Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Structure of Al-1100 Composite Reinforced with ZrO2 Nanoparticles via Accumulative Roll-Bonding

In this study, aluminum metal matrix composites reinforced with ZrO2 nano-particles in volume fraction of 0.5, 0.75 and 1 % were manufactured through accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process. The results of composite microstructure indicated excellent ZrO2 particle distribution in the Al matrix after 10 cycles of ARB process. The X-ray diffraction results also showed that nanostructured Al/ZrO2 nano-particles composite with the average crystallite size of 48.6 nm was successfully achieved after 10 cycles of ARB process. The tensile tests were conducted on the ARBed strips. The tensile strength increased 2.15 times more than the initial value. The elongation dropped abruptly at the first cycle, and then increased slightly. The SEM images observations from the fracture surface showed that after 10 cycles of ARB process the fracture was almost shear fracture mode with fine and stretched pores.