Research progress in friction stir processing of magnesium alloys and their metal matrix surface composites: Evolution in the 21^(st )century

Rising concerns about climate change drive the demand for lightweight components.Magnesium(Mg)alloys are highly valued for their low weight,making them increasingly important in various industries.Researchers focusing on enhancing the characteristics of Mg alloys and developing their Metal Matrix Composites(MMCs)have gained significant attention worldwide over the past decade,driven by the global shift towards lightweight materials.Friction Stir Processing(FSP)has emerged as a promising technique to enhance the properties of Mg alloys and produce Mg-MMCs.Initially,FSP adapted to refine grain size from the micro to the nano level and accelerated the development of MMCs due to its solid-state nature and the synergistic effects of microstructure refinement and reinforcement,improving strength,hardness,ductility,wear resistance,corrosion resistance,and fatigue strength.However,producing defect-free and sound FSPed Mg and Mg-MMCs requires addressing several variables and their interdependencies,which opens up a broad range of practical applications.Despite existing reviews on individual FSP of Mg,its alloys,and MMCs,an attempt has been made to analyze the latest research on these three aspects collectively to enhance the understanding,application,and effectiveness of FSP for Mg and its derivatives.This review article discusses the literature,classifies the importance of Mg alloys,provides a historical background,and explores developments and potential applications of FSPed Mg alloys.It focuses on novel fabrication methods,reinforcement strategies,machine and tool design parameters,material characterization,and integration with other methods for enhanced properties.The influence of process parameters and the emergence of defects are examined,along with specific applications in mono and hybrid composites and their microstructure evolution.The study identifies promising reinforcement materials and highlights research gaps in FSP for Mg alloys and MMCs production.It concludes with significant recommendations for further exploration,reflecting ongoing advancements in this field.

Process Optimization of Cu-en/AP Composite Microspheres Preparation by Electrostatic Spray Method Based on ANSYS Simulation

To investigate the process optimizationof Cu-en/AP composite microspheres preparation via electrostatic spraying,and to reveal the effects of droplet properties and flow rate variations on the experimental results during the electrostatic spraying process,the prepared process parameters of Cu-en/AP composite microspheres by electrostatic spray method under the orthogonal experimental design simulated by ANSYS(Fluent).The influence of flow rate,solvent ratio,and solid mass on the experimental results is examined using a controlled variable method.The results indicate that under the conditions of a flow rate of 2.67×10^(-3)kg/s an acetone-to-deionized water ratio of 1.5∶1.0,and a solid mass of 200 mg,the theoretical particle size of the composite microspheres can reach e nanoscale.Droplet trajectories in the electric field remain stable without significant deviation.The simulation results show that particle diameter decreases with increasing flow rate,with the trend leveling off around a flow rate of 1×10^(-3)kg/s.As the solvent ratio increases(with higher acetone content),particle diameter initially decreases,reaching a minimum around a ratio of 1.5∶1.0 before gradually increasing.Increasing the solid mass also reduces the particle diameter,with a linear increase in diameter observed at around 220 mg.Cu-en/AP composite microspheres with nanoscale dimensions were confirmed under these conditions by the final SEM images.

Effect of Low pH on Forming Process of Desulfurization Gypsum Composite Boards Strengthened by Melamine-formaldehyde Resin

Through exploring the effects of low pH on the composite system of desulfurization gypsum(DG)enhanced by melamine-formaldehyde resin(MF),it is found that the inducing of sulfate-ion,in contrast to chloride and oxalate ions,favors the longitudinal growth of the crystalline form of the hydration product,which was relatively simple and had the highest length to width(L/D)ratio.At the same time,MF can also improve L/D ratio of gypsum hydration products,which favors the formation of hydrated whiskers.Finally,in a composite system composed of hemihydrate gypsum,MF,and glass fibers,when dilute sulfuric acid was used to regulate pH=3-4,the tight binding formed among the components of the composite system compared to pH=5-6.The hydration product of gypsum adheres tightly to glass fiber surface and produces a good cross-linking and binding effect with MF.The flexural strength,compressive strength,elastic modulus,and water absorption of the desulphurized gypsum composite board is 22.7 MPa,39.8 MPa,5608 MPa,and 1.8%,respectively.

