Strength and elastic modulus enhancement in Mg-Li-Al matrix composites reinforced by ex situ TiB2 particles via stir casting

A novel Mg^(-1)0Li-3Al(wt.%,LA103)matrix composite reinforced by ex situ micron TiB_(2) particles was developed in the present study.The ball milling and cold pressing pretreatment of the reinforcements made it feasible to prepare this material under stir casting conditions with good dispersion.The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites prepared by different pretreatment methods were analyzed in detail.The TiB_(2) particles in the Al-TiB_(2)/LA103 composite using the pretreatment process were uniformly distributed in the microstructure due to the formation of highly wettable core-shell units in the melt.Compared with the matrix alloys,the Al-TiB_(2)/LA103 composite exhibited effective strength and elastic modulus improvements while maintaining acceptable elongation.The strengthening effect in the composites was mainly attributed to the strong grain refining effect of TiB2.This work shows a balance of high specific modulus(36.1 GPa·cm^(3)·g^(-1))and elongation(8.4%)with the conventional stir casting path,which is of considerable application value.

Squeeze casting for metal alloys and composites:An overview of influence of process parameters on mechanical properties and microstructure

Squeeze casting is a well-established and reliable process for fabricating high-integrity metallic alloys,bimetals,and composites.The quality and high performance of squeeze cast components are dependent on optimum casting conditions.Inappropriate selection of parameter values may adversely affect the quality of the casting.The squeeze cast components are generally subjected to secondary processing such as heat treatment,extrusion,and other bulk deformation processes to improve the microstructural features and mechanical properties.Heat treatment further refines the grains and reduces porosity,consequently improving tensile strength,and hardness;however,ductility decreases.This paper provides a comprehensive review on studies concerning the influence of processing parameters on porosity,density,percentage elongation,strength,hardness,wear,and fracture of squeeze casting alloys,aiming to provide sufficient information on the squeeze casting process and the effects of processing parameters on product quality.

Effect of HEA/Al composite interlayer on microstructure and mechanical property of Ti/Mg bimetal composite by solid-liquid compound casting

In this study,HEA/AI composite interlayer was used to fabricate Ti/Mg bimetal composites by solidliquid compound casting process.The Al layer was prepared on the surface of TC4 alloy by hot dipping,and the FeCoNiCr HEA layer was prepared by magnetron sputtering onto the Al layer.The influence of the HEA layer thickness and pouring temperature on interface evolution was investigated based on SEM observation and thermodynamic analysis.Results indicate that the sluggish diffusion effect of HEA can effectively inhibit the interfacial diffusion between Al and Mg,which is conducive to the formation of solid solution,especially when the thickness of HEA is 800 nm.With the increase of casting temperature from 720 ℃ to 730 ℃,740℃,and 750 ℃,α-Al(Mg),α-Al(Mg)+Al3Mg2,Al3Mg2+Al12Mg17,and Al12Mg17+δ-Mg are formed at the interface of Ti/Mg bimetal,respectively.When the thickness of the HEA layer is 800 nm and the pouring temperature is 720 ℃,the bonding strength of the Ti/Mg bimetal can reach the maximum of 93.6 MPa.

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.

Study on liquid-liquid bimetal composite casting hammers

Crusher hammers for the mineral processing industry must meet the demands of both high wear resistance at the hammer head and high impact toughness at the hammer handle. The crusher hammers made of Hadfield steel have typical y low service life of less than 40 hours. To solve the problem, a kind of bimetal crusher hammers made of high chromium cast iron （HCCI） and low al oy steel （LAS） has been successful y developed by using liquid-liquid composite casting. The microstructure and composite interface bonding was analyzed using optical microscope, SEM, EDX and XRD. Micrographs indicate that the composite interface is metal urgical y bonded with a zigzag shape across the boundary and without unbound region or void. After heat treatment, the composite hammers have shown excellent properties. The hardness of HCCI is at least 63 HRC and its αk is greater than 3.5 J？cm-2; the hardness of LAS is greater than 35 HRC and its αk is no less than 80 J？cm-2. Diffusion of elements takes place at the interface and forms a transition region. The micro hardness increases from LAS to the interface and then to HCCI. Wear comparison was made separately between the bimetal composite hammer and a Hadfield steel hammer in two quarries of Jilin province and Liaoning province. The results showed that the liquid-liquid bimetal composite hammers did not have the fal ing off of hammer head or impact fracture phenomenon, and their service life was 3.75 times as long as that of the Hadfield steel hammers.

