• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.441-449
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• 1993

SiC particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composites were fabricated by melt stirring method. The effet of several factors on mechanical properties and the efficiency of melt stirring method from the viewpoint of these properties were investigated. The tensile strength increased and the elongation decreased with decrease of the particle size or the increase of the paticulate volume fraction for pure magnesium matrix and Mg-5%Zn alloy matrix composites. A longer stirring time improved the tensile strength of these composites. The tensile strength of Mg-5%Ca alloy matrix composites which shows no uniform paticulate distribution was a little lower than that of matrix alloy. Rapid solidification rate is preferred for the improved tensile strength of these composites. The pure magnesium matrix and Mg-5%Zn alloy matrix composites have tensile strength of about 400MPa. This value agrees with the tensile strength of some magnesium matrix composites fabricated by liquid infiltration method or powder metallurgy method at the same volume fraction of reinforcements of whisker or particle. Therefore, the melt stirring method which has the advantages of simple process is considered to be efficient in fabricating magnesium matrix composites.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 1991

The Purification mechanism of high purity aluminum was studied through the variation of stirring speed and coolant flow rate in the stirring method. In the stirring method the degree of purification was changed as the following factors;the variation of diffusion boundary layer thickness the variation of growth rate and the solute concentration of the residual melt. The concentration of Fe and Si was decreased as the stirring speed and the radial distance increased. In a high stirring speed of 2000rpm with unidirectional stirring mode, the uniformity of solutes was obtained. On the other hand, the purification of Si was done by the combinations of stirring method, fractional melting and acid leaching. In the case of Si purification, the centrifugal force developed in the melt acted as the significant purification factor. It was possible to obtain the purified 3N grade Si crystal after the complete elimination of residual aluminum by fractional melting and acid leaching.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.3474-3490
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• 1996

A metal matrix composites(MMCs) for A16061 reinforced with silicon carbide particles is fabricated by melt-stirring method. The primary products of MMCs billets are prepared by volume fractions 5 vol% to 20 vol% and particle size $13\mu m$ to $22\mu m$.This paper will be made to examine the microstructure and mechanical properties of fabricated $SiC_p$/Al 6061 composite by melt-stirring and squeeze casting method. The MMC billets is extruded at $500^{\circ}C$ under the constant extrusion velocity $V_e$=2mm/min using curved shape die. Extrusion force, particle rearrangement, micro structure and mechanical properties of extruded composites will be investigated. The mechanical properties of primary billets manufactured by melt-stirring and squeeze casting method will be compared with extrusion specimen. The effect of volume fraction and size of the reinforcements will be studied. The increase in uniformity of particle dispersion is the major reason for an improvement in reliability due to hot extrusion with optimal shape die. Experimental Young's modulus and 0.2% offset yield strength for the extruded MMCs will be compared with theretical values calculated by the Eshelby method. A method will be proposed for the prediction of Young's modulus and yield strength in $SiC_p$ reinforced MMCs.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2003

Semisolid forming requires alloys with non-dendritic microstructure of the thixotropy. Recently, low pouring temperture method without stirring, i.e. liquidus casting has been found out new fabrication method of the semisolid metals. Effects of melt superheat and mold conditions on the globulization of primary Al of $AlSi_7Mg$ alloy were investigated in gravity casting process without stirring. The microstructures of primary Al as function of melt superheat and mold temperature show globular, rosette and dendritic shapes. The conditions for globular microstructure of primary Al were low melt superheat < 35 K and low mold temperature < 500 K. The thermal conditions for globular microstructure of primary Al were undercooled melt at early solidification stages and slow cooling < 0.6 K/s. It was found that the initial microstructure was maintained throughout the solidification and the globules of primary Al can be obtained by high nucleation of fine and spherical nuclei due to enhanced undercooling of melt.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 1992

Al-Pb-Si bearing alloys were produced by a forced stirring method and a rapid solidification process to study wear properties of bearing alloys. A homogeneous distribution of Pb particles in Al matrix could be obtained by means of the forced stirring and the rapid cooling during the casting. The wear properties of bearing alloys were tested by a pin-on-disc wear tester. The change in microstructure according to the alloy manufacturing variables was observed by the backscattered electron images. Al-Pb and Al-Si binary alloys showed a transition from mild to severe wear. The transition was not found in Al-Pb-Si ternary alloys. It could be concluded that the lubricatioin effect of Pb and the strengthening effect of Si in the ternary alloys enhanced the bearing properties. A Al-25%Pb-13%Si alloy showed the lowest coefficient of friction in this experiment. It indicated that the optimum concentration of alloy was 25% Pb and 13% Si when the forced stirring of melt and water-cooled-copper-mold solidification were adopted.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2002

