Journal of Advanced Materials in Engineering (Esteghlal)

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Application of ceramic reinforcements is one of the effective and well-known ways to refine the microstructure of brittle metals such as magnesium. In this research, the influence of nano/micro particles of zirconia on the microstructure of cast AZ91 alloy was studied. At the first stage, nano and micro ZrO2 powders were blended through mechanical alloying procedure. In five specimens, the total amount of nano and micro reinforcements in the final mixture was fixed at 5 wt%, whereas their ratio was varied. Two other composites were also produced using 5wt% of nano or micro particles of zirconia. These powder mixtures were then stirred in the molten AZ91 at 650C by vortex method and finally cast in a sand mold at 615C. For comparison, two monolithic castings including a conventionally cast specimen and a super heat-treated sample were also cast. The average grain sizes for all composites were decreased with respect to both monolithic castings. The best results in terms of grain size and microstructure improvement were obtained for AZ91/5wt% nano ZrO2 composite with remarkable improvement in comparison with monolithic castings.

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In plasma sprayed nanostructured composite coatings with ceramic matrix, the feedstock must consist of nanoparticles of appropriate specifications. In this research, the procedure for production of Cr2O3-Ag agglomerated nanostructured composite powder to produce comosite coatings has been investigated. Nanopowders of Cr2O3 with 0, 2, 5, and 10 volume percentages of silver were dispersed to obtain a homogeneous aqueous dispersion appropriate for spray drying process. In the second stage, Cr2O3-Ag composite powders were produced by agglomeration process. The nanostructured composite powders were, then, used in the atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process to deposit a series of composite coatings for evaluation. The composite powders, with a granulated morphology, had uniform distribution of silver in a ceramic matrix and the coatings were composed of nanoparticles and particles of nano-sized crystallites. Experimental results indicated that presence of nanoparticle zones within the microstructure led to non-uniform porosities formed between splats and these zones. Furthermore, use of nanopowders in the feedstock caused a reduction in lamellae thickness of plasma sprayed coatings.

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An important parameter in composite materials is mechanical behavior and matrix-reinforcement interface interaction under applied stresses. In this investigation, bending strength of carbon-carbon composites synthesized from wood was analyzed as a measure of the composite mechanical properties. Also, densification efficiency of the products was determined by measuring the bulk density and open porosity percentage. Using scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, the final product was examined to evaluate and interpret the morphology and internal texture and results of mechanical test. The results showed that we are able to use an ordinary material such as wood for production of a unique product with great properties called two-dimensional carbon-carbon composites.

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In this study, pure powders such as molybdenum, silicon, aluminum and titanium carbide were utilized to produce MoSi2 compound, MoSi2 /20 Vol % TiC composite, MoSi2-x Al alloyed compound and MoSi2-x Al/20 Vol % TiC alloyed composite. The initial powders were mixed in specified ratios, and then, were activated by mechanical milling. Milled powders were compacted, synthesized and sintered in the temperature range of 1100 -1400 oC. SEM was used to investigate the microstructural change and XRD for identification of phases. Effect of aluminum addition on phase formation was investigated. Addition of aluminum by over 9 atomic percent resulted in the formation of Mo(Si,Al)2 in alloyed matrix.

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In some applications such as morphing technology, high strain and anisotropic behavior are considered a good advantage. The corrugated composite sheets due to their special geometries have a potential of high deflection under axial loading. In this research, to investigate the strain and anisotropic behavior of corrugated composite sheets some glass/epoxy samples with Quasi-sinusoidal, trapezoidal, rectangular and triangular geometries were manufactured and put to tension and flexural tests in the longitudinal and transverse directions of corrugation. Then, in order to determine anisotropic behavior of corrugated sheets two concepts were introduced: tensile anisotropic and flexural anisotropic criteria based on which anisotropic magnitude was investigated theoretically and experimentally. This research used Yokozeki’s theoretical model for quasi-sinusoidal geometry and his model for trapezoidal, rectangular and triangular geometries. Experimental results showed that corrugated sheets have a strain more than 90%. In the corrugated samples, the strain magnitude was dependent on amplitude and pitch of elements in other words, it was dependent on the number of elements per length unit. Generally, the Quasi-sinusoidal corrugated sheets have a high strain (more than 50%). Experimental results of trapezoidal sheets showed that amplitude of the elements is one of the most important parameters in the ultimate strain. Generally, increasing the amplitude leads to the growth of the ultimate strain

