High-performance grinding of ceramic matrix composites

Ceramic matrix composites(CMCs)are highly promising materials for the next generation of aero-engines.However,machining of CMCs suffers from low efficiency and poor surfacefinish,which presents an obstacle to their wider application.To overcome these problems,this study investigates high-efficiency deep grinding of CMCs,focusing on the effects of grinding depth.The results show that both the sur-face roughness and the depth of subsurface damage(SSD)are insensitive to grinding depth.The material removal rate can be increased sixfold by increasing the grinding depth,while the surface roughness and SSD depth increase by only about 10%.Moreover,it is found that the behavior of material removal is strongly dependent on grinding depth.As the grinding depth is increased,fibers are removed in smaller sizes,with thefiber length in chips being reduced by about 34%.However,too large a grinding depth will result in blockage by chip powder,which leads to a dramatic increase in the ratio of tangential to normal grinding forces.This study demonstrates that increasing the depth of cut is an effective approach to improve the machining efficiency of CMCs,while maintaining a good surfacefin-ish.It provides the basis for the further development of high-performance grinding methods for CMCs,which should facilitate their wider application.

Direct deposition of graphene nanowalls on ceramic powders for the fabrication of a ceramic matrix composite

Uniform mixing of ceramic powder and graphene is of great importance for producing ceramic matrix composite. In this study, graphene nanowalls(GNWs) are directly deposited on the surface of Al2 O3 and Si3 N4 powders using chemical vapor deposition system to realize the uniform mixing. The morphology and the initial stage of the growth process are investigated. It is found that the graphitic base layer is initially formed parallel to the powder surface and is followed by the growth of graphene nanowalls perpendicular to the surface. Moreover, the lateral length of the graphene sheet could be well controlled by tuning the growth temperature. GNWs/Al2 O3 powder is consolidated by using sparking plasma sintering method and several physical properties are measured. Owing to the addition of GNWs, the electrical conductivity of the bulk alumina is significantly increased.

Mechanical Properties of Boron Carbide/Reducedgraphene-oxide Composites Ceramics

Reduced graphene oxide(rGO)enhanced B_(4)C ceramics was prepared by SPS sintering,the enhancement effect of rGO on the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites was studied through experiments and numerical simulation.The results show that the composite with 2wt%rGO has the best comprehensive mechanical properties.Compared with pure boron carbide,vickers hardness and bending strength are increased by 4.8%and 21.96%,respectively.The fracture toughness is improved by 25.71%.The microstructure observation shows that the improvement of mechanical properties is mainly attributed to the pullout and bridge mechanism of rGO and the crack deflection.Based on the cohesive force finite element method,the dynamic crack growth process of composites was simulated.The energy dissipation of B_(4)C/rGO multiphase ceramics during crack propagation was calculated and compared with that of pure boron carbide ceramics.The results show that the fracture energy dissipation can be effectively increased by adding graphene.

EFFECT OF FIBER FAILURE ON QUASI-STATIC UNLOADING/RELOADING HYSTERESIS LOOPS OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

The two-parameter Weibull model is used to describe the fiber strength distribution.The stress carried by the intact and fracture fibers on the matrix crack plane during unloading/reloading is determined based on the global load sharing criterion.The axial stress distribution of intact fibers upon unloading and reloading is determined based on the mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to matrix in the interface debonded region.The interface debonded length,unloading interface counter slip length,and reloading interface new slip length are obtained by the fracture mechanics approach.The hysteresis loops corresponding to different stresses considering fiber failure are compared with the cases without considering fiber failure.The effects of fiber characteristic strength and fiber Weibull modulus on the fiber failure,the shape,and the area of the hysteresis loops are analyzed.The predicted quasi-static unloading/reloading hysteresis loops agree well with experimental data.

