Graphite/6061 aluminum (G/6061Al) composites with different content of graphite were ultra-high pressure (UHP)-sintered and hot pressing (HP)-sintered, respectively. The result shows that homogeneous dispersion of graphite flakes in the 6061Al matrix can be achieved using graphite flakes coated by nano-Al particles, both in the UHP-sintered and in the HP-sintered composite. Due to the comprehensive effects of ultra-high pressure, high temperature and formation of Al4C3, the UHP-sintered composites endowed with higher relative density, higher hardness, stronger tensile strength and better wear resistance than the HP-sintered composite. The highest tensile strength of the UHP-sintered with 5 vol.% graphite is 183 MPa. Wear test reveals that the wear rate of the UHP sintered with 10 vol.% G/6061Al decreases drastically when the sintering temperature is 650 °C or higher, which is one to three orders of magnitude lower than that of the HP-sintered. The lowest wear rate of the UHP sintered with 10 vol.% graphite is 0.15 × 10−5 g/mm, while that of the HP-sintered composite is 133 × 10−5 g/mm.
The solidification process of a high chromium cast iron grate bar used for sinter machine was simulated, and high temperature oxidation resistance was also investigated. The simulation result shows that sequence solidification can be achieved and no shrinkage cavity and porosity were observed. Based on the analysis of the microstructure, it could be known that the grate bar was well protected by the Fe3O4、Fe2O3 and Cr2O3 oxide films at temperatures lower than 800°C.
Three kinds of SiCp/Al-Si-Mg composites, containing 20%, 40% and 60% volume fraction of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) were respectively sintered at high cubic anvil pressure, using SiC powders prepackaged by aluminum. Then microstructures of the composites were investigated, and the influences of pressure, sintering temperature and volume fraction of SiCp on the microstructures were analyzed. Results show that the composites own homogeneous microstructures, high density and few porosities. In the composites, SiCp and Al matrix were bounded to each other tightly and few agglomeration of SiCp or aluminum was observed. With the volume fraction of SiCp increased, the pinning effect of the reinforcement on the Al matrix is enhanced. With the sintering temperature and pressure increased, densities of the samples are also increased. Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that there are transition layers and Al4C3 phases formed at the interface between SiCp and Al matrix when fabricated under pressure of 3.0GPa and temperature of 620 °C.
Based on the swarm-intelligence-based CALYPSO method the NbO, R3m and NiAs phases for ReN are predicted. The R3m phase of ReN at high pressure is firstly found. The structural, mechanical and electronic properties of ReN with the three phases are studied systematically. Moreover, it is also firstly found that pressure stimulated ReN to undergo twice phase transitions, from NbO to R3m phase at 43.3 GPa and from R3m to NiAs phase at 53.6 GPa. The three phases of ReN are verified to be mechanically stable and a promising low-compressible material at ambient conditions. According to the electron density of states and electron localization functions we have found that their structural stability and high hardness is on account of the strong covalent bonding of Re-N and N-N.
A new type wear block made of medium carbon low alloy steel was designed to improve the service of a centrifugal crusher. A reasonable casting technology was chosen and ViewCast software was used to simulate the solidification process, then the location of the defeats was predicted, the scheme was optimized and the production verification was carried out. Annealing, quenching and tempering of wear resistant block was carried for performance testing. The observed metallographic microstructure indicates that it was organized as a strip martensite and a small amount of needle martensite after heat treatment. The analysis of mechanical properties indicates the hardness was 54.8HRC, the tensile strength was 1325MPa, the impact energy of V-notch and no notch was 15.7J and 142.7J respectively. Analysis of tensile and impact fracture scanning electron microscopy indicates that the fracture mechanism is subject to eutectic fracture. The performance test results show that the new type centrifugal crusher wear block can meet the requirements of the actual condition.