The compatibility of TiB2 protective coatings with SiC fibre and Ti-6Al-4V

TiB₂ coatings have been studied as prospective protective layers to inhibit the interfacial reaction between SiC fibres and Ti-alloy matrices. This protective coating has been deposited onto SiC monofilament fibres using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique. The fibre-matrix compatibility of these TiB₂-coated SiC fibres in Ti-6Al-4V composites was evaluated by incorporating the coated fibres into Ti-6Al-4V using a diffusion bonding technique. The interfaces of this composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron probe microanalysis, to evaluate the interfacial microstructures, chemical stability and the efficiency of TiB₂ as a protective coating for SiC fibres in Ti-alloy matrices, and to study the effects of deposition temperature on the interface of the coated fibre. Results show that stoichiometric TiB₂ coatings are stable chemically to both SiC fibres and Ti-6Al-4V and hinder the deleterious fibre-matrix reactions effectively. Boron-rich TiB₂ coatings should be avoided, as they lead to the formation of a needle-like TiB phase at the fibre–matrix interface. These findings provide promising evidence for the value of further exploration of the use of stoichiometric TiB₂ as a protective coating for SiC fibre in Ti-based composites.     

Characterization of the fibre–matrix interfacial structure in carbon fibre-reinforced polycarbosilane-derived SiC matrix composites using STEM/EELS

This paper presents a characterization study of the microstructural evolution of various carbon fibre-reinforced polycarbosilane (PCS)-derived SiC matrix composites during high temperature heat treatment. Both surface-treated and untreated carbon fibre reinforcements were investigated. The STEM/EELS technique was found to be a particularly useful characterization tool. The results of quantitative EELS linescans have been interpreted in terms of the migration of gaseous SiO and CO, produced by the reaction between the small amount of SiO₂ and excess carbon within the PCS-derived SiC matrix, from the central matrix region towards the fibre–matrix interfaces. Generally, the migration of gaseous SiO and CO results in an enrichment of SiO₂ at the region adjacent to the fibre–matrix interface. However, differing final composite microstructures are formed depending on the strength of the fibre–matrix bonding. In the case of strong fibre-matrix interfacial bonding where few escape channels are present, a distinct Si–C–O layer was identified within the matrix adjacent to the fibre–matrix interface; both crystalline β-SiC and the segregated Si–O–C phase coexist in this microstructure up to at least 1450 °C. In the case of weak fibre–matrix bonding this oxygen segregated interfacial layer is eventually removed at high enough temperatures. The final interfacial microstructure has important consequences for the mechanical properties of the composite material.     

NiC/Ti中子多层膜的微结构和界面研究

NiC/Ti中子超镜是一种高性能的中子多层膜光学元件,是提升中子导管、聚焦装置等中子光学系统的中子利用率的关键之一。为了提升NiC/Ti中子超镜的性能,本文面向具有不同厚度NiC膜层的NiC/Ti多层膜,分别采用X射线掠入射反射和X射线衍射的方法表征了NiC/Ti多层膜的膜层厚度、界面粗糙度和膜层晶向结构。研究结果表明:随着NiC膜层厚度的增长,除了在较小尺度(≤2.5nm),NiC-on-Ti界面的粗糙度基本保持不变;而Ti-on-NiC界面的粗糙度却呈现出较大的变化。具有不同厚度的NiC膜层的NiC/Ti多层膜的界面粗糙度呈现不对称性的变化,主要原因在于NiC膜层的微结构随着膜层厚度的增长而产生了变化。     

The response of SiC fibres to vacuum plasma spraying and vacuum hot pressing during the fabrication of titanium matrix composites

Vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) and vacuum hot pressing (VHP) have been used to fabricate Ti-6Al-4V matrix composite material reinforced longitudinally with DERA Sigma C coated SiC 1140+ fibres. VPS of Ti-6Al-4V onto Sigma 1140+ SiC fibres caused no fibre/matrix interfacial reaction. During VHP a fibre/matrix reaction occurred, producing a mixture of fine (< 50 nm) TiC_x (x ≤ 1) adjacent to the fibre coating and coarse-grained (0.3–0.5 μm) equiaxed TiC_x adjacent to the Ti matrix. A decrease in C concentration with increasing distance from the C coating is proposed, and is consistent with the evidence presented. A similar thickness and morphology of reaction product arose from conventional foil–fibre foil processing, but the matrix coated fibre/hot isostatic pressing process led to a slightly thicker reaction layer. The TiC_x reaction product acted as a diffusion barrier, inhibiting further reaction more effectively than in experiments on earlier SiC fibres having a C coating. Surface damage was shown to be a factor in lowering 1140+ SiC fibre failure stress. Surface damage to 1140+ fibres resulted from both VPS and VHP, the former causing a slight reduction in mean ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and a large reduction in the bend strain to failure Weibull modulus. This damage was caused by both fibre winding and by deposition of metal during VPS, giving rise to coating flaws, and is not in itself considered to be a major problem. Surface damage increased after VHP, reducing the mean UTS and tensile Weibull modulus, and the mean bend strain to failure. This damage arose from bending and flattening of the rough monotapes, and from the fibre/matrix reaction caused by thermal exposure. The level of damage to 1140+ SiC fibre from VHP was reduced by modification of the process path. Increasing the VHP temperature and lowering the pressure ramp rate reduced fibre damage sufficiently to enable a macroscopic composite UTS of 95% of the theoretical maximum to be achieved.     

灰铸铁表面原位合成TiC/Al3Ti复合涂层的组织及耐磨性

采用铸造反应合成技术在灰铸铁表面原位合成TiC/Al3Ti复合涂层材料,对复合涂层的显微组织、硬度和耐磨性进行了研究。结果表明:Al-Ti-C体系完全反应后可制备出纯净的TiC/Al3Ti表面复合涂层材料,该表面复合材料组织致密,并随着涂层中TiC含量的增加,材料的硬度有所提高,表面复合涂层的硬度明显高于铁基体的硬度,磨损性能也要优于铁基体,明显改善了铸铁的表面硬度和摩擦性能。       

不同碳原子数及羟基数醇中Ti3SiC2/Si3N4摩擦副的摩擦学性能

Ti_3SiC_2和Si_3N_4等陶瓷材料是一种潜在的生物燃料发动机及功能性运动部件材料,为研究其在醇类生物燃料及润滑剂中的摩擦学性能,利用往复式摩擦试验机研究Ti_3SiC_2/Si_3N_4摩擦副在不同碳原子数直链醇(乙醇、丁醇、辛醇和十二醇)和不同羟基数醇(乙二醇和丙三醇)液体介质中的摩擦学性能。结果表明:Ti_3SiC_2/Si_3N_4在醇介质中的摩擦因数随碳原子数和羟基数的增加而减小,总体平均摩擦因数在0.06～0.11范围内变化,但丁醇中摩擦因数最高,为0.25;Ti_3SiC_2/Si_3N_4配副的磨损率均随碳原子数和羟基数的增加而减小,Ti_3SiC_2的磨损率在4.48×10~(-7)～9.33×10~(-9) mm~3/(N·m)范围内变化,Si_3N_4的磨损率在4.05×10~(-6)～2.91×10~(-7)mm~3/(N·m)之间变化,其中在辛醇和十二醇中几乎没有磨损。研究表明:在醇介质中Ti_3SiC_2/Si_3N_4摩擦副的摩擦状态属于边界润滑状态,摩擦界面微凸体和磨屑的犁沟效应是造成高摩擦的主要原因;摩擦化学反应是Ti_3SiC_2/Si_3N_4在醇介质中的摩擦行为的一个特点,摩擦化学磨损和磨粒磨损是材料磨损的主要机制;链长越长、羟基越多,醇的黏度越大,承载能力越强,犁沟效应和磨粒磨损降低,摩擦因数和磨损率也降低。     

Ti-(SiCf/Al3Ti)层状复合材料在侵彻早期阶段基于NEIM的建模与仿真研究

一种由连续SiC陶瓷纤维强化（CCFR）的新型金属间化合物基层状（MIL）复合材料Ti-（SiC_f/Al₃Ti）研制成功,其作为装甲防护材料在被侵彻过程中的微观变形机制、强化及失效机理有待研究。首先采用电镜扫描法（SEM）表征该材料的微观结构和界面特征,而后提出一种新的建模方法,基于高效的等效夹杂数值算法（NEIM）,对刚性球侵彻靶体复合材料的早期接触过程进行建模,研究准静态加载下Ti-（SiC_f/Al₃Ti）复合材料的小变形弹塑性接触力学行为,并通过压痕试验验证该模型的精确性。结果表明,在球-面加载模式下,SiC纤维对CCFR-MIL复合材料的强度提高显著,而对延展性的强化却不如面-面加载模式下明显。此外,球-面加载模式下的最大塑性应变集中（MPSC）区出现在Al₃Ti层最接近中心SiC纤维上边界的位置,并随载荷的增大沿深度方向延伸,该区域是裂纹萌生并扩展的高发区。当相邻SiC纤维的中心距为四倍纤维直径,且Ti层体积分数为40%时,CCFR-MIL复合材料的综合力学性能最佳。更高效数值方法的运用,节约了计算成本,清晰透彻地揭示了新型CCFR-MIL复合材料在被侵彻过程中的微观变形机制、强化及失效机理,并使参数化研究更为全面,便于材料的微观结构优化。     