Advances in graphene reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites:Mechanisms,processing,modelling,properties and applications

Graphene has been extensively explored to enhance functional and mechanical properties of metalmatrix nanocomposites for wide-range applications due to their superior mechanical,electrical and thermal properties.This article discusses recent advances of key mechanisms,synthesis,manufacture,modelling and applications of graphene metal matrix nanocomposites.The main strengthening mechanisms include load transfer,Orowan cycle,thermal mismatch,and refinement strengthening.Synthesis technologies are discussed including some conventional methods(such as liquid metallurgy,powdermetallurgy,thermal spraying and deposition technology)and some advanced processing methods(such as molecular-level mixing and friction stir processing).Analytical modelling(including phenomenological models,semi-empirical models,homogenization models,and self-consistent model)and numerical simulations(including finite elements method,finite difference method,and boundary element method)have been discussed for understanding the interface bonding and performance characteristics between graphene and different metal matrices(Al,Cu,Mg,Ni).Key challenges in applying graphene as a reinforcing component for the metal matrix composites and the potential solutions as well as prospectives of future development and opportunities are highlighted.

Graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

Graphene-reinforced 7055 aluminum alloy composites with different contents of graphene were prepared by spark plasma sintering（SPS）. The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Testing results show that the hardness, compressive strength, and yield strength of the composites are improved with the addition of 1wt% graphene. A clean, strong interface is formed between the metal matrix and graphene via metallurgical bonding on atomic scale. Harmful aluminum carbide（Al_4C_3） is not formed during SPS processing. Further addition of graphene（above 1wt%） results in the deterioration in mechanical properties of the composites. The agglomeration of graphene plates is exacerbated with increasing graphene content, which is the main reason for this deterioration.

EVOLUTION OF THE MICROCRACKS IN WHISKER TOUGHENING CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

The modified equivalent inclusion theory by the authors and the internal variable theory are employed to investigate the evolution of the microcracks in whisker toughening ceramics and the influence of the microcracks on the mechanical properties of the material. The effect of residual thermostrain, whisker content and aspect ratio is considered. The modulus, initial nonlinear load, strength and nonlinear constitutive relation are calculated and some important conclusions are given.

Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3/Al Laminated Ceramic Matrix Composites

Three series of Al2O3/Al laminated ceramic matrix composites,named SPA,SPV and HP,were fabricated by different methods.SPA and SPV were prepared using Al2O3 slices and Al slurry via screen printing and subsequent heat treatment in air or vacuum.HP samples were made by hot pressing the layered stack of Al foils and Al2O3 slices.SEM and XRD were applied to analyze the microstructure and the interlayer crystal phase.The bending strength,fracture toughness and fracture work of the samples made by the three methods were measured and compared.The results show that the composites have much better toughness and higher fracture work than the Al2O3 slice.Among the samples made by the three methods,the samples made by hot pressing have the optimum mechanical performance.The displacement-load curves and fracture mechanism were analyzed.

Nanoparticles Transport in Ceramic Matriсes: A Novel Approach for Ceramic Matrix Composites Fabrication

The results of practical implementation of a new method for porous piezoceramics, and ceramic matrix piezocomposites fabrication were presented. The method was based on nanoparticles transport in ceramic matrices using a polymer nanogranules coated or filled with a various chemicals, with successive porous ceramics fabrication processes. Different types of polymer microgranules filled and coated by metal-containing nanoparticles were used for a pilot samples fabrication. Polymer microgranules were examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as by EXAFS and X-ray emission spectroscopy. Pilot samples of nano- and microporous ceramics and composites were fabricated using different piezoceramics compositions (PZT, lead potassium niobate and lead titanate) as a ceramic matrix bases. Resulting ceramic matrix piezocomposites were composed by super lattices of closed or open pores filled or coated by nanoparticles of metals, oxides, ferromagnetics etc. embedded in piezoceramic matrix. Dielectric and piezoelectric parameters of pilot samples were measured using piezoelectric resonance analysis method. New family of nano- and microporous piezoceramics and ceramic matrix piezocomposites are characterized by a unique spectrum of the electrophysical properties unachievable for standard PZT ceramic compositions and fabrication methods.

