A method of making an aluminum alloy containing zirconium includes heating a first composition comprising aluminum to a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 580 C. to less than or equal to about 800 C. The method further includes adding a second composition including a copper-zirconium compound to the first composition to form a third composition. The copper-zirconium compound of the second composition has a molar composition of greater than or equal to about 41% zirconium to less than or equal to about 67% zirconium and a balance of copper. The method also includes solidifying the third composition at a cooling rate of greater than or equal to about 0.1 C./second to less than or equal to about 100 C./second to a second temperature less than or equal to a solidus temperature and decomposing the copper-zirconium compound at a third temperature of less than or equal to about 715 C.

A cost-effective method of forming a hydrophobic coating on a substrate and coated substrates are disclosed. Specifically, the method comprises applying amorphous powders of an alloy to the substrate through a cold spray process. Also provided is a novel type of hydrophobic coating made of metallic glasses or amorphous alloys. The hydrophobic coatings offer advantages such as, low cost, low maintenance, and high corrosion resistance.

A cost-effective method of forming a hydrophobic coating on a substrate and coated substrates are disclosed. Specifically, the method comprises applying amorphous powders of an alloy to the substrate through a cold spray process. Also provided is a novel type of hydrophobic coating made of metallic glasses or amorphous alloys. The hydrophobic coatings offer advantages such as, low cost, low maintenance, and high corrosion resistance.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite, where the aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite is prepared with an aluminum alloy serving as a matrix and with aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide serving as reinforcement agents via smelting in an intermediate-frequency induction melting furnace through the process of intermediate-frequency induction heating, vacuumizing, bottom blowing argon, and casting molding in view of low hardness and low tensile strength of aluminum matrix materials. The prepared aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite has a hardness of 80.3 HB which is improved by 50.64% and tensile strength of 285 Mpa which is improved by 60.42%, and corrosion resistance thereof is improved by 40%.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite, where the aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite is prepared with an aluminum alloy serving as a matrix and with aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide serving as reinforcement agents via smelting in an intermediate-frequency induction melting furnace through the process of intermediate-frequency induction heating, vacuumizing, bottom blowing argon, and casting molding in view of low hardness and low tensile strength of aluminum matrix materials. The prepared aluminum-copper-iron quasicrystal and silicon carbide mixed reinforced aluminum matrix composite has a hardness of 80.3 HB which is improved by 50.64% and tensile strength of 285 Mpa which is improved by 60.42%, and corrosion resistance thereof is improved by 40%.

Methods of making high-strength, lightweight alloy components capable of high temperature performance comprising aluminum, silicon, and iron and/or nickel are provided. A high-energy stream, such as a laser or electron beam, may be selectively directed towards a precursor material to melt a portion of the precursor material in a localized region. The molten precursor material is cooled at a rate of greater than or equal to about 1.010.sup.5 K/second to form a solid high-strength, lightweight alloy component comprising a stable ternary cubic phase having high heat resistance and high strength. The stable ternary phase may be Al.sub.xFe.sub.ySi.sub.z, where x ranges from about 4 to about 5 or about 7.2 to about 7.6, y is about 1.5 to about 2.2, and z is about 1. The stable ternary phase may also be Al.sub.6Ni.sub.3Si. Materials and components, such as automotive components, made from such methods are also provided.

Methods of making high-strength, lightweight alloy components capable of high temperature performance comprising aluminum, silicon, and iron and/or nickel are provided. A high-energy stream, such as a laser or electron beam, may be selectively directed towards a precursor material to melt a portion of the precursor material in a localized region. The molten precursor material is cooled at a rate of greater than or equal to about 1.010.sup.5 K/second to form a solid high-strength, lightweight alloy component comprising a stable ternary cubic phase having high heat resistance and high strength. The stable ternary phase may be Al.sub.xFe.sub.ySi.sub.z, where x ranges from about 4 to about 5 or about 7.2 to about 7.6, y is about 1.5 to about 2.2, and z is about 1. The stable ternary phase may also be Al.sub.6Ni.sub.3Si. Materials and components, such as automotive components, made from such methods are also provided.

Metallic matrix composites are synthesized by mixing a first reactant, a second reactant and a nucleator compound to obtain a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to an auto-activation temperature to initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants. The metallic matrix composite can include a metallic matrix and an in situ formed reinforcement. The reinforcement can be formed of discrete particles substantially uniformly dispersed within the metallic matrix. Each of the particles can have a reinforcement constituent disposed about a core formed of the nucleator compound.

Metallic matrix composites are synthesized by mixing a first reactant, a second reactant and a nucleator compound to obtain a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to an auto-activation temperature to initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants. The metallic matrix composite can include a metallic matrix and an in situ formed reinforcement. The reinforcement can be formed of discrete particles substantially uniformly dispersed within the metallic matrix. Each of the particles can have a reinforcement constituent disposed about a core formed of the nucleator compound.

An electromagnetic wave shielding thin film for shielding from electromagnetic waves generated in an electronic part is provided. The electromagnetic wave shielding thin film includes metal plate which has elastic limit of 1% or more, strength of 1000 MPa or more, and a volume fraction of an amorphous phase of 50% or more.