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In this study, the effect of different amounts of Y2O3 on the properties of mullite-zirconia composites was investigated. For this purpose, these composites were fabricated by reaction-sintering of alumina and zircon as raw materials. Besides, the slip casting method was used for forming these composites, and sintering process was carried out at 1600 °C. Then, the physical and mechanical properties, phase composition and the microstructure of these composites were investigated. The results showed that yittria addition up to 0.5 wt.% has no effect on the properties of these composites. Besides, addition of more than 0.5 wt.% yittria formed solid solution with zirconia grains and led to stabilization of tetragonal zirconia phase and increasing of its amount. Hence, yittria addition increases the hardness and bending strength of composite by stabilizing tetragonal zirconia phase and then, decreasing the micro-crack formation during zirconia phase transformation. As results show, addition of 0.75 wt.% yittria leads to a considerable increase in the bending strength.

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Due to their superior properties such as high specific strength, high creep resistance and high strength at elevated temperatures, aluminum composites reinforced with alumina nano particles are widely used for advanced purposes such as aerospace and auto industries. Lack of an appropriate welding process limits their applications. Transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding is one of the state-of-the-art joining processes. It is used for welding composites and advanced materials. Microstructure and mechanical properties of TLP bonding depend on the bonding time and temperature. In the current study, the effect of bonding time on the microstructure and bonding strength of the TLP diffusion bonded of Al2O3p/Al nanocomposite was investigated. A thin layer of copper deposited by electroplating was used as an interlayer. The bonding times of 20 and 40 min were not sufficient for completing the isothermal solidification, and the bonding strengths were not satisfactory. By increasing the bonding time to 60 min at constant bonding temperature of 580 ºC, the isothermal solidification was completed and the final joint microstructure consisted of soft α-Al phase with dispersed CuAl2 precipitated particles. Decreasing the amount of brittle eutectic structures in the joint seam by increasing the bonding time was the main reason for improvement of the joint shear strength. The maximum joint shear strength was achieved at 580 ºC for 60 min which was about 85% of the shear strength of the base material.

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Employing direct and alternative electric currents at the time of casting and solidification modified grains of Al and Si. The highest wear resistance was obtained in the direct current, and for alternative current the wear resistance corresponded to the electric current. The change of polarity in the pure Al did not influence the wear resistance, but for the Al-Si alloy the highest wear resistance was obtained when the mold was connected to the positive and the molten metal to the negative pole. Direct current used in the Al-Si alloy brought about three different microstructures including the stretched clusters of Si in the electrons' direction near the negative pole, fine clusters of Si in the intermediate zones that surrounded the oval shape of α-Al, and broken Si clusters near the positive pole.

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In this study, Al/Steel multilayer composite was produced by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process using Al-1100 and St-12 strips. Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the composite were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile test, Vickers microhardness tests, cyclic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. After one ARB cycle (2 roll-bonding cycles), the multilayer composite of 4 layers of Al and 2 layers of steel was produced. The tensile strength of the Al/steel multilayer composite reached 390.57 MPa after the first ARB cycle, which was 1.29 times larger than that of the starting steel while composite density was almost half the density of the steel. Corrosion behavior of the composite revealed a considerable improvement in the main electrochemical parameters, as a result of enhancing influence of cold rolling. The results indicated that strength and corrosion resistance of Al/steel composite generally decreases and elongation increases after annealing.

