Ballistic performance of titanium-based layered composites made using blended elemental powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing

Metal matrix composites tiles based on Ti-6Al-4V(Ti64)alloy,reinforced with 10,20,and 40(vol%)of either TiC or TiB particles were made using press-and-sinter blended elemental powder metallurgy(BEPM)and then bonded together into 3-layer laminated plates using hot isostatic pressing(HIP).The laminates were ballistically tested and demonstrated superior performance.The microstructure and properties of the laminates were analyzed to determine the effect of the BEPM and HIP processing on the ballistic properties of the layered plates.The effect of porosity in sintered composites on further diffusion bonding of the plates during HIP is analyzed to understand the bonding features at the interfaces between different adjacent layers in the laminate.Exceptional ballistic performance of fabricated structures was explained by a significant reduction in the residual porosity of the BEPM products by their additional processing using HIP,which provides an unprecedented increase in the hardness of the layered composites.It is argued that the combination of the used two technologies,BEPM and HIP is principally complimentary for the materials in question with the abilities to solve the essential problems of each used individually.

In-situ additive manufacturing of high strength yet ductility titanium composites with gradient layered structure using N_(2)

It has always been challenging work to reconcile the contradiction between the strength and plasticity of titanium materials.Laser powder bed fusion(LPBF) is a convenient method to fabricate innovative composites including those inspired by gradient layered materials.In this work,we used LPBF to selectively prepare Ti N/Ti gradient layered structure(GLSTi)composites by using different N_(2)–Ar ratios during the LPBF process.We systematically investigated the mechanisms of in-situ synthesis Ti N,high strength and ductility of GLSTi composites using microscopic analysis,TEM characterization,and tensile testing with digital image correlation.Besides,a digital correspondence was established between the N_(2) concentration and the volume fraction of LPBF in-situ synthesized Ti N.Our results show that the GLSTi composites exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to pure titanium fabricated by LPBF under pure Ar.Specifically,the tensile strength of GLSTi was more than 1.5times higher than that of LPBF-formed pure titanium,reaching up to 1100 MPa,while maintaining a high elongation at fracture of 17%.GLSTi breaks the bottleneck of high strength but low ductility exhibited by conventional nanoceramic particle-strengthened titanium matrix composites,and the hetero-deformation induced strengthening effect formed by the Ti N/Ti layered structure explained its strength-plasticity balanced principle.The microhardness exhibits a jagged variation of the relatively low hardness of 245 HV0.2 for the pure titanium layer and a high hardness of 408 HV0.2 for the N_(2) in-situ synthesis layer.Our study provides a new concept for the structure-performance digital customization of 3D-printed Ti-based composites.

Ceramic particles reinforced copper matrix composites manufactured by advanced powder metallurgy:preparation, performance, and mechanisms

Copper matrix composites doped with ceramic particles are known to effectively enhance the mechanical properties,thermal expansion behavior and high-temperature stability of copper while maintaining high thermal and electrical conductivity.This greatly expands the applications of copper as a functional material in thermal and conductive components,including electronic packaging materials and heat sinks,brushes,integrated circuit lead frames.So far,endeavors have been focusing on how to choose suitable ceramic components and fully exert strengthening effect of ceramic particles in the copper matrix.This article reviews and analyzes the effects of preparation techniques and the characteristics of ceramic particles,including ceramic particle content,size,morphology and interfacial bonding,on the diathermancy,electrical conductivity and mechanical behavior of copper matrix composites.The corresponding models and influencing mechanisms are also elaborated in depth.This review contributes to a deep understanding of the strengthening mechanisms and microstructural regulation of ceramic particle reinforced copper matrix composites.By more precise design and manipulation of composite microstructure,the comprehensive properties could be further improved to meet the growing demands of copper matrix composites in a wide range of application fields.