Deformation behaviors and processing maps of CNTs/Al alloy composite fabricated by flake powder metallurgy

Deformation behaviors of CNTs/Al alloy composite fabricated by the method of flake powder metallurgy were investigated by hot compression tests, which were performed in the temperature range of 300?550 °C and strain rate range of 0.001? 10 s?1 with Gleeble?3500 thermal simulator system. Processing maps of the CNTs/Al alloy at different strains were calculated to study the optimum processing domain. Microstructures before and after hot compressions were characterized by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) method. Stress?strain curves indicate that the flow stress increases with the increase of strain rate and the decrease of temperature. The processing maps of the CNTs/Al alloy at different strains show that the optimum processing domain is 500?550 °C, 10 s?1 for hot working. EBSD analysis demonstrates that fully dynamic recrystallization occurs in the optimum processing domain (high strainrate 10 s?1), whereas the main soften mechanism is dynamic recovery at low strain rate (0.001 s?1).

Hot deformation and processing maps of Al_2O_3/Al composites fabricated by flake powder metallurgy

The deformation behaviors of Al2O3/Al composites were investigated by compressive tests conducted at temperature of 300-450 °C and strain rates of 0.001-1.0 s-1 with Gleeble-1500 D thermal simulator system. The results show that the flow stress increases with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. The hyperbolic sine constitutive equation can describe the flow stress behavior of Al2O3/Al composites, and the deformation activation energy and constitutive equations were calculated. The processing maps of Al2O3/Al-2 μm and Al2O3/Al-1 μm composites at strain of 0.6 were obtained and the optimum processing domains are in ranges of 300-330 °C, 0.007-0.03 s-1 and 335-360 °C, 0.015-0.06 s-1 for hot working, respectively. The instability zones of flow behavior can also be recognized by the maps.

Flow stress behavior and processing map of extruded 7075Al/SiC particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition during hot compression

Hot compression tests of the extruded 7075Al/15%SiC (volume fraction) particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition were performed on Gleeble?1500 system in the temperature range of 300?450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?1 s?1. The results indicate that the true stress?true strain curve almost exhibits rapid flow softening phenomenon without an obvious work hardening, and the stress decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate. Moreover, the stress levels are higher at temperature below 400 °C but lower at 450 °C compared with the spray deposited 7075Al alloy. Superplastic deformation characteristics are found at temperature of 450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?0.1 s?1 with corresponding strain rate sensitivity of 0.72. The optimum parameters of hot working are determined to be temperature of 430?450 °C and strain rate of 0.001?0.05 s?1 based on processing map and optical microstructural observation.

Densification process of 10%B_4C-AA2024 matrix composite strips by semi-solid powder rolling

Semi-solid powder rolling（SSPR） is a novel strip manufacturing process,which includes the features of semi-solid rolling and powder rolling.In this work,densification process and deformation mechanisms of B4 C and AA2024 mixed powders in the presence of liquid phase were investigated.The relationships between relative densities and rolling forces were analyzed as well.The results show that liquid fraction plays an important role in the densification process which can be divided into three stages.Rolling deformation is the main densification mechanism in deformation area when the liquid fraction is lower than 20%.When the liquid fraction is equal to or higher than 20%,the flowing and filling of liquid phase are the densification mechanisms in deformation area.The relative densities increase with increasing rolling forces.The relative density–rolling force curves are similar at 550 °C and 585 °C.The characteristics of the curve shapes are apparently different at 605 °C and 625 °C.

