Effect of cooling rate on solidification microstructure and mechanical properties of TiB2-containing TiAl alloy

Effects of cooling rate and 0.25 at.%TiB2 addition on solidification microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti−48Al−2Cr−2Nb alloys fabricated by the investment casting with different thicknesses were studied.The results show that with the cooling rate increasing from 37 to 2×102 K/s,the solidification path of the studied alloys is unchanged.The grain size of the matrix alloy is refined from 650 to 300μm,while the grain size of Ti−48Al−2Cr−2Nb−TiB2 is reduced from 550 to 80μm.The lamellar spacing of matrix alloy is reduced from 360 to 30 nm with increasing the cooling rate from 37 to 2×102 K/s,while TiB2 addition shows little refinement effect on the lamellar spacing.Ti−48Al−2Cr−2Nb−TiB2 sample under medium cooling rate(69 K/s)exhibits superior microhardness(HV 550)and ultimate tensile strength(570 MPa)among the studied alloys.The refined grain size,lamellar spacing and fine TiB2 particles could account for the favorable mechanical properties of the studied TiB2-containing alloy.The microstructure evolution was discussed in light of cooling rate,constitutional supercooling and borides addition.

TiB2基切削刀具的制备和摩擦学性能研究

采用热压烧结法制备了3组不同成分配比的TiB 2基切削刀具,对比分析了B73H18N0、B49H18N24和B41H18C32刀具的显微组织、力学性能和摩擦学性能。结果表明:添加TiN和TiC的B49H18N24和B41H18C32刀具中未形成新的物相;3种TiB 2基切削刀具试样的硬度、抗弯强度和断裂韧性从高至低顺序依次为B73H18N0>B41H18C32>B49H18N24,B73H18N0>B41H18C32>B49H18N24和B41H18C32>B49H18N24>B73H18N0。在相同滑动速度或者载荷下,3种TiB 2基切削刀具与TA2钛合金的磨损率都随着载荷或者滑动速度增加而增大,但B41H18C32刀具的磨损率最低,即其与TA2钛合金对磨时耐磨性更好。3种TiB 2基切削刀具在干摩擦磨损过程中的磨损机制为磨粒磨损、黏着磨损和氧化磨损,且主要为黏着磨损。

Effect of Trace Addition of Ceramic on Microstructure Development and Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melted AlSi10Mg Alloy

Selective laser melting(SLM)is an emerging additive manufacturing technology for fabricating aluminum alloys and aluminum matrix composites.Nevertheless,it remains unclear how to improve the properties of laser manufactured aluminum alloy by adding ceramic reinforcing particles.Here the effect of trace addition of TiB2 ceramic(1%weight fraction)on microstructural and mechanical properties of SLM-produced AlSi10Mg composite parts was investigated.The densification level increased with increasing laser power and decreasing scan speed.A near fully dense composite part(99.37%)with smooth surface morphology and elevated inter-layer bonding was successfully obtained.A decrease of lattice plane distance was identified by X-ray diffraction with the laser scan speed decreased,which implied that the crystal lattices were distorted due to the dissolution of Si and TiB2 particles.A homogeneous composite microstructure with the distribution of surface-smoothened TiB2 particles was present,and a small amount of Si particles precipitated at the interface between reinforcing particles and matrix.In contrast to the AlSi10Mg alloy,the composites showed a stabilized microhardness distribution.A higher ultimate tensile strength of 380.0 MPa,yield strength of 250.4 MPa and elongation of 3.43%were obtained even with a trace amount of ceramic addition.The improvement of tensile properties can be attributed to multiple mechanisms including solid solution strengthening,load-bearing strengthening and dispersion strengthening.This research provides a theoretical basis for ceramic reinforced aluminum matrix composites by additive manufacturing.

