Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With

Nanoparticles for the Needs of Space Exploration

L.E. Agureev, V.I. Kostikov, Zh.V. Eremeeva, A.A. Barmin, R.N.
Rizakhanov, B.S. Ivanov

To cite this version:

L.E. Agureev, V.I. Kostikov, Zh.V. Eremeeva, A.A. Barmin, R.N. Rizakhanov, et al.. Metal Matrix
Composites Reinforced With Nanoparticles for the Needs of Space Exploration. Mechanics, Materials
Science

Engineering Journal, Magnolithe, 2015, <10.13140/RG.2.1.2225.0006>. <hal-01308552>

HAL Id: hal-01308552

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01308552
Submitted on 28 Apr 2016

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est

archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de
teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés.

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution| 4.0 International License

Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering, October 2015 – ISSN 2412-5954
 
Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With Nanoparticles for the Needs of
Space Exploration
L.E. Agureev1a, V.I. Kostikov2, Zh.V. Eremeeva3, A.A. Barmin4, R.N. Rizakhanov5, B.S. Ivanov6

1 – Researcher, Department of Nanotechnology, Keldysh Research Center, Russia

2 – Doctor of Science, Associate Professor, Moscow State University of Steel and Alloys, Russia
3 – Doctor of Science, Associate Professor, Moscow State University of Steel and Alloys, Russia
4 – Ph.D., Leading Researcher, Department of Nanotechnology, Keldysh Research Center, Russia
5 – Ph. D., Head of Department, Department of Nanotechnology, Keldysh Research Center, Russia
6 – Engineer, Department of Nanotechnology, Keldysh Research Center, Russia
a – trynano@gmail.com

Keywords: nanometric particles, aluminum composites, PM method

ABSTRACT. Aluminum (Al) matrix composite materials reinforced with small amounts (0,01 – 0,15 % vol.) of
aluminum or zirconium oxides nanoparticles were fabricated by tradition powder metallurgy (PM) techniques with cold
pressing and vacuum sintering. Nanoparticles and their clusters were located on grain boundaries of a matrix. The
microhardness of the produced composites was dramatically increased than bulk pure Al, by increasing the amount of
nanoparticles. The tensile strength of the produced composites was dramatically increased (more than 2 times) than bulk
pure Al, by increasing the amount of nanoparticles. This powder metallurgical approach could also be applied to other
nanoreinforced composites, such as ceramics or complex matrix materials.

Introduction. For the development of space techniques we need lung and durable materials. As you
know, reduction of weight payload per 1 kg reduces the cost of flying to 100 thousand rubles [1].
From this standpoint, aluminum based composites reinforced with nanoparticles of different
refractory materials are promising materials. However, aware of the high activity of nanoparticles
associated with an increased number of atoms on the surface and thus uncompensated surface
energy, it is advisable to create aluminum composites with small concentrations of nano-additives
(order of tenths and hundredths of a mass). In addition, according to the works of the school of
Academician I.F.Obraztsov and results of empirical research under the supervision of a member-
correspondent of RAS V.I.Kostikov, small additions of nanoparticles can contribute a substantial
modification of the properties of interfacial layer [2, 3]. These factors can increase the mechanical
properties of the composite with a metal matrix two or more times. Use of nanoparticles to reinforce
metallic materials lead to the development of novel composites with unique mechanical and
physical properties. In order to achieve desired mechanical properties of composites, reinforcing
nanoparticles must be distributed uniformly within metal matrix of the composites. Various impact
on characteristics of the baked composites is made by nanoparticles depending on the arrangement
(on borders of grains or in grains) [4, 5]. Results of such influence are given in table 1, without
specifying concentration. Composites on basis "aluminum – ceramic particles" have lower density,
than bronze, possess an optimum ratio of durability and plasticity and sufficient corrosion resistance
in combination with high operational mechanical characteristics.

