Microstructural characterization,tribological and corrosion behavior of AA7075-TiC composites

Aluminum alloys are the potential materials in the automobile and aerospace sectors due to their lower density,easy forming and excellent corrosion resistance.The demand of high strength-to-weight ratio materials in structural applications needs the engineering industries to seek aluminum alloy with new versions of hard and brittle ceramic particles.The microstructure,hardness,wear and corrosion behaviors of AA7075 composites with 2.5wt.%and 5wt.%TiC particles were studied.Microscopic analysis is evident that the transformation of the strong dendritic morphology to non-dendritic morphology on the incorporation of TiC into AA7075.Furthermore,the precipitation of the second-phase compounds such as Al_(2)CuMg,Al_(2)Cu andFe-rich Al_6(Cu,Fe)/Al_(7)Cu_(2)Fe)is promoted by TiC particles at inter-and intra-dendritic regions.Accordingly,the hardness of composites is improved by grain boundary strengthening and particulate strengthening mechanisms.Both coefficient of friction and wear rate have an inverse relation with TiC concentration.The base alloy without TiC shows adhesive-type wear-induced deformation due to the formation of an oxide film,while composite samples exhibit a mechanically mixed layer and abrasive-type wear behavior.Composite samples shows a higher corrosion rate due to the presence of numerous precipitates which promote pitting corrosion.

Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties of squeeze overcast Al7075-Cu composite joints

Al7075-Cu composite joints were prepared by the squeeze overcast process.The effects of melt temperature,die temperature,and squeeze pressure on hardness and ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of squeeze overcast Al7075-Cu composite joints were studied.The experimental results depict that squeeze pressure is the most significant process parameter affecting the hardness and UTS.The optimal values of UTS(48 MPa)and hardness(76 HRB)are achieved at a melt temperature of 800℃,a die temperature of 250℃,and a squeeze pressure of 90 MPa.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)shows that fractured surfaces show flatfaced morphology at the optimal experimental condition.Energy-dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)analysis depicts that the atomic weight percentage of Zn decreases with an increase in melt temperature and squeeze pressure.The optimal mechanical properties of the Al7075-Cu overcast joint were achieved at the Al2Cu eutectic phase due to the large number of copper atoms that dispersed into the aluminum melt during the solidification process and the formation of strong intermetallic bonds.Gray relational analysis integrated with the Taguchi method was used to develop an optimal set of control variables for multi-response parametric optimization.Confirmatory tests were performed to validate the effectiveness of the employed technique.The manufacturing of squeeze overcast Al7075-Cu composite joints at optimal process parameters delivers a great indication to acknowledge a new method for foundry practitioners to manufacture materials with superior mechanical properties.

Oxidation mechanism of high-volume fraction SiCp/Al composite under laser irradiation and subsequent machining

Conventional mechanical machining of a composite material comprising an aluminum matrix reinforced with a high volume fraction of SiC particles(hereinafter referred to as an SiCp/Al composite)faces problems such as rapid tool wear,high specific cutting force,and poor surface integrity.Instead,a promising method for solving these problems is laser-induced oxidation-assisted milling(LOAM):under laser irradiation,the local workpiece material reacts with oxygen,thus forming loose and porous oxides that are easily removed.In the present work,the oxidation mechanism of SiCp/Al irradiated by a nanosecond pulsed laser is studied to better understand the laser-induced oxidation behavior and control the characteristics of the oxides,with laser irradiation experiments performed on a 65%SiCp/Al composite with various laser parameters and auxiliary gases(oxygen,nitrogen,and argon).With increasing laser pulse energy density,both the ablated groove depth and the width of the heat-affected zone increase.When oxygen is used as the auxiliary gas,an oxide layer composed of SiO_(2)and Al2O3 forms,and CO_(2)is produced and escapes from the material,thereby forming pores in the oxides.However,when nitrogen or argon is used as the auxiliary gas,a recast layer is produced that is relatively difficult to remove.Under laser irradiation,the sputtered material reacts with oxygen to form oxides on both sides of the ablated groove,and as the laser scanning path advances,the produced oxides accumulate to form an oxide layer.LOAM and conventional milling are compared using the same milling parameters,and LOAM is found to be better for reduced milling force and tool wear and improved machined surface quality.

