In situ (α-Al2O3+ZrB2)/Al composites with network distribution fabricated by reaction hot pressing

In situ (α-Al2O3+ZrB2)/Al composites with network distribution were fabricated using low-energy ball milling and reaction hot pressing. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to study the reaction mechanisms in the Al–ZrO2–B system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to investigate the composite phases, morphology, and microstructure of the composites. The effect of matrix network size on the microstructure and mechani-cal properties was investigated.The results show that the optimum sintering parameters to complete reactions in the Al–ZrO2–B system are 850℃ and 60 min.In situ-synthesizedα-Al2O3 and ZrB2 particles are dispersed uniformly around Al particles, forming a network micro-structure; the diameters of theα-Al2O3 and ZrB2 particles are approximately 1–3μm. When the size of Al powder increases from 60–110μm to 150–300μm, the overall surface contact between Al powders and reactants decreases, thereby increasing the local volume fraction of re-inforcements from 12% to 21%. This increase of the local volume leads to a significant increase in microhardness of thein situ (α-Al2O3–ZrB2)/Al composites from Hv 163 to Hv 251.     

The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during high-speed direct-chill casting in different Al–Mg_2Si in situ composites

The effect of high-speed direct-chill(DC) casting on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg_2Si in situ composites and AA6061 alloy was investigated. The microstructural evolution of the Al–Mg_2Si composites and AA6061 alloy was examined by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The results revealed that an increase of the casting speed substantially refined the primary Mg_2Si particles(from 28 to 12 μm), the spacing of eutectic Mg_2Si(from 3 to 0.5 μm), and the grains of AA6061 alloy(from 102 to 22 μm). The morphology of the eutectic Mg_2Si transformed from lamellar to rod-like and fibrous with increasing casting speed. The tensile tests showed that the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation improved at higher casting speeds because of refinement of the Mg_2Si phase and the grains in the Al–Mg_2Si composites and the AA6061 alloy. High-speed DC casting is demonstrated to be an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of Al–Mg_2Si composites and AA6061 alloy billets.     

Fabrication of Fe–TiC–Al2O3 composites on the surface of steel using a TiO2–Al–C–Fe combustion reaction induced by gas tungsten arc cladding

The aim of the present study was to fabricate Fe–TiC–Al₂O₃ composites on the surface of medium carbon steel. For this purpose, TiO₂–3C and 3TiO₂–4Al–3C–xFe (0 ≤ x ≤ 4.6 by mole) mixtures were pre-placed on the surface of a medium carbon steel plate. The mixtures and substrate were then melted using a gas tungsten arc cladding process. The results show that the martensite forms in the layer produced by the TiO₂–3C mixture. However, ferrite–Fe₃C–TiC phases are the main phases in the microstructure of the clad layer produced by the 3TiO₂–4Al–3C mixture. The addition of Fe to the TiO₂–4Al–3C reactants with the content from 0 to 20wt% increases the volume fraction of particles, and a composite containing approximately 9vol% TiC and Al₂O₃ particles forms. This composite substantially improves the substrate hardness. The mechanism by which Fe particles enhance the TiC + Al₂O₃ volume fraction in the composite is determined.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> synthesis of TiC reinforced Cu<Subscript>47</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>34</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>11</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>8</Subscript> bulk metallic glass composites

In situ synthesized TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites reinforced Cu47Ti34Zr11Ni8 bulk metallic glass (BMG) composite ingots were prepared by the suction casting method.The ingots with diameters from 1 up to 4mm were successfully obtained. It was shown that introducing TiC micro-sized particles into the amorphous matrix did not disturb the glass forming ability (GFA) of the matrix,while the yield strength and ductility could be well improved.The phase constitution, microstructure and elements distribution in the composites were studied by OM, XRD, SEM and EDS.It was shown that the in situ synthesized TiC particles acting as heterogeneous nucleation sites promoted the precipitation of β-Ti dendrites, resulting in the formation of the TiC particles and β-Ti dendrites co-reinforced BMG composites. The compressive tests were employed to probe the yield strength and ductility of BMG composites.     

