Preparation and Mechanical Properties of-SiC Nanoparticle Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite by a Multi-step Powder Metallurgy Process

β-SiC nanoparticle reinforced A1 matrix （nano-SiCp/A1） composite was prepared by a multi- step powder metallurgy strategy including presureless sintering, hot compacting process and hot extrusion. The microstructures of the as-prepared composites were observed by scanning electronic microscopy （SEM）, and the mechanical properties were characterized by tensile strength measurement and Brinell hardness test. The experimental results revealed that the tensile strength of the composite with the addition of 5wt%/3-SIC nanoprtieles could be increased to 215 MPa, increasing by 110% compared with pure A1 matrix. Comparative experiments reflected that theβ-SIC nanoprticles showed significant reinforcement effect than traditional a-SiC micro-sized particles. The preparation process and sintering procedure were investigated to develop a cost effective preparation strategy to fabricate nano-SiCp/A1 composite.

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.

Performance of the Cement Matrix Composite Material With Rubber Powder

The effect of the deferent rubber content substituted for fine aggregate on the mortar performance was studied.The effects of the rubber coated with the coating materials on the mortar compressive strength,bending strength and impact work were discussed.The optimum rubber powder content and the suitable coating material were found.Through the electrical probe test-BEI,SEI and calcium ion distribution,and the slight crack and the interface between the rubber and cement matrix are analyzed.The results show that the rubber powder coated with the surface treatment materials A,B and C has the capability of absorbing a large amount of energy under the compressive and flexural load and the slight cracks of R-C were controlled and restrained.

Development of Cu-Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets (xGnP) Metal Matrix Composite by Powder Metallurgy Route

In the present investigation the possibility of using exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) as reinforcement in order to enhance the mechanical properties of Cu-based metal matrix composites is explored. Cu-based metal matrix composites reinforced with different amounts of xGnP were fabricated by powder metallurgy route. The microstructure, sliding wear behaviour and mechanical properties of the Cu-xGnP composites were investigated. xGnP has been synthesized from the graphite intercalation compounds (GIC) through rapid evaporation of the intercalant at an elevated temperature. The thermally exfoliated graphite was later sonicated for a period of 5 h in acetone in order to achieve further exfoliation. The xGnP synthesized was characterized using SEM, HRTEM, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Cu and xGnP powder mixtures were consolidated under a load of 565 MPa followed by sintering at 850°C for 2 h in inert atmosphere. Cu-1, 2, 3 and 5 wt% xGnP composites were developed. Results of the wear test show that there is a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the composites up to addition of 2 wt% of xGnP. Hardness, tensile strength and strain at failure of the various Cu-xGnP composites also show improvement upto the addition of 2 wt% xGnP beyond which there is a decrease in these properties. The density of the composites decreases with the addition of higher wt% of xGnP although addition of higher wt% of xGnP leads to higher sinterability and densification of the composites, resulting in higher relative density values. The nature of fracture in the pure Cu as well as the various Cu-xGnP composites was found to be ductile. Nanoplatelets of graphite were found firmly embedded in the Cu matrix in case of Cu-xGnP composites containing low wt% of xGnP.

Processing and mechanical properties of 2024 aluminum matrix composites containing Tungsten and Tantalum prepared by PM

The 2024 Al composites containing W, Ta were fabricated by powder metallurgy for their potential use as shielding material. W, Ta powders and gas-atomized 2024 Al aluminum powders were mixed by a ball mixer. The mixtures were consolidated by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and then hot-extruded into full-density bars. The extruded bars were heat treated in T6 conditions. The microstructure and its relationship with the mechanical properties were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the particles of nonuniform size and irregular shape randomly disperse in the 2024 aluminum alloy matrix. The tensile tests show that an increase of tensile strength and decrease of elongation to failure of the heat treated composites compared with the extruded composites.

Dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in aluminum powders

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were treated with the reflux within the concentrated nitric acid for 0-25 h to purify and disperse the tangled MWNTs. The effect of reflux time on the morphology and the weight loss of MWNTs were investigated. Meanwhile,the dispersion of MWNTs with 0-2.0 wt.% in 2024Al powders using mechanical stirring with an assisting ultrasonic shaker in ethanol was also studied. The results show that the reflux time markedly affects the morphology of MWNTs. The weight loss of MWNTs i...