Microstructure characteristics and thermodynamic properties of A357-SiCp/A357 layered composites prepared by semi-solid vacuum stirring suction casting

A357-SiCp/A357 layered composites were prepared using a semi-solid vacuum stirring suction casting method.The microstructures,mechanical properties,and thermal conductivities of the composites fabricated under different suction casting processes were compared.Additionally,the microstructural evolution characteristics and performance enhancement mechanism of the A357-SiCp/A357 layered composites were discussed.The results demonstrate that suction casting at 610°C with a low solid phase ratio can significantly enhance the material density and reduce the agglomeration of SiCp.The A357-SiC_(p)/A357 interface is clear and straight with good bonding.With an increase in the suction casting temperature,the bending resistance and thermal conductivity of the A357-SiC_(p)/A357 layered composites exhibit a trend of significantly increase at first and then slowly decrease owing to casting defects,interface bonding,and SiCp distribution.Compared with SiCp/A357 composites,the bending strength,deflection,and thermal conductivity of the A357-SiCp/A357 layered composites increase from 257 MPa,1.07 mm,and 155.72 W·(m·K)^(-1) to 298 MPa,2.1 mm,and 169.86 W·(m·K)^(-1),respectively.This study provides a reference for improving the rheological casting of aluminum matrix layered composites.

Optimizing machining parameters of wire-EDM process to cut Al7075/SiCp composites using an integrated statistical approach

Metal matrix composites （MMCs） as advanced materials, while producing the components with high dimensional accuracy and intricate shapes, are more complex and cost effective for machining than conventional alloys. It is due to the presence of discontinuously distributed hard ceramic with the MMCs and involvement of a large number of machining control variables. However, determination of optimal machining conditions helps the process engineer to make the process efficient and effec- tive. In the present investigation a novel hybrid multi-response optimization approach is proposed to derive the economic machining conditions for MMCs. This hybrid approach integrates the concepts of grey relational analysis （GRA）, principal component analysis （PCA） and Taguchi method （TM） to derive the optimal machining conditions. The machining experiments are planned to machine A17075/SiCp MMCs using wire-electrical discharge machining （WEDM） process. SiC particulate size and its weight percentage are explicitly considered here as the process variables along with the WEDM input variables. The derived optimal process responses are confirmed by the experimental validation tests and the results show satisfactory. The practical possibility of the derived optimal machining conditions is also analyzed and presented using scanning electron microscope （SEM） examinations. According to the growing industrial need of making high performance, low cost components, this investigation provides a simple and sequential approach to enhance the WEDM performance while machining MMCs.

超声振动辅助切削SiCp/Al复合材料的加工机理及试验

切削加工过程中材料损伤形式对加工表面质量会产生较大影响,现有仿真分析难以模拟真实颗粒失效行为,通过建立二维微观多相有限元模型能够深入了解材料损伤与表面质量的关系。基于常规切削(Conventional cutting,CC)与超声振动辅助切削(Ultrasonic vibration-assisted cutting,UVAC)两种加工方式,通过有限元仿真软件Abaqus对20%SiCp/Al复合材料的切削过程进行仿真模拟,阐释加工过程中刀具与工件的相互作用机理,并在同一参数下验证有限元仿真的准确性。通过设计单因素试验,对比两种加工方式及不同加工参数对切削力和表面粗糙度的影响规律,得出最佳加工参数组合,并对最佳加工参数下表面形貌进行分析。模拟和试验结果表明,SiC颗粒断裂、颗粒耕犁、颗粒拔出以及Al基体撕裂是影响SiCp/Al复合材料加工质量的主要原因,刀具与颗粒不同的相对作用位置会产生不同的损伤形式。与常规切削相比,施加超声振动后可以有效抑制颗粒失效和基体损伤,使加工中的平均切削力(主切削力)降低33%,工件已加工表面粗糙度值最大减小量为531 nm,显著提高了表面质量。所建立的二维微观多相有限元模型,能够有效模拟铝基复合材料的加工缺陷和裂纹损伤问题,对提高难加工材料的高质量表面制备有重要借鉴意义。

