Properties of Al/Al2O3-TiO2 composites prepared by powder metallurgy processing

Abstract

In this paper, aluminum metal matrix composite (AMCs) containing Al2O3-TiO2 composite powder in different ratios (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) as a reinforcement material was produced using the powder metallurgy method. This paper aims to research the effect of the alumina-titanium oxide powder ratio on Al/Al2O3-TiO2 composite properties. An experimental study has been carried out on density, hardness, tensile strength, phase, and microstructure characterization of aluminum metal matrix composites. The findings of the experimental investigation reveal that the AMCs with 20 wt.% Al2O3-TiO2 exhibited gradually increased mechanical properties, i.e., Vickers hardness of 56 HV and the tensile strength of 150 MPa. It has been concluded that the density of composites improved with the addition of Al2O3-TiO2 reinforcement. Microstructural observation indicates that the distribution of Al2O3-TiO2 particles is usually near-uniform and homogeneous in the aluminum matrix.