Ballistic performance of titanium-based layered composites made using blended elemental powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing

Metal matrix composites tiles based on Ti-6Al-4V(Ti64)alloy,reinforced with 10,20,and 40(vol%)of either TiC or TiB particles were made using press-and-sinter blended elemental powder metallurgy(BEPM)and then bonded together into 3-layer laminated plates using hot isostatic pressing(HIP).The laminates were ballistically tested and demonstrated superior performance.The microstructure and properties of the laminates were analyzed to determine the effect of the BEPM and HIP processing on the ballistic properties of the layered plates.The effect of porosity in sintered composites on further diffusion bonding of the plates during HIP is analyzed to understand the bonding features at the interfaces between different adjacent layers in the laminate.Exceptional ballistic performance of fabricated structures was explained by a significant reduction in the residual porosity of the BEPM products by their additional processing using HIP,which provides an unprecedented increase in the hardness of the layered composites.It is argued that the combination of the used two technologies,BEPM and HIP is principally complimentary for the materials in question with the abilities to solve the essential problems of each used individually.

In-situ additive manufacturing of high strength yet ductility titanium composites with gradient layered structure using N_(2)

It has always been challenging work to reconcile the contradiction between the strength and plasticity of titanium materials.Laser powder bed fusion(LPBF) is a convenient method to fabricate innovative composites including those inspired by gradient layered materials.In this work,we used LPBF to selectively prepare Ti N/Ti gradient layered structure(GLSTi)composites by using different N_(2)–Ar ratios during the LPBF process.We systematically investigated the mechanisms of in-situ synthesis Ti N,high strength and ductility of GLSTi composites using microscopic analysis,TEM characterization,and tensile testing with digital image correlation.Besides,a digital correspondence was established between the N_(2) concentration and the volume fraction of LPBF in-situ synthesized Ti N.Our results show that the GLSTi composites exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to pure titanium fabricated by LPBF under pure Ar.Specifically,the tensile strength of GLSTi was more than 1.5times higher than that of LPBF-formed pure titanium,reaching up to 1100 MPa,while maintaining a high elongation at fracture of 17%.GLSTi breaks the bottleneck of high strength but low ductility exhibited by conventional nanoceramic particle-strengthened titanium matrix composites,and the hetero-deformation induced strengthening effect formed by the Ti N/Ti layered structure explained its strength-plasticity balanced principle.The microhardness exhibits a jagged variation of the relatively low hardness of 245 HV0.2 for the pure titanium layer and a high hardness of 408 HV0.2 for the N_(2) in-situ synthesis layer.Our study provides a new concept for the structure-performance digital customization of 3D-printed Ti-based composites.

Ceramic particles reinforced copper matrix composites manufactured by advanced powder metallurgy:preparation, performance, and mechanisms

Copper matrix composites doped with ceramic particles are known to effectively enhance the mechanical properties,thermal expansion behavior and high-temperature stability of copper while maintaining high thermal and electrical conductivity.This greatly expands the applications of copper as a functional material in thermal and conductive components,including electronic packaging materials and heat sinks,brushes,integrated circuit lead frames.So far,endeavors have been focusing on how to choose suitable ceramic components and fully exert strengthening effect of ceramic particles in the copper matrix.This article reviews and analyzes the effects of preparation techniques and the characteristics of ceramic particles,including ceramic particle content,size,morphology and interfacial bonding,on the diathermancy,electrical conductivity and mechanical behavior of copper matrix composites.The corresponding models and influencing mechanisms are also elaborated in depth.This review contributes to a deep understanding of the strengthening mechanisms and microstructural regulation of ceramic particle reinforced copper matrix composites.By more precise design and manipulation of composite microstructure,the comprehensive properties could be further improved to meet the growing demands of copper matrix composites in a wide range of application fields.

