Projects / Programmes
Multifunctional composites based on Al-Mg-Ti intermetallic compounds reinforced with ceramic particles
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T152 |
Technological sciences |
Composite materials |
multifunctional composites, macro-composites, reactive sintering, reactive infiltration, counterflow reactive infiltration, intermetallic compounds AlFe, TiAl, intermetallic compounds of magnesium, reinforcement with ceramic particles, characterization of microstructure, mechanical properties
Researchers (8)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
28014 |
PhD Ines Bračko |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 2. |
09434 |
PhD Mirko Doberšek |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 3. |
13250 |
Marina Jelen |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 4. |
04968 |
PhD Varužan Kevorkijan |
Materials science and technology |
Head |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 5. |
21523 |
PhD Iztok Naglič |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 6. |
08012 |
PhD Danilo Suvorov |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 7. |
11093 |
PhD Srečo Davor Škapin |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 8. |
08195 |
PhD Borivoj Šuštaršič |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
Organisations (3)
Abstract
The aim of the proposed applied project is the development of multifunctional composites based on intermetallic compounds of aluminium and titanium reinforced with ceramic particles. In this project we are interested in achieving the following project goals:
● Synthesis, preparation of metallographic samples and mechanical examination (tensile strength tests (Rm, Rp0,2, A)), toughness tests, bending tests, tests of creep resistance at elevated temperatures, up to 400ºC, hardness measurements) and corrosion tests of intermetallic compounds AlFe and AlTi reinforced with ceramic particles (B4C, TiC, TiB2) using a procedure of reactive sintering and reactive infiltration,
● Synthesis of metallographic samples and mechanical examination (tensile strength tests (Rm, Rp0,2, A)), toughness tests, bending tests, tests of creep resistance at elevated temperatures, up to 400ºC, hardness measurements and corrosion tests of Al-Fe and Al-Mg macro-composites with an intermediate bonding layer based on the intermetallic compounds AlFe, AlTi and Mg reinforced with ceramic particles using the procedure of counterflow reactive infiltration,
● Synthesis, determination of phase composition and morphological analysis of the intermetallic compounds Mg2Si, Mg2Sn and Mg2Ca with the procedure of reactive infiltration of a Mg melt into porous preforms of Si, Sn and selected compounds of calcium (CaSi, CaSi2, CaSn, Ca2Sn),
● Synthesis, determination of phase composition and morphological analysis of the intermetallic compounds Mg2Si, Mg2Sn and Mg2Ca with the procedure of reactive sintering of Mg, Si, Sn and selected compounds of calcium (CaSi, CaSi2, CaSn, Ca2Sn),
● Synthesis of prototype composites based on intermetallic magnesium compounds reinforced with ceramic particles using the procedure of reactive infiltration and/or reactive sintering,
● Characterization of the microstructure and mechanical tests (tensile strength tests (Rm, Rp0,2, A)), toughness tests, bending tests, tests of creep resistance at elevated temperatures, up to 400ºC, hardness measurements) and corrosion tests of composites based on magnesium compounds reinforced with ceramic particles fabricated using the procedure of reactive infiltration and/or reactive sintering.
The common denominator in all these modern composite materials (monolithic composites with a matrix based on intermetallic compounds reinforced with ceramic particles and multilayer »bi-metallic« composites composed of layers based on two different alloys bonded with an intermediate layer from monolithic composites) listed above is reactive synthesis (reactive sintering or reactive infiltration), which ensures the fabrication of the material and the final product in a single production operation, which is an essential factor for the manufacturers of materials and components.
The basic advantage of multilayer composites (multi-materials, i.e., macro-composites) is the guarantee of the required combination of properties at a local level, in the part of the component where is the properties are needed, including the optimisation of the components' mass and the creation of value added.
Significance for science
The most important results of the project certainly include the development of the procedures for sintering the composites made from a mixture of powders of the intermetallic alloys Al-Fe (AlFe3, AlFe, Al3Fe), Al-Ti (AlTi3, AlTi, Al3Ti), MgSi and Mg2Sn, and the ceramic powders (TiC, TiB2) under atmospheric pressure. So far the reference literature has only reported on the preparation of such composites by using the procedure of hot pressing, which is expensive with regard to industrial use and limited with respect to geometry and productivity. However, the successful sintering of Mg2Si and Mg2Sn under atmospheric pressure with the additives TiC and TiB2 is a completely new development, making it possible to prepare composite materials with new property combinations (especially in the case of Mg2Si) such as an increased tensile strength and resistance to fracture at room temperature or elevated temperatures.
