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Microwave-assisted sintering of Al–ZrO2 nano-composites

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Abstract

In this project, nano-ZrO2 particles were dispersed in aluminum powder by a Y-shape mixer. The particle size of ZrO2 powder was <40 nm and the amount of ZrO2 reinforcement varies from 3 to 15 %. The mixed powders were compacted. Subsequently the compacted discs were sintered both in the microwave oven and in the conventional muffle furnace. Using microwave-assisted sintering method led to the reduction of sintering time to 15 min. Micro-structural studies of the nano-composites indicated that there is relatively uniform distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix. Aluminum metal matrix nano-composites samples were characterized by micro-hardness measurements, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Mechanical properties reveal that the presence of nano-ZrO2 particles has improved significantly the strength. The optimum amount of ZrO2 reinforcement has been determined to be 6 %.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of Deputy for Research and Technology of Imam Khomeini International University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metallurgy and Materials Engineering Department, Engineering and Technology Faculty, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), P. O. Box: 288, Qazvin, Iran

    M. Rajabi, M. M. Khodai & N. Askari

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  1. M. Rajabi
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Rajabi, M., Khodai, M.M. & Askari, N. Microwave-assisted sintering of Al–ZrO2 nano-composites. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 25, 4577–4584 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-014-2206-6

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