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Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications

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A special issue of Journal of Composites Science (ISSN 2504-477X). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 25027

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Prof. Dr. Oscar Marcelo Suárez

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Guest Editor

Department of Engineering Science and Materials, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, P. O. Box 9000, Mayagüez, PR 00681, USA
Interests: aluminum matrix composites; sustainable concrete; materials recycling; aluminum alloys; biopolymeric matrix composites; resilient infrastructure; materials education
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Prof. Dr. Hongseok Choi

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Guest Editor

School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631, USA
Interests: scalable nanomanufacturing; advanced material processing; micro- and nanosensors; nanocomposites; nanofibers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Among composite materials, particulate aluminum matrix composites (PAMC) stand out not only for their high strength-to-low density ratio but also for their versatility and multifunctionality that widened the range of their applications. The possibility of incorporating ceramic particles such as oxides, carbides, or nitrides enhances the various properties of these composites. By the turn of this century, new technologies became more affordable and versatile, allowing aluminum matrix composite parts with micro- to nanosized particles to be fabricated in large volumes for various applications. Due to the fast development of such technologies and the stochastic nature of most PAMC parts manufacturing, more advanced modeling and simulating processes are needed to respond to increasing demands for more reliable materials with highly predictable properties.

This Special Issue seeks to collect an assortment of investigations related to the processing of PAMC, the effect of the reinforcement/matrix interfaces on the mechanical properties, and novel applications of these materials. Manuscripts on characterization of these materials are welcome in the Special Issue. Numerical modeling and computational simulation as well as experimental evaluation of these composites are also welcomed in submitted manuscripts. Researchers working on novel approaches that stimulate groundbreaking applications of these versatile materials are particularly encouraged to submit.

Prof. Dr. Oscar Marcelo Suárez
Prof. Dr. Hongseok Choi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

aluminum matrix composites
nanoparticle reinforcements
functionally graded composites
in situ reinforcement synthesis
powder metallurgy
wear-resistant composites
reinforcement wettability
reinforcement reactivity
nanomechanical properties

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 5029 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Benefit of the Glassy State of Reinforcing Particles for the Densification of Aluminum Matrix Composites

by Vyacheslav I. Kvashnin, Dina V. Dudina, Arina V. Ukhina, Guilherme Yuuki Koga and Konstantinos Georgarakis

J. Compos. Sci. 2022, 6(5), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6050135 - 7 May 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2365

Abstract

In metallic glass-reinforced metal matrix composites, the glassy phase can serve a dual purpose: (i) it can behave as soft binder and porosity remover during consolidation; and (ii) it can act as the hard reinforcing phase after densification. The present work aimed to demonstrate the benefit of the glassy reinforcing particles for the densification of aluminum matrix composites. The consolidation behavior of Al–50 vol.% Fe-based alloy mixtures prepared using a glassy Fe₆₆Cr₁₀Nb₅B₁₉ alloy powder (T_g = 521 °C, T_x = 573 °C) or a crystalline Fe₆₂Cr₁₀Nb₁₂B₁₆ alloy powder was studied under spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot pressing (HP) conditions. The powders were consolidated by heating above the glass transition temperature of the glassy alloy (up to 540 °C in SPS and 570 °C in HP). When the coarse aluminum powder was used, the reinforcing particles formed chains within the microstructure. In composites formed from the fine Al powder, the particles of the Fe-based alloy were separated from each other by the metallic matrix, and the tendency to form agglomerates was reduced. The glassy state of the alloy was shown to be beneficial for densification, as the metallic glass acted as a soft binder. The densification enhancement effect was more pronounced in the case of reinforcing particles forming chains. The hardness of the Al–50 vol.% glassy Fe₆₆Cr₁₀Nb₅B₁₉ composites obtained by SPS was twice the hardness of the unreinforced sintered aluminum (110 HV₁ versus 45 HV₁). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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14 pages, 14713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Ce Content on Properties of Al-Ce-Based Composites by Powder-in-Tube Method

by Mairym Vázquez, Oscar Marcelo Suárez, Michael Thompson, Haneul Jang, Na Gong, David Weiss and Orlando Rios

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(10), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5100255 - 25 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2048

Abstract

Al-Ce based alloys have gained recent interest and have proven to have excellent strength without heat treatment and high thermal stability. Challenges with the production of Al-Ce samples from elemental powders arise due to the elemental material before alloying being susceptible to rapid oxidation. The methodology for making superconductive wire, powder-in-tube, was used as a consolidate Al and Ce elemental powder, and Al-8 wt % Ce-10 wt % Mg composite powder into bulk nanostructured material. Powder samples are fabricated in an inert controlled atmosphere, then sealed in a tube to avoid oxidation of powders. Therefore, most of the powder is used without much loss. We used 316 stainless-steel tubes as a sheathing material. For Al-xCe wt % (x = 8 to 14) samples of elemental powder, liquid phase sintering was used and for Al-Ce-Mg powder solid-state sintering. Characterization of the bulk consolidated material after sintering, and before and after heat treatment, was made using optical and Scanning Electron Microscope imaging, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Microhardness and Rockwell Hardness test. We demonstrated that microstructure stability in Al-Ce-based specimens can be retained after thermomechanical processing. Densification was achieved and oxidation of powder was avoided in most samples. In addition, we found that Fe and Ni in the sheathing material react with Al in the process, and Ce concentration modifies the reactivity the sheath. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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12 pages, 6996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tribological Characterization of Carbon Nanotube/Aluminum Functionally Graded Materials Fabricated by Centrifugal Slurry Methods

by Hideaki Tsukamoto

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(10), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5100254 - 24 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1716

