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Damage Analysis in Metal Matrix Composites by means of Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography
(2017)
The damage evolution after compression tests of two types of MMC, consisting of eutectic AlSi12CuMgNi alloy and reinforced with 15vol% of Al2O3 fibers and with 7vol% of Al2O3 fibers+15vol% of SiC particles was studied by synchrotron CT. Internal damage at different pre-strain conditions in eutectic Si, intermetallic phases and Al2O3 fibers was observed, as well as debonding of SiC particles.
Load partitioning between phases in a cast AlSi12CuMgNi alloy was investigated by in-situ compression test during neutron diffraction experiments. Computed tomography (CT) was used to determine volume fractions of eutectic Si and intermetallic (IM) phases, and to assess internal damage after ex-situ compression tests. The CT reconstructed volumes showed the interconnectivity of IM phases, which build a 3D network together with eutectic Si. Large stresses were found in IMs, revealing their significant role as a reinforcement for the alloy. An existing micromechanical model based on Maxwell scheme was extended to the present case, assuming the alloy as a three-phase composite (Al matrix, eutectic Si, IM phases). The model agrees well with the experimental data.
Moreover, it allows predicting the principal stresses in each phase, while experiments can only determine stress differences between the axial and radial sample directions. Finally, we showed that the addition of alloying elements not only allowed developing a 3D interconnected network, but also improved the strength of the Al matrix, and the ability of the alloy constituents to bear mechanical load.
Near eutectic cast Al–Si alloys are the basis of all Al-alloys used for pistons due to their high fluidity and relatively high strength-to-weight ratio. Their microstructure is characterized by the presence of eutectic-Si embedded in an age hardenable -Al matrix. During solution heat treatment, the eutectic Si network undergoes a process of gradual disintegration, reducing the load bearing capability and the strength of the alloy. The improvement of the high temperature strength is achieved by addition of transition elements such as Cu, Mg or Ni through the formation of stiff intermetallic (IM) phases.
In present study a near-eutectic AlSi12CuMgNi alloy produced by squeeze casting was investigated in as-cast condition. The in-situ neutron diffraction compression tests revealed the stress partitioning mechanism between phases of the alloy. Large stresses were found in IMs, showing their significant role as a reinforcement elements. After the failure of IM and Si phases the load is transferred back to the Al matrix, inducing further plastic deformation in it, yet without creating microcracking. The neutron diffraction experiments were coupled with assessment of internal damage after ex-situ compression tests by synchrotron radiation computed tomography. The quantitative analysis of CT data revealed that local tensile stresses in IM and Si phases induce microcracks with preferential orientation, parallel to the axis of applied load.
Altogether, present experimental data was used as an input for the developed micromechanical model based on Maxwell homogenization scheme. In contrast to the neutron diffraction experiment, which can only determine stress differences between the axial and radial sample directions, the model allows predicting the principal stresses in each phase of the alloy.
While there is a large body of literature on the micro-mechanical behavior of metal matrix composites (MMCs) under uniaxial applied stress, very little is available on multi-phase MMCs. In order to cast light on the reinforcement mechanisms and damage processes in such multi-phase composites, materials made by an Al-based piston alloy and containing one and two ceramic reinforcements (planar-random oriented alumina fibers and SiC particles) were studied. In-situ compression tests during neutron diffraction experiments were used to track the load transfer among phases, while X-ray computed tomography on pre-strained samples was used to monitor and quantify damage. We found that damage progresses differently in composites with different orientations of the fiber mat. Because of the presence of intermetallic network, it was observed that the second ceramic reinforcement changed the load transfer scenario only at very high applied load, when also intermetallic particles break. We rationalized the present results combining them with previous investigations and using a micromechanical model.
The quantitative analysis of microstructural features is a key to understanding the micromechanical behavior of metal matrix composites (MMCs), which is a premise for their use in practice. Herein, a 3D microstructural characterization of a five-phase MMC is performed by synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT). A workflow for advanced deep learning-based segmentation of all individual phases in SXCT data is shown using a fully convolutional neural network with U-net architecture. High segmentation accuracy is achieved with a small amount of training data. This enables extracting unprecedently precise microstructural parameters (e.g., volume fractions and particle shapes) to be input, e.g., in micromechanical models.
Micromechanical response of multi-phase Al-alloy matrix composites under uniaxial compression
(2020)
Aluminum alloys are extensively used in the automotive industry. Particularly, squeeze casting production of Al-Si alloys is employed in the conception of metal matrix composites (MMC) for combustion engines. Such materials are of a high interest since they allow combining improved mechanical properties and reduced weight and hence improve efficiency. Being a multiphase material, most MMCs show complex micromechanical behavior under different load conditions. In this work we investigated the micromechanical behavior of two MMCs, both consisting of a near-eutectic cast AlSi12CuMgNi alloy, one reinforced with 15%vol. Al2O3 short fibers and the other with 7%vol. Al2O3 short fibers + 15%vol. SiC particles. Both MMCs have complex 3D microstructure consisting of four and five phases: Al-alloy matrix, eutectic Si, intermetallics, Al2O3 fibers and SiC particles.
