FABRICATION OF A Ni3Al/Al2O3UNIDIRECTIONAL COMPOSITE BY PRESSURE CASTING

A gas pressure liquid metal infiltration technique for producing fiber reinforced Ni₃Al/Al₂O₃ and Ni₃Al/Al₂O₃ composites has been described. Composite bars of 9.5 mm diameter, 150 mm long were produced. It was found necessary to add 0.5 at.%Ti to both Ni₃Al and NiAl alloys to obtain adequate wetting. There was a strong tendency for liquid metal infiltration along one side of the fibers causing a shift of the fibers to the opposite side. No interface reaction zone was observed at optical magnifications up to 1000X. A composite of Ni₃Al containing 33 volume percent of FP fibers fractured at 890 MPa which is approximately 3 times the yield strength of the matrix IC-50(21.73A1-0.34Zr-0.IB-Balance Ni at.%) + 0.5 at. %Ti.     

METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH INTERMETALLIC RIBBONS

The design procedure for low melting point alloy composites reinforced with melt-spun intermetallic ribbons for elevated temperature applications is presented. Long-range ordered Ni₃Al intermetallic is selected as a candidate reinforcement by virtue of its ease of being ductilized by boron and an increase in yield strength with increasing temperature. A certain composition of Ni₃Al alloyed with cobalt, tantalum, hafnium and boron for the maximum reinforcing effect is formulated. The rule of mixtures calculations of elastic modulus and yield strength are performed for Al-Si and Mg-Al matrices. The results of the structural investigation of a model composite system consisting of a 1100 Al matrix with embedded Ni₇₅Al₂₃Zr₁B₁ (at.%) ribbons, obtained by casting, are presented. Long-term stability of the reinforcing ribbons is investigated by annealing of “as-cast” specimens at elevated temperatures up to 100 h.     

Investigations on NiAl composites fabricated by matrix coated single crystalline AlO-fibers with and without hBN interlayer

The intermetallic compound NiAl has excellent potential for high temperature structural applications but suffers from low temperature brittleness and insufficient high temperature strength. One way to remove these deficiencies is the reinforcement by high strength ceramic fibers. Such intermetallic matrix composites can be conveniently fabricated by the hot pressing of matrix coated fibers. Al₂O₃ single crystal fibers show excellent chemical stability with the NiAl matrix, but the residual thermal compressive stresses during cool down dramatically degrades the fiber strength and thus, renders the composite useless for structural applications. We report on an experimental and computational study to mitigate this problem and to fabricate Al₂O₃/NiAl composites with sufficient high temperature strength. Analytical TEM, mechanical testing and push-out tests were employed to characterize chemistry, microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites. It will be shown that a processing window exists that allows producing intermetallic matrix composites with promising mechanical properties.     

纤维预热温度对连续Al2O3f/Al复合材料力学性能的影响

选用Nextel610型Al₂O₃纤维为增强体、ZL210A连续氧化铝合金为基体,采用真空压力浸渗法制备纤维增强铝基复合材料(Al₂O_3f/Al),纤维的体积分数为40%,预热温度分别为500、530、560和600℃,研究了纤维预热温度对Al₂O_3f/Al复合材料的微观组织、纤维损伤和力学性能的影响。结果表明：随着纤维预热温度的提高复合材料的致密度随之提高,最大达到99.2%,材料的组织缺陷最少,纤维的分布均匀;随着纤维预热温度的提高从复合材料中萃取出来的Al₂O₃纤维的拉伸强度不断降低,纤维预热温度为600℃的复合材料中Al₂O₃纤维的拉伸强度仅为1150 MPa,纤维表面粗糙,有大尺寸附着物。纤维的预热温度对Al₂O_3f/Al复合材料的拉伸强度有显著的影响。预热温度为500、530、560和600℃的复合材料其拉伸强度分别对应于298、465、498和452 MPa。组织缺陷、纤维损伤和界面结合强度,是影响连续Al₂O_3f/Al复合材料强度的主要因素。     

Grain growth mechanisms in a spray-formed Ni3Al/Al2O3 composite in the presence of a liquid phase

