Enhanced performance of AA7150-SiC nanocomposites synthesized by novel fabrication process

摘要

This research has successfully introduced a novel fabrication process to manufacture aluminium alloy (AA)7150-X wt.% silicon carbide (SiC) (X = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) nanocomposites. The effect of silicon carbide nanoparticle content on microstructure, density, microhardness, porosity and ultimate tensile strength was studied. An optical microscope was used to find the grain formation while electron microscopy was used for ceramic nanoparticle distribution studies and fractographic studies of fracture surface. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to study the chemical composition of various composites and SiC particles. Significant enhancement was observed in mechanical properties at as-cast state of composites. Nevertheless, AA7150-1.5%SiC nanocomposite exhibited 83.47% reduction in porosity, 23.9% enhancement in microhardness, 60.1% in ultimate tensile strength compared to base alloy.