Ralf Eckner

Effect of zirconia and aluminium titanate on the mechanical properties of transformation-induced plasticity-matrix composite materials

Metal-matrix composite materials composed of an austenitic stainless steel with different ceramic particle reinforcements were investigated in this study. The test specimens were prepared via a powder metallurgical processing route with extrusion at room temperature. As reinforcement phase, either magnesia partially stabilized zirconia or aluminium titanate with a volume content of 5% or 10% was used. The mechanical properties were determined by quasi-static compressive and tensile loading tests at ambient temperature. The microstructure characteristics and failure mechanisms during deformation contributing to significant changes in strength and ductility were characterized by scanning electron microscopy including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron back-scatter diffraction, and by X-ray diffraction. The composite materials showed higher stress over a wide range of strain. Essentially, the deformation-induced formation of α′-martensite in the steel matrices is responsible for the pronounced strain hardening. At higher degrees of deformation, the material behavior of the composites was controlled by arising damage evolution initiated by particle/matrix interface debonding and particle fracture. The particle reinforcement effects of zirconia and aluminium titanate were mainly controlled by their influences on martensitic phase transformations and the metal/ceramic interfacial reactions, respectively. Thereby, the intergranular bonding strength and the toughness of the steel/ceramic interfaces were apparently higher in composite variants with aluminium titanate than in composites with magnesia partially stabilized zirconia particles.

High Strain Rate Compression Testing of Hot-Pressed TRIP/TWIP-Matrix-Composites

Metal matrix composites with ceramic reinforcements such as particles or fibers have come into focus during the past decades due to rising requirements on engineering materials. In this work, composite materials out of high-alloy CrMnNi-steel matrices with varying Ni-contents (3 wt.% and 9 wt.%) and 10 vol.% Mg-PSZ were processed by hot-pressing. The variation in Ni-content resulted in a change in stacking fault energy (SFE) which significantly influenced the deformation mechanisms. The mechanical behavior of the developed composites was investigated in a wide strain rate range between 0.0004 s-1 and 2300 s-1 under compressive loading. This was done by a servohydraulic testing system, a drop weight tower, and a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar for the high strain rates. To study the influence on the deformation mechanisms such as martensitic transformations and/or twinning, interrupted tests were also carried out at 25 % compressive strain. Subsequent microstructural examinations were done by a magnetic balance to measure the quantity of α’-martensite as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show an increase of strength and strain hardening with decreasing SFE of the matrix due to increased α’-martensite formation. The addition of the Mg-PSZ particles resulted in further strengthening over almost the entire deformation range for all investigated composites. At high strain rates quasi-adiabatic heating suppressed the martensite transformation and reduced the strain hardening capacity of the matrix. Nonetheless the particle reinforcement retains its strengthening effect.

Joining of Zirconia Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composites

Metal-matrix composite materials, based on a metastable austenitic stainless steel reinforced with a magnesia partially stabilised zirconia have been prepared by a ceramics-derived extrusion technology. Using this powder metallurgical method enables the shaping of lightweight cellular structures as well as bulk specimens with a variety of steel/ceramic ratios at room temperature. However, the extrusion of composite structures is limited by the uniform cross section throughout its entire length. Joining of these metal-matrix composite preforms after sintering by conventional welding techniques is a challenging task. The presence of ceramic fractions may lead to several complications and the subsequent heat exposure during joining may initiate phase transformations in both metastable components resulting in a deterioration of the mechanical properties of the composite material. An adapted ceramics-derived joining technology allows the combination of varying TRIP-steel/zirconia composite materials. The main features are the machining and joining of the parts in their dry green state at room temperature before their thermal treatment. Thus, the material’s consolidation and the formation of the joint take place simultaneously. The ability of joining different parts offers the possibility to create structures for complex applications and testing conditions. The key to advanced properties of the joining zone are the base materials, the surface treatment of the parts, and the paste used for joining. The joining process of different base materials, the mechanical properties, and the microstructure of sinter-joint samples are presented.

Fracture Mechanics Characterization of Sintered 30 Vol.-% Al2O3/TRIP Steel Composites Using SENB Miniature Samples

Ceramic particle reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs) combine the strength and brittleness of ceramics with the toughness of a metallic matrix. In order to use these materials in construction and operational design their fracture mechanical behavior must be evaluated. In this study, a 30 vol.-% Al2O3 reinforced austenitic TRIP steel processed by powder metallurgical technique was investigated using precracked miniature SENB-specimens in 3-point-bending. An elastic-plastic analysis by means of the J-integral method in combination with optical crack observation showed the materials ability of stable crack growth, i. e. R-curve behavior. In addition to the mechanical tests microstructural studies were performed, whereby particle debonding and fracture as well as martensitic phase transformation and crack bridging within the matrix were identified as fracture energy dissipating mechanisms.