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With the rapid development of low-temperature fields such as deep space exploration，polar scientific research，low-temperature storage and transportation，the service conditions for low-temperature structural components are becoming increasingly stringent. Therefore，low-temperature materials have gradually become a research hotspot in the world. This article mainly summarizes the low-temperature performance and related mechanisms of common structural materials such as low-temperature steel，aluminum alloy，titanium alloy，aluminum matrix composites and resin matrix composites. The effects of different crystal structures，alloy types，alloying elements and other factors on the mechanical properties of structural materials such as low temperature strength，plasticity and toughness，and the mechanism of low temperature deformation，strengthening and toughening are concluded. The application and prospect of different grades of low-temperature structural materials in different fields at home and abroad are also briefly introduced. The future research prospect of low-temperature materials is put forward.

Nacre-inspired metal matrix composites have received much attention due to their excellent deformation coordination ability, which can achieve the synergy of strength and ductility. The preparation of nacre-like Al matrix composites by freeze casting has been a promising application, but the continuous ceramic-rich layer affects the corrosion resistance of the composites, facing complex corrosion problems during service. In this work, the microstructure and corrosion behavior of the nacre-inspired (TiBw-TiB2)/Al composites fabricated by freeze casting and squeeze casting were systematically studied. The results indicated that the Al layers and ceramic-rich layers had little change, about 35 μm and 31 μm, respectively, with an increasing ratio of the Ti/TiB2. Meanwhile, a high Ti/TiB2 ratio resulted in an increase in the Fe-Ti intermetallic phases, which was detrimental to the corrosion performance of the composites and was prone to pitting. The electrochemical test results showed that the 3Ti7TiB2 composite had the lowest corrosion current density (15.9 μA) and intergranular corrosion depth (231 μm), indicating that it had the best corrosion resistance, which can be attributable to its stable and dense passivation film. Two different corrosion phenomena during the intergranular corrosion test existed in the present nacre-inspired (TiBw-TiB2)/Al composites: intergranular corrosion in the Al matrix layer and pitting corrosion in the ceramic-rich layer. Among all the composites, the corrosion depth of the 3Ti7TiB2 composite was the smallest and significantly less than that of the 2024Al alloy. In addition, the continuous ceramic-rich layer acted as a corrosion channel during corrosion, significantly degrading the corrosion resistance of the nacre-like Al composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of reinforcements and interfacial bonding state with the metal matrix are crucial factors in achieving excellent comprehensive mechanical properties for aluminum (Al) matrix composites. Normally, after heat treatment, graphene nanosheets (GNSs)/Al composites experience a significant loss of strength. Here, better performance of GNS/Al was explored with a hybrid strategy by introducing 0.9 vol.% silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiCnp) into the composite. Pre-ball milling of Al powders and 0.9 vol.% SiCnp gained Al flakes that provided a large dispersion area for 3.0 vol.% GNS during the shift speed ball milling process, leading to uniformly dispersed GNS for both as-sintered and as-extruded (0.9 vol.% SiCnp + 3.0 vol.% GNS)/Al. High-temperature heat treatment at 600 °C for 60 min was performed on the as-extruded composite, giving rise to intragranular distribution of SiCnp due to recrystallization and grain growth of the Al matrix. Meanwhile, nanoscale Al4C3, which can act as an additional reinforcing nanoparticle, was generated because of an appropriate interfacial reaction between GNS and Al. The intragranular distribution of both nanoparticles improves the Al matrix continuity of composites and plays a key role in ensuring the plasticity of composites. As a result, the work hardening ability of the heat-treated hybrid (0.9 vol.% SiCnp + 3.0 vol.% GNS)/Al composite was well improved, and the tensile elongation increased by 42.7% with little loss of the strength. The present work provides a new strategy in achieving coordination on strength–plasticity of Al matrix composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor mechanical and tribological properties limit the higher requirements of aluminum alloys in engineering and industrial applications, which leads to the rapid development of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). Particulate reinforced AMCs have attracted extensive attention in automobile, electronics and military industries due to their low density, high strength, and excellent wear resistance. However, the interfacial reaction between reinforcements and the Al matrix tends to occur in conventional preparation processes owing to the higher reaction temperatures. The spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique is considered to be an efficient method for the fabrication of metal matrix composites, which can achieve rapid sintering, lower sintering temperatures, and higher densities than conventional fabrication processes. In addition, SPS can produce AMCs with excellent non-porous microstructure, fine grain size, and a strong bonding interface between reinforcement and Al matrix. Therefore, the interfacial reaction is effectively controlled and the structural integrity is maintained, resulting in enhanced strength and ductility. Based on the advantages of particulate reinforced AMCs and the SPS technique, the particulate reinforced AMCs fabricated by SPS have been extensively studied in recent decades, but have not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, this paper reviews the state-of-the-art particulate reinforced AMCs fabricated by SPS, focusing on the microstructure characterization, strengthening mechanisms, and mechanical and physical properties. Furthermore, the future research priorities and challenges of the high-performance particulate reinforced AMCs fabricated by SPS are also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]