Phase, microstructure, and wear behavior of Al₂O₃-reinforced Fe–Si alloy-based metal matrix nanocomposites

Abstract

In the present work, phase, microstructure, and wear properties of Al2O3-reinforced Fe–Si alloy-based metal matrix nanocomposites have been studied. Composites using 2 wt.% and 5 wt.% of Si and rest Fe powder mix were synthesized via powder metallurgy and sintered at different temperature schedules. Iron–silicon alloy specimens were found to have high hardness and high wear resistance in comparison to pure iron specimens. Addition of 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% alumina reinforcement in Fe–Si alloy composition helped in developing iron aluminate (FeAl2O4) phase in composites which further improved the mechanical properties i.e. high hardness and wear resistance. Formation of iron aluminate phase occurs due to reactive sintering between Fe and Al2O3 particles. It is expected that the improved behavior of prepared nanocomposites as compared to conventional metals will be helpful in finding their use for wide industrial applications.

Wear behavior and mechanical properties of AA8090 aluminum alloy reinforced with B4C-Al2O3 hybrid nanoparticles

“…In this study, it is planned to use two different types of reinforcements, such as carbide and metal oxide particles. For that, we have selected boron carbide (B 4 C) and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) particles as reinforcements, as these particles significantly improved the wear resistance of the matrix alloy (Asha et al , 2021; Shinde et al , 2020; Saxena et al , 2020; Bharti et al , 2020).…”

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Si–Cu–Fe alloy-based ceramic particle-reinforced nanocomposites and microcomposites and a modified model to predict the yield strength of nanocomposites

“…Particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs) have been designed to produce composite materials with superior properties by combining the high ductility, good toughness, and easy formability of metallic materials with the high strength and hardness of ceramic-based reinforcement particles. 1,2 However, the agglomeration and clustering tendencies of reinforcement particles are the main problems in the production of PRMMCs 3 because the reinforcement particles tend to float on the surface of the melt or to sink to the bottom of the melt due to the difference in density and chemical compatibility between the matrix and reinforcement particles and the surface energy of the reinforcement particles, resulting in a non-uniform distribution of the particles in the microstructure. The mechanical stirring method is used to distribute the reinforcement particles in the matrix but is not usually sufficient to achieve a uniform distribution of the particles.…”