Aluminum–Alumina Composites: Part Ⅰ: Obtaining and Characterization of Powders

Abstract

The process of advanced aluminum-alumina powders production for selective laser melting was studied. The economically effective method of obtaining aluminum–alumina powdery composites for further selective laser melting was comprehensively studied. The aluminum powders with 10–20 wt. % alumina content were obtained by oxidation of aluminum in water. Aluminum oxidation was carried out at ≤200 °C. The oxidized powders were further dried at 120 °C and calcined at 600 °C. Four oxidation modes with different process temperatures (120–200 °C) and pressures (0.15–1.80 MPa) were investigated. Parameters of aluminum powders oxidation to obtain composites with 10.0, 14.5, 17.4, and 20.0 wt. % alumina have been determined. The alumina content, particle morphology, and particle size distribution for the obtained aluminum–alumina powdery composites were studied by XRD, SEM, laser diffraction, and volumetric methods. According to the obtained characteristics of aluminum–alumina powdery composites, they are suitable for the SLM process.