Production of Aluminium Matrix In - Situ Particulate Copmosites

Abstract

Aluminium-alumina (Al,O3) and AI-spinel (MgA1,O4), MgO in-situ particulate composites were prepared by reacting several oxides such as CuO, MnO„ Fe,O1 and TiO, particles with molten pure Al and Al-2 Mg alloy respectively. 2-5 wt% of the oxides were incorporated into pure Al and Al-2 Mg alloy melt by vortex method.After addition of the particles into the melt, the liquid composites were solidified in crucibles. To identify the phases formed in the composites, parts of the composites were remelted and treated with 0.3 wt% hexachloroethane. The particles were analysed by X-ray diffractometry. Al^03 particles were detected in pure Al base composites and MgA1,O4 and MgO particles were detected in Al-2 Mg alloy base composites. Most of the particles formed in-situ were in the size range 1-3µm. The present work shows the possibility of producing Al matrix in-situ particle composites reinforced with A1,03, MgAl2O4 and MgO.