Preparation of in situ and ex situ reinforced Fe–10Cr–1Cu–1Ni–1Mo–2C containing NbC particles by milling and hot pressing

An in situ and ex situ reinforced powder metallurgy(PM) steel was prepared by the combination of high-energy ball milling and subsequent hot pressing of elemental mixed powders of Fe–10Cr–1Cu–1Ni–1Mo–2C by mass with the addition of Nb C particles. A 40-h milling pretreatment makes the powder particles nearly equiaxed with an average diameter of ~8 μm, and the ferrite grain size is refined to ~6 nm. The sintered density reaches 99.0%–99.7% of the theoretical value when the sintering is conducted at temperatures greater than 1000°C for 30 min. In the sintered bulk specimens, the formation of an in situ M7C3(M = Cr, Fe, Mo) phase is confirmed. M7C3 carbides with several hundred nanometers in size are uniformly distributed in the matrix. Some ultra-fine second phases of 50–200 nm form around the ex situ Nb C and in situ M7C3 particles. The sintered steel exhibits an excellent combination of hardness( Hv 500) and compressive strength(2100–2420 MPa).     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites prepared by hot-pressing sintering

Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites(V(Nb)/V(Mo) = 1) with 15 vol% or 30 vol% of ZrB_2 were fabricated by hot-pressing sintering at 2000°C. The phases, microstructure, and mechanical properties were then investigated. The composites contain Nb-Mo solid solution(denoted as(Nb, Mo)ss hereafter), Zr B, Mo B, and Nb B phases. Compressive strength test results suggest that the strength of Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites increases with increasing ZrB_2 content; Nb–Mo–30 vol%ZrB_2 had the highest compressive strength(1905.1 MPa). The improvement in the compressive strength of the Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites is mainly attributed to the secondary phase strengthening of the stiffer Zr B phase, solid-solution strengthening of the(Nb, Mo)ss matrix as well as fine-grain strengthening. The fracture toughness decreases with increasing ZrB_2 content. Finally, the fracture modes of the Nb–Mo–ZrB_2 composites are also discussed in detail.     

Growth characteristics of directionally solidified Al2O3/YAG/ZrO2 ternary hypereutectic in situ composites under ultra-high temperature gradient

Oxide eutectic ceramic in situ composites have attracted significant interest in the application of high-temperature structural materials because of their excellent high-temperature strength,oxidation and creep resistance,as well as outstanding microstructural stability.The directionally solidified ternary Al2O3/YAG/ZrO2 hypereutectic in situ composite was successfully prepared by a laser zone remelting method,aiming to investigate the growth characteristic under ultra-high temperature gradient.The microstructures and phase composition of the as-solidified hypereutectic were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The results show that the composite presents a typical hypereutectic lamellar microstructure consisting of fine Al2O3 and YAG phases,and the enriched ZrO2 phases with smaller sizes are randomly distributed at the Al2O3/YAG interface and in Al2O3 phases.Laser power and scanning rate strongly affect the sample quality and microstructure characteristic.Additionally,coarse colony microstructures were also observed,and their formation and the effect of temperature gradient on the microstructure were discussed.     

Effect of Al2O3 on the viscosity of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-Cr2O3 slags

We investigated the effect of Al2O3 content on the viscosity of CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-8wt%MgO-1wt%Cr2O3(mass ratio of CaO/SiO2 is 1.0,and Al2O3 content is 17wt%-29wt%)slags.The results show that the viscosity of the slag increases gradually with increases in the Al2O3 content in the range of 17wt%to 29wt%due to the role of Al2O3 as a network former in the polymerization of the aluminosilicate structure of the slag.With increases in the Al2O3 content from 17wt%to 29wt%,the apparent activation energy of the slags also increases from 180.85 to 210.23 kJ/mol,which is consistent with the variation in the critical temperature.The Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicate that the degree of polymerization of this slag is increased by the addition of Al2O3.The application of Iida’s model for predicting the slag viscosity in the presence of Cr2O3 indicates that the calculated viscosity values fit well with the measured values when both the temperature and Al2O3 content are at relatively low levels,i.e.,the temperature range of 1673 to 1803 K and the Al2O3 content range of 17wt%-29wt%in CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-8wt%MgO-1wt%Cr2O3 slag.     

