PARTICULATE SIZE EFFECTS IN THE PARTICLE-REINFORCED METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES

The influences of I,article size on the mechanical properties of the particulate metal matrix composite;are obviously displayed in the experimental observations. However, the phenomenon can not be predicted directly using the conventional elastic-plastic theory. It is because that no length scale parameters are involved in the conventional theory. In the present research, using the strain gradient plasticity theory, a systematic research of the particle size effect in the particulate metal matrix composite is carried out. The roles of many composite factors, such as: the particle size, the Young's modulus of the particle, the particle aspect ratio and volume fraction, as well as the plastic strain hardening exponent of the matrix material, are studied in detail. In order to obtain a general understanding for the composite behavior, two kinds of particle shapes, ellipsoid and cylinder, are considered to check the strength dependence of the smooth or non-smooth particle surface. Finally, the prediction results will be applied to the several experiments about the ceramic particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites. The material length scale parameter is predicted.

In-depth analysis of the influence of bio-silica filler(Didymosphenia geminata frustules)on the properties of Mg matrix composites

A novel metal matrix composites(MMC)with Mg matrix reinforced with natural filler in the form of Didymosphenia geminata frustules(algae with distinctive siliceous shells)are presented in this work.Pulse plasma sintering(PPS)was used to manufacture Mg-based composites with 1,5 and 10 vol.%ceramic filler.As a reference,pure Mg was sintered.The results show that the addition of 1 vol.%Didymosphenia geminata frustules to the Mg matrix increases its corrosion resistance by supporting passivation reactions,and do not affect the morphology of L929 fibroblasts.Addition of 5 vol.%the filler does not cause cytotoxic effects,but it supports microgalvanic reactions leading to the greater corrosion rate.Higher content than 5 vol.%the filler causes significant microgalvanic corrosion,as well as increases cytotoxicity due to the greater micro-galvanic effect of the composites containing 10 and 15 vol.%diatoms.The results of contact angle measurements show the hydrophilic character of the investigated materials,with slightly increase in numerical values with addition of amount of ceramic reinforcement.The addition of Didymosphenia geminata frustules causes changes in a thermo-elastic properties such as mean apparent value of coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)and thermal conductivity(λ).The addition of siliceous reinforcement resulted in a linear decrease of CTE and reduction in thermal conductivity over the entire temperature range.With the increasing addition of Didymosphenia geminata frustules,an increase in strength with a decrease in compressive strain is observed.In all composites an increase in microhardness was attained.The results clearly indicate that filler in the form of Didymosphenia geminata frustules may significantly change the most important properties of pure Mg,indicating its wide potential in the application of Mg-based composites with a special focus on biomedical use.

Development and Characterization of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composites

Aluminum based metal matrix composites were fabricated using stir casting where silicon carbide and alumina were the reinforcements. Different types of properties (physical-density, mechanical-tensile, hardness, chemical-corrosion etc.) were measured and compared with base metals/alloys. The properties were significantly varied. The highest density was obtained for pure aluminium with 5% Al2O3 whereas the lowest was obtained for AA-4032 alloy. The highest hardness was obtained for AA-4032 with 5% Al2O3 whereas the lowest was obtained for pure Al with 5% Al2O3. The highest strength was obtained for AA-6061 with 5% coarse SiC whereas the lowest was obtained for pure Al. The highest impact strength was obtained for AA-4032 with 5% Al2O3 whereas the lowest was obtained for AA-6061. The corrosion resistance of all composites was lower than that of the base materials.

Spray Atomized and Codeposited Al-Li Based Metal-matrix Composites Processing and Properties

In spray atomization and codeposition, a molten stream of metal is disintegrated into a fine dispersion of droplets by high velocity gas jets. The resulting semi-solidified droplets are directed towards a substrate where they impact and collect as rapidly solidified splats. Relatively high rates of solidification are achieved as a result of the thinness of the splats and the rapid heat extraction during flight and upon impacting with the substrate. The processing method uses codeposition of the metallic semi-solidified droplets (metallic matrix) with the injected reinforcement ceramic particles. In the present paper, the microstructures, mechanical properties, interfacial properties, thermal stability and aging behaviour of spray atomized and codeposited Al-Li-X MMC's (injected X=SiC, Al2O3) are reported and correlated to the processing conditions.

