Author:Yagnesh Shadangi, Sakshi Sharma, Vikas Shivam, Joysurya Basu, Kaushik Chattopadhyay, Bhaskar Majumdar, N.K. Mukhopadhyay

Institute: Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras University of India), Varanasi, 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India; Department of Materials Science, Defense Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune 411025, India

A nanocomposite with an aluminum matrix reinforced with Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals is a material with unique properties. Quasicrystals are metastable structures that have high hardness, strength, and wear resistance.

The aluminum matrix provides good deformability and processing of the material, and quasicrystals serve as a reinforcing element, increasing its mechanical properties. Such a nanocomposite can be used in various fields, such as the aviation, automotive and construction industries, where a lightweight and durable material is required.                                                     

The process begins with mechanical grinding of the components, which makes it possible to obtain nanoparticles of quasicrystals. This step is critical because particle size and distribution in the matrix directly affect the characteristics of the final product. The Al–Cu–Fe 6082 quasicrystals used have unique structural properties that provide excellent strength and resistance to deformation.

After grinding, the spark plasma sintering (SPS) stage follows, which allows the crushed powders to be combined into a homogeneous composite without significant overheating, which preserves their original properties. Sintering parameters such as temperature and time are optimized to achieve maximum density and strength.

The manufactured nanocomposites have a wide range of potential applications, including the aerospace and automotive industries, due to their lightweight and high mechanical strength. The results obtained confirm the feasibility of using quasicrystals in aluminum matrices to create high-performance materials of a new generation.