阅读说明：本技术 具有完全穿透的增强物的织造碳纤维增强的钢基体复合材料 (Woven carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composite with fully penetrating reinforcement ) 是由 M·P·罗威 于 2020-03-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及具有完全穿透的增强物的织造碳纤维增强的钢基体复合材料。该复合材料包括钢基体与由穿透进入该基体至显著深度的单个纤维形成的增强碳纤维。纤维通常具有限定的直径和穿透深度与纤维直径的大比率。用于形成该复合材料的指定方法具有实现穿透深度与纤维直径的大比率的独特能力。(The present invention relates to a woven carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composite with fully penetrating reinforcement. The composite material includes a steel matrix and reinforcing carbon fibers formed from individual fibers that penetrate into the matrix to a significant depth. The fibers typically have a defined diameter and a large ratio of penetration depth to fiber diameter. The specified method for forming the composite material has the unique ability to achieve a large ratio of penetration depth to fiber diameter.)

1. A composite material comprising:

sintering a continuous steel matrix of steel nanoparticles; and

at least one structural carbon fiber encapsulated within the steel matrix, the at least one structural carbon fiber having an average cross-sectional fiber diameter of less than about 5mm,

wherein the at least one structural carbon fiber penetrates the continuous steel substrate to a penetration depth of at least 1cm, the penetration depth being measured from an outer surface of the continuous steel substrate.

2. The composite material of claim 1, wherein the structural carbon fibers are provided in the form of a carbon fiber cloth or carbon fiber braid.

3. The composite of claim 1, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 200: 1.

4. The composite of claim 1, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 10³:1。

5. The composite of claim 1, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 10⁴:1。

6. The composite of claim 1, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 10⁵:1。

7. The composite material according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structural carbon fiber comprises a fiber having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 1 mm.

8. The composite material according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structural carbon fiber comprises a fiber having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 0.5 mm.

9. A composite material comprising:

a structural carbon fiber component comprising fibers having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 1 millimeter; and

a continuous steel matrix surrounding the carbon fiber component and sintered steel nanoparticles formed within the carbon fiber component,

wherein the structural carbon fiber component penetrates the continuous steel substrate to a fiber penetration depth of at least 1 centimeter measured from an outer surface of the continuous steel substrate.

10. The composite of claim 9, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 200: 1.

11. The composite of claim 9, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 10³:1。

12. The composite of claim 9 wherein the fibers have a penetration depth andthe ratio of the average cross-sectional diameters of the fibers is greater than about 10⁴:1。

13. The composite of claim 9, wherein the ratio of fiber penetration depth to fiber average cross-sectional diameter is greater than about 10⁵:1。

14. The composite material of claim 9, wherein the structural carbon fiber component comprises fibers having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 0.5 mm.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to metal/polymer composites and more particularly to lightweight composites of steel and reinforced carbon fibers and methods of making the same.

Background

For the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure, a background description is provided herein. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Steels, various carbon-reinforced alloys including iron, possess excellent strength-to-weight ratio properties that have made them attractive for use in a variety of high-load applications. While many modern applications would benefit from expanding the strength, tensile strength, or other strength of the steel while maintaining or even reducing its density. These include automotive applications where weight/density improvements can yield significant efficiency benefits.

Metal matrix composites can generally provide strength enhancement relative to the base metal while reducing density. Steel matrix composites can be difficult to form because the high melting temperature of steel is incompatible with the decomposition temperature of many matrix materials. Attempts to insert molten reinforcement into a preformed steel substrate are not suitable because the reinforcement will generally not be able to penetrate the steel substrate to a sufficient depth. It would therefore be beneficial for the steel matrix composites of the present invention and the processes for making them to produce significant or even complete penetration depth of the reinforcement material into the steel matrix.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In various aspects, the present teachings provide a composite material having a continuous steel matrix of sintered steel nanoparticles and at least one reinforcing carbon fiber encapsulated within the steel matrix. The at least one reinforcing carbon fiber may be formed of fibers having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 5 mm. The at least one reinforcing carbon fiber may penetrate the continuous steel matrix to a penetration depth of at least 1cm, and in many cases may have a ratio of penetration depth to fiber diameter of 200:1 or greater.

