REU/RET Project

Edward J. Megen
University: University of Central Florida
Mentor in UCF: Dr. S. Seal – AMPAC, and Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Alumina and Ni-coated Alumina

Alumina nano particles have been synthesized using the microemulsions process and have been characterized to show their particle size and distribution. Alumina nano fibers have been synthesized using the sol gel process and have been characterized to show their nano features. Nickel coated alumina has been synthesized using electroless coating and characterization was done to discover thickness of the coating. The consolidation of the nickel coated alumina was performed to produce a pellet and subsequently sintered using a hot isostaic press. Variation modes of nanomaterial preparation showed different mechanical properties in the final composites – applied in the field of manufacturing of high strength materials for aerospace and automotive industries.