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.

Improvement of high-temperature strength of 6061 Al matrix composite reinforced by dual-phased nano-AlN and submicron-Al_(2)O_(3)particles

Nano-AlN and submicron-Al_(2)O_(3) particles were simultaneously utilized in a 6061 Al matrix composite to improve the high-temperature strength.According to the SEM and TEM characterization,nano-AlN and submicron-Al_(2)O_(3) particles are uniformly distributed in the Al matrix.Brinell hardness results indicate that different from the traditional 6061 Al matrix alloy,the aging kinetics of the composite is obviously accelerated by the reinforcement particles.The T6-treated composite exhibits excellent tensile properties at both room temperature and elevated temperature.Especially at 350℃,the T6-treated composite not only has a high yield strength of 121 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 128 MPa,but also exhibits a large elongation of 11.6%.Different strengthening mechanisms of nano-AlN and submicron-Al_(2)O_(3) particles were also discussed in detail.

Mixed rare earth metal conversion coatings on 2024 alloy and Al6061/SiC_p metal matrix composites

The processes of mixed rare earth metal (REM) conversion coatings on 2024 alloy and Al6061/SiC p metal matrix composites (MMC) were introduced. The coatings were examined to be honeycomb like feature by scanning electron microscope. X ray diffraction analysis revealed that the coatings are amorphous structure. The results of X ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the mixed REM conversion coatings consist predominantly of Ce and O, the contents of other rare earth elements (such as La, Pr) are relatively low, the coatings are about 2～4 μm thickness with excellent adhesion and wearability. The results of mass loss test showed that the mixed REM conversion coatings produce corrosion resistant surface of 2024 alloy and Al6061/SiC p. [

Wear Behaviour of Al-SiCp Metal Matrix Composites and Optimization Using Taguchi Method and Grey Relational Analysis

Aluminium metal matrix composite is a relatively new material that has proved its position in automobile, aerospace and other engineering design applications due to its wear resistance and substantial hardness. Need for improved tribological performance has led to the design and selection of newer variants of the composite. The present investigation deals with the study of wear behaviour of Al-SiCp metal matrix composite for varying reinforcement content, applied load, sliding speed and time. Aluminium metal matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles are prepared by liquid metallurgy route using LM6 aluminium alloy and silicon carbide particles (size ~ 37 μm) by varying the weight fraction of SiC in the range of 5% - 10%. The material is synthesized by stir casting process in an electric melting furnace. The materials are then subjected to wear testing in a multitribotester using block on roller configuration. A plan of experiments based on L27 Taguchi orthogonal array is used to acquire the wear data in a controlled way. An analysis of variance is employed to investigate the influence of four controlling parameters, viz., SiC content, normal load, sliding speed and sliding time on dry sliding wear of the composites. It is observed that SiC content, sliding speed and normal load significantly affect the dry sliding wear. The optimal combination of the four controlling parameters is also obtained for minimum wear. The microstructure study of worn surfaces indicates nature of wear to be mostly abrasive.

Effect of porosity and interface structures on thermal and mechanical properties of SiC_p/6061Al composites with high volume fraction of SiC

50 vol.% SiCp/Al composites with high thermal and mechanical properties were successfully produced by spark plasma sintering technique. The influences of sintering temperature on the thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion and bending strength of the SiCp/Al composites were carefully investigated. The results show that the SiCp/Al composites sintered at 520℃ exhibits a thermal conductivity of 189 W/(m·K), a coefficient of thermal expansion (50.200℃) of 10.03×10^-6 K^-1 and a bending strength of 649 MPa. The high thermal and mechanical properties can be ascribed to the nearly full density and the well interfacial bonding between the alloy matrix and the SiC particles. This work provides a promising pathway for producing materials to meet the needs of high performance electronic packaging.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Al 2519 matrix composites reinforced with Ti-coated SiC particles

Ti-coated SiCp particles were developed by vacuum evaporation with Ti to improve the interfacial bonding of SiCp/Al composites.Ti-coated SiC particles and uncoated SiC particles reinforced Al 2519 matrix composites were prepared by hot pressing,hot extrusion and heat treatment.The influence of Ti coating on microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).The results show that the densely deposited Ti coating reacts with SiC particles to form TiC and Ti5Si3 phases at the interface.Ti-coated SiC particle reinforced composite exhibits uniformity and compactness compared to the composite reinforced with uncoated SiC particles.The microstructure,relative density and mechanical properties of the composite are significantly improved.When the volume fraction is 15%,the hardness,fracture strain and tensile strength of the SiCp reinforced Al 2519 composite after Ti plating are optimized,which are HB 138.5,4.02%and 455 MPa,respectively.

