Processing and properties of metal matrix composites containing discontinuous reinforcement

Room temperature wear characteristics of Al2O3-particle-reinforced aluminum alloy composite

“…Figure 2 shows the typical microstructure of the AI 2 0 3 -AI composite examined in this study. The Al 2 0 3 particles are randomly distributed with an average size of 15 .urn and size range of [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] .um. Figure 3 shows the typical raw data obtained from the wear experiments.…”

“…Numerous tests of composites have been presented in the literature [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The friction coefficient and wear have been reported to increase continuously with load for metals and composites [3,9].…”

“…The friction coefficient and wear have been reported to increase continuously with load for metals and composites [3,9]. For the most part the research reported in the literature has concentrated on finding the optimum combination of the alloy matrix, ceramic particles and their volume fractions in order to develop the best wear-resistant materials [3][4][5][6][7]10]. Documented studies into the basic mechanisms involved in friction and wear of composites are lacking.…”

Thixoforming of A356/SiC and A356/TiB2 Nanocomposites Fabricated by a Combination of Green Compact Nanoparticle Incorporation and Ultrasonic Treatment of the Melted Compact

“…[8][9][10] Also, it is crucial to achieve a uniform distribution of nanoparticles through the matrix and good bonding between the matrix and nanoparticles in order to maximize composite mechanical properties. [11][12][13] Although there are a number of available fabrication routes for MMNCs, an ultrasonic method, [5,14] which combines casting with ultrasonic cavitation-based dispersion of nanoparticles in molten alloys, seems an economical and promising route in terms of producing engineering components with complex shapes. [7,15] In the fabrication of MMNCs by liquid state routes, poor wettability (which can affect the bonding at the reinforcement-matrix interface) and the tendency of ceramic nanoparticles to agglomerate and cluster due to their large surface-to-volume ratio are the main barriers to obtaining a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles into the matrix.…”

Microstructural characterization of metal matrix composites by analytical electron microscopy

“…They have been recently reviewed [2,3] first, the molten metal processing which offers the widest range of variations. One of them is the standard squeeze casting method: molten metal is squeezed into a preform composed of an agglomeration of short fibres using a hydraulic press; secondly, the powder processing (PM) involving densification and shaping of mixtures of the matrix alloy and the reinforcing phase into a powder and then to consolidate them after mixing.…”