In other aspects, the present teachings provide composite materials. The composite material includes at least a structural carbon fiber component formed of fibers having an average cross-sectional diameter of less than about 1mm, and a continuous steel matrix surrounding the structural carbon fiber component and sintered steel nanoparticles formed within the structural carbon fiber component. The fibers of the structural carbon fiber component may penetrate the continuous steel matrix to a penetration depth of at least 1cm, and in many cases may have a ratio of penetration depth to fiber diameter of 200:1 or greater.

Further areas of enhancement of the various methods and applicability of the above connection (couple) techniques will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a cross-section of a composite steel having a steel matrix and two layers of reinforcing carbon fibers;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion of a carbon fiber; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a portion of a method for forming a composite material of the type shown in FIG. 1A.

It should be noted that for the purposes of describing some aspects, the drawings presented herein are intended to illustrate the general nature of the methods, algorithms, and apparatus within the technology. These drawings may not accurately reflect the characteristics of any given aspect, and are not necessarily intended to define or limit particular embodiments within the scope of this technology. Further, some aspects may include features from a combination of figures.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure generally relates to a composite material comprising a steel matrix and reinforcing carbon fibers integrated into the matrix. The composite material has a significantly lower density than steel and has considerable strength. A method for forming a polymer-steel composite includes combining a reinforcing carbon fiber component, such as an aramid, with steel nanoparticles and sintering the steel nanoparticles to form a steel matrix having reinforcing carbon fibers integrated therein.

Conventional steels melt at temperatures greater than about 1200 ℃. Such high temperatures will immediately damage the various reinforcing carbon fibers in contact, which decompose at about 450 ℃ or less. Thus, the present techniques for forming steel/polymer composites use steel nanoparticles to reduce the melting point of the steel to less than about 450 ℃. This allows the steel nanoparticles to sinter around the reinforcing carbon fiber component without damaging the reinforcing carbon fiber component when combined and heated. The result is a layer(s) of reinforcing carbon fibers or elongated fibers throughout the steel matrix.

The composite material of the present disclosure may have a significantly lower density than conventional steels, in one example as low as 60%. The composite material may also provide substantial structural strength, including tensile strength.

Referring to fig. 1A, a carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composite (CF-SMC)100 includes a continuous steel matrix 110 and at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120, the at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 being at least partially encapsulated within the steel matrix. As shown, the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 may be provided as a layer of fabric, cloth, braid, woven yarn, or the like. In other cases, the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 may be provided as fibers, yarns, or a plurality of aligned fibers.

The continuous steel substrate 110 typically includes sintered steel nanoparticles and compositionally includes an alloy of at least iron and carbon. The continuous steel substrate 110 may optionally include any, some, or all of the following: manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, boron, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, cobalt, niobium, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon. The relative ratios of the various elemental constituents of the steel substrate 110 may depend on the desired application and will generally be selected based on the general knowledge of one skilled in the art. For example, applications requiring stainless steel may include chromium present in a total weight of greater than or equal to 11 weight percent. In one disclosed example, the steel substrate is comprised of iron, carbon, and manganese present at 99.08%, 0.17%, and 0.75%, respectively, by weight of the steel substrate. It will be understood that the term "weight" as used herein is interchangeable with the term "mass".

In some embodiments, the term "continuous" as used in the phrase "continuous steel substrate 110" may mean that the steel substrate is formed as or present as a unified whole. In such embodiments, and as a negative example, a structure formed of two different steel bodies held together, for example with an adhesive or with welding, would be discontinuous. In some embodiments, the term "continuous" as used herein may mean that the continuous steel substrate 110 is substantially compositionally and structurally uniform throughout its occupied volume. For simplicity, the continuous steel substrate 110 will be alternatively referred to herein as the "steel substrate 110", i.e., the word "continuous" will sometimes be omitted without changing meaning.

