Microstructure and Compressive Behavior of Al–Y₂O₃ Nanocomposites Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Mechanical Alloying

In this study, Al–Y₂O₃ nanocomposites were synthesized via mechanical alloying and microwave-assisted sintering. The effect of different levels of yttrium oxide on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al–Y₂O₃ nanocomposites were investigated. The density of the Al–Y₂O₃ nanocomposites increased with increasing Y₂O₃ volume fraction in the aluminum matrix, while the porosity decreased. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the nanocomposites showed the homogeneous distribution of the Y₂O₃ nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of yttria particles in the Al matrix. The mechanical properties of the Al–Y₂O₃ nanocomposites increased as the addition of yttria reached to 1.5 vol. % and thereafter decreased. The microhardness first increased from 38 Hv to 81 Hv, and then decreased to 74 ± 4 Hv for 1.5 vol. % yttria. The Al–1.5 vol. % Y₂O₃ nanocomposite exhibited the best ultimate compressive strength and yielded a strength of 359 ± 7 and 111 ± 5 MPa, respectively. The Al–Y₂O₃ nanocomposites showed higher hardness, yield strength, and compressive strength than the microwave-assisted mechanically alloyed pure Al.

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Published in: Metals
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/met9040414