Examination of microstructure evolution and strengthening mechanisms in an aluminum-based hybrid composite prepared through the spark plasma sintering method

Abstract

A bulk hybrid composite to be potentially used as a foam precursor was produced in this study. TiH2 powder particles along with different concentrations of SiC were mixed with pure Al particles and consolidated through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Bulk samples with nearly full density were successfully produced using the SPS method. During the consolidation process, no additional phases were found within the ceramic particles/matrix interfacial region. Using the ceramic TiH2 and SiC particles as the reinforcement cause notably strengthened the pure Al matrix (37% higher yield strength) without adversely affecting the plasticity, helping retain strain to fracture of about 50% for the sample. The yield strength of the samples was quantitatively approximated by examining their strengthening mechanisms via a number of simplified models available in the literature. The analyses found grain boundary and dislocation strengthening to be the most effective mechanisms for enhancing the strength of the samples; it was also found that the difference between the approximated and experimentally obtained overall yield strength was negligible.

Dry sliding wear and viscoelastic performance of aluminum-based hybrid composites reinforced with SiC and metallic glass particles

“…31 Generally, the distance between interfaces was decreased due to the agglomeration of particles and therefore, the cracks which are initiated in the interfaces will easily propagate. 1,32 On the other hand, the delamination process begins with crack nucleation at a weak points such as matrix/reinforcements interfaces and then propagation of cracks. 33 Hence, the heterogonous distribution of reinforcing particles promotes the involving mechanisms of the delamination.3-Coefficient of frictionIt is known that the coefficient of friction value can affect the type of the wear mechanisms and hence wear rate of the specimens.…”

“…The wear test was conducted at the sliding distance of 2500 m, applied load of 20 N and sliding speed of 1 m/s. Specific Wear Rate (SWR) was calculated using equation (1).…”

“…Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are advanced materials that have been developed to play an essential role in the design of component due to their extraordinary properties such as high wear resistance, excellent mechanical properties, good damping capacity, and low density. [1][2][3] During the sliding wear of an unreinforced metal (e.g. aluminum), the asperities of both metal-to-metal contacting surfaces mutually interact which causes extensive plastic deformation and formed wear debris prevent the formation of protective layers.…”

Effect of the spark plasma sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a ceramic/metallic glass reinforced hybrid composite

“…In recent decades, enormous efforts have been made to fabricate aluminum matrix composites to meet the growing demands for lightweight construction and high mechanical properties in various industries such as automotive and aerospace. [1][2][3] The reinforcement of the aluminum matrix with second-phase particles such as ceramics, 4,5 carbon materials, 6,7 and metallic glasses 8,9 improves the physical and mechanical properties of composites. Nevertheless, each of the aforementioned reinforcements adversely affects the properties of the composites to some extent.…”