Development Trend in Composition Optimization, Microstructure Manipulation, and Strengthening Methods of Die Steels under Lightweight and Integrated Die Casting.

In the general environment of lightweight automobiles, the integrated die-casting technology proposed by Tesla has become the general mode to better achieve weight reduction in automobiles. The die-casting mold required by integrated die-casting technology has the characteristics of large scale and complexity. Hence, higher requirements are put forward for the comprehensive performance of the die steel.

The Role of Lithium in the Aging Precipitation Process of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys and Its Effect on the Properties.

It is well known that the development of lightweight alloys with improved comprehensive performance and application value are the future development directions for the ultra-high-strength 7xxx series Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys used in the aircraft field. As the lightest metal element in nature, lithium (Li) has outstanding advantages in reducing the density and increasing the elastic modulus in aluminum alloys, so Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys containing Li have gained widespread attention. Furthermore, since the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is usually strengthened by aging treatment, it is crucial to understand how Li addition affects its aging precipitation process.

The Synthesis, Structure, Morphology Characterizations and Evolution Mechanisms of Nanosized Titanium Carbides and Their Further Applications.

It is widely known that the special performances and extensive applications of the nanoscale materials are determined by their as-synthesized structures, especially their growth sizes and morphologies. Hereinto, titanium carbides, which show brilliant comprehensive properties, have attracted considerable attention from researchers. How to give full play to their potentials in the light-weight manufacture, microwave absorption, electromagnetic protection, energy conversion and catalyst areas has been widely studied.

Microstructures and Compressive Properties of Al Matrix Composites Reinforced with Bimodal Hybrid In-Situ Nano-/Micro-Sized TiC Particles.

Bimodal hybrid in-situ nano-/micro-size TiC/Al composites were prepared with combustion synthesis of Al-Ti-C system and hot press consolidation. Attempt was made to obtain in-situ bimodal-size TiC particle reinforced dense Al matrix composites by using different carbon sources in the reaction process of hot pressing forming. Microstructure showed that the obtained composites exhibited reasonable bimodal-sized TiC distribution in the matrix and low porosity.