MICROSTRUCTURE OF AGGREGATES IN DISPERSIONS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF RADIAL DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

Following a sticky particle model and its computer simulation scheme proposed in the previous papers, the motions of particles in both 2-and 3-dimensional shear flow fields are simulated. At a steady state of clustering process, the radial distribution functions are calculated to precisely describe the microstructure of aggregates in dispersions, and the configuration of particles is displayed,which gives a direct view of microstructure. It is found that (1) the kind of the microstructure transforms from compact clusters to a loose network as the concentration of particles increases; (2) the microstructure is independent of shear rate which only dominates the size of clusters formed at steady state.     

TiB2和Al3Ti对近共晶Al?12.6Si合金组织、力学性能和断裂行为的影响

A near eutectic Al?12.6Si alloy was developed with 0.0wt%, 2.0wt%, 4.0wt%, and 6.0wt% Al?5Ti?1B master alloy. The microstructural morphology, hardness, tensile strength, elongation, and fracture behaviour of the alloys were studied. The unmodified Al?12.6Si alloy has an irregular needle and plate-like eutectic silicon (E_Si) and coarse polygonal primary silicon (P_Si) particles in the matrix-like α-Al phase. The P_Si, E_Si, and α-Al morphology and volume fraction were changed due to the addition of the Al?5Ti?1B master alloy. The hardness, UTS, and elongation improved due to the microstructural modification. Nano-sized in-situ Al₃Ti particles and ex-situ TiB₂ particles caused the microstructural modification. The fracture images of the developed alloys exhibit a ductile and brittle mode of fracture at the same time. The Al?5Ti?1B modified alloys have a more ductile mode of fracture and more dimples compared to the unmodified alloy.     

The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during high-speed direct-chill casting in different Al-Mg2Si in situ composites

The effect of high-speed direct-chill (DC) casting on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg₂Si in situ composites and AA6061 alloy was investigated. The microstructural evolution of the Al-Mg₂Si composites and AA6061 alloy was examined by optical microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results revealed that an increase of the casting speed substantially refined the primary Mg₂Si particles (from 28 to 12 μm), the spacing of eutectic Mg₂Si (from 3 to 0.5 μm), and the grains of AA6061 alloy (from 102 to 22 μm). The morphology of the eutectic Mg₂Si transformed from lamellar to rod-like and fibrous with increasing casting speed. The tensile tests showed that the yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation improved at higher casting speeds because of refinement of the Mg₂Si phase and the grains in the Al-Mg₂Si composites and the AA6061 alloy. High-speed DC casting is demonstrated to be an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of Al-Mg₂Si composites and AA6061 alloy billets.     

On the characterization of microstructure and fracture in a high-pressure die-casting Al-10 wt%Si alloy

Microstructure and fracture behavior in a high-pressure die-casting Al-10 wt%Si alloy have been investigated using optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscope(SEM) and a high-resolution laboratory computed tomography(CT).The results showed that a typical heterogeneous microstructure of the alloy comprised α-Al rich region,eutectic silicon band region and porosity.The microstructure patterns highly dependent on fluid convection and rapid solidification.Under high filling speed,externally solidified crystals(ESCs) and the growing dendrites migrated in center and formed α-Al rich region.Si particles was discharged and enriched in the final solidified liquid,forming eutectic silicon band.Hard Si particles and brittle Fe-rich phases served as obstacles prevented dislocation migration,causing local stress concentration.Due to large movable slip systems in α-Al rich region,the propagation path of the crack was greatly extended.Net-shrinkage that induced by dense impinging dendrites led to the microcracks along the boundary of dendrites which promoted intergranular fracture.     

