الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract The mechanical properties of eutectic composites have received considerable attention during the past decade. This is because of their potential advantages in many applications, particularly at elevated temperatures. The present work was devoted to study the effect of the microstructure and micromorphology of the dispersed phase of the Al-Ni eutectic alloy on the stress-rupture properties. The experimental work included the redesign and construction of an electric resistance furnace in which the as-cast Al-Ni eutectic alloys were prepared under controlled Argon atmosphere. Heat treatment was carried out on some of the as-cast rods to yield Al3Ni in spherodized shape. Directional solidification was performed on other rods to produce rod-like and lamellar Al~Ni composites. This was accomplished on a directional solidification apparatus which was especially modified to satisfy the required conditions. The prepared Al-Ni eutectic alloys were metallographically examined. Stressrupture tests were performed at 573°K on specimens representing the different alloy structures as well as the directionally solidified Aluminium representing the matrix of the composites. A stress-rupture testing machine was especially constructed for this purpose. The machine was equipped with a split electric resistance furnace, temperature control system, system for determination of the rupture time, and electric circuit for detecting the breakdown of the supply current. The stress-rupture tests were carried out at different stress levels and the elapsed times to rupture were determined, Elongation of the fractured specimens was measured. Macro and micro examination of the fractured specimens were also carried out to study the fracture mechanism. The experimental results revealed that; (1) The nature and morphology of the dispersed phase, Al 3Ni, was different according to the preparation technique used in the production of the Al-Ni eutectic alloys in this work. The Al 3Ni phase exhibited a feather-like appearance in the as-cast alloys, globular shape in heat treated alloys, aligned rod-like in composites directionally solidified at high growth rates and lamellar at low growth rates. (2) The prepared Al-Ni rod-like eutectic composites showed a colony structure. This was expected due to the commercial purity of the materials used. However, no colony structure was observed in the lamellar structure, This may be attributed to the low growth rate used leading to a higher G/R ratio that suppressed colony formation. (3) Stress-rupture properties of the unidirectional solidified composites were superior to those of the conventional cast and globular alloys, as indicated by longer rupture times and lower percentage elongation at rupture/rupture time for the same stress. This is due to the more effective strengthening of the aligned dispersed phase in the composites |