Effective Elastic Properties of 3-Phase Particle Reinforced Composites with Randomly Dispersed Elastic Spherical Particles of Different Sizes Dedicated to Professor Karl Stark Pister for his 95th birthday

Higher-order multiscale structures are proposed to predict the effective elastic properties of 3-phase particle reinforced composites by considering the probabilistic spherical particles spatial distribution,the particle interactions,and utilizing homogenization with ensemble volume average approach.The matrix material,spherical particles with radius a1,and spherical particles with radius a2,are denoted as the 0th phase,the 1st phase,and the 2nd phase,respectively.Particularly,the two inhomogeneity phases are different particle sizes and the same elastic material properties.Improved higher-order(in ratio of spherical particle sizes to the distance between the centers of spherical particles)bounds on effective elastic properties of 3-phase particle reinforced proposed Formulation II and Formulation I derive composites.As a special case,i.e.,particle size of the 1st phase is the same as that of the 2nd phase,the proposed formulations reduce to 2-phase formulas.Our theoretical predictions demonstrate excellent agreement with selected experimental data.In addition,several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the competence of the proposed frameworks.

An Improved Peridynamic Model with Energy-Based Micromodulus Correction Method for Fracture in Particle Reinforced Composites

We introduce an improved bond-based peridynamic(BPD)model for simulating brittle fracture in particle reinforced composites based on a micromodulus correction approach.In the peridynamic(PD)constitutive model of particle reinforced composites,three kinds of interactive bond forces are considered,and precise definition of mechanical properties for PD bonds is essential for the fracture analysis in particle reinforced composites.A new micromodulus model of PD bonds for particle reinforced composites is proposed based on the equivalence between the elastic strain energy density of classical continuum mechanics and peridynamic model and the harmonic average approach.The damage of particle reinforced composites is defined locally at the level of pairwise bond,and the critical stretch criterion is described as a function of fracture energy based on the composite failure theory.The algorithm procedure for the improved BPD model based on the finite element/discontinuous Galerkin finite element method is brought forward in detail.Several numerical examples are performed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm in analysis of elastic deformation,crack nucleation and propagation in particle reinforced composites.Additionally,the impact of distribution,shape and size of particles on the fractures of composite materials are also investigated.Numerical results demonstrate that the improved BPD model can effectively be used to analyze the fracture in particle reinforced composites.

Study on Diffusion Welding Parameters of Particle reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite Al_2O_(3p) /6061Al

Effects of diffusion welding process parameters on strength of welded joint based on particle reinforced aluminium matrix composite Al 2O 3p /6061Al have been studied through comparing with aluminium matrix alloy. The mechanism for loss of joint strength has been analyzed. It should be pointed out that key processing parameters affecting the strength of joint was welding temperature. The high quality joint can be successfully obtained with appropriate diffusion welding parameters.

Fabrication and densification enhancement of SiC-particulate-reinforced copper matrix composites prepared via the sinter-forging process

The fabrication of copper （Cu） and copper matrix silicon carbide （Cu/SiCp） particulate composites via the sinter-forging process was investigated. Sintering and sinter-forging processes were performed under an inert Ar atmosphere. The influence of sinter-forging time, temperature, and compressive stress on the relative density and hardness of the prepared samples was systematically investigated and subsequently compared with that of the samples prepared by the conventional sintering process. The relative density and hardness of the composites were enhanced when they were prepared by the sinter-forging process. The relative density values of all Cu/SiCp composite samples were observed to decrease with the increase in SiC content.

Effect of sintering parameters on the microstructure and thermal conductivity of diamond/Cu composites prepared by high pressure and high temperature infiltration

Pure Cu composites reinforced with diamond particles were fabricated by a high pressure and high temperature （HPHT） infiltration technique. Their microstructural evolution and thermal conductivity were presented as a function of sintering parameters （temperature, pressure, and time）. The improvement in interfacial bonding strength and the maximum thermM conductivity of 750 W/（m.K） were achieved at the optimal sintering parameters of 1200℃, 6 GPa and 10 min. It is found that the thermal conductivity of the composites depends strongly on sintering pressure. When the sintering pressure is above 6 GPa, the diamond skeleton is detected, which greatly contributes to the excellent thermal conductivity.

Processing of nanostructured metallic matrix composites by a modified accumulative roll bonding method with structural and mechanical considerations

Particulate reinforced metallic matrix composites have attracted considerable attention due to their lightweight, high strength, high specific modulus, and good wear resistance. A1/B4C composite strips were produced in this work by a modified accumulative roll bonding process where the strips were rotated 90° around the normal direction between successive passes. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal the development of nanostructures in the Al matrix after seven passes. It is found that the B4C reinforcement distribution in the matrix is improved by progression of the process. Additionally, the tensile yield strength and elongation of the processed materials are increased with the increase of passes.

