Development and characterizations of aluminum Metal matrix hybrid composite

Abstract

This thesis delves into a comparative exploration of aluminum matrix hybridcomposites, bolstered by nickel nanoparticles, focusing on their microstructural nuances and mechanical attributes. Employing magnetic nickel (Ni) nanoparticles, synthesized via the sol-gel technique with an average size of 31.20 nm, as the reinforcing agents, the study investigates their integration into commercially pure aluminum matrix. Utilizing the powder metallurgy process, aluminum matrix samples with varying nickel weight percentages (2, 5, 7, and 10 wt% of aluminum) of ceramic reinforcement in relation to aluminum were crafted. Sintering at 650°C was conducted to refine the density and uniformity of the composite structure. Assessment techniques encompassed optical microscopy, SEM, and XRD analyses, facilitating the evaluation of microstructure, porosity distribution, density and potential matrix-reinforcement interactions. Findings indicated a decline in the relative density of the composites with increasing reinforcement weight percentage, alongside a moderate enhancement in hardness.