Investigation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-8Zn-3Mg-2.5Cu nanocomposite reinforced with SiC nanoparticles after age hardening heat treatment

Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Mohammad Alipour

Faculty of Mechanical engineering, Department of Materials Engineering, University of Tabriz, Iran

10.22067/jmme.2022.79507.1084

Abstract

In this study, microstructure and wear properties of Al-8Zn-3Mg-2.5Cu nanocomposite reinforced with 1, 2, 3 and 5 wt.% SiC nanoparticles (SiCnp) produced by stir casting and ultrasonic treatment have been investigated. Ultrasound device equipped with a cooling system with 2000 W powers was used for mixing alloy and nanoparticles. Also scanning electron microscopy was used for microstructure studies. The microstructure of nanocomposite was investigated by scanning electron microscope.The microstructural studies of the nanocomposite revealed that SiCnp addition reduces the grain size, but adding higher SiCnp content (5 wt.%) does not change the grain size considerably. Further investigations on hardness revealed that the addition of SiCnp increases hardness and wear resistance. At higher SiCnp contents (5 wt.%), the presence of SiCnp agglomerate on grain boundaries was found that causes decrease the hardness and wear resistance. The optimum amount of nanoparticles before and after heat treatment is 3 wt.% SiCnp that nanocomposite exhibits best wear resistance.

Keywords

• Casting nanocomposite
• SiC nanoparticles
• Stir casting
• Ultrasonic treatment

Main Subjects

• Nanomaterials

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