Influence of Al2O3 Nanoparticles on Microstructure and Strengthening Mechanism of Al-Based Nanocomposites Produced via Spark Plasma Sintering

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been recognized, in the recent past, as a very useful method to produce metal matrix composites with enhanced mechanical and wear properties. Obviously, the materials' properties are strongly related to the reinforcement types and percentages as well as to the processing parameters employed during synthesis. The present paper examines the effect of 2 wt.% of Al2O3 nanoparticles on mechanical and microstructural behaviors of Al-based metal matrix composites produced via SPS. The composite mechanical properties were evaluated through micro-, nanoindentation and tensile tests. The microstructural evolution was studied through scanning electron microscopy observations. It was found that the addition of nanoparticles produces the reduction of materials porosity and the improvement of mechanical properties in SPSed materials.