Aluminium hybrid composites are a new generation of metal matrix composites that have the potentials of satisfying the recent demands of advanced engineering applications. These demands are met due to improved mechanical properties, amenability to conventional processing technique and possibility of reducing production cost of aluminium hybrid composites. The performance of these materials is mostly dependent on selecting the right combination of reinforcing materials since some of the processing parameters are associated with the reinforcing particulates. A few combinations of reinforcing particulates have been conceptualized in the design of aluminium hybrid composites. This paper attempts to review the different combination of reinforcing materials used in the processing of hybrid aluminium matrix composites and how it affects the mechanical, corrosion and wear performance of the materials. The major techniques for fabricating these materials are briefly discussed and research areas for further improvement on aluminium hybrid composites are suggested
This paper presents an overview of the corrosion behavior of titanium (Ti) alloys in both acidic and saline solutions. The solutions covered in this review are essentially the typical electrolytes encountered by Ti alloys when applied under service conditions. Although Ti alloys are generally known to be corrosion resistant, this review identifies strong reducing acids and fluoride-containing solutions as electrolytes that corrode Ti and its alloys. The pathways that the knowledge of the corrosion behavior of Ti alloys have followed from the 1950s to date are captured in this review. Based on this, the different factors influencing the corrosion behavior of Ti alloys are highlighted and the different research concepts for improving the corrosion resistance of Ti alloys in both solutions are discussed. The limitations of these research concepts are mentioned and the directions for future research are proposed.
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1 February 2019 in Materials Science and Engineering: A
Peri-implantitis, a disease caused by bacteria, affects dental implants in patients. It is widely treated with antibiotics, however, with growing antibiotic resistance new strategies are required. Titanium-copper alloys are prospective antibacterial biomaterials, with the potential to be a remedy against peri-implantitis and antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate Ti-Cux alloys, exploring how Cu content (up to 10 wt%) and ageing affect the material properties. Electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, hardness testing, bacteriological culture, and electrochemical testing were employed to characterize the materials. It was found that alloys with above 3 wt% Cu had two phases and ageing increased the volume fraction of Ti2Cu. An un-aged alloy of 5 wt% Cu showed what could be Ti3Cu, in addition to the α-Ti phase. The hardness gradually increased with increased Cu additions, while ageing only affected the alloy with 10 wt% Cu (due to changes in microstructure). Ageing resulted in faster passivation of the alloys. After two hours the aged 10 wt% Cu alloy was the only material with an antibacterial effect, while after six hours, bacteria killing occurred in all alloys with above 5 wt% Cu. In conclusion, it was possible to tune the material and antibacterial properties of Ti-Cux alloys by changing the Cu concentration and ageing, which makes further optimization towards an antibacterial material promising.