The Formation of Metal/Metal-Matrix Nanocomposites by the Ultrasonic Dispersion of Immiscible Liquid Metals

Abstract

ABSTRACTUltrasonic energy has been used to disperse one liquid metallic component in a second immiscible liquid metal, thereby producing a metallic emulsion. Upon lowering the temperature of this emulsion below the melting point of the lowest-melting constituent, a metal/metal-matrix composite is formed. This composite consists of sub-micron-to-micron-sized particles of the minor metallic phase that are embedded in a matrix consisting of the major metallic phase. The zinc-bismuth case was used as a model system, and ultrasonic dispersion of a minor bismuth liquid phase was used to synthesize metal/metal-matrix composites. These materials were subsequently characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.