Microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of Zn-Al-Cu-TiB_2 in situ composites

Zn-Al-Cu-TiB2（ZA27-TiB2） in situ composites were fabricated via reactions between molten aluminum and mixed halide salts（K2TiF6 and KBF4） at temperature of 875 °C. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the composites were investigated. Microstructure analysis shows that fine and clean TiB2 particles distribute uniformly through the matrix. The mechanical properties of the composites increase with the increase in TiB2 content. As TiB2 content increases to 5%（mass fraction）, an improvement of HB 18 in hardness and 49 MPa in ultimate tensile strength（UTS） is achieved. The overall results reveal that the composites possess low friction coefficients and the wear rate is reduced from 5.9×10-3 to 1.3×10-3 mm3/m after incorporating 5% TiB2. Friction coefficient and worn surface analysis indicate that there is a change in the wear mechanism in the initial stage of wear test after introducing in situ TiB2 particles into the matrix.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ TiB_2/7055 composites synthesized by direct magnetochemistry melt reaction

In situ TiB2/7055 composites were successfully synthesized via magnetic chemical direct melt reaction from 7055 （Al-3B）？Ti system. The phase composition and the microstructure of the composites were investigated by XRD, OM and SEM technologies, and the mechanical and wear properties were tested. The results indicate that with the pulsed magnetic field assistance, the morphologies of in situ TiB2 particles are mainly hexagonal-shape or nearly spherical, the sizes are less than 1 μm, and the distribution of the matrix is uniform. Compared the microstructures of the 7055 aluminum matrix composites synthesized without pulsed magnetic field, the average size ofα（Al） phase with pulsed magnetic field assistance is decreased from 20 to 10μm, the array of the second phase is changed from continuous net-shape to discontinuous shape. With the pulsed magnetic field, the tensile strengths of the composites are enhanced from 310 to 330 MPa, and the elongations are increased from 7.5%to 8.0%. In addition, compared with matrix alloy, the wear mass loss of the composites is decreased from 111 to 78 mg under a load of 100 N for 120 min.

Enabling High-Performance Sodium Battery Anodes by Complete Reduction of Graphene Oxide and Cooperative In-Situ Crystallization of Ultrafine SnO_(2)Nanocrystals

The main bottleneck against industrial utilization of sodium ion batteries(SIBs)is the lack of high-capacity electrodes to rival those of the benchmark lithium ion batteries(LIBs).Here in this work,we have developed an economical method for in situ fabrication of nanocomposites made of crystalline few-layer graphene sheets loaded with ultrafine SnO_(2)nanocrystals,using short exposure of microwave to xerogel of graphene oxide(GO)and tin tetrachloride containing minute catalyzing dispersoids of chemically reduced GO(RGO).The resultant nanocomposites(SnO_(2)@MWG)enabled significantly quickened redox processes as SIB anode,which led to remarkable full anode-specific capacity reaching 538 mAh g^(−1)at 0.05 A g^(−1)(about 1.45 times of the theoretical capacity of graphite for the LIB),in addition to outstanding rate performance over prolonged charge–discharge cycling.Anodes based on the optimized SnO_(2)@MWG delivered stable performance over 2000 cycles even at a high current density of 5 A g^(−1),and capacity retention of over 70.4%was maintained at a high areal loading of 3.4 mg cm^(−2),highly desirable for high energy density SIBs to rival the current benchmark LIBs.

Preparation of Al-Al_3Ti in situ composites by direct reaction method

Al-Al3Ti composites were prepared by a direct reaction method, in which Al3Ti was formed by the reaction of Ti and Al in aluminum alloy melt. The morphology of Al3Ti changes apparently from the fine particle, needle-like to large block with the increase of Al3Ti content. The addition of magnesium can markedly change the morphology of Al3Ti and reduce their size. Short rod-like Al3Ti was formed and homogeneous distribution was obtained with the addition of 3 wt.% Mg. The effect of Al3Ti and Mg on the microstructure of Al-Al3Ti composites and the mechanism were also discussed.

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of in Situ Primary Si/Mg_2Si Locally Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites Piston by Centrifugal Casting

Al-Si pistons are frequently damaged by burning piston top surface due to elevated combustion temperature, and by rubbing the first ring groove against the engine cylinder liner. To prevent piston from these damages, some technologies were invented, such as mounting high Ni cast iron ring around the first ring groove in Al alloy piston body and thermal resistant steel on piston top surface, and fabricating Al composite pistons by squeeze casting for enhancing the whole or local piston performance. In this paper, composite pistons locally reinforced with in situ primary Si and primary Mg2Si particles are fabricated by centrifugal casting. The microstructure characteristics, hardness and wear resistance of the composite piston are investigated and the motion characteristic of the in situ particles in centrifugal field is analyzed. The results of the experiments show that primary Si and Mg2Si particles mix up with each other in melt and segregate at the regions of piston top and piston ring grooves under the effect of centrifugal force. Particulate reinforced regions have a higher hardness and better wear resistance compared with the unreinforced regions and this performance increases after heat treatment. The analysis result of particle movement shows that, primary Si and primary Mg2Si particles move at approximately the same velocity in the centrifugal field, because of the growth of primary Si and fusion after colliding between primary Si particles, which compromised the velocity difference of primary Si and primary Mg2Si particles caused by the difference of their densities. Research results have some theory significance and applicative value of project in development of new aluminum matrix composites piston products.