The in-situ neutron diffraction compression experiments were carried out on the Stress-Spec beamline and disclosed the evolution of internal phase-specific stresses in both composites. In combination with the damage mechanism revealed by synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) on plastically pre-strained samples, this allowed understanding the role of every composite’s phase in the stress partitioning mechanism. Finally, based on the Maxwell scheme, a micromechanical model was utilized. The model perfectly rationalizes the experimental data and predicts the evolution of principal stresses in each phase.
Targeting biomedical applications, Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) gyroid sheet-based structures were successfully manufactured for the first time by Electron Beam Melting in two different production Themes, i.e., inputting a zero (Wafer Theme) and a 200 µm (Melt Theme) wall thickness. Initial assumption was that in both cases, EBM manufacturing should yield the structures with similar mechanical properties as in a Wafer-mode, as wall thickness is determined by the minimal beam spot size of ca 200 µm. Their surface morphology, geometry, and mechanical properties were investigated by means of electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT), and uniaxial tests (both compression and tension). Application of different manufacturing Themes resulted in specimens with different wall thicknesses while quasi-elastic gradients for different Themes was found to be of 1.5 GPa, similar to the elastic modulus of human cortical bone tissue. The specific energy absorption at 50% strain was also similar for the two types of structures. Finite element simulations were also conducted to qualitatively analyze the deformation process and the stress distribution under mechanical load. Simulations demonstrated that in the elastic regime wall, regions oriented parallel to the load are primarily affected by deformation. We could conclude that gyroids manufactured in Wafer and Melt Themes are equally effective in mimicking mechanical properties of the bones.
In this paper we report on the characterization by X-ray computed tomography of calcium phosphate (CaP) and polycaprolactone (PCL) coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy scaffolds used as a material for medical implants. The cylindrical scaffold has greater porosity of the inner part than the external part, thus, mimicking trabecular and cortical bone, respectively. The prismatic scaffolds have uniform porosity. Surface of the scaffolds was modified with calcium phosphate (CaP) and polycaprolactone (PCL) by dip-coating to improve biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Computed tomography performed with X-ray and synchrotron radiation revealed the defects of structure and morphology of CaP and PCL coatings showing small platelet-like and spider-web-like structures, respectively.
Aluminum alloys are extensively used in the automotive industry. Particularly, squeeze casting production of Al-Si alloys is employed in the conception of metal matrix composites (MMC) for combustion engines. Such materials are of a high interest since they allow combining improved mechanical properties and reduced weight and hence improve efficiency. We investigate two types of MMCs, which can be potentially used for production of combustion engine pistons: 1) a near-eutectic cast AlSi12CuMgNi alloy reinforced with 15%vol. Al2O3 random planar oriented short fibers and 2) the same alloy reinforced with 7%vol. Al2O3 random planar oriented short fibers + 15%vol. SiC particles.
Complex 3D microstructure of the samples in as-cast condition, consisting of four and five phases (Al matrix, eutectic Si, intermetallics, Al2O3 fibers and SiC particles) was investigated by synchrotron computed tomography (CT). Advanced methods based on machine learning were applied for segmentation of all phases. This allowed extracting quantitative information such as volume fraction, shape and interconnectivity of every phase.
In-situ compression tests during neutron diffraction experiments were used to track the load transfer among phases, while CT on pre-strained samples to monitor and quantify damage. A micromechanical model was developed to simulate the evolution of the internal stress of each phase during uniaxial compression. We showed that in composites with the Al2O3 fiber mat plane perpendicular to the load axis the Al-alloy matrix presents a large hydrostatic stress component, i.e. undergoes compression also in the direction transverse to the external load. This feature holds with and without the addition of SiC ceramic reinforcement and is absent in the case when the Al2O3 fiber mat plane is parallel to the load axis. We show, that the intermetallics play a decisive role at very high loads, when all other reinforcement phases suffer (extensive) damage. The addition of SiC particles does alleviate the load on the Al2O3 fibers, on the eutectic Si, and on the intermetallic phases in both cases of parallel and orthogonal (to the load axis) Al2O3 fiber orientation. Apart from the beneficial addition of ceramic reinforcement, the presence of intermetallic phase and eutectic silicon, forming an interconnected network even at high loads, when single particles break, confers peculiar properties to these multi-phase composites.