Another important contribution is the development of the properties of the composites based on the intermetallic alloys Al-Fe, Al-Ti, Mg2Si and Mg2Sn that we achieved by a well-planned altering of their structure and composition. We first altered the structure of the composites by using sintered intermetallic alloys reinforced with ceramic particles as the matrix, and later by using different Al and Mg alloys reinforced with a mixture of intermetallic-alloy particles and with TiC or TiB2. Both cases were based on a similar composition; however, in the first case we sintered pressed tablets and in the second case we infiltrated them with an Al or Mg melt. In this way we made numerous samples of densely sintered composites with an intermetallic matrix (IMC) discontinuously reinforced with ceramic particles (TiC, TiB2), and the composites with a metal matrix (MMC) discontinuously reinforced with a mixture of intermetallic-alloy particles and with TiC or TiB2. Such diversity of macro- and microstructures of the samples later allowed us to systematically study the effects of the altered structure and composition of the compounds on the chosen mechanical properties (tensile strength, elasticity modulus, elongation, micro-hardness, resistance to fracture) and to plan optimum property combinations (e.g., tensile strength and resistance to fracture) of the composite materials.
Another of the important project results was the successful synthesis of powders of the intermetallic alloys Al-Fe (AlFe3, AlFe, Al3Fe), Al-Ti (AlTi3, AlTi, Al3Ti), MgSi and Mg2Sn. We successfully synthesised these alloys by using the elements with 3-5% of side products at the most (unwanted phases or unreacted reactants). We managed to prepare a group of so-called line compounds (such as Al3Fe, Al3Ti, Mg2Si, Mg2Sn) with even less than 1% of side products (unwanted phases or unreacted reactants). We successfully altered the morphology of the particles by milling.
Significance for the country
Iron aluminides (AlFe, Al3Fe, AlFe3), titanium aluminides (TiAl, Ti3Al, TiAl3) and the selected intermetallic magnesium alloys (Mg2Si in Mg2Sn) reinforced with ceramic particles are considered to be very promising modern engineering materials suitable for various applications. The commercial applicability of these composite materials, where intermetallic alloys form a matrix reinforced with ceramic particles, or form a discontinuous reinforcement of the metal matrix based on Al or Mg alloys, depends mainly on the development of a method that should be practical and competitive enough to allow us to prepare the concerned materials and plan the formation of the selected properties and property combinations that other materials cannot exhibit under competitive conditions.
For this reason we believe that the project results contribute towards a practical use of multi-functional composites based on intermetallic alloys in the industry, mainly through a successful development of the appropriate procedures for producing end products (sintering and infiltration under atmospheric pressure) allowing both the expected properties and the desired geometry of a product.
The acquired knowledge is available to the Slovenian companies that wish to increase their competitiveness in the area of producing and processing light metallic materials and composite materials – more precisely for the following purposes: developing new, highly competitive Mg and Al alloys mainly to replace the most expensive types of alloying elements (rare earths) with intermetallic phases such as Mg2Si and Mg2Sn, and developing alloys with specific properties for the most demanding market niches (machine manufacturing, aviation, military industry); developing new types of light composites with an intermetallic matrix; developing new light materials (Mg2Si and partly Mg2Sn); developing new applications for low-quality waste aluminium contaminated with a high-level iron content (for the preparation of Al-Fe alloys); developing new skills, mainly with respect to the microstructure of composite materials and the influence of the composites' composition and structure on their mechanical properties.
Our project achievements can find further use in the development of easily mouldable Mg and Al alloys resistant to deformation at increased temperature. The composites based on intermetallic Mg alloys reinforced with ceramic particles can also be interesting for the transport industry, especially as the research has proved that the end products based on these materials can be produced in a single production operation (reactive sintering or reactive infiltration).
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
