Investigation of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Zirconium Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites

H. Cug, O. Zengin Karabuk University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Karabuk, Turkey

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This study aims to investigate the effect of zirconium carbide (ZrC) nanoparticles on mechanical performances of pure aluminum. Composites Al-0.5ZrC, Al-1ZrC, Al-2ZrC were fabricated by powder metallurgy. Hardness test was performed for all specimens. Compression test was conducted at room temperature. Results clearly show that homogenously distribution of nanoparticles was achieved up to 1 wt% reinforcement addition according to the scanning electron microscope results. The hardness of pure aluminum was increased significantly. Compression strength was also improved considerably with the addition of nano-reinforcements. Al-1ZrC composite showed best performance among the samples.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.135.870 topics: powder metallurgy, SEM, nanocomposites, mechanical properties, carbides