Rapid innovation in nanotechnology in recent years enabled development of advanced metal matrix nanocomposites for structural engineering and functional devices. Carbonous materials, such as graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNT's), and graphene possess unique electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Owe to their lubricious nature, these carbonous materials have attracted researchers to synthesize lightweight self-lubricating metal matrix nanocomposites with superior mechanical and tribological properties for several applications in automotive and aerospace industries. This review focuses on the recent development in mechanical and tribological behavior of self-lubricating metallic nanocomposites reinforced by carbonous nanomaterials such as CNT and graphene. The review includes development of self-lubricating nanocomposites, related issues in their processing, their characterization, and investigation of their tribological behavior. The results reveal that adding CNT and graphene to metals decreases both coefficient of friction and wear rate as well as increases the tensile strength. The mechanisms involved for the improved mechanical and tribological behavior is discussed.

Mechanical and tribological properties of self-lubricating metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene – A review

A review on the production of metal matrix composites through stir casting – Furnace design, properties, challenges, and research opportunities

Butt joints of 1060 aluminum alloy and commercially pure copper were produced by friction stir welding (FSW) and the effect of welding parameters on surface morphology, interface microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. The experimental results revealed that sound defect-free joints could be obtained under larger pin offsets when the hard Cu plate was fixed at the advancing side. Good tensile properties were achieved at higher rotation rates and proper pin offsets of 2 and 2.5 mm; further, the joint produced at 600 rpm with a pin offset of 2 mm could be bended to 180 degrees without fracture. The mechanical properties of the FSW Al-Cu joints were related closely to the interface microstructure between the Al matrix and Cu bulk. A thin, uniform and continuous intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at the Al-Cu butted interface was necessary for achieving sound FSW Al-Cu joints. Stacking layered structure developed at the Al-Cu interface under higher rotation rates, and crack initiated easily in this case, resulting in the poor mechanical properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of friction stir welding parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the dissimilar Al-Cu joints

Processing, microstructure and tensile properties of nano-sized Al2O3 particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) represent a class of novel materials in which compositions/constituents and/or microstructures gradually change along single or multiple spatial directions, resulting in a gradual change in properties and functions which can be tailored for enhanced performance. FGMs can be fabricated using a variety of well-established processing methods; however, it is also known that there are inherent drawbacks to existing synthesis methods. As an emerging technology that provides a high degree of control over spatial resolution, additive manufacturing (AM) provides an intriguing pathway to circumvent the drawbacks of currently available methods. AM involves the selective deposition of individual layers of single or multiple materials, and as such it offers the potential of local control of composition and microstructure in multiple dimensions; such process conditions, in principle, can be tailored to construct complex FGMs with multi-dimensional and directional gradient structures. In this review paper, our current understanding of important issues, such as modeling, processing, microstructures and mechanical properties, as related to FGMs produced via AM, are described and discussed in an effort to assess the state of the art in this field as well as to provide insight into future research directions.

Additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials: A review

Microstructure characteristics and performance of dissimilar welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum formed by friction stirring

http://camj.uwaterloo.ca/pdf/2012/JJ_Yan_2012_Scripta.pdf

Jiuchun Yan

Papers

Microstructure characteristics and performance of dissimilar welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum formed by friction stirring

Pressureless bonding process using Ag nanoparticle paste for flexible electronics packaging

Ultrasonic assisted fabrication of particle reinforced bonds joining aluminum metal matrix composites

Interaction behaviors at the interface between liquid Al–Si and solid Ti–6Al–4V in ultrasonic-assisted brazing in air

Interface structure and strength of ultrasonic vibration liquid phase bonded joints of Al2O3p/6061Al composites