Microstructural-mechanical co-relation for Al2O3 reinforced aluminum metallic foam processed by compaction and sintering

This present work represented a low porous Al2O3-AMF, based on two processing parameters: compaction pressure (60 and 90 MPa) and alumina powder (120 microns, 2% and 4% Al2O3 addition). Initially, pure aluminum powder of 81 microns and fine alumina powder of 120 microns were ball milled, also influenced by the gelatin gel for binding strength. After the ball milling process, the mixture was compacted inside the closed die under a pressure of 60 and 90 MPa before the sintering process. The sintering process was conducted in a conventional way inside the muffle furnace for a temperature range of 1080 °C. Compaction and micro-indentation hardness were evaluated along with the optical microscopic view, microstructure, and XRD results for the generated interfaces during the process. Results reveal that with the addition of Al2O3, compaction and hardness properties have been improved, and Al2O3 is a crucial parameter for the improvement of the properties.