Advanced Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

Abstract

Lightweight high-strength metal matrix nano-composites (MMNCs) can be used in a wide variety of applications, e.g., aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering, owing to their sustainability, increased specific strength/stiffness, enhanced elevated temperature strength, improved wear, or corrosion resistance. A metallic matrix, commonly comprising of light aluminum or magnesium alloys, can be significantly strengthened even by very low weight fractions (~1 wt%) of well-dispersed nanoparticles. This review discusses the recent advancements in the fabrication of metal matrix nanocomposites starting with manufacturing routes and different nanoparticles, intricacies of the underlying physics, and the mechanisms of particle dispersion in a particle-metal composite system. Thereafter, the microstructural influences of the nanoparticles on the composite system are outlined and the theory of the strengthening mechanisms is also explained. Finally, microstructural, mechanical, and tribological properties of the selected MMNCs are discussed as well.

Pure Aluminum Structure and Mechanical Properties Modified by Al2O3 Nanoparticles and Ultrasonic Treatment

“…These particles impede the smooth motion of dislocations through the matrix over its slip planes. When the particle size is greater than 1 µm, this effect can be neglected [1]. The increase in precipitation hardening is in inverse proportion to the distance between particles.…”

“…The development of aerospace and automotive industries is accompanied by increased requirements for the materials applied, in particular, high specific strength, workability, and low cost [1,2]. Conventional aluminum alloys do not fully meet these requirements.…”

“…The use of metal matrix composites seems to be relevant [1,6,7] because the mechanical properties of such composites can be improved by the addition of high-melting particles, including ceramic nanoparticles [8][9][10][11][12][13]. There are different methods of manufacturing such materials, but casting technologies are the most universal and efficient [14,15].…”

Regulating Mechanical Properties of Al/SiC by Utilizing Different Ball Milling Speeds

“…Thus, to tackle these drawbacks, the interest was transferred towards nanosized reinforcements to produce metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) that postulate more superior mechanical properties [16,17]. A very important attribute leading to this superiority is the minimization of particle-based damage mechanisms, while they are predominant with microparticle reinforcement [18].…”

Erosion-corrosion Behavior of Aluminum 7075 based SiC Reinforced Nanocomposites

“…The version of residences of the composite by means of the usage of nano reinforcement could be executed by varying the quantity fraction, nature of reinforcement and processing technique. There are numerous strategies of processing in practice inclusive of powder metallurgy, stir casting, squeeze casting and many others [5][6][7][8]. Considering the feasible houses and advantages over other production process, stir casting and powder metallurgy are the two important techniques applied for improvement of aluminum composites.…”