An Experimental and Modeling Investigation of Al-based Nanocomposites Manufactured via Ultrasonic Cavitation and Solidification Processing

Abstract In the present study, A356 based nano-composites are fabricated by using the ultrasonic stirring technology (UST) in a coreless induction furnace. SiC nanoparticles were used as the reinforcement. Nanoparticles were added into the molten metal and then dispersed by ultrasonic cavitation and acoustic streaming assisted by electromagnetic stirring. The UST was also applied during the solidification process. The microstructure of the nanocomposites has been investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The distribution of SiC nanoparticles in the A356 alloy matrix has also been analyzed. The SEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses showed that the matrix microstructure of the A356 alloy and the dispersion of the SiC nanoparticles into the matrix can be significantly improved when ultrasonic cavitation, induction melting and stirring, and solidification processing techniques are used together. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to analyze the complex interactions between the nanoparticle and the liquid/solid interface. The assumption that nanoparticles will be engulfed by the solidification front instead of being pushed was proved through MD simulations.

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