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Microstructure and Properties of Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Cr Matrix Composites Reinforced Using in situ TiB2 Particles and (Ce + Yb)

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Abstract

In this study, Al–Si matrix composites containing different contents of in situ TiB2 particles and (Ce+Yb) were fabricated via a mixed salt–metal reaction of KBF4 and K2TiF6 and the effects of the reinforcement particles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Results revealed that the addition of TiB2 particles and (Ce+Yb) further refined the α-Al grains and modified the eutectic Si phase of the composite. Moreover, the combined addition of (Ce+Yb) resulted in the suppression of TiB2 agglomeration, causing a notable modification in the distribution and morphology of TiB2 particles as well as a significant reduction in their size compared with the condition without the addition of (Ce+Yb). The mechanical properties of 3 wt.% TiB2/Al–Si matrix composites with the combined addition of 0.4 wt.% (Ce+Yb) reached the maximum values with the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of 372.4 MPa, 268.7 MPa, and 4.5%, respectively, which increased by 30.1%, 40.1%, and 9.8%, respectively, compared with those of Al–Si matrix alloy. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to demonstrate the presence of (Ce+Yb)-containing precipitates, other precipitates, and in situ TiB2 particles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the supports from Science and Technology Agency of Anhui Province (202104a05020047 and 2022a05020032); Industrial Guiding Fund of Changfeng County and Hefei University of Technology (JZ2019QTXM0281); Intelligent Manufacturing Institute of HFUT (IMICZ2019003) and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (PA2020GDGP0054)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, People’s Republic of China

    Mingkun Qiu, Hao Liu, Xiaodong Du, Zhen Zhang & Wenru Hu

  2. Engineering Research Center of High Performance Copper Alloy Materials and Processing Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaodong Du

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  1. Mingkun Qiu
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Qiu, M., Liu, H., Du, X. et al. Microstructure and Properties of Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Cr Matrix Composites Reinforced Using in situ TiB2 Particles and (Ce + Yb). Inter Metalcast 17, 1815–1826 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-022-00898-3

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