High Temperature Tensile Properties of 30 vol. pct ZrC_p/W Composite

In order to improve the high temperature strength of tungsten, 30 vol. pct ZrC particles were added to the tungsten matrix to form a 30ZrCp/W composite. The tensile properties from 20C to 1880C of the composite were examined. It was shown that with increasing testing temperature, the nonlinearity of the stress strain curve of 30ZrCp/W composite becames obvious over 1200C and the Young's modulus decreases and the elongation increases. The ultimate tensile strength increases at first and then decreases with increasing testing temperature. The maximum strength of 431 MPa was obtained at 1000C. The strengthening mechanism at high temperatures is the load transfer to ZrC particles and dislocation strengthening of the tungsten matrix with an effect of grain boundary strengthening.     

In situ reacted TiB2-reinforced mullite

In situ formation of TiB₂ in mullite matrix through the reaction of TiO₂, boron and carbon has been studied. In hot-pressed and pressureless-sintered samples, in addition to TiB₂, TiC was also found to be dispersed phases in mullite matrix. However, in the case of pressurelesssintered samples, mullite/TiB₂ composite with 98% relative density can be obtained through a preheating step held at 1300 °C for longer than 3 h and then sintering at a temperature above 1600 °C. Hot-pressed composite containing 30 vol% TiB₂ gives a flexural strength of 427 MPa and a fracture toughness of 4.3 MPam^1/2. Pressureless-sintered composite containing 20 vol% TiB₂ gives a flexural strength of 384 MPa and a fracture toughness of 3.87 MPam^1/2.     

Synthesis and high temperature mechanical properties of Ti3SiC2/SiC composite

A high density Ti₃SiC₂/20 vol % SiC composite was hot pressed under a uniaxial pressure of 45 MPa for 30 min in an Ar atmosphere at 1600 °C. The grain size of the Ti₃SiC₂/SiC composite was finer than that of monolithic Ti₃SiC₂, though the composite was hot pressed at a higher temperature, due to the dispersion of SiC particles in the Ti₃SiC₂ matrix. Room temperature fracture toughness of the composite and Vickers hardness were measured as 5.4 MPa m^1/2 and 1080 kg mm^–2, respectively. A higher flexure strength of the composite compared to that of monolithic Ti₃SiC₂ was measured both at room temperature and up to 1200 °C. At 1000 °C, the composite showed a lower oxidation rate than that of monolithic Ti₃SiC₂.     

Experimental description of thermomechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced TiC matrix composites

Titanium carbide ceramic is a good potential material used in high temperature environment for its good strength, erosion resistance and thermal stability. Unfortunately, the low thermal shock resistance and low fracture toughness are the well-known impediments to its application as high temperature structure components. In order to extend the application of TiC ceramics at high temperature, 20 vol.% short carbon fiber was added into TiC matrix to improve the thermomechanical properties. With the incorporation of carbon fiber, the thermal expansion coefficient of TiC composites was decreased and the thermal conductivity was increased slightly below 900 °C. The flexural strength was improved from 471 MPa for monolithic TiC to 593 MPa for TiC composites, and the strengthening effect of carbon fiber became more prominent at high temperatures. The addition of fiber decreased the elastic modulus of TiC composite. The elastic modulus of the composite decreased with increasing temperature. The improvement of high temperature strength and thermal conductivity and the decrease of thermal expansion will benefit the application of TiC composites in high temperature environment where the temperature usually varies.     

Mechanical properties of a lithium glass–ceramic matrix (LZSA) reinforced with TiC or (W,Ti)C particles: A preliminary study

Despite their generally low strength and hardness values, glass–ceramics show good potential to be used in structural applications at room temperature instead of other costlier ceramic materials. This work investigates the effect of dispersed hard carbide particles on the sintering behaviour and the mechanical properties of a lithium glass–ceramic. The glass was mixed with 30 wt.% TiC or (W,Ti)C and hot-pressed at 650 °C (30 MPa, 30 min, Ar). The results obtained compare the properties of the composites with those of the parent glass and demonstrate that the addition of hard particles significantly improves the mechanical strength of the glass–ceramic matrix.     

Preparation and properties of SiO2 matrix composites doped with AlN particles

SiO₂ matrix composites doped with AlN particles were prepared by hot-pressing process. Mechanical properties of SiO₂ matrix composites can be greatly improved by doping with AlN particles. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of 30 vol%AlN-SiO₂ composite sintered at 1400°C reached 200 MPa and 2.96 MPa·m^1/2. XRD analysis indicated that, up to 1400°C, no chemical reaction occurred between SiO₂ matrix and AlN particles suggesting an excellent chemical compatibility of SiO₂ matrix with AlN particles. The influences of hot-pressing temperature and the content of AlN particles on dielectric properties of SiO₂-AlN composites were studied. The temperature and frequency dependency of dielectric properties of SiO₂-AlN composites were also studied. Residual flexural strength of SiO₂-AlN composites decreased with increasing temperature difference. The critical temperature difference was estimated about 600°C.     

