Improving TiB2 dispersion in Al-Si composites by interfacial projection: High-throughput first-principles calculations and experimental verification

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 244; p. 113184
• Main Authors: Zhu, Hongyi, Wang, Qian, Yang, Chen, Wang, Yihao, Xia, Cunjuan, Zhao, Dechao, Zhang, Huawei, Wang, Mingliang, Chen, Zhe, Wang, Haowei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Al/TiB2 interface; Ceramic particles dispersion; First-principles calculation; High-throughput computing; Interfacial projection; Interfacial projection; Al/TiB2 interface; First-principles calculation; Ceramic particles dispersion; High-throughput computing
• ISSN: 0264-1275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2024.113184

[Display omitted] •A novel interfacial projection strategy was proposed to improve TiB2 dispersion.•A high-throughput first-principles computing algorithm was proposed.•A theoretical alloying map with 55 alloying elements was established.•Rapid solidification experiments were conducted to validate alloying map successfully.•Pre-substitution Si atom was decisive for simulating Al-Si composites. The dispersion of reinforced particles is crucial in improving the mechanical properties of ceramic particles reinforced Al matrix composites. In this work, a novel interfacial projection strategy was proposed to improve the dispersion of TiB2 particles in Al-Si composites through high-throughput first-principles calculations with the experimental verification. Firstly, the Al(111)/TiB2(0001) interface model was constructed. Then, the pre-substitution of Si at 2 at. % concentration was employed to simulate the solutionized Al matrix. Secondly, alloying behaviors of 55 elements (10 substitution sites per element) in the Si-Al(111)/TiB2(0001) interface were studied by high-throughput first-principles calculations in terms of the relative interface formation energy and the relative work of adhesion. With these values, a theoretical alloying map for evaluating the dispersion ability of these alloying elements was plotted. Accordingly, the copper mold experiments were conducted to validate the theoretical alloying map. Based on the electron analysis, the enhanced interface bonds by alloying primarily attributed to electron accumulations around Si atom, indicating that the pre-substitution Si atom was vital for a reliable simulation result. Generally, this interfacial projection strategy provides a precise and potent approach in designing high-performance Al matrix composites, and should be applicable to other reinforced particles.