Mechanical properties and microstructure of TiB_2 ceramic influenced by ZrB_2 additive

Since some transition metal diborides have the same crystal structure with TiB 2, which can react with TiB 2 to form solid solution by adequate technique. With ZrB 2 used as additive, the TiB 2-ZrB 2 solid solution was prepared by hot pressing. The effects of additive content on mechanical properties of composite were investigated. The microstructure analyzing were employed by EPMA, SEM and TEM. It is shown that TiB 2 can partly form solid solution with ZrB 2 and redound to gain uniform grains, which results in the increase of mechanical properties.

Mechanical properties and plasma erosion resistance of BN_p/Al_2O_3-SiO_2 composite ceramics

BNp/Al2O3-SiO2 system ceramic matrix composites with different volume fractions （10%-60%） of hexagonal BN particulates （BNp） were prepared by hot-press sintering technique. Phase components, microstructure, mechanical properties and plasma erosion resistance were also investigated. With the increase of h-BNp content, relative density and Vickers＇ hardness of the composite ceramics decrease, while the flexural strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness increase and then decrease. The plasma erosion resistance linearly deteriorated with the increase of BNp content which is mainly determined by the density, crystal structure and atomic number of the elements.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of 8YSZ ceramics by liquid-phase sintering with CuO-TiO_2 addition

The 8% （mass fraction） yttrium-partially-stabilized zirconia （8YSZ） ceramic was fabricated via liquid phase sintering at 1 200-1 400℃ by adding different mass ratios of CuO-16.7%TiO2 （molar fraction） as sintering aid. Relative density, microstructure, Vickers hardness and bending strength as a function of sintering temperature and additive content were investigated. The experiment results show that liquid phase sintering at low temperature can be realized through adding CUO-16.7% TiO2 to 8YSZ. The Vickers hardness and bending strength of samples with sintering aid are generally much higher than those of samples without sintering aid for all sintering temperatures, and increase with the increase of sintering temperature. When the addition content of CUO-16.7% TiO2 is beyond 0.5%, the relative density, Vickers hardness and bending strength decrease with the increase of the mass ratio of sintering aid. Low additions of sintering aid are beneficial to aiding densification; high additions of sintering aid are detrimental to the sintered properties mainly due to greater amounts of pores generated by the volatilization of oxygen with the eutectic reaction between copper oxide and titanium dioxide. It is found that the fine grain size and high relative density are two main reasons of the high bending strength and Vickers hardness of the materials.

Structural, mechanical, electronic properties, and Debye temperature of quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics under high pressure: A first-principles study

Quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics has been investigated as a potential nuclear fusion structural material,and it has advantages in certain aspects compared with Ti2AlC,Ti3AlC2,and Ti3SiC2 structural materials.In this paper,quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics is pressurized to investigate its structural,mechanical,electronic properties,and Debye temperature.Quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics still maintains a cubic structure under pressure(0–110 GPa).At zero pressure,quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics only has three bonds:Ti–Al,Ni–Al,and Ti–C.However,at pressures of 20 GPa,30 GPa,40 GPa,60 GPa,and 70 GPa,new Ti–Ni,Ti–Ti,Al–Al,Ti–Al,and Ti–Ti bonds form.When the pressure reaches 20 GPa,the covalent bonds change to metallic bonds.The volume of quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics can be compressed to 72%of its original volume at most.Pressurization can improve the mechanical strength and ductility of quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics.At 50–60 GPa,its mechanical strength can be comparable to pure tungsten,and the material changes from brittleness to ductility.However,the degree of anisotropy of quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics increases with the increasing pressure.In addition,we also investigated the Debye temperature,density,melting point,hardness,and wear resistance of quaternary carbide Ti3NiAl2C ceramics under pressure.

Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3/Cr_3C_2/(W,Ti)C Ceramic Composites with Y_2O_3 Addition

Ceramic composites Al_2O_3/(W, Ti)C/Cr_3C_2 with different contents of Cr_3C_2 and (W, Ti)C particles, and with the additive Y_2O_3, were fabricated with hot-pressing technique at 1700 ℃ under 28 MPa pressure for 30 min in N_2 atmosphere. The mechanical properties were tested, and the microstructure was investigated by environment scanning electron microscope (ESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive analysis using X-ray (EDAX) and optical microscope (OM). Results indicate that the incorporation of Cr_3C_2 and (W,Ti)C particles can suppress the grain growth of the others, and the toughening and strengthening effects mainly originate from nano-particles, dispersion toughening and solidification strengthening. The multiphase composite ceramic material Al_2O_3/10%Cr_3C_2/20%(W,Ti)C shows good mechanical properties, especially the fracture toughness increases from 4.0 MPa·m 1/2 (Monolithic Al_2O_3 ceramic) to 8.92 MPa·m 1/2, the flexural strength from 260～340 MPa (Monolithic Al_2O_3 ceramic) to 496 MPa, due to incorporation of the suitable contents of Cr_3C_2 and (W,Ti)C particles.

Microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of Zn-Al-Cu-TiB_2 in situ composites

Zn-Al-Cu-TiB2（ZA27-TiB2） in situ composites were fabricated via reactions between molten aluminum and mixed halide salts（K2TiF6 and KBF4） at temperature of 875 °C. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the composites were investigated. Microstructure analysis shows that fine and clean TiB2 particles distribute uniformly through the matrix. The mechanical properties of the composites increase with the increase in TiB2 content. As TiB2 content increases to 5%（mass fraction）, an improvement of HB 18 in hardness and 49 MPa in ultimate tensile strength（UTS） is achieved. The overall results reveal that the composites possess low friction coefficients and the wear rate is reduced from 5.9×10-3 to 1.3×10-3 mm3/m after incorporating 5% TiB2. Friction coefficient and worn surface analysis indicate that there is a change in the wear mechanism in the initial stage of wear test after introducing in situ TiB2 particles into the matrix.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-TiB_2/TiC in situ composites improved via hot rolling

A kind of Al-TiB2/TiC in situ composite with a homogenous microstructure was successfully prepared through in situ reaction of pure Ti and Al-B-C alloy with molten aluminum.In order to improve the distribution of the particles and mechanical properties of the composites,subsequent hot rolling with increasing reduction was carried out.The microstructure evolution of the composites was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)and the mechanical properties were studied through tensile tests and microhardness measurement.It is found that both the microstructure uniformity and mechanical properties of the composites are significantly improved with increasing rolling reduction.The ultimate tensile strength and microhardness of the composites with90%rolling reduction reach185.9MPa and HV59.8,respectively,140%and35%higher than those of as-cast ones.Furthermore,the strengthening mechanism of the composite was analyzed based on the fracture morphologies.

Processing and characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al6061–TiB_(2) composite

In the present research,aluminum metal matrix composites were processed by the stir casting technique.The effects of TiB2 reinforcement particles,severe plastic deformation through accumulative roll bonding(ARB),and aging treatment on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties were also evaluated.Uniaxial tensile tests and microhardness measurements were conducted,and the microstructural characteristics were investigated.Notably,the important problems associated with cast samples,including nonuniformity of the reinforcement particles and high porosity content,were solved through the ARB process.At the initial stage,particle-free zones,as well as particle clusters,were observed on the microstructure of the composite.However,after the ARB process,fracturing phenomena occurred in brittle ceramic particles,followed by breaking down of the fragments into fine particles as the number of rolling cycles increased.Subsequently,composites with a uniform distribution of particles were produced.Moreover,the tensile strength and microhardness of the ARB-processed composites increased with the increase in the reinforcement mass fraction.However,their ductility exhibited a different trend.With post-deformation aging treatment(T6),the mechanical properties of composites were improved because of the formation of fine Mg2Si precipitates.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiB_2-Al_2O_3 Composites

