Design Optimization and Mechanical Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced Ti-Based Metallic Glass Matrix Composite

Abstract

Ti-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys have attracted widespread attention due to their strong glass forming ability, high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. However, the poor plasticity of BMGs limits their further application in the aerospace and aircraft fields, as well as others. We optimized the composition of SiC-reinforced, Ti-based metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) through finite element modeling (FEM). FEM of MGMCs containing irregularly shaped SiC particles with different contents was conducted. Stress and strain analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the particle volume fraction on the mechanical behavior of MGMCs, and an optimization value of 30% was obtained, which is conducive to plasticity improvement. Arc melting copper mold injection casting was used to verify the optimized SiC content. The results show that the electroless nickel plating treatment effectively improves the wettability between SiC particles and the amorphous matrix, enabling the successful preparation of SiC/MGMC with a volume fraction of 29.5% through traditional injection casting. The volume fraction of SiC plays a crucial role in the transition of fracture mode from splitting to shear in MGMCs. After adding lightweight SiC particles, the yield strength, plasticity, modulus, and specific strength were improved by 25%, 1471%, 46%, and 33%, indicating that the use of nickel-plated SiC particles in MGMCs is an effective strengthening and toughening method for BMGs.

Recycled Household Plastic and Oil Palm Filler Reinforced Epoxy Composite for Lightweight Construction Applications

“…However, the irregular shape of OPS particles may limit stress transfer and deteriorate composite mechanical properties (Khalid, Ratnam, Chuah, Ali, & Choong, 2008). From the study of Liu et al (2023), when the particles have an irregular shape, it might cause significant stress concentration at local edges and corners that eventually lead to local failure.…”

The Effect of Electroplating Nickel on the Mechanical Properties of Brittle Mg-Based Bulk Metallic Glasses

“…This method mainly depends on alloying or micro-alloying, which often sacrifices some of the glass forming ability (GFA) and is not suitable for those "particularly brittle" BMG alloy systems, such as Mg-based BMGs [15]. The extrinsic toughening methods include metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) [16][17][18][19][20], geometric confinement [21,22], deformation conditions [23][24][25], and so on. Firstly, the toughening of MGMCs depends on the introduction of a crystalline second phase, which usually has excellent ductility, to turn the shear banding behavior of the MG matrix.…”