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Microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-4.5wt% Cu reinforced with alumina nanoparticles by stir casting method

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Abstract

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-4.5wt% Cu alloy reinforced with different volume fractions (1.5vol%, 3vol%, and 5vol%) of alumina nanoparticles, fabricated using stir casting method, were investigated. Calculated amounts of alumina nanoparticles (about ϕ50 nm in size) were ball-milled with aluminum powders in a planetary ball mill for 5 h, and then the packets of milled powders were incorporated into molten Al-4.5wt% Cu alloy. Microstructural studies of the nanocomposites reveal a uniform distribution of alumina nanoparticles in the Al-4.5wt% Cu matrix. The results indicate an outstanding improvement in compression strength and hardness due to the effect of nanoparticle addition. The aging behavior of the composite is also evaluated, indicating that the addition of alumina nanoparticles can accelerate the aging process of the alloy, resulting in higher peak hardness values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Materials Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, 51335-1996, Iran

    N. Valibeygloo & R. Azari Khosroshahi

  2. Department of Metallurgy, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, 45156-58145, Iran

    R. Taherzadeh Mousavian

Authors
  1. N. Valibeygloo
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  2. R. Azari Khosroshahi
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  3. R. Taherzadeh Mousavian
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Correspondence to R. Taherzadeh Mousavian.

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Valibeygloo, N., Azari Khosroshahi, R. & Taherzadeh Mousavian, R. Microstructural and mechanical properties of Al-4.5wt% Cu reinforced with alumina nanoparticles by stir casting method. Int J Miner Metall Mater 20, 978–985 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0824-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-013-0824-2

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