Influence of Adding Ti Powder in Preform on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3p/Steel Composites by Squeeze Casting

To improve the mechanical properties of alumina particulates reinforced steel matrix composite, Ti powder was added into the alumina preform, a 5140 steel matrix composite was fabricated by squeeze casting, and the influences of Ti powder on the microstructure, hardness and bending strength of the composite were investigated, compared with the composite without adding Ti powder. Applied Ti powder and alumina particulates were 10-25 μm and 100-180 μm in size, respectively. Both composites were successfully fabricated, however Ti powder addition increased the infiltration thickness of the composite. In the Ti contained composite, a TiC film in micron scale is formed on the surface of alumina particles, many TiC aggregates are dispersed in the steel matrix without obvious remaining Ti powder. The hardness and the three-point bending strength of the composite reach 49.5 HRC and 1 018 MPa, respectively, which are 17.9% and 52.4% higher than those of the composite in the absence of Ti addition. Fracture morphology shows that the debonding of alumina particulates is eliminated for the composite in the presence of Ti addition. Sessile drop test shows the average wetting angle between 5140 steel and that of Ti coated Al2O3 is about 82.15°, much lower than the wetting angle 150° between steel and pure Al2O3. Therefore, the increase in the mechanical properties of the composite is attributed to the improvement of Al2O3 p/steel interface wetting and bonding by adding Ti powder in the preform.

MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF IN-SITU Al_2O_3/TiAl COMPOSITES BY EXOTHERMIC DISPERSION METHOD

In-situ Al2O3/TiAl composites were fabricated by pressure-assisted exothermic dispersion （PAXD） method from elemental powder mixtures of Ti, Al, TiO2, and Nb2O5. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-sintered composites are investigated. The results show that the as-sintered products consist of γ-TiAl, α2-Ti3Al, Al2O3, and NbAl3 phases. Microstructure analysis indicates that Al2O3 particles tend to disperse on the grain boundaries. Application of a moderate pressure of 35 MPa at 1200℃ yields Al2O3/TiAl composites with fine Al2O3 reinforcement and a discontinuous network linking by Al2O3 particles. The aluminide component has a fine submicron γ ＋α2 lamellar microstructure. With increasing Nb2O5 content, Al2O3 particles are dispersed uniformly in the matrix. The hardness of the composites increases gradually, and the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites reach to the maximum value, respectively.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Al/Al_2O_3 composites fabricated by stir-casting process

A novel two step mixing method including injection of particles into the melt by inert gas and stirring was used to prepare aluminum matrix composites （AMCs） reinforced with Al2O3 particles. Different mass fractions of micro alumina particles were injected into the melt under stirring speed of 300 r/min. Then the samples were extruded with ratios of 1.77 or 1.56. The microstructure observation showed that application of the injection and extrusion processes led to a uniform distribution of particles in the matrix. The density measurements showed that the porosity in the composites increased with increasing the mass fraction of Al2O3 and stirring speed and decreased by extrusion process. Hardness, yield and ultimate tensile strengths of the extruded composites increased with increasing the particle mass fraction to 7%, while for the composites without extrusion they increased with particle mass fraction to 5%.

Fabrication and Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3/TiAl Composites

Al2O3/TiAl composites were successfully fabricated by hot-press-assisted exothermic dispersion method with elemental powder mixtures of Ti, Al TiO2 and Nb2O5, and the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results indicate the fine Al2O3 particles tend to disperse on the grain boundaries. The grain size of TiAl matrix decreases and the hardness increases with increasing Nb2O5 content. The bending strength and fracture toughness reach to a maximum when Nb2O5 content is 6 wt%, under 642 MPa and 6.69 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. Based on the fractography and the observation of crack propagation path, it is concluded that the strengthening and toughening of such composites at room temperature can be attributed to the refinement of the TiAl matrix, the deflection behavior in the crack propagation and the dispersion of Al2O3 particles.

