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<p>Incorporating ceramic nanoparticles into aluminum matrix composites is an effective strategy for improving the mechanical performance of Al alloys; however, achieving uniform nanoparticle dispersion during liquid-state casting remains a major challenge. This study investigates the microstructural evolution, phase stability, and mechanical behavior of AlSi10Mg matrix composites reinforced with nano-sized yttrium oxide (Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) particles. The composites were fabricated by introducing 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9&#xa0;wt.% Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> through liquid casting assisted by ball milled inoculant tablets, and their properties were compared with an unreinforced reference alloy. Microstructural and phase characterization was carried out using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and image-based ASTM E112 linear intercept analysis. Mechanical performance was evaluated by density measurements, Brinell hardness, tensile testing, nanoindentation mapping, and fracture surface examination. XRD analysis confirmed the main Al and Si phases and supported the phase stability of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> after processing, with no dominant reaction product detected. Image-based analysis showed that the average intercept length of primary <i>α</i>-Al regions decreased from 28.6 ± 7.8&#xa0;µm in the reference alloy to 21.4 ± 5.9&#xa0;µm in TAM3 and 16.7 ± 4.8&#xa0;µm in TAM6, while TAM9 exhibited coarsening. The composite containing 0.3&#xa0;wt.% Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> showed the best overall performance, reaching 82.3&#xa0;HB hardness and 217.53&#xa0;MPa ultimate tensile strength, corresponding to improvements of approximately 29.6% and 8.0%, respectively, compared with the reference alloy. These improvements are attributed to refined primary <i>α</i>-Al regions, modified eutectic Si morphology, more homogeneous microstructural distribution, and limited pore clustering. In contrast, higher Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> contents promoted particle agglomeration, increased porosity, and less favorable pore morphology, which reduced tensile performance despite local hardness improvement. Overall, the results show that the hybrid casting route can improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg composites, provided that the Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> content is carefully optimized.</p>

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Microstructural Enhancement and Mechanical Performance of Y2O3 Nanoparticle Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites Produced by Ball Milling-Assisted Casting

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月19日

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  • S. Bilal Çetinkal,
  • Mustafa Acarer

摘要

Incorporating ceramic nanoparticles into aluminum matrix composites is an effective strategy for improving the mechanical performance of Al alloys; however, achieving uniform nanoparticle dispersion during liquid-state casting remains a major challenge. This study investigates the microstructural evolution, phase stability, and mechanical behavior of AlSi10Mg matrix composites reinforced with nano-sized yttrium oxide (Y2O3) particles. The composites were fabricated by introducing 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 wt.% Y2O3 through liquid casting assisted by ball milled inoculant tablets, and their properties were compared with an unreinforced reference alloy. Microstructural and phase characterization was carried out using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and image-based ASTM E112 linear intercept analysis. Mechanical performance was evaluated by density measurements, Brinell hardness, tensile testing, nanoindentation mapping, and fracture surface examination. XRD analysis confirmed the main Al and Si phases and supported the phase stability of Y2O3 after processing, with no dominant reaction product detected. Image-based analysis showed that the average intercept length of primary α-Al regions decreased from 28.6 ± 7.8 µm in the reference alloy to 21.4 ± 5.9 µm in TAM3 and 16.7 ± 4.8 µm in TAM6, while TAM9 exhibited coarsening. The composite containing 0.3 wt.% Y2O3 showed the best overall performance, reaching 82.3 HB hardness and 217.53 MPa ultimate tensile strength, corresponding to improvements of approximately 29.6% and 8.0%, respectively, compared with the reference alloy. These improvements are attributed to refined primary α-Al regions, modified eutectic Si morphology, more homogeneous microstructural distribution, and limited pore clustering. In contrast, higher Y2O3 contents promoted particle agglomeration, increased porosity, and less favorable pore morphology, which reduced tensile performance despite local hardness improvement. Overall, the results show that the hybrid casting route can improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of AlSi10Mg composites, provided that the Y2O3 content is carefully optimized.