High Cr white cast iron/carbon steel bimetal liner by lost foam casting with liquid-liquid composite process

Liners in wet ball mill for mineral processing industry must bear abrasive wear and corrosive wear, and consequently, the service life of the liner made from traditional materials, such as Hadfield steel and alloyed steels, is typically less than ten months. Bimetal liner, made from high Cr white cast iron and carbon steel, has been successfully developed by using liquid-liquid composite lost foam casting process. The microstructure and interface of the composite were analyzed using optical microscope, SEM, EDX and XRD. Micrographs indicate that the boundary of bimetal combination regions is staggered like dogtooth, two liquid metals are not mixed, and the interface presents excellent metallurgical bonding state. After heat treatment, the composite liner specimens have shown excellent properties, including hardness 〉 61 HRC, fracture toughness ak 〉16.5 J.cm2 and bending strength 〉1,600 MPa. Wear comparison was made between the bimetal composite liner and alloyed steel liner in an industrial hematite ball mill of WISCO, and the results of eight-month test in wet grinding environment have proved that the service life of the bimetal composite liner is three times as long as that of the alloyed steel liner.

Direct-chill semi-continuous casting process of three-layer composite ingot of 4045/3004/4045 aluminum alloys

Three-layer composite ingot of 4045/3004/4045 aluminum alloys was prepared by direct-chill semi-continuous casting process,the temperature field distribution near the composite interface,macro-morphology,microstructure and composition distribution of the composite interface were investigated.The results show that semi-solid layer with a certain thickness forms near the interface due to the effect of cooling plate,which ensures successful implementation of casting the composite ingot.Two different aluminum alloys are well bonded metallurgically.The mechanical properties of composite interface were measured,the tensile and shearing strengths of composite interface are 105 and 88 MPa,respectively,which proves that the composite interface is a kind of metallurgical bonding.

Effect of applied pressure on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Y quasicrystal-reinforced AZ91D magnesium matrix composites prepared by squeeze casting

The Mg-Zn-Y quasicrystal-reinforced AZ91 D magnesium matrix composites were prepared by squeeze casting process. The effects of applied pressure on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that squeeze casting process is an effective method to refine the grain. The composites are mainly composed of α-Mg, β-Mg17Al12 and Mg3Zn6Y icosahedral quasicrystal phase（I-phase）. With the increase of applied pressure, the contents of β-Mg17Al12 phase and Mg3Zn6 Y quasicrystal particles increase, further matrix grain refinement occurs and coarse dendritic α-Mg transforms into equiaxed grain structure. The composite exhibits the maximum ultimate tensile strength and elongation of 194.3 MPa and 9.2% respectively when the applied pressure is 100 MPa, and a lot of dimples appear on the tensile fractography. Strengthening mechanisms of quasicrystal-reinforced AZ91 D magnesium matrix composites are chiefly fine-grain strengthening and quasicrystal particles strengthening.

Microstructures and properties of A356-10%SiC particle composite castings at different solidification pressures

A356-based metal matrix composites with 10% SiC particles of 10 rtm were fabricated by stir casting and direct squeeze casting process under applied pressures of 0.1 （gravity）, 25, 50 and 75 MPa. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-cast and T6 heat-treated castings were investigated. The results show that as the applied pressures increase, the casting defects as particle-porosity clusters reduce and the incorporation between the particles and matrix can be improved. The tensile strength, hardness, and coefficients of thermal expansion （CTE） increase with the increase of the pressures. Compared with the as-cast composite castings, the tensile strength and hardness of the heat-treated casting are improved whereas CTEs tend to decrease in T6-treated condition. For the gravity cast composites, there are some particle-porosity clusters on the fracture surface, and the clusters are hardly detected on the fracture surface of the samples solidified at the external pressures. Different fracture behaviors are found between the composites solidified at the gravity and imposed pressures.

Effects of temperature on fracture behavior of Al-based in-situ composites reinforced with Mg_2Si and Si particles fabricated by centrifugal casting

An aluminum-based in-situ composites reinforced with Mg2Si and Si particles were produced by centrifugal casting A1-20Si-5Mg alloy. The microstructure of the composites was examined, and the effects of temperature on fracture behavior of the composite were investigated. The results show that the average fraction of primary Si and Mg2Si particles in the composites is as high as 38%, and ultimate tensile strengths （UTS） of the composites first increase then decrease with the increase of test temperature. Microstructures of broken specimens show that both the particle fracture and the interface debonding affect the fracture behavior of the composites, and the interface debonding becomes the dominant fracture mechanism with increasing test temperature. Comparative results indicate that rich particles in the composites and excellent interface strength play great roles in enhancing tensile property by preventing the movement of dislocations.

