Aluminum Yttrium Oxide Metal Matrix Composite Synthesized by Microwave Hybrid Sintering: Processing, Microstructure and Mechanical Response

Abstract

The current study is focused on the microstructure, phase transition, and mechanical properties of the aluminum yttrium oxide (Al–Y2O3) composite material. Microwave hybrid sintering using Y2O3 nanoparticles as reinforcement at various (i.e., 0.5, 2, 3.5 and 5) wt% was used. Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the chemical interaction between Al and Y2O3. This research will aid in gaining a better knowledge of the changes in thermal characteristics and compositional changes that occur throughout the microwave hybrid sintering process. The insight into material properties reveals that intermetallic Al3Y and Al2O3 are generated during the synthesis process, which was substantiated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The Al–Y2O3 composite material has a well-consolidated microstructure and improved mechanical characteristics. To further understand material behaviour, a robust and non-destructive depth sensing nano-indentation technology was being used. With the addition of 5 wt% Y2O3, the microhardness of composite material is enhanced by 1.62 times. Furthermore, with 5 wt% Y2O3, the produced composite's nano hardness and elastic modulus augmented by 2.43 and 1.8 times, respectively. It is caused by the presence of intermetallic in the composite material, as well as the prevalence of uniform reinforcement distribution. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.