Electrical conductivity, mechanical strength and corrosion characteristics of spark plasma sintered Al-Nb nanocomposite

An experimental study of the microstructure, electrical conductivity, corrosion characteristics and mechanical strength of Al-Nb nanocomposite consolidated via spark plasma sintering was the focus of this work. The start-up powders as well as the sintered samples were characterised with X-ray diffra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2019-04, Vol.101 (9-12), p.2275-2282
Main Authors: Ujah, C. O., Popoola, A. P. I., Popoola, O. M., Aigbodion, V. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum
CAE) and Design
Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD
Corrosion
Diamond pyramid hardness
Dispersion
Electrical resistivity
Electron microscopes
Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy
Energy transmission
Engineering
Grain growth
Industrial and Production Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Media Management
Microstructure
Nanocomposites
Niobium
Original Article
Plasma sintering
Scanning electron microscopy
Spark plasma sintering
Tensile strength
Transmission electron microscopy
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:An experimental study of the microstructure, electrical conductivity, corrosion characteristics and mechanical strength of Al-Nb nanocomposite consolidated via spark plasma sintering was the focus of this work. The start-up powders as well as the sintered samples were characterised with X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The microhardness of the sintered samples was tested with Vickers hardness tester. The polarisation test was carried out with Potentiostat Autolab. The electrical conductivity was tested with four-point probe meter. The microstructural results showed homogenous dispersion of Nb reinforcement in the matrix, no grain growth and absence of voids. Good corrosion characteristics were achieved with Al-1Nb and Al-4Nb composites while the highest microhardness of 420 MPa and tensile strength of 138 MPa were obtained with Al-4Nb. The electrical conductivity increased from 38.9 to 40.1% IACS with Al-8Nb. The improved properties were as a result of the optimal sintering parameters, good fabrication attributes of SPS and the synergistic effects of Al and Nb.
ISSN:0268-3768
1433-3015
DOI:10.1007/s00170-018-3128-x