DISPERSIONSTRENGTHENING-UPRM.pdfVIP

DISPERSION STRENGTHENING The strength and hardness in some metal alloys may be enhanced by the presence of extremely small and uniformly dispersed particles within the original phase matrix. Whether introduced as insoluble particles in powder compaction (dispersion strengthening), or as precipitates in a solid state reaction (precipitation or age hardening), second phase particles are generally the most potent strengthening agent in practical high strength engineering materials. Iron-base, aluminum, nickel, titanium alloys all employ second phases to achieve high strength. The size, shape, and amount of second phase particles controls the mechanical properties of the alloy. Second phase particles in the form of very small uniformly distributed particles are added to the matrix. These will block dislocation motion extremely well, and strengthen the material. This is the basis for all high strength metal alloys. •Example: Put fine particles of Al2O3 in aluminum: slip plane •Dislocations in Al cannot penetrate into alumina, they get stuck, and the strength goes up. Precipitation Hardening •Precipitation hardening - process in which small particles of a new phase precipitate in matrix which harden material by forming impediments to dislocation motion. •Also known as “Age Hardening” because hardness often increases with time (even at room temperature!) Requirements : System must have: –an appreciable maximum solubility of one component in the other (several %) –a solubility limit that rapidly decreases in concentration of major component with decreasing temperature can heat it up, without melting, to one phase at high temperature two phases at low temperature Solvus - solu