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This research aimed at producing microcellular foams (with cell size of 1-10 μm and cell density above 10 9 cell/cm3) from PC/EPDM in order to use in medical devices. Due to the weak nucleation behavior of microcellular polycarbonate foams, it is difficult to prepare them. This research provides valuable information regarding the possibility of making microcellular foams from this polymer by using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT,s) as nucleating agents (the value of 1-3 phr). The nanocomposite samples were prepared in an internal mixer and foamed via a batch processing method using supercritical carbon dioxide as the foaming agent. The results showed that the addition of nanoparticles up to 3 phr improves the foamability of PC/EPDM blend. Furthermore, as nanoparticle content increased a decrease in cell size and hence an increase in cell density were observed. Another finding showed that cell size distribution is directly related to uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes.

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In recent years, much research has been performed in the field of nanomaterials synthesis using mechanochemical process. In this research, TixAly/Al2O3 ceramic matrix nanocomposite was produced by the mechanochemical method. Aluminum and inexpensive titanium oxide powders were used as raw materials, and milling was performed under N2 atmosphere. The results showed that reduction of TiO2 by Al is the first step of synthesis process, and then Ti reacts with residual Al. The synthesis after 10 hours of milling resulted in titanium aluminide and aluminium oxide. With the increase of milling time to 80 hours, titanium aluminide quantity was increased. Also, the results showed that the heating of samples containing titanium aluminide in the argon and nitrogen atmospheres does not lead to complete decomposition of aluminides.

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In this study, ZrB2-HfB2 composite was produced by pressureless sintering method. MoSi2 B4C and SiC particles were used as reinforcement. ZrB2 powder was milled in planetary ball mill apparatus and then reinforcement particles were added to the milled powder. The composite powders were then CIPed and sintered at 2100oC and 2150oC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), flexural test, and resonance frequency method were used to compare the added particle effects on mechanical properties and pressureless sintering behavior of ZrB2-HfB2 composite. The analysis showed that the ZrB2-HfB2-MoSi2-SiCnano composite displays the largest gain in flexural strength. Furthermore, increasing the sintering temperature leads to an increase in flexural strength of samples.

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In the present study, pure Aluminum powder with 5%wt Titanium Dioxide was mechanically milled at different times. Using phase analysis through X-ray diffraction (XRD), it was found that increasing of the milling times over 10 hours causes the reduction of Titanium by Aluminum and formation of Al2O3 in the structure. Also, it was shown that if the process persists, Aluminum reacts with Titanium and causes the formation of Al3Ti in the composition. The reactions were studied through the thermodynamic relations. Furthermore, after distribution of reinforcement particles in the matrix, using X-ray diffraction peak broadening, according to Williamson-Hall equation, the mean crystallite size and lattice strain were determined, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the structure and morphology of the powder particles were studied.

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In this study, the effect of different amounts of Y2O3 on the properties of mullite-zirconia composites was investigated. For this purpose, these composites were fabricated by reaction-sintering of alumina and zircon as raw materials. Besides, the slip casting method was used for forming these composites, and sintering process was carried out at 1600 °C. Then, the physical and mechanical properties, phase composition and the microstructure of these composites were investigated. The results showed that yittria addition up to 0.5 wt.% has no effect on the properties of these composites. Besides, addition of more than 0.5 wt.% yittria formed solid solution with zirconia grains and led to stabilization of tetragonal zirconia phase and increasing of its amount. Hence, yittria addition increases the hardness and bending strength of composite by stabilizing tetragonal zirconia phase and then, decreasing the micro-crack formation during zirconia phase transformation. As results show, addition of 0.75 wt.% yittria leads to a considerable increase in the bending strength

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In this study, the effects of different parameters on charpy impact properties of pure and hybrid composite laminates reinforced with basalt and glass filaments were investigated. For this purpose, five types of basalt and glass laminates with quasi-isotropic stacking sequence, namely, a pure basalt, a pure glass, two inter-ply hybrid and one intra-ply hybrid composites were produced. Epoxy resin was used as matrix material. After that, the impact test was performed and the average absorbed energy of each type of specimens was determined. The results indicated that the pure basalt and nylon laminates had the highest and least absorbed energy, respectively. The hybrid laminates had the absorbed energy somewhere between the pure basalt and glass ones. Also, between the hybrid composites, the intra-ply laminate had a better impact performance than the inter-ply ones.

