Growth of needle-like nanocrystals on the surface of oxidized Al and their effect in strengthening the Al-matrix composite

A new concept has been proposed for the creation of dispersed-strengthened composite materials (CM) due to the growth of oxide nanostructures (NS) on the surface of metal particles during the interaction of the surface oxide layer with a reaction oxide deposited on the oxidized surface of the metal particles. The concept is demonstrated using whisker-like nanocrystals (NWs) grown on the surface of oxidized Al particles. The new method ensures uniform distribution of NS on the surface of metal particles and, as a result, their uniform distribution in CM, which significantly simplifies the CM production technology. The concept covers metals with high oxygen affinity: Al, Mg, Ti, Ni, Zr.