Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Alumina Nanoparticles

This book describes the latest efforts to develop aluminumnanocomposites with enhanced damping and mechanical properties and goodworkability. The nanocomposites exhibited high strength, improved dampingbehavior and good ductility, makingthem suitable for use as wires. Since the production of metal matrixnanocomposites by conventional melting processes is considered extremely problematic (because of the poor wettability ofthe nanoparticles), different powder metallurgy routes were investigated,including high-energy ball milling and unconventional compaction methods. Special attention was paidto the structuralcharacterization at the micro- and nanoscale, as uniform nanoparticle dispersion in metal matrixis of prime importance. The aluminum nanocomposites displayed an ultrafine microstructurereinforced with alumina nanoparticles produced in situ or added ex situ. Thephysical, mechanical and functional characteristics of the materials produced were evaluated using different mechanical testsand microstructure investigation techniques. The book presents and discusses the experimental results indetail, and offers suggestions for future research directions.