The effect of compaction pressure, sintering time, and temperature on the characterization of an aluminum/alumina composite with rising alumina proportions

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of various process parameters such as compaction pressure, sintering temperature, and time on the physio-mechanical properties of a powder metallurgy-fabricated composite made of pure aluminium/alumina. Temperatures (580°C, 600°C, and 630°C), periods (1.5, 2, and 2.5 hr), compacting loads (30KN-65KN), and alumina percentages (2, 4, 6, and 8weight percent) are all considered. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) studies are carried out to determine the phases present and their proportions. Crystallite size study is performed using XRD data, and the Al+4 weight % alumina composite has the smallest size of any composite tested. For optimization, sintering density, porosity, and microhardness are calculated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to analyse the different microstructures. At 600°C, 2 hr of operating time, and 4weight% alumina additions, the highest sintering density and microhardness are found.