Abstract

Although carbon nanotube (CNT) is a promising material due to its excellent mechanical and functional properties, CNT has not been effectively used for high performance composites due to the degradation of its mechanical properties as a result of insufficient dispersibility of CNT in its matrix. In this study, CNT/aluminum (Al) matrix functionally graded materials (FGMs) were fabricated by centrifugal slurry methods. The dispersion of CNT was carried out with the solvent of dimethylacetamide (DMAs), and the dispersant of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) under ultrasonic sonication conditions. Tribological characteristics on the FGMs were investigated using a ball-on-disk tribometer. It was demonstrated that the presence of CNT contributed to an increase of the coefficients of friction and an enhancement of wear resistances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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13 pages, 21178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Milling of an Aluminium Matrix Composite Using MCD-Tipped Tools with Adjusted Corner and Minor Cutting Edge Geometries

by Benjamin Clauß and Andreas Schubert

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(9), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5090235 - 4 Sep 2021

Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) represent suitable materials for lightweight design applications. The abrasive ceramic reinforcements typically require diamond cutting materials to prevent excessive tool wear. In milling with diamond cutting materials the influence of cutting parameters was already examined to a significant extent. Investigations concerning the effect of modified tool geometries are limited and the potentials with regard to the geometrical and physical surface properties are unclear. Accordingly, experimental investigations in milling of a 10 vol.%

SiC

particle-reinforced aluminium wrought alloy EN AW-2017 T4 were addressed. The effect of modified corner and minor cutting edge geometries were investigated based on mono crystalline diamond (MCD)-tipped tools to benefit stable process conditions. The results indicated achievable areal roughness values in the range around

0.2 μ m

. Especially the application of the lowest cutting edge angle and a trailing minor cutting edge led to strong fluctuations of the surface parameters. The lowest valley void volumes were achieved with an arched minor cutting edge. Generally, finish machining led to stronger compressive residual stresses compared to the state prior to machining. The strongest increase was achieved using a corner radius combined with a straight minor cutting edge. It is concluded that reduced effective radii generating the surface enable an acceptable surface structure and strong compressive residual stresses and should be addressed in further investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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10 pages, 8670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Strength and High Electrical Conductivity Al Nanocomposites for DC Transmission Cable Applications

by Abdolreza Javadi, Shuaihang Pan, Chezheng Cao and Xiaochun Li

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(7), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5070172 - 1 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2904

Abstract

Aluminum is one of the most abundant lightweight metals on Earth with broad practical applications, such as in electrical wires. Although traditional aluminum manufacturing by alloying, deformation and thermomechanical means addresses the balance between high strength and high conductivity, adding metallic ceramic nanoparticles into the aluminum matrix can be an exciting alternative approach to mass produce aluminum electrical wires. Here, we show a new class of aluminum nanocomposite electrical conductors (ANECs), with significantly higher hardness (130 HV) and good electrical conductivity (41% IACS). This ANEC is composed of Al and dispersed TiB₂ nanoparticles, as confirmed by XRD scanning and SEM imaging. We further observed an unusual ultra-fine grain (UFG) size when slow cooling ANEC samples, as a grain as small as 300 nm was clearly captured in FIB images. We believe that the significant hardness enhancement can be partially attributed to the UFG. Our investigation and theoretical analysis further validated that UFG can be achieved when nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed and distributed in the aluminum matrix, and this understanding is important for the development of Al nanocomposite wires with high strength and high electrical conductivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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14 pages, 7860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of the Effect of the A206/1.0 wt. % γAl₂O₃ Nanocomposites Content on the Portevin-Le Chatelier Phenomenon in Al/0.5 wt. % Mg Alloys

by David Florián-Algarín, Xiaochun Li, Hongseok Choi and Oscar Marcelo Suárez

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(6), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5060163 - 21 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1930

