Effect of whisker alignment on microstructure,mechanical and thermal properties of Mg-SiC_(w)/Cu composite fabricated by a combination of casting and severe plastic deformation(SPD)

In this research,microstructure evaluation,mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the Mg-SiC_(w)/Cu composite with laminar structure were investigated.For this purpose,SiC whiskers were added to magnesium alloy by using stir-casting,then the Mg-SiC_(w)composite was bonded to copper layers by warm accumulative roll bonding(ARB).Based on the results of optical microscopy(OM)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),SiC whiskers were well distributed in the magnesium matrix and they were aligned parallelly when the composites were plastically deformed at higher rolling passes.Furthermore,all layers remained continuous with localized necking sites.Also,no intermetallic compounds and phases were detected by XRD and EDS analyzes.Apart from the significant effect of severe plastic deformation on mechanical properties,the findings of mechanical tests point to the usefulness of reinforcements in improving up to 60%microhardness,Young’s modulus,yield,and up to 41%tensile strengths.Further,thermal conductivities of composites increased by adding reinforcement and above all by increasing the number of rolling passes.This growth is attributed to the higher thermal diffusivity of copper and whiskers as well as the increased number of conductive layers within composite.

Effect of potential difference between nano-Al_(2)O_(3)whisker and Mg matrix on the dispersion of Mg composites

The potential difference between positive and negative ions was utilized to improve the homogenized dispersion of nanoscale Al_(2)O_(3) whiskers in Mg matrix composites.The Mg powders were decorated with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate(C_(18)H_(29)NaO_(3)S,SDBS)and were introduced to the cathode group on their surface.The Al_(2)O_(3) whiskers were modified by the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(C_(19)H_(42)BrN,CTAB)and were featured in the anode group.The suitable contents of CTAB and SDBS,the application atmosphere,and the type of solvents were investigated.Dispersion results showed that adding 2wt%SDBS into Mg powders and adding 2wt%CTAB into Al_(2)O_(3) whiskers pro-moted the formation of more uniformly mixed composite powders,compared to those of conventional ball milling via scanning electron micro-scopy(SEM)analysis.Meanwhile,the calculated results derived from first-principle calculations also demonstrated the stronger cohesion between Al_(2)O_(3) whisker reinforcements and Mg matrix than undecorated composite powders.After preparation by powder metallurgy,the mor-phology,grain size,hardness,and standard deviation coefficient of composites were analyzed to evaluate the dispersed efficiency.The results indicated that the modification of homogenized dispersed Al_(2)O_(3) whiskers in composites contributed to the refinement of 26%in grain size and the improvement of 20%in hardness compared with pure Mg,and the reduction of 32.5%in the standard deviation coefficient of hardness compared with the ball-milling sample.

PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF WHISKER REINFORCED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE: PART-I. MODEL AND FORMULATION

Based on study of strain distribution in whisker reinforced metal matrix composites, an explicit precise stiffness tensor is derived. In the present theory, the effect of whisker orientation on the macro property of composites is considered, but the effect of random whisker position and the complicated strain field at whisker ends are averaged. The derived formula is able to predict the stiffness modulus of composites with arbitrary whisker orientation under any loading condition. Compared with the models of micro mechanics, the present theory is competent for modulus prediction of actual engineering composites. The verification and application of the present theory are given in a subsequent paper published in the same

Whisker Orientation Function and Elastic Modulus of the as-cast 20% SiC_W/Mg Composite

The relationship between the plane-orientation function and the space-orientation function of whiskers in whisker-reinforced metal matrix composites was analyzed theoretically. The actual orientation of whiskers in the as- cast 20%SiC_W/Mg composite (SiC_W content in volume fraction) were investigated, and the elastic modulus of the composite was measured with an ultrasonic velocity analyzer. Results show that there is an evident difference be- tween the plane-orientation function and the space-orientation function of whiskers and the space-orientation function can represent the actual condition of the composite. Only by using the space-orientation function of whiskers, the difference of elastic modulus of the as-cast composite in different directions can be explained reasonably.

GROWTH MECHANISM OF TiC WHISKERS PREMRED BY A MODIFIED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION METHOD

High quality TiC whiskers have been prepared by a modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method using TiCl4 and CH4 as reactant gases and Ni as substrate. The deposition temperature and gas flow mies have ampreciable effect on the whisker growth.The whisker orientations and morphology are determined by X-my diffraction (XRD),scanning electron micmpmph (SEM) and transmission electron microgmph (TEM).In addition to the spherical tips, spiral growth microsteps and obvious terraces are observed at the tips and side faces of whiskers in the present eoperiment. The whiskers grow mostly along (100) direction. The whisker growth mechanism is discussed in detail.

