Synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticle by combination of sol-gel auto-combustion method- irradiation technique, and preparation of Al-ZrO2 metal matrix composites

Document Type : Reasearch Paper

Authors

• S. A. Khorramie ¹
• M. A. Baghchesara ²
• R. Lotfi ¹
• Sh. Moradi Dehagi ¹

¹ Department of Chemistry, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, Masjed Soleyman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Masjed Soleyman, Iran.

10.7508/ijnd.2011.04.007

Abstract

Nanocrystalline ZrO₂ with particle size of about 38 nm was directly synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. The overall process involved three steps: formation of homogeneous sol at 50-55°C; formation of dried gel at 110°C, and combustion of the dried gel at 400°C. Experiments revealed that ZrO₂ dried gel derived from glycine (Fuel) and nitrate sol exhibited self propagating combustion at 400°C  that  it was ignited in air. The auto-combustion was considered as a heat-induced exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction between nitrate ions and carboxyl group. After auto-combustion, products were calcined at 650°C. ZrO₂ nano particle were incorporated into the A356 aluminum alloy by a mechanical stirred at 850°C and after that, cylindrical specimens were cast. After preparing the samples, mechanical properties were measured. The results of microstructure, compression and hardness tests indicated that addition of ZrO₂ nano particulates to aluminum matrix composites improved the mechanical properties. Also, Based on experiments, it was revealed that the presence of ZrO₂ reinforcement    led to significant improvement in hardness and compressive strength.

Keywords

• ZrO2
• nanostructure
• mechanical properties
• Sol-gel
• Auto-Combustion
• Ultrasonic

20.1001.1.20088868.2012.2.4.7.2

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