Influence of thermomechanical treatment on the formation of the structure in dispersed-reinforced aluminum alloy-based metal composite materials

Abstract

The study explored various facets of the structure of dispersed-reinforced aluminum alloy-based metal composite material (MCM) under different modes of thermomechanical treatment. Replacing traditional structural materials with MCM provides manufacturers with an opportunity to achieve higher levels of engineering superiority. The ability to choose composition, modify primary component ratios, and employ a range of MCM manufacturing techniques allows for precise tuning of the material's strength, rigidity, temperature range, and other physical and mechanical properties. Two prevalent technologies for crafting dispersed-reinforced aluminum alloy-based MCM exist: liquid-phase and powder technologies. Liquid-phase methodology entails merging the reinforcing component into the binder alloy's melt, followed by crystallization. This process guarantees the dispersion and fixation of reinforcing particles within the binder volume. In contrast, powder technology involves simultaneous processing of primary component powders in high-energy mills, with subsequent amalgamation of the resultant composite granules via pressure molding. The chief aim of thermomechanical treatment lies in yielding blanks that closely mimic the final product's geometry and reshaping the deformable material's structure to heighten its strength properties. Powder technology was employed to fabricate monolithic composite material samples. Their structures were analyzed, accompanied by tests to ascertain density and strength parameters of the MCM at room temperature. Consequently, dispersed-reinforced aluminum alloy-based MCM possessing a uniform structure, density exceeding 99.0 % of the theoretical value, and elevated mechanical attributes: σu = 300÷305 MPa and E = 87÷95 GPa, were successfully produced.