Introduction and Objectives: One effective approach for enhancing the mechanical properties of metal matrix composites is the design of architected layered heterogeneous structures. Hence, the present study aimed to develop aluminum matrix hybrid composites reinforced with SiC ceramic particles and iron-based amorphous particles, featuring a heterogeneous layered architecture and to investigate their mechanical properties.Materials and Methods: The heterogeneous structure comprised alternating layers of pure aluminum and composite material with varying thicknesses, fabricated via powder metallurgy using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructural and phase characteristics of the composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties was subsequently analyzed.Results: Microstructural analyses, including porosity evaluation and density measurements, demonstrated enhanced densification during sintering with increasing pure aluminum layer thickness. In addition, the distribution of reinforcement particles was improved by increasing the volume fraction of the pure aluminum layers relative to the composite layers. Phase analysis of all sintered samples confirmed the preservation of the amorphous nature of the iron-based reinforcement particles and revealed no evidence of interfacial reaction products at the reinforcement–matrix interfaces. Mechanical experiments showed a favorable combination of high strength and ductility, with a compressive strength of up to 191 MPa and a fracture strain of 20% in samples with a higher volume fraction of composite layers. Furthermore, increased ductility was observed with a higher volume fraction of pure aluminum layers.Conclusion: The introduction of a layered heterogeneous architecture in the hybrid composite, through modification of consolidation behavior and reinforcement particle distribution, resulted in superior mechanical properties compared to those of the homogeneous composite.

This study examines the production and analysis of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) using powder metallurgy techniques. FMG particles with nominal composition Fe75Si15B5Zr5 were synthesized using the mechanical alloying process. For the fabrication of composites, two methods were used: (a) mixing gas atomized pure aluminum (GA) powder with FMG powder and consolidating via spark plasma sintering (SPS) to form the GA/FMG composite, and (b) ball milling the GA powder before mixing with FMG powder and SPS consolidation to produce the (GA+BM)/FMG composite. As a control, pure aluminum powders before and after the ball milling process were also consolidated using SPS under identical conditions, which were designated as GA and GA+BM, respectively. Results showed a notable difference in relative density (approximately 5%) between the (GA+BM)/FMG and GA/FMG composites. Quantitative analysis revealed that reinforcing particles were more evenly distributed in the GA/FMG composite. The (GA+BM)/FMG composite exhibited a compressive yield strength of 156 MPa, double that of the GA/FMG composite, but with reduced ductility. Fractography indicated that the (GA+BM)/FMG composite was more brittle than its GA/FMG counterpart.

In this study, a comparative investigation was conducted to assess the impact of Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and silicon carbide (SiC) reinforcing particles on the tribological properties of aluminum matrix composites. The composites were synthesized using the powder metallurgy method, and subsequent dry sliding wear tests were performed by a pin-on-disc machine at ambient temperature. Thorough examinations of the microstructure, mechanical properties, and densification behavior were carried out for the developed composites, and these findings were then correlated with their wear performance. To gain insights into the wear mechanisms, comprehensive characterizations of the worn surfaces and debris were conducted utilizing field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The outcomes of the dry sliding tests revealed that, in contrast to SiC, the addition of FMG reinforcing particles significantly decreased the friction coefficient while concurrently enhancing the wear resistance of the aluminum matrix. The microstructural investigations divulged that the pure aluminum sample experienced severe abrasive and adhesive wear mechanisms, which were effectively mitigated through the incorporation of FMG particles, due to the formation of an oxide tribolayer in the composite during the wear test. Conversely, the SiC-reinforced composites exhibited a dominant wear mechanism characterized by severe delamination, which consequently contributed to their elevated wear rate. These findings shed light on the distinct effects of FMG and SiC particles on the tribological properties of aluminum matrix composites, providing valuable insights for potential applications in engineering and industrial sectors, particularly in scenarios involving metal-to-metal contact.

This study investigates the combined influence of Si element and reinforcing particles on the hardness and wear performance of aluminum matrix composites. The composites in focus include Fe‐based metallic glass (FMG) monolithic reinforced and FMG/SiC hybrid reinforced Al‐5 wt% Si matrix composites, fabricated through spark plasma sintering (SPS). A comprehensive investigation is carried out, encompassing the analysis of microstructural attributes and the examination of worn surfaces through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Additionally, the study scrutinized two pivotal factors—hardness and density—recognizing their pivotal roles in determining the tribological performance of these composites. The experimental findings demonstrated the presence of an oxide protective layer on the worn surfaces of all specimens. Although, FMG/SiC hybrid reinforced Al‐5 wt% Si matrix composite possessed the highest hardness value, the best tribological performance is observed in Si‐bearing monolithic reinforced composite. The addition of Si to the matrix of monolithic reinforced composite facilitates improved densification behavior and enhances the distribution of reinforcing particles, resulting in a more stable and protective oxide layer in this specific sample. Furthermore, the study identifies a transition in the operative wear mechanisms from delamination to mild abrasion and adhesion with the inclusion of Si element.

