Microstructural properties of theAl–Mgx/TiC composites obtained by infiltration techniques

Abstract

Al–Mgx metal matrix composites reinforced with TiC (56 vol%) were obtained using apressureless infiltration technique. It was observed that the infiltration rate of theseAl–Mgx alloys increases as the magnesium content increases. Through x-ray diffraction (XRD) noreaction phase was detected, only the presence of aluminium and titanium carbide. Inaddition, some TEM studies were carried out to characterize the interface and the matrixof the composites. These results suggest that the Mg forms a solid solution with thealuminium lattice. Different morphological and chemical characteristics of the precipitatedparticles are also reported. To get an insight into the interface phenomena in theHREM images, theoretical simulations have been carried out. The hardness of theAl–Mgx/TiC composites increases as the amount of magnesium is increased. Additionally, hardnessmeasurements have been performed with an atomic force microscope (AFM) andcomparison with steel values were carried out. The elastic modulus, on the other hand,decreases slightly with magnesium content.