Abstract
In the present work, nanocomposites-based 3XXX series Al alloy with three different types of hard nanoparticles, including TiO2, C, and CeO2, were produced employing two techniques such as mechanical milling and stir-casting method in order to evaluate the viability of integration of the reinforcement in the Al matrix. The integration and dispersion capability of the reinforcement into the Al alloy (3xxx Series) matrix was evaluated, using a phase angle difference and surface roughness analyses by atomic force microscopy operated in both the contact mode (CM-AFM) and tapping mode (TM-AFM), respectively. The distribution profile of both rugosity and the phase angle shift was used to statically quantify the integration and dispersion of the reinforcement into the extruded samples, by using the root mean square (RMS) parameter and phase shift coupled with the events number (EN) parameter. Results from Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses were corroborated by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Microhardness tests were conducted to identify the mechanical properties of the composites in the extruded condition and their correlation with the microstructure. A close relationship was found between the microstructure obtained from the AFM and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analyses and mechanical properties. Among all, the C reinforcement produced the major changes in the microstructure as well as the best integration and dispersion into the Al-alloy coupled with the best mechanical properties.
Highlights
The industrial sector has been interested in new materials as composites, the nanoparticulate-reinforced metal matrix composites
Different types of hard nanoparticles of TiO2, C, and CeO2 with an average size of about 30 to 50 nm were used as a reinforcing material to increase the recycled Aluminum (3XXX Series Al alloy) matrix strength obtained from beverage cans
The diffraction peak width broadening observed is a consequence of the decrease in the size of both crystallite of the Al matrix and reinforcement phase during the milling process
Summary
The industrial sector has been interested in new materials as composites, the nanoparticulate-reinforced metal matrix composites (nano-MMC’s). These materials offer some key advantages, including: relatively lower production costs, isotropic properties, and the possibility of using a conventional metal forming process such as rolling, extrusion, and forging for manufacturing different components or products [1,2,3]. Nano-MMC’s are materials consisting of a metallic matrix reinforced with hard and insoluble nanoparticles (e.g., oxides, carbides, and nitrides) with a size generally below 100 nm. Other authors have reported that, with a small fraction of nano-sized hard particles, nano-MMCs could obtain similar or even much higher mechanical properties than micro-composites [7]. A low concentration of reinforcement produces low agglomeration at the matrix [8]
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