Effects of Al2O3 and Ni as the additives on the sinterability, microstructure and mechanical properties were systematic studied. The experimental results show that only a relative density about 96.2% of hot-pressing TiB2-30%Al2O3 can be attained due to the plate-like TiB2 particle and its random orientation and excessive Al2O3 grain growth. When sintering temperature is higher than 1 700 ℃, TiB2 grain growth can be found, which obvious improves flexural strength of TiB2 matrix but decreases toughness. It seems that mechanical properties of TiB2-Al2O3 composites are mainly depended on relative density besides grain growth. otherwise, they will be determined by relative density and TiB2 matrix strength together. Anyway, Al2O3 addition can weaken the grain boundary and thus improve the toughness of the materials. A flexural strength of 529 MPa, Vickers hardness of 24.8 GPa and indentation toughness of 4.56 MPa·m1/2 can be achieved inTiB2-30vol% Al2O3.

Synergistically Toughening Effect of SiC Whiskers and Nanoparticles in Al_2O_3-based Composite Ceramic Cutting Tool Material

In recent decades, many additives with different characteristics have been applied to strengthen and toughen Al2O3-based ceramic cutting tool materials. Among them, SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles showed excellent performance in improving the material properties. While no attempts have been made to add SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles together into the ceramic matrix and the synergistically toughening effects of them have not been studied. An Al2O3-SiCw-SiC np advanced ceramic cutting tool material is fabricated by adding both one-dimensional SiC whiskers and zero-dimensional SiC nanoparticles into the Al2O3 matrix with an effective dispersing and mixing process. The composites with 25 vol% SiC whiskers and 25 vol% SiC nanoparticles alone are also investegated for comparison purposes. Results show that the Al2O3-SiCw-SiCnp composite with both 20 vo1% SiC whiskers and 5 vol% SiC nanoparticles additives have much improved mechanical properties. The flexural strength of Al2O3-SiCw-SiCnp is 730＋ 95 MPa and fracture toughness is 5.6 ± 0.6 MPa.m1/2. The toughening and strengthening mechanisms of SiC whiskers and nanoparticles are studied when they are added either individually or in combination. It is indicated that when SiC whiskers and nanoparticles are added together, the grains are further refined and homogenized, so that the microstructure and fracture mode ratio is modified. The SiC nanoparticles are found helpful to enhance the toughening effects of the SiC whiskers. The proposed research helps to enrich the types of ceramic cutting tool and is benefit to expand the application range of ceramic cutting tool.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hot Pressed TiB_2-ZrO_2 Composites

The partially stabilized ZrO2 (PSZ) particles were introduced into TiB2 ceramics to improve its density and mechanical properties. The results show that the addition of PSZ is very effective not only in bettering the sinterability but also in enhancing the flexural strength and fracture toughness of TiB2.

Investigation of melt-growth alumina/aluminum titanate composite ceramics prepared by directed energy deposition

Al_(2)O_(3)/Al_(6)Ti_(2)O_(13) composite ceramics with low thermal expansion properties are promising for the rapid preparation of large-scale and complex components by directed energy deposition-laser based(DED-LB)technology.However,the wider application of DED-LB technology is limited due to the inadequate understanding of process conditions.The shaping quality,microstructure,and mechanical properties of Al_(2)O_(3)/Al_(6)Ti_(2)O_(13)(6 mol%TiO_(2))composite ceramics were systematically investigated as a function of energy input in an extensive process window.On this basis,the formation mechanism of solidification defects and the evolution process of microstructure were revealed,and the optimized process parameters were determined.Results show that high energy input improves the fluidity of the molten pool and promotes the uniform distribution and full growth of constituent phases,thus,facilitating the elimination of solidification defects,such as pores and strip gaps.In addition,the microstructure size is strongly dependent on the energy input,increasing when the energy input increases.Moreover,the morphology of theα-Al_(2)O_(3) phase gradually transforms from cellular into cellular dendrite with increasing energy input due to changing solidification conditions.Under the comprehensive influence of solidification defects and microstructure size,the fracture toughness and flexural strength of Al_(2)O_(3)/Al_(6)Ti_(2)O_(13) composite ceramics present a parabolic law behavior as the energy input increases.Optimal shaping quality and excellent mechanical properties are achieved at an energy input range of 0.36-0.54 W*min^(2) g^(-1) mm^(-1).Within this process window,the average microhardness,fracture toughness,and flexural strength of Al_(2)O_(3)/Al_(6)Ti_(2)O_(13) composite ceramics are up to 1640 Hv,3.87 MPa m^(1/2),and 227 MPa,respectively.This study provides practical guidance for determining the process parameters of DED-LB of melt growth Al_(2)O_(3)/Al_(6)Ti_(2)O_(13) composite ceramics.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Ti-47Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy melted in various crucibles

