Novel Ti based metal matrix composites reinforced with Al–Cr–Fe quasicrystals approximants

Abstract

In this work, Ti/Al–Cr–Fe metal matrix composites were fabricated with Ti as matrix and Al–Cr–Fe quasicrystal approximants as reinforcements using spark plasma sintering. In all samples a Ti₃Al ring forms around each Al–Cr–Fe particle as a bonding layer between Ti and Al–Cr–Fe particles. In the sample sintered with a holding time of 5 min, there are only TiAl regions present at the Ti₃Al/Al–Cr–Fe interface. However, in the samples sintered with a holding time of 10, 15 or 20 min, TiAl, Ti(Al,Cr)₂ and L1₂ regions were detected at the Ti₃Al/Al–Cr–Fe interface. The addition of Al–Cr–Fe particles into the Ti matrix was found to improve the mircrohardness to 460 HV and increase the wear resistance by more than 50%.

Keywords:

• Metal matrix composites
• Quasicrystal
• Spark plasma sintering
• Phase transformation
• Wear

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Research Funding. The valuable contribution of Mr Li Zhong and Dr Brinna Thompson is kindly acknowledged.