Analysis of Solidification in Spray Atomized and Codeposited Metal-matrix Composites Part Ⅱ:Reinforcement Injection and Deposition

The influence of the injection of reinforcing particles (for the production of metal matrix composites and of the droplets-to-substrate heat transfer on the resulting microstructural uniformity of spray atomized and codeposited composite material is analyzed. The reinforcement particles injection velocity has to be limited between an upper and a lower critical values. in order to ensure entrapment into the matrix droplets in flight. The thermal history of the injected droplets during the deposition stage is calculated with the assumption that the in-flight solidifying droplets reach the substrate while containing still at least 20% liquid volume fraction, in order to avoid porosity of the deposited material. The substrate to pouring-tube orifice distance where that condition is achieved depends strongly on the atomization pressure and the convective heat transfer coefficient of the substrate. It is demonstrated that 'tailoring' the microstructures and the reinforcement volume percent in the deposited material is feasible. The critical process parameters : the atomization pressure, the melt flow rate. the substrate to pouring-tube orifice distance, the reinforcement particles injection location and rate can all be adequately chosen in order to obtain any desired microstructure, grain size, reinforcement volume percent, with the additional benefit, if wanted, of rapid solidification processing

ANALYSIS OF ELASTOPLASTIC DEFORMATION IN METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES WITH PARTICULATE REINFORCEMENTS

In this paper, elastoplastic stress-strain behavior during tensile deformation of an aluminum alloy matrix composite containing alumina circular and non-circular particles is analyzed. In terms of cell models in conjunction with continuum plasticity theory, various periodic arrays of particles are assumed in a three-dimensional finite element simulation. The geometrical effects of particle volume fraction, shape, aspect ratio, array and distribution, as well as non-circular particle orientation on the overall elastoplastic stress-strain behavior are examined in view to design optimum microstructures of the composites.

Analysis of Solidification in Spray Atomized and Codeposited Metal-matrix Composites Part Ⅰ: Atomization

Fluid mechanics, heat transfer and liquid-to-solid phase transformation are assessed in optimizing the spray atomization and codeposition process parameters for size refinement and microstructural uniformity of the deposited material. Atomization gas velocities, atomized droplets velocities, convective heat transfer coefficients, thermal histories of the solidifying droplets, freezing rates, fraction solid evolution and solid-liquid interface propagation velocity are calculated. The influence, on the deposit microstructural features, of process parameters like the atomization gas pressure, the pouring tube orifice diameter, the geometrical features of the atomization device,the potency of , pre-existing or injected as reinforcement, nucleation sites, the wetting angle between the liquid melt bnd impurity particles acting as preferred nucleation sites, the in-flight distance of the solidifying droplets in the atomization chamber, i5 evaluated. As a result of the evaluation, appropriate choice of the adjustable process parameters for the production of powders and/or deposits with desired grain size and microstructure, can be made.

Dry sliding friction and wear behaviors of Mg_2B_2O_5 whisker reinforced 6061Al matrix composites

The friction and wear properties of Mg2B2O5 whisker reinforced 6061Al matrix composite fabricated via power ultrasonic-stir casting process were investigated using a ball-on-disk wear-testing machine against a GCr45 steel counterface under dry sliding conditions. The reinforcements include as-received Mg2B2O5 whiskers and Mg2B2O5 whiskers coated with CuO and ZnO. The volume fraction of the composites is 2%. The relationship between the wear rate and the coefficient of friction was discussed. The results indicate that the wear rate of the Mg2B2O5 whiskers coated with ZnO reinforced aluminum matrix composites is the lowest among the materials. As the applied load and sliding speed steadily increase the coefficients of friction and wear rates of the as-received matrix alloy and the fabricated composites decrease. As the applied load and sliding speed increase, the wear mechanisms of the composites shift from a mild to a severe regime.

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of AZ91D/SiC composites by two step stir casting process

Magnesium alloy(AZ91D)composites reinforced with silicon carbide particle with different volume percentage were fabricated by two step stir casting process.The effect of changes in particle size and volume fraction of SiC particles on physical and mechanical properties of composites were evaluated under as cast and heat treated(T6)conditions.The experimental results were compared with the standard theoretical models.The results reveal that the mechanical properties of composites increased with increasing SiC particles and decrease with increasing particle size.Distribution of particles and fractured surface were studied through SEM and the presence of elements is revealed by EDS study.

Fabrication and thermal conductivity of copper matrix composites reinforced by tungsten-coated carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes （CNTs） were coated by tungsten using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Magnetic stirring was employed to disperse the W-coated CNTs （W-CNTs） in a Cu matrix, and then, the mixed powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The W-CNTs obtained a uniform dispersion within the Cu matrix when the W-CNT content was less than 5.0vo1%, but high content of W-CNTs （10vol%） resulted in the presence of clusters. The W-CNT/Cu composites containing low content of W-CNTs （〈5.0vol%） exhibited a higher thermal conductivity than the sintered pure Cu, while the CNT/Cu composites exhibited no increase in thermal conductivity after the incorporation of uncoated CNTs. The W-CNT content was found to play a crucial role in determining the thermal conductivity of the W-CNT/Cu composites. The thermal conductivity of the W-CNT/Cu composites increased first and then decreased with the W-CNT content increasing. When the W-CNT content was 2.5vo1%, the W-CNT/Cu composite obtained the maximum value of thermal conductivity. The thermal resistance of the （W-CNT）-Cu interface was predicted in terms of Maxwell-Gamett effective medium approximation, and its calculated value was about 3.0× 10-9 m2.K.W-l.

