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Fabrication of Al7075–Al2O3np-based metal matrix composites with a high solid fraction for thixoforming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2018

Xiao-Hui Chen Open the ORCID record for Xiao-Hui Chen [Opens in a new window]  and
Hong Yan
Xiao-Hui Chen*
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinyu University, Xinyu 338004, People’s Republic of China
Hong Yan*
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, People’s Republic of China
*
a)Address all correspondence to these authors. e-mail: chenxiaohui058@163.com
b)e-mail: hyan@ncu.edu.cn
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Abstract

For thixoforming, it is necessary to have a good microstructure of fine, uniform, and globular grains in a semisolid range. In this study, the nano-Al2O3(Al2O3np)/Al7075 composites with a high solid fraction were fabricated by specially made Al2O3np containing Mg powders and semisolid ultrasonic vibration (SSUV) process. The influence of SSUV technology on primary α-Al grain and second phase in the composites was investigated. Microstructural studies revealed that a good semisolid slurry with an average grain size of 73 μm, a shape factor of 0.84, and a solid fraction of 0.715 could be obtained. Also, it could be shown that SSUV affected largely the size and type of the second phase as well as growth and nucleation of the primary α-Al grain. TEM analysis revealed that there are well-defined crystallographic orientation relationships between the second phases and α-Al, suggesting enhanced heterogeneous nucleation in Al7075 alloys. Moreover, mechanisms involved in the development of microstructure were discussed.

Keywords

metal matrix compositesnanoparticlessemisolidmicrostructurethixoforming
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 33 , Issue 24 , 28 December 2018 , pp. 4349 - 4361
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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