Functionally graded structure of a nitride-strengthened Mg_(2)Si-based hybrid composite

The ex-situ incorporation of the secondary SiC reinforcement,along with the in-situ incorporation of the tertiary and quaternary Mg_(3)N_(2) and Si_(3)N_(4) phases,in the primary matrix of Mg_(2)Si is employed in order to provide ultimate wear resistance based on the laser-irradiation-induced inclusion of N_(2) gas during laser powder bed fusion.This is substantialized based on both the thermal diffusion-and chemical reactionbased metallurgy of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.This study also proposes a functional platform for systematically modulating a functionally graded structure and modeling build-direction-dependent architectonics during additive manufacturing.This strategy enables the development of a compositional gradient from the center to the edge of each melt pool of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.Consequently,the coefficient of friction of the hybrid composite exhibits a 309.3%decrease to–1.67 compared to–0.54 for the conventional nonreinforced Mg_(2)Si structure,while the tensile strength exhibits a 171.3%increase to 831.5 MPa compared to 485.3 MPa for the conventional structure.This outstanding mechanical behavior is due to the(1)the complementary and synergistic reinforcement effects of the SiC and nitride compounds,each of which possesses an intrinsically high hardness,and(2)the strong adhesion of these compounds to the Mg_(2)Si matrix despite their small sizes and low concentrations.

Preparation of ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC Composite Powder by Carbothermal Reduction from Zircon

Using zircon,boric acid and carbon black as starting materials,ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder was synthesized by calcining at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere.The effects of the soaking time(3,6 and 9 h)and the addition of additive AlF_(3)(0,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%,2.0%and 2.5%,by mass)on the phase composition and the microstructure of the synthesized products were investigated.The results show that:(1)ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder can be synthesized by carbothermal reduction at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere;ZrB_(2) and ZrO_(2) are granular-like,and SiC crystals are fiberous;(2)with the soaking time increasing,the amount of ZrB_(2) increases,the amounts of m-ZrO_(2) and SiC decrease,and the total amount of non-oxides ZrB_(2),SiC and ZrC gradually increases;the optimal soaking time is 3 h;(3)compared with the sample without AlF_(3),the sample with 0.5% AlF_(3) has decreased m-ZrO_(2)amount,noticeably increased ZrB_(2) amount but decreased SiC amount;however,when the addition of AlF_(3) increases from 0.5%to 2.5%,the m-ZrO_(2) amount increases,the ZrB_(2)amount decreases,and the SiC amount changes slightly;the optimum AlF_(3)addition is 0.5%.

Morphology and carbon content of WC-6%Co nanosized composite powders prepared using glucose as carbon source

Pure WC-6%Co nanosized composite powders were synthesized via a low-temperature method.The effects of carbon source on microstructure characteristic of composite powders were investigated,and the effects of heat-treatment parameter on carbon content of composite powders were also discussed.The results of SEM and XRD revealed that the carbon decomposing from glucose was more active than carbon black.Therefore,WC-Co nanosized composite powders could be synthesized at 900°C for 1 h under a hydrogen atmosphere.The individual WC grains were bonded together into a long strip under the action of cobalt.The results of carbon analysis revealed that the total carbon content decreased with the increase of the temperature in the range of 800-1000°C.Moreover,the total carbon content and the compounded carbon increased with the increase of the flow rate of H2 in the range of 1.1-1.9 m3/h.

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.

Powder Extrusion Molding of Nanocrystalline WC-10Co Composite Cemented Carbide

The rods that were shaped from nanocrystalline WC- 10.21 Co-0.42 VC/ Cr3 C2 （ wt% ） composite powders by using powder extrusion molding （PEM） were investigated. The nanocrystalline WC- 10.21 Co- 0. 42 VC/ Cr3 C2 （ wt% ） composite powders were prepared by the spray thermal decomposition-continuous reduction and carburization technology. In order to improve the properties of rods shaped by using powder extrusion molding, the cold isostatic pressing （CIP） technology was used before or after debinding. Specimens were siutered by vacuum siutering and hot isostatic pressing （HIP）. The density, Rockwell A hardness, magnetic coercivity , and magnetic saturation induction of siutered specimen were measured. The microstructure of the green bodies and the siutered specimens was studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Results show that the rod formed by using powder extrusion molding after debinding and followed by cold isostatic pressing can be siutered to 99.5% density of composite cemented carbide rods with an average grain size of about 200- 300 nm, magnetic coercivity of 30.4 KA / m, Rockwell A hardness of 92.6 and magnetic saturation induction of 85% . Superfine WC- 10 Co cemented carbide rods with excellent properties were obtained.

