On the Electrical and Thermal Conductivities of Cast A356/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Metal Matrix Nanocomposites
- 1
- 2
- 3
Abstract
To assess the effect of the dispersion of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles into A356 Al alloy on both the electrical and thermal conductivities, A356/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) were fabricated using a combination of rheocasting and squeeze casting techniques. Two different sizes of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoparticles were dispersed into the A356 Al alloy, typically, 60 and 200 nm with volume fractions up to 5 vol%. The effect of the nanoparticles size and volume fraction on the electrical and thermal conductivities was evaluated. The results revealed that the A356 monolithic alloy exhibited better electrical and thermal conductivities than the MMNCs. Increasing the nanoparticles size and/or the volume fraction reduces both the thermal and electrical conductivities of the MMNCs. The maximum reduction percent in the thermal and electrical conductivities, according to the A356 monolithic alloy, were about 47% and 38%, respectively. Such percentages were exhibited by A356/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>MMNCs containing 5 vol% of nanoparticles having 60 and 200 nm, respectively.
- ASM Handbook, “Composites,” ASM International, Vol. 21, 2001.
- N. Chawla and K. K. Chawla, “Metal Matrix Composites,” Springer Science and Business Media Inc., Berlin, 2006,
- B. Cantor, F. P. E. Dunne and I. C. Stone, “Metal and Ceramic Matrix Composites,” Taylor & Francis, New York, 2003.
- J. Hashim, L. Looney and M. S. J. Hashmi, “Metal Matrix Composites: Production by the Stir Casting Method,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 92-93, 1999, pp. 1-7. doi:10.1016/S0924-0136(99)00118-1
- K. Miwa and T. Ohashi, “Preparation of Fine SiC Particle Re-inforced Al. Alloy Composites by Compocasting Process,” Proceedings of the 5th Japan-U.S. Conference on Composite Materials, Tama City, Tokyo, 24-27 June 1990, pp. 355-362.
- T. S. Mahmoud, F. H. Mahmoud, H. Zakaria and T. A. Khalifa, “Effect of Squeezing on Porosity and Wear Behaviour of Par-tially Remelted A319/20 vol% SiCp MMCs,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, Vol. 222, No. C3, 2008, pp. 295-303. doi:10.1243/09544062JMES803
- F. R. Rahmani and F. Akhlaghi, “Effect of Extrusion Tempera-ture on the Microstructure and Porosity of A356-SiCp Compos-ites,” Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Vol. 187-188, 2007, pp. 433-436. doi:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2006.11.077
- A. Ansary Yar, M. Montazerian, H. Abdizadeh and H. R. Ba-harvandi, “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Alu-minum Alloy Matrix Composite Reinforced with Nano-Particle MgO,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 484, No. 1-2, 2009, pp. 400-404. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2009.04.117
- J. Lan, Y. Yang and X. C. Li, “Microstructure and Microhard-ness of SiC Nanoparticles Reinforced Magnesium Composites Fabricated by Ultrasonic Method,” Materials Science and En-gineering A, Vol. 386, No. 1-2, 2004, pp. 284-290.
- S. M. Uddin, T. Mahmud, C. Wolf, C. Glanz, I. Kolaric, C. Volkmer, H. H?ller, U. Wienecke, S. Roth and H.-J. Fecht, “Effect of Size and Shape of Metal Particles to Improve Hard-ness and Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Copper and Copper Alloy Composites,” Composites Science and Technology, Vol. 70, No. 16, 2010, pp. 2253- 2257.
- K. Chu, Q. Y. Wu, C. C. Jia, X. B. Liang, J. H. Nie, W. H. Tian, G. S. Gai and H. Guo, “Fabrication and Effective Thermal Conductivity of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Cu Matrix Composites for Heat Sink Applications,” Compos-ites Science and Technology, Vol. 70, No. 2, 2010, pp. 298-304.