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Title: Metal/ceramic interface structures and segregation behavior in aluminum-based composites

Journal Article · · Acta Materialia
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Physical and Life Sciences Directory

Trimodal Al alloy (AA) matrix composites consisting of ultrafine-­grained (UFG) and coarse-­ grained (CG) Al phases and micron-­sized B4C ceramic reinforcement particles exhibit combinations of strength and ductility that render them useful for potential applications in the aerospace, defense and automotive industries. Tailoring of microstructures with specific mechanical properties requires a detailed understanding of interfacial structures to enable strong interface bonding between ceramic reinforcement and metal matrix, and thereby allow for effective load transfer. Trimodal AA metal matrix composites typically show three characteristics that are noteworthy: nanocrystalline grains in the vicinity of the B4C reinforcement particles; Mg segregation at AA/B4C interfaces; and the presence of amorphous interfacial layers separating nanocrystalline grains from B4C particles. Interestingly, however, fundamental information related to the mechanisms responsible for these characteristics as well as information on local compositions and phases are absent in the current literature. Here in this study, we use high-­resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-­dispersive X-­ray spectroscopy, electron energy-­loss spectroscopy, and precession assisted electron diffraction to gain fundamental insight into the mechanisms that affect the characteristics of AA/B4C interfaces. Specifically, we determined interfacial structures, local composition and spatial distribution of the interfacial constituents. Near atomic resolution characterization revealed amorphous multilayers and a nanocrystalline region between Al phase and B4C reinforcement particles. The amorphous multilayers consist of nonstoichiometric AlxOy, while the nanocrystalline region is comprised of MgO nanograins. The experimental results are discussed in terms of the possible underlying mechanisms at AA/B4C interfaces.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; AC02-05CH11231; N00014-13-1-0668; N00014-12-1-0237; 12-LR-238313
OSTI ID:
1234580
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1251514
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-666489
Journal Information:
Acta Materialia, Vol. 95, Issue C; ISSN 1359-6454
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 55 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Bioinspired Aluminum Composite Reinforced with Soft Polymers with Enhanced Strength and Plasticity journal March 2020
Atomic structures of a liquid-phase bonded metal/nitride heterointerface journal March 2016
Deformation of a ceramic/metal interface at the nanoscale journal January 2016
Precipitation phenomena in Al-Zn-Mg alloy matrix composites reinforced with B4C particles journal August 2017