Functionally graded structure of a nitride-strengthened Mg_(2)Si-based hybrid composite

The ex-situ incorporation of the secondary SiC reinforcement,along with the in-situ incorporation of the tertiary and quaternary Mg_(3)N_(2) and Si_(3)N_(4) phases,in the primary matrix of Mg_(2)Si is employed in order to provide ultimate wear resistance based on the laser-irradiation-induced inclusion of N_(2) gas during laser powder bed fusion.This is substantialized based on both the thermal diffusion-and chemical reactionbased metallurgy of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.This study also proposes a functional platform for systematically modulating a functionally graded structure and modeling build-direction-dependent architectonics during additive manufacturing.This strategy enables the development of a compositional gradient from the center to the edge of each melt pool of the Mg_(2)Si–SiC/nitride hybrid composite.Consequently,the coefficient of friction of the hybrid composite exhibits a 309.3%decrease to–1.67 compared to–0.54 for the conventional nonreinforced Mg_(2)Si structure,while the tensile strength exhibits a 171.3%increase to 831.5 MPa compared to 485.3 MPa for the conventional structure.This outstanding mechanical behavior is due to the(1)the complementary and synergistic reinforcement effects of the SiC and nitride compounds,each of which possesses an intrinsically high hardness,and(2)the strong adhesion of these compounds to the Mg_(2)Si matrix despite their small sizes and low concentrations.

Preparation of ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC Composite Powder by Carbothermal Reduction from Zircon

Using zircon,boric acid and carbon black as starting materials,ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder was synthesized by calcining at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere.The effects of the soaking time(3,6 and 9 h)and the addition of additive AlF_(3)(0,0.5%,1.0%,1.5%,2.0%and 2.5%,by mass)on the phase composition and the microstructure of the synthesized products were investigated.The results show that:(1)ZrB_(2)-ZrO_(2)-SiC composite powder can be synthesized by carbothermal reduction at 1500℃in flowing argon atmosphere;ZrB_(2) and ZrO_(2) are granular-like,and SiC crystals are fiberous;(2)with the soaking time increasing,the amount of ZrB_(2) increases,the amounts of m-ZrO_(2) and SiC decrease,and the total amount of non-oxides ZrB_(2),SiC and ZrC gradually increases;the optimal soaking time is 3 h;(3)compared with the sample without AlF_(3),the sample with 0.5% AlF_(3) has decreased m-ZrO_(2)amount,noticeably increased ZrB_(2) amount but decreased SiC amount;however,when the addition of AlF_(3) increases from 0.5%to 2.5%,the m-ZrO_(2) amount increases,the ZrB_(2)amount decreases,and the SiC amount changes slightly;the optimum AlF_(3)addition is 0.5%.

Effects of Metal and Composite Metal Nanopowders on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) and the Ammonium Perchlorate/Hydroxyterminated Polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) Composite Solid Propellant

Effects of metal (Ni, Cu, Al) and composite metal (NiB, NiCu, NiCuB) nanopowders on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and composite solid propellant ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyterminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) were studied by thermal analysis (DTA). The results show that metal and composite metal nanopowders all have good catalytic effects on the thermal decomposition of AP and AP/HTPB composite solid propellant. The effects of metal nanopowders on the thermal decomposition of AP are less than those of the composite metal nanopowders. The effects of metal and composite metal nanopowders on the thermal decomposition of AP are different from those on the thermal decomposition of the AP/HTPB composite solid propellant.

Properties, Phases and Microstructure of Microwave Sintered W-20Cu Composites from Spray Pyrolysis-continuous Reduction Processed Powders

The effects of microwave sintering on the properties, phases and microstructure of W-2OCu alloy, using composite powder fabricated by spray pyrolysis-continuous reduction technology, were investigated. Compared with the conventional hot-press sintering, microwave sintering to W-2OCu composites could be achieved with lower sintering temperature and shorter sintering time. Furthermore, microwave sintered W-Cu composites with high densification, homogenous microstructure and excellent properties were obtained. Microwave sintering could also result in finer microstructures. ：~

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF EXTRUSION OF COMPOSITE POWDERS PREPARED BY HIGH ENERGY MILLING

Based on the characteristic of high energy milling and the micromechanics of composite material, a plastic constitutive equation is implemented for milled composite powders. To check the equation, the extrusion of Ti/Al composite powders prepared by high energy milling was simulated. It was from the numerical analysis that the predicted extrusion pressure mounted up with milling time and extrusion ratio increasing, which was perfect agreement with experimental results.

