Strengthening Mechanisms of 15 vol.% Al2O3 Nanoparticles Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposite Fabricated by High Energy Ball Milling and Vacuum Hot Pressing

doi:10.1007/s40195-021-01306-1

Abstract

Abstract:

Increasing nanoparticle volume fraction has been proved to be effective in improving the strength of nanoparticle reinforced Al matrix nanocomposite. However, the underlying mechanisms for the ultrahigh strength of those nanocomposites with high volume fraction (> 10 vol.%) nanoparticles are short of experimental research. In this study, the strengthening mechanisms of high strength Al matrix nanocomposite reinforced with 15 vol.% Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were investigated experimentally and analyzed theoretically. The results show that the thermal mismatch induced geometrically necessary dislocations exhibit a negligible strengthening effect, because of their low density in the nanocomposite that is contradiction to the conventional dislocation punch model. Orowan mechanism makes a major strengthening contribution in view of the deformation process dominated by nanoparticle-dislocation interactions due to the extreme pinning effect of nanoparticles on dislocation motion. In addition, the several mechanisms including grain boundary strengthening, load transfer strengthening, and elastic modulus mismatch induced dislocation strengthening contribute to the strength increase.

Key words: Al matrix nanocomposite, Strengthening mechanism, Nanoparticle, High volume fraction, Microstructure

Ke Zhao, Zhongying Duan, Jinling Liu, Guozheng Kang, Linan An. Strengthening Mechanisms of 15 vol.% Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposite Fabricated by High Energy Ball Milling and Vacuum Hot Pressing[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2022, 35(6): 915-921.

Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 1 a, b Compressive true stress-strain curves and corresponding strain hardening rate-true strain curves of the as-produced nanocomposite and pure Al, respectively. c Maximum strength versus strain for the current nanocomposite in comparison with those of typical conventionally strengthened Al matrix composites

Fig. 2 Typical SEM images a, and XRD pattern b of the as-produced nanocomposite

Fig. 3 a Typical TEM image,b corresponding SAED pattern of the as-produced nanocomposite, c TEM image of nanoparticle/matrix interface, d IFFT image of the area marked by black rectangle in c

Fig. 4 a TEM bright field image of the post-deformation nanocomposite, b SAED pattern, c TEM dark field image from a, the dark field image is obtained using (220) diffraction spot as indicated by orange circle in b, d a high magnification TEM image of nanoparticle/matrix interface

Table 1 Predicted results of the strengthening contribution in the as-produced nanocomposite

Strengthening mechanisms	Strengthening (MPa)
Grain boundary	44.7
Load transfer	3.3
CTE mismatch induced GND	16.4
EM mismatch induced GND	42.1
Dislocation bypass of nanoparticle	269.6

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Strengthening Mechanisms of 15 vol.% Al₂O₃ Nanoparticles Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposite Fabricated by High Energy Ball Milling and Vacuum Hot Pressing

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