In some embodiments of the CF-SMC100, the at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 may be completely encapsulated within the continuous steel matrix 110. In various embodiments, the expression "encapsulated within the continuous steel substrate 110" may mean that the at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 is partially or completely: encased within the continuous steel substrate 110, enclosed within the continuous steel substrate 110, encased within the continuous steel substrate 110, integrated into the continuous steel substrate 110, or otherwise contactingly enclosed by the continuous steel substrate 110. In some embodiments, the expression "encapsulated within the continuous steel substrate 110" may mean that at least a portion of the individual fibers comprising the at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 are contactingly enclosed by the continuous steel substrate 110. In some embodiments, the expression "encapsulated within the continuous steel substrate 110" may mean that the continuous steel substrate 110 is partially or completely: formed around or otherwise disposed in contact around at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120.

In some embodiments, the expression illustrating that at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 is "encapsulated within a steel matrix" means that the steel matrix 110 surrounds the reinforcing carbon fiber 120 and is formed within the reinforcing carbon fiber 120, wherein the contact between the surface of the steel matrix 110 and the surface of the reinforcing carbon fiber 120 is sufficiently high to secure the reinforcing carbon fiber 120 relative to the steel matrix 110. In some embodiments, the expression illustrating that the reinforcing carbon fiber 120 is "encapsulated within a steel matrix" means that the interacting surfaces of the steel matrix 110 are present on all sides of and bonded to the individual polymer fibers that make up the reinforcing carbon fiber 120.

In various embodiments, the expression "contact between the surface of the steel substrate and the surface of the reinforcing carbon fibers is sufficiently high to fix the reinforcing carbon fibers relative to the steel substrate" may mean that at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90% of the surface area of the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 is in contact with the steel substrate.

In general, the CF-SMC100 will have an overall density that is less than the density of pure steel. For example, low carbon steels such as AISI designations 1005 to 1025 have a composition of about 7.88g/cm³The density of (c). In contrast, an exemplary CF-SMC100 of the present disclosure has a density of 4.8g/cm³(about 61% of the density of the low carbon steel). In contrast, the recently developed steel-aluminum alloys have a density of about 87% of the density of the low carbon steel.

Although fig. 1A illustrates a CF-SMC100 having two layers of reinforcing carbon fibers 120 encapsulated within a steel substrate 110, it is to be understood that a composite material may include any number of layers of reinforcing carbon fibers 120 greater than or equal to one. In other words, in some embodiments, the at least one reinforcing carbon fiber 120 may include a plurality of layers of reinforcing carbon fibers in contact with or spaced apart from each other. It should also be understood that the weight ratio of reinforcing carbon fibers 120 to steel substrate 110 within the CF-SMC100 may vary widely, and take into account various polymers such as aramid (about 2.1 g/cm)³) Such variations will have a direct effect on the density of the CF-SMC100, as opposed to the significantly different density of steel.

Thus, in some embodiments, the CF-SMC100 of the present disclosure will have a density of less than 7g/cm³The density of (c). In some embodiments, the CF-SMC100 of the present disclosure will have a density of less than 6g/cm³The density of (c). In some embodiments, the CF-SMC100 of the present disclosure will have a density of less than 5g/cm³The density of (c).

Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary carbon fiber 140, such as at least one structural carbon fiber that may form part of the present teachings. In many embodiments, at least one structural carbon fiber may comprise fibers 140 having an average cross-sectional diameter D. This includes a braid or fabric formed from fibers 140. In many such embodiments, the average cross-sectional diameter may be less than about 5mm, or less than about 1mm, or less than about 0.5mm, or less than about 0.1 mm. Referring to fig. 1A, in various embodiments, at least one structural carbon fiber may penetrate the steel substrate to a minimum depth (referred to herein as "penetration depth") P measured from an outer surface of the steel substrate. In various embodiments, the penetration depth may beAt least about 1cm, or at least about 5cm, or at least about 10 cm. Thus, carbon fiber penetration in a steel substrate may be described as having a length to width ratio as defined by the ratio of the penetration depth to the fiber diameter. In various embodiments, the carbon fiber penetration length to width ratio may be greater than about 200:1, or greater than about 10³1, or greater than about 10⁴1, or greater than about 10⁵:1. In some embodiments, the structural carbon fibers will pass through substantially the entirety of the steel matrix in at least one dimension (dimension) from one surface 130A to the opposite surface 130B.

