Comparative processing-structure-property studies of Al-Cu matrix composites reinforced with TiC particulates

Kaftelen H., UNLU N., Göller G., Öveçoğlu M. L., Henein H.

COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING, vol.42, no.7, pp.812-824, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 42 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.03.016
  • Journal Name: COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.812-824
  • Keywords: Metal matrix composites (MMCs), Casting, Microstructures, Wear, SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOR, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, AL-4.5CU ALLOY, ALUMINUM, PARTICLES, CAST, MICROSTRUCTURE, FABRICATION
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Effects of TiC content and size on the microstructure, density, hardness and wear resistance of Al-4 wt.% Cu matrix composites were investigated. Al-4 wt.% Cu matrix composites were fabricated using two main processing routes of powder metallurgy (PM) and casting. In the PM process, Al-4 wt.% Cu matrix alloy reinforced with 10 wt.% TiC particulates of two different average sizes (13 mu m and 93 mu m) were mechanically alloyed and sintered. In the second process, Al-4 wt.% Cu-xTiC (x = 5, 10, 15 and 20 vol.%) composites were fabricated using a flux-assisted casting. Both the wear resistance and the hardness of cast composites improved with TiC content. The sintered composite containing smaller TiC particles (0.6-3.5 mu m) exhibited higher hardness than that reinforced with coarser TiC (0.8-5.6 mu m) particles. However, the detachment of carbide particles from wear surfaces of the composite reinforced with TiC particles (0.6-3.5 mu m) results in the deterioration of its wear resistance. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.