Quickly obtaining densely dispersed coherent particles in steel matrix and its related mechanical property

Densely distributed coherent nanoparticles(DCN)in steel matrix can enhance the work-hardening ability and ductility of steel simultaneously.All the routes to this end can be generally classified into the liquid-solid route and the solid-solid route.However,the formation of DCN structures in steel requires long processes and complex steps.So far,obtaining steel with coherent particle enhancement in a short time remains a bottleneck,and some necessary steps remain unavoidable.Here,we show a high-efficiency liquid-phase refining process reinforced by a dynamic magnetic field.Ti-Y-Mn-O particles had an average size of around(3.53±1.21)nm and can be obtained in just around 180 s.These small nanoparticles were coherent with the matrix,implying no accumulated dislocations between the particles and the steel matrix.Our findings have a potential application for improving material machining capacity,creep resistance,and radiation resistance.

Casting of microstructured shark skin surfaces and possible applications on aluminum casting parts

Within the project "Functional Surfaces via Micro-and Nanoscaled Structures" which is part of the Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Production Technology" established and financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG),an investment casting process to produce 3-dimensional functional surfaces down to a structural size of 1μm on near-net-shape-casting parts has been developed.The common way to realize functional microstructures on metallic surfaces is to use laser ablation,electro discharge machining or micro milling.The handicap of these processes is their limited productivity.The approach of this project to raise the efficiency is to use the investment casting process to replicate microstructured surfaces by moulding from a laser-microstructured grand master pattern.The main research objective deals with the investigation of the single process steps of the investment casting process with regard to the moulding accuracy.Actual results concerning making of the wax pattern,suitability of ceramic mould and core materials for casting of an AlSi7Mg0.3 alloy as well as the knock-out behavior of the shells are presented.By using of the example of an intake manifold of a gasoline race car engine,a technical shark skin surface has been realized to reduce the drag of the intake air.The intake manifold consists of an air-restrictor with a defined inner diameter which is microstructured with technical shark skin riblets.For this reason the inner diameter cannot be drilled after casting and demands a very high accuracy of the casting part.A technology for the fabrication and demoulding of accurate microstructured castings are shown.Shrinkage factors of different moulding steps of the macroscopic casting part as well as the microscopic riblet structure have been examined as well.

Strength and elastic modulus enhancement in Mg-Li-Al matrix composites reinforced by ex situ TiB2 particles via stir casting

A novel Mg^(-1)0Li-3Al(wt.%,LA103)matrix composite reinforced by ex situ micron TiB_(2) particles was developed in the present study.The ball milling and cold pressing pretreatment of the reinforcements made it feasible to prepare this material under stir casting conditions with good dispersion.The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites prepared by different pretreatment methods were analyzed in detail.The TiB_(2) particles in the Al-TiB_(2)/LA103 composite using the pretreatment process were uniformly distributed in the microstructure due to the formation of highly wettable core-shell units in the melt.Compared with the matrix alloys,the Al-TiB_(2)/LA103 composite exhibited effective strength and elastic modulus improvements while maintaining acceptable elongation.The strengthening effect in the composites was mainly attributed to the strong grain refining effect of TiB2.This work shows a balance of high specific modulus(36.1 GPa·cm^(3)·g^(-1))and elongation(8.4%)with the conventional stir casting path,which is of considerable application value.

Multistage Microstructured Ionic Skin for Real-Time Vital Signs Monitoring and Human-Machine Interaction

Skin-like electronics research aiming to mimic even surpass human-like specific tactile cognition by operating perception-to-cognition-to-feedback of stimulus to build intelligent cognition systems for certain imperceptible or inappreciable signals was so attractive.Herein,we constructed an all-in-one tri-modal pressure sensing wearable device to address the issue of power supply by integrating multistage microstructured ionic skin(MM i-skin)and thermoelectric self-power staffs,which exhibits high sensitivity simultaneously.The MM i-skin with multi-stage“interlocked”configurations achieved precise recognition of subtle signals,where the sensitivity reached up to 3.95 kPa^(−1),as well as response time of 46 ms,cyclic stability(over 1500 cycles),a wide detection range of 0–200 kPa.Furthermore,we developed the thermoelectricity nanogenerator,piezoelectricity nanogenerator,and piezocapacitive sensing as an integrated tri-modal pressure sensing,denoted as P-iskin,T-iskin,and C-iskin,respectively.This multifunctional ionic skin enables real-time monitoring of weak body signals,rehab guidance,and robotic motion recognition,demonstrating potential for Internet of things(IoT)applications involving the artificial intelligence-motivated sapiential healthcare Internet(SHI)and widely distributed human-machine interaction(HMI).

