Titanium Metal Matrix Composites Research Articles

Microstructure Evolution in Titanium Alloys and Metal Matrix Composites Manufactured via Powder Bed Fusion: A Comprehensive Review

Microstructure Evolution in Titanium Alloys and Metal Matrix Composites Manufactured via Powder Bed Fusion: A Comprehensive Review

Tribological analysis of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) hybrid metal matrix composite through the use of Taguchi’s method and machine learning classifiers

The preparation and tribological behavior of the titanium metal matrix (Ti-6Al-4V) composite reinforced with tungsten carbide (WCp) and graphite (Grp) particles were investigated in this study. The stir casting procedure was used to fabricate the titanium metal matrix composites (TMMCs), which had 8 weight percent of WCp and Grp. The tribological studies were designed using Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array technique and were carried out as wear tests using a pin-on-disc device. According to Taguchi’s analysis and ANOVA, the most significant factors that affect wear rate are load and distance, followed by velocity. The wear process was ascertained by scanning electron microscopy investigation of the worn surfaces of the composite specimens. Pearson’s heatmap and Feature importance (F-test) were plotted for data analysis to study the significance of input parameters on wear. Machine learning classification algorithms such as k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, and XGBoost algorithms accurately classified the wear rate data, giving an accuracy value of 71.25%, 65%, and 56.25%, respectively.

Machining of titanium metal matrix composites: a short review

Machining of titanium metal matrix composites: a short review

Anti-icing and weatherability study of superhydrophobic titanium metal matrix composites surface

Superhydrophobic surfaces have received much attention from academia and industry for their promising applications, which can significantly expand the comprehensive performance of composite materials. Thus, this paper demonstrated a low-cost and simple method to fabricate arrays of micro−/nano-structure surfaces similar to rice leaves through laser micro texturing, modified with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to produce physicochemically coupling texture hydrophobic surfaces, and then investigate the surface's resistance to ice and weathering under environmental damage. After tens of circulating for coagulation and thawing frost and shocking of water, the surface can remain hydrophobic, while the hydrophobic groups and structures on the surface can remain hydrophobic under hundreds of times of stripping and friction, which shows good weather ability. In summary, a practical reference for titanium metal matrix composite surfaces is provided, realizing superhydrophobicity and ice suppression functions and expanding its scenario applications.

Spark plasma sintering of ceramic-reinforced binary/ternary nickel and titanium metal matrix composites: Mechanical properties, microstructure, and densification – A review

Spark Plasma sintering is an excellent technique for developing ceramic-reinforced binary/ternary nickel and titanium metal matrix composites (MMCs). This review analyzes the mechanical properties, microstructure, and densification characteristics of SPS-produced composites. Introducing ceramic reinforcement such as carbides, oxides, nitrides, or borides enhances the mechanical characteristics and functionality of MMCs. The SPS method has advantages such as high heating rates, low processing durations, and relatively low sintering temperatures, all of which assist in reducing reactivity concerns and retaining the desirable properties of the matrix and reinforcing materials. The impact of different process parameters such as temperature, pressure, heating rate, and holding time on the final microstructure and densification of the composites was discussed in this review. Additionally, it examined how different types, contents, and particle sizes of reinforcement affected the mechanical qualities, including hardness, tensile strength, fracture toughness, and wear resistance. Furthermore, the production of secondary phases and the interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements are explored because they significantly affect the mechanical performance and behavior of the composites. This work contributes to an extensive understanding of the SPS procedure for ceramic-reinforced nickel and titanium MMCs, offering insightful information on processing parameters that enhance production and modify the characteristics of these technologically advanced materials for many applications in the aerospace, automotive, and structural industries.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-treated cold spray additively manufactured titanium metal matrix composites

Cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) can produce particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) by accelerating metal/metal or metal/ceramic particle combinations towards a substrate surface. The harder reinforcement particles become embedded into the softer metallic matrix. The secondary material may also help reduce the deposit's porosity depending on the particles' relative hardness and density. In this research, four material combinations were investigated by adding one of the following secondary materials at 10 wt% to commercial-purity (CP - Grade 2) titanium powder; (i) yttria-stabilised zirconia - (Y2O3)0.08(ZrO2)0.92, (ii) titanium carbide – TiC, (iii) titanium diboride – TiB2, and (iv) tungsten – W. The mechanical properties of samples following vacuum heat treatment are compared and related to the microstructural interactions between the two materials during annealing. These results show that cold spraying a hard secondary material at 10 wt% with titanium has a reinforcing effect, increasing the material's tensile strength; however, its ductility decreases slightly. The strengthening and ductility loss effect was particularly notable for the Ti blends with W and TiC.