Grain growth in the two-phase (liquid + solid) region of Ni₃Al reinforced with 0.8 vol.% Al₂O₃ participates synthesized by a spray atomization and co-injection technique was investigated. The grain growth of the as-sprayed and hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) materials in the two-phase region was found to be consistent with cube law kinetics, i.e., grain growth exponent was approximately 3. The activation energy for grain growth for the as-sprayed material was determined to be 308 ± 19 kJ mol⁻¹ while that of the HIPed material was calculated to be 327 ± 23 kJ mol⁻¹. The activation energy for grain growth was not a function of the amount of liquid phase or the composition of the liquid. Furthermore, the activation energy for grain growth was higher than that for diffusion through the liquid phase, suggesting that the mechanism for grain growth of the as-sprayed and HIPed Ni₃Al composite in the two-phase region was controlled by an interface reaction. The role of the second-phase Al₂O₃ particles on grain growth for the as-sprayed and HIPed Ni₃Al materials was not significant.     

Crystal morphology and growth mechanism of reinforcements synthesized by direct melt reaction in the system Al–Zr–O

In-situ Al₃Zr and Al₂O₃ particulates reinforced aluminum matrix composites were fabricated by the direct melt reaction (DMR) technique in the system Al–Zr–O. Microstructures of the composites and crystal morphology of in-situ formed Al₃Zr and Al₂O₃ particulates were analyzed by scanning-electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results indicated that in-situ formed Al₃Zr and Al₂O₃ particles were finer and well distributed in aluminum matrix. Al₃Zr particulates with a tetragonal structure are mainly in the shape of polyhedron. A few of them are rectangular. The length/width ratio of the rectangular Al₃Zr is less than 2.0 and the maximum size is 4 μm. In addition, submicro Al₂O₃ particles with a hexagonal structure were also found in this system. Furthermore, it is found that twin may appear in the Al₃Zr crystal. The twin plane is (1 ). The twinning direction is [2 1].     

Quantitative evaluation of fiber distributions in a continuously reinforced aluminium alloy using automatic image analysis

An automatic image analysis system has been used to quantitatively evaluate fiber distributions in a cast aluminium alloy reinforced with 3-μm diameter aligned continuous fibers of Al₂O₃. Two techniques have been employed to evaluate fiber distributions, namely, an area fraction variance analysis and a matrix intercept length analysis. In addition, fiber distributions on a plane transverse to the axis of the fibers have been compared with a computer-generated random distribution of circular disks. The variance analysis has shown that, when compared with a random disk distribution of equal area (volume) fraction, the fiber distributions are clearly nonrandom. The deviation from randomness appears to indicate fiber clustering as opposed to ordering. Using the matrix intercept length analysis, it has also been found that when fiber and random distributions of equal area fraction have been compared, they are distinctly different. Once again there is evidence for fiber clustering in that the number of matrix intercept lengths in the 0–1 μm range is significantly larger for fibers.     

Prediction of the failure properties of short fiber reinforced composites with metal and polymer matrix

The statistical strength of short fiber reinforced composites such as metal matrix composites (MMCs) and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) with different fiber volume fractions is investigated in this work using combined cell models (CCM) and Weibull statistical approach. Statistical combined cell models (SCCM) have been developed, which were originally developed for fiber fracture in composites. This allows to calculate separately the two types of unit cells, i.e. unit cells with unbroken fibers, and with broken ones. The global mechanical behavior of metal or PMCs reinforced with randomly oriented short fibers (e.g., an Al/15 vol.% Al₂O₃ aluminium matrix composite and PMC with 20 or 30 vol.% glass-fibers) is calculated based on the rule of mixture. In all cases, predictions of the behavior by the SCCM are compared with experiments and they show good agreement.     

Fatigue properties of particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Fatigue-lifetime behaviour has been examined for extruded 6061 aluminium alloy composites reinforced with 15 vol% SiC and 10 vol% Al₂O₃ particles. The peak particle sizes are at about 4.5 and 6 μm. Within measured S- N curves the fatigue lifetime at given stress amplitudes of SiC_p/AA6061 is superior to that of Al₂O_3p/AA6061 in the low-cycle fatigue region as well as in the high-cycle fatigue region. These results are discussed by consideration of theoretically evaluated crack propagation curves.     

