Investigation on preparation of Al–4.5%Cu/SiCp nanocomposite powder via mechanical milling

The effects of increasing the SiC particles volume fraction on the microstructure and elemental diffusion of Al–4.5 wt.%Cu/SiCp nanocomposites synthesized via mechanical milling (MM) process were evaluated in the current work. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were utilized to evaluate the structure and elemental diffusion of the milled powders. Results revealed that increasing the SiC particles volume fraction gives rise to an increase in micro-strain, lattice parameter and a decrease in crystallite size. Furthermore, the size of most SiC particles after 5 h milling time at the ball-to-powder weight ratio (BPR) 20:1 was less than 100 nm for Al–4.5%Cu/4 vol.%SiC. On the other hand, detection of AlCu3, Al2Cu3, and AlCu phases after aging process indicates the fact that a supersaturated solution of copper in aluminum was formed during MM process.

Graphical abstractFormation of twins at matrix/SiCp interface is one of the crystallite size decreasing mechanisms in the MM process.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of Al–4.5%Cu/SiCp nanocomposite powder by mechanical milling process ► Increasing the SiC volume fraction gives rise to a decrease in crystallite size. ► Twins formation at matrix/SiC interface is one of the crystallite size decreasing mechanisms.