Atomic force microscope study of WC-10Co cemented carbide sintered from nanocrystalline composite powders

In order to compare the spark plasma sintedng （SPS） process plus hot isostatic press （HIP） with vacuum sintedng plus HIP, an investigation was carried out on the topography, microstructure and gain size distribution of nanocrystalline WC-10Co composite powder and the sintered specimens prepared by SPS plus HIP and by vacuum sintering plus HIP by means of atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The mechanical properties of the sintered specimens were also investigated. It is very easy to find cobalt lakes in the specimen prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP process. But the microstructure of the specimen prepared by SPS plus HIP is more homogeneous, and the grain size is smaller than that prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP. The WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide consolidated by SPS plus HIP can reach a relative density of 99.4%, and the transverse rupture strength （TRS） is higher than 3540 MPa, the Rockwell A hardness （HRA） is higher than 92.8, the average grain size is smaller than 300 nm, and the WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide with excellent properties is achieved. The specimen prepared by SPS with HIP has better properties and microstructure than that prepared by vacuum sintering with HIP.

Synthesis and Characterizations of Nanocrystalline WC-Co Composite Powders by a Unique Ball Milling Process

In order to explore the high efficiency of fabricating nanocrystalline WC-Co composite powders, this paper presented a unique high energy ball milling process with variable rotation rate and repeatious circulation, by which nanocrystalline WC-10Co-0.8VC-0.2Cr3C2 (wt pct) composite powders with mean grain size of 25 nm were prepared in 32 min, and the quantity of the powders for a batch was as much as 800 grams. The as-prepared powders were analyzed and characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results show that high energy ball milling with variable rotation rates and repeatious circulation could be used to produce nanocrystalline WC-Co powder composites with high efficiency. The compositions of the powders meet its specifications with low impurity content. The mean grain size decreases, lattice distortion and system energy increase with increasing the milling time. The morphology of nanocrystalline WC-Co particles displays dominantiy sphere shape and their particle sizes are all lower than 80 nm. The eutectic temperature of the nanocrystalline WC-10Co-0.8VC-0.2Cr3C2 composites is about 1280℃.

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.

CeO_(2)对WC/Ni复合熔覆层微观组织与性能的影响

本工作采用真空熔覆技术制备了不同CeO_(2)含量的WC/Ni复合熔覆层,通过SEM、XRD、EDS及显微硬度计对复合熔覆层的微观组织、成分及硬度分布等进行系统分析。结果显示:与基体呈冶金结合的复合熔覆层组织致密,复合熔覆层由厚度2~3 mm且具有网状结构特征的复合层区与约300μm的过渡层区组成,根据熔合程度过渡区又分为冶金熔合区、扩散熔合区及扩散区;随着CeO_(2)含量的增加,复合熔覆层的晶粒逐渐细化、熔合质量提高,特别是过渡熔合区出现鱼骨状的析出相;复合区的网孔部位主要组成相为γ-(Ni,Fe)固溶体、FeNi_(3)、Cr_(7)C_(3)、Cr_(23)C_(6)、Ni_(3)Si和NiB,网线区主要组成相为WC、WC_(2)、γ-(Ni,Fe)固溶体、共晶组织等;复合熔覆层的显微硬度由表面至基体逐渐降低,且随着CeO_(2)含量的增加硬度逐渐升高,CeO_(2)含量为1.5%时,达到最大值,其平均显微硬度比基体提高5~6倍。

Effect of glass fibre(GF) addition on microstructure and tensile property of GF/Pb composites fabricated by powder metallurgy

GF/Pb compositeswerefabricated by the method of powder metallurgy, and the density, microstructure and tensile propertywerecharacterized considering the size and content ofglass fibre （GF）. The results show that relative densities decrease with increasing GF fraction, and the 50μm-GF reinforced specimens exhibit a better densification than the 300μm-GF reinforced ones. The GF particles distribute quite uniformly inPb matrix, and the composites fabricated at low sintering temperature （〈200℃） possess fine-grain microstructure. The addition of GF significantly improves the strength of the Pb composites, and the ultimate tensile strength of the Pb composite reinforcedwith the addition of 50μm-0.5% GF（mass fraction）is about 30MPa higher than that of GF-free sample. For all composites groups, increasing the reinforcement content from 0.5%to 2%（mass fraction）results in a decrease in both tensile strength and ductility.

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.