CATHODIC PROCESS AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF ELECTRO-DEPOSITED RE-Ni-W-P-SiC COMPOSITE COATING

Cathodic deposition current density of the composite coatings increases when SiC par-ticles and rare earth (RE) were added in the bath, which is profitable for Ni- W-P alloy to deposit in the cathod, forming Ni-W-P-SiC and RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coatings. On the contrary, the addition of PTFE in the bath decreases cathodic deposition current density of the coatings. The current density increases a little when the amount of RE is 7-9g/l; however, the current density increases greatly when the amount of RE is increased to 11-13g/l. Bui ij the amount of RE is raised further, the current density decreases. Hardness and wear resistance of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating have been studied, and the results show that the hardness and wear resistance of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating increase with increasing heat treatment tempera-ture, which reach peak values at 400℃; while the hardness and wear resistance of the coating decrease with the rise of heat treated temperature continuously.

Fabrication of carbon nanotubes reinforced AZ91D composites by ultrasonic processing

Magnesium matrix nanocomposite reinforced with carbon nanotubes(CNTs/AZ91D) was fabricated by mechanical stirring and high intensity ultrasonic dispersion processing.The microstructures and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite were investigated.The results show that CNTs are well dispersed in the matrix and combined with the matrix very well.As compared with AZ91D magnesium alloy matrix,the tensile strength,yield strength and elongation of the 1.5%CNTs/AZ91D nanocomposite are improved by 22%,21%and 42%respectively in permanent mold casting.The strength and ductility of the nanocomposite are improved simultaneously.The tensile fracture analysis shows that the damage mechanism of nanocomposite is still brittle fracture.But the CNTs can prevent the local crack propagation to some extent.

Reactive Processing and Mechanical Properties of Al/SiC_P Composite

The reactive process for Al/SiC P composite was studied. SiC particles were in situ coated by the exothermal reaction of SiC Ti powder compact in Al melt bath, and easily incorporated into Al melt. The detailed study was carried out to understand the microstructures of the reacted SiC particles. During the reaction and consequent mixing, the successive processes include in situ coating on the reacted SiC particles, coat dissolution and SiC P splitting. The tensile mechanical properties of 6013Al/SiC P composite processed by the present technology showed that the reacted SiC P considerably reinforced the 6013 matrix.

Structures and Properties of Iron Matrix Composites with Tungsten Carbide Particle by EPC-V Process

In this paper the Expendable Pattern Casting with dry sand Vacuum(EPC-V) process is used to manufacture iron matrix composites with tungsten carbide particle.Microstructures of the composites layers were analyzed.The abrasive wear resistance of the composites layers were tested and compared with that of high chromium cast iron.The results show that the iron matrix composites with tungsten carbide particle have high hardness.The abrasive wear resistance of composites with tungsten carbide particle is higher than that of high chromium cast iron.The properties of the matrix materials have been improved remarkably.

THE EROSIVE PROCESS IN ABRASIVE WATERJET CUTTING OF POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES

A study is carried out which analyzes the machinability of polymer matrix composites under an abrasive waterjet (AWJ) and the associated erosive process or mechanism. It shows that AWJ cutting can produce good quality kerf at high production rate if the cutting parameters are properly selected. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the cut surfaces reveals that the erosive process for the matrix material (resin) involves shearing and ploughing as well as intergranular cracking, while shearing is a dominant process for cutting the fibres in the upper cutting region but the fibers are mostly pulled out in the lower region.

IN SITU PROCESSING OF Al_(2)O_(3) WHISKERS REINFORCED Ti-Al INTERMETALLIC COMPOSITES

In situ Al2O3 whiskers reinforced Ti-Al intermetallic composites were fabricated at ~1200℃ by reaction sintering of cold-consolidated fillets consisting mainly of Ti, Al, and different additives. The phases and microstructures of the sintered composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The process of synthesis was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The effects of processing parameters and additives on the microstructures of the composites and the development of whisker were examined. It is found that the morphology of the whisker is strongly influenced by the additives, the exothermal reaction process, and the processing parameters.