Fabrication and characterization of stir casting AA6061-31%B_4C composite

A sophisticated stir casting route to fabricate large scale AA6061-31%B4C composite was developed. Key process parameters were studied, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. The results indicated that vacuum stirring/casting, B4C/Mg feeding and ingots cooling were essential to the successful fabrication of AA6061-31%B4C composite. Chemical erosion examination verified the designed B4 C content; X-ray fluorescence spectrometer（XFS） showed the chemical composition of Mg and Si in the matrix conformed to industry standards; scanning electronic microscope（SEM） and X-ray diffraction（XRD） revealed that B4 C particles were evenly distributed in the composites with well dispersed Mg2Si precipitates. Tensile testing results showed that the AA6061-31%B4C composite had a tensile strength of 340 MPa, improved by 112.5% compared with AA1100-31%B4C composite, which is attributed to the enhanced strength of the matrix alloy.

Horizontal continuous casting process under electromagnetic field for preparing AA3003/AA4045 clad composite hollow billets

A modified horizontal continuous casting process under the electromagnetic field was proposed for preparing AA3003/ AA4045 clad composite hollow billets. To investigate the effect of electromagnetic field on this process, a comprehensive three-dimensional model was developed. Two cases with and without electromagnetic field were compared using the simulations. When rotating electromagnetic stirring is applied, the flow pattern of fluid melt is greatly modified; the mushy zone becomes much wider, the temperature profile becomes more uniform, and the solid fraction decreases for both the external and internal alloy melt layers. These modifications are beneficial for the formation of a bimetal interface and fine and uniform grain structure of the clad composite hollow billet. Experiments conducted using the same electrical and casting parameters as the simulations verify that under the electromagnetic field the microstructure of the clad composite hollow billet becomes fine and the diffusion of the elements at the interface is promoted.

The Role of Particles in Fatigue Crack Propagation of Aluminum Matrix Composites and Casting Aluminum Alloys

Fatigue crack propagation （FCP） behaviors were studied to understand the role of SiC particles in 10 wt pct SiCp/A2024 composites and Si particles in casting aluminum alloy A356. The results show that a few particles appeared on the fracture surfaces in SiCp/Al composites even at high △K region, which indicates that cracks propagated predominantly within the matrix avoiding SiC particles due to the high strength of the particles and the strong particle/matrix interface. In casting aluminum alloy, Si particle debonding was more prominent.Compared with SiCp/Al composite, the casting aluminum alloy exhibited lower FCP rates, but had a slight steeper slope in the Paris region. Crack deflection and branching were found to be more remarkable in the casting aluminum alloy than that in the SiCp/Al composites, which may be contributed to higher FCP resistance in casting aluminum alloy.

Synthesis and characterization of 356-SiC_p composites by stir casting and compocasting methods

Stir casting is one of the simplest ways of producing aluminum matrix composites.However,it suffers from poor incorporation and distribution of the reinforcement particles in the matrix.These problems become especially significant as the reinforcement size decreases due to greater agglomeration tendency and reduced wettability of the particles with the melt.Development of new methods for addition of very fine particles to metallic melts which would result in more uniform distribution and effective incorporation of the reinforcement particles into the matrix alloy is therefore valuable.In this work,356-5%SiCp(volume fraction) composites,with average SiCp sizes of about 8 and 3 μm,were produced by injection of different forms of the reinforcement particles into fully liquid as well as semisolid slurries of 356 aluminum alloy and the effects of the injected reinforcement form and the casting method on distribution of the reinforcement particles as well as their porosity,hardness and impact strength were investigated.The results reveal that addition of SiC particles in the form of(Al-SiCp)cp composite powder and casting in semisolid state decreases the SiCp particle size,enhances the wettability between the molten matrix alloy and the reinforcements and improves the distribution of the reinforcement particles in the solidified matrix.It also increases the hardness and the impact energy of the composites and decreases their porosity.

