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Crystals
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Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites
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Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystalline Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (17 April 2025) | Viewed by 5205

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ziyong Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Interests: light weight high temperature resistant material; ultra-high strength and toughness aluminum alloy and composite materials; biomedical titanium alloy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are widely used in various engineering applications such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. They are a composite material that combines the properties of metals and ceramics. The processing, structure, and properties of MMCs are of great interest to materials researchers.

The processing of MMCs involves the mixing of a metal matrix with a reinforcement material such as carbon fibers, chopped fibers, whiskers, platelets, or particles. The reinforcement material can be either continuous or discontinuous. Common preparation methods of metal matrix composites include solid phase, liquid phase, and chemical methods. Spark plasma sintering represents the solid phase method, and the liquid phase method is represented by the melting casting method. The chemical vapor deposition method is the representative method. Following the introduction, methods of particles can be divided into in situ methods and external methods.

The structure of MMCs is complex and depends on the type of reinforcement material and the processing method. The reinforcement material can be randomly distributed in the metal matrix or aligned in a specific direction. The orientation of the reinforcement material has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the composite.

The properties of MMCs are determined by the properties of the metal matrix and the reinforcement material. The reinforcement material can improve the composite's strength, stiffness, and wear resistance. However, the presence of the reinforcement material can also affect the thermal and electrical properties of the composite.

In conclusion, the processing, structure, and properties of MMCs are complex and depend on various factors. Developing MMCs with improved properties requires a thorough understanding of the interactions between the metal matrix, reinforcement material, and processing method. Further research is needed to optimize the processing and properties of MMCs for specific applications.

Prof. Dr. Ziyong Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • synthesis process
  • chemical properties
  • interface
  • physiscal properties
  • dispersion

