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A parametric study on mechanical properties of aluminum–silicon/SiO2 nano-composites by a solid–liquid phase processing

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Abstract

In this article, different aluminum–silicon matrix nano-composites which reinforced by SiO2 nano-particles were developed. The stir casting was used as a solid–liquid phase processing to make such nano-composites. Pouring temperatures and stir times were two parameters which were varied from 700 to 850 °C and 2–4 min, respectively. In addition to microstructural evaluations, the mechanical and tribological properties of different nano-composites were compared to the aluminum alloy without any reinforcement agent. Obtained results showed that the hardness of nano-composites increased significantly when the pouring temperature was 850 °C with respect to the aluminum alloy. The wear resistance was also increased obviously when nano-particles were distributed homogenously in the aluminum matrix. Besides, the ratio of the hardness to the elastic modulus was a compatible parameter to predict the wear rate of most specimens. FESEM images demonstrated that the nano-particles distribution was reasonably uniform. The elastic modulus for all nano-composites increased. The ultimate compressive strength also increased for nano-composites which made at the pouring temperature of 750 °C for both stirring times. The presence of more intermetallic phase especially Al–Ni phase and the micro-cracks were responsible for lowering the toughness of nano-composites which made at higher pouring temperatures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Semnan University, P.O. Box: 35131-19111, Semnan, Iran

    Mahdi Mollaei, Mahboobeh Azadi & Hossien Tavakoli

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  1. Mahdi Mollaei
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  2. Mahboobeh Azadi
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  3. Hossien Tavakoli
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Correspondence to Mahboobeh Azadi.

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Mollaei, M., Azadi, M. & Tavakoli, H. A parametric study on mechanical properties of aluminum–silicon/SiO2 nano-composites by a solid–liquid phase processing. Appl. Phys. A 124, 504 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-018-1929-2

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