Optimization of the Thickness Ratio and Roll-Bonding Parameters of Bimetallic Ti/Al Rod for Bending-Dominated Negative Thermal Expansion Metamaterials

Roll-bonding has rarely been applied to prepare rods for negative thermal expansion metamaterials (NTEMs). Parameters for quantitatively assessing the isotropy and cyclic thermal stability of the thermal expansion coefficient α of NTEMs are lacking. Here, the Ti-to-Al thickness ratio in bimetallic rods for "cross-shaped" node bending-dominated NTEMs was optimized using a general model proposed in the literature. The finite element method was used to determine the optimal initial thickness ratio of the billet, as well as the reduction ratio and rolling temperature. NTEMs were prepared with roll-bonded Ti/Al rods and Ti nodes. A relatively high thermal expansion coefficient was obtained when the thickness ratio of the 7075 Al alloy of the rods was in the range of 0.56-0.60. The optimized roll-bonding process to meet this thickness ratio was as follows: a rolling temperature of 400 °C, a reduction ratio of 50%, and TA1 Ti and 7075 Al billet thicknesses of 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The isotropy and cyclic thermal stability ratios were proposed to quantitatively assess the isotropy and cyclic thermal stability of the NTEMs. These results help to expand the preparation and evaluation methods for NTEMs.