Mechanical and corrosion properties of graphene nanoplatelet–reinforced Mg–Zr and Mg–Zr–Zn matrix nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Magnesium(Mg)-based biomaterials have gained acceptability in fracture fixation due to their ability to naturally degrade in the body after fulfilling the desired functions.However,pure Mg not only degrades rapidly in the physiological environment,but also evolves hydrogen gas during degradation.In this study,Mg0.5Zr and Mg0.5ZrxZn(x=1–5 wt.%)matrix nanocomposites(MNCs)reinforced with different contents(0.1–0.5 wt.%)of graphene nanoplatelets(GNP)were manufactured via a powder metallurgy technique and their mechanical and corrosion properties were evaluated.The increase in GNP concentration from 0.2 wt.%to 0.5 wt.%added to Mg0.5Zr matrices resulted in decreases in the compressive yield strength and corrosion resistance in Hanks’Balanced Salt Solution(HBSS).On the other hand,a higher concentration(4–5 wt.%)of Zn added to Mg0.5Zr0.1GNP resulted in an increase in ductility but a decrease in compressive yield strength.Overall,an addition of 0.1 wt.%GNPs to Mg0.5Zr3Zn matrices gave excellent ultimate compressive strength(387 MPa)and compressive yield strength(219 MPa).Mg0.5Zr1Zn0.1GNP and Mg0.5Zr3Zn0.1GNP nanocomposites exhibited 29%and 34%higher experimental yield strength,respectively,as compared to the theoretical yield strength of Mg0.5Zr0.1GNP calculated by synergistic strengthening mechanisms including the difference in thermal expansion,elastic modulus,and geometry of the particles,grain refinement,load transfer,and precipitation of GNPs in the Mg matrices.The corrosion rates of Mg0.5Zr1Zn0.1GNP,Mg0.5Zr3Zn0.1GNP,Mg0.5Zr4Zn0.1GNP,and Mg0.5Zr5Zn0.1GNP measured using potentiodynamic polarization were 7.5 mm/y,4.1 mm/y,6.1 mm/y,and 8.0 mm/y,respectively.Similarly,hydrogen gas evolution tests also demonstrated that Mg0.5Zr3Zn0.1GNP exhibited a lower corrosion rate(1.5 mm/y)than those of Mg0.5Zr1Zn0.1GNP(3.8 mm/y),Mg0.5Zr4Zn0.1GNP(1.9 mm/y),and Mg0.5Zr5Zn0.1GNP(2.2 mm/y).This study demonstrates the potential of GNPs as effective nano-reinforcement particulates for improving the mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg–Zr–Zn matrices.

Effect of Interfacial Bonding on the Toughening of Al_2O_3/Ni Ceramic Matrix Composites

The main Iimitation to the toughening of the α-Al2O3/Ni composite is the poor bonding atthe interface. which causes the nickel particles to be pulled-out during crack propagation with-out obvious plastic deformation. A proper control of oxygen content at the Al2O3-Ni interfacecan promote wetting at the intedece, and produce a mechanically interlocked and chemically strengthened intedece, causing most of the nickel particles to be stretched to failure and to expe-rience severe plastic deformation during crack propagation in the composite. Fracture toughnesstesting using a modified double cantilever beam method with in situ observation of crack prop-agation in a scanning electron microscope shows that the composite with the strengthenedinterface has a more desirable R-curve behaviour and a higher fracture toughness value than thenormal composite.

Identification of Growth Promoter to Fabrication SiCp/Al₂O₃Ceramic Matrix Composites Prepared by Directed Metal Oxidation of An Al Alloy

