Reactive spontaneous infiltration of Al-activated TiO_2 by molten aluminum

The reactive spontaneous infiltration of Al-activated TiO2 (anatase) was investigated. Pure Al powder was blended with TiO2 for activation. They were compacted into the preform and then sealed within 6060 alloy mould. The activation and infiltration were carried out in 6060 alloy bath for 1 h and comparative sintering experiments were carried out in an argon protected environment under the same conditions of temperature and duration. X-ray diffraction analysis proved that the Al sealed environment was superior to the argon protection on activating the reaction between Al and TiO2. The blending ratio of TiO2 to Al and the temperature were found to play the most important role in infiltration by affecting infiltration and reaction kinetics. Three main types of microstructures were observed after infiltration: full infiltration, partial infiltration with the formation of cracks and no infiltration. The formation of these microstructures was explained on the basis of reaction kinetics and local volume changes due to the reactions. Ultimately, it is found that to obtain an overall good spontaneous infiltration, a TiO2 to Al blending ratio around 3:7 in volume and an infiltration temperature around 900 °C are the most suitable.

Development of AI-and Cu-based nanocomposites reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets： Fabrication and characterization

Aluminum and copper matrix nanocomposites reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets （GNPs） were successfully fabricated by a wet mixing method followed by conventional powder metallurgy. The uniform dispersion of GNPs within the metal matrices showed that the wet mixing method has a great potential to be used as a mixing technique. However, by increasing the GNPs content, GNPs agglomeration was more visible. DSC and XRD of AI/GNPs nanocomposites showed that no new phase formed below the melting point of AI. Microstructural observations in both nanocomposites reveal the evident grain refinement effect as a consequence of GNPs addition. The interfacial bonding evaluation shows a poor interfacial bonding between GNPs and AI, while the interfacial bonding between Cu and GNPs is strong enough to improve the properties of the Cu/GNPs nanocomposites. In both composites, the coefficient of thermal expansion decreases as a function of GNPs while, their hardness is improved by increasing the GNPs content as well as their elastic modulus.

A Novel Cu–GNPs Nanocomposite with Improved Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Classical powder metallurgy followed by either hot isostatic pressing（HIPing） or repressing–annealing process was used to produce Cu–graphene nanoplatelets（GNPs） nanocomposites in this work. A wet mixing method was used to disperse the graphene within the matrix. The results show that a uniform dispersion of GNPs at low graphene contents could be achieved, whereas agglomeration of graphene was revealed at higher graphene contents. Density evaluations showed that the relative density of pure copper and copper composites increased by using the post-processing techniques.However, it should be noticed that the efficiency of HIPing was remarkably higher than repressing–annealing process, and through the HIPing, fully dense samples were achieved. The Vickers hardness results showed that the reconsolidation steps can improve the mechanical strength of the specimens up to 50% owing to the progressive porosity elimination after reconsolidation. The thermal conductivity results of pure copper and composites at high temperatures showed that the postprocessing techniques could enhance the conductivity of materials significantly.

Microstructure and Thermal Conductivity of Al–Graphene Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy and Hot Rolling Techniques

The objective of this research is to improve the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of Al/GNPs（graphene nanoplatelets） nanocomposites produced by classical powder metallurgy and hot rolling techniques. The microstructural evaluation confirmed the uniform dispersion of GNPs at low content and agglomeration at higher contents of GNPs. The structure of graphene was studied before and after the mixing and the Raman spectrum proofs that the wet mixing has a great potential to be used as a dispersion method. There was no significant peak corresponding to the Al_4C_3 formation in both the differential scanning calorimetry curves and X-ray diffraction patterns. The microstructural observation in both fabrication techniques showed grain refinement as a function of the GNPs content. Moreover, the introduction of the GNPs not only improved the Vickers hardness of the composites but also decreased their density. The thermal conductivity investigations showed that in both the press-sintered and hot-rolled samples, although the thermal conductivity of composites was improved at low GNPs contents, it was negatively affected at high GNPs contents.