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 10785 KiB  
Communication
Revealing the Interaction Between Dislocations and LPSO-Precipitates Structure in a Mg-Y-Al Alloy at Different Temperatures
by Qingchun Zhu, Yangxin Li, Huan Zhang, Jie Wang, Hongxiang Jiang and Jiuzhou Zhao
Crystals 2024, 14(12), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14121018 - 23 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1018
Abstract
Precipitation strengthening represents a crucial strengthening approach in the realm of metals, with particular significance for magnesium. In this study, a complex LPSO–precipitate structure, which is constituted of the principal secondary phases in Mg rare earth (RE) alloys, namely the Long-Period Stacking Ordered [...] Read more.
Precipitation strengthening represents a crucial strengthening approach in the realm of metals, with particular significance for magnesium. In this study, a complex LPSO–precipitate structure, which is constituted of the principal secondary phases in Mg rare earth (RE) alloys, namely the Long-Period Stacking Ordered (LPSO) phase and the aging precipitate, was successfully fabricated within a Mg-11Y-1Al alloy. Subsequently, an in-depth investigation was conducted regarding the interaction between dislocations and this LPSO–precipitate structure under varying temperature conditions. The findings revealed that, at room temperature (RT), the aging precipitates effectively hindered the movement of basal dislocations, and the activation of non-basal dislocations is rather difficult, resulting in the alloy’s high strength and low plasticity. When the temperature was elevated to 200 °C, although non-basal slip could be initiated, the LPSO–precipitate structure was capable of blocking both basal and non-basal slips. Consequently, the alloy still demonstrated high strength and low plasticity. As the temperature further increased to 250 °C, dislocations could cut through the aging precipitate particles, and the interior of the grains could provide partial deformation. Hence, the tensile elongation of the alloy was significantly enhanced, increasing from 4% to 12% as the temperature was elevated from 200 °C to 250 °C. These results suggest that the LPSO–precipitate structure still exerts a remarkable strengthening effect at 200 °C. When the temperature reaches 250 °C, the plasticity of the alloy is improved but its strength decreases. The research outcomes presented in this paper offer a novel perspective for the precise tailoring of mechanical properties through precipitation strengthening within Mg-RE alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites)
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11 pages, 6860 KiB  
Article
Effect of Powder Preparation Techniques on Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Wear Behaviors of Graphene-Reinforced Copper Matrix Composites
by Doan Dinh Phuong, Pham Van Trinh, Phan Ngoc Minh, Alexandr A. Shtertser and Vladimir Y. Ulianitsky
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14111000 - 19 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 854
Abstract
In this study, the effect of powder preparation techniques on microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behaviors of graphene-reinforced copper matrix (Gr/Cu) composites was investigated. The composite powders were prepared by two different techniques including high-energy ball (HEB) milling and nanoscale dispersion (ND). The [...] Read more.
In this study, the effect of powder preparation techniques on microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behaviors of graphene-reinforced copper matrix (Gr/Cu) composites was investigated. The composite powders were prepared by two different techniques including high-energy ball (HEB) milling and nanoscale dispersion (ND). The obtained results showed that the ND technique allows the preparation of the composite powder with a smaller and more uniform grain size compared to the HEB technique. By adding Gr, the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the composite were much improved compared to pure Cu. In addition, the composite using the powder prepared by the ND technique exhibits the best performance with the improvement in hardness (40%), tensile strength (66%) and wear resistance (38%) compared to pure Cu. This results from the uniform grain size of the Cu matrix and the good bonding between Cu matrix and Gr. The strengthening mechanisms were also analyzed to clarify the contribution of the powder preparation techniques on the load transfer strengthening mechanisms of the prepared composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites)
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14 pages, 11753 KiB  
Article
Wear Behaviour of Graphene-Reinforced Ti-Cu Waste-Metal Friction Composites Fabricated with Spark Plasma Sintering
by Mária Podobová, Viktor Puchý, Richard Sedlák, Dávid Medveď, Róbert Džunda and František Kromka
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110948 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 934
Abstract
In this study, we fabricated Ti-Cu-based friction composites containing waste-metal (Ti, CuZn, stainless steel (SSt), MgAl), Al2O3 due to improving properties and its good compatibility with copper and graphene nanoplatelets as reinforcement and lubricant component, using planetary ball mill and [...] Read more.
In this study, we fabricated Ti-Cu-based friction composites containing waste-metal (Ti, CuZn, stainless steel (SSt), MgAl), Al2O3 due to improving properties and its good compatibility with copper and graphene nanoplatelets as reinforcement and lubricant component, using planetary ball mill and technique based on Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Understanding the wear behaviour of such engineered friction composites is essential to improve their material design and safety, as these materials could have the potential for use in public and industrial transportation, such as high-speed rail trains and aircraft or cars. This is why our study is focused on wear behaviour during friction between function parts of devices. We investigated the composite materials designed by us in order to clarify their microstructural state and mechanical properties. Using different loading conditions, we determined the Coefficient of Friction (COF) using a ball-on-disc tribological test. We analysed the state of the samples after the mentioned test using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), then Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and confocal microscopy. Also, a comparative analysis of friction properties with previously studied materials was performed. The results showed that friction composites with different compositions, despite the same conditions of their compaction during sintering, can be defined by different wear characteristics. Our study can potentially have a significant contribution to the understanding of wear mechanisms of Ti-Cu-based composites with incorporated metal-waste and to improving their material design and performance. Also, it can give us information about the possibilities of reusing metal-waste from different machining operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites)
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12 pages, 3649 KiB  
Article
Performance Assessment on the Manufacturing of Zn-22Al-2Cu Alloy Foams Using Barite by Melt Route
by Alejandro Cruz-Ramírez, Ivón Contreras-Hernández, Eduardo Colin-García, Gabriel Plascencia-Barrera, Miguel Pérez-Labra, Víctor Hugo Gutiérrez-Pérez and Margarita García-Hernández
Crystals 2024, 14(10), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14100872 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1053
Abstract
A barium-rich Celestine (Sr,Ba)SO4 concentrate from the primary Mexican ore production was used as a thickening agent to produce closed-cell Zn-22Al-2Cu alloy foams, while calcium carbonate was used as a foaming agent. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the foams were analyzed [...] Read more.
A barium-rich Celestine (Sr,Ba)SO4 concentrate from the primary Mexican ore production was used as a thickening agent to produce closed-cell Zn-22Al-2Cu alloy foams, while calcium carbonate was used as a foaming agent. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the foams were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and compression tests, respectively. The Zn-22Al-2Cu alloy foams showed a typical lamellar eutectic microstructure, constituted by a zinc-rich phase (η) and a (α) solid solution that was richer in aluminum, while a copper-rich (ε) phase was formed in the interdendritic regions. The SEM micrographs show the presence of small particles and aggregates that are randomly scattered in the cell walls and correspond to unreacted calcite and Celestine–Barian particles, especially for the higher barite addition. The compressive curves showed smooth behavior, wherein the particles at the cell walls did not affect the foam’s compressive behavior. The trial containing 1.5 wt. % of BaSO4 and 1.0 wt. % of CaCO3 showed a higher energy absorption capacity of 5.64 MJ m−3 because of its highest relative density and lowest porosity values. The Celestine–Barian concentrate could be used as a foaming agent for high melt-point metals or alloys based on the TGA results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites)
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21 pages, 14540 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd Composite with the Adoption of Two-Stage Solution and Aging Treatment
by Jihao Li, Zhilei Xiang, Gaoliang Shen, Jingcun Huang, Wenchao Sun, Zian Yang, Yang Han, Leizhe Li, Meng Li and Ziyong Chen
Crystals 2024, 14(10), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14100836 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 894
Abstract
In this study, in order to obtain excellent mechanical properties in TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd composite, an optimized heat treatment, i.e., short-time solution treatment at 535 °C for 1 h following long-time solution at 523 °C for 11 h, and aging treatment, i.e., aged [...] Read more.
In this study, in order to obtain excellent mechanical properties in TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd composite, an optimized heat treatment, i.e., short-time solution treatment at 535 °C for 1 h following long-time solution at 523 °C for 11 h, and aging treatment, i.e., aged at 170 °C for 12 h, is proposed. In addition, this study investigated the connection between microstructure evolution and mechanical properties during heat treatment. The results show that with adoption of the optimized solution treatment, the area fraction of second and eutectic Al2Cu phases decreased from 5.08% in the as-cast state to less than 0.36% owing to improvement of dissolution efficiency in the high-temperature short-time solution. Comparing mechanical properties of the composite in the as-cast state and in the peak-aged state, average ultimate tensile strength and yield strength increased from 211.9 MPa to 523.0 MPa and from 115.8 MPa to 451.8 MPa, respectively. However, average elongation slightly decreased from 8.78% to 8.24%. Strength contribution of the peak-aged TiB2/Al–Cu–Mn–Cd composite was mainly ascribed to Cd-rich, θ″ and θ′ precipitates. In the peak-aged state, number density and average diameter of the plate-like θ″ and θ′ precipitates reached 4.266 × 1021 m3 and 64.30 nm, respectively, and severe lattice distortions occurred around the Cd-rich precipitates, providing the strongest precipitation strengthening. These findings indicate that the two-stage solution treatment successfully solved the problem of the eutectic phase at the triangular grain boundary being difficult to dissolve in a TiB2/Al-Cu-Mn-Cd composite, and excellent mechanical properties were acquired with the optimized aging treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Processing, Structure and Properties of Metal Matrix Composites)
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