Carbide Nanoparticle Dispersion Techniques for Metal Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NP) embedded into a matrix material have been shown to improve mechanical properties such as strength, hardness, and wear-resistance. However, the tendency of NPs to agglomerate in the powder mixing process is a major concern. This study investigates five different mechanochemical processing (MCP) routes to mitigate agglomeration to achieve a uniform dispersion of ZrC NPs in an Fe-based metal matrix composite. Our results suggest that MCP with only process controlling agents is ineffective in avoiding aggregation of these NPs. Instead, the uniformity of the carbide NP dispersion is achieved by pre-dispersing the NPs under ultrasonication using suitable surfactants followed by mechanically mixing of the NPs with iron powders in an alcohol solvent which is then dried. High-energy MCP is then used to embed the NPs within the powders. These collective steps resulted in a uniform dispersion of ZrC in the sintered (consolidated) Fe sample.

In-Situ Fabrication, Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Nano Iron-Rich Precipitate Reinforced Cu and Cu Alloys

“…In order to obtain second phase strengthening particles with appropriate size (favorably in nanometer scale), shape, particle spacing and spatial distribution, powder metallurgy, internal oxidation, and spray deposition methods, are often used to prepare dispersion strengthening alloys [19,[33][34][35][36]. However, these methods are difficult to be applied in mass production due to their complex preparation process, high cost, and energy consumption [19].…”