Microstructural properties and impact behavior of AA5083/Al2O3 functionally graded composite material with surface foam layer produced through powder metallurgy

Abstract

The development of technology requires new generation materials that can hold different concentrations together, unlike conventional composite materials that are only reinforced. Functionally graded composite materials (FGCMs) are open to development because they are lightweight and hold concentrations with different mechanical properties. For this reason, in this study, a new generation FGCMs and aluminum foam material were combined. A new generation of functionally graded composite foam materials (FGCFMs) consisting of AA5083 alloy aluminum foam on one surface and AA5083 matrix on the other surface, and a graded composite structure with Al2O3 contents varying from 10% to 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% were produced. AA5083, Al2O3 and TiH2 powders were weighed on a precision scale and mixed in a three-dimensional mixer for 1 h. The mixed powders were compressed under 300 MPa pressure at 500 °C and to obtain block samples of different step thicknesses (2, 4, and 6 mm). The foamable preform materials were foamed at 750 °C for about 10 min. The highest value of macro hardness value was obtained with 167 HB in the sample with a step thickness of 2 mm. In samples with step thicknesses of 4 and 6 mm, puncture did not occur at an impact energy of 300 J.