Investigation on the cutting quality characteristics of abrasive water jet machining of AA6061-B4C-hBN hybrid metal matrix composites

Aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) explicitly show better physical and mechanical properties as compared to aluminum alloys and results in a more preferred material for a wide range of applications. The addition of reinforcements embargo AMMCs employment to industry requirements by increasing order of machining complexity. However, it can be machined with a high order of surface integrity by nonconventional approaches like abrasive water jet machining. Hybrid aluminum alloy composites were reinforced by B₄C (5–15?vol%) and solid lubricant hBN (15?vol%) particles and fabricated using a liquid metallurgy route. This research article deals with the experimental investigation on the effect of process parameters such as mesh size, abrasive flow rate, water pressure and work traverse speed of abrasive water jet machining on hybrid AA6061-B₄C-hBN composites. Water jet pressure and traverse speed have been proved to be the most significant parameters which influenced the responses like kerf taper angle and surface roughness. Increase in reinforcement particles affects both the kerf taper angle and surface roughness. SEM images of the machined surface show that cutting wear mechanism was largely operating in material removal.     

Electrochemical deposition of polypyrrole–carbon nanotube films using steroid dispersants

Polypyrrole (PPR)–carbon nanotube (CNT) films were prepared by an electrodeposition method, combining PPR electropolymerization and anaphoresis of CNT. PPR polymerization experiments showed advantages of a dopant from the catechol family for the deposition of PPR films at reduced electrode potentials. The method allowed the formation of adherent films on stainless steel substrates. The amphiphilic molecules with steroid-like structures, such as carbenoxolone disodium salt, glycyrrhizic acid, ammonium salt, and sodium taurodeoxycholate, were used for dispersion and charging of CNT. The new dispersing agents showed outstanding dispersion ability. In addition to dispersing properties, electrodeposition experiments revealed film-forming properties of carbenoxolone and ability to form pure carbenoxolone or carbenoxolone–CNT films. The PPR–CNT films formed using carbenoxolone disodium salt, glycyrrhizic acid ammonium salt, and sodium taurodeoxycholate showed diverse microstructural features. The dispersion and deposition mechanisms were discussed.     

Diversity in Addressing Reaction Mechanisms of Nano‐Thermite Composites with a Layer by Layer Structure

The reaction mechanisms and microstructures of various layered nano‐thermite composites are investigated through characterization of their energetic properties. Migration of reactive components across the reaction zone is analyzed, which plays an important role in determining the process initiation, reaction propagation, and chemical stability at low temperatures. Distinct types of nanoparticles are deposited onto filter paper in a sequence, using the vacuum filtration method, which promotes intimate contact between neighboring reactive layers. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate a well‐defined contact region between the two layers in the Al/CuO or Al/NiO composites. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data shows that the thermite reaction occurs below the melting temperature of Al, resulting in rapid heat release, and improves reaction initiation. Elemental mapping results reveal the migration of Al, Ni/Cu, and oxygen before and after the thermite reaction, which is arranged during thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This analysis indicates the dominant pathway of the thermite reaction in each composite, through either decomposition of the CuO nanoparticles in the Al/CuO composite or through direct migration of reactive components across the conducting surface within the Al/NiO composite.

     

Reactive Structural Materials: Preparation and Characterization

Reactive structural materials, which can serve both as structural elements as well as a source of chemical energy released upon initiation have emerged as an important class of metal‐based composites for use in various energetic systems. Such materials rely on a variety of exothermic reactions, from oxidation to formation of metal‐metalloid and intermetallic phases. The rates of these reactions are as important as the energy that may be released, in order for them to occur at the time scales compatible with the requirements of applications. Therefore, chemical composition, scale at which reactive components are mixed, and the structure and morphology of materials are important and can be controlled by the method of preparation and compaction of the composite materials. Methods of preparation of the composite structures are briefly reviewed as well as methods of characterization of their mechanical and energetic properties. In addition to common thermo‐analytical and static mechanical property measurements, dynamic tests of mechanical properties as well as ignition and combustion experiments are necessary to understand the fragmentation, initiation, and heat release expected for these materials when they are stimulated by an impact, shock, or rapid heating. Reaction mechanisms are studied presently for the thin layers and small samples of reactive materials initiated in carefully designed experiments. In other experiments, impact and explosive initiation are characterized for larger material compacts in the conditions imitating practical scenarios. Examples of results describing thermal, impact, and explosive initiation of some of the reactive materials are presented.