Synergistic effect of gradient Zn content and multiscale particles on the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with coupling distribution of coarse-fine grains

This study investigated the influence of graded Zn content on the evolution of precipitated and iron-rich phases and grain struc-ture of the alloys,designed and developed the Al–8.0Zn–1.5Mg–1.5Cu–0.2Fe(wt%)alloy with high strength and formability.With the increase of Zn content,forming the coupling distribution of multiscale precipitates and iron-rich phases with a reasonable matching ratio and dispersion distribution characteristics is easy.This phenomenon induces the formation of cell-like structures with alternate distribu-tion of coarse and fine grains,and the average plasticity–strain ratio(characterizing the formability)of the pre-aged alloy with a high strength is up to 0.708.Results reveal the evolution and influence mechanisms of multiscale second-phase particles and the corresponding high formability mechanism of the alloys.The developed coupling control process exhibits considerable potential,revealing remarkable improvements in the room temperature formability of high-strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys.

High-Volume Mineral Admixtures Cement: The Effects of Particle Size Distribution

The effects of high-volume slag-fly ash cement with different particle sizes on hydration degree,microstructure and mechanical properties were systematically studied,by means of laser particle size(DLS),X-ray diffraction (XRD),comprehensive thermal analysis (TG-DTA),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and mechanical properties tests.The results show that suitable particle size distribution of cementitious material has significantly promoting effects on hydration reaction rate and mechanical properties.Compared with slag without further grinding,the slag after ball milling for 4 h has an obvious improvement in reactivity,which also provides a faster hydration rate and higher compressive strength for the cementitious material.When the slag milled for 1 and 4 h is mixed at a mass ratio of 2:1 (i e,slag with D_(50) of 7.4μm and average size of 9.9μm,and slag with D_(50) value of 2.6μm and average size of 5.3μm),and a certain amount of fly ash is added in,the most obvious improvement of compressive strength of cement is achieved.

Effect of Ni content on the wear behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni/SiC particles composites

In recent years,the addition of Ni has been widely acknowledged to be capable of enhancing the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloys.However,the effect of Ni on the wear behaviors of Al-Si alloys and Al matrix composites,particularly at elevated temperat-ures,remains an understudied area.In this study,Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni/20wt%SiC particles(SiCp)composites with varying Ni contents were prepared by using a semisolid stir casting method.The effect of Ni content on the dry sliding wear behavior of the prepared compos-ites was investigated through sliding tests at 25 and 350℃.Results indicated that theθ-Al_(2)Cu phase gradually diminished and eventually disappeared as the Ni content increased from 0wt%to 3wt%.This change was accompanied by the formation and increase inδ-Al_(3)CuNi andε-Al_(3)Ni phases in microstructures.The hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the as-cast composites improved,and the wear rates of the composites decreased from 5.29×10^(−4)to 1.94×10^(−4)mm^(3)/(N∙m)at 25℃and from 20.2×10^(−4)to 7×10^(−4)mm^(3)/(N∙m)at 350℃with the increase in Ni content from 0wt%to 2wt%.The enhancement in performance was due to the presence of strengthening network structures and additional Ni-containing phases in the composites.However,the wear rate of the 3Ni composite was approximately two times higher than that of the 2Ni composite due to the fracture and debonding of theε-Al_(3)Ni phase.Abrasive wear,delamination wear,and oxidation wear were the predominant wear mechanisms of the investigated composites at 25℃,whereas delamination wear and oxid-ation wear were dominant during sliding at 350℃.

Improving comprehensive properties of Cu-11.9Al-2.5Mn shape memory alloy by adding multi-layer graphene carried by Cu_(51)Zr_(14)inoculant particles

In order to improve the comprehensive properties of the Cu-11.9Al-2.5Mn shape memory alloy(SMA),multilayer graphene(MLG)carried by Cu_(51)Zr_(14)inoculant particles was incorporated and dispersed into this alloy through preparing the preform of the cold-pressed MLG-Cu_(51)Zr_(14)composite powders.In the resultant novel MLG/Cu-Al-Mn composites,MLG in fragmented or flocculent form has a good bonding with the Cu-Al-Mn matrix.MLG can prevent the coarsening of grains of the Cu-Al-Mn SMA and cause thermal mismatch dislocations near the MLG/Cu-Al-Mn interfaces.The damping and mechanical properties of the MLG/Cu-Al-Mn composites are significantly improved.When the content of MLG reaches 0.2 wt.%,the highest room temperature damping of 0.0558,tensile strength of 801.5 MPa,elongation of 10.8%,and hardness of HV 308 can be obtained.On the basis of in-depth observation of microstructures,combined with the theory of internal friction and strengthening and toughening theories of metals,the relevant mechanisms are discussed.