Corrosion properties in a simulated body fluid of Mg/β-TCP composites prepared by powder metallurgy

Magnesium matrix composites （MMC） reinforced with 5wt% tricalcium phosphate （TCP） particles were prepared by powder metallurgy. Pure magnesium （CP-Mg） was fabricated by the same procedure for comparison. Scanning electron microscopy and en- ergy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed that TCP particles were distributed homogeneously in the MMC. In order to investi- gate the corrosion properties, MMC samples were immersed in a simulated body fluid （SBF） at 310~0.5 K for 72 h. The mass loss of the samples in SBF and the pH values of the SBF were evaluated. Moreover, electrochemical measurements were conducted in the SBF. It was shown that the corrosion rate of the MMC decreased with the addition of TCP compared with CP-Mg. Hydroxyapatite was formed on the surface of MMC samples after immersion in the SBF for 72 h but not on the surface of CP-Mg.

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.

Effect of powder mixing process on the microstructure and thermal conductivity of Al/diamond composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering

Two powder mixing processes, mechanical mixing （MM） and mechanical alloying （MA）, were used to prepare mixed Al/diamond powders, which were subsequently consolidated using spark plasma sintering （SPS） to produce bulk Al/diamond composites. The effects of the powder mixing process on the morphologies of the mixed powders, the microstructure and the thermal conductivity of the composites were investigated. The results show that the powder mixing process can significantly affect the microstructure and the thermal conductivity of the composites. Agglomerations of the particles occurred in mixed powders using MM for 30 min, which led to high pore content and weak interfacial bonding in the composites and resulted in low relative density and low thermal conductivity for the composites. Mixed powders of homogeneous distribution of diamond particles could be obtained using MA for 10 min and MM for 2 h. The composite prepared through MA indicated a high relative density but low thermal conductivity due to its defects, such as damaged particles, Fe impurity, and local interfacial debonding, which were mainly introduced in the MA process. In contrast, the composite made by MM for 2 h demonstrated high relative density and an excellent thermal conductivity of 325 W.m^-1.K^-1, owing to its having few defects and strong inter-facial bonding.

New Nanocrystalline Matrix Materials for Sintered Diamond Tools

The work presents the possibility of substitution of expensive, wear resistant Co-WC powders, that have been traditionally used in the production of sintered diamond tools, with cheap iron-base counterparts manufactured by ball milling. It has been shown that ball-milled Fe-Ni-Cu-Sn-C powders can be consolidated to a virtually pore-free condition by hot pressing at 900 ℃. The as-consolidated material has nanocrystalline structure and is characterised by a combination of high hardness, mechanical strength and excellent resistance to abrasion. Its properties can be widely modified by changing the milling conditions.

Fabrication and characterization copper/diamond composites for heat sink application using powder metallurgy

Copper composites reinforced with diamond particles were fabricated by the powder metallurgical technique. Copper matrix and diamond powders were mixed mechanically, cold com- pacted at 100 bar then sintered at 900?C. The prepared powders and sintered copper/diamond composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDS). The effect of diamond contents in the Cu/diamond composite on the different properties of the composite was studied. On fracture surfaces of the Cu/uncoated diamond composites, it was found that there is a very weak bonding between diamonds and pure copper matrix. In order to improve the bonding strength between copper and the reinforcement, diamond particles were electroless coated with NiWB alloy. The results show that coated diamond particles distribute uniformly in copper composite and the interface between diamond particles and Cu matrix is clear and well bonded due to the formation of a thin layer from WB2, Ni3B, and BC2 between Cu and diamond interfaces. The properties of the composites materials using coated powder, such as hardness, transverse rupture strength, thermal conductivity, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were exhibit greater values than that of the composites using uncoated diamond powder. Additionally, the results reveals that the maximum diamond incorporation was attained at 20 Vf%. Actually, Cu/20 Vf% coated diamond com- posite yields a high thermal conductivity of 430 W/mK along with a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) 6 × 10–6/K.

Self-propagating high temperature synthesis of MoSi_2 matrix composites

MoSi2 is presently regarded as the most important material for electrical heating and as one with huge potential for high temperature structural uses. MoSi2 and MoSi2 matrix composites were prepared by self-propagating high temperature synthesis （SHS）. Pure MoSi2 was obtained and a compound of MoSi2 and WSi2was synthesized in the form of predominant solid solution （Mo,W）Si2. By adding aluminum of 5.5 at.% to Mo-Si, the crystal structure of MoSi2 changed into a mixture of tetragonal Cllb MoSi2and hexagonal C40 Mo（Si,Al）2. The （Mo,W）Si2-Mo（Si,Al）2-W（Si,Al）2 composite materials were synthesized by adding aluminum of 5.5 at.% to Mo-W-Si. However, if the amount of the added aluminum was not larger than 2.5 at.%, it did not have any significant effect. SHS is an effective technology for synthesis of MoSi2 and MoSi2 matrix composites.