Microstructure evolution of a recycled Al-Fe-Si-Cu alloy processed by tube channel pressing

Although excellent recyclability is one of the advantages of Al alloys, a recycling process can reduce different properties of these alloys by adding coarse AlFeSi particles into the alloys' microstructures. One of the well-known methods for modifying the microstructure of metallic materials is the imposition of severe plastic deformation(SPD). Nevertheless, the microstructure evolutions of recycled Al alloys containing extraordinary fractions of AlFeSi particles during SPD processing have seldom been considered. The aim of the present work is to study the microstructure evolution of a recycled Al–Fe–Si–Cu alloy during SPD processing. For this purpose, tubular specimens of the mentioned alloy were subjected to different numbers of passes of a recently developed SPD process called tube channel pressing(TCP); their microstructures were then studied using different techniques. The results show that coarse AlFeSi particles are fragmented into finer particles after processing by TCP. However, decomposition and dissolution of AlFeSi particles through TCP processing are negligible. In addition, TCP processing results in an increase in hardness of the alloy, which is attributed to the refinement of grains, to an increase of the dislocation density, and to the fragmentation of AlFeSi particles.     

Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript> addition on the friction and wear properties of (SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>+Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3sf</Subscript>)/Al2024 composites fabricated by pressure infiltration

Aluminum (Al) 2024 matrix composites reinforced with alumina short fibers (Al₂O_3sf) and silicon carbide particles (SiC_p) as wear-resistant materials were prepared by pressure infiltration in this study. Further, the effect of Al₂O_3sf on the friction and wear properties of the as-synthesized composites was systematically investigated, and the relationship between volume fraction and wear mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the addition of Al₂O_3sf, characterized by the ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p, significantly affected the properties of the composites and resulted in changes in wear mechanisms. When the volume ratio of Al₂O_3sf to SiC_p was increased from 0 to 1, the rate of wear mass loss (K_m) and coefficients of friction (COFs) of the composites decreased, and the wear mechanisms were abrasive wear and furrow wear. When the volume ratio was increased from 1 to 3, the COF decreased continuously; however, the K_m increased rapidly and the wear mechanism became adhesive wear.     

Formation and mechanical properties of Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites with high oxygen levels

Zr-based bulk metallic glass(BMG) composites with in situ formed Y 2 O 3 particle reinforcements were synthesized by proper additions of Y to ultrahigh-oxygen-containing glass-forming alloy precursors.Microstructures,thermal stabilities,and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated.Glass formation was greatly enhanced by Y additions in the alloys and the resultant particles were homogenously distributed in the glassy matrix,allowing for the fabrication of oxide dispersion strengthened BMG composites.The compressive strength and hardness increased by 10% and 20%,respectively,with the introduction of Y 2 O 3 particles.These results are significant for the design and production of Zr-based BMGs and BMG composites with improved properties using commercial high-oxygen content raw materials under industrial conditions.     

Effect of pouring height on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy

The effect of different pouring heights and evenly soaking process in the liquidus and solidus range on the solidified microstructure of AlSi7Mg alloy has been studied. The results show that if the pouring temperature is 630 or 650°C and the pouring height is 40 mm, the microstructure of the solidified melt is not homogeneous and there are many rosette-like primary α-Al grains. But if the pouring height is increased to 400 mm, the solidified microstructure becomes more homogeneous and favorable to obtain spherical primary α-Al grains in the solidified melt. With further being evenly soaked in the liquidus and solidus range for some time, the temperature difference between the melt center and the melt periphery can be controlled within ±2°C and the primary α-Al grains will evolve into more spherical grains. The theoretical analysis indicates that the higher pouring height promotes the melt flow motion and makes the temperature field in the melt more homogeneous and restrains the large rosette primary α-Al grains. This flow motion can also promote the ripening effect and the primary α-Al grains in the melt are gradually changed into spherical grains. It can be concluded from the experiments that pouring at an appropriate superheat and from a proper height is a good new method for preparing the semisolid slurry of AlSi7Mg alloy, its process control is easy and the preparation cost is lower.     

Evaluation of precipitation hardening in TiC-reinforced Ti_2AlNb-based alloys

Ti_2AlNb-based alloys with 0.0 wt%, 0.6 wt%, and 2.0 wt% carbon nanotube(CNT) addition were fabricated from spherical Ti–22 Al–25 Nb powder by sintering in the B2 single-phase region. Phase identification and microstructural examination were performed to evaluate the effect of carbon addition on the hardness of the alloys. Carbon was either in a soluble state or in carbide form depending on its concentration. The acicular carbides formed around 1050℃ were identified as TiC and facilitated the transformation of α_2 + B2 → O. The TiC was located within the acicular O phase. The surrounding O phase was distributed in certain orientations with angles of 65° or 90° O phase particles. The obtained alloy was composed of acicular O, Widmanstatten B2 +O, and acicular TiC. As a result of the precipitation of carbides as well as the O phase, the hardness of the alloy with 2.0 wt% CNT addition increased to HV 429 ± 9.     

