Processing of nanostructured metallic matrix composites by a modified accumulative roll bonding method with structural and mechanical considerations

Particulate reinforced metallic matrix composites have attracted considerable attention due to their lightweight, high strength, high specific modulus, and good wear resistance. A1/B4C composite strips were produced in this work by a modified accumulative roll bonding process where the strips were rotated 90° around the normal direction between successive passes. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal the development of nanostructures in the Al matrix after seven passes. It is found that the B4C reinforcement distribution in the matrix is improved by progression of the process. Additionally, the tensile yield strength and elongation of the processed materials are increased with the increase of passes.

Graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites prepared by spark plasma sintering

Graphene-reinforced 7055 aluminum alloy composites with different contents of graphene were prepared by spark plasma sintering（SPS）. The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Testing results show that the hardness, compressive strength, and yield strength of the composites are improved with the addition of 1wt% graphene. A clean, strong interface is formed between the metal matrix and graphene via metallurgical bonding on atomic scale. Harmful aluminum carbide（Al_4C_3） is not formed during SPS processing. Further addition of graphene（above 1wt%） results in the deterioration in mechanical properties of the composites. The agglomeration of graphene plates is exacerbated with increasing graphene content, which is the main reason for this deterioration.

Identification of Optimum Composition and Mechanical Properties of Al-Ni Metal Matrix Composite

Composites are materials that are made up of two or more chemically dissimilar phases. In this project aluminum was chosen as matrix material because it was inexpensive, light-weight, strong, tough and corrosion resistant. For the main load bearing phase it was hard, corrosion resistant at room temperature and thermally stable. The stir casting method was used because it was cost-effective and easy, and the particulate reinforcement (nickel) was uniformly distributed throughout the matrix phase. Sand moulding was used to cast the specimens. Specimens with 10, 20, 30 and 40 percentage Nickel were tested and the optimal specimen contained 20% Nickel. The Brinell hardness of Al + 20% Ni increased by 14.80%, Rockwell hardness increased by 2.43%, ultimate tensile strength increased by 1.003% and thermal conductivity of Al + 20% Ni decreased by 24.98% with respect to Aluminum.

Exploration of Al-based matrix composites reinforced by hierarchically spherical agents

Al-based composites reinforced with A1-Ti intermetallic compounds/Ti metal hierarchically spherical agents were successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy. This kind of structure produces strongly bonded interfaces as well as soft/hard/soft transition regions between the matrix and reinforced agents, which are beneficial to load transfer during deformation. As expected, the resultant composites exhibit promising mechanical properties at ambient temperature. The underlying mechanism was also discussed in this paper.

Nano-SiC_P particles distribution and mechanical properties of Al-matrix composites prepared by stir casting and ultrasonic treatment

Nano-ceramic particles are generally difficult to add into molten metal because of poor wettability. Nano-SiC particles reinforced A356 aluminum alloy composites were prepared by a new complex process, i.e., a molten-metal process combined with high energy ball milling and ultrasonic vibration methods. The nano particles were β-SiCp with an average diameter of 40 nm, and pre-oxidized at about 850 ℃ to form an oxide layer with a thickness of approximately 3 nm. The mm-sized composite granules containing nano-SiCp were firstly produced by milling the mixture of oxidized nano-SiCp and pure Al powders, and then were remelted in the matrix-metal melt with mechanical stirring and treated by ultrasonic vibration to prepare the composite. SEM analysis results show that the nano-SiC particles are distributed uniformly in the matrix and no serious agglomeration is observed. The tensile strength and elongation of the composite with 2wt.% nano-SiCp in as-cast state are 226 MPa and 5.5％, improved by 20％ and 44％, respectively, compared with the A356 alloy.

