Study of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Al/SiC/TiO2 Hybrid Nanocomposites Developed by Microwave Sintering

Aluminum hybrid metal matrix nanocomposites (Al/SiC/TiO2) were synthesized through a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy process, and their evolved microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The Al/SiC/TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites were prepared by reinforcing aluminum (Al) matrix with a fixed amount of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles (5 wt.%) and varying concentrations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (3, 6, and 9 wt.%). The morphology results revealeda uniform distribution of SiC and TiO2 reinforcements in the aluminum matrix. An increase in the hardness and compressive strength of the Al/SiC/TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites was noticed with the increasein TiO2 nanoparticles. The Al/SiC/TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites that had an optimum amount of TiO2 nanoparticles (9 wt.%) showcased the best mechanical properties, with maximum increments of approximately 124%, 90%, and 23% of microhardness (83 ± 3 HV), respectively, yield strength (139 ± 8 MPa), and ultimate compression strength (375 ± 6 MPa) as compared to that of pure Al matrix. The Al/SiC/TiO2 hybrid nanocomposites exhibited the shear mode of fracture during their deformation process.