It will be appreciated that carbon fiber reinforced steel composites made by methods other than those of the type discussed below will not be able to achieve such penetration dimensions of fiber diameter and penetration depth. For example, attempts to impregnate a preformed, porous steel substrate with liquid (e.g., dissolved) carbon fibers would not achieve a penetration depth or length to width ratio such as described above, as capillary action would not be sufficient to overcome the viscous resistance of deep penetration, and thus carbon fiber penetration would be limited to sub-centimeter depths.

Methods for forming CF-SMC100 are also disclosed. Referring to fig. 2, the method includes the step of providing steel nanoparticles 210. The term "steel nanoparticles 210" generally refers to a sample consisting essentially of steel particles having an average largest dimension of less than 100 nm. The individual particles of the steel nanoparticles 210 will typically consist of any alloy having the composition as described above with respect to the steel substrate 110 of the CF-SMC 100. As such, individual particles of steel nanoparticles 210 will typically include iron and carbon; and may optionally include any, several or all of the following: manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, boron, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, cobalt, niobium, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon.

As described above with respect to the steel substrate 110 of the CF-SMC100, the relative ratios of the various elemental constituents of the steel nanoparticles 210 may depend on the desired application and will generally be selectable based on the general knowledge of one skilled in the art. In one disclosed example, the individual particles of steel nanoparticles 210 are composed of iron, carbon, and manganese present at 99.08%, 0.17%, and 0.75% by weight, respectively.

In various aspects, the average largest dimension of steel nanoparticles 210 can be determined by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, nanoparticle surface area monitoring, condensation particle counter, differential mobility analysis (differential mobility analysis), Scanning mobility particle Sizing (Scanning mobility particle Sizing), nanoparticle tracking analysis, aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry, or aerosol particle mass analysis.

In some embodiments, the average maximum dimension will be an average by mass, and in some embodiments will be an average by number (population). In some cases, the steel nanoparticles 210 may have an average largest dimension of less than about 50nm, or less than about 40nm, or less than about 30nm, or less than about 20nm, or less than about 10 nm.

In some aspects, the average largest dimension can have a relative standard deviation. In some such aspects, the relative standard deviation can be less than 0.1, and the steel nanoparticles 210 can therefore be considered monodisperse.

With continued reference to fig. 2, the method for forming CF-SMC100 further includes a step 215 of combining steel nanoparticles 210 with a reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 to produce an unannealed composition (combination). The reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 is identical in all respects to the reinforcing carbon fiber 120 as described above with respect to CF-SMC100, except that the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 has not been integrated into the steel substrate 110 as defined above or encapsulated within the steel substrate 110. Thus, the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 may include, for example, carbon fibers formed in any configuration designed to impart tensile strength in at least one dimension (dimension), and in some aspects in at least two dimensions.

In many embodiments, the combining step 215 will include sequentially combining at least one layer of steel nanoparticles 210 and at least one layer of reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 such that the unannealed composition is composed of one or more layers of each of the steel nanoparticles 210 and the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220. Any number of layers of steel nanoparticles 210 and any number of layers of reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 may be used. It will be appreciated that in embodiments where it is desired that the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 be at the outer surface of the CF-SMC100, the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 will be the first and/or last sequentially stacked component in the unannealed composition; and in embodiments where it is desired that the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 be between the outer surfaces of the CF-SMC100, the layers of reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 will be before and after the layers of steel nanoparticles 210.

The combining step 215 will typically include combining the steel nanoparticles 210 and the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 within a mold, cast, die or other shaped structure having void spaces corresponding to the desired shape of the CF-SMC100 to be formed. In some particular embodiments, at least one layer of steel nanoparticles 210 and at least one layer of reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 will be combined within a hot press mold 250.

In some embodiments, a method for forming CF-SMC100 may include the step of manipulating the steel nanoparticles 210 in the unannealed composition into the voids in the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220. Such an operation step may be effective to maximize the contact surface area between the steel nanoparticles 210 and the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 in the unannealed composition, thereby improving the effectiveness of the integration of the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 into the steel matrix 110 of the finally-formed CF-SMC 100. Manipulating the voids in the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 of the steel nanoparticles 210 may be accomplished by any effective procedure that increases the contact surface area between the steel nanoparticles 210 and the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220, including but not limited to: pressing, stirring, shaking, vibrating, sonicating, or any other suitable process.