In situ reacted TiB2-reinforced alumina

In situ formation of TiB₂ in Al₂O₃ matrix through the reaction of TiO₂, boron and carbon has been studied. In hot-pressed samples, in addition to TiB₂, TiC and Al₂TiO₅ were also found to be dispersed phases in Al₂O₃ matrix. However, in the case of pressureless-sintered samples, pure Al₂O₃/TiB₂ composite with > 99% relative density can be obtained through a preheating step held at 1300°C for longer than 30 min and then sintering at a temperature above 1500°C. Pressureless-sintered composite containing 20vol% TiB₂ gives a flexural strength of 580 MPa and a fracture toughness of 7.2 MPa m^1/2.     

La2O3-TiC/W复合材料组织结构与力学性能

采用真空热压烧结法制备La₂O₃-TiC/W复合材料,并对其组织结构和力学性能进行了研究。结果表明：在一定成分范围内,La₂O₃和TiC的加入提高了复合材料的力学性能,La₂O₃和TiC共同作用时的强化效果强于La₂O₃和TiC单独作用的强化效果,但La₂O₃-TiC/W复合材料的密度和相对密度随TiC含量的增加而下降,并进而影响硬度和弹性模量的提高, 适量的La₂O₃有益于相对密度的提高;抗弯强度在1%La2O3 5%TiC/W成分含量时出现最大值901MPa,而断裂韧性在成分含量为0.5%La₂O₃-10%TiC/W时出现最大值10.07MPa·m1/2。本研究中,1%La₂O₃-5%TiC/W成分配比时具有较好的综合力学性能。La₂O₃-TiC/W复合材料的强化机制为细晶强化和载荷传递,韧化机制为细晶韧化、裂纹偏转和桥接。     

High temperature behaviour of a Ti-6Al-4V/TiCp composite processed by BE-CIP-HIP method

The high temperature behaviour of a Ti-6Al-4V/TiC_p composite (10% Vol. of TiC) was investigated. A composite produced by Dynamet Technology according to the blended-elemental-cold-hot isostatic pressing (BE-CHIP) method was used. The stress-strain properties of the material were tested at 25, 200, 400, 500, 600 and 800°C. Composite specimens were aged in air at 500 and 700°C or under vacuum at 500, 700 and 1050°C, for periods ranging between 100 and 500 hours. The thermal stability of the matrix/ceramic interfaces was studied by using scanning electron microscope, electron probe microanalysis and x-ray diffraction. Carbon diffusion from the ceramic particles towards the composite matrix occurred (very likely already during the composite fabrication) because the metal matrix of all the composite samples (either in the as received or thermally treated conditions) showed a high content of carbon (more than 1% at.). However, the thermal treatments carried out at both 500 and 700°C under vacuum did not result in a ceramic-metal reaction. In spite of this, the formation of an ordered phase of formula Ti₂C can be inferred. Long period aging under vacuum at 700°C (500 h) did not lower the composite tensile strength. On the other hand, above 500°C in air the titanium matrix rapidly underwent oxidation, which gave rise to the formation of a thick surface reaction layer; this confirms that the composite material cannot be used above this temperature. Furthermore, the thermal treatment performed at 1050°C (under vacuum) resulted in a strong composite microstructure modification: the formation of new mixed carbides of Al and Ti was observed.     

Effect of cooling rate upon the microstructure and mechanical properties of in-situ TiC reinforced high entropy alloy CoCrFeNi

Three types of in-situ TiC(5 vol%,10 vol% and 15 vol%) reinforced high entropy alloy CoCrFeNi matrix composites were produced by vacuum induction smelting.The effect of two extreme cooling conditions(i.e.,slow cooling in fu rnace and rapid cooling in copper crucible) upon the microstructure and mechanical properties was examined.In the case of slow cooling in the furnace,TiC was found to form mostly along the grain boundaries for the 5 vol% samples.With the increase of TiC reinforcements,fibrous TiC appeared and extended into the matrix,leading to an increase in hardness.The ultimate tensile strength of the composites shows a marked variation with increasing TiC content;that is,425.6 MPa(matrix),372.8 MPa(5 vol%),550.4 MPa(10 vol%) and 334.3 MPa(15 vol%),while the elongation-to-failure(i.e.,ductility) decreases.The fracture pattern was found to transit from the ductile to cleavage fracture,as the TiC content increased.When the samples cooled rapidly in copper crucible,the TiC particles formed both along the grain boundaries and within the grains.With the increase of TiC volume fraction,both the hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the resulting composites improved steadily while the elongation-to-failure declined.Therefore,the fast cooling can be used to drastically improve the strength of in-situ TiC reinforced CoCrFeNi.For example,for the 15 vol% TiC/CoCrFeNi composite cooled in the copper crucible,the hardness and ultimate tensile strength can reach as high as 595 HV and 941.7 MPa,respectively.     