The main factors limiting the mass production of TiAI-based components are the high reactivity of TiAl- based alloys with the crucible or mould at high temperature. In this work, various crucibles （e.g. CaO, Y203 ceramic crucibles and water-cooled copper crucible） were used to fabricate the Ti-47Al-2Cr-2Nb alloy in a vacuum induction furnace. The effects of crucible materials and melting parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy were analyzed by means of microstructure observation, chemical analysis, tensile test and fracture surface observation. The possibilities of melting TiAI alloys in crucibles made of CaO and Y2O3 refractory materials were also discussed.

Microstructure and fracture behavior of SiO_2 glass ceramic and TC4 alloy joint brazed with TiZrNiCu alloy

Vacuum brazing of SiO2 glass ceramic and TC4 alloy using a commercially available TiZrNiCu foil was investigated. The interfacial microstructure and the fractures were examined with an optical microscope （OM） and an S-4700 scanning electron microscope （SEM） equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS） and an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer （EPMA）. The structure of joint interface was identified by XRD （JDX-3530M）. Meanwhile, the fracture paths of the joints were comprehensively studied. The results show that processing parameters, especially the brazing temperature, have a significant effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of joints. The typical interface structure is SiO2/Ti2O＋Zr3Si2＋Ti5Si3/（Ti,Zr）＋Ti2O＋ TiZrNiCu/Ti（s.s）/TiZrNiCu＋Ti（s.s）＋Ti2（Cu,Ni）/TC4 from SiO2 glass ceramic to TC4 alloy side. Based on the mechanical property tests, the joints brazed at 880 ℃ for 5 rain has the maximum shear strength of 23 MPa.

Effect of sintering atmosphere on composition and properties of NiFe_2O_4 ceramic

Ni Fe2O4 ceramics were prepared in different sintering atmospheres. The phase compositions, microstructures and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the stoichiometric compound Ni Fe2O4 cannot be obtained in vacuum or atmospheres with oxygen contents of 2×10-5, 2×10-4 and 2×10-3, respectively. All the samples sintered in above-mentioned atmospheres contain phases of Ni Fe2O4 and Ni O. With increasing oxygen content, Ni Fe2O4 content in the ceramic increases, while Ni O content appears a contrary trend. In vacuum, Ni Fe2O4 ceramic has average grain size of 3.94 μm, and bending strength of85.12 MPa. The changes of the phase composition and mechanical properties of Ni Fe2O4 based cermets are mainly caused by the alteration of their properties of Ni Fe2O4 ceramic.

Study on Mg PSZ Ceramics Doped with Y_2O_3 and CeO_2

Mg PSZ ceramics doped with Y 2O 3 and CeO 2 was prepared using traditional processing method. The fine grain PSZ ceramics( d c10 μm) sintered at low temperature(1550 ℃) was obtained by means of composition design. The effects of co stabilization of Y 2O 3, CeO 2 and annealing at 1100 ℃ on material composition, microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that Y 2O 3 and CeO 2 during annealing at 1100 ℃ can inhibit subeutectoid decomposition reaction effectively, and optimize nucleation and growth of t ZrO 2 precipitates in c ZrO 2 matrix phase. The materials show transgranular and intergranular fracture characteristics, and exhibit better mechanical properties owing to the cooperative effect of stress induced transformation toughening and microcrack toughening.