Synthesis of aluminium matrix composites containing nanocrystalline oxide phases

Abstract

Using nanocrystalline particles of mullite and zirconia respectively with diameters in the range 20-30 nm prepared by a sol-gel route, aluminium metal-matrix composites have been synthesized. A hot pressing technique has been used with temperatures varying from 450-610°C. The vickers hardness values for the composites are found to be substantially higher than that of pure aluminium. An order of magnitude increase in hardness is achieved when Al₅Mo phase is grown in the composite.