Fabrication of Al7075-MWCNT Composite Powder by Recycling Aluminum Alloy Chips Via High Energy Milling and Alloying

Subject Areas : Composite materials

Parisa Fekri Dolatabad ¹ , Vahid Pouyafar ² , Ramin Meshkabadi ³

1 - Manufacturing Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 - Manufacturing Engineering Department, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Technologies, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Namin, Iran

Received: 2021-04-06 Accepted : 2021-07-25 Published : 2021-08-01

Keywords: particle size, Metal matrix composite, Mechanical milling and alloying, Al7075-MWCNT composite, Particle distribution,

Abstract :

In this study, aluminum chips were milled in a planetary ball mill at different times and ball-to-powder weight ratios (BPRs). The resulting optimum powder was reinforced with 1 wt% and 2 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The effects of alloying time, BPR, and MWCNTs percentage on the morphology, distribution, and composition of the Al7075-MWCNT powder were investigated. The results showed that smaller particles with a limited size distribution can be obtainable by increasing BPR and decreasing mechanical milling time. A uniform dispersion of reinforcement (2 wt%) was achieved at lower alloying times (15 and 30 min) and a higher BPR (20:1). Using XRD analysis, it was revealed that the carbon peaks are more clearly in 2%-MWCNT powders than 1%-MWCNT ones. The addition of MWCNTs led to reducing the particle size; this is confirmed by the data obtained from the XRD patterns and their analysis with the Williamson-Hall model. Machining chips were converted into composite powder by cost-effective mechanical milling and alloying method with a uniform distribution of MWCNTs, which is unique.

References:

[1]        Samal P., Vundavilli P.R., Meher A., Mahapatra M.M., 2020, "Recent progress in aluminum metal matrix composites: A review on processing, mechanical and wear properties," J Manuf Process, 59, pp. 131-152.

[2]        Prajapati P., Chaira D., 2019, "Fabrication and characterization of Cu–B4C Metal matrix composite by powder metallurgy: effect of B 4 C on Microstructure, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity," Trans Indian Inst Met, 72(3), pp. 673-684.

[3]        Bakkar S., Wall M., Ku N., Berman D., Aouadi S.M., Brennan R.E., et al., 2021, "Al/Al₂O₃ metal matrix composites produced using magnetic field-assisted freeze-casting of porous ceramic structures," J Mater Res, 36(10), pp. 2094-2106.

[4]        Ashwath P., Xavior M.A., 2016, "Processing methods and property evaluation of Al₂O₃ and SiC reinforced metal matrix composites based on aluminium 2xxx alloys," J Mater Res, 31(9), pp. 1201-1219.

[5]        shafqat Q.A., Rafi ud d., Shahzad M., Khan M., Mehmood S., Syed W.A., et al., 2019, "Mechanical, tribological, and electrochemical behavior of hybrid aluminum matrix composite containing boron carbide (B₄C) and graphene nanoplatelets," J Mater Res, 34(18), pp. 3116-3129.

[6]        Liu G., Tao J., Li F., Bao R., Liu Y., Li C., et al., 2019, "Optimizing the interface bonding in Cu matrix composites by using functionalized carbon nanotubes and cold rolling," J Mater Res, 34(15), pp. 2600-2608.

[7]        Kumar A., Banerjee U., Chowrasia M.K., Shekhar H., Banerjee M., 2019, "Effect of MWCNT Content on the structure and properties of spark plasma-sintered Iron-MWCNT composites synthesized by high-energy ball milling," J Mater Eng Perform, 28(5), pp. 2983-3000.

[8]        Polat G., Canbolat I.E., Uzunoğlu A., Kotan H., 2021, "Effect of milling time, MWCNT content, and annealing temperature on microstructure and hardness of Fe/MWCNT nanocomposites synthesized by high-energy ball milling," Adv Powder Technol, 32(8), pp. 3107-3116.

[9]        Bastwros M., Kim G.-Y., Zhu C., Zhang K., Wang S., Tang X., et al., 2014, "Effect of ball milling on graphene reinforced Al6061 composite fabricated by semi-solid sintering," Composites, Part B, 60(pp. 111-118.

[10]      Shu R., Jiang X., Shao Z., Sun D., Zhu D., Luo Z., 2019, "Fabrication and mechanical properties of MWCNTs and graphene synergetically reinforced Cu–graphite matrix composites," Powder Technol, 349(pp. 59-69.

[11]      Uriza-Vega E., Carreño-Gallardo C., López-Meléndez C., Cuadros-Lugo E., Pérez-Bustamante R., Ledezma-Sillas E., et al., 2019, "Mechanical Behavior of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Reinforced 7075 Aluminum Alloy Composites Prepared by Mechanical Milling and Hot Extrusion," Mater Res, 22(2), pp.

[12]      Chen B., Kondoh K., Imai H., Umeda J., 2016, "Effect of initial state on dispersion evolution of carbon nanotubes in aluminium matrix composites during a high-energy ball milling process," Powder Metall, 59(3), pp. 216-222.

[13]      Singh N., Shadangi Y., Goud G.S., Pandey V.K., Shivam V., Mukhopadhyay N.K., 2021, "Fabrication of MgAlSiCrFe Low-Density High-Entropy Alloy by Mechanical Alloying and Spark Plasma Sintering," Trans Indian Inst Met, pp.

[14]      Aslibeiki B., Kameli P., 2020, "Structural and magnetic properties of Co/Al₂O₃ cermet synthesized by mechanical ball milling," Ceram Int, 46(12), pp. 20116-20121.

[15]      Azimi A., Shokuhfar A., Nejadseyfi O., 2015, "Mechanically alloyed Al7075–TiC nanocomposite: Powder processing, consolidation and mechanical strength," Mater Des, 66(pp. 137-141.

[16]      Wagih A., Fathy A., Kabeel A., 2018, "Optimum milling parameters for production of highly uniform metal-matrix nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties," Adv Powder Technol, 29(10), pp. 2527-2537.

[17]      Fogagnolo J., Velasco F., Robert M., Torralba J., 2003, "Effect of mechanical alloying on the morphology, microstructure and properties of aluminium matrix composite powders," Mater Sci Eng, A, 342(1-2), pp. 131-143.

[18]      Wu Y., Kim G.-Y., Russell A.M., 2012, "Effects of mechanical alloying on an Al6061–CNT composite fabricated by semi-solid powder processing," Mater Sci Eng, A, 538(pp. 164-172.

[19]      Yarahmadii A., Rajabi M., Talafi Noghani M., Taghiabadi R., 2019, "Synthesis of aluminum-CNTs composites using double-pressing double-sintering method (DPDS)," J Nanostruct, 9(1), pp. 94-102.

[20]      Al-Aqeeli N., 2013, "Processing of CNTs reinforced Al-based nanocomposites using different consolidation techniques," J Nanomater, 2013(pp.

[21]      Wu Y., Kim G.-Y., Russell A.M., 2012, "Mechanical alloying of carbon nanotube and Al6061 powder for metal matrix composites," Mater Sci Eng, A, 532(pp. 558-566.

[22]      Zhang H., Wang B., Zhang Y., Li Y., He J., Zhang Y., 2020, "Influence of aging treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CNTs/7075 Al composites," J Alloys Compd, 814(pp. 152357.