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Nano-Al2O3 Particle Incorporated in Al Matrix Composite by Vortex-Free High-Speed Stir Casting

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Abstract

Vortex-free high-speed stir casting (VFHSC) methodology can achieve uniform dispersion of particles in melt without air entrapment for fabricating particle reinforced composites, and it has been proved to be feasible for preparing micron-composites by this methodology. In this work, in order to study deeply on particles in nano-size magnitude in composites by this methodology, the preparation of 1.5 vol.% Nano-Al2O3p/Al–Cu–Mg–Si composite is also investigated. The proper stirring parameters for ideal particle dispersion are determined to prepare the materials. Porosity of the composite can be limited to 0.147 % under the VFHSC methodology. The composition and microstructure of ingots, including the incorporation of Al2O3 particles as well as the morphology of precipitated phases, are examined by OM, XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM and EDS. The nano-particles are incorporated ideally in the matrix with restricted aggregation and sedimentation, and the well-bounded Al2O3–Al interface possesses semi-coherent interface. Moreover, the VFHSC 1.5 vol.% Nano-Al2O3p/Al–Cu–Mg–Si composite exhibits obvious strengthening, limited ductility reduction, higher hardness as well as better wear resistance than those of matrix, validating the efficacy of the VFHSC methodology on fabricating 1.5 vol.% Nano-Al2O3p/Al–Cu–Mg–Si composite. The work proves that incorporating nano-particles in Al matrix by VFHSC methodology is feasible and efficient. The work presented in this paper proposes a viable approach for the fabrication of nanocomposites using the stir casting method, thereby offering valuable insights for further research on stir casting technology.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50974010), the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 2162036) and the Natural Science Project of Beijing Jiaotong University (M21L00920).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China

    Yinan Lu, Yunhui Du, Hongzhen Tan, Nan Zhang, Yi Luo & Peng Zhang

  2. Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK

    Weiyi Zhang

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Lu, Y., Du, Y., Zhang, W. et al. Nano-Al2O3 Particle Incorporated in Al Matrix Composite by Vortex-Free High-Speed Stir Casting. Inter Metalcast (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40962-024-01345-1

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