Microstructure of in situ Al_3Ti/6351Al composites fabricated with electromagnetic stirring and fluxes

The 6351 wrought aluminum alloy and K2TiF6-CaF2-LiCl components were selected as raw materials to fabricate in situ Al3Ti particulate reinforced aluminum alloy at 720℃via direct melt reaction method with electromagnetic stirring(EMS).CaF2 and LiCl acted as fluxes to lower the reaction temperature of the system.It is shown that the electromagnetic stirring and fluxes accelerate the emulsion process of K2TiF6.Optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum were utilized to analyze the microstructure and components of composites.Compared to composites fabricated without EMS and fluxes,the sizes of endogenetic Al3Ti are refined from 10-15μm to 2-4μm,which are often accompanied with silicon element.The morphology of Al3Ti or Al3TiSi0.22 exhibits triangle,quadrilateral and other clumpy patterns. Because of the Ca elements from CaF2,the sizes of Mg2Si decrease from 8-10μm to 1-2μm due to the formation of Ca2Si.

In situ(Mg_2Si+MgO)/Mg composites fabricated from AZ91-Al_2(SiO_3)_3 with assistance of high-energy ultrasonic field

In situ （Mg2Si＋MgO）/Mg composites fabricated from AZ91-A12（SiO3）3 under high-energy ultrasonic field were investigated by XRD, DSC and SEM. The results indicate that the size, morphology and distribution of the in situ Mg2Si particles are greatly optimized with the assistance of the high-energy ultrasonic field. The amounts of the in situ Mg2Si particles are increased, the sizes are refined, the distributions become uniform, and the morphologies are changed to smooth olive-shape or spherical shape. The amounts of brittle fl-Mgl7All2 phases are decreased and the morphologies are granulated. The values of the tensile strength ab and HB hardness are increased. These are due to the cavitation effects and acoustic streaming effects induced by the high-energy ultrasonic field.

Research on development of in situ titanium matrix composites and in situ reaction thermodynamics of the reaction systems

The in situ synthesis method for titanium matrix composites （TMCs） has obvious technical and economical advantages over other traditional methods. Ultrafine reinforcement particles were formed in situ by chemical reaction between elements or between elements and compounds. Using the approach, contamination at the composite matrix/reinforcement particle interface did not occur, interface bonding was good, and the reinforcement particle was thermodynamically stable. The stage of development of the preparation process for in situ TMCs as well as the thermodynamic analysis of the possible in situ reaction systems was described.

Casting fabrication of in situ Al_3Ti-Al composites and their wear behaviors

The Al3Ti intermetallic reinforced pure Al,Al-13Si and Al-17Cu matrix composites were prepared by casting method.Their microstructures and dry sliding wear behaviors at room temperature and 100℃were particularly investigated.The results indicated that the Al3Ti phases in these composites were all in flaky form.But the aspect ratio of the Al3Ti platelets decreased with the increase of Ti content in the pure Al,Al-Cu and Al-Si matrix composites,in order of effectiveness.The effect of Si on the Al3Ti morphology seemed to be greater than that of Cu.The distributions of the Al3Ti platelets were different in the different matrix composites,leading to different grain refining effects.Except for the sub-wear regime of adhesive wear,the plastic deformation induced wear was a dominant wear mechanism for all of the composites at room temperature and 100℃.Increasing the testing temperature,decreasing the Al3Ti content or the hardness of materials could enhance these two wear mechanisms,and thus increase the wear rate.The Al-Cu matrix composite had the best wear resistance,while the pure Al matrix composite showed the worst for the same Ti content.These differences or changes were attributed to the differences in materials'hardness or the strengthening effects of the Al3Ti platelets.