In-situ production of Fe-TiC composite

A TiC/Fe composite was produced by a novel process which combines in situ with powder metallurgy techniques. The microstructure of the Fe-TiC composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD); with the help of differential thermal analysis (DTA), the reaction path of the Fe-Ti-C system was discussed. The results show that the production of an iron matrix composite reinforced by TiC particulates using the novel process is feasible. TiC particles exhibit homogeneous distribution in the α-Fe matrix. The reaction path is as follows: first, allotropic change Fe_α → Fe_γ at 765.6 °C; second, formation of the compound Fe₂Ti at 1078.4 °C because of the eutectic reaction between Ti and Fe; third, reaction between carbon and melted Fe₂Ti causing formation of TiC at 1138.2 °C; finally, Fe₃C formation due to the eutectic reaction between remanent C and Fe at 1146.4 °C.     

Silicon carbide fibre reinforced glass-ceramic matrix composites exhibiting high strength and toughness

Silicon carbide fibre reinforced glass-ceramic matrix composites have been investigated as a structural material for use in oxidizing environments to temperatures of 1000° C or greater. In particular, the composite system consisting of SiC yarn reinforced lithium aluminosilicate (LAS) glass-ceramic, containing ZrO₂ as the nucleation catalyst, has been found to be reproducibly fabricated into composites that exhibit exceptional mechanical and thermal properties to temperatures of approximately 1000° C. Bend strengths of over 700 MPa and fracture toughness values of greater than 17 MN m^–3/2 from room temperature to 1000° C have been achieved for unidirectionally reinforced composites of 50 vol% SiC fibre loading. High temperature creep rates of 10^–5 h^–1 at a temperature of 1000° C and stress of 350 MPa have been measured. The exceptional toughness of this ceramic composite material is evident in its impact strength, which, as measured by the notched Charpy method, has been found to be over 50 times greater than hot-pressed Si₃N₄.     

Isothermal treatment influence on nanometer-size carbide precipitation of titanium-bearing low carbon steel

The precipitation kinetics of nano-size TiC particles in ferrites depends on the annealing temperature. At 700 °C, 725 °C, and 750 °C, the majority of nano TiC particles are found to distribute along the austenite/ferrite interfaces. These nano-size carbides strengthen the ferrite matrix. At the lower annealing temperatures of 650 °C and 675 °C, a few randomly distributed nano TiC precipitates develop in the ferrite matrix from the supersaturated ferrite solid solution. In this case, the strength of the ferrite is attributed to the nanoparticle strengthening and solid-solution strengthening.     

TiC/Ni3Al Composites Manufactured by Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis and Hot Isostatic Pressing

TiC–20 wt% Ni₃Al and TiC–40 wt% Ni₃Al composite materials were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP). In the SHS method the reacted powders were compacted by uniaxial pressing immediately after the reaction. The microstructure of the materials produced by SHS consisted of spherical carbides embedded in the Ni₃Al matrix, whereas the microstructure of the materials produced by HIPing was more irregular. A maximum hardness of 2010 HV₁ was measured for the material produced by HIP and a maximum fracture toughness of 10.5 MPa m^1/2 was measured for materials produced by SHS. High-temperature resistance was investigated by exposing the materials to 800°C in air for 110 h. The results obtained showed that the TiC + Ni₃Al composite materials can be recommended for use in environments consisting of oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures around 800°C where high wear resistance is required.     

Fabrication and characteristics of in situ Al12W particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites by reaction sintering

A novel in situ Al12W particles reinforced aluminum matrix composite was synthesized by reaction sintering of tungsten and aluminum powders and followed by hot extrusion. The microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The tensile tests of composite and pure aluminum materials were measured. The XRD analysis identifies that the in situ Al12W particles are formed by the reaction between tungsten and aluminum powders. Meanwhile, SEM observation shows that the Al12W particles are distributed uniformly in the Al matrix, and TEM observation shows that the interfacial condition of Al12W particles and Al is good. It is found from the tensile tests that the in situ synthesized Al12W particles can significantly enhance the strength of the composite in spite of decreasing elongation. The fracture morphology analysis reveals that the fracture mode of composite is ductile fracture.     

