Authors : Asaad Khudhair Hamza, Haitham M. Ibrahim Al-Zuhairi and Hussain J.M. Al-Alkawi
Abstract: Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) are preferred to other conventional materials in the field of automotive, marine applications and aerospace due to good corrosion resistance, light metal, high reflectivity, a good conductor of heat and electricity. AMMCs produced by stir casting method usually show porosity and fair distribution of nanomaterial in the base metal. A composite 7100 Al/Nano-Al2O3 of two types of alfa (α) and gama (γ) (20-30 nm) in size were injected by pure argon gas into the molten 7100 aluminum alloy separately. Mechanical properties and microstructure of the final product were investigated by tensile and microstructure tests, microhardness measurements and optical microscopy. The addition level of Al2O3 for both types is being varied from 2-6 wt.% in steps of 2 wt.%. The experimental test was done before and after addition of alumina and the results revealed that hardness and tensile properties are higher in case of a composites when compared to base metal 7100 Al. Alloy and α composites. Also, increasing the level of addition of both nanomaterials has resulted in further increase in both hardness and tensile properties. By this fabrication method Al 7100|6 wt.% α Al2O3 and Al 7100|4 wt.% γ Al2O3 have the best combination of hardness and strength. The Al2O3 Nanoparticles exhibited some good properties such as a fine grain and reasonably uniform distribution of Al2O3 in the matrix for both types.
Asaad Khudhair Hamza, Haitham M. Ibrahim Al-Zuhairi and Hussain J.M. Al-Alkawi, 2018. Alfa (α) and Gama (γ) Al2O3 Nanomaterial Effect on Mechanical and Microstructural Behavior of 7100 AL. Alloy Comparative Study. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 13: 8819-8825.