Abstract
In the present investigation, Cu-Zn-x wt% Al2O3 (x = 0, 3, 6, 9 & 12%) nanocomposite powders were produced by using high-energy mechanical alloying (MA) after 20 h. The crystallite size in terms of nanometer was determined based on the variation of alumina (Al2O3) content in wt% with gliding copper nano-matrix. It was found that the addition of hard Al2O3 particles accelerated the milling process and as a result the particle size of matrix got reduced drastically. Further, it led to faster work hardening rate and fracture of Cu-Zn matrix. The crystallite size of Cu-Zn matrix became smaller (around 25 nm) for 12% Al2O3 reinforcement. The X-ray diffraction analysis was used to investigate the effect of percentage of reinforcement in Cu-Zn matrix on the structural changes. Finally, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were also used to investigate the morphology of produced nanocomposite powders.
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•Cu-Zn-X wt% Al2O3 nanocomposite powders were synthesized.•Nanocomposite powders were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and HR-TEM.•Vickers micro-hardness of milled powders were investigated.