Effect of MoSi_2 content on dielectric and mechanical properties of MoSi_2/Al_2O_3 composite coatings

Molybdenum disilicide （MoSi2） sheath and aluminum oxide （Al2O3） core blended powders were fabricated by spray drying. A derived coating material was produced for the application as microwave absorbers using the as prepared powders by atmospheric plasma spray （APS） technology. The effects of MoSi2/Al2O3 mass ratio on the dielectric and physical mechanical properties of the composite coatings were investigated. When the MoSi2 content of the composites increases from 0 to 45%, the flexure strength and fracture toughness improve from 198 to 324 MPa and 3.05 to 4.82 MPa-m1/2 then decline to 310 MPa and 4.67 MPa-m1/2, respectively. The dielectric loss tangent increases with increasing MoSi2 content, and the real part of permittivity decreases conversely over the frequency range of 8.2-12.4 GHz. These effects are due to the agglomeration of early molten MoSi2 particles and the increase of the electrical conductivity with increasing MoSi2 content.

Effect of Nb on the Mechanical Properties of Ti/Al_2O_3 Composite

Ti/Al 2O 3 composite with improved mechanical properties was synthesized by th e spark plasma sintering. The effect of Nb on the microstructure of the composit e was analyzed by TEM, SEM and so on. The experimental results indicate that the bending strength, fracture toughness, micro-hardness and relative density of t he composite are 897.29MPa, 17.38MPa·m 1/2, 17.13GPa and 99.24% respec tively when adding 1.5vol%Nb. The bending strength is improved by reason of form ing dislocation ring and transfering fracture mode from intergranular to mixture fracture of intergranular and transgranular. The crack propagating is mainly th e deflection bridging. It indicates a reduction of crack driving force and an in crease in crack growth resistance,which results in toughness enhanced.

Effects of Cerium on the Mechanical Properties of the ZA22／Al_2O_3 Composites

ZA22/Al2O3 composites were prepared by means of squeeze casting process. The effects of Ce on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), impact toughness, and hardness of the composites were studied. The results show that both the UTS and the hardness are improved and the impact toughness is decreased with the increase of the volume fraction of fibers (Vf). After Ce is added ,UTS (Vf>15%) and the hardness are improved at room temperature because of the modification of Ce, but the impact toughness and UTS at elevated temperature are lowered.The filtered action of the fiber preform results in that the influence of the amount of Ce added from 0. 1 wt% to 0. 5 wt% on the mechanical properties of the composites can be ignored.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-B4C composite at elevated temperature strengthened with in situ Al2O3 network

This study evaluated the mechanical properties and thermal properties of Al-12 vol%B4 C composite at elevated temperature strengthened with in situ Al2 O3 network.The composite was fabricated using powder metallurgy(PM)with raw materials of fine atomized aluminum powders,and the associated microstructures were observed.At 350℃,the composite had ultimate tensile strength of UTS=137 MPa,yield strength of YS0.2=118 MPa,and elongation ofε=4%.Besides,the mechanical properties of the composite remained unchanged at 350℃after the long holding periods up to 1000 h.The excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability at 350℃were secured by in situ am-Al2O3 network that strengthened the grain boundaries.The interfacial debonding and brittle cracking of B4 C particles were the main fracture mechanisms of the composite.In addition,the influence of sintering temperature and rolling deformation on the microstructures and mechanical properties was studied.

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.

Strengthening Effect in Al_2O_(3p)/Zn-Al Composites

Al 2O 3 p /ZA22 composites were fabricated with high intensity ultrasonic treatment. The minimum diameter of reinforcement used is 0.5 μm. The microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that particles disperse homogeneously with good particle/matrix interface bonding and the mechanical properties depend on the volume fraction rather than the size of reinforcement.

Synthesis of Al_2O_3/TiCN-0.2%Y_2O_3 Composite by Hot Pressing

Al2O3/TiCN composites were synthesized by hot pressing.The influences of components and HP temperature on mechanical properties,such as bending strength,breaking tenacity and Vickers hardness were investigated.The results showed that the mechanical properties of Al2O3/TiCN composite increased with temperature when hot pressing temperature is below 1650 ℃.The mechanical properties reached their maximums when the composites were sintered at 1650 ℃ for 30 min under hot pressing pressure of 35 MPa,the value of bending strength,breaking tenacity and Vickers hardness was 1015 MPa,6.89 MPa·m1/2,and 20.82 MPa,respectively.When hot pressing temperature was above 1650 ℃,density decreased because of decomposition with increased temperature,and mechanical properties dropped because of rapid growth of grains in size at high temperature.Microstructure analysis showed that the addition of Y2O3 led to the formation of YAG phase so as to inhibit the growth of crystals.This helped to improve breaking tenacity of the composites.TiCN particles with diameters of 1 μm dispersed at Al2O3 grain boundaries,inhibited grain growth and enhanced mechanical properties of the composites.SEM study of the propagation of indentation cracks showed that the bridge linking behavior between matrix and strengthening phase might lead to the formation of the coexisted field of crack deflection,branching and bridge linking.The mechanism of this phenomenon was that the addition of Y2O3 improved the dispersion of TiCN particles so as to enhance the tenacity of the composites.The breaking tenacity was changed from 5.94 to 6.89 MPa·m1/2.

