An experimental and modeling investigation of aluminum-based alloys and nanocomposites processed by ultrasonic cavitation processing

Some recent studies are showing that the microstructure and mechanical properties of manufactured components can be significantly improved when ceramic nanoparticles are used as reinforcement to form a metal-matrix-nano-composite (MMNC). During the fabrication of MMNCs, ultrasonic cavitation processing plays an important role in refining microstructure, dispersing nanoparticles and breaking up clusters of nanoparticles. In the present study, aluminum A356 alloy and Al2O3/SiC nanoparticles are used as the matrix alloy and the reinforcements, respectively. Nanoparticles are injected into the molten alloy and dispersed by ultrasonic cavitation and acoustic streaming. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the cast nanocomposites have been investigated in detail. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.