Title: Evaluation of particle size and shape distributions in Al-Al₃Ni Functionally Graded Materials fabricated by a semi-solid forming process

Authors: Koichi Matsuda, Yoshimi Watanabe, Hisashi Sato, Ick-Soo Kim, Yasuyoshi Fukui

Addresses: No. 1 Department, Aluminum & Aluminum Alloy Group, Research & Development Center, Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd., 3-1-12, Chitose, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-8670, Japan. ' Department of Engineering Physics, Electronics and Mechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan. ' Department of Engineering Physics, Electronics and Mechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan. ' Department of Functional Machinery and Mechanics, Shinshu University, 3-15-1, Tokida, Ueda 386-8567, Japan. ' Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan

Abstract: Particle size and shape variations of an Al₃Ni intermetallic compound in Al-Al₃Ni in-situ functionally graded material (FGM) cups fabricated by semi-solid forming were investigated. FGM billets were semi-solid formed at 660, 670 and 680°C, and FGM cups were obtained. Volume fraction of Al₃Ni particles in the FGM cups was found to increase from the top of the wall to the bottom centre. As well as the volume fraction, both the size and shape of Al₃Ni particles were also found to have gradations. Moreover, spherical Al₃Ni particles were formed when FGM was semi-solid formed at higher temperatures.

Keywords: FGM; functionally graded materials; intermetallic compounds; semi-solid forming; particle size; particle shape; circularity; shape distribution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2010.034264

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2010 Vol.39 No.1/2, pp.108 - 121

Published online: 31 Jul 2010 *

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