Abstract

The Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) phenomenon or dynamic strain aging in Al–0.5 wt. % Mg alloys was investigated at different strain rates. This research also examined the effect of γAl₂O₃ nanoparticles on the PLC phenomenon. A nanocomposite made of A206/1.0 wt. % γAl₂O₃ was manufactured to this purpose and then, added to an Al–0.5 wt. % Mg melt to obtain ingots of Al–0.5 wt. % Mg–20 wt. % A206/1.0 wt. % γAl₂O₃ and Al–0.5 wt. % Mg–10 wt. % A206/1.0 wt. % γAl₂O₃ with 6 mm diameter. Cold deformation allowed manufacturing 1 mm diameter wires using the 6 mm diameter ingots. A 300 °C solution treatment, followed by rapid cooling in ice water permitted to retain Mg atoms in solid solution. The tensile tests performed on the wires revealed the PLC phenomenon upon the tensile stress vs. strain plastic zone. The phenomenon was quantified using MatLab™ and statistical analysis. The results demonstrated how the alumina nanoparticles can diminish the serration amplitude of the PLC phenomenon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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9 pages, 2163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mathematical Simulation of the Wettability of Al₂O₃ Substrate through Different Aluminum Alloys

by Enrique Rocha-Rangel, José A. Rodríguez-García, José A. Castillo-Robles, Eddie N. Armendáriz Mireles and Carlos A. Calles-Arriaga

J. Compos. Sci. 2021, 5(6), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs5060161 - 20 Jun 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2023

Abstract

The wetting process of a ceramic substrate (Al₂O₃) with and without carbon coating by means of aluminum-based alloys has been investigated. A mathematical simulation that predicts wettability in the systems under study is proposed, taking into account the diffusional effects of the used constituents. The prediction of the mathematical simulation is compared with the experimental results obtained for the same systems in question. From the results obtained, it was found that the wettability of a liquid droplet of aluminum and aluminum alloys on an alumina (Al₂O₃) substrate with and without carbon coating can be well represented by the proposed mathematical diffusion simulation. On the other hand, the control mechanism of the contact angle in relation to the deposition of a thin layer of carbon on the ceramic substrate (Al₂O₃) and the presence of metals such as La and Y in the aluminum alloy, give way to the formation of Al₄C₃, La₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ and these types of reaction help in the decrease of the contact angle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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10 pages, 3405 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube/Aluminum Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgical and Repeated Hot-Rolling Techniques

by Hideaki Tsukamoto

J. Compos. Sci. 2020, 4(4), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs4040169 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2149

Abstract

This research aimed to fabricate lightweight and high-strength carbon nanotube (CNT)/aluminum (Al) composites by powder metallurgical and repeated hot-rolling techniques. The fabrication was conducted in three steps: (1) CNT dispersion, (2) preparation of CNT/Al compacts by powder metallurgical slurry methods, and (3) strengthening and refining of CNT/Al composites by repeated hot rolling. The processes of dispersion of CNTs were carried out with dimethylacetamide as a solvent and potassium carbonate as a dispersing agent, which is an inorganic salt, under ultrasonic sonication conditions. Effect of sonication time on dispersion states and mechanical properties was also examined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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21 pages, 9331 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fracture Analysis of Particulate Metal Matrix Composite Using X-ray Tomography and Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM)

by Rui Yuan, Sudhanshu S. Singh, Xiao Liao, Jay Oswald and Nikhilesh Chawla

J. Compos. Sci. 2020, 4(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs4020062 - 30 May 2020

Viewed by 3004

Abstract

Particle reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) offer high strength, low density, and high stiffness, while maintaining reasonable cost. The damage process in these MMCs starts with either the fracture of particles or by the de-cohesion of the particle-matrix interfaces. In this study, the extended finite elements method (XFEM) has been used in conjunction with X-ray synchrotron tomography to study fracture mechanisms in these materials under tensile loading. The initial 3D reconstructed microstructure from X-ray tomography has been used as a basis for the XFEM to simulate the damage in the 20 vol.% SiC particle reinforced 2080 aluminum alloy composite when tensile loading is applied. The effect of mesh sensitivity on the Weibull probability has been studied based on a single sphere and several particles with realistic geometries. Additionally, the effect of shape and volume of particles on the Weibull fracture probability was studied. The evolution of damage with the applied traction has been evaluated using simulation and compared with the experimental results obtained from in situ tensile testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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12 pages, 4486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Mechanical, Thermal and Damping Properties of NiTi (Nitinol) Reinforced Aluminum Nanocomposites

by Penchal Reddy Matli, Vyasaraj Manakari, Gururaj Parande, Manohar Reddy Mattli, Rana Abdul Shakoor and Manoj Gupta

J. Compos. Sci. 2020, 4(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs4010019 - 15 Feb 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3253

Abstract

In the present study, Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ (NiTi) particle reinforced aluminum nanocomposites were fabricated using microwave sintering and subsequently hot extrusion. The effect of NiTi (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 vol %) content on the microstructural, mechanical, thermal, and damping properties of the extruded Al-NiTi nanocomposites was studied. Compared to the unreinforced aluminum, hardness, ultimate compression/tensile strength and yield strength increased by 105%, 46%, 45%, and 41% while elongation and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) decreased by 49% and 22%, respectively. The fabricated Al-1.5 NiTi nanocomposite exhibited significantly higher damping capacity (3.23 × 10⁻⁴) and elastic modulus (78.48 ± 0.008 GPa) when compared to pure Al. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particulate Aluminum Matrix Composites: From Fundamentals to Applications)

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