Effect of milling process on microstructural and properties of a ball-milled Al-based nanocomposite powder

Abstract

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was investigation of milling process conditions on microstructural and features of an aluminium matrix nanocomposite reinforced with 10 wt. % Al3Mg2. For this, the initial powder mixtures were subjected to high-energy mechanical milling in an attrition ball mill at different times (0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 h). The phase composition, crystallite size and lattice strain of the milled nanocomposite powders were characterised by X-ray diffraction analysis. Phase determination and the morphology of milled powders were studied by using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) as well as energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results showed that the crystallite size of nanocomposite powders decreases with increasing milling time while saved lattice strain increases seriously. In addition, according to the TEM results, a uniform distribution of Al3Mg2 in the Al matrix was obtained after 15 h milling. The agglomeration of nanocomposite reduced noticeably after milling completion, too.