Characterization of Al–Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} nanocomposites produced by mechanical milling

Journal Article · Sat Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATCHAR.2015.06.007· OSTI ID:22476143

Goytia-Reyes, R. ^[1]; Morales-Rodriguez, H.; Gallegos-Orozco, V. ^[2]; Santos-Beltrán, M. ^[1]; Baldenebro-Lopez, F. ^[2]; Martínez-Sánchez, R. ^[1]

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1. Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados (CIMAV), Laboratorio Nacional de Nanotecnología, Miguel de Cervantes No. 120, C.P. 31109 Chihuahua, Chih. (Mexico)
2. Universidad Tecnológica de Chihuahua Sur, Carr. Chihuahua a Aldama km. 3 S/N, Col. Colinas del León, CP. 31313 Chihuahua, Chih. (Mexico)

In this work, a mixture of Al–C–Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} nanopowder previously synthesized by mechanical milling and subsequent thermal treatment was used to reinforce the Al matrix. The nanocomposites were fabricated via high-energy ball milling and subsequent sintering process for different periods of time at 550 °C. Hardness and compression tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites in the as-milled and sintered conditions. According to the results the reinforcement located in the grain boundaries is responsible for the brittle behavior observed in the nanocomposites during the compression test. The combined effect of sintering and precipitation mechanisms produced an evident increase of the strength of the Al matrix at a relatively short sintering time. By using the Rietveld method the crystallite size and microstrain measurements were determined and correlated with the microhardness values. For the proper characterization of the nanoparticles present in the Al matrix, atomic force microscopy and high resolution electron microscopy were used. - Highlights: • Nanostructured Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} reinforcement was fabricated via mechanical milling and heat treatment. • We found a significant increase of the mechanical properties at short sintering times. • The formation of Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} with during sintering time restricted the excessive growth of the crystallite. • Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} located in the grain boundaries causes brittle fracture observed in compression tests. • There is a correlation between, crystallite size and microstrain values with microhardness.

• OSTI ID: 22476143
• Journal Information: Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Vol. 106; ISSN 1044-5803; ISSN MACHEX
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ALUMINIUM CARBIDES
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
COMPRESSION
CORRELATIONS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
HEAT TREATMENTS
MICROHARDNESS
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOPARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PRECIPITATION
RESOLUTION
SINTERING