激光铝热还原法制备Al2O3/Ti-Al基复合涂层

利用Al和TiO₂之间的放热化学反应, 采用激光原位合成技术在TC4钛合金基体材料表面制备了Al₂O₃/Ti-Al金属间化合物基复合涂层。对比分析了激光功率、激光束扫描速度和光斑尺寸变化对激光能量密度变化量的影响程度, 借助X射线衍射仪(XRD)、光学显微镜(OM)、能谱仪(EDS)和显微硬度计分别考察了激光束扫描速度对复合涂层表面宏观形貌、截面显微组织结构和显微硬度的影响。结果显示, 扫描速度的变化对激光能量密度变化量的影响程度最大, 光斑尺寸次之, 激光功率的变化影响最弱。随着激光束扫描速度的增大, 复合涂层表面渐趋粗糙, “鱼鳞纹”状形貌特征趋于明显, 复合涂层与基材结合区厚度减小。激光原位复合涂层主要由k-Al₂O₃和α-Al₂O₃增强相与α-Ti和α₂-Ti₃Al基体相组成。随着激光束扫描速度增大, 复合涂层内k-Al₂O₃部分转变为α-Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃增强相有由枝晶状向纤维状转变的趋势; 复合涂层截面显微硬度自基体至涂层表面过度平缓, 且涂层区显微硬度分布均匀, 明显高于基材平均显微硬度。     

Effect of volume fraction of carbon fibers on wear behavior of Al/Al2O3/C hybrid metal matrix composites

Wear behavior of Al/Al₂O₃/C hybrid metal matrix composites fabricated by squeeze casting method was characterized. The effects of volume fraction of carbon fiber on wear behavior of hybrid composites was investigated. Wear behavior of Al/Al₂O₃/C composites was characterized by the dry spindle wear test under various sliding speeds.

The wear resistance of Al/Al₂O₃/C composites was remarkably improved over Al/Al₂O₃ composites by adding carbon fibers to Al/Al₂O₃/C composites. Specifically, at the intermediate sliding speed the wear resistance of Al/Al₂O₃/C composites containing 8 vol.% carbon fiber was found to be better than that of the rest of the carbon hybrid composites. From fractographic studies, damaged sections in wear surfaces of hybrid composites at intermediate sliding speed were not observed due to the formation of solid lubrication film. The solid lubrication film which was formed as a result of adding carbon fibers improved the wear resistance of carbon hybrid composites because this film reduced the high friction force between MMCs and counter material.     

残余应力对涂覆Al2O3涂层的ZrO2陶瓷的强度和裂纹扩展阻力的影响

本研究在ZrO₂基体表面涂覆一薄层Al₂O₃涂层, 利用基体与涂层之间热膨胀系数不匹配, 在Al₂O₃-ZrO₂预应力陶瓷(简称A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷)表层引入压应力。采用维氏压痕法评价残余应力对A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷的表层和基体中裂纹扩展阻力的影响。理论分析结合实验结果表明: 表层的压应力使得A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷的裂纹扩展阻力增大, 最终导致强度和损伤容限提高; 且A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷表层的压应力和裂纹扩展阻力随着基体截面积与涂层截面积比值的增加而增大。当ZrO₂基体表层的Al₂O₃涂层厚度为40 μm时, 表层压应力使A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷的弯曲强度达到(1207±20) MPa, 相比于同种工艺下制备的ZrO₂陶瓷强度提高了32%, 同时也是Al₂O₃强度的3倍。此外, A_CZ_S预应力陶瓷也表现出很好的抗热震性能。     

新型Ti_3AlC_2-Al_2O_3/TiAl_3复合材料的组织结构与性能

利用Al-TiO2-TiC体系,通过机械球磨和反应热压制备出Ti3AlC2与Al2O3两相原位内生成增强TiAl3金属基复合材料。借助DSC、XRD、SEM和TEM研究了复合材料的反应机制、显微组织、力学性能及抗氧化性能。结果表明,球磨50h后的复合粉末经1 250℃/50 MPa保温10min烧结后可得到组织均匀细小且致密的Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3复合材料,其密度、维氏硬度、室温三点弯曲强度、断裂韧性及压缩强度分别为3.8g/cm3、8.4GPa、658.9 MPa、7.9 MPa·m1/2和1 742.0 MPa,1 000℃的高温压缩强度为604.1 MPa。Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3复合材料的增韧机制主要包括Ti3AlC2和Al2O3颗粒的剥离、Ti3AlC2相导致的裂纹偏转和桥接以及Ti3AlC2颗粒的变形及层裂。Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3复合材料在700~1 000℃温度区间内生成的氧化层虽不致密,但仍表现出优异的抗高温循环氧化性能。     