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of LDH-SO4-CO3 Whisker

High-quality LDH-SO4-CO3 whiskers were synthesized via liquid precipitation method using MgSO4·7 H2 O and Al2(SO4)3·18 H2O as precursors and Na2CO3-NaHCO3 buffer solution as precipitant. The influence of buffer solution concentration on the characteristics of the samples was investigated. The asgrown whiskers were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and BrunauerEmmett-Teller N2 specific surface area measurements. The results show that the buffer solution concentration has significant impact on whiskers with intercalated structure. The LDH-SO4-CO3 whiskers with well-defined geometry, distinct intercalated structure, decent quality, and excellent dispersing capability can be obtained under the following conditions: buffer solution volume ratio of 45%, reaction temperature of 83°C, and reaction time of 182 h. The obtained whiskers are well-crystallized and exhibit homogeneous morphology consisting of fiber bars.

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of CaSO4 Whisker Reinforced Cement Mortar

Calcium sulfate whisker(CaSO4 whiskers), a new type of microfiber material, was used in cement matrix to increase the strength of the cement based composites. Effect of CaSO4 whiskers on the mechanical properties of the resulting cement mortar was also studied. The results showed that the flexural strength and compressive strength of the mortar specimen was improved as high as 28.3% and 8.5% by incorporating 5 wt% CaSO4 whiskers. Also, the chemical composition and structural transformation of the hardened cement matrix with CaSO4 whiskers were identified by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscope(SEM). Conclusion can be drawn that CaSO4 whiskers can effectively retard the formation and restrict the coalescence of micro-crack expansion. The interaction mechanism of CaSO4 whisker on the reinforcement is mainly on three aspects: whisker pullout, crack deflection, and crack bridging. Mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP) tests have confirmed that for 28 d cement mortar, the harmless pores increased from 9.33% to 10.62%, and the harmful pores decreased from 2.08% to 1.90%. Therefore, the whisker can optimize the pore size distribution of the resulting cement mortar.

IN SITU PROCESSING OF Al_(2)O_(3) WHISKERS REINFORCED Ti-Al INTERMETALLIC COMPOSITES

In situ Al2O3 whiskers reinforced Ti-Al intermetallic composites were fabricated at ~1200℃ by reaction sintering of cold-consolidated fllets consisting mainly of Ti, Al, and different additives. The phases and microstructures of the sintered composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). The process of synthesis was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA). The effects of processing parameters and additives on the microstructures of the composites and the development of whisker were examined. It is found that the morphology of the whisker is strongly influenced by the additives, the exothermal reaction process, and the processing parameters.

Preparation, Characterization, and Formation Mechanism of Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate Whiskers

Calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers were synthesized successfully via one-step hydrothermal crystallization method using phosphogypsum at 130 °C for 240 min with an initial slurry mass fraction of 2.5 wt%. The phase compositions, microstructures, thermal properties and molecular structures of asprepared samples were analyzed by XRD, ESEM, EDS, TG-DTA, and FT-IR. The influence of raw materials' ball-milling time on the morphologies of whiskers was investigated. The effects of impurities on crystallization morphologies and length to diameter ratio(L/D) of calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers were studied. The results indicated that the calcium sulfate dihydrate crystalline could be translated directly into fibrous calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers. It was beneficial to form fine fiber structure when the ball-milling time of the raw material was 15 min. Aspect ratio of calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers decreased with increasing content of impurities. Moreover, the relative growth mechanism of whisker crystals via one-step hydrothermal crystallization method was discussed in detail.

Photocatalytic performance of K2Ti6O13 whiskers to H2 evolution and CO2 photo-reduction

K2Ti6O13 whiskers were synthesized by conventional sol-gel method, sono-chemical assisted and microwave assisted sol-gel method in order to obtain catalysts with different particle sizes and to modify their optical, textural and electrochemical properties. These modifications improved their photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution and CO2 photo-reduction. Long K2Ti6O13 whiskers prepared by ultrasound assisted sol-gel method are the most active photocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction using pure water as reactant (U-SG, 10,065 μmol g^-1). In contrast, an opposite behavior was observed using a mixture of ethanol-water, where the highest activity was achieved by the shortest and less crystalline K2Ti6O13 whiskers (C-SG, 3,2871 μmol g^-1). In case of CO2 photo-reduction, long whiskers that were also prepared by the sono-chemical assisted sol-gel method were the most active to transform CO2 to formaldehyde, methane, methanol and hydrogen. The EFB value of this catalyst is located very close to the potential for formaldehyde production and favors the selectivity to this organic product.