Microstructure and creep characteristics of experimental SiCf–YMAS composites

A unidirectional SiC_f –YMAS glass–ceramic composite has been developed by Céramiques-Composites (Bazet) and ONERA (Establishment of Palaiseau) in France. The matrix is totally crystalline and consists essentially of two main phases, cordierite and yttrium disilicate, with some minor phases, mullite, spinel, zirconium and titanium oxides. Image analysis methods have been used to characterize the homogeneity of the composite plates and to obtain granulometric information on the different matrix phases. Different interphase layers formed during the process by reaction between the matrix and the Nicalon NLM 202 fibres have been studied by using HREM and EDX. Their chemical composition has been determined by stepping the probe (8 nm) across the fibre–matrix interface. Two distinct nanoscale sublayers have been imaged. The sublayer on the matrix side has a light contrast in the TEM. The microstructure of this layer (≈ 80 nm) is typical of a turbostratic carbon. The carbon layer also contains Al, O, Mg and Si. The silicon content is low in the carbon layer. The sublayer on the fibre side (≈ 100 nm thick) has a dark contrast in the TEM. Profiles have been taken across this sublayer also. Tensile creep tests in air have been performed to investigate the tensile creep behaviour at 1223 K. They have been conducted in the 50–200 MPa stress range. Tensile creep results indicate that creep rates are of the same order of magnitude as for other glass–ceramic composites. Optical micrographs and SEM observations have revealed the damage in the composite. Changes occurring in the interface region have been studied at a finer scale by TEM and HREM at the surface of the sample and in the core. These observations enable us to explain the mechanical behaviour of the composite observed on a macroscopic scale.     

Effect of Cl on microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ Ti/TiB MMCs produced by a blended elemental powder metallurgy method

A modified blended elemental powder metallurgy (MBEPM) method has been developed for the production of low-cost Ti alloys and in situ Ti/TiB MMCs for automobile components such as connecting rods and inlet and exhaust valves. The MBEPM method uses Ti sponge fines as raw material, which contain a substantial amount of Cl. The Cl refines the microstructure of the as-sintered Ti–6Al–4V alloys, with a reduced prior β-grain size and a reduced α-lath size and aspect ratio. However, the grain refining effect of Cl is much less pronounced in as-sintered Ti–6Al–4V–10%TiB MMCs. The Cl is present in the as-sintered microstructure in three forms: (1) shells consisting of fine NaCl particles in macropores; (2) cuboidal NaCl precipitates in the alloy matrix; and (3) Cl and Na segregated to prior β-grain boundaries. Increasing the Cl content increases the tensile ductility of both Ti–6Al–4V alloys and Ti–6Al–4V–10%TiB MMCs, but has little effect on strength.     

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of the microstructural changes occurring in aluminium matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles during casting and welding: interface reactions

Processing of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs), especially those constituted by a reactive system such as Al–SiC, presents great difficulties which limit their potential applications. The interface reactivity between SiC and molten Al generates an aluminium carbide which degrades the composite properties. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopes are essential tools for determining the structure and chemistry of the Al–SiC interfaces in AMCs and changes occurring during casting and arc welding. In the present work, an aluminium–copper alloy (AA2014) reinforced with three different percentages of SiC particles was subjected to controlled remelting tests, at temperatures in the range 750–900 °C for 10 and 30 min. Arc welding tests using a tungsten intert gas with power inputs in the range 850–2000 W were also carried out. The results of these studies showed that during remelting there is preferential SiC particle consumption with formation of Al₄C₃ by interface reaction between the solid SiC particle and the molten aluminium matrix. The formation of Al₄C₃ by the same mechanism has also been detected in molten pools of arc welded composites. However, in this case there was formation of an almost continuous layer of Al₄C₃, which protects the particle against further consumption, and formation of aciculate aluminium carbide on the top weld. Both are formed by fusion and dissolution of the SiC in molten aluminium followed by reaction and precipitation of the Al₄C₃ during cooling.