Solid fraction evolution characteristics of semi-solid A356 alloy and in-situ A356–TiB_2 composites investigated by differential thermal analysis

The key factor in semi-solid metal processing is the solid fraction at the forming temperature because it affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of the thixoformed components. Though an enormous amount of data exists on the solid fraction-temperature re- lationship in A356 alloy, information regarding the solid fraction evolution characteristics of A356-TiB2 composites is scarce. The present article establishes the temperature-solid fraction correlation in A356 alloy and A356-xTiB2 （x = 2.5wt% and 5wt%） composites using dif- ferential thermal analysis （DTA）. The DTA results indicate that the solidification characteristics of the composites exhibited a variation of 2℃ and 3℃ in liquidus temperatures and a variation of 3℃ and 5℃ in solidus temperatures with respect to the base alloy. Moreover, the eutectic growth temperature and the solid fraction（fs） vs. temperature characteristics of the composites were found to be higher than those of the base alloy. The investigation revealed that in-situ formed TiB2 particles in the molten metal introduced more nucleation sites and reduced undercooling.

High-temperature dielectric and microwave absorption performances of TiB2/Al2O3 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

TiB_(2)/Al2O3 ceramics reinforced with Mg O are prepared by spark plasma sintering(SPS).The dielectric and microwave(MW)absorption properties are discussed.The results indicate that both the commercial TiB_(2)(C-TiB_(2))content and preparing temperature play important roles in the dielectric properties.Simultaneously,TiB_(2)/Al2O3 composite shows the best MW absorption property when the C-TiB_(2)content and preparing temperature are 9 wt%and 1400°C.To further improve the MW absorption properties,the composite containing 9 wt%synthesized TiB_(2)(S-TiB_(2))has been sintered at 1400°C.Its high-temperature complex permittivity is greater than that of TiB_(2)/Al2O3 composite with 9 wt%C-TiB_(2)sintered at 1400°C and is directly proportional to the temperature.Besides,TiB_(2)/Al2O3 composite with 9 wt%S-TiB_(2)possesses a better MW absorption at 25–500°C,its effective absorption bandwidth(RL<-5 dB)can reach 4.2 GHz at 25–500°C.And the minimum reflection loss(RLmin)value reaches-43.41 dB at the temperature of 800°C with a thickness of 1.45 mm for TiB_(2)/Al2O3 composite with 9 wt%C-TiB_(2).Consequently,the satisfying absorbing layer(d<1.75 mm),flexural strength,heat stability and considerable high-temperature MW absorption ability grant TiB_(2)/Al2O3 ceramics practical applications as high-temperature microwave absorption materials(MAMs).

Temperature-insensitive microwave absorption of TiB2-Al_(2)O_(3)/MgAl_(2)O_(4) ceramics based on controllable electrical conductivity

The design of the high-temperature microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) with temperature-insensitive and considerable microwave absorption (MA) capacity is a tremendous challenge.Ti B2-Al_(2)O_(3)/Mg Al_(2)O_(4) MAMs are prepared by the spark plasma sintering (SPS).Further,the influences of the Al_(2)O_(3) content on the flexural strength,thermal stability,high-temperature electrical conductivity,dielectric and MA properties are discussed.The results show that the Al_(2)O_(3) content is associated with flexural strength,high-temperature thermal stability,electrical conductivity,dielectric and MA properties.Meanwhile,the temperatureinsensitive and considerable MA properties with the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) ranging from -19.4 to -14.3 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB,RL<-5 dB) of 3.19–3.55 GHz are attained at 25°C–700°C in 8.2–12.4 GHz as the Al_(2)O_(3) content increases from 70.6 wt%to 80.6 wt%.This is ascribed to the compensating effect of the positive and negative temperature coefficient materials on the high-temperature electrical conductivity as well as the co-play of the dipolar and interfacial polarization at elevated temperatures.Consequently,Ti B2-Al_(2)O_(3)/Mg Al_(2)O_(4) ceramics exhibit the ideal prospect as the high-temperature MAMs.