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Modeling the Break-up of Nano-particle Clusters in Aluminum- and Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nano-composites

  • Symposium: Advances in Solidification of Metallic Alloys under External Fields
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Abstract

Aluminum- and magnesium-based metal matrix nano-composites with ceramic nano-reinforcements promise low weight with high durability and superior strength, desirable properties in aerospace, automobile, and other applications. However, nano-particle agglomerations lead to adverse effects on final properties: large-size clusters no longer act as dislocation anchors, but instead become defects; the resulting particle distribution will be uneven, leading to inconsistent properties. To prevent agglomeration and to break-up clusters, ultrasonic processing is used via an immersed sonotrode, or alternatively via electromagnetic vibration. A study of the interaction forces holding the nano-particles together shows that the choice of adhesion model significantly affects estimates of break-up force and that simple Stokes drag due to stirring is insufficient to break-up the clusters. The complex interaction of flow and co-joint particles under a high frequency external field (ultrasonic, electromagnetic) is addressed in detail using a discrete-element method code to demonstrate the effect of these fields on de-agglomeration.

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Notes

  1. The formulae for the pull off force of adhered particles are often used with the notation Δγ which is the work of adhesion. For spheres of the same material Δγ ≈ γ/2, therefore P c =2πΔγR.

  2. Parameter μ introduced by Muller[17] is proportional to those suggested by Tabor[16] and Maugis.[18]

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from the ExoMet Project (co-funded by the European Commission (contract FP7-NMP3-LA-2012-280421), by the European Space Agency and by the individual partner organizations).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematical Sciences, Centre of Numerical Modelling and Process Analysis, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London, SE10 9LS, U.K.

    Anton Manoylov (Post-Doctoral Research Associate), Valdis Bojarevics (Reader - Research) & Koulis Pericleous (Professor of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Leader of Computer Science and Engineering Group)

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  1. Anton Manoylov
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  2. Valdis Bojarevics
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Correspondence to Anton Manoylov.

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Manuscript submitted November 18, 2014.

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Manoylov, A., Bojarevics, V. & Pericleous, K. Modeling the Break-up of Nano-particle Clusters in Aluminum- and Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nano-composites. Metall Mater Trans A 46, 2893–2907 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-015-2934-0

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