PRODUCTION OF Al2O3 REINFORCED ALUMINUM BASED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND INVESTIGATION OF THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

---

Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, METAL EĞİTİMİ ANABİLİM DALI, Turkey

Approval Date: 2007

Thesis Language: Turkish

Student: VEDAT ŞAHİN EKİNCİ

Supervisor: HALİL ARIK

Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection

Abstract:

In this study, aluminum based composite materials containing 5%, 10% and 15% wt Al2O3 were produced by using powder metallurgy technique. Mixing process was conducted in a high-energy attritor for various durations up to 4 hours. Mixed powders were then compacted under 800 MPa pressure to produce standard transverse rupture block specimens with dimension of 6.35x12.70x31.70 mm. Specimens were then sintered at constant temperature of 650 °C for 4 h under argon atmosphere in a tube furnace. The mechanical properties of the composite specimens were determined by measuring the density, hardness and transverse rupture strength values. Microstructures were also investigated by using optical and scanning electron microscopes. The results showed that, more homogenous dispersion of Al2O3 was obtained in Al matrix with increasing the mixing time in attritor. As a result of homogenous dispersion of Al2O3 particles in Al matrix resulted in an increase in mechanical properties of composite samples.