Effect of Mo and ZrO_(2)nanoparticles addition on interfacial properties and shear strength of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joint

The influence of Mo and ZrO_(2)nanoparticles addition on the interfacial properties and shear strength of Sn58Bi solder joint was investigated.The interfacial microstructures of Sn58Bi/Cu,Sn58Bi+Mo/Cu and Sn58Bi+ZrO_(2)/Cu solder joints were analysed using a scanning electron microscope(SEM)coupled with energy dispersive X-ray(EDX)and the X-ray diffraction(XRD).Intermetallic compounds(IMCs)of MoSn_(2)are detected in the Sn58Bi+Mo/Cu solder joint,while SnZr,Zr_(5)Sn_(3),ZrCu and ZrSn_(2)are detected in Sn58Bi+ZrO_(2)/Cu solder joint.IMC layers for both composite solders comprise of Cu_(6)Sn_(5) and Cu_(3)Sn.The SEM images of these layers were used to measure the IMC layer’s thickness.The average IMC layer’s thickness is 1.4431μm for Sn58Bi+Mo/Cu and 0.9112μm for Sn58Bi+ZrO_(2)/Cu solder joints.Shear strength of the solder joints was investigated via the single shear lap test method.The average maximum load and shear stress of the Sn58Bi+Mo/Cu and Sn58Bi+ZrO_(2)/Cu solder joints are increased by 33%and 69%,respectively,as compared to those of the Sn58Bi/Cu solder joint.By comparing both composite solder joints,the latter prevails better as adding smaller sized ZrO_(2)nanoparticles improves the interfacial properties granting a stronger solder joint.

Study of microstructure evolution of magnesium alloy cylindrical part with longitudinal inner ribs during hot flow forming by coupling ANN-modified CA and FEA

Hot flow forming(HFF)is a promising forming technology to manufacture thin-walled cylindrical part with longitudinal inner ribs(CPLIRs)made of magnesium(Mg)alloys,which has wide applications in the aerospace field.However,due to the thermo-mechanical coupling effect and the existence of stiffened structure,complex microstructure evolution and uneven microstructure occur easily at the cylindrical wall(CW)and inner rib(IR)of Mg alloy thin-walled CPLIRs during the HFF.In this paper,a modified cellular automaton(CA)model of Mg alloy considering the effects of deformation conditions on material parameters was developed using the artificial neural network(ANN)method.It is found that the ANN-modified CA model exhibits better predictability for the microstructure of hot deformation than the conventional CA model.Furthermore,the microstructure evolution of ZK61 alloy CPLIRs during the HFF was analyzed by coupling the modified CA model and finite element analysis(FEA).The results show that compared with the microstructure at the same layer of the IR,more refined grains and less sufficient DRX resulted from larger strain and strain rate occur at that of the CW;various differences of strain and strain rate in the wall-thickness exist between the CW and IR,which leads to the inhomogeneity of microstructure rising firstly and declining from the inside layer to outside layer;the obtained Hall-Petch relationship between the measured microhardness and predicted grain sizes at the CW and the IR indicates the reliability of the coupled FEA-CA simulation results.

Microstructures and properties of A356-10%SiC particle composite castings at different solidification pressures

A356-based metal matrix composites with 10% SiC particles of 10 rtm were fabricated by stir casting and direct squeeze casting process under applied pressures of 0.1 （gravity）, 25, 50 and 75 MPa. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-cast and T6 heat-treated castings were investigated. The results show that as the applied pressures increase, the casting defects as particle-porosity clusters reduce and the incorporation between the particles and matrix can be improved. The tensile strength, hardness, and coefficients of thermal expansion （CTE） increase with the increase of the pressures. Compared with the as-cast composite castings, the tensile strength and hardness of the heat-treated casting are improved whereas CTEs tend to decrease in T6-treated condition. For the gravity cast composites, there are some particle-porosity clusters on the fracture surface, and the clusters are hardly detected on the fracture surface of the samples solidified at the external pressures. Different fracture behaviors are found between the composites solidified at the gravity and imposed pressures.

