Mechanical Properties of 7075 Aluminium Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nanometric Silicon Carbide Particulates By Zheng Ren A thesis submitted for the Degree of Master of Engineering School of Materials Science and Engineering Faculty of Science University of New South Wales September 2007 PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Ren First name: Zheng Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: ME School: Materials Science and Engineering Faculty: Faculty of Science Title: Mechanical Properties of 7075 Aluminium Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nanometric Silicon Carbide Particulates Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) Aluminium composites reinforced by particles have received considerable attention because of their superior mechanical properties over monolithic aluminum matrix. Over the last ten years, nanocomposites with nano-sized reinforcements have become a revolutionary progress for composites because they have different strengthening mechanisms as compared to that in composites with micro-sized reinforcements. Consequently novel properties can be expected from the nanometric particulate reinforced composites. The aim of this project was to fabricate SiC (50nm)/7075 aluminium composites via a modified powder metallurgy and extrusion route. Ageing treatment was used to increase the strength of the composites and mechanical tests, including tensile test and abrasive wear test, were performed. The effects of nanometric silicon carbide particulates to the ageing behaviours and mechanical properties of the composites have been studied by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the dispersion of nanometric silicon carbide was not homogeneous, but tended to disperse along grain boundaries. Clustering of these nano-reinforcements was also found within the grains. This was particular true when the amount of nano-reinforcement increased to 5%. Compared with the monolithic 7075 alloy, the 1 vol.% SiC (50nm)/7075 aluminium had a higher strength because of effective dislocation pinnings by the reinforcements, while 5% SiC (50nm)/7075 had a much lower strength and ductility because of severe aggregation of nanometric particulates. Nanometric silicon carbide was not as effective as the micro ones in improving abrasive wear resistance of aluminium, this was because of micro-cracking in the aggregation and relatively large abrasive grit. In summary, the addition of a small amount of SiC nanoreinforcements has a high potential to further strengthen 7xxx aluminium alloy. However, the clustering of reinforcements in the matrix will detrimentally affect the strength and ductility of the alloy. The wear resistance of nanometric particulate reinforced composites was inferior to those with micrometric reinforcements. It is suggested that by improving the dispersion of nanometric reinforcements, as well as putting in reinforcememts with different sizes, the mechanical properties and wear resistance can both be increased. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. 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Date……..……………………………………………............... i COPYRIGHT STATEMENT „I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT „I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.‟ Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date ……………………………………………........................... ii ACKNOWLDGE My deepest gratitude and thanks go to Dr Sammy Chan for his patient supervision and invaluable advice during the project. To all members of Nanomaterils for Hydrogen Storage Group at University of New South Wales, Vincent Supratman, Thanh Lu ,Fred Yuan, Ben Tsai, Vanessa Li, Dr Q. S. Song and Dr Z. M. Wang. Thank you to Dr Guangqing Zhang and Mr John Budden for their helpful assistance in heat treatment and metallographic preparation. Also my thanks go to Ms Veira Piegerova and Mr Barry Searle for their expert instruction on scanning electron microscopy. The technical support provided by the staff in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, are also acknowledged. Most specially, my great thanks must go to my parents, Mr Sihai Ren and Ms Guanglan Zhu, for their endless support and amazing encouragement. I love you. iii ABSTRACT Aluminium composites reinforced by particles have received considerable attention because of their superior mechanical properties over monolithic aluminum matrix. Over the last ten years, nanocomposites with nano-sized reinforcements have become a revolutionary progress for composites because they have different strengthening mechanisms as compared to that in composites with micro-sized reinforcements. Consequently novel properties can be expected from the nanometric particulate reinforced composites. The aim of this project was to fabricate SiC (50nm)/7075 aluminium composites via a modified powder metallurgy and extrusion route. Ageing treatment was used to increase the strength of the composites and mechanical tests, including tensile test and abrasive wear test, were performed. The effects of nanometric silicon carbide particulates to the ageing behaviours and mechanical properties of the composites have been studied by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the dispersion of nanometric silicon carbide was not homogeneous, but tended to disperse along grain boundaries. Clustering of these nano-reinforcements was also found within the grains. This was particular true when the amount of nano-reinforcement increased to 5%. Compared with the monolithic 7075 alloy, the 1 vol.% SiC (50nm)/7075 aluminium had a higher strength because of effective dislocation pinnings by the reinforcements, while 5% SiC (50nm)/7075 had a much lower strength and ductility because of severe aggregation of nanometric particulates. Nanometric silicon carbide was not as effective as the micro ones in improving abrasive wear resistance of aluminium, this was because of micro-cracking in the aggregation iv and relatively large abrasive grit. In summary, the addition of a small amount of SiC nanoreinforcements has a high potential to further strengthen 7xxx aluminium alloy. However, the clustering of reinforcements in the matrix will detrimentally affect the strength and ductility of the alloy.