THE INTERFACIAL BEHAVIORS OF ALUMINUM MATRIX COMPOSITE IN DIFFERENT WELDING METHODS

Non-interlayer liquid phase diffusion welding (China Patent) and laser welding methods for aluminum matrix composite are mainly described in this paper. In the non-interlayer liquid phase diffusion welding, the key processing parameters affecting the strength of joint is welding temperature. When temperature rises beyond solidus temperature, the bonded line vanishes. The strength of joint reaches the maximum and becomes constant when welding temperature is close to liquid phase temperature. Oxide film in the interface is no longer detected by SEM in the welded joint. With this kind of technique, particle reinforced aluminum matrix composite Al2 O3p/6061Al is welded successfully, and the joint strength is about 80% of the strength of composite (as-casted). In the laser welding, results indicate that because of the huge specific surface area of the reinforcement, the interfacial reaction between the matrix and the reinforcement is restrained intensively at certain laser power and pulsed laser beam. The laser pulse frequency directly affects the reinforcement segregation and the reinforcement distribution in the weld, so that the weldability of the composite could be improved by increasing the laser pulse frequency. The maximum strength of the weld can reach 70% of the strength of the parent.

Production and characterization of rich husk ash particulate reinforced AA6061 aluminum alloy composites by compocasting

Rice husk ash(RHA) is a potential particulate reinforcement to produce aluminum matrix composites(AMCs)economically.Compocasting method was applied to produce aluminum alloy AA6061 reinforced with various amounts(0,2%,4%,6%and 8%,mass fraction) of RHA particles.The prepared composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.X-ray diffraction patterns of AA6061/RHA AMCs revealed the presence of RHA particles without the formation of any other intermetallic compounds.The scanning electron micrographs showed a homogeneous distribution of RHA particles all over the aluminum matrix.Intragranular distribution of RHA particles was observed.Further,RHA particles were bonded well with the aluminum matrix and a clear interface existed.The reinforcement of RHA particles enhanced the microhardness and ultimate tensile strength(UTS) of the AMCs.The tensile behavior is correlated to the microstructure of the AMCs.

Effects of whisker surface treatment on microstructure and properties of Al_(18)B_4O_(33w)/6061Al composites

6061Al matrix composites reinforced by ZnO-coated Al18B4O33 whiskers were fabricated by a semi-solid mechanical stirring technique.The effects of ZnO coating on interfacial reaction between whiskers and matrix and the tensile properties of the composites were investigated.Tensile tests on composites were performed at room temperature,and microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results show that the surface treatment of whiskers could reduce interfacial reaction effectively,improve the wettability between whiskers and matrix and enhance the tensile properties of the composites obviously.In addition,semi-solid stirring parameters were also under preliminary study.The stirring parameters were determined by the distribution of whiskers in the composites.The composites with homogeneously distributed whiskers were fabricated by semi-solid stirring at 610 ℃ for 30 min.

Corrosion Behavior of SiC_p/2024 Al Matrix Composites in 3.5 wt pct Sodium Chloride

The influences of volume fraction and particle size of SiC particulate reinforcements on the corrosion characteristics of SiCp/2024 Al metal matrix composites in aerated 3.5 wt pct NaCI aqueous solution were investigated. The electrochemical behavior was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the general corrosion behavior of the composites was studied further by immersion tests. The results showed that pitting susceptibility was about the same for the composites and the alloy. The corrosion potentials were also independent of SiC phase. The corrosion resistance for the composites decreased as the volume fraction increased or particle size decreased.

Reactive Diffusion Bonding of SiCp/Al Composites by Insert Powder Layers with Eutectic Composition

Mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders were investigated as insert layers to reactive diffusion bond SiCp/6063 metal matrix composite （MMC）. The results show that SiCp/6063 MMC joints bonded by the insert layers of the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders have a dense joining layer of high quality. The mass transfer between the bonded materials and insert layers during bonding leads to the hypoeutectic microstructure of the joining layers bonded by both the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders with eutectic composition. At fixed bonding time （temperature）, the shear strength of the joints by both insert layers of the mixed Al-Si and Al-Cu powders increases with increasing the bonding temperature （time）, but get maxima at bonding temperature 600℃ （time 90 min）.

施镀时间对SiCp/Al复合材料化学镀Ni-P镀层的影响

采用化学镀的方法在激光选区熔化(SLM)技术成型的SiCp/Al复合材料表面制备了Ni-P镀层,研究了施镀时间对镀层的表面形貌、截面厚度、沉积速率、相结构和显微硬度的影响。结果表明:化学镀0.5~12 h时,镀层都呈胞状形貌,且呈非晶态结构,为高磷镀层;随着施镀时间的延长,胞状组织逐渐变大,表面逐渐致密,镀层厚度逐渐增大,但增长速率越来越小,显微硬度先增大后趋于稳定。施镀时间为8 h时的镀层表面平整、致密、连续,厚度可达100μm,显微硬度为653.4 HV,镀层与基体结合强度为77.2 N。

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.