Solid fraction evolution characteristics of semi-solid A356 alloy and in-situ A356–TiB_2 composites investigated by differential thermal analysis

The key factor in semi-solid metal processing is the solid fraction at the forming temperature because it affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of the thixoformed components. Though an enormous amount of data exists on the solid fraction-temperature re- lationship in A356 alloy, information regarding the solid fraction evolution characteristics of A356-TiB2 composites is scarce. The present article establishes the temperature-solid fraction correlation in A356 alloy and A356-xTiB2 （x = 2.5wt% and 5wt%） composites using dif- ferential thermal analysis （DTA）. The DTA results indicate that the solidification characteristics of the composites exhibited a variation of 2℃ and 3℃ in liquidus temperatures and a variation of 3℃ and 5℃ in solidus temperatures with respect to the base alloy. Moreover, the eutectic growth temperature and the solid fraction（fs） vs. temperature characteristics of the composites were found to be higher than those of the base alloy. The investigation revealed that in-situ formed TiB2 particles in the molten metal introduced more nucleation sites and reduced undercooling.

Effects of sintering temperature on the microstructural evolution and wear behavior of WCp reinforced Ni-based coatings

This article focuses on the microstructural evolution and wear behavior of 50wt%WC reinforced Ni-based composites prepared onto 304 stainless steel substrates by vacuum sintering at different sintering temperatures. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, differential thermal analysis （DTA）, scanning and transmission electron microscopy （SEM and TEM） equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS）. The wear resistance of the coatings was tested by thrust washer testing. The mechanisms of the decomposition, dissolution, and precipitation of primary carbides, and their influences on the wear resistance have been discussed. The results indicate that the coating sintered at 1175℃ is composed of fine WC particles, coarse M6C （M=Ni, Fe, Co, etc.） carbides, and discrete borides dispersed in solid solution. Upon increasing the sintering temperature to 1225℃, the microstructure reveals few incompletely dissolved WC particles trapped in larger M6C, Cr-rich lamellar M23C6, and M3C2 in the austenite matrix. M23C6 and M3C2 precipitates are formed in both the γ/M6C grain boundary and the matrix. These large-sized and lamellar brittle phases tend to weaken the wear resistance of the composite coatings. The wear behavior is controlled simultaneously by both abrasive wear and adhesive wear. Among them, abrasive wear plays a major role in the wear process of the coating sintered at 1175℃, while the effect of adhesive wear is predominant in the coating sintered at 1225℃.

Microstructure of in situ Al_3Ti/6351Al composites fabricated with electromagnetic stirring and fluxes

The 6351 wrought aluminum alloy and K2TiF6-CaF2-LiCl components were selected as raw materials to fabricate in situ Al3Ti particulate reinforced aluminum alloy at 720℃via direct melt reaction method with electromagnetic stirring(EMS).CaF2 and LiCl acted as fluxes to lower the reaction temperature of the system.It is shown that the electromagnetic stirring and fluxes accelerate the emulsion process of K2TiF6.Optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum were utilized to analyze the microstructure and components of composites.Compared to composites fabricated without EMS and fluxes,the sizes of endogenetic Al3Ti are refined from 10-15μm to 2-4μm,which are often accompanied with silicon element.The morphology of Al3Ti or Al3TiSi0.22 exhibits triangle,quadrilateral and other clumpy patterns. Because of the Ca elements from CaF2,the sizes of Mg2Si decrease from 8-10μm to 1-2μm due to the formation of Ca2Si.

STUDY ON DIFFUSION WELDING OF ALUMINIUN MATRIX COMPOSITE

Effects of diffusion welding parameters on strength of welded joint based on particle reinforced alumini- um matrix composite Al2O3p/6061Al were studied by comparing with aluminium matrix alloy,Mecha- nism for the loss of joint strength was analyzed.It was pointed out that the key processing parameters affecting the strength of joint was the welding temperature.The high quality joint can be successfully obtained with appropriate diffusion welding parameters.

Hypereutectic Al-Si Matrix Composites Prepared by In Situ Fe_(2)O_(3)/Al System

Al_(2)O_(3) particles reinforced hypereutectic Al-Si composites were prepared by in situ Fe_(2)O_(3)/Al reaction system.The thermodynamic analysis and microstructure evolution were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry,optical microscope,scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electron microscope.Results show that the reaction between Fe_(2)O_(3) and Al is spontaneous which can be separated into two steps at different temperatures.The in situ Al_(2)O_(3) particles in nano size distribute on the Al matrix accompanied with long needle-shapedβFe-rich intermetallic phase.With different content of Mn addition,βphase can be modified toα-Al15(Mn,Fe)3Si2 andδ-Al4(Fe,Mn)Si2.Both tensile strength and elongation results at room temperature and 300℃reveal that the optimal Fe-rich intermetallic phase is finer Chinese-script and polyhedralαphase with a Mn/Fe mass ratio 0.5 for the composites.Both in situ Al_(2)O_(3) particles andα-Fe phases contribute to the properties improvement of the composites。