Combination of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and in situ 3D-μ-CT in the analysis of the relationship between strains and porosity under creep loading

Abstract In situ 3D μ-XCT allows the time and space resolved measurement and analysis of material damage in the component volume, whereas the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a 2D method for the analysis of deformation measured on the surfaces of components. In situ 3D μ-XCT measurements were performed on cylindrical specimen made of SiC particle reinforced titanium MMC (MMC: Metal Matrix Composite) (15 % SiC particles) during creep load. The formation and evolution of voids were subsequently analyzed. Due to the rotationally symmetric sample geometry, the analysis of the deformation in the interior of the material by DIC using 2D slices is possible and evident. The dot pattern required to calculate the strain using DIC (speckle pattern) is provided by the intrinsic particle reinforcement of the MMCs. Temporally and locally changing and time-variant strain fields in both the tensile as well as the compressive range could be detected correlating with void formation and development area.

Initial tool wear and process monitoring during titanium metal matrix composite machining (TiMMC)

When machining titanium metal matrix composites (TiMMCs), the abrasiveness of the reinforcement particles of this material leads to numerous machinability challenges, namely severe tool wear and poor machined surface quality. This paper aims to study the initial tool wear and the phenomena occurring during machining of titanium metal matrix composites. Initial wear refers to tool wear that occurs early in the cutting process. When the tool life is relatively short, the initial wear could significantly influence the remaining machining process. Therefore, a better understanding of the initial tool wear mechanisms and characteristics could lead to solutions extending the tool life, thereby improving the cutting process and production efficiency. Hence, the flank tool wear was assessed and thoroughly investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A tool condition monitoring system (TCMS) for online tool wear evaluation was employed to detect the transition times between wear stages during the machining process.Based on results, the types of wear in the initial zone were characterized. Abrasion, adhesion and cracking are considered as the critical morphological changes. The reduction of workpiece surface damage and tool wear rate could be related to the formation of a protective layer as a thermal barrier at the first transition time, when the initial tool wear ends and the steady state wear region begins. This moment, as the first transition time can be a short period, less than 15 s, which was detected by fractal analysis of force and vibration signals during machining of TiMMCs. The clear signatures of the transition times were suggested by the results of the fractal analysis.

Investigation on workpiece microstructure and wheel performance on grinding titanium metal matrix composites

Investigation on workpiece microstructure and wheel performance on grinding titanium metal matrix composites

Investigation on Workpiece Microstructure and Wheel Performance on Grinding Titanium Metal Matrix Composites

Investigation on Workpiece Microstructure and Wheel Performance on Grinding Titanium Metal Matrix Composites

Finite element analysis of microscopic fracture process in titanium metal matrix composite shafts using a unit cell approach

The aim of this study is to investigate the microscopic fracture process in titanium metal matrix composites (TiMMC) shafts based on finite element (FE) analysis. A unit cell approach is used as a tool to design a representative volume element to explain the complex failure phenomenon on a microscopic level. FE mesh convergence is examined and validated with the equivalent plastic strain and contact pressure. The accuracy of the numerical modelling is verified by comparison with experimental investigations on fractured TiMMC shafts. The results show that FE modelling can successfully analyse the complicated fracture process that occurs on a microscopic scale of TiMMC shafts.

Effect of reinforcement and sintering on dry sliding wear and hardness of titanium – (AlSi)0.5CoFeNi based composite

Owing to its weight-to-strength ratio, titanium is a widely used material, especially in gas turbine engines. It possesses a high melting point and corrosion resistance, however, exhibits poor wear resistance. An improvement in its tribological properties can be accomplished by the addition of a suitable reinforcement in metal matrix composite (MMC). In this research, titanium MMCs were fabricated through mechanical alloying (MA) followed by vacuum arc melting of 95% titanium reinforced with 5% of (AlSi)0.5CoFeNi high entropy alloy (HEA). Compaction was later done at 1000 MPa, while specimens were heat-treated at sintering temperatures of 900 °C and 1000 °C, with varying sintering times of 1 h and 2 h at 10–4 millibar vacuum. Microhardness and sliding wear rate of reinforced HEA specimens exuded improvement when compared to the Ti 900 °C 2 h specimen. Owing to the reinforcement, a reduction in wear rate and more than 5% improvement in microhardness had been observed, at higher sintering temperatures. The improvement was attributed to the synergistic effect of sintering time and temperature during the density and wettability analysis which was supported by the morphological analysis.

Effect of Sintering Temperatures, Reinforcement Size on Mechanical Properties and Fortification Mechanisms on the Particle Size Distribution of B4C, SiC and ZrO2 in Titanium Metal Matrix Composites.