SiCp/Al复合材料纳米压痕/划痕下的脆塑性行为研究

为探究SiCp/Al复合材料中两相材料相互作用引起的力学性能差异,研究微观尺度下法向载荷变化对SiCp/Al复合材料形变和去除的影响。采用纳米压痕实验,基于Oliver-Pharr法测得其硬度和弹性模量,并对其压痕表面进行观察,结合有限元仿真分析产生力学性能差异的原因;同时,根据纳米压痕实验所得力学参数进行变载荷纳米划痕仿真,并配合实验后划痕表面观察结果分析材料的形变和脆塑性行为。结果表明:当金刚石压头作用于SiC颗粒时,颗粒出现破碎和二次压入现象,所测硬度与弹性模量小于单晶SiC的理论值;当金刚石压头作用于基体相时,由于SiC颗粒阻碍基体压入,复合材料的硬度与弹性模量测量结果偏大。在纳米划痕过程中,复合材料的去除形式随载荷变化体现为划擦、耕犁和切削阶段,其中的基体相通过塑性流动产生塑性脊堆积并伴随有涂覆现象,SiC颗粒则以脱黏、断裂破碎和拔出等脆性机制而去除,且SiC颗粒的二次压入、断裂、破碎和拔出是导致复合材料力学性能与单晶SiC的力学性能产生巨大差异的主要原因。随着划痕载荷增加,SiC体积分数为45%的SiCp/Al复合材料的去除机制更多取决于以塑性去除为主的基体相,而SiC颗粒则主要表现为脆性去除。

纵扭超声辅助铣削SiCp/Al复合材料表面质量研究

高体积分数SiCp/Al复合材料具有高比强度、高比模数和良好的耐磨性等优异性能。然而,它们的高硬度和脆性会导致精密制造过程中应力分布更为复杂,这会使材料中产生过大的力和过多的热,从而影响加工精度和工件耐久极限寿命。目的通过分析切削过程中颗粒的去除机理和表面缺陷类型,利用纵扭超声辅助铣削(longitudinal-torsional ultrasonic assisted milling,LTUAM)技术,改善高体积分数SiCp/Al复合材料的加工表面质量。方法利用ABAQUS和PYTHON软件,建立考虑颗粒断裂过程的两相随机分布颗粒SiCp/Al复合材料模型,并采用Johnson-Cook模型和Brittle Cracking模型对SiCp/Al复合材料纵扭超声辅助铣削过程进行有限元模拟仿真。针对不同加工参数,进行SiCp/Al复合材料纵扭超声辅助铣削和常规铣削(conventional milling,CM)试验,评估有限元仿真模拟与试验结果的一致性。结果模拟结果表明,损伤和裂纹主要产生在SiC颗粒(SiCp)中上部的切削线上,凹坑缺陷主要产生在颗粒下部的切削线上。试验结果显示,表面缺陷的类型主要包括颗粒的损伤和拔出、颗粒的损伤和断裂形成凹坑、未损伤的颗粒形成凸起、破损颗粒与刀具在已加工表面上挤压摩擦形成犁沟、铝基体涂覆、表面微裂纹和表面空穴等,并且当加工速度120 m/min,超声振幅3μm时,最大裂纹深度最小,表面缺陷最小,表面质量最好。结论对比有限元仿真结果与试验结果发现,二者的表面质量变化趋势基本具有一致性。纵扭超声辅助铣削技术的应用对提高SiCp/Al复合材料的表面质量有较好效果。

Flow stress behavior and processing map of extruded 7075Al/SiC particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition during hot compression

Hot compression tests of the extruded 7075Al/15%SiC (volume fraction) particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition were performed on Gleeble?1500 system in the temperature range of 300?450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?1 s?1. The results indicate that the true stress?true strain curve almost exhibits rapid flow softening phenomenon without an obvious work hardening, and the stress decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate. Moreover, the stress levels are higher at temperature below 400 °C but lower at 450 °C compared with the spray deposited 7075Al alloy. Superplastic deformation characteristics are found at temperature of 450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?0.1 s?1 with corresponding strain rate sensitivity of 0.72. The optimum parameters of hot working are determined to be temperature of 430?450 °C and strain rate of 0.001?0.05 s?1 based on processing map and optical microstructural observation.

Particle Removal Mechanism of High Volume Fraction SiCp/Al Composites by Single Diamond Grit Tool

Particle removal mechanism was presented during machining particle SiC/Al composites with diamond grinding tool. The relevant removal modes and their mechanisms were discussed considering the impact and squeezing effect of diamond grit on the SiC particle. The experimental results show that the aluminum matrix has larger plastic deformation, so the aluminum mixed with the surplus SiC particles is cut from the surface. The SiC particles can be removed in multiple ways, such as broken/fractured, micro cracks, shearing and pulled out, etc. More particles removed by shearing, and less particles removed by fractured during material removal progress can produce a better machined surface.