Statistical Analysis of Reinforcement Characterization in SiC Particle Reinforced Al Matrix Composites

The characterization of reinforcement in 15% SiC particles reinforced AI matrix composites processed by powder metallurgy route was studied by statistical method. During the analysis, a new approach for the estimation of the characterization of reinforcement was presented. The mathematic software MATLAB was used to calculate the area and perimeter of reinforcement, in which the image processing technique was applied. Based on the calculation, the fractal dimension, shape factor, reinforcement size distribution and reinforcement distribution were investigated. The results show that the reinforcement shape is similar to rectangle; the reinforcement size distribution is broad with the＇ range of 1-12 μm; the topography of reinforcement is smooth; and the reinforcement distribution is inhomogeneous. Furthermore, the cell model based on the statistical characterization was established and tested.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE MODELING OF STRESS AND STRAIN FIELDS IN A REAL MICROSTRUC-TURE USING AHYBRID METHOD

The distribution of stress and strain fields in a micro-structuralarea of a particle reinforced composite is studied by a combinationof experimental and numerical method (hybrid method). With the ex-perimental values of displacements in a micro-region as the boundaryloading condition, strain and stress fields inside the micro-regionare calculated by the finite element method under tow different kindsof model- ing, namely, as pale stress and plane strain condition. Thedifferences between the two kinds of modeling conditions as appliedto micro-structural areas are discussed.

Particle fracture and debonding during orthogonal machining of metal matrix composites

This paper investigates the particle fracture and debonding during machining of metal matrix composite （MMC） due to developed stress and strain, and interaction with moving tool by finite element analysis. The machining zone was divided into three regions： primary, secondary and tertiary deformation zones. The tendency of particles to fracture in each deformation zone was investigated. The findings of this study were also discussed with respect to the experimental results available in the literature. It was found that particles at the cutting path inthe tertiary deformation zone fractured as it interacted with tool. In the secondary deformation zone, particles interacted with other particles as well as cutting tool. This caused debonding and fracture of huge number of particles as those were moving up along the rake face with the chips. No particle fracture was noted at the primary deformation zone. The results obtained from finite element analysis were very similar to those obtained from experimental studies.

Effect of Ti_(p) Content on the Work Hardening and Softening Behavior of Mg-Zn-Ca Alloy

The Ti_(p)/ZX60 composites with different Ti_(p) contents were prepared by semi-solid stirring casting.After extrusion,the microstructure,work hardening and softening behavior of the Ti_(p)/ZX60 composites were analyzed compared with the ZX60(Mg-6Zn-0.2Ca)alloy.The results showed that the addition of Ti_(p) could not only promote the nucleation of dynamic recrystallized(DRXed)grains,but also be propitious to the refinement of DRXed grains.With increasing Ti_(p) content,the size of DRXed grains decreased accompanied with increasing volume fraction of DRXed grains.As the Ti_(p) content increased to 15 vol.%,the average size and volume fraction of DRXed grains reached to~0.32μm and 93.2%,respectively.Besides,both the strength and elongation were improved by the addition of Ti_(p).With increasing content of Ti_(p),a substantial increase in the strength was achieved with little change in the elongation.However,the elongation decreased sharply when the Ti_(p) content further increased to 15 vol.%.The addition of Ti_(p) led to an increase in the work hardening rate,which gradually increased with increasing Ti_(p) content.However,the softening rate did not demonstrate the same tendency with increasing Ti_(p) content.Unlike the conventional ceramic particles,the Ti_(p) can be deformed in coordination with the matrix alloy,which imparted a higher softening rate to the matrix alloy.Even though the softening rate improved as the Ti_(p) content increased from 5 to 10 vol.%,it dropped deeply as the Ti_(p) content increased to 15 vol.%owing to the fracture of Ti_(p) during extrusion.

Microstructure and mechanical property evolution of friction stir welded(B4C+Al2O3)/Al composites designed for neutron absorbing materials

(B4C+Al2O3)/Al composite designed for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuels was fabricated and then subjected to friction stir welding, at a welding speed of 100 mm/min and rotation rates of 400–800 r/min. Sound joints were obtained under all welding parameters;however, significant softening occurred in the nugget zone(NZ) for all the joints. Therefore, all the joints exhibited significantly decreased strength at both room temperature and high temperature compared with the base metal, with the joints fracturing in the NZs. Rotation rate exhibited no obvious effect on the tensile strength of the joints, but led to increased elongation as the result of the broadened NZs. The detailed microstructural examinations indicated that the welding thermomechanical effect broke up the near 3D amorphous Al2O3 netlike structure distributed at the Al grain boundaries, caused the coarsening of Al grains, and the agglomeration and crystallization of amorphous Al2O3, thereby resulting in the softening of the NZs and the reduction in the joint strength. Consequently, inhibiting the breakup and crystallization of 3D amorphous Al2O3 netlike structure is the key factor to improve the joint strength of the(B4C+Al2O3)/Al composite.