Erosive Wear and Wear Mechanism of in situ TiC_P/Fe Composites

The base structure of in situ TiCp/Fe composites fabricated under industrial condition was changed by different heat treatments. Erosive wear tests were carried out and the results were compared with that of wear-resistant white cast iron. The results suggest that the wear resistance of the in situ TiCp/Fe composite is higher than that of wear-resistant white cast iron under the sand erosive wear condition. The wear mechanism of the wear-resistant white cast iron was a cycle process that base surface was worn and carbides were exposed, then carbides was broken and wear pits appeared. While the wear mechanism of in situ TiCp/Fe composite was a cycle process that base surface was worn and TiC grains were exposed and dropped. The wear resistance of in situ TiCp/Fe composite was lower than that of wear-resistant white cast iron under the slurry erosive wear condition. Under such circumstance, the material was not only undergone erosive wear but also electrochemistry erosion due to the contact with water in the medium. The wear behaviours can be a combination of two kinds of wear and the sand erosive wear is worse than slurry erosive wear.

Effect of carbon content on microstructure of in-situ Al_2O_(3p)-TiC_p/Al composites

The in situ Al 2O 3p TiC p/Al composite was fabricated by XD (exothermic dispersion) process in TiO 2 Al C system, and the effect of carbon content on the microstructure of the fabricated composite and the reactive temperature characteristics had been studied. The results show that carbon content affects the microstructure and reactive temperature of Al 2O 3p TiC p/Al composite greatly. The quantity of TiC phases in the fabricated composites increases, while the Al 3Ti phases reduces with increasing carbon content. And when C/TiO 2 molecular ratio is equal to one, the Al 3Ti phase nearly disappears. High temperature metallurgical field caused by strong exothermic reaction influences the synthetic reaction greatly, and higher synthetic temperature was favorable to the synthesis of Al 2O 3p TiC p reinforce particles.

In situ TiB2/Cu composites fabricated by spray deposition using solid-liquid and liquid-liquid reactions

In situ TiB2/Cu composites were fabricated by both solid-liquid(S-L)and liquid-liquid(L-L)reactive spray deposition in combination with cold rolling and annealing.The microstructure and properties of the fabricated TiB2/Cu composites were investigated.The results show that the reactive mode and rolling treatment are the main factors affecting the microstructure and properties of the TiB2/Cu composite.The in situ reaction in the L-L reaction can be carried out more completely.By controlling the rolling and annealing process,the relative density and the properties of the as-deposited composites are optimized.The comprehensive performance of the deformed TiB2/Cu composite prepared by L-L reactive spray deposition(401 MPa and 83.5%IACS)is better than that by S-L reactive spray deposition(520 MPa and 20.2%IACS).

Rheology in Processing of in Situ Composites of Polypropylene and Low Melting Poing Metals

The low melting point metallic tin powder or alloy of tin and lead was blended with polypropylene. A kind of in situ composite has been prepared. The variations of torque were studied when the composites were mixed in Haake torque rheogeniometer. By way of capillary extrusion, effects upon rheology of the in situ composites of the low melting point metals (LMPM) and coupling agent for their different variety and content, were investigated. From flow curves, the results indicate that in situ composites mixed with the LMPM are a kind of pseudoplastic fluid. If the LMPM were melted, the higher the content of the LMPM, the lower apparent viscosity of composites. Meanwhile, when the coupling agent is added into composites , the viscosity of composite will go up first and drop then. This shows that the LMPM have a promoter flow action on the polypropylene.

STUDY ON THE THERMODYNAMICS OF CuO/Al IN SITU Al_2O_3 REINFORCED Al MATRIX COMPOSITES

Based on the experiment and the thermodynamics analysis for CuO/Al system, it is founded that the compounding reaction of CuO/Al under low temperature is available. The general equation of adiabatic temperature of the system is set up, and the influence of resultant concentration and temperature on adiabatic temperature is theoretically analyzed. The values of heat effect of CuO/Al system under different temperature are also caculated.

Model of In Situ Composite of Cobalt(Ⅱ)-Phthalocyanine and Carbonyl Iron for Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposites

Cobalt-phthalocyanine/iron nanocomposite particles have been obtained using method of composite in situ, with the mixture of carbonyl iron and solution of cobalt ( Ⅱ ) - phthalocyanine (Co-Pc) ultrasonic dispersing in N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF). Structure characterization of their inner and surface have relation with method of carbonyl iron joined in the mixture, contents of carbonyl iron and Co-Pc in the mixture of Co-Pc ultrasonic dispersing in DMF. With a method of composite in situ controlling reasonable experiment condition, it can be obtained that cobalt-phthalocyanine/iron nanocomposite particles has completely been covered with Co-Pc, they had structure of Chinese gooseberry in inner and mere made up of almost regular spherical shape and the average diameter is 1. 4 μm.

