Aging Behavior of High Volume Fraction SiC Particles Reinforced 2024Al Composite

2024 Al matrix composite reinforced by SiC particles with 45% volume fraction and 1 um diameter was successfully fabricated by squeeze-exhaust casting method. The aging behavior of SiCp/2024AI composite at four temperatures was investigated and compared to 2024 alloy. It was found that the addition of high volume fraction SiC particles does not alter the aging sequence, but it significantly accelerates the kinetics of precipitation in the composite matrices. Therefore, the aging peak of the composite appears earlier than that of 2024AI alloy. This is attributed to the decrease in the activation energy for the precipitate formation and the increase in the precipitate growth rate due to the high density dislocations in the composite with high volume fraction particles. The high density dislocations, as preferential nucleation sites for precipitates, bring about the tiny and dense precipitates in the composite.

Incorporation of nano/micron-SiC particles in Ni-based composite coatings towards enhanced mechanical and anti-corrosion properties

Ni-based composite coatings incorporated with nano/micron SiC particles were fabricated via electrochemical co-deposition in Watts bath,followed by the evaluation of their mechanical and anti-corrosion properties.The micrographic observations suggest that the SiC particles with various sizes can be well incorporated to the Ni substrate.X-ray diffraction(XRD)patterns indicate that SiC particles with smaller sizes could weaken the preferential growth of Ni along(200)facet.In addition,it is found that the incorporated SiC particles with medium micron sizes(8 and 1.5μm)could significantly enhance the micro-hardness of the Ni composite coatings.Nevertheless,electrochemical measurements demonstrate that micron-sized SiC particles would weaken the corrosion resistance of Ni composite coatings ascribed to the structure defects induced.In contrast,the combined incorporation of nanosized(50 nm)SiC particles with medium micron(1.5μm)ones is capable of promoting the compactness of the composite coatings,which is beneficial to the long-term corrosion resistance with negligible micro-hardness loss.

Influence of stirring speed on SiC particles distribution in A356 liquid

A straight-blade mechanical stirrer was designed to stir A356-3.5vol%SiCp liquid in a cylindrical crucible with the capability of systematically investigating the influence of rotating speed of stirrer on the distribution of SiC particles in A356 liquid. The experimental results show that the vertical distribution of SiC particles in A356 liquid can be uniform when the rotating speed of stirrer is 200 rpm, but the radial distribution of SiC particles in A356 liquid is always nonhomogeneous regardless of the rotating speed of stirrer. The radial centdfugalization ratio of SiC particles in A356 liquid between the center and the periphery of crucible increases with the rotating speed of stirrer. The results were explained in the light of SiC particles motion subject to a combination of stirring and centrifugal effect.

Removal of SiC particles from solar grade silicon melts by imposition of high frequency magnetic field

Non-metallic particles and metallic impurities present in the feedstock affect the electrical and mechanical properties of high quality silicon which is used in critical applications such as photovoltaic solar cells and electronic devices. SiC particles strongly deteriorate the mechanical properties of photovoltaic cells and cause shunting problem. Therefore, these particles should be removed from silicon before solar cells are fabricated from this material. Separation of non-metallic particles from liquid metals by imposing an electromagnetic field was identified as an enhanced technology to produce ultra pure metals. Application of this method for removal of SiC particles from metallurgical grade silicon （MG-Si） was presented. Numerical methods based on a combination of classical models for inclusion removal and computational fluid dynamics （CFD） were developed to calculate the particle concentration and separation efficiency from the melt. In order to check efficiency of the method, several experiments were done using an induction furnace. The experimental results show that this method can be effectively applied to purifying silicon melts from the non-metallic inclusions. The results are in a good agreement with the predictions made by the model.

Compression Mechanical Behaviour of 7075 Aluminium Matrix Composite Reinforced with Nano-sized SiC Particles in Semisolid State

The 7075 aluminium matrix composite reinforced with nano-sized Si C particles was fabricated by ultrasonic assisted semisolid stirring method. The compression mechanical behaviour of the fabricated composite in semisolid state was investigated. The results show that the microstructure of the composite before semisolid compression consists of fine and spheroidal solid grains surrounded by liquid phase.Semisolid compression led to a nonuniform plastic deformation of solid grains. A slight plastic deformation occurred in the locations near the free surface due to the dependence of deformation on liquid flow and flow of liquid incorporating solid grains. However, obvious plastic deformation occurred in the central location and location contacting to die due to the contribution of plastic deformation of solid grains.The true stress–strain curve of the sample compressed at 500 °C consists of rapid increase of true stress and steady stage. However, rapid increase of true stress and decrease of true stress and steady stage are involved in the true stress–strain curves of the samples compressed at 550, 560, 570, 580 and 590 °C.The true stress–strain curve at 600 °C is similar to that at 500 °C. Apparent viscosity decreases with an increase of shear rate, indicating a shear thinning occurrence. When soaking time increases from 5 min to 15 min, the peak stress and steady stress decrease significantly. A further increase of the soaking time led to a slight change. Peak stress and steady stress increase with increasing volume fraction of Si C particles. A sudden increase or decrease of compression velocity led to a significant increase or decrease of the steady stress. The destruction of the samples compressed at solid state temperature mainly depends on cracks parallel to compression direction. However, the destruction forms of the samples compressed at semisolid temperatures consist of cracks parallel to compression direction and partial collapse. Increasing soaking time led to an obvious change of the destruction forms. Compression velocity affects slightly the macro appearance of the sample compressed at semisolid temperatures.