ZrO_2—Al_2O_3复相陶瓷的研究

以纳米ZrO 、微米Al O 为原料,采用无压烧结方式制备了ZTA 复相陶瓷。结果表明:nano-ZrO 的 2 2 3 2加入有利于制备细晶ZTA 复相陶瓷。此外,nano-ZrO 的加入对 Al O 陶瓷的显微结构也产生影响,ZrO 颗粒以 2 2 3 2“晶内型”和晶界型两种形式存在。合理的配方组成及制备工艺有利于 Z r O 以四方亚稳相存在。Z r O 含量为 2 23 0 w t % 时,其四方相含量可达 6 9 %,有利于应力诱导相变增韧,该 Z T A 复相陶瓷的抗弯强度、断裂韧性分别达到 604MPa、6.87MPa·m1/2。

Preparation of three-dimensional braided carbon fiber reinforced mullite composites from a sol with high solid content

To prepare the three-dimensional braided carbon fiber reinforced mullite （3D C/mullite） composites, an Al2O3-SiO2 solwith a solid content of 20% （mass fraction） and an Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio of 2：1 was selected as the raw material. Characteristics andmullitization of the sol were analyzed throughly. It is found that the formation of mullite is basically completed at 1300℃ and thegel powders exhibit favorable sintering shrinkage. The 3D C/mullite composites without interfacial coating were fabricated throughthe route of vacuum impregnation-drying-heat treatment. Satisfied mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 241.2 MPa anda fracture toughness of 10.9 MPa·m1/2are obtained although the total porosity reaches 26.0%. Oxidation resistances of the compositesat 1200, 1400 and 1600 ℃ were investigated. Due to the further densification of matrix, the 3D C/mullite composites show tiny massloss and their mechanical properties are well retained after oxidation at 1600 ℃ for 30 min.

Processing and Performance of Alumina Fiber Reinforced Alumina Composites

Processing of alumina fiber-reinforced alumina matrix composites by hot-pressing was described. The mechanical properties of the composites fabricated by different sintering conditions including temperature and pressure have been investigated. The results indicated that the higher sintering temperature and pressure corresponded to the higher bulk density and higher maximum strength of the composite, whereas the pseudo-ductility of the composite was lower. The preliminary results of the composite with monazite-coated fibers showed that maximum strength could be improved up to 35% compared with the noncoated fiber composite in the same sintering condition. Moreover, the fracture behavior of the composite changed from completely brittle fracture to non-brittle fracture under the suitable sintering conditions. SEM observation of the fracture surface indicated that the coating worked as a protective barrier and avoided sintering of the fibers together even at high temperature and pressure during densification process.

Effect of Microstructure of Composite Powders on Microstructure and Properties of Microwave Sintered Alumina Matrix Ceramics

Two kinds of different structured alumina-titania composite powders were used to prepare alumina matrix ceramics by microwave sintering. One was powder mixture of alumina and titania at a micron-submicron level, in which fused-and-crushed alumina particles （micrometers） was clad with submicron-sized titania. The other was powder mixture of alumina and titania at nanometer-nanometer level, in which nano-sized alumina and nano-sized titania particles were homogeneously mixed by ball-milling and spray dried to prepare spherical alumina-titania composite powders. The effect of the microstructure of composite powders on microstructure and properties of microwave sintered alumina matrix ceramics were investigated. Nano-sized composite （NC） powder showed enhanced sintering behavior compared with micro-sized composite （MC） powders. The as- prepared NC ceramic had much denser, finer and more homogenous microstructure than MC ceramic. The mechanical properties of NC ceramic were significantly higher than that of MC ceramic, e.g. the flexural strength, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of NC ceramic were 85.3%, 130.3% and 25.7% higher than that of MC ceramic, respectively. The improved mechanical properties of NC ceramic compared with that of MC ceramic were attributed to the enhanced densification and the finer and more homogeneous microstructure through the use of the nanostructured composite powders.