On the bonding between native Al2O3 layers and the effect of intentionally entrapped gasses in forged Al powders.

Project start:	01.01.2016
Project end:	31.12.2018
Programme:	VEGA
Project number:	2/0065/16
Institute position in the project:	The only one project investigator
Project leader:	Peter Krížik

The aim of the project is the study of phenomena in powder-metallurgical (PM) compacts prepared by quasi-isostatic forging of aluminium (Al) powders with minimal plastic deformation induced during consolidation. Such consolidation results in fine grain Al structure stabilized with continuous nanometric thick amorphous network of native oxide (am-Al₂O₃) characterised with enhanced high temperature properties and thermal stability of the material. The project aims to study systematically and describe the phenomena listed below, with major impact on performance of these compacts (with emphasis on the mechanical properties):

• the conditions for formation of bonding between initial am-Al₂O₃ layers on the surfaces of Al powders, that later forms the continuous nanoscale thick network in compacts
• description of the effect of gases intentionally entrapped and compressed in the compacts structure during consolidation (expected theoretical density of compacts is near to 100%)
• the effect of thickness, morphology and crystal structure of Al₂O₃ layer on formation of continuous nanoscale thick network