High temperature tensile behavior and microstructure of Al-SiC nanocomposite fabricated by mechanical milling and hot extrusion technique

Abstract

This paper investigates the high-temperature tensile behavior of Al-SiC nanocomposite reinforced with 0, 1.5, and 3 vol% SiC nano particles. To fabricate the samples, SiC nano reinforcements and aluminum (Al) powders were milled using an attritor milling and then were cold pressed and hot extruded at 500 °C. Afterward, mechanical and microstructural characteristics were studied in different temperatures. To this end, tensile and compressive tests, micro-hardness test, microscopic examinations, and XRD analysis were performed. The results showed significant improvement of mechanical properties of Al-SiC nanocomposite in room temperature including 40% of ultimate tensile strength (UTS), 36% of ultimate compressive strength (UCS), and 44% of micro-hardness. Moreover, performing tensile tests at elevated temperatures (up to 270 °C) decreased the tensile strength by about 53%, 46%, and 45% for Al-0 vol% SiC, Al-1.5 vol% SiC, and Al-3 vol% SiC, respectively. This temperature rise also enhanced the elongation by about 11% and 133% for non-reinforced Al and Al-3 vol% SiC, respectively.