Tafila Technical University

Faculty of Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

project for material science

mechanical properties of aluminium/nano-zirconia metal matrix composites

Superadvisor: Eng. Audai A. Al-Akaila

Prepared:
OMAR JOUDEH
320150111104
KHALED MOUSA
320160111015
OBAIDA ABO ARQOOB
320150111045
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abstract
In this report, we worked on mixing samples of aluminum and adding a
certain percentage of zirconia in order to study the mechanical
properties of the prepared metal through practical experiments and
counting the results.
Introduction
Compounds are a mixture of two or more
substances. The proportions of additives vary
from alloys. Each material has certain properties.
When mixing these materials, each material
remains preserved for its properties. Enjoy we
get a new material that contains the properties
and properties of all the materials that have
been mixed. Among the properties that you
have during this mood are mechanical
properties such as (hardness, strength,
durability and efficiency) which are
the focus of research.
The alloy that was worked on, its importance
and use, and weaknesses….
Aluminum alloys are the most used because they
are capable of mixing with a group of elements,
including ( Sic, B4C, WC, Tic) in addition to their
relatively low price compared to other metals
and the properties contained in the aluminum
alloy show the effect of the added elements
clearly (increased hardness and forming ability)
and resistance Corrosion Aluminum alloys are
used in aircraft and trains, as well as in the
thermal and electrical industries and in the
manufacture of electronic parts for computers.
Melting point of aluminum metal is 660 c while
its boiling point is 2467c and its density is
2.702g / cm3.Among the aluminum nanoparticles'
weaknesses are clumping and irregular
distribution of atoms.
g
Ceramic material added and reason for selection ….
Among the materials that have been added zirconia
(zro2) is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium,
known as zirconium dioxide, and one of the best
favorable ceramic materials and more study of
production.
Method of preparing the sample….
The nanoparticles were manufactured by stirring and
casting, then the aluminum bars were cut and heated
in the oven to remove impurities and dirt, then they
were transferred to the resistance oven and heated to a
temperature of 750 degrees Celsius.After the complete
dissolution of the aluminum, the gas removal tablets
and the magnesium foil were added with the supply of
argon gas. And then we add a substance (zro2) with a
tendency to move it at an approximate speed of
280rpm through blades tilted at a certain angle to form
a vortex in the melt and the function of this vortex is to
distribute the additive regularly and after stopping
moving we immediately remove the slag formed on the
surface which helps to remove the gases emitted This
makes the casting process pore-free. Before the casting
process, the mold is heated to 250c to allow easy flow
of the mixture into the mold and to avoid clogging the
mixture, after which we cool the mixture to form the
castings.
Methods for examining the sample and the results B. Tensile test
obtained…
When performing a tensile test on aluminum before
After preparing the sample, we conducted several tests adding the nano ZeO2 we notice that.
for the sample to see the effectiveness of the material
and the amount of improvement in the material these YS = Mpa 189.1, UTS = Mpa 236.7, Elongation rate = 9.57%
tests include.
A. hardness test Then we added 2.5% of the nano ZrO2 weight to the
matrix material, so the results are as follows.
The standard adopted in the examination
ASMTE10-15a for Brinell hardness testing. It was YS = Mpa 250.56 , UTS = Mpa 29.2, Elongation rate = 9.38%
found that the stiffness was increased by noticing
the effect of the percentage ratio of zirconia particle That is, the material changed its properties for the
weight (the ceramic material that was added) and better. We made the same selection and increased the
its presence in the matrix reduces dislocation nano ZrO2 ratio to 5% by weight on the material
defects and increases the wet ability of the matrix.We also noticed that the material became better
resistance to particle cracking or disassociation Or in terms of properties, and the results became as
follows.
slipping when exposed to an external load where
three values of hardness were taken against the YS = 266Mpa ,UTS = 331Mpa, Elongation rate = 9.35%
percentage weight of zrokonia (zro2).
Note that when you increase the ratio of nano ZrO2 to
* The higher the percentage of zirconia, the more material matrixThe material became taking longer to
rigidity and the increase in stiffness will be linear or reach the plastic stage due to the height of YS.And the
non-linear depending on the drawing. material became taking longer to break due to higher
UTS. And the material became characterized by
hardness due to the low elongation rate.
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And when adding 5% of nano ZrO2 to the

C. Compressive strength aluminum alloy metal
Five samples were taken for a compression test on
(utm) according to the standards (astme9 d / 1) in
a ratio of 2: 1. Some of the samples had a failure in We note in the sample before the process of
the test because of the torsion, as a layer slipped on stretching it that the protrusions and granules were
another. The reason for the slip is the presence of reduced as in the form "c" while when conducting
the tensioning process on the sample we note that
voids or defects in the samples due to the non- the aluminum interacted with zirconia chemical
extraction of all gases. Studies on the al / sic reaction as in the form "d".
compounds that were produced through the casting
process that were previously described revealed In the "f" shape, the sample was stretched and
that the pressure strength increased with the sic enlarged further when adding 5% of zirconia as it
contains dissociation and cracking.
micro molecules up to 30% by weight and then
decreased significantly. The "e" represents the SEM micrographs chart.
Represents the effect of nanoparticles (zro2) on the
compressive strength of the prepared
nanocomposites as the full thick line indicates the
experimental values of the compressive strength.It
is noted that the addition of particles (zro2)
enhances the compressive strength that reaches a
value from 598.32 to 736 Mpa by 5% by weight
of nanoparticles.

D. Morphology

When working, we mix an alloy of aluminum metal

with nano Zr O2 to a certain extent. Aluminum can
dissolve zirconia, that is, to a certain soluble limit.

When adding 2.5% of nano ZrO2 to the aluminum

metal grill, we notice in the form "a" the presence of
granules and protrusions on the surface before the
process of tightening them, while when conducting
the process of stretching them, as in the form "b"
shows that the aluminum melts all zirconia,

g
ff

Conclusions…
References
When adding the nano Zr O2 material to the 5% Harsha, R. N., Kulkarni, M. V., & Satish Babu, B. (2020). Study of
aluminum alloy metal matrix through the Stir mechanical properties of aluminium/nano-zirconia metal
matrix composites. Materials Today: Proceedings.
casting process, the following is observed: doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.641

1- 22.5% increase in hardness compared to

unsupported samples (zrO2 samples not added)
through a hardness test, and the second order
equation represents the best curve for the
experimental values of the hardness values.

2- Increase in yeild strength (ys) by 40% and

Increase in ultimate tensile strength by 39.83%
Compared to unsupported samples by Tensile test
Through the same test, a low elongation rate was
observed due to the presence of solid and fragile
ceramic particles in the aluminum alloy matrix.

3- As the compression test increased by 23%

compared to unsupported samples.

4- Through the EDX spectrum the presence of

components in the matrix alloys and compounds was
verified.

5- Through SEM micrographs the correct distribution

of particles in matrix alloys was detected.

It was also noticed through the images taken by SEM

that there is disintegration and cracking on the
manufactured composite surfaces.