Hamidreza Ghandvar

Wettability Enhancement of SiCp in Cast A356/SiCp Composite Using Semisolid Process

The effects of SiCp treatment and magnesium addition on microstructural and mechanical properties of Al356/20 wt% SiCp semisolid composites were investigated. The results showed that cleaning and oxidizing of SiCp and addition of 1 wt% Mg resulted in improving wettability, incorporation, and uniform distribution of SiCp in A356 matrix. Consequently, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) value increased by 19% and 32% when the SiC was treated and also when Mg was added, respectively, compared to as-received SiCp. In addition, hardness value increased from 69.7 HV in as-received SiCp to 94.8 HV after SiCp treatment and addition of Mg.

Effect of Wettability Enhancement of SiC Particles on Impact Toughness and Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Compocasted A356/20SiCp Composites

ABSTRACT In this study, the effect of wettability improvement of SiCp on the impact and sliding wear behavior of A356/20 wt% SiCp composites produced by a compocasting technique has been investigated. The result showed an increase of incorporation and uniform distribution of SiCp in the A356 matrix by elimination of SiCp segregation. Desired bonding between SiCp and the aluminum matrix due to improved wettability resulted in enhanced properties in terms of improved impact toughness and wear resistance. This improvement was also associated with partial refinement of coarse eutectic silicon due to increased incorporation and distribution of SiCp reinforcements. The highest enhancement was obtained when 1% Mg was added into the melt in addition to pretreated SiCp. The impact toughness value increased by 10 and 26% and the wear rate decreased by 5 and 30% when the SiC was treated and when Mg was added, respectively, compared to as-received SiCp. The impact fracture surfaces showed fewer decohered and well-bonded SiC particles in A356–(SiC-treated-Mg) composite. The highest wear resistance of A356/SiCp composites was achieved by A356–(SiC-treated-Mg) composite for applied loads of 10 and 20 N compared to other fabricated composites. The worn surface revealed mild abrasion and adhesion wear mechanisms.

Investigation of Corrosion Protection Performance of Multiphase PEO (Mg2SiO4, MgO, MgAl2O4) Coatings on Mg Alloy Formed in Aluminate-Silicate- based Mixture Electrolyte

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings in the aluminate-silicate-based mixture electrolyte solution with different duty cycles were successfully applied on Mg alloy. The corrosion behavior of the samples was evaluated by water contact angle test, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and immersion tests. Hydrophobic PEO coating could be obtained by adjusting the duty cycle of the applied electric signal. This coating considerably diminished the Mg dissolution and could enhance the impedance values of Mg alloy in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. However, the surface of other PEO coated samples showed more hydrophilic properties compared to that of the uncoated sample. Dense structure of the modified PEO multiphase (including Mg2SiO4, MgO and MgAl2O4 phases) coating and also its appropriate thickness provided an effective barrier to remarkably delay corrosive solution penetration into the PEO coating. This phenomenon led to major decrease in anodic current density of alloy in chloride solution.