Fabrication,Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of in situ GNPs Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites

Graphene reinforced magnesium matrix composites have wide applications in automotive,electronics,aerospace and military fields due to the fascinating mechanical properties.However,it is difficult to realize the high strength and ductility simultaneously.In this work,the in situ liquid-state method was utilized to prepare GNPs/Mg6Zn composites via CO_(2)/Mg chemical reaction.Tensile strength of the GNPs/Mg6Zn composites was improved with increasing content of the GNPs.Meantime,the composites also exhibit a notable plastic deformation stage,and especially the ductility of 0.12 GNPs/Mg6Zn composites reaches 27.6%.Therefore,this novel preparation method has great potential application for fabricating Mg matrix composites with high strength and high ductility.

Wear performance of in-situ aluminum matrix composite after micro-arc oxidation

An attempt was made to modify the surface of in-situ aluminium matrix composite （AMC） by micro-arc oxidation （MAO）. In the microstructure of AMC, CuAl2 reinforcements were generated by introducing 15% CuO into the aluminium melt. AMC was hot forged, homogenised, quenched and artificially aged before the MAO in a KOH, KF and Na2SiO3-containing electrolyte. After the MAO process the surface of the AMC was covered with Al2O3 coating having an effective thickness of about 15μm. Appearance of crack and/or delamination free zones at the periphery of the indent after the Rockwell C adhesion test indicated good adhesion between the composite and the Al2O3 coating. During dry sliding wear tests, this adherent Al2O3coating resisted the destructive action of the Al2O3 ball and provided about 15 times enhancement in wear resistance as compared to the original state.

RECIPROCATING EXTRUSION OF IN SITU Mg_2Si REINFORCED Mg-Al BASED COMPOSITE

M92Si reinforced Mg-Al based composite with high amount o/silicon was prepared by permanent mould casting, and then extruded by reciprocating extrusion （RE） after the composite was processed by homogenization heat treatment. The effect of RE processing on the morphology and size of M92Si and the mechanical properties of the com- posite were investigated, to develop new ways to refine the M928i phase and improve its shape. The result showed that RE was very useful in refining the M92Si phase. The more the RE processing passes, the better the refining effect would be. Moreover, the uniform distribution of M928i phases would be more in the composite. After the composite was processed by RE for 12 passes, most M92Si phases were equiaxed, with granular diameter below 20 μm, and distributed uniformly in the matrix of the composite. The mechanical properties of the composite could be increased prominently by RE processing, and were much higher than that in the as-cast state. As the temperature rises, the tensile strength is reduced. For the composite RE processed for 12 passes, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are 325.9 MPa, 211.4 MPa, and 3.3% at room temperature, whereas, 288.2 MPa, ,207.7 MPa, and 7.8%, respectively, at 150℃. In comparison with the properties at room temperature, the tensile strength and yield strength are high and only decrease by 11.6% and 1.8% at 150℃. The M928i reinforced Mg-Al based composite possesses good heat resistance at 150℃. The excellent resistance to effect of heat is attributed to the high melting tempera- ture and good thermal stability of fine Mg2Si phases, which are distributed uniformly in the composite, and effectively hinder the grain boundary gliding and dislocation movement.

Fabrication of AlN-TiC/Al composites by gas injection processing

The fabrication of AlN-TiC/Al composites by carbon- and nitrogen-containing gas injection into Al-Mg-Ti melts was studied. It was shown that AlN and TiC particles could be formed by the in situ reaction of mixture gas （N2 ＋ C2H2 ＋ NH3） with Al-Mg-Ti melts. The condition for the formation of AlN was that the treatment temperature must be higher than 1373 K, and the amounts of AlN and TiC increased with the increase of the treatment temperature and the gas injection time It was considered that AlN was formed by the direct reaction of Al with nitrogen-containing gas at the interface of the gas bubble and the melt. However, the mechanism of TiC formation is a combination mechanism of solution-precipitation and solid-liquid reaction.

AN IN SITU SURFACE COMPOSITE AND GRADIENT MATERIAL OF Al-Si ALLOY PRODUCED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE

Because of the different conductivities between the primary phase (low electric conduc tivity) and the metal melt, electromagnetic force scarcely acts on the primary phase. Thus, an electromagnetic repulsive force applied by the metal melt exerts on the pri mary phase when the movement of the melt in the direction of electromagnetic force is limited. As a result, the repulsive force exerts on the primary phase to push them to move in the direction opposite to that of the electromagnetic force when the metal melt with primary phase solidifies under an electromagnetic force field. Based on this, a new method for production of in situ surface composite and gradient material by electromagnetic force is proposed. An in situ primary Si reinforced surface composite of Al-15wt%Si alloy and gradient material of Al-l9wt%Si alloy were produced by this method. The microhardness of the primary Si is HV1320. The reinforced phase size is in the range from 40μm to 100μm. The wear resistance of Al-Si alloy gradient material can be more greatly increased than that of their matrix material.