Abstract
To assess the effect of the dispersion of Al2O3 nanoparticles into A356 Al alloy on both the electrical and thermal conductivities, A356/Al2O3 metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) were fabricated using a combination of rheocasting and squeeze casting techniques. Two different sizes of Al2O3 nanoparticles were dispersed into the A356 Al alloy, typically, 60 and 200 nm with volume fractions up to 5 vol%. The effect of the nanoparticles size and volume fraction on the electrical and thermal conductivities was evaluated. The results revealed that the A356 monolithic alloy exhibited better electrical and thermal conductivities than the MMNCs. Increasing the nanoparticles size and/or the volume fraction reduces both the thermal and electrical conductivities of the MMNCs. The maximum reduction percent in the thermal and electrical conductivities, according to the A356 monolithic alloy, were about 47% and 38%, respectively. Such percentages were exhibited by A356/Al2O3MMNCs containing 5 vol% of nanoparticles having 60 and 200 nm, respectively.
Highlights
Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) reinforced by nanoscale particulates is one type of nanocomposite
Based on the results obtained from the current work, the following conclusions are drawn: 1) The A356 monolithic alloy exhibited better thermal conductivity than the metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs)
The A356/Al2O3 MMNCs containing up to 3% of 60 nm Al2O3 nanoparticles showed better thermal conductivities than the MMNCs containing 200 nm nanoparticles
Summary
Metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) reinforced by nanoscale particulates is one type of nanocomposite. MMNCs reinforced with nanoparticles are widely used in industry. Ingot metallurgy (I/M) (or casting techniques) and powder metallurgy (P/M) are common methods to produce conventional MMCs [2]. There are several fabrication methods of MMNCs, including mechanical alloying, powder metallurgy, casting techniques, electrochemical deposition, friction stir processing, laser and sol-gel technology [1]. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Mechanical alloying, powered metallurgy and casting technique are the most commonly used techniques for producing bulk MMNCs [3]. Laser technology and sol-gel fabrication methods, only thin films or layer of nanostructured MMNCs are formed
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