In this research, a new type of bulk hybrid composites containing different amounts of Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and SiC particles were successfully produced. FMG and SiC particles with varying percentages of volume were mixed with pure Al matrix and integrated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The dynamic mechanical thermal properties, coefficient of friction and wear rates, hardness, and density of the composite were investigated. The results showed that the addition of FMG and SiC particles improved the wear resistance, hardness value, and storage modulus and slightly decreased the [Formula: see text] and relative density of pure Al. Also, replacing some SiC particles with FMG particles in the hybrid samples, in addition to the change of the dominant wear mechanism, led to the higher storage modulus and hardness values. It was found that the formation of a mechanically mixed layer during the wear test resulted in a reduction in the coefficient of friction. Compared to pure Al, the amounts of the increase in storage modulus and hardness of samples reinforced with 3 vol. % of SiC and 7 vol. % of FMG particles were 24.70% and 68.40%, respectively. The morphological analysis of the hybrid composites demonstrated that the amorphous structure of the FMG particles was preserved.

A study was conducted to examine the impact of matrix particle size on the density, microstructure, and mechanical properties of hybrid aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and SiC particles. The composites were manufactured using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The results showed that increasing matrix particle size led to an increase in porosity content. The distribution of reinforcing particles in the matrix was found to be more uniform when smaller particles were used. However, the phase properties and stored dislocation density remained unchanged with varying matrix particle sizes. On the other hand, the yield compressive strength and ductility of the composites significantly decreased with increasing particle size. The yield strength of a composite with a matrix particle size of 20 μm was approximately 80% higher than that of a composite with a matrix particle size of 63 μm. Therefore, for the synthesis of Al/FMG/SiC hybrid composites, the optimal outcome for different mechanical properties was observed with a lower matrix particle size.

Enhancing the mechanical properties of metal matrix composites can be achieved through the modification of the chemical composition of the matrix. However, the specific role of silicon (Si) as an important alloying element in the context of Al matrix hybrid composites simultaneously reinforced with metallic glass and ceramic particles has not been extensively studied. Therefore, this present study aimed to investigate the effects of Si element on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al–Si matrix composite reinforced with SiC and Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) particles. The composite was fabricated using a powder metallurgy approach. The amount of Si was selected to position the resultant alloy solidus temperature in the super-cooled liquid region of the FMG reinforcing particles. Results showed that a small amount of Si formed an Al-rich solid solution in the Al matrix, while the rest was observed as Si-rich regions in the microstructure. Adding Si to the matrix improved densification behavior and reduced porosity content during sintering, resulting in a more homogeneous distribution of reinforcing particles. The compressive yield strength and hardness of the composite with Si in its composition were 82% and 74% higher, respectively, than the same composite without Si, confirming the effectiveness of incorporating Si in the matrix.

The Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) reinforced aluminum matrix composites were fabricated using powder metallurgy. The fabrication of composites was carried out in two ways: (i) by mixing the pure aluminum powder with reinforcing powder followed by consolidation through spark plasma sintering (SPS) process and (GA/FMG) (ii) by ball milling the pure aluminum powder then mixing the ball milled powder with FMG powder and eventually consolidation by SPS process ((GA+BM)/FMG). As the reference material, monolithic pure aluminum powders were also consolidated using the SPS process under the same conditions (GA). Densification behavior, phase characteristics, microstructure and mechanical properties of the synthesized materials were studied. The test results showed a remarkable difference in the relative density of the (GA+BM)/FMG and GA/FMG composites. Quantitative analysis of the distribution of reinforcing particles in the matrix of composite samples indicated a more homogeneous distribution in the GA/FMG composite compared to (GA+BM)/FMG composite. The compressive yield strength of the (GA+BM)/FMG composite was about twice as high as that of the GA/FMG composite, however, it was accompanied by a decrease in ductility. Finally, the fracture analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed that the (GA+BM)/FMG composite exhibit more brittle behavior than GA/FMG composite.

