Friction and Wear Properties of TiAl and Ti_2AlN/TiAl Composites at High Temperature

The high-temperature friction and wear properties of TiAl alloys and Ti2AlN/TiAl composites （TTC） in contact with nickel-based superalloy were studied. The results showed that, at 800 and 1 000 ℃, the coefficient of the friction （COF） decreased with the increase of sliding velocity and the wear loss of the TTC decreased with the increase of volume fraction of Ti2AlN. The wear mechanisms of the pairs are adhesive wear and the wear debris mainly comes from the contacting nickel-based superalloy. The intergranular fracture and the cracking of the phase boundary in the lamellar structure are the wear mode of TiAl alloy. The wear mode of TTC is phase boundary fracture and adhesive spalling. The abrasive resistance of TTC is slightly higher than that of TiAl alloy.

Multi-objective optimization of friction stir welding parameters using desirability approach to join Al/SiC_p metal matrix composites

Silicon carbide particulate （SiCp） reinforced cast aluminium （A1） based metal matrix composites （MMCs） have gained wide acceptance in the fabrication of light weight structures requiring high specific strength, high temperature capability and good wear resistance. Friction stir welding （FSW） process parameters play major role in deciding the performance of welded joints. The ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness of friction stir butt welded joints of cast A1/SiCp MMCs （AA6061 with 20% （volume fraction） of SiCp） were investigated. The relationships between the FSW process parameters （rotational speed, welding speed and axial force） and the responses （ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and weld nugget hardness） were established. The optimal welding parameters to maximize the mechanical properties were identified by using desirability approach. From this investigation, it is found that the joints fabricated with the tool rotational speed of 1370 r/min, welding speed of 88.9 mm/min, and axial force of 9.6 kN yield the maximum ultimate tensile strength, notch tensile strength and hardness of 265 MPa, 201 MPa and HV 114, respectively.

Numerical simulations of stress wave propagation and attenuation at arc-shaped interface inlayered SiC/Al composite

The effects of interface shape on stress wave distribution and attenuation were investiga- ted using finite element method （ FEM ）. The simulation results indicate that when the stress wave propagates from SiC ceramic to A1 alloy, the tensile stress decreases and the attenuation coefficient of the stress wave increases with increasing central angle of the concave interface between SiC and A1. But for the convex interface, the tensile stress increases and attenuation coefficient decreases with increasing central angle. As the stress wave propagates from A1 alloy to SiC ceramic, the atten- uation coefficient of stress wave decreases with increasing the central angle of the concave interface. For the convex interface, the attenuation coefficient increases with increasing central angle.

Finite element analysis and experimental investigation of the hydrostatic extrusion process of deforming two-layer Cu/Al composite

A concave die with an equal-strain contour line was used in the hydrostatic extrusion process to deform the two-layer Cu/A1 composite. The extruding process was simulated using the fi- nite element method （FEM）. The effect of the friction coefficients on the relative slippage of the contact surfaces between the internal and external metals was investigated, and the stress distribu- tion in the extruded specimen was studied. The simulation results reveal that the relative slippage de- creases with increasing friction coefficient at the contact surface of the two metals. However, the relative slippage increases rapidly with increasing friction coefficient at the contact surface between the specimen and die. No axial tensile stress appears in the plastic deformation zone near the axis, indicating that the inner fracture will not occur in internal metal in the hydrostatic extrusion process as the concave die with equal-strain contour lines is used. The experimental test reveals that the met- allurgical bond is formed between Cu and A1 when the friction coefficient at the surface between the two metals is 0. 3 and the extrusion ratio is 12.

Influence of neodymium addition on microstructure,tensile properties and fracture behavior of cast Al-Mg_2Si metal matrix composite

The influence of Nd on the microstructures, tensile properties and fracture behavior of cast Al-18 wt.%Mg2Si/n situ metal matrix composite was investigated. Experimental results showed that, after introducing a proper amount of Nd, both primary and eutectic Mg2Si in the Al-18 wt.%Mg2Si composite were well modified. The morphology of primary MgaSi was changed fi＇om irregular or dendritic to polyhedral shape, and its average particle size was significantly decreased from 47.5 to 13.0 μm. Moreover, the morphology of the eutectic Mg2Si phase was altered from flake-like to a thin laminar, short fibrous or dot-like structure. Tensile tests revealed that Nd addition improved the tensile strength and ductility of the material. Compared with those of unmodified composite, the ultimate tensile strength and percentage elongation with 0.5% Nd were increased by 32.4% and 200%, respectively. At the same time, Nd addition changed the fracture behavior from brittle to ductile.