The effect of high TiC particle content on the tensile cracking and corrosion behavior of Al–5Cu matrix composites

The high-TiC particle volume fraction on the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the A–5Cu matrix composites were investigated with porosity, hardness, tensile tests, and polarization measurements. The composites reinforced with 18, 27, and 50 vol% TiC particulates were produced successfully by using hot-pressing technique under Ar atmosphere and characterized by scanning electron microscope, electron dispersive spectroscope, and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion susceptibilities of the composites were compared with potentiodynamic scanning technique. It was found that the hardness of the composites increases while the fracture strength decreases with increasing TiC reinforcement content in the matrix. The corrosion susceptibilities of 18 and 27 vol% TiC-reinforced composites are almost the same; the corrosion rate of 50 vol% TiC-reinforced composite was approximately 10 times higher than the composites reinforced with 18 and 27 vol% TiC particles in the 3.5% NaCl. In addition, some preferential corrosion attacks were detected at TiC/matrix interfaces and in TiC clusters during the corrosion process of the composites. Therefore, the porosity content in the composites was almost the same level.

Effect of mechanical alloying on the synthesis of Fe-TiC nanocomposite

TiC particulates-reinforced Fe-based nanocomposites were fabricated using ferrotitanium and carbon black powders by mechanical alloying (MA). The raw materials were milled in a planetary ball mill and sampled in different times. The phase type, crystallite size, and mean strain of milled samples were estimated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of milled powders showed that titanium carbide was synthesized gradually after 90 min of milling and its formation was completed after 5 h and the crystallite size of the produced carbide was in nanometer scale. Increasing milling times gave rise to the reduction of crystallite size as well as the augmentation of the mean strain. Microstructural studies confirmed the accuracy of crystallite size calculations by XRD patterns.

Studies on Tensile Properties of Titanium Carbide (TiC) Particulates Composites

The aim of this study is to determine the tensile properties of titanium carbide (TiC) particulate reinforced with aluminium alloy 11.8% silicon (LM6) alloy composite. In this experimental study, TiC particulates reinforced with LM6 composite were manufactured by sand and permanent metallic mould methods. Tensile properties of these composite materials were investigated by different weight percentages, 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%wt. The tensile tests were conducted to determine tensile strength and modulus young to investigate the effects of reinforce materials on weight percentages. The outcome of the investigations reveals that the tensile strength is enhanced from 0wt% to 10wt% of TiC and start to decrease after the addition of 10wt% of TiC. Good bonding and wettability between the composites ranging from 0%wt. to 10%wt. of TiC influence the close distribution of TiC particles in the LM6 alloy matrix. The addition of 10%wt. to 20%wt. of TiC in LM6 alloy matrix cause the lower resistance and load-bearing capacity and the particle are no longer isolated with the LM6 alloy matrix causing the worse value of tensile strength.

Effect of TiC Particulates on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composite

In this research, metal-matrix composites (MMCs) of aluminium-11.8% silicon alloy matrix reinforced with titanium carbides particulates were fabricated by the casting technique. Aluminium-11.8% silicon alloy is selected as the matrix material and titanium carbide as particulates are mixed in different weight percentages, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%wt. The cylinder composite castings are made by pouring the composite mixture in copper permanent-molds. The microstructure and mechanical properties of these composite materials were investigated. The effects of reinforced materials on weight percentages addition of particulate on the particulate distribution in aluminium-11.8% silicon alloy composites and SEM observation of the fracture surfaces of tensile tested specimens were deliberate. Moreover, cylinder castings without particulate addition are made and compared with the result based on the properties and microstructural features. It is found that the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites significantly improved by the use of particle reinforced into aluminium alloy.

Hot Working and Processing Maps of TiCp Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Matrix Composite

Hot working behavior of an aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with TiC particulates was investigated by a high temperature compression test. Power dissipation maps were constructed using a dynamic material model and the deformation mechanism was investigated by means of an EBSD analysis. The interrelationship between the microstructure evolution and the efficiency of power dissipation was derived and the roles of TiC particles and other constituent phases in determining processing maps were further discussed.

Microstructure of TIG Melted Composite Coating on Steel Produced Using 1.0 and 1.5 mg/mm2 TiC at an Energy Input of 2640 J/mm

Surface modification by reinforcing ceramic particulates can give protection against wear and corrosion of metal. In this work, two different amounts of TiC powder of nominal size 45 to 100 µm were embedded on AISI 4340 steel surfaces by melting under a Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding torch with an energy input of 2640 J/mm. The microstructure, geometry and hardness of the single track composite layers were investigated. The resolidified melt tracks were hemispherical in shape. With increasing TiC content, the melt dimensions reduced a little but the microstructure had a remarkable change. The track with 1.5 mg/mm2 TiC gave more un-melted TiC, partially melted TiC and agglomeration of ceramic particulates while the 1.0 mg/mm2 track dissolved most TiC particulates and precipitated carbides in the form of dendrite, globular and flower type particles; dendrites are almost absent in the 1.5 mg/mm2 track. A reduced TiC addition created more fluid melt which accelerated dissolution of TiC and that caused more carbide precipitation in the 1.0 mg/mm2 track compared to that with 1.5 mg/mm2 track. The 1.0 mg/mm2 track produced lower hardness of 1065 Hv compared to 1350 Hv for the 1.5 mg/mm2 track.

Composite Coating on Steel Surfaces by Adding TiC and h-BN Particulates under TIG Torch Melting

Wear is a common problem for engineering components subjected to dynamic loading. Surface modification is mostly applied to reduce the wear. An exploratory research is conducted to form a composite coating on AISI 4340 steel surfaces by incorporating a mixture of TiC and hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN) particulates using powder placement and TIG torch melting techniques. Initial results show the evidence of TiC incorporation in all tracks but the presence of h-BN is limited in a few tracks. However, processing conditions are identified that can produce composite coatings incorporating both TiC and h-BN particulates. The melt microstructure consists of a small amount of un-melted TiC and h-BN, partially melted TiC particulates with eutectic structure containing precipitated TiC and TiB2 particles. Hardness of the coating is found to fluctuate along the melt depth. However, the maximum hardness of the coating is about 3 times the base hardness of 250 HV.