Cu-based metallic glass particle additions to significantly improve overall compressive properties of an Al alloy

• Published in: Acta materialia Vol. 41; no. 10; pp. 1551 - 1557
• Main Authors: Dudina, D.V., Georgarakis, K., Aljerf, M., Li, Y., Braccini, M., Yavari, A.R., Inoue, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Metal-matrix composites (MMCs); Alloy development; Aluminum base alloys; Amorphous materials; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; B. Microstructures; Chemical Sciences; Consolidation; Copper; Dispersion hardening metals; E. Sintering; Exact sciences and technology; Material chemistry; Mechanical milling; Metallic glasses; Metals. Metallurgy; Particulate composites; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Metallic glasses; B. Mechanical properties; E. Sintering; B. Microstructures; A. Metal-matrix composites (MMCs); Titanium alloy; Strengthening; Metal matrix composite; Grinding(comminution); Mechanical properties; Zirconium alloy; Compressive strength; Aluminium alloy; Experimental study; Composite material; Dispersion strengthened metal; Sintering; Magnesium alloy; Yield strength; Microstructure; Copper alloy; STRENGTH; Microstructures; TITANIUM; MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES; ZR-TI; Metal-matrix composites (MMCs); REINFORCEMENT; FABRICATION; MATRIX COMPOSITES; STRUCTURAL-MATERIALS
• ISSN: 1359-835X; 1359-6454; 1878-5840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.07.004

We report the development of a novel light-weight Al (520) alloy-based composite reinforced with particles of a Cu-based (Cu 54Zr 36Ti 10) metallic glass by mechanical milling followed by induction heated sintering. The consolidation of the composite is performed at a temperature in the super-cooled liquid region of the metallic glass just above its glass-transition temperature ( T g ). Metallic glasses are a promising alternative reinforcement material for metal-matrix composites capable of producing significant strengthening along with a «friendly» sintering behavior. The mechanical milling procedures were properly established to allow reduction of the size of the metallic glass particles and their uniform distribution in the matrix. Microstructural observation of the composite did not reveal any porosity. The interface between the glassy particles and the matrix remained free of such defects. The fully dense consolidated composite showed a drastic gain in specific yield strength under compression relative to the matrix alloy and appreciable plasticity at fracture.