The method for forming CF-SMC100 further includes the step of sintering the steel nanoparticles 210, thereby converting the steel nanoparticles 210 into the steel matrix 110 such that the reinforcing carbon fiber component 220 becomes the reinforcing carbon fibers 120 integrated into the steel matrix 110, and thus converting the unannealed composition into CF-SMC 100. The sintering step generally includes heating the unannealed composition to a temperature less than 450 ℃ and sufficiently high to sinter the steel nanoparticles 210. In some embodiments, the sintering step may include heating the unannealed composition to a temperature greater than 400 ℃ and less than 450 ℃. In some embodiments, the sintering step may include heating the unannealed composition to a temperature greater than 420 ℃ and less than 450 ℃.

In some embodiments, the sintering step may be accomplished by hot pressing, i.e., by applying elevated pressure 260 while applying elevated temperature. In some embodiments using hot pressing, the elevated pressure may be at least 30MPa, and in some embodiments, the elevated pressure may be at least 60 MPa. The duration of the sintering step may vary depending on the sintering conditions of temperature and pressure. In some embodiments, the sintering step may be performed for a duration in the range of 2-10 hours, and in one disclosed embodiment for a duration of 4 hours.

Carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composites (CF-SMC) are made by loading a mold with alternating layers of steel powder and carbon fiber cloth. The steel powder used may be nanoparticles, <45 micron powder, or a mixture of two size regimes (regimes). The weave of the carbon fiber cloth is loose enough to allow penetration between the fibers so as to allow the steel matrix around the reinforcement to be continuous after curing.

Carbon fiber cloth and steel powder were packed in a mold under an inert atmosphere (inside an argon glove box) to prevent the formation of an oxidized surface. The final punch and die assembly was then compacted at 800 ℃ for 1 hour under argon flow using a pressure of 60 MPa.

Carbon fibers have a lower density (-3.75 times) than steel and have a higher tensile strength. The addition of multiple carbon fiber layers to the steel matrix reduces the weight of the final composite (in terms of lower carbon fiber density) and increases the tensile strength (in terms of its contribution to the mechanical strength of the composite).

It will be appreciated that in some cases, given the desired composition of the steel nanoparticles 210, it may be difficult to achieve the average largest dimension and/or the relative standard deviation of the average largest dimension by conventional methods. For example, a "top-down" process that involves breaking large pieces of steel into fine-grained steel by grinding, arc detonation (arc detonation), or other known procedures will generally provide steel grains that are too large and/or too non-uniform for effective sintering into a uniform, strong steel substrate 110. "bottom-up" methods, such as those involving chemical reduction of dissolved cations, will generally not be suitable for various alloy nanoparticles due to incompatible solubility of the relevant cations or even unavailability. For example, cationic carbons suitable for chemical co-reduction with cationic iron to form steel may be difficult to obtain. In addition, even when these or other techniques may be effective at producing steel nanoparticles 210 of a given composition on a laboratory scale, scale-up may still prove impractical or uneconomical.

For these reasons, the step of providing the steel nanoparticles 210 may be performed in many embodiments by a novel steel nanoparticle 210 synthesis using an Anionic Elemental Reagent Complex (AERC). AERCs are typically reagents consisting of one or more elements complexed with a hydride molecule and having the formula:

Q⁰·X_ythe compound of the formula I is shown in the specification,

wherein Q⁰Represents a combination of one or more elements, each formally in a zero oxidation state and not necessarily in equimolar proportions relative to each other; x represents a hydride molecule and y is an integer or fractional value greater than zero. The AERC of formula I can be formed by ball milling a mixture comprising: (i) powders of each of the one or more elements, present in a desired molar ratio; and (ii) powders of hydride molecules, present in a molar ratio with respect to the element or elements of the combination corresponding to y. In many embodiments, the hydride molecule will be a borohydride, and in some embodiments the hydride molecule will be lithium borohydride.

