Al Matrix Composites Reinforced by Ti and C Dedicated to Work at Elevated Temperature.

In this paper, the applicability of aluminium matrix composites to high-temperature working conditions (not exceeding the Al melting point) was evaluated. The behaviour of Al-Ti-C composites at elevated temperatures was described based on microstructural and phase composition observations for composites heated at temperatures of 540 and 600 °C over differing time intervals from 2 to 72 h. The materials investigated were aluminium matrix composites (AMC) reinforced with a spatial carbon (C) structure covered by a titanium (Ti) layer. This layer protected the carbon surface against contact with the aluminium during processing, protection which was maintained for the material's lifetime and ensured the required phase compositions of Al4C3 phase limitation and AlTi3 phase creation. It was also proved that heat treatment influenced not only phase compositions but also the microstructure of the material, and, as a consequence, the properties of the composite.

Effect of Carbon in Fabrication Al-SiC Nanocomposites for Tribological Application.

Aluminium-based hybrid composites are a new class of advanced materials with the potential of satisfying the demands in engineering applications. This paper describes the effects of carbon addition on the formation and properties of AMC with SiC nanoparticles reinforcement. The composites were produced via mechanical alloying followed by hot pressing. Three forms of carbon, graphite (GR), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and, for the first time, glassy carbon (GC), were used for the hybrid composites manufacturing and compared with tribological properties of Al-SiC composite without carbon addition. GC and CNTs enhanced formation of Al-SiC composite particles and resulted in a homogeneous distribution of reinforcing particles. On the other hand, GR addition altered mechanochemical alloying and did not lead to a proper distribution of nanoparticulate SiC reinforcement. Hot pressing technique led to the reaction between Al and carbon as well as SiC particles and caused the formation of Al4C3 and γ-Al2O3. The subsistence of carbon particles in the composites altered the predominant wear mechanisms since the wear reduction and the stabilization of the friction coefficient were observed. GC with simultaneous γ-Al2O3 formation in the hybrid Al-SiC(n)-C composites turned out to be the most effective additive in terms of their tribological behaviour.