Sintered Aluminum-Zeolite Composites for Structural Applications made by Powder Metallurgy
Abstract
This investigation summarizes the materials and processing results for aluminum and zeolite composites, fabricated by powder metallurgy, showing samples with different concentrations of the mixed particles. Aluminum and zeolite powders have low densities, and thus, they are potentially useful to develop metallic matrix composites with low weight, aiming transportation and other applications. Samples with 0.0, 5.0, 15, 50 and 70%v of zeolite powders were made by sintering at 495 °C in a N2 atmosphere. The process is environmentally sustainable and could be a commercial solution for many industrial applications. Both scanning electron microscopy images and density measurements showed composites with good densification and few porosities. The elastic modulus and hardness tested by nanoindentation changed as function of the zeolite addition. These results show that the properties of the composite can be tuned as required with the addition of zeolite, therefore enabling the composites for the lightweight industry.