Effect of process parameters on microstructure and properties of AM50A magnesium alloy parts formed by double control forming

Effects of process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of the AM50A magnesium alloy components formed by double control forming （DCF） were investigated via a four-factor and four-level orthogonal experiment. The variable curves of DCF showed that the forging procedure was started in the following 35 ms after the injection procedure was completed. It was confirmed that the high-speed filling and high-pressure densifying were combined together in the DCF process. Better surface quality and higher mechanical properties were achieved in the components formed by DCF as compared to die casting （DC） due to the refined and uniform microstructure with a few defects or without defects. Injection speed affected more effectively the yield strength （YS）, ultimate tensile strength （UTS） and elongation as compared to pouring temperature, die temperature and forging force. But the pouring temperature had a more significant effect on hardness as compared to injection speed, die temperature and forging force. Pouring temperature of 675 ＆#176;C, injection speed of 2.7 m/s and forging force of 4000 kN except for die temperature were the optimal parameters for obtaining the highest YS, UTS, elongation and Vickers hardness. Die temperatures of 205, 195, 195 and 225 ＆#176;C were involved in achieving the highest YS, UTS, elongation and Vickers hardness, respectively. Obvious microporosity and microcracks were found on the fracture surface of the components formed by DC, deteriorating the mechanical properties. However, the tensile fracture morphology of the components formed by DCF was characterized by ductile fracture due to a large number of dimples and no defects, which was beneficial for improving the mechanical properties.

Properties of magneto-rheological fluids based on amorphous micro-particles

To improve the magneto-rheological (MR) properties of magneto-rheological fluids, self-made amorphous alloy particles, the composition of which was Fe76Cr2Mo2Sn2P10B2C2Si4, were used as the disperse phase to replace traditional carbonyl iron (CI) particles to prepare amorphous based magneto-rheological fluid (AMRF). Soft magnetic properties and densities of the amorphous particles and the CI particles were tested and compared. The results indicate the amorphous particles present a lower density but larger magnetization intensity and larger permeability at lower field levels. Properties of the AMRF with 20% particles in volume fraction were tested and compared with the CI based MR fluid (CMRF). The AMRF presents a saturation yield stress of 41 kPa at ~227 kA/m and a sedimentation ratio of 80%. The results indicate the magneto-rheological fluid based on amorphous micro-particles has better MR properties and sedimentation stability than that based on CI particles at lower field levels (0-200 kA/m).

Microstructural evolution and phase transformation during partial remelting of in-situ Mg_2Si_p/AM60B composite

The microstructural evolution and phase transformations during partial remelting of in-situ Mg2Sip/AM60B composite modified by SiC and Sr were investigated. The results indicate that SiC and Sr are effective for refining primary α-Mg grains and Mg2Si particles. After being partially remelted, a semisolid microstructure with small and spheroidal primary α-Mg particles can be obtained. The microstructural evolution during partial remelting can be divided into four stages： the initial rapid coarsening, structural separation, spheroidization and final coarsening, which are essentially caused by the phase transformations of β→α, α＋β→L and α→L, α→L, and α→L and L→α, respectively. The Mg2Si particles have not obvious effect on the general microstructural evolution steps, but can slower the evolution progress and change the coarsening mechanism. During partial remelting, Mg2Si particles first become blunt and then become spheroidal because of melting of their edges and corners, and finally are coarsened owing to Ostwald ripening.

Effect of ball milling on microstructural evolution during partial remelting of6061 aluminum alloy prepared by cold-pressing of alloy powders

The effect of ball milling on the microstructural evolution was investigated during partial remelting of 6061 aluminum alloy prepared by cold-pressing of atomized alloy powders.The results indicate that the microstructural evolution of 6061 aluminum alloy can be divided into three stages,the dissolution of eutectic phases and the coarsening and growth behavior of the resulting grains,structural separation and spheroidization of primary particles,and the final coarsening behavior of the particles.Compared with the alloy without ball milling,ball milling accelerates the first stage of microstructural evolution due to the energy stored in the powders,but the latter two stages are slowed down because of the formation of large-sized powders.Moreover,the finer the as-cold-pressed microstructure is,the smaller and more spherical the primary particles in the final semisolid microstructure are.Furthermore,properly elevating the heating temperature is beneficial for obtaining small and spheroidal particles.

A review of particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting(SLM)is an emerging layer-wise additive manufacturing technique that can generate complex components with high performance.Particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites(PAMCs)are important materials for various applications due to the combined properties of Al matrix and reinforcements.Considering the advantages of SLM technology and PAMCs,the novel SLM PAMCs have been developed and researched in recent years.Therefore,the current research progress about the SLM PAMCs is reviewed.Firstly,special attention is paid to the solidification behavior of SLM PAMCs.Secondly,the important issues about the design and fabrication of high-performance SLM PAMCs,including the selection of reinforcement,the influence of parameters on the processing and microstructure,the defect evolution and phase control,are highlighted and discussed comprehensively.Thirdly,the performance and strengthening mechanism of SLM PAMCs are systematically figured out.Finally,future directions are pointed out on the advancement of high-performance SLM PAMCs.

Magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles-A review

Significant progress has been made in magnesium-based composites during recent decades,especially for the appearance of magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles.The nanoparticles added not only exhibit a good strengthening effect,but also maintain the initial toughness of the matrix,effectively balancing the contradiction between the strength and plasticity in the traditional magnesium matrix composites.The magnesium matrix nanocomposites with excellent mechanical properties have pushed the development of magnesium matrix composites to a new stage.However,it is very difficult to disperse the nanoparticles in metal melt especially in magnesium melt which is different from other metal melts and dangerous during the cast processing.This means that the preparation of magnesium matrix nanocomposite is extremely challenging.Further,the magnesium matrix nanocomposites possess a distinctive characteristic in deformation behavior,strengthening and toughening mechanism due to their special size effect of nanoparticles.Accordingly,this review will focus on the new preparation technologies,deformation behavior,mechanical properties and strengthening and toughening mechanisms.The potential applications,development trends and future research ideas of magnesium matrix nanocomposite are also prospected.©2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.on behalf of Chongqing University.

Microstructure and Oxidation Behaviors of Nano-particles Strengthened NiCoCrAlY Cladded Coatings on Superalloys

Nano-particles which can largely improve the microstructure and oxidation resistance of materials are often used as a strengthening component in metal matrix composites. However, few studies were reported on its application in the bond coat of duplex structure thermal barrier coating（TBC）. Three kinds of NiCoCrAlY coatings strengthened by different nano-particles with the same addition （1%, mass fraction） were prepared by the laser cladding technique on Ni-based superalloy substrates, aiming to study the effects of the nano-particles on microstructure and oxidation resistance of NiCoCrAlY coatings （the bond coat of the duplex structure thermal barrier coatings）. Scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffractometer（XRD） and thermogravimetry were employed to investigate their morphologies, phases and cyclic oxidation behaviors in atmosphere at 1 050℃, compared with the coating without nano-particles. With the addition of nano-particles, the growth pattern of the grains at the interface changed from epitaxial growth to non-epitaxial growth or part-epitaxial growth; slender dendrites were broken and cellularized; cracks and pores were restrained; and the oxidation weight-gain and the stripping resistance of the oxide scale were improved as well. Among the three kinds of nano-particles, the SiC nano-particles showed the most improvement on microstructure, while the CeO2 nano-particles were insufficient, but its effects on the oxidation resistance are the same as those of the SiC nano-particles. Based on the discussions of the influence mechanism, it is believed that CeO2 nano-particles would show better improvement than SiC nano-particles if the proper amount is added and the proper preparation technique of micro-nanometer composite powders is adopted, with the synergistic action of nanometer effect and reactive element effect.

Hot tensile deformation behavior and globularization mechanism of bimodal microstructured Ti-6Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V alloy

The hot deformation behavior,microstructure evolution and fracture characteristics of bimodal microstructured Ti-6Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V alloy were investigated by isothermal tensile tests.Results reveal that flow softening is caused by dynamic globularization of the bimodal microstructure,which also results in a relatively high stress exponent and thermal activation energy.The corresponding SEM,EBSD and TEM observations indicate that the dynamic globularization at750and800℃is accomplished by the formation ofα/αsub-grain boundary and penetration of theβphase.However,dynamic recrystallization(DRX)is the main globularization mechanism at850℃,which was proved by the generation of fine grains with a necklace-like character due to the transformation of low-angle boundaries(LABs)into high-angle boundaries(HABs).With an increase in the deformation temperature or a decrease in the strain rate,the fracture mechanism changes from microvoid coalescence to intergranular fracture.

Microstructure and thermal conductivity of copper matrix composites reinforced with mixtures of diamond and SiC particles

The thermal conductivity of diamond hybrid SiC/Cu,diamond/Cu and SiC/Cu composite were calculated by using the extended differential effective medium (DEM) theoretical model in this paper.The effects of the particle volume fraction,the particle size and the volume ratio of the diamond particles to the total particles on the thermal conductivity of the composite were studied.The DEM theoretical calculation results show that,for the diamond hybrid SiC/Cu composite,when the particle volume fraction is above 46% and the volume ratio of the diamond particles to the SiC particles is above 13:12,the thermal conductivity of the composite can reach 500 W·m-1·K-1.The thermal conduc-tivity of the composite has little change when the particle size is above 200μm.The experimental results show that Ti can improve the wettability of the SiC and Cu.The thermal conductivity of the diamond hybrid SiCTi/Cu is almost two times better than that of the diamond hybrid SiC/Cu.It is feasible to predict the thermal conductivity of the composite by DEM theoretical model.