     

Uniting Strength and Toughness of Al Matrix Composites with Coordinated Al3Ni and Al3Ti Reinforcements

Hybrid aluminum composites are fabricated in a novel manner to characteristically induce a layer‐wise aligned distribution of micro‐scale Al₃Ni and Al₃Ti intermetallic particles that are formed in situ within a ductile Al matrix. The simple and unique Rolling of Randomly Orientated Layer‐wise Materials (RROLM) manufacturing methodology enables microstructural tailoring of the intermetallic reinforcing particles to prescribe enhanced crack tip deflection caused by the complex interaction of local veins of reinforcement particles, in an effort to overshadow the classical loss of toughness in large‐particle reinforced composites. The complimentary reinforcements and their interface with the Al matrix are revealed to have a gradual transition zone that functions to maintain critical cohesion with the particles and the matrix, empowering the superior load transfer capability of the particles, and reducing microvoid penetration into the matrix. In situ three‐point bending observations combined with a local strain field analysis, demonstrate the distinctive crack deflection mechanisms exhibit by the composite. Deviating from the norm, this specialized particle reinforced composite exhibited both strengthening and toughening mechanisms simultaneously, over control samples. The investigated design strategy and model material will assist materials development toward light‐weight, stronger, and tougher particle reinforced Al matrix composites.     

Effect of High‐Energy Ball Milling on Mechanical Properties of the Mg–Nb Composites Fabricated through Powder Metallurgy Process

New biocompatible and biodegradable Mg–Nb composites used as bone implant materials are fabricated through powder metallurgy process. Mg–Nb mixture powders are prepared through mechanical milling and manual mixing. Then, the Mg–Nb composites are fabricated through cold press and sintering processes. The effect of mechanical milling and Nb particles as reinforcements on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg–Nb composites are investigated. The mechanical milling process is found to be effective in reducing the size of Mg and Nb particles, distributing the Nb particles uniformly in the Mg matrix and obtaining Mg–Nb composite particles. The Mg–Nb composite particles can be bound together firmly during the sintering process, result in Mg–Nb composite structures with no intermetallic formation, lower porosity, and higher mechanical properties compared to composites prepared through manual mixing. Interestingly, the mechanical properties of manually mixed Mg–Nb composites appear to be even lower than that of pure Mg.

     

Dendrite‐Free Lithium Deposition via Flexible‐Rigid Coupling Composite Network for LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4/Li Metal Batteries

Notorious lithium dendrite causes severe capacity fade and harsh safety issues of lithium metal batteries, which hinder the practical applications of lithium metal electrodes in higher energy rechargeable batteries. Here, a kind of 3D‐cross‐linked composite network is successfully employed as a flexible‐rigid coupling protective layer on a lithium metal electrode. During the plating/stripping process, the composite protective layer would enable uniform distribution of lithium ions in the adjacent regions of the lithium electrode, resulting in a dendrite‐free deposition at a current density of 2 mA cm^?2. The LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄‐based lithium metal battery presents an excellent cycling stability at a voltage range of 3.5–5.0 V with the induction of 3D‐cross‐linked composite protective layer. From an industrial field application of view, thin lithium metal electrodes (40 µm, with 4 times excess lithium) can be used in LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (with industrially significant loading of 18 mg cm^?2 and 2.6 mAh cm^?2)‐based lithium metal batteries, which reveals a promising opportunity for practical applicability in high energy lithium metal batteries.     

Composite‐Structure Material Design for High‐Energy Lithium Storage

High‐energy storage devices are in demand for the rapid development of modern society. Until now, many kinds of energy storage devices, such as lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs), and so on, have been developed in the past 30 years. However, most of the commercially exploited and studied active electrode materials of these energy storage devices possess a single phase with low reversible capacity or unsatisfied cycle stability. Continuous and extensive research efforts are made to develop alternative materials with a higher specific energy density and long cycle life by element doping or surface modification. A novel strategy of forming composite‐structure electrode materials by introducing structure units has attracted great attention in recent years. Herein, based on previous publications on these composite‐structure materials, some important scientific points focusing on the design of composite‐structure materials for better electrochemical performances reveal the distinction of composite structures based on average and local structure analysis methods, and an understanding of the relationship between these interior composite structures and their electrochemical performances is discussed thoroughly. The lithiation/delithiation mechanism and the remaining challenges and perspectives for composite‐structure electrode materials are also elaborated.     

用于纤维材料表面耐磨涂层的制备与性能表征

为使涤纶织物应用范围更广,更耐磨,本文制备了一种有机硅树脂基纳米硼化钛碳化钛复合涂层,通过正交实验法得到最佳的涂层方案,并尝试将其应用于涤纶织物,以改善涤纶织物的表面结构,进而实现涤纶织物表面优异的耐磨性能.为测试涂层对涤纶织物性能的影响, 采用泰伯式耐磨仪、液滴形状分析仪、电子织物强力机、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)研究了涂层织物的耐磨性能、疏水性能、物理机械性能和磨损织物的表面微观形态.研究表明：当有机硅树脂与无水乙醇质量比为75: 25,含量(质量分数)为93%;超分散剂含量为1.5%;乙醇增稠剂含量为1.5%;纳米硼化钛和碳化钛质量比为2: 1,含量为4%时,所得涂层溶液应用于涤纶织物后会形成一层包覆层,耐磨性能最优.对于涂覆量为15 g/m²的涤纶,拉伸断裂强力由573.92 N提高到620.48 N,顶破强力由652.34 N提高到790.07 N,撕裂强力由9.87 N降低到5.78 N,疏水性能有较大提高,接触角可达到120°以上.