The effect of sintering parameters and MgO ratio on structural properties in Al7075/MgO composites: a review

In this experimental study, Al7075 matrix composites reinforced with different proportions of MgO were produced by powder metallurgy method. Different sintering temperatures and times were applied in the powder metallurgy production process. In the second stage of the experimental study, firstly, the porosity and hardness measurements of the composite materials were made. Then, microstructure images were taken with SEM and optical microscope, and XRD analyzes were performed. Using the obtained data, the effects of different MgO ratios and different sintering parameters on the structural properties of composite materials were evaluated. As the sintering temperature increased, the density of the composite structure increased and then decreased again. Accordingly, the amount of porosity first decreased and then increased again. Significant size growth occurred in all samples sintered at 600 °C. This change was associated with the high amount of porosity in the same samples. A more stable microstructure was obtained from the samples sintered at 550 °C. Thus, it can be said that the presence of excess MgO particles in the system causes the material quality to deteriorate due to increased microscopic structural problems, wetting rates, intergranular interaction problems between adjacent layers, recovery mechanism and entanglement of voids, and dislocations. Therefore, the ideal rate, time and temperature value for MgO addition should be carefully determined. As a result, it was seen that the sintering temperature of 550 °C gave the most suitable results. The sintering time strengthened the phase volume of the Al7075 alloy, making the compound more stable.