Friction stir welding/processing of metals and alloys: A comprehensive review on microstructural evolution

At present aluminium matrix composites are widely used in engineering applications. Aluminium matrix composites are providing such superior properties which cannot be achieved by any existing monolithic material. Properties of aluminium matrix composite are highly influenced by nature of reinforcement which can be either in continuous or discontinuous fibre form. It also depends on the selection of processing techniques for the fabrication of aluminium matrix composites which depends on many factors including type of matrix and reinforcement, the degree of microstructural integrity desired and their structural, mechanical, electrochemical and thermal properties. Present paper reports an overview on synthesis routes, mechanical behavior and applications of aluminium matrix composites. Special focus is given to primary processing techniques for manufacturing of aluminium matrix composites. In the end, commercialization challenges, industrial aspects and future research directions are also briefed.

Advance research progresses in aluminium matrix composites: manufacturing & applications

Structural and mechanical properties of metallic–intermetallic laminate composites produced by explosive welding and annealing

Microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with nano-particle MgO

Synthesis and characterization of in situ formed titanium diboride particulate reinforced AA7075 aluminum alloy cast composites

Al2O3p/Al composites were prepared by direct melt reaction process. The thermodynamics of in situ chemical reactions between molten aluminum and CeO2 powder was studied. The XRD results show that the components of the as-prepared composites consist of Al2O3 and Al phases. For the as-cast composite specimens, SEM, EDX, TEM and SAD were used to analyze the reinforcement phases and interface characters of composites. The results show that the in situ generated Al2O3 particles, whose sizes are 100–200 nm, have various irregular shapes and disperse uniformly in matrix. TEM observation shows that the interface between particle and matrix is clean. Furthermore, there is no fixed orientation relationship between Al2O3 particles and aluminum matrix. Only [ 1 2 ¯ 10 ] / / [ 111 ] orientation parallel relationship with low exponent is found. Therefore, the composites have isotropic properties. Besides characters mentioned above, there are large amount of high density dislocations and the generated extensive fine subgrains around Al2O3 particles. These features are favorable for improving composite performances. As a result, the composites are comprehensively strengthened not only by Al2O3 particles, but also by the high density dislocations and fine subgrains.

In situ fabrication and microstructure of Al2O3 particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Effect of multi-pass friction stir processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al3Ti/A356 composites

High-energy ultrasonic field effects on the microstructure and mechanical behaviors of A356 alloy

Effects of ultrasonic vibration on the microstructure and tensile properties of the nano ZrB2/2024Al composites synthesized by direct melt reaction

The (Al3Zr + ZrB2)/Al composites were fabricated from Al-K2ZrF6-KBF4 system by magneto chemistry in situ reaction technology. The effects of molten temperature on the morphologies of in situ Al3Zr and ZrB2 particles were investigated by SEM analysis and the dry sliding wear properties of the composites by wear tests. The XRD results show that the components of the as-prepared composites consist of Al3Zr, ZrB2 and α-Al phases. The SEM analysis indicates that the morphologies of Al3Zr are sensitive to the temperature of the aluminum molten. When the temperatures were 1123, 1173, 1223 and 1273 K, the morphologies of the Al3Zr with sphericity-shape, tetragon-shape, rod-shape and fiber-shape were observed, respectively; and the ones of ZrB2 showed no obvious diversity. Especially, when the temperature is 1273 K, the size of the Al3Zr with nano-fiber shape is about 180 nm in diameter. The dry sliding wear tests show that the wear weight loss of the S1, S2, S3 and S4 specimens shows no obvious difference with the sliding time of 15 min. With the increase of the sliding time, the wear weight loss increases. At a given sliding time, the wear weight loss of the specimens varies with the following order: S1

Gang Chen

Papers

In situ fabrication and microstructure of Al2O3 particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Effect of multi-pass friction stir processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al3Ti/A356 composites

High-energy ultrasonic field effects on the microstructure and mechanical behaviors of A356 alloy

Effects of ultrasonic vibration on the microstructure and tensile properties of the nano ZrB2/2024Al composites synthesized by direct melt reaction

Effects of molten temperature on the morphologies of in situ Al3Zr and ZrB2 particles and wear properties of (Al3Zr + ZrB2)/Al composites