work of fracture were increased by the incorporation of SiC-platelets into Al₂O₃/SiC-particle nanocomposites. The typical rising R-curve was shown during crack growth for these hybrid nanocomposites, whereas Al₂O₃/SiC-particle nanocomposites showed the constant K _R value and no rising R-curve. The further improvement of Al₂O₃/SiC-particle nanocomposites in the creep resistance was observed by the addition of SiC platelets. The relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties for Al₂O₃/SiC-particle/SiC-platelet hybrid composites was discussed.     

Al2O3-TiC/Al2O3-TiC-CaF2复合叠层陶瓷材料摩擦磨损性能

将Al2O3-TiC陶瓷材料与具有固体润滑特性的Al2O3-TiC-CaF2陶瓷材料进行叠层,通过真空热压烧结制备Al2O3-TiC/Al2O3-TiC-CaF2复合叠层陶瓷材料.在环盘式摩擦磨损试验机上进行摩擦磨损实验,研究该材料在不同载荷、转速条件下的摩擦系数和磨损率,分别用SEM及EDS观察材料磨损前后的微观形貌和分析其成分组成,研究其磨损机制.结果表明:在相同载荷条件下,Al2O3-TiC/Al2O3-TiC-CaF2复合叠层陶瓷材料的摩擦系数和磨损率随着转速的升高而下降,在相同转速条件下,其摩擦系数和磨损率随着载荷的增加而下降;Al2O3-TiC/Al2O3-TiC-CaF2复合叠层陶瓷材料的磨损机制主要是磨粒磨损和黏着磨损.     

Machinable and mechanical properties of sintered Al2O3-Ti3SiC2 composites

Two-phase composites consisting of (1 – x) Al₂O₃ and xTi₃SiC₂ (x = 0–1) were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Sintered densities larger than 98% of theoretical density were achieved when the specimens were sintered at 1300°C for 5 min (in vacuum, at pressure 30 MPa). When content of Ti₃SiC₂ increased up to 30 wt%, composites were found to be machinable—they could be drilled easily using conventional Fe-Mo-W drills or gravers. The mechanical properties of the (1 – x) Al₂O₃–xTi₃SiC₂ composites were evaluated. The bending strength, Vickers hardness of the specimens had the following ranges: 428 ± 10.2 (x = 0) to 673 ± 15.4 Mpa (x = 1) (bending strength at room temperature); 19.9 (x = 0) to 4.0 GPa (x = 1) (Vickers hardness).     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of SiC/Al2O3 particulate-reinforced spray-deposited metal-matrix composites

In this study, aluminium-copper-based metal-matrix composites were synthesized utilizing the spray atomization and co-deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies were carried out with an emphasis on understanding the effects associated with the co-injection of silicon carbide and aluminium oxide particulates. The results demonstrate the ageing kinetics of the spray-deposited and hot-extruded metal-matrix composites to be the same as those of the monolithic aluminium-copper material. Results of ambient temperature mechanical tests demonstrate that the presence of particulate reinforcement in the metal matrix does little to improve strength, and degrades the ductility of the matrix material. A model is formulated to compute the critical volume fraction of reinforcement. The results obtained using this model suggest that an optimum volume fraction of silicon carbide is essential in order to realize a strength improvement in the metal-matrix composite, relative to their monolithic counterpart.     

Processing and properties of Y-TZP/Al2O3 composites

The processing and property measurement of Y-TZP/Al₂O₃ ceramic-ceramic composites was investigated. The wet chemical synthesis route was adopted for the preparation of 3Y-TZP matrix dispersed with Al₂O₃ in three different volume fractions. Characterization of the resultant powders was carried out and their densification behaviour was studied by sintering in air in the temperature range 1200–1600 °C. The role of alumina as grain-growth inhibitor for Y-TZP, and the mechanical response of these ultrafine-grain ceramic composites in terms of K_lc characteristics, have been discussed.     