激光熔覆WC/316L复合涂层结构及磨损性能

为改善激光熔覆过程中WC增强金属基复合涂层分解与分布不均匀的问题,采用激光熔覆技术制备了50%WC含量的WC/316L复合涂层,分别采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、显微维氏硬度计、摩擦磨损试验机表征了熔敷层的组织形貌、硬度与摩擦磨损性能。结果显示,低热输入量可以防止WC颗粒下沉,提升熔覆层厚度方向上的WC颗粒分布均匀性;但WC的平面分布均匀性较差,同时低热输入导致WC颗粒结合较弱,易发生脱落;熔覆过程中,粉末中15%的WC发生分解。研究表明,通过降低激光热输入量,可以制备WC厚度方向较为均匀的复合涂层,提升熔覆层耐磨性,但是需要优化WC平面分布均匀性与WC颗粒结合性能。

激光能量密度对65Mn钢表面Ni60A/WC复合涂层摩擦磨损性能的影响规律

目的改善旋耕刀65Mn钢的摩擦磨损性能,提高农机触土零部件的使用寿命。方法采用激光熔覆技术在65Mn钢基体表面制备Ni60A/WC复合涂层。通过改变激光功率调节激光能量密度,在不同能量密度下制备Ni60A/WC复合涂层,观察并测试不同参数下复合涂层试样的宏观形貌、微观结构、物相组成、元素分布、显微硬度及摩擦磨损特性,研究激光能量密度对Ni60A/WC复合涂层组织演变及摩擦磨损性能的影响规律和机理。结果Ni60A/WC复合熔覆层顶部主要有胞状晶和树枝晶,分布较紧密,熔覆层中部主要有树枝状晶,熔覆层底部主要为胞状晶和垂直交界面生长的枝晶,且分布均匀致密。随着激光能量密度的升高,熔覆层的熔高和熔深增加显著,WC硬质相颗粒发生分解,硬质相的数量明显减少,涂层的平均显微硬度降低。在激光能量密度为120 J/mm^(2)时,熔覆层的平均显微硬度为587.1HV1.0,相较于基体,提升了约1.8倍。此时熔覆层的平均摩擦因数最小,为0.312,相较于基体,得到显著提升,摩擦磨损机制为轻微的磨粒磨损。经田间试验测试发现,在激光能量密度为120 J/mm^(2)时制备的带有熔覆层的旋耕刀相较于无熔覆层的旋耕刀,其磨损质量降低了63%。结论通过控制激光能量密度,可以有效调控Ni60A/WC熔覆层的硬度和耐磨性,可为农机触土易磨损件的减摩耐磨表面强化改性提供理论指导。

Comparative Assessment on Microstructure and Properties of in-situ TiC+Ti_(5)Si_(3)Reinforced TiAl-Sn-Zr Matrix Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering and Argon Protected Sintering

The effects of SiC particles(SiCp)on high temperature oxidation behavior of titanium matrix composites(TMCs)under different powder metallurgy processes were investigated.In situ Ti C+Ti_(5)Si_(3)reinforced titanium matrix composites were prepared by discharge plasma sintering(SPS)and argon protective sintering(APS).The results show that the two processes have a negligible effect on the composition and hardness of the samples,but the hardness of the two samples is significantly improved by adding SiCp.The apparent porosity of SPS process is obviously smaller than that of APS process,whereas,the apparent porosity increases slightly with the addition of SiCp.The oxide layer thickness and mass gain of the samples obtained by SPS process are smaller than those obtained by APS process.The oxide thickness and mass gain of both processes are further reduced by adding SiCp.The SPS composites showed the best high temperature oxidation resistance.Therefore,TMCs with Si Cp by SPS can effectively improve the high-temperature oxidation behavior of the materials.

冷喷涂Ti/WC复合涂层的组织与耐磨性研究

为解决钛及其合金磨损性能较差的问题,采用高压冷喷涂技术在Ti6Al4V合金基体上沉积了2种不同成分的Ti/WC复合涂层,通过室温下的干滑动摩擦磨损试验分别测试了基体与复合涂层的摩擦性能,并采用扫描电镜及拉曼光谱对磨损表面进行了观察与表征。结果表明,与Ti6Al4V基体的磨损率(4.06×10-7 mm3/(N·m))相比,复合涂层的磨损率降低了一个数量级,表现出优异的耐磨性。此外,涂层内WC含量的增加,提高了涂层的显微硬度,涂层的耐磨性也随之提升。在磨损轨迹表面,由TiO2、WO3以及WC碎片构成的摩擦膜能够有效避免磨球与涂层表面的直接接触,从而降低磨损程度。因此,冷喷涂Ti/WC复合涂层在钛合金磨损防护方面具有一定的应用前景。

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.