Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites

The 5xxx series aluminum alloys are widely used in industry due to their excellent weldability and corrosion resistance. However, their relatively low tensile strength (240–400 MPa), compared to 2xxx (410–510 MPa) and 7xxx series alloys (570–690 MPa), restricts their application in high-stress envir...

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Main Authors: Zixuan Dou, Lisheng Zhong, Chao Deng, Congcong Ren, Kaiyuan Hu, Kai Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425015108
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author Zixuan Dou
Lisheng Zhong
Chao Deng
Congcong Ren
Kaiyuan Hu
Kai Wang
author_facet Zixuan Dou
Lisheng Zhong
Chao Deng
Congcong Ren
Kaiyuan Hu
Kai Wang
author_sort Zixuan Dou
collection DOAJ
description The 5xxx series aluminum alloys are widely used in industry due to their excellent weldability and corrosion resistance. However, their relatively low tensile strength (240–400 MPa), compared to 2xxx (410–510 MPa) and 7xxx series alloys (570–690 MPa), restricts their application in high-stress environments. To address the mechanical property limitations of 5052 aluminum alloy, a novel strategy combining copper electroplating, gradient thermal processing, and hot-dip metal mold casting was developed to fabricate copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Cu-TC4/AMC). Quantitative analysis shows that Cu-TC4/AMC treated at 860 °C for 45 min exhibits a 91.9 % and 22.6 % increase in strength compared to the aluminum matrix and conventional composites, respectively. The copper buffer layer significantly alters interfacial evolution by suppressing Al-Ti interdiffusion through a kinetic barrier effect and redistributing stress due to its ductility. The multiscale interfacial design, achieved through controlled electrodeposition and non-isothermal sintering, addresses the longstanding trade-off between reinforcement efficiency and interfacial embrittlement in titanium-aluminum systems. These findings are supported by X-ray diffraction and EBSD analysis. This work demonstrates an innovative strategy for balancing strength and ductility in aluminum matrix composites, offering new insights into interfacial design for high-performance structural materials.
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issn 2238-7854
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spelling doaj-art-27878a4e19a4411fbcfe409a733183992025-08-20T03:21:38ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-07-01371162117310.1016/j.jmrt.2025.06.088Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix compositesZixuan Dou0Lisheng Zhong1Chao Deng2Congcong Ren3Kaiyuan Hu4Kai Wang5School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Corresponding author. Xi'an University of Technology, 5 Jinhua Road, Xi'an, 710048, PR China.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Shaanxi International Joint Research Center of Composites and Intelligent Manufactory, Xi'an, 710048, PR China; Corresponding author. Xi'an University of Technology, 5 Jinhua Road, Xi'an, 710048, PR China.The 5xxx series aluminum alloys are widely used in industry due to their excellent weldability and corrosion resistance. However, their relatively low tensile strength (240–400 MPa), compared to 2xxx (410–510 MPa) and 7xxx series alloys (570–690 MPa), restricts their application in high-stress environments. To address the mechanical property limitations of 5052 aluminum alloy, a novel strategy combining copper electroplating, gradient thermal processing, and hot-dip metal mold casting was developed to fabricate copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Cu-TC4/AMC). Quantitative analysis shows that Cu-TC4/AMC treated at 860 °C for 45 min exhibits a 91.9 % and 22.6 % increase in strength compared to the aluminum matrix and conventional composites, respectively. The copper buffer layer significantly alters interfacial evolution by suppressing Al-Ti interdiffusion through a kinetic barrier effect and redistributing stress due to its ductility. The multiscale interfacial design, achieved through controlled electrodeposition and non-isothermal sintering, addresses the longstanding trade-off between reinforcement efficiency and interfacial embrittlement in titanium-aluminum systems. These findings are supported by X-ray diffraction and EBSD analysis. This work demonstrates an innovative strategy for balancing strength and ductility in aluminum matrix composites, offering new insights into interfacial design for high-performance structural materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425015108Aluminum matrix compositesCopper-interlayered TC4Gradient thermal processingTensile strength
spellingShingle Zixuan Dou
Lisheng Zhong
Chao Deng
Congcong Ren
Kaiyuan Hu
Kai Wang
Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Aluminum matrix composites
Copper-interlayered TC4
Gradient thermal processing
Tensile strength
title Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
title_full Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
title_fullStr Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
title_full_unstemmed Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
title_short Interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper-interlayered Ti-6Al-4V wire-reinforced aluminum matrix composites
title_sort interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of novel copper interlayered ti 6al 4v wire reinforced aluminum matrix composites
topic Aluminum matrix composites
Copper-interlayered TC4
Gradient thermal processing
Tensile strength
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425015108
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AT lishengzhong interfacialcharacteristicsandstrengtheningmechanismsofnovelcopperinterlayeredti6al4vwirereinforcedaluminummatrixcomposites
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AT congcongren interfacialcharacteristicsandstrengtheningmechanismsofnovelcopperinterlayeredti6al4vwirereinforcedaluminummatrixcomposites
AT kaiyuanhu interfacialcharacteristicsandstrengtheningmechanismsofnovelcopperinterlayeredti6al4vwirereinforcedaluminummatrixcomposites
AT kaiwang interfacialcharacteristicsandstrengtheningmechanismsofnovelcopperinterlayeredti6al4vwirereinforcedaluminummatrixcomposites