Launching particle to constant reinforcement ratio as a parameter for improving the nanoreinforcement distribution and tensile strength of aluminum nanometal matrix composites

Pelletization of ball milled powder, although a better technique for distributing nanoreinforcements into the metal melt, increases the production line. Here, we report our attempt to improve the distribution of nanoreinforcements without increasing the production line. We observed the effect of increase in a novel parameter, launching particle to constant reinforcement ratio (by weight; 1.5 wt.% Al2O3), on the nanoreinforcement distribution and ultimate strength of composites fabricated by stir casting. The medium used for launching the nanoreinforcements into the Al-Cu matrix is aluminum powder prepared by ball milling. An increase in the launching particle to constant reinforcement ratio leads to an improvement in the nanoreinforcement distribution and tensile strength of the composite. The X-ray maps indicate the absence of iron contamination and iron intermetallics.