Characterization of Nanoreinforcement Dispersion in Inorganic Nanocomposites: A Review

Abstract

Metal and ceramic matrix composites have been developed to enhance the stiffness and strength of metals and alloys, and improve the toughness of monolithic ceramics, respectively. It is possible to further improve their properties by using nanoreinforcement, which led to the development of metal and ceramic matrix nanocomposites, in which case, the dimension of the reinforcement is on the order of nanometer, typically less than 100 nm. However, in many cases, the properties measured experimentally remain far from those estimated theoretically. This is mainly due to the fact that the properties of nanocomposites depend not only on the properties of the individual constituents, i.e., the matrix and reinforcement as well as the interface between them, but also on the extent of nanoreinforcement dispersion. Therefore, obtaining a uniform dispersion of the nanoreinforcement in the matrix remains a key issue in the development of nanocomposites with the desired properties. The issue of nanoreinforcement dispersion was not fully addressed in review papers dedicated to processing, characterization, and properties of inorganic nanocomposites. In addition, characterization of nanoparticles dispersion, reported in literature, remains largely qualitative. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of characterization techniques used to evaluate the extent of nanoreinforcement dispersion in inorganic nanocomposites and critically review published work. Moreover, methodologies and techniques used to characterize reinforcement dispersion in conventional composites, which may be used for quantitative characterization of nanoreinforcement dispersion in nanocomposites, is also presented.

Microstructure and Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Aluminum Containing 1 wt.% SiC Nanoparticles

“…However, there are several challenges associated with the development of MMNCs. These include agglomeration of the nano-size reinforcement in the matrix [10][11][12], grain growth of the matrix [13,14], poor interfacial bonding [9,13], and high cost [9]. Liquid-state processing techniques suffer from the poor wettability of the reinforcement with the liquid matrix [15][16][17][18][19].…”

Compressive strength and thermal properties of spark plasma sintered Al-Al2O3 nanocomposite

“…for various applications in the aerospace, automotive, and transportation industries. These materials consist of a ductile metal matrix reinforced with a hard and stiff ceramic phase [1][2][3][4]. The design goal for the development of these composites is to obtain materials with improved mechanical and/or functional properties.…”

“…The design goal for the development of these composites is to obtain materials with improved mechanical and/or functional properties. These properties are influenced by not only the attributes of the individual components, the interface between the matrix and reinforcement, and the extent of reinforcement dispersion, but also the synthesis and consolidation processes [2,[5][6][7]. Several powder metallurgy methods have been used to synthesize and consolidate Al-based composites including ball milling [8] furnace sintering [9], hot pressing [10], hot isostatic pressing [11], microwave sintering [7], spark plasma sintering [4,12], and dynamic compaction [13].…”

Electrochemical Synthesis of Nanocomposites

“…In addition, the applications of nanocomposite coatings include wear and abrasion-resistant surfaces, lubrication, high hardness tools, dispersion-strengthened alloys, and protection against oxidation and hot corrosion. It has been also used to produce high surface area cathodes that have been used as electro catalysts for hydrogen electrodes in industrial water electrolysis [25,26].…”