Competitive role of brittle particles and in-situ Al2Cu on compressive behavior of Al composites via powder metallurgy

This investigation focuses on the compressive strength evaluation of the distinctive composites constituted from pure elemental Al and Cu powders. These are produced by using a filling procedure and mixed with brittle reinforcement particles. A competitive mechanical behavior is verified. Cu particle constitutes a solid solution and Al 2 Cu intermetallic favors to increase the mechanical behavior. In opposite direction, the brittle powder particles significantly promote deleterious effects on the mechanical behavior. The distinctive Al/2Cu/2X (wt.%) composites are compacted and sintered, i.e. Al/2Cu/2Si, Al/2Cu/2SiO 2 , Al/2Cu/2 crystal glass and Al/2Cu/2TiO 2 . A novelty aspect concerns to the fact the filed Al and Cu particles produced Al 2 Cu intermetallic below to liquid transformation. The samples are compacted with 430 MPa and sintered at 580 o C adopting three different sintering times ( i.e. 0.5, 1 and 3 h). It is also found that the sintered Al/Cu composite has higher compressive strength (~560 MPa, sintered for 1 h) than the as-cast Al-Cu alloy (~270 MPa). Another novelty aspect induces that the brittle particles addition decreases the ultimate compressive strength. Associated with this, it is verified that the highest mechanical behavior is that of the sintered for 1 h (~390 MPa). Additionally, the worst compressive strength is that of the Al/2Cu/2TiO 2 composite (~275 MPa) associated with the resulting spike-like morphology. The lightweight aspects and specific strengths associated with relative costs of all examined composite sample are also discussed. • Pure elemental powders of Al and Cu are produced by filling • No liquid-assisted sintering is used. • Roles of Cu powders and brittle particles in compressive behavior is discussed • Cu particles constitute solid solution and Al 2 Cu intermetallic formation increases mechanical behavior • Brittle particles, e.g. Si, SiO 2 , crystal glass and TiO 2 particles promote deleterious effects on the compressive behavior.