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Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Al-Matrix Composites Reinforced with Ti3SiC2 Particulates

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Abstract

In this paper, we report for the first time, the synthesis and characterization of novel Ti3SiC2 reinforced Al-matrix composites. All the composites were cold pressed and sintered in the temperature range of 700–750 °C for 5–30 min in an inert Ar atmosphere. Microstructure analysis by scanning electron microscopy and phase analysis by x-ray diffraction confirmed that there was minimal interfacial reaction between Ti3SiC2 particles and Al. The addition of Ti3SiC2 enhanced the mechanical performance of the composites. For example, the pure Al samples had a yield strength of 97 ± 6 MPa, where as the volume fraction of Ti3SiC2 was increased to 5 and 10 vol.% in the composites, the yield strength increased significantly to 212 ± 27 and 273 ± 52 MPa, respectively. As the volume fraction of Ti3SiC2 was further increased to 20 and 35 vol.%, the yield strength mildly increased to 278 ± 48 MPa, and then decreased to 134 ± 20 MPa, respectively. The decrease in yield strength after 35 vol.% Ti3SiC2 addition in the Al matrix was attributed to the presence of higher amount of porosity in these samples. The addition of Ti3SiC2 particles also had a beneficial effect on the tribological performance of these composites against alumina substrates.

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Acknowledgments

One of the authors (SG) would like to acknowledge the University of North Dakota start-up and seed grant funding for support. Authors would like to thank Kanthal Inc. for supplying the Ti3SiC2 powders. The XRD study in this work was supported in part by the MRSEC Program of the National Science Foundation under Award Number DMR-0819885. NDSU Electron Microscopy Center core facility is also acknowledged for the microscopy. This material is also based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0619098, and 1229417. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58201, USA

    S. Gupta, T. Hammann, R. Johnson & M. F. Riyad

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  1. S. Gupta
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  2. T. Hammann
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  3. R. Johnson
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  4. M. F. Riyad
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Correspondence to S. Gupta.

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Gupta, S., Hammann, T., Johnson, R. et al. Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Al-Matrix Composites Reinforced with Ti3SiC2 Particulates. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 24, 1011–1017 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1330-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-014-1330-z

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