Synthesis of die-castable nano-particle reinforced aluminum matrix composite materials by in-situ gas-liquid reactions

Abstract

Nano-particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites are
attractive engineering materials for many automotive and
aerospace applications because they exhibit numerous
desirable mechanical and thermal properties, such as
high specific strength, hardness, stiffness, and resistance
to creep and thermal degradation. Unfortunately, making
these materials is not easy and most of the methods
that have been developed so far for their synthesis are
either not robust, inefficient, or not cost effective. In this
publication, we report on the synthesis of die-castable
aluminum-aluminum nitride nano-composite materials
by the reaction of a nitrogen-containing gas with molten
aluminum-lithium alloy. Specifically, we report on the effect
of (1) the lithium content of the alloy, (2) the composition
of the reactive gas, and (3) the reaction time on (a) the
amount, (b) the average size, and (c) the average cluster
size of the aluminum nitride reinforcing particles; as well
as (d) the hardness and (e) the thermal stability of the
composite material.