In this investigation, hybrid aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and SiC particles were synthesized using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at different sintering temperatures. The effects of sintering temperature on densification, phases, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. The findings indicate that the density of the sintered samples improved with increasing the sintering temperature. The X-ray diffraction results showed no remarkable difference in the phases of the samples sintered at different temperatures; only some small structural changes occurred in the metallic glass reinforcements. The sintering temperature had a significant effect on mechanical properties. For example, the hybrid aluminum matrix composite reinforced with 3 vol% FMG and 7 vol% SiC sintered at 550°C exhibited the ultimate compressive strength of 494 MPa, which is about 47% higher than the same composite sintered at 450°C.

A commercial Al-Mg-Si alloy (AA 6061) was deformed by using the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process for up to five cycles at ambient temperature. The evolution of texture in this process was studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Experimental results indicate that the combination of the shear texture composed of Rotated cube {001} component and the rolling textures that included Copper {112} and Dillamore {4, 4, 11} components developed after the first cycle. During the first cycle, the shear texture was developed as a result of shear deformation induced by high level of friction between the rolls and the sheet. By increasing the number of cycles, the shear texture strength diminished and changed to the rolling texture. After the fifth cycle, a remarkable increase in the rolling texture intensity was observed due to homogenous deformation induced by the presence of fine non-shearable particles. Additionally, the presence of magnesium in solid solution influenced the texture evolution during ARB.

One of the methods for improving the seismic behavior of structures was to use inactive control devices. Recently, in civil engineering applications, a relatively new material named metal foam has been utilized progressively due to its high energy dissipation capability and remarkable axial strain. In this study, several non-linear time-history analyses were conducted for investigating the seismic behavior of steel frames equipped with the composite brace using a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) method. Crushable foam (CF) and elastic-perfectly plastic models were considered for metal foam and steel members. FE results revealed that the maximum drift ratio decreased by 35% and 72% under near-field and far-field records in the steel frames equipped with composite brace compared to the conventional steel brace frames. Employing the composite brace led to prevent global buckling of the brace and consequently decrease in load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, composite brace caused the reduction of bending moment demand in the first-story column by 18%.

A new type of Fe-based metallic glass (FMG) and SiC reinforced hybrid composite was successfully developed. The current work was set to evaluate the microstructure and mechanical properties of the hybrid composite consolidated through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The densities of the samples were determined in order to examine the performance of the sintering process. The experimental results indicated that, in the composites having larger amounts of FMG particles, the reinforcements/matrix interfaces were free from any discontinuities. The quantitative analysis of microstructural features revealed that the more homogenous distribution of reinforcing particles was occurred for FMG rich composites. The microstructural analysis of the samples pointed that the amorphous structure of the FMG reinforcement remained unchanged and no interfacial chemical products were created in the consolidated samples. It was also found that using FMG along with SiC particles in the samples led to the more strengthening of the Al matrix compared to using just one type of reinforcement particles. In the current study, the hybrid composite reinforced with 7 vol% of FMG and 3 vol% of SiC particles demonstrated the optimum combination of compressive yield strength (98 MPa) and strain to fracture (62.8%). The strengthening mechanisms in all the consolidated samples were calculated quantitatively considering the load bearing of reinforcing particles, grain boundary and strain hardening mechanisms. The strain hardening with the contribution of about 30% in the yield strength was the predominant strengthening mechanism in the composite samples. Also, there was a reasonable agreement between the calculated and experimentally obtained yield strength for hybrid composite samples.

A bulk hybrid composite to be potentially used as a foam precursor was produced in this study. TiH2 powder particles along with different concentrations of SiC were mixed with pure Al particles and consolidated through the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Bulk samples with nearly full density were successfully produced using the SPS method. During the consolidation process, no additional phases were found within the ceramic particles/matrix interfacial region. Using the ceramic TiH2 and SiC particles as the reinforcement cause notably strengthened the pure Al matrix (37% higher yield strength) without adversely affecting the plasticity, helping retain strain to fracture of about 50% for the sample. The yield strength of the samples was quantitatively approximated by examining their strengthening mechanisms via a number of simplified models available in the literature. The analyses found grain boundary and dislocation strengthening to be the most effective mechanisms for enhancing the strength of the samples; it was also found that the difference between the approximated and experimentally obtained overall yield strength was negligible.