Titanium metal matrix composites/TMMCs are reinforced ceramic reinforcements that have been developed and used in the automotive, biological, implants, and aerospace fields. At high temperatures, TMMCs can provide up to 50% weight reduction compared to monolithic super alloys while maintaining comparable quality or state of strength. The objective of this research was the analysis and evaluation of the effect/influence of different sintering temperatures, reinforcement size dependence of mechanical properties, and fortification mechanisms on the particle size distribution of B4C, SiC, and ZrO2 reinforced TMMCs that were produced and fabricated by powder metallurgy/PM. SEM, XRD, a Rockwell hardness tester, and the Archimedes principle were used in this analysis. The composites’ hardness, approximation, tensile, yielding, and ultimate strength were all increased. As the composite was reinforced with low-density ceramics material and particles, its density decreased. The volume and void content in all the synthesized specimens is below 1%; this is the result of good sample densification, mechanical properties and uniform distribution of the reinforced particle samples; 5% B4C, 12.5% SiC, 7.5% ZrO2, 75% Ti develop higher mechanical properties, such as higher hardness, approximation tensile, yielding, and ultimate strength and low porosity.

Quasi-continuous GNS network induced local dynamic recrystallization along interfaces in titanium MMCs under high strain rate loading

Despite extensive research on graphene reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) over the past decade, the microstructure evolution of the composites still remains inexplicable, especially for dynamic loading conditions. The present work adopted a Ti–6Al–4V composite reinforced with quasi-continuous graphene nanosheets (GNSs) networks to investigate the role of reinforcement and its architecture on the mechanical response, microstructure evolution, and failure mechanism at different loading rates via Hopkinson bar system, Raman and X-ray diffraction examination, transmission electron microscope, and electron backscatter diffraction system. The results reveal that GNSs provide a significant strength improvement, owing to the formation of a quasi-continuous network comprising of GNSs and in-situ produced TiC particles. It is also found with microstructural examination that the local deformation is primarily mediated by the matrix, for which abundant local dynamic recrystallization was detected along the network-matrix interface. This may account for the reduced strain rate sensitivity and a propensity for adiabatic shear band (ASB) under impact loading for the composites. The mechanism of action of the quasi-continuous GNS network architecture is discussed in terms of the strengthening, strain rate sensitivity and ASB propensity of the composites with a quantative assessment.

Enhanced adiabatic shear band susceptibility in Ti composites reinforced with quasi-continuous network of graphene nanosheets

Graphene nanosheets (GNSs) can remarkably advance the mechanical properties of titanium metal matrix composites (TiMCs) by forming a quasi-continuous network architecture. However, the failure mechanism of the network architecture, especially under impact loading, has never been truly understood. In this work, a Ti–6Al–4V based composite reinforced with GNSs was adopted to study the failure behavior of the quasi-continuous network architecture of GNSs under impact loading, as well as its influence on macroscopic behavior of TiMCs. Experimental results revealed that, the quasi-continuous networked TiMCs exhibited a propensity of failure by adiabatic shearing, where the shear band seemed to propagate (and probably also initiate) along the network architecture. Microstructural observation suggested that, instead of grain size or texture, the enhanced ASB susceptibility of the composite is attributed to the high defect density induced by networked reinforcement. Then, a comprehensive discussion relates the enhanced ASB susceptibility quantitatively with adiabatic shear dissipation energy.

Titanium boride and titanium silicide phase formation by high power diode laser alloying of B4C and SiC particles with Ti: Microstructure, hardness and wear studies

In this work a novel multiphase titanium metal matrix composite (TMMC) coating was developed by high power diode laser assisted alloying of Cp-Ti with the preplaced Boropak powder consisting of B4C and SiC ceramic particles. The XRD, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, microhardness and wear testing techniques were employed to investigate structural phase, hardness and wear properties of the alloyed coating. Under the influence of multipass laser alloying, the B4C and SiC ceramic particles decompose to yield boron, silicon and carbon species that react with molten titanium to form TiB2, TiB, TiC and Ti5Si3 phases in the laser alloyed coating. In addition, the un-melted B4C and SiC ceramic particles are dispersed in the titanium matrix. Microstructure of the alloyed coating consists of dendrites and coralline-like structure. The tips of the coralline-like structure are in the range of 150–500 nm. The ceramic multiphase TiB2, TiB, TiC and Ti5Si3 formation resulted in average microhardness around 800–2200 HV0.2 at different regions of the TMMC coating cross section. To correlate the phase formation and microstructural features, surface temperature evolved at the interaction area during laser surface alloying was estimated by a simple equation. Activation energy for the laser melted track was calculated using the Arhennius equation. The linear reciprocating wear test performed on laser alloyed coating against WC ball showed wear rate value of 1.623 х 10−4 mm3/N.m which is 6 times lower compared to the untreated titanium.

