Effects of Platelet Size and Mean Volume Fraction on Platelet Orientation and Volume Fraction Distributions in Functionally Graded Material Fabricated by a Centrifugal Solid-Particle Method

Background. A centrifugal solid-particle method has been successfully used as a means to fabricate functionally graded materials (FGMs). Various processing parameters significantly influence the formation of the graded microstructural and properties distribution in these FGMs. Method of Approach. Alloys with different $Al3Ti$ platelet volume fractions and platelet sizes are used to study the effects of those parameters on graded distributions of the volume fraction and orientation of platelets. Al-platelet/plaster FGMs are used as a model system, and the effects of the same parameters are investigated. Results. It was found that an increase in initial volume fraction and particle size leads to steeper gradients of volume fraction and orientation distributions within the $Al-Al3Ti$ FGMs. The results of the experimental studies are compared to those of the model material. Conclusions. It was verified that, although with some limitations, the proposed model system will be useful in the study of the formation mechanisms of the graded distributions in the FGMs.