In this study, Al matrix hybrid composites reinforced with amorphous/ceramic particles have been produced via powder metallurgy process. Pure aluminum powder particles were blended with various volume fractions of TiH2 and amorphous Fe75Si15B5Zr5 particles. Blended powders were then consolidated through spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure, phase evolution and mechanical properties of composites were examined. Microstructural investigations indicated that the reinforcing particles were segregated along the grain boundaries and mean grain sizes were decreased by increasing the amorphous particles content. Also, increasing the volume fraction of reinforcements had negligible effect on the porosity content of composites. Phase investigations revealed the presence of amorphous phase in the XRD patterns and absence of any undesirable matrix/reinforcement interfacial products. Compared to composite without amorphous reinforcements, the yield strength and hardness of composites contain 15 vol. % of amorphous particles and 1 vol. % of TiH2 particles were enhanced for 35% and 20%, respectively.

In the present study, a homogeneous ultrafine grain structure composite consisting of metallic glass particles reinforcements was developed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) process. The microstructure of composite was characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques. The uniaxial compression test was used to determine the mechanical properties. The mechanisms of grain refinement during ECAP process were discussed based on the microstructural evolutions. A composite was successfully produced after four passes of ECAP, having an average grain size of 610nm and compressive yield strength of 242MPa. Also, the yield strength of composite after each pass was quantitatively estimated by considering all the effective strengthening mechanism. The findings showed that the dislocations strengthening mechanism with contribution of more than 50% plays a major role in strengthening the composite. There was a negligible gap between the experimental and theoretical values of yield strength for all ECAP pass numbers.

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process was used to consolidate the Al65Cu20Ti15 metallic glass (AMG) reinforced Al matrix composite at high temperature. The matrix/reinforcement interfacial microstructure of the consolidated composite was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is demonstrated that the mutual diffusion of elements was occurred between the matrix and glass reinforcement during the consolidation process. The imposed severe plastic strains by the ECAP process affected the mutual diffusion and elemental distribution at the interface. Also, microstructural characterizations confirmed that no reaction products have been formed between the matrix and reinforcement particles. An illustrative model was presented to explain the atomic structure of matrix/reinforcement interface region. [GRAPHICS]

Al65Cu20Ti15 ْضی٘بىٔ ؾم٘ یػسشث ،ؾٞٚظپ ٗیا صا فذٞ .ذؿ ٜدبفتػا ْبىحتػا یبٞ ٕٝ٘ٛ٘ ْبىحتػا ٗییقت سد فّتخٔ یٞد یبٞ ٓواشتٔ ٝث .تػا ٜذؿ یصبػ یٚبح تیصٛپٔبو ،سٛؾٙٔ ٗیٕٞ 13 تیٛمت تاسر صا ی٘صٚ ذكسد بث ٖآ یىی٘بىٔ سبتفس ٚ ذیِٛت فسٛٔآ ٜذٙٙو ٓواشتٔ قِبخ ٓیٙیِٔٛآ ٝؼیبمٔ ٖبؼىی ظیاشؿ سد ٜذؿ یصبػ ذؿ . ْضی٘بىٔ ؾم٘ یثبیصسا ْبىحتػا یبٞ ٕٝ٘ٛ٘ یىی٘بىٔ فاٛخ سد یٞد بٞ ٝلخـٔ كیلد ُیّحت ٚ ٜذٞبـٔ ْضّتؼٔ ،ٗیاشثبٙث .تػا ٜداد خس یصبف تلاٛحت ٚ یسبتخبػضیس یبٞ ظػٛت یسبتخبػضیس تلاٛحت ( ی٘اذیٔ شـ٘ یـثٚس ی٘ٚشتىِا حٛىػٚشىیٔ FE-SEM یِب٘آ ٚ ) ( غىیا ٛتشپ ؽاشپ ض XRD ) .ذؿ یػسشث ییبجثب٘ یِبٍچ ،ٗیٙچٕٞ ٜشیخر یبٞ ٕٝ٘ٛ٘ سد ٜذؿ ٜشٟث ٚ غىیا ٛتشپ ؽاشپ یبٍِٞٛا صا ٜدبفتػا بث فّتخٔ یبٞ ٝجػبحٔ دٛجٛٔ ظثاٚس صا یشیٌ ذؿ . صا ْش٘ ساضفا Clemex ٚ ؽٚس یاشث یسبٔآ یبٞ ٕو ی صبػ یسبتخبػضیس تبلخـٔ ی ٝتفشٌ ٜشٟث یِبٍچ .ذؿ ٕ٘ٛ٘ ٝ بٞ ٓواشتٔ ی عذیٕؿسا ؽٚس ظػٛت ٜذؿ یصبػ ٜصاذ٘ا ٕٝ٘ٛ٘ یىی٘بىٔ فاٛخ یثبیصسا .ذؿ یشیٌ ٓواشتٔ یبٞ سبـف ٖٛٔصآ ظػٛت ٜذؿ یصبػ هت سٛحٔ یػسشث بث .تفشٌ ْبج٘ا ی یبٞ ٝلخـٔ ٗییقت ٚ یسبتخبػضیس ثب٘ یِبٍچ ٚ ٝ٘اد ٜصاذ٘ا صا ٓفا سبتخبػضیس یبٞ ٝ ییبج یٔ ،ٜذؿ ٜشیخر یبٞ ؾ٘شو ٖاٛت ٝث اس یتخػ ٖاٛٙف ْبىحتػا ْضی٘بىٔ ٕٝ٘ٛ٘ ْبىحتػا ؾیاضفا سد یّكا یٞد ٓواشتٔ یبٞ .دٕٛ٘ یفشقٔ ٜذؿ یصبػ تجػ ،یسبتخبػضیس ةٛیف سٛضح ،یفشع صا ٜصاذ٘ا ْبىحتػا ساذمٔ فاشح٘ا ْضی٘بىٔ ظػٛت ٜذؿ یٙیث ؾیپ ساذمٔ ٚ یسٛحٔ هت سبـف ٖٛٔصآ ظػٛت ٜذؿ یشیٌ ْبىحتػا یبٞ یٞد ذؿ .

