Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Zr nanocomposite materials

Three different processing routes were explored to develop Al–Zr nanocomposite alloys using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering methods. Depending on the route of milling adopted, the powder in the as-milled condition consisted of either a solid solution of Zr in Al or a mixture of Al-solid solution and Al3Zr (L12) phases. The alloys after sintering consisted of Al and Al3Zr (L12) with grain sizes of less than 100 nm. These nanocomposite alloys exhibited a high compressive strength of 1 GPa with 10% plasticity. The high strength observed in these alloys was explained on the basis of the retention of nanometer sized grains and also the fine dispersion of the L12 phase. On the other hand, the good amount of plasticity was explained to be due to excellent bonding between the powder particles and the presence of coarse Al grains in the matrix.