Calcium sulfate whisker prepared by flue gas desulfurization gypsum:A physical–chemical coupling production process

In this paper,the solid waste desulfurization gypsum produced by coal-fired power plants was used as a raw material to prepare calcium sulfate whiskers with high application prospects.Calcium sulfate whiskers with uniform morphology and high aspect ratio can be prepared by hydrothermal method in sulfuric acid solution.A new process of desulfurization gypsum activated by high-energy grinding to reduce the reaction temperature and sulfuric acid concentration was developed.Through the comparison of product morphology,the best grinding time was determined to be 3.5 h.The mechanism of desulfurization gypsum through physical–chemical coupling to reduce energy consumption was clarified.The activation of desulfurization gypsum by grinding and the acidic environment provided by the sulfuric acid solution made the calcium sulfate solution reached rapid saturation and accelerated the nucleation rate.By calculating the conversion and crystallization rate of calcium sulfate whiskers,it was found that there were obvious"autocatalytic"kinetic characteristics during the crystallization process.

Rigid polyurethane foam reinforced with cellulosewhiskers: Synthesis and characterization

A novel nanocomposite of rigid polyurethane foam was prepared by the polymerization of a sucrose-based polyol, a glycerol-based polyol and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate in the presence of cellulose whiskers. The cell morphology of the resulting foams was examined by scanning electron microscopy which showed both the pure foam and the nanocomposite foam had homogeneous cell dispersion and uniform cell size of approximately 200 μm. Analysis of the foams by Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy indicated that both samples exhibited signals attributed to the polyurethane including the NH stretching and bending vibrations at 3320 cm^(-1) and 1530 cm^(-1), the OC=O vibration at 1730 cm^(-1) and the CO-NH vibration at 1600 cm^(-1). FT-IR analysis of the nanocomposite indicated that cellulose whiskers were crosslinked with the polyurethane matrix as the signal intensity of the OH stretch at 3500 cm^(-1) was significantly reduced in comparison to the spectral data acquired for a control sample prepared from the pure polyurethane foam mixed with cellulose whiskers. According to ASTM standard testing procedures, the tensile modulus, tensile strength and yield strength of the nanocomposite foam were found to be improved by 36.8%, 13.8% and 15.2%, and the compressive modulus and strength were enhanced by 179.9% and 143.4%, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis results testified the improvements of mechanical properties and showed a better thermal stability of the nanocomposite foam.

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 Al_2O_3-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 Al_2O_3-SiC_w-SiC_(np) advanced ceramic cutting tool material is fabricated by adding both one-dimensional SiC whiskers and zero-dimensional SiC nanoparticles into the Al_2O_3 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 Al_2O_3-SiC_w-SiC_(np) composite with both 20 vol% SiC whiskers and 5 vol% SiC nanoparticles additives have much improved mechanical properties. The flexural strength of Al_2O_3-SiC_w-SiC_(np) is 730±95 MPa and fracture toughness is 5.6±0.6 MPa·m^(1/2). 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.

Effect of aluminum borate whisker coating on interface and mechanical properties of 6061Al matrix composites

Copper coating was deposited on the surface of aluminum borate whisker by an electroless plating method.This method was used to modify the interfacial property of squeeze-casting aluminum borate whisker reinforced 6061Al matrix composite.Interface observation indicates that the spinel reaction(MgAl2O4) is hindered by the copper coating,and the difference in interfacial reaction degree affects the tensile property and aging behavior of the composite.For the composite with less spinel reaction(MgAl2O4),its peak-aging process are postponed due to less depletion of magnesium.On the fracture surface of copper-coated composite dimples and fractures of whiskers are more,but on the fracture surface of uncoated composite pull-out of whiskers are more than that on the coated one.In uncoated composite the fracture generally originates from the near-interface-region.