Structural considerations in friction welding of hybrid Al_2O_3-reinforced aluminum composites

Comparative studies on the relationship between the welding parameters and joining efficiency in the friction welding of hybrid Al203-reinforced aluminum composites were conducted. Metal matrix composites （MMCs） with 37% （volume fraction） aluminum particle were joined by friction welding. The results show that the effects of the rotation speed on the reduction rate of particle size are greater than those of the upset pressure, and the area of the MMC weld zone decreases as the joining efficiency increases, while it is considered that the joining efficiency does not increase as the reduction rate of particle size decreases. During the macro-examination of the bonding interlace, a gray discolored region was observed on the bonding interface, and the center of the region was dark gray. After the micro-examination of the bonding interface, base metal made some second particulate formed by condensed alumina particulate but discoloration part distributed minute alumina particulate without second particulate. Consequently, it was also observed that rotational speed of 3 000 r/min and upset pressure of 63.6 MPa showed a very good.joint.

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes reinforced aluminum composites synthesized by hot press sintering and squeeze casting

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have high mechanical properties and are considered a kind of realistic reinforcement for polymers, ceramics and metals. The hot press sintering and squeeze casting were adopted to synthesize MWNTs reinforced aluminum composites. In hot press sintered MWNTs/Al composites, MWNTs agglomerates distribute along aluminum powders and have low bonding strength with aluminum. But MWNTs agglomerates distribute evenly in the squeeze cast MWNTs/Al composites. Some dispersed nanotubes bond well with aluminum matrix and few dislocations can be found in the nanotube areas, which implies little thermal residual stress in squeeze cast MWNTs/Al composites. This indicates that the strengthen mechanisms in nanometer sized MWNTs/Al composites may be different from that in micrometer sized whisker composites.

Machining studies of die cast aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites

Metal matrix composites （MMCs） with high specific stiffness, high strength, improved wear resistance, and thermal properties are being increasingly used in advanced structural, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and wear applications. Aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites were developed using a new combination of the vortex method and the pressure die-casting technique in the present work. Machining studies were conducted on the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide （SiC） composite work pieces using high speed steel （HSS） end-mill tools in a milling machine at different speeds and feeds. The quantitative studies on the machined work piece show that the surface finish is better for higher speeds and lower feeds. The surface roughness of the plain aluminum alloy is better than that of the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites. The studies on tool wear show that flank wear increases with speed and feed. The end-mill tool wear is higher on machining the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites than on machining the plain aluminum alloy.

(Al_(63)Cu_(25)Fe_(12))_p/A356 aluminum alloy composites prepared by spray co-deposition

A novel Al-based composite material (Al63Cu25Fe12)p/A356 was prepared by spray co-deposition. It is revealed that the reinforcement of Al63Cu25Fe12 quasicrystalline particles disperses uniformly in the composite with small crystalline grain structure of about 10μm. The reaction between the Al63Cu25Fe12 quasicrystalline particle and the matrix metal is constrained or depressed because of the high cooling velocity in the process of spray co-deposition. Compared with the composite reinforced by non-continuous ceramics particle, the aging harden behavior of the composites of (Al63Cu25Fe12)p/A356 has outstanding characteristics with less time on aging peak happening and with higher hardening rate. The mechanical properties of the composites evidently enhance except plastic strain.

Thermal conductivity behavior of SPS consolidated AlN/Al composites for thermal management applications

A1N/A1 composites are a potentially new kind of thermal management material for electronic packaging and heat sink applications. The spark plasma sintering （SPS） technique was used for the first time to prepare the A1N/A1 composites, and attention was focused on the effects of sintefing parameters on the relative density, microstructure and, in particular, thermal conductivity behavior of the composites. The results showed that the relative density and thermal conductivity of the composites increased with increasing sintering temperature and pressure. The composites sintered at 1550℃ for 5 min under 70 MPa showed the maximum relative density and thermal conductivity, corresponding to 99% and 97.5 W.m-1.K-1, respectively. However, the thermal conductivity of present A1N/A1 composites is still far below the theoretical value. Possible reasons for this deviation were discussed.

Fabrication of AA7005/TiB2-B4C surface composite by friction stir processing: Evaluation of ballistic behaviour

The present work aims to enhance the ballistic resistance of AA7005 alloy by incorporating the TiB2 and B4C ceramic reinforcement particles. Surface composites with different weight fractions of TiB2 and B4C particles were processed by friction stir processing. Micro-hardness and depth of penetration tests were carried out to evaluate the ballistic properties of the surface composites. The surface hardness of the composite was found to be nearly 70 HV higher than base alloy. The depth of penetration of the steel projectile was 20e26mm in the composites as compared to 37mm in the base alloy. Ballistic mass efficiency factor of the surface composite was found to be 1.6 times higher than base alloy. This is mainly attributed to the dispersion strengthening from the reinforcement particles.