Morphology and carbon content of WC-6%Co nanosized composite powders prepared using glucose as carbon source

Pure WC-6%Co nanosized composite powders were synthesized via a low-temperature method.The effects of carbon source on microstructure characteristic of composite powders were investigated,and the effects of heat-treatment parameter on carbon content of composite powders were also discussed.The results of SEM and XRD revealed that the carbon decomposing from glucose was more active than carbon black.Therefore,WC-Co nanosized composite powders could be synthesized at 900°C for 1 h under a hydrogen atmosphere.The individual WC grains were bonded together into a long strip under the action of cobalt.The results of carbon analysis revealed that the total carbon content decreased with the increase of the temperature in the range of 800-1000°C.Moreover,the total carbon content and the compounded carbon increased with the increase of the flow rate of H2 in the range of 1.1-1.9 m3/h.

Solidification Behavior of in situ TiB_(2)/Cu Composite Powders during Reactive Gas Atomization

2wt%TiB_(2)/Cu composite powders were fabricated in situ by reactive gas atomization.The fabricated composite powder exhibits high sphericity,and the powder sizes range from 5μm to 150μm.The morphology of the Cu matrix and the distribution of the TiB2 particles in the composite powders vary with the powder size.The critical transitions of interface morphologies from dendritic-to-cellular and cellular-to-planar interfaces occurs when the composite powder sizes decrease to 34μm and 14μm,respectively.Compared with pure Cu droplets,the composite droplets undergo critical transition of the interface morphologies at a smaller droplet size corresponding to a higher cooling rate because the existence of TiB2 particles can cause instability in the advancing solidification front and heterogeneous nucleation.With decreasing powder size,the extent of the TiB_(2) particle interdendritic segregation decreases as the result of enhanced engulfment of TiB2 particles by the advancing solidification front.

STUDY ON PREPARATION OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITE OF WC-Co ULTRAFINE POWDERS

The W -Co compound precursor powders with an average particle sife of 60 nm were prepared by the chemical coprecipitation as the raw materials of Na2WO1 and CoCl2 and as the reagents of HCI and NH3 ?H2O. After re-ducing and carburizing the precursor powders by hydrogen gas and CO-CO 2 mixture gas. the WC-Co composite povvders ivith an average particle size of 0. 18/wi can be obtained. The purity and particle size of powders -were analysed by XRD and TEM. respectively. Meanwhile, the key factors to influ-ence the reducing and carburizing process of powders were also studied.

Atomic force microscope study of WC-10Co cemented carbide sintered from nanocrystalline composite powders

In order to compare the spark plasma sintedng （SPS） process plus hot isostatic press （HIP） with vacuum sintedng plus HIP, an investigation was carried out on the topography, microstructure and gain size distribution of nanocrystalline WC-10Co composite powder and the sintered specimens prepared by SPS plus HIP and by vacuum sintering plus HIP by means of atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The mechanical properties of the sintered specimens were also investigated. It is very easy to find cobalt lakes in the specimen prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP process. But the microstructure of the specimen prepared by SPS plus HIP is more homogeneous, and the grain size is smaller than that prepared by vacuum sintering plus HIP. The WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide consolidated by SPS plus HIP can reach a relative density of 99.4%, and the transverse rupture strength （TRS） is higher than 3540 MPa, the Rockwell A hardness （HRA） is higher than 92.8, the average grain size is smaller than 300 nm, and the WC-10Co ultrafine cemented carbide with excellent properties is achieved. The specimen prepared by SPS with HIP has better properties and microstructure than that prepared by vacuum sintering with HIP.

Preparation of flake AgSnO_2 composite powders by hydrothermal method

Silver-tin oxide composite powders and silver powders were synthesized by hydrothermal method using NH3 to complex Ag+, SO 32?to reduce Ag (NH3)+2 and Na2SnO3 as the source of tin. The powders were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDX. The results show that there are macroscopic and microscopic differences between two kinds of powders. Spherical silver powders are 3 μm in diameter, and silver-tin oxide composite powders are mainly flake of about 0.3 μm in thickness. Silver crystal in silver-tin oxide composite powders is preferentially oriented in the (111) crystallographic direction and its oriented index is 2.581. Crystal lattice parameter of silver crystal of silver tin-oxide composite powders is 0.409 34 nm, larger than 0.408 68 nm of silver powders. The XPS analysis shows that silver in silver-tin oxide composite powders is metallic silver and tin oxide in silver tin-oxide composite powders has the red shift for Sn4+(3d5/2) and O2-(1s).

