• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.12
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• pp.797-810
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• 2009

A study was made of the effects of a Sn addition on the microstructure and microfracture mechanism of squeeze cast AZ51-xSn magnesium alloys. Microstructural observation, in situ fracture testing, and fractographic observations were conducted on these alloys to clarify the microfracture process. The microstructural analyses indicated that $Mg_2Sn$ particles as well as $Mg_{17}Al_{12}$ particles precipitated mainly along the solidification cell boundaries; the volume fraction of these hard particles increased as the amount of added Sn increased, with increased the strength. From in situ fracture observations of the AZ51-7Sn alloy, coarse precipitates located on the cell boundaries worked as easy crack propagation sites and caused abrupt intercellular fracturing. On the other hand, the overall fracture properties of the AZ51-3Sn alloy improved because crack propagation proceeded into the Mg matrix rather than into the cell boundaries as twins developed actively, as confirmed by an R-curve analysis. These findings suggest that the addition of 3~5 wt.% Sn is effective in improving both the tensile and fracture properties on the basis of well-developed twins, the blocking of crack propagation, and crack blunting.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 1997

This study is performed to establish a non-destructive evaluation method for metal matrix composite using ultrasonic technique. The specimen is made of SiC/AC8A metal matrix composite by squeeze-casting method. Three kinds or reinforced particles are prepared as 4.86, 8.09 and $11.44{\mu}m$ to investigate the effect of size on the mechanical and ultrasonic properties of metal matrix composite. In addition, four different volume fractions (14, 22.5, 27.5, 35%) of reinforced particles are prepared per each size to examine the effect of volume fraction on the ultrasonic properties. From this specimen, the availability and precision of measurement of Young's modulus are examined and the evaluation method for microstructure of metar matrix composite using the speed of sound and attenuation factor is also reviewed. The results show that the Young's modulus measured by ultrasonic method is as effective as that measured by mechanical method. It is also known that the size and volume fraction of reinforced fiber are precisely evaluated using the speed of sound and attenuation factor.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.475-481
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• 1991

In this study the fabrication technology and mechanical properties of AC8A/$Al_2O_3$ Composites by squeeze casting process were investigated to develope for application as the piston materials that require good friction, wear resistance, and thermal stability. AC8A/$Al_2O_3$ composistes without a porosity and the break of preform were fabricated at the melt temperature of $740^{\circ}C$, the preform temperature of $500^{\circ}C$, and mold temperature of $400^{\circ}C$ under the applied pressure of $1200kg/cm^2$ as the results of the observation of microstructures. As the results of this study, the tensile strength of AC8A/$Al_2O_3$ composites was not increased linearly with $Al_2O_3$ volume fraction and so it seemed not to agree with the rule of mixture, which had been used often in metal matrix composite. Also the tensile strength after thermal fatigue test was little different from that before the test. Consequently it was thought that AC8A/$Al_2O_3$ composites fabricated under our experimental conditions had a good thermal stability and subsequently a good interface bonding. Wear rate(i.e., volume loss per unit sliding distance) of AC8A/$Al_2O_3$ composites was decreased with $Al_2O_3$ volume fraction and the sliding speed at both room temperature and $250^{\circ}C$ and so there was a good correlation between wear rate and hardness. Also the wear rate of AC/8A20% $Al_2O_3$ composities was obtained the value of $1.65cm^3/cm$ at sliding speed of 1.14m/sec as compared with about $3.0\;{\times}10^{-8}cm^3/cm$ hyereutectie Al-Si alloy(Al-16%Si-2%Cu-1%Fe-1%Ni), which applied presently for piston materials. The wear behavior of $Al_2O_3$ composites was observed to a type of abrasive wear by the SEM view of wear surface.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 1999

Metal matrix composites have been extensively studied because of their excellent characteristics for structural application. $Al_2O_3$ and SiC have been used as a common reinforcement owing to their good mechanical properties. However the manufacturing cost of these ceramic reinforcement is expensive, so the use of the composites has been restricted to special purposes. In this study, we tested the application possibility as a reinforcement of $Al_2O_3$-TiC powder synthesized by SHS(Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis) process to Al alloy matrix composite. Also, $Al_2O_3$ short fibers were added with the synthesized powders in order to apply to the Al matrix hybrid composites. Squeeze infiltration casting process was used to make the composite with 25vol% of reinforcement. Microstructure and crystal structure were examined by SEM, OM and XRD, also the mechanical properties were studied by the compressive test and wear test.