PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF TIC- Y2O3/ZRO2 PARTICLE REINFORCED ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE POWDERS BY BALL MILLING

In this study, the morphological characteristics of composite powders produced with a planetary ball mill were investigated experimentally. As a reinforcing element, TiC (titanium carbide) was added to the Al matrix in weight percentages of 5 %, along with different weight ratios of ZrO2 (Zirconium dioxide) and Y2O3 (Yttrium(III) oxide) powders (5% and 10% wt.). The milling process was carried out using 20 mm and 10 mm diameter Tungsten Carbide (WC) milling balls and a container in FRITSCH Pulverisette 6 Classical Line single-station planetary ball mill, with constant parameters such as rotation speed (200 rpm), milling time (25 hours), Ball-to-Powder weight ratio (10:1), and Process Control Agent (approximately 1.5% stearic acid). The milling processes were conducted in a spectrometric argon gas environment to prevent oxidation. Samples were taken at specified intervals (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 hours) from the prepared powder mixtures and were examined morphologically through SEM and XRD analyses.