Development and characterization of a novel Y-Ti-O based aluminum nano-composite processed by high energy ball-milling and spark plasma sintering

The present work reports synthesis and characterization of bulk Y2Ti2O7-aluminum nano-composites processed by high energy ball-milling followed by spark plasma sintering. Y-Ti-O based particles were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) a 1:2 stoichiometric mixture of Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3) and Titanium Oxide (TiO2), and further calcinating the ball-milled mixture at different temperatures. The calcinated powder was further ballmilled for different durations to fabricate the nanoparticles. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of stable Y2Ti2O7. The XRD and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) of ball-milled powder reveal crystallite size and particle size of 5 nm and 30 nm, respectively. The XRD data indicates that prolonged ball-milling duration does not deteriorate the structural integrity of the Y2Ti2O7 phase. The nano-dispersoids were reinforced in aluminum matrix to obtain dispersion strengthening. The compressive yield strength increased from 60 to 390 MPa by introducing 1 Wt% Y2Ti2O7.

Automated summary

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of bulk Y2Ti2O7-aluminum nano-composites using high energy ball-milling followed by spark plasma sintering. Stable Y2Ti2O7 nanoparticles were prepared by mechanical alloying and calcination, and then dispersed in an aluminum matrix for reinforcement. The introduction of 1wt% Y2Ti2O7 significantly enhanced the compressive yield strength of the material.