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Fabrication of nanosized Al2O3 reinforced aluminum matrix composites by subtype multifrequency ultrasonic vibration

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Abstract

Nanosized Al2O3 (Al2O3np) reinforced Al7075 composites were fabricated by specially made Al2O3np containing Mg powder and subtype multifrequency ultrasonic vibration. Compared to traditional techniques, Al2O3np was effectively dispersed in the matrix by the novel method. Microstructural studies showed that the addition of Al2O3np caused the grain refinement and that the resultant microstructures of composites depended on the dominant size and degree of Al2O3np clustering. The grain refinement could be mainly attributed to particle pushing mechanisms. Compared to the matrix alloy, the ultimate tensile and compressive strength of the as-cast composite with 1.5 wt% Al2O3np fabricated at 800 °C were increased by 59.6% and 42.6%, respectively. Transmission electron microscope analysis showed that high density dislocations and clear interfaces between particles and matrix were present in the grains, suggesting that the superior improvement of mechanical properties can be attributed to dislocation-type strengthening of matrix alloy and load transfer from matrix to hard nanoparticles.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Authors express their gratitude to the National Science Foundation of China (51364035, 51165032), Ministry of Education Tied up with the Special Research Fund for the Doctoral Program for Higher School (20133601110001), Innovative Group of Science and Technology of College of Jiangxi Province (00008713), Production and Teaching and Research Cooperation Plan of Nanchang Non–party Experts and Doctor (2012–CYH–DW–XCL–002), and Innovation Program of Postgraduate of Jiangxi Province (YC2014-B003) for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Processing Engineering, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Xiao-Hui Chen & Hong Yan

  2. Key Laboratory of Light Alloy Preparation & Processing in Nanchang City, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Xiao-Hui Chen & Hong Yan

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  1. Xiao-Hui Chen
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  2. Hong Yan
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Correspondence to Hong Yan.

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Chen, XH., Yan, H. Fabrication of nanosized Al2O3 reinforced aluminum matrix composites by subtype multifrequency ultrasonic vibration. Journal of Materials Research 30, 2197–2209 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2015.198

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2015.198

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