Microstructures and mechanical properties of ZA27-Al2O3 composites obtained by powder metallurgy process

Abstract

This paper describes a study of the microstructures and mechanical properties of Zn matrix composites reinforced by 10 wt.% Al2O3 particles of 0.7 μm average size. Commercial Zn-Al-Cu (ZA27) alloy was gas atomized and the resulting powder was mixed with an Al2O3 powder, and then hot pressed into cylindrical pellets. Metal powder and powder mixtures were pressed at 230°C, for 45 min under the pressure of 150 MPa. The compressive strength testing was performed in the temperature range from 20°C to 160°C, with a deformation rate of 2.4×10-3s-1. The microstructures and the fracture surface of the samples were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy.

Keywords

• composite materials
• powder metallurgy
• microstructure
• mechanical properties
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)