The current study adopted a quantitative approach to investigating the mechanical properties, and their relationship to the microstructural features, of precipitation-strengthened 6061 aluminum alloy processed through accumulative roll bonding (ARB) and aging heat treatment. To serve this purpose, the contributions of different strengthening mechanisms including grain refinement, precipitation, dislocation and solid-solution strengthening to the yield strength of five-cycle ARB samples processed under pre-aged (ARBed) and aged (ARBed+Aged) conditions were examined and compared. Microstructural characterizations were performed on the samples through the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also, the mechanical properties of the samples were investigated through the tensile test. The obtained results showed that an equiaxed ultrafine grain structure with nano-sized precipitates was created in the both ARBed and ARBed+Aged samples. The grain refinement was the predominant strengthening mechanism which was estimated to contribute 151 and 226 MPa to the ARBed and ARBed+Aged samples, respectively, while the dislocation and Orowan strengthening mechanisms were ranked second with regard to their contributions to the ARBed and ARBed+Aged samples, respectively. The overall yield strength, calculated through the root mean square summation method, was found to be in good agreement with the experimentally determined yield strength. It was also found that the presence of non-shearable precipitates, which interfered with the movement of the dislocations, would be effective for the simultaneous improvement of the strength and ductility of the ARBed+Agedsample .

Al65Cu20Ti15 metallic glass (AMG) reinforced Al matrix composites were consolidated by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process. The effects of ECAP consolidation temperature ranging from room temperature to just below the first crystallization temperature of metallic glass on the consolidation of composites were investigated in terms of the relative densities, structural evolutions and mechanical properties of composites. Some intermetallic compounds included Al5CuTi2, Al3Ti and Al4Cu9 precipitated from metallic glass particles at consolidation temperature of 300°C. Consolidation temperature did not affect the matrix grains size of the composite. Quantitative analysis revealed that the distribution of reinforcing particles was considerably dependent on consolidation temperature. Density of the composite was increased by increasing the consolidation temperature to 250°C. The composite consolidated at 250°C through ECAP process, exhibited the best combination of yield strength and ductility of 184MPa and 48%, respectively.

In this study, the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process was used to develop a novel Al matrix composite through consolidation of pure aluminum powder having different volume fractions of Al65Cu20Ti15 metallic glass (AMG) as reinforcing particles. The structural evolution and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The densities of the samples were measured to evaluate the performance of the consolidation process. Structural analyses showed finely distributed reinforcing particles produced through shearing deformation, imposed during ECAP. Also, amorphous structure of reinforcement remained unchanged during ECAP at all volume fractions. The relative density of Al/10 vol% AMG composites was 97.94% which is the strong evidence for capability of ECAP to produce AMG reinforced Al matrix composites. The compressive yield strength of 184 MPa was obtained in Al/10 vol% AMG composite which showed a remarkable increase in the strength compared with pure Al. Also, the compressive yield strength of the developed composites has been compared with those estimated through the rule of mixtures. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.