Cast Al-Based Nanocomposites Reinforced with Thermal Plasma-Synthesized Ceramic Nanoparticles

Abstract:

The present study aims at producing Al-based nanocomposites reinforced with low fractions of ceramic nanoreinforcement produced by thermal plasma, evaluating the strengthening effects induced by their addition to the widely used A356 (Al-Si-Mg) cast aluminum alloy. Nanoparticles were produced using a lab-scale RF inductively coupled thermal plasma system designed by simulation as to optimize the plasma operating conditions and reactor geometry. During the casting route, ultrasonic treatment of the melt was performed to better disperse the reinforcing particles into the matrix. Ceramic spherodized microparticles were also synthesized and micro-reinforced Al-matrix composites were produced with the same route for comparison. Microstructural characterization of the cast samples was carried out by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. BET analysis was also used for powder characterization. Hardness tests were performed to assess the enhancement in mechanical properties obtained by addition of nanoparticles with respect to both the microparticle reinforced and unreinforced Al-Si-Mg matrix.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 783-786)
• Pages: 1567-1572
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.783-786.1567
• Online since: May 2014
• Authors: M. Boselli*, Lorella Ceschini, V. Colombo, E. Ghedini, M. Gherardi, A. Morri, F. Rotundo, P. Sanibondi, S. Toschi
• Keywords: Alumina, Aluminum (Al), Metal Matrix Composite (MMC), Nanoparticle, Thermal Plasma

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