Effect of Cu nanoparticles on microhardness and physical properties of aluminum matrix composite prepared by PM

Omar Hassan Mahmood; Mustafa Sh. Aljanabi; Farouk M. Mahdi; Omar Hassan Mahmood; Mustafa Sh. Aljanabi; Farouk M. Mahdi

doi:10.3934/matersci.2025013

AIMS Materials Science

2025, Volume 12, Issue 2: 245-257. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2025013

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Research article

Effect of Cu nanoparticles on microhardness and physical properties of aluminum matrix composite prepared by PM

1.
Dour Technical Institute, Northern Technical University, Mechanical Department, Salah Aldin, Dour, Iraq
2.
Tikrit University, College of Engineering, Mechanical Department, Salah Aldin, Tikrit, Iraq

Received: 07 February 2025 Revised: 14 March 2025 Accepted: 19 March 2025 Published: 24 March 2025

Nanoparticles of metal and other materials are a proven reinforcing material for producing a high-performance aluminum composite utilized in modern engineering applications. The ultrasonic mixing process is conducted to ensure a typical distribution of nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. The present work aims to study the effect of copper nanoparticles on microhardness and physical properties of Al-composite prepared by powder metallurgy techniques with ultrasonic mixing. The aluminum nanocomposites were fabricated with different volume fractions (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) of Cu nanoparticles. To examine the effectiveness of the mixing, compacting, and sintering process, nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping analysis. A uniform distribution of Cu nanoparticles was established within the Al matrix. The composite was characterized by an increase in density and a decrease in porosity with increased Cu nanoparticles. Increasing Cu nanoparticles enhanced the mechanical properties of the Al-Cu composite through an increase in its hardness. A direct relationship between Cu nanoparticles and thermal and electrical conductivity was found; in particular, there was a distinct enhancement in electrical conductivity, as the composite with 25 wt% Cu nanoparticles reached 78.87% of the electrical conductivity of pure Cu.
- Al-Cu composite,
- electrical conductivity,
- powder metallurgy,
- compression strength
Citation: Omar Hassan Mahmood, Mustafa Sh. Aljanabi, Farouk M. Mahdi. Effect of Cu nanoparticles on microhardness and physical properties of aluminum matrix composite prepared by PM[J]. AIMS Materials Science, 2025, 12(2): 245-257. doi: 10.3934/matersci.2025013

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Abstract

Nanoparticles of metal and other materials are a proven reinforcing material for producing a high-performance aluminum composite utilized in modern engineering applications. The ultrasonic mixing process is conducted to ensure a typical distribution of nanoparticles in the aluminum matrix. The present work aims to study the effect of copper nanoparticles on microhardness and physical properties of Al-composite prepared by powder metallurgy techniques with ultrasonic mixing. The aluminum nanocomposites were fabricated with different volume fractions (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) of Cu nanoparticles. To examine the effectiveness of the mixing, compacting, and sintering process, nanocomposites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping analysis. A uniform distribution of Cu nanoparticles was established within the Al matrix. The composite was characterized by an increase in density and a decrease in porosity with increased Cu nanoparticles. Increasing Cu nanoparticles enhanced the mechanical properties of the Al-Cu composite through an increase in its hardness. A direct relationship between Cu nanoparticles and thermal and electrical conductivity was found; in particular, there was a distinct enhancement in electrical conductivity, as the composite with 25 wt% Cu nanoparticles reached 78.87% of the electrical conductivity of pure Cu.

References

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