SiC particulates reinforced alumina matrix composites were fabricated using Directed Metal Oxidation (DIMOX) process. Continuous oxidation of an Al-Si-Mg-Zn alloy with different interlayers (dopents) as growth promoters, will encompasses the early heating of the alloy ingot, melting and continued heating to temperature in the narrow range of 950°C to 980°C in an atmosphere of oxygen. Varying interlayers (dopents) are incorporated to examine the growth conditions of the composite materials and to identification of suitable growth promoter. The process is extremely difficult because molten aluminum does not oxidize after prolonged duration at high temperatures due to the formation of a passivating oxide layer. It is known that the Lanxide Corporation had used a combination of dopents to cause the growth of alumina from molten metal. This growth was directed, i.e. the growth is allowed only in the required direction and restricted in the other directions. The react nature of the dopants was a trade secret. Though it is roughly known that Mg and Si in the Al melt can aid growth, additional dopents used, the temperatures at which the process was carried out, the experimental configurations that aided directed growth were not precisely known. In this paper we have evaluated the conditions in which composites can be grown in large enough sizes for evaluation application and have arrived at a procedure that enables the fabrication of large composite samples by determining the suitable growth promoter (dopant). Scanning electron microscopic, EDS analysis of the composite was found to contain a continuous network of Al2O3, which was predominantly free of grain-boundary phases, a continuous network of Al alloy. Fabrication of large enough samples was done only by the inventor company and the property measurements by the company were confirmed to those needed to enable immediate applications. Since there are a large number of variable affecting robust growth of the composite, fabrication large sized samples for measurements is a difficult task. In the present work, to identify a suitable window of parameters that enables robust growth of the composite has been attempted.

RESEARCH ON MATRIX CRACK EVOLUTION OF CROSS-PLY CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE

The matrix crack evolution of cross-ply ceramic matrix composites under uniaxial tensile loading is investigated using the energy balance method.Under tensile loading,the cross-ply ceramic matrix composites have five damage modes.The cracking mode 3 contains transverse cracking,matrix cracking and fiber/matrix interface debonding.The cracking mode 5 only contains matrix cracking and fiber/matrix interface debonding.The cracking stress of modes 3 and 5 appearing between existing transverse cracks is determined.And the multiple matrix crack evolution of mode 3 is determined.The effects of ply thickness,fiber volume fraction,interface shear stress and interface debonding energy on the cracking stress and matrix crack evolution are analyzed.Results indicate that the cracking mode 3 is more likely to appear between transverse cracks for the SiC/CAS material.

Fabrication of homogeneously dispersed graphene/Al composites by solution mixing and powder metallurgy

Graphene-reinforced aluminum （AI） matrix composites were successfully prepared via solution mixing and powder metallurgy in this study. The mechanical properties of the composites were studied using microhardness and tensile tests. Compared to the pure Al alloy, the graphene/Al composites showed increased strength and hardness. A tensile strength of 255 MPa was achieved for the graphene/Al com- posite with only 0.3wt% graphene, which has a 25% increase over the tensile strength of the pure Al matrix. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the morphol- ogies, chemical compositions, and microstructures of the graphene and the graphene/A1 composites. On the basis of fractographic evidence, a relevant fracture mechanism is proposed.

Preparation and properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced aluminum composites

5.0 vol.% graphene nanoplatelets(GNPs) and aluminum powders were mixed to prepare GNPs/Al composites via high-energy ball milling(HEBM). The mixed powders were subjected to spark plasma sintering(SPS) and subsequent hot extrusion. The microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded composites were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and tensile tests. In the extruded composites, 5.0 vol.% GNPs were dispersed homogeneously and no serious GNP-Al interfacial reaction occurred. As a result, the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the extruded GNPs/Al composites reached 462 and 479 MPa, which were 62% and 60% higher than those of the extruded Al matrix, respectively. The enhanced mechanical properties were attributed to the effective load transfer capacity of dispersed GNPs. This demonstrated that it may be promising to introduce dispersed high-content GNPs via HEBM, SPS and hot extrusion techniques and GNP-Al interfacial reaction can be controlled.

STUDY ON PREPARATION OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE OF WC-Co ULTRAFINE POWDERS

The W -Co compound precursor powders with an average particle sife of 60 nm were prepared by the chemical coprecipitation as the raw materials of Na2WO1 and CoCl2 and as the reagents of HCI and NH3 ?H2O. After re-ducing and carburizing the precursor powders by hydrogen gas and CO-CO 2 mixture gas. the WC-Co composite povvders ivith an average particle size of 0. 18/wi can be obtained. The purity and particle size of powders -were analysed by XRD and TEM. respectively. Meanwhile, the key factors to influ-ence the reducing and carburizing process of powders were also studied.

