Nanocomposites with Aluminum Matrix: Preparation and Properties

Author(s):  
Jacopo Fiocchi ◽  
Riccardo Casati ◽  
Maurizio Vedani

Metal matrix nanocomposites are a novel class of materials, consisting of a metallic matrix reinforced by nanoparticles. They display interesting mechanical and functional properties, which can be carefully tailored and may be largely different than those of the base metal. Aluminum matrix nanocomposites have risen particular attention thanks to their low density and improved strength. Some issues in the production of nanocomposites are caused by the low wettability of nanoparticles; hence, innovative synthesis methods have been developed. In this work, the main production routes are reviewed; moreover, the strengthening mechanism acting in nanocomposites and the resulting mechanical properties are reported. Finally, the influence of reinforcement on precipitation processes in aluminum-based composites and some potential applications are described.

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1034
Author(s):  
Massoud Malaki ◽  
Alireza Fadaei Tehrani ◽  
Behzad Niroumand ◽  
Manoj Gupta

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been developed in response to the enormous demand for special industrial materials and structures for automotive and aerospace applications, wherein both high-strength and light weight are simultaneously required. The most common, inexpensive route to fabricate MMCs or metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) is based on casting, wherein reinforcements like nanoceramics, -carbides, -nitrides, elements or carbon allotropes are added to molten metal matrices; however, most of the mentioned reinforcements, especially those with nanosized reinforcing particles, have usually poor wettability with serious drawbacks like particle agglomerations and therefore diminished mechanical strength is almost always expected. Many research efforts have been made to enhance the affinity between the mating surfaces. The aim in this paper is to critically review and comprehensively discuss those approaches/routes commonly employed to boost wetting conditions at reinforcement-matrix interfaces. Particular attention is paid to aluminum matrix composites owing to the interest in lightweight materials and the need to enhance the mechanical properties like strength, wear, or creep resistance. It is believed that effective treatment(s) may enormously affect the wetting and interfacial strength.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Payodhar Padhi ◽  
Sachikanta Kar

Addition of nano particles, even in quantities as small as 2 weight percent can enhance the hardness or yield strength by a factor as high as 2. There are several methods for the production of metal matrix nanocomposites including mechanical alloying, vertex process, and spray deposition and so forth. However, the above processes are expensive. Solidification processing is a relatively cheaper route. During solidification processing, nano particulates tend to agglomerate as a result of van der Waals forces and thus proper dispersion of the nano particulate in metal matrix is a challenge. In the present study a noncontact method, where the ultrasonic probe is not in direct contact with the liquid metal, was attempted to disperse nanosized SiC particulates in aluminum matrix. In this method, the mold was subjected to ultrasonic vibration. Hardness measurements and microstructural studies using HRTEM were carried out on samples taken from different locations of the nanocomposite ingot cast by this method.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Deni Haryadi ◽  
Haris Rudianto ◽  
Mohamad Yamin

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) will be applied to modelling the Al4C3-aluminum interface in aluminum nanocomposite, Al4C3 is an interface that results from the shaker mill process which becomes a bridge that plays an important role in Carbon particles with Aluminium Matrix and Based on observations from the TEM characterization, it is found that the relationship between Al orientation to Al4C3 is (111) (002) (220). The characteristics of the interface between Aluminum matrix and Al4C3 will be analyzed using uniaxial tension and shear test simulation. The atomic potential used in this simulation is the embedded atomic method (EAM) for Al, empirical-order intermolecular potential (AIREBO) for C and lennard jones for the reaction of Al-C atom. The result shows that, the interface orientation is Al matrix (002) || Al4C3 (003) has the highest interface strength compared to Al matrix (111) || Al4C3 (003) and Al matrix (200) Interface orientation || Al4C3 (003). Results from the molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed with analytical results obtained experimental


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
Deni Haryadi ◽  
Haris Rudianto ◽  
Mohamad Yamin

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) will be applied to modelling the Al4C3-aluminum interface in aluminum nanocomposite, Al4C3 is an interface that results from the shaker mill process which becomes a bridge that plays an important role in Carbon particles with Aluminium Matrix and Based on observations from the TEM characterization, it is found that the relationship between Al orientation to Al4C3 is (111) (002) (220). The characteristics of the interface between Aluminum matrix and Al4C3 will be analyzed using uniaxial tension and shear test simulation. The atomic potential used in this simulation is the embedded atomic method (EAM) for Al, empirical-order intermolecular potential (AIREBO) for C and lennard jones for the reaction of Al-C atom. The result shows that, the interface orientation is Al matrix (002) || Al4C3 (003) has the highest interface strength compared to Al matrix (111) || Al4C3 (003) and Al matrix (200) Interface orientation || Al4C3 (003). Results from the molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed with analytical results obtained experimental


Metals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massoud Malaki ◽  
Wenwu Xu ◽  
Ashish Kasar ◽  
Pradeep Menezes ◽  
Hajo Dieringa ◽  
...  

Lightweight high-strength metal matrix nano-composites (MMNCs) can be used in a wide variety of applications, e.g., aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering, owing to their sustainability, increased specific strength/stiffness, enhanced elevated temperature strength, improved wear, or corrosion resistance. A metallic matrix, commonly comprising of light aluminum or magnesium alloys, can be significantly strengthened even by very low weight fractions (~1 wt%) of well-dispersed nanoparticles. This review discusses the recent advancements in the fabrication of metal matrix nanocomposites starting with manufacturing routes and different nanoparticles, intricacies of the underlying physics, and the mechanisms of particle dispersion in a particle-metal composite system. Thereafter, the microstructural influences of the nanoparticles on the composite system are outlined and the theory of the strengthening mechanisms is also explained. Finally, microstructural, mechanical, and tribological properties of the selected MMNCs are discussed as well.


Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2004
Author(s):  
Massoud Malaki ◽  
Alireza Fadaei Tehrani ◽  
Behzad Niroumand ◽  
Amir Abdullah

Metal matrix nanocomposites are a newly developed materials with promising applications in a wide variety of areas, ranging from medical to aerospace structures, owing to their lightweight high-strength properties. A light metal like aluminum is usually strengthened by a reinforcing agent of carbides, nitrides, oxides, carbon-based materials, or even elementals to boost the mechanical performance without sacrificing lightweight; however, almost all reinforcing nanomaterials are commonly poorly wetted by metals leading to agglomerations, clusterings, among other problems, with diminished ductility and overall mechanical performance. To tackle the mentioned problems, a number of strategies including coatings, thermal, mechanical, or chemical treatments may be followed. In the present study, a particular focus is paid on the mechanical dispersion of nano-silica particles in a molten A356 alloy through applying high-intensity ultrasonic agitations in order to improve dispersibility, wettability, and interfacial affinity. Nano-silica being an inexpensive high-strength nanomaterial is added to an A356 aluminum alloy melt and then dispersed and distributed by a 2-kW power ultrasonic system. Experimental results including microscopic observations and those mechanical experimentations revealed that the ultrasonication of the aforesaid solid–liquid system may greatly improve the affinity between the de-agglomerated nano-silica particles and the host aluminum matrix with enhanced ductility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-302
Author(s):  
Vinod Kumar Gupta ◽  
Kumar Harshit ◽  
Arun Kant Jha ◽  
Devendra Kumar ◽  
Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni ◽  
...  

The present paper reports the effect of plain strain deformation on grain strengthening mechanism of iron (Fe) - alumina (Al2O3) Metal Matrix Nanocomposites (MMNCs) fabricated through powder metallurgical (P/M) processing. Specimens for the present study were weighed in required amount, ball milled, compacted at a load of 5, 6 and 7 tons followed by sintering in an atmospheric controlled furnace at 1100 °C for 1 hour. Plain strain deformation of samples was carried out at a load of 5 tons under different interfacial condition i.e. dry, solid lubricant and liquid lubricant. XRD studies reveal the formation of iron, alumina and nano iron-aluminate (FeAl2O4) phases respectively. Maximum average sintered density investigated for the specimen is found to be 4.6179 gm/cc compacted under 7 tons of load and minimum sintered density is found to be 4.4572 gm/cc for specimen compacted under 5 tons of load. Overall, fabricated Fe-Al2O3 metal matrix nanocomposites with powder metallurgy route when characterized for plain strain deformation shows strengthening between grain and grain boundary which can be a good candidate material for application in railways especially while designing railway structures and tracks.


2012 ◽  
Vol 736 ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhranshu Chatterjee ◽  
Amitava Basu Mallick

The influence of material processing conditions for preparing aluminium based metal matrix nanocomposites through stir casting route is reviewed. The role of particle size with respect to Brownian motion, Stokes settling velocity and strengthening mechanism is assessed from theoretical understandings. Variation of microstructural features and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites are predicted from theoretical concepts and related mathematical models. Experiments conducted to validate the theoretical predictions show that both Orowan and grain refinement strengthening mechanisms remain operative which is the key to the improved strength property of the nanocomposites.


2014 ◽  
Vol 783-786 ◽  
pp. 2011-2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ceschini ◽  
Alessandro Morri ◽  
F. Rotundo ◽  
S. Toschi

The present study aims at evaluating the gas bubbling method, based on the use of dry air as a gaseous phase, for the production of Al based metal matrix nanocomposites through a proper gas-liquid reaction. In particular, Al2O3 reinforcement particles were in-situ synthesized in molten commercially pure Al through a gas bubbling oxidation technique. Dry air was injected in the melt in order to induce a controlled oxidation of the molten matrix. SEM-EDS analysis on the produced samples revealed the presence of alumina particles, ranging from the nanoto the micrometric size, demonstrating the feasibility of the process. A hardness increase on the produced samples confirmed the strengthening effect of the in-situ produced ceramic particles.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002199832098856
Author(s):  
Rachit Ranjan ◽  
Vivek Bajpai

This articles reviews till-date available literature on metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene, CNT and other carbonaceous materials. The article has a special focus on the mechanical, tribological and challenges associated with the fabrication of nanocomposites. Simultaneously, it reviews the synthesis, strengthening mechanism and applications of graphene along with research gap associated with graphene metal matrix nanocomposites (GMMNC). Carbonaceous nanofillers, e.g. Graphene, are known to have extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical properties along with multifaceted characteristics. These materials have the potential to become an ideal material in numerous application which requires reinforcement. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) suffers various challenges starting from its synthesis to the uniform distribution within the matrix material. Our concern is to give details on the challenges associated with graphene and metal matrix composites along with the solution so that new research can be done at its ease. Section 1 of the article gives a detailed analysis of various carbonaceous reinforcement materials. Preparation, processing and dispersion technique for graphene and composite material is given in section 2. Section 3 of the article deals with different matrix material used in MMNC along with the properties and challenges associated with it in tabulated form. Strengthening mechanism used for the enhancement of mechanical properties of composites is described in section 4, whereas, Section 5 deals with the applications and Research gap.


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