STRAIN REGULARITY IN REINFORCERS OF SHORT-FIBER/ WHISKER REINFORCED COMPOSITE AND ITS APPLICATION

Based on the study of strain distribution in short fiber/whisker reinforced metal matrix composites, a deformation characteristic parameter λ is defined as the ratio of the root mean square strain of reinforcers to the macro linear strain along the same direction. Quantitative relation between λ and microstructure parameters of the composite is obtained. As an example of applying and verifying λ , the stress strain curve of [AlBO]w/Al composite under tensile loading is predicted and favorably compared with experiments. By using λ , the stiffness modulus of the composite with arbitrary reinforcer orientation under any loading condition is predicted from the microstructure parameters of material.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SMC WHISKER REINFORCED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

A new type of SiO_2-MgO-CaO (SMC) whisker was used to modify high density polyethylene (HDPE).The melting behavior and crystallinity were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).The dispersion of whiskers and interfacial adhesion in the prepared HDPE/SMC whisker composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The mechanical properties were evaluated by mechanical tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).DSC data indicated that the melting temperature and the crystall...

EVOLUTION OF THE MICROCRACKS IN WHISKER TOUGHENING CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

The modified equivalent inclusion theory by the authors and the internalvariable theory are employed to investigate the evolution of the microcracks in whiskertoughening ceramics and the influence of the microcracks on the mechanical propertiesof the material. The effect of residual thermostrain, whisker content and aspect ratio isconsidered. The modulus, initial nonlinear load, strength and nonlinear constitutiverelation are calculated and some important conclusions are given.

PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF WHISKER REINFORCED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE: PART-II. VERIFICATION & APPLICATION

The present paper continues the discussion in Part I. Model and Formulation. Based on the theory proposed in Part I, the formulae predicting stiffness moduli of the composites in some typical cases of whisker orientations and loading conditions are derived and compared with theoretical representatives in literatures, experimental measurement and commonly used empirical formulae. It seems that (1) with whisker reinforcing and matrix hardening considered, the present prediction is in well agreement with the experimental measurement; (2) the present theory can predict accurate moduli with the proper pre calculated parameters; (3) the upper bound and lower bound of the present theory are just the predictions of equal strain theory and equal stress theory; (4) the present theory provides a physical explanation and theoretical base for the present commonly used empirical formulae. Compared with the microscopic mechanical theories, the present theory is competent for modulus prediction of practical engineering composite in accuracy and simplicity. [WT5”HZ]

Study on Microstructures of Micron Si_3N_4 Composite Ceramic with Addition of Nano SiC and SiC Whisker

The microstructures and crack propagating characteristic of Si 3N 4 (μ)/SiC (n, w) composite ceramic were studied with AEM. The Si 3N 4 (μ)/SiC (n, w) composite ceramic consists of β Si 3N 4, β SiC, a small amount of α Si 3N 4 and α SiC, and amorphous phase. Most of Si 3N 4 grains were equiaxed crystal and also there were some bulky columnar ones. Most of SiC particles and SiC whiskers distributed at the Si 3N 4 grain boundaries and a few of smaller SiC particles in the Si 3N 4 grains. Most of amorphous structure was in the junction of several Si 3N 4 grains and thin amorphous layer was observed only at a few of Si 3N 4 boundaries. Failured cracks propagated mainly along the boundaries of the Si 3N 4 grains and partially passed through Si 3N 4 grains. The path of crack propagating might change, branching and twisting of the cracks might occur when the expanding crack meet the SiC particle and/or SiC whisker. Effect of the microstructure on strength and toughness of the composite ceramic was briefly discussed.

EFFECTS OF HEAT TREATMENT ON THE THERMAL EXPANSION BEHAVIOR OF SiC WHISKER REINFORCED ALUMINUM COMPOSITE

The thermal expansion behaviors of SiC whisker reinforced commercially pure aluminum composites subjected to different heat treatments were studied. The results indicated that the thermal expansion behaviors were greatly affected by heat treatment. To explain the results, the microstructures and the^al mismatch stresses in the matrix of the composite were examined by the transmission electron microscope and ray diffraction, respectively. The dislocation density and thermal mismatch stresses in the matrix of the composites water quenched from 60℃ are much higher than that of the composite slowly cooled from 600℃. The analysis suggested that the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) are closely related to the change of thermal mismatch stresses and yield strength of the matrix of the composite. The comparison of the coefficients of thermal expansion between experiments and calculations suggested that the temperature behaviors of CTB Oj SiCw/AI composite agree better with those of Kerner’s model within lower temperature range.