Author: F. Aliab, S. Scudino, G. Liu, V. C. Srivastava, N. K. Mukhopadhyay, M. Samadi Khoshkhoo, K. G. Prashanth, V. Uhlenwinkel, M. Calin,J. Eckert
Institute: IFW Dresden, Institute for Complex Materials, PO Box 27 01 16, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, P.O. Box Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior of Materials and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Metal Extraction and Forming Department, National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur 831007, India
Institute of Materials Technology, University of Bremen, Badgasteinerstrasse 3, D-28359 Bremen, Germany
Centre for Advanced Studies, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Banaras University, Varanasi, India
Dresden University of Technology, Institute of Materials Science, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
Modeling the strengthening effect of quasi-crystalline Al–Cu–Fe particles in aluminum-based metal matrix composites is a topical task in the field of materials science. Quasi-crystalline structures with unique properties can significantly improve the mechanical characteristics of aluminum alloys. Given their complex atomic packing and high thermodynamic stability, they act as a kind of inhibitors that prevent structural destruction.
In this study, a model that simultaneously takes into account the combined strengthening effect of load-bearing capacity, dislocation amplification, and matrix bond size was used. This model, previously successfully applied to describe the mechanical behavior of aluminum-based composites with intermetallic particles, was used to predict the mechanical properties of aluminum composites with different amounts of quasicrystalline Al62.5Cu25Fe12.5 reinforcing particles.
The results obtained confirm the correctness of this model and highlight the importance of matrix bond size in explaining the strengthening effect at high reinforcement content. The introduction discusses how the integration of a hard second phase into a soft metal matrix enhances its mechanical properties. The mechanisms of strengthening in metal matrix composites are quite complex. In particular, there is a relationship between the increase in dislocation density and the effect caused by the addition of reinforcing particles. Analytical equations taking into account the volume fraction and size of reinforcement play a key role in describing these mechanisms.
The modeling process considers various parameters such as particle size and shape, concentration in the composite, and processing temperature conditions. Research shows that even a small addition of quasicrystalline particles can achieve a significant increase in the strength and hardness of the matrix. In addition, it is important to consider the effect of processing and molding on the distribution of particles in the matrix, since a homogeneous distribution contributes to more uniform hardening.
Thus, the successful application of quasi-crystalline inserts in aluminum composites opens up new horizons for the development of materials with unique performance characteristics.