Microstructure and mechanical characterisation of ZrO2 reinforced Ti6Al4V metal matrix composites by powder metallurgy method

This study investigated the mechanical and microstructural properties of ZrO2 reinforced titanium metal matrix composites (TMMCs) fabricated using powder metallurgy. The base matrix of the Ti6Al4V alloy was reinforced with ZrO2 at mixing proportions of different wt percentage points at 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Microstructure evaluation was carried out to study the bonding characteristics of the matrix and reinforcement, and it was confirmed that the reinforcement was homogenously mixed with the base matrix. The objective is to study the effect of zirconia on mechanical properties such as hardness, compression strength and thermal expansion coefficiency of Ti6Al4V alloy. The hardness, compression strength, and shrinkage rate are increased with the increase of ZrO2. Finally, it was observed that, 6 wt percentage of ZrO2 reinforced composite showed better characteristics in that the hardness and compression strength were the highest among all the proportions used and the coefficient of thermal expansion was low. Due to these promising results, the fabricated ZrO2 reinforced Ti6Al4V composite can be a potential material for structural, aerospace and automotive applications.

Electrochemical Turning of (TiB + TiC)/TC4 Composites Using a Rectangular Cathode

The application of titanium metal matrix composites (Ti-MMCs) in the aerospace industry has increased significantly owing to their excellent mechanical properties. However, these properties also make Ti-MMCs difficult to machine. Many problems can occur with traditional turning, such as tool damage and low efficiency remain. Electrochemical machining is not limited by the physical properties of metal materials, making it an ideal machining method for Ti-MMCs, but there have been few articles evaluating electrochemical turning (ECT) in this application. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a cathode tool with a rectangular end face to realize the ECT of particle reinforced Ti-MMCs. Parametric experiments were conducted by varying the machining voltage, workpiece rotation speed, electrolyte pressure, and axial offset to determine their effects on the intermittent feed ECT of a cylindrical workpiece. Finally, intermittent feed ECT was performed on the cylindrical surface with the preferred machining parameters, and a machining area with a circular arc area of 4124 mm2, an average radial removal depth of 1.19 mm, and an average circular arc radius of 42.44 mm was obtained on the cylindrical workpiece, which verified the practical performance of the intermittent feed ECT method for machining titanium matrix composites.

A Review on Processing Routes, Properties, Applications, and Challenges of Titanium Metal Matrix Composite

Titanium is currently familiar for its light weight, high strength, and non-reactive nature over all the metals. Titanium metal matrix composites (TMCs) are very popular in the field of aerospace, automotive, defense, and biomedical because of their high specific strength, light weight, and biocompatibility nature. Some of the extensively used fabrication methods like powder metallurgy (PM), additive manufacturing (AM), and spark plasma sintering (SPS) have been reviewed here with some of the properties of TMCs. By varying various types of reinforcements, it is possible to achieve the required properties as per industrial and modern applications in TMC. This study also includes the consequence of sintering temperature on properties of TMCs like physical, mechanical, and structural. Titanium alloys are showing good mechanical and biomedical properties when reinforced with carbon fibers, borides, ceramics, and plenty of other materials as continuous fiber or discontinuous particulates and whiskers. In this paper, the applications of TMCs in aerospace, automobile, biomedical, and defense have been narrated. Besides all these favorable properties and applications, TMCs can’t be used extensively in the said applications because of their high cost and difficulty in machining, that discussed in this paper over various challenges of TMCs. The cost reduction can be done by making Ti - super alloys. In addition, there is a necessity for an effective cooling system during the machining of TMCs to enhance machinability and some of the effective methods which may enhance the machinability of TMCs were also discussed.

Synthesis and characterisation of natural ceramic reinforced Titanium Metal Matrix composite

ABSTRACT This research study reports the fabrication of Titanium Metal Matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with Silica by Powder Metallurgy route. The composite was studied for morphological, microstructural and mechanical properties using advanced characterisation techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX, Vickers Hardness Test, Charpy Impact Test and Compression Test. The density of composite was evaluated by Archimedes’ principle. The analysis of experimental results demonstrated the influence of the reinforced silica on the physical characteristics of titanium MMC. This synthesised composite showed porous and smooth surface with improved mechanical strength, hardness, and reduced density. The improved hardness could be attributed to the good interfacial bond formation between the titanium metal matrix and the SiO2 reinforcement in the composite.