Microstructural Changes of T1-6A1-4V Matrix by the Incorporation of Continuous SiC Fibers

In SiC（f）/Ti-6Al-4V composites, the microstructure of the matrix close to the fiber was different from that of the fiber-less material. Microstructure observations show that a layer of fine grains was located adjacent to the fiber, and more dislocations and faults were found in this region. Higher recrystallization nucleation rate due to the undeformed SiC fiber and thermal residual stress induced during cooling from the fabrication temperature caused the microstructural changes of the matrix. Hardness measurement indicates that the matrix in the fiber neighborhood was strengthened, and the strengthening effect decreased with distance away from the fiber.

Exploration of Al-based matrix composites reinforced by hierarchically spherical agents

Al-based composites reinforced with A1-Ti intermetallic compounds/Ti metal hierarchically spherical agents were successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy. This kind of structure produces strongly bonded interfaces as well as soft/hard/soft transition regions between the matrix and reinforced agents, which are beneficial to load transfer during deformation. As expected, the resultant composites exhibit promising mechanical properties at ambient temperature. The underlying mechanism was also discussed in this paper.

Synthesis and forming behavior of aluminium-based hybrid powder metallurgic composites

Aluminium-based metal matrix composites were synthesized from Al-TiO2-Gr powder mixtures using the powder metallurgy technique and their forming characteristics were studied during cold upsetting. Green cylindrical compacts of pure Al, Al-5wt%TiO2, Al-5wt%TiO2-2wt%Gr, and Al-5wt%TiO2-4wt%Gr were made using a 400-kN hydraulic press equipped with suitable punch and die and by sintering at （590 ± 10）°C for 3 h. Cold upset forging tests were carried out, the true axial stress （σz）, the true hoop stress （σ？）, and the true hy-drostatic stress （σm） were evaluated and, their behavior against the true axial strain （εz） was also analyzed. It is observed that the addition of 5wt%TiO2 into the Al matrix increasesσz,σ？, andσm. The addition of both TiO2 and Gr reinforcements reduces the densification and defor-mation characteristics of the sintered preforms during cold upsetting. Microstructure analyses of the as-sintered and cold upset forged speci-mens also were carried out to substantiate the experimental results.

Worn surface characteristics of Cu-based powder metallurgy bake materials for aircraft

Cu-based powder metallurgy brake materials are used for aircraft widely and successfully.The characteristics of worn surface of Cu-based powder metallurgy brake materials for aircraft after working under service condition were studied,and two main wear mechanisms were discussed.The results show that the main components of worn surface are graphite,SiO2,Fe,Cu and oxide of Fe(Fe3O4 and FeO);the worn surface can be divided into three zones:severe wear zone,mild wear zone,and low wear zone; fatigue wear and grain wear are the main wear mechanisms of Cu-based materials.Some debris kept between brake discs reduce the wear rate to a certain extent by taking part in the regeneration of friction film.

Reactive Diffusion Bonding of SiCp/Al Composites by Insert Powder Layers with Eutectic Composition

Mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders were investigated as insert layers to reactive diffusion bond SiCp/6063 metal matrix composite （MMC）. The results show that SiCp/6063 MMC joints bonded by the insert layers of the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders have a dense joining layer of high quality. The mass transfer between the bonded materials and insert layers during bonding leads to the hypoeutectic microstructure of the joining layers bonded by both the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders with eutectic composition. At fixed bonding time （temperature）, the shear strength of the joints by both insert layers of the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders increases with increasing the bonding temperature （time）, but get maxima at bonding temperature 600℃ （time 90 min）.

Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Yttria Coated-Alumina Particulates Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

The liquid-phase coating method was used to deposit Y2O3 ceramic on the surface of α-Al2O3. The coated-Al2O3p/6061AI composites were produced using squeeze casting technology. The microstructure and tensile properties of the composites were analysed and studied. The results showed that the coated AI2O3 particles are able to disperse homogeneously in the aluminum liquid. The microstructure of the composites is more even in comparison with that of as-received powders. The tensile testing indicated that mechanical properties of the coated-AI2O3p/6061AI composites are better than those of uncoated particles. In the composite with 30% volume fraction, the tensile strength, yield strength as well as elongation is increased by 29.8%, 38.4% and 10.3%, respectively. The SEM analysis of fracture indicated that the dimples of the coated-Al2O3p/6061Al composites are more even.