Study of structural and mechanical behaviour of Al-ZrO2 metal matrix nanocomposites prepared by powder metallurgy method

Abstract

(1-x)Al + xZrO2 (x = 0, 2, 4 and 6 wt%) metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) have been prepared by the powder metallurgy method with Aluminium (Al) metal powder as a matrix material and ZrO2 nanoparticles synthesised by co-precipitation method was used as a reinforcement material. ZrO2 crystallizes in monoclinic structure with an average crystallite size of 22.28 nm. In MMNCs both Al and ZrO2 phase appears separately and intensity of ZrO2 phase increase with the increase in ZrO2 concentration. ZrO2 nanoparticles were finely dispersed into Al MMNCs as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Mechanical properties of ZrO2 reinforced MMNCs has been significantly improved as compared to pure Al. The maximum hardness value of Al-ZrO2 MMNCs is improved by 9.57% and wear resistance is improved by 63.91% for 6 wt% of ZrO2 in Al metal matrix. The nanocomposites containing the highest concentration of ZrO2 i.e. 6 wt% shows maximum corrosion resistance efficiency i.e. 70% as compared to 2 wt% and 4 wt% which were showing 35.55% and 41.20% respectively.