Ti/Al2O3复合材料制备及其力学性能

利用放电等离子烧结(SPS)制备了性能优异的40%(体积分数)Ti/Al2O3复合材料,其弯曲强度、断裂韧性、显微硬度和相对密度分别为897.29MPa、17.38MPa·m1/2、17.13GPa和99.24%.SEM和HREM对复合材料的微观结构分析发现,晶粒细化、位错环强化等是材料强度提高的主要原因;裂纹的偏转和桥联是材料韧性提高的关键所在.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of high-purity Al2O3 fibre/Al2O3 matrix composite

Al₂O₃ matrix composites with unidirectionally oriented high-purity Al₂O₃ fibre with and without carbon coating, were fabricated by the filament-winding method, followed by hot-pressing at 1573–1773 K. The composite with non-coated Al₂O₃ fibre exhibited a bending strength (594 MPa) comparable to that of monolithic Al₂O₃ (589 MPa). While the composite with a carbon-coated fibre had lower strength (477 MPa), it showed improved fracture toughness (6.5 MPa m^1/2) compared to the composite with an uncoated fibre (4.5 MPa m^1/2) and monolithic Al₂O₃ (5.5 MPa m^1/2). This toughness enhancement was explained based on the increased crack extension resistance caused by the fibre pull-out observed by SEM at the notch tip. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Material characterisation and mechanical properties of Al2O3-Al metal matrix composites

The mechanical properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) are critical to their potential application as structural materials. A systematic examination of the effect of particulate volume fraction on the mechanical properties of an Al₂O₃-Al MMC has been undertaken. The material used was a powder metallurgy processed AA 6061 matrix alloy reinforced with MICRAL-20, a polycrystalline microsphere reinforcement consisting of a mixture of alumina and mullite. The volume fraction of the reinforcement was varied systematically from 5 to 30% in 5% intervals. The powder metallurgy composites were extruded then heat treated to the T6 condition. Extruded liquid metallurgy processed AA 6061 was used to establish the properties of the unreinforced material.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr3C2 particulate reinforced Al2O3 matrix composites

Al₂O₃ matrix with three grades of Cr₃C₂ particle size (0.5, 1.5 and 7.5 m) composites were fabricated by a hot-pressing technique. Fully dense compacts with Cr₃C₂ content up to 40 vol % can be acquired at 1400 °C under 30 MPa pressure for 1 h. The flexural strength increases from 595 to 785 Mpa for fine Cr₃C₂ particle (0.5 m) reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix composites. The fracture strength is significantly dependent on the fracture modes of matrix (intergranular or transgranular). The transgranular fracture with a compressive residual stress gives a high fracture strength of composites. At the same time, the fracture toughness increases from 5.2 MPa m^1/2 (10 vol % Cr₃C₂) to 8.0 MPa m^1/2 (30 vol % Cr₃C₂) for the coarse Cr₃C₂ particle (7.5 n) reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix composites. The toughening effects of incorporating Cr₃C₂ particles into Al₂O₃ matrix originate from crack bridging and deflection. The electrical conductivity and the possibility of electrical discharge machining of these composites were also investigated.     

The effect of particulate loading on the mechanical behaviour of Al2O3/Al metal-matrix composites

An investigation was made to determine the effect of particulate loading on the elastic, tensile, compressive and fracture properties of Al₂O₃/Al metal-matrix composites fabricated by a pressureless-liquid-metal-infiltration process. The elastic modulus was found to be strongly affected by the reinforcement content, falling within the Hashin-Shtrikman bounds. The Young's modulus of the most highly loaded composite was 170 GPa; compare with 65 GPa for the unreinforced alloy. The strength systematically increased with loading, and the rate of increase also increased with loading. The measured yield strengths were nominally the same in both tension and compression; however, the composites possessed far greater ultimate strengths and strains-to-failure in compression than in tension. At 52 vol % reinforcement, yield strengths in tension and compression of 491 and 440 MPa, respectively, were measured, whereas the associated ultimate strengths were 531 and 1035 MPa, respectively. In tension, the yield and ultimate strengths of the base alloy were found to be 170 and 268 MPa, respectively. The composites displayed a nearly constant fracture toughness for all particulate loadings, with values approaching 20 MPa m^1/2 compared to a value of 29 MPa m^1/2 for the base alloy. Using fractography, the tensile-failure mechanism was characterized as transgranular fracture of the Al₂O₃ particles followed by ductile rupture of the Al-alloy matrix, with no debonding at the matrix/reinforcement interfaces.     