Corrosion behavior of SiC foam ceramic reinforced Al-23Si composites in NaCl solution

SiC foam ceramic reinforced aluminum matrix composites(SFCAMCs)were prepared by squeeze casting aluminum alloy(Al-23Si)into the SiC foam ceramic with different pore sizes,and the corrosion behavior of the SFCAMCs was studied in NaCl solutions.Static immersion corrosion tests were conducted at 20°C,50°C and 80°C,respectively.Corrosion morphology and products were analyzed by scanning electron microscope,energy dispersive system and X-ray diffraction.It was found that the corrosion rate of SFCAMCs increases as the temperature rising,and the bigger pore size of SiC foam ceramic reinforcement,the better corrosion resistance of SFCAMCs.

C_(f)/(CrZrHfNbTa)C-SiC high-entropy ceramic matrix composites for potential multi-functional applications

In this work,C_(f)/(CrZrHfNbTa)C-SiC high-entropy ceramic matrix composites with good load-bearing,elec-tromagnetic shielding and ablation resistance were designed and reported for the first time.The compos-ites were fabricated by an efficient combined processing of slurry infiltration lamination(SIL)and precur-sor infiltration and pyrolysis(PIP).Density and porosity of the as-fabricated composites are 2.72 g/cm^(3) and 12.44 vol.%,respectively,and the flexural strength is 185±13 MPa.Due to the carbon fiber rein-forcement with high conductivity and strong reflection,and high-entropy(CrZrHfNbTa)C ceramic matrix with strong absorbability,the total Electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency(SET)of the compos-ites with a thickness of 3 mm are as high as 88.2 dB and 90 dB respectively in X-band and Ku-band.This means that higher than 99.999999%electromagnetic shielding is achieved at 8-18 GHz,showing excel-lent electromagnetic shielding performance.The C_(f)/(CrZrHfNbTa)C-SiC composites also present excellent ablation resistance,with the linear and mass ablation rates of 0.9μm/s and 1.82 mg/s after ablation at the heat flux of 5 MW/m^(2) for 300 s(∼2450℃).This work opens a new insight for the synergistic de-sign of structural and functional integrated materials with load-bearing,electromagnetic shielding and ablation resistance,etc.

Experimental Investigation on Active Cooling for Ceramic Matrix Composite

Compared with conventional materials,the active cooling ceramic matrix composite used in ramjet or scramjet makes their structures lighter in mass and better in performance.In this paper,an active and a passive cooling refractory composite specimens are designed and tested with an experimental facility composed of multilayer smale scale cooling penel which consists of a water cooling system and a ceramic matrix composite specimen,and a gas generator used for providing lower and higher transfer rate gases to simulate the temperatures in combustion chamber of ramjst.The active cooling specimen can continuously suffer high surface temperature of 2 000 K for 30 s and that of 3 000 K for 9.3 s,respectively.The experiment results show that the active cooling composite structure is available for high-temperature condition in ramjet.

Corrosion Behavior of Graphene Nanosheets Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites in Simulated Body Fluids

Magnesium(Mg)alloy is considered as a promising biodegradable implant material but restricted to rapid degradation.Here,the new strategies based on thixomolding process had been explored to utilize the outstanding anti-permeability of graphene nanosheets(GNPs)while inhibit its galvanic corrosion with the matrix,so as to improve the corrosion resistance of composites.The agglomerate of GNPs with 0.9 wt%content is the main reason for the deterioration of corrosion performance due to the formation of micro-galvanic corrosion.The grain refinement of composites with 0.6 wt%content had positive effects on the better corrosion resistance.After process adjusting,the unique distributions of GNPs along grain boundaries play a vital role in improving the corrosion resistance.It can be ascribed to the following mechanisms:(I)The barriers can be established between the Mg matrix and corrosive medium,hence blocking the charge transfer at the interface;(II)The GNPs can effectively promote apatite deposition on the Mg matrix,leading to form dense apatite layers and prevent the further invasion of SBF;(III)The GNPs acting as reinforcements exists in the corrosion layer and apatite layer,impede the apatite layer falling off from the Mg matrix.These findings broaden the horizon for biomedical applications in Mg matrix composites to realize desired performances.