Manufacturing Wear-Resistant 10Ce-TZP/Al2O3 Nanoparticle Aluminum Composite by Powder Metallurgy Processing

Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are candidate materials for total joint arthroplasty, dental prostheses, cutting tools, and biomedical gadgets owing to their strength, machinability, dimension accuracy, and wear resistance. A novel method for manufacturing new generation of AMCs by addition of 10Ce-TZP(tetragonal zirconia polycrystal)/Al2O3 nanoparticles to aluminum via powder metallurgy is devised. Aqueous combustion synthesis is used for dispersoid production and milling-compaction-sintering for AMC fabrication. Effects of 10Ce-TZP/Al2O3 content on hardness, erosion, and wear resistance are investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and pin-on-disk analyses are used to explore worn interface, morphology, mechanism of abrasion, and resistance to wear. By addition of 7wt% dispersoid, considerable increase in hardness and resistance to wear are achieved.