Ultrasound-Assisted Processing of Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites: Parameter Optimization for Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

This study investigates the enhancement of AA6082/Al2O3 aluminum metal matrix nanocomposites (AMMNCs) through powder metallurgy combined with systematic process optimization. Ultrasound-assisted dispersion and Taguchi design L9 orthogonal array were employed to improve nanoparticle distribution and optimize fabrication parameters. The effect of Al2O3 content and ultrasonication time (UT) on hardness and compressive strength was analyzed using S/N ratio and ANOVA. Characterization was performed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result shows that Al2O3 content had the most significant influence on both hardness (82.25%) and compressive strength (81.08%), followed by UT. The optimal condition produced a maximum hardness of 31.9 HV and compressive strength of 205.53 MPa. Regression models demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (R2 > 85%). Overall, the study highlights the effectiveness of parameter optimization in improving nanocomposite performance and provides valuable guidance for advanced material design.