Al-Cu-Si - (Al2O3)p composites using A 384.1 Al Alloys

Abstract

Al-Cu-Si (Al₂O₃)_p composite containing 5% Al₂O₃ with particle size 0.220 µm were fabricated by modified stir casting technique.  The addition of Al₂O₃ in A.384.1, Al Alloy was found to increase hardness, proof stress and ultimate tensile strength.  The fabricated composites showed higher peak hardness and lower peak ageing time as compared to the unreinforced Al alloy.  In addition, ageing is found to increase the strength, micro and macro-hardness of the fabricated composites. The reinforced composite samples with different particle sizes of Al₂O₃ i.e. 0.220, 0.106 and 0.053 µm were also fabricated to further investigate the interfacial characteristics. It is observed that the samples with small particle size exhibited clustering, whereas, the larger particles were found to mix up homogeneously in Al alloy matrix.