Dispersion of silicon carbide nanoparticles in a AA2024 aluminum alloy by a high-energy ball mill

Al2024 alloy was reinforced with silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiCNP), whose concentration was varied in the range from 0 to 5 wt.%; some composites were synthesized with the mechanical milling (MM) process. Structure and microstructure of the consolidated samples were studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, while mechanical properties were investigated by compressive tests and hardness measurements. The microstructural evidence shows that SiCNP were homogeneously dispersed into the Al2024 alloy using high-energy MM after 2 h of processing. On the other hand, an increase of the mechanical properties (yield stress, maximum strength and hardness) was observed in the synthesized composites as a direct function of the SiCNP content. In this research several strengthening mechanisms were observed, but the main was the obstruction of dislocations movement by the addition of SiCNP.