Preliminary studies in the processing and characterization of Al2O3/SnO2 laminated composites

All oxide composites (reinforcement and matrix both being oxides) exhibit high temperature oxidation resistance in addition to high strength and hardness. A major drawback of these materials is that the oxide fiber and oxide matrix tend to react, which strengthens the interface and therefore drastically reduces the damage tolerance. To overcome this problem, a mechanically weak interphase material, which also serves as a diffusion barrier, is generally used. One such materials system is tin dioxide (SnO₂) in alumina-based composites. Previous attempts to fabricate such alumina matrix composites have been unsuccessful due to the higher temperatures needed to densify Al₂O₃ coupled with the fact that SnO₂ decomposes to SnO in reducing environments. SnO has a relatively low melting point (1125 °C). In this paper we report the successful fabrication of Al₂O₃/SnO₂, laminated composites and some observations on microstructural and mechanical characterization of the laminates. As expected from the phase diagram, no chemical compound formation was observed between Al₂O₃ and SnO₂ which means that no primary chemical bonding developed between individual laminae. TEM observations showed, however, a strong mechanical interlocking at the SnO₂/Al₂O₃ interfaces. In spite of the relatively strong interfacial bond, cracks did deflect. Our microstructural studies showed that SnO₂ served as a weak interphase material.     

Slip casting of Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 composites

Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ composites have been fabricated by slip casting from aqueous suspensions. The physical and structural characteristics of the starting powders, composition of the suspensions, casting behaviour, microstructure of the green and fired bodies and the mechanical properties of the products were investigated. The addition of ZrO₂ to Al₂O₃ leads to a significant increase in fracture toughness when ZrO₂ particles are retained in the tetragonal form (transformation-toughening mechanism) but when microcracking (due to the spontaneous transformation of ZrO₂ from the tetragonal phase to the monoclinic one) is dominant, an excellent toughness value is accompanied by a drastic drop in strength and hardness.     

Studies on mechanical properties of epoxy composites filled with the grafted particles PGMA/Al2O3

In the present work, the epoxy resin composites filled with the particulates of PGMA/Al₂O₃ which were prepared by grafting poly-glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) onto the Al₂O₃, were obtained by incorporating and curing the resin containing the particulates. The mechanical properties of the resulting resin composites epoxy/PGMA/Al₂O₃ were evaluated and compared with epoxy/Al₂O₃. The morphologies of the fracture surfaces of the filled epoxy resin composites were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that after grafting polymers onto Al₂O₃ particles, the interfacial combination of epoxy resin with PGMA/Al₂O₃ can be significantly increased due to the higher bonding strength and bonding modulus between them, therefore, the properties of the composites are improved largely. And the higher grafting degree of PGMA, the greater the impact strength and yield strength of the resin composites are, which primarily depends on the structure-properties relationship of the composites. In addition, the additive amount of PGMA/Al₂O₃ particles and the curing agents are also important factors that influence the properties of composites.     

Mechanical properties of pressure-sintered Al2O3-ZrC composites

Alumina-zirconium carbide composites containing up to 0.90 molecular fraction of carbide were prepared by pressure-sintering at 1800 K under pressures of 35 and 50 MPa. Both toughness (evaluated from the indentation cracks length) and flexural strength, first increase with carbide molecular fraction, then decrease. The influence of the sintering pressure is more marked for the toughness than for the flexural strength. The initial increase of the mechanical properties seems to be related to the alumina grain size diminution, and the subsequent decrease to the presence of poorly bonded zirconium carbide agglomerates.