Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This work explores the in situ formation of Al2O3 reinforcement in Al-Si-based composites produced via powder metallurgy, with systematic evaluation of processing parameters and property relationships. Thirty-two compositions were fabricated by varying Si content (2–8 wt.%), SiO2 content (0–9 wt.%), and sintering temperatures (610–640 °C). Results confirmed successful aluminothermic reduction of SiO2, yielding homogeneously dispersed ~ 1 µm Al2O3 particles. The composition containing 2 wt.% Si and 6 wt.% SiO2 sintered at 640 °C exhibited the highest Brinell hardness (163.2 HB), while maintaining cost-effectiveness through reduced metallic Si usage. Density and porosity analyses revealed that hardness was maximized at ~ 20–22% porosity, highlighting a trade-off between reinforcement generation and pore formation. Wear tests indicated that low wear rates were not always correlated with higher hardness, suggesting additional mechanisms, such as Si-induced solid lubrication, contribute to tribological performance. Random Forest regression with SHAP analysis identified Si content as the most influential factor, followed by SiO2 ratio and sintering temperature, revealing complex interactions among parameters. Overall, the study demonstrates that optimal mechanical and tribological performance can be achieved through balanced parameter control in multi-component reactive systems. Nevertheless, limitations such as the narrow sintering temperature window and constant duration are acknowledged, pointing to future studies on broader processing ranges and varied wear conditions.