Effect of sintering on microstructure and mechanical properties of nano-TiO_2 dispersed Al_(65)Cu_(20)Ti_(15) amorphousanocrystalline matrix composite

摘要

Mechanically alloyed Al_(65)Cu_(20)Ti_(15) amorphous alloy powder with or without 10 wt percent nano-TiO_2 dispersion was consolidated by isothermal spark plasma sintering in the range 200-500 deg C with pressure up to 50 MPa. Selected samples were separately cold compacted with 50 MPa pressure and sintered at 500 deg C using controlled atmosphere resistance and microwave heating furnaces. Phase and microstructural evolution at appropriate stages of mechanical alloying/blending and sintering was monitored by X-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Measurement and comparison of relevant properties (density/porosity, microhardness and yield strength) of the sintered compacts suggest that spark plasma sintering is the most appropriate technique for developing nano-TiO_2 dispersed amorphousanocrystalline Al_(65)Cu_(20)Ti_(15) matrix composite for structural application.