Table 1. Influence of an arrangement of nanoparticles on properties of composites

Nanoparticles in grain. Nanoparticles on grain border
Reduce subgrains in grain Reduce grain, without allowing to grow borders, increasing
durability
Brake diffusive creep through grain volume Brake creep on borders of grains, being pressed into a
matrix and on turning at the movement
Interfere with distribution of cracks Interfere with origin and promote annihilation of vacancies,
Increase crack resistance at the expense of a hitch of the increasing creep resistance on borders of grains
dispersing crack passing through a nanoparticle

1. Experimental procedure. At least five measurements were made per sample. The
microstructure of the composites was observed by optical microscopy (Zeiss Axiovert 40 MAT
light microscope), high resolution cold-field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEI Quanta

MMSE Journal. Open Access www.mmse.xyz

Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering, October 2015 – ISSN 2412-5954
 
600 FEG) and transmission electron microscopy (JEOL, JEM-2100). The micro-Vickers hardnesses
of the composites were measured according to EN ISO 6507-1 with a load of 20 and 0.02 kg for 15
s (Micromet 5114 microhardness tester). Determination of the compressive strength, bending and
stretching performed on a universal servo-hydraulic machine for mechanical testing «LF-100KN»
production «Walter + Bai» (Switzerland) with maximum force in static 100kN with an external
digital controller (EDC) and a universal machine for mechanical tests VakEto-TestSystems.
Nanopowders of Al2O3 and ZrO2 (Keldysh Research Center, purity 99.5%, d = 50-60 nm) and
aluminum powder ASD-4 (SUAL, TU (Technical Specifications) 48_5_226–87, S = 0.34–0.38
m2/g, d = 2–10 μm) as a matrix were used as starting materials. The Al2O3 and ZrO2 nanoparticles
were produced in an electro arc plasma reactor (the process is described in detail elsewhere [6, 7]),
producing an average particle size between 50 and 60 nm.
Mixing. To achieve a homogeneous material structure and mechanical properties necessary that the
distribution of the components in the powder batch was uniform. As to achieve this nanosized
additives is very difficult, a method of mixing the charge in several steps:
1. Deagglomeration of the matrix powder ASD-4 in the ultrasonic treatment in ethanol.
2. Preparation of nanoparticle suspension in ethanol with their deagglomeration simultaneously
exposed to ultrasound. 3. Mixing ethanol aluminum nanoparticles under the action of ultrasound.
4. Drying of the slurry. 5. Averaging dried charge in the mill with cylinders of ZrO2 in the mode of
transition from slide to roll. 6. Request repeated charge and its mixing in a tumbling mixer.
Pressing. Compression was performed in a batch cylindrical steel molds in a press 50T "Mekamak"
at pressures of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 MPa.
Sintering. Sintering is carried out in an automatic vacuum furnace VMS-22-10,5. The sintering
temperature was varied from 550 to 670oC in forevacuum (5 • 10-2 mm Hg. V.), The sintering time
is from 60 to 150 minutes. The resulting samples had a 15 mm diameter and a thickness of
approximately 18 mm.

2. Results and discussions. Fig. 1 shows the microstructure of the samples with additives
nanoparticles of zirconium oxide. Visible small bit elongated grains. The size of grains of pure
aluminum was 7 microns. The average diameter of the grains of material with nanoparticles was 4-5
microns.

Figure 1. Microstructure of aluminum composites with ZrO2 nanoparticles, SEM

In fig. 2 the composite microstructure removed from the transmission electronic microscope is
shown. The cluster of nanoparticles of oxide of aluminum located on borders of grains of a matrix is
visible. Besides, on borders of grains the set of nanodimensional films of oxide of aluminum is
located.

MMSE Journal. Open Access www.mmse.xyz

Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering, October 2015 – ISSN 2412-5954
 

Figure 2. Microstructure of aluminum composites with Al2O3 nanoparticles, TEM

The introduction of small amounts of nanoparticles of aluminum oxide prevents the recrystallization
of aluminum grains during sintering and stores grain size in the sintered material at the particle size
of the starting powder.
In fig. 3, the mechanical properties of the Al-Al2O3/ZrO2 composites resulted from microhardness
test of specimens, is graphically represented.

0,15
Nanoparticles content, % vol.