Microstructural and abrasive wear properties of SiC reinforced aluminum-based composite produced by compocasting

The effect of SiC particles reinforcement with average size of 1, 5, 20 and 50 μm and volume fraction of 5%, 10% and 15% on the microstructure and tribological properties of Al-based composite was investigated. Composites were produced by applying compocasting process. Tribological properties of the unreinforced alloy and composites were studied using pin-on-disc wear tester, under dry sliding conditions at different specific loads. The influence of secondary mechanical processing with different rolling reductions on the dry sliding wear characteristics of Al matrix composites was also assessed. Hardness measurement and scanning electron microscopy were used for microstructural characterization and investigation of worn surfaces and wear debris. The proper selection of process parameter such as pouring temperature, stirring speed, stirring time, pre-heated temperature of reinforcement can all influence the quality of the fabricated composites. The porosity level of composite should be minimized and the chemical reaction between the reinforcement and matrix should be avoided.

Effect of SiC particle addition on microstructure of Mg_2Si/Al composite

In the present study, by adding SiC particles into AI-Si-Mg melt, Mg2Si and SiC particles hybrid reinforced AI matrix composites were fabricated through the Mg2Si in situ synthesis in melt combined with the SiC ex situ stir casting. The as-cast microstructure containing primary Mg2Si and SiC particles that distribute homogenously in AI matrix was successfully achieved. The effects of SiC particle addition on the microstructure of Mg2Si/AI composites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and XRD. The results show that, with increasing the fraction of the SiC particles from 5wt.% to 10wt.%, the morphologies of the primary Mg2Si particulates in the prepared samples remain polygonal, but the size of the primary phase decreases slightly. However, when the SiC particle addition reaches 15wt.%, the morphologies of the primary Mg2Si particulates change partially from polygonal to quadrangular with a decrease in size from 50 pm to 30 μm. The size of primary AI dendrites decreases with increasing fraction of the SiC particles from 0wt.% to 15wt.%. The morphology of the eutectic Mg2Si phase changes from a fiber-form to a short fiber-form and/or a dot-like shape with increasing fraction of the SiC particles. Furthermore, no significant change in dendrite arm spacing （DAS） was observed in the presence of SiC particles.

Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of A390/SiC composite produced by compocasting

Aluminum A390 alloys reinforced with 10 wt.%SiC composite,were produced by the compocasting method.The effects of temperature,time,and stirring speed of this compocasting method on the microstructure,mechanical and tribological properties of composite were investigated.The results indicated that with increasing the rotational speed from 450 to 550 r/min,the distribution of the SiC particles becomes more uniform.A sudden increase in porosity due to gas absorption results in a downtrend of elongation with an increase in stirring speed from 550 to 650 r/min.Furthermore,as the stirring time increases,the amount of agglomerates of primary Si particles is reduced,and a more uniform microstructure of SiC and Si particles is formed.Although the fracture mode is a combination of both brittle and ductile fractures,the main mechanism of the fracture in the compocast sample is ductile.The formation of a protective layer at a high temperature can result in a very low wear rate as compared to a wear test performed at a low temperature.Optimal particle uniformity and mechanical properties were obtained at processing parameters of 610刟C,550 r/min,and 20 min.