Microstructural evolution and thermal conductivity of diamond/Al composites during thermal cycling

The microstructural evolution and performance of diamond/Al composites during thermal cycling has rarely been investigated.In the present work,the thermal stability of diamond/Al composites during thermal cycling for up to 200 cycles was explored.Specifically,the thermal conductivity(λ)of the composites was measured and scanning electron microscopy of specific areas in the same samples was carried out to achieve quasi-in situ observations.The interface between the(100)plane of diamond and the Al matrix was well bonded with a zigzag morphology and abundant needle-like Al4C3 phases.By contrast,the interface between the(111)plane of diamond and the Al matrix showed weak bonding and debonded during thermal cycling.The debonding length increased rapidly over the first 100 thermal cycles and then increased slowly in the following 100 cycles.Theλof the diamond/Al composites decreased abruptly over the initial 20 cycles,increased afterward,and then decreased monotonously once more with increasing number of thermal cycles.Decreases in theλof the Al matrix and the corresponding stress concentration at the diamond/Al interface caused by thermal mismatch,rather than interfacial debonding,may be the main factors influencing the decrease inλof the diamond/Al composites,especially in the initial stages of thermal cycling.

Microstructure and wear characteristics of ATZ ceramic particle reinforced gray iron matrix surface composites

The alumina toughened zirconia(ATZ) ceramic particle reinforced gray iron matrix surface composite was successfully manufactured by pressureless infi ltration. The porous preform played a key role in the infi ltrating progress. The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM); the phase constitutions was analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD); and the hardness and wear resistance of selected specimens were tested by hardness testing machine and abrasion testing machine, respectively. The addition of high carbon ferrochromium powders leads to the formation of white iron during solidifi cation. The wear volume loss rates of ATZ ceramic particle reinforced gray iron matrix surface composite decreases fi rst, and then tends to be stable. The wear resistance of the composite is 2.7 times higher than that of gray iron matrix. The reason is a combination of the surface hardness increase of gray iron matrix and ATZ ceramic particles and alloy carbides protecting effect on gray iron matrix.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites prepared by hot-pressing sintering

Nb-Mo-ZrB2 composites （V（Nb）/V（Mo） = 1） with 15v01% or 30v01% of ZrB2 were fabricated by hot-pressing sintering at 2000~C The phases, microstxucture, and mechamcal properties were then investigated. The composites contain Nb-Mo solid solution （denoted as （Nb, Mo）ss hereafter）, ZrB, MoB, and NbB phases. Compressive strength test results suggest that the strength of Nb-Mo-ZrB2 composites increases with increasing ZrB2 content; Nb-Mo-30vol%ZrB2 had the highest compressive strength （1905.1 MPa）. The improvement in the compressive strength of the Nb-Mo-ZrB2 composites is mainly attributed to the secondary phase strengthening oftke stiffer ZrB phase, sol- id-solution strengthening oftke （Nb, Mo）ss matrix as well as fme-grain strengtkening. The fracture toughness decreases with increasing ZrB2 content. Finally, the fracture modes oftke Nb-Mo-ZrB2 composites axe also discussed in detail.

Influence of rutile(TiO_2) content on wear and microhardness characteristics of aluminium-based hybrid composites synthesized by powder metallurgy

The effect of rutile（TiO_2） content on the wear and microhardness properties of aluminium（Al）-based hybrid composites was explored. The proposed content of TiO_2（0, 4%, 8%, 12%, mass fraction） was blended to Al-15% SiC composites through powder metallurgy（P/M） process. Wear test was conducted using pin-on-disc apparatus under dry sliding conditions. Fabricated preforms were characterized using X-ray diffractometer（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM） and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer（EDS）. Optical micrographs of the composite preforms display uniform distribution of TiO_2 throughout the matrix. Quantitative results indicate that wear resistance and microhardness increase with the increase of TiO_2 content. SEM images unveil that high wear resistance is attributed to high dislocation density of deformed planes and high hardness of TiO_2. SEM images of wear debris display gradual reduction in mean size of debris when TiO_2 content increases. EDS spectra confirm the presence of oxide layer which obviously reduces the effective area of contact between the sliding surfaces thereby lowers the wear loss of composites. The observation concludes that delamination and adhesive wear are the predominant mechanisms.

