Microstructure and Compressive Behavior of Al–Y2O3 Nanocomposites Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Mechanical Alloying

Abstract

In this study, Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites were synthesized via mechanical alloying and microwave-assisted sintering. The effect of different levels of yttrium oxide on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites were investigated. The density of the Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites increased with increasing Y 2 O 3 volume fraction in the aluminum matrix, while the porosity decreased. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the nanocomposites showed the homogeneous distribution of the Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of yttria particles in the Al matrix. The mechanical properties of the Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites increased as the addition of yttria reached to 1.5 vol. % and thereafter decreased. The microhardness first increased from 38 Hv to 81 Hv, and then decreased to 74 ± 4 Hv for 1.5 vol. % yttria. The Al-1.5 vol. % Y 2 O 3 nanocomposite exhibited the best ultimate compressive strength and yielded a strength of 359 ± 7 and 111 ± 5 MPa, respectively. The Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites showed higher hardness, yield strength, and compressive strength than the microwave-assisted mechanically alloyed pure Al.

Structural and Mechanical Properties of Al-SiC-ZrO2 Nanocomposites Fabricated by Microwave Sintering Technique

“…In such applications, aluminum metal matrix composites (AMMCs) are attractive due to their appealing properties such as their low density, high elastic modulus, excellent thermal stability, and wear resistance [2][3][4][5]. AMMCs have proven to be one of the most promising structural materials comprising various reinforcements such as silicon carbide (SiC) [6], silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) [7] , aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) [6] , yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3 ) [8][9][10] , boron carbide (B 4 C) [11], titanium carbide (TiC) [12], zirconia (ZrO 2 ) [13], etc.…”

Mechanical Alloying: Processing and Materials

“…Refractory high-entropy alloys are produced to maximize the strength, yield strength and fracture strain [5]. An innovative technique is the microwave sintering of previously compacted powders [6]. Al-Y 2 O 3 nanocomposites produced by mechanical alloying and pressing were sintered in a microwave sintering oven.…”

Synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide reinforced aluminum metal matrix composite produced by microwave sintering

“…The obtained diffraction pattern was matched with the standard diffraction data of JCPDS for the identification of the crystal plane (hkl). The grain (crystalline) size was identified by using Debye-Scherrer method (equation (6)). Also the detailed description of the formation of nanorod and particle size analysis can be found by the report published by different research investigators in their work.…”

“…1,2 Ceramic reinforcements like Al 2 O 3 , SiC, BN, TiB 2 , TiC, VC, Si 3 N 4 , Y 2 O 3 , and similar elements are widely engaged for the enhancement in the strength and modulus of aluminum (Al) since the ceramics are harder and have superior thermal stability. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] The utilization of whiskers in the form of a different oneand two-dimensional structure enhances the material properties significantly. The whiskers hold good thermal, chemical, structural, and tribological stability over other particles when they are used for reinforcement in the metal matrix.…”