Fabrication of AA7005/TiB2-B4C surface composite by friction stir processing: Evaluation of ballistic behaviour

The present work aims to enhance the ballistic resistance of AA7005 alloy by incorporating the TiB2 and B4C ceramic reinforcement particles. Surface composites with different weight fractions of TiB2 and B4C particles were processed by friction stir processing. Micro-hardness and depth of penetration tests were carried out to evaluate the ballistic properties of the surface composites. The surface hardness of the composite was found to be nearly 70 HV higher than base alloy. The depth of penetration of the steel projectile was 20e26mm in the composites as compared to 37mm in the base alloy. Ballistic mass efficiency factor of the surface composite was found to be 1.6 times higher than base alloy. This is mainly attributed to the dispersion strengthening from the reinforcement particles.

A comparative study on microstructural evolution and surface properties of graphene/CNT reinforced Al6061-SiC hybrid surface composite fabricated via friction stir processing

A comparative study on the surface properties of Al-SiC-multi walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and Al-SiC-graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) hybrid composites fabricated via friction stir processing (FSP) was documented. Microstructural characterization reveals a more homogeneous dispersion of GNPs in the Al matrix as compared to CNTs. Dislocation blockade by SiC and GNP particles along with the defect-free interface between the matrix and reinforcements is also observed. Nanoindentation study reveals a remarkable ~207% and ~27% increment in surface nano-hardness of Al-SiC-GNP and Al-SiC-CNT hybrid composite compared to as-received Al6061 alloy, respectively. On the other hand, the microhardness values of Al-SiC-GNP and Al-SiC-CNT are increased by ~36% and ~17% relative to as-received Al6061 alloy, respectively. Tribological assessment reveals ~56% decrease in the specific wear rate of Al-SiC-GNP hybrid composite, whereas it is increased by ~122% in Al-SiC-CNT composite. The higher strength of Al-SiC-GNP composite is attributed to the mechanical exfoliation of GNPs to few layered graphene (FLG) in the presence of SiC. Also, various mechanisms such as thermal mismatch, grain refinement, and Orowan looping contribute significantly towards the strengthening of composites. Moreover, the formation of tribolayer by the squeezed-out GNP on the surface is responsible for the improved tribological performance of the composites. Raman spectroscopy and various other characterization methods corroborate the results.

Processing map and hot deformation behavior of Ta-particle reinforced TiAl composite

The hot deformation behavior of a Ta-particle reinforced TiAl composite was studied.Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb-0.2 W(at.%)/20 vol.%Ta metal matrix composite was fabricated by spark plasma sintering.The deformation behavior was investigated by hot compression tests at the temperature ranging from 1050 to 1200℃ and the strain rate ranging from 1×10-3 to 1 s-1.The constitutive equation containing true strain variables was established.The values of activation energy Q under different strain degrees are between 240 and 280 kJ/mol,which are lower than that of pure TiAl.Based on dynamic material modeling,the processing maps at various strain degrees were established,and the optimized parameters for hot working are 1050-1100℃ and 0.005-0.01 s-1.The microstructural evolution during deformation was characterized,which indicated that the dynamic recrystallization plays an important role in this process.