Effect of graphite powder as a forming filler on the mechanical properties of SiCp/Al composites by pressure infiltration

（38vo1% SiCp ＋ 2vo1% A1203f）/2024 A1 composites were fabricated by pressure infiltration. Graphite powder was introduced as a forming filler in preform preparation, and the effects of the powder size on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the final com- posites were investigated. The results showed that the composite with 15 μm graphite powder as a forming filler had the maximum tensile strength of 506 MPa, maximum yield strength of 489 MPa, and maximum elongation of 1.2%, which decreased to 490 MPa, 430 MPa, and 0.4%, respectively, on increasing the graphite powder size from 15 to 60 μm. The composite with 60 μm graphite powder showed the highest elastic modulus, and the value decreased from 129 to 113 GPa on decreasing the graphite powder size from 60 to 15 μm. The differences between these properties are related to the different microstructures of the corresponding composites, which determine their failure modes.

Effect of pulse parameters on microstructure of joint in laser beam welding for SiC_p/6063 composite

The restraint effects of pulse frequency and pulse duty cycle on the precipitates of harmful needle like Al 4C 3 phase were studied in CO 2 impulsed laser welding through the experiment on the SiC p/6063 composite, and the microstructures of the weld under the different process parameters (pulse time from 1 ms to 20 ms,duty cycle from 50% to 91%) were analyzed. In order to compare, CO 2 continuous laser was conducted under the same efficiency. The results demonstrate that the proper laser pulse frequency and duty cycle can restrain the formation of Al 4C 3 effectively. However, the burning loss of SiC is more serious and the fluidity of molten pool is less in continuous laser welding than in impulsed laser welding.

Forming of tubes and bars of alumina/LY12 composites by liquid extrusion process

Tube and bar products of aluminum alloy composites reinforced by alumina short fiber were formed in a single process with liquid extrusion technology. The microstructure verifies that the reinforcing effect is obvious in the deformation direction since fibers are distributed along this direction, which is resulted from the flow and crystallization under pressure of liquid metal and large plastic deformation of solidified metal in the process. The interface between fiber and matrix belongs to mechanical bonding. The fractograph demonstrates ductile mode. Liquid extrusion process opens up a new way for fabricating tube, bar and shaped products.

Mechanical properties and friction behaviors of CNT/AlSi_(10)Mg composites produced by spark plasma sintering

The mechanical properties and friction behaviors of CNT/AlSi10Mg composites produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) were investigated. The results showed that the densities of the sintered composites gradually increased with increasing sintering temperature and that the highest microhardness and compressive strength were achieved in the specimen sintered at 450A degrees C. CNTs dispersed uniformly in the Al-Si10Mg matrix when the addition of CNTs was less than 1.5wt%. However, when the addition of CNTs exceeded 1.5wt%, the aggregation of CNTs was clearly observed. Moreover, the mechanical properties (including the densities, compressive strength, and microhardness) of the composites changed with CNT content and reached a maximum value when the CNT content was 1.5wt%. Meanwhile, the minimum average friction coefficient and wear rate of the CNT/AlSi10Mg composites were obtained with 1.0wt% CNTs.

Effect of alumina short fiber and air-cooling processing on solidification microstructure and tensile properties of Al_2O_3/Al-15Si composites

The effect of microstructure variation by addition of alumina short fiber and optimization of tensile properties by air cooling processing in Al 2O 3/Al 15Si composites were studied. The results show that in Al 15Si alloy matrix composites with 14% and 30%(volume fraction) fiber, the primary silicon is hardly refined, but the eutectic silicon is effectively refined and granulated. Granulation of some eutectic silicon mainly happens in fiber segregation areas. Refining and granulation of the eutectic silicon are related to the physical constraint arising from the fiber. After the 30%Al 2O 3/Al 15Si composite was remelted and air cooled, the number of the eutectic silicon on the surface of the fiber increases, which results in the improvement of fiber/matrix interface and tensile properties for the as cast composite. Air cooling processing may be reliable for the optimization of the microstructure and properties of fiber reinforced hypereutectic Al 15Si alloy composites.

