Shiju Guo

Development of Si3N4/ Al composite by pressureless melt infiltration

Abstract Pressureless infiltration processs to synthesize Si 3 N 4 /Al composite was investigated. Al-2%Mg alloy was infiltrated into Si 3 N 4 and Si 3 N 4 containing 10% Al 2 O 3 preforms in the atmosphere of nitrogen. It is possible to infiltrate Al-2% Mg alloy in Si 3 N 4 and Si 3 N 4 containing 10% Al 2 O 3 preforms. The growth of the dense composite of useful thickness was facilitated by the presence of magnesium powder at the interface and by flowing nitrogen. During infiltration Si 3 N 4 reacted with aluminium to form Si and AlN, the growth of composite was found to proceed in two ways, depending on the Al 2 O 3 content in the initial preform. Firstly, preform without Al 2 O 3 content gives rise to AlN, Al 3.27 Si 0.47 and Al type phases after infiltration. Secondly, perform with 10% Al 2 O 3 content gives rise to AlN-Al 2 O 3 solid solution phase (AlON), MgAl 2 O 4 , Al and Si type phases. AlON phase was only present in composite, containing 10% Al 2 O 3 in the Si 3 N 4 preforms before infiltration.

Effect of Cu3P addition on sintering behaviour of elemental powders in the composition of 465 stainless steel

Abstract The addition of Cu3P for developing the high strength 465 maraging stainless steel from elemental powders was studied. The sintering parameters investigated were sintering temperature, sintering time and wt-%Cu3P. In vacuum sintering, effective sintering took place between 1300 and 1350°C. The maximum sintered density of 7·44 g cm−3 was achieved at 1350°C for 60 min with 4–6 wt-%Cu3P. More than 6 wt-%Cu3P content and temperature >1350°C caused slumping of the specimens. The sintered specimens were heat treated and a maximum ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 767 MPa was achieved with 4 wt-%Cu3P content. The maximum hardness of 45·5 HRC was achieved in heat treated condition with 4 wt-%Cu3P content. Above 4 wt-%Cu3P content increase in density was observed whereas the response to heat treatment decreased. Fracture morphologies of the sintered specimens were also reported. A comparison of sintering behaviour and mechanical properties of elemental powders with prealloyed powders was also given in the present study.

Stainless steel binder for the development of novel TiC-reinforced steel cermets

Abstract Steel reinforced TiC composites are an attractive choice for wear resistance and corrosion resistance applications. TiC-reinforced 17-4PH maraging stainless matrix composites were processed by conventional powder metallurgy (P/M). TiC-reinforced maraging stainless steel composites with >97% of theoretical density were fabricated. The microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of the composites were evaluated. The microstructure of these composites consisted of spherical and semi-spherical TiC particles. A few microcracks appeared in the composites, showing the presence of tensile stress in the composites produced during sintering. Typical properties, namely, hardness and bend strength were reported for the sintered composites. After heat treatment and aging, the increase of hardness was observed. The increase of hardness was attributed to the aging reaction in the 17-4PH stainless steel. The precipitates appeared in the microstructure and were responsible for the increase in hardness. The specific wear behavior of the composites was strongly dependent on the content of TiC particles, the interparticle spacing, and the presence of hard precipitates in the binder phase.

Sintering behavior, microstructure and properties of TiC-FeCr hard alloy

Abstract TiC based cermets were produced with FeCr, as a binder, by conventional P/M (powder metallurgy) to near >97% of the theoretical density. Sintering temperature significantly affects the mechanical properties of the composite. The sintering temperature of >1360°C caused severe chemical reaction between TiC particles and the binder phase. In the TiC-FeCr cermets, the mechanical properties did not vary linearly with the carbide content. Optimum mechanical properties were found in the composite containing 57wt% TiC reinforcement, when sintered at 1360°C for 1 h. Use of carbon as an additive enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Cermets containing carbon as an additive with 49wt% TiC exhibited attractive mechanical properties. The microstructure of the developed composite contained less or no debonding, representing good wettability of the binder with TiC particles. Homogeneous distribution of the TiC particles ensured the presence of isotropic mechanical properties and homogeneous distribution of stresses in the composite. Preliminary experiments for evaluation of the oxidation resistance of FeCr bonded TiC cermets indicate that they are more resistant than WC-Co hardmetals.