TiC颗粒增韧MoSi2基复合材料的力学性能

通过湿法混合和热压法制备了不同体积百分比的TiCp-MoSi2复合材料,研究了TiC颗粒对MoSi2基体材料显微结构和力学性能的影响。实验结果表明,在MoSi2基体中加入TiC颗粒,细化了基体的晶粒,改善了其力学性能。与纯MoSi2相比,含40vol% TiC颗粒的复合材料的室温抗弯强度提高了65％,含20vol%TiCp的复合材料的室温断裂韧性提高了53％,而且TiC颗粒的加入大大提高了MoSi2的高温承载能力,随TiC颗粒含量的增加,复合材料的高温抗弯强度大为增加。     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–TiC metal matrix composite obtained by reactive synthesis

A metal matrix composite has been obtained by a novel synthesis route, reacting Al₃Ti and graphite at 1000 °C for about 1 min after ball-milling and compaction. The resulting composite is made of an aluminium matrix reinforced by nanometer sized TiC particles (average diameter 70 nm). The average TiC/Al ratio is 34.6 wt.% (22.3 vol.%). The microstructure consists of an intimate mixture of two domains, an unreinforced domain made of the Al solid solution with a low TiC reinforcement content, and a reinforced domain. This composite exhibits uncommon mechanical properties with regard to previous micrometer sized Al–TiC composites and to its high reinforcement volume fraction, with a Young’s modulus of ∼110 GPa, an ultimate tensile strength of about 500 MPa and a maximum elongation of 6%.     

Reactive and dense sintering of reinforced-toughened B4C matrix composites

Reactive hot-press (1800-1880 °C, 30 MPa, vacuum) is used to fabricate relatively dense B₄C matrix light composites with the sintering additive of (Al₂O₃ +Y₂O₃). Phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties are determined by methods of XRD, SEM and SENB, etc. These results show that reactions among original powders B₄C, Si₃N₄ and TiC occur during sintering and new phases as SiC, TiB₂ and BN are produced. The sandwich SiC and claviform TiB₂ play an important role in improving the properties. The composites are ultimately and compactly sintered owing to higher temperature, fine grains and liquid phase sintering, with the highest relative density of 95.6%. The composite sintered at 1880 °C possesses the best general properties with bending strength of 540 MPa and fracture toughness of 5.6 MPa m^1/2, 29 and 80% higher than that of monolithic B₄C, respectively. The fracture mode is the combination of transgranular fracture and intergranular fracture. The toughening mechanism is certified to consist of crack deflection, crack bridging and pulling-out effects of the grains.     

Mechanical properties of vanadium beryllide,VBe12

The mechanical properties of VBe₁₂, both at room and elevated temperatures (up to 1200°C), have been measured. Room-temperature properties, including Young's modulus, flexural strength, and fracture toughness are reported. The material behaved elastically at room temperature but became plastic at temperatures above 1000°C. Creep properties of VBe₁₂ were also studied in temperature ranges from 1000–1200°C and applied stress ranges from 33–58 MPa. At low strain rates (approximately < 10^–5s^–1), the stress exponent was about 4, suggesting deformation was controlled by dislocation climb. Microstructural examination indicated that fracture was initiated from grain boundaries subjected to tensile stresses. The creep behaviour of VBe₁₂ is briefly compared with that of other intermetallics.     

Microstructure of alumina reinforced with tungsten carbide

Carbides and nitrides reinforced alumina based ceramic composites are generally accepted as a competitive technological alternative to cemented carbide (WC-Co). The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of dispersed tungsten carbide (WC) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alumina (Al₂O₃). Micron size alumina and tungsten carbide powders were mixed in a ball mill and uniaxially pressed at 1600°C under 20 MPa in an inert atmosphere. The hardness of WC reinforced alumina was 19 GPa and fracture toughness attained up to 7 MPa m^1/2. It was demonstrated by TEM analysis that coarse, micrometersized tungsten carbide grains were located at grain boundaries of the alumina matrix grains. Additionally, sub-micrometer tungsten carbide spheres were found inside the alumina particles. Crack deflection triggered by the tungsten carbide at the grain boundaries of the alumina matrix is supposed to increase fracture toughness whereas the presence of intergranular and intragranular hard tungsten carbide particles are responsible for the increase of the hardness values of the investigated composite materials.