The forming process of metal matrix composites by die casting and squeeze casting process are limited in size and dimension In term of final parts. The melt strirring method have the problems that the homogeneous distribution of the reinforcements is difficult due to the low weldability and the density difference between the molten metal and the reinforcement. The thixoforming process for metal matrix composites has numerous advantages compacted to die casting, squeeze casting and compocasting. However, for the thixofoming process, the billet with the desired volume fraction must be heated to obtain a uniform temperature distribution over the entire cross-sectional areas. To obtain the reheating conditions of composites, the particulate reinforced metal matrix composites for thixoforming were fabricated by combined stirring process which is simultaneously performed with electro-magnetic stirring and mechanical stirring process. The matrix alloy and reinforcement are used to aluminum alloy(A357) and SiCp with diameter 14, $25{\mu}m$, respectively. The microstructure characteristics were investigated by changing the volume fraction and reinforcement size. The heating conditions to obtain the uniform temperature distribution in cross section area of fabricated metal matrix composites billet are proposed with heating time, the heating temperature and the holding time.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2000

Casting of metal matrix composites is an attractive process since it offers a wide selection of materials and processing conditions. Among the casting methods, melt-stirring technology is much attractive route in industrial application because it is more simple and inexpensive compared to squeeze casting or powder metallurgy. In the present work, effects of particle size, volume fraction of particles and mg addition on mechanical properties and thermal expansion coefficients of $\alpha$ -$Al_2O_{3(p)}$/LXA composites were studied. It is shown that $\alpha$ -$Al_2O_3$ particles formed at the interface of $\alpha$ -$Al_2O_3$ particles and matrix made an important role on mechanical properties. Ultimate tensile strength of most composite materials was not increased. But in the case of 5vol% addition of 16$\mu\textrm{m}$ $\alpha$ -$Al_2O_3$ Particle, Ultimate tensile strength of composite materials with 3wt.% Mg was increased. Volume fraction of reinforcements and mg content were thermal expansion coefficients of composite materials were decreased.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.359-368
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• 1993

Mg-9wt.%Al and Mg-9wt.%-1.6wt%Zn/SiCp(particle size $40{\mu}m$) metal-matrix-composite specimens were manufactured by rheo-compocasting method, known for its effect of improving the wettability. The ceramic reinforcement particles(SiCp) were dispersed in the semi-solid magnesium alloy matrix slurry being vigorously stirred in a high frequency induction furnace under inert atmosphere. A microstructural study of the dispersed particles in the specimens, prepared under different conditions as regards the time(10min, 20min, 30min) and temperature of the stirring, was made with the aid of optical microscope and SEM. The effect of superheating was also observed. It is revealed that 30 minutes' stirring time of the semi-solid at 40% solid fraction temperature(Mg-9wt.%Al : $590^{\circ}C$, AZ91 : $576^{\circ}C$), as determined by the lever rule, gives a satisfactorily uniform distribution of the particles. The superheating is observed to enhance further the uniformity.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.240-247
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• 1994

TiC particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composites were fabricated by melt stirring method. The effect of alloying elements on TiC particulate dispersion into molten magnesium and mechanical properties were investigated. The incorporation time is defined as the time required for dispersion of solid particles into molten metal. The incorporation time of TiC particles into molten pure magnesium was remarkably shorter and the particulated dispersion was more uniform than that of pure aluminum which was reported previously. The incorporation time was, prolonged by the addition of Al, Bi, Ca, Ce, Pb, Sn or Zn. The tensile strength increased and elongation decreased by the addition of Cu or Sn into the matrices and composites. Although, the tensile strength of the matrices and composites increased by alloying with Ca or Ce, the maximum elongation was observed at a content of about 1% for the matrices. By alloying with Zn, the tensile strength increased for the matrices and composites, but the elongation of the matrices increased. The pure magnesium and its alloy matrix composites reinforced with 20vol% TiC have the tensile strength of about 400MPa. This value is compared with the tensile strength of SiC whisker reinforced magnesium matrix composites fabricated by liquid infiltration method at the same volume fraction. There fore, the melt strirring method which has the advantages of simple process is considered to be efficient in fabricating magnesium matrix composites.

• Journal of Korea Foundry Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.170-179
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• 1997

A noble technique has been developed for fabricating in situ formed $TiC_p/Al$ composites. In this process, fairly stable TiC particles were in situ synthesized in liquid aluminum by the interfacial reaction between an Al-Ti melt and SiC, which is a comparatively unstable carbide from the view-point of thermodynamics. It is possible in the present process to generate TiC particles of nearly 1 ${\mu}m$ in diameter, even utilizing SiC of 14 ${\mu}m$ as raw material. However, the dispersion behavior of TiC particles in the matrix depends on the size of the raw material SiC. Decomposing finer SiC makes the dispersion of TiC particles more uniform and the mechanical properties of composites are improved accordingly. The structure of in situ composites and their mechanical properties are affected by the fabrication temperature and the stirring time. It has been found that the most suitable condition for fabrication should be applied depending on the size of the raw material, even if the same kinds of carbide are used. Furthermore, although Al-Ti-Si system intermetallic compounds are detected in a $TiC_p/Al-Si$ composite which is fabricated by conventional melt-stirrng method, these compounds can not be observed in a $TiC_p/Al-Si$ composite made by this in situ production method. Hence the mechanical properties of the in situ $TiC_p/Al-Si$ composite are superior to those of the conventional $TiC_p/Al-Si$ composites.