原位自生纳米Al2O3/Al-Zn-Cu复合材料的力学性能

将纳米ZnO粉末和Al粉球磨后冷压成Al-ZnO预制块,然后将其加到Al-Zn-Cu熔体中进行Al-ZnO原位反应,制备出纳米Al₂O₃颗粒增强Al-Zn-Cu基复合材料。能谱面扫描分析和透射电镜观察结果表明,复合材料由纳米Al₂O₃颗粒和Al₂Cu析出相两种颗粒/析出相组成。纳米Al₂O₃颗粒通过异质形核和晶界钉扎,细化了Al-Zn-Cu合金晶粒组织和Al₂Cu析出相。原位纳米Al₂O₃颗粒的生成提高了基体合金的拉伸性能,轧制+热处理使Al₂O₃/Al-Zn-Cu复合材料的拉伸强度比相同处理的基体合金提高约100%,总伸长率提高约98%。     

几种不同改性剂对稻草/丙烯腈-丁二烯-苯乙烯复合材料性能的影响

以稻草纤维及丙烯腈-丁二烯-苯乙烯（ABS）为原料,分别以活性炭、Al₂O₃、SiO₂和硅烷偶联剂为增强改性剂,通过混炼-模压工艺制备了改性剂-稻草/ABS复合材料,对比研究了几种不同增强改性剂的增强效果及其增强机制。结果表明：硅烷偶联剂对稻草/ABS复合材料的增强效果较差,活性炭、Al₂O₃和SiO₂对稻草/ABS复合材料的增强均优于硅烷偶联剂,其中Al₂O₃的增强效果最佳。当Al₂O₃的添加量（Al₂O₃∶ABS质量比）为5%时,Al₂O₃-稻草/ABS复合材料的拉伸、弯曲及冲击强度分别达到最大值27.719 MPa、61.05 MPa和26.53 kJ/m²;当无机物添加量（无机物∶ABS质量比）为5%时,复合材料的耐水性能表现为：5% Al₂O₃ > 5%活性炭 > 5% SiO₂ > 未添加,与复合材料的力学性能梯度相符;改性剂-稻草/ABS复合材料的流变性能则表现为：5%活性炭 > 5% Al₂O₃ > 5% SiO₂ > 未添加。     

Processing and Heat Treatment Effects on an Al2O3/Ni3Al Composite

Various processing routes may be used to fabricate Ni₃Al matrix composites. In the present study, vacuum hot pressing and hot extrusion were used to fabricate an Al₂O₃ Composite particulate-reinforced Ni3Al composite. Relatively low extrusion temperatures promoted gamma-phase formation as did extended high temperature anneals. The room-temperature bend strength was found to increase as the gamma-phase content increased. Furthermore, the composite creep rate was affected by the. processing parameters and their effect on the amount of gamma/pgamma-prime interface. The matrix and particulates did not exhibit any reaction after normal processing. However, a minor reaction was noted after annealing near 1000°C, while extensive reaction resulting in Ni-Al spinel formation occurred above 1200°C in air     

Multi-composition oxidation resistant coating for SiC-coated carbon/carbon composites at high temperature

This work proposes a multi-composition oxidation resistant coating for SiC-coated carbon/carbon (C/C) composites by slurry method using the mixture of Y₂O₃, ZrO₂, Al₂O₃, Si and C. XRD analysis shows that the phases of the composite coating are composed of SiC, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, ZrO₂, Al₄SiC₄ and Y₃Al₂(AlO₄)₃. SEM analysis of the cross section of the coating displays the microstructure with 500 μm thickness which filled the porous SiC. Oxidation test shows that, after 19 h oxidation in air at 1873 K, the weight loss of the coated SiC-C/C is only 1.76%. The oxidation of the coated C/C composites was primarily due to the reaction of C/C matrix and oxygen diffusing through the penetrable cracks and bubble holes in the coating.     