Aging behavior of AlNp/2024Al composites fabricated by squeeze casting

2024 aluminum matrix composites reinforced with different size AlN particles (0.5, 4 and 10μm) were fabricated by the squeeze-casting technology. The aging behavior and microstructure of AlNp/2024Al composites were investigated by Brinell hardness measurement and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the precipitation sequence of AlNp/2024Al composites is similar to that of the matrix alloy aged at 160 and 190℃, but the age hardening rate of composites is improved, and the AlN particles with large size promote the precipitation process more obviously, in comparison with smaller AlN particles. With increasing temperature, the precipitation processes are accelerated, and the time to reach the peak hardness is shortened. The acceleration of the formation of GP region and phase S' in the composites is attributed to the interfaces (between particles and the matrix) and the high density of dislocations introduced by addition of AlN particles.

Mechanical and Thermal Expansion Properties of SiCp/ZAlSi9Mg Composites Produced by Centrifugal Casting

Centrifugal casting was applied to produce cylindrical castings using SiCp/Al composite slurry,which contained 20%SiC particles.The castings comprised a particle free zone and a particle rich zone.The amount of SiC particles had a dramatic transformation from the particle rich zone to the particle free zone,and the maximum content of SiC particles in the particle rich zone reached up to 40 vol%.The ultimate tensile strength（UTS） of the as-cast SiCp / Al composites in the particle rich zone was 143 MPa,and the fracture was caused by the desorption of SiC particles from matrix alloy.The coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） of the SiC_p / Al composites in the range of 20 and 100 ℃ was determined as 16.67×10^（-6） s^（-1）,and the experimental CTE was lower than the predicted data based on the Kerner＇s model.The results show that the decrease in CTE in the case of the composites at high temperature stage can be attributed to the solute concentration of Si in Al and the plastic deformation of the matrix alloy in the composites with void architecture.

Turning of aluminum metal matrix composites： influence of the reinforcement and the cutting condition on the surface layer of the workpiece

Aluminum metal matrix composites （Al-MMCs） are difficult to machine. The reinforcement of aluminum using ceramic particles accelerates tool wear. Moreover, demanded machining accuracies or properties of the surface layer are difficult to achieve. In the present study, the effect of silicon carbide reinforcement particles on the surface layer of the workpiece was investigated using multiple cutting conditions for dry turning. Three differently reinforced Al-MMCs regarding the volume percent-age （17% and 30%） and the particle size （0.6 μm and 3 μm） and their non-reinforced matrix were considered as the workpiece materials. The reinforcement and the cutting condition affect the results of turning. A greater particle volume percent improves the surface roughness and decreases the tensile stress in the surface. The smaller particle size caused a lower tensile stress in the surface. A general effect of the particle size on the workpiece roughness can not be concluded. The most important cutting parameter for the surface layer of the workpiece is the feed. Greater feeds decrease the tensile stress in the surface, but deteriorate the surface quality.

Preparation of CNT/AlS i10Mg composite powders by high-energy ball milling and their physical properties

This study investigated the effects of carbon nanotube （CNT） concentration on the micro-morphologies and laser absorption proper- ties of CNT/AlSi10Mg composite powders produced by high-energy ball milling. A scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, laser particle size analyzer, high-temperature synchronous thermal analyzer, and UV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometer were used for the analysis of micro- graphs, phases, granulometric parameters, thermal properties, and laser absorption properties of the composite powders, respectively. The results showed that the powders gradually changed from flake- to granule-like morphology and the average particle size sharply decreased with in- creases in milling rotational speed and milling time. Moreover, a uniform dispersion of CNTs in AlSi10Mg powders was achieved only for a CNT content of 1.5wt%. Laser absorption values of the composite powders were also observed to gradually increase with the increase of CNT concentration, and different spectra displayed characteristic absorption peaks at a wavelength of approximately 826 nm.