Centrifugal casting processes of manufacturing in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy

Cylindrical components of in situ functionally gradient composite materials of Al-19Si-5Mg alloy were manufactured by centrifugal casting. Microstructure characteristics of the manufactured components were observed and the effects of the used process factors on these characteristics were analyzed. The results of observations shows that, in thickness, the components possess microstructures accumulating lots of Mg2Si particles and a portion of primary silicon particles in the inner layer, a little MgzSi and primary silicon particles in the outer layer, and without any Mg2Si and primary silicon particle in the middle layer. The results of the analysis indicate that the rotation rate of centrifugal casting, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature have evidently affected the accumulation of the second phase particles. Also, the higher the centrifugal rotation rate, mould temperature, and melt pouring temperature are, the more evident in the inner layer the degree of accumulation of Mg2Si and primary silicon particles is.

Distribution of SiC particles in semisolid electromagnetic-mechanical stir-casting Al-SiC composite

The distribution of SiC particles in Al-SiC composite can greatly influence the mechanical performances of Al-SiC composite. To realize the homogeneous distribution of SiC particles in stir-casting Al-SiC composite, semisolid stir casting of Al-4.25 vol.%SiC composite was conducted using a special electromagneticmechanical stirring equipment made by our team, in which there are three uniformly-distributed blades with a horizontal tilt angle of 25 ° to mechanically raise the SiC particles by creating an upward movement of slurry under electromagnetic stirring. The microstructure of the as-cast Al-SiC composites was observed by Scanning Electron Mcroscopy(SEM). The volume fraction of SiC particles was measured by image analysis using the Quantimet 520 Image Processing and Analysis System. The tensile strength of the Al-4.25 vol.%SiC composites was measured by tensile testing. Results show that the Al-4.25 vol.%SiC composites with the homogeneous distrbutin of SiC particles can be obtained by the electromagnetic-mechanical stirring casting with the speed of 300 and 600 r·min-1 at 620 °C. The differences between the volume fraction of Si C particles at the top of ingot and that at the bottom are both ~0.04 vol.% with the stirring speed of 300 and 600 r·min-1, which are so small that the distribution of SiC particles can be seen as the homogeneous. The tensile strength of the Al matrix is enhanced by 51.2% due to the uniformly distributed SiC particles. The porosity of the composite mainly results from the solidification shrinkage of slurry and it is less than 0.04 vol.%.

Introduction to magnesium alloy processing technology and development of low-cost stir casting process for magnesium alloy and its composites

This paper presents the processing of magnesium alloys and its composite through different stir casting technologies.Design and devel-opment of stir casting technology that is suitable for processing of magnesium alloys has been done in this study.The low-cost stir casting processing of magnesium alloy and its composite with flux and without flux has been explained.The magnesium alloy and its composite have been fabricated by both the stir casting process.The micro structural characterization and mechanical properties of the developed composites has been evaluated.The optical emission spectroscopy of the developed alloy and factography of the developed alloy as well as composite was also examined.

Preparation of composite aluminum automobile radiator by inversion casting

The inversion casting technics of producing three ply Al Mn/Al Si composite strap used in automobile radiator was studied. The physical processes of inversion casting, including the flux supporting reacting and volatilizing at high temperature, the melting and solidification when the elements of solid and liquid fresh alloys meet with each other, the mutual diffusion of elements in solid and liquid, the crystallization and forming of metallurgical combination and the following rolling process, were analyzed. At the same time, the composite mechanism of this technique was 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.

Influence of Adding Ti Powder in Preform on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3p/Steel Composites by Squeeze Casting

To improve the mechanical properties of alumina particulates reinforced steel matrix composite, Ti powder was added into the alumina preform, a 5140 steel matrix composite was fabricated by squeeze casting, and the influences of Ti powder on the microstructure, hardness and bending strength of the composite were investigated, compared with the composite without adding Ti powder. Applied Ti powder and alumina particulates were 10-25 μm and 100-180 μm in size, respectively. Both composites were successfully fabricated, however Ti powder addition increased the infiltration thickness of the composite. In the Ti contained composite, a TiC film in micron scale is formed on the surface of alumina particles, many TiC aggregates are dispersed in the steel matrix without obvious remaining Ti powder. The hardness and the three-point bending strength of the composite reach 49.5 HRC and 1 018 MPa, respectively, which are 17.9% and 52.4% higher than those of the composite in the absence of Ti addition. Fracture morphology shows that the debonding of alumina particulates is eliminated for the composite in the presence of Ti addition. Sessile drop test shows the average wetting angle between 5140 steel and that of Ti coated Al2O3 is about 82.15°, much lower than the wetting angle 150° between steel and pure Al2O3. Therefore, the increase in the mechanical properties of the composite is attributed to the improvement of Al2O3 p/steel interface wetting and bonding by adding Ti powder in the preform.