Abrasive wear of Al2O3-reinforced aluminium-based MMCs

The effects of volume fraction, Al₂O₃ particle size and effects of porosity in the composites on the abrasive wear resistance of compo-casting Al alloy MMCs have been studied for different abrasive conditions. It was seen that porosity in the composites is proportional to particle content. In addition, process variables like the stirring speed, and the position and diameter of the stirrer affect of the porosity content in a way similar to that observed for particle content. In addition, the abrasive wear rates of composites decreased more rapidly with increase in Al₂O₃ volume fraction in tests performed over 80 grade SiC abrasive paper than in tests conducted over 220 grade SiC abrasive paper. Furthermore, the wear rates decreased with increase in Al₂O₃ size for the composites containing the same amount of Al₂O₃. Hence, it is deduced that aluminium alloy composites reinforced with larger Al₂O₃ particles are more effective against abrasive wear than those reinforced with smaller Al₂O₃ particles. At the same time the results show that the beneficial effects of hard Al₂O₃ particles on wear resistance far surpassed that of the sintered porosity in the compocasting metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Nevertheless, the fabrication of composites containing soft particles such as graphite favors a reduction in the friction coefficient. For this reason graphite and copper were used in the matrix in different amounts to detect their effect on wear resistance. Finally, it was seen that wear rate of the composites decreased considerably with graphite additions.     

Characterization of intermetallic phases and oxides formed in annealed Ni/Al multilayer structures

Two different multilayer structures composed of ten alternating Ni and Al thin films were sputter deposited on Si (111) substrates. These multilayers with individual Ni and Al thin film thicknesses of about 25 nm and 38 nm and of 25 nm and 13 nm, respectively, have the average compositions of Ni_0.50Al_0.50 and Ni_0.75Al_0.25. The samples were heat treated in a differential scanning calorimeter instrument with a constant heating rate of 40 °C min ⁻¹ in Ar from room temperature to 550 °C. The compositions of as-deposited and heat-treated samples were studied with high-resolution Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) rotational depth profiling. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses show an excess of Ni in both annealed samples. X-ray diffraction measurements of annealed multilayers show the formation of Ni₂Al₃ and NiAl₃ phases in the Ni_0.50Al_0.50 sample and the presence of Ni₃Al and Ni A1₃ phases with some excess of Ni in the Ni_0.75Al_0.75 sample. AES and XPS investigations of the reacted layers after 15 min annealing in air at 500 °C disclose considerably different surface oxide thin films: on the Ni_0.50Al_0.50 layer the oxide thin film consists of Al₂O₃ with a small amount of NiO, whereas that on the top of the Ni_0.75Al_0.25 layer is thicker and consists of NiO on top and some Al₂O₃ below.     

稀土氧化物(La2O3或CeO2)对搅拌摩擦加工制备Ni/Al复合材料组织和性能的影响

采用搅拌摩擦加工（FSP）的方法制备Ni/Al复合材料,并在此基础上添加不同种类稀土氧化物（La₂O₃或CeO₂）,通过SEM、EDS、XRD、电子探针（EPMA）和室温拉伸试验研究稀土氧化物对FSP制备Ni/Al复合材料组织和性能的影响。结果表明：Ni/Al复合材料复合区有较明显的Ni粉团聚物存在,Ni-La₂O₃/Al、Ni-CeO₂/Al复合材料中Ni粉团聚物数量减少,尺寸减小。La₂O₃和CeO₂均对Al-Ni原位反应有较大影响,能够促进Al-Ni原位反应的进行,生成更多增强相。Ni-CeO₂/Al复合材料与Ni-La₂O₃/Al复合材料相比,复合区组织更加均匀,增强颗粒Al₃Ni含量更多。La₂O₃和CeO₂均能显著提高FSP制备Ni/Al原位复合材料的抗拉强度。Ni-La₂O₃/Al复合材料的抗拉强度达到221 MPa,Ni-CeO₂/Al复合材料的抗拉强度达到238 MPa,两者相比于Ni/Al的复合材料抗拉强度（166 MPa）分别提高了33.1%和43.4%。