Experimental determination of grain density function of AZ91/SiC composite with different mass fractions of SiC and undercoolings using heterogeneous nucleation model

The grain density,Nv,in the solid state after solidification of AZ91/SiC composite is a function of maximum undercooling,ΔT,of a liquid alloy.This type of function depends on the characteristics of heterogeneous nucleation sites and number of SiC present in the alloy.The aim of this paper was selection of parameters for the model describing the relationship between the grain density of primary phase and undercooling.This model in connection with model of crystallisation,which is based on chemical elements diffusion and grain interface kinetics,can be used to predict casting quality and its microstructure.Nucleation models have parameters,which exact values are usually not known and sometimes even their physical meaning is under discussion.Those parameters can be obtained after mathematical analysis of the experimental data.The composites with 0,1,2,3 and 4wt.% of SiC particles were prepared.The AZ91 alloy was a matrix of the composite reinforcement SiC particles.This composite was cast to prepare four different thickness plates.They were taken from the region near to the thermocouple,to analyze the undercooling for different composites and thickness plates and its influence on the grain size.The microstructure and thermal analysis gave set of values that connect mass fraction of SiC particles,and undercooling with grain size.These values were used to approximate nucleation model adjustment parameters.Obtained model can be very useful in modelling composites microstructure.

The Role of Ti in the Preparation of SiC/7075 Aluminum Matrix Composite

SiC/7075 aluminum matrix composites were prepared by a liquid stirring method.The role of Ti facilitating the preparation of SiC/7075 aluminum matrix were studied by means of direct-reading spectrometer,scanning electron microscope,energy dispersive spectrometer,X-ray diffraction and the sessile drop method.The results show that the SiC content in the SiC/7075 composite increases with an increase of Ti addition.The addition of Ti can significantly improve the wettability of SiC/Al system,there is a critical value of above 0.5%of Ti content in improving the wettability of the Al/SiC system at 1173K.The temperature of the"non wetting-wetting"transition for the(Al-2Ti)/SiC system is about 1123K,the contact angle decreases to 88°at 200 seconds and reaches a stable contact angle of 28°at 2100 seconds.

INVESTIGATION ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ZN-AL/SIC PARTICULATE COMPOSITES

In order to improve the properties of ZA 27 and ZA4-3 zinc alloys and broaden their application ranges,SiC particlj1Ale composites, prepared by means of rheological casting technology, are investigated individually on their rT..t'llanical properties. The results of ne-cural strength, impact strensttl, compressive strength, hardness values and wear rate of the composites show that the addition of SiCp, leads to the increase of the compressive strength and hardness values at both room and higher temperature, and wear resistance of the materials, accompanying with the slight decrease of the fie-cural strength and sharp reduction of the impacttoughness. The factors affecting the mechanical properties of the composites are discussed in the paper.

Microstructure,mechanical properties and wear resistance of SiC_(p)/AZ91 composite prepared by vacuum pressure infiltration

SiC_(p)/AZ91 composites were prepared by vacuum pressure infiltration.The microstructure,mechanical properties and wear resistance of composite were studied.Results indicated that SiC particles were uniformly distributed in the metal matrix and had a good interface bonding with the metal matrix.Mg_(17)Al_(12) preferably precipitated near the SiC particles,and high-density dislocations were induced by the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE)between the SiC particle and the AZ91 matrix,thereby accelerating the aging precipitation of the matrix.Compared with AZ91 alloy,the addition of SiC particles improves the hardness and compressive strength of the composite,which is mainly due to the load transfer strengthening and grain refinement strengthening mechanisms.Furthermore,a stable support surface-protecting matrix formed during the wear process because of the excellent wear resistance of SiC.

Production and mechanical properties of nano SiC particle reinforced Ti-6Al-4V matrix composite

Different mass fractions （0, 5%, 10%, and 15%） of the synthesized nano SiC particles reinforced Ti-6Al-4V （Ti64） alloy metal matrix composites （MMCs） were successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy method. The effects of addition of SiC particle on the mechanical properties of the composites such as hardness and compressive strength were investigated. The optimum density （93.33%） was obtained at the compaction pressure of 6.035 MPa. Scanning electron microscopic （SEM） observations of the microstructures revealed that the wettability and the bonding force were improved in Ti64 alloy/5% nano SiCp composites. The effect of nano SiCp content in Ti64 alloy/SiCp matrix composite on phase formation was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The correlation between mechanical parameter and phase formation was analyzed. The new phase of brittle interfaced reaction formed in the 10% and 15% SiCp composite specimens and resulted in no beneficial effect on the strength and hardness. The compressive strength and hardness of Ti64 alloy/5% nano SiCp MMCs showed higher values. Hence, 5% SiCp can be considered to be the optimal replacement content for the composite.

THE EFFECT OF SiC PARTICLE AND WHISKER ON THE STRENGTHOF ALUMINUM ALLOY MATRIX COMPOSITES

The effects of SiC particle and whisker on the strength of aluminum alloy matrix composites have been discussed. The effects of the characteristics of discontinuons reinforcements on the strength of compsites was revealed on the basis of a review of the elastic-plastic finite element method which was applied to predict the stress-strain constituent relationship for particle and whisker reinforeed MMCs. It is snggested that the reinforcement shape or morphology, aspect ratio and distribution in the matrix should be considered in order to get more accumte numerical results. Theoretical strength analysis models predicted the trend of the strength for particle MMCs, but the theoretical results are generally lower compared with the experimental results, especially for the lower strength aluminum alloy. This is becaase strength theories did not consider the change of microstructure of reinforced matrix after particle incorpomtion. We have proposed a combined microstructure strengthening analysis, and the prediction is consistent with the eperimental results.

FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF SiC_p/6061Al COMPOSITE

The fatigue of SiC_p/6061Al composite containing 15 v.-% SiC particles has been compared with 6061Al alloy.Dislocation structure and microprocess of fatigue crack initiation and propagation in the composite have been investigated by using SEM and TEM.The results in- dicate that the fatigue strength at 10~7 cycles of the composite is 196 MPa,i.e.about 25% higher than matrix alloy.The voids and microcracks initiated at and near the interface be- tween SiC_p and matrix,where has a higher density of dislocations,will propagate and link up to form the fatigue crack.It is an important evidence to note that the dislocation channels where screw dislocation can travel are formed near interface and corner region of SiC_o in the composite subjected to fatigue stress(σ_(max)=274 MPa N=2.4×10~5 cycles),demonstrating the relationship between fatigue crack initiation and dislocation movement in the SiC particles reinforced 6061 Al alloy composite.

Microstructure of Cu-based Amorphous Composite Coatings on AZ91D Magnesium Alloy by Laser Cladding

To improve the sliding wear resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy, Cu-based amorphous composite coatings made of CuaTTi34Zr11Nis and Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8＋20 wt pct SiC powders were fabricated on AZ91D magnesium alloy by laser cladding, respectively. SEM （scanning electron microscopy）, EDS （energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy）, XRD （X-ray diffraction） and TEM （transmission electron microscopy） techniques were employed to study the phases of the coatings. The results show that the coatings mainly consist of amorphous phase and different intermetallic compounds. The reason of formation of amorphous phase and the function of SiC particles were explained in details.

Growth of SiC as Binder to Adhere Diamond Particle and Tribological Properties of Diamond Particles Coated SiC

The purpose of this work was to grow SiC as binder to adhere diamond particles to graphite substrate by low pressure chemical vapor deposition （LPCVD） at 1100 ℃ and 100 Pa using methyltrichlorosilane （MTS： CH3SiCl3） as precursor. The composite coatings on graphite substrates were analyzed by various techniques. Results show that a dense SiC coating with a cloud-cluster shape was formed both on the diamond particles and the substrate after deposition, The thermal stress （290.6 MPa） strengthened the interfacial bonding between the diamond particle and the SiC coating, which is advantageous for the purpose of adhering diamond particles to graphite substrate. The applied load of sliding wear test was found to affect not only the friction coefficient, but also the wear surface morphology. With increasing loads, the asperity penetration was high and the friction coefficient decreased.

Empirical model to predict mass gain of cobalt electroless deposition on ceramic particles using response surface methodology

This investigation was undertaken to predict the mass gain （MG） of cobalt electroless deposition （ED） on ceramic SiC particles.Response surface methodology （RSM） based on a full factorial design with three ED parameters and 30 runs was used to conduct the experiments and to establish a mathematical model by means of Design-Expert software.Three ED parameters considered were pH,bath temperature and ceramic particle morphology.Analysis of variance was applied to validate the predicted model.The results of confirmation analysis by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） show that the developed models are reasonably accurate.The pH is the most effective parameter for the MG.Also,the highest mass gain is obtained for the lowest pH,highest bath temperatures and heat-treated SiC particles.In addition,the developed model shows that the optimal parameters to get a maximum value of mass gain are pH,bath temperature and ceramic particle state of 8,70 ℃ and heat treatment,respectively.

Interfacial Characteristic of as-Deformed SiCp-Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composite

The （submicron ＋ micron） SiCp-reinforced magnesium matrix composite was fabricated by stir casting. After the application of forging and extrusion, the interface between SiCp and Mg in the composite was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the interfacial characterization was different at the interfaces of micron-SiCp/Mg and submicron-SiCp/Mg. While most interfaces between micron-SiCp and Mg were clean, the precip- itated Mg17A112 phase as well as dispersedly distributed nano-MgO particles was observed at some interfaces. Unlike the interface between micron-SiCp and Mg, no interfacial reaction product was found at the interface between submicron-SiCp and Mg in the present study. Besides, the specific orientation relationships were found at the interfaces between submicron- SiCp and Mg, which was thought to have developed during hot deformation process. At the fracture surface of the composite, the microcracks were found at the interface between micron-SiCp and Mg, while the interfacial bonding between submicron-SiCp and Mg was very well.