Preparation of CuInSe2 thin films by four-step process

A simple process for the deposition of CuInSe2 thin films was described. The CuInSe2 compound was prepared by selenization of Cu-In alloy precursors, which were electrodeposited at a constant current. The selenized precursors were compacted and then annealed. The films were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicate that single-phase CuInSe2 is formed at 250℃ and its crystallinity of this phase is improved as the annealing temperature rises. The losses of In occur in selenization process. The dense CuInSe2 film with comparatively smooth surface can be obtained by compaction under the pressure of 200 MPa.

Fabrication and compressive performance of plain carbon steel honeycomb sandwich panels

Plain carbon steel Q215 honeycomb sandwich panels were manufactured by brazing in a vacuum furnace. Their characteristic parameters, including equivalent density, equivalent elastic modulus, and equivalent compressive strength along out-of-plane (z-direction) and in-plane (x- and y-directions), were derived theoretically and then determined experimentally by an 810 material test system. On the basis of the experimental data, the compressive stress-strain curves were given. The results indicate that the measurements of equivalent Youngs modulus and initial compressive strength are in good agreement with calculations, and that the maximum compressive strain near to solid can be up to 0.5-0.6 along out-of-plane, 0.6-0.7 along in-plane. The strength-to-density ratio of plain carbon steel honeycomb panels is near to those of Al alloy hexagonal-honeycomb and 304L stainless steel square-honeycomb, but the compressive peak strength is greater than that of Al alloy hexagonal-honeycomb.

Lubrication effectiveness of composite lubricants during P/M electrostatic die wall lubrication and warm compaction

The lubrication effectiveness of the composite lubricants, 50wt% ethylene bis-stearamide (EBS) wax + 50wt% graphite and 50wt% EBS wax + 50wt% BN, during the powder metallurgy (P/M) electrostatic die wall lubrication and warm compaction was studied. The results show that the combination of 50wt% EBS wax and 50wt% graphite has excellent lubrication performance, resulting in fairly high green densities, but the mixture of 50wt% EBS wax and 50wt% BN has less beneficial effect. In addition, corresponding die temperatures should be applied when different die wall lubricants are used to achieve the highest green densities.

A new kind of age hardenable martensitic stainless steel with high strength and toughness

Abstract Following analysis of typical age hardenable martensitic stainless steels, a new kind of maragingstainless was developed. The new maraging stainless steel showed high strength, ultimate tensilestrength (UTS) 5 1670 MPa, high toughness, K IC 5 83·9 MPa m1/2 and hardness as high as 478 HVin the age hardened condition. Microstructural study with an optical and transmission electron microscope revealed the typical microstructure of age hardenable stainless steel containing lathmartensite and precipitates. TixNi precipitates were identified by transmission electron microscopy, which were responsible for the increase in mechanical properties after age hardening. The results of natural salt spray test showed that the corrosion resistance of new maraging stainless steel approached to the corrosion resistance of 304L stainless steel.

TiC-maraging stainless steel composite: microstructure, mechanical and wear properties

Particulate TiC reinforced 17-4PH and 465 maraging stainless steel matrix composites were processed by conventional powder metallurgy (P/M). TiC-maraging stainless steel composites with theoretical density >97% were produced using conventional P/M. The microstructure, and mechanical and wear properties of the composites were evaluated. The microstructure of the composites consisted of (core-rim structure) spherical and semi-spherical TiC particles depending on the wettability of the matrix with TiC particles. In TiC-maraging stainless steel composites, 465 stainless steel binder phase showed good wettability with TiC particles. Some microcracks appeared in the composites, indicating the presence of tensile stresses in the composites produced during sintering. The typical properties, hardness, and bend strength were reported for the composites. After heat treatment and aging, an increase in hardness was observed. The increase in hardness was attributed to the aging reaction in maraging stainless steel. The specific wear behavior of the composites strongly depends on the content of TiC particles and their interparticle spacing, and on the heat treatment of the maraging stainless steel.

Preparation of CuInSe2 thin films by paste coating

Precursor pastes were obtained by milling Cu-In alloys and Se powders. CuInSe2 thin films were successfully prepared by precursor layers, which were coated using these pastes, and were annealed in a H2 atmosphere. The pastes were tested by laser particle diameter analyzer, simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis instruments (TG-DTA), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Selenized films were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results indicate that chalcopyrite CuInSe2 is formed at 180°C and the crystallinity of this phase is improved as the temperature rises. All the CuInSe2 thin films, which were annealed at various temperatures, exhibit the preferred orientation along the (112) plane. The compression of precursor layers before selenization step is one of the most essential factors for the preparation of perfect CuInSe2 thin films.