0,1
AVPP
0,05
ZrO2
Al2O3
0,01
Al
0

0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5

Vickers microhardness, GPa

Figure 3. Vickers microhardness of aluminum composites

In fig. 4 the mechanical properties of the Al- Al2O3/ZrO2 composites resulted from tensile test of
specimens, is graphically represented in compare with the mechanical properties of the Al AVPP
(Russian analogue of 6xxx (Mg+ Si)-alloys) which is a precipitation hardening aluminum alloy,
containing magnesium and silicon as its major alloying elements. This alloy is widely used for
construction of aerospace structures [8].

MMSE Journal. Open Access www.mmse.xyz

Mechanics, Materials Science & Engineering, October 2015 – ISSN 2412-5954
 

0,15

Nanoparticles content, % vol.
0,1
AVPP
0,05
ZrO2
Al2O3
0,01
Al
0

0 50 100 150 200

Tensile strength, MPa

Figure 4. Tensile strength of aluminum composites

Summary. A homogeneous distribution of the Al2O3/ZrO2 nanoparticles and clusters reinforcement
phase in the Al matrix was obtained by combination of wet and dry mixing.
Characterization of the mechanically milled powders confirmed uniform distribution of the
reinforcement phase. Low concentration additions of nanoparticles in Al powder leads the
composite towards steady-state condition in which, all microstructure properties such as powder
size, powder shape and distribution of Al2O3 within Al matrix remain fixed. An optimum
concentration of nanopowders (0,1 %vol.), is established for the processing of the Al-Al2O3/ZrO2
composites, that assures mechanical strength close to those of the Al AVPP alloy.

References
[1] The piloted expedition to Mars / Under the editorship of A.S. Koroteyev, The Russian academy
of astronautics of K. E. Tsiolkovsky, 2006, 320 p. [In Russian]
[2] Obrazcov I.F., Lur'e S.A., Belov P.A. “Osnovy teorii mezhfaznogo sloja”, Mehanika
kompozicionnyh materialov i konstrukcij, 2004, T. 10, №3, pp. 596-612. - Obraztsov I.F., Lur'e
S.A., Belov P.A., “Bases of the theory of an interphase layer”, Mechanics of composite materials
and designs. 2004, T. 10, №3, pp. 596-612. [In Russian]
[3] Anisimov O.V., Kostikov V.I., Shtankin Ju.V. Sozdanie metallokompozitov na osnove
aljuminija putem kristallizacii zhidkogo metalla v pole centrifug. Perspektivnye materialy. 2010, №
2, pp. 5-10. - Anisimov O. V., Kostikov V. I., Shtankin Yu.V. Creation of Metalcomposites on The
Basis of Aluminium by Crystallization of Liquid Metal in the Field of Centrifuges. Perspective
materials, 2010, №. 2, pp. 5-10. [In Russian]
[4] T. Ohji, Y.-K. Jeong, Y.-H. Choa, K. Niihara, “Strengtheing and toughening mechanisms of
ceramic nanocomposites”, Journal of American Ceramic Society, 1998, №81, pp. 1453-1460.
[5] Chuvil'deev V.N. Neravnovesnye granicy zjoren v metallah. Teorija i prilozhenija/ V.N.
Chuvil'deev –M.: FIZMATLIT, 2004. -304 s. -  Chuvildeev V. N. Nonequilibrium borders of grains
in metals. The theory and appendices / V. N. Chuvildeev – M.: FIZMATLIT, 2004, 304 p.
[6] Polyanskiy M.N., Savishkina S.V. “Lateral layer-by-layer nanostructuring of thermal barrier
coatings of zirconium dioxide during plasma spraying”, 2014, Т. 8, № 1, pp. 144-148.
[7] Sirotinkin V.P., Shamrai V.F., Samokhin A.V., Alekseev N.V., Sinaiskii M.A. “Phase
composition of Al2O3 nanopowders prepared by plasma synthesis and heat-treated. Inorganic
Materials”, 2012, Т. 48, № 4, pp. 342-349.
[8] Metal:Matrix Composites. Custom-made Materials for Automotive and, Aerospace Engineering.
/Ed: Karl U. Kainer. -WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Go. KGaA, Weinheim. - 2006.

MMSE Journal. Open Access www.mmse.xyz