Synthesis and Mechanical behavior of Nano Alumina, Nickel reinforced Magnesium Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In this present study, nickel particulates are considered the hybrid reinforcement with alumina nano particulates in magnesium to examine the effect of hybrid reinforcement (ceramic + metal) procedure in improving the micro-hardness of magnesium. Mg/0.7 vol% Al2O3 nanocomposite is chosen as a matrix. Nickel particulates in the array of 0.35–1.4 vol% are taken to hybridize the nano-size Al2O3 reinforcement. Powder metallurgy and resistance sintering are used as the processing method. A successful blend of viable pure magnesium and nanocomposites is achieved by powder metallurgy, where materials are sintered by hybrid resistance sintering. In this work, very dense materials have resulted through resistance sintering. Densities above 95% of theoretical density were shown in both synthesized unreinforced and reinforced magnesium samples. This can be confirmed by the combined effects of resistance sintering to produce dense specimens. The results show that the synthesized materials have demonstrated good mechanical properties due to the low porosity. Micro-hardness values disclosed that adding hybrid (alumina + nickel) nano particulates in the magnesium matrix shows an evident enhancement in the average micro-hardness of magnesium. Nickel is high thermal conductivity material. In addition to nickel, specific heat value decreased. The same is found in the results. In addition of Ni to hybrid (Mg + Alumina) reinforcements, the particular heat value decreased, which means the material has high thermal conductivity. It is found that the hybrid composite (Mg + 0.7% Al2O3 + 0.35% Ni) shows better wear performance at both speeds.