Principles of equal-channel angular pressing as a processing tool for grain refinement

One-dimensional carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional graphene nanosheets with unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties are attractive reinforcements for fabricating light weight, high strength and high performance metal-matrix composites. Rapid advances of nanotechnology in recent years enable the development of advanced metal matrix nanocomposites for structural engineering and functional device applications. This review focuses on the recent development in the synthesis, property characterization and application of aluminum, magnesium, and transition metal-based composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets. These include processing strategies of carbonaceous nanomaterials and their composites, mechanical and tribological responses, corrosion, electrical and thermal properties as well as hydrogen storage and electrocatalytic behaviors. The effects of nanomaterial dispersion in the metal matrix and the formation of interfacial precipitates on these properties are also addressed. Particular attention is paid to the fundamentals and the structure–property relationships of such novel nanocomposites.

Recent progress in the development and properties of novel metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets

Aluminium hybrid composites are a new generation of metal matrix composites that have the potentials of satisfying the recent demands of advanced engineering applications. These demands are met due to improved mechanical properties, amenability to conventional processing technique and possibility of reducing production cost of aluminium hybrid composites. The performance of these materials is mostly dependent on selecting the right combination of reinforcing materials since some of the processing parameters are associated with the reinforcing particulates. A few combinations of reinforcing particulates have been conceptualized in the design of aluminium hybrid composites. This paper attempts to review the different combination of reinforcing materials used in the processing of hybrid aluminium matrix composites and how it affects the mechanical, corrosion and wear performance of the materials. The major techniques for fabricating these materials are briefly discussed and research areas for further improvement on aluminium hybrid composites are suggested.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/425909.pdf

Aluminium matrix hybrid composites: a review of reinforcement philosophies; mechanical, corrosion and tribological characteristics

Influence of stirring speed and stirring time on distribution of particles in cast metal matrix composite

Magnesium is a light metal, with a density two-thirds that of aluminium, is abundant on Earth and is biocompatible; it thus has the potential to improve energy efficiency and system performance in aerospace, automobile, defence, mobile electronics and biomedical applications. However, conventional synthesis and processing methods (alloying and thermomechanical processing) have reached certain limits in further improving the properties of magnesium and other metals. Ceramic particles have been introduced into metal matrices to improve the strength of the metals, but unfortunately, ceramic microparticles severely degrade the plasticity and machinability of metals, and nanoparticles, although they have the potential to improve strength while maintaining or even improving the plasticity of metals, are difficult to disperse uniformly in metal matrices. Here we show that a dense uniform dispersion of silicon carbide nanoparticles (14 per cent by volume) in magnesium can be achieved through a nanoparticle self-stabilization mechanism in molten metal. An enhancement of strength, stiffness, plasticity and high-temperature stability is simultaneously achieved, delivering a higher specific yield strength and higher specific modulus than almost all structural metals.

J. Hashim

Papers

Metal matrix composites: production by the stir casting method

Particle distribution in cast metal matrix composites—Part I

The wettability of SiC particles by molten aluminium alloy

The enhancement of wettability of SiC particles in cast aluminium matrix composites