Microstructural behaviour of spark plasma sintered composites containing bimodal micro- and nano-sized Al₂O₃ particles

ABSTRACT

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been recognised, in the recent past, as a very useful method to produce metal matrix composites with enhanced properties if compared with traditional powder metallurgy techniques. Obviously, the materials final properties are strongly related to the reinforcement types and percentages as well as to the processing parameters employed during synthesis. The present paper analyses the effect of microscopic and nanometric alumina particles, blended to pure aluminium in different combinations, on the final properties of metal matrix composites produced via SPS. A strong variation in the microstructural behaviour has been observed by varying the nano to micro alumina particles percentage blended with aluminium ones.

KEYWORDS:

• Spark plasma sintering
• bimodal size
• processing parameters
• microstructure

Disclosure statements

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Behzad Sadeghi got his PhD in Nanotechnology Engineering at Isfahan University of Technology. His research interests focus on nanostructured materials and powder metallurgy. He is author of over 10 papers in International Journals.

Morteza Shamanian research interests touch on Welding Metallurgy, Surface Engineering, Nano-structured Materials, Extractive Metallurgy and their interconnections. He is author of more than 150 papers in International Journals.

Pasquale Cavaliere research interests focus on Nanostructured materials, Coatings technology, Powder metallurgy, Iron making and steelmaking processes. He is author of more than 100 papers in International Journals.

Fakhreddin Ashrafizadeh research interests focus on Plasma nitriding and nitrocarburizing, Physical vapour deposition, Heat and surface treatment (ferrous / nonferrous), Surface coatings. He is author of more than 100 papers in International Journals.

Mohsen Sanayei research interests forcus on Coatings technology and EBSD characterization of materials.

Jerzy A. Szpunar research interests focus on various areas of materials related investigations. In particular he has longstanding interests in deformation and recrystallization processes in metals; in structure and properties of thin films; in electronic interconnects; in high temperature oxidation and corrosion; in synergy of wear, erosion and corrosion; in the applications of X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques to structure of grain boundaries and other interfaces; in hydrogen ingress into nuclear materials; in intergranular fractures; in fatigue and failure; and in superplasticity and other special properties of nanocrystalline materials. He is author of more than 500 papers in International Journals.