Structure-property relationships in Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} short fiber and SiC particle reinforced aluminium alloys

Conference · Fri Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:143700

Harris, S J; Cai, H W; Weatherburn, P C ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Nottingham (United Kingdom). Dept. of Materials Engineering and Materials Design

A study has been made of how Saffil {delta}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} fibres and {alpha}-SiC particles influence the microstructure and properties of two types of heat-treatable aluminium alloys, i.e. aluminum-copper and aluminium-copper-magnesium (2124, 2618A) alloys. Natural aging (T4) of the binary Al-Cu alloys was virtually prevented by the reinforcements, while in the case of the AlCu-Mg alloys, hardening did take place at a similar rate. Magnesium additions, it is believed, maintained the concentration of quenched in vacancies thus permitting GPB zone formation and in consequence increases in proof stress and tensile strength values. Artificial aging of these reinforcement composites helped to promote {theta}{prime}(CuAl{sub 2}) precipitation at lower temperatures. These precipitates nucleated on the increased dislocation density which arose from differential thermal effects between reinforcement and matrix. The limit of proportionality, tensile strength and ductility of short fiber reinforced composites are not as well developed as with the particulate systems because of enhanced tensile residual stresses in the matrix, fiber cracking and strong fiber-matrix bonding.

• OSTI ID: 143700
• Report Number(s): CONF-930246--; ISBN 0-87339-251-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COPPER ALLOYS
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MICROSTRUCTURE
SILICON CARBIDES
TENSILE PROPERTIES