Corrosion influence on surface appearance and microstructure of compo cast ZA27/SiC_p composites in sodium chloride solution

The influence of corrosion on the surface appearance and microstructure of particulate ZA27/SiCp composites was examined after 30 d immersion in a sodium chloride solution with the access of atmospheric oxygen. The composites with different contents of SiC micro-particles were synthesized via compo casting. Microstructural studies by means of optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） showed that corrosion occurred in the composite matrices, preferentially in regions of the η phase, rich in zinc. The corrosion processes did not affect the silicon carbide particles incorporated in the matrix alloy. According to the results of electrochemical polarization measurements, an increase in the content of SiC particles in the composite matrice has led to the lower corrosion resistance in the composites.

Effect of Sb Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-18B-4O-33/AS-52 Magnesium Matrix Composites

The effect of antimony addition on the microstructure of Mg-Al-Si magnesium matrix composite was investi- gated.The addition of Sb can modify the morphology of Mg-2Si particles which have Chinese script shape to fine polygonal one.Magnesium matrix composite with Alborex whisker was successfully fabricated by using a squeeze infiltration method.Tensile strength and elongation were increased in the Sb modified alloy and the composite at both room and high temperatures.

Finite element polycrystal model simulation of cold rolling textures in deformation processed two-phase Nb/Al metal-metal composites

The finite element polycrystal model (FEPM) was extended and applied to simulate the development of the cold rolling textures of matrix aluminum in deformation processed two-phase 10% and 20%Nb/Al(in volume fraction) metal-metal composites on the basis of slip deformation of individual grains. This simulation method can assure the continuity of stress and displacement at the boundary during heterogeneous deformation and take arbitrary boundary conditions into consideration. The starting hot-extruded textures, as initial input condition, were taken into account in the FEPM simulation. The simulation results show that the main texture components and their evolution after various cold rolling reductions in 10% and 20%Nb/Al metal-metal composites are well qualitatively in agreement with the experimental ones. The initially extruded textures are rather weak, so they have no much influence on the simulated final cold rolling textures of the matrix aluminum for Nb/Al composites.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of as Cast Aluminium Alloy 7075/Basalt Dispersed Metal Matrix Composites

This paper aims to study the effects of short basalt fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of cast aluminium alloy 7075 composites containing short basalt fiber of content ranging from 2.5 to 10 percent by weight in steps of 2.5 percent and fabricated using compo-casting technique. The objective is to investigate the process feasibility and resulting material properties such as young’s modulus, ductility, hardness & compression strength. The properties obtained are compared with those of as-cast that were manufactured under the same fabrication conditions. The results of this study revealed that, as the short basalt fiber content was increased, there were significant increases in the ultimate tensile strength, hardness, compressive strength and Young’s modulus, accompanied by a reduction in its ductility. Furthermore, the microstructure & facture studies were carried out using Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to establish relationships between the quality of the fiber/aluminium interface bond and hence to link with mechanical properties of the composites.

Microstructure-based three-dimensional characterization of chip formation and surface generation in the machining of particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites

Particulate-reinforced metal matrix composites(PRMMCs)are difficult to machine due to the inclusion of hard,brittle reinforcing particles.Existing experimental investigations rarely reveal the complex material removal mechanisms(MRMs)involved in the machining of PRMMCs.This paper develops a three-dimensional(3D)microstructure-based model for investigating the MRM and surface integrity of machined PRMMCs.To accurately mimic the actual microstructure of a PRMMC,polyhedrons were randomly distributed inside the matrix to represent irregular SiC particles.Particle fracture and matrix deformation and failure were taken into account.For the model’s capability comparison,a two-dimensional(2D)analysis was also conducted.Relevant cutting experiments showed that the established 3D model accurately predicted the material removal,chip morphology,machined surface finish,and cutting forces.It was found that the matrix-particle-tool interactions led to particle fractures,mainly in the primary shear and secondary deformation zones along the cutting path and beneath the machined surface.Particle fracture and dilodegment greatly influences the quality of a machined surface.It was also found that although a 2D model can reflect certain material removal features,its ability to predict microstructural variation is limited.

Prediction of the Elastic Properties of Short Basalt Fiber Reinforced Al Alloy Metal Matrix Composites

In this paper, a micro-mechanical model is implemented in software for the prediction of local mechanical properties of discontinuous short fiber reinforced composites. The model, based on the Mori and Tanaka method, shear-lag, computational model, Nielsen-Chen model and Miwa’s model is used to predict the elastic behaviour of basalt short fiber reinforced with Al alloy composites. The Al/basalt Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) contain basalt short fiber from 2.5% to 10% in steps of 2.5 wt.% and are fabricated using squeeze infiltration technique. The effects of fiber length and orientation on elastic properties of Al/basalt MMCs are investigated. A comparison between the experimental data and the theoretical data based on physical models is made, and the significance of the findings is discussed. The results show that as short basalt fiber content was increased from 2.5% to 10% by wt.%, an improvement in Young’s modulus of 13.26% has been observed. Optical microscopy was used to examine the general microstructure and fiber distribution in the composite produced. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was performed on the fractured surface to understand the failure mechanisms.