Characterization of Al3Fe Particle within Al-Al3Fe Functionally Graded Material Fabricated by Semi-Solid Forming

Abstract

Near net shape forming of Al-Al3Fe functionally graded materials (FGMs) have been studied. FGM billets fabricated by a centrifugal method were extruded under the condition of a mixture of molten Al eutectic and solid Al3Fe particles. Both distribution and profile of Al3Fe particles were characterized by and the variation of volume fraction of Al3Fe particles was observed. Shore hardness of the Al matrix was also measured to evaluate the strength of the FGM before and after the semi-solid forming associated with the character of distributed Al3Fe particles. It was confirmed that Shore hardness increased with increasing the volume fraction of Al3Fe particles and after the semi-solid forming than before. This was due to the fact that Al3Fe particles after the semi-solid forming became fine by shear stress introduced by liquid Al flow.