Powder metallurgy was used to fabricate a metal matrix composite comprising 35 weight% Ni powder, 40 weight% Al powder and 25 weight% Al2O3 (alumina). A ring was fabricated by compacting 100 g of the powder mixture in a die with an inside diameter of 9 mm and an outside diameter of 19 mm. The applied compaction load was 12 tonnes (metric). (The densities of alumina, nickel and aluminium are 3950, 8900 and 2700 Kg.m respectively) a) Calculate the thickness of this ring after compaction. b) If 12 g of powder mixture is used and the resulted thickness of the ring is 20 mm, calculate the percentage of porosity in the ring. c) Discuss the sintering temperature and the possible phases which may form. Use the attached Al-Ni phase diagram below. [9 marks]