A review on high stiffness aluminum-based composites and bimetallics

Abstract

The Young's modulus of aluminum-based materials is one of the most important mechanical properties in controlling structural performance. The improvement of the Young's modulus of castable aluminum-based materials is essential for improving their competiveness in light weighting structural applications. Currently, there are limited options for cast aluminum alloys with outstanding Young's modulus. Also, for further stiffness improvement and thereby weight lightening, in-depth understanding of the relevant mechanisms for modulus improvement in aluminum alloys is necessary. This review focuses on the Young's modulus of cast aluminum-based composites, as well as aluminum alloys reinforced with continuous metallic fibers (bimetallic materials). The effect of different chemical elements in cast alloys, the constituents of in-situ and ex-situ formed aluminum matrix composites, and the wire-enhanced bimetallic materials on the Young's modulus of aluminum-based materials are reviewed. The Young's modulus of cast aluminum alloys can be improved by: (a) introducing high modulus reinforcement phasessuch as TiB 2 , SiC, B 4 C, and Al 2 O 3into aluminum by in-situ reactions or by ex-situ additions; and (b) forming bimetallic materials with metallic wire/bar reinforcement in the aluminum matrix. The performance of a stiff aluminum alloy depends on the volume fraction, size, and distribution of the high modulus phases as well as the interface between reinforcement and Al matrix. One of the major concerns is the reduction of the ductility of castings after adding specific high modulus phases to increase the Young's modulus. Further research into the improvement of Young's modulus and the ductility of aluminum alloys is necessary through proper selection of reinforcement, optimizing interface, and distribution of reinforcement.

Effect of Al2Ca Addition and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure Modification and Tensile Properties of Hypo-Eutectic Al–Mg–Si Alloys

“…Table 4 shows the tensile properties of currently studied alloys along with A390 (from reference [ 36 ]) and SiC-based aluminum composites (from reference [ 2 ]). The currently studied alloys have achieved a similar level of tensile strength as those achieved in commercial A390 alloy and SiC-based composites.…”

“…Metal matrix composites (MMCs) were recently extensively used as structural materials in various industries, e.g., automotive, aerospace, defense, marine, oil, and electronic [1]. Aluminum (Al) and its alloys are widely used as the matrix material for manufacturing these MMCs because of the unique characteristics associated with them, such as low density, good corrosion resistance, and high thermal/electrical conductivity [1,2]. Due to their better performance and longer life, aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are considered promising materials to replace their conventional casting alloy counterparts in many applications [1][2][3].…”

Plant Fibers-Based Sustainable Biocomposites

“…TiAl-based alloys and Ti 5 Si 3 are two common titanium intermetallic materials generally applied to aircraft and structural applications, respectively [15]. The Al-Cu-Mg and Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys are very important precipitation hardenable alloys [16]. Ti-CNT composite, produced by powder metallurgy, shows 450% improvement in the hardness and 65% increase in elastic modulus [17].…”

Copper-Coated Graphene Nanoplatelets-Reinforced Al–Si Alloy Matrix Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting Method

“…Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) have a great application prospects in industrial field and receive an increasing attention in academic research due to their marvelous properties including high strength, low density, good corrosion resistance, suitable process ability as well as fair price and abundant resources of matrix materials [1,2].…”