Improved multi-orientation dispersion of short carbon fibers in aluminum matrix composites prepared with square crucible by mechanical stirring

In order to improve the strength of short carbon fibers reinforced aluminum matrix(Csf/Al)composite,the dispersion of short carbon fibers with multi-orientation was controlled with a square crucible by mechanical stirring.The three-dimensional flow field models of liquid aluminum melt in the square/round crucibles were established and calculated,and the results were compared.The calculated results show that turbulent flow could be induced both in the square and round crucible,while the non-axisymmetric structure of the square crucible results in higher turbulent kinetic energy in the melt.Therefore,the uniformity and multi-orientation dispersion of the short fibers can be improved by the intensive turbulent flow in the square crucible,which will be increased by increasing the rotational velocity.The distribution of the short carbon fibers in the aluminum matrix prepared under different rotation velocities in square crucible was experimentally investigated.With the increase of stirring velocity,the multi-orientation dispersion of the short fibers in the composites increased gradually.The experimental results are consistent with the calculation results.The tensile testing results show that the strength of the Csf/Al composite can reach 172 MPa when the rotational velocity is 1000 rpm,and it is 48.3%higher than that prepared by the round crucible under the same conditions,which results from the improved multi-orientation dispersion of short carbon fibers in aluminum matrix.

Gradient structure induced simultaneous enhancement of strength and ductility in AZ31 Mg alloy with twin-twin interactions

Gradient nanostructure was introduced to enhance the strength and ductility via deformation incompatibility accommodated by geometrical necessary dislocations for most metallic materials recently.However,few intensive researches were carried out to investigate the effect of gradient structure on the deformation twin evolution and resulting performance improvements.In the present paper,we produced gradient-structured AZ31 Mg alloy with fine-grain layers,parallel twin laminates and a coarse-grain core from two upmost surfaces to the center of plate.Surprisingly,this architected Mg alloy exhibited simultaneous enhancement of strength and ductility.Subsequent microstructural observations demonstrated that abundant twin-twin interactions resulting from higher strength and multi-axial stress state could make great contributions to the increase of work-hardening capability.This was further proved by the measurement of full-field strain evolution during the plastic deformation.Such a design strategy may provide a new path for producing advanced structure materials in which the deformation twinning works as one of the dominant plasticity mechanisms.