Optimization of Machining Characteristics for Al/SiCp Composites using ANN/GA

The present work is focused on optimization of machining characteristics of AI/SiCp composites. The machining characteristics such as specific energy, tool wear and surface roughness were studied. The parameters such as volume fraction of SiC, cutting speed and feed rate were considered. Artificial neural networks (ANN) was used to train and simulate the experimental data. Genetic algorithms (GA) was interfaced with ANN to optimize the machining conditions for the desired machining characteristics. Validation of optimized results was also performed by confirmation experiments.

Near-net shaped Al/SiCP composites via vacuum-pressure infiltration combined with gelcasting

To solve the problem of difficult machining, the near-net shaped Al/SiCP composites with high volume fraction of SiC particles were fabricated by vacuum-pressure infiltration. The SiCP preform with a complex shape was prepared by gelcasting. Pure Al, Al4Mg, and Al4Mg2Si were used as the matrices, respectively. The results indicate that the optimal parameters of SiCP suspension in gelcasting process are pH value of 10, TMAH content of 0.5 wt.%, and solid loading of 52 vol.%. The Al matrix alloyed with Mg contributes to improving the interfacial wettability of the matrix and SiC particles, which increases the relative density of the composite. The Al matrix alloyed with Si is beneficial to inhibiting the formation of the detrimental Al4C3 phases. The Al4Mg2Si/SiCP composite exhibits high relative density of 99.2%, good thermal conductivity of 150 W·m^-1·K^-1, low coefficient of thermal expansion of 10.1×10^-6 K^-1, and excellent bending strength of 489 MPa.

Preparation and characterization of different surface modified SiCp reinforced Al-matrix composites

The effects of SiCp surface modifications(Cu coating,Ni coating and Ni/Cu coating)on the microstructures and mechanical properties of Al matrix composites were investigated.Surface modification of SiC particles with Cu,Ni and Cu/Ni,respectively,was carried out by electroless plating method.SiCp/Al composites were prepared by hot pressed sintering followed by hot extrusion.The results show that the surface modification of SiC particles plays an effective role,which is relative to the type of surface coating,and the interfacial bonding become stronger in the following order:untreated SiCp<Ni(Cu)-coated SiCp<Ni/Cu-coated SiCp.The Ni/Cu-coated SiCp/Al composites exhibit the best comprehensive mechanical properties,with ultimate tensile strength(σUTS)and fracture strain(εf)of 389 MPa and 6.3%,respectively.Compared with that of untreated-SiCp/Al composites,theσUTS andεf are enhanced by 19.3%and 57.5%.

Effect of a Slight Interfacial Reaction on Mechanical Properties of SiCp/Al Composites

A slight interfacial reaction in squeeze-cast SiCp/6061AI composites has been studied. It is found that this kind of reaction has a particular effect on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results of fie-cure tests show that this reaction in the composites obviously increases the elastic properties, but is not beneficial to the fracture strength and ductility.This phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of two different micromechanisms which have been analyzed using TEM and HREM observations, acoustic emission (AE) technique and SEM fractography. In addition, a new method of SiC surface modification which can control the interface state is initially presented.

Fabrication and characterization of GNPs and CNTs reinforced Al7075 matrix composites through the stir casting process

This study investigated the effects of adding graphene nanoplates(GNPs)and carbon nanotubes(CNTs)into the Al7075 matrix via the stir casting method on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites.By increasing the volume fraction of rein-forcements,the fraction of porosity increased.The X-ray diffraction results showed that the addition of reinforcements into the Al7075 changed the dominant crystal orientation from(002)to(111).Field emission scanning electron microscopy images also showed the distribution of clustered reinforcements in the matrix.Between the two reinforcements,the addition of CNTs generated a lower fraction of porosities.Through the addition of 0.52vol%GNPs into the matrix,the hardness,ultimate tensile strength and uniform elongation increased by 44%,32%,and 180%,respectively.Meanwhile,the presence of 0.71vol%CNTs in the matrix increased the hardness,tensile strength and uniform elongation by 108%,129%,and 260%,respectively.

