Development of Aluminum Composites with Small Additions of Ceramic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Powder metallurgy is used to prepare aluminum composites with small additions of Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, MgO, and SiO₂ oxide particles. Sintering is carried out without pressure in a rough vacuum at 640°C. The following material properties are studied: density, porosity, strength in compression, and corrosion resistance in acid solutions. It is shown that with the use of small additions of nanoparticles it is possible to obtain an aluminum composite with relative density up to 98% of theoretical level. It is noted that with compression over the pressing axis a number of aluminum composite specimens containing nanoparticles are unbroken up to the end of testing. Good corrosion properties are demonstrated for aluminum composites with small additions of nanoparticles in 10% nitric and sulfuric acid solutions.