Contacting the AERC of formula I with a suitable solvent and/or ligand molecule will result in the formation of nanoparticles consisting essentially of one or more elements that are present in the nanoparticles in a ratio equivalent to their presence in the AERC.

Accordingly, AERCs suitable for use in the synthesis of steel nanoparticles 210 generally have the formula:

Fe_aC_bM_d·X_yin the formula II, the compound is shown in the specification,

wherein Fe is elemental iron formally in a zero oxidation state; c is elemental carbon, formally in a zero oxidation state; m represents one or more elements in a zero oxidation state, each of the one or more elements being selected from the group comprising: mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, B, Ti, V, W, Co, Nb, P, S and Si; x is a hydride molecule as defined for formula I; a is a fractional or integer value greater than zero; b is a fractional or integer value greater than zero; d is a fractional or integer value greater than or equal to zero; and y is a fractional or integer value greater than or equal to zero. It will be appreciated that the values of a, b and c will generally correspond to the molar ratios of the individual components in the desired composition of the steel. It is also understood that M and d are shown as singular values for simplicity only, and that M and d may correspond to multiple elements present in non-equimolar amounts relative to each other. The AERC of formula II may alternatively be referred to as steel-AERC.

The formation of steel-AERC can be achieved by ball milling a mixture comprising: (I) powders of hydride molecules such as lithium borohydride; and (II) a preformed steel mixture comprising (i) an iron powder, (II) a carbon powder, and (iii) optionally a powder of one or more elements selected from the group comprising: mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, B, Ti, V, W, Co, Nb, P, S and Si. Such a mixture will include powders of iron powder, carbon powder, and optionally one or more selected elements in the same weight ratios as those of the various components in the desired steel product. For example, to synthesize a stainless steel type 316 product having 12% Ni, 17% Cr, 2.5% Mo, 1% Si, 2% Mn, 0.08% C, 0.045% P, and 0.03S by weight, the preformed steel mixture to be combined with the powder of hydride molecules for ball milling should include powders of each of these elements present in the listed weight percentages.

Thus, in some embodiments, the disclosed methods for synthesizing steel nanoparticles include the step of contacting a steel-AERC, such as one defined by formula I or II, with a solvent. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods for synthesizing steel nanoparticles include the step of contacting a steel-AERC, such as one defined by formula I or II, with a ligand. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods for synthesizing steel nanoparticles include the step of contacting a steel-AERC, such as one defined by formula I or II, with a solvent and a ligand. Contacting the steel-AERC with a suitable solvent and/or ligand will result in the formation of steel nanoparticles 210 having an alloy composition determined by the composition of the steel-AERC and thus the composition of the prefabricated steel mixture from which the steel-AERC is formed.

Non-limiting examples of suitable ligands can include nonionic ligands, cationic ligands, anionic ligands, amphoteric ligands, zwitterionic ligands, and polymeric ligands and combinations thereof. Such ligands typically have a hydrocarbon-based, organosilane-based or fluorocarbon-based lipophilic moiety. Without intending to be limiting, examples of types of ligands that may be suitable include alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, petroleum and lignosulfonates, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinates, carboxylates, alcohols, ethoxylated alcohols and alkylphenols, fatty acid esters, ethoxylated acids, alkanolamides, ethoxylated amines, amine oxides, nitriles, alkylamines, quaternary ammonium salts, carboxybetaines, sulfobetaines, or polymeric ligands. In some particular embodiments, the ligand may be at least one of a nitrile, an amine, and a carboxylate.

Non-limiting examples of suitable solvents can include any molecular species, or combination of molecular species, capable of interacting with the components of AERC by way of non-binding or transient binding interactions. In various embodiments, the solvent suitable for the synthesis of steel nanoparticles 210 from steel-AERC may be a hydrocarbon or aromatic, including but not limited to: a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl or alkoxy group, or a monocyclic or polycyclic aryl or heteroaryl group. In some embodiments, the solvent will be a non-coordinating or sterically hindered ether (sterilly hindred ether). The term solvent as described may in some variations include deuterated or tritiated forms. In some embodiments, the solvent may be an ether such as THF.

The invention is further illustrated with respect to the following examples. It is to be understood that these examples are provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.