Effects of tourmaline on microstructures and photocatalytic activity of TiO_2/SiO_2 composite powders

The SiO2/TiO2 composite powders including mineral tourmaline powders (T/SiO2/TiO2) were prepared from a sol made by a two-step hydrolysis method, using metasilicate ester as precursor. The powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activity of the sample was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The effects of heat-treatment on the photocatalytic activity were discussed. It is found that the T/SiO2/TiO2 composite powders show higher photocatalytic activity when including 10% SiO2 and 4% tourmaline. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanism of tourmaline on the powders was proposed.

In-Situ Synthesis of AlN Powders and Composite AlN Powders with Yttrium Addition

Using Al Mg and Al Mg Y alloys as raw materials and nitrogen as gas reactants, AlN powders and composite AlN powders by in situ synthesis method were prepared. AlN lumps prepared by the nitriding of Al Mg and Al Mg Y alloys have porous microstructure, which is favorable for pulverization. They have high purity, containing 1.23%(mass fraction) oxygen impurity, and consisted of AlN single phase. The average particle size of AlN powders is 6.78 μm. Composite AlN powders consist of AlN phases and rare earth oxide Y 2O 3 phase. The distribution of particle size of AlN powders shows two peaks. In view of packing factor, AlN powders with such size distribution can easily be sintered to high density.

Fabrication of W@Cu Composite Powders by Direct Electroless Plating Using a Dripping Method

A direct electroless copper （Cu） coating on tungsten powders method requiring no surface treatment or stabilizing agent and using glyoxylic acid （C2H203） as a reducing agent was reported. The effects of copper sulfate concentration and the pH of the plating solution on the properties of the prepared W@Cu composite powders were assessed. The content of Cu in the composite powders was controlled by adjusting the concentration of copper sulfate in the electroless plating solution. A uniform, dense, and consistent Cu coating was obtained under the established optimum conditions （flow rate of C2H203 = 5.01 mL/min, solution pH = 12.25 and reaction temperature 45.35℃） by using central composite design method. In addition, the crystalline Cu coating was evenly dispersed within the W@Cu composite powders and Cu element in the coating existed as Cu~. The formation mechanism for the W@Cu composite powders by electroless plating in the absence of surface treatment and stabilizing agent was also proposed.

Oxidation Properties of Silver Alloy Powders and Microstructures of Oxidized Powders for Making Electrical Contact Composites

The oxidation properties of silver alloy powders and microstructures of oxidized powders have been investigated by thermo gravity analysis(TGA), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and wave dispersive X ray spectroscopy(WDEX). Ag Sn RE alloy powders have been oxidized completely at 610 ℃ within 60 min, with an external pure silver scale forming around each oxidized particle. It is useful to produce electrical contact composites. The excellent oxidation properties of Ag Sn RE alloy powders are attributed to the ideal microstructure of the oxidized powders.

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.

Self-Propagating High-Temperature Reductive Synthesis of TiB_2-Al_2O_3 Composite Powders

TiB2-Al2O3 composite powders were produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） method with reductive process from B2O3-TiO2-AI system. X-ray diffraction（XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM） analyses show the presence of TiB2 and Al2O3 only in the composite powders produced by SHS. The powders are uniform and free-agglomerate. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and high resolution electron microscopy （HREM） observation of microstructure of the composite powders indicate that the interfaces of the TiB2-Al2O3 bond well, without any interfacial reaction products. It is proposed that the good interfacial bonding of the composite powders can be resulted from the TiB2 particles crystallizing and growing on the Al2O3 particles surface with surface defects acting as nucleation centers.

ZrB_2/Al_2O_3 composite powders prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis（SHS） method was used to synthesize ZrB2/Al2O3 composite powders from B2O3-ZrO2-Al system. X-ray diffractometry（XRD） and scanning electron microscopy（SEM） analyses show the presence of ZrB2 and Al2O3 as the primary phases in the composite powders, while the presence of a very small amount of ZrO2 is thought to be unreacted zirconium oxide. Transmission electron microscopy（TEM） and high resolution electron microscopy（HREM） observations of microstructure of the composite powders indicate that the interfaces of ZrB2/Al2O3 bond well without any interfacial reaction products. It is proposed that the good interfacial bonding of composite powders results from the ZrB2 particles crystallizing and growing on the Al2O3 particles surface with surface defects acting as nucleation centers.