Optimization of process parameters to maximize hardness of metal/ceramic nanocomposites produced by high energy ball milling

In our previous work [Abdellahi, J. Mater. Res. 28 (2013) 3270], a novel method was used to predict the hardness of Aluminum matrix nano-composites synthesized by high energy ball milling. In the mentioned work, however, systems under study were very limited, the squared regression of training and testing sets was not significant and optimizing was not performed on the milling parameters so that we finally had not an optimal system with a maximum value of hardness. In this work, for the first time, all mentioned shortcomings were addressed and resolved and as a new work the process parameters, namely, amount of reinforcement, amount of process control agent, type of mill, type of vial, type of ball, vial spinning rate, ball to powder weight ratio, type of process control agent, type of atmosphere, milling time, sintering time, sintering temperature and compact pressure were optimized to maximize the hardness of metal/ceramic nanocomposites produced by high energy ball milling. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed optimization, a system based on the optimized parameters was established (system 2) and the obtained results were compared with those in system that was established based on the parameters used by Akbarpour et al. (system 1). The results showed two things: first, the use of system 2 brings a maximum value of hardness for the produced nanocomposites and second, the optimized system is really consistent with what actually happens in practice.