Al 6061/SiC_p稀土转化膜的组成、结构及性能

A double layer Rare Earth Metal (REM) conversion coating process of Al 6061/SiCp metal matrix composites (MMC) was studied.The corrosion resistance of REM conversion coating was examined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).REM conversion coating produced very corrosion resistant surface of Al 6061/SiCp MMC.The X ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that REM conversion coatings exhibited non crystalline structure.The composition of REM conversion coating was studied by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).The coatings consisted of cerium oxide and hydrated cerium oxide.Some of Ce3+were oxidized to Ce4+during the formation of the first layer coating in the solution containing Ce3+.During the course of exposing the specimens in open air,some of the residual Ce3+were oxidized to Ce4+.REM conversion coating formed in the solution containing Ce4+consisted entirely of Ce4+compounds.

高速铣削高体积分数SiCp/Al复合材料表面形貌及切屑机制的研究

为了研究高体积分数SiCp/Al复合材料的切削机理及工件表面形貌,采用PCD刀具对干式切削和水溶性冷却液浇注冷却的湿式切削两种切削条件下的高速铣削进行了研究。结果表明,在对颗粒尺寸大、体积分数高的SiCp/Al复合材料进行高速铣削时,干式切削无论是在工件已加工表面形貌和微观结构,还是在切屑形成及形貌上,都好于湿式切削。两种切削条件下均可获得较理想的表面粗糙度。

SiCp/Al MMCs等离子弧原位焊接接头组织与性能

通过填充Ti,N元素对SiCp/A l基复合材料(SiCp/A lMMCs)进行等离子弧原位焊接,分析了焊缝的组织和力学性能.以氩、氮混合气体为离子气,0.8 mm厚钛片作为原位合金化材料进行原位焊接,不仅抑制了脆性相的形成,而且在焊缝中形成了TiN,TiC等新的增强相,保证了焊接接头的性能.力学性能试验结果表明,不加填充材料焊接时,试样拉伸强度仅为母材强度的31.24%;进行原位焊接时,试样强度达到母材强度的50.89%.断口主要表现为混合型脆性断口.

纳米SiCp/108Al复合材料的组织与性能

采用粉末冶金法制备了不同体积分数SiC颗粒增强的纳米SiCp/108Al复合材料。利用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜对复合材料的微观组织及拉伸断口形貌进行了表征,测定了复合材料的相对密度、硬度、抗拉强度、屈服强度及延伸率,分析了纳米SiC颗粒体积分数对复合材料组织及性能的影响。分析结果表明:添加纳米SiC颗粒的SiCp/108Al复合材料组织明显细化,性能得到提高。当纳米SiC颗粒体积分数为2%时,复合材料组织的晶粒最细小,缺陷较少,同时纳米SiC颗粒分布均匀,复合材料的性能最佳,相对密度达到98%。复合材料的硬度达到102HV,抗拉强度达到348MPa,屈服强度达到229MPa,分别比108Al基体提高了34%、26%和43%。当纳米SiC颗粒体积分数较大时,SiC颗粒会出现明显团聚现象,导致复合材料的性能降低。

PCD刀具高速铣削SiCp/Al复合材料的表面粗糙度研究

通过切削实验,研究PCD刀具铣削SiC颗粒尺寸较大、体积比含量较高的SiCp/A l复合材料时,切削速度、每齿进给量、切削深度对已加工表面粗糙度的影响,根据对实验结果分析得出切削用量对已加工表面粗糙度的影响规律.

增强颗粒对切削SiCp/Al复合材料切屑形成过程的影响机理

为研究SiC颗粒对SiCp/Al复合材料切屑形成过程的影响,设计了一种新型弹簧式快速落刀装置。通过正交切削试验获得切屑和切屑根部,观察其形态及金相显微组织,分析SiC颗粒沿剪切带的排列机制、颗粒的断裂与破碎机理、裂纹的扩展及其对切屑形成的影响。结果表明:设计的快速落刀装置加速度大,能获取有效的切屑根部;基体塑性滑移对颗粒产生的力和力矩使得颗粒沿剪切带排列;颗粒的断裂与破碎主要发生在剪切区、工件与切屑分离面、第2变形区以及刀尖附近的已加工表面;微裂纹从自由表面和剪切区内部沿剪切面扩展;裂纹沿剪切面扩展使得切屑受力不平衡,切屑加速流出,同时裂纹两侧沿剪切面发生相对滑动,导致切屑呈不规则锯齿形。

SiCp/Al复合材料中增强体SiC含量的测定方法研究

在利用内耗法和超声衰减法研究SiCp/Al复合材料阻尼性能的基础上,分析SiCp/Al复合材料超声衰减系数中吸收系数与散射系数之间的关系,提出一种用超声法测定SiCp/Al复合材料增强体SiC含量的方法。与传统的测试方法相比,它具有简便,快捷的优点。