Interfacial Bonding and Abrasive Wear Behavior of Iron Matrix Composite Reinforced by Ceramic Particles

Using zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) particles and Ni–Ti complex powders as raw materials, high-Cr cast iron reinforced by ZTA particles was prepared by an infiltration casting process. A continuous transition layer formed at the interface between ZTA particles and the Cr15 matrix, which proves that there is strong metallurgical interfacial bonding at the interface. The phases in the Ni–Ti layer of the ZTAP/Fe composite were preserved compared with the microstructure of sintered ZTA ceramic preform. The hardness of the Ni3Ti, TiO and AlNi2Ti phases in the interfacial transition layer was measured by the nano-indentation method, which is 12.5 GPa, 16.1 GPa and 9.2 GPa, respectively. The three-body wear resistance of the composite reached 12.6 times that of high-Cr cast iron.

Microstructure and Erosion Resistance of Zirconium Diboride Ceramics Infiltrated by Pure Copper

Cu/ZrB2 composite was prepared by gas pressure infiltration of molten metal into ceramic preform. Microstructure and erosion resistance of composite was investigated. The microstructure was analysed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical compositions were analysed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Good penetration of copper along the grain boundaries of the 60% porosity sintered ceramics was analysed in the whole volume of composite. The interfacial morphology shows the regular interfaces without any macroscopic reactions [1]. Cu/ZrB2 composite was subjected to 60 spark discharges to investigate the ablation resistance. Linear dependence of the amount of loss material on the number of electrical discharge analytical cycles for Cu/ZrB2 composite was determined.

Reinforcing cast iron with composite insert

The paper presents a proprietary method of making composite cast iron (eutectic) locally reinforced with ceramics. The research included making casts with a ceramic layer, its percentage of the surface was 30%. The research included abrasive wear resistance according to ASTM G 65-00. As a result of the research it has been found that the infiltration of the molten metal into the ceramic preform mainly affects the correct production of the cast with local reinforcement. The research results also have proven that the application of a lattice ceramic insert placed in the mould is the most appropriate option, due to the even distribution of the particles in the cast and obtaining a sound cast.

Centrifugal Infiltration of Porous Ceramic Preforms by the Liquid Al Alloy – Theoretical Background and Experimental Verification

The goal of this work is the description of phenomena occurring during centrifugal infiltration of porous ceramic materials by liquid Al alloy. In this method, the pressure required to infiltration of liquid metal into pores of ceramic is generated by centrifugal force. From the beginning it was assumed that the porous ceramic material will create reinforcement layer in specific area of the casting. The forces that influence on the liquid metal during mould centrifugation and heat exchange between ceramic preform and metal alloy within the area of the front of infiltration were considered in the analysis. The paper presents also selected experiment results.

Porous ceramic stabilized phase change materials for thermal energy storage

This paper aimed to develop a novel form-stable composite phase change material (PCM) by infiltrating molten Na2SO4 into a mullite-corundum porous ceramic preform (M-PCP).

Development of Al 319-Micro Silica Metallic Composite by Squeeze Infiltration Technique

The objective of present investigation is to synthesize porous micro silica based ceramic preform with varying composition of particles using burn out technique and processing of Al-Micro silica metal-ceramic composites by squeeze infiltration method. Direct squeeze infiltration of 319 aluminum alloy on micro silica preform is successfully carried out with the controlled process parameters of initial preform temperature, liquid metal superheat, squeeze pressure and its rate of application, and die temperature. The preform and composites are characterized using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, hardness and compression strength testing. Porous ceramic preform with more than 70% porosity has been fabricated by PEG as pore former. The infiltrated composite have shown uniform and complete infiltration of aluminum alloy in between micro silica particles.