SiCp/Al-Si基复合材料界面结构调控及强化机制的研究进展

SiCp/Al-Si基复合材料具有高的比强度、比刚度、比模量,良好的导热、导电、耐磨性及尺寸稳定性等优点,作为结构功能性材料应用于空间工程、电子封装、交通运输和精密仪器等领域。其研究热点主要集中在界面结构调控、强化机制及性能调控等方面。在SiCp/Al-Si复合材料中存在着增强体与基体界面、析出相与基体界面、析出相与增强体界面,这些界面受各种因素影响,会出现多种界面反应和界面产物,界面结构和结合状态复杂而多样。基于此,本文综述了制备工艺、基体合金成分和SiCp表面改性等方面对SiCp/Al-Si基复合材料界面结构的影响及调控,并总结了影响其力学性能的因素及强化机制的研究现状,最后对复合材料未来的发展及研究方向进行了展望。

联合添加微量Sc、Zr元素对B4C/7075Al复合材料力学性能和腐蚀行为的影响

限制高强度B4C/Al复合材料工程应用的关键为腐蚀问题,添加微量合金元素是提高其耐蚀性的有效措施。采用压力浸渗法制备了B4C/7075和添加微量Sc、Zr元素的B4C/7075-0.15Sc-0.35Zr复合材料,利用扫描电镜、透射电镜、弯曲性能测试、拉伸性能测试、中性盐雾试验和电化学测试对比研究了联合添加Sc和Zr元素对B4C/7075Al复合材料的显微组织、力学性能和腐蚀行为的影响。结果表明:添加Sc和Zr元素后,复合材料的抗弯曲强度和抗拉强度升高,腐蚀速率降低,腐蚀电流密度(Jcorr)下降,耐蚀性增强,这是因为添加Sc和Zr元素后,复合材料的晶界析出相细小且不连续分布,无析出带(PFZ)消失。

Properties and microstructures of 7075/SiC_p composites prepared by spray deposition

The 7075/SiC p composites were prepared by spray deposition, extrusion and heat treatment technologies. The microstructures of the deposit, the extruded and heat treated bars were analyzed. And the mechanical properties and wearing resistance were tested and compared with other aluminum alloys. The results show that the spray deposited preform presents fine microstructure and uniformly distributed SiC particles. Compared with the matrix alloy, the yield strength, modulus and wearing resistance of the peak aged composites are improved markedly with 50% reduction of elongation. It indicates that the addition of SiC particles greatly contributes to the refining of microstructure and the altering of fracture and wearing mechanisms.

Effect of hot extrusion on microstructure and tribological behavior of Al_(2)O_(3p) reinforced 7075 aluminum-matrix composites

The effects of hot extrusion and addition of Al_(2)O_(3p) on both microstructure and tribological behavior of 7075 composites were investigated via optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectrometry(EDS),and transmission electron microscopy(TEM).The experimental consequences reveal that the optimal addition of Al_(2)O_(3p) was 2 wt%.After hot extrusion,the Mg(Zn,Cu,Al)2 phases partially dissolve into the matrix and generate many uniformly distributed aging precipitation particles,the Al_(7)Cu_(2)Fe phases are squeezed and broken,and the Al_(2)O_(3p) become uniform distribution.The microhardness of as-extruded 2 wt%Al_(2)O_(3p)/7075 composites reaches HV 170.34,increased by 41.5%than as-cast composites.The wear rate of as-extruded 2 wt%Al_(2)O_(3p)/7075 composites is further lower than that of as-cast composites under the same condition.SEM-EDS analyses reveal that the reinforced wear resistance of composites can put down to the protective effect of the Al_(2)O_(3p) reinforced transition layer.After hot extrusion,the transition layer becomes stable,which determines the reinforced wear resistance of the as-extruded composites.

Effect of Na3AlF6 Addition and Surface Modification of SiCp on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SiCp/Al Composites

Al-matrix composites reinforced with 56.5 vol% SiC were prepared by powder metallurgy with different amounts of additives and surface modifications of SiCp. The crystalline phase, morphology, elements on the surface of SiCp and the interface between SiCp and Al were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS and EPMA. The results show that it is favorable for the reaction between TiO2-C on the surface of SiCp and Al at the SiCp-Al interface at 1 050 ℃. Besides, the process of Na3 AlF6 melting, dissolving and then contacting with Al2 O3 formed the NaF-AlF3-Al2 O3 system, which generated OAlF2-, promoting the dessolution of Al2 O3 film on the surface of Al powder. Na3 AlF6 meets the needs of chemical reaction in TiO2-C-Al system at the SiCpAl interface in the way of offering more molten Al. After 0.75 wt% Na3 AlF6 was added into raw materials, the whole TiO2-C film and most SiO2 film were destroyed and the interfacial bonding between SiCp and Al was keeping good, in which no obvious void and crack were observed. Meanwhile, no brittle Al4 C3 phase formed in the system. At this time, the flexure strength and density of samples presented optimal values, reaching up to 106.5 MPa and 90.77% respectively.