Coating process of multi-material composite sand mold 3D printing

Sand mold 3 D printing technology is an advanced manufacturing technology which has great flexible manufacturing ability. A multi-material composite sand mold can control the temperature field of metallic parts during the pouring process, while the current sand mold 3 D printing technology can only fabricate a single material sand mold. The casting temperature field can not be adjusted by using single sand mold material with isotropous heat exchange ability during the pouring process. In this work, a kind of novel coating device was designed. Multi-material composite sand molds could be manufactured using the coating device according to the casting process demands of the final parts. The influences of curing agent content, coating velocity and scraper shape on compactness and surface roughness of the sand layer(silica sand and zircon sand) were studied. The shapes and sizes of transition intervals of two kinds of sand granules were also tested. The results show that, with the increase of the added volume of curing agent, the compactness of sand layer reduces and the surface roughness value rises. With the increase of the velocity of the coating device, the compactness of sand layer reduces and the surface roughness value rises similarly. In addition, the scraper with a dip angle of 72 degrees could increase the compactness value of the sand layer. The criteria of quality parmeters of the coating procedure are obtained. That is, the surface roughness(δ) of sand layer should be equal to or lesser than half of main size of the sand particles(Dm). The parameter H of the coating device which is the distance between the base of hopper and the surface of sand layer impacts the size of transition zone. The width of the transition zone is in direct proportion to the parameter H, qualitatively. Through the optimization of the coating device, high quality of multi-material sand layers can be obtained. This will provide a solution in manufacturing the multi-material composite sand mold.

Magnesium based surface metal matrix composites by friction stir processing

Surface metal matrix composites(MMCs)are a group of modern engineered materials where the surface of the material is modified by dispersing secondary phase in the form of particles or fibers and the core of the material experience no change in chemical composition and structure.The potential applications of the surface MMCs can be found in automotive,aerospace,biomedical and power industries.Recently,friction stir processing(FSP)technique has been gaining wide popularity in producing surface composites in solid state itself.Magnesium and its alloys being difficult to process metals also have been successfully processed by FSP to fabricate surface MMCs.The aim of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive summary of state-of-the-art in fabricating magnesium based composites by FSP.Influence of the secondary phase particles and grain refinement resulted from FSP on the properties of these composites is also discussed.

High Cr white cast iron/carbon steel bimetal liner by lost foam casting with liquid-liquid composite process

Liners in wet ball mill for mineral processing industry must bear abrasive wear and corrosive wear, and consequently, the service life of the liner made from traditional materials, such as Hadfield steel and alloyed steels, is typically less than ten months. Bimetal liner, made from high Cr white cast iron and carbon steel, has been successfully developed by using liquid-liquid composite lost foam casting process. The microstructure and interface of the composite were analyzed using optical microscope, SEM, EDX and XRD. Micrographs indicate that the boundary of bimetal combination regions is staggered like dogtooth, two liquid metals are not mixed, and the interface presents excellent metallurgical bonding state. After heat treatment, the composite liner specimens have shown excellent properties, including hardness 〉 61 HRC, fracture toughness ak 〉16.5 J.cm2 and bending strength 〉1,600 MPa. Wear comparison was made between the bimetal composite liner and alloyed steel liner in an industrial hematite ball mill of WISCO, and the results of eight-month test in wet grinding environment have proved that the service life of the bimetal composite liner is three times as long as that of the alloyed steel liner.

Assessment of Ti-6Al-4V particles as a reinforcement for AZ31 magnesium alloy-based composites to boost ductility incorporated through friction stir processing

Poor ductility is the primary concern of magnesium matrix composites(MMCs)inflicted by non-deformable ceramic particle reinforcements.Metal particles which melt at elevated temperature can be used as reinforcement to improve the deformation characteristics.Ti-6Al-4V particles reinforced AZ31 MMCs were produced through friction stir processing(FSP)which was carried out in a traditional vertical milling machine.The microstructural features as well as the response to external tensile load were explored.A homogenous distribution of Ti-6Al-4V was achieved at every part of the stir zone.There was no chemical decomposition of Ti-6Al-4V.Further,Ti-6Al-4V did not react with Al and Zn present in AZ31 alloy to form new compounds.A continuous strong interface was obtained around Ti-6Al-4V particle with the matrix.Ti-6Al-4V particles underwent breakage during processing due to severe plastic strain.There was a remarkable refinement of grains in the composite caused by dynamic recrystallization in addition to the pinning of smaller size broken particles.Dense dislocations were observed in the matrix because of plastic deformation and the associated strain misfit.Ti-6Al-4V particles improved the tensile behavior and assisted to obtain appreciable deformation before fracture.Brittle mode of failure was avoided.