In an era reshaped by state-of-the-art technology, we have set the forefront of scientific innovation, and we are looking for materials that integrate lightness and strength to continue to exist. This journey is not just about inventing new materials. This is about expanding the limits that can be achieved in sectors such as aerospace and automotive engineering. Magic lies in the microstructure of the material – those tiny, usually invisible patterns that determine the characteristics of the material. Decrypting and manipulating these patterns can lead to major breakthroughs, paving the way for progress once considered impossible.
Researchers at Xi’an Technical University in China, led by Professor Shufeng Li, have made great achievements in the fields of aerospace and automotive materials through their work on nanoscale titanium boronide whiskers (TIBW)-enhanced titanium titanium matrix proton materials (TMCS). progress. .
Their research focuses on the effect of the effect of TIBW’s scale characteristic parameters (e.g., diameter, aspect ratio, and dispersion) on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of TMCS, providing important insights into the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties. “The microstructure of the material determines its macro properties. We are committed to actively regulating the microstructure of the TMC.
To prepare the composite, the team proposed to design spherical Ti64-Tibw composite powders containing nanoscale TIBWs through a process called electron-inductive melting atomization (EIGA) and further prepare Ti64-Tibw composites to control EBM Methods, to control the proportional characteristic parameters of TIBW in TMC are valid. “In our spherical TI64-TIBW composite powder, the TIBW is distributed along the grain boundary of the nanoscale to form a discontinuous network structure. And the network structure remains in the EBM-TI64-TIBW composite material.” Dr. Liu explained, The complex architecture of these materials is shed light on.
These TMCs are known for their excellent strength, stiffness and high temperature resistance, and are critical in the high-tech industry, especially aerospace and automotive. Professor Shufeng Li illuminates the importance of their findings: “Nanoscale TIBW can be obtained in TMC by leveraging the rapid cooling process of EIGA and EBM. This provides researchers with an experimental basis to expand the TIBW size control window and study Effects of TIBW size on the microstructure and characteristics of TMC.”
This study highlights the importance of understanding the evolution of scale characteristic parameters in TMC. “As the heat treatment temperature increases, nanoscale TIBWs begin to deform toward microscale in EBM-TI64-TIBW composites, resulting in changes in microstructure on the Ti64 matrix. The expansion of TIBW follows a natural growth mechanism called O’Neo’s Stwald matures,” Professor Lee noted.
This groundbreaking work has developed avenues for advanced materials that are crucial to the aerospace and automotive industries. The fine-tuning ability of these composites to characterize offers opportunities to produce materials that are both light and powerful and meet the high standards of these departments.
Journal Reference
Yiming Zhang, Shufeng Li, Shaodi Wang, Deng Pan, Lei Liu, Shaolong Li, Lina Gao, Huiying Liu, Xin Zhang, Bo Li, Bo Li, Shengyin Zhou. “The microstructure evolution of Ti64-TibW composite materials are fused with electron beam powder beds, using prepared composite powders as raw materials.” Journal of Materials Research and Technology 27 (2023). doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.11.159.
About the Author
Lei Liu Born in 1994 in Xi’an, China. He is a PhD candidate. He received a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology of China in 2017 and 2020, respectively. From 2023 to 2024, he is an international joint research collaborator with Osaka University and the Institute of Welding. His research focuses on the deformation mechanism and mechanical behavior of heterogeneous titanium matrix composites made through powder metallurgy and additives.
Dr. Shufeng Liis a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Xi’an Technical University and an invited professor at Osaka University to join and the Institute of Welding. He is also the director of the Shannxi Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing Metal Matrix Composites as well as Advanced Powder Metallurgy Materials and New Technologies XI’AN Key Laboratory. Dr. Shufeng Li received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in materials, plastics and control from Xi’an Technical University in China and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Nihon University in Tokyo, Japan. From 2009 to 2012, he conducted postdoctoral research at Osaka University and the Institute of Welding. From 2012 to 2013, he was a special appointed assistant professor at Osaka University. He won the Research Progress Award from the Japan Powder Metallurgical Association in 2013 and the Science and Technology Award from the Minister of Education, Culture and Science in 2014. Dr. ShufengLi’s research focuses on studying the regulation of cardiac ion channels and mechanisms of arrhythmia. He has published nearly 200 peer-reviewed original research papers in prominent international journals such as PNAS, Acta Metterialia and other manufacturing industries.