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Nickel ferrite based cermets and their relevant composites have been widely used as inert anodes for aluminum electrolysis due to their good combination of chemical resistance, thermal stability and mechanical properties. In this study, various NiO/NiFe2O4 composites consisting of 5, 10 and 15% NiO in conjunction with Cu/NiFe2O4 cermets containing 0.5, 10 and 15% Cu were prepared by powder metallurgy method. The degradation resistance of the developed inert composites was examined under hot corrosion condition by plunging samples in to the molten electrolyte at 1000ºC. The strength, toughness, hardness, relative density, microstructural observation, phase analysis and electrical resistivity were evaluated by 3-points bending tests, Vickers method, Archimedes method, scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction and conventional direct current four-probe techniques, respectively. The experimental results for NiO/NiFe2O4 composites showed that a significant improvement of toughness and degradation resistance continuously occurred with a moderate decrease in strength by increasing NiO content, while the relative density was increased only up to 5%NiO content. By increasing the Cu content in the cermet samples, all the properties such as strength, toughness and electrical conductivity were improved considerably but the degradation resistance decreased.

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Effects of discontinuous ultrasonic treatment on the microstructure, nanoparticle distribution, and mechanical properties of cast Al413-SiCnp nanocomposites were studied. The results showed that discontinuous ultrasonic treatment was more effective in improving the mechanical properties of the cast nanocomposites than the equally timed continuous treatment. The yield and ultimate tensile strengths of Al413-2%SiCnp nanocomposites discontinuously treated for two 20 minute periods increased by about 126% and 100% compared to those of the monolithic sample, respectively. These improvements were about 107% and 94% for the nanocomposites continuously treated for a single 40 minute period. The improvement in the mechanical properties was associated with severe refinement of the microstructure, removal of the remaining gas layers on the particles surfaces, more effective fragmentation of the remaining agglomerates as well as improved wettability and distribution of the reinforcing particles during the first stage of solidification.

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Ni–SiC composite coatings are successfully employed as a protective coating in the inner walls of engine cylinders. In this study, Ni-SiC, Ni-SiC-MoS2 and Ni-SiC-Gr composite coatings were prepared from a sulfamate bath. Both mechanical and ultrasonic stirring were used simultaneously during the process. Taking into account the working temperature of engine cylinders, the wear behavior of coatings was evaluated at 25 to 300 ºC and the high temperature tribological properties of the coatings were investigated. Based on the results obtained from the wear tests, all three coatings showed almost good friction coefficient values at 25 and 100 ºC, which were close to each other. By increasing the temperature to 200-300 °C, the friction coefficient and weight loss values strongly increased. However, addition of solid lubricants caused the values to decrease. The Ni-SiC-Gr coating at all temperatures showed a good and stable behavior.

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Based on molecular dynamics simulation results, a model was developed for determining elastic properties of aluminum nanocomposites reinforced with silicon carbide particles. Also, two models for prediction of density and price of nanocomposites were suggested. Then, optimal volume fraction of reinforcement was obtained by genetic algorithm method for the least density and price, and the highest elastic properties. Based on optimization results, the optimum volume fraction of reinforcement was obtained equal to 0.44. For this optimum volume fraction, optimum Young’s modulus, shear modulus, the price and the density of the nanocomposite were obtained 165.89 GPa, 111.37 GPa, 8.75 $/lb and 2.92 gr/cm3, respectively.

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In this study, the effect of nano-titania addition on the mechanical strength of mullite-bonded alumina-siliconcarbide nano-composites was investigated. To this end, the gel-casting process via nano-silica sol was used for shaping the nano-composite.The firing temperature of composition was determined by use of STA. The compressive and bending strengths of samples were measured after firing at 1300 °C. Besides, the physical properties, phase composition and microstructure of the composites were evaluated after firing. The results showed that the use of nano-titania up to 1 wt.% had a higher effect on improvement of nano-composite mechanical strength. The nano-titania addition led to increasing of mullite phase and higher growth of its needle-like grains. Enhancing of ceramic bonds between grains and the improvement of mechanical strength were obtained by increasing the mullite phase.