In-situ fabrication of Al(Zn)-Al_2O_3 graded composite using the aluminothermic reaction during hot pressing

In this study, the fabrication of multilayer Al(Zn)–Al2 O3 with different volume fractions of Al2 O3 was investigated. Al and Zn O powders were milled by a planetary ball mill, after which five-layer functionally graded samples were produced through hot pressing at 580°C and 90 MPa pressure for 30 min. Formation of reinforcing Al2 O3 particles occurred in the aluminum matrix via the aluminothermic reaction. Determination of the ignition temperature of the aluminothermic reaction was accomplished using differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometery analyses were utilized to characterize the specimens. The thermal analysis results showed that the ignition temperatures for the aluminothermic reaction of layers with the highest and lowest Zn O contents were 667 and 670°C, respectively. Microstructural observation and chemical analysis confirmed the fabrication of Al(Zn)–Al2 O3 functionally graded materials composites with precipitation of additional Zn in the matrix. Moreover, nearly dense functionally graded samples demonstrated minimum and maximum hardness values of HV 75 and HV 130, respectively.     

Effects of friction stir processing on the microstructure and superplasticity of in situ nano-ZrB2/2024Al composite

In this study, in situ nano-ZrB_2/2024 Al composites fabricated from 2024Al–K_2ZrF_6–KBF_4 system were processed by friction stir processing(FSP) to achieve superplasticity of the composites. And the effects of particle contents(1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%), matrix grain size(micron or submicron), strain rates(5×10~(-3)s~(-1), 1×10~(-2)s~(-1), 2×10~(-2)s~(-1) and deformation temperatures(400 K, 480 K, 600 K, 700 K, 750 K) on the superplasticity of the composites were investigated. After the friction stir processing, the coarse grains of the cast composites with matrix grain size of about 80–100 μm and nano-Zr B2 reinforcement size of 30–100 nm were crushed into small grains about 1 μm in size, and the uniformity of the nano-Zr B_2 reinforcements was also improved. And under the same superplastic tensile testing condition at the temperature of 750 K and strain rate of 5×10~(-3)s~(-1), the FSP nano 3 wt%Zr B_2/2024 Al composite exhibited an superplastic elongation of 292.5%, while the elongation of the corresponding cast composite was only less than 100%. Meanwhile, the m values of the FSP composites were always higher than the cast composites, especially the FSP composites with 3 wt% particles has the m value of 0.5321 i.e., the FSP composites should had better superplastic properties than cast ones. Furthermore, the FSP composites had higher apparent deformation activation energy(Q) than that of the lattice diffusion of pure aluminium, indicating that the deformation mechanisms of the FSP composites should be grain boundary sliding mechanisms.     

Glutenin macropolymer particles size distribution of six wheat varieties in eastern China

Size distribution of glutenin macropolymer(GMP) particles significantly affects the quality of final products in wheat. Six wheat varieties in eastern China were used for investigating the GMP content, particle size distribution and their relation. The results showed that the particle diameter of GMP changed from 0.38 μm to 269 μm. A typical bimodal curve of volume distribution of particles with peak values ranged from 4.44 μm to 5.36 μm and from 45.76 μm to 116.30 μm, respectively. Number distribution of particles showed the typical population with peak values in the range of 0.57-1.00 μm. Proportions of granules 12 μm, 12-80 μm and 80 μm were in the range of 17.1%-47.8%, 32.1%-50.3% and 10.2%-38.1% of total volume, respectively. The content of GMP was negatively correlated with the volume of GMP particles 12 μm, but positively correlated with the volume of particles 80 μm. The results suggested that the greater percentage of larger GMP particles is, the more GMP content there is in wheat grain.